Resurrection: The fans save 'Jericho'

Sometimes going a little nutty is a good thing.

For weeks, "Jericho" junkies have been firing e-mails (effectively shutting down InBoxes at CBS and this newspaper), signing petitions and sending bags of nuts to CBS headquarters in protest.

The assault seems to have worked, "Jericho" creator and executive producer Carol Barbee said Tuesday. CBS executives are in discussions with the show's producers and actors to resuscitate the show  -- killed just last month -- for an eight-episode run in mid-season.

"The idea would not be to bring it for eight and out, but to bring it back for eight with the hope that it would keep going," Barbee said. "They're making deals with the actors and there's other logistical stuff to work out too. 'Swingtown' [a new drama] was supposed to take over the same stages so it's a lot about the logistics of how to work out a schedule that works for all of us."

Barbee said the fan fever for the show did not surprise her-she had been keeping a close eye on the show's viewers on the Web. But she never expected CBS to change its mind because of the devotion.

"I was so kicked in the gut when we were canceled," she said. "I was really upset and angry and mourning over this amazing experience we had this year and this amazing family we put together and this show we were all so proud of. I didn't see the end coming so it felt like it wasn't over."

When the fan fight to save the show would not let up, CBS began talks with producers about a two-hour movie that would wrap up the show, but the writers were not interested, Barbee said.

"We just felt like that was doing it short-shrift, and it's too big of a story to wrap up in a two-hour movie," she said. "I really think that what has been learned here is that networks are going to have to look at numbers and who is watching their show and who is downloading their show in a different way from here on out. I think they have to understand that the Nielsens are not telling the story anymore and that the 18-49 demographic they're all so keen on is online and that's how increasingly they are getting their news and entertainment."

Since the fan revolt began, "Jericho" viewers have insisted they also would not be satisfied with a TV movie or online re-cap that told them how the "Jericho" story ends.

If the actors sign on the dotted line -- and those deals should be in place in the next day or two -- Barbee said "Jericho" junkies will get their way.

-- Maria Elena Fernandez

Comments

[Trish]

This is incredible news! I am so thrilled that they will be bringing back one of the greatest shows on television. If you haven't watched it, you can on CBS's Innertube (cbs.com). All 22 episodes of Season 1 are there. You won't be disappointed. Way to go Jericho!!!!

[franky]

Hello, thanks for the great news and hope all works out...also a thanks for the over 107 000 fans and counting who signed our petion online...

franky

[Holly Devlin]

I am so happy to read this AMAZING news!!! All of our hard work and persistance has finally paid off! Jericho is a wonderful story and a show that millions of fans have loved and enjoyed since day one. GREAT job to all the people involved with this campaign!!

[Elliott]

This is very good. Jericho is a great show that never deserved to be canceled. It was put in a mid-season hiatus, and CBS appeared to be surprised that it lost viewers because of it. We fans have been fighting fervently to save this incredible show. I myself have contributed $80 to send nuts to CBS, sent 4 letters, signed the online Save Jericho petition, sent countless emails, and because of me eight other people have signed the petition. Other fans have been just as supportive of our favorite show. It is everything that we deserve to have it renewed.

[Roy Thigpen]

Wooohoooo! This is a great day in the history of TV.

[Robert Hawkins CIA]

Awesome news - hopefully CBS wont screw it up this time by not promoting the series and taking advantage of its internet presence.

[Denise_C]

Thanks for the article Maria, we're crossing our fingers!
Go Jericho!!!!!

Denise_C

[Lynnation]

I hope this is true, Jericho was my FAVORITE show!! There's not to much on TV in the last decade or so that actually made me think the way this show does.

[Linda]

I hope this means that we will have our show back even it comes back mid season or something.

It is not just the 19 to 49 year olds that watch shows like this and are avid fans and discuss the show on line. There are those of us older people in the 50+ age range that do still have buying power from their ads and are avid fans.

Networks are not keeping up with today's world of television viewers. So many of us tape or tivo as many as 9 different shows per night during prime time so we can watch a large variety of television shows. Often times family members that live in the same house do not always want to watch what another family member wants to watch. Tivo and taping is wonderful for this and that way everyone gets to see the program that they want.

Or, in today's busy world, it is easier to tape or tivo shows so that during down time you can watch your favorite shows.

Having been a Neilsen household at one time I can assure you that it does not take into consideration shows that are taped or tivod and then watched.

The world has changed, but the networks have not. When they can find a way to track what is downloaded on the net, saved on Tivo, or taped for later viewoing they will have a better idea of what the true numbers are.

Let us hope that Jericho comes back with a strong showing in viewership!

[Shari Denham]

I love Jericho and I sent nuts and letters, all by email and the internet! This show is awesome and makes you think. I hope this is the real thing because it just made my day, no my YEAR! Way to go fans, and if you have not watched the show you can watch it online to catch up and the great show that you missed!

[Victor]

Resurrection? Put that word together with Johnston Green and that would really make an exciting come-back of Jericho. :)

[Randy in Minneapolis]

I am SO STOKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now - what do we do with the other 9,000 # of nuts??? :)

Thanks CBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mark Priorello]

This is great news!!!! I only hope that CBS takes into consideration that viewers not only watch it on television but also dvr, internet, etc.
I watched several episodes via the internet when my dvr broke down and was out getting repaired.
I believe there will be many viewers as there was when the show got cancelled. But I think there will be many additional viewers due to the recognition the show has had since the cancellation.

Lets hope Jericho is here to stay for seasons to come.

MCP

[iamhoff]

CBS is full of win and awesome! Seriously this is absolutely unbelievably wonderful news! I am beyond thrilled! Way to go CBS!

[Bob]

its about time these geniuses in TV land listen to the viewers.

[Jenny]

Victor, unfortunately, he wanted out, which is why they killed Johnston Green off. :(

[David in Phoenix]

Thank you Maria for the great news!

Thank you Carol and the writers for refusing the movie deal :)

Thank you Jericho Rangers for fighting the good fight XD

Thank you CBS for listening to everyone ;)

[Jo]

I am so excited at the prospect! Jericho is my favorite show!

[General Ashnak]

Great work Jericho Rangers! Keep up the assult, we have them on the ropes now its time to move in for the kill! Remeber to keep pumping Jericho and ensuring everyone you know has watched all the epsiodes and get them ready for the next season!

Semper Fi!

[Cynthia]

OK CBS....hope the 'rumors' are true.....if so, YOU ROCK! We want to hear it from you, so give us the great news!!!