Jericho fans want to make history, for the second time
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- March
- 31
The fans of Jericho have proven themselves to be among the most web-savvy in the television watching public.
They taken the next web-savvy step in their efforts to get someone else to pick up CBS’ twice-canceled post-apocalyptic drama, setting up an alternate “official” Jericho site in anticipation of the one on CBS “going dark.”
Here’s the full text of the official press release, so any of you not familiar with the entire Jericho resurrection story can get up to speed:
March 23, 2008 – “How does it feel to be part of history? Don’t Tread on Me!” It’s the new battle cry of the next Jericho fan revolution. On March 22nd, CBS once again canceled Jericho, and within minutes, the fan efforts to solve the problem had kicked back into action. CBS’ serial drama Jericho, originally debuting on September 20, 2006, had been canceled once before, but the network resurrected it after the fans paid homage to Jericho character Jake Green (portrayed by actor Skeet Ulrich) uttering “Nuts!” to a request for surrender during the heat of battle. This line inspired a fan protest involving 40,000 pounds of nuts being shipped to CBS, forcing the network to reconsider its decision and to agree to a seven-episode Season 2.According to CBS, Nielsen ratings had not been high enough this time around to encourage the network to buy into a third season for Jericho, leading to the show’s second cancellation before the March 25th airing of the seventh and final episode with had been shot with two alternate endings: a cliffhanger if picked up for another season, and an open-ended, show-ending conclusion to the seven episode arc storyline. CBS aired the latter version, and fans, deeming it also to be a cliffhanger itself, were inspired to begin the fight again to preserve Jericho for another round of storytelling.
Rumors had already begun circulating that Jericho’s Executive Producer Carol Barbee had been already ’shopping’ the show to cable networks – where Jericho’s ratings, considered sub-par by CBS, would be stellar elsewhere. According to Barbee and other sources close to Barbee, the SciFi and CW networks continue to be possibilities for picking up Jericho. Fans have now sprung into action, currently sending e-mails and letters and making phone calls to both networks.
Jericho fans – well-versed in their abilities to make a difference through efforts involving over $20,000 in donations to the Greensburg, Kansas, building fund, DVD shipments to troops overseas, and an affiliation with Project Homefront – are now refocusing their endeavors toward an organized multiphase effort to win a new home for their favorite show. They also have set up an alternate online rally point in anticipation of CBS’ Jericho Web site eventually going dark.
For more information about Jericho’s latest fan revolution, or to learn how you can offer your assistance and your voice to making history again by finding Jericho a new home, please log onto www.jerichonet2.com/board to check out the New Save Jericho Campaign details for addresses, contact numbers, and ongoing efforts to give Jericho new life.
Atta boys and girls! UPDATE: Can’t believe I forgot ‘em, but forgive me all… There are, of course, two other long-running Jericho forums, Jericho Rally Point and Radio Free Jericho, both of which have been great friends to Remote Access. They’re a big part of the fan movement too, and have been from the beginning. Sorry, guys!
Other Jericho goodness:
• Vote for Stanley!!!! Over in the right on this blog, there’s a poll. Stuff the ballot box for Brad Beyer, as the supporting actor most crucial to his show (that’s why no Skeet or Lennie!)… He’s catching up to Jenna Fischer, but c’mon, you can put him out front!
• IF Magazine has this interview with creator/producer Jon Steinberg and co-executive producer Dan Shotz. Here’s a taste:
STEINBERG: I think there are a lot of different options being explored right now, and they all have their ups and downs. Hopefully something will pan out, we’d love to continue telling stories in the JERICHO universe in some shape or form.SHOTZ: We are working with our studio to explore outlets. We feel like JERICHO could exist in many places and in different forms. We want to pursue that as quickly as possible.
• Then, check out this fascinating JerichoMonster interview.
• Not specifically Jericho, but definitely related, join The Television Viewer Union, the TV fan effort to get the Nielsen formula overturned.
• And, speaking of Nielsen, JerichoMonster has picked up NorsU’s suggestion to send Nuts to Nielsen for its admission of botching how ratings are measured. NutsOnline, anyone?
This entry was posted
on Monday, March 31st, 2008 at 3:49 pm by Amy Vernon.
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Amy,
Great article, as usual! I think the reason people care so much is due to the interesting story-line and its propensity to make us think. I discovered a great article from Orson Scott Card – (http://www.hatrack.com/osc/articles/empire_afterword.shtml). In his novel, Empire, he gives the reader a look at a United States in Civil War. Of course, the next season of Jericho (a little positive thinking!) will revolve around a new American Civil War. Mr. Card knocks this one out of the park and tells us why it's possible. "In America today, we are complacent in our belief that it can't happen here. We forget that America is not an ethnic nation, where ancient ties of blood can bind people together despite differences. We are created by ideology; ideas are our only connection. And because today we have discarded the free marketplace of ideas and have polarized ourselves into two equally insane ideologies, so that each side can, with perfect accuracy, brand the other side as madmen, we are ripe for that next step, to take preventive action to keep the other side from seizing power and oppressing our side."
Oh Amy! Thanks for keeping up the Jericho love, but you do know there are two other 'alternate' fan boards that have been up and running since almost the beginning, and are also part of the campaign?
www.jerichorallypoint.com
www.radiofreejericho.com
Voting for Brad…. again!
Thank you so much for your continued coverage throughout and for posting the Press Release from JerichoNet2. All fans everywhere are working hard to help Jericho see a Season 3.
Thanks to you for all you've done.
Thank you Amy for helping us get the word out. It ain't over til it's over! This is an excerpt from a post at CBS from the Producing Team:
"This show has made TV history in so many ways… and we are doing everything in our power to help find a new way to show you how Jake, Hawkins and gang lead their way through the Next American Civil War."
Now THAT'S motivation.
Thanks for posting this….have a great day..
Thank you so much for the great article!!
Thanks for a great article! One of the biggest misconceptions of Jericho is that it must not be good if it keeps getting canceled. Its actually the opposite. Most people who watch the Pilot love it and wonder why they never heard of the show. Our argument exactly. It has never been promoted well, and its been given up twice because ratings don't cover the huge online viewer base. Your coverage is such a great help for getting the word out there! We have our fingers crossed SCIFI will pick it. Thanks again!!
Thanks so much for helping to spread the word…..........Jericho will prevail!!
Thank you so much for posting this, Amy. Everyone really appreciates that our message is getting out there.
This show is just in a league of its own. I'm sitting here watching season one of Jericho on DVD right now. I'm getting ready to watch the episode "Federal Response". I am still getting tingles down my spine and goosebumps on my arms watching these episodes. It's almost as if I'm watching them for the first time – they're that good. Every time I watch any episode of Jericho, I get lost in the town and in the events there.
In order to save Jericho and continue the story we need our message out there so everyone will hear. By posting the press release, you are helping get our message out there.
Thank you.
Thanks, Amy! You are a loyal, faithful Jerichoan, and your posting this release helps keep our show on the tip of everyone's tongue. Thanks so much!
Amy,
Thanks for your continued support to the Jericho fan community! It's people like you that bring encouragement to all of us working to save Jericho. There's SO much more story to be told, that it JUST can't end here.