TECHTV lays off as many as half their staff last week...

November 19, 2001 4:58 AM

TECHTV lays off as many as half their staff last week... according to WIRED. The feeling is that having a TV channel about computers is "so 1999." (I wonder if the same is true about a magazine about technology?) I didn't even realize that Paul Allen owned the cable channel. I personally avoid the 9-hour daily TECHLive show, but I like Fresh Gear and Extended Play. What will become of the much beloved Leo LaPorte?
posted by crunchland (20 comments total)

As long as Morgan is safe I think we're okay.
posted by tranquileye at 5:29 AM on November 19, 2001

Leo who? It's Megan I love.
posted by rodii at 5:37 AM on November 19, 2001

right on! TechTV never, MeganTV forever!
posted by mcsweetie at 5:41 AM on November 19, 2001

I haven't watched TechTV since I pared down my cable, but I did enjoy it. It started to go downhill when they broke up Kate and Leo, though.
posted by MegoSteve at 6:17 AM on November 19, 2001

Yeah, Kate and Leo were the dynamic duo. I hope Patrick Norton got layed off. Leo and Martin Sergeant would be good.
posted by untuckedshirts at 6:49 AM on November 19, 2001

Scott Herriott was one of the many sacked (which may not be such a bad thing)
posted by riffola at 7:03 AM on November 19, 2001

Of course, Wired Ventures hasn't owned Wired Magazine since 1998 (and wired.com is part of Lycos). So you're saying they got out early?
posted by dhartung at 7:48 AM on November 19, 2001

I miss kate.
posted by jpoulos at 8:21 AM on November 19, 2001

*sigh* As a someone who possess the ability to do his own product research TechTV is of little use to me. It's news is stale and it's commentary laughable. It is SO 1999... and it's had more than enough chances to grow up and remake itself... so... good riddance to dumbed down TV that repulses those who actually have a grasp on technology, computers & the internet.
posted by wfrgms at 8:42 AM on November 19, 2001

Why does it seem like every time I turn on TechTV The Screensavers is on? I like The Screensavers but I wish they had information that was a little more in-depth and more "techie."
posted by suprfli at 9:19 AM on November 19, 2001

*sigh* ... good riddance to dumbed down TV that repulses those who actually have a grasp on technology, computers & the internet.

And hello to more Home Shopping Channels? Get over yourself.
posted by jpoulos at 9:24 AM on November 19, 2001

Why aren't you people talking about Megan? Megan! Meganmeganmegan.
posted by rodii at 10:27 AM on November 19, 2001

I'd rather talk about Sumi Das and how her name sounds like the real-life identity of a member of The Legion of the Super-Heroes.
posted by MegoSteve at 10:54 AM on November 19, 2001

TechTV isn't that bad, but lately I have stopped watching it.
First of all, Call For Help seems too beginner, to the point where it isnt interesting. It should be done in a separate studio, not in the same TechLive room.

Also, wtf is wrong with that host of Call For Help. The new guy... Chris Pirillo... what were they thinking when they hired him? Was it some joke an executive wanted to play on the viewers. His jokes really aren't even close to being funny, its like he was meant to run some community access show.

Extended Play also isn't that great, I never really get a feel for any game that they do a review of. It just seems random, and uninteresting. The worst part is the "strategy guide" which usually involves them giving some codes for a game that only .5% of the viewers have ever played.
It's hard to compare it to other shows, because none exist... Recently though, I was watching some video-reviews from gamespot.com and those were actually interesting and understandable.

Overall TechTV really has an amateurish feel, as if they are just learning how to run a TV station.
posted by yevge at 12:21 PM on November 19, 2001

Overall TechTV really has an amateurish feel, as if they are just learning how to run a TV station.

We want our kids songs... we want 'em!
posted by holloway at 12:30 PM on November 19, 2001 [1 favorite]

Sumi Das not only has the name of a super-hero, but the brains and beauty as well. There's no escaping her hypno-ray vision. On the rare occasion I can catch Fresh Gear anymore, Sumi's voice completely zones me out. The whole world seems consumed by the spinning depths of her eyes.

Lucky thing that Louderbeck chap is there to snap me out of it with his goofy critiques.
posted by Kikkoman at 4:10 PM on November 19, 2001

I used to intern at TechTV (back when it was called ZDTV) during its launch, on the show Internet Tonight (which, IMHO, was unjustly canceled). I had a great time with the cast and crew of many of the shows, and I got a great "behind-the-scenes" feeling during the broadcasts. Leo is just as nice a guy as he is on the set, and the recent casualty Scott Herriott is a hilarious guy in person--though he may come off as a big weirdo on the screen, not to mention his personal quest to find Sasquatch (not a joke).

I wish them well. Maybe they should bring back the 24 hour live streaming video. That would be nice for those of us without a dish.
posted by Down10 at 11:07 PM on November 19, 2001

I think I know how old you are, holloway. You made me snort my Diet Pepsi.
posted by kevspace at 11:58 AM on November 20, 2001

I liked scott herriot!
This saddens me, Scott could make me spit pop out my nose, and I like (d?) Michela too!

I wonder if this was part of this survey I did for tech tv a few months ago they were asking me aoubt cetain things on the air and personalities I might like or not like, I said I hated John Dvorak and wanted him dead, and loved leo, scott and michela. I also told them they were sligting the mac community too much and they really could use ONE mac show a week, not jsut a lousy basic tip a day, or at least cover MacWorld too.

hell I even watch (ed) tech live because it was on and at least partially interesting versus jerry springer when I work out of the house all day.

Now I'm mad. Scott was awesome, I will here no more ill of him! lol.
posted by Dome-O-Rama at 9:27 AM on November 21, 2001

I love watching tech TV. I don't care what a couple of linux nerds think about it!
posted by mcsweetie at 9:37 AM on November 22, 2001