1998 Save Our Show Campaign
After the show was cancelled, fans joined together in an attempt to show CBS that there was a lot of support and it would be worth it for them to keep the show. Here is a history of the effort to bring the show back.
May 16, 1998 (Saturday)The season 6 finale aired. The TV Guide ad referred to it as a "season finale."
May 18, 1998 (Monday)News of the show's cancellation reached the fans, who immediately began calling CBS to request that it be renewed for the fall season.
May 20, 1998The Wall Street Journal ran an article stating that CBS's "revamping includes dumping onetime network stalwarts such as 'Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman' and 'Cybill.'"
May 27, 1998Los Angeles Times article entitled, "Fans, Seymour Rally Against 'Dr. Quinn's' Cancellation."
"Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" has made her last regular house call, leaving both fans and the program's star expressing confusion and outrage over CBS' decision to cancel the western series after six seasons. CBS announced it's prime-time schedule for the coming TV season last week, dropping "Dr. Quinn" from the Saturday lineup. Instead, the network will move "Early Edition" into the 8 pm slot that the show has occupied since 1993, introducing a new series titled "Martial Law," starring martial arts expert Sammo Hung, at 9 pm, leading into "Walker, Texas Ranger." Series star Jane Seymour issued a statement through her publicist saying she was "stunned and devastated" by the news, adding that she felt a loss not only for her family on the show but also for "all the millions of people out there who valued "Dr. Quinn' as something they could share with their children, entertainment they could share and values they could share." Numerous fans expressed similar opinions on Seymour's website, with many pleading that the network not remove what one called "the only decent show left on television." Some "Dr. Quinn" supporters even threatened to boyctt CBS if the series didn't return, citing its strong sense of morality and their ability to view the program with their children. "At a time when the networks are comin under increasing scrutiny for the amount of violence and sleeze across the dial, 'Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman' has been the one shining star, a truly well-written, intelligent program for the entire family," wrote the Odom family of Orlando, FL, on the website. CBS has approached Seymour and the program's creator, producer Beth Sullivan, about producing a two-hour "Dr. Quinn" movie that would wrap up the series. As yet, it's unclear whether that will happen... A "Save Dr. Quinn" campaign has nevertheless begun, and supporters of another rural-skewing CBS show that failed to make the cut for fall, "The Magnificent Seven," also continue to lobby on its behalf. Pooling their money, a group of fans who met on the Internet will place an ad in USA Today this week, urging viewers to contact their local CBS stations. Organizers hope CBS affiliates will take up their cause at the annual meeting of station managers and the network, which begins today in Los Angeles. (Read full article) June 6, 1998Printed in Cable TV Guides under CBS'S NEW SEASON
CBS cancelled all of its freshman series plus the five-year-old "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." But "Quinn" fans can look forward to a two-hour wrap-up next season. June 17, 1998On CNN.com, an article entitled "Jane Seymour's 'Dr. Quinn' Saga Continues"
Don't ask Jane Seymour why CBS canceled her popular show "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." She can't figure it out, and besides, no one at CBS has contacted her. She says she heard news of the show's demise through a film editor. "A while later, someone from CBS was obviously told they had to call me, but it was long after the event," Seymour said. "I wasn't officially told by anybody at CBS." CBS replaced "Dr. Quinn" with the series "Martial Law," which is expected to draw more young male viewers to the Saturday night time slot. Executives at the network say Seymour's 6-year-old show fared poorly among the 18-49 age demographic. Advertisers, which court that younger group, paid little for commercials on "Dr. Quinn." "Now I guess they've decided no one is watching us, but that's a little odd because we do win our time slot every week and always have done, and I'm being told that only people over 55 are watching it and of course advertisers don't care about those people," Seymour said. "Quinn" fans have responded, and their efforts to reinstate the show are garnering attention. CBS chief Les Moonves has said that reaction from the show's fans is the biggest backlash he's seen, with calls, letters, and page views on the "Dr. Quinn" Web site racking up into surprising numbers -- its CBS Web site alone has recorded 2 million hits. "You should read these letters," Seymour said. "It's amazing what they're saying and I think they're saying more than this particular show. What they're saying is, 'How can we expect our young people not to become violent? How can we expect not to see the 15-year-olds killing one another in schools in high school if all we feed them is violence?'" Another network may pick up the series, and CBS now suggests a two-hour "Quinn" TV movie might be in order. Seymour credits the fans for speaking out. "If the fans want the show I'll be the first to be there, absolutely," Seymour said. "In fact, I've already made sure that when they dismantle everything that I have my hat, my coat, my bag and the sign, so I figure Dr. Quinn could practice anywhere." June 23, 1998Dr. Quinn fans placed an ad in The Hollywood Reporter.
Date UnknownDr. Quinn fans issue Press Release #2
Date UnknownDr. Quinn fans placed an ad in TV Guide.
Date UnknownDr. Quinn fans sent nickels to CBS executive Les Moonves in response to his comment about not receiving even a nickel for fans over the age of 55.
September 17, 1998Article in The Acorn
September 25, 1998Article in Conejo Valley Star
September 26, 1998Article in TV Guide
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