It's Just a Thought

Viewers Fighting Back - An Update

         Yep, the viewers of the recently cancelled Jericho, on CBS aren't taking the cancellation of their favorite show lying down. Not by a long shot. And it very well may pay off - the show might be making a comeback. And for me, that comeback can't be soon enough.
         The quoted passages in the remainder of this entry are taken from a print of an article from CNN.com on this very subject that I came across at work today. I have no idea who printed it out or when, but I've been very glad they did. They made my day, and Kenzie 's as well with this news. I'm including the quotes because I want all readers to fully appreciate the impact the viewers' reaction is having on the network, and enjoy that fact with us. I'll start with the headline:

" 'Jericho' fans assail CBS with 25 tons of peanuts"

         Two more quotes: "CBS, deluged with calls, messages, and shipments of nuts signifying viewer displeasure, is reconsidering its decision" and the following one is my favorite quote of the article: " ' We are tired of the networks (not just CBS) tossing aside quality programming,' was the message carried by jericholives.com, one of several websites protesting the cancellation."
         That quote is GREAT. Because it says what I've felt for at least 20-30 years. Most of my favorite shows over the years were cancelled early, without regard for the viewers. It's about time we fight back.
         I'll use my second favorite quote from that article to close out this update. "The network apparently has been impressed by the display of viewers' passion, which included the delivery of 50,000 pounds of peanuts to its New York offices. In the season finale, a character replies 'Nuts' to a demand that the beleaguered town of Jericho surrender. That's the same response that a U.S. general in World War II made to a German demand to surrender at the Battle of the Bulge. There's already been one positive outcome: CBS is donating the protest peanuts to chariies, including one that sends care packages to troops overseas."

         Hopefully, all the major networks will start paying more attention to viewers' intelligence, and opinions. If they do, it'll make a win-win situation. We viewers will get the quality shows we want to see, and the networks will keep their viewership. If they don't, the desertion of their viewer base to cable and satelite TV is likely to continue, simply because the networks will not have done anything to earn back the trust of those same viewers.

         Needless to say, I will let you know the networks' decision here when I find out what it is. Yes, you may find out before I do, but I should close this subject out appropriately, and that's the best way to do it. Besides - there may actually be some of you who will not have heard the final decision by the time I post it here.