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Saturday, November 17, 2007

Jericho and Tom Tooman



"Does Tom Tooman hail from Jericho, KS?"

"Fans of Jericho might have noticed early on the similarities between the Tom Tooman ARG and the CBS show. Jericho revolves around how the residents of the small town cope after being isolated from most of the world following a nuclear attack. The speculation of a connection has proved true with a newly discovered website for Jennings and Rall, a company that will help rebuild the town of Jericho during season two of the show. The website details some of the many ways the company intends to rebuild America including: satellite monitoring, food services support, "city scrubbing" and the isolation of individuals contaminated by radioactive fallout.

ARGNet's inside source revealed that the best part of the ARG is yet to come, including an expanded narrative which will include some familiar names to fans of the Jericho show. According to the source, "CBS wanted to provide current and future fans with a richer experience in preparation for Season 2 and to keep the momentum for the show going during its hiatus." Jericho fans will surely be delighted to find out that the show they fought so hard for now has an alternate reality game connected to it. The show was cancelled last season and fans reacted by sending CBS over 40,000 pounds of nuts to pledge their loyalty to the show. The unprecedented grassroots campaign worked, CBS listened, and Jericho will return this season for seven episodes."



The Monster Fan of the Week is Amy Vernon of Remote Access.

Amy is a Jericho fan who has been covering the show since the Save Jericho campaign began. She has written about Jericho,the fans, and the the campaign many times. We have all enjoyed her posts and she allowed some of us to be guest bloggers.

Amy contributed to getting the Nuts campaign out into the blogosphere and has helped promote the show as much or more than many fans. All of Amy's posts are my favorites but I do recall one from May 28, 2007 in which she said:

"So, the word is out in the blogosphere that we should not give up hope for some sort of return for Jericho. It would seem the main hurdle that needs to be overcome is for CBS to find a way to bring it back but not lose face.

While nothing’s set in stone by any means whatsoever, the Nuts to CBS campaign has been bombarding The Eye’s hq with thousands of pounds of nuts."


Congratulations,Amy, and thank you for giving us hope when we needed it most.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Fandom: A Political Monster



Terocious has a very interesting link today on his Jericho Junction blog. Let me begin by saying this post is directed to no one person or people. It is simply an example of what has happened in other fandoms. Yes, the Jericho fandom has undergone many of these examples so maybe there's something to be learned here.


First he makes the statement,"We should do what we are good at and try to support one another as there are many missions and passions at work. We should help when we can and ask for help when we need it. We should not expect others help but be grateful when it is extended. We should recognize encouragement as help and help others thus."

The link is titled "On Fandom." The link takes you to PoseidonAdventure.com

What does this have to do with Jericho? The author says,"Someday, I may just blow the lid off everything that went on behind the scenes over the course of nearly ten years of the evolution — and de-evolution — of the TPA fan community. Today, however, is not that day.

Instead, I want to leave you with some thoughts from other people who have been deeply involved — and subsequently burned (often beyond recognition) — by their own fan communities... which, like the TPA cult, started out as nothing more than a the coming-together of a few fans who thought they were all alone, overwhelmed by the joy and relief at learning they weren't "weird".

The author makes two comments that stand out to me. First, he says,"In other words, accept nothing at face value. Treat every fan community as if it were a chatroom — or a minefield. Eventually, you'll weed out those with true friend potential from the scammers and opportunists."

Secondly, he says,"Fandom is a political monster — there's a lot of infighting, favoritism and abuse.

Dee Dreslough"

"Burned For Fandom"
http://www.dreslough.com/main/burned/





Thursday, November 15, 2007

The Television Viewer Union



New! The Television Viewer Union

Banding together to get our voices heard.

"The game plan is this:
The simplified formula for television is that you have Networks that produce the shows we watch and who pay millions and millions of dollars to make the shows we watch. You have the advertisers or sponsors who pay millions and millions of dollars to the networks so that they can advertise on the shows that we watch to entice us to buy their goods and then there is us, the television viewers who watch the shows that the networks put out and who the advertisers pay big bucks too.

So we have the networks, the advertisers or sponsors and us the television viewers. It takes all three things for the whole formula to work and if you take one away it doesn't work.

Then you factor in Nielsen Ratings that rate our shows and their ratings determine the advertising dollars that the networks can demand for the shows they produce and even though it's a flawed system and good shows have been cancelled it's the only rating system out there and they are powerful enough to fend off Networks and the United States Government alike but are they powerful enough to fend off the fans?

The problem is that the television viewers aren't represented, so the networks don't have to listen to us. And until the Internet came along the technology wasn't available to unite the fans.

So this site was created to try to unite the television viewers and get us some representation with the networks. When we get enough members we will start to Rock The Ratings by doing roving boycotts of pre-selected shows and let the advertisers of those shows know about the boycotts after they happen. With a little time they will then start complaining to the networks about paying too much money for shows that are being boycotted. If that doesn't get them to work with us then we will stop roving and pick a network to boycott and that network can feel the power of the fans.

Now, if I understand Nielsen Media correctly then there are only 25,000 boxes in the United States that rates the shows and a million diaries that viewers fill out during sweeps. If that's the case, a boycott may not show up that much in the Nielsen Ratings but with enough people putting pressure on the advertisers, they will in turn put pressure on the networks who will have to change how they do things and work with us.

We realize that all the shows can't be saved and in some cases shouldn't be saved but we can try to get some concessions from the networks to get wrap up episodes for shows and possibly a season that goes to DVD and even things like fewer commercials in each televised episode."


Please join as this is where all fandoms will come together and help each other.



Announcing:

The Digg Coach-- NEW Blog

Tutorials, information on Digg.com with suggestions, news, and digg resources.



"Introduction
In these difficult times lay challenges for all North Americans seeking to safeguard the areas left destroyed and to rebuild our great Nation. Beginning with the Cheyenne Government, Jennings & Rall is leading the charge to resurrect this great country whose cities lay in waste, and whose populous yearn for a return to the America that we remember. We are here to help, build and lead - wherever that may take us."


Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Jericho: Breaking News



New In Jericho

Introduction
In these difficult times lay challenges for all North Americans seeking to safeguard the areas left destroyed and to rebuild our great Nation. Beginning with the Cheyenne Government, Jennings & Rall is leading the charge to resurrect this great country whose cities lay in waste, and whose populous yearn for a return to the America that we remember. We are here to help, build and lead - wherever that may take us.


http://www.jenningsandrall.com/html/index.php

More to come.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Soldiers' Angels



Many thanks to Rich at Copywrite Ink for bringing this to everyone's attention.


"Soldiers' Angels was started by a self-described ordinary mother of an ordinary young man turned hero, Sgt. Brandon Varn. Brandon was deployed in Iraq and has since honorably completed his mission and has returned back to his proud and loving family.

In the summer of 2003, he wrote home expressing his concern that some soldiers did not receive any mail or support from home. Being a caring and loving mother, she decided not to allow a situation like that to continue. She contacted a few friends and extended family to ask if they would write to a soldier or two. Within a few short months, Soldiers' Angels went from a mother writing a few extra letters to an Internet Community with thousands of angels worldwide.

With more and more merchants donating services, money and items for packages, the Angels reorganized as a 501 c 3 non-profit so all donations would be tax deductible. Soldiers' Angels currently supports tens of thousands of American Service Members stationed wherever we raise our nation's flag, and that number continues to grow daily. Soldiers' Angels are dedicated in supporting our military during and after their deployment."


Three Ways You Can Help:

1. Adopting a Soldier is the foundation of Soldiers' Angels. To Adopt a Soldier you must commit to sending one card or letter each week and AT LEAST 1 or 2 care packages a month.

2. f you are unable to Adopt A Soldier (time constraints, finances, etc.) but would still like to join Soldiers' Angelsl and help us with our mission, you have the option of simply joining one of our many teams or programs.

3. If you really want to help Soldiers' Angels carry out its mission but just don't have the time to adopt a soldier or join a team at this time, please consider helping us out financially.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Margie and Edna: Honoring Veterans



Veterans Day is intended to thank veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to United States national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty.


"America's Wars: U.S. Casualties and Veterans"


"THE HISTORY OF VETERANS DAY"




Margie: Edna, I was just thinking about Veteran's Day. You always rave about Great-grandpappy's sword but we had other relatives who served in many different wars. I think we should honor them today in our own special way. What do you remember about our ancestors?

Edna: Well, Great-grandpappy was an American veteran, remember how he served in the Civil War? We've got a lot of ancestors and relatives who've fought so that we can keep our freedoms. Remember how Mama used to talk about about her great-uncle who fought in the War of 1812? She said the whole family was so proud of him!

Margie, what about Pete, the neighbor boy who lived next door when we were growing up. Didn't he fight in one of the wars?


Margie: Poor Pete. He sure did. Came home traumatized. You know one of my husbands was a soldier when we married. The only good thing I can say about him is that he did serve his country.

Mama said we had ancestors in most every war. That's why I enjoyed working at the USO way back when. I did so love to..
Never you mind, Edna. We should have a parade.


Edna: Margie, if they put on a parade of all the soldier boys you've "entertained" over the years, it'd go on for a week!

You know, it's a good thing that Mama was interested in genealogy, so we know a lot more about our ancestors than most folks do. Do you remember her telling us about one of our family members who fought in the Revolutionary War back in Connecticut? That was before her family came west to Kansas, of course.

It sure is nice to be able to look back at who your kin were and be proud of them. Of course, some of my kin I'm prouder of than others. Know what I mean, Margie?

Margie: Edna, you're a crass old fool. I only have one relative I'm not proud of and I bet you know who she is.

Mama said we had some relatives who most likely started several wars. One of my soldier friends told me once that I almost had wars started over me. Those boys were certainly after my affections.

Anyway, Edna, I just want to thank all the soldiers of all the wars because that's why we have all our freedoms today. And, when Jericho is rebuilt, we really will have a parade.

Edna: You're right Margie, we should thank all the soldiers who fought for us, no matter where or when they fought. We've been awfully lucky so far to have all the freedoms we do, even if those gosh-darn nuclear bombs have thrown everything off-kilter for a little while.

If it wasn't for our soldiers, you and I might not have the freedom to talk to who we wanted, or even to say whatever we wanted. We surely do owe them a debt of gratitude, and any soldier will forever have mine.



Sunday, November 11, 2007

Monster Fan of the Week



The Monster Fan of the Week is Rich of Copywrite Ink.

Rich is a Jericho fan who came to us early in the Save Jericho campaign. He has written about Jericho and the fans and our campaign many times and continues to do so.

He has helped us every step of the way with his professional opinions, ideas, and insights. He has posted on our boards and joined us in chat. He also sponsored the Expanded Universe Short Story Competition.

Rich knows Jericho and he knows its' fans. One of his statements always stands out in my mind:

"I am sometimes reminded how easy it is for fans to lose sight of their original reasons to pull together, but I know what they sometimes do not: they are still those same people, perhaps just a bit frustrated in attempting to find their own way."


Congratulations, Rich, and thank you for everything you do.




From the CBS Jericho board:

" Dear Jericho Rangers:

As you probably know, the writers' union has gone on strike against the studios and now your favorite TV shows, including JERICHO, are in jeopardy.

But what you may not know, is the truth behind it all.

Last summer, the Jericho Rangers ran one of the most successful grassroots campaigns in history. With that in mind, we would be so grateful if you could post the following link wherever you can:

http://.com/watch?youtubev=oJ55Ir2jCxk

This video, appropriately entitled WHY WE FIGHT, is a very accurate and fair description of why the writers are striking.

If after you've watched this video, you would like to make a difference, please let the studios and networks know that you support the writers in their fight for a fair contract in order to get your shows back on the air. The writers also ask that you do not purchase and download TV shows and/or watch the TV shows that are streamed online by their networks until this strike is resolved.

Thank you for all you have done!

Signed,
Your Jericho Family"


"This is an unofficial blog started by a group of strike captains. The contributors are both writers and non-writers. If you've got any questions or stories we should know about, email us at unite@unitedhollywood.com