United We Fan

Some people mourn when their favorite shows are canceled, but then move on to other series. Others leap into action to convince networks to reverse their decisions. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Filmmaker Michael Sparaga’s entertaining documentary concentrates on the success stories. Bjo and Jon Trimble pioneered this form of direct action through their letter-writing campaign on behalf of Star Trek. Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura, and creator Gene Roddenberry’s son, Rod, credit the couple for their efforts. Dorothy Swanson also went to her typewriter when it looked like CBS was going to cancel Cagney & Lacey, writing over 500 letters to the editor and suggesting that friends do the same. She admits now that it was "over the top," but it worked. CBS repeated a season over the summer, ratings spiked, and production resumed. Swanson would go on to co-found the organization Viewers for Quality Television (VQT). The difference between the old campaigns and the new ones is, of course, the Internet, as campaigners use e-mail, message boards, and social media. TV critics and show creators, like Jason Katims (Roswell) and Rob Thomas (Veronica Mars), cite Twitter as a way to see how fans are reacting to a show in real time. Sadly, the rise of the web also contributed to the death of VQT, although producer Barney Rosenzweig (The Trials of Rosie O’Neill) accuses them of disloyalty, since they didn’t back his every show. Other speakers include Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap), Zachary Levi (Chuck), and Skeet Ulrich (Jericho). In more recent years, campaigns have brought renewed interest to Person of Interest, Longmire, and The 4400. Fan campaigns might not always work, but it’s hard to imagine they’ll ever disappear. Extras include extended and deleted scenes, and a segment on a new fan campaign for Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off Angel. An interesting cultural documentary, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)