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subego · Mar 31, 2014, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

But he owned two Fords before that. I'm sure he got some kind of discount or something that ended when their ads did. Not surprised that coincided with him getting a new car.

That's sorta my point. I had trouble believing the ads in the first place.

That he stopped using the product once they stopped paying him shows not having faith in those ads was the correct instinct.

To put it another way, I'm claiming the full Mike Arrington on this.

The Final Dakar · Mar 31, 2014, 03:20 PM

How do I put this – if I had the money for an Audi, and I didn't like Fords, they could give me a free Mustang and I still wouldn't drive it (well, as my main car).

ort888 · Mar 31, 2014, 03:55 PM

Next you're going to tell me he doesn't really use stamps.com.

subego · Mar 31, 2014, 03:57 PM

I assume he likes the Mustang. I've driven one before as a rental. It's not a bad car by any stretch. I'm only noting his changing brands calls the level of enthusiasm he displayed in his ads into question.

The Final Dakar · Apr 30, 2014, 12:01 PM

John single-handed sunk that show. That was a shameful performance.

Jawbone54 · Apr 30, 2014, 01:48 PM

I haven't found a single show interesting in a very long time.

subego · Apr 30, 2014, 04:30 PM

I feel so out of the loop.

subego · May 11, 2014, 02:11 PM

Beats by PaDre... nothing but bass!

The Final Dakar · Jun 4, 2014, 03:36 PM

Start episode, see whats-his-face instead of leo, close episode.

subego · Jun 4, 2014, 04:47 PM

He's that much of a dud?

The Final Dakar · Jun 4, 2014, 04:57 PM

He even struggled with the opening tease.

subego · Jun 4, 2014, 05:34 PM

Poor guy.

The Final Dakar · Jun 5, 2014, 09:47 AM

He strikes me as someone who's in over his head, but had to take the opportunity because its just that good.

subego · Jun 5, 2014, 11:23 AM

You'd think he'd have hit a stride by now. He's had a lot of time in the simulator.

The Final Dakar · Jun 5, 2014, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by subego

You'd think he'd have hit a stride by now. He's had a lot of time in the simulator.

That assumes he is capable of doing the job. I'm saying he's not. You can train me to dunk a basketball all you want, it's not going to happen.

subego · Jun 5, 2014, 11:49 AM

Poor guy.

The Final Dakar · Jun 5, 2014, 11:51 AM

BTW, I'm not saying he's a disaster or anything, just for me, he's not what I look for in a host. And overall I don't think he's a strong one.

subego · Jun 5, 2014, 11:54 AM

Not being able to get through a prerecorded tease sounds pretty disastrous. You have as many takes as you need.

The Final Dakar · Jun 5, 2014, 11:56 AM

Maybe. Leo's track record on them isn't stellar. They do them off the cuff.

The Final Dakar · Jun 5, 2014, 12:01 PM

I just rewatched it. He didn't **** it up, but he somehow ran out of breath/needed to wet his mouth that he audibly swallowed/clicked his tongue in the take. And he was reading it all.

Edit: BTW, I would have given the episode a chance if I liked the panel.

subego · Jun 5, 2014, 12:06 PM

Did he PM you or something? Full backpedal going on here.

The Final Dakar · Jun 5, 2014, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by subego

Did he PM you or something? Full backpedal going on here.

Not really. It still sticks out like a sore thumb because it strikes me as something that would happen to a person who's not used to talking for a living. He's been at this for how long? (And as you said, they have unlimited takes).

subego · Jun 5, 2014, 12:24 PM

I would agree, but then you brought up Leo.

Who I'd say whiffs because he's on autopilot for every show except Triangulation.

It's something of a testament he doesn't screw up more.

The Final Dakar · Jun 5, 2014, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by subego

It's something of a testament he doesn't screw up more.

It's raw talent. A talented broadcaster on fumes is better than Elgan who I assume is trying like hell.

subego · Jun 5, 2014, 12:39 PM

There's enough of a skill to it I'm surprised he hasn't gotten a lot tighter.

If anything, I'd say it has to do with the off-air grind of being a news director. If he could focus purely on the on-air part, I think he'd do better.

I guess I should watch his show at some point.

starman · Jun 5, 2014, 02:12 PM

If I knew it was M.E. without any of you using his name, that's pretty bad.

I can't watch him, and I effing hate his linkbait on G+.

subego · Jun 14, 2014, 05:19 PM

It appears Leo and CEOLisa are getting hitched.

The Final Dakar · Jun 17, 2014, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by subego

It appears Leo and CEOLisa are getting hitched.

A non-surprising terrible decision by Leo. I'm sure this won't cause drama later down the line.

subego · Jun 17, 2014, 06:52 PM

Lisa makes all the other decisions... maybe she made this one.

subego · Jul 1, 2014, 05:41 PM

Shannon (A/K/A Snubs) was dropped from full time employee to freelancer for a single show. She was told she didn't fit, but I have a sneaking suspicion it's because she expects, you know, money to do work.

Leo's also apparently very happy with the new TNT, where you can get deep analysis on the news, as opposed to merely continuing Buzz Out Loud, which is what Tom does.

subego · Jul 1, 2014, 05:47 PM

Snubs:

Ask yourself... would this face be popular with the TWiT audience?

subego · Jul 1, 2014, 08:42 PM

They're replacing her with Jason Howell.

Look, I like Jason. He's good. I miss seeing him.

However, it's pretty clear what's going on here though. He's one of their top editors and TDs. It's sunk cost. Scoot him an extra $500 a week (if that), and hang Shannon out to dry.

The Final Dakar · Jul 2, 2014, 03:53 PM

Listen, honeymoons are expensive. You can't just be hiring people willy-nilly in advance of that.

subego · Jul 2, 2014, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

Listen, honey...

Okay, sweetie.

subego · Jul 3, 2014, 06:09 PM

I hear Dvorak has been banned because Adam Curry.

The Final Dakar · Jul 7, 2014, 10:11 AM

So is it Dvorak has been banned because of Adam Curry said (seems unlikely) or Adam Curry banned Dvorak from going on TWiT (more likely, but I don't see him having shit power over Dvorak).

Either way, I'm sure it's Leo's fault because he seems to have no internal censor when talking about Adam even though he knows they're prone to 'miscommunications' or just his general sensitivity and could give a **** attitude.

Shaddim · Jul 7, 2014, 11:44 AM

Without JCD there's no reason to watch TWiT, IMO.

ort888 · Jul 7, 2014, 11:47 AM

So Dvorak is gone forever?

The Final Dakar · Jul 7, 2014, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by ort888

So Dvorak is gone forever?

subego · Jul 7, 2014, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by The Final Dakar

So is it Dvorak has been banned because of Adam Curry said (seems unlikely) or Adam Curry banned Dvorak from going on TWiT (more likely, but I don't see him having shit power over Dvorak).

Either way, I'm sure it's Leo's fault because he seems to have no internal censor when talking about Adam even though he knows they're prone to 'miscommunications' or just his general sensitivity and could give a **** attitude.

My out of the loop understanding...

Leo: You're not qualified to talk tech if you don't believe in the moon landing.
Adam: But you're qualified if believe in god, like the Padre?

The above was a dramatic reenactment of a Twitter fight.

The Final Dakar · Jul 7, 2014, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by subego

My out of the loop understanding...

Leo: You're not qualified to talk tech if you don't believe in the moon landing.
Adam: But you're qualified if believe in god, like the Padre?

The above was a dramatic reenactment of a Twitter fight.

I don't get Leo. My out-of-the-ass read is him pulling a "You didn't dump me I dumped you" regarding Curry being on the program. Unless he wants to admit he lied, he's probably made comments to the exact opposite about Curry the last time he was on. And IMO, Curry was a good guest.

Edit: Technically that didn't answer my question.

subego · Jul 7, 2014, 04:50 PM

I can see Leo taking a position of "sure, he's a good guest, but I have a responsibility to the viewers not to give crank conspiracies a platform".

Then I can see Adam taking a swipe at the Padre, and Leo thinking that crossed the line. You (Adam) and me get into it on Twitter, that's fun and games. You take swipes at my employees, then we have a real problem.

Leo asks Dvorak to call off the dog. Dvorak replies with "**** you, what do I look like?"

And here we are.

The Final Dakar · Jul 7, 2014, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by subego

I can see Leo taking a position of "sure, he's a good guest, but I have a responsibility to the viewers not to give crank conspiracies a platform".

From what I recall, Leo usually goads him into going into it.

Originally Posted by subego

Then I can see Adam taking a swipe at the Padre, and Leo thinking that crossed the line. You (Adam) and me get into it on Twitter, that's fun and games. You take swipes at my employees, then we have a real problem.

It's never fun and games. Leo always asks if Adam is really mad at him. This is what happens when you provoke someone, repeatedly.

Originally Posted by subego

Leo asks Dvorak to call off the dog. Dvorak replies with "**** you, what do I look like?"

And here we are.

Is this fact or theory?

subego · Jul 7, 2014, 05:03 PM

It's all theory. I don't watch anymore. All my info comes piecing together the breadcrumbs from Twitter.

OTOH, when I did watch, I recall Leo trying out a "getting into fights on Twitter is good for business" experiment. I personally thought that was one of the worst ideas ever.

ort888 · Jul 7, 2014, 05:12 PM

Do guests get paid?

subego · Jul 7, 2014, 05:30 PM

My understanding is not usually, but I believe they used to scoot Dvorak a couple hundred per appearance.

ort888 · Jul 7, 2014, 05:32 PM

I thought I heard it alluded to that they did not, but I wasn't sure.

I wonder if the "regulars" get paid, like the guys on Macbreak Weekly who never change. They must be.

Podcasting can be big bucks...

John Gruber charges 3,500 for a sponsorship read, and he has three sponsors per show and does about 50 shows a year... my back of napkin math tells me he makes $500k just doing a podcast. I'm sure he offers some sort of discount for bulk sponsorships and he does pay someone to edit... and then hosting fees... but seriously. That's a lot of money for a few hours of work a week.

I'm sure TWIT probably charges more.

subego · Jul 7, 2014, 06:49 PM

My guess is with the exception of Dvorak, if your face isn't on the album art, then there will be no pay.

subego · Aug 3, 2014, 06:27 PM

OMGChad hits the big time with an appearance in MAD.

The Final Dakar · Aug 4, 2014, 09:16 AM