The Avengers Forever: IMHO

	IMHO: 19 October 2002 Page 7 of 28

"What can I do?"

That's a question some fans will ask—and some ought to ask—about how to support our beloved show.

Supporting a TV series, current or defunct, is not unlike supporting the political candidate of choice (assuming one is inclined to do so, that is). It boils down to the same answer:

Get involved.

There are loads of things you can do. Let's begin with one of the simplest:

Make yourself known as a fan. Start frequenting a newsgroup or forum (TheAvengers.TV International Forum was created for this purpose). Sign website guest books. Send feedback to webmasters. This will help us get a better sense of the show's popularity, which in turn will allow influential people to speak more intelligently about the size of the fan base, which in turn can influence business decisions.

Get together with other fans. Lately it is becoming popular for fans to gather semi-regularly at watering holes or other public places. Such "micro-cons" have the effect of building enthusiasm for the show—which can be infectious.

Create new fans. The Avengers acquires new fans every day; make a conscious effort to be a part of this process. Next time you have family or friends over, introduce them to the show. Buy videos and give them as gifts. Which leads right into...

Buy more products. One way of getting more of what you want is to buy more of it. After all, it's the law of supply and demand: the more you buy, the more will be made. Don't have a DVD player yet? Think that you might someday? Buy all of the DVDs now, while they are still available. They won't go bad.

Got some spare change? Buy all of the different "flavors" of videos—Region 1, Region 2, English, French, etc.—even if you can't play them. Convince your family and friends that you are an utterly crazed fanatic by building the ultimate Avengers collection! (The eStore can help you get started.)

Write letters. It can be surprisingly effective (it saved Star Trek, don't forget). The way to generate the greatest impact, however, is to be positive. Even if you have a complaint, keep the message supportive. After all, when someone receives hate mail, what is their motivation to improve, let alone continue? So, choose some positive angle and express your enthusiasm. Encourage them to do more and to do better. The fact that a business, group or entity is doing anything about The Avengers is cause for celebration, so start there.

A simple beginning: "Hi! I am a fan of The Avengers, and I am really excited you are making DVDs! I would love to see more of them! I would be even happier if they played a little better! Thanks!" You get the idea. Now, what's that address again...

Other appropriate letter-writing targets would be your local broadcasters and cable networks. In particular, if this is the only way you'd get to see the show, make sure they hear from you.

Contribute to websites. Have something to say or offer about The Avengers? Most webmasters are more than happy to post contributions. I am always encouraging my visitors to express themselves, to share their thoughts as well as their creations—as a result, there are currently 328 episode reviews from 71 site visitors, four of which were just added, plus dozens of screensavers, theme packs, wallpapers and other goodies. It all serves to enrich the show's universe and generate more interest.

Start your own website. Feel creative? These days, web hosts and software vendors are making it easier than ever to build websites, often at no cost. No, you don't need to create another Avengers Forever to make your point; just a handful of pages is enough to prove your love for the show to the outside world. Be aware, however, that a website carries certain responsibilities...

A website is akin to a child. A prerequisite to running one successfully is a commitment to its nurturing. A website with "Last Updated June 1996" advertises your indifference and short-circuits its goal. I'm not suggesting it requires daily updates, but it does take regular upkeep to demonstrate your commitment to the series; depending on the content, several times a year is often sufficient. If you intend to update it, say, only every three or four months, then tell visitors up front so they know what to expect and are not disappointed. But then, be certain you really do update it when you promised.

It is also helpful to ensure your site can be found. Just tossing it online does not support your cause, because it will not automatically be seen by the rest of the universe—particularly by your fellow fans. The way to kick-start your hit counter is to approach higher-profile sites for link exchanges. If you do decide to jump in, you'll be in good company.

If you really, really are a "huge fan," as fans tend to claim, then prove it. Support your local TV show, and get involved.

And that's my humble opinion.

David K. Smith, 19 October 2002