When the Save Jericho campaign began word was spread across the Internet. One of the reasons for that was the writing of bloggers like Amy Vernon. We Rangers are heavily indebted to Amy for all her Jericho writings so I wanted to recognize her for her contribution.. In future articles I hope to recognize more bloggers who helped spread the word of our campaign. It is an honor and a privilege to present Amy Vernon.
1. How did you get your start as a blogger?
A friend and colleague of mine knew I was opinionated and that I liked TV; he was recruiting new writers for the TV blog at the paper I work for (I'm a local news editor for The Journal News/LoHud.com, a newspaper and website in suburban NYC). I haven't had much of an outlet for my pop culture obsessions and I was happy for the chance to do a different kind of writing and editing, so it was the perfect fit. I never would have gotten around to starting my own blog.
2. Do you have more than one blog? If so, what are they?
Four, actually. Three for the paper, and then I contribute to another as just a regular (so to speak) person: * Remote Access, the TV blog.
* Inside Rockland (a local news blog about Rockland County, N.Y.).
* The Local Desk (behind the scenes with the local editors at TJN/LoHud.com).
* Blogs4Bauer ("The best 24 site anywhere -- Jack says so").
3. What is your favorite subject to write about in a blog?
I almost enjoy it more when I get to write about a bad episode because I can be snarky and obnoxious. But I enjoy writing about the shows that I watch.
4. Your Remote Access blog is well known to TV fans,especially Jericho fans. Do you watch all the shows you blog about?
Yes. I only blog about shows I watch, though I have occasionally posted some news that might involve actors on shows I don't watch (one time I blogged about an actress from "Ugly Betty" being mistaken for a prostitute while walking in L.A.). But I generally have two shows at a time that I'm "responsible" for; it's hard, with the rest of my job, to tackle more than that at once. I started out in January with "24" and"Battlestar Galactica," two of my favorites. When "Jericho" came back from hiatus, I just had to add it to my list; it helped that Battlestar was nearing the end of its season by then. But I couldn't resist * Jericho was a must-see in my house before the hiatus and, actually, had been one of the two new shows we'd most looked forward to at the season's start (the other was "Heroes" * in case you hadn't noticed,we're a little biased toward sci-fi). This summer, besides all the Jericho news out there, I've been blogging on The 4400 and Kyle XY, plus all the 24 and BSG updates that are out there. Ah, well, two shows at a time sounded good.
5. Do you have a favorite blog you read besides your own?
Well, besides the Jericho production blog and, of course, B4B, I have to give a tip of the hat to The Jack Sack , as it's one of the first fan blogs I tapped as a TV blogger. It turned out the guy who wrote it lived and worked in our coverage area. He took me under his blogging wing, so to speak, and introduced me to the crazy world of 24 bloggers. His is perhaps one of the funniest TV fansites around. Consistently makes me laugh. I get ticked off when he hasn't updated it for a while. There are a few other blogs at my paper that I read regularly, too - Suburbarazzi, Parents Place and Just Browsing in particular (Shameless plug)
* Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I've really loved blogging on Jericho -- the fan community is really outstanding and classy and I've gotten to know many fans through the guest blogs I've solicited for our weekly episode recaps. That's been a lot of fun(click on Jericho guest blogs in the tag cloud on RA), and I've been amazed at how much work everyone's put into their posts. It's also helped me enjoy the show more, knowing that after an episode,there are other people to talk to about the show and dissect various things.
Many thanks, Amy, for taking the time to answer my questions.
Today I am starting a series called A Monster Interview. We have all worked together since before the Nuts campaign so I thought it would be fun to ask fans some questions about Jericho. If you would be interested in being interviewed please let me know on the Jericho board. I'm sweat629. Or, you can wait until I visit your board and make my pitch. I will get to all the boards eventually. Without further ado it is my great pleasure to introduce Skeeterbit.
1. What is it about Jericho that has made you a fan?
I watched the pilot episode because of Skeet, but if the show had been a real stinker, I would not have kept watching. Strange as it sounds, the first thing that hooked me on Jericho was my intense dislike for my job which involves strict compliance with health care rules & regulations. Here was a town, with a clinic, treating the wounded literally in the street and not worrying about the stifling details that I am responsible for on a daily basis. After that, I was intrigued by the interpersonal relationships, how they were going to survive, and felt a connection with Jericho because I too live in a very, very small town.
2. Who is your favorite character and why?
Jake Green because I identify with the character. He’s surrounded by people who love him, rely heavily on him, but he feels alone and he’s hurting inside. I don’t think he feels worthy of their love, can’t forgive himself for the choices he’s made, and can’t reach out to those around him to ask for help to ease his pain. He’s so busy being all things to all people he has nothing left for himself.
3. If I had never watched Jericho what would you say to urge me to watch?
I would say that Jericho has something to offer all different types of people. It’s unique and diverse. Even before the “Save Jericho” campaign and the cast began to communicate with us, I felt the characters were easy to connect with much like friends and neighbors.
4. Would you join a Jericho Fan Club? Why or why not?
A few weeks ago I would have said, “Not on your life” because to me fan clubs were something that kids joined before the internet. Now I’m not so sure. I guess it will depend on what the fan club offers. Deep down I feel that CBS has already given us a fan club through the message board and blog, but I will support anything the Jericho fandom chooses to do primarily because I respect and admire those involved.
5. What would you like to see a Fan Club do whether you would join or not?
Provide information about the show and cast that cannot be obtained through the message board or Producers’ blog and is not immediately available to non-members or the media. Like what in the world is the tattoo under “May” on Skeet’s forearm or is the rumor about him having one on the back of his neck true? Or maybe photo shoots of the cast members’ homes so we can have a peek into their private lives to get to know them better. Jericho merchandise is already available and I have practically an entire Jericho wardrobe, but I would like something with the actual cast members on it and that would have to be sanctioned by CBS.
6. Anything else you'd like to add about yourself or Jericho?
Skeet Ulrich will never know it, but he probably saved my life by sharing the story of his, even though he says he doesn’t like to be himself in front of the camera. Also, I have done things in the past couple of months that I never thought I would do – all in the name of promoting Jericho and getting another season. This came along at a time in my life when I needed something entertaining to focus on; and I thank God daily for the people I’ve met on these boards for they are truly special individuals.
"CBS's Moonves 'Very Pleased' With How Advertisers View TV But he also acknowledged that the venue is in the midst of great change, with ratings for commercials now gaining sway over commercials for programs. So-called C3 ratings, which account for viewership of commercial breaks but also include viewers who watch TV ads as much as three days after they air with digital video recorders, are fast becoming standard, said Mr. Moonves."
According to this article by David Kiley, "In gearing up for Nielsen ratings of commercial viewing, not just the programs, CBS has been tinkering with some terrible ideas. The worst is probably the practice of cutting up the monologue of Craig Ferguson, host of The Late Late Show, in half by inserting a four minute pod of commercials. Yikes. How stupid does CBS think we are. Those who are up at that hour to watch the moderately talented Ferguson aren’t going to tune in long under that scenario."
We have the opportunity to make history again...As you know we Rangers are faithful voters in TV_Vote Poll for the best shows of all time..
* We average about 507 votes each day. * We currently need 1,151 votes to make make the number 1 place in the Daily Top 40 poll. * We will need 4,139 votes (as of today) to make it into the Top 40 shows of all time! * Looking at our average totals we should hold the #1 Daily Top 40 poll by this weekend, and Jericho could hold a one of the spots in the top 40 best shows of all time in less than 2 weeks.
If we start a Pass the Peanut Marathon it might not only help with the numbers, but also add a bit of fun to the whole voting process!
I'm always Nuts for Jericho and sometimes people may think I'm just a nut myself. Let me explain about Midori Miller. On Monday I happened upon Midori's real estate blog which had the most enchanting article about Jericho. I was so impressed with it that I had to blog about it. Go look. I love the Nut picture. Midori kindly thanked me for posting about her article here and I thought that was the end of it. Imagine my surprise when she sent me word Tuesday night to " go look". I traipsed over to her blog and what I found was truly amazing. I wish Midori could see my face. I'm still smiling. Please go visit Midori's blog and leave her a comment. She's truly a gracious, amazing lady. Thank you, Midori.
* Set Visit for Two (2) to watch production of JERICHO! * Meet the cast, take photos * Filmed in Van Nuys, CA (Los Angeles) * Must take visit BEFORE September 20, 2007 * Tax Deduction for every dollar over $1000 bid
" We Are A Nielsen Family"-- Excellent article "Here in the US (and 40 other countries), for the last 60+ years, Television Ratings have been managed by the Nielsen Media Research company. They have a special magic sauce that let's them calculate "Reach" - the number of unique viewers for any show at any time. There's lots of good details on this at Wikipedia."
Go here to read one of the best blog articles I've ever seen about Jericho. I was very surprised when I found it because it's a real estate blog by Midori Miller. Be sure to check out the photo on the right. Thanks Midori. Hope you'll write more like this.
Yesterday, Rich at Copywrite Ink "launched an unofficial Expanded Universe Short Story Competition fan fiction contest to promote Jericho for the fans, expand its universe (outside of the town where it largely takes place on television), and demonstrate the possibilities of its rich story line."
"The Story. Write a 250- to 1,000-word short story about something happening in the expanded universe of Jericho (outside of Jericho) with original characters. While Jericho can be mentioned, please refrain from using anything that may interfere with future plot lines. Your name and address must be included on the e-mailed entry (we will publish pseudonyms upon request)."
Anyone can enter and there's no entry fee. Rich has some great prizes too. If you're not a Jericho fan yet watch some videos and get a feel for the story then enter.
In today's blog, : "Writing Fan Fiction: Richard Becker", Rich writes his own story. It can't be submitted to the contest and that's a good thing. Why? Because it is a great story. You did well, Rich.
I want to thank Rich at Copywrite Ink for his brilliant idea of having a contest to raise awareness of Jericho. Here's what the contest is about:
Expanded Universe Short Story Competition
"The Story. Write a 250- to 1,000-word short story about something happening in the expanded universe of Jericho (outside of Jericho) with original characters. While Jericho can be mentioned, please refrain from using anything that may interfere with future plot lines. Your name and address must be included on the e-mailed entry (we will publish pseudonyms upon request)."
There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. Go over and see what they are.
My thanks to CBS as well. They are working every day to improve the Jericho site which has been nominated for an Emmy. There's a new chat area with videos, the Production blog called the Salty Scoop, and many photos and videos. You can also get a Jericho widget for your blog/website. Scroll down to find assorted Jericho links. Thanks, CBS, for adding my blog JerichoMonster.
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