Last Episode of Jericho Tonight
Written by Chris C on March 25th, 2008
Well once again one of my favorite shows, Jericho gets the axe. Unlike Sliders back in 2000, Jericho will have an actual wrap-up ending tonight at 10pm on CBS. Sliders ended with a cliffhanger and the fans never forgave Sci-Fi Channel.
I have a feeling fans will feel the same way about CBS
Looking back at their actions, I think CBS had no intention of a third season. They didn’t support it, have no similar shows to cross-promote with it, and was in a horrible time slot. If anything CBS looks good because it put the pressure on the fandom to promote Jericho.
It also doesn’t help that Nielsen’s rating system sucks. It is archaic and severely under-reports viewership. What boggles my mind is that we have the ability to track everything people watch through the cable and satellite tv receiver boxes. But the networks do not want this because it will expose the house of cards television ratings are.
To be fair Jericho was a cerebral show but it also was about conspiracies. I figured the lack of trust people have in their government would have brought more fans to the show. But I think it was just too smart.
But in the end fans got played. I learned my lesson a year ago with Associated Content and having to self-promote content. CBS wanted the viewership to be the marketing department and that never works. Look, I have a degree in Marketing and I will be the first to say word-of-mouth advertising is over-rated. It is nice and all but in a competitive industry repetitive promotion is the only way to get noticed as well as stay in the front of people’s minds. You need advertising dollars and you need a lot of them.
So fellow Jericho fans, enjoy tonight and think good thoughts about the show. We got twenty-nine great episodes and a dynamic premise. We got the show renewed last year, something rare in the world of cancellation. And we got a show that I think had better acting and writing then we would have gotten from a lesser network like Sci-Fi or USA.
I also apologize for the lack of funny. Go re-read yesterday’s post for the chuckles.
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The fine folks at the Jericho Wiki aren’t done. They’re going to be brainstorming during the show and probably for weeks afterwards looking for the best network to take the “little show that could” under its wings.
No voice shall go unheard this time!
http://jericho.wetpaint.com/page/Save+Jericho+II
We just have to find a network able to leverage the movement behind this show and the idea of “new media.”
TroyJMorris’s last blog post..Can a Wiki Save Jericho? AGAIN?!
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Hey Chris,
It’s so nice to find your post because so many people want to blame the fans for losing Jericho. I agree with you about online numbers too. Of course, if Nielsen counts them, they probably still won’t count us all.
I don’t think CBS planned a 3rd season either.
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Sad to see it go. I only found it when Sci-Fi replayed season one and was really getting into it. Good to see you again Chris.
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@Troy: But with a new network comes changes. We might not even have the same cast, or writers that aren’t as good. But I’ll try and be positive. I thought the fifth and final season of Sliders was one of their better ones and it was the second year of it being on Sci-Fi.
@Jane: Thanks! I got tired of the fan-bashing. If you want to beat up viewers for something, blame them for wanting reality shows more. But people are busy these days and the number one complaint I hear is “I don’t have time to get into ANOTHER tv series.” Shows like American Idol and the dancing one are easy to follow and catch-up on. Try getting into Lost at this stage of the game. Might as well not even bother. :)
@theBarefoot: Hey man happy to see you again! Nice to see you dropped by for a visit, come by more often :)
Sad to see the show go and I won’t spoil it for anyone by saying anything else if they haven’t seen the finale. :)
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Yeah, the finale left me with a Dave Chappelle “Wrap it Up” sketch feeling. There were at least 2 or 3 more seasons left in that show.
theBarefoot’s last blog post..Ness City Boyfriend Charged in 2 Year Toilet Incident
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Come on. Sci-Fi has given us some of the best B movies that never had a chance to make it on MST3K. Now there’s a show that I miss.
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MST3K was awesome. I miss it too. SO many horrible movies, so few surly robots to make fun of them.
*Sigh*
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Mitchell!
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Rock Climbing, Joel. Rock Climbing.
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