Glen here...
..with a little info about a "Save Crusade" web site which is currently on-line.
The person who runs this web site has been trying to get my attention for a while now. In all fairness to her, she brought this web site on-line almost immediately after Crusade boss J. Michael Straczynski confirmed Coaxial's reports that production on the new Babylon 5 spin-off series had been halted after completion of the show's 13th episode. This means, she's already been out there for a month or more.
I haven't posted a link to the site yet for several reasons, not the least of which is a very unfortunate and uncomfortable issue to discuss with fans of the show. To put it simply: every indication I have gotten...from folks on all sides of the Crusade's cancellation ...tells me that the only thing which will convince TNT to produce further episodes of the show is "hard numbers". This means they are looking for viewers, plain and simple.
Letter would be nice as far as keeping Crusade on the mind of network executives, and so forth. But my very strong sense of the situation tells me that...at the end of the day....TNT's gonna be looking at how many people are actually watching Crusade (ratings), the gender and age groups who are watching Crusade (demographics), and so forth. Because all of this stuff translates to their ability to make money (advertising). This isn't a greedy or self-serving notion, it's simple business. In many ways, TNT is concerned that Crusade isn't a show which will "do it" for them.
So, as a hypothetical example, let's say TNT received five thousand letters from viewers demanding Crusade be resurrected. Five thousand is damn impressive number of letters - but if not too many people past those five thousand people who wrote in are actually watching the show, then that's a lousy audience for a show. For any national broadcast.
TNT needs to be convinced that Crusade can generate a substantial and regular audience, because: a) they don't wanna spend their money on a show which isn't what they were expecting (for better or for worse); and b) they're not interested in spending more money on a show when they aren't sure they're gonna get it back.
As such: us telling TNT we want more Crusade becomes a nearly irrelevant point, epsecially when the show hasn't hit the air yet! Secondly: as a whole, TNT doesn't give a rat's ass who wants to see more episodes of Crusade produced. Any decision to renew the show will be based on how many people are watching it, and how often.
It's a numbers game.
Because ratings and demographics = advertising money, which means the network starts to get back some of what it has already spent...which means it might be a happier network and less afraid of the series...which means it might be more open-minded (and feel more secure) continuing its investment in the show.
Unfortunately, TNT's discomfort with making a broader (economic) commitment to Crusade is a paramount issue at this point in time. That elelment is what must be overcome, not them knowing there is a small but vocal core audience wanting to watch it - they know that already.
As far as the Sci Fi Channel goes (who had been rumored to be Crusade's salvation until a "deal" to move the series couldn't be struck)? Well, if we take JMS at his word...and SFC doesn't have the money in this year's budget...they simply don't have the money. Writing them letters will serve much the same purpose as writing a letter to TNT - (in SFC's case, it will help keep the show "on their minds" until a time when they might be able to work out producing the show for themselves), but accomplish little else (at this point in time - closer to the show's debut on TNT might be a good time to contact Sci Fi, however...). After all, our letters don't equal the financing needed to bring Crusade back to life (and everyone sending in individual contributions...as had been discussed in several circles...is a legally and practically untenable notion).
PLEASE UNDERSTAND: I am not attempting to discourage anyone from writing letters to TNT or SFC, and the person running the site I have linked to below seems very genuine in her efforts. In fact, if you're gonna send any letter, I strongly encourage you to do so through her site. But I do want you to understand that what Crusade needs more than anything else in the world when it debuts in June is an actual audience, not the promise of one.
A large audience which doesn't filter away after the first few episodes of the series have aired. An audinece which is large enough to convince TNT or SFC (in the month which will elapse between the show's premiere and the termination of the casts' contracts in July) that Crusade can make them money, hold an audience, and that there's enough of a "pay off" to warrant them continuing the series.
An audience.
I'm sorry to sound so negative, that isn't my intent. But in Coaxial's ongoing policy of being as clear and as honest as possible, this is the lay of the land (from my perspective) at the moment - and I just wanted you guys to know where things stand.
Tell you friends. Tell anyone who know to watch this thing. Do everything you can to get the most possible people watching this show as soon as it's on the air. Even this may not make a difference in the grand scheme of things, but everything I've heard points to this being the last, best hope for seeing Crusade rise from the ashes.
By all means, write letters. But more importantly than anything else right now is Crusade finding that which all shows need and seek - an audience.
CRUSADE premieres on TNT June 9. Contrary to many Net-based rumors, the show will have a prime-time slot, as it was sold to advertisers as a prime-time commodity. Look for a reasonable amount of publicity preceding the show - an effort by the network to drum-up viewership, and get as much bang for their buck as possible.
Around that time, you may also be looking out for re-airings of the BABYLON 5 TV movies, including "A Call to Arms" (CRUSADE's introductory movie). More on this is available at the TNT Babylon 5 web site.
