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382 Comments
- FishyJoe, on 10/12/2007, -1/+394Do Patrick and John even realize that the only reason anyone knows about dl.tv or cranky geeks is because of TWiT? How many podcasts would be in the dumper if not for the free publicity that TWiT gave them. This even goes for digg. I found out about digg from TWiT as did many others.
- MikeCerm, on 10/12/2007, -13/+267dvorak.org/blog
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -10/+238Holy crap, I hope it doesn't go away.
- diggapleaze, on 10/12/2007, -1/+223you are absolutely right about that.
I heard about YouTube, Digg, and plenty others first on TWiT. The influence TWiT has over the tech community is incalculable. It would be a dirty shame if Leo cancels TWiT. - temporal, on 10/12/2007, -5/+139My theory is that Leo's whole network has gotten too big too fast and that this is a symptom of that. If there were a core of maybe 5 shows rather than the dozen plus shotgun approach things might be better.
- digitalvision, on 10/12/2007, -7/+137Nothing would hurt the podcast/netcast community more - it's the ultimate ammo for naysayers about podcasting. It would be a sad day to see it go, but it records on a Sunday (I've never gotten anyone to do anything professional on a Sunday, so the fact they're having trouble getting folks together isn't surprising). I also think the whole Twit-network concept is very shaky if the flagship goes away - but, there are other alternatives like DL.TV and cnet.
If Leos' having that much trouble with the infrastructure all on his lonesome (which wouldn't be surprising, I can only imagine it is a ton of work), maybe the DLTV and the TWIT folks should consider joining up together. Dvorak, Heron and Norton are already there and they produce good content... I know absolutely nothing and could be wrong for a myriad of reasons I don't even know, I'm just theorizing in my underwear as the electronic peanut gallery. - chrisgeleven, on 10/12/2007, -3/+108Man this is a shocker.
I agree that perhaps the TWiT network grew way too fast. After all, there are only so many hours a week, so many guests/co-hosts, and only so many tech topics to cover.
For example, if there is a major security flaw related to Windows, it could in theory be covered by 3 of the TWiT network shows in one week (TWiT, Security Now, and Windows Weekly). Likewise any Mac announcement can easily be covered by 3 or 4 of the shows on the network (TWiT, TWiM, Macbreak Weekly, Macbreak video). With many of the TWiT co-hosts/guests participating in the other shows, there is only so many times you can hear the same opinions.
I think that they need to rotate the guest list more often. More diverse opinions are always good.
I don't think they should end TWiT though. That is their prime attraction, one of the best podcasts (eh, netcasts) out there, and the gateway show for all of their other shows. - temporal, on 10/12/2007, -20/+121damn typo
- Zippo, on 10/12/2007, -2/+89Say it ain't so, Leo... say it ain't so. :(
- cypher35, on 10/12/2007, -4/+81"the main draw of the show may be Kevin"
Who gives a ***** if Kevin is there? I personally prefer it when he is not. All he ever does on the show is plug Digg, Rev3, or some news item relating to him. And when he's not, he still doesn't add anything useful. The show has gotten along just fine without him since he stopped being a regular.
Dvorak and Leo are the real reasons i tune in each week. - diggapleaze, on 10/12/2007, -8/+83OK guys, I hate to see I'm being dugg down for my suggestion, but here goes anyway:
The Official Save TWiT Blog
http://savetwit.wordpress.com/2006/10/23/save-twit/
Spread the word! Donate to Leo, email him, leave comments on the TWiT site! We gotta do something! - Nothlit, on 10/12/2007, -0/+65The two-week break is not what he's talking about. I think Leo's had a hard time herding all the TWiT "regulars" into doing a show every Sunday for a while now, it just hasn't been noticeable to us because he's good at getting guest hosts to fill in, etc. I think Leo just needs to realize that if these guys don't share his dedication to the show, he needs to find different co-hosts who do. I'm not saying he should fire these guys, but if they don't want to do TWiT every week, then get a rotation going so they don't have to do TWiT every week!
- porplem, on 10/12/2007, -5/+70That would suck. I've been listening since the first episode of "Return of The Screen Savers".
- SlashNot, on 10/12/2007, -6/+62That seems a bit of a drastic move just because the next few weeks will have no twit.
"I'll decide what happens to TWiT, the show, when I come back, but at this point it looks like it's on life support and the heart monitor is flatlining."
But that doesnt come across very good. Maybe we are just taking it out of context? - recipher, on 10/12/2007, -1/+56leo (at) leoville.com is his address. There is also a button that goes directly to the Paypal page from http://twit.tv
- FishyJoe, on 10/12/2007, -1/+49Don't just contact Leo. Contact all the people that benefitted from TWiT. Digg, dl.tv, cranky geeks and many others benefitted from the free publicity they got from TWiT. Don't let them forget it.
- splatnik, on 10/12/2007, -0/+38Man, shot off an angry email to DL.TV complaining to Patrick and Robert about this mess and ended up recieving a phone call back today (that's what happens when you put a number in your signature).
Patrick was super cool on the phone and explained that it was just a mixup between them all. They thought leo was already on his cruise and that it wouldn't be a problem to miss this week. Apparently leo got the wrong impression and jumped to the horrendous conclusion that twit was done because these guys were bailing. His post was premature and it wasn't because there was some sort of talent mutany.
BTW, Patrick Norton was super friendly on the phone and it was really cool that he would take the time to speak with one of his listeners personally like that. Mad props to the guys at DL.TV and twit.... - AZTriGuy, on 10/12/2007, -2/+39Um, when Leo says:
"I'll decide what happens to TWiT, the show, when I come back, but at this point it looks like it's on life support and the heart monitor is flatlining."
That sounds pretty damn accurate to me. He'll decide what happens when he gets back in two weeks, why would he decide what happens if the show was safe? And being on life support with a flatlining heart monitor sure sounds like evidence of "dying" to me. Buried your comment, which it had an option for "inaccurate". - mesostinky, on 10/12/2007, -7/+42WTF?! Nooooo. I love TWiT!
Leo said
"At this point I have a couple of choices. I could re-cast the show with people who will actually show up, but is it a TWiT without Patrick and John? "
Get somebody to invest in TWit and pay John and Patrick to be available. There is still plently of VC money out there and if the #1 netcasting show can't make it then no one can. That or replace them. I love both of them but there are plently of other fish in the sea and it's more important that TWiT lives on as opposed to keeping Patrick and John on board. Here's a hint Leo, we love the rest of the hosts but YOU are TWiT. Don't ever forget that. - wesball, on 10/12/2007, -4/+36John is an important aspect to the show.
Like him or hate him, I think he rounds out TWiT's cast of unique characters.
Every show needs a curmudgeon. - leonbev, on 10/12/2007, -12/+42Wow, I bet that the sponsors and donating subscribers are PISSED. They're paying good money for this show, and Leo isn't making good on his contract. If the sponsors pull out of their flagship show, the whole TWiT network as a whole might be in trouble.
- AZTriGuy, on 10/12/2007, -2/+30He's got 13 pod . . . uh, netcasts in the TWiT network now. I think he's diluted himself too much between all of those. Rather than adding new ones for each individual listening group (Mac, PC, Law, Security, BioTech, Media), stick with your core tech audience as a whole. TWiT is by far my favorite podcast, always starts my week on the right note. I'll listen to This Week in Law to give it a chance (since it loaded in instead of TWiT this week), but personally I don't think it will interest me that much.
- Justin6512, on 10/12/2007, -3/+29it's gotta be the most commonly known tech (audio) podcast, I hope it doesn't go away!
- JnOrris, on 10/12/2007, -9/+35they are getting $500 a show.... thats 20K+ per year. for 2 hours of work a week, i wouldn't be complaining.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -6/+31"
Leo Laporte's picture
Submitted by Leo Laporte on Mon, 2006-10-23 00:15
It's not I who want to take a break. I'm here every week ready to record, edit, and post a show. I gladly put in more time on the show than all the other TWiTs put together, but if the other TWiTs decide not to show there's not much I can do about it.
At this point I have a couple of choices. I could re-cast the show with people who will actually show up, but is it a TWiT without Patrick and John?
Or I could put TWiT to rest and come up with something to replace it. Neither choice is desirable, especially since we have a sponsor who is paying to be on this show in particular, but frankly it's more than I can handle trying to keep this cast together.
As I said, I'm going to defer a decision until I come back fromt the cruise.
-- Leo Laporte, Chief TWiT
"
He doesn't seem to understand that twit is twit.tv. Without Twit the network dies and he's back to working for someone else. - bennop, on 10/12/2007, -4/+28Twit was the first podcast I ever listened to. It introduced me to Digg, Delicious, YouTube, and the new web as I experience it. This show has tremendous value and it would be such a disappointment and loss if it went. However, its ironic that we would expect a product of the most rapidly changing marketplace/environment (the web) to remain the same, or remain around indefinitely.
Things are only beautiful because they are impermanent.
Twit is dead. Long live Twit.
Here's hoping it stays around for longer though. - temporal, on 10/12/2007, -2/+26Wow, i loved when Leo gets pissed.
For 500 bucks an hour I'd blow off just about anything to get there. This is why every time i hear Kevin Rose complain about his lack of couch brokeness I want to slap him. - seventoes, on 10/12/2007, -2/+27Yeah.. we cant donate without an email to donate to..
- Jeffrey903, on 10/12/2007, -6/+30I don't buy this. The following people have all been on one of the past 3 TWiT's (71, 72, or 73):
John C. Dvorak
Alex Lindsay
Wil Harris
Jerry E. Pournelle
David Prager
Patrick Norton
Paul Thurrot
Steve Gibson
Alex Lindsay
Scott Bourne
Doug Kaye
Denise Howell
Martin Sargent
That doesn't include Leo, but out of those 13 people, Leo can't find 2 or 3 of them to do TWiT with? I find that hard to believe. Also, this is just 1 instance in a long time since when there hasn't been a TWiT. There never would've been an episode next week because of the Leo's cruise. I personally don't think 1 missed episode is cause for alarm.
That being said, I would be very sad if TWiT was stopped. - jasondefaoite, on 10/12/2007, -1/+24I still like Dvorak on the show. Norton hasn't been around too much of late, and to be honest I haven't really missed him. Right now, Will Harris is pretty good. He can even be arsed to get up in the early am UK time to call in.
- Spazkake, on 10/12/2007, -1/+23My first podcast, it introduced me to digg and diggnation!
- adml_shake, on 10/12/2007, -2/+23I feel you....I still have the first one on my PC. Wow, it was bad enough losing TechTV...now this too? I mean is he just sick of doing it? Can't get the guests? The regulars arn't on so he just figures he's gonna bail? I mean what the hell is going on? TWIT is the only podcast on that network that I listen too.
- Nothlit, on 10/12/2007, -0/+21The problem seems to be that the co-hosts don't share Leo's fierce dedication to the show, and that's discouraging for him. It's not that Leo is flagging, it's that Dvorak et al. seem to be losing interest.
- Mr_Lyle, on 10/12/2007, -1/+22As well he should be...the show's avarage run time is 1 hour. If these people can't take 1hour to record a show (which btw they can do from anywhere they happen to be over skype) that says a lot. Especially since they get paid 500$ an hour for doing essentially nothing but talking. All they do is connect, yak about this week's stories and hang up. He pays them, does all the editing himself, posts the show on the feed and takes care of the entire webpage himself. They don't have to do anything other than show up.
All these people do is bitch about how they do it all for free and now we find out they get 500$ an hour to do TWiT. I guess they're just complaining for the sake of complaining. Most of the people on Digg would love to get 500$ for 1 hour of "work". Hell most people can actually live on a weekly salary of 500$ and live pretty well at that. These guys can't even be bothered to show up.
This has been going on for a while now. I never understood why Kevin Rose stopped doing the show either. This 'I don't have the time' argument is weak to quite weak and I don't buy it. Something serious must be going on behind the scenes cause none of this is making any sense. - MrLobster, on 10/12/2007, -3/+23Leo's just having a bad day. He may change the show a bit and maybe he should but I don't think he'll seriously pull the plug.
- Crid, on 10/12/2007, -2/+20At a podcasting seminar in June, LaPorte made a number of comments to the effect that the Twit netcast was something that he does because it's expected of him. (Twit #58 was recorderd there, but the comment might not be in the show.) He didn't sound bitter about it, exactly. But let's face it, only Google has the power to do things for free. Several times we've heard Norton talking about how much he'd like to own a house someday. If we who enjoy these shows were will to put up a few pennies per episode, they'd never go away. And it wouldn't take very many pennies, either!
- steve693, on 10/12/2007, -0/+18I wouldn't be surprised. The last, I dunno. . .5 or 6 episodes have been pretty stale. Reading off general news, making a few comments, then moving onto the next story. It's sort of boring, there just doesn't seem to be as much passion as there was before.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVED the first year worth of TWIT, but I really dunno what has happened to the show. Maybe it's the lack of Kevin/Patrick/Robert Heron, they were always my favorites. Although, I'd say that Wil Harris has made an excellent addition to the show. - SlashNot, on 10/12/2007, -3/+21I cant imagine them coming back on after Leo referred to them as "Clowns"
- JnOrris, on 10/12/2007, -1/+17Twit message boards.
- adml_shake, on 10/12/2007, -2/+18Hey these guys are both busy....they can't be there for every episode and there are going to be stretches where they can't show up. So what? You have pleanty of other people who are more than willing to show up and fill in the spots. And yes, it can be a twit with out Pat or John. And you can't dump the show with out havnig megan on at least once! I really hope he reads this and sees how upset people are going to be.
- SlashNot, on 10/12/2007, -1/+17where did u find this?
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -4/+18Lets face it, Digg wouldn't be what it is today without Twit. Quite a few people heard about digg from Twit.
I don't know what the answer is, but I would hope that Leo knows that if he drops Twit, the whole network crumbles. Maybe that is what he wants, I don't know. But the other cast members need to realize that they wouldn't have the audience they have (with their other programs) without Twit!! - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+17Uh, Prager, you do realize that we can see you dugg that comment (with it's anti-Leo/Dvorak content) right? I thought you were a TWiT dude!
- deadbaby, on 10/12/2007, -0/+15This isn't too shocking to me. TWIT has been struggling lately. I think Dvorak & Norton both are more interested in their ZD shows which is fine. Nothing wrong with that. They gotta do what's best for their careers. I think Leo should just get a dedicated co-host who is focused and reliable (I nominate Will Harris) and maybe get back to the roots. Do more viewer e-mail/call in stuff. Let your listeners help create the content. That's the whole point of Web 2.0 movement.
- wfmk, on 10/12/2007, -9/+23Devastated. TWiT was the pod/netcast that got me into pod/netcasts.
I do hope they come back, although the last few seem to have lacked inspiration from the panellists, especially Dvorak.
Maybe there's been a falling out? I noticed a veiled dig against Dvorak from Leo and Paul Thurrott during a recent Windows Weekly pod/netcast. - eliomar, on 10/12/2007, -2/+16i'm with Wonky, Twit is the heart of the network. Who cares about patrick and john, its all leo. Its always been about leo. i mean, he can have different people, we would understand, times change and so does the cast. But the show must go on for the sake of the network.
i, like many, started with TWIT. Hell i knew nothing about Podcasting untill TWIT. i thought it was not possible. But it lies in that People like Leo. We are willing to sacrifice castmembers, just not the host and the show. - crackhead, on 10/12/2007, -1/+15As far as I'm concerned, Leo makes TWiT what it is. Having Patrick on is OK, and Dvorak has own silly show. It's not like he adds anything to the discussion other than a bit of unintentional comic relief mixed with far too much bile. Leo has the most insight, is the most eloquent, and exhibits the more passion than any other TWiTs. It wouldn't matter to me one bit if they only showed up every once in a while...I'm sure there are plenty of other people who would love to be regulars on the most well known tech netcast with the largest audience.
TWiT the show is now a brand, and it would be a poor business decision to just kill it. - TenebrousX, on 10/12/2007, -5/+19especially since now (since Leo started doing ads) they are getting paid for it
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