In an Entertainment Weekly Blog that mentions the Black Donnellys, the blog columnist asks, "One more question: did any of you also watch The Black Donnellys, and do any of you think fans can get that show reborn by shipping 45,000 Zesta crackers to HBO?"
The answer to that question is YES. No one knows if the crackers will convince HBO to pick up a second season of the Black Donnellys. It is really about showing our support for this series as NBC failed to do so. Several shows from major network lineups have been cancelled. The Fall 2008 lineup only seems bleak, especially for NBC. We wouldn't want The Black Donnellys to retire because of NBC's mishandling of the series.
The Black Donnellys' fans are a loyal and passionate group of individuals. As a fan, we believe in the slogan "Family Above All" and and The Black Donnellys best exemplifies that.
We only hope that The Black Donnellys can find a home at HBO. While, some may believe the crackers may not do it, we do believe that HBO is a good home as they are responsible for such great shows like The Sopranos. Even actors from The Black Donnellys have prior or future history with HBO.
Kirk Acevedo as Nicky Cottero, is well known for his role as Alvarez on "OZ". Alvarez, as some of you may recall, is much weaker than the Italian rat, Nicky Cottero. Billy Lush as Kevin Donnelly has been cast in HBO's new miniseries "Generation Kill" among a handful of rising stars. HBO will not only draw upon established audiences but will gain a new and very passionate audience.
Given the opportunity, the right marketing, the series can be successful. This is what we would like HBO to see. Crackers, or no crackers.
Also check out this article written by Mekeisha Madden Toby of The Detroit News entitled 'Donnellys' live on in NBC cyberspace. Finally, a columnist who understand The Black Donnellys.. not one who assumes from watching part of The Pilot episode.
Showing posts with label crackers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crackers. Show all posts
Friday, July 6, 2007
Crackers getting Attention
Today I was going to tell you the story of how we came to be The Firecrackers. But some good news came our way and I thought I would comment on the article written about The Black Donnellys campaign that graced our computer screens today.
Martin Miller, staff writer for The LA Times, gave new life to the TBD campaign with an article entitled, “A Cracker Attack for The Black Donnellys” His article was released on July 5th only one day after the press release http://www.savetheblackdonnelly
Read the full article here: http://latimesblogs.latimes
Martin mentioned that “A small number of die-hard fans of NBC's recently canceled drama "The Black Donnellys" plans to ship nearly 300 pounds of Zesta crackers (about 45,000 crackers) to HBO executives beginning next week in hopes of persuading the premium cable outlet to pick up the moribund show.” We may be small in numbers in comparison to Veronica Mars fans that had at least 4 seasons under their belt or Jericho fans that have one season’s worth of fans, but we are just as passionate! Additionally, NBC gave us the cold shoulder so we had to rally and organize again for a road less traveled; another network.
Well, we made enough noise to have an article written about the campaign one day after the press release! So, thank you firecrackers, far and wide, that have sent letters, emails, quarters and crackers! And a big thank you to Ruth, our fearless leader, who keeps us focused and works hard everyday to SAVE TBD!
www.savetheblackdonnellys.netThursday, July 5, 2007
Today's LA Times: "A cracker attack for 'The Black Donnellys'"
First everyone was nuts. Now they're crackers.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2007/07/a-cracker-attac.html
A small number of die-hard fans of NBC's recently canceled drama "The Black Donnellys" plans to ship nearly 300 pounds of Zesta crackers (about 45,000 crackers) to HBO executives beginning next week in hopes of persuading the premium cable outlet to pick up the moribund show.
Fans of "The Black Donnellys," a serialized drama about four Irish brothers and their involvement in organized crime in New York's infamous Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, were inspired by the recent success of "Jericho" fans and vow to keep sending crackers to HBO as long as donations hold out. In June, "Jericho" fans inundated CBS with tons of nuts, eventually persuading the network to exhume the post-apocalypse drama after it was dropped from its fall schedule.
"Donnellys" fans, whose website can be found at http://www.savetheblackdonnelys.net, said they chose HBO because the cable outlet is a better fit for the "Donnellys' " grittier themes. Also, they selected Zesta crackers because they are featured in a lounge sign belonging to one of the show's main characters.
HBO offices were closed todayfor the holidays and officials were unavailable for comment.
-- Martin Miller
(Photo: Virginia Sherwood / NBC)
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2007/07/a-cracker-attac.html
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Press Release For Crackers
Save The Black Donnellys Campaign
For Immediate Release
July 4, 2007
Nuts for Jericho, Crackers for The Black Donnellys
On Sunday, July 1st, the Save The Black Donnellys Campaign purchased 9,600 crackers to send to Carolyn Strauss, President of HBO Entertainment, in the hopes that she will consider adding the recently cancelled drama to HBO's regular programming lineup. The "Firecrackers" from the Save The Black Donnellys Campaign believe that this prematurely cancelled NBC series about a family of four brothers involved in the Irish mob will be a success with HBO's viewers and deserves to be picked up for a second season. Recently, similar fan campaigns have resulted in renewal for the CBS drama Jericho and a future comic book series for fans of the CW's series Veronica Mars. Now The Black Donnellys fans are hoping for a little Independence Day victory of their own.
The campaign was created by Black Donnellys fans who dubbed themselves the "Firecrackers" after the name of the fictional bar owned by the Donnelly family. The crackers are a reference to the show's ninth episode, titled "All of Us Are In The Gutter". In that episode, Jimmy Donnelly, one of the main characters, purchases a new bar sign for the family bar, the Firecracker Lounge. According to Jimmy, the "flame" + cracker on the sign symbolizes the "new beginning" or fresh slate for Jimmy and the other Donnelly brothers. Similarly, for the Firecrackers, NBC's mishandling of The Black Donnellys serves as an opportunity to give the series and its fans a much needed new beginning on HBO.
Notably, the Firecrackers decided to contact Carolyn Strauss from HBO rather than targeting NBC because they believed the show would be more successful on cable and would be a great fit for HBO's programming. In the past, Ms. Strauss has brought successful dramatic series like The Sopranos and Oz to HBO. Further, several letters, phone calls, and emails were previously sent to NBC network executives like President Jeff Zucker with no response. In fact, NBC has actively prevented any fan uprising from occurring. NBC board moderators suspend fans and delete threads from NBC's online message board whenever there is any discussion about saving The Black Donnellys or the possibility of a second season. This censorship sparked the Firecrackers' renewed campaign targeted at HBO.
Over the past three weeks and as of July 2nd, the Firecrackers have raised $783 in donations for their cracker campaign which will allow them to purchase 41,760 crackers (261 pounds) to be shipped to HBO. As they are still receiving donations from fans eager for a second season of The Black Donnellys, the Firecrackers will continue to send shipments to HBO so long as donations continue to be received.
Along with the crackers, fans have also sent quarters and shamrocks to HBO to show their support for The Black Donnellys. In addition, fans complete daily action items to promote the series and help secure support for a second season. The petition to save The Black Donnellys has close to 37,000 signatures to date. Other campaign efforts include streaming online episodes from NBC.com, downloading episodes from iTunes.com, subscribing to HDNet (which is airing the first season of The Black Donnellys on Wednesday evenings), and pre-ordering The Black Donnellys first season DVD from amazon.com.
For more information, contact:
Save The Black Donnellys Campaign
info@savetheblackdonnellys.net
http://www.savetheblackdonnellys.net
The Firecrackers meet at The Firecracker Lounge
http://www.thefirecrackerlounge.com
For Immediate Release
July 4, 2007
Nuts for Jericho, Crackers for The Black Donnellys
On Sunday, July 1st, the Save The Black Donnellys Campaign purchased 9,600 crackers to send to Carolyn Strauss, President of HBO Entertainment, in the hopes that she will consider adding the recently cancelled drama to HBO's regular programming lineup. The "Firecrackers" from the Save The Black Donnellys Campaign believe that this prematurely cancelled NBC series about a family of four brothers involved in the Irish mob will be a success with HBO's viewers and deserves to be picked up for a second season. Recently, similar fan campaigns have resulted in renewal for the CBS drama Jericho and a future comic book series for fans of the CW's series Veronica Mars. Now The Black Donnellys fans are hoping for a little Independence Day victory of their own.
The campaign was created by Black Donnellys fans who dubbed themselves the "Firecrackers" after the name of the fictional bar owned by the Donnelly family. The crackers are a reference to the show's ninth episode, titled "All of Us Are In The Gutter". In that episode, Jimmy Donnelly, one of the main characters, purchases a new bar sign for the family bar, the Firecracker Lounge. According to Jimmy, the "flame" + cracker on the sign symbolizes the "new beginning" or fresh slate for Jimmy and the other Donnelly brothers. Similarly, for the Firecrackers, NBC's mishandling of The Black Donnellys serves as an opportunity to give the series and its fans a much needed new beginning on HBO.
Notably, the Firecrackers decided to contact Carolyn Strauss from HBO rather than targeting NBC because they believed the show would be more successful on cable and would be a great fit for HBO's programming. In the past, Ms. Strauss has brought successful dramatic series like The Sopranos and Oz to HBO. Further, several letters, phone calls, and emails were previously sent to NBC network executives like President Jeff Zucker with no response. In fact, NBC has actively prevented any fan uprising from occurring. NBC board moderators suspend fans and delete threads from NBC's online message board whenever there is any discussion about saving The Black Donnellys or the possibility of a second season. This censorship sparked the Firecrackers' renewed campaign targeted at HBO.
Over the past three weeks and as of July 2nd, the Firecrackers have raised $783 in donations for their cracker campaign which will allow them to purchase 41,760 crackers (261 pounds) to be shipped to HBO. As they are still receiving donations from fans eager for a second season of The Black Donnellys, the Firecrackers will continue to send shipments to HBO so long as donations continue to be received.
Along with the crackers, fans have also sent quarters and shamrocks to HBO to show their support for The Black Donnellys. In addition, fans complete daily action items to promote the series and help secure support for a second season. The petition to save The Black Donnellys has close to 37,000 signatures to date. Other campaign efforts include streaming online episodes from NBC.com, downloading episodes from iTunes.com, subscribing to HDNet (which is airing the first season of The Black Donnellys on Wednesday evenings), and pre-ordering The Black Donnellys first season DVD from amazon.com.
For more information, contact:
Save The Black Donnellys Campaign
info@savetheblackdonnellys.net
http://www.savetheblackdonnellys.net
The Firecrackers meet at The Firecracker Lounge
http://www.thefirecrackerlounge.com
Press Release For Crackers
For Immediate Release
July 2, 2007
Nuts for Jericho, Crackers for The Black Donnellys
Save The Black Donnellys Campaign has purchased on Sunday, July 1st, 60 pounds of crackers as a first shipment to Carolyn Strauss, President of HBO Entertainment. Jericho's campaign to send nuts to CBS was successful and resulted in seven new episodes being purchased. The "Firecrackers" from the Save The Black Donnellys Campaign believe that the recently cancelled NBC drama has that same opportunity to thrive with HBO and be renewed for a second season.
The campaign was created by fans of The Black Donnellys, who dubbed themselves the "Firecrackers" after the name of the fictional bar owned by the Donnelly family. The fans purchased crackers that were representative of Jimmy Donnellys', one of the main characters from the series, new bar sign of the Firecracker Lounge. The "flame" cracker symbolized the "new beginning" or fresh slate for him and the Donnelly brothers. NBC's mistreatment of the drama gives HBO the opportunity to give The Black Donnellys a much needed fresh slate.
The Firecrackers decided to contact Carolyn Strauss from HBO rather than NBC, because they believed the show would be more successful and be a great fit for HBO's programming. Carolyn Strauss has brought great programming like The Sopranos and OZ to HBO. Several letters, phone calls, emails have been set to NBC network executives like President Jeff Zucker with no response. Rather NBC has prevented any fan uprising from occurring. NBC board moderators have suspended fans and deleted threads from The Black Donnellys online message board when there is any discussion or efforts to save the series. Their censorship sparked the Firecrackers to react.
Within a three week time span, The Firecrackers have been able to gather $733 in donations towards crackers which can purchase 244lbs to be shipped to HBO. As they are still receiving donations, they will continue to send shipments.
Along with the crackers they have also sent quarters and shamrocks to HBO to show support for The Black Donnellys. A Daily Action Item is completed each day to help bring back a deserved second season. The Save The Black Donnellys campaign includes streaming online episodes from NBC.com, downloading episodes from iTunes.com, subscribing to HDNet and pre-ordering the recently released The Black Donnellys: Complete Series DVD.
Contact:
Save The Black Donnellys Campaign
info@savetheblackdonnellys.net
http://www.savetheblackdonnellys.net
The Firecrackers meet at The Firecracker Lounge
http://www.thefirecrackerlounge.com
July 2, 2007
Nuts for Jericho, Crackers for The Black Donnellys
Save The Black Donnellys Campaign has purchased on Sunday, July 1st, 60 pounds of crackers as a first shipment to Carolyn Strauss, President of HBO Entertainment. Jericho's campaign to send nuts to CBS was successful and resulted in seven new episodes being purchased. The "Firecrackers" from the Save The Black Donnellys Campaign believe that the recently cancelled NBC drama has that same opportunity to thrive with HBO and be renewed for a second season.
The campaign was created by fans of The Black Donnellys, who dubbed themselves the "Firecrackers" after the name of the fictional bar owned by the Donnelly family. The fans purchased crackers that were representative of Jimmy Donnellys', one of the main characters from the series, new bar sign of the Firecracker Lounge. The "flame" cracker symbolized the "new beginning" or fresh slate for him and the Donnelly brothers. NBC's mistreatment of the drama gives HBO the opportunity to give The Black Donnellys a much needed fresh slate.
The Firecrackers decided to contact Carolyn Strauss from HBO rather than NBC, because they believed the show would be more successful and be a great fit for HBO's programming. Carolyn Strauss has brought great programming like The Sopranos and OZ to HBO. Several letters, phone calls, emails have been set to NBC network executives like President Jeff Zucker with no response. Rather NBC has prevented any fan uprising from occurring. NBC board moderators have suspended fans and deleted threads from The Black Donnellys online message board when there is any discussion or efforts to save the series. Their censorship sparked the Firecrackers to react.
Within a three week time span, The Firecrackers have been able to gather $733 in donations towards crackers which can purchase 244lbs to be shipped to HBO. As they are still receiving donations, they will continue to send shipments.
Along with the crackers they have also sent quarters and shamrocks to HBO to show support for The Black Donnellys. A Daily Action Item is completed each day to help bring back a deserved second season. The Save The Black Donnellys campaign includes streaming online episodes from NBC.com, downloading episodes from iTunes.com, subscribing to HDNet and pre-ordering the recently released The Black Donnellys: Complete Series DVD.
Contact:
Save The Black Donnellys Campaign
info@savetheblackdonnellys.net
http://www.savetheblackdonnellys.net
The Firecrackers meet at The Firecracker Lounge
http://www.thefirecrackerlounge.com
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