'The 4400' fans launch seed protest

USA Network is being deluged with sunflower seeds in a protest by fans of its recently-axed series The 4400.

Thousands of bags of the seeds, a favourite of character Dr Kevin Burkhoff, have been sent to the company along with pleading messages.

The cult sci-fi show was cancelled in December after four seasons.

Giants Sunflower Seeds, a small manufacturer of the snack, said it had been overwhelmed with orders to be sent to the channel. Even fans from the Netherlands, Israel, Venezuela and elsewhere have got involved.

Boss Jay Schuler said: "We thought they were loony tunes at first. But it has been a wonderful thing."

His brother Tom, who is in charge of internet sales at Giants Seeds, added: "It's kind of cool to see all these loyal fans. It's a little crazy, but I feel good about it."

One 4400 devotee, 60-year-old Sandy Williams, from Arkansas, said fans wanted "closure to a magnificent tale of what could be reality on some level".

She added: "Honestly and simply, the story made me think beyond just entertainment like so many shows seen on television today. It caused me to pause and examine my values, from religious to political to personal."

The campaign, which officially launched on Friday, is modeled on one by fans of Jericho, who caused CBS to continue the show with a flood of phone calls and peanuts.