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[Wario64]

Saw this from OA...

DVD Talk Drops G4/TechTV Screen Savers Show

All,

I wanted to let you know we've decided to part company with TechTV/G4 and their show The Screen Savers. Over the past few weeks they've pushed to reformat the segment under the assinine 'DVDuesday' banner, which although we didn't like we dealt with.

Unfortunately they also pushed this DVDoe's/DVDon'ts thing and pushed our writer to be more critical on air about the DVDs. Apparently this was a precursor for them as they are completely reformatting the show and changing the name to 'Attack of the Show'.

Instead of good DVD reviews and info, they want to push the segment more into a hip and irreverent slam of DVDs. As you know that ISN'T what were about here at DVD Talk. Our WHOLE point is to sift through the piles and piles of DVDs that come in and help find the ones which are most worth checking out, not just stand around trying to be cool and slam on DVDs.

So we've decided to no longer continue our segment on TechTV/The Screen Savers. We don't feel the direction which they are going in matches the vision of DVD Talk and we don't feel that there's any value in a segment which is built around slamming DVDs.

We will continue to do our monthly DVD segment in our H.Q. city of Portland, OR and rebroadcast that on the web at DVDTalk.TV. Also last month we launched our online radio show at DVDTalkRadio.com and will continue to work to expand that.

Best Regards
Geoff Kleinman (Editor/DVDTalk.com)

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/announcement.php?f=3

 

[ChristKiller]

Almost as bad as "Xbox 360"

 

[xsarien]

Watching G4 implode like this is sort of amusing.

 

[Spiritreaver]

I just hope that network crash and burns soon. I'm really getting sick of what they're doing, I don't think there's really a shred of good ol' TechTV left on it, aside from X-Play. However I watched that and you can tell that it's very different, there are just fewer jokes in the reviews to me, less silliness as well, and more straight reviews.

 

[karasu]

The sooner Xplay gets rid of the jokes, the better.

 

[fennec fox]

Am I allowed to say here that I think both G4 and TechTV were really dumb?

 

[xsarien]

I just hope that network crash and burns soon. I'm really getting sick of what they're doing, I don't think there's really a shred of good ol' TechTV left on it, aside from X-Play. However I watched that and you can tell that it's very different, there are just fewer jokes in the reviews to me, less silliness as well, and more straight reviews.

Oddly enough, the one thing I hated (HATED) about X-Play were the jokes that were not only bad to begin with, but delivered poorly as well.

 

[Spiritreaver]

The sooner Xplay gets rid of the jokes, the better.

I grow tired of comments like these towards television shows and films, the problem with this is, they lose that large fanbase they had who LIKED the jokes and silliness, and thus become your average video game show. I'm sick of ordinary TV and changing the way a show is done just to make it fit in with the rest of the crowd, or for a few others to "like it", is such a silly idea. You only piss people off. I'd rather just have you not watch the show.

Oddly enough, the one thing I hated (HATED) about X-Play were the jokes that were not only bad to begin with, but delivered poorly as well.

You and many others, but a lot of people did like them as well, including myself. Infact that's what much of their fan community enjoyed, well so the forums showed.

 

[ManaByte]

I grow tired of comments like these towards television shows and films, the problem with this is, they lose that large fanbase they had who LIKED the jokes and silliness, and thus become your average video game show. I'm sick of ordinary TV and changing the way a show is done just to make it fit in with the rest of the crowd, or for a few others to "like it", is such a silly idea. You only piss people off. I'd rather just have you not watch the show.

You and many others, but a lot of people did like them as well, including myself. Infact that's what much of their fan community enjoyed, well so the forums showed.

Look, when I watch a show that "reviews" videogames I want to hear if the game is good or not and details about why it is or isn't. When I see the new Ghost Recon or Rainbow Six "reviewed" I want to know how it compares to previous games in the series and other games in the genre. I do not want to watch a review that is nothing more than an unfunny political soapbox for the show host. That's what X-Play does, which is why Judgement Day is a better review show than X-Play.

People love to slam Tommy because he says bad things about Nintendo games, but Electric Playground and Judgement Day are both 100 times better shows than X-Play because they are about the games, not a platform for the hosts to make extremely unfunny jokes about the subject matter of the games skewed by their political stance.

With this news about The Screen Savers, it looks like that show will slam DVDs while X-Play will continue to slam games and the people who play them.

 

[Spiritreaver]

Look, when I watch a show that "reviews" videogames I want to hear if the game is good or not and details about why it is or isn't. When I see the new Ghost Recon or Rainbow Six "reviewed" I want to know how it compares to previous games in the series and other games in the genre. I do not want to watch a review that is nothing more than an unfunny political soapbox for the show host. That's what X-Play does, which is why Judgement Day is a better review show than X-Play.

And there lies your problem. You're trying to get something else at of a show that is offering something completely different to the table. Like your stated yourself, there are already shows out there that provide that content that you seek. Hell you can get all of this on the internet. So why jump on X-Play for offering something you simply don't want when there's something already doing what you do want? A little silly, and selfish.

That's all that annoys me really, not people's opinion on the show itself. You don't like the jokes? Don't watch it. There's stuff out there without the jokes and silly humor. Don't try to ruin it for everyone else because of that.

EDIT: And let me add, I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of people who watch X-Play, don't watch for the reviews, but rather for the humor. They are not spoken of by gamers in the same light of sites like Gamespot, or IGN.

Maybe it's just me, but I never once tune into to X-Play simply to see what they score a game, I'm actually not into reviews in general as I feel they don't provide the insight of my own personal opinion and thus just leave me trying to decide on a game without any actual views of the reviewer coming to play. Mainly they are useless to me as I usually have no problem deciding whether or not I'll enjoy a game or not, or more or less than another. I can figure these things out on my own before a purchase. So when I watch a show like X-Play, it's simply for humor and nothing else, and I feel most people who watch it feel the same way. They may watch it for reviews, but I somehow doubt they take them as seriously (the humor alone makes one feel otherwise) as more dedicated facets of gaming journalism.

 

[ManaByte]

And there lies your problem. You're trying to get something else at of a show that is offering something completely different to the table. Like your stated yourself, there are already shows out there that provide that content that you seek. Hell you can get all of this on the internet. So why jump on X-Play for offering something you simply don't want when there's something already doing what you do want? A little silly, and selfish.

That's all that annoys me really, not people's opinion on the show itself. You don't like the jokes? Don't watch it. There's stuff out there without the jokes and silly humor. Don't try to ruin it for everyone else because of that.

EDIT: And let me add, I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of people who watch X-Play, don't watch for the reviews, but rather for the humor. They are not spoken of by gamers in the same light of sites like Gamespot, or IGN.

Maybe it's just me, but I never once tune into to X-Play simply to see what they score a game, I'm actually not into reviews in general as I feel they don't provide the insight of my own personal opinion and thus just leave me trying to decide on a game without any actual views of the reviewer coming to play. Mainly they are useless to me as I usually have no problem deciding whether or not I'll enjoy a game or not, or more or less than another. I can figure these things out on my own before a purchase. So when I watch a show like X-Play, it's simply for humor and nothing else, and I feel most people who watch it feel the same way. They may watch it for reviews, but I somehow doubt they take them as seriously (the humor alone makes one feel otherwise) as more dedicated facets of gaming journalism.

Ok, if X-Play isn't meant as a review show they should stop giving scores to games that they use for humor.

 

[Spiritreaver]

Ok, if X-Play isn't meant as a review show they should stop giving scores to games that they use for humor.

I'm sure they could do that and no one would really care, but sometimes the review score is often used within the jokes, especially with games that are of low caliber and downright trash.

But you know that's not entirely what I meant, and I would like to stress that last line of my edit.

Actually this entire situation falls in line with what happened with TechTV, how much of its established fanbase was ignored and forced to either deal with the state of the lost network, or drop it entirely. I think it's pretty obvious the demographic "The Screen Savers" was directed at before and after the merger, and how different they were. This was pretty much echoed throughout all the shows that moved to the G4TechTV network.

 

[karasu]

I grow tired of comments like these towards television shows and films, the problem with this is, they lose that large fanbase they had who LIKED the jokes and silliness, and thus become your average video game show. I'm sick of ordinary TV and changing the way a show is done just to make it fit in with the rest of the crowd, or for a few others to "like it", is such a silly idea. You only piss people off. I'd rather just have you not watch the show.

You and many others, but a lot of people did like them as well, including myself. Infact that's what much of their fan community enjoyed, well so the forums showed.

What do you mean you grow tired of comments like that? I can't help it if I think the jokes are bad. They're HORRIBLE! "Oh look, he's androgynous tehehehehehehehehe"

If they were actually funny, I wouldn't complain. I suggest they change the way the show is made to make it like, good and stuff. Those 18 people who post on their forum don't matter. Hardcore fans of various levels of horrible shit are posting away on forums everywhere.

 

[Spiritreaver]

What do you mean you grow tired of comments like that? I can't help it if I think the jokes are bad. They're HORRIBLE! "Oh look, he's androgynous tehehehehehehehehe"

If they were actually funny, I wouldn't complain. I suggest they change the way the show is made to make it like, good and stuff. Those 18 people who post on their forum don't matter. Hardcore fans of various levels of horrible shit are posting away on forums everywhere.

Then I think we'll just have to settle for a difference of opinion, and I guess sense of humor. I'll agree that the jokes aren't quite always funny, or great, and by no means am I trying to proclaim X-Play as being some genius of comedy. But it had its moments, quite a lot of them actually, and that's what kept me coming back. I can't say that's the case anymore though.

Basically, I agree they need to brush up on the humor and fixed those jokes that do fall completely flat. But they shouldn't remove the entirely because they DO come off well some times, and it used to be pretty often. Well to me anyways.

And sorry if I seemed out of line with my initial comment, perhaps I need to stop thinking I have to defend my enjoyment of something. Eh, I don't know how to put it.

 

[AstroLad]

The fact that Adam and Morgan don't write the reviews they read (show on the show) is just stupid. Like Siskel and Ebert reading someone else's reviews. It's just disingenuous and it's not like Adam and Morgan have such camera presence that it's even justified, might as well just put the guys who write the reviews up there or get people who seem even mildly comfortable on camera and/or don't have the super-stilted/awkward delivery of Morgan.

 

[hobbitx]

You and many others, but a lot of people did like them as well, including myself. Infact that's what much of their fan community enjoyed, well so the forums showed.

I also love them and find the shows jokes right on the ball, and for the record, I've always found their reviews pretty informative and have agreed with most of the comments they make, the comedy is just fun icing on the cake. You guys want to talk about shitty joke shows that don't take games seriously enough you need to see some Blister reruns.

 

[Flynn]

Sad fact:

Xplay is the considered by G4 to be their best received show.

Sad result:

All G4 shows will soon be as retarded (and I mean this in the purest brain-not-working-as-well, fire-not-buring-so-hot, evolution-grinding-to-a-screeching-halt sort of way) as Xplay.

 

[G4life98]

How long are we gonna have to wait for a channel that actually covers technology again and is not trying to be "mtv with videogames".

 

[Diablos]

That pretty much does it.
R.I.P. TechTV.

 

[ge-man]

Watching G4 implode like this is sort of amusing.

Its complete destruction can't come soon enough. However, I'd really wish some entrepreneur would try to champion the original goal ZDTV/TechTV and make another attempt at a technology channel. It would be really awesome if said person also got former TechTV people like Leo attached to the project.

 

[kitchenmotors]

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

 

[ManaByte]

The fact that Adam and Morgan don't write the reviews they read (show on the show) is just stupid. Like Siskel and Ebert reading someone else's reviews. It's just disingenuous and it's not like Adam and Morgan have such camera presence that it's even justified, might as well just put the guys who write the reviews up there or get people who seem even mildly comfortable on camera and/or don't have the super-stilted/awkward delivery of Morgan.

That's another big problem I have with X-Play. They give people the impression that Morgan and Adam review the games they talk about on the air, when they really don't (and Adam admitted to this on The Screen Savers - they use freelance reviewers to review the games). That's like having someone review a game for you for a website, but slapping your name on the text. It's obvious that the only reason X-Play still exists is because of the rabid Morgan Webb fanboys and G4 won't dare take it off the air no matter how bad it is.

Yet another reason why Judgement Day is superior to X-Play because you can tell both Victor and Tommy actually play each game they feature on the show.

 

[dskillzhtown]

How long are we gonna have to wait for a channel that actually covers technology again and is not trying to be "mtv with videogames".

Would be cool if CNN or someone came out with a station like that.

I would think Tech+games and actual coverage of game/tech related events on a network would be sweet.

 

[Jotaro]

I am going to keep my subscription to G4 that I recently paid for, there must be some gaming goodness lying into it other than Icons.

 

[jooey]

I am going to keep my subscription to G4 that I recently paid for, there must be some gaming goodness lying into it other than Icons.

nnnnnnnnot so much.

 

[Jotaro]

What is it, other than segments of proeminently displayed female hosts' cleavage, to possibly playback on loop for a while, with the sounds desactivated?

 

[tedtropy]

Thus sounds the final hammering of the nails in TechTV's coffin. It's like G4 has made it their mission to remove any semblance of TechTV's once good content. Here's an idea: want better ratings for TSS? Keep the name and bring back the hosts people actually liked. Of course, that's all just wishful thinking at this point.

 

[mightynine]

Am I the only one who reads this as they wanted to rename the DVD segment "Attack of the Show"; NOT the whole show itself?

(Not that it matters, I safely zoom by the channel that used to be TechTV these days. No Cat Schwartz, no reason to watch.)

 

[ManaByte]

Am I the only one who reads this as they wanted to rename the DVD segment "Attack of the Show"; NOT the whole show itself?

(Not that it matters, I safely zoom by the channel that used to be TechTV these days. No Cat Schwartz, no reason to watch.)

No, the show itself is apparently being renamed. There is also an "attackoftheshow" url registered although who did it is hidden.

Makes sense as the current hosts always misspell the current show URL when they try to pull it up live on the air.

 

[Spectral Glider]

XPlay was changed several times though, that's what pisses people off. It didn't start out as a lame joke-athon every minute. They "fixed" it when it was never broke to begin with.

 

[pj]

XPlay was changed several times though, that's what pisses people off. It didn't start out as a lame joke-athon every minute. They "fixed" it when it was never broke to begin with.

The broken part was that the ratings sucked. They talked about it during viewer mail once. The reason the ratings sucked wasn't because both of the old hosts were but ugly, no no, it was because there weren't enough "rinse, repeat" jokes!

 

[tedtropy]

Am I the only one who reads this as they wanted to rename the DVD segment "Attack of the Show"; NOT the whole show itself?

(Not that it matters, I safely zoom by the channel that used to be TechTV these days. No Cat Schwartz, no reason to watch.)

Cat was a nice personality for TSS, but TechTV as a whole started spiraling downward ever since they canned Leo...

 

[Spiritreaver]

XPlay was changed several times though, that's what pisses people off. It didn't start out as a lame joke-athon every minute. They "fixed" it when it was never broke to begin with.

Are you referring to the series of Gamespot TV, Extended Play, etc? I'll be the first to admit that I think Gamespot TV, with Kate and Adam, trumped anything currently on air on the network, in terms of reviews. The show never made me laugh though and I don't view X-Play in the same arc, outside of Adam.

But yeah, I'm definitely not the only one who seems to enjoy the show if it's actually taken on such popularity as mentioned before. They've done something different and it stands out because of that. Ike I said, if you're looking for something more traditional from the lineup, that is there. But I don't feel you should crash the party for everyone else who's having a good time.

Actually, it's beyond me why any on show on the network, aside from Icons, is taken seriously at all. It's pure trash and deserves the shoddy ratings it's currently getting. It's amazing how quickly every part of TechTV was completely ruined. It's disgusting.

 

[Flynn]

But I don't feel you should crash the party for everyone else who's having a good time.

By this logic, no one should ever criticise anything as long as someone appreciates it.

I disagree with this line of thought.

Xplay is unfunny, unentertaining and downright annoying and should be identified as such frequently and loudly.

 

[impirius]

"Attack of the Show" could be an alright name for a different show, one that is not The Screen Savers.

 

[Jotaro]

About Gamespot TV, did anyone found Dash to be annoying?

 

[mightynine]

Cat was a nice personality for TSS, but TechTV as a whole started spiraling downward ever since they canned Leo...

Good point.

 

[ManaByte]

Well, TSS did their new DVDuesday today after DVD Talk dropped them...and they got Chris Gore of FilmThreat to do it. At least that's a big improvement.

 

[Jotaro]

TSS Chris Gore

Must record the show! I like the man and his articles! I knew it was worth to subscribe to G4!

 

[tedtropy]

Well, TSS did their new DVDuesday today after DVD Talk dropped them...and they got Chris Gore of FilmThreat to do it. At least that's a big improvement.

Yeah, that girl from DVD Talk was a little scary. "I'll suck yo' DVDs for some crack!"

 

[ManaByte]

Yeah, that girl from DVD Talk was a little scary. "I'll suck yo' DVDs for some crack!"

You mean snaggletooth? :lol

 

[tedtropy]

You mean snaggletooth? :lol

Heh, yep, that'd be her.

 

[Unresponsive Bee Victim]

Sell you Screen Savers its all over!