Shameful Lifetime Television misses boat---ticks off cancer survivors!

I want you to imagine for a moment what quality in television is?

The writer's strike opened all of our eyes. Many people surmised it brought about a revelation.
Maybe after years of network execs slinging quick concept/lower budget reality fare and cookie cutter crap-ola we just all stopped caring about what was on our tv screens.
Maybe there just wasn't any more ground-breaking or history making to do. They were wrong. And more over, Lifetime Television was so missing the boat on this they made the misstep of the decade.
A mere hours after it was announced that SIDE ORDER OF LIFE had won best series honors from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences...
http://www.emmys.tv/media/releases/2008/rel-acadhon.php
Lifetime Television cancelled the series.

Yes, you read that correct. Lifetime cancelled it.
Great reward, huh for a program that brought a level of socially responsible and artistic excellence to American homes? Great little message to a production, team, cast, crew and dedicated team who sought to entertain and educate?

And last but not least...the message that reads loud and clear is the one that it sent to cancer survivors. Last week Lifetime said essentially "Guess what, we don't think anyone wants to see a show heavily focusing on a cancer storyline."

WRONG WRONG WRONG...on all counts, Lifetime!
Their attempt to quietly slip this cancellation under the radar so as not to cause the major wrath of us who loved the show is an absolute slap in the face. It's time to not sit quietly. If I'm the only one waging this fight so be it---but I don't believe that I am. There are many of us out there who have a reason to care.

If you care and you think this decision was wrong....Call today. Tell Lifetime how you feel.
212-424-7000

Send menus to Lifetime!

I never thought I would be a fan, as in fanatic. You know those neurotic people who totally go bonkers for something. Well, I have and I do not apologize. With some winter hibernating working overtime and lack of dating prospects being true impetus I had some free time to start waging a campaign to save Side Order of Life. You regular readers know how I feel.

Anyway, inspired by Jericho viewers who sent CBS thousands of pounds of peanuts in an effort to save their show (it worked!) I have an idea. If you are reading this and you are even remotely moved by the message in Side Order of Life- showing a cancer survivors journey honestly, humourously and with heart- then pehaps you'll join me on this crusade.

SEND YOUR TAKE-OUT menus, PILFERED menus, COMPUTER PRINTED menus, home-made menus to the folks at Lifetime. Tell them you "want Side Order of Life back on the menu!"
To your right you will see the homemade menu I made in just a few minutes with some left-over scrapbooking supplies. Inside is a letter and pictures explaining why I was personally touched by Vivy's story. But you don't have to get as crafty as I did...if the Chinese food place keeps stuffing menus in your mailbox---here is your most meaningful solution.

PLEASE JOIN ME in sending your own menu, wherever it comes from,---just a menu. We need to send a message and send it fast!

LIFETIME ENTERTAINMENT
c/O ANDREA WONG
World Wide Plaza
309 West 49th Street
New York, N.Y. 10019

Lifetime Television needs to listen

There has been a major campaign by cancer warriors to try and save Lifetime Television's Side Order of Life. Somehow despite the numerous internet postings, the swell of heartfelt support, the unprecedented buzz, empassioned letters, emails, blogs, comments, phone calls and all out outcry...

Lifetime has not moved to renew...yet.

But no one is giving up.

Especially not Diana Maria Riva, the actress who plays Vivy, cancer survivor extrodinaire and Margaret Nagle, creator of the show. To date I have received emails from both of them and they continue to fight hard because they know how much this show means to cancer survivors like me.

If you are a cancer survivor, a friend or family member of one and you believe that the media should start portraying the journey responsibly...you have a personal stake in this.

Let's speak out against mindless reality tv and tell the world we don't accept heroes in the form of Paris Hilton or Britney Spears. We need real and heartfelt characters on quality and well written shows.

Even if you have not seen Side Order of Life...take a moment and call Lifetime today. It is our absolute right as to demand that quality and conviction return to television.

Sitting back without speaking is the same as apathy. CALL LIFETIME AT 212-424-7000

awesome people

Ask anyone at our bowling night last night what kind of bowler I am...and you'll be greeted with a stifled smile and a under-the-surface snicker. I stink.
But last night's get-together was so way beyond bowling or scores...although there was some discussion at the end of our meeting of assembling more serious bowling event in the future.
But bowling was just the backdrop for total inspiration.

Our group of young survivors here in Rochester is so amazing, as a whole and individually. I feel so privileged to call them fellow survivors and friends. Everyone is from different walks of life but all of us share so much. From the survivor currently in treatment to the survivor who is just about to celebrate 10 years kicking cancer's arss to the survivor who felt guilty because she had the 'good cancer'. By the way, if a doctor is reading this: never tell your patient they have the good cancer. That is just bad taste all around.
Our journeys are a fabric of a movement across the country to get busy living. I am proud to know Matthew Zachary (although we have yet to meet in person) and I am so totally motivated by the fact that his brainchild is about handing leadership to young survivors themselves.
His attitude is kind of like if we're cancer's red headed step-child than let's take the reins ourselves. That's the attitude that is shaping change.

Cancer charities are so abundant and the attitude is that every need is filled. But we need to realize that their are gaps programatically and demographically in these services. We must hold everyone accountable for the untapped need and make our community aware. In young adult outreach this is truly the new dawn of realization. I'm Too Young For This, Planet Cancer, The SamFund, the Ullman Cancer Foundation...take your pick. All of these organizations are so in our corner. And I have to say when someone's in your corner it makes you want to step out of the shadows.