A Conversation With SoN Creator/Producer Tom Lynch

This is a story that has changed lives and Mr. Lynch now feels that it’s his calling to tell stories like this.  He joked that he wanted ‘SPASHLEY’ written on his tombstone because out of the thirty series he’s worked on, this one has touched him the most.  He went on to talk about all the dreams he has for the girls: college, careers, kids, Spashley in their 30’s and 40’s.  His dedication to this storyline is unparalleled and his dreams for it seem to be as big as any fanfic writer. 

Mr. Lynch also referred to his statement that was posted on the-N where he said ‘things change’.  That was not a statement of defeat as many people took it to be.  It was a statement that things are changing at the-N, but with the support of the fans and everyone involved in the show, things can change yet again – for the better.  We can make things change.  We can make sure Spashley lives on.

For now, Tom made it clear that he is focused on remaining with the-N until the final episodes air.  He, also, doesn’t necessarily see the push-back as something negative.  He sees it as time for us to mobilize and get viewership and interest up so the network will reconsider their cancellation.  While he admitted that he’ll shop elsewhere if he has to, that’s not going to happen until the final eight episodes air.  The-N is currently in the process of switching demographics to a younger audience, as many people have speculated due to their changes in programming.  Tom is adamant, however, that the-N will reconsider South regardless of these demographic changes if the ratings improve and if the fans stay mobilized and vocal throughout the summer and – most importantly – when the show starts airing.

So what can Spashley fans do?

First and foremost, GET THE RATINGS UP.  We need to increase viewership ASAP.  We also need to make friends with the-N.  As Tommy said, we need to be ‘less zealous [and] more compassionate.’  The Save Spashley admins are working VERY hard at figuring out ways to accomplish this and will hopefully have something concrete for you next week.  In the meantime, PLEASE send us your ideas.  Go to the-N board and leave positive messages.  We need to tell the-N that we understand that this was a business decision and not a personal insult.  As a result, we need to meet them halfway and say ‘Okay, so if this was a business decision, we’ll help your business.  We’ll improve ratings and you’ll save the show.  You scratch our backs, we’ll scratch yours.’ 

As for Tom, he’s volunteered his time, his voice, and his name to our campaign.  He said he’s going to tell the-N to view us as friends and not enemies so we can build a relationship that is beneficial to everyone. We’re going to be in regular phone and email contact with him and will hopefully arrange some future events like podcasts or ASK TOM events.  He even volunteered to contact the cast – a.k.a. ‘the kids’ – to see if they’ll help us out.  To show just how dedicated he is, he even volunteered to call the-N this morning and ask them to tell him every single time SoN will be airing over the next year.  Hopefully, this will prompt them to actually air it once in awhile so we can drum up support more easily.  As soon as he gets back to me with the airing schedule, I’ll pass it along to all of you so we can be sure to tune in!

In the meantime, everyone take some pride in the fact that Tom – and from what he told me, the cast – are completely supportive of our efforts.  He couldn’t stop saying how much he loved us all and how we’ve helped change so many lives.  He LOVED the PostSecret campaign and couldn’t stop talking about it.  He even has some of them back at his house and in his office that he’s saving forever.  Everything he said about us was punctuated with a ‘That’s so cool!’ or ‘I love that!’ 

I can’t possibly express to you just how dedicated, excited, and adoring Tom was about the show, the cast, and Save Spashley.  We are truly blessed to have such an incredible ally on our side.  So if you ever get down or discouraged, just remember the words from the man himself: ‘South is not over.’

REMEMBER:

-Help us brainstorm ways that we can improve ratings

-What new campaigns can we implement?  What can individuals do to help the show?

-How can we help the show both nationally and locally?

-New viewers are the key!

-Watch it on the Click and tell your friends to, also!

-BUY PAST SEASONS ON ITUNES and AMAZON UNBOX!!  Money talks in this business.