With the recent cancellation of So Help Me Todd, fans of the show are rallying to keep it alive. Shot in Vancouver, this legal drama captivated viewers with its heartfelt family dynamics and intriguing legal cases. However, despite a loyal fanbase and strong performances by Marcia Gay Harden and Skylar Astin, the show was canceled after just two seasons. As fans take to social media, many are wondering: Can they save the show? And if so, how?
In this article, we’ll explore five times fans managed to save their favorite shows in the past, proving that fan power can sometimes be the driving force behind a show’s revival. We’ll dive into how previous fan campaigns have worked and discuss whether So Help Me Todd could be the next success story.
How Fans Have Saved TV Shows in the Past
Throughout TV history, there have been numerous instances where fans successfully rallied to bring a canceled show back. Whether through social media campaigns, mass petitions, or just sheer determination, viewers have managed to sway networks and streaming platforms to reconsider their decisions. Let’s take a look at five standout examples where fan power made a difference.
1. Brooklyn Nine-Nine: The Power of the Twitterverse
One of the most famous examples of a fan-driven show revival is Brooklyn Nine-Nine. After five successful seasons on FOX, the show was unexpectedly canceled in 2018, leaving fans devastated. But Brooklyn Nine-Nine had one major advantage—an incredibly passionate fanbase that was willing to fight for its return.
Following the cancellation, fans took to Twitter with the hashtag #RenewB99, quickly gaining momentum. Celebrities and cast members also joined in, tweeting about their love for the show and urging fans to keep the campaign alive. Within 24 hours, NBC announced that they had picked up the show for a sixth season.
What made the Brooklyn Nine-Nine campaign so effective? The fanbase had already proven its loyalty over the years, and the show had a strong ratings performance, particularly in later seasons. NBC saw the value in bringing back a fan-favorite comedy, proving that sometimes, a show’s success isn’t just about numbers—it’s about how invested the audience is.
2. The Expanse: Science Fiction Fans Lead the Charge
The Expanse, a beloved science fiction series, was canceled by Syfy in 2018 after three seasons. However, fans of the show were not about to let it go without a fight. The campaign to save The Expanse was unlike any other, with fans launching multiple efforts to raise awareness of the show’s cultural significance and support for its continued production.
One of the most notable tactics was the fan-driven effort to buy billboards in major cities to show their love for the series. But it wasn’t just billboards—fans created petitions, shared content on social media, and even organized crowdfunding efforts to make their voices heard. The campaign gained so much traction that Amazon Prime Video picked up the series for its fourth season, effectively saving the show and allowing it to continue its epic narrative.
The success of The Expanse proves that even a niche genre like science fiction can inspire intense fan loyalty. When a show has a dedicated fanbase that is willing to fight for it, networks and platforms may rethink their decisions.
3. Lucifer: A Streaming Service Saves the Day
Another major success story is the revival of Lucifer, a supernatural crime procedural based on a DC Comics character. After three seasons, FOX canceled Lucifer in 2018. But similar to Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the show’s fanbase refused to give up. The #SaveLucifer movement flooded social media with messages, petitions, and fan art, making it clear that the show had a dedicated and passionate following.
What makes Lucifer‘s story different is that it was picked up by Netflix, not another network. Netflix saw the potential for Lucifer to thrive on its platform, and in 2019, the streaming giant announced that they would continue the series for a fourth season. Ultimately, Lucifer went on to run for two more seasons, ending in 2021 with a much-loved finale.
Lucifer’s revival demonstrated that streaming platforms are often more willing to take on a show with a strong fan following. With the growth of platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu, fans now have more power to influence the fates of shows, especially those with niche or passionate audiences.
4. Chuck: The Power of Product Placement and Fan Power
Chuck, a spy comedy-drama, faced cancellation after its third season due to falling ratings. Fans of the show, however, weren’t ready to say goodbye. In an iconic move, they launched a campaign that involved buying massive amounts of Subway sandwiches (a recurring product placement on the show) to show their support.
This quirky and creative approach not only grabbed the attention of the media but also demonstrated how fans could use humor and creativity to rally for their favorite show. Their efforts worked: NBC renewed Chuck for a fourth season, allowing it to finish its run with two more seasons.
The Chuck campaign is a reminder that sometimes, it’s not just about the traditional methods of petitions or social media campaigns. Fans can think outside the box and make a lasting impact in ways that resonate with the show’s producers and networks.
5. Veronica Mars: A Movie Revival Thanks to Fan Funding
Veronica Mars is one of the most iconic examples of a show being brought back to life after cancellation. After being canceled by UPN in 2007, the show had a devoted fanbase that continued to demand more content. However, instead of waiting for a network to pick up the show again, the show’s creator, Rob Thomas, took a different route: crowdfunding.
In 2013, Thomas and the show’s cast launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for a Veronica Mars movie. Fans responded in droves, raising over $5 million—well beyond the initial goal. This unprecedented success paved the way for the Veronica Mars movie, which premiered in 2014 and reignited the franchise.
The Veronica Mars revival shows that fans don’t always have to rely on a network or streaming service. Crowdfunding has become a viable way to bring a beloved show or franchise back to life, giving fans direct control over its future.
Can Fans Save So Help Me Todd?
Given the success of these fan-driven campaigns, can So Help Me Todd be saved through similar efforts? While every situation is different, there are several reasons why So Help Me Todd has a chance to be revived—if fans come together and put in the effort.
1. A Loyal Fanbase
Like Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Lucifer, So Help Me Todd has garnered a strong, dedicated following. Fans are already voicing their frustration with the cancellation on social media, and there’s a clear outpouring of love for the show. If this fanbase continues to rally, the show could catch the eye of a network or streaming platform that sees its potential.
2. Strong Performances and Unique Premise
The performances by Marcia Gay Harden and Skylar Astin are a standout feature of the show. The unique dynamic between mother and son, combined with legal drama and personal intrigue, provides a fresh take on the legal drama genre. Networks looking for new content could recognize this and give So Help Me Todd another shot.
3. The Growth of Streaming Platforms
In today’s TV landscape, streaming platforms are more open to reviving canceled shows than traditional networks. With platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Peacock looking for content to draw in subscribers, So Help Me Todd could find a new home. After all, Lucifer’s success on Netflix proves that shows with passionate fanbases can thrive in the streaming world.
4. Crowdfunding Possibilities
While crowdfunding a TV show is a rare occurrence, it’s not out of the realm of possibility. With the rise of crowdfunding platforms, dedicated fans of So Help Me Todd could band together and raise the money needed to keep the show going. This approach might be unconventional, but it worked for Veronica Mars, and it could work again.
Conclusion: A Fight Worth Fighting
The cancellation of So Help Me Todd has left fans disappointed, but history shows that fan efforts can make a difference. From social media campaigns to crowdfunding, fans have the power to change the fate of a show. If So Help Me Todd fans come together and make their voices heard, it’s possible that the show could be revived, either through a network pick-up or streaming platform.
For now, all we can do is hope that the same dedication and passion that saved shows like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Lucifer, and The Expanse will work its magic once again.
