An 'l-word' Script Hits The Fans Online Contest Lets Viewers Pen 'fanisode,' A Tv First

Should "The L Word's" Bette confront Cari while Alice finds her heartbroken, or would a true confession by Alice risking the demise of Dana make for better melodrama?

Showtime Networks, in conjunction with entertainment services company FanLib, let the program's viewers make those decisions, and more.

Fans got the chance to wrest control of the plot from its writers — while getting some online notoriety of their own — by crafting their own scenes according to parameters set by series scribe Ariel Schrag. Participants read, judged and discussed each other's work, all of which was entered in a contest that ended last week and resulted in a "fanisode," the first fan-written script for an existing show.

Many popular shows inspire fans to create their own scenes and post them on community Web sites; the writing is called fanfic. Showtime is unusual in sanctioning and even encouraging this activity.

"They're going to do it whether we invite them to or not in this interactive culture we live in," "L Word" executive producer and creator Ilene Chaiken said. "From the beginning, the audience claimed the show and felt like they owned it."

The project also kept fans engaged between seasons, she added, and Schrag's guidelines ensured that followers of the lesbian-themed program didn't stray into inappropriate territory.

While Showtime has the option to produce the finished script, participants at the very least will receive a downloadable digital magazine featuring the completed script, alternative scenes and profiles of winning contributors. They also qualified to win prizes from Showtime and event sponsors. The grand-prize winner, aspiring novelist Jan Naugle from Colorado Springs, Colo., received a personal online writing session with Chaiken.

"Ours is probably in the top tier of shows that have such an engaged fan base," Chaiken said. "Fans really want to be involved and to provide feedback about what should happen with these characters, and this is a great way to interact with our audience."

The series' ratings are up more than 50% from last season, and the "L Word" fanisode site logged 175,000 visits during the eight-week contest, success Chaiken attributes to the creative involvement it has allowed its loyal viewers along with the community it fosters on blogs and discussion boards.

Chaiken could not confirm another fanisode contest in "L Word's" future, but Rob Hayes, Showtime senior vp and general manager of digital media, said he would love to do another one linked to the series.

"This whole aspect of positive consumer-generated content allows viewers and fans to interact with the show beyond the one hour they watch it," Hayes said.

He gave credit to the way in which the contest was presented.

"If it's done within a safe context where the creators are involved in it, and it's structured so fans can share with their friends, it can be very positive," Hayes said. "Ultimately, fans become brand ambassadors for the show."

Hayes said the strong response to the "L Word" online venture likely will lead to similar interactive contests in Showtime's future, noting some associated with the network's "Master of Horror" franchise.

"The L Word," which has been renewed for a fourth season, stars Jennifer Beals, Laurel Holloman and Mia Kirshner.