It's been called the idiot box and the opiate of the masses. Harlan Ellison called it "the glass teat." It's been blamed for everything from the rise in real-life violence to the decline in SAT scores. It is, of course, television. But what many don't realize is that TV is only as bad as we allow it to be. In the mid-'80s, for example, a letter-writing campaign brought the much-loved Cagney & Lacey back from cancellation. If there's something you want to change about TV, and enough people feel the same way, you can make it happen. Here are some suggestions, and some addresses, to help you start the revolution at home.
1. Some shows go off the air before they're really given a chance. But if enough people let their voices be heard, anything can happen.
NBC Entertainment
Attn: Scott Sassa, President
3000 W. Alameda Ave.
Burbank, CA 91523
Dear Mr. Sassa,
How could you take Encore! Encore! off the air so quickly? I remember a time when TV series were allowed time to grow, to find their audience. America loves opera almost as much as it loves football and home-repair shows and, given more of a chance, it would have loved this opera-themed sitcom, especially Nathan Lane's delicious, dead-on portrayal of an aging opera star with a way with women. And what a way! What woman could resist him? Do the right thing. I say "encore!" to Encore!, Encore!
Sincerely,
(Your Name Here)
2. Some minor flaw marring the enjoyment of your favorite show?
Note: With minor modifications, the same letter may be applied to the ABC series Cupid.
Fox Entertainment Group
Attn: Doug Herzog, President
P.O. Box 900
Beverly Hills, CA 90213
Dear Mr. Herzog,
Love your network, love your shows. I especially love Brimstone, in which Thirtysomething hunk Peter Horton plays a man brought back from hell to retrieve 113 demons. So why am I writing, you ask? Here’s the deal: One hundred and thirteen demons isn’t really that many. Think about it: You do 20 or so episodes a season, which, at the rate of one demon per episode, means he’ll have all the demons back in hell in fewer than five years. I’ve even seen episodes in which he retrieved more than one demon! Yikes! You should make a good thing last. So here’s my suggestion: more demons. Maybe not right away, but somewhere along the line, Horton’s character Ezekiel Stone should find out he has to take on more than he’d bargained for, making the series last longer. Do we have a deal? All right!
Demonically Yours,
(Your name here)
3. Some series disappear at the worst possible time. The final episode of Twin Peaks, for example, left many questions unanswered. While it's unlikely that David Lynch will reprise that series any time soon, there's always the chance that a letter-
ABC Entertainment
Attn: Jamie Tarses, Entertainment President
2040 Avenue Of The Stars, 7th Floor
Century City, CA 90067
Dear Ms. Tarses,
I am writing to suggest that you correct a mistake made by your network some time ago. One of the seminal sitcoms of the early '80s, Benson, delighted millions with its political satire and warm ensemble humor. As a butler who worked his way up to the position of Lieutenant Governor, the character of Benson, played by Robert Guillaume, provided a role model for many. Unfortunately, ABC canceled Benson in 1986. While I recognize that all shows must eventually meet their end, this couldn't have come at a worse moment. If you'll recall, Benson found himself running for governor against a longtime friend, and the man to whom he owed his political career, Gov. James Gatling. The final episode found the two, newly reconciled, settling down together to watch the election results. These results would presumably have been announced at the beginning of the seventh season—a season that never appeared. I encourage you to create a reunion movie resolving this issue, or at least issue a press release announcing the results of the election.
Sincerely,
(Your Name Here)
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