When I learned earlier this week that post-apocalyptic CBS drama "Jericho" had been cancelled due to poor ratings, I was upset.
And it was not just because I fell in love with a show that chronicled the aftermath of a small Kansas town that had been spared the devastation of several nuclear blasts across the United States - although that was a big part of the reason.
It was because I didn't write for a television trade magazine. I couldn't express my feelings. I couldn't get off my chest what I wanted to say. What connection could I find between IT security and a canceled primetime TV show?
None, until Stephen Toulouse, security group product manager for Microsoft, started blogging on this very topic. Stephen has some interesting posts.
Now my rant: If you haven't seen "Jericho," you missed out. Think "Lost" but more relatable, especially given the climate of the world today. The show was smartly written and well acted with likeable characters, and every episode made you crave more. And the show's writers gave you answers, albeit slowly, but storylines were never dropped not to be heard from again for many episodes.
The reason it failed? A couple of reasons. First CBS executives are boneheads. The show initially did well in its launch last fall but then it took an unnecessary hiatus, only to return in January going head-to-head against none other than, "American Idol."
"American Idol," or "Death Star" as competing network execs call it. What an idiot move to put a freshman show against such an established powerhouse.
Another reason: it's expensive. The show contained a number of scenes that, one could tell, weren't the most budget-friendly. As Stephen says, why keep an expensive program when it can be replaced with a cheap, mindless reality show?
Ugh.
But what bugs me most is it never got the chance it was due. So many other programs get that chance, and they don't deserve half of what "Jericho" deserved.
There's hope CBS may offer loyal viewers something to provide us with closure. Until then, I guess we're left with "Survivor 74." But you can support "Jericho" by signing a petition opposing the cancellation.
OK - I'm done. No reason to get my blood pressure up.
Back to the calm ways of information security. Right...
And it was not just because I fell in love with a show that chronicled the aftermath of a small Kansas town that had been spared the devastation of several nuclear blasts across the United States - although that was a big part of the reason.
It was because I didn't write for a television trade magazine. I couldn't express my feelings. I couldn't get off my chest what I wanted to say. What connection could I find between IT security and a canceled primetime TV show?
None, until Stephen Toulouse, security group product manager for Microsoft, started blogging on this very topic. Stephen has some interesting posts.
Now my rant: If you haven't seen "Jericho," you missed out. Think "Lost" but more relatable, especially given the climate of the world today. The show was smartly written and well acted with likeable characters, and every episode made you crave more. And the show's writers gave you answers, albeit slowly, but storylines were never dropped not to be heard from again for many episodes.
The reason it failed? A couple of reasons. First CBS executives are boneheads. The show initially did well in its launch last fall but then it took an unnecessary hiatus, only to return in January going head-to-head against none other than, "American Idol."
"American Idol," or "Death Star" as competing network execs call it. What an idiot move to put a freshman show against such an established powerhouse.
Another reason: it's expensive. The show contained a number of scenes that, one could tell, weren't the most budget-friendly. As Stephen says, why keep an expensive program when it can be replaced with a cheap, mindless reality show?
Ugh.
But what bugs me most is it never got the chance it was due. So many other programs get that chance, and they don't deserve half of what "Jericho" deserved.
There's hope CBS may offer loyal viewers something to provide us with closure. Until then, I guess we're left with "Survivor 74." But you can support "Jericho" by signing a petition opposing the cancellation.
OK - I'm done. No reason to get my blood pressure up.
Back to the calm ways of information security. Right...
