Boston Herald Blurb

[JA_Shipper]

Someone on the Farscape Canada list posted a few news bits that have popped up lately (including the AICN piece) and in amongst them was this:

..................................

ARTS & LIFESTYLE
ARTS & TV IN BRIEF
12/03/2002
Boston Herald

Heartfelt plea for `Farscape' falls short

In what may be a first among campaigns to save doomed TV
shows, fans of Sci Fi's "Farscape" banded together and
funded a commercial playing on cable in several cities,
including Boston, to save the 4- year-old series. In the
ad, several fans introduce themselves and add, "I am
`Farscape,' " a play on Sci Fi's longstanding advertising
campaign. Alas, the show's chances for renewal are all but
nonexistent, a representative of the network confirmed
yesterday. The series' final 11 episodes begin Jan. 10. -
MARK A. PERIGARD

...................................


I'm not sure how to take this. I hope that if indeed this person DID talk to SciFi that they hadn't confirmed anything and the "all but nonexistent" phrase is an assumption, but ... :confused:

I still stick to the theory that WHEN we get the ratings up in January it's a whole new ballgame, but things like this article/blurb/whatever are certainly a bit of a wet blanket on my enthusiasm :grr:

Suse

[MediaSavant]

Given that Farscape's actors are saying the same thing at cons and Henson has said similar, it's not a surprising thing for the paper or Sci Fi to say.

Personally, I'm working for a much more likely follow-up movie, either on TV or in the theaters. I've always had the stance that I'm working for anything new to be produced. So, it doesn't effect my degree of effort at all.

[GeekedOut]

I just want to see an end. Sock puppets or otherwise. Still, nice to see that SciFi's execs are throwing the show even before seeing the ratings for the final 11 <insert sarcasm>

[Selena1]

Alas, the show's chances for renewal are all but nonexistent, a representative of the network confirmed yesterday. The series' final 11 episodes begin Jan. 10.

This better not be true...or I will stop being so nice and they'll see what this red head can really do.....

Basically, that would mean that once again, Sci Fi LIED. I would really hate to be part of their Public Relations team if they did that to us AGAIN.

[katyaz]

Well, I really hope that this isn't true too, but when did Sci Fi lie about it? They never said that there is a possibility that Farscape would be picked up again, did they?

I'm just glad that a Boston newspaper mentioned the commercial :) I was the one who sent out the press releases in Boston, and I was beginning to fear that nobody got the letters I sent out to them...

Also, I think it was very nice of Mr. Perigard to check with Sci Fi about whether or not they are thinking about renewing Farscape :aok: At least it tells Sci Fi that they are reporters who are interested in the story :)

[Selena1]

I forget exactly where I saw it, but somewhere it was said that if we could get ratings to 2.0, then the network would basically bring FS back to the table for consideration.

The article above bascially says its a done deal, not happening.

[JA_Shipper]

Originally posted by katyaz
Also, I think it was very nice of Mr. Perigard to check with Sci Fi about whether or not they are thinking about renewing Farscape :aok: At least it tells Sci Fi that they are reporters who are interested in the story :)

That's a good point. The more media exposure this thing gets, the more tired SciFi may be of being picked on. (There have been references from the Burbank con, something about "getting the fans off of SciFi's back" :D ) There have even been other threads on this and other boards about giving SciFi a way to change their minds and "save face" - if the ratings go up enough, and they did decide to a) rescind the cancellation idea or b) sell to another network, they'd come out looking like heroes - GOOD publicity for a change.

(I know the "in-between" would be a movie, and while it would at least finish the story, I'd still feel ripped off. SciFi frelled up cancelling Farscape and the only way they will get into my good books again is a "whole" season 5 or selling FS to another network. Yeah, I hold a grudge, why do you ask? ) :ewink:

Suse

[cofax]

I forget exactly where I saw it, but somewhere it was said that if we could get ratings to 2.0, then the network would basically bring FS back to the table for consideration.

No. What we've said is that at 2.0 the financing structure changes. It makes the show more profitable to air, and gives Henson & DK the strength to sit back down at the table.

That doesn't mean SciFi would necessarily be willing to re-open negotiations. But it's a place to start. They're more likely to talk if the show's ratings go up -- that's just good business.

But nothing is guaranteed here. It's possible the show could get a 3.0 and still nobody would pick it up.

I'm not trying to be a downer, but I am realistic.

[NebariNookiee]

But then again, how realistic would it be for a channel to drop a program that goes up in the ratings? I mean, the press would have a field day with that and Skiffy would end up with egg on it's face.:ewink:

[SeasonOfDeath]

Originally posted by NebariNookiee
But then again, how realistic would it be for a channel to drop a program that goes up in the ratings? I mean, the press would have a field day with that and Skiffy would end up with egg on it's face.:ewink:

Very realistic. As far as Skiffy is concerned the show is cancelled.
It will not be renewed by them. They want nothing to do with it. The ratings would appear to be a fluke and have no merit to them other than lining their pockets until the end of season 4.

Then they can dump any profits into something like a new "Emeril
Live from Tormented Space!" cooking show.

<rant> The wasteland of cable channels is becoming so bland and unpalatable it sickens me. :spew: Cheaply produced shows are being re-hashed and churned out to every "sister channel".
Example: I saw a commercial for a new show on VH-1 which is basically a rip-off of "Trading Spaces" currently shown on the Home and Garden channel. Bleh! :spew: :mad: :(

It makes me want to toss my TV out the window!:grr:
</rant>

[annachaos]

However, if the ratings DO go up, another TV channel will be more likely to look into picking it up. Or they'll go into making a movie with a lot more confidence. So, no efforts are going in vain, I'm sure.

(and I'm sure that's been said before)

[rani23]

I am so not going to give up because some luser at SciFi said so.

Come on! We can do this! 2.0! 2.0!!

[cofax]

Very realistic. As far as Skiffy is concerned the show is cancelled. It will not be renewed by them. They want nothing to do with it. The ratings would appear to be a fluke and have no merit to them other than lining their pockets until the end of season 4.

No, we don't know that.

SciFi cancelled Farscape for a variety of reasons, and we may never get ALL the background on that. A major factor, and the one they are sticking to, is the financial situation. The show wasn't meeting the financial goals they had set for it.

Change the show's value in terms of advertising dollars, and SciFi may reconsider. I'm not saying "will", but I also don't think they're going to be stupid about it if the show turns around in the final 11 episodes.

There's an awful lot going on behind the scenes right now -- at Henson, at SciFi, at Vivendi and USA Networks, and at other networks. We don't have all the information in place.

We would be foolish to make sweeping assumptions about anyone involved, including assumptions that they would make business decisions out of malice or spite, business decisions that would result in a financial loss. Don't assume people in the industry are fools. They're not.

[RescueFarscape]

Okay, number 1) I hate it when the representatives are anonymous (protecting your source, I know. I still don't have to like it).

Number 2) Do you really think that if it was even remotely possible that Skiffy was picking up FS again, they would actually say so?! They do NOT want to encourage us! They get tons of mail from us as it is, press, etc. Can you imagine what would happen if Skiffy let something slip? :ewink:

[DZ_Crasher]

I am angry. I am really really angry. Its a result of frustration and the fact that I tend to take things personally, so if there are any sci-fi peeps going through this board don't take the following statements personally.

Seriously we've been working our frelling butts off for the past three months, we've gotten next to no encouragement and we still keep fighting because this is something worth fighting for, but to hear this?! I'm so angry I could . . . I could probably place a curse on sci-fi's head! But then again they probably don't need one to frell up!

I'm losing hope, something I never thought would happen to me. I need some encouraging news soon.

Adi

[RescueFarscape]

DZ!! NEVER, EVER, EVER GIVE UP!!!!! I knew going into this that it was going to be a long time before we saw results!! Please be patient. The campaigning is going strong, we are getting excellent press, everyone's doing frelling great.

I know it's exhausting. I am tired, and I've only been at this for a month and a half! I can't imagine how those who have bben here since the beginning feel. Sometimes (((THEY))) are the only ones who keep me going. I miss everyone who leaves, and always check to see if they've come back :(

Now for some encouraging news!!

I have just received the go-ahead to hold the Make-A-Wish/TT charity raffle here in my state!!!! I am doing it ALL by myself here, but I am going to frelling make sure it happens and that EVERYONE knows what we're doin' here. Including you, ((((DZ)))).

[Shipscat]

You're a one-scaper army, rescuefarscape. :)

well, the news from Scifi is depressing, but look at it this way-that short blurb is sympathetic. A heart-felt plea, that alas, Scifi is not listening to- doesn't that make them look heartless?

that article's a good thing.

[waltersgirl]

We've gotten next to no encouragement

go do some homework, before you give up DZ. this campaign has gotten UNPRECEDENTED press. every time an article appears, that IS encouragement. every blurb i've seen on Taken brings up Farscape. can you imagine how frustrating that has to be for Skiffy? let's ride that press coattail as far as it takes us.

"Look at our 40 million dollar project."

"Yeah, that's neat, but you cancelled Farscape. Care to comment?"

if you're waiting for someone "official" to hold our hand, they CAN'T. no one official can say anything official. whatever's happening behind the scenes NEEDS to stay behind the scenes. they have to be able to do whatever it is they do without the scrutiny of the press and the fans. it's a GOOD sign UPN hasn't publicly said anything. if they weren't interested, they would have flat out said no.

our job is to keep Farscape in the buzz. our job is to recruit new viewers and get back those casual viewers. get those ratings up so that DK and company can do their job, can have some leverage, can get people back to the table, whatever table that is.

none of this is going to happen overnight. and it's not over in January. January is just the beginning. we MUST keep the pressure on throughout the ENTIRE rest of the season.

our job's not remotely done. tired? yeah, so am i. but you know what? the cast and crew worked their ASSES off for us, for four frelling years, the least we can do is hang in there for a few months.

it's worth it to me.

[RescueFarscape]

Waltersgirl! I never noticed the significance of the mention of FS in every single Taken article/blurb.

Seems like it would be pretty frustrating to Skiffy.

Hmmmmm.

[RescueFarscape]

Thanks, Shipscat:lol:

Don't suppose you live anywhere near me so that I can have another Scaper sitting at the table? :)

[Shipscat]

nah- I'm the almost lone scaper in Kansas...but if you sent me a plane ticket....:)

I, too have noticed that all the Taken articles *I've* read have mentioned farscape's cancellation...i'm not quite sure why that is but it's great. :) It kind of looks like that's the only other thing they know about Scifi- they really ARE becoming known as the channel that killed the coolest show in television.

[waltersgirl]

It kind of looks like that's the only other thing they know about Scifi- they really ARE becoming known as the channel that killed the coolest show in television.


and that, folks, is DIRECTLY because of us, the fans.

that is a HUGE victory. HUGE. like red just said to me...."press has such a short attention span. and here it is, 2 months later and we're *still* in the news."

[skinnyman27]

Sci Fi has told advertisers that the miniseries will average a 3.0 rating, which is considered high and translates to almost 2.4 million homes watching. Sci Fi also has video and DVD rights to the series, but DreamWorks SKG, the studio that Mr. Spielberg is partner in, has the international rights.

It is all about the ratings. If Taken does not pull in this number it is a failure. Imagine the cannon fodder if through our efforts and TIRED energy we pull in these same numbers in January. Remember at one point we came close to a 2.0 I believe it was season of death, and that was without all of the media attention.
Just think of what it felt like during WWII when the soldiers were walking on foot for miles and miles never knowing when it all would end. Tired and sometimes feeling beaten they never gave up and because of that drive and dedication look at the outcome.
You have to work hard and never give up to truely enjoy the spoils of victory.


OK I'm done it must have been the music in my head that sent me off on that one.

_______________________________________________
Hey you bastards.......John Crichton was here.

[Shipscat]

"when Johhny comes marching home again, hurrah..."

Have a little Harvey in your head, skinnyman? :)

[skinnyman27]

Sometimes I really think I might.
Pretty soon the two guy's in the white coats will be knocking on my door, and unless my computer chair can starburst I'd say I'm frelled.


________________________________________________
Hey you bastards.......John Crichton was here.

[kishkumen]

Hwy I just started up watching farscape with season 4 so when I heard it was cancelled I was in dismay. I have recently watched all of season 1 on DVD and about half of season 2 on DVD, and can't wait for more. I sure hope and pray we can get farscape back like our forefathers did with star trek (k bad example).

I have no interest in watching Taken, almost in a protest to Sci Fi for canceling Farscape :P

Oh, and if Sci Fi's intention in putting Farscape after Stargate really was to get more viewers, it worked, I'm proof! (die hard Stargate and now getting there Farscape fan! )

[RescueFarscape]

Welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh my gosh!! Kishkumen, you are right on time!! There is a big group in Chicago organizing a Make-A-Wish Charity event for the Watch Farscape Campaing (whoa! That's a mouthful)

It's happening December 21, 2002. I'd bet they'd love to here from you. Maybe you can stop by their website at www.chicagoscapers.com.

[JA_Shipper]

waltersgirl, you rock. :aok:

skinnyman, I LOVE your sig. :beer:

Suse

[DZ_Crasher]

Thanks for the encouragement guys... and waltersgirl

"Look at our 40 million dollar project."

"Yeah, that's neat, but you cancelled Farscape. Care to comment?"

Absolute perfection! It made me giggle, which I haven't done in a while, thanks. I feel better, rested and ready to fight another day. You guys are my support system!

Adi
*Part of the politest army ever made. The Scaper Army(

[waltersgirl]

my pleasure. :aok: