Who would have
thought that one small page would have created such a lather in
soapland.December 20, 2002
The last time you heard from me was 2 months ago. Much has happened since then, but the two things I'm going to focus on, are the now infamous "Jason & Elizabeth" ad in the December 24, 2002 issue of Soap Opera Digest, and the fact that the registered members of the Jason & Elizabeth (Liason) fansite, The Canvas, have grown to nearly 2000 strong in those 2 months. Just one of many such websites on the internet, and yet still ---STILL --- no "Liason" on the small screen.
Who would have
thought that one small page would have created such a lather in
soapland.
Not me.
I am a Liason fan --- that much is obvious to those who have taken the time to explore the rest of Krysia's Web (my website). However, I am not among the many who contributed to make this ad happen.
Why?
First, the expense. My family's budget couldn't allow it. Our income level is such that we have to make choices: Cable TV or the Internet? My website hobby and the expense of keeping my own domain name and webspace or psychiatric bills from Dr. Phil? (Okay, that's a joke. Sort of. But a woman/mother/student nurse needs an outlet to express herself! Otherwise, insanity will result! ;-)
Second, the expense. I had a near stroke when I found out how much that tiny, 5" x 7" (approximate) bit of colored space cost. Just like my mind has a hard time wrapping around the concept of those willing to spend $800 - $1000 for a purebred dog when there are so many in shelters and on the streets that are loving and in need of a good home, it couldn't wrap around the concept that the cost of the ad nearly matched what's left on my loan payment for my 1995 Ford Explorer.
Granted, not only did these dedicated fans pay for the ad, they also contributed the monies leftover to various charities. (I'm hoping one of those charities was for a Women & Children's Shelter for Domestic Violence.) Thank you for doing that, Liason fans! :-D
Nevertheless, you could have knocked me over with a feather. I had no idea advertising space was that expensive. And here's a scary thought --- it wasn't even for airtime during the SuperBowl! Yikes! Imagine how much that costs!
Personally, while I hated the cost, I love this ad, and I'm so proud of my fellow Liason fans for having the creativity and the chutzpah to pull it off. And while I have never --- ever, in my 29 years (the last 16 as a soap watcher) --- bought a "soap magazine", I actually went out and bought this issue. It's not in my family's budget either, but I don't care. And after seeing the mileage it's getting on the internet, I might make it a part of my family's budget if there's a next time. Seriously, the mileage has been amazing.
From the ABC Executive's Point Of View:
If I was in the marketing business (or whatever), I would look at that ad and think: Hm. If these fans are willing to spend that kind of money on something they want to see on television... What else would they be willing to spend their money on? My product, perhaps? I've got this ad positioned during General Hospital... maybe they'll be interested in what I'm selling. Let me watch the show to see where my ad is in relation to the couple featured on their ad. ::starts watching General Hospital for teh first time ever:: sees own ad but not the couple featured in the Soap Opera Digest ad:: turns off television and frowns:: An entire hour went by and I didn't see that couple once. If that's what the fans want, but it isn't getting delivered... That could mean that this group of people don't watch the show. If they're not watching the show, they aren't seeing my advertising for my product. Which means I just wasted my money on ad space that no one is viewing.
Umm-hmm. There it is broken down. I'm sure all of you can guess the next scenario. It starts with said marketer picking up the phone. LOL! Advertising gets pulled from the show. ABC loses considerable money, and when money is lost, jobs follow.
Another bit of mileage courtesy of the internet, has been on various soap-related message boards all over cyberspace. It has been downright hilarious the way fans of whatever fanbase have been flipping out over this direct action taken by the members of the Liason (Jason & Elizabeth) fanbase. They either love it or hate it --- there seems to be no middle ground. Personally, in my opinion, those who hate it are just pissed off that they didn't think of it first. Because really, what's to hate about it? The expense? Well, you can't blame the purebred, standard poodle for costing over $1000. You still love the dog, even if you're disgusted that its owners spent that kind of cash.
Maybe there's jealousy that the owners have that kind of cash to spend and are willing to put their hard-earned cash where their mouth is? Hmmmm? Don't think the members of your fanbase will fork over the dough?
Then even if they did, there's the annoying fact that a fanbase you can't stand did it first, and everyone knows it, even if you come up with your own ad. Those who like the fanbase or who don't really care either way, don't seem to have the venom concerning this ad. LOL!
Here's the delicious irony: The more this Jason & Elizabeth
ad is bitched about, the more publicity it gets. For fr
ee. And it's well-known
that The Powers That Be @ ABC don't care if you like it or not
---- they want your reaction. And if you care enough to react,
it means you care enough to still watch.
Then there are those who claim that if Jason & Elizabeth become a couple on General Hospital, it's only because their fanbase has paid --- read: BRIBED --- TPTB to make it so. (Because of the ad.)
All the ad is, is a way to get their attention. We've done snail mail, emails, phone calls, etc. We haven't seen results. So, a group of people got together, and created this lovely "Christmas Wish" sledgehammer. Maybe now, they'll see we mean business.
Call it whatever you want. Liason fans just want Liason on their television screens. If this ad is the catalyst to making it happen, so be it. Go ahead and wallow in your jealousy... Just don't kick yourself too hard for not thinking of it first.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
PS - For an outstanding, kick ASS rantbackatchya, click >>HERE<<. GOOOOOOO JEWELS! :-D
<---
BACK 
NEXT --->