People Want Conan’s Hair, Not Leno’s Chin

I constructed the following graph to show the trend in conversation around the current late night debacle.  You will find that Conan O’Brien’s demand hit a carrot top high, while Jay Leno has led down to a deep chin dip.   Each of these trends are based around the online communities’ response to the current entertainment world scandal, “Late Night Gate”.

conan-and-leno-battle-for-late-night

Alliances have formed in support of #teamconan and #teamjay.  We see from the buzz that the mass is leaning towards the support of Conan O’Brien. NBC’s volume of mentions has shot up which is not too shabby for the media company who has been struggling to compete within the “Top 4” networks for some time.  At an unfair advantage, Jay Leno and NBC seem to be on the same team and ultimately, NBC will be making the programming decisions.  With that being said, I wanted to offer NBC a few recommendations that may help.

Recommendation #1:  Ratings aren’t everything and online conversations shouldn’t be ignored.  With the use of social media monitoring technology this can be done within minutes.  Tens of thousands of online supporters are on Facebook in the “I’m with Coco” group and bickering back and forth with the #teamconan and #teamjay hashtags.

Recommendation #2 :  Take a look at Conan and Leno’s Web analytics for on-site performance and insight in to which property users engage with the most.  View the top performing pages along with the average time spent on site to find out if the trend in conversation that you’re monitoring coincides with site performance.  From looking at historic data from Compete.com, my story seems to be backed up by  TonightShowwithConanObrien.com seeing a 19.87% increase in visitors while TheJayLenoShow.com saw a 19.46% decrease.  That looks like people are less interest in Jay’s site.  Am I right?

Recommendation #3:  Dive deeper in to NBC’s niche show communities and monitor the number of comments on Conan’s blog to Leno’s. As of now, Conan is seeing far more engagement with the average number of comments on blog posts around 300+ while Leno’s is only around 90.  The people leaving the ease of their favorite top social networking sites to engage in these smaller communities are probably the most influential audience members.  Embrace them.

Not looking in to the wants and needs of the public is what got NBC in to this predicament in the first place when they gave Jay Leno a prime time show.  Top executives at NBC who are on the Jay Leno bandwagon shouldn’t be ashamed if #teamconan is more convincing than #teamjay. A more Web savvy user base is what will drive NBC in to the future and from the looks of my data, the future is with Conan.

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Frank McDade, January 14th 2010 | Tags: ,
Posted in Arts & Entertainment

SNL Hires and Fires

As NBC’s late night sketch comedy variety show approaches it’s 35th season, head honcho Lorne Michaels makes alterations to this season’s cast.  

News broke yesterday via a press release from the Upright Citizens Brigade that Jenny Slate and Nasim Pedrad would be two new [additions] to the cast.  In the mean time were they really additions?  Nope.  Having glee that SNL may return to having more than one woman within their regular repertoire was a bit too overzealous.  

Jenny Slate has most recently appeared as Jenny, Jimmy’s ‘new’ assistant on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon’s own reality show “7th. Floor West.”  

 

And other newbie Nasim Pedrad’s one-woman act  Me, Myself & Iran was chosen for the 2007 HBO Comedy Festival.

Meanwhile, we are saying goodbye to short lived newcomer Michaela Watkins and can’t-quite-break-from-featured-player Casey Wilson.  Michaela has already offered interviews to various sources stating her surprise in the decision and states that she was told that she deserves her own show.  …and on that note?

Casey Wilson recorded a video for Funny or Die a few months back and it seems all too appropriate for this latest news…

SNL’s Casey Wilson Reads Internet Comments from Casey Wilson

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Frank McDade, September 4th 2009 | Tags: , , ,
Posted in Arts & Entertainment

BING and Decide

Advertising on the “New” Search Engine May Do Justice

bing-a-thon-logo

There has been a lot of buzz around the latest search engine released by Microsoft, and a lot of that has been generated through advertisements costing upwards of $100 million.  All of this cash being pumped out is a gesture – to the public as an embrace and to Google a flip of the bird.  Google has become a household name and a verb.  Bing can pay to hold a name within a household, but will need sustenance to be anything more.

Will Bing Solve My Answers?

Now, I will admit that I set my default browser to Bing but I find myself using it only when searching for certain things.  I know that it should provide me with everything I search for, but I believe more than anything, that my mind has been trained to expect results in the way that Google provides them.  Bing provides a lot of results in different segments that are easily defined.  Apparently this what they are shooting for, seeing as they have branded themselves as a decision engine.

For example: when I was searching for the score of the penguins game in Bing, it provided me with a nice chart at the top of the page with up-to-date scores as well as scores to the previous play-off games.  Google, on the other hand, gave me almost the same information – but they didn’t pretty it up.  So, if you’re looking for information pertaining to a fast and happening situation, and in an easy manner, Bing will do that.  For more detailed searches, I can’t break away from Google.  I search a lot.  For every day people to see a difference, I doubt they will.  Or like me, they will be taken in on the prettiness of it all.  That same feel of the search engine leaks in to their advertisements – the one thing that actually has me enthrawed in to their product.

NBC hearts Microsoft

I watch a lot of NBC late night.  On top of the amount of Bing commercials that I see spattered through their programming, Microsoft went as far as to sponsor a segment on the Jimmy Fallon Show.  It was a game-show styled contest where three audience members were in a race to Bing in the correct answer to a question.  The winner of the first round was given the opportunity to Bing again, in a 15 second time alotment, for a chance to win a brand new computer branded with Bing on the cover.  This occored only two days after SNL’s Jason Sudeikus hosted the Bing-a-thon alongside Olivia Munn on Hulu (an operation of NBC Universal).  

The Bing-a-thon was a really long infomercial.  It was cheestastic.  Amusing.  Hardly informative. And Long.  It was funny to watch them Bing a topic while racing against absurd comedic events though. I give credit in trying to reach to different audiences through multiple mediums.

It has also been recently announced that NBC has entered in to a contract with Microsoft to refine the way in which TV Ad Sales are purchased.  A new look will be taken at demographics, consumers’ purchasing habits and locations.  They will be updated daily and will have an automated buying process.   Spokespersons say that it will take time to change the way of the business, but it is a necessary change.

“I know you’re use to searching the way you have been” 

Bing – you have peaked my interest but only because I know who you really are.  If you’re going to try and butter up to the rest of the crowd you need to be more straight forward with what you want to be and not dance around cutsie commercials or sketch-comedyesque infomercials.  It has not been a month yet and I don’t want things to seem like they are serious between us, then have you end up being just like any other search engine out there.

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Frank McDade, June 18th 2009 | Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Arts & Entertainment

Saturday Night Live Transcripts

It’s inevitable.  And it’s almost in the American constitution.  Everyone loves repeating catchy phrases from our favorite comedies.  But one of the worst mistakes that people make is completely butchering it.  That makes for awkward pauses and sometimes, gasp, annoyed individuals.  So.  Let’s take a few moments to gather our thoughts and pay homage to the ones that wrote the material that we cherish so much.

The latest episode of 30Rock brought the thought of  how under valued the writers and production staff of TV shows are.  In the show titled “Mamma Mia“, Liz (Tina Fey) was jealous of Jenna (Jane Krakowski) getting all the credit for her catchphrase “That’s a Deal-breaker, ladies!” In the end, Liz ended up on the cover of a magazine rather than Jenna just by a crazy random happenstance.  Now, i realize a lot of actors in these shows may serve as a writer, or very well may be a head writer, but in the grand scheme of things they aren’t recognized by the talent that they bring behind the scenes.  So every time you go to repeat your favorite sitcom’s tag line, stop and think what the writer of that would say to you.

If you’re interested in Saturday Night Live, a website called SNL Transcripts basically covers the majority of the show’s scripts.  I highly recommend it.  I used this website and grabbed scenes for a group of high school students that I worked with for an exercise.  Below is one of my favorite, fairly more recent sketches.  I love how it plays on the current economic crisis and pokes fun at Broadway in a way that is respectable.  So here is my homage to SNL writers by sharing their work through scripts than through video.  

http://snltranscripts.jt.org/08/08lbroadway.phtml

Save Broadway

[ open on Broadway scenery ] 

[ newspaper headlines appear on the screen: 

"BROADWAY TICKET SALES HIT NEW LOW" 

"16 SHOWS TO CLOSE BY FEBRUARY" 

"CURTAINS FOR BROADWAY?" ] 

[ dissolve to exterior, Sardi's ] 

[ dissolve to interior, where a throng of Broadway characters sit in conference ] 

Phantom of the Opera: Can we get settled down? Can we get settled down, please? Okay? [ the room quiets down ] As you know, Broadway is in trouble, and that’s why we’re all here. Now, you all know me — I am the Phantom of the Opera. 

Mark: And I’m Mark from “Rent”, the Pulitzer Prize winning musical! 

Phantom of the Opera: [ shaking his head ] Unbelievable. Alright, look, guys — we know it’s bad out there, and we are ALL struggling! 

Mark: Yeah, and some people are having a hard time paying “Rent”! 

Phantom of the Opera: [ groaning ] Please. Don’t do that any more. Okay, first off: is everyone here? 

[ reveal the costumes characters in the room ] 

Mark: Well, everyone except Jeremy Piven — but I don’t think he has a good excuse. 

Phantom of the Opera: Ah, I don’t doubt it. Alright, well, that’s okay. Alright, we need everyone’s best ideas to save Broadway. Alright? So, let’s get started. [ looks into the crowd ] Yes. You. 

Mr. Mistoffelees: [ singing ] “Meow, meow, meow, meow!” It is I, the magical Mr. Mistoffelees, and here’s my suggestion: [ he twirls ] We need to feel the wonder! 

Phantom of the Opera: [ shaking his head ] Oh, man… oh, you people from “Cats” think you’re so great, you know that? Seriously, you think you’re the Michael Jordan of Broadway. 

[ the room expresses their confusion ] 

Phantom of the Opera: You guys don’t know who Michael Jordan is?! Guys, he was like the… the… Tommy Tune of basketball! 

[ this analogy sparks an ounce of recognition ] 

Phantom of the Opera: There you go… there you go. Yeah, that’s right… yeah, yeah, exactly. Okay, come on! Alright, guys, who’s next? [ he points ] Alright, what about you, Music Man? 

Music Man: [ singing ] “We’ve… got… a… devil, a pickle, put them in two C’s!” 

Phantom of the Opera: Uh-huh… 

Music Man: [ singing ]
“We’ve got to find real jobs, weeeeellll, we’ve… got… trouble!
Right here in New York City.
I’m talkin’ Trouble with a Capital T, that rhymes with C,
And that stands for…” CutCo Knives. 

[ he stops to holds out the product ] 

Now… just $49.95! 

Phantom of the Opera: Okay. Stop! Stop, please! Professor, just stop! 

Mark: Hey, for what it’s worth, those knives are amazing. They’re like the “Rent” of knives. 

Phantom of the Opera: Ohhhh, cool it. 

Wicked Witch: Hey! Can we just stop f-in’ around, okay? Because if “Wicked” closes, I have very limited job options! I mean, look at me! 

Mark: Well… you’re green. Maybe you could be in “Shrek: The Musical”. 

Wicked Witch: Wow. That’s racist. 

Phantom of the Opera: No! No! That’s not racist! 

Mark: That’s not racist, lady. 

Phantom of the Opera: No, that’s enough! That’s enough, okay? And, for the record, Broadway is an inclusive place. No one… here is racist, okay? Moving on. [ he points ] Yes. You. From “The Color Purple”. 

Black Guy: I’m sorry, I’m not ”The Color Purple”. 

Phantom of the Opera: Okay. 

Mark: From “Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk”? 

Black Guy: I — I wrote ”Miss Saigon”. 

Phantom of the Opera: Eeek! Okay. Uhhh — alright, alright, what’s your idea? 

Black Guy: [ meekly ] Isn’t it time we revive “Miss Saigon”? 

Puppeteer: Ugh! Are we almost done here? 

Phantom of the Opera: What?! Why? Where do you have to be? 

Puppeteer: I don’t have to be anywhere, but… [ in puppet voice ] “I need to get to my new job! I give massages behind a Thai place on the Lower East Side! With my mouth!” 

Phantom of the Opera: Okay! I get it! I get it. I get it. Thank you. 

[ suddenly, Little Orphan Annie stands ] 

Little Orphan Annie: Hey, everyone! Why so glum? [ singing ] “The sun will come up… tomorrow!” 

Phantom of the Opera: No. 

Little Orphan Annie: “Bet your bottom dollar, tomorrow!” 

Phantom of the Opera: Annie! Annie! No! Annie, sweetie? Not the time, okay? Please? 

Little Orphan Annie: Yeah, watch yourself, Phantom — I’ve had a hard-knock life, okay? Someone stands up to me, I BREAK them! 

Phantom of the Opera: Alright… okay. Guys! Come on, okay? We’re creative people! We just need ONE good idea!Anyone! Anyone at all! Blue Man Group? 

[ Blue Man Group taps a tune on a plastic pipe ] 

Phantom of the Opera: [ shaking his head ] Aw, man. You know, sometimes you guys can be a bunch of blue dicks. 

Mark: [ excited ] Hey! What about the ladies from “Chicago”? 

[ the two ladies from "Chicago" stands and perform a quick routine before returning to their seats ] 

Phantom of the Opera: [ shaking his head ] Not helpful. Not helpful at all. What about you, dude from “Stomp”? 

[ the Dude from Stomp stands up and bangs two trash can lids together ] 

Phantom of the Opera: Wow! Wow! Still relevant. Okay. Alright. So no one has any ideas. I mean, no one? 

Mark: Wait, wait! I’ve GOT it! 

Phantom of the Opera: What? 

Mark: We could put on a big show… with lavish costume and huge, expensive sets! We’ll charge, like $150 a ticket! 

[ the room goes wild with excitement ] 

Phantom of the Opera: No! no! No! GUys, no! That’s the thing that isn’t working any more! 

Mark: No, no! [ piano music begins to play ] And at the end, we’ll all join hands… 

Phantom of the Opera: [ confused ] Where the hell is that coming from..? 

Mark: …and we’ll sing the anthem of the 90’s! 

Phantom of the Opera: Please, don’t… 

[ Mark takes the Phantom's hand and sings a chorus from "Rent" ] 

Phantom of the Opera: No! Mark! Stop! 

[ the other Broadway stars join in the chorus ] 

Phantom of the Opera: NO!! STOP!! STOP!! OKAY?! OKAY, THAT’S IT!! YOU LEAVE ME NO CHOICE!! [ he raises his hand to the ceiling ] GOOOOOOO!!!! 

[ suddenly, a normal-sized chandelier drops from the ceiling ] 

Phantom of the Opera: GO!! GO!! 

[ the chandelier crashes to the floor ] 

Mark: Wow. Really? 

Phantom of the Opera: I’m sorry. No, that’s usually a show stopper. I don’t think so… [ recollecting his thoughts ] God! This meeting is awful! It cannot get any worse! 

[ a scream and crash comes from outside ] 

Phantom of the Opera: What was that? 

Black Guy: [ looking ] Well, it was the fiddler on the Roof. He jumped. 

[ as everyone gets up to look, "There's No Business Like Show Business" plays to fade ]

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Frank McDade, May 10th 2009 | Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Arts & Entertainment

Geeking out on Broadway (after returning from NYC)

So, I just returned home after a fantastic trip to New York City and thought that I had left the excitement behind.  Today was a big day in the Theater and Internet award world.  Announced were the Tony Award nominations and the Webby Award winners.  While all of this was happening, it seemed like the words around these were buzzing in Twitter land.  More so for the Webbys than for the Tonys, but I guess that is expected given the perspective industries.  I did my part in playing the field for both.  I’m going to call out some particular nominees.  

The Tonys

I will start off by saying that while I was in New York I got to see Rock of Ages and Hair so I can only base my opinions on that.  In July, I am attending the Broadway Teachers Workshop where I will see Next to Normal and Billy Elliott but that is beside the point right now.  I’m just hoping that what’s in my mind pans out properly.  

Hair is nominated for Best Lighting Design – it was superb.  Between that and the vocals of that group, it really brought down the house.  I was more excited than ever to receive a flower and at the end of the show they invite the audience on the stage for an encore of Let the Sun Shine In.  So great.

securedownload

This is the view of the audience as the cast of Hair sees it.

The Webby Awards

Okay, so there are so many categories in the Webbys that I can’t morally vote in all of them.  If I don’t know about something, I’m not going to ruin the chances of others.  Those that I did vote for faired pretty well.  My favorites were Jimmy Fallon, Current TV and the Prop 8 Musical.  All were winners.  Congrats guys!

Prop 8 the Musical won in the Comedy category.  If you haven’t seen it yet, do so.  http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/…

Current TV won for Hack the Debate in the Best use of Interactive Video category for their work during the presidential elections where they had a live Twitter feed on the bottom of the TV while the debate was televised.  Anyone using the #current hash tag was thrown in to the poll of online collaborators.  Also, they took home for the work with Vanguard.  A lot of people may not be familiar with Current TV or their work.  That is uncalled for.  Check out their website and read up on them.  They are the future of media.  Cross-platform integration: case in point.

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon won in the Variety category in Online Video, on top of Jimmy Fallon being deemed the Webby Person of the Year.  I honestly love their work.  It incorporates everything that I love: techies, sketch/improv style comedy and combining them to create an interactive experience that engages the community that makes it all thrive.  I think that winning these awards after being on air for only 2 months says a lot, I can only imagine how revolutionary they are going to be in setting the new Late Night standard. Visit http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/ for a good time.  

In Conclusion

I have taken a liking to award shows the past few years.  I’m still trying to catch on to the Grammys but that isn’t working too well.  The Academy Awards and TV Land Awards held my interest (though the Krofft musical tribute was beyond frightening).  I’m hoping that a theater related item is nominated next year.  For example the Broadway show Next to Normal performed the first live theater performance on Twitter.  

Side note: Internet Week in New York is the first week in June.  I kind of want reason to go – I need to justify doing so.

Exciting day.  I’m going to tie this all together through my visit to the Paley Center for Media.  I viewed an episode of The Ben Stiller Show and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.  The Ben Stiller Show was a symbol of how sketch comedy shows were in the 90’s and Jimmy Fallon is how we roll in the 00’s.  They may be a different format, but they’re not too far off.  Sabrina was the one where Salem ate her time ball and they were stuck in the 60’s.  Hair is set in the late 60’s early 70’s, Rock of the Ages takes place in the 80’s which happens to be in sequential order.  And I was the piece to tie them all together.  Maybe that didn’t make as much sense as I thought.  Anyways.  Tune in to Jimmy Fallon tonight to see how he celebrates and stay tuned for about another month to see the Tony Awards.

 Peace out.

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Frank McDade, May 5th 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Arts & Entertainment