Comments on: blogs are reality tv for the written word

By: Lyle_s

Lyle_s — Fri, 25 May 2007 02:12:58 +0000

Good stuff, Jon. It looks like this approach is about to be utilized for the 2008 presidential election by Fred Thompson and I think it just might win him the job.

As far as a best of goes, you don’t strike me as the kind of guy to decide on his own what’s your best blog work. Maybe you need to bring the digg style links back in an internal fashion so people can tag the articles they like but they only contribute to the rankings of articles on your ‘best of’ page.

One thing that hasn’t changed with the influx of reality tv: most TV shows still suck ass.

By: jon

jon — Thu, 24 May 2007 17:48:24 +0000

Abby, the show I did a little writing/acting for was a reality based sketch comedy show. The main guy would go out in the public with a stunt/prank and some props and the cameras recorded his interaction with the unsuspecting public. For example, he brought red carpet and velvet ropes and set them up in front of the .99 cent store and interviewed people as they walked out…like it was oscar night. Then security kicked him out.

In the end it didn’t read as funny on screen. Nobody wanted it. It was a mild mannered jackass in a way. But it really showed me that every genre is moving towards “reality”.

I’m at SF State, but getting my MFA is basically a hobby. I checked the link, the media clip didn’t load, and I don’t have cable, but I dig the premise. Have fun with it!

By: jon

jon — Thu, 24 May 2007 17:42:19 +0000

I appreciate all the work you’ve been doing as my life coach, I’m feeling ready to take on bigger challenges because of it. But I’m not sure about being published. The internet is supposed to replace paper, and I’d hate to work backwards…maybe I’ll put a “best of” link on my site so you don’t have to sift through too much garbage to find the good ones.

Of course, a book would be fun…thanks Rachel!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 24 May 2007 13:45:35 +0000

What sucks about blogs is that amazing writing, like your Notes From the Eastern Seaboard, is going to disappear into oblivion in a couple weeks. I want you on paper. I want to read something I can hold, and I want to put you on my bookshelf when I’m done so that every now and then, even years from now, I’ll come across you and rediscover some perfect sentence that I fell in love with.

By: Abby

Abby — Wed, 23 May 2007 17:53:33 +0000

What seems to be occurring right now is the hunger for the mundane and real. In the flurry of all complicated activity – and technical whatnot, we want the pristine, the nonchalant, the “chill out” type of writing or TV. Perhaps we are all sick of contrived art? We long to be ourselves in the face of so much pretentiousness and needing to “measure up” or to “fit in.” What kind of shows are you pitching? I am a writer myself and have worked in television and I can totally relate with you when they want you to “write” but the right way which is their way of course. I love blogs and reality TV. If you’re looking for a model reality show or just something to increase the breadth of your experience in reality shows, check out Bought and Sold. It’s a show about selling and buying houses, and all the human drama and pain that comes with it. More info at http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_hbas. I work with them so I know. Where do you study your Master’s? I’m planning to take mine soon.