ReplyToNinja
Kent Nichols, co-creator of Ask a Ninja, wrote a nice blog in response to my Gawker article and I wanted to respond here, in our blog -- mostly because Kent and I are afraid of creating too strong of an emotional bond (something that would happen if we, say, bumped into each other on the street and he was, say, wearing a leotard).
First off -- thanks, Kent. I appreciate the response and, out of curiousity, what are you wearing?
Secondly, I think people are jumping to conclusions about my article. The main idea was that, contrary to what various people have been saying more and more, Internet TV isn't even close to replacing real TV. Is it possible to monetize on the Internet? Of course. Is it possible to create a self-sufficient show whose quality rivals anything on TV? Of course not. Let's be honest, a show about an extremely witty Ninja is going to spread like wildfire on the Internet, while a full-length show about a writer trying to survive his way in a crazy Hollywood -- well, not so much.
I'm not complaining, it's the way the world works, and at the very best, I think the Internet can become the AHL (sorry, I'm a hockey fan) to TV's NHL and I think we'd all be happy if that was the case.
As far as Break a Leg is concerned -- it was never meant to be a web show and through various circumstances, it happened like that anyway. Would I have done things differently if we planned for making it an internet show? Of course. But we didn't and, ironically enough, the fact that we didn't got us the press and the views that we have now.
We, of course, are fully aware that Break a Leg may not make it on TV (though, we'll fight tooth and nail to try and get it there) but we are using it as a calling card and we are taking steps to move forward (mostly by making shows where people wear significantly less clothes.)
Thanks for your response, though, and I'll gladly accept a role in that new movie you're writing. I'll even give you or the Ninja a part in Break a Leg in exchange.
Thanks, Kent!
-Yuri
Break a Leg
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Reader Comments (9)
Dibs on Pirate!
I think what the Ninja is missing is the question about whether someone wants to be making something simply because they can make money doing it? The entire last seasons of Extras (was it all just one season?) was about this question.
He also sounded pretty damn snooty just because he has a successful show about a Ninja. Or something. I really don't know, I've never watched the thing. I hate internet shows, except Break A Leg of course.
It's funny because you (all) put yourselves out there on a weekly basis, but as characters, not necessarily yourselves. I think it must be more difficult to write something (a small fragment of you as a rounded person) and then to have that piece represent you.
To be interpreted. Reinterpreted. Misinterpreted.
All beyond your control and beyond (or regardless of) who you are whenever you are not that slice you managed to write down.
Which, I guess, is why it's so nice to have a blog.
In any event, I agree with Kent that you should have your next idea a-go-go, as I imagine you do, but not to give up on BaL. You are laying the groundwork, here. You need a strong foundation. As a ninja, (is he the ninja? I don't really know what he is talking about) Kent will be able to appreciate that fully. (I know that we all do!)
You know, maybe I'm just too damn old. After reading your post Yuri I went and looked at Ask a Ninja. I just don't get it. Like I didn't get The Guild or Ask Abigail or, god forbid, Punchy (what is that about?) I guess I'm out of the demographics. It seems to me, and yes I may be biased, but BaL at least has a plot, it's going somewhere and there is character development. It's evolving. Maybe most people don't want to have to remember what happened last time maybe that's why Ask a Ninja is so popular. That's as good a reason as I can come up with. And maybe I'm too old...
Views expressed are not reflective of BaL creators or other actors.
Ask A Ninja is funny. It's also a fluke. It struck a chord at the right time. It became popular. One of the first real big breakout internet successes.
But...
Anyone who mistakes luck for genius is really in for some future disappointment.
I don't know why, but that blog really rubbed me the wrong way.
No lie. It rubbed me the wrong way too. I hate when people have a "mightier than thou" tone, and really, it's coming from a guy who makes a show called "Ask A Ninja." Now, don't get me wrong, I love those internet shows, and ninjas are pretty pimp (especially with Uzis), and I admit that it's pretty funny, but the differences are significant between BaL and Ninja. So yes, I can see how his intentions were good, but really, I just feel like he needed to check that blog before posting it.
Glad to see I wasn't the only one annoyed by that blog posting, not by a long shot it seems.
I think a lot of what the Ninja said is true, but it's true right now. Making another 1-minute viral-able web show might get you noticed, but it doesn't push any boundaries and certainly doesn't stretch anyone artistically.
Don't get me wrong, I hate art for art's sake and I truly hate "artists". I believe in commercial viability, but I also believe in integrity. I think swinging to either extreme, commercialism or... or artism (sounds like autism) is a Bad Thing.
Break A Leg to me (not biased at all here) is trying to bridge a gap on the internet, though none of us are really trying to do anything. We're just making a show. But the show itself is an about-face from what people have come to expect from internet content, so I hope that we can continue that in whatever form this show or future shows take.
Phew. Broke my soapbox with that speech there.
I read some of the comments that follow that blog and they talk about your reformatting (or extra-formatting?--referring to your "conversations" and other short pieces) as if you're succumbing to the pressures of the Internet.
I doubt any of them have actually checked this site out...
Oh my god, I got it! We just have to sit them down in front of Loobtube! Certainly they'll realize the error of their ways...