Watching Jericho

If you’re like most Jericho fans, you just can’t get enough of Skeet Ulrich, our adorable Jake Green, never fear, because not only is Jericho returning in February, but we also have a new movie which Skeet will be appearing in called Armored, also starring Matt Dillion (Crash), Zap2It is reporting.

Looking over the IMDB profile set up for the movie doesn’t really give us much of any information (including the fact that Skeet has been signed on for this picture) as most of the movies listed as “in production” end up with on IMDB’s site, and a quick Google search doesn’t provide much more information outside of the synopsis (read one of the more in-depth synopsises), I have this odd feeling that Jericho fans will be out in droves to see Skeet return to the big screen when this is released.

In the interest of full disclosure, though, I have to say that this movie sounds a touch like Chill Factor, also starring Mr. Ulrich, and I truly, truly disliked that movie. Not even having Skeet in it really made it any better for me to sit through, and that’s saying something. But, I’m still holding out high hopes that this Armored kicks Chill Factor’s derrière. I can already tell from the cast that I’ve got nothing to worry about on that end. (And, no, I really wasn’t working for that pun at all)

Read the article here from Zap2It and check out the IMDB profile for the movie Armored.

I received this email this morning, and thought I should share it.

have received the following message and been asked to spread it far and wide. The message is authentic. Please feel free to post it on your respective boards and blogs. (Also note that because of the content and the YouTube link, posting this on CBS might be an instant recipe for deletion and banning. I’m not going to do that, but feel free to try if you’re so inclined.)

The message didn’t come from me; it comes from the “creative family of Jericho” and should be credited as such. I have not yet seen the video.

Dear Jericho Rangers:

As you probably know, the writers’ union has gone on strike against the studios and now your favorite TV shows, including JERICHO, are in jeopardy.

But what you may not know, is the truth behind it all.

Last summer, the Jericho Rangers ran one of the most successful grassroots campaigns in history. With that in mind, we would be so grateful if you could post the following link wherever you can:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=oJ55Ir2jCxk

This video, appropriately entitled WHY WE FIGHT, is a very accurate and fair description of why the writers are striking.

If after you’ve watched this video, you would like to make a difference, please let the studios and networks know that you support the writers in their fight for a fair contract in order to get your shows back on the air. The writers also ask that you do not purchase and download TV shows and/or watch the TV shows that are streamed online by their networks until this strike is resolved.

Thank you for all you have done!

Signed,
Your Jericho Family

“Getting answers is easy… It’s getting the truth that takes work”
–Robert Hawkins

Alicia Coppola, our favorite sympathetic chicken neck wringing Mimi Clark on Jericho, is set to star in the movie “Black Widow” on Lifetime Television with Elizabeth Berkley (Saved By the Bell, Showgirls), says Reuters Online. Now, I won’t beat around the bush, I am looking forward to her role in “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” a touch more than say, a Lifetime “Woman in Peril” Movie of the Week, but at least this one seems a little bit interesting via the plot listed on Reuters Online.

“The thriller revolves around a journalist (Coppola) who suspects that her close friend has fallen for a woman (Berkley) who murdered her previous husbands.”

Yeah, I know, there has to be a murder and first off, a woman who’s up to No Good along with a woman who’s On To Her, but it is called “Black Widow”, so what do you want?

I went looking for more information on the movie via IMDB, but came up a little short, with the “complete plot synopsis” just being someone who seems to have some unresolved issues when it come to Elizabeth Berkley. Going through the Official Lifetime Television site seems to lead to nothing also, since every time I tried their search function it would return a blank screen instead of results. With the release date posted on the IMDB Profile for the movie, though (November 15, for those interested), I would have thought that I could find some promo information easier. Maybe it’s just me, though.

Jericho, Alicia Coppola, Mimi Clark, Black Widow, TV, television, CBS

I would be filing this post under the “WHAT are they thinking?!?!?!” category…

SyFy Portal is reporting that Pamela Reed, the rock of the town of Jericho as Gail Green, will not be returning to the show after the short, seven - episode season due to the fact that she was never offered a new contract by CBS. Why are they not offering her a new contract? Because of ageism, Pamela said at a recent panel on ageism at the Los Angeles Femme Film Festival.

“The average age of actors on that show is under 40, and those of us over 40 are gone,” the 58-year-old actress said, according to Film Stew.

SyFy Portal does go on to say that this doesn’t mean that she won’t be in the upcoming seven – episode short season, because those were shot before her contract expired, which makes me feel a little better about this, but only by a slim margin. I’m extremely disturbed that they decided not to extend her a contract because the character of Gail Green really is a cornerstone for the town of Jericho, and I’m trying to figure out how they will be able to not completely change the show and everything to do with the general feel since the characters will have lost both Johnston and now Gail. I’m also upset at this news because Gail, while occasionally a bit irritating, was one of those characters that I really loved and thought always moved the plot along for this atmosphere, and I think that the show will suffer from “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” disease if they only show the under - 40 crowd and how they deal with what has happened. (Disclaimer: I am part of that under – 40 crowd.)

Read the whole article here.

Jericho, Pamela Reed, Gail+Green, ageism, TV, television, CBS

MovieWeb.com is reporting that Chris Kramer (who knew there were so many Chris Kramers in the entertainment industry, as the IMDB search brought up so many returns), who I hope is the guy to the left, which, after reading his IMDB Profile seems to make the most amount of sense. I’ve also found a fansite for him, and reading through the filmography and other links provided on the site, also seems to make me think that this is the guy that will be playing the role, not some of the other Chris Kramers that are listed on IMDB. Who is he playing, I hear you asking? Well, MovieWeb.com doesn’t have a lot of information to go on, but what they do have is extremely intriguing.

In other casting news, Chris Kramer has signed onto CBS’ Jericho. He will be playing Chavez, an old friend of Robert Hawkins (Lennie James).

An old friend of Hawkins? My first question is he an old friend like Sarah was an old friend, or could he might possibly be someone on the “White Hat” side of Hawkins’ past? What do you think?

Jericho, Chris Kramer, casting news, TV, television, CBS

I received an email from Lynn asking me to post this, and I REALLY want to go.

Shoshannah Stern is live and in person coming in October 2007 to Nashville TN.
For more information, visit the event website:
http://www.gatecommunications.org/gatecomm/celsign07/celsign07entry.htm
She will be available for pictures and to Sign autographs.

Because of Dragoncon, I really haven’t thought beyond Labor Day weekend in a long, long time. Anyone in the Nashville area going?

Jericho, Shoshannah Stern, Celebration of Sign, TV, television, CBS

Esai Morales, who has been seen all over the place, but most recently in “NYPD Blue”, will be joining the cast of Jericho, comingsoon.net is reporting. He’ll be appearing in six of the seven new episodes in the coming season, which makes me think that he’ll be playing the character that Watch with Kristen a few weeks ago talked about called Col. Hoffman.

Now for a little scoop: We’re told the show welcomes a new character in the premiere: Col. Hoffman, a reliable and experienced military man, just might fill the void left by Mayor Johnston Green (Gerald McRaney). Apparently, he’s a good family guy, known for being faithful to his wife (who has been missing since the attacks) and fair to the men in his command. He plays a key role this year.

So, what do y’all think? Is Mr. Morales the Family-Man Col. Hoffman or someone we haven’t heard anything about yet.

Read the article on Esai Morales here, and the Watch With Kristen spoilers here.

Jericho, Esai Morales, Watch With Kristen, second season, Col. Hoffman, TV, television, CBS

You know I had to jump on the Paris bandwagon…

Ashley Scott caught the attention of Splash News Online by going to visit with Paris, as in Hilton, not the city, not too long before she was released from jail.

Paris Hilton had one final visitor at the Lynwood jail, friend and actress Ashley Scott, who stars on the TV show ‘Jericho.’Ashley spent 45 minutes inside the jail, saying it was an emotional visit because she couldn’t touch or hug Paris as she’s behind glass but that Paris “looks great” and can’t wait to eat a good meal once she’s released.

While the article speculates that Ashley Scott may have been surfing for some free publicity instead of going to visit with her friend, but I know that there have been enough articles in the past on Ashley’s friendship with Paris that I’m not buying that as the reason she showed up at the jail.

Read the whole article here (with photos).

Jericho, cancellation, Ashley Scott, Emily Sullivan, TV, television, CBS

Stephen Battaglio over at TVGuide.com has a great interview with Skeet Ulrich, talking about how surprised he was at the fan response to the cancellation of Jericho, prompting CBS to renew the series for out “mini-season”.

TVGuide.com: Which was inspired by the line in the season finale in which you say “nuts” to New Bern’s demands that Jericho give up in the war for food.
Ulrich: Which to me is just bizarre because that line was the toughest one I had to deliver all season. It’s such a non sequitur. To see it turn into this rallying cry of petitioning and fighting for the show is really interesting. It was insane following it and then for it to have an effect.

TVGuide.com: Were you reading any of the fan reaction online?
Ulrich: I was hearing most of it word of mouth, but I would check in periodically and see what was going on on the message boards. I saw the cast start thanking everybody and that’s when I jumped in. I don’t know how to describe it all. I find myself giggling alone in corners every once and a while.

I adore the idea of Skeet, off in some corner, giggling over the response that his show garnered.

Read the whole thing here.

Jericho, renewal, Skeet Ulrich, Jake Green, TV, television, CBS

While the joy of the Saving of Jericho is still high, Gary Bourgeaultat the Biz of Showbiz makes a valid point by asking who will be coming back now that Jericho has been renewed?

To begin with, the writers had already departed, and not all of them will be able to get back into the project, although several look like they will be returning.

Executive producer for the show, Carol Barbee has already been transferred to another project as well, now working on another CBS midseason drama “Swingtown.”

The network confirmed that it has options on all the actors involved with the series, but there will have to be a number of changes to meet budget requirements: in other words, not all of the original characters will be returning for the shorter second season.

This is something that does worry me, because I really don’t want the dynamic that has worked so well this past season to be broken apart because the cast and crew needed to find work in other shows or venues.

What do you think? Even without the availability of all of the cast and crew a guarantee, do you think that the show will be able to live up to the most amazing season that they just had?

Read the whole article here.

Jericho, renewal, TV, television, CBS

Dragoncon, which has become a force of nature in the Science Fiction Convention circles in the last few years, is at it again over Labor Day Weekend (August 31 - September 3, 2007), and I’m proud to say that I’m on staff this year, helping out the Apocalypse Rising Staff in regards to all things Jericho. We’re still working out the kinks on our Jericho Panel, but I’m hoping to make it everything and anything that a Jericho fan will be interested in. The big thing for Jericho will be the Life As We Knew It: Jericho Season 1 Review, which I’m hoping will be interesting to all comers.

Interested in helping me out this Labor Day in Atlanta, Georgia? Use the Contact Me form on this blog to get a hold of me for more information.

Jericho, Dragoncon, Apocalypse+Rising, fan response, TV, television, CBS

With all of the news on the Save Jericho campaigns that are out there, it’s good to see that some fans are taking an additional step in trying to gain attention to the show.

Convention Ideas

We’ve got some AWESOME ideas for our convention, but we need more! Get the thinking caps on folks, hopefully the list I have provided will get the gray matter in motion!

* ‘FEMA’ camp - which will be our campgrounds for those that want to really experience the convention in a different way!
* Black Jack Fairgrounds - a place to buy and sell things, most vendors will be placed there.
* Bailey’s - Turning a local bar into Bailey’s for the duration of the convention and have a television set to all Jericho throughout the bar’s business hours. I love this idea, you guys will find me there, I’ll be in the corner waiting for Stanley, Mimi and Jake to show up to play cards until the wee hours of the morning!

As I’m on staff for Dragoncon’s Apocalypse Rising Track this year, centering on Jericho, I really love to see some cons getting their feet wet with a whole weekend dedicated to a wonderful television show.

Keep up with new information in regards to the Jericho Con here.

Jericho, Nuts for Jericho, cancellation, fan response, Jericho Con, TV, television, CBS

I’ve actually been avoiding the Message Board over on the Official Site lately, more because I just don’t have the kind of time it would take to really take to read through all of the comments. But, I did notice that there’s a section of the board that has many comments left from the cast and crew of Jericho, talking about the cancellation and I think left in a way to placate the rabid fans over on the board. Some of the comments have been left by Jon Steinberg, Skeet Ulrich, Lennie James, Alicia Coppola, Shoshannah Stern, Brad Beyer, Candace Bailey and Michael Gaston, and I do hope to see even more of the cast and crew to comment on the board.

See the listing of comments here.

On an administrative note, I’ll be posting only once or twice a week here from now on, until there is no more news to be had on the show or I just start seeing a drastic reduction in visitors. I don’t want to give up on Jericho, but there’s only so many times I can tell y’all where to send the nuts, ya know?

Jericho, Nuts for Jericho, cancellation, fan response, Jon Steinberg, Skeet Ulrich, Lennie James, Alicia Coppola, Shoshannah Stern, Brad Beyer, Candace Bailey, Michael Gaston, TV, television, CBS

I love the Popwatch Blog over on EW.com, and you know that they made themselves even higher on my list by writing an article entitled “‘Jericho’: One Week Later“. They’ve been pretty amazing on their coverage from the fallout of the cancellation of the show, and one thing really struck me as I was reading their timeline, and that was a comment given by Ashley Scott at the Pirates of the Caribbean Premiere recently.

May 19: At the Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End premiere in Hollywood, Ashley Scott, who played Emily Sullivan, told EW’s Carrie Bell how she felt about Jericho’s cancellation: “It infuriates me. It is not fair to people who watched because we didn’t wrap it up because we thought we were coming back. Now viewers will never get a chance to know the whole story of the bombs and what happened or what is going to happen to these townspeople. It is just rude and I think people are going to stop watching shows like that because they keep getting shafted by these serials that they get into, then they get canceled and they never get any closure.”

My favorite part of the quote, of course, is calling it “just rude”. While I’ve never been a Emily/Jake ’shipper, Ashley Scott is currently my favorite actor on the show because of this.

Jericho, cancellation, Ashley Scott, Emily Sullivan, Pirates of the Caribbean, TV, television, CBS

Have you watched the Previews for this week’s Season Finale of Jericho? I caught it at the end of last week’s episode, and I threw some of my thoughts into the bottom of my recap, which has garnered a repeated comment:

CBS, Don’t kill off Johnston Green!

But that’s exactly where I think we’re heading to when it comes to Wednesday’s episode. We know that someone is going to die, because of spoilers and previews, but of course, they aren’t telling us who. Because of everything that has been thrown around, official and unofficial, it looks as though Gerald McRaney will be leaving Jericho, though a decent search can’t tell me what’s going on.

Don’t know what I’m talking about, check out the links at the bottom of the post. Then, come back and let me know what you think, and who it is that you think is going to be the one killed off.

Watch the Sneak Peek here. *Spoilers in this clip*

Watch the Preview here.

Jericho, Gerald McRaney, Johnston Green, Season Finale, TV, television, CBS