It’s just an hour away, and I’m so excited — like I’ve never seen my boys Jake and Johnston Green, Rob Hawkins, and Stanley Richmond before (or at least 10 times before).  But it’s here.  The first Sunday night of the next 29 weeks when The CW Network, bumping its previous programming, substitutes Jericho  at 7 PM for another run on a national network and gives viewers, who may have missed it the first time around, the opportunity to see what all the fuss is about. 

I know I’ve hounded my friends and other so-called unbelievers to give Jericho a chance, so they can see why their crazy, usually TV-averse friend thinks this show is worthy of her fleeting attention…and theirs (fleeting or not).  I’ve promised them that all those previously unsuspecting unbelievers whom I’ve persuaded (i.e., hounded and coerced under the threat of listening to Julie talk EVEN more about Jericho) all have one thing in common — they are now believers.  For once, I have won each and every single time I made this argument.  I hope all of you are up to arguing the case, too.  It’s probably our last shot, and it’s our time to hope that CBS, owner of The CW, finally gets it right.  Nothing would make me happier than to prove CBS wrong.  What about you? I have no idea what it means that CW is airing our show again, but I will just take it at face value and enjoy the heck out of it.

Beginning tomorrow morning (Dec. 1), Universal HD begins airing 85 spots of our fan-funded and fan-produced Save Jericho Again TV ad.  It will air 60 times during this month in the Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-7 p.m. time block and 25 times over weekend nights between 7 and 11 p.m. — some during the scheduled airings of Jericho, and some not. 

First and foremost, I want to thank Barney/Redsox for his negotiating skills in getting us the best UHD package possible on a limited amount of funding.  Beyond that, he has taken on the mantle of a leader at a time when many of us had to tend to other life circumstances, and he did it, with many personal issues of his own.  Barney, I’m honored to call you my friend, and if you’ll ever get down to SC to see me, I’m going to give you enough Shoeless Joe Jackson to last a lifetime!

Many others in the fan base deserve earnest pats on the back from me for the time and sacrifices demanded in getting this ad to air at UHD (and with Time-Warner in LA before):

• Jason, you overwhelm me with your talents and your grounded attitude.  I am fortunate to know you and call you a friend, and I look forward to the day that you make one of your appearances near me so that I can personally see you in action.  OK, I already have seen you in action over Memorial Day…but, you know, in your paying job.  : )  I want to tell people in the audience, “Hey, I know that guy!”
• General and Scoobud — Chris, you know I love ya.  Wanna kill you sometimes, but you know I still love you.  You and Barney were the masterminds from the beginning on a TV ad, and you pulled RP, Scoo, and me along for the ride.  Scoo never failed to step up to fill any voids, whether monetarily or in finishing up uncompleted tasks.  So, for the two of you, as well as Barney and Jason, let me just say that it’s been fun being the lone girl in this Save Jericho Again merry mishmash of men, and I’ve enjoyed my many phone calls and the time spent with all of you.  Boy, we’ve had some colorful, animated, stressed, funny conversations, haven’t we??
• PMary and Jeff Knoll — without your initiative in stepping up to help fund even more TV ads, none of this would have been possible.  You are two incredibly busy people, and you held out your hands to pull several factions together.  I won’t forget that.
• K6 and NorsU, you did a lot of things behind the scenes that many don’t know about (as well as public rally cries, which people do know about).  So, this is my opportunity to let everyone know, if they didn’t already, that UHD would never have happened without you.
• Nightshade/Gloria, you’re a wild woman, and I’m wondering if you drink as much Red Bull as I do.  You’re a ball of fire who never quit when it came to all the issues related to converting RP’s ad to high-def.  It took months (and, by the way, folks — the world is NOT ready for this high-definition conversion that’s coming in February. We KNOW. We dealt with folks in the broadcasting biz who should be ready.  What an awakening!), and you never gave up nor gave in.
• Gwen/Ratkeeper and MVB/PorchLady, thank you for your quiet support behind the scenes and your up-front promotion of all things Jericho.
• KayT, Shelby and Zac, Nobodysbaby, MikesMom, N2N2, Dawn/PB Woman, slking/Sherry, mpbnice/Marlene, Jeanine, Rammy, Cher, Delana, kystorms, beebull, cactusmary, mudflap, rhysefw, CLMBelieves, MadCanadian, Lauri, Shaun, Jeanna, Debbie, all the Capturing Skeet ‘girls’ – the list is long, and I know I’m forgetting someone, and if so, I apologize.  But these are names that come to mind with whom I’ve dealt personally at some level, and I know you have donated, blogged, “mined,” sent out releases, provided support, served as cheerleaders, Facebooked, built sites, and on and on.  Many of you have become some of my dearest friends.  All I can say is “Thank you!”
• To donors from all over the world — and I truly mean all over the world — you have given thousands and thousands of dollars to support your beloved Jericho, and you have placed your unflagging support in us.  You have helped make history, and because of you, Jericho, twice-canceled, still lives on. 

In the wake of Thanksgiving, please know that I gave my sincere thanks for all of you and this Jericho experience.  And thanks to all of you for listening to my ramblings.  It has meant that much to me.

So, now, what’s left to do?  Follow Barney’s “Operation Phoenix” plan that’s posted anywhere and everywhere imaginable (most recent press release available for download under TV Campaign Info). Enjoy Jericho and our TV ad, and don’t forget to leave comments on the CW and UHD sites.  And give eternal thanks for Skeet’s rocking a hoodie and army jacket better than anyone I know.  The last one — probably the most important of all.

Julie/Welcome