"Out of every fruition of success, no matter what, comes forth something to make a new effort necessary." (Walt Whitman_

A scant 3-weeks to the day the Save JERICHO campaign began, it ended in victory. Twenty-one days from start to finish in what some believed was gracious capitulation by CBS. It wasn't a perfect victory, and our work was far from over. CBS placed the burden of proof on us by giving JERICHO a second chance. The onus of the promotion also fell on our shoulders. There were promises made on both sides, although vague ones on the part of CBS. JERICHO would have seven new episodes, yes, but there was never a guarantee when it would return. Might be as early as October, or as late as January. Either way, it CBS made it clear it was up to us to promote JERICHO, and build a bigger fan-base for the show. By ressurecting JERICHO, CBS essentially said, "We've called your bluff, show us your cards."

They also never promised anything beyond those seven episodes. Much as we might like to think CBS played fairly, the network hedged their best and played their cards very close to their chest. They hinted, and they alluded to the possibility of future seasons, but they never gave us an iron-clad promise. Perhaps they were simply being cautious, but I wonder if they didn't guarantee there would be no more JERICHO by failing to advertise the reruns (as they'd promised), preempting the encore shows, and ignoring the opportunity to advertise the Season One DvD release -- probably one of the more important aspects of bringing in new viewers.

On the other time, Jericho fans used their time wisely. We knew we couldn't afford to let our enthusiasm wane. Much as we might've wanted to, we didn't dare bask in the afterglow of our victory. We didn't sit on our laurels patting ourselves on the back, we knew we had a bigger war to win. Months seemed like a long time, but the days went quickly. There was a lot of work to be done, and we knew it. We pulled new viewers into our circle with the encore performances. We talked up the DvDs, and made hundreds of pre-orders from companies like Amazon.com. As the day for the DvD release drew closer, we haunted forums and websites. We blogged about it, we talked to our families, friends and neighbors -- sometimes even total strangers! -- about the series and the DvD. We thanked CBS with letters and postcards, begging them to have as much faith in JERICHO as we did.

As time went by, it became increasingly apparent we were the ONLY ones promoting JERICHO. CBS certainly wasn't. That initial re-won viewer confidence in CBS waned, and fans got frustrated. Again. CBS appeared to have let us down AGAIN. Wasn't more promotion, more advertising one of the things we were promised? Hadn't CBS admitted it handled JERICHO poorly with the lack of advertising and that long hiatus? While we continued to support the CBS message board -- a difficult thing at the best of times -- CBS was sitting back wiping their brows in relief that we'd fallen for the placebo they tossed our way. The nuts stopped arriving, and CBS could go back to doing what it does best -- making money off inane reality shows and crime dramas. We fought hard to get JERICHO back, and are still fighting an uphill battle because CBS "cares."

This sounds negative, but it's not supposed to. It's supposed to make every JERICHO fan sit up and see we were roped into doing everything CBS should've done. We've gladly advertised and promoted the television show we love. We've voted for JERICHO on all the boards; we've blogged, commented and kept the faith for over six months. We know for every one of us, there are hundreds more out there who don't know about JERICHO, and we know we need to tell them. We need to promote the show now, harder than ever, because CBS fell down on the job, and didn't hold up their end of the bargain. Again. They gave us seven new episodes to placate the fans, but we don't even know when they will air those episodes. Could be as early as October, as late as January -- or the 12th of never.

So, remember the anger and betrayal you felt last May. Remember it and use it. It's not too late. We made CBS sit up and take notice of us once, and we can do it again. There are vast numbers who have never heard of JERICHO, and we need to tell them about it. We need to blow CBS' socks off like we did with the nuts campaign. We did this before, and there is no reason we cannot do it again. Never settle for second best, Rangers. Don't let CBS get away with this a second time. Write letters, send emails, make phone calls. If we told the world about how we fought to get JERICHO back, we can sure tell the world that CBS fell down on the job they promised to do.

Don't ever underestimate the power of people determined to be heard. We have nuts and we're not afraid to use them again, CBS. Remember that.

"I believe television is going to be the test of the modern world, and that in this new opportunity so see beyond the range of our vision we shall discover either a new and unbearable disturbance of the general pace, or a saving radiance in the sky. We shall stand or fall by televison." (E B White, Removal in One Man's Meat, 1938)