The Story So Far
In autumn 2001, SCI FI network trumpeted the renewal of its critically acclaimed, award-winning series Farscape. Then in its third season, Farscape had earned the promise of a fourth and fifth season. On September 5 of this year, only five days before filming ended for the fourth season, SCI FI informed the producers that it was exercising an option to rescind that renewal for the fifth season. The next day, Friday, September 6, producers themselves broke the news in what was originally planned as an online chat with fans to celebrate the end of the filming schedule for the season.
Fans, astonished, swung into action immediately and, before the weekend was out, had mounted a campaign to save the series. Sci Fi, apparently caught off-guard when producers announced the cancellation much earlier than the network had planned to, confirmed the news only the following Monday, September 9.
Sci Fi aired the remaining 11 episodes of Farscape from January to March 2003. The campaign, convened so quickly, morphed over time, gaining focus, a budget and media attention. David Kemper, Farscape's Executive Producer, the voice of the series in limbo, signalled that there was hope yet that Farscape could continued and that the Save Farscape campaign could make that happen.
‘Scapers devised a long-term strategy for keeping Farscape on air. It was a plan that drew in not only American viewers but fans from around the globe. This smart, creative, targeted campaign was ultimately effective. On November 15, 2003, CNN announced that Farscape would return as a miniseries. This was just under eight months since the final episode "Bad Timing" first aired with the prophetic "To be continued...."
Is the mini-series the end of the Farscape? "No frelling way." says David Kemper and Brian Henson himself has said that the next step with this cast is a big screen movie. But that does not preclude the concept of a spin off series or another miniseries. So until we see it on the silver screen or back on TV, the campaign marches on.
The following is an incomplete listing of campaign projects. It is mostly focused on Canadian and International efforts, or campaign projects with special significance. For a more complete listing and a compilation of monies raised and costs incurred, please go to Campaign Timeline with Costs.
October 2001: Sci Fi announces that it is renewing Farscape for a fourth and fifth season.
June 7, 2002: Farscape Season 4 begins to air in the United States. In each of its three previous seasons, the premiere episode has aired in March. The SciFi ad campaign places emphasis on the action-line up with Stargate SG-1 back-to-back with Farscape.
June 10, 2002: Saturn Awards name Farscape the Best Cable/Syndicated Television Series and star Ben Browder the Best Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Series.
September 6, 2002: In an online chat, Farscape producers David Kemper and Richard Manning and series star Ben Browder reveal that Sci Fi had notified them the previous day of its decision to rescind renewal of the series for a fifth season.
September 7, 2002: Four hours after the announcement of the series cancellation Save Farscape goes live.
September 9, 2002: Sci Fi confirms the cancellation in a media release.
September 10, 2002: Filming of the final episode of the fourth season winds up.
September 12, 2002: Beyond Hope Project– Sydney Daily Telegraph Ad: "To the Farscape Cast and Crew".
September 12, 2002: 30.000 signatures after 6 days at Save Farscape!
September 29, 2002: SaveFarscapeCanada.com goes live.
October 5, 2002: Coordinated rallies call attention to Save Farscape efforts in: London, UK; Sydney, Australia; Toronto, Canada; Barcelona, Spain; Cologne, Germany; Afganistan; Chicago, New York City, Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, San Diego, Los Angeles, St. Paul, Boston, Washington, Indianapolis and Orlando.
October 9, 2002: Farscape Canada makes its first TV appearance on the Space Channel's HypaSpace program.
November 2, 2002: Farscape Canada's intrepid events crew had a blast promoting the show at Con*cept in Montreal. Read all about it at Farscape Canada attends Con*cept.
November 25, 2002: First Cookbook: "What the Frell is That? Foodscape - Unofficial Recipes from the Uncharted Territories."
November 29-December 1, 2002: A few Canadian Scapers made it down to New York for the Farscape convention. They had a blast, as you'll see here.
January 3, 2003: Farscape returns to air on Sci Fi for the final 11 episodes of the fourth season.
January 10, 2003: 1/6 page (width 6.25", height 5.25") New York Times ad entitled Coolest Show on TV was placed by international 'scapers.
January 7, 14, 18, 21, 2003: Four 1/4 page ads in the Hollywood Reporter placed by CBOOL - Claudia Black is Out of Our League and benbrowder.net.
Ben Browder Ad
Claudia Black is out of our League Ad
February 3, 2003: Variety Cover placed by anonymous 'scapers.
March 21, 2003: Bad Timing, the last episode of Season 4, airs with the ironic (but prophetic) "to be continued…"
March 21, 2003: Brascape - Farscape's female viewers decide to step into the spotlight and make their presence felt to the SCI-FI Channel, to the media, and to the general public, all of whom still hold the stereotypical view of science fiction fans as "geeky" young males.
April 9, 2003: The Save Farscape Library Project begins.
April 20, 2003: The Where's My Riot? takes over from the Beyond Hope Fund.
April 28, 2003: 04/28/03 - Aeryn Sun Meet G.I. Joe – Military Project officially gets underway.
May 9, 2003: Henson gift basket to LA offices. Congratulations from fans for reacquiring the Henson Company.
May 21, 2003: Henson gift basket to London offices.
May 23, 2003: Henson gift basket to NYC offices
May 27, 2003: Full page Hollywood Reporter ad. Congratulating cast and crew of Farscape for winning the Saturn Award for Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series - paid for by Worldwide Fans of Farscape.
July 3, 2003: Second Cookbook Foodscape II: We're So Skewered - The Unrealised Recipes from Tormented Space.
July 11-13, 2003: . Once again, the Intrepid Events Crew strikes! This time at Toronto Trek 17. Now with more swag than ever. Read all about it in the con report.
August 1-3, 2003: Action figures! Flat tires! Froonium! - the musical! DRDs! Donuts! And, of course, Farscape guests! It's 'Scaper Con, with pictures.
August 15-17, 2003: A small band of 'Scapers make a big splash at Conversion XX in Calgary, Canada with some Farscape videos and a lot of enthusiasm. Read all about it at the The Fabulous Frelling Farscape Panel.
September 3, 2003: Mosaic Posters Project. Canadian 'Scaper pictures included.
October 27, 2003: Operation Boo - specialty pumpkins sent to Viacom, NBC, UPN, Showtime, Henson, Matt Roush at TV Guide, and Rockne O'Bannon. Sent with candy, cards and DVDs. Check out the seven pumpkins at Masterpiece Pumpkins.
November 15, 2003: We did it!
CNN HLN announces Farscape returns on ticker "FARSCAPE REDUX: Fan favorite 'Farscape' to return as a standalone miniseries".
November 18, 2003: Unofficial announcement Farscape returns!
April 15, 2004: The Farscape Mini Series: The Canadian MiniMoya Campaign! begins. Canadian 'Scapers anxious not to be left out, organised an e-mail and snail mail campaign to get Space to pick up Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars.
July 9, 2004: Canadian Fans start to collect funds for a Gift Basket to send to Space: The Imagination Station to thank them for their entusiastic support of Farscape.
August 6-8, 2004: Despite much trauma and excitement, Calgary 'Scapers made a big impact at this years Conversion XXI. Check out: The Little Presentation That Could.
October 18-19, 2004: Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars airs on Sci Fi.
November 12, 2004: Canadian Libary Project launched.
January 4, 2005: Ben Browder is cast as the lead on Stargate SG-1. Read the article on the Spaceboard Farscape Hunk's Stargate Gig.
February 15, 2005: Space: The Imagination Station Press Release announcing March 26 and 27, 2005 as the Space Premiere of Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars.
February 24, 2005: To help Space advertise the March 26-27 premiere of Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars, Farscape Canada lead by Spocks2 developed a Media Kit for the Canadian Press.
March 7, 2005: Farscape fans organise a gift basket for Ben Browder to congratulate him on his new gig as lead on Stargate SG-1. Ben's Basket o'Love
March 9, 2005: Farscape fans organise a gift baskjet for Claudia Black to congratulate her on her multi-episode guest appearance on Stargate SG-1. Claudia's Basket o'Love
March 24, 2005: Canadian Fans deliver the Space Gift Basket. Pictures included!
May 30, 2005: T-Shirt Project at Farscape Canada.
July 1-4, 2005: 'Scapers were well represented at Westercon 58 Due North in Calgary. Along with two Farscape panels there was a very popular Farscape Fan table located directly outside the Dealers Room Doors.
December 14, 2005: The 'Scapers in Italy Have Triumphed!
