Ever since ABC axed FlashForward after its first season its hardcore fanbase has been trying to pull whatever strings it can to revive the show. A Facebook group called “SAVE FLASHFORWARD!” has gained a substantial following; these rapid fans have been sending emails and letters to ABC head Steve McPherson and other network and cable presidents demanding the sci-fi drama deserves at least a second season. Some have even staged local “blackouts” in front of ABC offices. It appears as if these efforts might be picking up enough steam to actually influence the fate of the show. A fan recently posted this comment on the Facebook group wall:
“I just called Starz and the rep told me that they are aggressively seeking the license for FlashForward and that a lot of people have been calling about [the show].”
Upon seeing reading this statement the group moderator followed up with this: “McPherson is allegedly softening.”
I advise you to take what you’re reading here with a grain of salt. These statements are merely comments by eager fans of the show, so they may or may not be true. Whatever the case, this is great news for FlashForward fans. It’s a win-win-lose situation and here’s how. If these statements are true, FlashForward might just live to see another day on a cable station where Mark Benford can call D. Gibbons Dyson F**k if he really wanted to. If the statements are false, light of this news is already garnering massive fan support and encouraging people to email and call Starz to push for a renewal. And the lose situation–well that’s if all of this ends up being for naught and the show stays dead.
Let’s get realistic for a sec. In order for cancelled show to get brought back to life, the main cast needs to be on board if you want to appease the fans. As far as I know, four prominent cast members are already booked for fall and midseason shows. James Callis (Gabriel McDow) plays a new resident in Syfy’s Eureka; Michael Ealy (Agent Marshall Vogel) is joining The Good Wife on CBS; Christine Woods (Janis Hawk) is a series regular in the new NBC comedy Perfect Couples; and Joseph Fiennes (Mark Benford), the crux of the show, is signed on to play the wizard Merlin in the upcoming 10-part series Camelot on Starz. That’s right, Starz. If the FlashForward showrunners could somehow replace or remove Vogel and Hawk from the story and conjure up a contract with Starz that enables Fiennes to manage Camelot and FlashForward then a revival could technically happen. But remembering we’re talking realistically here, so I’m going to say that’s a LONG SHOT.
In the end it all comes to down to scheduling conflicts, network execs, and money. But if the hardcore fans continue to spread the word of save FlashForward who knows what might happen. Call Starz’ toll-free line (866-888-4010) to make yourself heard. Cuz it would be totally awesome to find out what all of little Charlie’s future visions meant!
[Via DigitalSpy; io9]