A cracker attack for 'The Black Donnellys'

First everyone was nuts. Now they're crackers.

A small number of die-hard fans of NBC's recently canceled drama "The Black Donnellys" plans to ship nearly 300 pounds of Zesta crackers (about 45,000 crackers) to HBO executives beginning next week in hopes of persuading the premium cable outlet to pick up the moribund show.

Fans of "The Black Donnellys," a serialized drama about four Irish brothers and their involvement in organized crime in New York's infamous Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, were inspired by the recent success of "Jericho" fans and vow to keep sending crackers to HBO as long as donations hold out. In June, "Jericho" fans inundated CBS with tons of nuts, eventually persuading the network to exhume the post-apocalypse drama after it was dropped from its fall schedule.

"Donnellys" fans, whose website can be found at http://www.savetheblackdonnelys.net, said they chose HBO because the cable outlet is a better fit for the "Donnellys' " grittier themes. Also, they selected Zesta crackers because they are featured in a lounge sign belonging to  one of the show's main characters.

HBO offices were closed todayfor the holidays and officials were unavailable for comment.

-- Martin Miller

(Photo: Virginia Sherwood / NBC)

Comments

[Jane]

Thanks for the article! It's fantastic! Fans may be small in number now but those numbers will grow once word gets out & you've just done that. Thank you.

[Paige]

Thank you for the article! This is so exciting for us firecrackers! The story of The Black Donnellys deserves to be told! It is a tremendous show! The show only aired on NBC for 5 episodes so TBD didn't have time to draw the fan base that Jericho has. However, our fan base is large in comparison and we are passionate and dedicated to bring our boys back. TBD would be a great fit for HBO! Maybe primetime networks aren't ready for The Godfather meets The Sopranos.

Visit www.savetheblackdonnellys.net to see what we are doing to save the show!

Thanks again!!

[mrsstracey]

I think The Black Donnellys is an awesome show! I hope HBO picks it up....it would be a very smart idea. Sending crackers is awesome!! Oh to be a firecracker!!

[Tru M.]

Thanks for the article!!! We refuse to give up hope for The Black Donnellys. The firecracker numbers may be small now but we are completely devoted with our cause! thanks again!

The one minor correction that I have is the website address is: http://www.savetheblackdonnellys.net/

Also another devoted website is http://thefirecrackerlounge.com/

[Shaggy Haigh]

Tis the best show ever i see since the soprano, gotta tired of too much italian mobs movies eithers shows, nows tis irish's turns! I'm part scots and irish. Please save the shows, or there's gunna be a bad karma!

[stefanie]

Thanks so much for this article. I am apart of the TBD cracker campaign and am proud to say that I am willing to fight for this shows survival. It really is a remarkable show that deserves a second chance!

[Erin]

Thank you very much for mentioning our efforts. We may be small but we're a very passionate group and there are a whole lot more of us out there, so hopefully this article will bring us all together. Everyone is welcome at www.savetheblackdonnellys.net!

[Brendan Loy]

There's a typo in the URL linked in this article. It's http://www.savetheblackdonnellys.net/ -- two L's, not just one!

[megan]

TBD is such a great show. the characters, storylines, everything about it is just awesome.

long live the donnellys!
long live the firecrackers!

[Ruth]

Thanks so much Martin, for bringing our campaign to light.

We, The Firecrackers, do believe that this is a great series, that did not have a chance to thrive in its time slot or on NBC’s network. 5 episodes does not do the series justice. I encourage everyone to stream the episodes on NBC.com if they haven’t done so already. The show can be successful on HBO, if given the chance.

This series has a wealth of characters, plot and a cinematic feel to it. Once given the chance to invest their time, those who have not yet seen the series will become hooked to it. We, are done accepting cancellations, impulsive network decisions and reality shows.

We are also sending letters quarters, shamrocks and emails to HBO. Our efforts are diverse, so that all fans are able to participate.

Save The Black Donnellys!

[Eowyn I]

Thanks for the great article! The numbers may be small now but all it takes is getting the info out there to the public. Thanks so much for doing that! Any bit can help. I am a devoted Firecracker and am hoping that others who may not know what happened or don''t know what to do see articles like yours so they can get involved. I think HBO is a much better fit for The Black Donnellys. NBC clearly did not want the show to succeed since they censored anyone who mentioned saving the show on thier official show boards. Thanks for getting the word out!

[Summer Cunliffe]

What an AWESOME show. I'm addicted! It's now taken the place of Grey's anatomy as my number one show. HBO should most def pick this show up. It was not given a fair chance by NBC. Finally a show where I LOOK and talk like the characters and can relate it to my upbringing in a large Irish Family with five brothers and sister of my own, that at the end of the day it still always comes down to family! I don't subscribe to HBO, but I'd get the package in a heartbeat if they picked up TBD. I hope they consider making a second season...bringing the same characters back, especially Jonathan Tucker, whose green eyes and dark wavy hair had me hooked instantly.

[Bobby]

I am extremely disappointed that "The Black Donnelly's" has been cancelled. I just recently discovered the show through NBC.com and am caught up to the sixth episode in two days.

I think two things are to be addressed here:
1.) Serialized shows take a chance at telling a broader deeper story and I think it's worth it to put a proper marketing campaign behind it.

2.) Do not underestimate the NBC.com, ABC.com, or Adultswim.com to garner a larger audience than expected. Many of us have busy schedules and find it difficult to keep up with a show, especially one that requires you to watch every episode; which I happily do. I think money is to be made by having more shows available online, it's a sure thing that fans will grow and keep up when the show's schedule fits ours.

[ILoveTommy]

Thank you, Mr. Miller, for your kind words about our campaign to bring The Black Donnellys back to TV. We will not give up until there is a new home for Tommy, Jimmy, Kevin and Sean. We'd love a comment from HBO.

[LWR]

Fantastic show! I hope HBO picks it up, or NBC comes to their senses.

[kay]

Long live The Black Donnelly's!! An awesome show - NBC was too quick to cancel, and HBO (or any other interested network) would be crazy to pass it up. Episodes can be downloaded on nbc.com or itunes, and are aired on HDnet, too. Catch up with the boys and see what all the fuss is about!!

[dhebe]

TBD fans really appreciate you taking the time to notice our efforts! we are a group that knows great writing, directing, acting, music, etc., when we see it . . .
thank you again,

www.savetheblackdonnellys.net

[Kerry M]

Thank you soooo much for shedding some light on this AWESOME show that needs another chance. We can win out, if everyone does their part. And you did yours. Thanks again, on behalf of this Firecracker!

[Frank]

I lived in an Irish neighborhood and even though I wasn't of Irish descent I experienced the life.The Black Donnellys' is not a good representation of the Irish people.Many of the Irish that I knew were many wonderful, kind and proud of their heritage. I think we had enough of the typical cool ethnic movies, ie The Godfather, Scar Face, New Jack Swing, etc. Is's not cool to be dumb, uneducated and an ass.

[tvshow fanatic]

good Lord, this is sad. the "black donnellys" was a terrible show. bad acting, foolish plots (if you can call them that) and really, not worth watcing.

i find that most people who want this show back are foolish young women who like looking at the cute boys. whatever.