Tim Minear on Wonderfalls

POSTED BY: Tomanta
UPDATED: Thursday, April 1, 2004 18:46
VIEWED: 17778
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TOMANTA

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 6:44 AM

This was posted (well, crossposted, really) to the official Wonderfalls boards, thought it could use a repost here.

http://forums.prospero.com/foxwonderfalls/messages/?msg=201.1
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http://www.voy.com/14810/10726.html

Date Posted: 18:17:50 03/16/04 Tue
Author: Tim Minear
Author Host/IP: adsl-68-123-60-52.dsl.lsan03.pacbell.net / 68.123.60.52
Subject: My open letter

An open letter to the Grass Roots from Tim Minear, Executive Producer of “Wonderfalls”:

Hi. My name is Tim Minear and I write television. Usually. Right now I guess I’m writing SPAM. But I’m not asking you to donate to some shady or even worthy cause. I’m not offering to enlarge any of your body parts (though I haven’t ruled it out), and I make no claims of miraculous cures for exotic diseases. What I can offer you is sixty minutes (really about forty five, minus commercials) of quality entertainment if you do one thing: turn on your TV to Fox this Friday night at nine.

For the last year or so I’ve been working with a bunch of really talented people to make a new show for Fox called “Wonderfalls.” We’ve made 13 episodes so far, and I really want you to see them.
Some of the folks at the network are telling me that “Wonderfalls” is the best reviewed new series they’ve had in ages -- maybe ever. I’m currently sitting on a stack of raves from all over the country, from major magazines, newspapers, small dailies, internet sites, etc. They seem to be doing me no good. Also, uncomfortable because of the sitting.

The big brains at the network, while happy with the reviews, tell me that good reviews don’t bring in an audience. Guess they were right. We premiered on Friday, March 12th to less than great numbers.

There are several things stacking the odds against us. Our time slot, charmingly known as “The Fox Friday Death Slot” is quickly living up to its name. There has been much confusion and differing opinion over just how to promote this odd little series. Maybe the unique charm, heart and volcanic snark aren’t coming through. I dunno. Fact is, I have no power over network promotion, I can’t force Fox to air “Wonderfalls” on Monday nights, I don’t have a Nielsen box or know anyone who does.

But I do have this keyboard, my cable-modem and a relationship with genre fans all over the world because of the internet. All of the shows I’ve worked on in the last several years have had loyal internet followings. From “Lois and Clark” to “The X-Files,” from “Angel” to the short-lived but much-loved “Firefly.” Ever since I’ve been associated with genre television I’ve had the extreme honor and pleasure (and sometimes hair-pulling madness) of interacting with fans of these shows via the internet. You are the most dedicated, passionate and, frankly, smartest fans around.

And I’m turning to you now because I believe you’re a huge untapped resource.

I know that every one of you is connected to many others that I can’t reach. If you can give a hand here, you might be keeping us afloat long enough for us to catch the tide. Worth a shot, anyway.

I know the network wants this show to work. They’re willing for it to work. And if there’s any way that my plea now will help Friday’s numbers tick up just a touch, I think that would be a tremendous sign to them.

The next new episode of “Wonderfalls” airs Friday, March 19th at 9:00pm on Fox. Please tune in and mention it to someone else. Preferably someone with a Nielsen box.

So anyway, I thought I’d mention it. Oh, also, the network is going to repeat our pilot on Thursday, March 18th at 9:00pm after “Tru Calling.” So if you missed it last Friday, here’s your chance to catch it.

Thanks --

Sincerely,

Tim Minear

PS - I know the conventional wisdom says that good reviews don’t mean anything to potential viewers, but here’s a taste of them anyway:

TV GUIDE (3/13-19), Matt Roush
“Ironic and romantic, WONDERFALLS is a true original. Surrender to its charms.”

PEOPLE (3/22), Terry Kelleher
“The reason to watch WONDERFALLS is Dhavernas. With a star like this, a

CAPTAINCDC

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 4:51 PM

I was about to post the same article, but you beat me to it. Good job. We need people to watch Wonderfalls. I think it could be really great if they don't ax it.

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

LINDLEY

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 4:56 PM

Well, this Friday its up against SG1's season finale, "The Lost City, Part 2", so I wouldn't count on an improvement.

*Next* Friday, though....I hope the numbers improve.

BROWNCOAT1

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 5:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Lindley:
Well, this Friday its up against SG1's season finale, "The Lost City, Part 2", so I wouldn't count on an improvement.

*Next* Friday, though....I hope the numbers improve.

That is my problem w/ the show. It is opposite of Stargate SG1, and I never miss and episode of SG1. Ever. It is my favorite show since Firefly was taken off the air.

As much as I would love to check it out, I can't miss SG1.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

RHUTTNER

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 5:30 PM

Sci-Fi airs SG-1 twice. You could watch Wonderfalls at 9 and SG-1 at 11.

BROWNCOAT1

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 5:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rhuttner:
Sci-Fi airs SG-1 twice. You could watch Wonderfalls at 9 and SG-1 at 11.

Hadn't thought about that Rhuttner. Of course 11pm is awful late when you consider I am up at 5am to work out before work. Guess I could tape it and watch it Saturday morning.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

ASTARTE

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 5:56 PM

BTW, linking or quoting the letter to other genre communities is helpful, too.

Tim relayed an interesting story about focus groups used for Wonderfalls. One was located in the Midwest, and one in the South. They had several showings, having previously sent a VHS tape of one episode to some of them. There was a heavy preponderance of people in both groups saying that they hadn't liked the first episode they'd seen first, with little preparation as to what they were letting themselves in for.

The second episode, that they watched as a group? All the focus groups loved it, gave it high ratings, declared they would watch it when it was aired, et cetera. Surprisingly to me, men liked it more than women did. (Cuz I think Jaye's a slacker heroine for our time. Rachel from Six Feet Under with an Ivy League degree.)

So... exactly the kind of show you should give at least two viewings to, right?

Here's the kicker... the focus groups didn't get all the same first episode and same second episode. One group got #1 first, #2 second, but the other group got #2 first and #1 second. (And neither one got the pilot.) So it wasn't that one episode was so much better -- it just took people generally a little time to "get into" the series.

It might be that we can give the show some breathing room to see if it is as good as the critics (many of whom had 4 episodes to look at together) think.

CANTTAKESKY

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 7:09 PM

I really enjoyed Wonderfalls and look forward to seeing more of it this Friday. I tape everything else coming on at this time. But I don't have a Nielson box so I'm not sure what good it will do.

Can't Take My Gorram Sky

QINGAI

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 7:41 PM

Tim's letter is pretty cool, isn't it? For anyone who hasn't seen Wonderfalls -- it's awesome. Very funny, witty, and just what you'd expect from Tim. If you haven't seen it yet-- tune in Friday (or tape it)! It's worth it.

WEGG

Wednesday, March 17, 2004 7:49 PM

You guys all really need to get Tivo. Tivo sells viewer information too the networks so every time you watch a show its like casting your vote. Its your own Nelson box! Oh. . . and it also kicks major bootie at allowing you to blast through adds, pause etc.

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