Fan Campaigns

Firefly is a television series directed by Joss Whedon that aired on the Fox network in 2002. It is a science fiction series set in the year 2517 after humans have spread across the universe and the United States and China emerge as the only superpowers from an intergalactic civil war. They merge to form the Alliance that makes up the government. This merger also fused the two cultures. The show picks up with the captain and his second, who were both on the losing side of the civil war, and the hodgepodge of the crew on their ship, Serenity. The group consists of a reverend, a young female mechanic, a companion, a comedic pilot, a mercenary, a doctor, and the doctor’s younger sister who is being chased by the Alliance. For one reason or another, they all need to stay under the Alliance’s radar. The show focuses on their smuggling jobs done on the outskirts of the Alliance’s control and the many odd situations that result. The setting gives it a distinct western feel unique to the science fiction genre that also helps reinforce the characters’ search of freedom. The show also focuses on the control of the Alliance and how they interfere with their jobs.

After airing only 11 episodes, Firefly was canceled. However, the show gained a tremendous fan base. DVD sales were also strong and increased after the Sci-Fi channel started re-airing it. The fans started a massive campaign to bring the show back, using websites, contacting producers, and showing support at conventions. While the show never re-syndicated, the popularity led Whedon and Universal Studios to create a film based on the series. Serenity, named after the ship, was released in 2005, and focuses on the confrontation between the inhabitants of Serenity and the Alliance. http://www.serenitymovie.com/

Why should anyone care? Well, this shows that fans have some power over what is produced. A space western would not have been picked up if the fans weren’t demanding it. Film producers work for the money. Serenity would have been a huge risk if Firefly wasn’t so popular, but demand compelled them to create it. This isn't the first or last that has been affected by fan campaigns. In the 1950's Cagney and Lacey and Gunsmoke, one of the longest running shows in American history, were both revived by popular demand. More recently, the CBS show Jericho was brought back by a fan campaign. Fox's Family Guy was renegotiated back by producers after reruns on Adult Swim had high ratings. So when fans get together they can sway the decisions that producers make. They have some affect on what is usually a disconnected organization.