NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #27/NN_1992_27.iso/spool/alt/cyberpun/5826

Text File | 1992-11-16 | 8.1 KB | 206 lines

Newsgroups: alt.cyberpunk
Path: sparky!uunet!destroyer!cs.ubc.ca!newsserver.sfu.ca!sfu.ca!asale
From: [e-mail] (Antonina Sale)
Subject: lobby for REAL tv SF
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Summary: form fax/letter with addresses for network heads, calling for GOOD SFtv
Keywords: lobby, SF, sci-fi, tv
Sender: [e-mail]
Organization: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 18:39:34 GMT
Lines: 193


Hi, a friend of mine started this attempt to get real and/or good science-
fiction on tv. Please read it and consider putting in some effort... it's
in our own best interests. If anyone can think of other groups to cross-post
to, feel free.



FROM: SPONGEBOY
TO: ALL
SUBJECT: SCI-FI TELEVISION

October 17th-18th I attended "Concept '92" -- Montreal's annual Science
Fiction Convention. Among the dozens of panels were several concerning
the treatment of SF in the media. Those who attended bemoaned the lack of
Science Fiction, particularly on TV. Apart from STAR TREK, and the
original British version of RED DWARF (there has since been an attempt at
an American version which from all reports was such an embarrassing
failure -- predicted by the fans -- that the network who commissioned it
have shelved both the pilot and any plans for future episodes!), there
was NOTHING catering to the Hard Sci-Fi/SF audience.

People groaned about the abortion that was "Mann and Machine", and
groaned even louder when they heard that Canadian networks weren't
picking up the eagerly awaited BABYLON-5 pilot.

In other words, a good time WAS NOT anticipated by all.

Having some experience in the Canadian Television industry, and being
something of a fan myself, it occurred to me that if the Moral Majority
can get shows canceled, then surely Science-Fiction Fans -- who outnumber
the before mentioned lobbyists by ten to one -- can get more of what THEY
want on Television.

When a production company pitches an idea for a series or movie to a
network, the network looks at one thing: statistics. How well did the
last Sci-Fi show do? What are the demographics? They don't ask "How good
is it?" They're not interested. They have a series of boxes they fit
everything in to, and if they have a spare box they go with it. Sitcom,
Police-drama, talk-show, reality-based-drama, etc., etc.

And "Sci-Fi".

The question of whether it "IS" Sci-Fi is never raised. That's how we got
stuck with a dog like MANN AND MACHINE: a police-show with Italian
furniture "Hey, it's Sci-Fi!".

Canadian Networks are even more gutless and unimaginative than their US
counterparts. In Canada they don't even look at the package! If they HEAR
it's Sci-Fi they say "Needs lots of special effects, too expensive," or
wait to pick up something from the US -- AFTER it's been successful down
there. Witness the situation with THE REN & STIMPY SHOW -- A CANADIAN
production, that Canadian Networks won't carry!

That's right, fans, network executives are illiterate cowards -- the
first to tow the line! So what else is new?

Well, if you're like me, you're probably sick of people telling you what
to watch on TV. Remember, WE pay for those programs -- our dollars buy
the products that generate the advertising revenue that is payed to the
TV Networks to put programs on air that will sell those products that we
buy. I think we're getting screwed.

YOU CAN CHANGE THAT! If you watch TV, you CAN make a difference. How?
LOBBY THE B*ST*RDS!

That's right. If you write a letter, they have to read it. If you send
them a fax, they have to read it. If they get enough faxes and letters
they will do something about it, or answer to their shareholders.

I have included a form letter which you MUST detach from the rest of this
post before either faxing or mailing it to your Television Executives.
Feel free to modify it as you wish. Also enclosed are names and
addresses. If you have a FAX-MODEM you can create a file for each letter
and fire them off. If you have a printer, you can do the same: print them
out, and mail them tomorrow morning. If you mail ONE letter per day, you
will cover the major North America Networks in one week. Canadians should
mail/fax to Canadian Networks first, Americans, to the US Networks.

Why bother?

BECAUSE these SOBs are telling you what to watch! And you might be
interested to know, THEY are also lobbying to make you pay for their
signal on your cable!

Well, I'm mailing my copy. If you give damn you'll do the same. Following
are some names, addresses, telephone, and Fax numbers for the key
Canadian and US networks.

REMEMBER: you will have to fill out this form letter with YOUR OWN DATA,
or the effort will not count! Good luck!

CANADIAN NETWORKS:

CTV: Arthur Weinthal, 42 Charlse St. East. Toronto, Ont, M4Y 1T5, Tel:
416-928-6000, Fax: [phone]

CBC: Ivan Fecan, 1255 Bay St., 4th Floor, Toronto Ont. Tel:[phone],
Fax:[phone]

GLOBAL: Michael Spivak, 81 Barber Greene Rd., Don Mills, Ont, M3C 2A2
Tel:[phone], Fax:[phone]

WIC Ltd:1960-505 Burrard St. Vancouver, BC V7X 1M6 Tel:[phone],
Fax:[phone]

UNITED STATES:

ABC ENTERTAINMENT: Robert Iger, 2040 Ave Of The Stars, L.A., CA
90076-4785 Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]

NBC ENTERTAINMENT: Warren Littlefield 3000 W. Alameda Boul. Burbank, CA,
91523-0001, Tel:[phone], Fax: [phone]

FOX BROADCASTING: Peter Chernin, 10201 W. Pico, L.A., CA 90064-2606.
Tel:[phone], Fax:[phone]

CBS ENTERTAINMENT: Jeff Sagansky, 7800 Beverly Blvd. L.A., CA90036-2188,
Tel:[phone], Fax:[phone]


-------------------------- CUT HERE -------------------------


The Date

(Your Name
Your Address
Your Post Code
Your Telephone Number -- if you like!)

(Their Name
Their Address
Their Telephone Number
Their Fax Number)

RE: Programming Policy


Dear (Name of Executive/Sir or Madam),

I am a concerned viewer -- concerned that your programming is dictated by
"demographics" that seem to have no place whatsoever for ME.

Why? Because I am a Science-Fiction fan. According to YOU the only
program I watch is STAR TREK. You may be interested to know that there
are millions like me on this continent, all equally frustrated with YOUR
"demographics". I would be happy to watch more Science Fiction if your
network provided it. Unfortunately your network is completely ignorant as
to what "Science-Fiction" constitutes.

It may come as a surprise to you, but Sci-Fi is NOT a bunch of special
effects, nor does it require "cute children", or a "spaceship". It's
about PEOPLE and IDEAS -- NEW IDEAS. A glance at your scheduled
programming suggests this is something you know very little about.

If you (or the people that supply your programming) spent any time
examining the genre and it's millions of fans, you might realize the
potential audience (for something that was NOT a simple-minded
"super-hero" series, NOT a cop-show with "weird machines and Italian
furniture", NOT the "revitalizing" of The Bionic Woman, NOT a pathetic
action show geared to malevolent children, and NOT the wholesale theft of
someone else's successful TV show "molded" to your "target audience") to
be PHENOMENAL.

Why is STAR TREK successful? Because it's different. And because it's
almost all we have! Your ignorance has dictated this -- and your "market
research" sucks!

Let me suggest that you take some time to rethink your programming
policy. Take as long as you like -- I can get STAR TREK on another
network.

sincerely,

(YOUR NAME)


------------------------- CUT HERE ------------------------------


Spongebo - THE EYE-BALL KID (:::::-)

comback.login.qc.ca!cithara!spongebo
(that's him ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^)
( and this is me:)

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