Move over Earth, Mars is back—“Veronica Mars,” that is. The short-lived Warner Brothers television series ended in 2007 after only three seasons, leaving fans itching for more. But now, thanks to series creator, Rob Thomas, and star, Kristen Bell, the movie fans have spent several years hoping for may become a reality.
For this new project, fans can thank “Kickstarter,” a website that serves as an innovative new way to raise money to fund creative projects. On March 13, Thomas and Bell announced a campaign on the site to raise two million dollars for the film. In less than 11 hours, the fans had met the highest ever goal on “Kickstarter” and the current pledge total is over four million dollars.
Thomas said of the amazing feat, “My mind is blown. I’ve been fantasizing about this and had to tell myself, ‘Stop it, Rob, you’re being silly. You’re setting yourself up for disappointment and now today has exceeded the wildest pipe dream I let myself entertain. Holy cow. We better make a good movie. These amazing fans have stepped up. We better deliver.’”

This instance of the dedication of fans reviving a television show is just one in a series of such events recently. Last year, the end seemed near for ABC comedy “Cougar Town,” as it did not receive a fourth season pickup. However, its cult-like fan base convinced another network, TBS to air the next season. TBS was at first hesitant, as “Cougar Town” did not receive great ratings on ABC, never scoring more than five million viewers an episode during its third season. However, the dedication to the show that its smaller audience has displayed was the swing factor for the network.

Over the course of the show’s run, the creators have worked to come up with various projects to involve the fans, such as a twitter account, @TheLarmy, for live tweets direct from character Laurie Keller, and the opportunity to call a phone number on the screen during a 2011 episode to buy a Penny Can from characters Bobby and Laurie’s business attempt to globalize the show’s popular game. The fans’ dedication in return proved them a success.
The entire cast and crew of “Cougar Town” makes it a point to constantly acknowledge the fans and all they do for the show. Right after TBS announced it would pick the show up, co-creator Kevin Biegel tweeted “I want to thank the fans again. You guys and your passion are reasons this thing is moving forward. We’re lucky to have you.”

Inspired by the success of “Cougar Town” on TBS, the floundering ABC comedy “Happy Endings,” also with a dedicated fan base, is being heavily considered for renewal by the USA network.
All of these success stories show that no show is without hope. So if you really love a show and want to see it return or will do anything to keep it from leaving, start a petition or get the word out there and who knows what could happen.