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Reader Comment on Article from May 21, 2004 issue, "The X Factor"

Madams/Sirs:

Joss stated that Fox TV is “a bad network that makes bad decisions”. Fox TV responded, "We wish Firefly had found an audience, and we would like nothing better than to be in business with Joss again." What was left unsaid by the network’s mouthpiece was that Fox thought so highly of Mr. Whedon’s work that they: 1.) Failed to air the 2-hour movie at the start of the series, as was necessary in order to introduce viewers to the characters and setting; 2.) Moved the start time of the weekly episodes and skipped weeks because of baseball and football coverage; 3.) Showed episodes out of order, which scrambled the plot arc. I believe it’s obvious that Fox TV had no appreciation of the art Joss had created, and no respect for Mr. Whedon himself. If Fox TV had made some concessions for the fact that Firefly’s poor showing in the ratings was due in majority to their own mismanagement of the property, their statement would hold more weight. In that light, their spokesperson’s statement sounds more like an impersonal boilerplate rejection letter than anything like a heartfelt attempt at reconciliation. Yet another insult from those ignoramuses, and proof positive that Joss’ analysis of their practices is accurate.

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Main Entry: ig·no·ra·mus
Pronunciation: "ig-n&-'rA-m&s also -'ra-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -mus·es also ig·no·ra·mi /-mE/
Etymology: Ignoramus, ignorant lawyer in Ignoramus (1615), play by George Ruggle, from Latin, literally, we are ignorant of
: an utterly ignorant person : DUNCE

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Originally posted by Malicious:
Zoid,

To clarify, I agree with Delia. You get more flies with honey...

Mal-licious

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Originally posted by Davco92:
I'm more partial to "imbeciles" or "impertinent fools". Knock yourself out, it's your party!

Burn the land, boil the sea...

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In regards to your recent article interviewing Joss Whedon ("X-Factor"), there were statements made by Fox broadcasting company along the lines of "We wish Firefly had found an audience". This statement is blatantly wrong and misinformed. I am one of the "undiscovered" audience members that found this piece of art despite Fox's best efforts at killing something great. There is no show on television today that compares to Firefly even after watching the same 14 episodes 6 times. Those 14 episodes hold more wit and drama and action than Friends and Frasier and the Sopranos combined. Firefly currently ranks higher in online sales lists (not sure if I can mention names but Amazon.com) than the entire Friends series. (71st place to 96th place respectively). Please let your readers know that Fox is VERY wrong when they say this show never found an audience. What really happened is that the show found an audience despite massive mistakes by Fox.

Sincerely,
an "undiscovered" fan

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If we send enough, surely they'll print one of them, won't they?

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Re: Article from May 21, 2004 issue, "The X Factor"

Dear Entertainment Weekly:

I am writing in response to a quotation attributed to FOX Television regarding a lack of audience for Joss Whedon's Firefly. Not only did the series attract a diverse, loyal and large fan base -- that fan base has continued to grow. My husband was a fairly devoted viewer, who caught most of the shows and he purchased the DVDs nearly as soon as they came out. I was unable to watch any episiodes until the DVDs arrived.

I saw part of one episode and was intrigued, but didn't get hooked until I took the discs to a retreat this spring (2004) as entertainment. I converted not only myself, but several of my associates at our annual spinners retreat (we make yarn, using spinning wheels and drop spindles). The three most rabid converts among our group watched 8 episodes in one day. We are women in our 40s with doctoral degreees -- internationally-known research/public health experts. -- one Japanese American/Native American, one of European descent and me, an African American.

In the six weeks since I met Firefly I have learned that quality TV programming exists, but that it is hardly viable in the current marketplace. I have also learned that dreams can be captured on the small screen and move you to the very depths of your soul. And these dreams can live on in DVD boxed sets, in movie franchises and, with enough faith and vision, possibly back on the small screen again in some form.

Firefly fans are definitely out there. Some were made during the show's brief run -- others are joining that fanbase all the time. Our dedication is awesome and deserves respect, especially from FOX Television.

Thank you for your attention.

Dr. Geri Lynn Peak
Two Gems Consulting Services

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Zoid, I suspect others have edited your letter already. If you are still holding off to let off some steam, I would defintely drop the ignoramuses comment and also the use of words like mouthpiece, etc. are "fightin' words". I hear you -- we all hear you, but EW will likely not want to hear those words.

Instead of using blame, just state the facts and say things like -- when FOX made these decisions, those decisions undermine any fan base that was building. You get the idea.

Really, these comments are for others just reading this thread, because I'm sure you have already sent your email letter.

Your sister browncoat!!

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Originally posted by zoid:

Insight spinner wrote:

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Really, these comments are for others just reading this thread, because I'm sure you have already sent your email letter.

Your sister browncoat!!

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While I agree with your sentiments in the main, I would remind everyone that our True Leader, Joss Whedon said "Fox is a bad network that makes bad decisions”.

I don't necessarily think they'd exclude a post strictly because it displays anger/disgust.



Respectfully,

zoid
_________________________________________________

"History may say I saved River; but it's not like that. No, that's not it at all. I saved my sister."

- Simon Tam, M.D., husband and father of 4, Jiangyin; from A Child Shall Lead Them: A History of the Second War of Independence Wilkins, Richard

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Dear Entertainment Weekly,

Your May 21st, 2004 article, "The X Factor", cites Fox as stating, "We wish Firefly had found an audience." It would be more accurate to wish the audience could have found Firefly, with all the schedule changes and preemptions, and the friday-night-death-slot with which Fox saddled this wonderfully funny and intelligent show. Fortunately for fans of quality storytelling, and despite Fox's lack of support, audiences HAVE been able to find Firefly --mostly from word-of-mouth -- and DVDs have been flying off retailers' shelves, which has made it possible for Joss Whedon and company to bring Firefly to the big screen in 2005 with the highly anticipated movie "Serenity". Fans around the world are hopeful that a box office success will mean a return to the small screen for this beloved show, preferably on a network whose mission statement is not using reality television to promote self-image problems in young girls.

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Originally posted by Shiny:
Yes, please post a snail mail address for letters to the editor or whatever...I'll print out my letter and snail mail it also! Let's letter bomb them for a month (and every month until they print some of our letters...heh heh) ;)

Please help Haken keep this site running by occasionally clicking on some of the sponsored ad links on the side of the page!

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Madams/Sirs:

Joss stated that Fox TV is “a bad network that makes bad decisions”. Fox TV responded, "We wish Firefly had found an audience, and we would like nothing better than to be in business with Joss again." What was left unsaid by the network’s representative was that Fox thought so highly of Mr. Whedon’s work that they: 1.) Failed to air the 2-hour movie at the start of the series, as was necessary in order to introduce viewers to the characters and setting; 2.) Moved the start time of the weekly episodes and skipped weeks because of baseball and football coverage; 3.) Showed episodes out of order, which scrambled the plot arc. I believe it’s obvious that Fox TV had no appreciation of the art Joss had created, and no respect for Mr. Whedon himself. If Fox TV had made some concessions for the fact that Firefly’s poor showing in the ratings was due in majority to their own mismanagement of the property, their statement would hold more credibility. Instead, their spokesperson’s statement sounds more like an impersonal boilerplate rejection letter than anything like a heartfelt attempt at reconciliation. Such an insult to a distinguished television producer is yet another indication of poor decision-making on the part Fox TV, and proof positive that Joss’ analysis of their practices is accurate. Whatever happened to just admitting you made a mistake?


Sincerely,

(My name, address and daytime telephone, here)

Please withhold my name, if possible

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