Comments on: CBS to Jericho Fans: It’s Not Personal, It’s Just Business

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:36:40 +0000

Sam, yes the CBS/Comcast discussions are rumored to have happened. The public numbers between GG & Reaper that we see are very similar in terms of viewers, however there could be all sorts of factors which led GG to be picked up and kept Reaper hanging.

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:36:40 +0000

Sam, yes the CBS/Comcast discussions are rumored to have happened.

The public numbers between GG & Reaper that we see are very similar in terms of viewers, however there could be all sorts of factors which led GG to be picked up and kept Reaper hanging.

By: Jake

Jake — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:31:57 +0000

Don’t get me wrong, but in a way it was in the best interest for Jericho to fail. If what I keep on hearing for production costs was it was really high, even for the huge budget cuts. So that being said, nine million viewers would have done nothing. CBS could not keep Jericho, and thus needed it gone. they gave us what they promised us, and that was all they owed. We are just really loyal, and want more.

By: Jake

Jake — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:31:57 +0000

Don't get me wrong, but in a way it was in the best interest for Jericho to fail. If what I keep on hearing for production costs was it was really high, even for the huge budget cuts. So that being said, nine million viewers would have done nothing. CBS could not keep Jericho, and thus needed it gone. they gave us what they promised us, and that was all they owed. We are just really loyal, and want more.

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:33:20 +0000

I kind of felt the same about Jericho. One of the only myths I supported and believed was the Tuesdays at 10pm one. Have you heard about that odd rumor that CBS may be trying to work out a deal with Comcast much like the Friday Night Lights DirecTV deal?

Also, I noticed how you mentioned that the CW is aiming for women now as its target demographic. Is this why Gossip Girl (which has on average, lower ratings than Reaper, 2.6 versus 2.7) is an early renewal and why Reaper is very much on the bubble despite its higher ratings?

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:33:20 +0000

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:36:12 +0000

“You’re not dumb, you’re just crazy”

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:36:12 +0000

“You're not dumb, you're just crazy”

By: ImpeachBush

ImpeachBush — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:34:06 +0000

“It’s not personal, it’s just business”

It’s not a country, it’s just a company

By: ImpeachBush

ImpeachBush — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:34:06 +0000

“It's not personal, it's just business”

It's not a country, it's just a company

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:18:26 +0000

I know that near the end of last season (May ‘07) ABC announced there would be 48 more episodes broken up into 16 episode seasons (3 seasons including the current one). Though the writer’s strike may have messed the counting up a little bit (there will only be 13 episodes this year), I haven’t seen anything come along to refute seasons 5 & 6 so I’m guessing there are still ~32-35 episodes planned after this season.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:18:26 +0000

I know that near the end of last season (May '07) ABC announced there would be 48 more episodes broken up into 16 episode seasons (3 seasons including the current one). Though the writer's strike may have messed the counting up a little bit (there will only be 13 episodes this year), I haven't seen anything come along to refute seasons 5 & 6 so I'm guessing there are still ~32-35 episodes planned after this season.

By: LukeyDukey

LukeyDukey — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:13:10 +0000

I agree and I do think there is a reasonable number of fans that look at the 7 additional episodes as a wonderful gesture on the part of CBS. I actually happen to be in that camp. I am extremely thrilled about the 7 episodes. With that being said however, I was very skeptical that there would ever be more than 7. Incidentally, I stated on the CBS/Jericho site (after 2:2) that I felt like we needed to have closer to 10 million viewers to get a season 3. I do think it that were the case we would be discussing something entirely different.

By the way, I do watch Lost (online only). I am wondering how many seasons are now left???

By: LukeyDukey

LukeyDukey — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:13:10 +0000

By the way, I do watch Lost (online only). I am wondering how many seasons are now left???

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:56:35 +0000

I guess I am more prone to distrusting ALL PR that comes from ANY corporation. I don’t know that I’d recommend that approach to everyone, but it works for me really well. That said, I believe that CBS giving the fans even 7 more episodes was a.) a surprise and b.) a fairly big act of goodwill towards fans

If Jericho would’ve pulled 8 or 9 million viewers with a 3.0 or better in the 18-49 demo, CBS likely would’ve had a different reaction.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:56:35 +0000

I guess I am more prone to distrusting ALL PR that comes from ANY corporation. I don't know that I'd recommend that approach to everyone, but it works for me really well. That said, I believe that CBS giving the fans even 7 more episodes was a.) a surprise and b.) a fairly big act of goodwill towards fans

If Jericho would've pulled 8 or 9 million viewers with a 3.0 or better in the 18-49 demo, CBS likely would've had a different reaction.

By: LukeyDukey

LukeyDukey — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:34:01 +0000

Robert I agree with you and I think what you have said only confirms my belief that CBS went into the 2nd Season more hesitant than was communicated. I have no problem with CBS making “business decisions” or approaching Jericho cautiously optimistic as long as they don’t pretend to be “all in” if they weren’t. I just don’t think, ultimately, CBS has earned any good will from a sizeable percentage of the Jericho fan base. This may not prove in the long run to not matter a whole lot anyway,but I don’t think CBS did themselves any favors by handling the situation they way the did. I think all they have done is proivde more ammunition for those who already feel this sense of network/corporate distrust.

It is my opinion that CBS would have seemed much more credible by ordering a full season and premiering the second season in a way that is more in line with other series (not starting on some oddball date). Then when they canceled the series after “x” number of episodes (because of ratings) it at least appears that they were committed to the show. Instead, it appears that CBS was never committed to the success of the show. We all know that in life there is a reasonable second chance and a second chance that is destined to fail by design. Again, it is a perception thing. In truth it may not be reality, but it is certainly the reality for a lot of disenfranchised Jericho fans.

By: LukeyDukey

LukeyDukey — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:34:01 +0000

Robert I agree with you and I think what you have said only confirms my belief that CBS went into the 2nd Season more hesitant than was communicated. I have no problem with CBS making “business decisions” or approaching Jericho cautiously optimistic as long as they don't pretend to be “all in” if they weren't. I just don't think, ultimately, CBS has earned any good will from a sizeable percentage of the Jericho fan base. This may not prove in the long run to not matter a whole lot anyway,but I don't think CBS did themselves any favors by handling the situation they way the did. I think all they have done is proivde more ammunition for those who already feel this sense of network/corporate distrust.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 15:41:58 +0000

@LukeyDukey, I guess if I were at CBS I’d feel OK with thinking, “We’re fully committed to making as much money as we possibly can, but when it comes to ‘Jericho’ we’re taking a ‘we’ll see’ approach.”

All things considered, that seems a very reasonable approach to me.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 15:41:58 +0000

@LukeyDukey, I guess if I were at CBS I'd feel OK with thinking, “We're fully committed to making as much money as we possibly can, but when it comes to 'Jericho' we're taking a 'we'll see' approach.”

All things considered, that seems a very reasonable approach to me.

By: LukeyDukey

LukeyDukey — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 13:12:03 +0000

It has often been said that perception is king regardless of intention or motivation. CBS may very well have been extremely committed to more than a second season of Jericho. While I do believe it is difficult to know CBS’ intentions with any degree of certainty I do believe that most Jericho fan’s seem to think/feel as if CBS was not “all in” with Jericho.

While I was not excited about the time slot or the promotional efforts I do struggle with the seven episode season. I believe that actions say far more about intentions than words and from the very beginning I have thought that seven episodes communicated “we are not committed to the show.” Look, its not like CBS made a last minute decision to bring back Jericho. I think it sends mixed signals to bring back the show for a second season, but only order seven episodes. That isn’t a season, that is a mini-series.

By: LukeyDukey

LukeyDukey — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 13:12:03 +0000

It has often been said that perception is king regardless of intention or motivation. CBS may very well have been extremely committed to more than a second season of Jericho. While I do believe it is difficult to know CBS' intentions with any degree of certainty I do believe that most Jericho fan's seem to think/feel as if CBS was not “all in” with Jericho.

By: kacunnin

kacunnin — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 12:24:07 +0000

I totally agree that CBS acted “based on their financial interest as best they can.” The problem is, their “best” wasn’t very good. When I suggest they gave up on Jericho before the 2nd season began, I don’t mean to say there was a “conspiracy” to screw the Jericho fans. I mean they made a decision (wise or otherwise) that the show had no future. And as such, they proceded with that framework in mind — no real promotion for the show, lousy time slot, poor lead-in, rushed season, etc. Fans who are angry at CBS (most of us, at least) are angry because of this — the network’s best was pretty damn bad.

I totally get that CBS cares only about the bottom line (as do ALL tv networks — there are no “bad guys” here), but my point is that they might have had a hit on their hands had they played their cards with more courage and skill. THAT’S what frustrates us. Granted, network tv exists to sell soap and toilet paper, and CBS concluded that Jericho couldn’t do that effectively. I still believe that quality tv CAN succeed on network tv (and it has). But the network needs to have a little more guts and patience and savvy to make it work.

By: kacunnin

kacunnin — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 12:24:07 +0000

I totally agree that CBS acted “based on their financial interest as best they can.” The problem is, their “best” wasn't very good. When I suggest they gave up on Jericho before the 2nd season began, I don't mean to say there was a “conspiracy” to screw the Jericho fans. I mean they made a decision (wise or otherwise) that the show had no future. And as such, they proceded with that framework in mind — no real promotion for the show, lousy time slot, poor lead-in, rushed season, etc. Fans who are angry at CBS (most of us, at least) are angry because of this — the network's best was pretty damn bad.

I totally get that CBS cares only about the bottom line (as do ALL tv networks — there are no “bad guys” here), but my point is that they might have had a hit on their hands had they played their cards with more courage and skill. THAT'S what frustrates us. Granted, network tv exists to sell soap and toilet paper, and CBS concluded that Jericho couldn't do that effectively. I still believe that quality tv CAN succeed on network tv (and it has). But the network needs to have a little more guts and patience and savvy to make it work.

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:16:11 +0000

kacunnin, and others,
It’s one thing to think that CBS may have made some bad business decisions with Jericho. They very well might have. Reasonable people can disagree about that.
What is sheer tinfoil hat fantasy is the idea there was some sort of conspiracy at CBS [or elsewhere] to make Jericho fail.
It was in CBS’s financial interest to see it succeed, and they act based on their financial interest as best they can. To suggest otherwise is to give up the tether of rational thought and escape into a conspiratorial morass.