TrekWeb.com - Fan Enthusiasm Seeks to Curb Cancellation Worries With Second Hollywood Reporter Ad

Fan Enthusiasm Seeks to Curb Cancellation Worries With Second Hollywood Reporter Ad

By Steve Krutzler / 07:24, 6 February 2004 / Enterprise

Fans of STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE have rallied to save the show that officially isn't in jeopardy yet. It's no surprise when a popular series is cancelled after 13 episodes and an Internet petition immdiately crops up to champion its survival. In fact, it's a phenomenon that STAR TREK fans helped solidify with their historic letter-writing campaign to NBC in the late-1960s, winning a third season for the original STAR TREK series.

The lack of a major ratings turnaround and silence on the part of UPN network execs has fomented speculation in recent weeks that the newest STAR TREK series might make history of another kind and become the first since the original to go out early. UPN even reduced its order for the series from 26 episodes to 24 this season, confirming that the struggling network is pinching pennies. Recent rumors have ranged from cancellation at the end of this season, to the firing of producer Rick Berman, to the bittersweet theory of a final fourth year crafted only to improve a potential syndication deal.

One group of fans isn't waiting for the axe to fall, however. The ENTERPRISE Project collected donations last fall to run a full-page ad in the entertainment trade paper Hollywood Reporter, demonstrating support for the show. According to a new press release from the group, they've done it again. A second advocacy ad proclaiming fan support for ENTERPRISE will run in the February 24th edition of the paper.

"The campaign's purpose was to publish a collective letter to [UPN chiefs] Dawn Ostroff and Les Moonves, verifying that millions of fans consistently watch and highly value ENTERPRISE and look forward with anticipation to a fourth season and a long, successful run," writes group representative Anita Balestino in a release announcing the success.

"In only 16 days, Enterprise fans from across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe contributed enough funds to publish the letter on a full page in the Hollywood Reporter. They hope the publicized message to UPN's top executives will confirm the fact that audiences for ENTERPRISE are much larger than the current flawed ratings system reflects."

Tuesday's edition of the HR charges $3,385.00 for a full-page ad and the group says it has raised $3,664.80. Extra money will be donated to the The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in the names of Jerry Fleck and Kellie Waymire, ENTERPRISE's assistant director and guest actress who both passed away in 2003.

The ad, which is directed specifically to Ostroff and Moonves, reads in part: "Now, with new arc-driven stories that often examine the troubling issues of our own time, ENTERPRISE has reinvigorated its appeal to its audience, recaptured the praise of media critics and is reengaging the interest of former STAR TREK fans. The show has hit its stride and is gathering momentum to fulfill its enormous potential and emerge as a bona fide classic series."

You can learn more about the ENTERPRISE Project efforts here.

ENTERPRISE Mission Schedule \| Logs by Season: 1 2 3 4
Episode Number	Title	Airdate

52 comments Post New | Help

RE: Too little, too late? | Report this post to moderator
By: Jadzia-Dax (Odo's file, contact) @ 15:11:44 on Feb 07, 2004

Make note that the one thing that distinguishes the Trek franchise from all those other shows you mention is the BILLION DOLLAR INCOME that comes with the name "Star Trek". As I have noted in another thread, ENT is essentially the "commercial" for "Star Trek" the franchise - the novels, the "Experience" in Las Vegas, the action figures and other toys, the games, the memorabilia, and other money-generating things. NONE of those other shows had such.

And there WERE other "letter writing" campaigns recently that DID work - one was for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and another for "Touched by an Angel" - the latter of which WAS SIGNIFICANT, particuarly since it was a show on a major network (that happens to be the sister network of UPN). ;-) And that show went on to have 8 more seasons, many of which landed it as a Top 10 show after that post-first season cancellation threat. ;-)

And it was on the air from 1994 - 2003. ;-)

--------

"I think the show talked to people through the characters. They're stories that speak to the heart. They talk about love, they talk about friendship, they talk about loyalty, they talk about patriotism, exploration, curiosity, reaching out... And I think all those things still touch people. Even when you look at a 30-year old show, it still has something to say." - D.C. Fontana, Sci Fi Channel Special Edition TOS 1998
----
"If the season finale involves the re-built USS Reliant coming back in time to the 21st Century crewed by Moogie, Dr. Selar, Morn, Transporter Chief Kyle, and the Salt Vampire, then we'll know that Coto has gone too far." - tomba1701

Quote

Parent

Top

RE: Too little, too late...! | Report this post to moderator
By: Spockjaw (Odo's file, contact) @ 13:10:30 on Feb 07, 2004

I've said many bad things about ENT. It's not because I'm being an overly-picky detail freak show. It's because I DO give a damn. What Shaun says above is exactly right. I want to see good Trek, and if the entire show isn't completely overhauled as he suggests, I believe it should be canceled.

I would truthfully rather not see it if it continues in its current state.

Quote

Parent

Top

	More Top Stories	Comments
Nov 22	Exclusive Digital Content Now Available With New Star Trek Movie on iTunes	0
Nov 22	Star Trek Online MMORPG Producer Talks Space Combat and Away Missions	0
Nov 21	Faran Tahir on His 10 Minutes as Captain Robau in J.J. Abrams Star Trek Movie	2
Nov 21	J.J. Abrams, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman on Shatner and Nimoy	7
Nov 21	Roberto Orci on the Status of the Star Trek XII Script and the Possibility of Producing a New Star Trek TV Series	17
	Story Archives...Browse:

RE: Too little, too late? | Report this post to moderator By: Jadzia-Dax (Odo's file, contact) @ 15:11:44 on Feb 07, 2004

RE: Too little, too late...! | Report this post to moderator By: Spockjaw (Odo's file, contact) @ 13:10:30 on Feb 07, 2004

RE: Too little, too late? | Report this post to moderator
By: Jadzia-Dax (Odo's file, contact) @ 15:11:44 on Feb 07, 2004

RE: Too little, too late...! | Report this post to moderator
By: Spockjaw (Odo's file, contact) @ 13:10:30 on Feb 07, 2004