Yesterday, Chuck fans everywhere (including devoted TWoP posters) banded together to participate in one of the grand traditions of TV fandom: the grassroots Save Our Show campaign. How? Since Subway is Chuck's biggest sponsor, fans hope that by purchasing a $5 footlong sandwich at Subway and dropping a note in the comment box imploring NBC not to cancel their beloved dramedy, they can sway network execs who are currently deciding the fate of the on-the-bubble series. But plenty of past about-to-be-cancelled shows have spawned even more creative campaigns by desperate fans -- read on to relive some of the successes, and more of the failures. (Hint: Food-based protests don't always work...)
Roswell
The 2000 campaign to save Roswell was the first of many to involve food items particular to the show's characters. Because the aliens on the series sprinkled everything with Tabasco sauce, fans sent 6,000 mini bottles of the spicy condiment to UPN execs after hearing about that it would not be renewed after the first season.
Result: Success!
The Tabasco plan worked, and Roswell got two more seasons before being permanently axed in 2002.
Firefly
Fox played fast and loose with Firefly's timeslot and promotion from the get-go, and announced the series' cancellation mere months after it premiered in 2002. Outraged fans, dubbed Browncoats after the show's similarly-named heroes, raised money to buy an ad in Variety and sent thousands of postcards to Fox execs.
Result: Mixed
Fans couldn't save Firefly from cancellation, but closure came in the form of the feature film follow-up, 2005's Serenity.
Jericho
After CBS announced its decision to cancel Jericho in May 2007, fans rallied around beloved character Jake Green's cry of "Nuts!" and sent some -- specifically, 20 tons of peanuts -- to network execs.
Result: Success!
CBS responded by commissioning seven more episodes as a mid-season replacement in 2008.
Veronica Mars
The CW axed cult hit Veronica Mars in May 2007, and fans inspired by Jericho's success with sending food items promptly sent 10,000 Mars bars (get it?) to network offices. Fans also sent in fake $2 bills with "Veronica Mars Is Smarter Than Me" written on them (inspired by a trick done by Veronica herself in an episode).
Result: Failure
All the chocolate and fake money in the world couldn't convince The CW to keep VMars on for a fourth season.
Journeyman
Fans used food yet again when they sent boxes of Rice-A-Roni -- inspired by the show's location in San Francisco -- to execs, after news that NBC had declined to renew the series broke just a few months into the show's first season.
Result: Failure
Apparently the suits at NBC weren't fans of The San Francisco Treat, because Journeyman was not renewed.
The 4400
Food items inspired by the show's characters continued to be a favorite mail-in item in January 2008, when fans of The 4400 sent in sacks of sunflower seeds (a favorite snack of character Dr. Burkhoff) after USA Network announced it would not renew the series despite a cliffhanger ending to the fourth season.
Result: Failure
Fans will never find out what really happened to those unfortunate abductees.
Moonlight
The food trend got bucked in March 2008, when rabid Moonlight fans organized blood drives in honor of the show's vampires to convince CBS not to cancel their favorite series.
Result: Failure
Though it was an incredibly noble protest, it wasn't enough to save the show.
Reaper
In honor of sidekick Sock, fans sent (you guessed it) socks to The CW after the WGA strike made Reaper's fate uncertain in May 2008. Star Bret Harrison conceived the sock idea, posting it on his website along with The CW's address.
Result: Success!
Fans succeeded in getting their beloved series renewed for a second season! But the fate of Season 3 is currently undecided.
October Road
ABC cancelled October Road in May 2008 despite a second season cliffhanger ending. Fans then launched a "Pay October Road Forward" campaign in which copies of the Season 1 DVD were donated to local libraries, in order to get new viewers hooked and increase potential ratings for a third season.
Result: Failure
Guess libraries aren't the most popular place for renting TV on DVD, because October Road was denied a comeback. But viewers will be able to get (some) closure with a fifteen-minute finale episode included on the soon-to-be-released Season 2 DVD.
Kyle XY
In January of this year, ABC Family announced its decision to cancel beloved sci-fi series Kyle XY, and fans responded by jumping back on the sending-food bandwagon and mailing Sour Patch Kids (Kyle's favorite snack) to executives.
Result: Failure
Despite the delicious candy, ABC Family went ahead and canceled Kyle XY, though writer Julie Plec did provide some longed-for answers in an interview where she revealed what had been planned for later seasons.
After Jericho, networks have basically ignored campaigns that involve food as a plea. But since Chuck's Save-Our-Show campaign revolves around spending money on an advertiser's product rather than simply mailing in absurd amounts of snack food, and because Chuck is merely on the bubble and not officially cancelled, fans may have more of a shot at getting a renewal for their favorite series. After all, the way to a network's heart is most likely through its budget.
Still angry about your favorite show's cancellation? Got a message of hope for Chuck fans? Sound off in the comments!
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I think it is a bit too soon to call the campaign to save Kyle XY a failure. The campaign is still active. We did not have enough notice before the cancellation to get organized. Now we are and in fact are mounting a massive mailing to ABC Executive Stephen McPherson for May 1st. Kyle XY fans have not given up. Not by a long shot!
I thought that Chuck's campaign was better focused, because it was directly profiting the sponsor, whereas, a lot of the other efforts were more symbolic. What did 10K Mars bars do for the sponsors? Chuck is the first show I've rallied behind, I'm interested to see how this ultimately plays out. Good summary though.
I think it is a bit too soon to call the campaign to save Kyle XY a failure. The campaign is still active. We did not have enough notice before the cancellation to get organized. Now we are and in fact are mounting a massive mailing to ABC Executive Stephen McPherson for May 1st. Kyle XY fans have not given up. Not by a long shot!
I doubt the Socks campaign for Reaper was all that successful, especially since Bret gave the wrong address out. The renewal was most likely for other reasons.
Still, we are still campaigning to save Reaper and if anyone would like to join us, all snail and email addresses, petitions, voting opportunities, etc. can be found here:
http://community.livejournal.com/reaperdmv/19127.html
I participated in the Chuck one. I think it's a good way to do it: as you pointed out, we're giving more money to the sponsor...which means more money for Chuck, right? RIGHT?
Though I had to submit my comment through Subway's website, as I did not see any comment cards handy at my local Subway.
Wouldn't a better way to save Chuck be to have each fan convince two or three people to watch the series, online or live, buy the dvds etc . . .
As one of the many who has lost their job in recent months and cannot afford the luxury of eating out, I would like to suggest an additional strategy: a postcard campaign to NBC execs letting them know what we want. The message would be simple - specifically, a few choice words from John Casey: CHUCK ME.
I love Chuck! I must be living under a rock, but I was not aware NBC was considering cancelling it. OH, the injustice of it all! Where and who can I write to about this? CHuck has been my favorite show to watch, and I did watch the finale (live), and I am not a Neilson family. I Think the Subway campaign will only really benefit Subway. Letters, postcards, emails, even phone calls, that is what will help.
You're right when you say that $$$ is the only thing that matters. BUT, as it stands right now, that $$$ has to come in the form of Neilsen watchers and more specifically the 18-49 demographic. The network gets their $$$ by selling advertising to the media buyers that buy seconds of time on behalf of advertisers - who BTW do not choose which show their product is advertised during. I applaud the Chuck fans and hope they enjoyed their sandwiches.
However, it's time for us to stand united across all fandoms and proclaim "I'm sick and tired and I won't take it anymore!" How wonderful would it be if millions of us turned off our TVs and watched our shows on-line for an entire month? Make it a sweeps month! How wonderful would it be if millions of us showed the networks just who the "customer" is? How about if those precious seconds of time were NOT seen by the millions of us who they say don't count? How wonderful if - after a mass purchasing of an item, there was a mass NOT purchasing of an item? Not just by the fans of one show, but by ALL of us. We need to flex our muscles and make them hear us - the message being WE ARE THE CONSUMER, ergo WE ARE THE CUSTOMER and WE want the ratings system fixed to include all methods of TV viewing and a wider range of placement of Neilsen boxes and a re-alignment of the demographics - like dividing the 18-49 y.o. range into 2 different ranges.
How much longer are we going to just let them take us for granted?
I loved Chuck's final episode - and I want more! What a great twist it had at the end. A shame that only the continental USA fans count in these campaigns, even though these days the fanbase is probably world-wide with the net.
I can say though that you missed one fan campaign out of your list and that was for "The Sentinel" TV show that was on UPN. Fans successfuly got a last season of the show after a campaign.
You forgot to mention Kim Possible. The fans managed to get Disney to renew it for a final season by starting campaigns (but I believe no food) and hence the series ended in a much different way than it would have at the end of season 3.
I participated in both the Once and Again and Sports Night campaigns. We lost those two also.
The thing is, the rating system just doesn't work anymore. Something has to be done.
I'd buy a $5 dollar footlong every day if that was all it took to save this show. I love Chuck,never miss it. However,I think we're dealing with people that don't get it. Chuck attracts relatively intelligent viewers,which aren't who the networks program for anymore.NBC,ABC and CBS get behind these increasingly idiotic reality shows because that's what the lowest common denominator will watch.I hope Chuck doesn't go the way of the other shows mentioned in this article, or a few that weren't, like Pushing Daisies and Dead Like Me. I'll keep my fingers crossed and my hopes high.
The Kyle XY campaign is far from over. We know that ABC Family has abandoned the show, and that is why there is a campaign going on to try and move it to another network. We are writing letters to ABC Studios and other networks to try and get our favorite showed picked up by someone who would give it the proper care. We have not failed. We are still trying.
The campaign to save Kyle XY is still young and far from over. ABC Family had already decided to cancel the show before we even found out about it - and we didn't get the news from them, I might add. Our focus is not on them; it's on another network.
Kyle Xy has probably the most dedicated fans to any show thats ever been on tv!
So for us this campaign will never be over! We don't stop. We want Kyle XY!!
Kyle XY, over? Far from it!!! The fans haven't given up by a long shot. As to the success or failure of sending in snack foods, Sour Patch Kids was in fact one of the show's sponsors in the first season, so sending those to the network actually was supporting an advertiser's product. Whether or not ABC Family will wake up and smell the candy remains to be seen.
Kyle XY fans have not and will not give up. We've returned the favor and now ABC Family is off our radar. We want the show moved to another network.
Given the failure of ABC Family's newest shows, I bet they are regretting their decision to cancel Kyle XY. Even with the lower ratings (no thanks to the studio's blundering decisions to have such a long hiatus in between seasons) Kyle XY still gave the network over a million viewers, something none of their news shows has yet to achieve. We will continue to do our best to save Kyle XY!
No! Kyle xy is sooo not over. My familey and I have watched every episode and we love it! If they think that they can take off an amazing show like Kyle xy and put on a lame show... Get a life. Put Kyle back on Abc or your going to get sick of all the complaning coming from all the amazing fans that you have let down. Shame shame.
I don't think anyone should count KyleXY out just yet. There is another campaign underway to move our favorite program from the Family to a network that will respect the show and it's fans. Kyle fan's were never given sufficient notice that the show was to be cancelled, yet we mounted a campaign that gained over 38,000 signatures in just a few weeks worldwide.
Kyle is not done yet, and it is unfair to dub this a failed campaign when we haven't heard yet form other networks. There are 1.3million fans from just the US alone that would follow KyleXY anywhere. The show was just picked up by an English network, so to pronounce the campaign as failed is pre mature.
if there is going to be a campaign to save NBC's Kings please let me know. I love that show and would be very upset if it were cancelld.
You forgot about Everwood. When it was canceled so that 7th Heaven could back for one last horrifying season. Fans sent a Farris wheel to the WB office.
Yeah i totally argee, its early days to call KXY a failure. The campaign is still up and running. And now that we've won the e online poll for 'Lost Causes We Love' we should get noticed and plus the postcards, letters to Stephen McPherson will make a huge impact. Now only if ABC execs will see it...
Hey Legolas...you said KXY was just picked up by an English Network....where did you get this information from?
It's not far from over. The campagn is still running stronger than ever. Don't even think about quiting!!! We want go down. Nope!!!
Nope. We are not done yet. Kyle XY campaign is still on the cards and will remain until we succeed.
I just read online that the shows that had gotten Kyle XY's spot have gotten canceled, so its possible that ABCF might just rething about canceling the show. The campaign is far from over. Trust me, there are plenty of poeple out there still campaigning. I think we can see the future and there is Kyle in it.
they can't cancel Chuck! i love Chuck! i named my fish Chuck! lol... other shows that i loved and got cancelled in the past couple years: CARPOOLERS, Pushing Daises(mainly Olive and Emerson Cod), and Eli Stone. DAMN YOU ABC, YOU SUCK!. Also, My Wife & Kids and Half & Half
I love the show Chuck. It's funny, quirky and makes me laugh out loud. I'm saying head thrown back and showing all the fillings kind of laugh. I need this show. It is the only thing keeping me from being depressed since I lost my job. I love every single character in the show. Now how many times do you hear that. Someone got it right when they cast this one. Please, please, please bring it back. Give the writers and actors another chance.
After the pain of losing Veronica Mars, Firefly, Angel, Dark Angel, Eli Stone and The Black Donnellys, amongst others, to cancellation, I can't face the idea of losing Chuck. It's so damn good!
I live in New Zealand and my vote basically counts for nothing when it comes to campaigns like this. I mean, we have Subway here but we sure don't have Comment Cards. I'll be in the US by the end of the month, but by then it'll be too late. I can't download episodes (legally) online via Hulu because it's only available to those living stateside. I wish the networks would work out a better way of judging ratings...I know so many people who have only just discovered Veronica Mars, and are wondering how they ever lived without it.
Ok first of all I love Kyle XY so much its my favorite show. Second of all if you think we the fans are going to let Kyle XY end then you must be crazy(no offence). We love Kyle XY so much and were not going to let it end because it was on a network that betrayed it. We all love this show so much and were willing to fight(not physically) for this show. Were not giving up. Were not letting this show go without at least a real ending. No cliffhangers. The actors and actresses do an amazing job and thats why this show is so amazing. Were no where near giving up. Were fighing(not physically) to either get Kyle XY back(which i prefer the most) or to get Kyle XY a real ending. Abcfamily fix the mistake you made and bring back Kyle XY.
Nothing beats the old classics of the 60's,70's and 80's.
Many of the shows that got cancelled were very good. I think they just did not get an audience for one reason or another. Some of those shows may make a comeback, becasue these networks are just pushing out one thing after another with really no new ideas.
http://www.metaleverywhere.com/
Devoted fans of Kyle XY have not said their last word yet...
Two cancellations that still make me angry: Dead Like Me and Life on Mars. Both shows were probably too good for television, though I still haven't renewed Showtime since they dropped Dead Like Me.
The campaign to save KYLE XY is not over. We still have hope that another network will be smart enough to snatch up the best & most original show on TV. I will never understand how some shows that are just garbage stay on year after year but a show as exciting, original & intelligent as KYLE XY gets cancelled. I will never watch any show on ABC Family again. PLEASE some other network needs to pick up KYLE XY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think taking House off the air is a mistake many people wait and like the show they watch it every week.
I wish there was something done for the Stargate episodes :) miss Jack O'Niel
Amer: You did see the new Stargate Movie "Continuum"? Also, sci-fi is bringing back Stargate, but with a new cast and a new premise. The series had a great run of over ten years.
I agree that Life on Mars was an awesome show, however, the series finale was not at all like I thought it would. I realize that the finale was most likely written after the word was received that the series was not to continue, but I felt that they did not do the series justice and really cheesed it up with the corny finale.
Result... success! Thank you, NBC, for listening to our pleas and renewing my favorite show!
Little did Roswell lovers know, those bottles of Tabasco were buying time to season one of the minds that would produce BSG. :D
Ugh not only did everwood end in a cliff hanger they only ever released ONE season on dvd. Even if it wasn't revived fans should at least get more than the first season on dvd. COME ON!
u know what ive always wanted to see an end too is Harsh Realm... D.B. Sweeney never looked so bad ass
Don't forget the crackers that were sent in honor of The Black Donnelly's!! Awesome show...
There was the "Saving Angel" campaign that involved purchasing ads in the Hollywood Reporter and a big billboard truck with a distinctive logo and other promotional materials; buttons, postcards, etc. There was also a related fan-based charity drive to support the LA Area Foodbank. Sadly, the campaign also failed.
I'm outraged that they would even THINK to cancel Chuck AND that they canceled Pushing Daises!! Those were some of the best shows that were on TV... :-(
what about the ingenious self-reflexive protests of Arrested Development? One of the greatest shows nobody watched.
How could you leave off the Granddaddy of save our show campaigns. Star Trek, we not only got a third season, we got additional series, some fun (and not so fun)movies.
It has to be the gold standard of fans raising up to save a show.
I agree- Kyle XY's campaign is far from over. I also have a theory on why so many good shows have been cancelled, if it makes sense :/ Shows are kept on the air because they attract viewers/make money. However, shows like Kyle XY, Jericho, Veronica Mars, etc. are special to so many people because the viewers have the ability to connect with that show one way or another, deeply, and because the show tries to get that deep connection, it looses viewers who cannot connect, and therefore, rule out the show as dumb, or just simply not worth watching. The cancelled shows are the best because they're the ones that hold special places in peoples' hearts that some people just can't understand.
Back in the day, I participated in an effort to save "Homefront". It featured John Slattery, Kelly Rutherford, and a very young (and very adorable) Kyle Chandler. It was set in a small town, post WWII, when some of the soldiers came back and some didn't. It was beautifully scripted and amazingly cast.
I miss the 4400 so much!
Angel should be on that list, too.
no shout out to Farscape? Mixed success with a variety of campiagns that included IRC crackers and bras.