Fans Launch Campaign for New Psychoville Series
Viewers of BBC Comedy-Thriller Sign Petition Demanding New Episodes
Sep 18, 2009
A comedy with a dark undercurrent, the BBC’s Psychoville focused on a group of characters linked by a shared past and dark secret, under threat from a mysterious blackmailer. As the series went on, more and more was revealed of why they had been targeted, whilst their own personal stories unfolded as well.
The show was created by Mark Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, two of the writers behind The League Of Gentlemen, and much like that series, it seemed destined for cult status. Critics and fans adored it, thanks to its intelligent writing and myriad subtle references to other films and television, although ratings were perhaps middling. Finally, the first run of seven episodes concluded, with an ending that threw up as many questions as it answered.
So, as there is nothing more frustrating than being left hanging on a cliffhanger, the fans of the series took it upon themselves to make sure the BBC are aware that there is an eager audience out there, desperate to know what happens next.
A Call to Arms From the Creators
On Tuesday 30 July 2009, in the hours leading up to the airing of the final episode, writer Reece Shearsmith posted on the official BBC Comedy blog. ‘I hope we can all strap ourselves in for more,’ he wrote, ‘should we be given the opportunity’, and asked that viewers ‘wish for a second series for us’.
The prospect of no Psychoville continuation seemed unthinkable, a sentiment shared by celebrity fans such as Richard Bacon on Twitter. So it was logical, based upon Shearsmith's comments, to move beyond mere wishing and take steps to make it happen.
The Red Raw Push Campaign for Psychoville Series Two
So, with this in mind, fans of Psychoville mobilised. They launched a concerted effort to impress upon the BBC were aware of the demand for a new series, under the name The Red Raw Push Campaign. This centres around an online petition, with accounts created to mobilise support on various social media sites, such as YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. It's all aimed at bringing together the devoted audience, poised and ready for the return of their favourite serial killer show, and channelling their passion towards the shared cause.
As the petition gathers momentum, with a short article on Cinema Retro magazine's website, the fans behind the campaign hope to reach a target of 100,000 signatures, to make it clear that the demand is there for more of the unique story-telling that Psychoville offered.
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