A reminder to all you haters out there that you can join us in the chatroom and hunt and peck your day away by sharing your thoughts in #TotalDrama. Join us with the web client. Or if you have a dedicated IRC chat program, follow the info here.
Leo upset about $445 charge for stolen image
Noted money-waster and well-known glutton Leo Laporte was caught recently on the TWiT livestream bellyaching about a junior staffer’s apparent editing lapse that ended up costing the rotund host less than $500. Josh Windisch allegedly posted a copyrighted image from the Getty Images collection online without proper payment or permission. Getty lawyers spotted the infraction and sprang into action leveling a $445 bill for the stolen image. The next day, an unhappy Leo grumbled his way through questioning by the Twitlive chatroom. Leo’s agitation struck many as particularly surprising because he typically brags about how much money he throws around on engagement rings, fancy toilets and expensive Italian vacations.
“Our staff should know better,” said a visibly perturbed Laporte. “They should not be using copyrighted images.”
Laporte is seen at the end of the clip lamenting that the staff is costing him money. “Knock it off,” he said.
Hang in there, Josh! And +1 for trolling your own boss by posting illegal images.
Your opinion, please
TWiT taking bids from Petaluma contractors
TWiT HQ needs at least $278,000 worth of work to shore up the foundation due to the massive weight gain of at least two staffers. In response to the emergency, TWiT has put out a call to Petaluma-area contractors for competitive bids on a large-scale renovation project at the network’s headquarters.
Sources inside the embattled studio facilities of Leo Laporte’s dwindling network, said that the requested quote involves stabilizing the foundation as well as replacing the floorboards. It is said that the creaking structure is soon feared not to be able to support the combined weight of TWiT staff and could result in a “catastrophic and potentially deadly collapse.”
Due to the year-over-year weight gain of founder Leo Laporte, Father Robert Ballecer and other contributors, the basement will be completely filled in with concrete as to provide a solid footing; otherwise the Petaluma Building and Safety Department is planning on shutting the entire building, which would result in a total work stoppage on Keller Street. The only hope, said city officials, is for Leo and Padre to both lose at least 200 lbs.
Bids are due by August 30 and TWiT CEHo Lisa Kentzell is expected to announce the start of work shortly thereafter.
Father Robert’s provocative tweets
Father Robert’s Twitter is on fire today. Check for yourself some of the insensitive comments Father Robert has been making:
Your vote counts!
‘I still smell and taste you’
I never want this information to leave the public consciousness.
So here it is, one more time for old times’ sake, the Gawker Media story on Leo Laporte’s dirty texts that were broadcast live on-air:
Laporte: come over. I’m naked in bed
Laporte: waiting for you. the door is open
Lisa Kentzell: I love you.
Laporte: i still smell and taste you. i adore you.
Lament in Brick
A voice from long ago is back with an artistic vision of “brick.” You may cry, so bring a tissue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qFSANZyNfk
Coup de grâce for TWiT News
Today the dream was realized. A monumental achievement, worthy of a Peabody, a Pulitzer and an Emmy, occurred for TWiT.tv. The eloquent Mike Elgum beautifully summarized the Ferguson story for his audience and yet he neglected to mention a small detail, that Michael Brown was black.
TNT show delves into race politics
Today’s late-in-the-show introduction of the important national story from Ferguson, Mo., revolving around murder, ethnic strife and police brutality is a shameful episode in TNT history. Elgum’s insistence on bringing race politics into Tech News Today is inappropriate and should lead to sanctioning by Leo Laporte. Typically stories of such importance are not saved until the end of the show, but rather presented early, as befits their ranking in the mind of the news director. So it’s nice to know that not only hasn’t Elgum ever had an African-American woman on his show, but he holds racial stories in such low regard that he won’t slot the story earlier. Nice try, though, trying to shoehorn this into your crap show just for the SEO and click bait.
I wonder what the advertisers are thinking about the show losing focus and entering murky racial territory in such a flippant manner. Watch yourself there, Mr. News Director, you might just find yourself routinely alienating half your audience just by opening your mouth about matters you know nothing about. What’s next? A TNT discussion about abortion and gay rights?
Here’s a partial transcript from the Twitlive chatroom:
<~Leo> It’s a difficult editorial decision for us – i don’t think it’s a tech story
13:46:22] <~Leo> but I just don’t think it’s a tech story
<~Leo> on the other hand my heart says we should talk about it all the time
[13:47:11] <~Leo> it’s a horrific story
[13:47:22] <~Leo> and obviously I care about it and am following it
[13:47:28] <~Leo> but we have to understand our beat
The master has spoke, Elgum.
