I don’t know how I first heard about Jericho. It definitely was not through normal advertising channels (which says quite about CBS’s anemic promotion). I think it was a combination of io9 coverage with netfix recommendations. In any regard, I’m so glad I discovered the show and now I have a chance to support it before CBS tries to cancel it for a second time. I discovered Firefly too late (a year or so after Fox canceled it… actually same with Family Guy). These studios have to realize they have to give these shows a chance. I’ve put my money where my mouth is and purchased season 1 and I urge you to buy or rent it as well.
The great thing about this show is that the plot does not seem absurd to me. Whether its 9/11, Katrina or this administration, but in the late 90’s, this would have seemed more fantastical that it does now. They do a good job of walking a fine line between what is constructed to make it a good show and what might actually happen.
And to boot, the cast is fantastic. They really have pulled in quality actors to sell this, what is ultimately a story about the human condition. Combining that with a great who-dun-it mystery (which I really hope they have an opportunity to reveal with good pacing), you have the makings of quality must-watch TV.
Now, to answer the question is it worth getting invested in the show (especially one like this) when it might not have a season 3 after only a 7 episode season 2? I think the answer is yes. Season 1 is a full 22 episodes and while it doesn’t nearly wrap up the mystery, Season 1 + 2 give you enough of a satisfying plateau that it’s worth watching even if there is no season 3 (keeping my fingers crossed though).
Hopefully the executives won’t make the same mistake twice…
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Comments (2)
Now, now… to be fair, Jericho has had its chance.
Can you really blame CBS’ promotion? I caught plenty of exposure for Jericho leading up to its premiere in fall of 2006 (via HIMYM), and one of my friends watches it. Knowing you, I suspect you don’t usually watch network shows as they air, which is the primary means for a network to advertise its shows. Were you even watching CBS during the summer/fall of 2006?
I passed on Jericho though, because it’s another long-mythology network show that sprung up in the wake of Lost’s success. Lost is a fluke. These shows tend not to survive because it requires audience attention and retention, which does not translate into ratings. By contrast, 24 is well-disguised garbage and you don’t actually need to pay attention to any particular episode nor details.
If you don’t have a strong Season 1, DVD sales are usually too late. Jericho had waning ratings through its first season, CBS cancelled it, a grassroots campaign prompted CBS to resurrect it, and then season ratings were even lower. Mistreatment like this (8 months between episodes) is typically a fatal blow, but it’s not because the fans aren’t watching.
What fans need to realize is that telling people to watch a show does absolutely nothing to save a show at all. The only way to save a show is to get a Nielsen household to watch it. The lack of Nielsen viewers is what tanks the show in the first place, and it’s what will still tank the show the second time around.
Since the only other thing I watch on CBS is sports (March Madness, occasional basketball or football game) I don’t recall Jericho being mentioned or pushed. CBS doesn’t have quite the repertoire that Fox or ABC has. In general you are right though, I usually wait until after the season is complete to watch it. However that is not always the case.
Since I’m not a Nielsen household the only way my viewership is registered is by watching online, which I’ve done with Jericho Season 2 and Fox’s Terminator series. Networks have to begin to realize that Nielsen isn’t everything. Online viewers, DVD sales can also carry a show (albeit DVD sales are always at the end so its hard to sustain based on that alone). Personally, I feel very underrepresented in the Nielsen system =)
While its true Jericho has a long-mythology aspect, I disagree it’s anything like Lost (at least Season 1 wasn’t). I think success of shows like Lost, Wire, BSG (and in minimal respect 24, which I agree is trash), you don’t have to play the single standalone episode as the only way to be successful. You can have story arcs while still incorporating good individual episodes.
I actually think Jericho will get another chance, given what happened with the writers strike. CBS purchased seven episodes, which is on par for what the rest of the shows on every network did this year. (Keeping my fingers crossed at least)