TV success is all about characters

KUDOS to Robert Lloyd for his insightful article on the bond between viewers and their favorite shows [“Loyal Propositions,” May 20]. His mentioning of the legendary “Save Star Trek” campaign illustrates how good writing and acting can make a connection with the viewer beyond hype, clownish antics and the drive to win money and fame.

However, none of the other shows he mentioned have the years behind them that “Crossing Jordan” had. Spawning several websites in support of its six-year run, “CJ”’s brilliant writing and acting survived schedule changes, long hiatuses and poor network promotion.

The only thing that could end “CJ” was the relentless refusal by NBC to leave it in one place long enough for viewers to plan their television viewing around it.

When media pundits say the television audience is shrinking, one can only point to the failure of the networks to keep viewers by canceling shows people like. No professional lobbyist can get people to support a show enough to stage a “Save Angel” or “Save Jericho” campaign; it has to come from a desire to see these characters in your home every week. Something a show like “Survivor” or “The Apprentice” will never have.

JULIE BYERS

Arcadia

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ENJOYED Robert Lloyd’s article on loyalty and the networks. What kills me is that the networks seem to be killing off what loyalty they had. Long midseason breaks, overkill with more reality shows, lack of faith in new shows, etc., seem to be killing viewer interest with them. It is really sad that a show gets two, maybe three episodes before it gets shelved.

Why should viewers tune in anymore if the shows they watch don’t make it more than a month? The networks need to return to the days when you showed the whole season of a program, not just three episodes.

Look at “The West Wing,” for example. Under the current conditions, that show would have never enjoyed a seven-year run. “Jericho” is the newest in this category -- huge fan support and a huge campaign to get it back. Not sure if the networks are listening to anyone, but I guess that’s why I watch more programming from TNT, Spike, USA and Sci Fi.

KEN DOBBE

Meridian, Miss.