Antiquated Nielsen

"Of course, earlier I touched on the dangers that television programs face in the relevance of the soon to be antiquated Nielsen system as more and more shows are DVR’d and downloaded from iTunes, as Jericho showed. After Jericho got trashed in the ratings for it’s beleaguered 2nd season, it was the most downloaded show on iTunes. The math (logic) just doesn’t add up, but the advertising dollars do, as far as network execs are concerned, and their fat paychecks are dependent on!

Despite the disparities that we, the viewers are suffering when quality content gets dumped, they say that studios are trying to get ahead of this technological deficit. (Great, then bring back Jericho and Journeyman!)

Despite putting shows online with limited advertising, the revenue from those efforts is only a small fraction of what they make. They say it’s due to the smaller internet audience, and that might be true."

Nuts: Phase III

Nuts To Nielsen

Phase III

NorsU says, "Phase 3 is in early stages but will be an effort to get this message to other fandoms and continue to expose Nielsen for what it is, a fraud."

If interested you may leave a comment or email me at sweat1951@rock.com and I will pass the information to NorsU.
***********************
In the US, TV network AMC has partnered with Nielsen to develop a new Audience Identity Metric (AIM) that segments the audience by behavior, as well as a new ‘Ad Vantage’ metric for advertisers to measure ad receptivity across the industry.

AIM examines distinct differences in consumer preferences and behaviors to identify and target those viewers most likely to watch and to be engaged by a particular mix of AMC film titles and originals. The system matches the audience of specific movie titles with the lifestyles and behavior patterns that are the basis of specific advertiser's TV planning specs; then this data is matched to Nielsen audience estimates.

Holly Leff Pressman, EVP and General Manager of Nielsen Entertainment explained that the metric has been designed to provide more value to advertisers as they target specific audiences beyond age and gender demographics.

"

Nielsen: Measure Or Buy ?

"The wonky game of counting viewers has been a slow and steady one since 1950, the year Nielsen Media Research began to track who was watching all those brand-new TV sets. But now the longstanding leader in audience measurement finds itself in the midst of palpable drama. As consumers flock to video of all sorts in all places, can TV-ratings kingpin Nielsen maintain its dominance as the gold standard by which video advertising is priced?"
************************************************

"If Nielsen can't measure its way to continued dominance of an ever-shifting advertising world, perhaps it can buy its way into it. The media-measurement company today said it had agreed to purchase IAG Research, a company that measures viewer response to ads, TV shows and product placements, for $225 million.

IAG has gained notice in recent years, having signed pacts with many of Nielsen's biggest TV-network clients."
*************************************************

"Update: The International Campaign is really kicking off. Thanks to several international fans I and bullroarer are starting to build a really big International information base. Soon it will have its own section and separate threads for several countries. Those countries that have a different official language will get their information translated. This is possible thanks to all those who has helped us do that. I will return with the link as soon as it's up. Thank you all again!

Best regards,
Zajo

Monster Interview: Gwen On Fandoms

Studies of fandoms have always interested me so, a while back, I asked Gwen of Jericho-Kansas if she would be willing to be interviewed about fandoms. Gwen, being the gracious lady she is, agreed. It's my fault I haven't published this sooner. The waiting to learn Jericho's fate zapped all my energy.

I present this interview in two parts so look for Part II tomorrow. Also, be sure to visit the Jericho-Kansas forum.

Thank you, Gwen.
*********************


1. Fandoms are usually thought of in terms of movies or television shows but you would include historical groups in a definition of fandoms. Why is that?

One of the definitions of fandom is “all the fans of a sport, an activity, or a famous person”. This takes into account fans of TV shows, fans of literature and fans of historical eras.

Science Fiction fandom and my historical group, Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), are alike for a few reasons:

There is a lot of crossover between the Science Fiction fandom and the SCA. The SCA grew and spread in it’s first ten years, due to holding demonstrations at Science Fiction conventions.

A lot of science fiction and fantasy authors have been active in the SCA and influenced the organization. Robert Asprin, Raymond Feist, DC Fontana, Katherine Kurtz, Diana Paxson (who held the first SCA event), Marion Zimmer Bradley, and Paul Edwin Zimmer to name a few.

The crossover between the groups has contributed to a common culture. For example: filking, putting new words to a common song, is an activity common at both the Sci Fi Conventions and SCA events.

The fandom elements that have incorporated as non-profits are primarily public benefit non-profits run mostly by volunteers, as is the SCA. These types of non-profits are unique in the non-profit sector.


2. The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an "international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts, skills, and traditions of pre-17th-century Europe." You've been a member for 30 years. What led you to become involved?

I saw a local theater production of “Camelot” and began to read lots of books on King Arthur and the legends from that era. A few years later, I saw a demonstration from the local SCA members, so I went to their next meeting and got involved with the SCA. After my first event, I was hooked for life. It turned out that the gentleman who took me to my first SCA event, was in the production of “Camelot” that I had seen a few years earlier!


3. Are the activities you engage in with the SCA helpful to you in real life? In what ways?

Yes, I’ve learned many different skills in the SCA that are applicable to everyday life.

Having to interact with any large group of people will teach social skills. I was extremely shy before I joined the SCA, and being active in the organization has helped me overcome my introvert tendencies.

I know a lot more about sewing, since I’ve sewed both costumes and pavilions (cloth tents). I learned to make cordials and mead, I’m more proficient at archery, and I’m still learning about the medicinal uses of herbs and essential oils. Any kind of daily skill that was used in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, you will find in the SCA and you can usually find teachers for those skills.

During my battlefield tenure (I helped found the guild responsible for bringing water out to the warriors on the field), I learned what worked to hydrate and cool overheated people, the signs of heat prostration and heat stroke, a little bit about tactics since I had to predict where the warriors would go, how to coordinate a workforce, and that water is very heavy when you have to haul it ½ mile. I’m proud to say that that the Waterbearer’s Guild is now over twenty years old and spread from my local SCA region to being present in a majority of the SCA regions world-wide.

About one-half of the software I use on a regular basis, I learned from working on SCA related projects. The map of the Allied States on the Jericho-Kansas website is done via a mapping program that I use for an SCA related project.

I learned about non-profits, from being the Secretary to the non-profit that was trying to buy land to hold SCA events on. I worked with the lawyer on the incorporation, and I worked with the real estate lawyer about the various properties we looked at. The non-profit knowledge I can use elsewhere, but I’m not sure I’ll ever find a use for the California water rights education.


Part II tomorrow.

Nielsen Gadgetry

"Over the years, I’ve seen plenty of good shows tank due to poor ratings, including Sports Night, Wonderfalls, Freaks and Geeks, and Undeclared. And one day about two years ago, I thought all that would change, because my household was randomly chosen to be part of the "Nielsen family.

Not only did my watching or not watching shows have no impact on what made it and what didn’t, but also the Nielsen gadgetry became larger and larger, until at one point our two TVs had so many boxes and wires hanging off of them that they resembled a fifth grader’s technology project, with boxes literally duct-taped to the backs of the TV sets. (Oh, and the technicians had to buy us two new VHS recorders when they managed to drop each of ours within hours of each other.)

The last straw was when Nielsen called and said they would have to come by my house to install some new equipment (for the third time in six months) and it would probably take two days minimum.

There was no telling how much crap they would be taping to my TVs this time around.

So I told them to take all their stuff, because I was through.

And ever since, just as many shows I watch have been canceled, so it seems I didn’t really count anyway."

Conventions

"Next week's annual National Association of Television Producers and Editors Conference in Las Vegas will reflect a syndicated marketplace that is feeling pretty good about its prospects.

Buyers estimate syndicated TV finished the 2007 upfront with a 3% increase from 2006's totals to $2.06 billion. Tightened ad inventory from a robust upfront coupled with the shifts in TV spending brought on by the writers strike could make for some pretty premiums on those cost-per-thousand-viewers metrics."



NEW Forum for Jericho at Sci-Fi Channel



"WonderCon celebrates its 22nd year as Northern California's most popular comics and pop culture event with a return to Moscone Center South on February 22-24, 2008. The February date solidifies WonderCon's status as the first major convention of the year in the United States."

Veronica Mars: A Friendly Fandom

In the wealthy, seaside community of Neptune, California, the rich and powerful make the rules. Unfortunately for them, there's Veronica Mars, a smart, fearless 17-year-old apprentice private investigator dedicated to solving the town's toughest mysteries. Veronica used to be one of the popular girls, but it all came crumbling down around her after her best friend, Lilly, was murdered.



On May 9, 2006, the group hired a plane to fly between the UPN offices in Los Angeles and the future site of The CW headquarters in Burbank, pulling a banner that read "RENEW VERONICA MARS! CW 2006!" to get the attention of network executives, the press, and anyone else in the Los Angeles area. They had previously sent future CW executives, those in charge at the new network's parent companies, and influential people in the entertainment media care packages including binoculars, information regarding the plane's flight plan, and Veronica Mars-inspired gifts.



On June 11, 2007 Michael Ausiello broke the news that Veronica Mars had been officially cancelled by the CW.

Veronica Mars has attracted a loyal and devoted fanbase that includes internet communities.



*****************
What do fans want? Why are they still working so hard?

"So what do we want to do???? It's simple. We want the conclusion that Rob Thomas intended. Maybe he does want Veronica to be left slinking off into the rain with nothing in her life certain and everything in the world against her - that would be very noir. BUT - we all know that The Bitch is Back was not the ending that RT or the fans wanted. So, the new webmasters want to provide unflagging persistence in the fight to get The Veronica Mars Movie made and released on the very appropriate date of 9.09.09."


*****************
I became more interested in the fandom when Rich of Copywrite Ink wrote:


"Collectively, while the outcome is anybody’s guess, Veronica Mars fans have a lot working in their favor. Here is a hot list of things they are doing right:

• They have established a centralized group that remains largely positive.
• They have designated smaller groups, each focusing on slightly different promotional efforts or social networks with informal leaders to provide direction.
• They welcome new Web masters and encourage them to promote specific goals.
• They have established clearly defined primary goals: engage existing fans (some who have become active supporters) and find new fans (loaning personal DVD sets when they have to) with the focus on supporting a movie.
• They have established secondary goals such as encouraging Warner Brothers to put the show into syndication and promoting DVD sales.
• They have a consistent message. Each participant responded separately, but they all had very similar answers. Their message sticks.
• They have remained courteous and supportive of the cast and crew, even going so far as to promote other ventures.
• They have remained courteous and supportive of each other and have fun."


More about Veronica soon when the fans speak.

A Monster Fan Interview: Callisto925 Part II

Callisto925- Part II


1. You live in Canada. What do Canadians want from CBS/Jericho?

Of course Canadian fans want the same thing fans in the US want. We want CBS to listen to the fans and to promote Jericho to ensure it lives a long, long time. We want Jericho to continue naturally, but in Canada we don't have the same tools as US viewers do. A lot of fans feel that their voices don't count for anything. That was the attitude when Jericho's cancellation was announced on May 16. Many fans had the frame of mind that they couldn't do anything about it so why bother trying. But once the NUTS Campaign took off, Canadian fans began to see that there are way to make themselves heard. We can't access Innertube and we don't count in the Nielsen's, but there were other ways to contribute. Most fans in Canada watch Jericho in US stations, watch US commercial ads and buy US products. I'd say our voices are as strong as anyone's.



2. Were you involved in Nuts to CBS?

I'm proud to say in my own way I was involved. Aside from my own contribution of nuts, letters, emails and phone calls and countless hours, if not days on end on the internet and JRP, I also got the word out to friends, family, clients... Oh, heck...pretty much anyone who would stand still long enough to listen. Everyone who contributed played an important role no matter how small



3. What motivates you to fight for Jericho?

At the very beginning it was all about getting Jericho back on the air... but now it has become about so much more. A lot of my motivation comes from my fellow fans... That's motivation enough to keep me going.


4. How do we get others motivated?

Right now the best way to motivate people is to make them realize how crucial it is that we show the support for the show, and each other, that we did in the beginning. By showing that strength and passion it will make others want to be a part of something truly great and unique. Honestly, because we ultimately do not control the fate of Jericho, that is all we have.


5. What do you think CBS should be doing now to promote Jericho?

In one word: MORE. It astounds me that there are so many people out there who don't know it is coming back. There was no mention of it in their Fall Previews. Granted, it is listed as a mid-season replacement, but after all the publicity Jericho has generated over the past 4 months it should have been worth a mention. They should also be promoting the upcoming DVD release where there is so much potential to attract those new viewers when the new episodes air. They also have this wonderful, amazing website for the show that they don't promote. They could be using the internet more than they are...after all, it was the power of the World Wide Web that brought them to the decision to bring the show back in the first place. Also, CBS should be looking at the fans. Jericho fans are large in number, are organized, out spoken and most of all WILLING. One would think they would look at that use that to their advantage.

A Monster Fan Interview: Azlady4

Gayle is a Digger extraordaire as well as commenter. You will see her everywhere posting as azlady4. I appreciate her time in doing this interview and I've loved knowing more about her.




1. Do you have a favorite chat room? What is it? If you don't use chat
rooms
why not?

I have never been in a chat room. I have no idea how to navigate one.
I
would like to try one but just haven't gotten around to it.


2. What would you do if CBS canceled Jericho again after Season 2?

I think at that point the only option that might be possible would be to
shop for a new home for Jericho on another network. I have always felt
that
might be a viable alternative if it comes down to that. I know other
networks were interested before so hopefully they would still be
interested
and I feel it would be certainly worth a try. I think that would have to
be
predominantly the producers to do this, but maybe the fans could help in
some way. It has been done successfully in the past with several shows
and I
heard one of the Law and Order series just moved to a cable network so
obviously it can be done.




3. Johnston Green died in Season 1. Will someone die in Season 2? Why or
why
not? Who?

Probably, I think to keep the story realistic somebody has to die, but
unless they really have to cut back the budget I don't think it will be
anybody as significant as Johnston Green. I think maybe Constantino, or
possibly Dale. They both have PO'd a lot of the wrong people so they are
a definite possibility, but will have to wait and see.



4. If you could talk to Nina Tassler right now what would you say?

Nina, we really appreciate the fact that you listened and heard our
voices
and brought back our beloved show. However, you told us that we, the
fans,
need to attract more viewers to ensure a longer life for Jericho. Well,
Nina, I don't really feel that should have been put on our backs in the
first place, but we did what you asked and have been doing everything we
can
within our power to make that happen. But you also said that CBS was
going
to do their part with heavy promoting and advertising and make every
effort
on your end to give Jericho the exposure that it needs to be successful.
I
don't see that happening. Also, although Jericho being preempted for
prescheduled football every other week is disappointing it is
understandable. But these sudden preemptions without warning in some
areas
and not in others, which seems to be happening frequently is not
understandable, and definitely not helping our cause, it is hurting it.
You
may not have any control over this issue if it is the work of the local
affiliates, but if you don’t I just ask that when you check the ratings
performance for each week you be aware that Jericho was not on in all
areas
because it is going to have a negative effect on its numbers. I realize
that you have new shows starting soon and they are a priority right now,
but
we would really appreciate a little communication from you as to what
yours
and CBS's intentions are over the next weeks or months as far as what
your
plans are for Jericho and if and how you are going to promote it.



5. How can CBS count all the viewers who watch and not just a select
few?

They're going to have to find a way somehow, that is a given, because
obviously just going by the few "chosen ones" isn't working anymore. I
really think they need to implement sensors of some kind or find some
method
to count exactly how many "hits" each show is getting from all
televisions
including homes, hotel and hospital rooms, bars, dorms, and everywhere.
If
websites can track how many hits they get, there has to be a way to do
it
with television shows. They also need to start counting international
viewers and not just the US. People in other countries are obviously
supporting and watching American TV, so it is only fair they be counted.
Also, they need to start counting every TIVO and DVR show watched as
well as
all on-line viewers, X-box, IPODS and all modes of watching. The only
way
they are going to get an accurate count is to include all of it. I know
the
advertisers are still pushing the idea that everybody has to watch shows
live to be counted, but lets face it folks – those days are long gone.
Not
everybody is going to.



6. What attracted you to Jericho?

I love the characters, and the actors who play them are fantastic and
they
really bring them to life. When I watch Jericho I feel like I am
hanging
out with my friends and neighbors. They are simply nice people. And
most of
them continue to be nice people even though the situation is ugly. What
makes the story so compelling is that it is something that can very
possibly
happen. I am truly moved when I see this community and how they band
together when there is nobody to help them except each other. Watching
Jericho has really made me appreciate the importance of family and
friends,
and also makes me ponder what it would be like if the things we have at
our
disposal and use every day, ie food, medicine, gas, electricity, clean
water, and even all the little amenities we take for granted like
toothpaste
and aspirin were suddenly yanked away from us and how miserable it would
be
if we suddenly had to do without them. It has given me a whole new
appreciation for those things and how blessed we are to live in a place
to
have them so readily available. I will never take my best friend or my
washing machine for granted again.




7. How can we attract new viewers to Jericho? To the message boards?

I think the fans are pretty much doing everything possible and doing it
well. I am totally impressed how so many people are using their immense
talents to promote Jericho. The banners and artwork are terrific. The
blogs
and articles being written are a great promotional tool and fun to read.
The
videos are fantastic and since many people go to Youtube that is a great
exposure. However, for those of us like myself who are not creative or
computer savvy enough to make a video or computer art, I think word of
mouth
is still one of the best tools there is for selling anything. I think
using
subtle approaches like wearing a Jericho T-shirt or sporting a bumper
sticker and having somebody notice is a great way to stir up interest.
If
they ask about it great, makes it a perfect time to promote it to them.
Even
if they don’t ask directly or make a comment, it is bound to stir up
curiosity then if they are at home and happen to see a Jericho
advertisement, remembering they had seen it on your T-shirt or bumper
sticker might just give them that extra nudge to tune in and see what it
is
all about. Also posting fliers and signs in conspicuous places is a
great
way to get attention. I am not in sales or marketing but I believe that
subliminal suggestion is a very effective way to sell something, and I
believe it is working even if it is just a few at a time. Rome was not
built
in a day. Now it is time for CBS to step up to the plate and do their
part.


As far as the message boards go, I would not be too concerned right now.
I
don’t think the traffic has really dropped off permanently; it is just
that
right now nobody really knows anything. Everything is kind of at a
standstill and it is just a waiting game. Once the dates for the new
episodes are released and more information is divulged, there will be a
lot
more to talk about and then people will start wandering back and the
traffic
will increase. That is my prediction.



8. What do you most like to do besides anything involving Jericho?

Laugh. I love laughing. I love being with people who love to laugh as
much
as I do. I love being with my husband because he is so funny and he
makes
me laugh almost nonstop. The world needs to laugh more. Life can stink
sometimes, but I’ve learned in my old age that if you find something to
laugh about it makes it a lot more bearable. We are hopeless baseball
addicts so during baseball season the Diamondbacks dominate much of our
free
time and our TV. The only show I will interrupt baseball for to watch
live
is Jericho; everything else gets DVR’d. HEAR THAT MR. MOONVES!!! I
can’t
think of anything more fun than a day at the ballpark. Other than that
my
family and I are pretty much outdoor people, camping, fishing, or even
just
a hike or a long bike ride. I work long hours indoors and live in the
city,
so I like to spend my free time outside and away from the city.



Any comments?

Just that Jericho is a treasure and well worth fighting for. I want to
say
thank you so much to all the fans who helped bring it back, everyone
from
the major contributors to the ones who just sent one letter or an e-mail
or
made a phone call. My thanks also go out to those who support Jericho
by
simply watching it. Everyone made a difference. I have never been
involved
or even thought of being involved in something like this before, but it
was
a great experience and although my contribution was small compared to
many,
I am proud to have been a part of it. I wish Jericho a long and happy
life.

A Monster Fan Interview: Platpat

Platpat is a Jericho fan with a sense of humor. Her story involves Need2No and Mary Bailey's Virtual Bar. I'll let her tell you all about that.



1. Why are you a Jericho fan?

Last September, I was just looking for some good TV. Something that was not another clone nor an unReality show! The only show that I cared if it returned was Lost; so that was all that I had on my schedule, and whatever was opposite that -- lost (pardon the pun). I had seen some advertisements for Jericho and thought it might be interesting. I decided to give it a try. It was clever how they had Jake telling different lies to make you want to come back and learn more, but it was the "Cloud" that got me. I was there; I was driving down the road and saw IT in the distance. I forgot to breathe. Of course, I had to have more. What happened? Who dropped the bomb? What do you do? What do I do?
I immediately went back in time to 9/11. I was in my office and Joe ran in and said, "Someone just flew a plane into the World Trade Center!" My reaction was "How can you not see the World Trade Center?" My brain refused to take in the reality. Same thing with the cloud. You know what it is; you know what it means, but your brain will not let you go there.

On 9/11, I was working in a major teaching hospital in Philadelphia. I am not a healthcare worker. I worked in the CEO's office. We immediately set up the command center; discharged patients; canceled elective surgeries; people who were off that day were called to work; the helicopters were dispatched to New York and then we waited. Finally, we got the word -- No patients were coming; there were NO patients coming. The brain had to chew on that for awhile before comprehension set in. That's reality. The Cloud took me right back there.

The months that followed brought us the SARS epidemic too and slowly we, the country, were forced to realize that we were sorely unprepared for catastrophes of any sort. The plans started. We had surveys and city-wide drills and kept learning that we can't handle it. There was not enough emergency personnel; not enough equipment; not enough beds; the nursing shortage was looming; the infrastructure was sadly in need of repair (can you say bridge collapse?). Even the supply chain was a problem. No one kept great amounts of anything stored on site any more -- it was about cost control. Then Katrina. How many messages does the Universe have to send us before we get the message? Either prepare NOW or find out how to stop it from happening -- better yet, prepare for the worst and pray for the best!

So I wanted to see how this show was going to be handled. Would it be for real or would it be another piece of fluff. That's how it started; you know the rest.


2. Tell everyone about Bailey's Virtual Bar at CBS? What do you do there?

Need2No is Persona Non Grata at BaileysVirtualBar. Mary Bailey is the Proprietor and she has hired bartenders to run the place because she is such a STAR now! Mary tolerates Need2No -- in her words "That Whacko who runs around asking people to sign a Petition to save a TV show about Little House on the Prairie Goody2Shoe farmers running around with guns and bombs or some such nonsense -- like who would watch that?" So I have very little to do with Baileys and have to sneak in when Mary is not there. From what I can tell, BaileysVirtualBar is just like any bar in real life -- a place to drop in after a hard day to hang out with your buddies and unwind, play games, sing songs and drink Baileys Finest VirtualVodka except the cost is 2 grains of salt.


3. What's in the back room?

I have never been allowed back there, but I believe it is where Mary keeps her GreatGrandDaddy's still and the recipe for Baileys Finest VirtualVodka. She also seems to have a store of virtually anything you could ask for.



4. Who is your favorite character and why?

This is the hardest question because they all appeal to me for different reasons. Jake because he is lost and finding himself; Hawkins because he is lost and finding himself after sacrificing himself for his country (if he is finally telling the truth!); Stanley because he is so loving and it hurts to see him have to face this reality "I don't want to die today." Gray because he is finding out that Johnston made being Mayor look easy, but it's not. Dale the new "Donald" because he has been presented with such awful choices; Eric because he, too, tried so hard to have his father's approval and he is now finding out that Jake is who everyone turns too, even him. Heather because she stepped up. Emily because she takes a gun and joins the fight on the front lines. Darcy because she wants to, but knows she has to be a mother and because she can forgive and love Robert. And Jimmy whose job just became so different than what he signed on for, but he asks the hard questions. Mimi because she's representing us city folk and is out of her element and totally at the mercy of strangers. And on and on it goes. Maybe I should say the Town of Jericho is my favorite character.


5. What are you most looking forward to in Season 2?

What is happening with the country. Are we the Divided States of America? How do those places that were hit fare.


6. Jake and Emily? or Jake and Heather?

This interview is forcing me to seriously consider this question. After a lot of thought, I think that Heather would be good for Jake, but that Jake would break her heart. Jake and Emily have an extremely strong bond and Heather deserves someone that feels that strongly about her. It's because I LOVE Heather that I want the best for her. (Read this: Don't hate me because I don't agree with you!) We'll just have to see who the army brings to town!


7. What character would you like to see on screen more?

For one, Darcy -- I want to see her partner with Hawkins. Heather, Mimi & Emily -- I want more woman leaders in non-traditional roles. Can't you just see Mimi with a rifle "Don't you mess with MY farm! And of course Mary Bailey should get more to do than serve up the hootch err VirtualVodka!


Comments...

I want to thank CynCity for taking me kicking and screaming from virtual anonymity
-- as I do my digging and commenting under other "identities" -- to being a published author. Also, I merely executed CynCity's idea of BaileysVirtualBar. And there are so many other new friends that if I try to name them all, I will for sure leave someone out . . . To all of you -- The drinks are on Mary! Just don't tell her that Need2No sent you.

Love In Jericho

Is it true that opposites attract? It appears to be true in the match of Mimi and Stanley.

Mimi (Alicia Coppola) is from Washington DC, and works for the IRS. She graduated from Vassar and seems to come from a family with money. She came to Jericho to oversee the audit and foreclosure of the Richmond farm. Stanley (Brad Beyer) is a farmer who seems to be the all-American male. When he and Mimi meet sparks fly and not in a good way. After the blast, Mimi is stranded in Jericho so she stays at the hotel until it's closed then moves onto the Richmond farm with Stanley and Bonnie.
Mimi is the classic city girl and has been having difficulty adjusting to her new surroundings which leads to some of the most comedic moments of the show.

Stanley is devoted to his family farm and his sister, Bonnie, who is deaf. He has a big heart, as seen in his agreement to let Mimi move in. Stanley is incredibly stubborn and refuses to abandon the farm even when it seems like it's the only logical choice. Although Stanley can also be comical, Stanley's character has some definite serious moments as does Mimi's. Watching her try to talk herself into killing a chicken was a defining look into Mimi's character. It was also one of the best scenes ever.

In an article from the Orlando Sentinel the question is asked, " Why did the Stanley-Mimi relationship catch on?"

"It was a little levity in the face of disaster, and I think that everybody likes a good love story," Coppola said. "I'm hoping that people rooted for her [Mimi] to find something in this town. She found Stanley. It was a moment of light."

"Beyer marveled at the "interesting twist" of his character getting engaged "to the IRS woman who initially came to take away my farm."

"It's more interesting because it's these two people from two different worlds," Beyer added. "They've had a chance, under the circumstances, to get to know each other in a real intimate way."

"Those are pretty dire circumstances, aren't they?"

"In any other circumstance, it might not have happened," Beyer said.

Only in Jericho

The Jericho Campaign In A Nutshell

At 2 p.m. on May 16, 2007, CBS announced its 2007-2008 primetime slate. Since Jericho was not on it we knew it had been cancelled. Jericho fans immediately converged on the Jericho board at CBS to express disbelief, shock, anger, frustration, and sadness. Those emotions soon jelled into one idea: What can we do to get our show back?

For the next several weeks ideas were born. The most famous was, of course, "Nuts to CBS". Thousands of emails, letters, and phone calls bombarded CBS along with 8 million nuts. Then, June 6, 2007, CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler brought a successful finish to the Save Jericho campaign with the statement that Jericho would be renewed as a 7 episode mid-season replacement on CBS.

Our campaign, though, is not over. We need more viewers to watch the summer reruns and many more to watch Season 2 this fall.

If you would like to learn more about the history of the campaign- articles, fansites, videos, merchandise, cast and crew messages to fans, Shaun OMac and BlogTalkRadio, and our ads in Variety and Hollywood Reporter, please go here.


If you need flyers, signs, viewing guides, and newer information please go here.


If you'd like to get more involved in our current campaign please go here.

http://www.radiofreejericho.com/phpBB2/index.php

Jericho Is Back: Now What?

It was truly amazing to watch Jericho tonight. The cast felt like friends and family and the old adrenaline rush came back. What a great show! So, what do we do now? Here are some updates:



Live Chat Tonight:
http://jerichoboard.cbs.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=CBSMBJericho&tid=15897


GRAND OPENING: JERITOPIA.COM ( Chat Now)

http://jerichoboard.cbs.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=CBSMBJericho&tid=16055

Is everyone ready to show the advertisers in a subtle, effective way that we noticed their commercial and it has made a difference?
Here is the plan and we'd love your participation.

http://jerichoboard.cbs.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=CBSMBJericho&tid=15989

NEW VIDEOS Learn how fans saved Jericho with 20 tons of peanuts and get Skeet’s reactions. More embed videos to follow

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/jericho/

More tomorrow.

Older Couch Potatoes

I found an interesting article in the June 26, 2007 AdAge. For the fifth year in a row Magna Global's Median Age Report has found that the median age of people who watch the top five networks during Primetime has increased. It's not much- from 47 to 48 for the 2006-2007 season.

CBS has a median age of 54. They did lower their percentage of 65+ viewers and increased the percentage of viewers aged 50-64. So, CBS' average age stayed at 54. NBC's median age is 49, ABC's is 48, and Fox sits at 42. Median age of the CW viewers is 32.


Therefore, my question is why do CBS and other networks still insist upon wanting the 18-49 group? Maybe the median age is increasing because younger viewers are watching their favorite shows in other ways? Another report in the June 25, 2007 AdAge found that TV time is almost equal to the time 9-17 year olds spend involved in social networking. "And when kids are multitasking, they're four times more likely to pay closer attention to whatever they're doing online than to whatever they're watching on the tube. "
Could these older viewers be the reason Katie Couric's show isn't doing too well? Perhaps Leslie Moonves has ticked off the very audience he needs. Maybe he'd do well to start catering more to older couch potatoes.

http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=118837

http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=118763