'Jericho' cast members keep on truckin'
Before sharing my thoughts about the DVD set of the second season of "Jericho," I want to thank the rangers (a.k.a. freedom farmers) out there who took the time to write; your nice words do mean a great deal, and I appreciate you welcoming me into your community.
My first apology is that I have not had a chance to look at the material for which you provided a link. I plan to do so.I want you to know as well that I did send my very friendly contact at CBS the link to my entry on the first season of "Jericho" and called her attention to your comments. I also forwarded her your e-mails to tvdvdguy@gmail.com. I will do the same regarding this one.
I believe my contact when she said that she forwarded the link to CBS executives. A second season was nice, but one can almost say nuts to not offering more than seven episodes. As a side note, my contact mentioned as well that she worked on the show for a short time.
My second apology is for not knowing that the CW network has begun showing reruns of the show at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday nights; the funny thing is that I had removed "Jericho" from my Tivo wishlist a month ago and had also stopped checking the Tivo listings for it around that time. I had figured that it was not coming back. Thank you for not going all New Bern on my back forty for my not knowing about the show's return to the air.
I would like to comment as well that the fact that a large broadcast network has placed "Jericho" in primetime says something about the quality of the program and your campaign for a second season. I am purposefully avoiding providing many specifics regarding the episodes second season of "Jericho" that I watched on DVD the last couple of days; I do not want to deprive any "Jericho" virgins of the pleasure that I experienced seeing the season-long storyline unfold.
No, I did not feel compelled to smoke after watching the second season but did get up at 1:30 a.m. to get the thoughts that were keeping me awake into this entry. I also promise to call my fellow rangers in the morning.
I will say that I found the facts that the war that was waged in the first season lead to a second season war and that this war will lead to a third season war if the show returns very interesting; this happened regarding many real-life conflicts.
Additionally, the one negative comment that my first entry prompted noted that I did not mention the sense of community that the show portrayed. I think that this was a stronger element in the second season than in the first.
The townspeople bonded during the first season by surviving a truly horrible ordeal and had done so by fighting together. However, there were also betrayals, broken contracts, and instances of neighbors holding each other at gun point.
The second season definitely united the townsfolks more by providing a clear enemy regrading how the power shifted in this season. Additionally, as my headline indicated, these characters fought for truth, justice, and the American way much harder than the other Kansas farmboy with whom they now share a network.
I do want to comment on what I consider to be a few flaws with the second season; I recognize that that the compressed production schedule and the need to tell 22 episodes worth of story in 7 episodes were factors.
I was disappointed that the story of the refugees was apparently ignored; surely, some folks who were away returned and wanted to reclaim their homes that refugees, who were contributing to the community, were occupying. I would have liked mention of this conflict.
Also, the fact that the second season seemed initially to forget about teenage store owner and rebel with a cause (and claws) Dale was annoying. He did get some airtime midseason, but the writers seemed to leave him hanging.
On a different note, those of you who I e-mailed know that a mid-season twist really surprised and saddened me. One of the extra features stated that this was intentional and that the actor who it affected was o.k. with that. I found it interesting as well to learn that that actor's role was tailored to that person.
I would be very negligent as well if I did not mention that the DVD set of the second season included an alternate version of the season finale that offered a much different ending than the version that aired.
If the CW does give us a third season of "Jericho," I would love to see a cross-over of this show with the other one about the aforementioned Kansas farmboy. Jake Green and Clark Kent could make a formidable team against a Luther Corp./Jennings & Rall joint effort. Maybe Green could even become a honorary member of the Justice League like the "Superfriends" space monkey.
Additionally your response to my thoughts regarding the first season, exceptional extras in the second season portion of the complete DVD set of "Jericho" that discussed coming back for the second season and that provided the folks who campaigned for that season a very nice video thank you/love note that included nice comments from a CBS executive, and my own renewed interest in the show make me want to become a freedom farmer regarding a third season.
I am very aware that I am a z-level celebrity and cannot make this page all about "Jericho" but can mention the show regularly. I am also glad to speak with any higher-level media person who would like to hear my thoughts regarding it. I think further that the show itself and the fight to keep it going provide enough material for a seminar, if not an entire college course. I am glad to do what I can to support any such effort.
I apologize again for not being up on the state of the campaign for a third season, if only one that is direct-to-DVD, but have a suggestion regarding CBS or CW to make this happen. Nothing seems more American than apple pie, and cellophane-wrapped snack-size portions of this tasty treat are very easy and inexpensive to mail. Because of this, and because of the success of the nuts campaign, I think that sending network executives these desserts would show that that the support for this show is as strong as ever.
To be fair, I am happy to give my address to any network executive who wants to retaliate by sending me red tape that represents the difficulty of getting any show on the air. Alternatively, they can just send me money to represent the high cost of producing television programs. LOL
I want to mention too that I will watch the bonus disc in the complete series set and comment on it next week. I simply wanted to share my thoughts regarding the second season while they were much fresher in my mind than the apple pies that I hope will be winging their way through the mail next week.
Before signing off on this much too long entry and getting some sorely needed sleep, I would like to call the attention of you folks to a similar effort by fans of 'firefly' to bring that show back. They ran a great campaign that resulted in producing a great movie and that I hope results in more adventures involving Mal and his space pirates.
Please do attach your comments as additions to this entry or e-mail them to tvdvdguy@gmail.com. Also, please keep me informed regarding efforts for a third season.
Comments
Not a lot of time to digest and comment properly - off North Snowboarding
But you articles and spirit are infectious. Welcome to the Jericho Family!
We will support Jericho on CW and fight for quality TV programming and more storyline on this great show.... Either Movie or a Season 3.
Jericho also is on UHD tonight!
Thanks John for the wonderful article. Sounds like we have recruited a new Ranger in you!!! LOL
I am loving The CW for airing Jericho again. I already loved a lot of their programming and this just made them tops in my book!!!
I will continue to fight for more Jericho either movie or preferably a Season 3 and beyond. But in the meantime everyone sit back and enjoy the show because it is quite the ride!!!!!!!!!!
Great article - I am now going to check out Jericho on the CW Sunday night. Always heard great things about it but never really was able to watch.
Thank you for the article on Jericho's Season 2 and the continued fight to get it adopted by another network. I've never read of any other fan base that has done so much for their series as Jericho fans: Over 30K to charity (DVD's to the Troops, food banks, Greensburg Kansas, etc...)creation and completion of a billboard in Studio City, ad's in Variety and the Hollywood Reporter, and finally a :30 commercial that aired in the LA area on cable and currently airs nationwide on Universal HD through the end of December. Although, I could be wrong - I never heard of the Firefly fans doing all of this, Trekkies, or any other group. I agree that what the fans have accomplished thus far could definitely be offered in any college for not only a marketing course but a study in the humanities. I believe, as a fan also, that we fight for not only the series - there's a shortage of scripted television - but also for a more accurate rating system so those scripted shows we get "into" don't get scrapped due to an antiquated ratings system that should have been retired 4 years ago. Currently, Jericho was placed by CBS on YouTube (another first) in the last few weeks. The views there are phenomenal for a show that's 9 months post cancellation. In addition, a single airing of the pilot for Jericho on The CW Network garnered over 1.3 million viewers. The now cancelled offerings that were on Sunday night's lineup there worked cumulatively to achieve even close to that! Viewership is now up on Sunday nights by 80% is a real number, and one worthy of a second look by any network executive looking to harvest a ready made audience, ratings, and longevity. With the proper (professional Hollywood style) promotion, and equally thoughtful placement of the schedule, Jericho is a guaranteed win for any network willing to make history with a proven product and will achieve success. Thank you again for your article! The series is compelling, timely, and addicting for anyone who views it.
Thanks I really enjoy your article about Jericho, me like so many others and say thanks for the recognition of so many Jericho fans.
Awesome article! Jericho rocks - always has! Check out the CW on Sunday nights, Universal HD, and savejerichoagain.com
What can I say, I like it!
Thanks for the fabulous article on Jericho. This was a program that was cancelled, again, before its time. You mentioned the efforts of the FireFly fans and I would like you to know that we had some really good suggestions from there ranks.
We have not given up on a Season 3 and only pray that the Power That Be see the light.
Again, thank you, especially for the comment about community -- both as it is portrayed in the series JERICHO and as it has developed among fans and supporters of the series.
My only quibble is with the idea of a crossover with SMALLVILLE. No, no, a thousand times no! Seriously, no.
I look forward to reading your comments on the bonus disk from the complete set.
Welcome, Ranger!
Thank you for taking the time to write a fabulous article about Jericho. We enjoy hearing positive articles instead of the negative and without fan bashing. We are enjoying Jericho on Sundays on the CW and also UHD. We are gaining new fans everyday.
Thanks for the great article and review. We, as Citizens of Jericho, learned the compassion the show offered to us. The coming together. The fear of the unknown. The betrayals. It has all the drama and action a great series needed. Too bad CBS didn't see it that way. Now on the CBS owned CW network...perhaps eyes will open and be enlightened for that next season or movie.
Great article John.
Jericho is such a great story that needs to continue. Welcome to the Ranger family... Yes your officially now a Jericho Ranger... :)
great article, thanks!
I was stunned to see Jericho picked up by CW and the UHD extending airings.
Hats off to the Jericho Rangers that perservered in hopes of more Jericho.
Your article is one of the most balanced concerning Jericho I have seen in a long while. Thank you!
Jericho fans aren't what most people would imagine them to be....they are sensible and dedicated and usually not driven to revere a TV show. This show, however, has certainly struck a different tone with a large number of people. The final 'ranger roll call' on the CBS message board had people from 47 states, and 23 countries weighing in...some from as far away as Hungary and Australia. It has struck a chord with many people. Youtube views are now careening towards 72,000 per day...and that is with the youtube view counters not all functioning properly. Seems like we all aren't alone.
Thank you and indeed, welcome home ranger.
Thank you for such a well written article. We Rangers truly believe if the show was given the chance it needed to get its feet off the ground, we would be watching Season Three right now. Hopefully, with Jericho being replayed on the CW, we can gather lost fans and new fans and fan the flame again for Jericho. Thanks again for such a positive message.
Thanks John for such a heartfelt and fantastic article! Welcome to the Jericho Ranger Ranks! This show has such a relevance in our society today and I have no doubt that had it been on another network or better yet cable station it would be soaring to new heights in its quality storytelling and winning millions of fans over! Thanks Again!
What a great article about a great show. Welcome to Rangerhood John!
Jericho has a lot of digital era following and would be a prime show to fund and make on demand, over the internet.
That day is coming, thanks for the Jericho write up - I love that show and glad to see it back on CW.
We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the End. We shall fight on the internet, we shall fight at the CW, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength as our numbers grow, we shall defend our community, we shall help sell our show to another network, We shall fight on Youtube, at community, television and newspaper boards, on the UHD Board and UHD Channel, we shall fight with DVR's, Feedbackforms and letters, we shall never surrender.
Jericho Ranger-2008
Thanks for this article. It's no surprise that "Jericho" is still recruiting new fans.
We will soldier on!
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