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Something Awful on G4TV

Reader Mantorp wrote in to mention an article over on Something Awful (reader beware) discussing the good and bad points of everyone's favorite video gaming channel, G4. Except for not mentioning Icons (which I view as a variable but generally good program), they nail the channels pros and cons dead on. From the article: "I almost wrote an update like this when the merger first happened, but it would have been purely reactionary. The resulting channel needed time to ferment for better or worse, and luckily for you it got much worse because my only backup article idea was a fake guide to an NES game based on the Herman Melville book Bartleby The Scrivener."

40 of 70 comments (clear)

  1. Can't get enough of those catch-phrases by nijk · · Score: 4, Funny


    Kevin: So that's how you download the newest fake nude pictures of Angelina Jolie and your "legal" (long dramatic pause to let his delicious rebellion sink in) mp3s to your PSP's memory card and your Xbox's hard drive.

    Sarah: (giggles) Your hard drive sure was in my Xbox last night! If you know what I mean!

    Kevin: (turns to the camera and gives a slow wink) I know how to crack your app! PEER TO PEER NETWORKING.


    ROFLMAO

    1. Re:Can't get enough of those catch-phrases by Draigon · · Score: 3, Interesting

      My favorite line "His funnier moments go so far over the other hosts' heads that they violate federal airspace regulations and occasionally graze God's testicles." oh my.

      Honestly, if you want tv for nerds you watch discovery or history channels. If you want tv for gamers you turn your gaming console on. If you have a few hours to sit around and you want something moving in front of your eyes but not making you think, anything from Fox News to Mtv to G4 will apply. TV as a whole is just not that worth it. There's far more content on gaming blogs or even the often shallow gaming network sites.

      What is TV useful for again?

      --
      -Rabbit
    2. Re:Can't get enough of those catch-phrases by nijk · · Score: 4, Insightful

      What is TV useful for again?

      The only use it currently has is porn. If only there was a free x-rated channel. The people want free nonstop streaming high-quality nudity.

    3. Re:Can't get enough of those catch-phrases by frikazoyd · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Basically the guy is lamenting the loss of a channel that was for nerds. TechTV (or ZDTV, if you remember that far back) used to cover all sorts of nerdy stuff. Particularly, the Screen Savers was a very cool show with some neat tips and experiments, and was the first TV show I ever saw that publicly acknowledged that Linux existed.

      There was a show that covered new technology that was emerging and reviewed them once they went commercial (handy for buying a PDA at the time), and then Gamespot TV was pretty cool (becuase it was before G4TV was announced, and was actually really good.) And there were some filler shows too, but they seemed to have their own niche (for instance, Call For Help was handy if you didn't want to explain how to burn a cd to your grandmother).

      In short, TechTV used to be really interesting, and the only TV I ever watched. We're all sad that it left, I suppose.

    4. Re:Can't get enough of those catch-phrases by spinkham · · Score: 1

      You already answered that.. Hooking your console up to..

      --
      Blessed are the pessimists, for they have made backups.
    5. Re:Can't get enough of those catch-phrases by Iamdeusex · · Score: 1

      Yeah, I remember the days of ZDTV and I was sad even when it became TechTV, although I'm not entirely sure why. I thought TechTV overall was a damn good channel (although they did tend to replay a bunch of crap over and over again throughout the day, which could get old quickly). While the only show I really enjoyed was The Screensavers, Call for Help, Unscrewed, and XPlay were all great shows in their own ways. I'm just sad to see what it's become at this point.

    6. Re:Can't get enough of those catch-phrases by elrous0 · · Score: 1
      Basically the guy is lamenting the loss of a channel that was for nerds. TechTV (or ZDTV, if you remember that far back) used to cover all sorts of nerdy stuff. Particularly, the Screen Savers was a very cool show with some neat tips and experiments, and was the first TV show I ever saw that publicly acknowledged that Linux existed.

      Ah Leo Laporte, where have you gone now that we need you more than ever?

      -Eric

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    7. Re:Can't get enough of those catch-phrases by KingSkippus · · Score: 1

      Ah Leo Laporte, where have you gone now that we need you more than ever?

      There was an article posted here a week ago that answers that. Funny enough, he is now doing a podcast of Revenge of The Screen Savers with Patrick Norton, Kevin Rose, and Robert Heron.

  2. Beggin' thah Colonel's Pardon... by Golias · · Score: 2, Informative

    but wasn't "Bartleby the Scrivner" just a short story?

    (Oh, and a shout-out to those of you who caught the "Go Go Gophers" reference... Now there's a show which will never again see the light of day! My childhood memories of Saturday mornings brim over with laughter at shockingly politically correct depictions of Native Americans.)

    --

    Information wants to be anthropomorphized.

    1. Re:Beggin' thah Colonel's Pardon... by Golias · · Score: 1

      I'm not saying it shouldn't be a game.

      The headline summary called it a "book," and I was nitpicking... mostly because I was in the mood to say "Beggin' thah Colonel's pardon" to somebody. :)

      --

      Information wants to be anthropomorphized.

  3. Hmmm by Otter · · Score: 3, Interesting

    In the absence of goatse.cx, I wonder where Rich is going to be directing his Slashdot referrals this time...?

  4. Re:Ambiguous title by MarkGriz · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Is Something Awful making the leap to the small screen thanks to G4TV?"

    -1, Redundant.

    G4 is already something awful

    --
    Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder.
  5. Pretty much agree.. by Momoru · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I used to have something to watch on TV (TechTV), now there is nothing....I dont agree with his opinions of the personalities: Adam Sessler is the fucking man. Who the hell likes Adam Sessler? He is the most annoying person ever to be on TV, ever. Kevin Rose and Sarah are alright, I'd grant him that they can be cheesy and may not be the most techy people, but I can take them compared to Leo and Patrick, with Leo being annoying, old, and plugging books non-stop and Patrick knowing more about fixing old hotrods then the latest in computer trends. I feel like at least the ages of Kevin, Sarah etc are more suitable for the content and viewers of the show.

    1. Re:Pretty much agree.. by frikazoyd · · Score: 5, Informative

      I'm sure what he meant was "Adam Sessler is the fucking man, but has to play the part of a retard now that he is on G4TV and works with Morgan Webb, just to make her look smart".

      Trust me, when Adam Sessler was solo (or with that other hot chick back when the Dreamcast was still around), the show rocked and I hated to miss it. I think it was Gamespot TV then. Then it changed names to something weird, then it changed to X-Play and started sucking like a Dyson.

    2. Re:Pretty much agree.. by superpulpsicle · · Score: 1

      My area has not received the TechTV station at all. I can't really miss something I never had. This channel should have been a "basic cable" station for all cable providers. It's not. They were finally thinking of making it available on a special package basis like HBO, Skinemax.

    3. Re:Pretty much agree.. by suyashs · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Adam Sessler was the worst host on TechTV who has become the best host on G4TV...

      --
      http://chrono.posterous.com/
    4. Re:Pretty much agree.. by 1am · · Score: 1

      Extended Play, filmed in the Sony Metreon Arcade. That was the first video game review show that I've seen that didn't make fun of gamers for doing what they enjoy. Most (all except x-play) poke fun at gamers while doing their reviews. There's that "God, you people are nerds" attitude. I get that enough in real life that I don't need to take it on TV too. Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb ARE nerds and don't try to hide it, they flaunt it.

    5. Re:Pretty much agree.. by PhoenixOne · · Score: 1
      I like the fact that Adam Sessler is snarky and somewhat literate. But I'm convinced, as a professional with two degrees in his mid-thirties, that I am not the target market for G4 (even though I work in the video game industry).

      G4 is servicing the under represented 18-25 year old stoner market...

      --
      Spell cheek you've failed me four the last thyme!
    6. Re:Pretty much agree.. by KingSkippus · · Score: 1

      I SO agree with this statement. When I used to watch TechTV, Adam was mildly amusing, but mostly annoying. I much prefered Leo and Patrick, Jim Louderback (the old host of Fresh Gear), Sumi Das (the new host of Fresh Gear), and I fell in love with Kris Kosach and Erica Hill (the latter now an anchorwoman on CNN Headline News--I'm glad she made with much success!)

      Now I realize that when I watched Adam back then, I only thought I knew what annoying was. From what little I've watched of G4, I now truly know the meaning of the word. Now, he is by far the most amusing and intelligent person there.

      Unfortunately, that's a little like saying that Mussolini was a pretty nice guy compared to Hitler--not much of a compliment. What I don't understand is why another network that is what TechTV (or ZDTV before that) used to be hasn't come along to compete. I know in my heart that it would kill G4 in the ratings, and maybe the powers-that-be there would realize what a horrible mistake they've made. If only I knew diddly about starting up a television network. (Insert wistful sigh here...)

  6. Re:Ambiguous title by lightspawn · · Score: 1

    You could always, yano.. RTFA and find out.

    That's true of every article... yet they still have titles. It's almost as though the titles are the to serve some kind of purpose, isn't it?

    If all the titles from now on were changed to "Information About Subject" your precious advice would still be true, but so would my observation.

  7. Re:Ambiguous title by WhatAmIDoingHere · · Score: 1

    So read what's under the title.

    "Reader Mantorp wrote in to mention an article over on Something Awful (reader beware) discussing the good and bad points of everyone's favorite video gaming channel, G4."

    --
    Not a Twitter sockpuppet... but I wish I was.
  8. Guide by solomonrex · · Score: 1

    Wait, we're not going to get the fake guide?!!!?

  9. Can't get it by AngryScot · · Score: 1

    From what Iv'e watched on the site some of the stuff is good, mainly the HUGE NES controller :D Anyway I can't get it in the UK, even if it isn't as good as it was it would still be cool to have :(

    --

    All spelling mistakes are due to solar flares...honest

  10. kate botello by SalMoriarty · · Score: 1
    Originally titled The Screen Savers and hosted by the duo of Leo Laporte and Patrick Norton, this show used to focus on technology and answering the audience's computer-related questions.


    kate botello was one of the original hosts of the screen savers along with leo. patrick norton came on after she jumped ship to go to gamespot.tv/x-play. actually, i think it became x-play when she made the conversion.
  11. I have no pre-G4 bias...but here is my .02 by pnice · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I didn't have access to the channel back when it was TechTV and I've only had the chance to view what is now G4. That being said, I like the channel enough to watch (at least Attack of the Show) on a daily basis. Sometimes what I see is a repeat of things I've already read about that day online, but it is still presented in an entertaining way and I can relate to the humor/personalities of the cast (Kevin Rose, Kevin Pereira, Sarah Lane, Brendan Moran). I like Icons and even Formula D is starting to become interesting to me.

    Cheat pains me. That Kristin Holt is not the person for the job. I think the execs feel that all geek/gamers need is some decent looking girl repeating what was written down on a piece of paper to host the show and it'll work great. I'm 26 and that formula doesn't cut it for me anymore. I wish I could have seen Adam Sessler back when he was supposed to be good at what he does, but I missed the boat on that one. When it's him and Morgan Webb talking in those damn monotone voices doing reviews I can't imagine either of them play a crucial role in keeping X-Play alive. I need something with more personality.

    The worst part of G4 is the repeat shows. I'm not talking about just reruns from the night before...or even the week before. Just today at lunch I was flipping through the channels and heard the voice of Adam Sessler talking about the future PSP...before they even knew when it would come out or how much it would cost. I know every show can't be brand new but at least keep it within a relative time range. Replaying a show that is so extremely dated doesn't work well when your dealing with something that has to stay up to date. It would be like watching reruns of the news from 5 months ago.

  12. A feel a little attitude in this article by pnice · · Score: 1

    ...and to me, the whole Something Awful review (is that what this is, a review of G4?) comes of as bitter. This article is comparing what it used to be with what it is now. Things change. Corin Tuckers Stalker needs to get over the fact that G4 is not the same channel as it was before and it has a different format working for it.

    I just re-read the article and it still comes off as a lot of hate. G4 is at attempting to grow and develop better programing as they move along.

    *purely speculative from this point on* Maybe this troll in the form of an article has something to do with the fact that Somethnig Awful hasn't been invited to be on any of the G4 shows. I know I've seen Drew Curtis from Fark.com on there along with many other people that have no celebrity status other than what has developed for them on the Internet. Actually G4 does a lot for the otherwise regular people with interesting pages online. They're getting these people on national television and giving them even more exposure to the people that might not have heard of their site before. That's a great service...a service that hasn't been extended to Something Awful and now I can't imagine it ever will.

    1. Re:A feel a little attitude in this article by Mantorp · · Score: 1
      ...a service that hasn't been extended to Something Awful and now I can't imagine it ever will.

      Don't be so sure. When i submitted the story I pointed out that I found the link on digg.com which Kevin Rose is involved in.

    2. Re:A feel a little attitude in this article by pnice · · Score: 1

      Thanks for the info

      I've never been to digg.com but I was checking it out. It looks like any user can submit articles on digg. The G4 article was submitted by Deviant_Tech and this is the only article he has ever submitted (then again, he has only been a member since April 24th). At least it isn't Kevin Rose directly spreading an article that talks trash about him.

      Here are the comments for the article on digg
      http://digg.com/links/G4_What_Art_Thou?

    3. Re:A feel a little attitude in this article by Mantorp · · Score: 1

      I only found digg.com after listening to the ROTSS podcast where the former Screen Savers alumni talked about what they're corrently working on.

    4. Re:A feel a little attitude in this article by celeb8 · · Score: 1

      I get the feeling you're not all that familiar with SA. They always come off as bitter, that's their "thing". They don't bother reviewing anything they like, hence their name. Their front page is a rant, nothing more. A well-founded rant in most cases, such as this one.

  13. G4 stinks by RolandGunslinger · · Score: 1

    There isn't much they show that's worth a crap. X-Play is OK, so is Icons. But Cheat with Kristin Holt is pure trash. Apparently at G4 they think that all they have to do is put a good looking female (she's not even that) in front of the camera reading off cue cards and every 20-something male will get all excited and want to tune in. Wrong! She's absolutely incompetent. Attack of the Show!?!! Is this supposed to be humourous?????? Whip Set???? The cars you want and the girls you can't have....crap crap crap

  14. You don't need G4 to get The Screen Savers anymore by klausboop · · Score: 2, Informative

    Don't forget that (as previously reported on /.) The original Screen Savers bunch are doing weekly PodCasts now. If you were a fan of the original screen savers show, you're sure to enjoy the podcasts, which they call it TWIT: This Week in Tech.

    http://twit.tv/ should be the permanent URL, but is still under construction as of this posting. http://leoville.com/blog/index.php/TLR/comments/th e-revenge-of-the-bleep/ works right now.

    --
    Some of you already have those cute little shirts on that say disco sucks, right? That's not all that sucks.-Frank Zappa
  15. Article title is misleading by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    The article title should either read, "Everything Awful on G4TV," or, "G4TV is Something Awful."

    In related news, the website Something Awful has announced that they have now changed formats. From now on, visitors to somethingawful.com will be greeted with a splash screen and a redirect to a random page in the g4tv.com domain. "We have finally discovered the unlimited source of the most awful things on the internet in the g4tv.com domain, so our purpose is done," said Mr. Kyanka of the development.

  16. SLASHDOT READING GOONS [56k install linux] by gwizah · · Score: 1

    Yes, I am losing karma points to shout out to my SA homies.

    --

    There is no spork.
    1. Re:SLASHDOT READING GOONS [56k install linux] by AlexMax2742 · · Score: 1

      Stop embarassing the rest of us.

      --
      I'm the guy with the unpopular opinion
  17. Overlooked the best show on G4! by MBraynard · · Score: 1

    Cinematech. I can just let that runin the background while I work. It really brings back memories or lets you see things you never would have seen but always wanted to.

    1. Re:Overlooked the best show on G4! by MBraynard · · Score: 1

      Wha? I don't know what you are talking about. I just like watching the sceen caps.

  18. It's not all bad by retinaburn · · Score: 1

    I loved the original screen savers, in fact I was telling people to pay extra to get TechTV just for that show. It never failed to inform me on a wide range of topics in a single episode.

    Then, the G4 bomb hit.

    The screensavers was pillaged and plundered and all that was left was hollow remains and the logo. I am glad that they eventually rebranded it 'Attack of the Show', because it didn't resemble anything of its namesake.

    However Attack of the Show is getting better, at being what it intends. A little informative, a lot of tries at humour (some payoff, some don't) and then a lot of fluff. I think it is starting to hit it's stride, tossing out the segments (with one of the new hosts that was completely clueless) that don't work and allowing new segments to try and get a footing.

    It's no screen savers, but it is getting a little better at the new target market.

    On the plus side I get Call for Help, reborn and broadcasting from Toronto. Having Leo escape regularly to my city and broadcast his unique brand of show is one good thing to come out of the merger.

  19. I was on TechTV once... by BTWR · · Score: 1
    I was on a show called "Pulse" when they did a story on the study showing video games helping surgeons with their laparoscopic surgical skills (I was a medical student working with the study's author). They producers came in and did a FANTASTIC job on it. It was so good, actually quality journalism with statistical graphics and such, that whenever we wanted to publicize the story, instead of showing people the published paper (published in JAMA - the Journal of the American Medical Association, which to doctors would have been impressive enough), he just had me pull up the video. A 5-minute piece and it was all explained.

    Also, the producers were awesome, bought us all lunch and, for the hell of it, like 2 cases of coke for no reason (like 48 bottles). Mmm... caffeine highs for 2 weeks! And... he shared some "interesting" stories about Morgan Webb which I probably shouldn't start "rumorizing" about...

    1. Re:I was on TechTV once... by BartulaPrime · · Score: 1

      Oh, please tell me those stories were of a sexual nature.