News on Deals for Season Three!

[proulx]

Jun 5, 2009 15:55:24 GMT -5 Blue Sunflower said:

Jun 5, 2009 15:54:22 GMT -5 proulx said:

Does anyone know who I should be contacting for Canada?

Channel A, I think.

Thank you!

[kagari]

Depressing news if true...

[aktarian]

Jun 5, 2009 17:23:04 GMT -5 kagari said:

Depressing news if true...

indeed. The worst thing is this constant yo-yo of positive/negative news. First it was "likely to be cancelled" then "maybe other networks" "then cancelled" then "negotiating with other networks" then "these dropped out" then "OK, but these are still in" now this.

Crap, I had hopes it will survive somehow, somewhere

[kagari]

Jun 5, 2009 17:42:03 GMT -5 aktarian said:

Jun 5, 2009 17:23:04 GMT -5 kagari said:

Depressing news if true...

indeed. The worst thing is this constant yo-yo of positive/negative news. First it was "likely to be cancelled" then "maybe other networks" "then cancelled" then "negotiating with other networks" then "these dropped out" then "OK, but these are still in" now this.

Crap, I had hopes it will survive somehow, somewhere

Yeah, being led on makes the whole thing irritating.

[cko]

NOT news, but here's what I posted at Nick's blog, so ditto anyone here:

Thanks for all the positives and the good campaign everyone. We’re still waiting to hear official news, haunting the news sites, but anyone hears anything, thanks for coming to reaperdmv.com and letting us know.

Join us in Chat! We’re hanging out reading old copies of Field and Stream.

AND by the way. We still haven’t totally given up. Why? Because we’re a rabid fandom and crazy Reaper lovers. Hang with us!

[kagari]

Hopefully something official is said soon. A clear answer would be very nice.

[Blue Sunflower]

Jun 5, 2009 18:17:51 GMT -5 kagari said:

Hopefully something official is said soon. A clear answer would be very nice.

Y'know what? Screw this. I'm emailing ABC and asking for answers.

www.abcstudiosmedianet.com/net_contacts/netcontacts_index.shtml

Yani Chang is the media director for Reaper. She is well aware of the fact that THE AFFILIATES WANT REAPER, as *she* is the one we forwarded the responses to. Her executive director is Sharon Liggins, and the coordinator is Ambir Sniezko.

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

[e-mail]

Granted - I *will* be polite as anger gets us nowhere, but I'm sorry, it's been over a month since the CW dropped Sunday nights and ABC contacted them about the show. It's been 2 weeks since we gathered the evidence the affiliates are interested.

Then Jenny gets info on *Tuesday* that leads her to believe we're going to cable? How is it that in three days, ABC has managed to destroy 2 possible places for Reaper to go?

Now I would understand if we had no real evidence. That all we've been hanging on is insider information with no real proof, and this was all wishful thinking about Reaper getting picked up.

BUT WE HAVE CW AFFILIATE RESPONSES AND THE REAL JENNY WADE'S TWITTERS.

What the Hell happened, and who the Hell is responsible for it? Don't tell me it's because they couldn't get a showrunner at the last minute. They've had over a month!!!

Or, as cko put it so much better:

[cko] 1) we believe in the show
[cko] 2) we've been promoting it vigourously thru these recent ups and downs
[cko] 3) we still believe there's a market for it
[cko] 4) and ask them to keep selling it
[cko] 5) but if it's over
[cko] could they at least give us the information and explanation
[cko] 6) it's the least they could do for the fans who have worked so hard

List of affiliate responses: reaperdmv.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=276&page=3#7417

Jenny's twitters: www.cliqueclack.com/tv/2009/06/02/reaper-90-likely-to-live-on-at-syfy

I say everyone just copy ck's chat and links and send it in, no extra comments needed. Well, actually I'd add a Thank You.

[cko] dang that sounds pretty good if i do say so myself
[cko] not sure it's appropriate, but it sounds good
[cko] well not well written of course
[cko] but genuine sentiment

Yes, it *does* sound good, ck.

I also say FLOOD the ABC websites with Pro-Reaper comments.

abc.go.com/site/contactus.html?lid=ABCCOMGlobalFooter&lpos=CONTACT

www.abcstudiosmedianet.com/MediaContacts/

It's time to get answers, damn it.

[aktarian]

That is what pisses me off the most. There was a chance to save it, even elsewhere, even with Tyler gone, even with writers leaving, even with probably lower budget. It's not like Journeyman where there was a fan campaign to save it but no chance of surviving elsewhere so it wasn't really realistic to expect it to pull through. It seems like people who could make a simple decission to save it simply didn't for no apparent reason, or at least no reason that would make sense.

Pissed off, that's me.

But it seems to me Reaper was doomed from the start. It had good story, it was funny, well written (for most part anyway) and good cast. the way things are these days any show with such characteristics is axed after first season, second season at the latest.

[cko]

Here's what I sent. There's a character limit over there. AHAHAH you know what I mean.
-------------------

Hello, I've emailed in support of your efforts to promote REAPER in various venues. I co-run a fansite for the show, & have been actively promoting this show to & for the fanbase, which is broad & devoted. Now we hear it might be the end. So:
1) We still feel there is a strong market,can document if requested, and URGE YOU to keep trying.

2) If it is the end for our beloved show, we askyou to make a formal announcement and consider an explanation to the fans who have worked so hard. Thank you.

[kagari]

I'll send in a response as well.

Edit: Done and done.

[reallymzungu]

Should we just be sending single messages, or are we on to spamming at this point?

I can do either.

They'd better actually read these things -- I'm kind of proud of my latest 500-characters-or-less masterpiece.

Dear ABC people,

Please do something with Reaper. Sell it into syndication. Make a deal somewhere. Get it back on the air. Do SOMETHING!!!

I, like many Reaper fans, have spent the past week watching the rumors go up and down. We want an answer. Well, technically, we want the show. But at least give us an answer.

Don't leave us in this limbo! Either consign us to the Hell of no Reaper, or deliver us to the Paradise of syndication.

Just do something please!

Thanks!

[Blue Sunflower]

Email a single letter; spam the hell out of the ABC website.

[e-mail]

Dear Ms. Chang,

I am sorry to bother you, but I am writing in regards to Reaper. A great many rumors have been swirling lately, and I feel that as Reaper's Media Director, you are the best person to contact. Our fandom has done a lot of work trying to help ABC make a deal with either the CW affiliates or cable. We have forwarded you several responses from CW affiliates indicating that ABC has approached them about Reaper, and that they are interested in purchasing the show. But as of yet, they have received no formal contract.

Copies of the emails we have forwarded to you from the CW affiliates are listed here:

reaperdmv.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=276&page=3#7417

This week, however, we received reliable word from Jenny Wade that ABC has possibly sold Reaper to cable:

www.cliqueclack.com/tv/2009/06/02/reaper-90-likely-to-live-on-at-syfy

But today, three days later? Rumors are swirling the show is canceled. So I am asking: Can you please tell us what's going on?

As you saw from the emails we have sent you, we have responses that Tyler is not really the issue, as his situation was known before ABC even contacted the CW affiliates. The positive responses we have received take that fact into account, and even Chris Wolfe - a CW affiliate Regional Manager - has told us he personally told ABC he would purchase the show with or without Tyler. ABC has also had over a month to find a showrunner to replace Tara Butters and Michele Fazekas (personally, I am hoping for Tom Spezialy).

I understand that making deals of this nature is complex and takes time, but as time goes on the opportunity to sell Reaper may be lost as stations purchase other shows to fill their schedules - including for timeslots that Reaper could have taken. We still firmly believe there is a market for Reaper, particularly with the CW affiliates, and we hope ABC is still working to find a home for the show. We truly appreciate all the work ABC is doing. However, I am asking if ABC could at least give us information. I feel it's the least ABC can do for the fans who have worked so hard - not to mention the wonderful cast and crew of Reaper who are waiting for a final decision.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Tara, aka Blue Sunflower at reaperdmv.com

[e-mail]

Dear Ms. Liggins,

I am sorry to bother you, but I am writing in regards to Reaper. A great many rumors have been swirling lately, and I feel that as ABC Studios' Executive Media Director, you are someone whom we should contact. Our fandom has done a lot of work trying to help ABC make a deal with either the CW affiliates or cable. We have forwarded Ms. Yani Chang several responses from CW affiliates indicating that ABC has approached them about Reaper, and that they are interested in purchasing the show. But as of yet, they have received no formal contract.

Copies of the emails we have forwarded to Ms. Chang from the CW affiliates are listed here:

reaperdmv.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=276&page=3#7417

This week, however, we received reliable word from Jenny Wade that ABC has possibly sold Reaper to cable:

www.cliqueclack.com/tv/2009/06/02/reaper-90-likely-to-live-on-at-syfy

But today, three days later? Rumors are swirling the show is canceled. So I am asking: Can you please tell us what's going on?

As you saw from the emails we have sent Ms. Chang, we have responses that Tyler is not really the issue, as his situation was known before ABC even contacted the CW affiliates. The positive responses we have received take that fact into account, and even Chris Wolfe - a CW affiliate Regional Manager - has told us he personally told ABC he would purchase the show with or without Tyler. ABC has also had over a month to find a showrunner to replace Tara Butters and Michele Fazekas (personally, I am hoping for Tom Spezialy).

I understand that making deals of this nature is complex and takes time, but as time goes on the opportunity to sell Reaper may be lost as stations purchase other shows to fill their schedules - including for timeslots that Reaper could have taken. We still firmly believe there is a market for Reaper, particularly with the CW affiliates, and we hope ABC is still working to find a home for the show. We truly appreciate all the work ABC is doing. However, I am asking if ABC could at least give us information. I feel it's the least ABC can do for the fans who have worked so hard - not to mention the wonderful cast and crew of Reaper who are waiting for a final decision.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Tara, aka Blue Sunflower at reaperdmv.com

[e-mail]

Dear Ms. Sniezko,

I am sorry to bother you, but I am writing in regards to Reaper. A great many rumors have been swirling lately, and I feel that as ABC Studios' Media Coordinator, you are someone whom we should contact. Our fandom has done a lot of work trying to help ABC make a deal with either the CW affiliates or cable. We have forwarded Ms. Yani Chang several responses from CW affiliates indicating that ABC has approached them about Reaper, and that they are interested in purchasing the show. But as of yet, they have received no formal contract.

Copies of the emails we have forwarded to Ms. Chang from the CW affiliates are listed here:

reaperdmv.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=276&page=3#7417

This week, however, we received reliable word from Jenny Wade that ABC has possibly sold Reaper to cable:

www.cliqueclack.com/tv/2009/06/02/reaper-90-likely-to-live-on-at-syfy

But today, three days later? Rumors are swirling the show is canceled. So I am asking: Can you please tell us what's going on?

As you saw from the emails we have sent Ms. Chang, we have responses that Tyler is not really the issue, as his situation was known before ABC even contacted the CW affiliates. The positive responses we have received take that fact into account, and even Chris Wolfe - a CW affiliate Regional Manager - has told us he personally told ABC he would purchase the show with or without Tyler. ABC has also had over a month to find a showrunner to replace Tara Butters and Michele Fazekas (personally, I am hoping for Tom Spezialy).

I understand that making deals of this nature is complex and takes time, but as time goes on the opportunity to sell Reaper may be lost as stations purchase other shows to fill their schedules - including for timeslots that Reaper could have taken. We still firmly believe there is a market for Reaper, particularly with the CW affiliates, and we hope ABC is still working to find a home for the show. We truly appreciate all the work ABC is doing. However, I am asking if ABC could at least give us information. I feel it's the least ABC can do for the fans who have worked so hard - not to mention the wonderful cast and crew of Reaper who are waiting for a final decision.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Tara, aka Blue Sunflower at reaperdmv.com

[kagari]

People are still signing that petition, so there definitely is demand.

[mmmpeanutbutter]

Alright, sending an already written letter will make this easier. COPYPASTA! Let the bombardment begin...

[Blue Sunflower]

Jun 5, 2009 20:46:00 GMT -5 kagari said:

People are still signing that petition, so there definitely is demand.

Mention that in your emails. I now wish I had.

[Blue Sunflower]

And if you are in California:

Yani Chang - Director

phone: [phone]


Sharon Liggins - Executive Director

phone: [phone]


Ambir Sniezko - Coordinator

phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]

[aktarian]

Sorry for another rant but I still can't understand how things could go from somewhat good to this bad within a week. It's not as if there was no interest or very little of it.

I'd understand if situation would be reversed, if network execs would claim that there is interest from elsewhere but then admit there was none but not where there is interest but it seems execs would rather see it die than live.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh.

[cko]

Tweeted with a friend who works for one of the studios, I think Fox.

Me: if studio going to announce they're giving up on a ..show..any thot on when they'd do it if at all? dumb question?
Her: @ccatko There is no benefit for a studio to announce that. Doubt they ever will.

So even more reason to ask them to. Bug them, even.

[Blue Sunflower]

My first comment at the ABC website:

How the HELL did you screw up the Reaper deal?

Methinks I'll be doing single line spam for quite awhile.

[motherbear]

I emailed everyone above at ABC, and commented on their website too. Question: To post something on their contact page, they give you a dropdown menu under "subject" and want you to choose something. Do your words carry more clout if you choose "comment" or "message boards?" (I chose "message boards" this time, and I think "comment" other times.) Got to blast them where it does the most good, you know?

[cko]

Blue's making me share this. But there's some truth to it too.


[blue sunflower] hmm maybe i should selecting the "complaint" option at abc...
[blue sunflower] no, that'll make it easier to ignore
[cko] yeah i don't choose that
[cko] but 'suggestion' is also dangerous
[blue sunflower] i do comment
[cko] yeah i did mine under..information this time i think
[cko] because i am requesting information
[cko] on WHAT IS THEIR FUCKING PROBLEM

[blue sunflower] ahahahahaha
[blue sunflower] oh THAT'S a GOOD ONE
[cko] it keeps to their word limit too

Chat is fun. People, peek in, you can always leave quickly. Chat icon up top, or link here: reaperdmv.com/index.cgi?action=chat

[Blue Sunflower]

Flood this page too:

www.abcstudiosmedianet.com/MediaContacts/

I'm putting my business as "ReaperDMV" and my title "Reaper Fan"

[lwokszonew]

"Hopefully something official is said soon. A clear answer would be very nice."

100% agreed.

"Yani Chang is the media director for Reaper. She is well aware of the fact that THE AFFILIATES WANT REAPER, as *she* is the one we forwarded the responses to. Her executive director is Sharon Liggins, and the coordinator is Ambir Sniezko."

I spoke very briefly with Yani Chang on a non Reaper related matter a few weeks ago actually. She seemed very nice. My guess is she'll do whatever she can to make sure our letters, etc are gotten through to the right people.

"It's time to get answers, damn it."

Hell yes!

[motherbear]

Jun 5, 2009 22:20:49 GMT -5 cko said:

Blue's making me share this. But there's some truth to it too.


[blue sunflower] hmm maybe i should selecting the "complaint" option at abc...
[blue sunflower] no, that'll make it easier to ignore
[cko] yeah i don't choose that
[cko] but 'suggestion' is also dangerous
[blue sunflower] i do comment
[cko] yeah i did mine under..information this time i think
[cko] because i am requesting information
[cko] on WHAT IS THEIR FUCKING PROBLEM

[blue sunflower] ahahahahaha
[blue sunflower] oh THAT'S a GOOD ONE
[cko] it keeps to their word limit too

Chat is fun. People, peek in, you can always leave quickly. Chat icon up top, or link here: reaperdmv.com/index.cgi?action=chat

Oh great! You guys are a BIG help. hahaha. Maybe we ought to post to ALL the subject options. That would flood them alright!

[Blue Sunflower]

Jun 6, 2009 0:34:36 GMT -5 motherbear said:

Oh great! You guys are a BIG help.

We try.

[cko]

Another crazy day in the Reaper fandom, and I want to say THANK YOU again to everyone here, and all around, who're emailing (great letter, btw reallymzungu! You too, blue), posting, tweeting, and chatting, and all around showing why this is an awesome rabid fanbase that we want to keep going!


I figure we're about at Plan G so we got room to move. We have nothing to lose but our sanity. (And I'm getting a slight repetitive strain injury. Don't forget to take computer breaks, everyone!)

[jonnyspeight]

i wrote all of them and found it hard to restrain my self from ah well, im sure they got the message...

talking of which i wonder if they actually read these things? ive sent like 20 or so emails and ive only received one reply from someone who went nameless

[Joe]

Ok. So I've been staring down this board hourly for the past week (at least) trying to see what I can do to help the show. I wasn't gonna make an account here unless Reaper is renewed, and right now it doesn't look likely. I've been doing everything I can to try to get it renewed and I must've emailed every damn cable network out there. I basicually made an account here to fume (since the show's done now) and ask... is there ANY chance at all that Reaper can still be renewed? Or are we just spamming them in revenge for what they did?

[cko]

Excellent question, joe. (And welcome!) Basically we're going by very little "official" information, piecing it together from various contacts (cast tweets and posts, crew and staff comments, and "insiders'" connections, including entertainment reporters).

We've been acting on good faith that, once the CW canceled, ABC was supporting the show by shopping it to CW affiliate syndication, and it would help the deal to tell ABC and the affiliates that we support the show. Many fans heard back from their affiliates saying there was interest. Then, at least one affiliate informed fans that a deal was being made with cable, and the affiliates were out. The emphasis switched to Spike and SciFi (because rerun packages were also being shopped, a la Bones), then to "other" cable stations.

Yesterday we decided it was time we heard from ABC about their intentions. Unlike a network that wants to promote its new schedule (thereby telling you what shows got axed), there's no advantage for a production studio to announce "Hey we're trying to make a deal to sell the show; oh, we're not making deals any more, we've given up." So we decided to target ABC to both:
--Tell them we support the show and want to see a deal get done!
--Ask them to put out some kind of information about the situation.

Gut feeling? Is there a good chance, some chance, or no chance? WE DON'T KNOW! That's why we're keeping up the campaigning. When this whole thing broke two weeks ago, we had no idea there was any chance once the CW axed it. So I still believe anything can happen, though it seems increasingly less so as time goes on. Still, we're asking people to:

1) Stay in touch here and around the internet (The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Ausiello, Nick C's blog, whereever you get your entertainment updates). Help us keep piecing it together.

2) Keep writing to show our interest for the show! To ABC, your own CW affiliates in case that's still brewing, the other cable nets we've listed here. There's still a possibility that fan interest will help swing a last-minute deal. What if the affiliates are banking on some other deal that falls through next week, and they're still looking for a package for Sunday nights?

3) Write to ABC Studios more along the lines of "answers, dammit." At some point we will be using our unity to at least ask them to be upfront with us about where the show is on their horizon, and ask for an explanation. Would we get that? Maybe not. But they should at least know we care.

It is crazy-making to not know exactly what we're writing about or fighting for! There will come a point when it'll be, well, obvious. Then either way we'll be planning the party to celebrate the show and our awesome efforts!

For "after"--since we've had contact with the show creators and some cast, we might ask them to post here, or to answer some questions in reflection of the show, or about their new projects. I love Reaper so much, I'm excited to see what Fazekas/Butters do next with their contract at Fox. Like Joss Whedon, they might use some of the current cast, staff, and crew on their next show. We could turn from Reaper-ites to Fazekas/Buttersites. Yeah it's not catchy, but we got time to work on it.

Anyway, stick with us, everybody. Whatever it is we're doing here, we're not done yet!

[Joe]

I have just finished emailing all the people Blue suggested emailing last night. This better work.