88SLIDE is a NextGenTV Semi-Finalist
Today we learned that 88SLIDE has been selected as a semi-finliast in the NextGen TV Festival and Competition, part of The National Association of Television Program Executives annual Boot Camp.  If we advance, we'll keep you posted; if not, we won't - and then we'll delete this post. It's 10:14 pm on Friday and I just got back from taping Blaine for Monday's episode. I know who won the stainless steel fondue set! I love the "stainless steel" part of this entire week...I think the fondue maker was random enough, and every reveal had Rachel saying "stainless steel" in front of it. I laughed each of the 2000 times I heard it when editing these episodes. Despite all the hard work, I'm having such a blast with this. I want it to keep goin' and goin...Enough sappiness though... Tomorrow - OUTTAKES & BLOOPERS...Make sure to check'em out...Watch Rachel kiss a tree, and the tree kiss back! (You'll see what I mean...)  And of course, next week - we're giving away a year's subscription to NETFLIX, courtesy of Dealhack.com...plus some special guests through the week... I'm leaving for DC tomorrow, but not to worry - we'll release a new episode EVERY weekday next week, including the 4th! I'll be staying up super-late to record Blaine via phone for TUE & WED episode. Since I don't have a powerful Mac laptop (yet), I'm literally bringing the G5 on the plane...I'm gonna check it, inside the original box - and hope it makes it there safe. I didn't even back it up...I'm craaaaazy!?!...It's gonna suck so bad if this computer gets damaged, but it'll give me something to think about on the plane. Fun!  I can't wait to buy/steal a New York Times and/or LA Times and simply relax on the plane tomorrow. I'm gonna have a bloody mary and read the paper, which I haven't had time to do recently. I'm also developing some spin-off formats, and need some quiet time up in the air to think about it. I'll let you know when I get to DC if the G5 made it safely. Don't you think it'll be ok if it's in its original box? That's what I've been asking everyone this week. My theory is that if they ship it via FedEx or UPS, than it should be ok with this...Who knows. Whatever. Thanks again everyone out there on this "Internet"...this was a great week...We have a lot coming down the pike too, so stay tuned and help us spread the joy and love of 88SLIDE!
Behind the Scenes of "Fun With Fondue" Episode
Some interesting and FASCINATING tidbits about tomorrow's episode that you'll only find on this behind-the-scenes blog...  If you look carefully, you'll notice that.... 1. Those are lobster picks, not fondue skewers 2. That is a lime, which obviously isn't a traditional fruit to dip in chocolate fondue. It was left over from our Baja Fresh lunch. 3. The marshmallow (not pictured, but in the episode) is actually a cotton ball from the top of a vitamin bottle, safety pinned to the lobster pick. Wow.
Quick update...
I've been super busy, but it's all good! I'm about to head over to Blaine's to tape Friday's winner reveal insert, and then come back to finalize the episode. As you probably already know, we'll be giving away a stainless steel fondue set tomorrow. Next week - its the Netflix subscription... Uh, what else...that's really it. We'll have another MAJOR announcement in the next few weeks, but I'll leave it at that for now. Also, we're planning two exciting week's of episodes - and one of those weeks might very well be at a very, very famous place here in Southern California. Oh yeah, we have TWO episodes with special guests from South America coming down the pike...Exciting! Next week is gonna be a lot of fun too...we have our first quasi-celebrity as a guest-host who you may know...No, not Iku or Elvis Poultry....You'll see him or her on our July 4th episode, which will take place in DC! I just wanted to catch y'all up on what we've been working on. I continue to eat, live and breathe 88SLIDE - and want to thank you again for helping us spread the word. Our family is growing every single day, thanks to you. And with that, I say - Thanks Blaine. Noah
Robert Scoble Mention...
A lil' mention on Robert Scoble's blog today...Thanks Scoble! So the cat is out of the bag...I gave him the exclusive... Next week, we'll be giving away a one year's subscription to NetFlix! We're serious when we say this...but make sure to tell a friend!
Tomorrow on 88SLIDE....Inside Blaine's Colon
 Tomorrow, join Rachel explores Blaine's colon as we take a look at the Presidential line of succession. This doesn't make sense now, but it will tomorrow...See you then!
Tomorrow on 88SLIDE...
 Join Rachel and her axe as we celebrate Paul Bunyan Day!
VIEWER SPOTLIGHT: Paul Branham
It's time for another VIEWER SPOTLIGHT, and this time we're featuring Paul Branham from Keller, Texas!  Here's what we found out about Paul, and what he had to say... NAME: Paul Branham AGE: 18 LOCATION: Keller, TX OCCUPATION: Student/ Nuclear Engineering HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT 88SLIDE? YouTube FAVORITE EPISODE: 88SLIDE FM WHAT I LIKE ABOUT 88SLIDE: Everything, but especially Rachel. Duh. WHERE I WATCH 88SLIDE: I put all of them on my ipod for whenever I want to watch them again, but I almost always view the new ones on my MacBook Pro in iTunes. I USUALLY WATCH 8SLIDE WHILE...: With morning coffee or lunch break...before I leave for work or when I get home from work ANYTHING ELSE?: I can think of no better useless trivia source in all my years of using mindless facts. You guys are the bomb-diggity. That's right, I said bomb-diggity. On a cool scale from 1 to 4, that's about an 11. point 3. You should be proud of yourselves. Thanks Paul! We appreciate your 60 seconds, daily - and are happy to have you as part of our family!  If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming VIEWER SPOTLIGHT, drop us an email!
Stainless Steel Fondue Set Giveaway
Make sure to join us this FRIDAY cuz' we'll be giving away a stainless steel fondue set!  Spread the word!
Rachel in Peter Pumpkin The Spectacular Pumpkin
Check out this Rachel's mention in the latest online cartoon episode of Peter Pumpkin The Spectacular Pumpkin... 
This week on 88SLIDE....
Here's what's happening this week on 88SLIDE:  TOMORROW: Join Rachel on the ham radio airwaves as we take a look at the annual FIELD DAY event...Plus, we'll reveal Friday's randomly selected correct entry to win the Nintendo Gameboy Advance! TUESDAY: Join Rachel and her axe as we celebrate Paul Bunyan Day! WEDNESDAY: Special guest-host Craig Syverson joins us from the PodGrunt and VideoGrunt podcast series... THURSDAY: Join Rachel inside Blaine's colon as we explore the Presidential line of succession...Confused? Good! FRIDAY: Rachel makes chocolate fondue, and gives away a stainless steel fondue set! SATURDAY: Join us for all the week's OUTTAKES and BLOOPERS...It'll be HI-LARIOUS!
Tomorrow on 88SLIDE...
 Tomorrow we're honoring the most famous Italian plumber in the world, MARIO! - AND, we'll be giving away a NINTENDO GAME BOY ADVANCE! See you then!
Podcast & Portable Media Expo
 Just signed up for the Podcast & Portable Media Expo coming up in late September. Since this is so close to LA, I'm hoping everyone that's been helping out with 88SLIDE can join us....Louis who helps with art direction and wardrobe, Loren who does backend tech stuff, Eric who punches up some writing... Come see us there, say hi to Rachel and "Thanks Blaine" to Blaine!
Tuesday's Answer Submission Breakdown:
 This is how you answered Tuesday's question... You really know your history, huh? The Direct Communications Link Hotline, or DCL, was devleoped as a result of the October 1962 Cuban missile crisis. In 1979, Jimmy Carter called his pal Leonid Brezhnev to protest the "gross interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan."
VIEWER SPOTLIGHT: Brian Shunamon
 It's time for another VIEWER SPOTLIGHT, and this time we're featuring Brian Shunamon from Evergreen Colorado! Here's what we found out about Brian, and what he had to say... OCCUPATION: Technical Implementer/Interpreter and sometimes semi-retired happy person HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT 88SLIDE?: via YouTube FAVORITE EPISODE: I love everything Seinfeld. Also liked the boat show episode(s). John & Yoko too. WHAT I LIKE ABOUT 88SLIDE: Keeps the brain going - puts me into realms I don't normally think about. It's funny (love the outtakes). And you all seem like you are enjoying it as well. {We are!}WHERE I WATCH 88SLIDE: Web site I USUALLY WATCH 88SLIDE WHILE: Eating breakfast at home ANYTHING ELSE?: It's one really nice slice of my day that I look forward to. Put together a whole bunch of various flavored slices and you get one sweet pie of a day. Thanks for the great fun, enthusiasm, and information! Thanks Brian! We appreciate your 60 seconds, daily - and are happy to have you as part of our family...and, YOU'RE RIGHT - We're having a blast doing this! If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming VIEWER SPOTLIGHT, drop us an email!
PodTrac Viewer Survey
 We've decided to initiate a viewer survey, to hear what YOU have to say about what we're doing. This should prove super helpful as our growing family (That's You!) continues to expand. SO, if you have a few minutes - please take our quick, ANONYMOUS viewer survey. It's sponsored by a third party and doesn't take too long. Thanks gang - let me know if you have any questions. Noah
Tomorrow on 88SLIDE...
 Tomorrow on 88SLIDE, join Rachel in front of the Kremlin as we take a look at the red phone hotline that connected the US to the Soviet Union. Remember - we'll be giving away a Nintendo Game Boy Advance on Friday. See you then!
Nintendo Gameboy Advance Giveaway!
 We're not announcing this until Monday's episode, but as always - you'll get all the scoop on this behind-the-scenes blog... Ready?...This Friday we'll be giving away a Nintendo Game Boy Advance. Spread the word!
Tomorrow on 88SLIDE...Outtakes & Bloopers!
 Join us tomorrow for all of the week's outtakes and bloopers! You'll be overly underwhelmed! You have no idea how much fun it is to edit these episodes...Should I put in the clip of Rachel burping, or Blaine flubbing a line? Is Rachel tripping funnier than Rachel cursing? Decisions, decisions... On another note, if anyone out there would like to be featured in an upcoming VIEWER SPOTLIGHT, drop us an email!
Thursday's Answer Submission Breakdown:
This is how you answered Thursday's question...  Unlike Wednesday, most people got this one right by a huge majority...a few people subimtted "D. MY WILDEST FANTASY," but it was under 1%.
Tomorrow on 88SLIDE...National Juggling Day!
 Join us tomorrow as we celebrate National Juggling Day (which is on Saturday) with juggling special guest Mike King! Plus, we'll be giving away a handheld touchscreen Sudoku game!
Wednesday's Answer Submission Breakdown:
This is how you answered Wednesday's question...  The correct submissions are in the minority here at 27%... It was the GRAND UNION FLAG (aka The Continental Flag), and not the BETSY ROSS FLAG, that was authorized by the Second Continental Congress to become the official US flag from 1776 to 1777. Since I've seen this episode more than 100 times during editing, I can't get the theme song to MAUDE out of my head because it mentions Betsy Ross...(that would have been good question material in hindsight) Isadora was the first bra burner
And you're glad she showed up. (Oh yeah)
And when the country was falling apart
Betsy Ross got it all sewed up. While we're on the subject, click here to watch the intro to the classic sitcom Maude. Alright, I have a confession. The only reason I'm making this post is for anyone that enters BEA ARTHUR VIDEO into GOOGLE will end up here. When she dies (poo poo poo), the traffic is mine.
Tuesday's Answer Submission Breakdown:
This is how you answered yesterday's question...  Most of you were right! Robert Shapiro did NOT represent the gloved one, but HAS repped OJ Simpson, Darryl Strawberry, Jose Canseco, Johnny Carson and Linda Lovelace.
Tomorrow on 88SLIDE...Rachel Salutes the Boy Scouts of America
 Join us tomorrow as we explore the emotional struggle to overturn anti-gay policies of the Boy Scouts of America. Naw, not really - we'll just be out in the field asking another wacky question on 88SLIDE: The Daily One Minute Trivia Challenge! YEAH!
CNet Video Interview at Vloggercon
Silicon Valley Watcher Mention...
Nice mention from the Silicon Valley Watcher in Lucaso's article entitled "Hot New Vidstars Mix with Hipsters and Geeks at Vidblogging Fest" "...we're now seeing some cultural integration, as evident by the crook in every geek's neck when 88SLIDE's. host Rachel walked into the conference hall (look out Amanda!) A new age of diversity is coming to geekland and we'll be seeing more young, new-media superstars popping up on the radar over the next year as well as some old school geeks stepping into celebrity roles."
The Rassak Experience
 There are a few folks in the background that have been whispering in my ear as I navigate this ship... I've mentioned my ol' pal Brian Smith before, and now I wanted to share with you the genius of Barak Kassar. Barak is the President & Creative Director of RASSAK EXPERIENCE, which is much, much more than your traditional marketing and PR firm with some yahoo leading the way wearing horn-rimmed glasses...and I'm not a shill for Barak here (and he doesn't wear glasses). Barak hired me earlier this year to do some work at the Consumer Electronics Show. I'm friends with his brother here in LA. Barak and I hit it off, and it was at CES that I decided to focus all of my attention on 88SLIDE. Since then, Barak has been advising me from time to time on different marketing and PR strategies. Specifically, Barak was instrumental in the development of the 88SLIDE daily email campaign, and there's a quote he said that sort of stuck with me...to paraphrase, he basically said that at the end of the day, with all the new technology, delivery methods, gadgets, RSS whatever, blogs, etc...the consumer's main daily conduit to the Internet is, for now at least - plain 'ol email...so be there. Check out Rassak Experience here, and his blog here. Barak, aka "The Jewish James Carville" as I call him, is a-ok in my book. *PAID FOR BY BARAK KASSAR FOR CONGRESS
Rohit Bhargava mention...
Nice mention this evening from Rohit Bhargava, who I met up at Vloggercon this weekend...his blog is about interactive marketing... "One of the biggest buzz-inducing topics at Vloggercon this weekend was the concept of product placement in online video content and how this ability to incorporate an advertiser's message directly into the story might offer vlogs the greatest chance of winning traditional TV advertisers. There are a few shows, like FrenchMaidTV or 88SLIDE that I think will succeed in the short term with making this happen."
Tomorrow on 88SLIDE...
 Join us tomorrow as we celebrate Flag Day!
Tomorrow on 88SLIDE: Ty Paddington Returns
 Join us tomorrow on 88SLIDE as our in-house entertainment reporter, Ty Paddington, joins us again from Showbiz Newsy News - the first weekly animated news podcast... Plus, we'll announce a special prize that we'll be giving away this Friday...but since you're reading the behind-the-scenes blog, l'll tell ya now...  ...it's a handheld touchscreen Sudoku game! See you then!
VIEWER SPOTLIGHT: Mike Helms
We're starting a feature on the blog here called VIEWER SPOTLIGHT, where we'll feature some of our viewers from around the world. Our first VIEWER SPOTLIGHT is on Mike Helms from Raleigh, North Carolina. Click on MIke's picture to read his homemade sign...  Mike originally found us via Google Video, and has been watching us almost daily since then. "It's well-produced, entertaining, and it fits into my 'busy' schedule perfectly!...My favorite episode is "Banjo & Fiddle Festival!"Thanks Mike...If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming VIEWER SPOTLIGHT, drop us an email!
Rachel with Amanda Congdon from Rocketboom
 Met both Amanda Congdon and Andrew Barron from Rocketboom this weekend at Vloggercon... Amanda and Andrew hosted a panel on Saturday with their various correspondents about how they got to where they are.
George, Amber Mac and Me in San Francisco
 While in San Francisco for Vloggercon, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Amber Mac of G4/TECHTV, COMMANDN, and INSIDE THE NET with LEO LAPORTE. This was for Canada's G4/TECHTV's "TORRENT", a weekly one-hour television Internet-culture show. It was very, very windy by the water there - that piece might even need some subtitles.... I joined Amber Mac , George and Matt (their producer) for a lunch before our lil' interview at this French bistro-ish place near the Marina. They reminded me of our dash through San Francisco the other week for our road trip!
Weekend at Vloggercon, CNET Article
ContestHound.com
If you're just joining our growing family from ContestHound.com, WELCOME! This contest and sweepstakes directory has brought a lot of new members to our community. Thank you!
Friday's Answer Submission Breakdown:
 This is how y'all answered on Friday... 46% A. Clean & Jerk 17% B. Clean & Press 3% C. French Curl 34% D. Snatch
Tomorrow's secret...
 A lil' BEHIND-THE-SLIDE scoop for y'all.... In tomorrow's episode, we're going to announce that on Friday, we'll be giving away a George Foreman Champ Grill. DID YOU HEAR ME? A George Foreman Champ Grill! Contain yourself, tell a friend, and good luck on Friday...
Darla Joins Blaine on Today's 88SLIDE...
 Taped Blaine's insert over at his parent's place this weekend...got out for a lil' swim on Sunday afternoon...AND, Darla the dog joined Blaine during his micro-segment! Darla!
This week on 88SLIDE....
Here's what's happening this week on 88SLIDE:  TOMORROW: Professional yo-yoer Jeremiah Donofrio joins as we celebrate National Yo-Yo Day! WEDNESDAY: We're "shred-ebrating" the indictment of Enron's Kenneth Lay & Jeffrey Skilling... THURSDAY: Join Rachel on the red carpet as we celebrate Joan Rivers' 73rd birthday! Can we talk...trivia? FRIDAY: Rachel plays with crayons! SATURDAY: Join us for all the week's OUTTAKES and BLOOPERS...It'll be HI-LARIOUS!
|
|
