While I enjoyed watching the panel from Comic-con, I am drawn to ask, why does Castle even have a presence?

Now Castle is not a nerd show.  I know a fair few nerds just cling on to Nathan like a demi-god, but why does ABC pander to this vocal minority? It's not like buttering up the nerd community will get you any viewers.  Over the years nerds have campaigned to save various shows, but the fact that nerd shows always get cancelled eventually, shows that while they are indeed loyal fans of whatever they love, they are not a worthwhile demographic to ensure worthwhile viewing figures.  A fine example is Nathan's Firefly show, which didn't even get into double figures before being canned.

And it must be so painful for the rest of the cast, sat there, as another nerd walks up to the mic and ask Nathan another question about there being a firefly cross-over.  I can see why Stana and Susan swerve the whole event.

So why does ABC do it? Surely there are better promotional activities they could do to promote the show to mainstream viewers, that could actually increase viewing numbers?

Admin said:

Umm… I find your post somewhat offensive, perhaps it's supposed to be?

1. People who attend comic con are from a wide variety of backgrounds and have a wide range of interests… all 130,000 of them.

2. Castle definitely appeals to nerds, perhaps you didn't hear that the panel was completely full both years?

3. Shows like Star Trek, Doctor Who and Stargate have run MANY years. Dr Who & Trek started in the 60s and both are still going strong. Stargate had a TEN SEASON run in its original series and then went on to have a successful 5 seasons of a spinoff series and another 2 of another series not to mention three movies.

4. EVERY CAST MEMBER thoroughly enjoyed attending comic con, none of them were in pain.

5. Castle fans everywhere (apart from you I guess) think it's fantastic that ABC has a presence for Castle at Comic con.

6. Have you not heard of the Graphic Novel coming out in September based on Castle's Derrick Storm series? It's a comic, the event you're complaining about is COMIC Con.

Sorry, no, it's not meant as offensive, why do you take it that way? I am asking a realistic question, unless you take offence at the work nerd as an insult, but since it is a badge of honour these days with Nerdist.com and Zachary Levi'd Nerd Machine, I personally don't see it as a derogative word these days.  I prefer geek myself, but Nerd is a popular expression. Are you a nerd and feel shame because of it?

I know all the stats of Comic-Con, I know it is bigger every year, and it reverberates around the web as well, but the fact that remains is while the nerd community is committed and vocal, it's not that big. I'm not sure what Hall the panel was in, but I know Hall H held 6,000, but all those people are already committed and fervent fans of the show and wouldn't miss an episode. And we all as fans all enjoy looking at it on YouTube, but again, this is not going to get anyone else to tune in and give it a go.

I can see that all the existing fans love the comic-con presence, but it does nothing to promote the show to new audiences. It's preaching to the converted. Yesterday I did a youtube search on chat shows, and Nathan has been on the Late, Late Show three times, once for a film called "The Waitress", once for Desperate Housewives, and once for Dr. Horrible. Other talk show appearances by Nathan and Stana are few and far between  (on youtube anyway), but I think appearances like that with good meaty clips, may get bigger numbers tuning in.

Back to some of the points you make., Point 3, you list lots of shows, that are all cancelled. Star Trek, lasted 3 years!  OK Next Gen lasted longer, but their figures were never spectacular, and every other spin off lasted a few seasons and then went again. You say trek is still going strong? Have I missed something? What Trek is still alive on TV? Other than re-runs. Stargate was a success, but none of the spin-off have been. Chuck is going this year, Eureka struggles to renew, with season 3 being spilt over two years. BSG has gone, Caprica just never got going. Nerd TV just never succeeds with the mainstream, and 130,000 comic-con attendees don't amount to a hill of beans in viewing figures.  Stargate Sg1 for it's longevity only averaged 2 million viewers, which pretty awful. Doctor Who in the UK gets between 8-10 Million each week, and that is in the UK! 

Point 4.. Are you sure?? Are you just projecting your own enjoyment?? Personally, I think that Seamus and Jon would rather not be there.  Molly for all her enthusiasm hardly gets asked a question.  It is the Nathan Fillion road show. Susan didn't show, Penny Johnson Jerald was not introduced, and Stana had family commitments, which could mean anything. While no-one would ever say anything negative, I look at the body language and absentees and wonder if many of the cast actually enjoy sitting there while everyone fawns over Nathan.

5&6, Yes I enjoy it, yes I can see why they do it, there is no need to make a comic to earn the right to be there, I am just asking is it a worthwhile publicity tool for the show?  For all our talk of wanting to see what unfolds on the show, I'd hate to see it cancelled before the full story arc unfolds!

So don't take offence, don't get defensive, I am just asking, is buttering up the hard-core nerd Nathan Fillion fan-base a worthwhile pursuit for ABC?