Letters, we get letters...

Here are some of the letters sent to dvdaria@yahoo.com, some together with a reply. Last addition June 6, 2001

Letter by ~Wildgoose~

According to a spot on the Irony Maiden website, ...at least three new Daria cassettes are being released within the UK. Which means it would only be a matter of time before they filtered into the market over here. Perhaps your best efforts are beginning to reach the people at MTV after all. -- ~Wildgoose~ [prev]

Note by Graziano Montanini

I would add to the manifesto the presence of optional close-captioned subtitles. Thx. -- Graziano Montanini - Reggio Emilia - 29 Anni

Note by gary eakin

write to mtv ok ill send my letter this Saturday I hope this works so many people have signed DVDARIA I hope that we can get the people at MTV to put Daria on DVD -- gary eakin

Letter by Sam

A word of unsolicited but sincere advice to anyone who'd like to see "Daria" on DVD become a reality:

MTV will surely be watching the sales of the "Is It Fall Yet?" DVD pretty closely to reconcile just how many "Daria" fans make requests and how many are actually willing to put down hard currency without flinching. As a practical matter, the decision about how many "Daria" episodes to release on DVD is probably going to be made by people who have to convince higher-ranking people at MTV Networks (or even at parent company Viacom) that the decision will result in a profit. The bigger, the better, and analysis of hard numbers WILL be the most significant factor in that decision. (It's the easiest and most unimpeachable way to convince your corporate superiors that demand exists.) Brisk sales of "Is It Fall Yet?" will probably mean more releases. VERY brisk sales could well mean release of the whole series.

"Daria" is currently expected to end its initial run with a library of just 65 episodes, two movies, and a viewpoint that's not well suited to what H.L. Mencken used to call "the great unwashed". Therefore, the show's syndication value to outlets other than MTV (and its international counterparts) seems limited. A proper mix of well-spoken but heartfelt letters AND brisk sales of "Is It Fall Yet?" may very well be seen by MTV Networks as indication that DVD releases constitute the best possible method for maximizing its return on "Daria". So, write if you can find time and buy if you can find $20. You may be very glad you did! -- Sam [prev]

Letter by David Krigbaum

I like this, but I won't sign unless you make a clause asking them to release it on VHS and DVD. I, and many other people can't afford a DVDplayer and probably will not be in possession of one any time soon. But I'll gladly sign if you add VHS to the petition. I'm not alone on this one. -- David Krigbaum

We aim to please, so please aim your browser at the new Daria on VHS petition!

Letter by Sam

Maybe you've already though of this, but just in case:

MTV Networks' parent company (Viacom) is publicly held and is subject to intense stockholder scrutiny, especially with respect to activities with dicey profit potential. The best (and probably the only) chance to realize the release of "Daria: The Collectors' Edition" is going to consist of convincing the cost conscious types that it offers guaranteed profit potential. My guess is that the best way to do this would be to attain a "critical mass" of guaranteed purchasers and convince MTV Networks that the additional cost of issuing the series on DVD (and/or videocassette) would be sufficiently minimal that profitability is virtually assured. One suggested method might be to offer it for sale on a "special order" basis over MTV's website rather than through mainstream stores, where it would require a certain amount of marketing expense and would face competition for precious shelf space. A similar method has been successfully used to sell videocassettes of the old "Shell's Wonderful World of Golf" series (which had a relatively small but devoted following similar to that enjoyed by "Daria" today, albeit with significantly different demographics!)

Hope these ideas are helpful in some way. Keep up the good work and thanks for this much-needed effort! -- Sam [next]

You're welcome. And, since you write long and purty, I'm sure you'll send a killer letter to MTV in support of a Daria DVD release.

Letter by AnGrYTaCo346

hi. sorry if this sounds stupid , I'm 14 bear in mind. Just for backup, and if this DVD thing doesn't work, will tapes of the series at least be released? I know that's what was done with beavis and butthead, but will they do this with Daria? Thanx! -- AnGrYTaCo346

It sure seems like MTV isn't into releasing anything at the moment -- except, of course, for Is it Fall Yet?, which should be released on DVD (yeah!) when the series ends. However, you're invited to sign the new Daria on VHS petition -- maybe it'll help. And write your letter!

Note by ~Wildgoose~

How would I go about becoming a supporter of the DVDaria movement? -- ~Wildgoose~ [prev|next]

If you've got a Web page, put up a banner. If you've got friends, tell them to sign the petition. If you're clever with words, pictures or sounds, send 'em in -- we're content hungry at DVDaria.

Note by ~Wildgoose~

In support of the Dvdaria movement I've added the hyperlink graphics for this page to my Daria site, "Hell is Other People:" http://wildgoose81.net/daria.htm -- ~Wildgoose~ [next]

Now, that's service!

Letter by Didier

My name is Didier and I'm the webmaster of Planete Daria "http://www.daria-fr.net", a French site on Daria. Daria is broadcast in France and in Canada, in French. Can you please add a section where you ask MTV to add French, Spanish and German and other languages and sub-titles in their DVD. I have recorded all the Daria episodes I can in French, but I still miss five from the first season. And I know a lot of French fans that want to have all the Daria episodes. I will add a banner to your site in my next update. Thanks, Didier

The DVDaria movement needs more folks like Didier. Merci beaucoups, mon frere! We're pushing for alternate language tracks here. (Well, alternate if your first language is English....)

Letter by Daria7483

Hi, I signed your petition on your DVDaria Web site. I think you have a great thing going here, but I was disappointed that nowhere in your list of reasons for Daria on DVD did you suggest also putting episodes on VHS. I know it doesn't last as long as DVD, but do you really think that every Daria fan has a DVD player, or can afford one? Being a broke college student, I would be very disappointed if episodes were only put out on DVD. -- Daria7483

I feel your pain as I write my student loan payment check each month. I'm into getting the series archived into an indestructible format that'll be there after a rich relative kicks or something and we can afford a player. And VHS has less than 10 years...digital HDTV is supposed to be the standard by 2010. Why do you think they're trying to sucker us all into buying DVD players?

Note by Liz 'n Hedduh

We were very excited when we heard of your petition. We support you fully and have put your banner and link on our site. Let us know if there is anything else we can do. -- Liz 'n Hedduh

We surely will! Thanks!

See your pseudonym up here in lights!

Write to dvdaria@yahoo.com and share your thoughts with us!

For more information, check the feedback page which also contains more contact details. Also, we would like to encourage you to write MTV and tell them about your desire to get Daria released on DVD.

You might also want to check out a few chosen submissions from the Opinion Book (View).

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Last update: 2001-06-16