"What lessons do we learn from CBS' 'Jericho' reprieve?"
Remember the time when a Jericho article drew 162 comments?
"If CBS execs had arrived at their upfront presentation last month and said, "Here's our schedule and it includes Jericho. We know its ratings aren't there, but we love its passionate fanbase and we want to do right by them," then that would have been making an impressive statement on the network's part. It would have said, "We're standing by our guns and saying that one of the advantages of being a first place network is that we can nurture shows like this." That would have been admirable. Instead, CBS played by business-as-usual, which isn't necessarily a bad strategy, particularly when you've been No. 1 in total viewers for as long as they have. They canceled Jericho because it didn't make the cut. Talking to reporters on the day of the upfront, CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler gave no indication that there was any hope for the show, saying simply that it was a hard decision, but the decision was made."
How about the time when a Jericho article received 1012 Diggs???
"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."
"This piece would have been better served as seven posts, but since my blog is more about business communication than fandom, I felt it would best serve me to fast-track some solutions for Jericho fans and CBS with seven points and hopefully turn the largest show cancellation protest into the beginnings of a long-running series with more mileage than anyone imagined, fans included.
Those are my seven tips for saving Jericho for the long haul, which pre-assumes that the two drivers currently driving the bus will listen to reason. For the fans, it pre-assumes you can get past the “nut war” and move forward without fractioning, be more courteous in discussing which characters are most expendable (after the actors were so good to give you shout outs), and take care NOT to employ a flag that characters of Jericho would be appalled to see as a fan logo. For CBS et al, it pre-assumes you can get past being short-sighted to realize you actually have an asset with tremendous potential, capitalize on unlimited non-television spin-offs (books, film shorts, games, etc.) that touch on relevant issues today, and give the fans an immersive world that they can play with so you can focus on the show."
Welcome to the first annual I Am A Little Nutty Awards. (This is a Jericho blog so I figured the award should have an appropriate name.)
What? You don't understand the connection between Jericho and Nuts?? You can read all about it here.
Anyway, the I Am Nutty Awards are hereby presented to my 11 favorite blogs of 2007. These are in no particular order so nobody has to argue about being Number 1. Sorry there's no prize attached to the award but you don't have to run around saying that.
Just say you won an award for Best Blog of 2007. Here we go:
4. "Midori Miller Speaks Out... Daytona Beach Real Estate Trainer, Daytona Beach Real Estate Training, Century 21 Sundance Realty in Ormond Beach Florida, Daytona Beach Florida and Ormond by the Sea Florida."
5. "Lead With Your Heart: Sell Happiness and You and Your Business Will Flourish"
6. "The CBS post-apocalyptic series Jericho, plus all the other news I see fit to print."
7. "Pastry arts graduate shares her personal stories, five careers, love of movies, music, art and television, her critiques, and opinions of the world at large. Her love of…"
8. "Rantings from a few corporate types about life, technology, travel, guns, politics, and everything good in the world."
9. "A Website For All Earthlings, Who Love Animals This is a blog that hopes to provide information, news, health care, training tips, inspiring stories and even introduce…"
10. "TV, Movies, Music, Sports, whatever! Post Comments everywhere. Let the world know what you think! Give them your own Two Cents!"
Okay, I couldn't stop without adding one more. Michael, take a 1 off 11 and say you were Number 1. Who can argue?
Christmas in Jericho is a very special time. From shopping for the perfect gift to visiting with neighbors Jericho is the place to be. This year many things have changed but this town will survive. Just like Margie and Edna.
The old girls have seen a lot of holidays pass in this town and not even bombs can deter them from sipping elderberry cordials in the parlor and speaking of Christmas.
Let's listen in.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Margie: Edna, our tree sure looks skimpy this year.
Edna: Margie, I think it looks just lovely, considering what we've been through this year.
Margie: Well, I never saw so many nuts on a tree. And look at that corn.
Edna: There's one nut in this room that isn't on the tree, and I'm looking at her. Besides, we had to make do with what we had available, and there were no cranberries for stringing this year. I think the tree looks just lovely. The glitter on the peanuts was a nice touch.
Margie: If you hadn't put your old ugly beads on there. Men never gave you nice gifts.
Edna: Well, it's not my fault that your husbands were such cheapskates when it came to presents. Besides, I think the rhinestones give it a nice sparkle.
Margie: You're a Grinch Edna. You won't spoil my Christmas. I won't have it.
Edna: You old bat, no one's trying to spoil anyone's Christmas, we're making the best of things. Do you remember the nice Christmases we had when we were girls?
Margie: Yes. Mama always made her Molasses cake. She knew it was my favorite.
Edna: That's not why she made it, you selfish thing. She made it because she knew it was the best cake she made, and she knew that it put Mrs. Richmond's cake to shame every year at the Christmas bazaar.
Margie: Mama said Mrs. Richmond made her cakes from leather batter.
Edna: I know she did, and she was right. Mrs. Richmond was a lovely woman, but she couldn't bake a decent cake to save her life.
Margie: I can just see the sideboard lined up with Mama's turnips and beet pickles. What do you remember?
Edna: I remember how she used to make spiced apple dumplings, I sure do miss those. I never could make them the way Mama did. I also remember Daddy stuffing his face on all of Mama's good cooking.
Margie: Daddy did love to eat. And, Grandpa drank his coffee from a saucer. Edna, remember when Daddy told you not to make unpleasant sounds at the table?
Edna: I do remember, and I also remember how you were the one making the unpleasant sounds, and blaming it on me. You always did love to get me in trouble.
Margie: Edna, I was the one who put salt instead of sugar in Daddy's coffee.
Edna: I knew it! I couldn't sit down for a week after I got punished for that. Do you remember how Mama used to remind us about our table manners?
Margie: Yes. Mama always told us to be sweet tempered. That wasn't you.
Edna: That wasn't you, either. You used to pick your teeth at the table, and oh how Daddy would yell!
Margie: My Daddy never yelled you old shrew.
Edna: I remember what I remember, and you can't tell me different. I also remember how much Mama loved having good food prepared for all the friends and neighbors who would stop by the house. Do you remember that, Margie?
Margie: I do remember all our visitors. Mama said she invited the Greens because she wasn't going there and have to drink Mrs. Green's muddy coffee.
Edna: Well, not everyone had the magic touch with food like Mama did. Do you remember how she used to say that " Ill-prepared food provokes ill-humor" so everything had to be just right.
Margie: She sure did. She was right too. That's why we're good cooks today.
Edna: Well, I know I’m a good cook. Everything you make tastes like vinegar. That must be your ill-humor coming through.
Margie: Everything makes you ill-humored. That reminds me. I got you a present.
Edna: Oh Margie, you did? It's a good thing that I got one for you, too.
Margie: I had to wrap it in a page from the Sears catalog. I picked the men's underwear page just for you.
Edna: Margie, you know me too well. I hope you like your gift, I didn't have anything to wrap it in but this old piece of muslin from my hope chest.
Margie: Hope chest? Remember when we used to open our presents after dinner? You'd put everything in that hope chest.
Edna: That's right; I used to put them there with all of my special things. Margie, do you remember the year that Mama and Daddy gave us those matching velvet dresses? We looked so nice going to church that year.
Margie: Well, I'm surprised the church was still standing after you went inside.
Edna: Margie, you take that back. I was only a little girl and besides, I hadn't met any of your husbands yet.
Margie: Shut up or no present you Fruit Loop. I can't stand to look at you sometimes.
Edna: Margie, where's your Christmas spirit? Your sense of goodwill towards others?
Margie: I have goodwill towards others. Just not towards you.
Edna: Margie, you know as well as I do that family is all we have left. You should cherish me, you old bat. Do you remember that year that Santa left you coal in your stocking? I bet that wasn't your favorite Christmas present, was it?
Margie: You got switches. My favorite present was the year Daddy gave me that puppy. I named her Daisy. Remember?
Edna: I do remember Daisy, she piddled all over my nice patent leather shoes, and she chewed up my new hat at Easter time. You taught her to do that, didn't you?
Margie: I did.
Edna: I knew it!
Margie: And it wasn't you who wet your bed.
Edna: I never thought I did, you old meanie. Here's my present for you, I know it's not much, but it's all I could do this year, what with things being such short supply. I crocheted you a cozy for your hot water bottle. It's even your favorite color, pink. It's not jewelry, but it will keep you warm on these cold Kansas nights.
Margie: That's nice Edna. I can say one thing for sure. Christmas means Jericho to me and Jericho means peace and goodwill to all.
Edna: That is surely true, Margie. Do you have a Christmas wish?
Margie: Yes, I wish that Jericho will return to normal in 2008.
Edna: You know what Margie? That's my wish, too. Merry Christmas, sister.
What can I say about a person who has earned my respect and admiration? I can say he's a terrific Jericho Ranger, a fine artist, and a wonderful video maker. He gives so much of his time to promoting harmony, goodwill, and Jericho.
RubberPoultry inspires and motivates. He is kind, helpful,always willing to share,and uses every opportunity to expand the Jericho universe.
On a personal note, he has been very supportive of me and I am grateful. I look forward to working with him for many years to come.
The Monster Fan of The Week is RubberPoultry.
Congratulations,RP, and thanks for all your hard work.
"There was this fella named Larry Stewart," he tells a man in the bus station. "He was an old friend of mine. He was called Secret Santa, and every year he would find a few people who might need a little money and he would ask that you pass on the kindness."
People respond differently to the gesture. Some cry. Some scream. A rare few even say "No thanks."
Others take the money and offer their own gifts. like Robert Young, who was homeless and had only 20 cents in his pocket. When Secret Santa gave him $200, Young, 50, took out an old notebook and ripped out a song he had written.
"It's yours now," he told Secret Santa, who thanked Young, and carefully tucked the pages into his pocket.
The new Secret Santa has also started a Web site, and is trying to recruit other Secret Santas across the country. "Larry's dream was for a Secret Santa in every city," Kansas City's Santa said."
More to come. Don't have a page? It's easy to make one.
Cingramaol has created 2 pages for Sprague Grayden which will be incorporated into an upcoming website. Wonderful photos and lots of information here. Thanks for sharing C.
"I was asked to post the ideas I had expressed in the chat for promoting season 2 so people could reference them and those that could not attend could see them. So here they are. - schumi
First, there are a lot of great initiative that people are doing to promote season 2. None are any better than the rest - all have value and we need everyone's effort, no matter how large or small. I've decided to focus my personal efforts in 3 stages or waves that are simple, cheap and everyone can do if they wish.
Wave one - Online (Now)
It takes time to build serious buzz online sometimes between now and the beginning of January, we need to get Jericho back up in the internet topic searches, seek out casual fans and new fans in places other than the traditional Jericho sites, and find those that left away from the CBS board for one reason or another. The current effort to mine the CBS board for old (potentially gone) posters is a great effort in this area. And we need to find not only our lost rangers but new ones as well. If these people choose to step up and help promote the show - great - but that's not why we need them. We need them talking about the show, aware that its back, and come February tuning in. So I'm not out to hype promotion to them - just pass along basic information about Jericho's return (or what Jericho is to new fans) and hope they pass it along to their friends.
* Social Networking sites - myspace, facebook, livejournal, yahoo groups, etc... * Blogs * Diggs * Internet searches * Commenting on online articles as they begin to appear. * Help as you can tame the problems in the CBS Jericho chat room. Don't antagonize people, but also don't feed the flames of those seeking attention by causing trouble.
Obviously the online wave needs to continue through the new season - particularly in the social networking areas.
Wave two - Traditional media (right after xmas / new years)
There is already an effort to get a press release out. This is fantastic. I'm going to focus on helping individuals make contact with their local media: outreach, talking points, etc.... Most entertainment and lifestyle sections plan stories like those we want about a month in advance (leaving a few holes in the section for breaking news). Right now these editors are focused mostly on holiday stories, but as soon as the holidays are over and before the "spring" themed stories are prepped they will be looking for those local interest pieces and there we have a good opportunity.
It'd be great to get as many local stories about Jericho as possible the week and particularly the weekend before the premiere airs. These editors will be looking for the local angle. Example - the Pittsburgh paper wanted to talk to Clarke and hear Clarke's Jericho story because Clarke is from Pittsburgh. They love the local angle. Of course if there is enough copy space or time in the segment they will expand to the Jericho and Jericho Ranger story with more broad information but they want to start with the local first.
Wave three - Flyers and other direct contact with potential viewers (week and weekend before the premiere - prep time now though)
People have short attention spans these days. They probably aren't going to remember the info on a flyer more than 3-4 days.
Flyers should be simple, clear and to the point. Example: Jericho Season 2 premieres Tuesday 2/12 on CBS at 10pm
If your area only has 1 CBS station and everyone knows the station # - include it.
Include the day as well as the date. Many people will more easily remember "Tuesday" or "This Tuesday" than be bothered to figure out what day of the week 2/12 is."
"Jericho" is coming back, and just maybe the campaign helped, but it most certainly wasn’t the deciding factor. CBS had mountains of data to analyze to determine that they screwed up with the show.
"Jericho" deserved to survive because it had one thing going for it: It had people watching it. The ratings were strong the first half of the season, but dropped after a two-plus-month hiatus for the winter. A show finding its audience could not survive that, and it didn't. CBS acknowledges it screwed up.
"Journeyman" was given every chance to build an audience. But the problem is almost half of the people who watched "Heroes" turned the channel instead of staying for "Journeyman." For the networks, there’s no coming back from that. They didn’t pull it too soon, nor did they move the show around their schedule. They kept it stable, and aired all the episodes."
Looks like a good promotional tool to me:
"We at Media Predict have just discovered the HD re-runs of "Jericho" on UniversalHD -- and the show is fantastic!
We wanted to give you the chance to place your bets on whether "Jericho" will surivive to see another season. We certainly hope it does. Take a look at www.mediapredict.com if interested.
Media Predict is a prediction market game for movies, TV, music and more. You can buy low and sell high and make a fortune in fantasy money. It's a lot of fun -- and the predictions we generate are almost always right. We hope you'll stop by and check it out."
The Monster Fan of the Week is someone who has worked very hard for Jericho and he continues to do so. He inspires, motivates, and loves Heather.
He is also helpful, kind, always willing to share ideas, and never misses an opportunity to tell anyone who will listen about Jericho.
The Monster Fan of The Week is Cingramaol.
Congratulations, Clarke, and thanks for all your hard work.
Now to the interview:
1. What attracted you to Jericho? I've been interested in things post-apocalyptic since I first read Nevil Shute's "On The Beach" as a teenager. When I heard in May 2006 that CBS was taking the Jericho pilot to series, I was intrigued. When I saw the shot of the kid on the roof looking at the mushroom cloud, I was hooked. It was several more months until the premiere of the show in September, and I was anticipating it all the way. I was not disappointed.
2. After Jericho was cancelled what made you decide to enlist in the campaign to get it back? When the cancellation announcement came, I made what I hoped was a gracious post on the CBS message board, saying that we'd had a full season of the show (22 episodes), and it was amazing that a weekly series about the aftermath of a nuclear attack had done that well, and that we should be grateful that we'd seen that much of the show. I think fans were grateful, but it was obvious within 24 hours that no one was going gently into that good night. And then I was recruited by other people, including Schumi, who had been working on a web site (JerichoLives.com) which became one of the rallying points for the movement. From there, I jumped in with both feet, as did thousands of other fans.
3. You are well known in the Pittsburgh area as Operations Manager of Pittsburgh-area AM stations WKHB (620) and WKFB (770). Did having that position help you spread the word about our campaign? Yes, but only toward the end of the campaign. Because of my career background, and having spent my life somewhat in the public eye, I ended up as a spokesperson several times, particularly as it became apparent that the series might be saved. And the TV-radio editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was surprised to find out that the Jericho campaign had a local angle. But in the end, I was just another fan pulling for the survival of the show, like so many others.
4. Did you really believe CBS would bring Jericho back? I thought there was a snowball's chance in hell. These campaigns usually don't work, no matter how strong and enthusiastic they are. When I started to hear rumors that the show might actually return, I could hardly believe it. When I realized that the network was bringing the show back, I was ecstatic. Changing the mind of a major broadcasting corporation in three weeks is unprecedented. It's a testimony to the efforts of all the Jericho Rangers and the open-mindedness of CBS.
5. Where were you when you heard Jericho was coming back? How did you feel? Quite by accident, I must have been one of the first people to hear the news. It was twelve minutes after five on June 6, 2007, and I was on the CBS message board at the time. When I refreshed the page, I saw a new posting entitled "A Message From CBS Entertainment," time-stamped 5:08 PM. After all the rumors of the previous few days, I knew this had to be our answer, yes or no. I read the message -- I distinctly remember the words "CBS has ordered seven new episodes" -- and by 5:15, I was on the phone with Schumi, who had not heard the news. I was almost delirious. I think I was screaming. Then I called some other people. And then the E-mails started flying and the board started buzzing, and I thought to myself, tonight's the night the world begins again.
6. Would you do it all over again now that you know what was involved? Yes. There has been some unfortunate BS along the way, as there is in every fandom at times, but I would stand and fight again for Jericho in a heartbeat, and I'm sure many other fans would do the same.
7. Who's your favorite character on Jericho and why? Heather Lisinski, because she's the smart girl, the slightly nerdy girl, the underdog when it comes to winning Jake, and is played by a tremendous actress, Sprague Grayden, who I believe has a brilliant career ahead of her.
8. What are you doing now for Jericho? (Promoting) Right now it's a matter of getting out the word that there's going to be a second season. Many people still believe the series disappeared for good in May, or in November of last year. It's the Christmas season and this is the perfect time to let people on your Christmas card list know about the show returning in February. Better yet, give the gift of the Jericho Season One DVD set. Now, please don't laugh, but so far I've bought 13 copies!
9. What should fans be doing now? Simple. Tell everyone you know about the second season of Jericho, premiering Tuesday, February 12 on CBS. This show, like all of the others, will rise and fall on the Nielsen ratings, and we need to pull in more viewers if we want to see a Season Three. Nina Tassler put those cards on the table, and she's absolutely right in saying so.
10. Comments? There have been some wonderful critical reviews of Jericho, particularly since the show was rescued. I think it's a unique show because of its premise, and the way it taps into our present-day fears and concerns, and forces us to ask questions about our world and ourselves. It's entertainment, but it's not light entertainment. It's fine dramatic television. It makes you think, which is what good television should do. I think we're in for an exciting second season and I am proud to have played a small part in bringing the show back. Here's to more Jericho!
"On Monday, December 17th, post about some act of kindness you performed — making a donation, helping someone move, volunteering your time, or even something as simple as paying someone an unexpected compliment — and then share your story with a post, photo, or video on your blog."
"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you."
— John Bunyon
This is a story about Kindness;the kindness of a remarkable group of people. I can never repay them for their kindness but I have no doubt they shall be rewarded. It began in May of this year when Jericho on CBS was cancelled.
Thousands of Jericho fans gathered to try to reverse the cancellation and we did. CBS renewed our show. During this time many friendships were born. I had no idea at the time that those very friendships would bring me a miracle when I most needed it.
Due to circumstances beyond my control I had to move. Unfortunately, my new landlady does not allow pets. I had found someone to keep my dog, Arabelle (Boo), so I completed my move. Less than two weeks later they changed their mind.
A friend's sister said she would take Boo. She took an inside dog and put her in a small outside pen and expected her to do fine. I grieved for Arabelle day and night. Then, the friend's sister called and gave me one day to find Boo a new home.
I can't tell you how hard I worked to try to find a home. No luck. My last resort was a shelter here where I live. They said they'd try to find someone to adopt Boo. If they couldn't find her a home I'd have to pick her up or leave her to very unpleasant consequences.
I knew I had to be prepared in case she wasn't adopted so I contacted everybody I could think of with no luck. I couldn't eat or sleep for worrying. I was desperate and begging for help.
I decided to post my plea on one of my blogs. I wrote: "If anyone can direct me to any resource I will be forever grateful. If you live in my area and could give her a foster home I can buy her food. Ideas, resources, anything will be greatly appreciated."
To make a very long story short, some amazing Jericho fans and friends got together and raised enough money to provide transport for Boo to another Jericho friends' home in Indiana. Not just any transport but my friend's husband drove down here to Alabama to get my Boo and drove her to her new temporary home.
This was a miracle delivered by a group of Jericho Angels. I have never experienced such an outpouring of love and support. Kindness not only lives in these people;it is freely shared.
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
This was one of those moments and these folks changed my life as well as Boo's. That's why I now call them Boo's Angels.
"Yesterday, Amy Vernon with Remote Access let Jericho fans know that Universal HD, a cable network owned by NBC Universal, is airing Jericho for two mini-marathons in high definition, starting tonight. One person commented.
A few days ago, CBS launched a viral YouTube video that is aimed at fans more than new viewers. To date, it has received less than 15,000 views, a fraction of what Jericho fans once mustered. Even the positive comments hint at frustration.
“Thank you, CBS, for finally letting us know what the freak is freaking happening."
"All fan campaigns have limits. For evidence, take a look back at the three we turned our attention to last June: The Black Donnellys, Veronica Mars, and, of course, Jericho."
While I’m still being brought up to speed on the viability of the Journeyman campaign, it seems clear that consumers are increasingly prepared to pummel networks for quick cancellation of good shows. Sooner or later, networks might get the message: the old rules are dead. Nowadays, it’s better to feed shows on the bubble than let them fade quietly into the night because there is nothing quiet about vested fans and brands can only take so much."
Boondoggie of Find-The-Boots gave us a lot of help during Save Jericho. Here's a look back at some of the inspiration he provided.
"I'm going to go out on a limb and make a prediction.
The Save Jericho campaign will change the way Old Media interacts with the internet.
Google for "Save Jericho" and you get 48,000 hits as of this morning. Think of the amount of time and money it would take a public relations agency to put up 48,000 pages with your message, all with unique and clearly human content.
This absolutely dwarfs the famous Star Trek letter writing campaign. Today marks the 1 week anniversary since the cancellation of the show. Things move at a different speed on the internet.
And all because executives at CBS were told by the Nielson ratings that the show didn't have much support. They're only 10 years behind the times, so I guess that's not too bad for corporate America. My experience has been that even "high tech" companies trail by about 10 years from what's available in their IT capabilities. That's why the power company has to ask me my account number instead of just looking at the caller id, and why I have to repeat it every time they transfer me. Hmm, make that 20 years. CBS is making its decisions based upon an old model, and sometimes that collides with the New Media and the result isn't pretty for the old guys.
CBS is under the impression that the old technology of set top boxes and personal diaries from Nielson families controls their business model. In some ways, it still does, because advertisers go along with it. The viewers aren't CBS's customers, the advertisers are. But when the advertisers figure out that the old measurements are pretty much useless, they'll start to change their models. Spending $500K for 30 seconds of prime time advertising won't seem like such a smart idea when that same $500K could be spent elsewhere.
And when that happens, we'll look back at the Save Jericho campaign and say that's where it started."
"But the real lesson to be learned is that the monster isn't controllable. The NY Times ran an interesting article on "The High Price of Creating Free Ads." They tell the story of how Heinz has had so much difficulty controlling what they hoped would be a viral marketing strategy. Read the article and you'll see another example of how foolish it is to think that you can control something like fans that don't work for you."
"In the past several years, TV fans have taken to the internet to launch campaigns in support of the shows they love. There was "Save Farscape," that lead to a resurrection in the form of a series of TV movies. There was the effort to save Firefly that ultimately lead Universal to believe that there was enough interest in the franchise to greenlight the Serenity movie. Most recently was the resurrection of CBS's apocalyptic drama Jericho. The campaign to save Jericho involved thousands of peanuts being sent to CBS in a symbolic gesture from the shows fans. In what seemed an almost impossible development, the network agreed to bring Jericho back for a shortened 7 episode season."
"While striking writers and Hollywood studios are still negotiating a contract, CBS Corp. Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves has a honey of a new one.
Here's what Moonves, 58, is getting in the agreement that runs through October 2011:
A base salary of $3.5 million.
A target bonus of $10.5 million, three times his salary. That's what Moonves gets essentially for showing up. There could be more if he performs, though nothing is specified.
An option covering 5 million shares.
An annual grant of free shares worth $7.6 million on each of four grant dates during his contract. To earn them, Moonves will have to achieve a performance target for budgeted free-cash flow.
A make-whole provision so Moonves doesn't face the higher income tax that New York state and New York City levy compared with California. That allows Moonves to spend whatever time he wants at his company's New York headquarters and not suffer any monetary consequences compared with spending all his time at CBS in California.
For this, Moonves isn't required to work more than five days a month and eight hours a day. Assuming he works the maximum hours, his pay rate, including cash and the current stock price, would be a lovely $9,800 an hour."
"Man, CBS owes Jericho fans a huge thank-you. Not only are they responsible for bringing the show back from cancellation — making sure the network has another series to show this winter during the ongoing writers' strike — but they also gave the network the perfect tool for marketing the show's return: nuts! Ever since fans inundated CBS headquarters with literally tons of peanuts this spring in an effort to bring the show back, CBS has adopted the nut theme as its own. The network gave out gift bags of nuts during the Jericho panel at this summer's TV press tour, and here's the latest: a tour through the show's first season as hosted by a talking, animated peanut."
"The networks publicly have been insisting that their ratings will not be much hurt by the upcoming glut of reality programming in the wake of the writers' strike. Do you think the public will embrace reality, because that's all there is, or will we see a backlash against this much unscripted programming?"
"Just last week, there was a sense that talks in the Writers Guild of America strike were moving in the direction of a settlement.
This week, the outlook is as bleak as the weather Milwaukeeans have been facing this December: icy, cold and unending.
Talks broke down Friday night, and there's no date set for a new round.
The fallout won't really start to hit viewers until after the holiday season ends. The word out of Hollywood is that the last of the dramas still in production will wrap up this week, so fresh episodes will become increasingly sparse once the December rerun / holiday specials season wraps up after the ball drops in Times Square."
"The writers' strike is about to make the 2007-08 TV schedule look like a really boring week in July. So let's look at some of the more intriguing numbers from Nielsen about prime-time viewing this fall before first-run episodes of your favorite shows go away.
45.2 — The median age for NBC's prime-time audience, down almost two years from last season, making it the youngest of the four major networks. CBS is still the oldest, with half of its viewers aged 52.6 or older. But ABC, thanks to Dancing with the Stars, has seen its audience age the most, going from last season's 47.4 to 49.5.
39 — The median age for viewers who playback ABC shows on their DVRs. That's 11 years younger then the age of those who watch them live. The median age of viewers watching NBC and CBS on their DVRs is 10 years younger then those who watch live. Fox's median age is eight years younger among DVR viewers (35 compared to 43 for those who watch live. The CW fans playing back shows are actually a year older (33) then those who watch live."
"Here is the fifth video of the behind-the-scenes from the CW’s SUPERNATURAL. Jared and Jensen."
"On December 3rd 2007, Hey! Nielsen started the Most Valuable Poster Sweepstakes in which the “most valuable poster” can will a $1,000 prize. You could be a winner if you are willing to offer valuable content so head over to Hey! Nielsen and check it out."
Once again Rich of Copywrite Ink hits the CBS nail on the head. I find the article to be quite revealing as well as interesting.
"Buddy TV has been running an online poll that reveals the fan base fractures over the decision. Only 10 percent of Jericho fans like the new time slot, 67 percent don’t care (they’ll watch anytime), and 23 percent think it is a mistake."
It's evident fans are not voting like we once did. Since the return was announced I haven't even seen any major promotional efforts underway. Are we burned out ? Probably. Have we done all the marketing while CBS did nothing ? Yes.
"A mere 145 people voted, which is indicative of CBS giving up its engagement with the thousands of fans that convinced them to bring it back. Equally telling is that the Jericho Season One DVD sales did not measure up, hindered by the network’s lack of the commitment to the cause. We cautioned fans to promote the DVD heavily, as if CBS would not market it."
CBS should be ashamed of the non-marketing they did for the DVD. Is it that they want to see Jericho fail this time?
"CBS primarily made four promises to Jericho fans when they reinstated the series in June:
• Re-broadcast “Jericho” on CBS, which they did with an odd order, until the series was pre-empted by football. • Stream online episodes and clips online, but without much marketing support for the varied platforms where you can find it. • Release the first season to DVD on Sept. 25, which was postponed and lacked any substantial marketing support. • Continue the story of Jericho in digital media, which they almost did but not in any real tangible sort of way."
And, Rich, don't forget that CBS gave us the most insane chat room for Jericho known to man. Porn, threats, you name it. They haven't even tried to moderate it just as they let the Jericho message board go downhill.
So we have all this plus the fact that few bloggers are blogging Jericho, the message board is dead, and CBS is sitting back watching. Personally, I don't think we can blame the holidays for the apathy I see.
If Jericho fails again the blame lays in the lap of CBS. And, I doubt they even care.
" Cyberstalking is a relatively new phenomenon. With the decreasing expense and thereby increased availability of computers and online services, more individuals are purchasing computers and "logging onto" the Internet, making another form of communication vulnerable to abuse by stalkers.
Cyberstalkers target their victims through chat rooms, message boards, discussion forums, and e-mail. Cyberstalking takes many forms such as: threatening or obscene e-mail; spamming (in which a stalker sends a victim a multitude of junk e-mail); live chat harassment or flaming (online verbal abuse); leaving improper messages on message boards or in guest books; sending electronic viruses; sending unsolicited e-mail; tracing another person's computer and Internet activity, and electronic identity theft.
Similar to stalking off-line, online stalking can be a terrifying experience for victims, placing them at risk of psychological trauma, and possible physical harm. Many cyberstalking situations do evolve into off-line stalking, and a victim may experience abusive and excessive phone calls, vandalism, threatening or obscene mail, trespassing, and physical assault."
"An example is CBS' show "Jericho" that they almost canceled. One of the things that ["Jericho" online support groups] did was organize a Meebo room to discuss how to get CBS to put it back on the air. It's just one of many, many things that Internet users did. So, fast-forward three months or so, and CBS put "Jericho" on the air, and what they did was, they put a lot of video content from the show inside a Meebo room and put that on the CBS site so viewers can keep in touch with the show until the new season's ready and talk with each other."
**** I can't believe they'd have the nerve to mention the lousy Jericho chat. What a mess! I never saw so much porn and people pretending to be other people. Meebo and CBS should be ashamed.****
"As the old saying goes, truth is sometimes stranger than fiction, and maybe doubly so online. Two anonymous identity stories have played out very differently in recent weeks; they are dramatically lopsided and in the wrong direction."
You may also donate to your local shelter. It doesn't have to be money;it may be blankets or any other items an animal needs.
There's always someone who is hard to buy for. If that person is an animal lover, why not make a donation to the shelter in his/her name? You can specify the purpose for the donation (spay/neuter fund, building improvements, pet food or toys, etc).
" The Marshall County Humane Society is dedicated to animal welfare. Our small shelter takes in stray dogs and cats and companion animals that for many reasons are no longer wanted by their owners. We take care of animal cruelty cases in our county, and have a spay/neuter program to help control the overpopulation of pets. We are proud to say that in 2000 we placed more than 300 pets in adoptive homes in Marshall County, Indiana."
"Be famous! Tell the world you care and sponsor a dog untill they get adopted. We'll post your name on the adoption page next to your sponsored dog and send you updates on how your dog is doing for $5.00 a week!
Please keep in mind we are a non-profit organization and all money, food, bedding, toys ect. go towards the care of the animals."
There are items you can donate for less than $5! They have a list.
My name is Boo(actually Arabelle) and I would like to ask you to participate in a very special Christmas project.
Had my mom's friends not saved me from the shelter I would have been euthanized. I am not the only pet in danger.Look what's happening to my friends. Here are some facts:
It costs U.S. taxpayers an estimated $2 billion each year to round up, house, kill, and dispose of homeless animals.
Over 56% of dogs and puppies entering shelters are killed, based on reports from over 1,055 facilities across America.
An estimated 5 million cats and dogs are killed in shelters each year. That's one about every six and one half seconds. (The Humane Society of the United States) Millions more are abandoned, only to suffer from illness or injury before dying.
In six years one unspayed female and her offspring, can reproduce 67,000 dogs.
Seven dogs & cats are born every day for each person born in the U.S. Of those, only 1 in 5 puppies and kittens say in their original home for their natural lifetime. The remaining 4 are abandoned to the streets or end up at a shelter.
The Humane Society of the United States provided these statistics:
* Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year: 8–10 million (HSUS estimate) * Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year: 4–5 million (HSUS estimate) * Number of cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year: 3–5 million (HSUS estimate) * Number of cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year: Between 600,000 and 750,000—15–30% of dogs and 2–5% of cats entering shelters (HSUS estimate) * Number of animal shelters in the United States: Between 4,000 and 6,000 (HSUS estimate) * Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred: 25% (HSUS estimate) * Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2 * Average number of puppies in a canine litter: 6–10
I had angels who saved me. Not all pets do. Come back tomorrow for Part II on Boo's Chrismas Angels to see how you can help. Please help save my friends.
This week the Monster Fan of the Week has temporarily been changed to Fans of the Week.
Who could have known that watching Jericho, joining in the Save Jericho campaign could bring angels into my life? It is truly overwhelming.
If you've missed the story about my beloved dog, Boo, you can find it here.
Boo is safe because some fine Jericho fans felt compassion, generosity, and love. They are the Fans of The Week for their role in helping me and saving Boo.
They each know what they have done so I won't list everything. I can only offer my undying gratitude and my thanks. To the anonymous donors:I am grateful and deeply touched by your generosity.
The Fans of The Week are:
Kestral-I love you
Maybei-I love you
Terocious-I love this fine man
Briarpatch-I love you
Lisibee-I love you
DBalcer-I love you
K4ist-I love you
Flutterby-I love you
Welcome2CHO-I love you
To anybody I missed I apologize. I love all of you too.
Thanks to all of you my Boo will be fostered in Kestral's loving home tomorrow night. She'll return to me when I'm able to get a place for her.
I have decided to wait until Monday to go back to my regular blogging. My real life circumstances have been taking all my time and I can't work on the blogs right now.
I am speaking of the campaign to save my dog Boo.
The good news is that, once again, some kind, compassionate Jericho fans banded together and worked with me on a solution. The best news is that Boo has been saved. She has a new foster home and will be going there on Sat.
There is still work to be done so we will continue. I will post daily updates.
A wonderful Jericho fan has agreed to foster my dog until I can work my situation out to get her back. We are in the process of working out transport from here in Alabama to her home in Indiana.
At this time it appears we need to send her by air. We've had several donations and I thank those donors with all my heart.
If you know of anyone who does transports or if you would like to donate it would be most appreciated. We don't have much time.
You will find a donation button on the right side of the page at:
This picture is of my beloved Boo. I am desperate and begging for your help. Especially if you live in the North Alabama area.
Boo is an 11 month old mixed Labrador Retriever/Beagle that I cannot keep and cannot find a home for.
She is currently at a shelter here. They are a good organization and they have listed her at Petfinder and they have put ads in the local paper. No success so far.
I will have to pick her up this weekend if she is not adopted by then and I have nowhere to take her. She is a good dog and loves people and children. She has always lived inside.
If anyone can direct to any resource I will be forever grateful. If you live in my area and could give her a foster home I can buy her food.
Ideas, resources, anything will be greatly appreciated.
Sunday is my off day so I don't publish my blogs. However, I've decided to feature some of my favorite, non-Jericho blogs today. I hope you'll pay them a visit.
Part time model and a full time webmistress from Southern California! Sasha's blog:
"Pastry arts graduate shares her personal stories, five careers, love of movies, music, art and television, her critiques, and opinions of the world at large."
Beautiful blog by Theresa. Eat something before you read!
"Kevin writes one of the most popular humor blogs on myspace.com, this is his off myspace blog, updated monday through friday with an off beat look at pop culture" and more.
This is an article that came out in Oct. but I missed it. It's still relevant so I wanted to post it.
"We've all heard the stereotypes and the tired cliches. If you're a fan and other people know about it, someone had told you to "Get a life," per William Shatner. The person probably even thought it was funny, because as my dad would say, there's always someone who'd laugh at a rubber crutch, too. The truth is, we do have lives. We have jobs and classes and families and pets as well as our fandom-related hobbies. What's more, because fandom acts as a large, loosely-knit community, we can spread information and gather help with just a quick post or email, and when that particular power is turned towards helping others, we bring out something else the get-a-lifers don't see: fandom's unlimited capacity for giving.
Shelters are popular recipients for fannish charity funds. Over Labor Day weekend, a Supernatural fan-run group called Fandom Rocks raised over $1,000 for the Lawrence Community Shelter, a homeless shelter in Lawrence, Kansas. Lawrence is the hometown of the Winchester brothers, so naming a charity in that city seemed fitting. Fandom Rocks raised another $1,000 for SOS Children's Villages, a non-governmental organization that operates in over one hundred countries providing assistance and resources to children and families in poverty and in the wake of humanitarian and natural disasters.
So the next time your pet mundane is laughing at your online habits and telling you to get a life, feel free to tell him or her that you and your fandom friends gave your time and energy to raise money for people in need, and that you had a great time doing it. If they're still laughing, hit 'em with the rubber crutch."
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