Guiding Principles for the Return of CBS’ “Jericho”

For those who may have been curious as to what I’ve been doing for the past two weeks that has resulted in a rather alarming lack of blog postings, I’ve been busy with a variety of school-related activities surrounding the faculty strike currently affecting my campus. As part of this, our students’ union released a set of guiding principles which the administration and faculty will ideally follow within this setting.

Perhaps proving I’m forever incapable of forgetting about Jericho, my mind immediately turned to what I would write for today, Jericho Digg Day. Terocious at Jericho Junction was kind enough to organize this, and I wanted to provide something with real value for Jericho fans to think about. As a result, I have decided to craft a series of guiding principles that CBS and fans should follow when Jericho finally returns to television at some point in the next number of months. I believe that, if these guidelines are followed, the show has a great chance of success, and that the fans have the potential to get the 3rd season they deserve.

Guiding Principles for the Return of “Jericho”

Jericho Digg Day – October 28th, 2007

Before the Date is Announced:

• CBS should be in close contact with fan communities in order to recapture the grassroots elements of the initial campaign to save Jericho.
• The DVD set should be advertised through traditional and new media in a way that reflects its importance to the campaign.
• Fans should attempt to overcome the rifts growing between certain populations in order to present a united front.
• CBS should be responsible for keeping the series in the public eye, not just the fans; however, fans should continue to digg, read and comment on stories to keep their momentum alive.

When the Date is Announced:

• CBS should choose a fair timeslot which avoids major competition while reflecting the themes and values within the series.
• CBS should immediately begin advertising the show’s return during their most successful programs (CSIs, NCIS, etc.)
• CBS will ideally have established connections with fans that they can use in order to get the word out quickly to the fans who have abandoned the cause since the summer.
• Fans should mobilize behind this date quickly: while CBS is expected to hold part of the burden, fans have access to numerous tools they don’t, so use them!
• Bloggers like myself will be sure to promote this date and make sure that people are aware it is finally happening.

Leading Up to the Premiere:

• CBS should continue advertising the series.
• CBS will ideally ensure that the show’s stars are out and about on Late Night and Daytime talk shows.
• Fans should reconnect with the principles that won the show’s return: its quality, its values and of course the nuts.
• However, fans should also be willing to move into any new innovative territories in order to broaden the show’s horizons.

The Premiere:

• CBS should maintain realistic expectations of the show’s ratings, understanding the challenges it has faced, and will not pass judgment until Live+7 DVR Ratings are released.
• Fans will watch the premiere (I don’t think this one is even in question, eh?)
• That I will put my money where my mouth is and watch and review said premiere.

After the Premiere:

• Fans will celebrate, but should also actively continue to discuss and promote Jericho as it heads into its subsequent episodes.
• CBS should give the show time to settle in, and avoid burning off episodes to speed up the process.
• CBS will, through Fan Central or other sources, feature Jericho bloggers and their takes on the episode in order to further facilitate a relationship between the two sides.

These are simply what I feel may be important: if you have any of your own that you would like to add, feel free to post them below and I will be sure to add them to the list as the day goes on. Thanks for reading, and let’s hope that CBS is reading too!