Virtual Trinity's American Gothic -- FAQ

Sometimes visitors here in Virtual Trinity have a little trouble keeping up with what is going on. Here are a few of the questions asked most often at the Trinity Tourist Information Center.

(Thanks to Becky Marie who created and maintains this American Gothic FAQ Version 1.0--Last Update October 12, 1996.)

DISCLAIMER: The document is intended as a quick reference for the American Gothic television series. I will try to keep this information as up-to-date as possible, but it is in no way to be viewed as "official" inforormation. You may freely copy and distribute this guide for personal use provided that it be distributed in its *entirety*, with all original disclaimers intact. This includes both the author's name and e-mail address. Sales of this document are expressly forbidden, without the specific consent of the author. This material may not be broken up for use on a web page without this disclaimer notice in each file or reference. If you use portions of the FAQ on a web page, please let me know the URL by sending me e-mail at: [email protected]Becky Marie

1. American Gothic: 1.1) What is the status of the show?; 1.2) Are there any web sites that feature the show?; 1.3) Are there any "official" sites for the show?; 1.4) Is there an "official" fan club for the show?; 1.5) What are fans of the show called?; 1.6) How many episodes of the show were there?; 1.7) Why does everything seem so out of order with the airing; of the shows?; 1.8) Why were the eps shown out of order?; 1.9) Is there an episodes guide for the show? Where?
2. The AG Mailing List: 2.1) How do I subscribe?; 2.2) How do I unsubscribe?; 2.3) What is the purpose of the AG mailing list?; 2.4) When did the list start?; 2.5) Are there any official people on the list?; 2.6) Who are the Quilters/Broads/etc?
3. AG Netforum: 3.1) How do I get to the NetForum?; 3.2) Do any of the official people read the Forum?
4. AG Newsgroup: 4.1) Is there a newsgroup on the Usenet for AG?; 4.2) Why can't I get alt.tv.amer-gothic?; 4.3) Do any official people read the newsgroup?
5. SAVE AG: 5.1) Are there any addresses I can write to show my; appreciation for AG?; 5.2) I have friends who love the show, but are off-line. Is; there an off-line campaign to save the show?; 5.3) Are there any e-mail address that will help?; 5.4) Is there a list of sponsors that I can write to that will help?; 5.5) What has already been done to help save the show?; 5.6) What else can I do to help?; 5.7) What should a letter to the networks contain?
6. AG Staff: 6.1) Who created the show?; 6.2) *That* Shaun Cassidy?; 6.3) Where can I write the creators/staff of the show?; 6.4) Who are the people involved with the show?
7. Questions on the Show: 7.1) Just *who* is Lucas?; 7.2) Who is able to see Merlyn?; 7.3) How long has Lucas been sheriff?; 7.4) Why is Lucas after Caleb?; 7.5) Where did Matt go?; 7.6) Why was he written out?; 7.7) What kind of car does Lucas drive?; 7.8) Why did Gail fall for Lucas so quickly?; 7.9) Where did Billy come from?; 7.10) Can Lucas be killed?
8. AG Actors: 8.1) Cast List; 8.2) Where can I write to the actors of the show?; 8.3) Do any of the actors on the show have fan clubs?; 8.4) Where else can I find these actors?
9. CBS: 9.1) Does CBS still own the rights to the show?; 9.2) Why did CBS cancel this show?; 9.3) Why didn't CBS advertise the show more?; 9.4) Why did CBS pressure the writers to get rid of Matt?; 9.5) Will CBS ever air reruns?
10. AG music: 10.1) Is there a soundtrack for AG?; 10.2) Joseph LoDuca's music sounds familiar, where else can I; find his stuff?; 10.3) What is the song at the end of "Requiem"?
11. AG merchandise: 11.1) I didn't tape any of the shows, can I get tapes?; 11.2) What about the 4 unaired eps?; 11.3) I would love some AG merchandise, is there any available?; 11.4) Are there any books on AG?; 11.5) Can I get copies of the scripts of AG?
12. AG Fanfic: 12.1) Is there any AG fanfic?; 12.2) Where can I get it?
13. Other: 13.1) Is there really a Trinity, SC?; 13.2) Are there any magazine articles on AG?; 13.3) Where can I find sound clips of AG?; 13.4) Why does the announcer say "North Carolina" at the; beginning of one episode, Damned If You Don't?; 13.5) Why was there a different intro for Rebirth?; 13.6) Why do those woods in LTC look familiar?; 13.7) Is there a chance that the show will be rerun on another network? The Sci-Fi channel perhaps?
14. Acronyms
15. Missing/Original Scenes: 15.1) The scene with Lt. Drey in "Meet The Beetles."; 15.2) Matt and Selena on the beach in Ring of Fire.; 15.3) Orginally Lucas and Gail were to be lovers in a past life.
16. Episode Guide/Synopses: 16.1) What was the airing schedule?; 16.2) What was the intended order of the shows?
17. AOL & Undernet: 17.1) Are there every any chats on the Undernet?; 17.2) Are there any chats on AOL?

ANSWERS

1.1) What is the status of the show?: It has truly been canceled. But that doesn't mean that we're going to stop discussing this wonderful show.
1.2) Are there any web sites that feature the show?: Yes, there are lots. Some of them are:

2.1) How do I subscribe?

3.1) How do I get to the NetForum?

4.1) Is there a newsgroup on the Usenet for AG?

5. SAVE AG

5.1) Are there any addresses I can write to show my appreciation for AG?

Yes, there are lots. Unfortunately, they may not do much good, as CBS doesn't seem to have any interest in bringing the show back and other networks do not seem to be interested in buying it. But miracles sometimes do happen.

	   To CBS:
                CBS Broadcasting Company        CBS
	        ATTN: Leslie Moonves            ATTN: Ms. PK Candaux
		7800 Beverly Blvd.              7800 Beverly Blvd.
		Los Angeles, CA 90036           Los Angeles, CA 90036
		Mr. Michael Jordan
		Chairman and CEO
		Westinghouse Electric Corportation
		11 Stanwix Street
		Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1384
	   To FOX:	
		FOX Television			Fox Broadcasting Company
		40 W. 57th Street		10201 W. Pico Blvd
		New York, NY 10019		Los Angeles, CA 90035
	   To Renaissance:
		American Gothic		       Renaissance Pictures
		c/o Renaissance Pictures       100 Universal Plaza
		1536 Castle Hayne Road	       Bungelow 415A
		Wilmington, NC 28401	       Universal City,CA 91608
	To magazines:
		TV GUIDE			TV GUIDE
		Letters Department		Box 500
		Radnor, PA 19088		Radnor, PA 19088-0500
		People				Entertainment Weekly
		Time & Life Building
		Rockerfeller Center		1675 Broadway
		New York, NY 10020		New York, NY 10019
		US Letters			Cinescape
		1290 Avenue of the Americas	1290 Highland Ave Ste. 222
		New York, NY 10104-0298		Lombard, IL 60148
		Sci-Fi Universe Letters		Cinefastique
		9171 Wilshire Blvd. Ste. 300	PO Box 270
		Beverly Hills, CA 90210		Oak Park, IL 60303
		Starlog/Fangoria		New York Times
		475 Park Avenue South		299 W. 43rd St.
		New York, NY 10016		New York, NY 10036
		Hollywoood Reporter		HR
		5055 Wilshire Blvd.		1515 Broadway 12th floor
		Los Angeles, CA 90036-4396	New York, NY 10036
		Variety				Variety
		5700 Wilshire Blvd. Ste. 120	249 W. 17th St. 4th floor
		Los Angeles, CA 90036		New York, NY 10011
		Viewers for Quality Television
		PO Box 195
		Fairfax Staion, VA 22039

5.2) I have friends who love the show, but are off-line. Is there an off-line campaign to save the show?

There was one. Try to contact [email protected]; she was involved and she can give you more information.

5.3) Are there any e-mail address that will help?

You can always e-mail CBS at [email protected], but we have found that you will get an automated response if you put the words "American Gothic" anywhere in the letter.
Or try Renaissance: [email protected]
Or you can e-mail FOX at: [email protected]
People: [email protected]
US Letters: [email protected]
Cinescape: [email protected]
Sci-Fi Universe: [email protected] or [email protected]

5.4) Is there a list of sponsers that I can write to that will help?

Yes, there are, but at this point it's probably not worth it. But, if you want a list anyway (more power to you) just e-mail me at: [email protected] and I'll give you a list of sponsors of the show and where to write to them thanking them for advertising on the show.

5.5) What has already been done to help save the show?

The Trinity Chamber of Commerce (TCoC) was devoted to saving the show, and if you want more information go to: The Trinity Guaridan's Chamber of Commerce Bulletin The TCoC sponsored a campaign for an ad Daily Variety ad. You can take a look at this ad here. There was a fund for Emmy gargoyles to Gary Cole and Shaun Cassidy.

5.6) What else can I do to help?

There is a fund set up in the name of AG with the Red Cross for hurrican victims in Wilmington, NC, where AG was filmed. It's called the "Taking Care Of Our Own" Fund. For more info see: http://www2.best.com/~owls/AG/news.html or contact Dana at ([email protected]) for more info.

5.7) What should a letter to the networks contain?

Put in your demographical informations, such as age, job, area you live in, etc. And always remember BE POLITE, nastiness will get us nowhere.

6.1) Who created the show?: The creator is Shaun Cassidy.
6.2) *That* Shaun Cassidy?: Yes, *that* Shaun Cassidy.
6.3) Where can I write the creators/staff of the show? 100 Universal Plaza Bungelow 415A Universal City,CA 91608
6.4) Who are the people involved with the show?

7.1) Just *who* is Lucas?: There are many theories to this. Some think that Lucas is just a regular human with special powers. Others think he may be the devil himself. Still others think that Lucas is a fallen angel. There is no real answer to this question.
7.2) Who is able to see Merlyn?: In the beginning of the series, only Caleb is able to see Merly, but after "Rebirth", when Caleb "lets go" of her, she can appear to anyone she chooses.
7.3) How long has Lucas been sheriff?: For 20 years.
7.4) Why is Lucas after Caleb?: Lucas is after Caleb because Lucas raped Judith Temple, Caleb's mother and Caleb was the result of that act. Lucas wants to Caleb to be his heir and turn to the "darkness" like Lucas.
7.5) Where did Matt go?: Matt developed mental problems and tried to kill Lucas. After that he was sent to Juniper House.
7.6) Why was he written out?: CBS felt that Matt was too "dour" and they wanted him out.
7.7) What kind of car does Lucas drive?: It's a blue Crown Victoria.
7.8) Why did Gail fall for Lucas so quickly?: Wouldn't you? Seriously, though, there are several possibilities for this. There was an idea that Gail and Lucas were lovers from past lives, but that plot was dropped somewhere along the way. And in the missing episodes, it explains more on how Lucas finally won over Gail.
7.9) Where did Billy come from?: CBS wanted a "stronger" (it's all in the eye of the beholder whether you think Matt or Billy is stronger) hero for the show and adversary for Lucas.
7.10) Can Lucas be killed?: Probably, but it would seem that it takes a heck of a lot more to kill Lucas than any other person. And again, it all goes back to who exactly *is* Lucas? If he's a human with extra powers, he could probably be killed. If he's the devil himself, it would be doubtful that he could be killed, etc.

8.1) Cast List

9.1) Does CBS still own the rights to the show?: Yes, they do.
9.2) Why did CBS cancel this show?: They didn't feel the ratings were high enough to keep the show.
9.3) Why didn't CBS advertise the show more?: Because they're stupid. Seriously, though, Leslie Moonves (president of CBS) didn't care too much for the show, and consequently he didn't spend much money to advertise it. Also, networks now have the attitiude that all their shows will fail and consequently don't give them much of a chance.
9.4) Why did CBS pressure the writers to get rid of Matt?: CBS felt that Matt was too "dour" and that the fans wouldn't like to see such a flawed character. So, they pressured the writers into writing Matt out.
9.5) Will CBS ever air reruns?: It's *very* doubtful, and it probably wouldn't happen any time soon.

10.1) Is there a soundtrack for AG?

11.1) I didn't tape any of the shows. Can I get tapes?

12. AG Fanfic

12.1) Is there any AG fanfic?

Yes, there have been several stories so far.

12.2) Where can I get some?

http://members.aol.com/roxannep/agfanfic.html

OR join the AG fanfic list by sending mail to:

			[email protected]
			And in the body of the message put:
			subscribe ag-fanfic

(Basically, it's the same subscribing process as the regular AG list, but with a change of address.)

13.1) Is there really a Trinity, SC?: Yes, there really is a Trinity, SC.
13.2) Are there any magazine articles on AG?

14. Acroynms (We rarely use acroynms for the characters themselves, we just use their first names)

AG- American Gothic
ATGIT- A Tree Grows In Trinity
BB- Brenda Bakke
DIYD- Damned If You Don't
DDTAH- Doctor Death Takes A Holiday
DTTW- Dead To The World
EOTB- Eye of the Beholder
EOYLG- Echo Of Your Last Goodbye
GC- Gary Cole
JM- John Mese
JW- Jake Weber
LB- Lucas Black OR Lucas Buck(but rarely used for Lucas Buck)
LTC- Learning To Crawl
MTB- Meet The Beetles
PB- Potato Boy
NS- Nick Searcy
PT- Paige Turco
PS- (The) Plague Sower
ROF- Ring Of Fire
SAOTL- Strong Arm Of The Law
SC- Shaun Cassidy
SP- Sarah Paulson
TBSH- The Buck Stops Here
TBW- The Beast Within
THAB- To Hell And Back

15.1) The scene with Lt. Drey in "Meet The Beetles".: Originally Lt. Drey wasn't supposed to have still been alive by the time that Lucas and Gail arrived. But the scene was deemed too graphic and it was changed.
15.2) Matt and Selena on the beach in Ring of Fire.: Originially Matt and Selena were supposed to have sex on the beach, but the scene was later cut.
15.3) Originially Lucas and Gail were to be lovers in a past life.: There was a scene at the very end of the pilot that was cut that showed an old portrait of Lucas and Gail. This showed that Lucas and Gail knew each other from their past lives and Lucas was afraid that Gail had come back to get her revenge on him for something he had done.

16.1) What was the airing schedule?

17.1) Are there every any chats on the Undernet?: Yes, every Saturday a bunch of people get together in #agothic to talk about the show. The chats start anywhere from 7-8pm(est) and can last until 2-3am.
17.2) Are there any chats on AOL?: There is a scheduled chat for the first Sunday of every month. To get there ask the AG mailing list or the Forum and someone will help you.

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