Alternate Save MST3k FAQ

You may or may not be aware that I have an "unofficial" FAQ aimed at online
service users (Matt has given his permission). I thought I would pass along
MY version of the "Save" FAQ, which contains some info Matt's doesn't. Feel
free to use any of it on your page (including what I think is a rather cogent
analysis of the reasons behind the cancellation that was posted by another
person on AOL recently--I have incorporated into the "Why?" question.
--Chris
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COMEDY CENTRAL ANNOUNCES MST3K WILL NOT BE RENEWED
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Q. I heard the show has been canceled!! Is that true?
A: Well, the it depends on how you define "canceled. If you define "canceled"
as "taken off the air," then no, it has not. Comedy Central will still be
running reruns of the series for another year. But Comedy Central HAS said it
will not order any more new episodes of the series. And since Best Brains has
completed the six episodes Comedy Central ordered for season seven, it means
that Best Brains has been forced to shut down.

Q: Well, WHY did Comedy Central do this?
A: Executives at CC have been full of contradictory responses and lame
excuses. CC's new president, Doug Herzog, has cited "low ratings" as the
reason, but it seems extremely unlikely that MST3K's ratings are far lower
than most of the rest of CC's programming. In any case, fans know that Comedy
Central and Best Brains have been growing apart for some time. It seems far
more likely that this is less about ratings and much more about the fact that
CC has no control over what BBI does. Comedy Central has also made it clear
that they do not think MST3K fits in with their "cutting edge" style of
programming.
In addition. if it's true that Comedy Central has picked up six million new
subscribers in the past year (due simply to the fact that with municipalities
gaining more control over the granting and revoking of franchises, most cable
networks are trying to expand their programming), then CC is able to increase
its advertising rates, because it now reaches more homes, if not more
VIEWERS. And since Comedy Central is just one stratum in a multi-layered
corporate communications monstrosity, it's imperative to Dougie that he pep
up his bottom line. Solution: Dump any program which costs MONEY to produce,
shovel the fetid, but inexpensive contents of their library onto the screen,
and watch those quarterly profits grow. Sure, they're losing viewers, but the
increase in subscribing cable franchises gives them greater market
penetration, so they can--at least temporarily--maintain their advertising
revenue and increase income by simply by cutting costs.
So what happens when this pyramid scheme inevitably goes bust? Who cares?
Dougie's not planning for the long-run; NO network president expects to have
the same job for the next 20 years--these guys come and go faster than
Italian Prime Ministers--so why should he care about the condition of CC two
years from now? He wants to show a significant increase in short term
profits, so that hopefully some other network or production company will
offer him a higher salary to jump ship before the whole ship sinks. 
It's going to get a lot worse at CC before it gets any better at all. And by
then, is there a single one of us who's likely to care?

Q: Well, what can I do about it?
A: PLENTY! You can start by writing or faxing Comedy Central! Do NOT e-mail
Comedy Central, as they ignore e-mail. Also, please don't call, as we don't
want to irritate CC officials and staff at this tender moment.

Q: What should I say in the letter?
A: Tell them how much you love the series and ask them, NICELY, to order more
more episodes for season 7 (through December 1996). Above all, please be
polite and courteous. We know that is a difficult request. We know how angry
you are. We know you WANT to call them dickweeds, but please try to control
that anger. Thanks.

Q: Where should I write or fax?
A: Write or fax to Doug Herzog, president of Comedy Central, asking him to
reconsider his decision to cancel MST3K, and to order.

Doug Herzog
Comedy Central
1775 Broadway
New York, NY 10019

Phone: (212) 767-4071
Fax: (212) 767-8590

Q: Should I write other networks as well?
A: For now, it is best to focus our efforts on Comedy Central. BBI can't work
for another network until 1997, and they would like to stay in business
making new episodes in the meantime (and we'd like to see them!). The best
way to do this is to ask CC to agree to purchase more episodes for 1996.

Q: Should I fax or e-mail Best Brains to let them know I care?
A: That's a nice thought, but please don't. If you feel moved to write a
letter of support, go ahead, but please stay off BBI's fax machine and email
unless you have an important message. They have been swamped with letters of
support (which they appreciate) but it has gotten to the point that it is
hindering everyday work.

Q: So what else can I do? Who else can I call or write?
A: Call or write to your local TV writer/critic in your local newspaper and
tell him/her that fans are organizing this campaign. He/she may have only
have heard the basic news that the show is canceled. You might also mention
the campaign is being organized in cyberspace. They LOVE to talk about
"cyberspace" in the newspaper nowadays.

Q: What about organized events?
A: These are currently in the planning stages. We are trying to set up a
listserver that people can subscribe to in order to be notified of events
such as a CC phone-a-thon or fax-a-thon. Details will be forthcoming. In
addition, the possibility of boycotts are being discussed. Again, people will
be notified when we have more information.

Q: Wasn't BBI the ones who wanted to quit?
A: Absolutely not. BBI has said that they very much want to continue making
Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Q: CC is impossible. Shouldn't they just go to another network?
A: Yes, in the long run, it's clear that BBI needs to go to another network.
But that will have to wait until 1997.

Q: Are any other networks interested?
A: Yes, BBI has discussed the possibility of making MST3K with several other
networks. According to the contract with CC, BBI is allowed to discuss
options elsewhere, but no new episodes can be made until 1997.

Q: Will all this affect the planned MST3K convention scheduled for later this
year?
A: Best Brains says the convention will go on as scheduled.