Viewers get their crack at executive decisions

Nothing gets TV fans more worked up than their favorite series being threatened - or terminated. USA TODAY’s annual Save Our Shows survey, which this year drew more than 43,000 votes via the Internet and mail, brought the typical coordinated campaigns of support for such shows as the sci-fi stalwart Star Trek: Enterprise and the already canceled Angel. On this page, a look at what viewers asked to have saved and what to have ditched, plus a sampling of comments about the dozen shows that are "on the bubble" of cancellation and others whose bubble has already burst.

Fans make their case in their own words

I and several other fans are absolutely livid that Star Trek: Enterprise is actually being considered for cancellation. The third season is absolutely the best by far. Shame on those who have nothing better to do than to cancel series of outstanding value (and also one that is part of a billion-dollar franchise).

 Darrell Lawrence, Winnipeg

Without a doubt, the one show worth saving this season isn’t even on your list because Fox didn’t believe in it from the start: Wonderfalls. Four airings in terrible time slots and hardly any promotion? I know people who are generally apathetic about the state of TV these days who were going out of their way to watch or record this show, based solely on word of mouth. And now they won’t even show the remaining nine episodes? It’s a crime.

 Scott Youngblood, Silver Spring, Md.

(Tru Calling) is a must-keep. It has one of the truly original plots that so many shows lack today. The writing is excellent, keeping you on your toes the entire hour. They have assembled one of the finest young casts. Tru Calling needs time to develop a following, and so many shows are not given the time or promotion to develop that following. I believe a change of time slot is the only thing missing.

 Joe DiRisio, Greeneville, Tenn.

I would like to add my vote for Wonderfalls. If Fox can’t save it, another network needs to pick up this gem. What the ’Save Our Shows’ article mentioned is entirely true, and the networks are not even giving great shows a chance to develop an audience. It seems the way the networks judge shows is so outdated, they need to change with the times. They should have researchers scan the Web for buzz from fan sites, message boards, etc.

 Roxanne Penrod, Lithonia, Ga.

Karen Sisco was a great show, well written, realistic, entertaining, one that my entire family looked forward to watching each week. Enough with the reality shows with people eating brains and worms; how about shows with plots and characters that have real-life story lines? Shows like Alias, According to Jim, 8 Simple Rules, The District, Joan of Arcadia, Navy NCIS, JAG,The O.C. and Third Watch are all wonderfully written.

 Scott E. Crandall, Plymouth, Minn.

There is one new show worth saving - the funniest comedy on TV today, Arrested Development. There is one veteran show worth saving - the best drama, Angel.

 Brian Symington, Chicago

My vote would be for the English show EastEnders. It was on BBC America, but it was dropped for "low ratings," even though there are thousands of people who want to have it back in America.

 David Mitchell, Palisade, Colo.

For the life of me I cannot understand the current obsession on "fear" and on "bodies" for TV entertainment. No wonder our country is trying to self-destruct economically, socially, physically (health-wise), etc. Also, the shallowness of survival and reality shows (seems to imply) we don’t deserve better. Tsk, Tsk! We do.

 Mary Sanders Watkins, Pocatello, Idaho