Cagney & Lacey (1981)
Fans organized a letter-writing campaign which was supported by Gloria Steinem's Ms. Magazine. The show was renewed and ran for six more seasons.
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Poll: Canceled? Not so fast!
These days if a TV show gets canceled there is still a slight chance they will be picked up by another network or a streaming service. Before this development there were a few times where fan campaigns (often using highly unusual means) were instrumental in getting the ax lifted and the network renewing the show after all.
Out of these successful campaigns, which show do you think most deserved their reprieve?
Make Your Choice
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Chuck (2007)
Fans launched a "Have a Heart, Renew Chuck" campaign, raising $17,000 for the American Heart Association. They also organized a mass purchase of Subway sandwiches on the day of the finale. Subway was so impressed they became one of the show's main sponsors and the show ran for five total seasons. -
Cougar Town (2009)
The cast went on a tour during the third season, hosting wine-filled viewing parties across the country. While it was still cancelled, it moved to a new network and ran for three more seasons. -
Designing Women (1986)
After the first season, fans launched a letter-writing campaign due to its low ratings. The show rebounded and ran for six more seasons. -
Felicity (1998)
Fans helped the show get a reprieve by congregating on the studio's lawn and sending letters to protest. The show ran for two more years. -
Friday Night Lights (2006)
Fans sent in light bulbs and eye drops (the team's motto was "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose"). The show moved to a streaming service where it ran for three more years. -
Jericho (2006)
Fans sent 20 tons of peanuts (the main character often cried, "Nuts") to the network. Seven more episodes were created and ran the following year. -
Quantum Leap (1989)
When its ratings dropped precipitously after a time period change, fans started a "Keep the Leap" letter-writing campaign. The network president received more than 50,000 letters and the show wound up running for five years total. -
Reaper (2007)
Fans sent in socks (one of the lead characters was named Sock) and were rewarded with an additional 13-episode season. -
Roswell (1999)
Fans sent 6,000 mini bottles of Tabasco sauce (which the alien characters on the show put on everything) to the network. It was renewed and ran for two more seasons. -
Star Trek (1966)
A letter-writing campaign scored the show one more season than the network planned. -
Veronica Mars (2004)
Fans sent 10,000 Mars bars to the network. While this ploy was not successful, a few years later the creators ran a Kickstarter campaign to try and make a movie and ended up earning nearly 300% of their goal.
