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JERICHO!! Season One Semi-Rebroadcast Begins July 6!! Will Things Be Different This Time Around??

Published at:  Jun 13, 2007 8:22:29 AM CDT


Merrick here...


Episodes of JERICHO will be rerun beginning July 6. In an extremely interesting move, CBS is opting to air only the pilot episode, followed by second half of Season 1.

This is quite intriguing, and probably rather wise.

For my money, JERICHO didn't find traction until the second half of its inaugural season. The breadth of its story, and the true nature of what the series is really about, didn't become apparent until the second half of Season 1 - after many viewers had already drifted away.

The first 11 episodes (or so) suggested JERICHO was extremely soap operatic in nature, and would be myopically focused on life in (and immediately around) the small town of Jericho, Kansas. In the pilot episode, Jericho survives a large scale (but not apocalyptically destructive) atomic attack on multiple American cities. The first 11 episodes were heavy on mystery (what's happening out there?), improbability (one particularly unfortunate episode dealt with the town dodging fallout brought around by a storm), and interpersonal melodrama. In all fairness, it was sometimes difficult to conjure that the series ever would...or could...go anywhere compelling beyond its promising set-up.

But, after episode 11 or 12 or so, things changed. Dramatically.

JERICHO's scope broadened considerably; the nature of its mythology became chillingly apparent. The series was no longer about life in a small town, or "lets have post-apocalyptic street dances". It was about a nation being rewritten by carefully considered nuclear attacks - mounted from within our own government. It was about the remnants of the United States breaking into factions and deploying regional militaries in a prelude to possible Civil War. It was about what happens when the people in the next town (many of whom were known and trusted for years) retrofit their factories into weapons plants & attempt to overrun Jericho by shelling it into submission, then overrunning it completely. It's about what happens when the citizens of a small, quiet place must take arms against a superior, supremely callous, oppressor. This is only the beginning of what went on after episode 11.

The second half of JERICHO is, in essence, an action / war story in which Americans like you and me are pitted against...Americans like you and me. It asks some tough questions, not the least of which is: how honorable might any of us really be when the chips are down?

So, if you left JERICHO during its preposterously long mid-Season break, you never got a sense of what the series was really about. This is a great chance to see what you missed.

If you were functioning under the false pretense that JERICHO is a bunch of angsty people sitting on their porches talking after the nukes blow - this is a perfect opportunity for you to check out the show & see how wrong you were.

On a side note, CBS's press release characterizes JERICHO thusly:

JERICHO, CBS's drama about how residents of a small, peaceful, Kansas town band together to survive in the wake of a nuclear explosion, will return to the Network beginning Friday, July 6 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). Rebroadcasts of episodes from the first season will air in the Friday, 9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT time period for the remainder of the summer.


Sigh.

IF JERICHO is to survive, and thrive beyond its recently announced seven episode reprieve, CBS MUST MUST MUST MUST x MEGA INFINITY SELL THE SHOW DIFFERENTLY!!!!

I just demonstrated above, in a few simple paragraphs, that JERICHO is far more than it's consistently presented to be. CBS needs to completely reassess its promotional paradigm for this series, and not promote "life in a small town" - rather the scale, action, and thematics of the ideas at JERICHO's core. I'd say: sell it as a war tale. Promote the Tom Clancy-esque "internal coup/missing nukes" angle. Promote the little people against overwhelming odds subtext. Promote the people we love tiredly going off to battle down the lonely road. LOOK at what it is, and exalt it. Don't hide its substance.

I've talked to 11 people about JERICHO since its cancellation / rebirth came about a few weeks back. None of them had seen the show - all of them believed it was life in a small town after Atomic bombs explode, and little else. They didn't think it sounded too interesting. I told each and every one of those people about the same macro elements I mention above. Each and every one of those people said "THAT I would watch!" Even a few hardcore, non-TV viewers.

I don't know what else needs to be said. CBS is to be roundly commended for giving JERICHO a limited reprieve - but it also needs to understand the show, and appreciate why it struggled the first time around. Otherwise, the same mistakes will be made again. No one's gonna watch this time if it's being pushed as the same bill of goods.

Finally, a few brief words about AICN's JERICHO coverage past and future. I'll keep this as brief as possible.

The movement to pull JERICHO back from the abyss was nothing less than astounding. While not unprecedented, this is a rare interaction between a network and a fan base. Most importantly, it's entirely possible that CBS will now be evaluating JERICHO's "success" based on factors never before considered. DVRs, for example. Evidently, when CBS factored in the number of viewers recording JERICHO on DVRs, the series' audience increased by...what was it...10% (someone correct me if I'm wrong in the Talkbacks below). And, this doesn't begin to factor in the streaming of episodes, available through the series' official website.

In short: it's possible that the parameters of a show's "success" or "failure" may change in the future because of what's happening here. In the future, shows like FIREFLY, ENTERPRISE, and so forth...which were unceremoniously sent to the gallows...may feasibly catch more of a break, or get a second chance, if JERICHO's resurrection is deemed successful & is seen as worthwhile by the numbers crunchers.

So, this isn't just about JERICHO. In a sense, this is about all the shows Geeks like us ever wanted to keep on the air. It's about a hope that such series may not need for us to save them in the future. Maybe things will go well, maybe they won't. Either way, it all starts with JERICHO. Which makes the series, and the circumstances surrounding it, kinda significant to television viewers in general - and genre fans in particular.

Just something to think about as we move towards Round 2.


[[[e-mail Merrick]]]

















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    Readers Talkback

  • Jun 12, 2007 11:49:56 PM CDT

    first

    by rokurgepta

    slow news day

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 12, 2007 11:51:10 PM CDT

    Never seen it, but now I'm intrigued

    by lawguy

    Summed up my thought process exactly.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 12:02:48 AM CDT

    Go To Drudge To See The Shit Eating Moonves Grin...

    by darth fabulous

    His network will bring back Jericho, but shits all over VM.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 12:30:46 AM CDT

    Xbox HD recap

    by ciroslive

    I watched the HD recap a few months back that was posted on Xbox Live Marketplace. That made the show look interesting but I still never watched. Probably never will. Too many other shows to watch...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 12:32:10 AM CDT

    ohhhhhohoho god....

    by vinz glortho

    thisun rocks u

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 12:32:27 AM CDT

    Jericho was great on Tivo - the Nuclear Waltons

    by aboriginal

    That operatic Days-of-our-Lives shite drove me batshit that I really only watched Jericho during commercials on something else I was watching. I think if watched again this show would suck a little bit more as it was painstaking getting to the interesting plot of the whole thing - too real time. Tivo made it work 'cuz I could get through all that family stuff and back to the Waltons at war. Feed my ADD with Lost style action.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 12:54:02 AM CDT

    So CBS is airing one of its show's repeats this summer?

    by darth girlfriend

    Pretty fucking huge news there, Herc.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 1:06:34 AM CDT

    BULLSHIT

    by pole

    Merrick, don't try to sell this PIECE OF SHIT to people by saying the fate of good shows is hinged on it. If you wanted to start this "campaign", you should have done it during the season when the numbers were below sea level. God I hate the fact that this site is selling this show as if it's the second coming. THE REASON SHOWS LIKE THIS GET CANCELLED IS TO MAKE ROOM FOR BRILLIANT NEW SHOWS. Sure, there is going to be drek every year and every year it gets weeded out. But if networks give slots to mediocre shit like Jericho, it just means less opportunity for new, potentially great shows such as Pushing Daisies, Chuck, Reaper, et. al

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 1:15:55 AM CDT

    pole go smoke one

    by camacho for president

    jericho is a great show that unlike others kept me coming back for more every week. It's a great idea with a bunch of balls. and besides I can usually keep up with at least 6 great shows a year, but with sopranos falling and all the other cancellations I've had to endure the last 2 years, I needed jericho. alot of other folks need it too, considering the fate that waits us all in the next 10 years, I believe.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 1:17:29 AM CDT

    I watch MANY types of media...

    by zardoz

    DVR, onDemand, internet. I watched all of Jericho via onDemand because it was back-to-back with Lost. (and as much as I enjoyed Jericho, nothing's gonna stop me from watching Lost!) Nielsen ratings have ALWAYS been flawed but they are especially flawed now. Get with the program, and get rid of the bullshit Nielsen ratings system...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 1:20:37 AM CDT

    The Numbers

    by tommy999

    The numbers were still "good" after its hiatus, it went up against American Idol and if im not mistaken it finished second to it on a regular basis, not losing too much of its audience aside from the drop similar to Heroes and Lost recieved after their weeks long break.

    CBS is doing a smart thing by airing the episodes pilot, then the second half of the season thats exactly how ive been watching the show since the season ended. The second half is what all the people who tuned into the pilot signed up for and we got it in the end.

    Merrick is right,with the whole life in a small kansas town post nuclear attack being a terrible way to sell the show, its like selling Lost as Gilligan's Island or Heroes as My Secret Identity, completely missing the boat on what the show actually is and painting it as unappealing

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 1:28:37 AM CDT

    more like Waltons meet The Postman

    by maniaq

    Yeah count me as a hanger-on! I liked the pilot and saw A LOT of potential for this story and waited... and waited... and waited for the plot to develop but, you know, they took their time developing the characters instead so I totally can see where people are coming from when they say they didn't have the patience for this show.

    Me, I'm a Lost fan so I have patience TO SPARE!

    The mid-season break came (I actually thought that was the whole season) and not a lot of those mysteries had really been explored and I found myself still interested in where they would lead so I welcomed the return of the series with Season One Part Two -

    - and BAM!! TOTALLY PAID OFF!

    Who set off the nukes, what's the deal with Hawkins, the aid drops, the missing husband flashback character (mark my words - he is going to be IMPORTANT!) and some of the Skeet Ulrich character's backstory - all FINALLY brought to light!

    And then they get to Bartertown...

    Look I might not have the most ratings-friendly taste in the world (I still rate Space:Above and Beyond!) but remember NOT ALL TV SHOWS ARE INSTANTLY BRILLIANT! I can think of at least one uber-mega-huge TV show that had a pretty lacklustre first season, nobody knew what to do with it, the humour had to grow on you, it actually got dropped by a local network and picked up by another in this country - fortuitously for them because that network is STILL reaping the rewards from repeats of a once little-loved show called Seinfeld...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 1:34:13 AM CDT

    Fuck all you haters!

    by krazy1

    This show is a wonderfully made option to the crapfest that is Desparate Housewives and American Idol! Its shows like the "Kool-Aid" trough that is AI that make studio chiefs bail on great work like Jericho. Everyone that wants this show to make NEEDS to watch EVERY eppie like ist your religion!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 2:05:03 AM CDT

    The second half

    by elpaw

    still has complete shite episodes like the wife birthing and dying one.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 2:07:16 AM CDT

    God bless you Merrick!

    by none2525

    I think you summed it up nicely:-)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 2:18:29 AM CDT

    I'll second that, Merrick!

    by dumbpeoplesuck

    Here I was thinking it might have been cancelled for too closely resembling the current administration's next strategy. It was the only logical explanation why this show was cancelled, and other eyepoop was allowed to stain.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 2:26:15 AM CDT

    "interpersonal melodrama"

    by newc0253

    as opposed to what? intra-personal melodrama? or impersonal melodrama? i kid, i kid.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 3:12:40 AM CDT

    Camacho

    by pole

    If you believe that the post-apocalyptic vision of Jericho is even fucking remotely close to accurate, I suggest you do some research on "post bomb" Hiroshima and the outlying territories. One of the MANY issues with this show (other than the fact that Skeet Ulrich is the weakest actor in a leading role on television) is that CBS doesn't have the balls to make the design of this show realistic. When Merrick actually does something worthwhile and gets this thing moved to HBO, let me know and I'll watch it again.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 3:31:51 AM CDT

    Pole

    by maniaq

    It's NOT post apocalyptic - that's the point! It's post terrorist attack that makes 9-11 look like a firecracker in a mailbox

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 3:45:10 AM CDT

    NO! They Won't!

    by shiftyeyeddog2

    ...is the answer to your headline's question.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 4:33:46 AM CDT

    Maniaq

    by pole

    There's a lot of definitions of Apocalyptic. The one I'm refering to is: Involving or portending widespread devastation.

    So, yes, it is. And if you want to throw that word out, fine. Throw it out. This show is set post massive nuclear attack and the costuming/makeup/etc. look like a shitty cross between 7th Heaven and Little House on the Prairie. The design on every level is a failure and I'm sorry, but that precludes this show from ever being successful in my book.

    Beyond that, how in God's name can anyone on this site defend the acting on this show! It's fucking laughable that this is on network television.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 4:44:43 AM CDT

    Golly, exaggerate much?

    by the selecter

    It's wonderful how the Little Guy supposedly persuaded the Big Evil Corporation to capitulate and bring back their beloved show, but the talk about greatness, and selling it as anything but a safe, wholesome, comeback player-type, even entertaining show, is really pushing it.Sorry, but CBS doesn't set their sights that high. They make mostly bland, conservative shows that serve not to offend, but assure the mass audience that crime in the big bad world can be solved in 42 minutes, and that the bad guys always get caught. High ratings, yes, but high art or grand statements they are not.Even the revival of the show is being oversold. It was a low-risk maneuver that has gotten CBS lots of good PR, and gives them a safe backup to put into the game should one of the Fall rookies fail. CBS has set some unspecified standard that the seven new episodes must meet, known only to them, so they can just as easily and probably will pull the plug again once they've aired, and the followers will have no further recourse. It was given a second chance, and didn't meet 'expectations.' Given no major cliffhanger to resolve, there will be even less impetus, the show will end, people will move on, and the show will go down in history as the show cheated death.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 5:32:28 AM CDT

    Wow, that was oine hellova promotion

    by theycallmemrglass

    I am one of those that gave up after 10 episodes. And now Merrick has just sold it to me with the same power of selling a fridge to an eskimo. great promotion merrick

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 5:34:32 AM CDT

    Thanks Merrick. Well said.

    by col. tigh-fighter

    This show got SO good by the end. All of a sudden talkbacks re-appeared. It was starting to pick up steam, then BAM! Watch it, guys. You want be disappointed by the end. NUTS to you!!!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 5:45:54 AM CDT

    Maybe I'm just suffering...

    by maniaq

    ...from not having much else to watch on the TV right now and withdrawal is painting this show all rose coloured...

    Then again, I was able to forgive The Postman, which I reckon has a few parallels ( if only in costume design ;) - and this show doesn't suffer from Kevin Costner having anything to do with it.

    Again, I can be pretty patient with these things and this happens to be one show which for me has paid off...

    I'm still waiting for Ugly Betty to prove to be worth my time! Hmmm... there really isn't much on!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 6:38:01 AM CDT

    Very Good Show

    by mad-maximus

    Episode 11 felt like a new season and I mean that in a good way. And he is right, it did pick up steam after that episode. It was kinda slow but at the same time it did a good job of introducing characters and the situation. After episode 11, man I was looking forward to the next episode. I plan to watch the show in real time to help bring in ratings.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 7:16:11 AM CDT

    What else are you gonna watch this summer?

    by abin sur

    There's nothing else on except reality crap (kinda like the normal tv season), so give this show a shot. Geez, look at what a suckfest the entire first season of ST:TNG was...shows CAN improve.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 7:26:44 AM CDT

    You've convinced me...

    by atari

    I'll set a season pass on TiVo and give it a shot.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 7:38:43 AM CDT

    TOO SOON!!

    by pageiv

    Where are the numbers for DVRing stuff? I'm wating for the Simpsons where Sprinfield invades Shelbyville.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 8:43:37 AM CDT

    Maniaq, are you in Australia?

    by shan

    What you describe has happened a few times, with Seinfeld, Friends, other shows I'm sure ... (starting on one channel and moving to another with great success then resulting).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 8:47:08 AM CDT

    It was a different show...

    by badboymason

    but i felt it changed too much and moved on too quickly - which i guess maybe the series producers did because they had a feeling they might not last 5 years... Im glad we are getting a conclusion though - and hopefully they will know far enough in advance to wrap it up properly.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 8:55:17 AM CDT

    Battle For The Planet Of The Apes Featuring Jericho, KS

    by uss cygnus

    Back by Popular (sort of) demand! Now with 50% more lawgiver!
    It's a Maaaaaaaadhouse!! A Maaaaaadhouse!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 10:25:33 AM CDT

    Good move

    by refuge5

    only showing the last half of the season. I almost gave up on this show but the second half pulled me back in.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 10:26:42 AM CDT

    Too Bad

    by refuge5

    This kind of thing couldn't happen for all the great shows that never got a chance - FIREFLY....

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 10:37:41 AM CDT

    You can't be fucking serious...

    by darthtarter

    If you don't like Jericho, then fine. But why the fuck do you care if it comes back or not? Didn't watch it before, do

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 10:38:03 AM CDT

    Wait, let me get this straight...

    by mal carne

    ...A Secret Government Cabal blew up the U.S?

    How lame. We don't even have the guts to be un-PC enough to consider another country as the bad guy.

    Sheesh. I'm not bothing with this show.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 10:42:12 AM CDT

    well fucking enter button...

    by darthtarter

    "THE REASON SHOWS LIKE THIS GET CANCELLED IS TO MAKE ROOM FOR BRILLIANT NEW SHOWS."
    This is one dumbass statement. YOU didn't like the show, MILLIONS of other did. I didn't write, and I sure as fuck didn't spend my good money to buy nuts, but I'm glad the show is back and will continue to watch...but blanket statements on what show is "good or bad" because of your own personal opinion is fucking pathetic. And Chuck, Reaper & Dasies are "brillant"? Really? When excatly the fuck did you catch the first seasons of these shows to give us that opinion? What are you gonna say after those shows are shitcanned after the first season?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 10:48:50 AM CDT

    im one who watched the entire season on the internet

    by crashbarbarian

    and i loved it

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 10:51:55 AM CDT

    Mal Carne

    by col. tigh-fighter

    The conspiracy is a lot more complicated than that. Honest. Its more like 24 as it un-folds.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 11:02:40 AM CDT

    But what about Pirate Master??

    by billyeveryteen

    It's really great... with the gold, and stuff...Watch Jerico, it's fun.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 11:04:03 AM CDT

    Couldn't they just move it to The CW?

    by mr. profit

  • Jun 13, 2007 11:09:04 AM CDT

    And it's a shame how most networks...

    by mr. profit

    Don't show fucking re-runs any more. There are a lot of shows I dont watch that I can now catch up on, but because these greedy bastards want to sell DVD's they don't re-run the shows. It's a shame. Thank God for cable. The networks are clueless sometimes.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 11:31:26 AM CDT

    Pirate Master

    by darthtarter

    Is dumb and fun...but it has yet to really be good. Why the fuck is everyone complaining about the jackass captain yet he hasn't gotten a single mutany vote against him? It will get good as soon as the red team wins and he is not the captain anymore. For sure he and his two underlings will be looking at black dots quickly.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 11:31:48 AM CDT

    DarthTarter

    by pole

    And MANY MILLIONS MORE THOUGHT IT WAS A PIECE OF SHIT. You know how I know that? Because all of them were watching something else. I'm not basing this on my opinion, I'm basing it on ratings. Even with the dvr numbers included, this show wasn't drawing enough people to pay for it's timeslot. And I've seen everyone of those pilots and there's more quality in those first eps than in the entire 1st season of Jericho. It's Darwin applied to television Darth. I'm not claiming it as my own theory. Several people in this talkback have made the argument that Jericho is better than most of the other shit on tv. Well, to me, that's a horrible reason to save a tv show. Instead, let the shit get cancelled and force the network to put out quality programming. What would be wrong with that?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 11:35:40 AM CDT

    Is there no love for "Rescue Me?"

    by jimmy rabbitte

    I watched all of Jericho this year and I like the show. I'm glad it's coming back; and I hope the reruns bring some viewers in.

    That said, I reiterate my first question. Is there no love for "Rescue Me?" I see comments from people saying that nothing else is on because it's summer. Do yourselves a favor a watch "Rescue Me." Peter Tolan and Denis Leary write some of the best dialogue on television. The new season starts tonight at 10:00 on FX.

    ...eehhhh... those last two sentences sounded a little planty... sorry about that.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 11:41:45 AM CDT

    Jimmy Rabbitte

    by pole

    I totally agree! I'm only in here harassing the Jericho people until the good tv starts. I think FX has done a pretty phenomenal job with several shows. Can't wait for Rescue Me tonight. You're right, one of the most well-written shows on television.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 12:06:48 PM CDT

    I think it was HOW it unfolded that bugged me

    by novaman5000

    bout Jericho. It was so random and convenient... Like how skeet ulrich's character is like superman, who mysteriously knows how to do everything and save the day every time... That sort of Deus ex crap turned me off. And that secret agent guy with the giant satellite dish in his backyard? ...wtf is that nonsense. I watched the first 7 or 8 eps, periodically dropping in to watch a bit here or there when there was nothing else on. I'm intruiged to hear it got better but, I find it hard to believe. We'll see I guess.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 12:08:15 PM CDT

    Pole

    by darthtarter

    So millions not watching = piece of shit. Firefly was shit? Veronica Mars was shit? Brisco County Jr. was shit? Buffy lasted 7 seasons and never once cracked 5 1/2 million viewers. Not every show has to be a mega-hit to survive.



    You are right that if a show costs more than it makes it gets canned. But what is soooo fucking wrong with having a show come back for 7 more shows and get another chance. I know it's been wrote many times, but Cheers & The X-Files would have been dead after one season by today's standards.



    "Make the networks put out quality shows". By whose fucking standards? I found Jericho to BE a quality show. How could people actually LIKING a show be a bad reason for them to try and save it! If a show is cancelled for lack of viewership that does not mean it sucked. By that theory American Idol & Deal or No Deal are brillant tv shows.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 12:09:15 PM CDT

    Daisies will get cancelled, but that doesn't mean

    by novaman5000

    it won't be brilliant... The guy (Bryan Fuller) has a great track record, if you ask me (Dead like Me, Wonderfalls, rejuvenating Heroes...) Plus, the few clips i've seen have had more humor and heart than most entire episodes of Jericho that I've watched, though that's just my opinion.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 12:11:44 PM CDT

    based on that description, i'd actually watch it

    by scamsandflams

    but im a watch-from-the-beginning type and i dont think i could handle the awful melodrama of the 8 or so episodes needed to catch up.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 12:11:44 PM CDT

    Please let this crappy show die...

    by err

    It's worthless.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 12:12:04 PM CDT

    I'll try it again

    by the ref

    I gave up after the 2nd or 3rd episode, when I figured it was like a post-apocalyptic Hallmark movie. 2nd half of the season sounds cool. I'll check it out this summer.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 12:16:16 PM CDT

    Was I the only one who liked the original concept?

    by freakemovie

    A small town surviving in the wake of a nuclear explosion. When you think about it, there's really not THAT many post-apocalyptic stories out there, let alone television shows. Still, I'm not saying how the show turned out doesn't sound cool. I think I'm going to tune in (I've only ever seen the pilot).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 12:24:05 PM CDT

    Darth

    by pole

    There are two things you're using as means of comparison that don't work. When the WB existed, shows could do 2 million a night and that was fine. It works for channels like SciFi as well with BSG. However, you'll notice that Veronica got shitcanned after the CW was formed and it didn't pull more viewers. The WB was playing to 1/3 of the market. So don't use them as an example, it's not accurate. And look, you can't compare Reality programming and fiction. We wouldn't even be having this conversation if there was no reality tv, because then, there would be plenty of room for all kinds of fictional programming. And yeah...today's standards are fucking ridiculous. It's damn near impossible to keep a show on the air. The only thing we really disagree on is the quality of Jericho. If you like it, great. More power to you. I just think this decision should have been made post dvd sales, ala Family Guy. Anybody can throw a few bucks down for some peanuts. Let's see how many people are rabid enough to go buy the season.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 12:41:56 PM CDT

    I'll give the show another try.

    by clockpolitiks

    I stopped watching after episode 5 I think. It wasn't one of my priority shows. I will probly download it and watch the new episodes when they air in the fall. Oh, and I'm also excited for rescue me tonight! It's a good show to fill the gap in the summer.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 1:51:37 PM CDT

    Funny thing is Pole...

    by darthtarter

    Is that I *know* Jericho isn't a great show. In fact I almost quit watching after I found the first few episodes to be pretty weak. But since I watch it at work and a friend of mine watched with me and he seemed to enjoy it we kept watching. The first half was as people said, soap opera drama bullshit. But when it came back and got a bit more serious I was digging it. To be honest all I wanted was a two hour movie to clear some things up and give me closure and that's why I'm happy it is coming back even if just for 7 episodes. And I will be buying the dvd.
    I just didn't like your statement that millions thought it was shit since they were watching something else. I've seen one episode of Friday Night Lights, another show that was close to being dropped, didn't care for it, and I didn't watch anymore. But that doesn't mean I think the show is shit or it should be cancelled to bring in 'brillant' new shows since 'brillant' is all a matter of opinion. I don't think it surviving one more season or Jericho getting another full season (if it does) is gonna be the end of tv as we know it. There will be more bad shows, more average shows, and more great shows in the years to come no matter what happens to Jericho.

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  • Jun 13, 2007 1:54:58 PM CDT

    New Bern-ed

    by ninja nerd

    The last 5-6 episodes were as good as anything '24' has done in the last 3 seasons. If CBS would sell Jericho like a large scale 24, it might have something....like a full Season 3! EARLY PREDICTION: The "Army" shows up and starts trying to suppress/stop the battle. Some idiots from New Bern return fire and shoot at a gunship. Many NB'ers immediately get to eat some 20mm cannon rounds for breakfast and we're at the first commercial break. War stopped, New Bern shot to shit, and funerals are attended. New President "Evil DHS Guy" has the "Army" group look for Hawkins, etc. If CBS does this right, we should barely have time to catch our breath before racing headlong into something else. Then again, it's CBS, so we could have 30 seconds of shooting followed by 42 minutes of tears and fears, but no action or plot development. I hope they get this right and market it correctly, but I wouldn't bet on it.

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  • Jun 13, 2007 2:23:58 PM CDT

    Herc/Merrick: I'll watch it starting on the 6th IF

    by chrth

    Y'all do a Talkback for each week for the new viewers.

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  • Jun 13, 2007 2:39:00 PM CDT

    Very Predictable...

    by freerangecelt

    Despite it's premise, this show became very predictable early on. I don't like the American vs. American angle at all, and agree that if they had some guts, we'd have seen foreign troops show up at the end of the season finale. I've never understood the fascination with Hawkins, in my book he's a traitor, and they made Jake a pilot, but he still hasn't flown a plane. Maybe in the next 7 episodes, but I don't really think they'll do much more but try and layer onto the conspiracy they've already laid out, which was thin to begin with. I think Americans dealing with an invasion on their own soil would have made a much better premise than yet another "shadow government" conspiracy. Time will tell.

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  • Jun 13, 2007 2:52:52 PM CDT

    back off man, I'm a scientist!!

    by camacho for president

    ok really though, we could go back and forth and the pros and cons of the show itself. thought truth be told the show holds massive potential. if the network gave the show the money it needed and the writers the freedom to say and do things that this network wont allow. tell me this show wouldnt be balls out bad ass. this show on hbo would blow doors down. and maniaq has a valid point and on ewhich i didnt truly spell out before this isnt post apocolypse territory, cause its not really the apocalypse, just the greatest terrorist attack of all times. the shit has hit the fan and we are left to our own devices. thats the show I want to watch every week cause thats the possibility I've had to face most of my life. we live in a time that this could happen and most likely will. alot of people dont think about this subject matter but should after 9/11. like the man said, this shit's about to get real. KG-out

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  • Jun 13, 2007 3:16:07 PM CDT

    I am one who left after mid-season

    by mthrndr

    I actually watched the first 10 episodes, but got so bored about the slow nature of the show that I gave up during the break. I got tired of 40 minutes of hometown drama/drivel, and 2 minutes of Who is the Black Guy and Is He Good or Bad? (except for the episode when they go get those medical supplies from another town's hospital. That episode was pretty sweet.) I will watch episode 11, and if it lives up to Merrick's review above, I will continue. Otherwise, sayonara for good.

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  • Jun 13, 2007 7:05:46 PM CDT

    First half sucked

    by voxmortis

    Was just willing people to be killed off. Minor squabbles between characters I didn't care about. Second half was more fun. Civil war, intrigue - the bigger picture we were waiting for.

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  • Jun 13, 2007 7:37:43 PM CDT

    Darth Tater...

    by redeyedistrict

    Nice one with the Brisco County Jr! Didn't think there was anyone else left who watched that. Bully!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 13, 2007 7:39:18 PM CDT

    Who the fuck says bully anymore?

    by redeyedistrict

    Sorry I slipped into my Bag O' Archaic Slang there.

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  • Jun 13, 2007 8:56:37 PM CDT

    To be honest Redeye...

    by darthtarter

    I'm not sure what the heck "Bully" means anyway!

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  • Jun 13, 2007 9:26:26 PM CDT

    "Bully" means Teddy Roosevelt just farted...

    by chrth

    MAJOR POINTS to whoever gets *that* reference.

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  • Jun 14, 2007 1:14:17 AM CDT

    I liked the whole year

    by waspfan

    Yes the first half was much setup - but the payoff I felt was better than the heroes season ender -- This show was the best new show on TV and although everyone has their opinion - those of you who have not seen it - give it a shot..

    And what is not talked about is the fact the acting was actually above avg for this kind of fare..

    It is a good mixture of survival and possibility... What would you do if you had to do it to survive.. Would you kill the guy that you use to play golf with?

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  • Jun 14, 2007 9:40:46 AM CDT

    Play Golf With?

    by riker33

    Nice analogy WASPFAN. Personally, my favourite line from the finale was; "We're about to go to war with New Bern, home of the nearest Costco. Nothing you say can surprise me today." I consider myself a big fan of the show, and I agree that the first half of the season was really weak. In the second half, JERICHO definitely came into its own. Still needs improvement, but hopefully now the opportunity is there. Let's make sure we all watch this summer, and maybe even buy the DVD of the first season!

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  • Jun 14, 2007 2:16:16 PM CDT

    Jericho lost me with the "music" segments!!!!

    by hairyandtattooed

    Those final moments of each early episode, where a breaking artist's song would play over a montage of everyone "coming together" to harvest corn or whatever is what killed the show for me. And the fact that Skeet Ulrich's mouth seems perpetually hanging open. And seriously, are corn-husks enough to protect the corn crop from radioactive fallout???

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  • Jun 14, 2007 5:34:02 PM CDT

    They should promote like an action show

    by neo zeed

    Stop with the heartwarming stuff. It has that stuff, but it's also an exciting, action packed show.

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