WTF Podshow? Is Adam Curry’s pink jumper too tight?

“We believe technology is ready for primetime, and Dvorak is the man for the job,” said Ron Bloom, CEO and Co founder of PodShow. “Typical technology channels are really just listings of programming, featuring boring talking heads or uninformed rants. PodShow TECH will feature personality driven content with a healthy dose of attitude… fair, but not necessarily impartial… accurate but also exciting.”

Personality driven content? Holy crap what a load of bullshit that is.

First of all, the idea that “technology is ready for primetime” isn’t a new one. ZDTV / TechTV / G4-TechTV / G4 thought that and look how well that worked out.

Secondly, to say most tech channels are listings and boring talking heads is bullshit. TWiT has done more for podcasting and technology than anything Curry has ever touched including the most popular shows on Podshow, GeekBrief (which I love) and whatever the hell Adam Curry’s podcast is. None of Leo’s shows are boring or uninformed.

Cali, as much as I love her, sells herself as a cute perky host with a jones for tech. That’s her niche and I think she does it well. She’s quite informed and knowledgeable. Let’s not kid ourselves, though. GeekBrief is as much about style as it is about substance. There’s nothing wrong with that, but the idea that suddenly Podshow is going to move from the flamboyant Curry and the perky Cali to a more “edgy” and “personality-driven” format and that the person who’s going to lead that personality charge is JOHN C. FUCKING DVORAK (who I also love) is ludicrous. You don’t go “old media” to create revolutionary new media. Dvorak is as “old media” as it gets, and despite his knowledge of the industry, he’s not the kind of guy I’d want leading my new media technology venture.

The minute I heard this, I thought that Dvorak was hired for who he knows more than who he is. Adam Curry may have unintentionally said the same exact thing in a quote on the news release:

“In life, technology is no longer in the back row seat; it is now taking center stage… PodShow TECH will reflect that change,” says PodShow President and Co founder Adam Curry. “John is the perfect anchor, combining his legendary insight, on-camera personality and extensive rolodex to help us keep the channel fresh, informative, entertaining and relevant.”

Uh huh… That rolodex is a secondary thing.

Podshow has done right by its content creators, but Curry and Bloom have proven themselves to be a bunch of delusional asses with this release.

I did want to hit on one other thing, though. Personality-driven niche content doesn’t always play well. I brought up the comparison to Food Network in the title of this post. Here’s why.

In February, a notoriously brilliant man named Anthony Bourdain (if you don’t know him, wake the fuck up people) wrote the following…

I actually WATCH Food Network now and again, more often than not drawn in by the progressive horrors on screen. I find myself riveted by its awfulness, like watching a multi-car accident in slow motion. Mesmerized at the ascent of the Ready-Made bobblehead personalities, and the not-so-subtle shunting aside of the Old School chefs, I find myself de-constructing the not-terrible shows, imagining behind the scenes struggles and frustrations, and obsessing unhealthily on the Truly Awful ones. Screaming out loud at Sandra Lee in disbelief as she massacres another dish, then sits grinning, her face stretched into a terrifying rictus of faux cheer for the final triumphant presentation. I mourn for Mario..and Alton…Bobby and yes–even Emeril, nobly holding the fort while the TV empire he helped build crumbles like undercooked Bundt cake into a goo of Cheez Wiz around him.

Imagine Tech shows with cute girls, “edgy” content (think guitar riffs as that’s said) and “big” personalities.

It’s been done, guys, and it never works.

via Podshow.com