TV in the hands of the fans: Inside #Save Campaigns of 2018 – updated
Nearly twelve months after publication of our report on the cancelled, saved, and fought-for shows of 2018, we’re updating the piece focusing on the shows we’ve saved, those that got a slight reprise, and those for which fandoms are still campaigning. If you’re curious about any of these shows, help your fandom brothers & sisters out by giving them a watch – every view counts in the fight.
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Fan campaigns aren’t anything new to the TV landscape. We all gleefully remember the successful crowdfunding efforts achieved by Veronica Mars fans to make a film after the popular teen show was cancelled ahead of its rightful time. But 2018 has officially become the landmark year fans found their voice to get cancelled shows saved.
In the past many shows were saved thanks to the efforts of fans who rallied against cancellation. Roswell ended up running for two more seasons after fans bombarded The WB with 6,000 bottles of Tabasco sauce (preferred condiment of the sexy young aliens of the show) in protest of the show’s cancellation in the early aughts.
Meanwhile, Friday Night Lights fans lobbied for the beloved teen football drama to be renewed for a third season in 2008 by sending light bulbs (for the show’s title) and eye drops (for the show’s motto “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose”) to the network. It did the job – NBC struck up a deal with DirecTV and kept the show on our screens for another five seasons.
These fans aren’t waiting for networks to realize the error of their ways and stride in like a shining knight to save them. In 2018 the efforts of these fans are getting louder and more organized, and demands to save their shows are being heard loud & clear by audiences and networks alike.
Here are all the shows fans have fought for this year, along with a glimpse inside their respective campaigns.
The Expanse
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
#savetheexpanse & https://savetheexpanse.org
Efforts to save the show
Fans put together a campaign video urging for the show to be saved, and a petition that suggested Netflix or Amazon save the show managed to accumulate over 138,000 signatures. Fans also raised money to hire a #SaveTheExpanse banner around Amazon HQ.
Why it should be saved
Fans are crazy about this cleverly written, visually attractive show boasting some of the best worldbuilding on TV. As the title suggests, The Expanse is expansive in the characters and world it explores, leaving plenty of opportunities for new and exciting plotline depths to be plumbed.
What the network says
President of Entertainment Networks for NBC Universal Cable Entertainment shared that the decision to cancel the show after “three brilliant seasons” wasn’t simple. “Everyone at SyFy is a massive fan of the series, and this was an incredibly difficult decision. We want to sincerely thank The Expanse’s amazing cast, crew and all the dedicated creatives who helped bring James S.A. Corey’s story to life. And to the series’ loyal fans, we thank you most of all.”
What the fans say
Celebrity fan of The Expanse Patton Oswalt reflected the overall vibe of fans when he tweeted a letter of support for the show. The actor and comedian reached out to Amazon specifically, imploring: “You guys do some serious, quality shows and this is some of the smartest science fiction to appear in a long time.”
How it’s looking
The fan campaign paid off. In May, The Expanse became an Amazon Originals property with Amazon CEO (and self-proclaimed fan of the show) Jeff Bezos announcing the decision at the National Space Society’s International Space Development Conference in Los Angeles.
“I was talking to the cast half an hour ago, before the break for dinner started . . . . I was telling them that we are working hard at Amazon to save The Expanse but it wasn’t a done deal yet. During dinner, 10 minutes ago, I just got word that The Expanse is saved.”
Update
S4 is currently in development, expected to drop on Amazon later this year!
Timeless
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%
#SaveTimeless & https://www.savetimeless.com/
Efforts to save the show
Originally fans had planned to to procure a billboard in LA, but they decided to go much bigger in their bid to save the show. On July 3, the #SaveTimeless fan campaign rerouted their energy into a fundraising effort to fly two helicopters (affectionately dubbed “heliCLOCKters” by fans who call themselves Clockwatchers) over San Diego Comic Con with a message urging support for the show.
The campaign raised $23,000 in under a week and the #SaveTimeless campaign took to the skies above the SDCC. Other current initiatives include a petition (currently featuring 10,000 signatures and aiming for 100,000), a paper clip campaign (for which fans send the clips to various SVOD services in a bid to sway them to save the show) and a similar postcard campaign to target networks of interest.
Why it should be saved
Not only is Timeless one of the most entertaining shows on television, featuring a captivating and diverse ensemble of characters and a talented cast, it’s also one of the most unique in terms of plot. Steeped in historical intrigue while appealing to a niche sci-fi audience, Timeless remains a family-friendly time-travel show as fun as it is educational. It’s unlike any other show currently on TV, a critical addition to today’s programming.
What the network says
NBC has yet to comment on the cancellation of the show, but it’s worth remembering they did reverse their initial cancellation of S2 of Timeless after the enormous fan outcry.
What the fans say
“One of the most important things about Timeless is that it is an educational show. There are countless testimonies from fans discussing how Timeless has inspired them or otherwise helped them with various projects and papers, as well as reports of teachers utilizing the show’s various episodes as a part of lesson plans . . . .”
How it’s looking
The future of Timeless is currently undecided, but fans are pushing for that third season – or at the very least a movie to tie up all the loose ends (and that jaw-dropping cliffhanger of the S2 finale).
Update
Timeless was given a two-hour finale that aired over the Xmas period in 2018. Some fans loved it, others hated it, but it did tie up some loose ends. The fandom is still fighting to save their show and are in it for the long haul.
Lucifer
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
#RenewLucifer and #SaveLucifer
Efforts to save the show
Fans got #SaveLucifer trending on Twitter worldwide and efforts to promote the show meant the Lucifer S3 finale overtook a Game of Thrones episode as the most highly ranked TV show episode on IMDb. A petition to save the show managed to rack up almost 33,000 further signatures.
Why it should be saved
Put simply, Lucifer is a show like no other. It’s dark and dramatic, but also absurd and wickedly witty. It’s part police procedural and part comedic fantasy. Once you start watching Lucifer, it’s impossible not to be drawn into the singular devilish charisma of the show.
What the network says
Fox chairman Gary Newman told Deadline the decision to cancel was “ratings-based”, adding, “We felt like performance-wise, we needed to make that change.”
What the fans say
“I’d sell my soul to the literal Devil to save Lucifer.”
How it’s looking
The collective efforts of the Lucifam meant the show was eventually picked up by Netflix. The Vice President of Original Series revealed the decision was made because it’s “a fantastic show that has really resonated with audiences in parts of the world where we licensed it, so we felt it was important to help that show continue for those fans.”
There’s just one catch: The new season of Lucifer will be comprised of ten episodes rather than 22 – but it’s a small price to pay.
Update
Lucifer S4 just dropped to pretty much universal praise from cast, critics, and, most importantly, the Lucifans. Even though the season length was a meager ten episodes, fans were delighted with the fast-paced storytelling and addition of more adult content. (Who didn’t love “Orgy Pants to Work” this season?)
Netflix is currently keeping us in suspense, but we’re guessing Luci will be returning to the streaming giant for a fifth season.
Brookyln Nine-Nine
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
#Brooklyn99 & #RenewBrooklyn99
Efforts to save the show
One single devastated evening of fan outrage over Fox cancelling the popular comedy was all it took for NBC to sweep in and save the day, picking up the show just a day later. 1.4 million tweets stormed the social media site in support of saving the show in the 36 hours between its cancellation and pickup.
Why it should be saved
The comedy is perhaps one of the most beloved currently on television, boasting a diverse cast bringing unique representations of women, LGBTQI characters, and characters of color. Brooklyn Nine-Nine offers a shining and cathartic thirty minutes of heartwarming hilarity every episode.
What the network says
Fox chairman and CEO Dana Walden gave a piss-poor excuse as to why the network decided to ditch the show. “Ultimately we felt like we didn’t have the exact right place to schedule it this year. It performed best in our Sunday night lineup. We wanted to give Bob’s Burgers an opportunity to have a plum time period and really grow. It really limited the opportunities to schedule Brooklyn.”
Meanwhile, upon picking up the show NBC Chairman Robert Greenblatt made this adorable statement: “Ever since we sold this show to Fox I’ve regretted letting it get away, and it’s high time it came back to its rightful home.”
What the fans say
Everyone from Mark Hamill to Seth Meyers shared their genuine upset on Twitter that their fave show had been axed. Hamilton creator Lin Manuel-Miranda was such a celebrity fan who shouted into the Twitter fire: “RENEW BROOKLYN NINE NINE. I ONLY WATCH LIKE 4 THINGS. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS.” Everyone agreed.
How it’s looking
The Nine-Nine is safe for another season – we can’t imagine NBC would be dumb enough to dare cancelling it for a while yet given its palpable popularity.
Update
The 99 continued to go from strength to strength at their new home and was renewed for a seventh season back in February. Life without their Halloween episodes is not a reality we want to live in.
Everything Sucks!
Rotten Tomatoes: 71% (91% audience)
#RenewEverythingSucks
Efforts to save the show
So far over 23,000 people have signed a petition to save the 90s-set teen comedy. Fans have also been bombarding Netflix with letters encouraging the SVOD behemoth to save the show.
Why it should be saved
The show has an admittedly slow start, but once it gets going it’s apparent Everything Sucks is more than just a quirky love letter to a bygone trendy era. The show deals with complex coming-of-age topics exceptionally well while showcasing authentic LGBTQI storylines rarely seen in young adult programming.
What the network says
Netflix VP of Original Content Cindy Holland expressed that Everything Sucks “didn’t have a broader audience” and failed in terms of streaming figures. Reportedly, people turned the show off in the middle of the show’s short first episode (just 23 minutes long), while many others who persevered didn’t stick around that much longer.
What the fans say
“Everything Sucks portrays an authentic young lgbtq+ storyline. It not only beautifully touches on coming to terms with sexuality, but growing up, supporting your peers, identity, and more. This is the show our generation needs.”
How it’s looking
While it currently seems unlikely Netflix will renege on their decision to cancel the show, there is still some hope it could be given a platform elsewhere. Crowdfunded streaming platform Seed & Spark registered an interest in help to save the show back in April, but there’s been no more news of further developments.
Update
Sadly, no news is good news for Everything Sucks! fans. There’s still an active fandom working to save the show, but no leads as of yet. The fandom put together this website to help you rally with them to save the show.
Shadowhunters
RT: 66% (audience 82%)
#SaveShadowhunters
Efforts to save the show
The Shadowhunters fandom has fought the cancellation of their show to the last. Accumulating over 149,000 signatures on a petition to save the show thus far, they’ve also managed to raise funds for a billboard campaign in Times Square, subway posters in Seoul, raised money for charity, and hired campaign-boosting pedicabs at SDCC. Kind of a big deal, ladies and gentlemen.
Why it should be saved
The overwhelmingly passionate fan base should be enough to convince anyone this is a show more than deserving of saving. But to deeply understand how important this show is to fans, one needs must put in the time to dig deep into their world.
Shadowhunters is more than just an entertaining thrill of a supernatural show to these teens (though it definitely is that); it’s is brimming with LGBTQI representation and strong female characters. It also gives fans a sense of community and chosen family that deserves the opportunity to be continued.
What the network says
Freeform’s EVP of Programming and Development stated that despite being “very happy creatively” with the show, they simply “couldn’t make the economics work” after Netflix put an end to their deal with co-production partner Constantin Film.
What the fans say
“For many of us, Shadowhunters has been what kept us going in whatever battle we were fighting. Let’s take that inspiration and put it into the battle we are fighting now.”
How it’s looking
Currently no signs of a network or SVOD service picking up the show have arisen. It seems ludicrous not to serve such a large and passionate fan base by saving Shadowhunters. Somebody has to come through and save this one.
Update
The Shadowfam is one of the biggest, boldest, and ballsiest fandoms in the business and they’ve been campaigning their asses off to save their show. They’ve chartered boats and airplanes, raised over $25k for charity (which was matched by the network that shall not be named), won a ton of awards, and marketed the hell out of their show.
They were granted a double episode to tie up the storylines of S3B, but currently there’s no other news. We’ve spoken many times about how Shadowhunters can be a highly lucrative product for the right buyer; we just hope there are behind-the-scenes conversations going on right now regarding Constantin Film selling their rights to Shadowhunters to a worthy buyer.
Colony
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
#savecolony & #renewcolony & https://savecolony.org/
Efforts to save the show
Fans have organized tweetstorms and sent letters to TV executives of various networks urging them to consider saving the dystopian series. A petition to save the show has just started and currently has over 5,000 signatures.
Why it should be saved
Colony benefits from being enjoyed as a long-form sci-fi story. That means (to fans, at least) the past three seasons of the show have provided a setup for a meaty fourth season (and many more) that fans are desperate to see.
Aside from that, Colony also features a timely narrative drawing on many sociopolitical issues sadly all too relatable right now. Additionally a plethora of complex characters highlight the best and worst qualities about humanity, providing compelling character arcs and insights into the nature of good & evil.
What the network says
USA very sneakily cancelled the show and has given no comment on it yet – as shady as it is sneaky.
What the fans say
“After three great seasons, Colony has set a starting point in the storyline from where any network could benefit. Three seasons that set a story, a world, excellent characters, a great developed plot. That was seedtime, now comes the harvest. It’s insane to leave it like that . . .”
How it’s looking
No news yet, but it’d be sad to leave the show hanging with so many juicy but incomplete plotlines. As one fan suggested to us on Twitter, “You can’t end a show with humanity in the balance – come on, really!!!”
Update
No news about the post-apocalyptic show is good news. Fans have been campaigning to save the show, but so far their cries have been falling on deaf ears. We’ve added our voices to the chatter: here’s why we think the show needs to be saved.
Sense8
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% (audience 92%)
Efforts to save the show
Fans of the show sent over 800 emails to Netflix pleading them to reconsider their decision to cancel the Wachowski sisters’ sci-fi series. They also arranged an Amazon email party in which fans sent emails to the SVOD service and suggested Netflix’s loss could be their gain.
Why it should be saved
The show left a lot of loose ends at the end of its second season and fans deserved some closure. But also – as many fans pointed out on Twitter – Sense8 is one of “the gayest” shows on television and to take it away is devastating for LGBTQI audiences who may be looking for more representation on screen.
What the network says
Netflix Original Series VP Holland revealed the decision to scrap Sense8 was purely business, suggesting the show didn’t attract enough viewers to support the high production cost. “At some point if you don’t have the viewership showing up to justify the expense of the series, you’re going to want to end it.”
What the fans say
“SENSE8 HAD: diversity, lgbtq representation, cinematography, good plot, amazing acting. AND YALL CANCELLED IT??????”
How it’s looking
Netflix acknowledged the fan outcry and the campaign to renew the series and gave fans a two-hour farewell special in June.
Update
The two-hour special granted to us last year was not enough to satisfy our Sense8 itch, and fans are still campaigning for the show to be saved. Based on Netflix’s complicated contractual relationships with it’s IP, even if Sense8 were saved by a third party, we might have to wait several years to see a continuation of the story. We’re patient though.
