A coalition of black community leaders and activists have launched a national campaign to save the highly acclaimed Warner Bros. series, "The Andersons." "The Andersons" stars comic actor Anthony Anderson ("Barbershop," Me, Myself & Irene," "Big Momma's House," "Life") as a struggling actor and single dad trying to provide a stable environment for his 8-year-old son, Tuga (played by newcomer Damani Roberts). Veteran thespian John Amos ("Good Times," "The West Wing") plays Anderson's father and Roz Ryan ("Amen") plays his mother. Despite good ratings and a positive black audience response, WB executives have indicated that the show may be cancelled. "The series presents positive, black male images, and a wholesome intact black family," says Earl Ofari Hutchinson, President of the National Alliance for Positive Action, "This is the type of show that African-Americans have continually demanded that the networks produce." Series star John Amos says he's bewildered as to why the show hasn't been picked up for a full season and is aggressively campaigning for support for the series. "We broke the record for ratings in our timeslot when the series first premiered, and the TV Guide review was virtually a love letter. So it's perplexing to me why the show has not been picked up, advertised and promoted like the other WB shows," said Amos. While Amos says he hates to use the word conspiracy, he explains that The WB admitted they had put all their money into the over-hyped "Tarzan," which quickly fizzled in the ratings race and was cancelled. Now there's apparently nothing left to promote "The Andersons" with. A staunch supporter of strong black male role models, Amos was initially reluctant to do "The Andersons," citing the deteriorating state of quality shows on network television. He decided to do the series because it showed three generations of strong black men in one family. "If this show is allowed to perish it will be one more indication of apathy on our part," he says. Amos admonishes other blacks in the industry that "we have to create something of our own - finance and distribute them ourselves, otherwise we'll be at their mercy." True to his word, Amos has successfully toured his one-man show, "Halley's Comet," since 1995. The stage play, which Amos calls his "annuity," has toured four countries and over 400 American cities. The one-man show written, directed by, and starring Amos, tells the story of an 87 year old man who shares the memories of a lifetime with Halley's Comet, which he saw as a boy. "We must create our own in order to create, perpetuate and protect positive imagery of African Americans," says Amos. Amos is hoping the black community will support "The Andersons" by using the power of the pen. Drop a card, fax, call or go to the WB.com website and tell Warner Bros. to Save "The Andersons." "Shows have in the past been saved by concerted community activism," Amos adds.
Who to contact to Save "The Andersons": Peter Roth President, The WB Network 4000 Warner Blvd. Burbank, CA 91522 Phone: 818-954-6000 Fax: 212-954-7667.
www.thewb.com