Metadish, Fresh from NYC

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Last night, NBC, in what they referred to as an “unprecedented move,” invited NYC bloggers to their studios for a discussion about blogs.

130 writers from various blogs, clearly motivated by the offer of free food, attended. Representatives from Gothamist, Gawker, Laid-Off Dad, Best Week Ever, The Manhattan Offender and Movable Type were there.

I expected the free food to be a couple of bananas and a container of coffee thrown on a dirty table, so I was pleasantly surprised, like everyone else, that they had actually provided a pretty good meal. There were sandwiches, cheese, fruit and shrimp.

Little did we know, however, that by consuming the shrimp, we had essentially sold our souls to NBC. (Just kidding! We are totally not comparing the station to Satan!) Seriously, it did get old how they felt compelled to mention the damn shrimps six times (I counted) during the “talk,” which ended up sounding more like an infomercial for NBC.

They really could’ve had us, though, if they provided some alcohol, which they explained had nothing to do with them being cheap but was a result of FCC regulations. We were urged by Sree Srinavasan, NBC’s technology reporter, to invite everyone to one of the “beer parties” we are infamous for after the summit. I don’t know anything about a “beer party,” but I was maybe planning on having a “marijuana party” sometime soon.

They further surprised us all by holding the actual discussion in Conan O’Brien’s studio. Although I think it was a nice gesture, it kind of felt like they wanted us to jump up and down like six year olds when they, with satisfied smirks, told us this. They may have even anticipated that we would all gasp with excitement as we observed that the New York City skyline one sees behind Conan was, in fact, just a screen. Maybe it’s just me; I probably just couldn’t get excited because I have never seen the show before.

I have gathered that this fact makes me a lesser human so, clearly, I am the freak in this situation.

At the same time, I probably shouldn’t talk. I did take a picture of myself in front of Max Weinberg’s drum set, even though I have no idea who he is. It’s one of those things you have to do because, at a later date, I am sure someone would exclaim, “You didn’t take a picture in front of Max Weinberg’s drum set!”

As for the discussion, it quickly became evident that NBC orchestrated the evening to convince us bloggers to think of them first when we get forwarded insider info. They have observed their news being scooped by bloggers and, in a fear that television and the station, itself, will soon become obsolete, are attempting to set up some sort of network with us.

I think the general feeling, on the side of the bloggers, was that everyone was really stoked that NBC acknowledged the need to bring bloggers together to discuss the future of blogs, but we felt kind of duped. It seemed like it was one more way in which NBC hopes to control media access.

The best comments came from the bloggers, who were none too pleased with the summit discussion.

The blogger for Best Week Ever asked whether NBC was willing to report on, for example, unproven allegations of pot consumption by a contestant on Top Chef

Without hesitating and completely ignoring the need for journalistic integrity, Erin Monteiro, the stations Interactive Content Specialist, responded that they would.

Another blogger tried to strike up a deal with executives when he said that he would provide them with information as long as they gave him a press pass.

For the most part, the night was pleasant and had a lot of funny moments.

As an added bonus, my friend, Gregory Christie, Associate Editor for NY Arts Magazine and blog, found the cue cards for the Conan O’Brien Show as we left the studio. He, stupidly, didn’t horde them all, so now they aren’t that special because, probably, 20 other bloggers have them now, too.

To read more about the summit, click here.

Share This