| Creator: | Max A. Keller & Micheline H. Keller |
| Starring: | Catherine Oxenberg Brendan Kelly John Vernon Fabio Lydie Denier Alison Armitage Christa Sauls Michael Worth Holly Floria Graham Heywood Spencer Rochfort Randy Vasquez |
| Num Seasons: | 2 |
| Num Episodes: | 48 |
| Country: | United States France |
| Language: | English |
| Location: | Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
| Runtime: | 60 minutes |
| Company: | Balenciaga Productions M6 Films CNC Les Films du Triangle Film Groupe S. A. (1993–94) France Triangle Films (1996) Max Keller & Micheline Keller Productions |
| Network: | Syndication (United States) M6 (France) |
Acapulco H.E.A.T. is a 1993 syndicated television series. It follows the adventures of the "Hemisphere Emergency Action Team" (H.E.A.T.), a group of top-secret agents based in Acapulco in Mexico, recruited by "C-5", a secret, inter-governmental coalition to fight terrorism and other international crimes. To keep a low profile, the team poses as models and photographers representing a beach-fashion business. The show returned for a second season (production started in 1996) with a new and smaller cast; it aired in Europe in 1997, and in the United States during 1998–99.
Led by Ashley Hunter-Coddington (Catherine Oxenberg), a former MI6 operative, and Mike Savage (Brendan Kelly), a former CIA agent, the H.E.A.T. members fight international terrorism. They receive their assignments from "Mr. Smith" (John Vernon), the mysterious head of C-5, a secret governmental organization linked to the United Nations. The team operates from both Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and internationally under the 'cover' of a beach fashion enterprise.[1]
The team's members are: Catherine "Cat" Avery Pascal (Alison Armitage), a French former cat-burglar who had to choose between life imprisonment and working in H.E.A.T. for a year in order to have a "clean-slate"; Tommy Chase (Michael Worth), a martial arts expert with a deep understanding of human psychology; Brett Richardson (Spencer Rochfort), a former Navy SEAL with a vast knowledge of explosives.
Krissie Valentine (Holly Floria), a computer genius who can do anything with computers, no matter the situation and, who eventually becomes romantically involved with teammate Marcos Chavez (Randy Vasquez), a member of Mexico's Los Federales, and whose local contacts in their base-of-operations prove very helpful. Arthur Small (Graham Heywood), owner of Acapulco H.E.A.T. Beach Fashion who manages both the team's logistics and its members' false identities in the "Beach Fashion Enterprise" and, Claudio Divanti (Fabio), owner of the hotel where the team is headquartered.
Catherine ("Cat") Avery Pascal and Tommy Chase are the only original characters to return in Season Two. The Season Two storyline explained the time gap (about 3 years) between seasons by stating that the (Season One) H.E.A.T. team had disbanded a few years after the events of Season One. In the interim, "Cat" became a beach-fashion photographer, and Tommy became a "lone wolf", taking odd jobs to survive and still managing to fight local drug dealers. The two were recruited by ex-spy Nicole Bernard (Lydie Denier) and her protégée, Joanna Barnes (Christa Sauls) a computer expert. They continued fighting crime backed by private investors; their "cover": owners of a beach-fashion boutique ("Acapulco HEAT Beach Fashion").[2]
The show initially produced only one season (1993–94). Following a two-year hiatus, Acapulco H.E.A.T. was brought back for a second season with a mostly new cast.[3] This second season was produced in 1996 for worldwide distribution, but also aired in the U.S. during the 1998–99 television season.[3] A planned third season did not materialize.[3] A total of 48 episodes were made and have developed a fan base and international audience. The series continues to be broadcast on cable and streaming channels.
The show's theme song, "I Feel the Heat,"[4] was sung by Sable Jeffries (first season) and Pepper Mashay (second season).
In Season 2 episode 'Blood Ties', original cast members from Season 1, Spencer Rochfort and Randy Vasquez, returned for a special appearance as their characters Brett Richardson and Marcos Chavez. Brett retired from his activities as governamental agent a Marcus, also retired from activity, has become the owner of a limusine company.
The first season was produced for syndication in the United States for the 1993–94 television season.
The second season was produced in 1996 for European distribution and airing in 1997, but was not syndicated in the United States until the 1998–99 television season. The dates listed below are the U.S. airdates.
Mill Creek Entertainment released the entire series on DVD in Region 1 in 2006. On May 6, 2008, Mill Creek Entertainment released Acapulco H.E.A.T.- The Complete series, an 11-disc boxset featuring all 48 episodes of the series.
As of 2010, these releases have been discontinued and are out of print. As of 2014, all episodes from season 1 could be watched on YouTube, at the Keller Entertainment Group official Acapulco H.E.A.T. channel, before as of 2021, being available for streaming.As of July 2021, the show is airing on a United States digital channel American Classic Entertainment, otherwise known as Ace.
| DVD name | Ep # | Release date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acapulco H.E.A.T.: The Complete First Season | 22 | June 27, 2006 | |
| Acapulco H.E.A.T.: The Complete Second and Final Season | 26 | October 31, 2006 | |
| Acapulco H.E.A.T.: The Complete Series | 48 | May 6, 2008 |