The 2010-2011 TV season has been decided and Legend of the Seeker will not be included in next year’s shows. Fans of the show, angered over the show’s failure, have claimed the Interwebs, the TV stations, and print media to express their dedication to Legend of the Seeker. Although it is based in New Zealand Legend of the Seeker is the property of ABC Studios, a property of the Disney Company. Fans of the Seeker have beset executives at ABC Studios with emails and ad tear sheets arguing that the show be resurrected for a third season. Notwithstanding months of campaigning there looks to be little expectation of winning.
And yet, there exists a small hope. Acording to Websites such as this Legend of the Seeker Forum, cast members have not been released from their contracts. The New Zealand studio is going through upgrades and expansion. It might be awkward to film a third season there in the near term. Also one or two distributors have disclosed an interest in contracting LOTS if a deal could be worked. But what is the problem? Fans say that negotations are unfolding somewhere. And yet journalists talking about the story say no negotiations are occurring. The series really is cancelled.
In spite of the debate between news and rumor Legend of the Seeker has triggered a prodigious movement of support. Seeker’s followers have congregated on Twitter, on news sites carrying rumors regarding the Seeker, in postcards, in email, and in print publications. The fans have also purchased 30 days’ slot of ad view at a bus stop just outside ABC Studios in Burbank. Maybe the most visible efforts yet must be proposals to make collaborative YouTube videos and imprinting cast members on faux covers of Time and other publications. Innovative fans commune on fan sites like the Save Our Seeker Forum to share new plans.
Commencing with an ideal to nominate Seeker star Craig Horner for Time Person of the Year, the fake cover campaign struck a chord as fans began putting other LOTS stars on sample covers for Vogue, Elle, and Cosmo. Even Craig Parker, who plays the regular miscreant, showed up on a fake cover of Forbes Magazine. A few the covers radiate fanciful humor but the intent behind them is honest. Seeker fans want to see Legend of the Seeker live on in production. The 3rd season is desired but a theatrical film may mollify the ache.
What does it take to resurrect a suspended television show like Legend of the Seeker? Chuck’s fandom gathered around their show and obtained next season in Fall 2010. And yet with all this support, why can the Seeker not land a new channel? Legend of the Seeker’s sophisticated themes of sex, violence and torture might be too intense for ABC’s non-syndicated schedule. The scripted syndication circuit imploded at the time Tribune elected to contract cheaper programming. But a potential sign of hope emerged from the CW 2010 Upfront with advertisers: the advertisers agreed to pay equal pricing for online viewings of CW content. Syndication television may be about to transition to the World Wide Web.