Friday Free-for-all
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Well, I hope everyone is having a most excellent week. I’ve been revisiting my youth a bit this week and listening to lots of the music from the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and working on packing and cleaning for my move to Loftgasm.
As a starter for conversation below, I would again like to pick the brains of the Zoners a bit. Now that we’re down a minion in our staff, we are weighing options on how best to divide the Episode Guide duties. Although we cannot promise that we’ll adopt any and all reader suggestions, it would be helpful to us if you could tell us what you particularly like or find useful in our Episode Guides.
Is thoroughness important? How does that rank compared to the speed with which we post the guide? In other words, would you rather have a quickly posted guide with some of the major highlights within a few minutes of the show posting and have somewhere to discuss the show right after it airs, or would you rather have the highly transcribed versions that we do now which can take a few hours (or days) to post?
With the easy availability to attach the vids when available, is the highly transcribed version as necessary as it was before? Is it still enjoyed or simply skimmed over most of the time? Do you find linked articles, etc., helpful? Are there any features you particularly enjoy or, conversely, might not miss?
We’re trying to figure out a way to keep up the level of coverage that the fans really want, while at the same time not stretch any of the staff too thin. What do you think?
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25 Comments
July 11th, 2008 at 12:43 am
I was just listening to a discussion on NPR today that said the Internet is changing the way we want to get our information – it’s making us want short, concise, and fast media.
I like getting some commentary, but want to be able to glean the main points quickly without much effort (I’m lazy).
Love the blog!
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July 11th, 2008 at 1:44 am
I’ve always appreciated when you link to explanations of references/asides Stephen makes — when I don’t “get” something immediately, I make a mental note to check the Episode Guide and you seldom disappoint.
It’s also always fun to read the virtual transcripts of Stephen’s best lines … and those also often come in handy down the road when I’m trying to find/remember some reference, and I can search the Ep Guides for it. You can’t search videos for dialogue in that way, so I definitely wouldn’t say the Ep Guides are unnecessary just because you can post videos now.
So I would vote for slower & more complete. If people want to have a place where the ep can be discussed right after it airs, perhaps some kind of placeholder could be put up until the full Ep Guide is done, allowing people to comment and exclaim in the meantime.
In the end, though, it comes down to who is willing to do it and how much time they have, since this is an all-volunteer gig. But I definitely appreciate the more complete guides — and those who take the time to write them!!!
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July 11th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I couldn’t have said it better myself! I also enjoy the detailed guides and don’t mind waiting for them.
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July 11th, 2008 at 2:26 am
The most useful parts of the ep guide transcripts are probably the nightly quotables. As long as all the good lines that Stephen throws out there are up, I’m happy.
Ditto with WordsWithGrace on the links to references/asides. I like to think I know my pop culture, but there can be some real stumpers for me some nights.
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July 11th, 2008 at 3:45 am
I look at the episode guides every day for the quotes … my away message on AIM is a stephen colbert quote every day (and has been a new quote every day for over a year now), and i constantly scroll through the episode guides. i loved all the thought and time that goes into them
in all honesty, if you want someone to at least write the notable moments and the fangirl suit report (which i love) i’d be down for doing it. like most people who frequent this site, i watch the show every day and would love doing my part to help this site … i visit it often enough ;-)
it sucks that the staff is down – regardless of what happens this website is amazing, and everyone who does work on it deserves serious props
peace n’ love,
anna
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July 11th, 2008 at 8:04 am
I definitely love when you link to obscure references Stephen may have made.
And I agree with others above about liking when some of the best lines of the night have been typed up.
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July 11th, 2008 at 10:37 am
I definitely enjoy reading all the Episode Guide posts, and I really find they’re integral in locating the specific date a particular segment aired or when a specific guest appeared as either a desk guest or as an interviewee (most especially because I’m still compiling the Extra Credit Reading List). : ) The archive of information that’s included throughout all of the Episode Guides is invaluable, especially to those who are still getting to know the show.
I don’t think it’s essential that they be posted immediately after the show airs, considering how late some of the Minions are up compiling everything. It’s a great place to discuss bits and pieces of the show, or look up particular references that came up that are unfamiliar, as WordsWithGrace pointed out. I do, however, enjoy it when the Urgent Fangirl Bulletins are posted just after a show has aired — who doesn’t love a little “squee”-ing here and there? I also particularly enjoy the lines that Stephen says just after the TOC and before the opening graphics.
Thanks again for everyone’s very hard work and dedication to bring us all things Stephen!
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July 11th, 2008 at 10:41 am
I also love the links to outside references, and all the notable moments and quotes.
Maybe there could be one post per episode so anyone can comment during and after the show, and then that post can be updated with the guide when it is completed?
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July 11th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Things I like:
a place to read people’s responses after the show (ie: did anyone else notice that his hair looked weird? or that he answered the phone in his deaf ear? or did anyone else think the guest seemed high/nervous/combative?…etc.)
links to explain obscure references Stephen makes (I am proud to say I usually get them, but not always, and it’s helpful and fun to have that web of information at hand)
notable quotes are great. further transcription is fun to have, but not urgent — could be filled in after the initial post.
I’d vote for a quickly posted skeleton outline, so people have a place to respond, w/ details filled in with later updates.
I watch online the day after episodes air, and even if I watched the initial broadcast, I’d sure not be posting/reading at midnight. But it’s nice to check the ep. guide at noon, or 7pm the next day, and already see a healthy conversation on it.
the work you all do here is great — I love having an outlet for my Stephen infatuation, and a place to have these conversations, because the people around me would get real annoyed real quick if I didn’t and inflicted it on them instead! :)
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July 11th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
I don’t know how to edit a post, so I’m just adding here …
that picture, btw, is intense. wow. I think my heart rate is elevated just looking at it.
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July 13th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
me too! i can barely think of an answer to your question ‘cuz so i’m so taken with that picture. does he never take a bad picture? it must be something to be that good looking!
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July 11th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
well, to be honest, I almost never read the episode guides currently. if I want to see something again, I go watch it in the video. and if I want to reflect on the show, I do it on the colboards.
this is totally not an insult to what you do, it’s great and it seems to be a big help to a lot of people! just trying to provide information.
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July 11th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
I don’t always have time to read the complete episode guides, but I always glance them over for the quotes. I keep them all in a folder and often go back to locate something. I quote Stephen quite a lot….too much sometimes (no – never too much, right?)
*
I also would love to help out. I’ve been impressed with NoFactZone since the beginning and have always wanted an opportunity to contribute. I love to write and observe and research and have plenty of time to help you out. Let me know !
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July 11th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I have to admit, I don’t mind waiting for the episode guides.
They don’t dissapoint, and i hardly watch tv, so i just check the episode guides during the week.
they’re very well done and informative! :]
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July 11th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I don’t mind waiting for the complete episode guides, but I love the brief highlights and notable/funny quotes… those are the things that cheer up my morning before I go to school. I don’t get a chance to watch the episode the night it airs, so I have to go to school all day and then come home to watch the episode on my laptop. So to read the quotes first thing in the morning not only adds a smile to my day but to give me something to look forward to later. :)
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July 11th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
First, Rocky Horror is amazing.
I really don’t need quick updates. I prefer them to be thorough.
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July 11th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I too would rather have the recaps be thorough (even if they’re up a bit later), instead of speedy (but skimpy).
And I love when you supply links to things mentioned/referred to, that people may not know about.
Then I feel like I’ve been both informed *and* entertained. :D
Oh, and YAY! Rocky Horror. =D
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July 11th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
I don’t read the episode guides as much as I used to, mostly because by the time I see an ep. it’s old news. But they are a great resource. I say do them whatever way it’s easy for you guys without putting too much stress on yourselves.
Complete change of subject here (since it is the Friday Free-for-all), I was able to pick up the new Esquire yesterday, at the supermarket of all places. The article is so-so (IMO) but the photographs are totally worth it.
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July 11th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Yeah, I’ve heard the article is kind of “phoned in” but it’s totally worth it for the pics alone.
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July 12th, 2008 at 1:05 am
What does “phoned in” mean? I’ll go get that tomorrow. I didn’t have the gas to burn in the last few days to look for a store that had it. Only looked in a few. Most didn’t have it.
I just won a copy of Tek Jansen #2 on Ebay. 99 cents! I hope that comes quick.
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July 12th, 2008 at 1:47 am
“Phoned in”, in this case, means that there was not a lot of substance to the article. In other words, no new info that we hard core fans didn’t already know.
July 12th, 2008 at 1:51 am
I would guess “phoned in” means “nothing that a NoFactZone reader wouldn’t already know and that hasn’t already been in a squajillion articles about Stephen already.” Am I right?
Congratulations, 99 cents, that’s a steal!!
July 12th, 2008 at 1:12 am
Sorry if this is a double post.
I’ll look for Esquire again tomorrow. I so need that. I did win a copy of Tek Jansen #2 off of Ebay.
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July 12th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Love the new featured video with pizza….which got me thinking. I still haven’t seen the clip where Jon and Stephen are sharing a slice of pizza together during the 2004 election (or is it the 2006 midterm). I tried searching under both on CU and TDS and couldn’t find anything. Tell me if there’s some place that I can this one.
Still in search of the Barney Frank clip.
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July 13th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
About the episode guides; I just kind of glance at them since I watch the episodes the day after they air. I don’t want to spoil it for myself. After I’ve watched said show, then I’ll go look at the guide to see what everyone said, or if there’s something I didn’t get.
On another topic, I’ve been wearing my Wrist Strong bracelet since last Fall. The other day I went to put it on after my shower, and it broke! Oh, no! Luckily, I’d bought two at the time, one for my husband. He doesn’t wear it – his wrists are kind of big, I guess. Anyway, I was able to put on a new one right away. Yay! I tell you, I felt weird without it. Almost nervous. That’s the power of the Wrist Strong bracelet. :-)
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