Bonnie Hammered by Washington Post

[atlantagirl]

Apologies if this has already been discussed -- it's hard to tell with all the Bonnie-related threads at the moment -- but I just saw it posted on the DOM.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25047-2003Jan7.html

By Lisa de Moraes
Jan 7 (8?)

Cable suits beware: TV critics have had enough of your dodging questions here at Winter TV Press Tour 2003.

Bonnie Hammer, president of the Sci Fi channel, was thrashed by the critics today when she attempted to sidestep a question about why the network was dumping the series "Farscape."

Like AMC topper Rob Sorcher the day before, perky Hammer pulled out the old "Gee I'd love to answer that one but we're here to listen to our on-air talent blather about their fabulousness, so I'm sorry I just can't possibly." The line is on the first page of the "How to Answer Those Tough Questions at the Press Tour" handbook that is required reading for cable execs.

Hammer's version went like this: "I'd be delighted to talk with you after this, rather than taking up time with the panel but . . ."

At which point, critics, who on Day 2 of the tour were already grumpy, let her have it.

"No!" they screamed at a visibly shaken Hammer.

"The bottom line was we couldn't come up with the financial deal that made sense," Hammer told them. She said that what critics might call evasiveness was really a decision by the network to "take the high road. We didn't go out to the press and tell them what was going on; we didn't feel that was appropriate, so we just very calmly just said . . . we just financially couldn't do 22 new [episodes]. We could do 13 and that's what we . . . tried very hard to do."

They ended up with only 11 more episodes.

[Meltdown]

Someone posted this link on the Dom and I thought it was to good not to share :rollin:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25047-2003Jan7.html

Here is the fun part:

Cable suits beware: TV critics have had enough of your dodging questions here at Winter TV Press Tour 2003.

Bonnie Hammer, president of the Sci Fi channel, was thrashed by the critics today when she attempted to sidestep a question about why the network was dumping the series "Farscape."

Like AMC topper Rob Sorcher the day before, perky Hammer pulled out the old "Gee I'd love to answer that one but we're here to listen to our on-air talent blather about their fabulousness, so I'm sorry I just can't possibly." The line is on the first page of the "How to Answer Those Tough Questions at the Press Tour" handbook that is required reading for cable execs.

Hammer's version went like this: "I'd be delighted to talk with you after this, rather than taking up time with the panel but . . ."

At which point, critics, who on Day 2 of the tour were already grumpy, let her have it.

"No!" they screamed at a visibly shaken Hammer.

"The bottom line was we couldn't come up with the financial deal that made sense," Hammer told them. She said that what critics might call evasiveness was really a decision by the network to "take the high road. We didn't go out to the press and tell them what was going on; we didn't feel that was appropriate, so we just very calmly just said . . . we just financially couldn't do 22 new [episodes]. We could do 13 and that's what we . . . tried very hard to do."

They ended up with only 11 more episodes.

[Meltdown]

Oopps!
Atlantgirl looks like you and I were posting the same thing at the same time. Sorry for the duplicate thread.

:O

[Shipscat]

I just dropped them a quick note to let them know that I think they were mislead about the 11 eps, and that they were not the result of Scifi's trying very hard to do anything.

I'm afraid the way it's stated in the article that it looks like Scifi gave us a short season five after all.

[buggabboo]

i just merged them

no worries

buggs

[DangerWillRobinson]

Glad to see that Bonnie is feeling some heat from our campaign. Now if they would just reverse themselves!!!

[Farsight]

That's really great. I can picture the scene in my head, with her trying to brush aside what I'm sure in her mind was just some offhand question by a reporter for a student paper, and getting yelled at by some critics who don't like when good shows are killed for no good reason.

Ah, I'll sleep better tonight. :)

[VBKatLou]

I was so depressed yesterday. I've been real busy at work and haven't had time to get on the boards. All I really had time to do yesterday was read the article and throw a small temper tantrum on the dom. :D

Yesterday I felt like everything we had been doing and had done didn't matter because one network exec's comments could be published in a national magazine and everyone would believe her cos really - we're just nobodies as far as the industry is concerned.

After reading the Post article, my faith in humankind is restored. I'm so glad the press didn't buy into "the party line" any more than we did.

OK. NOW I'M READY TO GO AGAIN!

[Stargate2077]

Hey! You got to remember that the critics are on our side! Look at how much they have done for us in the campaign. When everything is set and done, we should make an open letter to all the critics that helped us in the campaign.

[LiLOrion]

I think they have gone above and beyond...and thankfully they happen to have the same opinion of the cancellation as all of us!:)

[JA_Shipper]

Man, this thread has just totally made my day!!!! SCAPERS (and their supportive media helpers) RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:bounce: :joy: :joy: :bounce: :bounce: :joy: :bounce: :bounce:

Suse

[eJpolk]

God bless the (what is it) 4th (?) estate!!! Hee hee!

[Kerlin]

Ow, ow, and ow. I almost feel bad for her. Well, I was on the way to feeling bad for her until she tried to explain the new 11 episodes as a fifth season. Methinks that the Washington Post would also like a quick reminder email from Save Farscape letting them know the real truth?

[eJpolk]

By the way... did anyone notice that Fox canned Firefly just in time for the continuation of Farscape? That ninny Hammer (ha ha) should know that. Fox could only hold viewers to that one when Farscape was not on the air. Now that it is back, they hadn't a prayer of holding that demographic - they knew that and canned Firefly.

[Dominar of Action]

Let's not trash Firefly, please. There are many Scapers who love Firefly and no doubt some of them would have chosen to watch FF and tape FS if the two were scheduled against each other. I seriously doubt Fox (a major network) was worried about competition from FS on Sci Fi (a minor cable network).

[Halvdan]

I read both the TV Guide and Washington Post articles, so...who'll be the new exec? :) Both those articles did a good job of painting the real picture.

[Dominar of Action]

Based on following the media coverage of XF back in the day, I'm almost positive now that BH never gave an interview to TVGuide Online. The TVGO writer must have attended the same meeting as the WP writer. S/he then took Bonnie's remarks (that she was obviously not prepared to make at that time) and inserted "questions" for a Q&A format with a certain amount of implied snarkiness. :)

While I am of course thrilled with the coverage and am grateful to the critics' continued support, I do wish they would challenge her statements more directly by offering an opposing view. But I guess quoting mere fans would not look "objective."

Ah well...

[elishavah]

Just FYI, Lisa de Moraes' e-mail isn't available, but the Post's assistant Style editor's is: Lynn Medford, medfordl@washpost.com. Could probably let her know about the fact that the 11 eps we're getting aren't the result of any negotiations.

[eJpolk]

Dominar...

Sorry about that. I did not mean to trash Firefly. I just figure that the audience who watched Farscape switched to Firefly for a science fiction fix while Farscape was off the air. No offence.

[Mirth]

Woot!

[Dominar of Action]

None taken, eJpolk. I'm sure you're right that some FS fans were prompted to try out FF in the absence of new FS episodes ... and hopefully some FF fans will reciprocate for FS come Friday. :)

[eJpolk]

Originally posted by Dominar of Action
None taken, eJpolk. I'm sure you're right that some FS fans were prompted to try out FF in the absence of new FS episodes ... and hopefully some FF fans will reciprocate for FS come Friday. :)

Sounds great to me!javascript:smilie(':aok:')

[atomicblue]

:rollin: :rollin: Finally her feet are being warmed by the flame (of angry torch bearing mob). She really deserves to lie the the bed that she has made. Unlike Henson and Co. I have never felt any warmies towards this woman. Anyone with hair like hers is scary........
Maybe heads will roll!
:rollin: :rollin: :rollin:

[Susana]

I wonder, is there a video anywhere of this press conference? It would be interesting to see :).

[Moge]

E-mail to Lynn Medford written and sent! Hey, she deserves to know that we appreciated here reporter's story!

Moge

[Tiriel]

DoA: that's what I was thinking! Too similar to be anything else!

But the WP article: whistles They all but used the f- and b-word! Whoever wrote that was really, really pissed off in no uncertain terms!

Just take the "Taking the high road" comment in the context of a press-conference! It basically translates into "You press-people are all vultures and we didn't want to give you ammunition." :eek3:

Hell! And I thought George W is bad when gets caught off guard! At leas *he* doesn't insult the people he's talking to directly!

LOL! In the US, what's the typical type of flower to send for funerals? Maybe we should send a bunch over to her office... :D

At this point I can't even gloat! That wasn't a bad little slip up, that was falling head over heals into a defense ditch, impaling yourself one dozens of sharp wooden sticks! I'm in awe, that's what I am! :eek3:

Love and Peace and Positive PR!!!

Tiriel :eek:

[Moge]

Couldn't help but share this...anyone else willing to write to her in a similar vein?

Moge
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Ms. Medford,

A quick word from a Farscape fan to thank you, and Ms. de Moraes for having the courage to print such a matter of fact and honest account of Bonnie Hammer's reaction to questions regarding Farscape's cancellation. I don't know if you are aware of the amazing fan-based community that has gathered to try and save this fine series. Check it out at: www.savefarscape.com We're not all geeky Farscape 'trekkies', either! :-)

Farscape isn't for everyone, make no mistake. But it's brave, innovative television and a lot of us around the world are going to miss it. I know this story was written for a different purpose, but I had to thank you for giving our cause (even inadvertently) some attention. In return, even though I'm an American abroad, I will make a point of visiting the Washington Post's website (particularly the Style section) daily.

Thanks again!

(My real name, removed to keep me safe from you crazies) :D

[AnnieBW]

I'm a big fan of both Lisa DeMoraes and Tom Shales, the other TV Critic at the Post. (Although Shales never liked The X-Files). Also, there's at least one Scaper in the advertising department at the Post. I've asked him to try to get word to Lisa internally. Anyway, here's my letter:

I was thrilled to read Lisa De Moreaes' article on January 7th regarding the critics at the Winter TV Press Tour grilling of the President of the Sci-Fi Channel, Bonnie Hammer, on the cancellation of "Farscape". As an avid viewer of the series, I would like to clarify a few facts. First of all, in 2001, Sci-Fi renewed "Farscape" for a guaranteed two seasons. The Henson Company, which produces "Farscape" was continuing under the assumption that this two-season contract was in good faith. Apparently, as a result of Sci-Fi's parent company, USA Networks, being sold to Vivendi Universal, they contacted Henson and informed them that they had to cut the budget. When Henson, which already had two-year contracts in place and was also tied to the financially-strapped EM TV, refused to cut the show's budget, Sci-Fi came back with the offer of 13 episodes, with the option to pick up the last nine. Again, Henson and EM TV were unable to agree to that. So, all offers were withdrawn, and Sci-Fi used the "out clause" in their contract with Henson. The cast and crew were informed of the cancellation on the last day of filming, which was September 8th, 2002. The "eleven episodes" which Ms. De Moraes refers to in her article, were episodes that had already been filmed and made up the second half of the fourth season.

I would also like to let Ms. De Moraes and the "Washington Post" know that the fans of Farscape have not taken this cancellation lightly. We have gone beyond the usual "rabid sci-fi fan" protesting to organize rallies in several cities, including Washington DC and the Air Force base in Bagram, Afghanistan. We have financed an ad in a major newspaper that will run on the Friday, January 10th. We have also produced our own radio and TV commercials that will air in several major markets, including Washington DC. Our efforts have been covered by several news outlets, including CNN Headline News. For more information, visit the website http://www.watchfarscape.com/.

Thank you again, Ms. De Moraes, for reporting the response of the critics at the Press Tour. It is very gratifying to know that "the reporters who cover television" are out there fighting for good television.

Sincerely,

Ann White
DC Scapers
Laurel, MD

[jadeshand]

from Ms. Medford, telling me she forwarded my message on to Ms. deMoraes and thanking me kindly for my input! :D

[Eve11]

Thanks Ann, for posting your letter. Quick note, though. I'm almost positive the USA Today ad is scheduled for January 17th.

[Talyn-John]

Yes! You know, I do kinda feel sorry for Ms. Hammer, but I suppose she opened that can of worms herself.

[B Sharp]

The Cleveland Dealer didn't like Ms. Hammer much either...

http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/mark_dawidziak/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/1042195425248550.xml

[Rhonda]

Quote from article...
"The worth of a "Farscape" can't be measured by simply calculating the budget, so many industry insiders and critics view the cancellation as shortsighted. And think of the bad publicity you buy by dropping a series ardently supported by science-fiction fans whose passion has been eloquently and persistently expressed on the e-mail trail. "

Amen!:D I love articles like these! This guy did a great job!
Maybe this reporter would be interested in how the e-mail trail blew up into a fandom flood? He could do a follow up on just how our "orbit of rage" turned into an "orbit of action" on the most grand of scales. Just a thought.:)

O.k, off to tell Mr.Mark Dawidziak that I enjoyed his article....

[akimbo]

Thanks for writing to Mr. Dawidziak! We've been trying to keep him up-to-date on the website and the campaign projects - even sent him a cookbook :)

The more people that give him feedback, the better his chances to write about Farscape again: mdawidziak@plaind.com

[TechnoBoY]

Sent my letter in!

[BritAngie]

This is the second time at least he's been very generous to us and kind about the campaign and such a supporter of the show. :D Give that man a hearty round of applause!

[the_cadpig]

Sent him an email to thank him for the article and his support :)


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Save Farscape! - Catch Tirielitis! :bounce: