CBS, FBI lathered up over fan campaign to save ATWT - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

applecherry · 01-18-2010, 03:53 PM

Soap fans are known for their loyalty and passion. But a recent incident involving fans' efforts to keep As the World Turns on the air might be one for the record books. In fact, it might also mark the first time that the FBI has ever gotten involved in preventing the cancellation of soap opera.

Still incensed by CBS's decision to cancel As the World Turns, fans have taken to some extreme measures to help find a new home for the long-running soap. Now, the FBI is on the case. Not to help save the show, but to keep an eye on fans who want to save the show.

Confused? In what sounds like a plot from a daytime drama series, the FBI was called in to investigate a campaign that fans devised to help pressure CBS into reconsidering its decision to axe As the World Turns. Fans of the Facebook group "S.O.S.: Save Our Soaps" had been sending bars of soap to CBS to show their support for the canceled soap. Someone at CBS had gotten worked into a lather over the campaign, and apparently believed that the soap might be laced with anthrax.

The group's founder told followers that, on January 5, she received a visit from Pennsylvania State Police and FBI agents asking why she and others were sending bars of soap to CBS. When the nature of the campaign was explained, it was apparently deemed harmless, though the group was asked to put an end to the soap-sending. It's unclear exactly how many bars of soap were sent to CBS.

In a statement from Procter & Gamble's MediaNext, the production company of As the World Turns, spokesperson Jeannie Tharrington thanked fans for their support and explained why CBS had been alarmed by the influx of suds.

"I wanted to let you know that we very much appreciate the outpouring of support from ATWT fans like you," Tharrington wrote. "We certainly encourage you guys to send in letters, postcards, etc., voicing your continued support of the show and of TeleNext Media as we look for another outlet to pick it up. I would, however, like to discourage the sending of soap in any capacity. In this day and age, anything that looks like a suspicious package can cause many levels of alarm for an organization, and we'd like to keep such situations at bay. So, please, feel free to encourage the sending of letters and postcards, but I'd appreciate it if you all would hang onto the soap. Thanks again for your unwavering commitment to the show. We truly appreciate it!"

As the World Turns is slated to air its final episode on CBS in September. There's been no word on whether or not any other outlets have expressed an interest in picking up the show.

catlover79 · 01-18-2010, 05:28 PM

YIKES!! Still, you have to admire the fans' tenacity. Heaven knows the networks aren't anymore - especially about soap operas.

80sTrivia · 01-19-2010, 06:31 PM

I'm just hoping that the campaign works, and another network will pick up the show... although I won't hold my breath...

MickeyMac · 01-19-2010, 06:37 PM

I thought J. Edgar Hoover was dead.

This is the kind of stunt he would pull. FBI investegating normal citizens, some things never change.

01-18-2010, 03:53 PM	#1
applecherry Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 17, 2005 Posts: 496	CBS, FBI lathered up over fan campaign to save ATWT Soap fans are known for their loyalty and passion. But a recent incident involving fans' efforts to keep As the World Turns on the air might be one for the record books. In fact, it might also mark the first time that the FBI has ever gotten involved in preventing the cancellation of soap opera. Still incensed by CBS's decision to cancel As the World Turns, fans have taken to some extreme measures to help find a new home for the long-running soap. Now, the FBI is on the case. Not to help save the show, but to keep an eye on fans who want to save the show. Confused? In what sounds like a plot from a daytime drama series, the FBI was called in to investigate a campaign that fans devised to help pressure CBS into reconsidering its decision to axe As the World Turns. Fans of the Facebook group "S.O.S.: Save Our Soaps" had been sending bars of soap to CBS to show their support for the canceled soap. Someone at CBS had gotten worked into a lather over the campaign, and apparently believed that the soap might be laced with anthrax. The group's founder told followers that, on January 5, she received a visit from Pennsylvania State Police and FBI agents asking why she and others were sending bars of soap to CBS. When the nature of the campaign was explained, it was apparently deemed harmless, though the group was asked to put an end to the soap-sending. It's unclear exactly how many bars of soap were sent to CBS. In a statement from Procter & Gamble's MediaNext, the production company of As the World Turns, spokesperson Jeannie Tharrington thanked fans for their support and explained why CBS had been alarmed by the influx of suds. "I wanted to let you know that we very much appreciate the outpouring of support from ATWT fans like you," Tharrington wrote. "We certainly encourage you guys to send in letters, postcards, etc., voicing your continued support of the show and of TeleNext Media as we look for another outlet to pick it up. I would, however, like to discourage the sending of soap in any capacity. In this day and age, anything that looks like a suspicious package can cause many levels of alarm for an organization, and we'd like to keep such situations at bay. So, please, feel free to encourage the sending of letters and postcards, but I'd appreciate it if you all would hang onto the soap. Thanks again for your unwavering commitment to the show. We truly appreciate it!" As the World Turns is slated to air its final episode on CBS in September. There's been no word on whether or not any other outlets have expressed an interest in picking up the show.

01-18-2010, 05:28 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	YIKES!! Still, you have to admire the fans' tenacity. Heaven knows the networks aren't anymore - especially about soap operas.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

01-19-2010, 06:31 PM	#3
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	I'm just hoping that the campaign works, and another network will pick up the show... although I won't hold my breath...
	__________________ Perfect Gift Books for Pop Culture Fanatics: Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book The Bouquet Residence: A Keeping Up Appearances Trivia Book Cooking With the Golden Girls: Fun & Delicious Recipes from a Hilarious Miami Kitchen Love in the Afternoon: The Ultimate Soap Opera Trivia Book The Last Great Decade: The Ultimate 90s Trivia Book Betty White: A Celebration

01-19-2010, 06:37 PM	#4
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	I thought J. Edgar Hoover was dead. This is the kind of stunt he would pull. FBI investegating normal citizens, some things never change.