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Note: this was written back in June so all the info is not quite up to date. For the latest info, the E2:EA weekly updates (posted on this site) are the most up to date info. Currently the primary target for letter writing is Steven Spielburg. His address can be found under my address info.

EARTH 2 SAVE OUR SHOW FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions on the campaign to save Earth 2
Composed by july@eden.rutgers.edu, seleya8@aol.com and
willownms@aol.com. Send changes to willownms@aol.com.
Last updated 5/31/95


As you probably have heard, Earth 2 has been cancelled after one season by NBC. However, there is a large fan-run effort called "Earth 2 Foundations" which anyone can join to help save the show. Here are the FAQs:

1. HOW DO I JOIN "EARTH 2 FOUNDATIONS"?

It's simple to join! Just write to support the show and put "Earth 2 Foundations" on your letter or on-line posting. No dues, no fees, no special handshakes or nothing!

2. HOW DO I HELP SAVE THE SHOW?

Amblin (the creators) and Universal (the distributors) are both supportive of efforts to continue Earth 2 for a second season. To help them get a new network to air the program, we need to write letters to support the show. Specifically, write to Universal at: Jane Lodato
100 Universal City Plaza
Building 500-9
Universal City, CA 91608-1085.

Also, since it doesn't help if there isn't a new network to air the show, you can write to UPN which has indicated both an interest and a programming need (since they have cancelled most of their shows this year) at the following address. UPN has already started getting fan letters for Earth 2 and is suitably impressed!

Michael Sullivan
President of Entertainment
UPN Broadcasting
5555 Melrose Avenue
MOB 12000
Hollywood, CA 90038-3197
ATTN: EARTH 2

WARNING: You must put "ATTN: EARTH 2" on the envelope of any letters sent to UPN, otherwise the letters will get lost among the Voyager mail.

3. SHOULD I WRITE TO NBC?

To be honest, NBC has abandoned the sci-fi format for new programming and is focusing more on 1/2 hour comedies, so they are unlikely to pick up the show for a second season, regardless of the fan activity. UPN has shown much more interest in sci-fi and as the current home of Star Trek: Voyager is obviously more responsive to fans and sci-fi in general.

4. CAN I E-MAIL THEM? CAN I WRITE A PETITION AND GET ALL MY FRIENDS TO SIGN IT?

Although the executives at Universal and UPN recognize e-mail, phone calls and petitions, individual letters via the U.S. postal service carry the most weight. Phone calls and e-mail are merely logged in and mentioned in passing, but individual letters are often brought into executive meetings to gauge viewer responses.

5. I'VE HEARD A RUMOR THAT UPN/FOX/WHOEVER HAS DECIDED NOT TO RUN THE SHOW. WHAT WILL MY LETTERS MATTER?

Actually, no network has made a commitment to pick up Earth 2 for the fall. However, there is a strong chance that one of the alternate networks (UPN, FOX, etc.) will pick up the show as a mid-season replacement. When the show was pitched to UPN for their fall lineup, they had not received any fan contact. At this point, UPN has begun receiving lots of mail so the show is looking more attractive to them as a mid-season option.

6. WILL THE SHOW GET A FACELIFT LIKE SEAQUEST AND BECOME DIFFERENT IF I PUSH FOR RENEWAL?

There have supposedly been lots of rumors in Hollywood about possible second season changes for Earth 2, but at this point we want to push Universal to keep the entire Earth 2 creative team in place. You can ensure that effort by mentioning your enjoyment of the show and focusing on the producers (Carol Flint, Mike Duggan and Mark Levin). Without them, we may see a new vision for Earth 2 that is not in line with our current E2 universe.

7. WHAT SHOULD I WRITE TO UNIVERSAL?

When you write to Universal, you should make sure to mention how much you like the show, what you like best, and how much you like the universe created by the producers (Carol Flint, Mike Duggan and Mark Levin). A sample letter might look like this:

"I'm writing you to support Earth 2. I've loved the series this season and particular enjoyed the (action, adventure, drama, spiritual nature, Alonzo's hair, Danziger's eyes, Bess' everything, whatever!). I would like to encourage you to continue producing the program with the same creative team of Carol Flint, Mike Duggan and Mark Levin. (Ad lib here what other things you enjoyed, especially the episodes you liked the most)."

"I am a married/single -------- year old ----------- (man, woman, Terrian) with ------ kids and/or dogs/cats. (Add your salary, your occupation, your favorite shows, or any other info that you think would be helpful in describing yourself)."

"Please encourage UPN or another network to continue airing this terrrific show in new episodes over the coming year."

"Sincerely,

YOUR NAME
Earth 2 Foundations" ------ (see, we said it was easy to join!)

8. WHAT SHOULD I WRITE TO UPN?

When you write to UPN, you should make sure to mention how much you like the show, what you like best, and that you want them to pick up the show for next season. A sample letter might look like this:

"I'm writing you to support Earth 2. I've loved the series this season and particularly enjoyed the (action, adventure, drama, spiritual nature, etc.). I would like to encourage you to pick up the program as an addition to your new network. I think it would be a natural fit with your other programming, especially Voyager which I love and watch faithfully (of course, write that if you do watch Voyager). (Ad lib here what other things you enjoyed, especially the episodes you liked the most)."

"I am a married/single -------- year old ----------- (man, woman, Terrian) with ------ kids and/or dogs/cats. (Add your salary, your occupation, your favorite shows, or any other info that you think would be helpful in describing yourself)."

"I encourage you to air this terrific show in new episodes over the coming year."

"Sincerely,

YOUR NAME
Earth 2 Foundations"

If possible, you should mail copies of your UPN letters to Universal as well so they know that you've sent them.

9. IS THERE A MAILING FORMAT I SHOULD USE? SHOULD I SEND FULL LETTERS, POSTCARDS, WHATEVER?

You can mail letters (in envelopes) or postcards as you prefer. The most ideal mail is handwritten and heartfelt, but bulk is also important. This is your big chance to be creative, because people are watching. So, quirky ideas like including Earth stickers on your letter, an Earth globe, or whatever are appreciated! One fan sent flowers to UPN and it was definitely noticed.

It's okay to get your friends to sign form letters; if they can write a personal note, all the better. We've found that the best thing to do is invite your friends over to watch the show with you and then write letters during the commercial breaks!

10. WILL THIS REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

YES! We wouldn't be doing this if we thought we were wasting postage. Remember, in the 60's fan activity is what brough back Star Trek as a series and for the movies. Recent fan support of shows like Lois & Clark and X-Files have ensured them a second and third season. Even support of a cancelled show like Alien Nation resulted in a handful of Fox movies; and fan support of the syndicated show Forever Knight got it picked up after it was cancelled by CBS' Crimetime after Primetime block to make room for Letterman.

11. WHEN SHOULD I GIVE UP THE EFFORTS TO GET EARTH 2 RENEWED?

We've heard that decisions are made in August and September for mid-season replacement shows. For that reason, you should continue mailing letters through the summer.

12. WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?

There is an active Earth 2 fan group on AOL which uses the board at keyword SCI-FI. Follow the television thread and look for the board named Earth 2 with about 400 messages. The group also holds weekly chats in private room "EARTH 2" on Sunday nights at 10:00 pm East Coast time.

There is an Internet mailing list called EARTH2@STARGAME.ORG which you can query for more info. Lots of Earth 2 Foundations activity is happening there. To subscribe to the mailing list, write to MAJORDOMO@STARGAME.ORG and in the body of your message write "Subscribe Earth2". (No spaces between the word "Earth" and the "2".)

There are also boards on Prodigy, Delphi and CompuServe. Look in the sci-fi forums there for the board.

There are also web pages devoted to Earth 2 and it's cast. Look at
http://www.mca.com/tv/earth2 for the official E2 Refugee Camp run by Universal. This may disappear in June so other web sites created and maintained by fans are:
http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/rodney/Earth2/Earth2~top~html
http://www.ppsa.com/e2/e2form.html
http://www.eskimo.com/~fallen/e2f/e2f.html (Earth 2 Foundations page).

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