CBS makes nuts into butter, resurrects "Jericho" for a midseason run.
What can we say? Skeet Ulrich makes people nutty.
Among the many things that happened while the Blog of Lowered Expectations was down for the count -- I'd explain, but it's really just pathetic and boring -- it seems "Jericho" fans rallied to bring the series back from the dead.
"Jericho's" limited renewal also has to be helped by the fact that the ratings weren't all that terrible until "American Idol" came on the scene. Before the talent show obliterated everything in its path, the show was averaging about 10.7 million viewers.
But a long hiatus didn't do it any favors either, and between the break and Fox's singing contest, it bled away a third of its audience.
How did the "Jericho" faithful get their show back on the air? By inundating CBS with nuts by the ton, in an ode to the finale's closing line.
This worked on two fronts. One, it gave CBS the ability to measure just how nuts it was to cancel this series. Two, it probably made an ally of anyone in the building that had a nut allergy. Either way, CBS entertainment head Nina Tassler decided that she needed to stop the madness once and for all. She posted this open letter on the CBS press website.
"To the Fans of Jericho:
Wow!
Over the past few weeks you have put forth an impressive and probably unprecedented display of passion in support of a prime time television series. You got our attention; your emails and collective voice have been heard.
As a result, CBS has ordered seven episodes of "Jericho" for mid-season next year. In success, there is the potential for more. But, for there to be more "Jericho," we will need more viewers.
A loyal and passionate community has clearly formed around the show. But that community needs to grow. It needs to grow on the CBS Television Network, as well as on the many digital platforms where we make the show available.
We will count on you to rally around the show, to recruit new viewers with the same grass-roots energy, intensity and volume you have displayed in recent weeks.
At this time, I cannot tell you the specific date or time period that "Jericho" will return to our schedule. However, in the interim, we are working on several initiatives to help introduce the show to new audiences. This includes re-broadcasting "Jericho" on CBS this summer, streaming episodes and clips from these episodes across the CBS Audience Network (online), releasing the first season DVD on September 25 and continuing the story of Jericho in the digital world until the new episodes return. We will let you know specifics when we have them so you can pass them on.
On behalf of everyone at CBS, thank you for expressing your support of "Jericho" in such an extraordinary manner. Your protest was creative, sustained and very thoughtful and respectful in tone. You made a difference.
Sincerely,
Nina Tassler
President, CBS Entertainment
P.S. Please stop sending us nuts : )" There you have it.
So, TV viewers, let this be a lesson to you. Any TV series that had a decent-sized audience during its run can be brought back from the dead with the help of a well-organized fan base and a campaign that's clever and utterly annoying at the same time.
Congratulations, nutty "Jericho" viewers. You are an inspiration to all of us.
