[WISH LIST] Leo Laporte - co-host of Tekzilla

[stockhacker]

So, Leo's show (The Lab) on Canada's G4TechTV has been canceled. Initially, I felt bad for him but, it seems from his podcasts that he's not too upset over it. So, now that he doesn't have a TV gig anymore, I think this is a good opportunity for Rev3 to recruit one of the great icons of tech media. I would love to see Leo co-host with Patrick. Essentially, we'd have TSS back and the gap that G4 left would be filled. I'm not sure if he was joking but, Leo already offered to co-host when Patrick was on TWiT a few weeks ago. Anyway, I think Leo would be the PERFECT co-host!

[slonkak]

That can't happen. They're looking for a girl co-host. /DEVILSADVOCATE

If they were just saying that they're looking for a female co-host to send a message to females that it's cool if they're on a tech show, that's cool. But if they seriously were pigeon-holing themselves to females only, that's dumb. Anytime you do that you have the potential of missing out on the best talent. Just like if they said "male co-hosts only" there could be a female who would blow away any guys. Limiting to a specific gender is stupid.

But in response to what you've written, I've said that for a long time. I would love to see Leo and Pat back together. And, despite Leo's numerous podcasts (which are mostly done remotely), the time commitment to Tekzilla wouldn't be that severe. It's a once-a-week show. If Leo did have to spend a little time away from home, he could still complete his TWiT podcasts since it's done over Skype anyway...

[royterp]

Well, there's this post (http://blog.wired.com/business/2007/08/leo-laporte-vs-.html) on Wired from last August reporting that Leo "completely [ruled] out ever accepting any Revision3 job offer". Just thought I'd throw that out there.

[computoman]

I was not impressed with the shows he already had. I do not mind someone one older, but leo has the bread buttered on the wrong side to me. I would only watch if I had to.

[ziggi138]

I would love to see Leo teamed up with Pat again. I miss TSS.

[ryudo]

Keep dreaming because it won't happen.

[damnedeyez]

Keep dreaming because it won't happen.

I'd just be happy to see him guest host with Patrick on an episode...I know it'd never be permanent.

[spiri]

It would be awesome to have him as guest host, just on one episode. I can't see why he wouldn't do that (except for time concerns of course).

[ryudo]

I'd just be happy to see him guest host with Patrick on an episode...I know it'd never be permanent.

I agree.

He did one segment with pat on DLtv and that was great for me even if short.

I am not asking for a TSS return but like you say just a one time guest host.

If he can do Cranky Geeks then he can to Tekzilla.

[nextgenxbox]

That would be all kinds of epic. TSS reborn!

[xeemo]

can you say new UGM?

[tnvwboy]

Leo on Pownce, "Rev 3?? Why would I want to build value for a company I don't own?"

He's made it clear that Rev3 isn't for him. He holds no ill will, but he has his own plans. Why is that so difficult for people?

TechTV is dead and gone, time to move on.:rolleyes:

[slonkak]

Why is that so difficult for people?

Because, at least the way I see it, Rev3 is all about giving their audience what they want. They do an awesome job of perusing the forums to see what people like/dislike, and they even post apologies when they know they've screwed up. What other company in the history of ever has done that? This is the way it should be. Rev3 isn't a foreign entity that makes stuff and releases it with no customer interaction. They value what their customers (us) think.

This is what makes the internet so great... the community. That, above all else, would be one thing I'd expect Leo to understand. It's not about the money. It's about the community. Do it because people love you, not because you'd be increasing the value of a company you don't own.

[vandalet]

If not that, then he should do a "Call For Help" style show on either Rev3 or his own site.

[md2389]

He has mentioned that he wouldn't mind coming in for a cameo...so why not take him up on the offer? Let him see how things are run. Who knows, he might change his mind. :)

[zucca]

During Sunday's episode (3-09) of 'TWiT 135: Zuck This (http://www.twit.tv/135)' Leo let it slip that he was in the process of preparing a studio in the basement of an old Victorian home in Petaluma, California (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Petaluma,+CA+to+San+Francisco,+CA&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.646818,78.75&ie=UTF8&ll=37.9312,-123.038635&spn=0.983525,3.47168&z=9). Petaluma is roughly 40 miles from the Revision3 studio.

Leo said that he had already purchased the cameras and that his wife was in the process of supplying the furniture and set design. Also, he said he will dedicate a T1 line to this endeavor.

He said that it would be a 'long form' show and that it will be a live show. He said that guests will join him there in the studio and others will call in via Skype Video and be displayed on a large plasma behind him.

He encouraged his panel to join him there and that all guests were welcomed to stay over night and relax in wine country (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine_Country_(California)).

There is no word on which shows will be aired live or in video.

It's clear that he's getting very serious about video.

I cannot understand why there is a disconnect between him and Revision3.

Perhaps, it's something to do with Jim? I'm not sure. Can anyone throw out some clues here? He speaks of Revision3 quite fondly during his podcasts.

Patrick looks awful lonely in front of that primitive backdrop.

If you're interested in more updates then you should follow Leo (http://twitter.com//leolaporte) on Twitter.

[murphy1d]

I think Leo has a great niche for tech and that is "the wise old sage." Sure, you have John C. Dvorak, but he's too much up his own ass. Leo connects with the older crowd (something missing at Rev3, sorry Jim) and you get a feeling his recommendations come from a "tried and true" POV.

I have always liked Leo and try to catch him on TWIT. But I think video is the right move and maybe he can create his own channel for Rev3.

[zucca]

I agree with you Murphy1d.

I think his niche is well served.

For example, take the 'Security Now' podcast with Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte. That is a very geeky and brilliant production. I always learn something new and am very impressed by Steve's knowledge and career. He's an internationally recognized security expert and his expertise would be an asset to any production.

There are distinct differences between those who are comic book fans, computer geeks, and gamers. You will fail if you assume that they are somehow all the same. Just because one common thread is that they like to frequent digg.com doesn't mean they will spill over (en masse) to watching the same half hour programming on Revision3.

The people I know that have a passion for technology cut their teeth with TechTV between 1998-2004. These people are now in the 25+ lucrative marketing block. In short, they have money now, and are ready to spend it, but they won't spend their money on just anything unless it's been recommended to them by someone whom they trust and value as an online personality.

Revision3 needs to build their image around recognized and well-respected technology personalities that will give this community the credentials it needs and once that has been established then you can begin your experimentations with hip, crazy, and bizarre programming.

You're working from the bottom up; not the top down, and you will risk ostracizing those with the greatest passion (and the fattest wallets) for all things tech related.

[slonkak]

My prediction is that Leo will make a guest appearance on Tekzilla. Look at his opinion of Facebook. He started by only 'friending' people who he knew, but later changed his ways when someone explained to him that all of those people who he doesn't know care about him just as much, if not more, than the people who he does know. For that reason alone, I think Leo will make an appearance; because his "friends" care and he will show that he cares back.

As for his personal video adventures, I didn't listen to the most recent TWiT yet, but if it's true it will be great.

[zucca]

I think you're absolutely correct. I think he will make a few guests appearances when he has the time.

He will focus the rest of his attention on starting and improving his live online productions.

Revision3 can't afford him as a full time personality and his editorial independence would definitely be a contentious issue if they could afford him.

[slonkak]

I think you're absolutely correct. I think he will make a few guests appearances when he has the time.

He will focus the rest of his attention on starting and improving his live online productions.

Revision3 can't afford him as a full time personality and his editorial independence would definitely be a contentious issue if they could afford him.

I think zucca is really Leo under a false name. All of your posts (since you just joined to write in this thread) are very well written and you make claims that only Leo would really be able to make. Anyone else getting the vibe?

[tokenuser]

I think zucca is really Leo under a false name. All of your posts (since you just joined to write in this thread) are very well written and you make claims that only Leo would really be able to make. Anyone else getting the vibe?I thought the same ... but checked the IP address ... so unless he is using an anon proxy on a Charter network in Tennessee, then its not Leo :)

[murphy1d]

I think zucca is really Leo under a false name. All of your posts (since you just joined to write in this thread) are very well written and you make claims that only Leo would really be able to make. Anyone else getting the vibe?

Yet...Zucca is Italian for squash or Pumpkin, and pumpkins are best know on Halloween, in which "Trick or Treat" is used, and "Trick or Treat" could be the battle cry for Leo wanting to be "treated" to a show on Rev3....

Or not.

[slonkak]

I thought the same ... but checked the IP address ... so unless he is using an anon proxy on a Charter network in Tennessee, then its not Leo :)

Oh to have moderator access... ;)

[mrugly]

At the least, it would be cool if he'd do guest spots. The only time I can remember seeing Leo on any Rev3 show, was an old In Digital episode which featured almost all of the old TechTV on-air personalities. Kevin, Patrick, and Prauger have all been guests on TWiT plenty of times in the past and it'd be great if he'd return the favour. If he were to rule out the possibility of even guest-hosting, I'd be dissappointed.

[suiken]

I'm wondering...

What does Louderback have to say about this?

[ddillow]

I would love that episode!!!!!!!!!

BTW, on that Wired article, it took what Leo said out of proportion. I wouldn't say its remotely accurate

[zucca]

Revision3 has invested sacks full of money on their 5000+ sq. feet office space, large new studio in San Fran, BitGravity as their CDN, and all new equipment (http://revision3.com/rev3gazette/studioop/), and all of this in a market that previously has been dominated by less than professional, DIY, amateurish productions.

They've stated in their Gazettes that they need new equipment and large space because they plan on doing several different productions. I think that's very exciting and am hoping that they continue to keep the quirky tech theme as an underlying principle.

All of these costs are being underwritten by wealthy investors (they're called venture capitalists (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venture_capital)) that aren't afraid to continue for a couple of years without making a profit; however, there will come a day when they will expect Revision3 to sore and give them some healthy returns on their investment, if not, then you'll get the dreaded 404 error (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/404_error).

What does that mean for us?

It means Revision3's investors will demand high viewership from more than just a niche group of viewers but a broad range of people (that's why we're seeing random shows pop up). That inevitably means that our favorite formats (the ones that appeal to the real geeks) like Tekzilla and Systm will be marginalized to make way for more mainstream productions. This 'could' ostracize some of us and force us to feed our insatiable hunger for cutting edge technology news elsewhere. I hope this doesn't happen as I love the look and feel of the site, the formats, and the community; but is all of this glamor, flash, and high end production really needed? Honestly, I don't know about you, but for me, I like content, good content with great knowledgeable and fun personalities, not a vector graphic orgy that's full of inside jokes.

Digg's simple two guys, one couch, no cup setup is hugely popular because it's simplistic, fun, and interactive. It's the network's most popular show and it could be shot by any of us given we had an HD camera, mic, decent soundboard, and a dash of creativity. Personally, I don't like it, I find it to be immature, boring, and not something you'd expect from the Dark Tipper (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Rose), especially given his days at TSS (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Screen_Savers). But, sadly, I think that these types of shows are what will pull this network out of the red and subsequently please its investors.

I have a hunch that Leo's new productions will be even more transparent than Revision3, and more importantly, he will keep a very noticeable DIY, off-the-cuff, edgy feel to his live shows (think Tom Green Live (http://www.tomgreen.com/) with more substance) and this will serve as a magnet to those that are feeling unfulfilled by shows here at Revision3.

We're always looking for something new, unknown, and more 'underground' and as Revision3 grows, barrels through it's money, and seeks more demographically diverse viewers then it's inevitable that they will turn many of us away.

Let's face it, we're not going to pay the bills here, they're going to need a larger group of people that aren't interested in our passions. I like Revision3's edgy, underground feel now, but honestly I can't help but feel that Louderback and other investors are acting as the 'Wizard of Oz' and that behind the scenes there are a lot of tensions and conflict, mainly dealing with programming and editorial flexibility of talent (hosts). I think if we keep our eyes and ears locked on Patrick then his personality (open, direct,and honest) will send us clues if all is not glorious in Revision3 land.

I'm happy to be here and will keep my eyes locked on this network but I haven't unpacked my suitcase.

[slonkak]

Who are you and why is your writing style so odd?

[stumpy]

zucca must either be Leo or someone inside of Rev3...

Interesting posts however...

[slonkak]

zucca must either be Leo or someone inside of Rev3...

I'm leaning toward someone inside of Rev3. As Token already pointed out, it's possible, but not probable, that zucca is Leo.

[tuxotaku]

Regardless of any implied doom and gloom from Zucca, I don't think Leo would ever work with Rev3...he just doesn't fit. I mean, when you look at TWiT and listen to any of the podcasts he's involved with, it all seems very "traditional big media production". Revision3, while just as professional, still maintain their grassroots, "we don't give a fuck what you think" feel. To me, Rev3 is to TWiT, what The Ramones were to The Rolling Stones.