BLOG ARCHIVES »What lessons do we learn from CBS' 'Jericho' reprieve?
Let me begin by saying that I'm happy for all of you Jericho fans out there. Just because a fourth of you abandoned the show in the spring doesn't mean that the rest of you shouldn't enjoy it.
But do you know who won't be so happy with CBS' choice to reconsider the drama's previous cancelation? The heads of the other four networks. [Yeah, I'm including The CW, even if it's just CBS' baby sister and they're under the same ownership.] No, none of the bigwigs would say that they're unhappy. They'd talk about how this is a sign that networks listen to their viewers. But at NBC and ABC and FOX and The CW, they know that a somewhat dangerous precedent will be set.
Is this democratization of the medium or tyranny by a loud minority? I guess it depends on how you look at it.
Did CBS truly come to recognize that a mistake had been made or was the network shocked having actually canceled a show that people cared about? What, nobody sent buckets of brains to protest the amputation of 3 Lbs? No massive influx of, I dunno, yearbooks over the dismissal of The Class? What about fans of shows like The Guardian or Judging Amy or Close to Home, a trio of shows that CBS canceled without regret despite appreciably higher ratings than Jericho? What mailings could they have sent to force the network to show them more love?
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.
And then, in the face of overwhelming peanuts, CBS blinked and that decision went out the window, replaced by a new one. This decision comes across as one part peer pressure and one part poor research. Did CBS executives not realize how invested Jericho fans were in the show? Did nobody recall the outcry after the cancelation of ABC's Invasion, another so-so genre show that earned a faithful audience, quality-be-darned? Did they not anticipate that despite the network's blundering of the show's spring run, fans might be unhappy to see the show nuked, particularly after a cliffhanger finale that somebody somewhere must have seen? If they didn't anticipate the outcry, that's poor research. If they anticipated the outcry and planned not to do anything about it, that's a bit cold. Or is Tassler just a big fan of peanuts?
And how many fans, exactly, were sending nuts anyway? After all, during the course of the season, Jericho fans were engaged, but they were hardly TV's most devoted viewers. Were there more of those people than there are upset Veronica Mars fans? Are there more of those people than there are people who still believe, deep in their heart-of-hearts, that Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip was the best new show on TV and deserves another season? What's the message that CBS executives have sent to other networks and to fans of other canceled shows? Is there a threshold of goodies that a network has to receive before they reconsider an otherwise sound business decision? Did somebody at CBS buy stock in Nuts.com back in early May, look at his latest dividend check and decide that the lost money for a second season had been amortized? Fans of Veronica Mars or Drive need to stop wasting their time writing letters and blog posts and filling out petitions. That stuff doesn't matter. Start spending money and filling network coffers with trash that they don't need.
Another question is what impact this will have on the creative process for struggling shows, particularly as they reach the end of their series orders in limbo. The writers of Jericho made a conscious decision approaching the finale that not only would they opt not to give any form of closure, but they would actively work to leave fans in a state of agitation. Far from the myriad of answers that the producers had repeatedly promised viewers, the Jericho finale concluded with our undermanned apocalypse survivors facing possible annihilation at the hands of the better armed and better prepared troops of New Bern. As the creators of The Agency know, this kind of blatant attempt to force the network's hand doesn't necessarily work, but you know that Rob Thomas is sitting somewhere wondering why he didn't end his third season finale with Veronica being shot and fighting for her life. Frustrated fans might have sent letter-bombs to The CW, but they would have gotten the point.
Except that Veronica Mars was ultimately canceled for that most simple of reasons: Nobody was watching it and there was no indication, after three seasons, that the fan base -- however rabid -- was growing, despite myriad attempts to give the show the best timeslots The CW had available. That's why Veronica Mars was canceled, kids, not because "The CW doesn't get it" or some nonsense. Similarly, when CBS opted not to bring Jericho back, it was because the network's business strategy said that shows averaging 8 million viewers per week in its second half don't get to come back. Close to Home, a reliable time period winner and centerpiece of CBS' Friday lineup averaged 10 million viewers and didn't get to come back. Yes, NBC renewed more than a half-dozen shows with smaller audiences than Jericho -- including its entire Thursday comedy block, the critically adored Friday Night Lights and Medium, which won an Emmy at some point -- but that's how fourth place networks operate.
But maybe the nuts were just a smoke-screen. There have been reports that CBS' upfronts slate didn't go over so well with affiliates, particular in more conservative, Middle American markets and particularly the edgier offerings like the self-explanatory midseason drama Swingtown. With its rural setting and Middle American values, Jericho was a straight-forward story about a community coming together, albeit in the aftermath of a nuclear attack. Might reassuring a cultish band of fans really be a cover for reassuring a differently cultish band of affiliates?
I guess a network run by nut-sending fans couldn't be any more out of touch with the mainstream than the current operational models with their addictions to the justifiably maligned Nielsen ratings or to ad dollars.
Oh well. Now that Jericho is back, can't we all band together and see if we can get FOX to bring back another season of Method & Red? I have a few suggestions of what we can send to FOX executives. I'm sure they'd appreciate it more than nuts.
Sound off, fans... Are nuts the coins of the TV realm? Is this a good precedent or a troublesome one?
It was about the method! We werent counted. This campaign was about helping us all (Networks included) figure out how to deal with accounting for the digital viewers. CBS was flat out caught with their pants down with our response. The time was now. If Invasion was canceled this year it would have been "Fish to CBS"!
Michael Moran | Jun 6, 2007 6:30:56 PM | #Networks need to realize that when you put a show on a long hiatus, and then bring it back opposite the rating juggernaut 'American Idol', ratings will suffer.
That, and networks need to find out a way to take into account people with Tivo's, downloading from iTunes, etc.
Josh W | Jun 6, 2007 9:18:59 PM | #I didn't even know that the show was back on!!!! Then once I saw that it was it was cancelled---repeats keep people interested---when are these guys going to learn!!!!!!No wonder their viewership goes down every year.
Davey | Jun 6, 2007 9:33:18 PM | #Excuse me??? I really don't get the tone of this article. AT. ALL. Hostility much?
"Roswell" had lower ratings than "Jericho" and a fan campaign gave the show a 3rd season a few years ago.
Just that instead of nuts, it was bottles of Tabasco. This is NOTHING new.
Nobody but the 1.whatever behind the ratings would've cared about "Veronica Mars" had she been shot, bleeding or drooling. Just let it go.
Anyway... Congratulations, "Jericho" fans! I'm going to be watching with you come Fall.
Halo | Jun 7, 2007 12:45:44 AM | #It might be the affiliates I saw what was going to the upfronts. (That's about as detailed as I am allowed to get.) Suffice to say Swingtown was an intersting choice. As far as Close To Home being gone; CBS can see the the end of the line as being the CSI network. Expect more crime shows casualties from CBS in the future.
em jay | Jun 7, 2007 1:15:11 AM | #The "Lesson Learned" here is that not all viewers watch shows on the television -- or if they do, they don't all watch when the show airs.
A large portion of Jericho viewers did so via podcast, Tivo and DVR. Nielsen doesn't capture any of that. CBS made an Old Media decision using Old Media numbers when they canceled Jericho. They then made a New Media decision using New Media numbers when they brought Jericho back.
CBS finally gets it -- the fans are New Media, they ran a New Media campaign, and they got their show back. I am surprised that Zap2it, of all organizations, are the ones that don't get it.
That's your Lesson of the Day :)
David in Phoenix | Jun 7, 2007 3:02:17 AM | #Are you upset that Jericho was renewed after the people spoke out? It's happened before, you know. When a bad decision is made, it's up to the people to change it. If there's not enough support to try to change it, then it won't happen. In Jericho's case, the network simply underestimated the number of fans that loved a great family tv show.
Perhaps the lesson is to Nielson to find a way to update an old-fashioned ratings system.
I agree with the article and comments. Advertisers are close to accepting “Live + 3” ratings, which should give networks a little more latitude. Once you factor in additional viewers from new media (DVR, TIVO, Podcasts, Online, etc.) plus instant profits from iTunes and DVD’s, networks are quickly modifying their paradigm for a show’s success.
Bob | Jun 7, 2007 3:32:48 AM | #Most bloggers and reporters are missing a big part of this campaign, Yes, there were nuts, lots and lots of nuts, But that was not all there was to this campaign.
There was a well organized letter writing campaign, We innundated CBS with telephone calls, to their execs as well as audience services.
We Raised money to take out ads in Trade Mags,
We got ourselves noticed in the media, not just blogs, but mainstream press (NY Times, LA Times, NY Post)
And for the most part, we were Polite, After knowing that Nina Tassler's secretary was having to take call after call after call, the group sent her Flowers. Nina Tassler as well recieved a large Bouqet of flowers, not After she gave in and gave us the show back, but Before, as a gesture of goodwill and to say "Hey we know you are just doing your job"
That's why we won this fight, It wasn't just the Nuts.
And its time you, and every other blogger realised that.
Matthew | Jun 7, 2007 3:48:48 AM | #Halo - Those tabasco bottles helped Roswell get a second season, not a third season. And for all of that outpouring of fan support and all of those tabasco bottles, the show's ratings didn't improve in its second season and Roswell would have been cancelled again except that 20th Century Fox TV demanded that in order for UPN to get "Buffy" that a Roswell renewal was part of the deal. And I stand by the feeling that a fifth (or 6th, wherever The WB was at that moment) network responding to fan outcry isn't a precedent worth citing in the case of a 1st place network responding to fan outcry. In addition, as other people are accurately pointing out, part of Jericho's saving grace is that fans were watching the show in a variety of non-traditional media, while Roswell's ratings were probably accurately low.
My problem is really with the overall decision-making process on this one courtesy of CBS -- either the very real possibility that the network somehow had no awareness of the size and/or passion of Jericho's non-traditional fanbase, or that they knew such a fanbase existed and just became shocked when they started sending nuts.
For all of the talk of Old thinking versus New thinking, CBS is still going to get advertising dollars for the new season of Jericho based on that most old of matrixes -- Nielsen ratings. So in order for the show to get a third season, people are going to have to start watching on their TVs in regular programming times. So much for the New thinking there.
As I said above, though, Nuts are no more nuts than Nielsen ratings.
I'll be away for a couple days, so keep the celebration alive...
-Daniel
Daniel Fienberg | Jun 7, 2007 3:59:00 AM | #It wasn't about the cliffhanger. The outcry was about 2 things: use of outmoded data to measure the audience and outrage at the loss of an original, thought provoking and family friendly program.
Affiliates may have been a factor but I believe it is because they are closer and more in touch with viewers.
I,m surprised and dissapointed at your negative reaction to JERICOs renewal.
The fans spoke out and CBS chose to listen.
The time has got to come for a radical revison of the ratings system, one based on how many viewers a show gets by any form be it TIVO, DVR, VCR, or whatever. I for one have multiple DVR's and may watch only 1 show in an evening and record as many as 2 or 3 others for later viewing. Does this mean I don't watch a given show? According to the current system I don't. That doesn't make sense.
Congratulations to the JERICO fans who knew what we liked and made it known to CBS.
I only wish the VERONICA MARS fans could have been as vociferous.
Dear Mr. Feinstein......
Why such a nasty article ?
Why not celebrate a victory of quality over trash. Celebrate the idea that a network admitted they didn't give a show a fair shake. The long hiatus,lack of promotion and then putting it up against Idol. All this show needs is a later time slot and to avoid Idol.
Jericho Lives !!
And I can't wait.
Rob M | Jun 7, 2007 4:26:11 AM | #Jericho deserved to be cancelled and stay cancelled. Crappy writing, plot lines you could drive a car through and the most horrible cast of actors since Facts of Life. If people want better shows on the tube, stop watching the crap that the networks put on, or better yet turn the tv off, take a walk, volunteer, give blood, spend time with your loved ones, read a book, write a book.
C | Jun 7, 2007 4:29:01 AM | #I'm glad Jerico is back. It was asinine to put it on long hiatus and then bring it back opposite American Idol. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that it would have low ratings on its return. Whoever planned THAT should be fired.
gloria | Jun 7, 2007 4:48:26 AM | #I also don't get why the writer of this article is so nasty about the late renewal of Jericho. It is almost as if it is PERSONAL with him somehow. Like it was his decision to cancel Jericho that is being reversed.
Get a grip, Feinberg. It is not as though President Bush halted funding for important medical research or pardoned dangerous criminals based on the uneducated rantings of a few "nuts."
A network changed its mind about a TELEVISION SHOW, that's all.
pam | Jun 7, 2007 4:59:06 AM | #Happy for Jericho fans....but STILL upset about Invasion, over a year later. Can we get a TV movie or SOMETHING!?!?
Nick | Jun 7, 2007 4:59:09 AM | #In the end, TV networks will do whatever they want to do, despite everything. That's TV for you. Thank God for therapy.
Signed,
The One Fan of "Veronica Mars"
I can see Mr. Feinstein's point. What makes Jericho so special? Otheer shows have been cancelled amid fans' objections. ABC's Commander in Chief comes to mind but there are several examples. Do we expect the networks to bow to pressure to fans all the time? It just does not seem like a good business practice. Where does it end? Can we expect producers to change entire plots because there is a huge letter writing campaign.
Yes, viewers are important but they should not dictate creative or network decisions and that is what happened here.
I liked Jericho but for me CBS reversing it's decision jusst made the network appear weak. Plus, I'm not convinced the ratings will improve anyway so the network will have compromised itself for nothing.
Mary | Jun 7, 2007 5:21:37 AM | #I congratulate the fans of Jericho. As a fan of the series Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, we worked so hard for the same reprieve, from rallies on the streets of LA to newspaper editorials and a letter writing campaign that until then had not been seen since Cagney and Lacy- all to no avail - why? Perhaps because CBS wanted the show dead, I suspect CBS didn't have the same feeling about Jericho, they just wanted proof people were watching. We gave them proof but Quinn fans were the 'wrong demographic'. Maybe we should have sent a few million nickels to Les Moonves instead of letters after his comment that the viewers of Quinn were only worth about that much apiece in advertising? Will this change how networks respond to fan campaigns? Not really, if a network deep down is willing to keep a show if there is enough protest, it usually means they just wanted to be persuaded, but try to save a show they DONT want - nothing you do will have any effect.
Mary Ann Marino | Jun 7, 2007 5:27:37 AM | #I have to agree with some of the posted comments here, I'm not sure why the tone of the article seems so hostile. I was not a Jericho watcher, but as a fan of shows like Veronica Mars, Firefly, and Dark Angel, I am delighted that they have gotten another chance. However, in contrast to some posters, I believe Neilsens do take Tivo and DVRs into account, or at least make an effort to with the live plus same day and live plus 7 day ratings now. In my opinion, not based on fact whatsoever, I think CBS probably just made an arbitrary decision based on the fanbase campaign. Lucky Jericho fans - enjoy while you have it! And I completely agree that with a previous poster that the networks really do need to realize that when you put a show up against ratings phenomenons like American Idol or CSI or Lost, that the show really isn't going to do as well in comparison, but it doesn't mean it needs the ax. Congrats Jericho fans (can we hire you for the Veronica Mars campaign???)
Andrea | Jun 7, 2007 5:33:33 AM | #Yay for Jericho! (And I was one of those Roswell fans... and more recently Surface.) I honestly don't really 'get' the above article. This was all started by STAR TREK, the only difference is that the numbers lie nowadays. While I did watch Jericho live, something else would be recording. Occasionally if I was out doing something fun, two things would be recording to watch later in the evening. Oh ... and my husband and I were also fond of Veronica Mars, but didn't put any effort into bringing it back. I stopped watching Close to Home this season when Annabeth became just another struggling female stereotype.
Syke | Jun 7, 2007 5:39:38 AM | #Jericho is a great show that didn't deserve to be taken off the air.It started off weak,but got so much better. I'm so glad it got renewed because it's one of my favorite shows.Plus,fans really,really care about it.
Laci | Jun 7, 2007 5:44:01 AM | #Honestly, I am thrilled that JERICHO is coming back! I hear ya, and I agree it would have been more admirable if CBS had actually renewed it before instead of cancelling the show and then changing their minds. I am saddened now that ABC did not do this for INVASION last year...IMHO INVASION was actually more deserving!
PGP | Jun 7, 2007 5:45:16 AM | #CBS looked and saw that putting a show on a HUGE hiatus - as ABC and NBC found out with "Lost" and "Heroes," respectively - is extremely detrimental to the show's success. That was a NETWORK mistake. Bringing Jericho back is a good idea. Aside from the whole "this sets a precedent," story, story, I think this will endear CBS to a number of viewers. I know I think more favorably of the channel now.
And isn't the whole point of a season finale to provide a teaser to tune in for the following season? Very successful shows like "Friends" and "Grey's Anatomy" have been doing it every year. I don't fault "Jericho" for following suit. I thought their season finale was exceptional.
Great work to everyone who fought so hard to bring a quality show back to the airwaves.
Kelly | Jun 7, 2007 5:57:46 AM | #Figures... there's always one "Chicken Little" in the henhouse. Only a drone would find a problem with restoring power to the people... and this coming from a news website that didn't say word one about the campaign until the battle was practically over. The biggest threat - if any - that the Jericho campaign represents is to the producers of mediocrity... the day-in, day-out low budget TV trash, designed only for the lowest common denominator - the entertainment equivalent of gawking at an auto wreck. Giving a voice to an intelligent, motivated, and educated segement of the viewing population is very dangerous, of course - they might actually rise up and demand that the crap be taken off TV, and that would throw a lot Z-list celebrities and producers - and hack writers - out of work. That's the real danger. There would be a lot less on the tube to whine and gossip about, forcing people to **GASP** watch some intelligent or educational TV for once. This in turn could lead people to realize just what junk has been dumped on them for the past forty years, causing them to be outraged, with the end result being an uprising against the rich TV masters and an eventual overthrow of the government! Yes, heaven forbid that people have a voice in what they watch or what stays on the air... or what the corporations do to the environment... or what wars the government starts... No, better that they stay mindless atomatons, ingesting a stready stream of garbage day after day, until they are as pliable as clay, ready to believe anything. Jericho was brought back for two reasons: one, the fans cared enough and had a means to show that affection, and two, CBS figured out a way to profit from this movement. That's it. Without one aspect or the other, Jericho would have stayed dead. Tyranny and democracy worked together in this case, the outcome being a single result, but the goals were very different. Big deal. Despite this temporary treaty, the world is not coming to an end, dude... the networks will be back to dictating at any moment and the fans will go back to complaining. Yes, it could be the start of something good, but the change will be slow. Relax and go back to watching LOST... avoid the laptop and coffee combo for a while... your constipating articles won't be missed. When we want your opinion, we'll give it to you.
Scott | Jun 7, 2007 6:20:59 AM | #THE GENIUS'S AT ABC WILL CANCEL KNIGHTS OF PROSPERITY FOR THE RIDICULOUS CAVEMEN. KNIGHTS WAS THE NEXT SEINFELD, NOT ANYMORE.
bill | Jun 7, 2007 6:25:55 AM | #What if this show had been "Friday Night Lights"? Would the tone of your article been different, seeing that FNL has been a critical darling, and "Jericho" simply doesen't get the press coverage, post-apocalypse?
"Jericho" is one of those rare shows that makes the viewer actually think, which is something that doesn't happen very often (the Law & Order franchise notwithstanding), and I appreciate it being brought back, if only for an abbreviated season.
If networks don't realize that juggernauts like "American Idol" (which is losing its steam, thankfully--I didn't watch much season before last, and none of this past season--it's too crass) are anomalies that drain viewers from quality shows for a limited time, and that viewers will come back, eventually, then, they waste time and money producing more and more expensive pilots that we don't care about, when they can leave on a show that's somewhat established and nurture its viewers...
Hoorah to CBS, and to the fans who resurrected the series!!
Chris | Jun 7, 2007 6:27:55 AM | #i never got into the show, but i admire the fact that the fans were able to salvage it. I wish the same could have been done for Invasion. It may not have gotten the best ratings, but it still did better than The Nine in the same timeslot. Plus if they had brought it back, i think it would have improved against an aging Law and Order and the least popular CSI. Networks need to give serialized shows more of a chance and not be so quick to pull them. They were all guilty of doing that this year to some potentially good shows. Fox has the right idea with 24. Run it straight through with no breaks or reruns. Networks need to quit trying to stretch shows over the Fall and Spring seasons and break them up over the course of each season. It also would be nice if they actually put something on in the summer that wasn't some reality show crap.
Steve | Jun 7, 2007 6:29:39 AM | #Finally, A network that listened to its viewers.....
I would Tivo Jerico and watch it 2-3 hours or even a week after it came on. I know there are probably millions of view just like me that the Neilson Ratings don't take into account.
I don't even get the WB or UPN network. It sucks when I have to wait for a show from one of those two networks to come on in Syndication, like Reba or Star Trek-Voyager. When those two network become more mainstream I might be more appathetic to the plight of Veronic Mars fans.
Way to GO Jerico Fans. I know my kids are thrilled that it is coming back!!!!!
John | Jun 7, 2007 6:33:27 AM | #I'll admit I like Jericho. Is it the best show on TV? Not by a long shot. But it's an entertaining story.
I have a problem with networks dumping a show and leaving what few viewers it has hanging with unfinished plotlines. I really got into "Daybreak" on ABC, only to have it canceled halfway through the story because it only had 8 million viewers. 8 million viewers? The CW would KILL for 8 million viewers.
Networks need to learn that not every show can be a number 1, 20 million winner. Someone has to be numbers 2, 3, and 4. And you can't continue to ignore the 5-8 million viewers who watch the "lower rated" shows.
Michael | Jun 7, 2007 6:34:36 AM | #Glad to see Jerico is back even moreso that it was a decision forced by the fans. I have made a decision to watch the first episode of the new fall series and if I like it I will tivo the next few episodes and only watch them after I am certain the show will not be abruptly cancelled. I have had enough of occurances such as Reunion,Sunset Strip, The Nine, Kidnapped, Six Degrees, etc,. I suggest other viewers consider this. If enough do this the networks will have to adopt new practices in order to figure out just what will sell in the end.
shirley | Jun 7, 2007 6:37:36 AM | #This is great news, even if it is for 8/9 episodes....
You know, the people watch television and it is about time that "the people" get to decide which shows stay on tv. Who cares about network executives who only care about making money!
Plus, the Ratings system used today is NOT accurate and to imply that it is is not only irresponsible but stupid!
Glad to see Jericho is back.... now bring back Joan of Arcadia!
Josh | Jun 7, 2007 6:55:59 AM | #Maybe this is a wake-up call for Networks to realize people probably watch one program but tape another show at the same time. By the way who does the watching for the Nielson's anyway. I agree with some previous coments, It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out you will loose an audience bringing it back opposite American Idol.
Russ | Jun 7, 2007 6:58:55 AM | #Daniel, you say that Roswell should not set a precedent. What about Touched by an Angel? That was a CBS show that came back due to fan protest. Like Jericho, it was a family-friendly show as well.
Matthew, very interesting perspective. Though I knew there were letters, e-mails, etc., I didn't know about the flowers.
I don't watch the show, but as a fan of television in general, find this all very interesting.
Josh | Jun 7, 2007 7:02:07 AM | #Great Article! I completely agree with everything that was said. As much as it sucks being a fan of a show that get's cancelled...it's the television BUSINESS and it should be all about numbers.
If networks want to show that they care about fans getting closure on serialized shows they should let the show runners know ahead of time and demand that they script an ending that is if not completely final...at least not a cliffhanger. And if, in the case of Jericho, the decision wasn't made until too late...comission a two hour special to close it off. The ratings won't change with renewal and they'll be back in the same position with fans next year.
Jennifer B | Jun 7, 2007 7:26:33 AM | #Dumb question from a rabid Mars fan: How is starring opposite House the best timeslot? Perhaps as the lead-in to Gilmore Girls (and opposite NCIS) would have sufficed better.
pakopako | Jun 7, 2007 7:39:30 AM | #Daniel, normally I enjoy reading your blogs but this one definitely rubbed me the wrong way. We're all entitled to our own opinions and no one is right or wrong. Let's all just agree to disagree. You like what you like and we love Jericho!!!
For all of you who didn't watch Jerico this past season, I do hope you'll start watching this summer when CBS rebroadcasts the first season! Give it a try, I'm sure you'll get hooked like the rest of us and then next year we'll show CBS that Jericho deserves another renewal with our large 'Neilson' numbers!
Being in the 18-49 demographic group (more toward the higher end), Jericho has a broad range of interesting characters of all ages. I'm not interested in watching a show full of teenagers or twenty-something kids whose most serious problem is who is sleeping with who. Veronica Mars did nothing for me and neither does Friday Night Lights. As for a show like Close to Home, it started going downhill when they killed off her husband played by Christian Kane so I'm not surprised it got cancelled.
John, the reason you don't get the WB or UPN network is because they don't exist anymore!!!
Congratulations to all of the Jericho fans who supported the cause! Way to go!!
LInda | Jun 7, 2007 7:43:58 AM | #Wow Daniel Feinberg is obviously a VM fan and is feeling very bitter his show isn't coming back. Cancelling Jericho WASN'T a sound business decision in the first place, neither was the pointless hiatus and neither was the reliance on Neilson and neither was ignoring the amount of people who watching on the internet. If CBS had taken all these points into account then the viewing figures would have no doubt risen and they wouldn't have cancelled it anyway. So Mr Feinberg, in future could we have some impartial reporting instead of your thinly veiled attack!
Matt | Jun 7, 2007 8:02:51 AM | #I participate in the Neilson ratings via e-mail surveys. As the new season began, I was always asked about Jericho (along with other shows), but after the break in the show it never appeared in the survey again. I thought it was strange, but figured that it was doing so well that opinions were no longer needed. I knew there was a big on-line community as well as many friends/family who watched the show and, therefore, was shocked to learn of its cancellation for "lack of viewers." I have to wonder how accurate the numbers were that CBS was given knowing that Neilson did not include it in MY survey after the first 11 shows. (And, by the way, shows like The Class and Close to Home WERE still in my survey all along.) I think the campaign to contact CBS proved that there was more interest than they realized and that it definitely deserves another chance opposite something besides American Idol. I, too, was disappointed in the cancellation of other shows mentioned in the article, while some obviously needed to be axed, but Jericho needs more time, and I'm thrilled that the network has reconsidered. The battle isn't over. We WILL recruit more viewers.
Karen Rosenhoffer | Jun 7, 2007 8:21:15 AM | #I don't watch Jericho, I could care less about it. But the network got it right. The problem with TV now is that they pull the plug way too quickly. Did you watch "Black Donnellys?" No, too bad, it was good. But it got like 5 episodes. Did you try and figure out "The Nine?" No, well, there was a show in there if anyone would have been patient enough to let it unfold. Did you get sucked into "Drive" even though you knew it was crap? I did, I'mnot proud of that.
But when the networks make their judgements on 3 weeks of ratings, you can't even get word of mouth started. I like Traveler now, because I read that ABC was going to let it play out and at least tell their story.
And I like Veronica Mars, I just wish it had been on a real network. Kristin Bell needs her own show again, networks, step on it.
Word Money G | Jun 7, 2007 8:21:42 AM | #Hey Mr Feinberg,
Get over yourself with your snide attack on the show in your first paragraph. Did those other shows dereve to get cancelled? if the network made the catalogue of errors like CBS did then No they didn't.
I liked Invasion and didn't mind V Mars but i wasn't gutted enough to do anything about their cancellation and neither do enough others by the look of it.
The reason I joined in the Jericho campaign is because i cared about this show, hardcore style.
Those other shows fans didn't show their love enough.
So Feinberg, you're either harbouring some childish never to be consumated crush on Miss Bell or are jealous of Skeet Ulrichs looks because your tasteless venom and bile and attempt to rain on the Jericho fans parade is uncalled for.
Learn to write a proper piece on what this means to Network TV and not just vent your negativity.
Lucy | Jun 7, 2007 8:45:36 AM | #What a "hateful" article about a renewal of a show that makes you think and keeps you on t he edge of your seat! Are you one who likes the reality/game shows? Must be since none of them were mentioned in your article! Yes "Jericho" lost a fourth of the viewers after the hiatas to "Idol" but that also means that 3/4 STAYED! Those are the people who have fought to keep the show. Sounds to me that you have NEVER seen the show and refuse to even attempt to watch it, otherwise this article would be more of a cangratulations than putting down the efforts of the fans!
Sheila D | Jun 7, 2007 8:58:18 AM | #Jericho is a great show and would have built viewers during its second season once people had a chance to purchase Season One on DVD. To bring it back for only 7 or 8 episodes is not going to get any new viewers excited, IMHO, and it will only delay the inevitable cancellation. Invasion's plotline became far superior to the second season of Lost last year and I believe Invasion could have also added new viewers had ABC given it another shot. TV networks are not considering strongly enough the power of shows on DVD to capture new viewers who will faithfully watch a new season when it starts.
Rick | Jun 7, 2007 9:00:21 AM | #I agree with the poster that stated that its the viewers that need to decide what is on television, not the networks. This was an example of the fan base basically harassing the network into bringing back a show that they like.
But its kind of sad that it seems to take unrelenting abuse of networks to get the viewer's point across. But honestly, if thats how it has to be, then I hope thats the case. If the networks diss the fans by canning a show that they know has a loyal following, that's them asking for retaliation. I'm glad the Jericho fan base did what they did, obviously it got results.
Every season there is several shows that I get into, and they get canned mid season or they just dont get pikced up for another one. This season, for me it was Jericho, Studio 60, Drive and Veronica Mars. Its funny, people say Veronica Mars doesnt get an audience, and hence its cancellation, yet just reading the comments for this post, one can see Veronica Mars mentioned in a positive light (except that one nincampoop who probably has never even watched it that decided to spew ignorant trash talk about it) and yet, somehow the show has low ratings? I dont know...I am finding a whole lot of people who have a great sense of humor and love the wittiness and intelligence of Veronica Mars to be appealing. I think maybe that is one of those shows that gets viewed a lot on DVR, and maybe those viewers are not being counted by the networks which for some reason choose to use an outdated method of calculating ratings.
Anyways, I would encourage fans of any shows that they truly believe should come back, to harass the networks, and either convince or annoy them into possibly getting back the shows they want. If the networks will disrespect the viewers, then in no way should they expect no disrespect back.
As far as this article, and this guy complaining that this is a dangerous precident to set, get a life!! This is people getting what they want. The ends justify the means, and if you are afraid that this means now the networks will have to deal with people demanding their shows back...if you think thats a bad thing, then you truly are an uber-tool! This is the right way of things. If you disagree, let me ask you a question...how does it feel to be so very wrong??
Mike | Jun 7, 2007 9:08:37 AM | #Let me see...Jericho suffered due to having a long hiatus before bringing back new episodes. So they are now going to bring it back mid-season, which means a 7-or 8-MONTH hiatus, and expect anyone will watch then? The buzz of this week will be long gone and they'll have some really pitiful ratings and disappear once again.
Steve | Jun 7, 2007 9:12:22 AM | #Writer "C" who said Jericho deserved to be canceled and stay that way - hmmm. Sounds like an NBC viewer so used to garbage he/she can't see a good show. Jericho is good. By far not the best show on TV but good story. Not everything has to be "critically acclaimed" or "most watched show" to be worth watching. For whatever reason, viewers responded to Jericho, and with passion when it was ended. I'm just glad to have more Skeet Ulrich on the screen. CBS has made a wise decision. I just hope this doesn't hinder Swingtown at all - I cannot wait for that.
A | Jun 7, 2007 9:13:40 AM | #I am glad CBS brought "Jericho" back. It was not a show I expected to get cancelled so soon ("Drive", yes; "Jericho", no). I really liked it. It wasn’t at all like some of the other shows. I hope, though, if seven episodes is it, it gets wrapped up properly. I am a fan of "Firefly" and am happy with "Serenity". It wasn’t another season of a great show but it was something and a quality something. The ending of the movie was a tidy ending to the storyline. However, I am also a fan of NBC’s "The Pretender" and even though we fans managed to get two TV movies, they were awful movies and absolutely did not resolve any story lines. The writer’s went so far into left field that I’m glad a third movie wasn’t made because there was no way they were going to be able to write themselves into a acceptable ending. Let’s hope the "Jericho" writers do a wonderful job (as I’m sure they will).
I'm really curious I'm old schoolgrew up in 60's 70's when shows had full seasons... Where would Archie Bunker be if "all in the family" had been treated like jericho and numerous other's are theses days. they put shows on for only 2-3 ep's then end em... or move them. At least in the old days you had a whole season to see if a show could develop..
jon | Jun 7, 2007 9:17:30 AM | #Its great the show is coming back and great for TV and fans. All those shows you named, many no one cared if they got canceled. However bringing back 'Jericho' gives hope to many fans of other shows now and in the future. I think the current rating system sucks; honestly does anyone know a "nielsen family".
jbw | Jun 7, 2007 9:18:14 AM | #YEAH! Great show! I am so glad they decided to renew it once again! I am SICK and TIRED of reality TV. Been there done that.
Hopefully CBS wont let there be a long delay in between or else it will be the same thing happening again!
I think an important point your missing is CBS discovered that this was not 2 guys sitting at home behind a computer wearing tin-foil hats...this was millions of people across North America upset for good reason. CBS recognized this passion and potential. Instead of 8 million viewers we are talking about 12 million plus because audiences are watching shows differently now through a varity of media outlets. The Save-Jericho-Campaign made that clear and what we may see as a result is networks finally including this lost number in there rating system. The fact is Jericho was the top 7th show where viewers who watched it on DVR didn't fast forward through commercials. This is a very important stat to consider and for the advertisers to consider. This way of measuring can give adverstisers confidence that a show like Jericho, who's rating maybe okay on Neilsons, can be considered good overall because there are million of other viewers recording or downloading the show but still willing to watch the commercials.
bob | Jun 7, 2007 9:25:36 AM | #Why should the other networks be afraid? Shouldn't they be listening to the viewers??? Maybe this will mean better rating for Jericho, everyone will want to see what the fuss is about! I love Jericho and I am thrilled it will return. And to answer the question, 'why this show?" I think you have to look no farther than the finale. It was a great cliff hanger and we want more! Other shows you mentioned knew they were gone and could show the series finale they wanted. Speaking only for myself, closure is all I want and need.
Andrea | Jun 7, 2007 9:27:05 AM | #First off I have watched the show and rather enjoyed. It was different.
I must think though this may be an advertising ploy much like old Coke/new Coke trickery utilized a few years back. CBS caved too easily for this just to have been a fan backlash, especially in such a short period of time
The problem that no one is really addressing with Neilson ratings and the New Media is that advertisers (the ones who foot the bill) are not impressed by new media since one of the great features of new media (DVRs, TIVO, on demand, iTunes, and online viewing) is the ability to zap through commercials. If I were an advertising executive, I would care less if an additional 1 million people watched the show online or 2 million watched it on DVR. Thats 3 million people who did not see the commercial I just paid millions to air. Unfortunately, it this is a problem that will probably grow and have a bigger affect than people realize.
Kevo | Jun 7, 2007 9:29:27 AM | #Three Words: BRING BACK CARNIVALE!!!
Wadicals | Jun 7, 2007 9:32:19 AM | #CBS was stupid to renew this show. It deserved its cancellation. It started with acceptable ratings, but then they just dropped and dropped and dropped. Come on CBS! You're supposed to be the network that's all about the bottom line. Stick to your guns. Keep the shows that people want to watch, and kill the ones that can't cut it. Let those wimps at NBC and the CW care about "quality" and "the fans", all while watching their viewership drop like a stone.
David | Jun 7, 2007 9:35:39 AM | #I don't watch this show and never will but I applaud this action. The networks have to realize that the world has changed and they need to also. Give shows a chance and listen to your viewers. Ratings are down becaue we the viewers don't trust the networks. They tease and don't follow through... Watch the cable networks and learn. Show things at multiple hours, give shows a chance to gain a following and we will trust again. Why bother now when you give up too soon and don't support your decisions? Things are not going back so the networks might as well adapt and be thankful anyone is still watching.
| Jun 7, 2007 9:35:49 AM | #I am glad Jerico will be back, but wish other shows could get another chance. My family loved Surface, but "poof" - all gone. I wish there was a book, mini-series, or movie to continue the story.
Lynn | Jun 7, 2007 9:36:22 AM | #NBC helped keep interest in Heroes alive by showing re-runs regularly on the SCIFI network during its hiatus. CBS could similarly use on of its cable channels, such as CMT. Likewise, ABC could run LOST on ABCfamily channel, and FOX could run re-runs of shows on FX during a long hiatus.
A Fan | Jun 7, 2007 9:39:03 AM | #The problem lies in the Nielsen ratings as a whole. And to respond to Kevo, perhaps you should embrace internet viewing. Viewers tend to remember more about those 30 second commercials that air every seven minutes or so than the ones that air in four minute chunks! I don't have a DVR, but if I am watching TV on a TV, commercial breaks are four minutes to accomplish something else, not watch the commercials. If I am watching the same show on the internet, what can I really get done in 30 seconds except watch the commercial? And the internet provides both the networks and the advertisers with so much more information in regards to demographics. Advertisers can easily get more bang for their buck by airing specific commercials intended for each individualized viewer.
A note to the networks-START COUNTING YOUR PAGE HITS! With so many ways to view a show, each of these ways SHOULD MATTER when it comes to cancelling or renewing a show.
That is all.
Alyx | Jun 7, 2007 9:40:49 AM | #DUDE YOUR TONE IS ABSOLUTELY ROTTEN. YOU SHOULD MAYBE TAKE TIME TO SMELL CLEAN AIR OR TAKE A WALK IN THE PARK. YOU HAVE SOME ISSUES.JERICHO IS AN AWESOME SHOW WHICH WAS HANDLED BADLY. THEY TRIED TO DO THE SPLIT SEASON STRATEGY LIKE LOST THEY BOTH lost VIEWERS.I CAN'T WAIT. 7 EPISODES ARE BETTER THAN NONE. LOOK AT FAMILY GUY. IT WAS CANCELLED AND WAS BROUGHT BACK AFTER ALMOST 2 YEARS OFF THE AIR. JERICHO SELL A LOT OF DVD'S WE MAY SEE A FULL SEASON ORDER. I HOPE SO. THE WRITING AND ACTING ARE AWESOME.
shane franks | Jun 7, 2007 9:41:52 AM | #I'm glad that Jericho was saved and I too agree that The Black Donnelly's should have been given more of a chance. I do NOT watch those ridiculous American Idol, Bachelor, Dancing, plastic surgery, weight loss,etc shows. They should all be put on permanent hiatus! It seems as if the networks think that we have the intellect and attention spans of 3 year olds(no offense to all you intelligent 3 year olds out there). As far as shows that have been "rescued" by the fans-does anyone remember "La Femme Nikita"? That was cancelled and then brought back due to the fans. It didn't last too much longer, but at least the story ws brought to a great ending so even though it was over,it seemed right.
mamabird296 | Jun 7, 2007 9:46:22 AM | #It's not like this is the first time a network has decided guerilla fan tactics were enough to bring a show back. Roswell was brought back by The WB (or UPN, can't remember who had it) because their offices were inundated with bottles of Tabasco Sauce, not because of the ratings.
I'm glad it's happened. I feel like it is a sign that viewers actually matter. And it IS a show CBS should have treated the same way NBC treated Friday Night Lights, with hope, and the understanding that larger audiences sometimes need a chance to GROW. 90210 wasn't a hit the first time it ran and only picked up viewers when it was put on a summer run (unheard of at the time).
Good luck Jericho.
Victoria | Jun 7, 2007 9:49:43 AM | #If you are going to bitch about the ratings system, at least know how the system works and the changes that have been made to it in direct response to new technology.
TiVo and DVR viewings are included in the ratings the networks look at every week. CBS runs Innertube and they know how many people are watching shows on it. iTunes is also monitered as well. (one of the reasons The Office was renewed for a third season last year.)
Just because it isn't posted on the Nielsen website doesn't mean the executives at the networks don't look at a combination of all the ratings from alternate broadcasting mediums. Every network has a group of people who compile that data in their offices.
CBS just got sick and tired of having nuts dropped off at their offices so they gave in. They are one of the most profitable networks (due in large part to the low-overhead and highly profitable syndication of the CSI franchise) and they can afford to produce a half season worth of episodes, air them and then cancel the show again next season. That way they can say they gave it a chance, ratings didn't improve so too bad.
Courtney | Jun 7, 2007 10:17:45 AM | #Now let's working on getting Twin Peaks back on the air! :)
Someone should tell Daniel it doesn't matter what timeslot a show gets if the network doesn't tell anyone when it's on or if the show even exits. I can't tell you how many people never even heard of Veronica Mars and perhaps if The CW had done anything to promote the show, it would have drawn better ratings. As it turns out, they never advertised, never supported and never cared.
Marc | Jun 7, 2007 10:24:25 AM | #Someone should tell Daniel it doesn't matter what timeslot a show gets if the network doesn't tell anyone when it's on or if the show even exits. I can't tell you how many people never even heard of Veronica Mars and perhaps if The CW had done anything to promote the show, it would have drawn better ratings. As it turns out, they never advertised, never supported and never cared.
Marc | Jun 7, 2007 10:25:09 AM | #I love how everyone is trumpeting the triumph of New Media, yet keep referring to this as an "article," rather than the obvious "commentary" and "blog post" that it actually is.
As anyone who has a website knows, the methods for tracking New Media numbers are even more faulty than the ones used by Nielsen to track actual television viewers. Many advertisers (you know, the people who actually pay the network bills) won't even accept them. So, at the end of the day, the writer is correct: for the time being organized fans and alternative viewing methods will only get you so far. CBS didn't suddenly come in to some new data between canceling the show and then doing a 180. By commiting to their decision and then reversing it, they have sent an erroneous message to the viewing public.
Stephanie | Jun 7, 2007 10:34:32 AM | #You are missing the whole point. I'm not a big Jericho fan, as I think that acting is often poor and the characters aren't all that compelling(even thought the premise is). What's great about this is that we, the viewers, occasionally win a battle. I think that the cancellation of Wonderfalls was, perhaps, TV's greatest tragedy, but I did nothing about it. The fans of Jericho banded together and proved what a devoted fan base can do. It's not always going to work but I'm thrilled to see that it occasionally does. By the way, Marc, the CW did more than their share of promotion of Veronica Mars. The show would have NEVER lasted as long as it did on another network. The blame for its cancellation lies solely in the hands of the viewers who chose to watch much less compelling fare on Tuesdays at 9. I thank Dawn O immensely for the time that she gave me with Kristen and Co. It was a brilliant show but fickle, idiot viewers will always be fickle, idiot viewers.
Michael | Jun 7, 2007 10:38:25 AM | #Invasion was twice the show that
Jericho was so let's bring both back Or keep giving the public CRAP like Wife Swapping,The Nanny,Cheaters,Cops And Countless hours of idiot TV.
Why would anyone buy HD TV for that?????
Close to Home was not cancelled due to Total Viewership, as the numbers were often higher than Ghost and usually equalled and sometimes surpassed Numbers. For Friday, the total viewership was quite strong. The show was cancelled because of the all important ad demographic which was the lowest of the 3 Friday shows. The show just wasn't profitable. I don't think that all the nuts in the world would have save this show.
Michael | Jun 7, 2007 10:45:43 AM | #I thought I was the only person who liked Method & Red. Man, that show was awesome.
Rob | Jun 7, 2007 10:46:53 AM | #Wow, that was a lot of comments, impressive. Jericho was given an 8 pm slot with no lead in, put on a long hiatus while making new episodes and brought back against the #1 rated show on TV (American Idol). Considering it had no lead in, a huge gap in episodes and insane time slot competition, it did well enough. A lot of the shows mentioned in this article had numerous seasons (how you can compare Judging Amys good run vs Jericho's single season is beyond me). The cast is great, especially Skeet, can't wait for the next 7, let's hope they give it a good slot with a strong lead in.
Damon | Jun 7, 2007 10:47:12 AM | #Kevo hit the nail on the head. New media needs to increase commercial appeal before networks can count them in their ratings stats for advertisers. People have to remember, tv shows need to make money, and they make money primarily by advertisers!
Rick P | Jun 7, 2007 10:50:54 AM | #networks need to get off of the show-once mentality... it doesn't work for fledgling serials. HBO plays a show once on sunday and about 5 times during the week... The broadcast networks are pretty much requiring that you catch an episode when it airs or you are screwed.
zam | Jun 7, 2007 10:52:08 AM | #Also, as if Studio 60 was even compared to Jericho's situation. Studio 60 cost a massive 3 million + per episode and was given HUGE hype, a well known cast and a post HEROES slot. Studio 60 did worse than Jericho overall, cost way more to produce and had the #1 18-49 show leading into it. I like Studio 60 and my wife loves it but it did get a good chance and a GREAT slot.
damon | Jun 7, 2007 10:52:23 AM | #Jericho coming back is a great thing. The only reason that the show was canceled, in the first place, was to satisfy the liberal crybabies that were crying about the show being about an nuclear bomb being released on American soil. It had nothing to do with ratings or the number of people watching. CBS manned up and brought the show back which is the right thing to do. People in this country need to stop whining about the TV shows that walk the politically correct line. That is why primetime tv is now primarily ruled by reality shows. I, personally, watch tv to get away from reality. Reality smacks us in the face all day long. Can't we have a break at night?
vabigdad | Jun 7, 2007 11:01:25 AM | #What's with all this network bashing? I just don't get it. Viewers are the problem. You stopped watching Lost because of a few less-than-stellar episodes. A few million viewers stopped watching Heroes for..well, I can't even think of a reason for that. And, none of you watched Veronica Mars which was one of the greatest shows to ever grace the small screen and, again, I cannot fathom why.
Studio 60 and The Nine and Wonderfalls and Invasion may have been cancelled too soon but the people just weren't watching. The ratings for studio bled each week. Invasion continually lost nearly half of the Lost audience(in the second half of the season). And viewership for Wonderfalls and the Nine were never there to begin with. Networks can't expect that people will just miraculously start watching. The Nine was too complicated to jump into. Invasion was too. Most shows that have a long storyline arc are inaccessible after missing the first two, three or five episodes.
It's the viewers and not the networks that are at fault. You wouldn't fault a corporation for removing a product from the shelves(and from production) that wasn't working so why fault a network for, essentially, doing exactly the same thing. Why don't all of you fans stick by your shows instead of claiming that they've jumped the shark after one bad episode.
I do seem to remember a show... it had very BAD ratings its 1st season, similarlly low ratings its second... and was cancelled midway thru its 3rd....Anyone care to guess where i'm goin with this... just celebrated its 40th aniversary... seems the networks screwed up then too I doubt i have to name the Series, after all it is the most well known around the world after 4-5 remake series 11 movies, 1 or 2 umm million conventions, ohh and heres the ironic part... the cell phones, computers, video screens, medical scanners and many of the tech we use today were inspired By a little known tv show, that some idiot networks wouldnt give a chance who wants to name ths show 1st ?
jon | Jun 7, 2007 11:05:29 AM | #Or we could rename the title of this story.. "what the networks havent learned since 1967" :)
jon | Jun 7, 2007 11:12:41 AM | #Wow, Dan, do you hate Jericho, the people who watch it, the people who read your ranting or just peanuts? I adored Veronica Mars, in fact it was my favorite show. I haven't done anything in reaction to that cancellation, but I donated to the Jericho campaign. Why? Because it was a good show with good ratings until CBS did a bizarre double-secret hiatus things with it. You are cranky though. Maybe you're hungry. I hear that CBS has some extra peanuts....
LawyerontheDL | Jun 7, 2007 11:15:24 AM | #So it is coming back, after being cancelled -- YAWN! As someone who watched every episode and saw an at-first moderately compelling premise degenerate into tediously contrived storylines and increasingly stock and one dimensional characters, I'm gonna skip it. In fact, by the time it does come back, even fewer people will likely be watching it and it will get pulled from the schedule before most people even realize it was on.
SS | Jun 7, 2007 11:26:01 AM | #For once a show I like after beind cancelled is coming back..and it was a great thing bringing Jericho back. This is one of the best shows on tv....it has a really good plot and characters. CBS i'm sure were kicking themselves after cancelling this show b\c they didn't relize the fanbase it had. Now all we need to do is have everyone who stood up for the show to watch it this fall and to also tell as many pple about it..in hopes of keeping it around after those 7 episodes...she said if there is success that it might prolond the season...THANKS EVERYONE FOR HELPING TO BRING BACK JERICHO
Joe | Jun 7, 2007 11:40:40 AM | #The biggest sin here is that CBS has empowered people like...wait for it...the idiots who are posting comments to this entry. Here's a little math...
The company that was doing the great majority of the "Nut" business says they sent around $40,000 worth of nuts. That means, if each fan spent just $5 (I'm sure some spent more) you are talking about around 8,000 fans which is .1% of the show's series low.
The truth is, CBS has a very risky slate of new shows and the nut campaign generated buzz so they gave Jericho a limited order that they'll use to plug whatever hole springs a leak.
Then, like Roswell before it, the show will again be cancelled because no one's watching it and that will be the end of all this nonsense
Tom | Jun 7, 2007 11:43:04 AM | #Someone mentioned that Tivo's and alternate media is included in the Neilsen rateings and that is true, however they only count the people that watch it the same night. Alot of people have busy schedules and cant watch shows the same night they are recorded on their Tivo's and watch them a day or two later...even though it isnt watched same day, they are still additional viewers, and at least a third of them according to the data are not fast forwarding through commercials. This 1/3 is still better than the 0 that would have seen the commercials if they had not had the ability to Tivo it and watch later.
I also think that regardless of what show it is people should be supportive, in the last few years we have seen so many shows cancelled without a chance, to the point that I actually know people that Tivo a series and dont watch it till the end if it makes it through a whole season and deletes it if it dosent without watching. People are getting tired of getting immersed in shows just to be let down when it is cancelled.
I think people also realize the foley of the current trends of taking shows away for long hiatus's and bringing them back without much advertising, not everyone reads the entertainment news to know when shows are coming back. Also, alot of these struggling shows coming back from hiatus are being pitted up against shows that already have a bigger proven audience and against shows that have so much advertising that you cant go one commercial without seeing an ad for them.
I think we just all need to stand together no matter what the show is and just let the networks know that these kind of tactics arent working for the viewers and that the viewers want them to show us that they can reevaluate the way things are and see that we are unhappy..not necessarily with the cancellation of one show, but in how they are treating alot of new shows.
Jolene | Jun 7, 2007 11:45:17 AM | #Courtney - We are not assuming that CBS was not looking at the alternative viewing numbers. Nina Tassler outright said that the ratings and television viewership were too low to warrant keeping the show for a second season. Did you even read her original statement concerning the cancellation?
As for the decision by CBS, I am happy it is returning, but understand that it could be an unsettling premise. Not because it will make rabid fans do it in the future; I applaud these fans. However,
if it does not work and the ratings stay low, I cannot imagine another network attempting this again in the future. And by the by, some of us VM fans did write letters and campaign.
I also agree with Kevo's remarks about the Nielsen ratings. While I admit to watching more of the 30-second commercials online than I do when I watch a show on television, the sheer numbers are just not there for internet viewing.
To answer someone's question above: no, I do not know any Nielsen families, nor have I EVER. And this comes from somebody who knows someone who has been struck by lightning!
Jodie | Jun 7, 2007 11:59:10 AM | #congratulations to all the Jerico fans. I wish that there had been a campaign for Close to Home. I thought that Annabelle was a strong character. One thing though, they should never have killed her husband. How can they cancel a show that has David James Elliot in it? I don't watch new shows anymore because I do not trust the networks to not cancel these new shows.
trupen | Jun 7, 2007 12:05:36 PM | #I was actually contacted to be a Nielsen household. And, yes, it did involve keeping a written diary and writing down everything you watched in 15-minute increments. For this I would have been paid the handsome some of $1. And this wasn't before the advent of smarter, faster, better recording methods. It was about three years ago.
Samantha | Jun 7, 2007 12:14:43 PM | #I know the WB and UPN are not around anymore, That was just a statement for when they were around and both had shows that I wanted to watch but couldn't.
So to be current, I don't get the CW. I have Direct TV, which doesn't carry the CW in my area. Heck, I even have to pay extra to get CBS and NBC because they don't carry local station for my area.
I was suppose to be a Nielsen member once, they called and asked if I wanted to, said yes, and never got the stupid box to track what I watched.
With all the different shows that are on today, it is difficult to watch all of them, so TIVO or DVR is the way to go. Too bad the networks have not woke up to see it that way....
John | Jun 7, 2007 12:23:24 PM | #I never watched the show nor do I have any intention of watching it. I think of Arrested Development, The Nine, Drive...that were so much more worthy of having more air time. Oh well though, at least I still have Lost.
Tanya | Jun 7, 2007 12:48:26 PM | #I'm glad for the fans of Jericho that it's coming back - but what about other shows? My friends and fans of "Close to Home" sent emails and letters and called - but our show was cancelled anyway, even though it had higher ratings than Jericho did in the last weeks.
You did good with Jericho. CBS, now bring back Close To Home!
Nancy Eddy | Jun 7, 2007 12:52:09 PM | #I think it's about time the networks starte dlistening to the fans of their shows and not just watching their ratings to figure out what shows will continue and what shows will fall by the wayside. How many good - REALLY GOOD - shows could have been saved if the networks would have thought less about their pocketbooks and more about their fans?
Maybe we could have had the chance to see where some of our shows would have gone and what woul dhave happened to tghe characters we'd come to love. What happened after the treaty talks went bad on Space: Above and Beyond? What ahppened to the occasionally ill-fated, but always lucky, crew of Serenity on Firefly? Or what about Invasion, Threshold, Kidnapped, 3lbs., etc? These were all good shows, but didn't garner the fan base necessary to line the pockets of the studio execs even more than they already are.
I'm damned happy that someone has finally decided to step up and have the guts to say, "We're going to give it another go and see what happens."
Now it's up to us, the fans. Unless we just want to see what happens in the fight with New Bern, we need to watch! Not TiVo, but actually watch the show. Let the people that count the beans know that we're really out there and we really appreciate them giving us a second chance.
AdSlinger | Jun 7, 2007 1:07:14 PM | #FINALLY!!!! Someone mentions Cagney and Lacey. The SAME THING happened over 15 years ago when fans wrote in to CBS (coincidence?) AFTER the show was officially canceled. The outcry was so severe that CBS renewed it and its first season is currently out on DVD.
This is NOT a new event, just new this century.
Congrats Jericho fans. I might check in this summer to see what the fuss was all about. I'm just still in mourning over Veronica.
Jericho was a mediocre show. I wish it had stayed cancelled. Of course, I wish that a lot of other mediocre shows had been cancelled rather than remaining on the air, but they had lots more viewers than Jericho did.
As for the people who say that Jericho's full viewership wasn't counted (because of Tivo, DVRs, whatever), the same is true of ALL shows. Jericho is not "special" in this regard.
CBS shouldn't have blinked.
But I don't expect Jericho to pick up enough viewers upon its return to make it to another season, And THEN, no amount of pathetic campaigning will bring it back. :)
Lisa | Jun 7, 2007 1:46:45 PM | #Now bring back Invasion!!!
David | Jun 7, 2007 1:55:57 PM | #What's with the attitude of this article? Second or third Jericho article that takes a couple of cheap (and I think, jealous) pot shots at it. Is it required that journalists be bitchy?
Doug | Jun 7, 2007 2:03:16 PM | #The industry is completely different now than it was when viewer campaigns saved shows like Cagney & Lacey and Designing Women. The comparison isn't fair at all. In addition to a lot more commerical-free methods of watching shows, there are a lot more shows and channels out there to choose from. Thank you cable. Networks have to make a lot more unpopular decisions to keep competitive these days.
Andrea | Jun 7, 2007 2:03:53 PM | #Lisa - Why do you wish it had remained canceled? Do you think it will take up the exact one-hour time slot that a show you would have watched would have? By having it on the air, is it somehow depriving you of something? There are plenty of time slots to go around to make everyone happy.
Pathetic campaigning?? Sour grapes or something? Did someone spit (to say it nicely) in your Grape Nuts this morning? Oh, and I will add a :) to make it seem like a nice post...
| Jun 7, 2007 2:13:24 PM | #Daniel Fienberg's column is complete bunk, just writing to write. The fact that ONE station actually listened to the fans does not set a dangerous precedence for the rest of the industry. It one anamoly amidst a sea of deaf ears. The networks put out a product that consumers purchase through cable connections and through the advertising. We have a right to have input in what is aired. How many thousands of equally fervent and well-run save-this-show campaigns have been launched that the network executives completely ignored? Hundreds. That this time a network listened doesn't set any sort of precedence. It highlights that at least ONCE, the bigwigs listened to the consumer and actually took action. Hardly dangerous, certainly only rarely if ever to be repeated. So quit wasting perfectly good writing space, Daniel, and employ your time in a more constructive manner.
Kristen | Jun 7, 2007 2:18:12 PM | #And yes, I said thousands of campaigns, then hundreds. Just goes to show there are too many to count!
Kristen | Jun 7, 2007 2:19:35 PM | #Given the differences in ratings (somewhere aroudn 6 million fans by your article) I would guess that there were indeed more people upset about Jericho's cancellation than Veronica Mars.
The CW renewed Veronica Mars for three years despite it being one of the lowest rated shows on television. And, Rob Thomas freely admitted to having written the VM finale with his version of a 'cliffhanger' in an effort to strong arm the CW into renewal. It's just that its ratings were terrible. Its have always been terrible. And its ratings would always be terrible.
Jericho at least *once* had decent ratings (which is more than VM could ever claim.)
L.W. | Jun 7, 2007 2:32:17 PM | #I for one am glad that Jericho is back, especially considering the cliffhanger.
I personally think that all networks should start having contracts with shows that include tow stipulations. The first should be that all ordered scripts/episodes will be aired, and second that if the show is not renewed that it will be give a 1 to 2 hour episode in order to wrap up any loose ends to stop the practice of leaving viewers with cliffhangers that are never answered like Surface, Invasion, John Doe, Carnivale, Drive, and all the numerous others.
David | Jun 7, 2007 2:36:35 PM | #Despite the nasty, childish tone of the article I was pleasantly surprised this morning to see that the show had been renewed.
So, thanks for the good news I guess.
Anne | Jun 7, 2007 2:40:17 PM | #L.W. - I agree that VM's ratings have not always been up to par, but NO ONE, including the CW head honchos, have ever expected it to earn the ratings of ANY of the shows on the big 4 networks let alone the #1 network. It is a completely unfair, apples to oranges comparison. Now if you want to compare Gilmore Girl's ratings, that is much more in line and VM admittedly did not live up to even those ratings (and I am not a GG fan.)
It did however enjoy abundant critical praise and a die-hard cult fanbase. I still say that is not too shabby. I really like Jericho, but it will never have the critical acclaim. I am realistic though and know that you can not take critical acclaim to the bank.
Jode | Jun 7, 2007 2:55:15 PM | #Judging from many of the comments here that entirely missed the point and deviously clever tone of this piece, I think the answer to the question as to what most people will learn from this exercise is the same thing they learn from most of their narrow-minded and unexamined lives. Not a damn thing. If they did they'd realized that absolutely anything else in the world is worth spending $45,000 on other than a bunch of nuts to save a TV show.
Patrick | Jun 7, 2007 2:55:46 PM | #I was one of those viewers who stopped watching after the fall hiatus. I decided that Jericho had stopped being very interesting, and I don't really blame CBS for wanting to try something else. I hope Jericho's producers will prepare a satisfying finale (like the one for Roswell, for example), because I suspect that those seven episodes are all you are going to get.
Invasion, which was much more interesting at the end of the season than it was at the beginning, had much higher ratings than the show for which it was eventually dropped, What About Brian. That decision still doesn't make sense to me, particularly since What About Brian was also cancelled at the end of the last season.
Cleland | Jun 7, 2007 3:08:52 PM | #I'm still mourning "Joan of Arcadia"! Wonder what could have been sent to CBS for that?
susanc | Jun 7, 2007 3:13:08 PM | #I am happy for reverse decision, for whatever reason/reasons it was made on. I watched Jericho at the start but lost interest as the season continued...but that is because of my personal preferences with how it was written and what I would have liked to have seen. I was extremely happy with the campaign that saved Roswell (an all time favorite that ended way too soon). But for every Jericho, Rosewell, Designing Women and Cagney & Lacey (2 more campaigns that worked) success story there will always be 10,15,20 + failures. I for one am extremely TICKED OFF that The Class was canceled in favor of How I Met Your Mother. Both shows which I like but was addicted to The Class between the two and can take it or leave it with HIMYM.
everwood | Jun 7, 2007 3:15:42 PM | #As a responsible blogger, you did not show an interest in doing much research for your article. You also listed almost every cancelled show and held it to the same standard as what happened to Jericho.
There are many reasons why Jericho stood out and was renewed. Yes, the "Nuts" campaign was a uniquely creative and fun way for the little guy to easily (via nutsonline.com @ only $5 a pop) throw a "stone" at "The Man."
The ONLY other show that I am aware of which allowed fans to playfully go after a network was the Tobasco bottles being sent to Roswell executives.
None of the other shows you listed had that "creative, fun, innocent prop" that was used by fans. We knew we were being like the town of Jericho who also said "Nuts" (as did the Americans in Battle of the Bulge).
Also, the number of phone calls, emails, faxes, letters was truly overwhelming. None of the other shows you mentioned got that organized, and had that much "horsepower" to blow a network away.
There is also our obvious "staying power" which CBS took note of. Our protest movement was getting larger, not shrinking. There was also something about this show that got under the skin of many fans.
I am a devout Sci-Fi fan (and other great shows like Sopranos, Deadwood, Etc.)...even to the point of going to Star Trek conventions on 3 occasions. However, I have NEVER protested any tv show's cancellation before.
This show I protested. I told at least 25 friends and family about our Nuts protest, about the show, sent at least 25 letters to CBS, made at least 25 phone calls, sent at least 100 emails, and 12 faxes, and 25 pounds of nuts....and I was just getting warmed up.
So get your facts straight about our protest. Get it right about the mid-season hiatus, running opposite the top rated Idol show, and most importantly how Nielson does not measure online digital viewing from CBS's Innertube and/or iTunes. I bought 12 episodes on iTunes. Never did that before.
Mara Noonan | Jun 7, 2007 3:25:41 PM | #This is not a precedent! The writer should learn more about TV history before writing on the subject and showing his ignorance. (Usually a professional writer should have at least as much knowledge of the subject as a casual fan.)
Several shows were brought back after fans protested their cancellation... at least one (Family Guy) came back after being away for a few seasons.
Chris | Jun 7, 2007 3:27:10 PM | #Bring back Close to Home. I can't understand why CBS would cancel a show that consistently won it's time slot week after week. CTH was a great show with strong woman leads. I don't invest in new shows anymore, as the minute you become invested, the networks cancel it without blinking an eye. Shame on CBS.
Susan | Jun 7, 2007 3:30:35 PM | #Let me first say that I am not a viewer of Jericho, but I am happy for the fans of the show that get a chance to continue to see it when it does return.
However, let me say this about the news of its return: I think the mistake Nina Tassler made is in not making a direct statement saying that the 7 episodes WILL conclude the show. By leaving the possibility open for a return is only going to entice the writers/producers of the show to leave an open ending once again at the conclusion of the 7 episode mid-season pickup.
CBS has not set a timeslot for the show, so there is no guarantee that it will be even as successful next year as it was this year. e.g. What if it gets Tuesday at 8pm - i.e. replace NCIS for 7 weeks? Do the fans of Jericho believe that it will fare better there? I don't.
As well, as with all mid-season shows, there is an off chance that the show never airs during the year and is just burned off in the summer. CBS is usually better about not doing things like that than other networks, but you never know. A lot of the other networks over order, but since CBS has a more steady schedule, they usually don't.
Good luck to Jericho and its viewers and I hope that the return of the show doesn't let you down - in terms of the storyline that is determined.
Rishi | Jun 7, 2007 3:37:50 PM | #I too feel the hostile tone of this article is misdirected, and the comments about other canceled shows mostly irrelevant.
CBS itself states in its releases that the show was renewed because of the manner in which the campaign was conducted--and that doesn't mean just sending peanuts. It means being polite, respectful, making good points about why the show could come back, talking to the right people, and not giving up.
Yes, "Jericho" chose to go out on a cliffhanger, because the show had strong internal support at the network and the producers fully expected a renewal. This is publicized information and should certainly be available to Zap2It.
"Jericho" was the most popular show on Innertube and indications of its support through TiVo and On Demand were very strong. While its drop in ratings was significant, it was only comparable to that of "Lost" or "Heroes," yet so many fans chose to seek out the show another way. This, combined with the fact that the network was pleased with the show creatively and the cast and crew were willing to come back, caused the network to take a serious look at considering what fans were telling them.
Such surprise reversals have happened before (Star Trek?), just not often. The renewal is not a mystery, and it certainly doesn't warrant the potshots taken at it in this article.
A hearty "well done" to all Jericho fans--and to CBS for giving it a second chance.
Jonathan | Jun 7, 2007 3:38:41 PM | #What in the heck is wrong with this guy who wrote this article. Is it just me or was it really hard to follow his jiberish. He kept going on and on and repeating the same stuff. How did this guy get a job as a writer? Anyways, I'm super excited that Jericho is coming back! Now I just wish they could figure out a way to bring back Gerald McRaney, his acting is awesome.
LostFanatic | Jun 7, 2007 3:39:13 PM | #I'm just happy that if all else fails we will get a real ending to jericho. Thats if ratings don't pick up. I hope they do because I love the show.
As for Verinica Mars.... Rob Thomas knew it was a long shot to get a fourth season. He should have gave the fans (The very passionate fans)an ending. I sort of figured all year that Veronica would not get picked up. You know Thomas had to have that feeling too. I think he let fans down more than the CW. Atleast the CW tried to get more viewers for the show. They put it on after Gilmore Girls. Boo to Rob Thomas.
It's hard to comite to a new show now. If its on CBS and it draws only around 8 or 9 million viewers it won't be picked up. CBS,ABC and NBC are stupid for taking such a long break with their shows. Fox will take shows and move them to different times and diffrent nights all year long.Atleast Fox used to be smart.When 90210 was on in the middle to late stage of its run they made 27 to 32 episodes a season. That was smart.What happened to that???
E | Jun 7, 2007 3:43:44 PM | #Those of you who are being negative towards the article are completely missing the point. He's not saying that renewing Jericho is bad, he's only asking how this will affect the cancellation of future shows with loyal followings. Put your emotions aside and try reading the article objectively.
Bob | Jun 7, 2007 3:45:08 PM | #The recent posters who are assuming there will ONLY be 7 more episodes are wrong. It is their speculation, and not what Nina said in her post.
This fan base is powerful, and will get more powerful over time. We will make sure the ratings go through the roof. It will blow CBS away, and they will be reminded of their post from Nina yesterday.
Mara Noonan | Jun 7, 2007 3:45:26 PM | #If that many people were Jericho fans they would have watched the show. CBS is having the last laugh. The fans think they've won, but they're being used. CBS gets brownie points and tons of publicity for listening to the people and giving them what they want and all they have to do is air a handful of episodes during a time of the year when they would be putting up filler anyway. When you're the first place network you can afford to play around that way, but it does set a dangerous precedent for other networks who don't have that luxury but now have a bunch of misguided fans thinking if they get organized they can keep shows that nobody watches on the air.
Kyle | Jun 7, 2007 3:49:09 PM | #I wouldn't call Mr. Fienberg's (Fienberg, people, Fienberg!) tone in the article hostile; it's just not particularly celebratory, which is perhaps what the rabid fanbase of Jericho fans would have preferred. I never watched Jericho, but I've had shows I've liked preemptorily and unceremoniously cancelled before (Carnivale, Deadwood), and I can understand how this is a victory for you guys who like the show. It's just that the article is not primarily about cheering on the renewal of Jericho, but the *circumstances* and *logic* of the decision-making process in its cancellation and then the about-face renewal.
Christina | Jun 7, 2007 3:49:53 PM | #I'm not assuming it will only get 7 episodes.I hope and pray they get a full order and get renewed next year. I only stated that if all else fails we will get a decent ending.Thats all.
E | Jun 7, 2007 3:55:05 PM | #Whoa! What's with the hostility towards VM? Aren't we all lovers of underappreciated shows? I never watched Jericho, but was feeling a huge "good on ya" for the fans about getting it renewed. I thought we were a Band of Brothers (and Sisters), raging against the big business machine for choosing mindless drivel over quality, thoughtful programming. I'm really not getting why the some of the fans now get the idea that they're better than us other, less successful fans. Yes, you campaigned very well and intelligently, but you were also very lucky the network listened to you. Why now slam other shows that were cancelled before their time? Dismissing VM as a mindless teen show is just as disrespectful as people who have said the Jericho lacks (XX - insert negative comment here). I didn't want to actually write the negative things I've heard about the show, because I don't know if they're true and I don't want to perpetuate the negativity. But come one people, stop insulting other shows that got cancelled just because a TV miracle happened for you.
Share the love baby! Rage on, my little treasured shows that are too good to find wide audiences (who, let's face it, just want to sit back and see what funny thing will happen on Grey's Anatomy next).
Katelyn | Jun 7, 2007 4:05:18 PM | #I'm a huge Jericho fan...was distraught when it was cancelled....campaigned to get it back and I'm thrilled that CBS rescinded their decision. Regarding VM, I loved it from the first episode and tried to get my married son to watch it. He resisted because of the name. I forced him to watch the DVDs and he became an avid fan and sent DVDs to all his friends who also became fans and agreed with him that the name of the show probably turned off a lot of potential viewers.
BonnieW | Jun 7, 2007 5:28:36 PM | #I'm glad that CBS has seen the light by bring Jericho back. I used to watch Bones on fox until I got hook on Jericho. I was hoping that they were not treating this show like Threshold, or Invasion on abc or Surface on nbc. If we don't like the show we just shut it off. That is when you should cancel not when people love a show. All networks like to mess wirh us ex: WB with Angel or Everwood, Fox with TRU Calling. We have to stand tall and denfend what we like. Power to the people.
steve | Jun 7, 2007 5:32:21 PM | #When I first heard the concept of Jericho I thought. Wow this is stupid it will never last. Then I watched the first episode and was very happily surprised it was interesting , provocative and intelligent. I was hooked.
As a fan I waited with baited breath for the hiatis to be over and I was happy to be watching again.(thank god for time shifting).
When it was cancelled I was depressed but an now very happy that it will be returning.
That being said, Daniel< I think if nuts worked to revive Jericho maybe if we all sent Mars bars to The CW do you think they would bring back Veronica Mars its not too late filming doesnt start for another month.
darrpub | Jun 7, 2007 5:42:27 PM | #For me, the fear of Jericho being canceled was that it would be replaced with more reality TV. I watched Jericho regularly and I really like the show a lot but when I first heard about it getting canceled my first fear was that it would be replaced with reality TV. I gave up American Idol this season for Jericho ater being a devoted AI fan since the second season so I am glad it was reinstated. Thank you to all the fans who got it back on. And thanks to CBS for listening to the fans.
Melinda Deason | Jun 7, 2007 6:02:11 PM | #I do not understand the negative tone of your article. I, along with several of my coworkers are huge fans of Jericho. None of us participated in the sending nuts campaign, but I followed it by reading about it online. I did send an email to CBS telling them of my dismay at the cancellation of this show. I have been upset at the cancellation of many shows, but only a few have I felt really deserved another chance. One other show that comes to mind is HBO's Carnivale. I wish HBO had listened to its fans. I applaud CBS for giving Jericho a second chance. And I hope the viewership grows so that we will get a full season two (and more).
Jeri Cho | Jun 7, 2007 6:30:02 PM | #I wonder how many times CBS woulda cancelled "house"?
and would they have brought it back ?
th
Jon | Jun 7, 2007 6:40:27 PM |