So, Where Do We Go From Here?
This has been the overriding topic since the commercial campaign was completed and began airing. If you count the period before the show was officially canceled, when Rangers started planning for the worst, it’s now been over three months of rigorous campaigning. Ideas proposed and a lot of downright hard work. As the time has passed, we have begun to receive less and less official info regarding the status of talks between Paramount/CBS and potential investors. By all accounts, this greatly adds to the frustration level. It affects me just as much as any of you, but I think we can work through it.
Should new ideas and concepts be proposed and developed? Sure, without a doubt, because it’s the backbone of our existence and how we have come to survive this long. So, please make sure you keep your letters flowing to Paramount and to Comcast. It’s simple, it’s cheap, and it takes little time to accomplish. But we also need to step back and catch our breath for a minute or two. In such a short time frame, we have accomplished more than I think we thought we could when these endeavors all began:
- The thousands of letters written by you where you have poured out your heart and soul to Carol and the gang;
- The “Variety” ad — this was the beginning of one of the many campaigns that were designed to make noise on our behalf, as well as that of the show itself. An incredible design was developed that would become a glaring symbol of what this campaign is all about: finding Jericho a new home;
- Various nut campaigns — though not as massive or diverse as last year’s campaign, they have gained exposure;
- The Hollywood billboard — perhaps one of the greatest accomplishments of this effort was also that it was the most ironic, and that being that the board itself was owned by CBS. It’s a blaring symbol, which sits high atop the California skyline and is eyeballed every day by hundreds of thousands of people, including some of the very same people who still play a role in Jericho’s future; and,
- The TV commercial — becoming what’s believed to be the first fandom to ever do fund and produce a TV ad has really helped in maximizing the exposure for all of us. Though not all of the press has been friendly toward it, it can be easily seen that, for every less-than-positive review, there are at least ten more that love it and appreciate what it stands for. Fans from various other fan communities have expressed interest in putting together similar campaigns.
So, the question now comes right back to this — What next?
Personally, I cling to the words that Carol Barbee spoke at Jerichon. She said we will hear something this summer. I am going to read that as sometime within the next month. I would believe we will know something before the 1st of August. By all accounts, talks continue, and, hopefully soon, they will conclude in our favor.
We continue on with what we have been doing, including writing letters, recruiting new fans, pushing the DVDs as best we can. These things are in our control, and they definitely will help.
But, in doing this, let’s try to return to something else that has been missing at times.
HAVING FUN!
Numerous threads have popped up that ring of discussion regarding Season 3 plots and story lines. Let’s dive into these threads and get back to having a little fun again. By doing so, we are still supporting the show, and if anything, it’s our way of saying, “We know Jericho will live on.” People will see that, including many people who NEED to see it. They will still fight hard for us.
In the end, that’s all we can ask for.
GenPatton43
brat Rhysewf said,
Wrote on June 19, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
It`s very hard to power down after all the campaigns, but it took our minds off the fact Jericho was gone again. We have always been doing something, haven’t we? Have we all proven just how far we will go for Jericho? Yes, I think we have. Are we all ready to do more? Yes!!! Whenever or whatever we are asked, we will do in the name of Jericho. We will have Jericho back again. Thank you, General, for all you have done for us. Thank you for listening to us endlessly and somehow always coming up with the right thing to say. Thankyou for believing in us and Jericho. You want us to have some fun and post? You got it.
Jennifer said,
Wrote on June 19, 2008 @ 2:10 pm
Okay, this may be totally off the wall here but what about a market research campaign?
Hire a market research company to interview people about Jericho. They could show clips of the show along with different scenarios about days and times of airings. They can ask people what they like and don’t like and if they would watch the show. The people interviewed would have to be people who have never seen the show in order to have statistics about how many potential new viewers Jericho can get on a different network or different time or different day and what the show needs to change to keep viewers. People of all ages can be interviewed or just the demographic that the networks are trying to get.
I don’t know the costs involved in something like this but at this point I am just throwing anything out there to help. I’m sure others can add input to this idea.
If we came up with the money for t.v. spots and ads in major publications, we can theoretically raise enought for market research, then present it to various networks. That way we have cold, hard facts about potential viewership.
Market research can take place in several locations across the U.S. I’m sure we’ve all been stopped in a shopping mall at one time or another but these survey companies. This is what I am referring to. I know networks do their own market research but we’ve never seen the numbers. This time we would have the ammo we need to go up against Neilsen’s “numbers”.
Jeanine (jeanine123) said,
Wrote on June 19, 2008 @ 2:16 pm
I agree that we need to keep talking about what we hope to see in a Season 3 and what we liked and remember most from Seasons 1 and 2. Brainstorm ways of getting more new folks watching the DVDs and online episodes. Any press we see on Jericho, work on leaving comments, either thanking them for the article if it was complimentary, or respectfully and politely correcting them if it wasn’t as complimentary as we’d like.
C. said,
Wrote on June 19, 2008 @ 2:34 pm
This is really easy, if not cheap.
Buy the Season 2 DVD set. Buy it now. Do not pass “Go,” do not collect $200, just buy the damned DVD set.
Buy one for a friend. Buy more than one.
Get your Jericho friends to buy a set, too.
Make a stand here.
C.
spartan72 said,
Wrote on June 19, 2008 @ 5:26 pm
Aren’t jericho fans amazing? And have you ever seen any fans ANYWHERE or FOR ANY OTHER SHOW that would do what we’ve done for our show? I still can’t fathom why CBS canceled twice on a show of this quality, especially when the fans demanded its return. The rest of the shows could come and go> WE WANT THIS ONE BACK!!!!
Chris, thanks for everything you’ve done for the show’s promotion and general cheerleading, and for RP, awesome commercial. You guys are great. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. WE WILL GET JERICHO BACK!!!
spiritwind1 said,
Wrote on June 19, 2008 @ 5:37 pm
Holy Cow…………the list is awesome. I hope that the powers-that-be can see this and hopefully help the cause.
spiritwind1 said,
Wrote on June 19, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
Sorry guys…the above post was supposed to go on the “Universal hits from around the world” blog. Duh!
Judith (artzylady) said,
Wrote on June 19, 2008 @ 5:56 pm
Sounds like a plan to me… and a fun one at that!
Arwen said,
Wrote on June 19, 2008 @ 7:08 pm
I agree that we need to keep going. I’m hoping also that we hear something this summer. My thoughts are that Carol sounded like she was trying not to rule out a season 3 for us because she knew we would revolt. I do think she’s pursuing both a movie and a graphic novel. Something needs to happen soon; otherwise, people are going to give up.
I agree that we need to focus and dive back into the season 3 threads. This is why I’ve suggested we write a collecitive fan fiction thing for season 3. I know it’d be a lot of work and coordination but it would be something to unify us and something to refocus us on the storyline. At the very least, we definitely need to get back into the season 3 threads. I’ve started 2 on the cbs boards.
Here’s hoping for season 3 and the continued efforts!
Arwen
georgian101 said,
Wrote on June 19, 2008 @ 9:34 pm
All I can say is that I am going to keep writing till the cows come home. There are many reasons. But the
most obvious reason is because this fresh, intelligent and original show deserve to have a network that will appreciate it and us the loyal viewers.
maybei said,
Wrote on June 20, 2008 @ 9:07 am
Hey General
I enjoyed our talk the other day, and I think we are on the same page about many things. And glad to hear you agree with me – we need more Jericho, and let’s have fun while we are at it!!
Looking forward to talking with you again.
Moe said,
Wrote on June 20, 2008 @ 11:18 am
Hello General Patton,
You’d most likely remember me as moeman32 off the Wetpaint Jericho Wiki. I had an inspired idea spun together from both the letter-writing campaign and my background in media that I brought up with you once, but you seem very busy, so it’s OK if you’ve forgotten
.
A step i think would be most beneficial would be to get as many fan testimonials as possible, DVD them, and send them to the offices of all the people with the decision-making skills. In this video (no longer than 2-5 mins), I believe it fair to raise issue with Nielsen, with CBS, AND ESPECIALLY the major sponsor Sprint Telecom. If they can get a personal feel for the vast array of children, teens, adults and, others who watch the show around the globe, I’m sure the advertising agencies CBS deal with would be interested in seeing it come back.
Jericho gave us something to talk about at the water cooler, something to discuss and think about as a people consciously, so I was thinking it’s time we returned the favour…
iIwill be fwding you a copy of my script, if anybody wishes to follow suit.
My background in media tells me that once there is a face attached to the letters we send out, to the complaints against Nielsens ratings system, to the maltreatment of fans that care, it will widen some eyes.
Also, send it as press releases to as many news outlets as possible, with possibly you. GenPatton, as our unofficial spokesperson and do spots on a current affair-type programmings.
I would even go as far as to suggest a sit-in in front of CBS’s headquarters at 30 Rockerfeller Plaza, NYC ,for those who can do it, but it will have to be impressive.
I want jericho back, and I believe I say it for all when I say I refuse to be bullied into watching reality TV any longer…
-Loyally,
Moe
I have written a script.
MikesMom said,
Wrote on June 21, 2008 @ 6:58 am
I’m going to back what Cing said here.
DVD!! DVD!! DVD!! DVD!! DVD!!
DVD sales, Season 1 AND 2, are so important.
Do your holiday shopping early.
Those sales will speak so loudly to potential buyers.
Those numbers must look good!
Moe, adding a face to voices, I agree too, very important. Like any other fundraising effort or awareness campaign, I agree that the faces behind the words are so important.
Dean Moering said,
Wrote on June 28, 2008 @ 5:55 pm
I JUST FINISHED WATCHING “WORLD TRADE CENTER” BY OLIVER STONE. I’M NOT GOING TO CRITICIZE THE FILM OR HOW IT WAS OR WASN’T FILMED. BUT I WAS MOVED BY THE LAST STATEMENT OF THE FILM’S MAIN CHARACTER.
“John McLoughlin: [Narrating] “9/11 showed us what human beings are capable of. The evil, yeah, sure. But it also brought out the goodness we forgot could exist. People taking care of each other for no other reason than it was the right thing to do. It’s important for us to talk about that good, to remember. ‘Cause I saw all of it that day.”
THIS IS WHAT I FEEL ABOUT YOU! THE FANS OF JERICHO. WHAT “YOU” ARE CAPABLE OF DOING. YOU HAVE PROVEN YOUR WORTH. YOU HAVE DEVOTED HUNDREDS OF HOURS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO SOMETHING THAT YOU BELIEVE IN. SOMETHING WORTH SAVING.
AND NOW WE HAVE A WAR ON TERRORISM. WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES. BUT WE “MUST” SUPPORT OUR COUNTRY AND THE NEEDS OF SO MANY VICTIMS OF NATURE’S FURY.
“OUR COUNTRY, OUR PEOPLE” NEED HELP. I BEG OF YOU FOR A LITTLE MORE MONEY FOR
THE RED CROSS. PLEASE DONATE. THANK YOU TO ALL THAT HAVE DONATED THEIR TIME AND / OR DOLLARS ALREADY.
http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServ…ename=ntld_main
Dean
“HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_-x9kMPauc
jackjudy1 said,
Wrote on July 4, 2008 @ 10:55 pm
Well, I just got through reading some of the comments, and I feel very hopeful that people haven’t given up on Jericho. I haven’t heard much about it for a while and was afraid that too many people had given up. Come on, Jericho! Let’s keep up the fight. Has there ever been an all-out fight like this one to save a show(for the second time)? I don’t think so. So, hey CBS! Doesn’t that tell you something? Bring our favorite show back please. A sad fan of Jericho, jackjudy1
Chris Sigman said,
Wrote on July 11, 2008 @ 4:23 am
morning Y’all;
FYI, the links to the CBS mother site for Jericho appear to be gone. The work program I have maintains and monitors the links, telling me if they are simply “unavailable” or other. In this case, for a day and a half now…they are gone.
Anyways..
With this potentially being the “end” of that site, I will be collecting as many names as I can from the site and contacting them via email, directing them HERE…or to another site, at your recommendation.
WE need to have a/the press kit in place ASAP, especially if we are going to see more people splinter. Its CRITICAL that we get a PR TOOL in place RIGHT NOW, for these fringe folks who may not bother seeking out “where the others went”.
Let’s rock this people. I can contacted at;
paintedhorse1@verizon.net
chris.sigman@yahoo.com
paintethemall1@aol.com
Hit me up and tell me how and where you need me. You know my capabilities and I am MORE than happy to push.
Jericho Forver
Chris