UPN has passed on Firefly

POSTED BY: spav
UPDATED: Sunday, January 12, 2003 04:50
VIEWED: 17910
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GIRLIE

Friday, January 10, 2003 11:16 AM

I just wish someone who cared would visit this and other boards so they could be impressed by the many wonderful reasons for saving "Firefly" and the intelligence of it's viewership. Who wouldn't want us for an audience. I would chew glass to keep this show going. I would even chew glass on a Fox Reality show. Just please someone with power come and look at us. We clean up good and can impress the hell out of ya, when we mean to. I don't think all the post cards in the world can say as much, as well, as I see on boards each day. Unfortunatly even if they did I don't think anyone will read them.
That said, we continue to fight the good fight. Since today I met someone on the "official Fox" board who has been posting for months,and who had no clue about "Firefly Imm. Assistance, I remind everyone: Even if you think they know mention it anyway. Every Person counts.

( http://www.fireflysupport.com)

If you can't say something nice....Visit the Joe Millionaire Board.

Joss Whedon For President in 2004

FIREFLY17UK

Friday, January 10, 2003 11:28 AM

So What Happens Now?

I Mean That Cant Be It For Serenity. Dont They Know Good TV When The See It?

God Thats Sooo Annoying What About English Stations?

AVATAR

Friday, January 10, 2003 2:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Firefly17Uk:
So What Happens Now?
B]

Check out the Firefly by Subscription thread. Maybe you can help us figure out something.

BROWNCOAT1

Friday, January 10, 2003 3:59 PM

So UPN declined? That sucks!!!

Did everyone see this thread:

[link] http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=2&t=1369 [/link]

Looks like UPN may have passed because they are in trouble and are looking to FOX for help. Fox of all networks! Looks like UPN will be nothing more than a glorified Fox if they allow Fox to call the shots.

I agree though, UPN was not our last hope. We watch the Support site and see where we go from here. Never give up hope!!!

CARDIE

Friday, January 10, 2003 6:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Girlie:
I just wish someone who cared would visit this and other boards so they could be impressed by the many wonderful reasons for saving "Firefly" and the intelligence of it's viewership. Who wouldn't want us for an audience.

Sadly, unless it's the local PBS station hoping that "viewers like you" will send in dollars during pledge weeks to support intelligent programming, networks do not want smart viewers. The reason for this is that advertisers want viewers whom they can easily sway to buy their products. The more thoughtful and analytical you are, the less they want you, because you don't make consumer choices based on slick advertising.

Cardie

THEFUTONCRITIC

Friday, January 10, 2003 7:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CharlieBlue:
Hey, there's always The Frog. They've already got a working relationship with Joss (through Angel) too, and I think Firefly would fit better there anyway--what with them actually having some good shows. (Well, okay, UPN has one. But it was stolen from WB.)

Actually the WB is an extremely unlikely option due to the very reason you listed. The transition from the WB to UPN by "Buffy" was an extremely ugly one. 20th Century Fox used its affiliation agreements with UPN to its advantage. They told UPN if they didn't pay through the nose for "Buffy" (and they are - $2.3 mil per episode, that's more than what NBC pays for "The West Wing") then Fox wouldn't renew its affiliation agreements with UPN. Since Fox owns 20% of UPN's affiliates (including some in critical markets like New York), losing Fox's stations would mean UPN would die. So UPN "had" to pick it up. The result of this was Fox screwing the WB out of a profitable show. It's a widely known fact that the WB and 20th Century Fox's relationship is strained at best. I'm sure that will be a factor concerning "Angel's" survival for a fifth season as its contract is up this year. If anything then because of UPN and 20th Century Fox's critical ties, UPN was "Firefly's" best chance to survive.

Furthermore (and not to be a wet blanket here) is that virtually all the cable networks are announcing their 2003-2004 season commitments this week at the TCA's Winter Press Tour. My point being if it doesn't have a deal now, chances are it can't get on their air again for a while.

Brian Ford Sullivan
Editor-In-Chief
The Futon Critic
http://www.thefutoncritic.com

SHELL

Friday, January 10, 2003 7:53 PM

On 10 January 2003 the following was posted at Firefly: Immediate Assistance:

According to an 20th Century Fox, the next place they're looking to sell Firefly is the The Sci-Fi Channel.

Please send postcards with your demographic information (age, sex, income, number of adults in your household) to the following addresses. Indicate why you enjoy Firefly and why it would be a good fit for The Sci-Fi Channel.

MARK STERN
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING
THE SCI FI CHANNEL
1230 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK NY 10020-1513

Mr. Stern is an especially good target because he is new to the Sci Fi Channel and looking to establish himself. Additionally, he was a member of the production team for The Outer Limits when it moved from Showtime to Sci Fi, and thus has an understanding of what it's like to move a show from one network to another.

BONNIE HAMMER
PRESIDENT
THE SCI FI CHANNEL
1230 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK NY 10020-1513

PLEASE NOTE We are aware that some fans will be concerned that encouraging Sci-Fi to include Firefly in its programming schedule may hurt the chances of Farscape having another season. We have reason to believe this is unlikely, as our contact at 20th Century Fox stated that they are aiming to pitch Firefly as a miniseries or movie. This does not present a conflict of interests with Farscape, since Farscape is seeking an entire season of episodes.
==================

Shell Branscum
mbranscum@earthlink.net
http://www.fireflysupport.com

BROWNCOAT1

Friday, January 10, 2003 7:58 PM

There you go people. You have your next objective! Let's get those postcards in the mail!

Thanks Shell!

EVANS

Friday, January 10, 2003 7:58 PM

TO:
Brian Ford Sullivan
Editor-In-Chief
The Futon Critic
http://www.thefutoncritic.com

Thank you for all of your thoughtful, courteous, and informative posts.

m.
------------------------------------------------
"But ... not boring, like she made it sound." Wash, in ARIEL
"None of it means a damn thing." Mal, in OBJECTS IN SPACE

OPTI

Friday, January 10, 2003 9:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Cardie:
The reason for this is that advertisers want viewers whom they can easily sway to buy their products. The more thoughtful and analytical you are, the less they want you, because you don't make consumer choices based on slick advertising.

If we want to change this, we need make a list of sponsors of quality shows like Firefly, and a list of lead competitors to the sponsors of "Joe"-type shows. Then we use our thoughtful and analytical minds to select extra items from these lists.

If enough people participate, the advertisers will see positive returns from their ads on good shows. Much more important than ratings.

There are a lot of people crying about how these networks only care about money and not about quality television. Well, that's their job. If we want shows like Firefly to last on commercial TV, we need to vote with our purchases.

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