'Side Order of Life' Looks to Become a Cancer Survivor

At a time when everybody is doing the Internet, watching DVDs, playing video games, even reading -- seemingly everything but watching TV -- it seems almost quaint that a highly committed grassroots campaign to save a television show might still be successfully mounted. But maybe, just maybe, a galvanized and dedicated group of fans will be able to help rescue the Lifetime drama "Side Order of Life" from imminent doom. One reason the effort could well have influence on Lifetime heads Andrea Wong and Susanne Daniels for a show on the bubble is that the vocal supporters aren't just any old obsessed fans whom we might be tempted to tell, "Get a life!". This series, and what it represents, truly is their life.

"Side Order" has roused the stanch support and adoration of the cancer survivor community, and it's doubtful there is any force on Earth greater than its collective passion and zeal for a common cause. They've already looked death in the eye and made it blink. Convincing a cable network to roll the dice on a show with middling ratings and bring it back for a second season scarcely registers even as much a challenge by comparison. By the same token, their ability to persevere clearly should not be underestimated, and they're bound and determined that a TV program that''s done the near impossible by finally getting cancer right will not perish without a fight.

What's grabbed the attention of several hundred thousand cancer survivors all over the United States is the uncompromising realism of "Side Order of Life's" depiction of a cancer survivor named Vivy (Diana Maria Riva). In an entertainment culture that can't seem to move beyond treating cancer as a death sentence that must be spoken of in hushed tones (if at all), this show has portrayed the disease as a life trauma that can be managed and lived with -- far from the typically manipulative and maudlin plot point that need end in wrenching pain and a protracted farewell.

Observes Matthew Zachary, founder and executive director of the I'm Too Young For This! Cancer Foundation and who maintains The Stupid Cancer Blog: "Vivy is the first accurately represented and non-victimized young adult cancer character in television broadcast history. She is setting a precedent that hearkens back to Ellen DeGeneres' first openly gay character in the 1990s. Today we can suspend disbelief when watching Sean Hayes on 'Will & Grace' and not question his personal health issues. Vivy has that same potential to destigmatize cancer and bring the message of young adult survivorship into millions of households."

The ardent response has rather blown away "Side Order's" creator and executive producer Margaret Nagle. "The way I wrote about Vivy's cancer...it was deeply irreverent," she says. "I sort of threw it in the face of the way it has been dramatized on TV in the past, so I was worried it might piss more than a few people off and in fact it's been just the opposite. I've received letters, emails and phone calls from people all over the country whose lives have been affected by cancer saying thanks for treating it like the pain in the ass that it is -- and without all of the melodrama."

One of those for whom Nagle's vision struck a cord is Leah Shearer, a 30-year-old teacher's aide in Rochester, N.Y. who has her own blog documenting a personal ordeal that includes bouts with both thyroid cancer and Hodgkin's lymphoma over the past four years. Currently in remission, Shearer too saw "Side Order of Life" as a series that personally spoke to her, calling it "our stories" and the first TV series that has "dealt with cancer in a responsible, realistic way without curing or killing the character by the time sweeps rolls around...It has also allowed us to see a character as a survivor, without the cliche'd victimization so popularly practiced in the mainstream media."

Shearer is one of those whom is helping spearhead the drive to keep "Side Order" around despite having generated somewhat disappointing numbers during its critically lauded 13-episode run last summer and early fall. She and Zachary are urging fans to inundate Lifetime's offices with take-out menus so as to urge the network to "Put 'Side Order of Life' Back on the Menu." "This show is so funny, so heartfelt, so well-written that it would prove a huge blow to the cancer survivor community were it not to be renewed," Shearer adds.

And what are the chances of that renewal? Probably better than even money. But only the Lifetime braintrust knows for sure. There is word that a decision will be made by the end of the week, and those who pummeled The Big C into submission are now waging another all-out assault to ensure that a second "Side Order" chapter will be written. The truth is that the goodwill and positive publicity alone should make it a no-brainer to order at least another six episodes, if not 10 or 13.

With that, I issue a warning to Lifetime: Don't make me come over there with a take-out menu.

Comments

[Matthew Zachary]

Now this is awesome!

[ron lee]

Though I generally admire solidarity behind a good cause, do we viewers really have to be subjected to another season of this schmaltz-fest?

[OldOldLady Of The Hills]

One of the highlights of the usually Ho Hum Summer re-run Festival was this delightful show....I hope that LIFETIME gets the message abd brings it back....I didn't know they WEREN'T Bringing it back....! I'm sending them a Menu!

[Tom Murdock]

This show better stay on the air! It's bringing a large group of people to the Lifetime network that otherwise wouldn't be there! Don't cancel it!!!

[Dimply Beautiful]

That there are enough cancer survivors to make a difference is fantastic. Perhaps Lifetime has found it's new niche, and can spawn a new network, the True Survivor's Network. My menu is on its way.

[Deborah colette freedman]

As an under forty cancer survivor, I completely relate to this show which is funny, poignant and incredibly engaging.

Please do not take it off of the air!!!!!

[Paul J. Alessi]

This is a great show!
Give the people what they want please...

Thank you,

Paul J. Alessi

[Amie Barsky]

I really enjoyed this show...hope it sticks around....good article!
Amie Barsky

[Dolly Pearl]

Yes, the cancer survivor story is groundbreaking, but the show isn't just about cancer. It's about love, friendship, the work environment and how one woman takes a chance in all these areas of her life. The show deserves to continue so we can follow adventures of all the characters. I'm not an Army Wife or a detective. "Side Order" is series I can relate to.

[Leah]

We fans mean business. Wanna join us? Send your menu to Lifetime!

LIFETIME ENTERTAINMENT
c/O ANDREA WONG
World Wide Plaza
309 West 49th Street
New York, N.Y. 10019

[Geomia]

I have been treated for cancer cells twice in my life and thankfully they were removed without the full blown issue. But this show not only speaks to cancer survivors or victims( and yes I say victims) because nobody chooses to have cancer, it sort of singles YOU out. This show speaks to people from all walks of life as most of us know or have known someone who had cancer. Hopefully most of them survived but a lot of them don't. Am sorry wish they all could. Just figure god had other plans for them. Oh well am gonna go. I sincerely hope this show stays on. It is really great and speaks to the heart.

[Sara from Pensacola, FL]

Six episodes?? Phhh. NO SIDE ORDERS- I AM ORDERING A FULL SEASON!!! I won't settle for anything less. And Season 1 on dvd would be nice as well. What other show has made me laugh and cry in the same episode? No show has ever done that in EVERY episode like SOoL does. I can't believe the show blended comedy and drama together so well. Side Order has amazing writers and brilliant actors/actresses that seem as if they were born to play these characters. I was sick all last summer and Side Order of Life was "my show"... my something to look forward to every week. It looks like I may still be sick this summer and I don't want to even imagine not having the show as my weekly dosage of food for the soul. If they cancel it, I won't ever start watching any other Lifetime series. That's worse than getting a favorite food only to realize it's a limited addition and won't be served any longer...but there's Liver Burger instead... I think not. I'll hold my breath and hope Lifetime realizes what a phenomenal show SOoL is!!

[Marianne Lang]

In addition to the the inspiration to cancer survivors, SOL is an awesome series on a number of levels. Keep it on for a long time!

[Marianne Lang]

In addition to the the inspiration to cancer survivors, SOL is an awesome series on a number of levels. Keep it on for a long time!

[rachel hersh]

So there is finally an intelligent show and what does the network do? Cancel it! Why can't you give a show a chance to find a growing audience? Some advertising of the show couldnt have hurt.I found it while flipping channels and was hooked from the beginning. Such great characters, so real, so funny and so true.each episode was pitch perfect in it's depictions of life, love, friendship and the actors were so great in their roles that you totally bought into everything that they did ..bring it back or we will boycott lifetime!

[rachel hersh]

So there is finally an intelligent show and what does the network do? Cancel it! Why can't you give a show a chance to find a growing audience? Some advertising of the show couldnt have hurt.I found it while flipping channels and was hooked from the beginning. Such great characters, so real, so funny and so true.each episode was pitch perfect in it's depictions of life, love, friendship and the actors were so great in their roles that you totally bought into everything that they did ..bring it back or we will boycott lifetime!

[karmon]

Bring it back Lifetime!!
It was the highlight of my week last summer. My second favorite show next to grey's anatomy and that says a lot. Look how well that show is doing. Give it another chance.

[Jody]

This show was without a doubt my favorite show of all time! I am so disgusted at the decision to cancel it! It was real, touching, and funny all in one. There are no other shows on tv like this and that's what set it above the rest! I have been waiting in anticipation for the shows return this season and now log on to learn of its cancellation...what a true disappointment! This was beautifully cast and its cancellation should be reconsidered. What is our office supposed to talk about come Monday mornings now?

[nancy link]

my best friend is now going through her 4th episode of treatment in 17 years. side order is almost an instruction manual for how to handle the bad times. BUT...the show is so fresh, so innovative that it would be outstanding television even without the cancer story line. why can't we have GOOD stuff instead of sex, drugs, blood, gore and assaults. BRING IT BACK....BRING IT BACK...BRING IT BACK....BRING IT BACK

[hottoddy]

I love this show! It's so much more entertaining than most of the shows on the air. It has depth and always a good storyline. I'm a melanoma survivor. Twice. I don't waste my time watching any shows that don't have believable characters and and I have no patience with thoughtless idiodic plots. I never miss Side Order. Its not a waste of time.