FOX REDUCING AD EPISODE ORDER

[LincolnHat]

Fox is apparently reducing their episode order for AD. This is not cool.

Here's some contact info I found on the net. Use it or these characters will dissappear. Apparently snail mail is the most effective so get off your asses and send a postcard. Seriously. Don't assume everyone else will do it. It'll cost you a postage stamp and a minute or two of your time - well worth it considering the joy AD brings you each week.

Gail Berman
Fox Broadcasting Entertainment President
Fox Headquarters
10201 West Pico Blvd
Los Angeles CA
90035.

or:

Gail Berman, President
Fox Broadcasting Company
P.O. Box 900
Beverly Hills, California
90213

E-mail: gail.berman@fox.com

Extension: 237626

Fox's Viewer Comment Hotline: 1-800-369-6848

[Mr Banana Grabber]

UGH.


Where'd you hear this news?

[MichelleAntonia]

yes, people, do it!! and dont delay!

spread the word and the contact info- to other forums you're a member of, doesnt matter what for. tell your friends, you're enemies, your mom, their moms, the lady across the street, the mailman, the person next to you in line for the urinal. please!!!!

[editor]

Ph0tog had up the site writefox.com for last year's campaign, but he's been somewhat missing this year. I'll try to verify all of the addresses, but here's what he said:

When writing, please include your demographic information: Age group, city, local FOX affiliate, number and ages of those in your household watching. While a postcard is always welcome, please remember that hand-written letters are the best and most impressive way to express support--and they needn't be long.

The Lovely and Talented Gail Berman
President of Entertainment
FOX Broadcasting
10201 West Pico Blvd., Blg.100, Rm.4450
Los Angeles, CA 90064-2606

Mr. Gary Newman and Ms. Dana Walden
Twentieth Century Fox Television
10201 West Pico Blvd
Building 88, Room 29
Los Angeles, CA 90035

Please write Gail Berman now, but try to remain positive about the show while expressing your disappointment over her decision.

To follow up on LincolnHat's post, here is a Reuters report from the Hollywood Reporter, so it's very reputable:

Fox Broadcasting Co. plans to shuffle its Sunday comedy lineup in May to make room for the addition of new cartoon "American Dad" on May 1.

As part of the schedule change, the network has opted to reduce the episode order on the Emmy-winning ratings laggard "Arrested Development," but the specifics still are being worked out.

As of May 1, "American Dad" will slide into "Arrested's" 8:30 p.m. slot behind "The Simpsons." For the first three weeks of the month, "Dad" will be followed at 9 p.m. by another original "Simpsons" episode.

[rex]

Variety had this to say:

Fox's "American Dad" has been called into post-"Simpsons" duty, and it is set to bowbow in the slot this May.

Net announced a Sunday lineup for May sweeps, which now boasts a double pump of "The Simpsons""The Simpsons" while Emmy-winner "Arrested Development""Arrested Development" is nowhere to be found.

"Development" will have completed its episodic run by May; Fox has decided to preempreem "American Dad" at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 1.

which means:

Feb 13 - 210
Feb 20 - 211
Feb 27 - preempted for Independence Day
*** projections ***
Mar 6 - 212
Mar 13 - 213
Mar 20 - 214
Mar 27 - 215
Apr 3 - 216
Apr 10 - 217
Apr 17 - 218
Apr 24 - 219

I suspect there's some other preemption in there and they reduced the order by 4 to 18.

Why, Gail, why?

[HeyHermano]

...excuse me?

[dontcallmesurely]

I can't believe they would do this in favor of American Dad, which, from the reviews I read, is pretty bad. You can be sure I'll be sending some strongly worded letters about this!!!

[Nazghalia]

That just makes me want to puke all over your head.

Can I assume that reducing an episode order means the show is likely to be cancelled or at least not renewed?

[jediryan]

I don't get it. American Dad has aired ONCE. After the SUPERBOWL. From that, they are able to tell that they want this to be their big new show? I would have assumed that they might want to air, oh, I dunno... at least ONE episode on a normal evening, just to test the waters.

Most Family Guy fans I've talked to are unimpressed by American Dad, which is basically just a warmed over Family Guy. This would make sense if Family Guy wasn't returning, because at least it would fill a void for FG fans.

It also makes no sense to me that they would reduce the order of Arresteds during a week that seems to be full of good news and publicity. Jason Bateman hosting SNL, interviews on Conan, Ellen, Charlie Rose, in The Onion. Or is this some kind of strategy to get attention, so they can talk about it on these shows??

Martin Short, Ben Stiller, Zach Braff-- all these big name guest stars are lined up for a show, and FOX wants less of it? I do not understand the way the world works.

I hope that FOX heeds the call of the fans, and takes note of how sorry the WB was that they cancelled ANGEL. Now they wish they hadn't, but it's too late and they are suffering for it.

FOX can still turn Arrested into a hit, but they run commercials that make the show look unimpressive. They should be emphasizing all the rave reviews, and trying to bank on all the prestige surrounding the show, and they should be asking Hurwitz and company to make special spots that are funny.

Let the people who make the show also design the commericials, I say. Having a Simpsons promo that has some announcer booming "And a Brand New ARRESTED!" isn't enough to get people to tune in.

God, I hope that the show still has a fighting chance. A reduced number of episodes seems like just about the worst omen there is. If they want LESS episodes this year, it means they don't want ANY next year.

If FOX drops the ball on this, I hope that HBO is ready to pick it up. I hope it isn't a pride thing, like they don't want leftovers from some broadcast network-- HBO could use another great show since The Sopranos and Six Feet Under are on their way out, and Desperate Housewives is killing them on Sunday evenings now. Arrested Development on HBO would mean shorter seasons (they usually do 13 eps a season) but longer shows, that would push closer to a full half hour instead of 21 minutes. But I think the show would be perfect on HBO, I hope they think so, too.

Ron Howard is a powerful guy in Hollywood-- here's hoping he has enough pull to save this show, I don't want it to end this way...

[SAVEARRESTED]

http://www.petitiononline.com/Arrested/petition.html

SAVE IT!! SAVE IT NOW!! TELL EVERYONE YOUR KNOW!!

[Cherith_Cutestory]

EVERYONE sign that petition!!! This show needs to be saved!! Its the greatest show on television. FOX is just being a p*ssy because its not getting the best ratings. Maybe it would help if they actually advertised it, especially durring the SuperBowl. I saw maybe 2 commercials for it the whole time. Just look at Friends, Seinfeld, and I believe CSI (dont quote me on that one) but durring their first few seasons they didnt get the best ratings and look at them now. FOX just needs to take a chance, because if they think we will not stop they are mistaken!! THERE ARE DOZENS OF US, DOZENS!!!

[dontcallmesurely]

Thanks for the petition. I signed it. I hope it helps!

[Steve Holt!]

When will I ever learn not to watch anything on Fox?

What is wrong with them? First, the show wins an Emmy and they don't show it on the air for two months... then there's all of this great publicity this week and they announce a cutback.

Frankly, I think that online petition has zero visibility -- no network exec will ever see that. Mail won't mean much more, but at least there's some tangible evidence that there are fans out there.

[usf5678]

Why oh why? First Sports Night, now this?!

I do hope that if they do get cancelled someone like HBO picks it up. If it is the end, we will hang our heads like George Michael in "Good Grief" and wear our Slut shirts while we mourn.

[LadyofLiteracy]

This is unbelievable. I'm so angry right now. Fox can expect a very strongly worded letter from me.