Posted by MadKow at dia2-ppp219.emeraldis.com on May 30, 2000 at 13:24:57:
In Reply to: Clerks & ABC - How you can help posted by Team LaFours on May 30, 2000 at 13:12:34:
: If you want to keep the Clerks show on the air (or at least counteract some of the undeserved negative reviews), here is what to do:
: Immediately after the show airs tomorrow night (or first thing Thursday morning), do one or all of the following to let ABC know that there are hard-core fans out here who enjoyed and are willing to support the show:
: 1) Call ABC's main switchboard at (212) 456-7777 and tell the operator you loved the show. (All positive and negative calls are tallied and passed on to the execs)
: 2) Send an e-mail to netaudr@abc.com (ABC's Audience Relations department) and tell them the same thing.
: 3) Call your local ABC station (a list of numbers can be found here: http://abc.go.com/local_stations/ls_home.html) and tell them you loved the show and thank them for carrying it (Not all affiliates have 24-hour switchboards. If you don’t get an answer, try back at 9 a.m. Thursday)
: 4) Write a letter to ABC. Address it to:
: ABC, Inc.
: Programming Dept.
: 77 West 66th St.
: New York, NY 10023
: (This should be your last option – the goal is to get our messages seen before or during the time when the execs read the overnight ratings…)
: Or, if you really want to be drastic:
: 5) During the show, write down all of the local and national sponsors of the show (the people who are running commercials...) Then, drop them a line or give them a call and let them know how much you liked the show and thank them for sponsoring it. Sponsors have the money that ABC wants – if they get the idea that there is an audience, they may call ABC looking to purchase more airtime sending a huge message. This one is not as effective as the others – since this is a new show, much of the advertising is probably freebie giveaways used to sweeten the deal for slots on other shows. Even so, if they call wanting to spend money on Clerks, this sends a powerful message.
: = - = - = - =
: Will any of this make a difference? Who knows. Networks have reversed cancellations in the past based on fan response. Cagney & Lacey, Beauty and the Beast, and the original Star Trek are all examples of shows snatched from the brink by a massive show of fan support. Hey, every little bit helps.
: Why do I know all this stuff? In the past, I have started several grass roots anti-censorship campaigns and knowing how to make the TV folks take notice is a great weapon to have in your arsenal. :) I've also participated in letter writing campaigns to save other shows, as well. (And, no, it wasn't any of the shows mentioned above...)