WHEN DO FANS MATTER

    In a very short time the internet has brought the world just a keyboard stroke away from one another. Passionate genre fans have used the internet to form huge fans clubs, bbs services and fan created sites. These fans have created such an impact that studios and networks have been attacking those websites - websites that have material deemed sensitive by the corporate jocks. 
    The execs have noticed us... but are we important to them? Do we matter? Are we taken serious? Judging between their actions and the rate at which new series are cancelled today, they don't.  Studios and the networks have yet to say the unthinkable... "Hey, what do the fans want?" 
    Today, there are more campaigns to revive, resurrect and save more series than ever before. Fans are actually talking with cast, crew and creators of their favorite shows, lending support and sharing news with each other. When it comes to campaigns the fans are leaving almost no stone un-turned. They're taking ads in the trade papers, email campaigns, writing campaigns and conventions. These caring fans are letting their wants and desires be known on the bulletin board services. They are doing everything in their power to let their voices be heard, almost.
    Who's on the campaign trail now? Well, there's a movement to save the proposed 'Battlestar Galactica' telefilm on Fox. The PREY fans have been attempting to resurrect their show since it was cancelled years ago. Now campaigns have been started to save the Invisible Man, and the McMahoniacs trying to save Julian McMahon's character on Charmed (He's due to be killed off by Aaron Spelling in the very near future).
    Is anyone really listening to all the people? Are the studios, the networks, or even the executives taking notice? So far, despite the number of people involved in these campaigns nothing is happening. There have been no last minute reprieves or series jumping channels after being canned by their networks. Sure UPN had picked up Roswell, but that was due more to the fact that the network thinking it could improve the ratings rather than the fans - who have proven they won't support the show. 
    We're just that cute dog in the back yard. Throw us some kind of bone and we'll be happy. Fans haven't done anything to affect the wallet of these companies. It hasn't cost them anything by not listening to the FANS. Sure, we have gotten more genre series year in and out than ever before. But it that a good thing? Everyone has seen the quality of writing on some of these series. Or should we say lack of writing. Writing that has cost us some decent shows. 
    We have the power to cripple these people. We have something that can bring them to their knees, at our feet. But... it takes one thing many fans don't have. And that... is dedication. Not to the series or the people on their favorite shows - But dedication to stay away as a group, not as an individual. 
    How do we do this? It is called a network 'black out'. What that is, is the fans using the internet to set a group of hours, days or even weeks to stay away from the network their trying to get the attention of. With the internet setting something like this up is so easy.  It is so easy to spread the word, set up dates and really truly make yourselves heard. Can it happen... sure it can. Will it happen? Why beat around the bush, no it won't. Most fans aren't willing to mess that one episode, or stay away for an hour, much less one day or a week. Sure they'll boast they'll do it, and tell you they did. But they didn't. 
     Many fans are fickle. When a series ends they move on. The proof is all over the internet. Go to any series listing on Yahoo and you'll find the internet is cluttered with abandoned fan sites. 
    We can do the campaigns, write the letters, or sign the campaigns. But until the fans really unite and work together hitting the networks where it hurts we aren't going to be taken seriously.