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HELP SUPPORT 10-8

Once again Viewers Voice is trying to keep an excellent television drama from being canceled. The series is ABC’s “10-8” on Sunday nights at 7:00-8:00 p.m., CST. The show was given a stamp of approval from ABC when they were picked up for an additional 9 episodes, which would have been a full season commitment. Then for some reason ABC changed their mind and only gave them a two episode commitment and put them on hold. They were actually doing well in the ratings, but apparently ABC thinks they could do better.

On my last TV show I did a phone interview with Jorge Zamacona, the creator and executive producer of “10-8” and here’s what he had to say about the future of the show:

“We got picked up for nine more episodes. We were originally picked up for thirteen and what every new show hopes for in late October is for the back nine which is a full commitment of twenty-two episodes for one year of one hour drama television.”

“I got the call that we were picked up for nine, I went and told the crew and we were all ecstatic. Then midway through the first episode of that back order I got a call from ABC that they were going to reduce the order from nine to two, meaning we would only shoot fifteen original episodes and then they were going to put us on hold for the rest of the season. Which means we will air until the end of January, but will miss February, March and April; three months of the primetime season. The atmosphere around the studio and around the stage is that this is essentially a cancellation, even though we’ve been told differently.”

“We’ve been doing really well in the ratings; we come in a solid second the last three weeks. “10-8” has been in second and first in the demographics in that hour and has improved on the lead in to “Alias” and “The Practice.” Some of the other shows they have kept on the schedule aren’t doing nearly as well as we are which makes it even more confusing why we’ve been benched. I do know the network is struggling and they want to try a couple of reality shows in that hour.”

“What really hurts me the most was my crew, two weeks before Christmas, was put out of work. I have 150 men and women who work tirelessly every single day on the show, who I love dearly, and it broke my heart to tell them we had to stop production.”

After listening to Mr. Zamacona I was really upset with ABC; here they have a series with the potential to be a real success for their network and they won’t work to help “10-8” pick up their audience. They’re not doing that bad in the ratings so why not try to give the show a break and stick with them instead of putting on another freaky reality series. I guess they really are trying to test the intelligence of the viewers. Another night might be the solution; being stuck between two shows that aren’t compatible with it, doesn’t help.

TV critics have not been very nice to “10-8”; but then I never did like listening to critics, they live in a world of their own.

Plus a UK-based cable, digital and satellite television channel has acquired the UK multi-channel TV rights from Paramount for “10-8.” It will be the first time that the station formerly known as Granada Plus, famed for showing vintage ITV shows, has premiered a brand new production to the UK.

Katie Denton, Plus manager, said: “10-8 is a fabulous show to add to the Crime Plus schedule. We are delighted to have secured the exclusive UK multi-channel rights.”

Maybe ABC should take some lessons from the UK on what good entertainment really is and recognize a hit series when it’s right in front of them.
 

If you watch “10-8” and like the show you need to let your voice be heard. Write to Susan Lyne, President of ABC Entertainment; she has been instrumental in the development and scheduling of “10-8.” In a nice and positive way let her know how disappointed you are in the decision to put the series on hold. Ms. Lyne’s address is: ABC Entertainment, 500 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA. 91521-4565.

“10-8” named for the call-sign used when stating a squad is on patrol, will air one of their last new shows on Sunday, January 18 (7:00-8:00 p.m., CST); “Gypsy Road.” After Rico (Danny Nucci) and Barnes (Ernie Hudson)find an abandoned baby girl, the remorseful 16-year-old homeless mother shows up to claim her daughter; even though she accepts responsibility for what she has done, the sheriffs must still press charges against her.

On the same episode, Lopez (Christina Vidal) has to confront her gang past when she sees two home girls from her old neighborhood making the same mistakes she did.

Recently I had my grandchildren over for a sleepover and we watched a Disney movie; “Freaky Friday,” starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. I was surprised to see in this updated film that Christina Vidal played one of the young band members in the story. I never would have recognized her if it wasn’t for the credits. Her sister is Lisa Vidal from the Lifetime TV series “The Division.”

In addition to her talent as an actress, Vidal is an accomplished singer. She is featured on the soundtracks to “Men in Black II” and “Freaky Friday,” and has just finished recording her own album for MCA Records.

If you’re getting sick of all the reality shows on TV now is the time to let your voice be heard. “10-8” is a series that deserves a chance to pick up an audience, especially since it’s not doing that bad in the ratings. If you’re a fan of reality shows then you should be extremely happy and I hope you don’t eventually get sick of them.

I hope the networks are happy that more and more viewers are turning to cable TV for entertainment in dramas and sitcoms. I know I personally have been watching more and more cable shows and have yet found a reality show that I found worth watching. Of course that’s my opinion, but from all the e-mails I receive from Viewers Voice members I know I’m not alone in my thinking. Until my next column, let your voice be heard.