‘Jericho’ Fans Triumph as CBS Resurrects the Canceled Series
Look for More Skeet and Company Come Next Year
This one’s for the TV history books, folks. With one simple letter to fans yesterday, CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler conceded victory to the enthusiastic and persistent supporters of Jericho, the rookie series that was canceled last month despite an intriguing storyline and a hardcore fan base. The blame for the show’s ratings decline was solely CBS’ for forcing viewers to endure an unforgivable three-month hiatus late last year. The deluge of nuts that rained down on the network’s New York and California offices did the trick, however, prompting Eye executives’ decision to bring Jericho back for seven mid-season episodes during the 2007–2008 period.
Now that we know it only takes about twenty tons of nuts, some fifty thousand odd dollars, and a virtual army of passionate protesters with Web savvy to get the networks to listen to viewers, which one will next experience the wrath of fandom when they unleash another inevitably dumb programming decision on us? Who knows? But after this immensely satisfying success, I’m positive it’s only a matter of time before TV watchers take back the tube again from a network that dares to cancel a good show before its time.
Herewith, CBS’ concession—complete with a plea to stop with the nuts already!—in the form of a publicly released letter from Tassler herself.
To the Fans of Jericho:
Wow!
Over the past few weeks you have put forth an impressive and probably unprecedented display of passion in support of a prime time television series. You got our attention; your emails and collective voice have been heard.
As a result, CBS has ordered seven episodes of “Jericho” for mid-season next year. In success, there is the potential for more. But, for there to be more “Jericho,” we will need more viewers.
A loyal and passionate community has clearly formed around the show. But that community needs to grow. It needs to grow on the CBS Television Network, as well as on the many digital platforms where we make the show available.
We will count on you to rally around the show, to recruit new viewers with the same grass-roots energy, intensity and volume you have displayed in recent weeks.
At this time, I cannot tell you the specific date or time period that “Jericho” will return to our schedule. However, in the interim, we are working on several initiatives to help introduce the show to new audiences. This includes re-broadcasting “Jericho” on CBS this summer, streaming episodes and clips from these episodes across the CBS Audience Network (online), releasing the first season DVD on September 25 and continuing the story of Jericho in the digital world until the new episodes return. We will let you know specifics when we have them so you can pass them on.
On behalf of everyone at CBS, thank you for expressing your support of “Jericho” in such an extraordinary manner. Your protest was creative, sustained and very thoughtful and respectful in tone. You made a difference.
Sincerely,
Nina Tassler
President, CBS Entertainment
P.S. Please stop sending us nuts J
Thank you for your loyalty and inceasing coverage!! Yes, victory smells and feel sweet!! We will not forget the lessons we learned, either. Now, on to inform the world about the upcoming season!!
Now, on to inform the world about the upcoming season!!
You are absolutely correct, Susan. Now that the show is coming back, it’s time for fans to make sure it stays by watching faithfully each week.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Thank you for your article. Keep an eye out as new campaigns to keep Jericho hit the Net.