The Jericho fan campaigns worked!! After being canceled, CBS has agreed to more new episodes of Jericho which will return for a second season. The show will get seven more episodes and they will air at midseason. If those episodes are successful, they may add to it. Reports say that the original idea was that CBS wanted them to do a two hour TV movie as a finale for the show. The show’s creator turned it down saying that they didn’t want to rush things and tie up the whole story in two hours. The campaign saw 40,000 pounds of nuts sent to the offices of CBS with the idea of sending nuts based on something that happened in an episode of the show. $13,000 was raised and the money is going to be donated to tornado relief in Kansas. Here is the letter that the head of CBS put out on the official website to the fans:
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 e-mails 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 grassroots 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 rebroadcasting Jericho on CBS this summer, streaming episodes and clips from these episodes across the CBS Audience Network (online), releasing the first season DVD on Sept. 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
Jericho star, Skeet Ulrich, had these comments when asked about the fans’ campaigns: “I’m so thankful for not only their passionate support but their tireless efforts…. I look forward to the chance to give back to the fans with more of the story that brought us here.” Good for the Jericho fans!! You fought and got your show back!!! Just shows that it can be done. I love it when the fans fight for their show especially when it pays off!!
Here is the lineup for this weekend’s Superman Celebration in Metropolis. The worst news for me and a lot of fans was that Erica Durance, who plays Lois Lane on Smallville, has been canceled as appearing. I started to get concerned when I didn’t see her as being advertised on the local newspaper and TV ads. She had been advertised on the website so I knew something had to be going on. I checked the website earlier in the week and sure enough, she has been canceled. There is something medical wise that will keep her from appearing. She released this statement about having to cancel: “I am very saddened and disappointed that I will be unable to attend the Superman Celebration. I am under strict doctors orders not to fly for a short period of time which unfortunately falls during the dates for the Celebration. I would like to thank the organizers for their understanding and hope you the fans, whom I cherish dearly will understand as well. I do hope that you will all still attend even in my absence and support this terrific event. Perhaps I will see you all next year! Warmest Wishes, Erica Durance”
What a bummer!! I hope it isn’t anything serious and want to wish her a speedy recovery. I am really hoping that they could somehow find a Smallville replacement even though it is last minute cause it really takes some sting out of the celebration for the Smallville fans. Others set to appear are: Helen Slater (Super Girl), Noel Neill (Lois Lane in Adventures Of Superman), Jerry Maren (Mole Man on Adventures Of Superman and also was in the Wizard Of Oz). Super-Artists include: Murphy Anderson, Jon Bogdanove, and Len Wein. For more info on the Superman Celebration, go to www.supermancelebration.net
Three episodes. All I like is three episodes to being caught up to date on Smallville. Last week, I was midway through season four. I got season five watched in two days over the weekend and am just about to finish season six. I am really enjoying this show and I’m still guessing on things that are going to happen. I first want to say that Warner Brothers has done an AMAZING job with the DVD’s including putting a lot of extras on them including deleted scenes and commentaries. Thoughts on season four and five. I’ll leave out season six for right now cause I want to see how this plays out before I comment. I thought season four was ok but not as good as the others. I wasn’t that crazy about the overall storyline involving Jensen Ackles’ character. I did look forward to seeing how they would tie up the story with them ending their high school days. The scene with Chloe leaving the Torch behind was a very good symbol to end it considering how much of the show took place there. Speaking of where the show takes place at, I tend to crack up laughing that the Smallville Medical Center is a key essential part of the show. How many episodes have had at least one scene from that place? Pretty funny. It’s as big of a part in the show as all the other sets. My opinion of the whole Clark/Lana love story by season four and five is I think he should have moved on from Lana at that point. My opinion, go for Chloe. LOVING the new opening for the show in season five. It’s nice to see them change that up and it looks really good. Speaking of season five, I really enjoyed that season!! I had really looked forward to getting to that season so I could see James Marsters again. Funny thing is that it will take a lot of getting used to seeing him walking around in direct sunlight. I laughed at the first scene of him walking around on campus because of that fact. If you don’t know get that, he played Spike on Buffy The Vampire Slayer and the only thing we saw of him in sunlight was him running around with a jacket over his head smoking as he entered a room to protect his vampire self. Pretty funny. There was actually one episode of Smallville that involved a sorority that thought they were vampires where one of the members was named Buffy Sanders. Get it? Sanders instead of Summers. Season five also continued the retro stuff from other shows that involved John Schneider and Tom Wopat reuniting. They of course had to get out and drive around in a car. The big spoiler of season five with the death wasn’t a surprise to me as I remember tuning into the last part of that episode when it originally aired cause I wanted to see who they were killing off. So, I knew that was coming but just didn’t know how or why it happened. Sad episode.
Movie box office numbers for last weekend. 1. Pirates Of The Caribbean – $43.1 million. 2. Knocked Up – $29.2 million. 3. Shrek The Third – $26.7 million. 4. Mr. Brooks – $10 million. 5. Spiderman 3 – $7.5 million. 6. Waitress – $2 million. 7. Gracie – $1.3 million. 8. Bug – $1.22 million. 9. 28 Weeks Later – $1.20 million. 10. Disturbia – $1.1 million.
The CMA Music Festival is this weekend in Nashville. I’m sure the city will be PACKED with people!!
Katharine McPhee has a movie deal. The American Idol alum will star in a romantic comedy called The Last Caller. She had this to say about the role: ìThis is the first thing that I read that I really wanted to do. Iím up for a couple of big studio projects, but they werenít starring roles. I wanted to start off doing something a little different. Itís something that a lot of people wouldnít expect me doing.î She will begin working on the movie in the fall.
One month till Big Brother 8!!!!
HDNet has bought the rights to the show, The Black Donnellys. They will air all thirteen episodes including seven that never aired on NBC as it was canceled pretty early on. They will begin airing on Wednesday, June 13th at 7pm.
Bob Barker taped his last show of The Price Is Right yesterday. The last show will air on June 15th. Barker talked to the audience after the show was over saying: “I thank you, thank you, thank you for inviting me into your home for more than 50 years. I’m truly grateful, and I hope that all of you have enjoyed your visit to ‘The Price Is Right’.” I haven’t watched this show in forever but I LOVED it as a kid. He deserves a BIG send off and I’m glad to see that he is getting it.
Sci-Fi announced last week that this upcoming fourth season of Battlestar Galactica will be the show’s last. The executive producers of the show made the decision and here is what they had to say about the decision: “This show was always meant to have a beginning, a middle and finally, an end. Over the course of the last year, the story and the characters have been moving strongly toward that end and we’ve decided to listen to those internal voices and conclude the show on our own terms. And while we know our fans will be saddened to know the end is coming, they should brace themselves for a wild ride getting there ó we’re going out with a bang.”
I was bummed to read an article last week about Starwood Amphitheater in Nashville being torn down in the future. The venue was recently sold and the new owner has decided to tear it down. The property will instead be used to build houses on. The decision seems to be based on property value and the fact that the amphitheaters don’t make as much money as they used to. Also, tiered seating can’t really be done with the venue due to the general admission lawn seating which takes up the majority of the place. It’s hard for the venue and performers to make big money off tickets cause of it. This is a shame that it is being torn down. I’ve seen three concerts there and really enjoyed the experience. The negatives of the venue were always weather. Lawn seating is great unless it is raining and then you just get rained on. Thankfully, I had great weather each time I was there. Performers are also limited on what they can do compared to a big indoor arena. I enjoyed my experience there especially the summer concerts which is always what I saw. The sun setting during the concert made for an awesome look in the background during the concerts. It just always looked so cool seeing the sunset and then this sea of people. I liked the lawn seating myself and was in that area two out of the three concerts that I attended. Although, chair seating there was very nice as well!! One of the funny stories that I always remember is all the lawn seating people positioning themselves for the doors to open so they could run down the hill and get their first come first serve seating. I had a friend that went with me to a concert there and it was his first time there. I had been telling him about how we needed to hurry so we could get our seats before everyone else got down the hill. I think he thought I was exaggerating on the craziness of people running down the hill until he saw it first hand. He thought it was hilarious and it really was hilarious to watch. Anyway, it’s been several years since I’ve been there to see a show but I have great memories of it to remember. I’m sure most of you have seen shows there as well. Bummer to know it is being torn down.
Stan Lee is going to be teaming up with Disney and working with them on projects in the future. Lee said: “It’s like the realization of a dream. Ever since I was a young boy, Disney represented the best and most exciting film fare to me. And now, many decades later, with movies such as their incredible ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ spectaculars, Disney is still at the forefront of family entertainment, excelling in live action, animation, TV, theme parks — whatever it takes to bring fun and fantasy to audiences everywhere. I look forward with indescribable enthusiasm to being a part of that world and contributing whatever I can to keep the legend alive and growing.” Disney chairman, Dick Cook, said of Lee: “As the father of such renowned comic book heroes as Spider-Man, The Hulk, X-Men among others, Stan is considered one of the most creative and inventive forces in the industry today. His innate talent of tapping into the human qualities of his superhero characters has certainly struck a chord with generations of audiences and readers around the world. Bob Chapek, president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, said of Lee that: Stan is not only loved by fans of the genre, but is one of the most respected and admired figures in the entertainment industry. In fact, it’s hard to think of another individual who has created as many memorable and appealing characters. We’re thrilled that Stan has decided to make Disney his new home, and feel very fortunate to be collaborating with him on a wide range of new projects for all divisions of our company. His track record is impressive by any measure, and Home Entertainment is sure to benefit from his creations.”
TV on DVD releases for Tuesday, June 12th. Blue Murder (Set 1), Deadwood (Season 3), Diagnosis Murder (Season 2), Doc Martin (Series 1), Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (Season 2), Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D-List (Season 1), Mile High (Season 2 – Volumes 1 & 2), The Practice (Volume 1), The Rat Patrol (Season 2), Red Shoe Diaries (Season 1), Trapped In TV Guide (Season 1), Waiting For God (Series 2), Walker Texas Ranger (Season 3), Welcome Back Kotter (Season 1), What’s Happening Now? (Season 1).
You Tube Video Of The Week: Howie Ruins The Ending.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnZ4eOFwn0Y
I don’t have anything for TV line of the week. Sorry!!
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