TV fans are sending out some very strong messages to ensure that their favorite show lasts into the fall - the fall TV season, that is. The strongest message yet from this group of devoted fans of the NBC dramedy "Ed" comes this Friday (Feb. 20), when a full-page ad paid for and created by the show's followers will appear in Variety magazine, the popular trade journal for the entertainment industry, urging NBC executives to consider renewing the series for a fifth
season.
(PRWEB) February 20, 2004--With the presidential primary season now in full swing, campaign pushes have begun in earnest, with increased pleas being heard from followers of John Kerry, Howard Dean and John Edwards in support of their candidates to survive into the fall season, intent on continuing their journey in the spotlight. Most Americans are by now familiar with the names above; but have you heard of the growing campaign for Ed Stevens?
No, Ed Stevens is not a presidential candidate. But his loyal followers are sending out some very strong messages to ensure that he, too, lasts into the fall - the fall TV season, that is. The strongest message yet from this group of devoted fans of the NBC dramedy "Ed" comes this Friday (Feb. 20), when a full-page ad paid for and created by the show's followers will appear in Variety magazine, the popular trade journal for the entertainment industry, urging NBC executives to consider renewing the series for a fifth
season.
More than $5,000 was collected worldwide in little over a week from members of the show's dedicated fan base, many of whom interact daily through the discussion boards on the www.stuckeyville.com web site, named after the fictional town in Ohio that serves as the setting for "Ed." While members of the site had already begun a letter-writing effort to spur additional interest in the show's renewal, many agreed that more could be done to show support for the series, which is produced by David Letterman's Worldwide Pants company, in conjunction with Viacom Productions.
Fans of network prime time TV shows have used similar advertisements in various industry publications, but Variety reports that smaller sizes are the norm. It is believed that the ad for "Ed" will mark the first time that a fan group will have placed a full-page advertisement for such a program. "That shows the level of dedication and loyalty this group has for this very special, unique show," believes Jason Niner, who designed the "Ed" ad as well as organizing its fundraising effort through his web site
(http://webpages.charter.net/jniner)
Niner, interviewed about the group's efforts recently during a Chicago-area radio program, adds that the fans' Variety ad message is essentially aimed at NBC entertainment president Jeff Zucker, who himself has labeled the series a "gold standard" for the network yet has stated that there's only a small chance that the four-year-old series could return next season.
This stance from the network chief has perplexed the show's diehard fans, who along with critics first warmed to the quirkiness yet down-home charm of the series when it premiered in the fall of 2000. Stevens, played by Tom Cavanagh, is a big-city lawyer who returns to his hometown of Stuckeyville,
Ohio after a dismal start to his career as an attorney and a failed attempt at marriage in New York.
On that initial return home, in the series' pilot episode, Ed begins his pursuit of the girl of his high school dreams, Carol Vessey (played by Julie Bowen). In the process, he impulsively buys the local bowling alley, "Stuckeybowl," complete with its loyal yet offbeat employees, and decides to continue his law career back home, setting up his practice in the Stuckeybowl pro shop.
Endeared to the simple, philosophical existence that his return to Stuckeyville brings, viewers have been won over by how the "bowling alley lawyer" and his friends have explored important and relevant issues and themes within witty, thought-provoking episodes. The life lessons and experiences presented by "Ed" - whether drawn out through one of Stevens' court cases or the happenings of the town's other residents - are common subjects of discussion on the Stuckeyville.com message boards, as fans
relate and debate over significant themes introduced week after week by the show's writers.
This past week's topics on the site have ranged from lengthy discussions concerning the symbolic meaning of a proposed circus-themed wedding for main characters Ed and Carol, to surprise online greetings from a guest star in a recent episode, to a request for directions to the series' actual filming
locations (in Northvale, N.J.) from a long-time "Ed" viewer looking to surprise his spouse with a Valentine's Day trip to the location.
This type of devotion from the fans "is truly a reflection of the show and its greatness," according to ad organizer Niner. "Not many TV shows, if any, can inspire people to achieve the best in themselves as 'Ed' does." Not ready to say goodbye to "Ed" just yet, Niner is worried that "if we continue to lose shows with the craftsmanship of actors and the creativeness of writing like we have with 'Ed,' where will it leave us?"
One of television's most respected critics agrees. "Few things are as bittersweet as saying goodbye to a series youre not ready to let get away," began TV Guide's Matt Roush in his online column commenting on the potential series finale of "Ed" that aired February 6. "Such is the case with 'Ed,' which ends its fourth and presumably final season with a joyous wedding celebration for Ed and Carol. If you dont choke up at Eds final toast to his beloved friends and family, all gathered at Stuckeybowl, as the camera pans over the tearful faces of characters weve come to know and love, then you probably havent been watching," said the TV Guide columnist.
Roush's recent rave concluded with him stating that the series "goes into my TV scrapbook as one of the sweetest, most unassuming charmers to grace the small screen. That 'Ed' survived at all in this current climate of bottom-feeding reality TV and grim formula crime fare is something to be celebrated," he added.
The question is: Will that celebration continue for another season? The series' devoted fan base believes it should, and is taking extraordinary measures to help make it happen.
CONTACTS:
Jason Niner
Alex Cheyney
Michael Griffin
save_ed_campaign@hotmail.com
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