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
Great news!!!! I love Jericho!!! Can't wait to see what happens next! Thanks for bringing it back!!!
Posted by: Allison E | June 06, 2007 at 11:46 AM
I really hope this is true! Jericho was, by far, the best show on TV this year! It was canceled for the WRONG reasons, and deserves to be returned. SAVE JERICHO!
Posted by: Rod Moffitt | June 06, 2007 at 01:20 PM
OMG, can it be true? Did we save Jericho!!! Thank you Carol and CBS if this is true!
Posted by: Kara Grod | June 06, 2007 at 01:23 PM
Yay, Jericho is saved! NUTS to CBS - sorry I meant, thank you CBS! You just won back a dedicated viewer!
Posted by: Karol Cleade | June 06, 2007 at 01:25 PM
This is great news and I thanks all of the other Jericho Rangers and all of the staff over at Nutsonline.com, since without all of their hard work this probably wouldn't have happened. Let's hope that CBS and the other networks find a better way to measure viewership - the Nielsen are the dark ages of television viewer measurement and don't seem to count time-shifting and net downloads correctly - they are nothing but a semi-educated guess.
Posted by: Bill | June 06, 2007 at 02:22 PM
It's official Jericho is coming back
Below is a message from CBS Entertainment.
June 6, 2007
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 :)
Posted by: marc | June 06, 2007 at 02:46 PM
NICE !!!!!!
Posted by: F1n1Ty | June 06, 2007 at 04:24 PM
I watched all episodes on itunes. I have a mac and use firefox o innertube doesn;t work for me. I found out about the show buy a digg article about the "nuts for jericho" campaign(SP?)
Posted by: JAce Mullen | June 06, 2007 at 04:38 PM
YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
They listened and did the RIGHT thing!!!!
YAY!
Posted by: Kelley | June 06, 2007 at 05:34 PM
Bring back the father!!!!!! He should not have died!!! Love that actor!!!!!
Maybe it was just a bad dream and he is still alive!!!!!
Posted by: gail kennedy | June 06, 2007 at 05:49 PM
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: chris | June 06, 2007 at 06:56 PM
I dont know where CBS got its ratings but i was crushed when jerico ended and so were all my friends and family.we worked around jericos time slot.rushing home to see it.never missing a night wishing it was longer loving that it was a "smart: show and not another copycat reality mind snoozer.dont be so quick to pull the trigger CBS.you have no idea how many folks not hooked to neilson boxes are out here and how many love this show.i swore off your network when jerico was cancelled.it was the last straw. ,so did all my friends and family.bringing smart tv back.not pandering to the lowest and giving us all credit for our loyalty when you showed none for us..well..you may just have turned that around.jericos coming back and we are too.
Posted by: kathi diebels | June 06, 2007 at 08:44 PM
Best show on television. I didn't realize that it had been taken off. I'm certainly happy that it will return. If something has to go let it be a stupid "reality' show. Come to think about it, they're all stupid.
Posted by: Stano | June 06, 2007 at 09:05 PM
I just want to say that I really feel like a large compny has finally listen to it's "Customers".
Jericho is a great show that refects the possibility of something that could really happen and as mentioned before - It makes you think.
Ron Kremble
Posted by: Ron Kremble | June 06, 2007 at 09:08 PM
thanks for your great article. i have been waiting for a news like this ;)
jenny
http://www.spaml.com
Posted by: jenny | June 06, 2007 at 09:13 PM
Now if only the suits at HBO would catch this same wind of wisdom and bring back CARNIVALE!
Posted by: Larry in Pittsburgh | June 07, 2007 at 04:20 AM
YAY!!!!!!! I really love that show & I admire the characters strength & creativity. It is a bit uncomfortable to see the reflection of ourselves under such chaos. It is very good for us to watch this. I too would like to see Gerald McRainey resurrected!! Very good story & setting. This is such a timely & worthwhile subject to address on stupid-sitcom-saturated tv!!
Posted by: Yvonne | June 07, 2007 at 11:19 AM
Although I AM thrilled that they caved; I did read that CBS is only giving us 7 more episodes, of this beloved series next spring!
Both happy & sad.
dma69
Posted by: Dana | June 08, 2007 at 04:17 AM
And, by-the-way, the fans of this show are SOOO freakin' incredible!!! I think it's great that WE-THE-VIEWERS are finally taking a stand with some of these stupid decisions that are made so hastily. It's hard to let yourself get interested in a great show like Jericho, when you don't know how many weeks it will be before it's jerked out from under!
just bumpin' my gums (so to speak),
dma69
Posted by: Dana | June 08, 2007 at 04:23 AM
Jericho is one of the best shows on TV that I have seen in a long time.I Think that the writers should get an Emmy. This show is Explosive! Don't take it away.
Posted by: Peggy | June 08, 2007 at 06:50 AM