Karen David – More Galavant

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) When and where were you when you found out about “Galavant’s” cancellation?

A) It was a really bittersweet day when announcements were being made. I was doing a photoshoot for the Alzheimer’s association, which is a cause I’m really passionate about. Tim [Omundson] was doing a photoshoot there earlier in the day and I was doing one that afternoon. Whilst I was doing hair and makeup, I could see that announcements were starting to be made. My managers were with me and they said, “Maybe don’t look at the phone for the next couple of hours,” because I had to focus. So, I knew it was coming and I could already see cancellations being made. They were slowly coming in. I didn’t look at my phone for the next few hours and then as soon as I was done I saw my mother had called to see how I was. So, when I looked at my phone I could see notices popping up that it was canceled. At that moment, it just felt bittersweet. A lot of us had a feeling this could happen so I think I was more prepared, but at the same time it felt very real. So, I had a mixture of emotions. I was sad and at the same time, my heart was filled with gratitude for the two amazing seasons we got. All of the memories we had were flooding me in that moment. So, it was quite overwhelming. I was kind of speechless as to what to say because my mind was just running with so much.

Q) Did the cast message each other or call around to each other?

A) We started getting a lot of emails from our creator, Dan Fogelman. It’s only when I read his beautifully written email with such an amazing message to all of us – it was so heartfelt and bittersweet that it got to me. He is so good with his words that that’s when I got choked up and I got a bit teary. Then, everyone else started emailing each other about the good times and the laughs we had. It was reminiscing about the past almost three years we had together. Alan Menken, Glenn Slater and the whole gang sent us messages. I spoke with Tim and he was in Germany. We had a quick chat and were bonding. These things bring you together. Moments like this are sad, but at the same time we’re all under the same feeling that we were grateful that we had what we had. I know a lot of fans are upset and that’s totally understandable. But I remind them endearingly that we are so grateful and lucky to have had two seasons from ABC. And at the end of the day, it was ABC that took the punt on us. So, God bless ABC for that because we wouldn’t have the comradery of the fandom we have right now. The fans were messaging me from the start when there was still hope with ABC for a pickup. I received hundreds of messages from fans asking what they could do and saying they had an idea. So, I kind of sat back and spoke to the gang. A lot of fans were really serious about wanting to find us a new home or if that was a possibility. We had to wait until what ABC decided, but we’re clearly the cheerleaders. I cannot take credit for any of this. It is all created and driven by the fandom that we have and it is quite incredible and amazing to see. In the end of the day, it lies within the fans power because they tune in. With a lot of networks, it’s a ratings rat race. It’s all about the numbers. So, they are there kind of taking charge. They are doing really, really well and it just warms our hearts so much. We’re so incredibly overwhelmed by all the love and support of the fans. These days, cancellation doesn’t necessarily mean a death sentence for a show. It can happen where we can find a new home. It may happen or it might not, but what I’ve been telling the fans (and Tim has been, too) is that you guys have been trying and that’s all that matters. No matter what happens, we can all walk away from this with our heads held high.

Q) What do you attribute the cancellation to then?

A) We were always in a difficult time slot. Sunday nights at 8pm is usually an amazing time slot, but when you air in the month of January we’re up against shows like football and “The Golden Globes.” Those are huge things to compete with. Our DVR ratings were really good. It did bump us up significantly. In today’s day and age, a lot of people don’t have time to sit down at a certain time religiously every week because everyone is busy so they’d all do the DVR route. One thing about our show that has to be said is that it was a show that actually did unite families together – people of all ages and walks of life – to sit in front of the TV and watching an amazingly quality program for an hour. That means a lot to us.

Q) Why do you think Hulu is the right place for the show?

A) A lot of fans are asking why Hulu? The reason why we’re encouraging Hulu is because they took on programs like “The Mindy Project” so they have set a pattern. The same thing happened there where the show got cancelled, but the fans banded together and the show got picked up from Hulu. Another main reason is that ABC has very strong ties to Hulu. ABC owns a third of Hulu so therefore, they can see each other’s ratings. That’s really important. So, what the fans have done with this “More Galavant” week was suggested, that we’re all channeling on. This week we were encouraging fans to sign up for a seven day trial on Hulu. It’s free. And for that week until the 20^th, fans can download and watch Season 2 of “Galavant” as much as they want. It boosts the ratings, which Hulu and ABC can see. It sends a very powerful message from the fans who want More Galavant.

Q) Who are some of the celebs you have backing More Galavant?

A) On the first day of More Glavant week, Mark Hamil – Luke Skywalker tweeted in response to a fan and expressed his love of “Galavant.” He said how much he loved it and had recorded it on his DVR. He said he watched faithfully each week. I know Maggie Lawson, William Shatner and Paget Brewster have been incredibly supportive. These are just a handful! There are so many of them that have been tweeting in to show their support saying that a show like “Galavant” shouldn’t be cancelled, it should live on because it is so deserving. When you see so much love from fans and celebrities it just warms my heart to no end.

Q) What are some other things fans can do to help spread the word about reviving “Galavant?”

A) Other things we’re asking is to go to the “Galavant” IMDB page and rate our show and leave a review. Click on the cast as well. It all helps boost the ratings for the show. Then, tweet the advertisers that support Hulu. Just tweeting and posting on the Facebook pages – individually. Do one tweet to Hulu. One tweet to Netflix. One tweet to Amazon. Don’t put them all in one. Do it individually, which is more respectful as well. We’ll see what happens, but I think this should be a wonderful reminder to fans that if you really believe in something and you are really persistent it cannot NOT happen. At the same time, everything happens for a reason. In our hearts, I think to some degree we all feel that there could be another manifestation of the show in some shape or form. I know that Alan Menken has hinted at and talked about a Broadway performance – right from the start when we began filming – they were inundated with ideas for how to possibly adapt it to Broadway. There were talks later down the road of doing a movie of it. So, I think in our hearts we all feel it might not be over yet and there might be a future for it. There is no shortage of ideas when it comes to what is possible!

Q) What do you want to be sure fans know about the More Galavant campaign?

A) I want to let the fans know it is so valuable what they are doing because it opens doors for our show. If something happens now or later down the road, they have given the possibility of something happening and that possibility is such a gift. So, thank you on behalf of all the cast and crew because this means so much to all of us – from the art department to the carpenters to the runners to the extras. Every person that has bene involved in this production unanimously has said that this was one of the most exhilarating experiences that they have ever had in their whole careers. I think the fans can see how much fun and joy this show has brought to us. When they see our blooper reels they can just see the fun we are having. They could see in all of our interviews that each cast member gives how much fun we are having. That is what this show did and that doesn’t happen every day. That’s something I can take with me in my heart for the rest of my life and the rest of my journey as an actor.

Q) What do you hope fans carry with them as the show’s legacy?

A) I think the fans are already doing it in the sense that it has broken the fourth wall. It’s broken many walls in that sense – compared to what you see on television these days. It’s a show that will always be remembered for making people life. It took people out of their lives for an hour and made them sing their hearts out and tapping into their inner child. That’s a wonderful thing. I think between our wonderful writers, they have all allowed us to tap into our inner Disney child and celebrate and explore our childlike imaginations and that’s so wonderful. I think that’s one of the special things about our show. It unites people from all walks of life and all ages.

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