Skeet Ulrich on JERICHO.
© CBS
Jericho: Why It Should Come Back
By: Stephen LackeyDate: Sunday, June 10, 2007
The networks are going through a transitional period right now and because of that some good shows got thrown under the bus like Jericho for example. By transition I don’t mean as far as programming I’m talking about scheduling. They are learning that viewer’s habits are changing and they are trying to find the cheapest ways possible to adapt to those changes. For example cable networks have shown that summer series can not only turn a profit but be quite successful. So, the major networks stuck their proverbial toes in the water by creating some low cost reality shows for a new summer season of programming. Those shows have mostly been successful so now we are seeing more expensive nighttime dramas cropping up for the summer too. At the same time viewers have become exhausted with the long winter breaks series airing during the traditional seasons are taking. The loudest voices came from LOST fans last year as it seemed like the series would never come back. Many critics, yours truly included, not only blamed the first six mediocre episodes for the show’s temporary softening of the audience but also the long break. Fortunately LOST had enough of a fan base to recover from the missteps, Jericho on the other hand did not.
Jericho started a little slow but it brought in good ratings, not in the league of LOST/24/Heroes mind you, but pretty good for a new series. Then came the extremely long winter break. Many viewers seemed to say “well I liked it but not enough to make it worth the wait, I’ll just watch something else that’s already airing”. The series really kicked in for the spring and finished with a top-notch season finale, but alas the fans had already left for greener pastures. The network botched this series and the creators, actors, and fans paid for those mistakes. Rabid fans have sent nearly 40,000 pounds and counting of “nuts” to the main offices of the network in reference to the final line of the season finale. It seems the network is listening, and they should be. Hopefully it’s not too late to reassemble the cast if the network does decide to give it another go. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. It’s a good show that got treated badly, so it should come back for another run.
Well there’s not much here this week as far as things I’m excited to see. I do hate that I missed the premiere of Creature Comforts. By the time you read this I will have watched the premiere episode on the CBS website and be all set for this week’s installment. I’ll be catching the two hours of Hex this weekend on BBC America as well. That’s really about it as far as things I’m looking forward too. I will be watching On the Lot because I have to try a little longer to see this train wreck through. I’m starting my summer watching list this week with a look at Supernatural Season One. After I power through it I’ll post a season review.
Monday
CREATURE COMFORTS (CBS, 8PM EST) Self Image, Winging it, and Art
I hate that I missed reviewing the premiere of this series! The UK version is utterly hilarious! In the series real interviews with real people are brought to life by claymation from the creators of Wallace and Grommet.
DIE ANOTHER DAY (SPIKETV, 9PM PST)
Pierce Brosnan and Halie Berry star in this film that finds 007 James Bond taking on a villain deadest on world domination at any cost. Sounds familiar I know, it’s pretty good though, better than I remember it being.
Tuesday
ON THE LOT (FOX, 8PM PST) Five More Films, One Less Filmmaker
OK so the filmmaker whose film from last week that received the least number of votes is eliminated and five new films are shown. I hope they don’t try some dramatic stunt like holding the elimination until after the five new films are shown or things are going to get confusing especially considering how many times the host is bound to screw up lines along the way.
Wednesday
MYTHBUSTERS (DSC, 9PM PST) Grenades and Guts
A grenade blast is investigated as is that of a Diet Coke and Mentos.
TRAVELER (ABC, 10PM PST) The Out
Jay and Tyler head to Will’s hometown in Maine and meet a girl that was going to escape with Will after the bombing.
Thursday
THE X-MEN (FX, 8PM PST)
Ok so for some reason FX is showing the first X-Men movie twice back-to-back starting at 8pm. Well, there’s not much else on to see so surely you can catch one of the screenings.
Friday
STARGATE SG-1 (SCIFI, 8PM PST) Dominion
Seems like ever sci-fi series has to have an episode called Dominion at some point doesn’t it? The team hatches a plan to use Vala as bait to capture Adria.
STARGATE ATLANTIS (SCIFI, 9PM PST) Vengeance
While seeking a lost village the team finds way more than they bargained for.
PAINKILLER JANE (SCIFI, 10PM PST) Trial By Fire
The team searches for evidence that ill exonerate Connor of an arson and murder he didn’t commit.
Saturday
HEX (BBCA, 8PM PST) Where the Heart Is/Doomed
Two back to back episodes of the Buffy-ish UK series that features a 500 year old witch ( in 20 something form of course) and her ghost pal doing battle with a demon.
Sunday
JOHN FROM CINCINATTI (HBO, 9PM PST) His Visit: Day Two
More From Mania
JERICHO: Patriots and Tyrants
JERICHO: Sedition
(Friday, March 21, 2008)
Jericho: Reconstruction
(Thursday, February 14, 2008)
JERICHO: Why We Fight
(Friday, May 11, 2007)
JERICHO: Coalition of the Willing
(Friday, May 4, 2007)
"Jericho: One If By Land"
(Friday, April 27, 2007)
"Jericho: Semper Fidelis"
(Saturday, March 17, 2007)
"Jericho: Heart of Winter"
(Saturday, March 10, 2007)
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If you get the time, you may want to give The Riches a try.