Dear Firefly Fans: Haven't You a Better Cause to Donate Your Money To?
Dear Firefly fans: I read this morning that you plan to pool your money in a massive campaign to collectively buy the rights to your short-lived favorite TV series. The drive follows comments by its star, Nathan Fillion, who recently told EW, "If I got $300 million from the California Lottery, the first thing I would do is buy the rights to Firefly, make it on my own, and distribute it on the Internet." On the one hand, the cost of the actual rights would cost a mere fraction of that amount. On the other hand -- and I hate to break this to you -- there are far worthier uses of your money than reviving a canceled TV show.
Look, nothing against Firefly or Fillion or creator Joss Whedon; the show was good, and those are two stand-up dudes whom I like a lot. Nothing against you either! I know what it's like to have a cultural touchstone pulled out from under me -- it doesn't feel great, and that open wound doesn't heal for some time. News of imminent Firefly reruns on The Science Channel does little if anything to assuage that anguish.
That said, you've got to be kidding me with this "Help Nathan Buy Firefly" Web site and Facebook page, the latter of which boasts 68,000 fans (and counting) and actually includes such comments as:
"Consider this: this page has over 66000 likes at this time. If they created one new episode a week and sold them for a $1 on iTunes that could be $66,000 a week. Would that be enough?"
and:
$1000 from russian fan
and:
"We need to do more then just talk. Hitting that like button does not make allot [sic] of noise. Our numbers are strong and on the rise so we need to strike while we have the momentum, we need someone to step up and organize something a fund raiser for a news ad, or maybe a donation to Nathan's charity. Something to prove we are more then just a bunch of people that can click a button."
Hey! Charity! There you go. After all, you may have heard about the enduring horror of the Haiti earthquake aftermath, where food, clean water and medical aid have been in short supply for more than a year since the temblor struck. The residents of Christchurch, New Zealand, could use help as well after their own recent quake. Lord only knows what kind of help the residents of Tripoli -- particularly widows and children -- will need if/when the violent uprising there succeeds in toppling Qaddafi. If you feel like making a political statement, there's always either side of the ongoing strife in Madison, Wisc., which is spreading now to other state capitals in Iowa, Indiana and elsewhere. And this is just a rundown of current events off the top of my head; surely others near you could use your largess as well.
Just as surely you must remember that time you even pooled together $14,000 to buy Firefly DVD sets for Navy crews at sea. That works, too! What doesn't work is contributing a cent of your own money to get a canceled, decade-old sci-fi venture back on the air. Let's be honest: That's money you don't have. None of us do. It's a recession! Things are terrible. Furthermore, it's not your responsibility! This effort is what producers do, and Whedon hasn't done it because at some point he -- and don't take this the wrong way -- moved the hell on.
Sure, Fillion raised the issue with his comments to EW, but that's what actors do: Make splashes, push buttons, daydream and, well, act! Trust me: If Nathan Fillion won the California Lottery, his prize would neither be $300 million nor invested in reviving Firefly for the Internet. If he developed anything with that cash, it would be something new that more people want to watch. You know this, and I know you know this.
Anyway, everyone sincerely appreciates your spirit; most stars and their showrunners would give anything to have a fan base like yours, and part of that appreciation stems from knowing you'll do right by them and others in the end, no matter what. But for the record, this is the end. Please either put your checkbook back in your browncoat, or consider contributing where 68,000 people's interest and resources are needed. Cool? Thanks.
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Comments
What you don't understand is that, with charity, we do it to help people.
This is a completely different cause. It's like saying "Don't buy ice cream; feed starving children in Africa instead!" You're telling us not to do something when we want to buy it. Which is the point. We're not doing this as a charity on purpose. Because it's not. It's a gathering of devout 'Firefly' fans that want their series back.
Stop trying to knock us down. Because you can't. And, instead of wasting money on your internet connection that let you post this, why not cancel it and send that money to a charity?
I do my part in protecting the world, and what I cant help pay for something I want? NAY! WE WILL RETURN FIREFLY, YOU CANT TAKE THE SKY FROM US!
My rebuttal: Do you buy DVD's? At all? After all, this is a recession, right? Aren't there better things to do with your money than buy any of the DVD's in your library? Now, having established that...think of it this way. If your favorite show (your *favorite* show) came out with a season on DVD for $40...would you buy it? Could that money be better spent elsewhere? Now I ask you, if that show asked you to pay the money up front so that they could use that money to produce the show (thus by-passing the studios) would you still pay? After all, you would have paid for the product in hand at the store when it came out anyway. And we are talking about your FAVORITE show. This isn't JUST about Firefly...this is about a new way of bringing art to the people without the current bureaucratic system. The way you present your argument, you may as well tell a mass of Lord of the Rings fans to NOT go see The Hobbit (when it finally does come out) and not waste their money going to the theater or buying it on home video, because their money could be better spent elsewhere. The fans want to pay up front for their product, and all of the artists involved (the actors, writers, and creators) have all expressed a desire to continue doing the show. One and all have publicly stated that it was something special that they did not feel was seen through to its completion. This is about fans not wanting studio execs deciding what should and should not be on the the air. We are speaking with our pocketbooks, and telling them that they will no longer get our entertainment dollar if they do not hear our voices.
Hello from berlin, Germany,
Firefly fans have been raising money for charity from the start, which was 10 years ago. Especially for Organisations like "Kids need to read" and "Equality now".
Firefly fans have raised over 150.000 $ for charity so far, they did screanings session for Firefly and Serenity in movie theatres in the US, CANADA and the UK, besides several fund rainers at seminars, partys, Comic Con etc.
This campaign now is, first of all, to raise the money for the rights, which is not romantic or idealistic, its a simple fact, streaming tv is the future anyway and why should such a programm not be funded by fans ? Dr. Horrible and The Guild have proved it already.
If you would read the comments correctly, not just pick the most crazy or stupid ones, you would see, the majority of people is already discussing, how to give money to charity as well.
I suggest, before your write such a summary, do your homework.
That's all very well but the money given to charity seldom ever goes to the right place.
Take India for example. We've been sending them aid for years. They now have nuclear capability, a space program and their citizens are still living in poverty.
Until the governments of these countries get it right, I'd rather that my money go to a TV show that INSPIRES hope rather than it being wasted on nuclear weapons, thanks.
hello chris,
excellent, this is exactly what i thought.
please read my comment, specially the firefly fans do charity since many many years
cheers
beate
my opinion, ben, thanx for this,
This guy says it very well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihpNNBmJypE&feature=player_embedded#at=37
How dare you tell us what we should and should not spend our money on. Are you telling me you don't spend your money on ANYTHING other than worthy causes? You don't own any video games or DVDs or books. You never go out to eat, or hang at the bar with friends having a few drinks? You never visit a festival or go to the movies?
I, for one, DO give to noble causes all year. Just because I want to donate to Bring Back Firefly, doesn't make me a bad person.
This is hands-down one of the stupidest articles I have ever read on-line... and I have been to both The Huffington Post and World Net Daily from time to time, so that is saying something.
Yes, things are bad in the world - we are saturated with 'the bad' every day of our lives. If folks want to dedicate their money to something they enjoy they should be able to do so without guilt. Not saying I would do it personally - what has been produced in the FF realm is enough for me to be happy - but if folks wish to do so... bully for them.
I suggest next time you 'think' about what you are typing before you post. The brain really is a magical thing, for those who choose to use it...
What a judgmental and stupid article, especially on an entertainment website. Please, quit your writing gig and volunteer for the Peace Corps! I mean, who has a JOB when they could be spending their precious hours volunteering?
What I don't understand is, why is the author still writing stupid and judgmental articles when he could be spending his precious WORK time VOLUNTEERING. It's obvious you can't do both, so he really needs to quit this writing gig so he has more time for the Peace Corps, Red Cross, and Doctors Without Borders!
I bet most of your readers get the difference between their charitable donations and their entertainment budget. Maybe you should figure out you can have both.
Thanks for advertising this cause.
LOL this article was a waste of time, I hope you didn't get paid to write this... A guy who writes about movies is shaming fans for not donating to charities... LOL Movies may be the biggest waste of money...I know, I've spent way more than I should on them; with nothing to show but ticket stubs and scratched dvds.
Have you really confused charity with entertainment? These are completely different and quite separate items in anyone's budget. Foolish boy!
Or are ya just trollin?
Very bias, and not a very well thought out or well grounded arguement. Seems like he's just trying to boost viewers to the site by pissing off an active fan base.
well, aren't we a tad self-righteous? I'll do what I want with my money. How's about that?
No. Not cool.
Just because people are willing to pay for entertainment doesn't mean they aren't giving to charity. The two exist in to different worlds, I've already gave to a Haitian charity, and a New Zealand Earthquake relief charity now I'm offering to give to the charity of me and something I want. Is that so bad? What have you done for fun lately? Bought a DVD, seen a Movie? I'd wager so. How is what we want to do any different? Why don't you cancel your cable/satellite subscription and put it to better use? I already have. I'm tired of buying into the network bulls&%@. This isn't just about Firefly this also about exactly what emphasized "producers" and networks. Why they hell should crusty old suits tell me what I should like and get to watch or not? Its an antiquated system in a modern world. We are always going to have to pay for entertainment I just think it's about we got to pay for what we want to watch not we are told to watch. Cool? Thanks.
Yes, I agree with all of the above posters. What you fail to see in this article is that your argument for "the money could be spent in better ways" is so vague and thin that it could be applied to EVERY SINGLE PURCHASE you make yourself, or any of us for that matter. Furthermore, it's insulting and revealing that you would immediately point to the "recession" as a reason why we should all be hermits with our money. Not everyone lost their job and even some of the people that did lose their jobs have since been able to find new ones. What would this world be like if people listened to your jaded and misguided opinions? The economy goes down and you say STOP spending even if you have the money to? Sure, I would never condone someone that is down to their last 50 bucks to chip that money in to the Bring Firefly Back campaign, but I sincerely doubt that anyone has considered doing that. Most, if not all, of the people pledging right now can afford whatever it is they offer. You should at least give them the benefit of the doubt that they are good enough with their finances to know what they can afford to spend.
I have probably a hundred more points to make as to why your article shouldn't exist, but I don't want to waste any more time on it. Just remember, the people that are a part of this fan group look at Firefly as more than a show. It's a story, an experience, and most importantly, a community. It's no different then a die hard football fan who goes to every game, has the league pass for tv and goes to every super bowl. If the NFL was canceled tomorrow, would you question their desire to resurrect their passion? Absolutely not.
"It costs nothing to say something kind. Even less to shut up altogether." -Nathan Fillion
The best answer I've seen to to this article was given by a contributer to the Fb page when someone raised the same question.
"There are projects to decrease suck, and projects to increase awesome. This is one of the latter."
this is all well and good . . . coming from someone who works for Movieline.com. You do get that your entire career is based on people willing to give their money for movies/tv shows, right? what a tool.
There are two types of charitable causes in the world. There are those that alleviate suffering, and those that increase awesome. This is one of the latter. Two points however.
One, a cause like this does not take away from those causes that are nobly trying to alleviate suffering in the world. I can about guarantee you that no dollars going to revive Firefly would ever have gone to another cause. The reason for that is my second point.
This really isn't a charity or a cause. This is a group of consumers using their dollars to demand a product that they want, but is no longer made. Think about it this way. Say you're a huge Twinkie fan, but Hostess decided to stop making them because their marketing department and upper level execs don't really know what they're doing. Well...you love Twinkies, so you and some friends band together and purchase an old, unused Twinkie making machine from Hostess so that you can forever make your own delicious cream-filled cakes. It's not a cause...it's you as a part of a consumer group using your dollars to get what you want. This is like that. Only...Firefly is would be the most delicious Twinkie ever, and rather than being terrible for you would be the nutritional equivalent of blueberries. (Yeah, that's SUPER food.)
Yes I have lots of places my money would be better spent.. I could save it, give it to charity, or blow it. Or I could help create something... And being that it is MY money if I decide to put it towards this who in the verse are you to tell me that it's folly.. Ah the mighty alliance that knows better 🙂
You keep using the phrase, "don't take this the wrong way." Is there a right way to take a sanctimonious blow-hard.
YES. THANK YOU. So very much.
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