We’ve been perusing the new buzz-monitoring site Hey! Nielsen a lot lately and we’ve noticed how quickly fans of certain cult shows have banded together to make their voices known on the site with hopes of it reaching top brass at their favorite network. Not a terrible idea – after all, Nielsen is responsible for just about any other data television executives use when making decisions.

We see lots of “bring this show back” or “please don’t cancel this” posts. It got me thinking, how many shows have benefited from an online movement in the modern age when DVD sales and online buzz can be just as important (if not moreso) than traditional TV ratings? Family Guy is the only show that comes to mind for me where a network announced a mea culpa and resurrected a show after it was dormant for nearly two years. This seemed to be one of the first big breaks for fans looking to use the power of the internet to make their voices heard.

Since then, we’ve seen dozens of our favorite shows cancelled and petitioned online with no success (Arrested Development and Dead Like Me are two that come to mind). Is it really possible for the internet and DVD sales to have a regular impact on the decisions made by network execs? Was Family Guy a fluke or is it a matter of time before these alternate outlets are taken more seriously? Can you think of any other shows that have a similar story? We’ve been in a hot debate on Hey! Nielsen, throw in your two cents.

Reno 911, Blades of Glory, I Know Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, The Benchwarmers…all parts of Nick Swardson’s career as an actor and comedian.

Plus, he just released his own CD called Party so it’s no surprise to hear people talking about him as the new Adam Sandler. While checking out HeyNielsen.com today to see if anyone else is as obsessed with Man Vs. Wild as I am, I checked out this post.

I don’t know if I can see him doing a Reign Over Me in the next 10 years, but I do think he is one to keep an eye on!

On Sunday a crew of us Syn folk headed down to see the THURSDAY show at the TLA in Philly with Portugal the Man and Circle Takes The Square. Despite the car ride being over crowded the show was well worth the trip.

The venue was packed and Thursday put on an amazing performance that had some folks reminiscing their basement days. Of course the show easily was big topic of discussion in our Monday “what did you do this weekend” chats. Most of us agreed that they put on a stellar show with enough energy to power a small city.

Always down for a debate, we started this thread at one of our favorite pop culture sites, Hey! Nielsen mainly as a way to bring the question to the masses.

WEIGH IN: Thursday :: Bringing It Live