Fans of the struggling mid-season thriller Traveler aren't wasting any time in the face of the shows faltering ratings.  According to TvSquad, zealous fans have already started campaigning to save the show, citing that eight episodes is not enough to give the show a decent chance.  In reality, Traveler has fared better than expected, but that is not saying much.  Early reviews of the pilot were mixed bordering on apathetic despite the shows appealing road-movie themes mixed with Fugitive-like plot twists.

Original estimates were that the show would hover, and immediately tank.  Part of this is due to the fact that viewers are feeling increasingly burned over the flock of serialized thrillers that have been canceled before even getting their story off the ground.

The true shame of this is rooted in the revelation that viewers tend to prefer one-shot, instant gratification, take it or leave it episodic shows over ones that demand a commitment.  Unfortunately, there are not enough exceptions to the rule (LOST, Heroes, and Jericho) to counter the failings.  The renaissance of serialized programming that LOST was supposed to ignite has passed;  arguably due to the less ingenuous attempts at coping the shows style.

Undeterred, Traveler fans look to be accreting into an effort to save the show in a day and age when many networks are looking to jettison the struggling attempts at the serialized genre.  Can they have an impact? Possibly.  While the trend for Traveler in the ratings don't look too hot right now, perhaps a high profile grass roots campaign could get some people to tune in to see what the fuss is all about.

Currently, the effort is comprised of a simple petition which you can find here.  If Traveler fans are paying attention, though, they know they need to come up with a physical nag that is reminiscent of the shows theme.  How about all Traveler fans mail ABC's programming execs a photo copy of Jack Kerouac's mug with a thought bubble that reads "Where is Will Traveler?"  I'm sure ABC's mail-room would get pretty annoyed at opening a few thousand of those babies. Dig?

- Jon Lachonis, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image © 2007 ABC)
(Source TVSquad)