Heeby-jeebies
Last night’s blog-that-never-was froze my blood, I can tell you. Ooh, gave me the absolute heeby-jeebies, it did. It’s one thing to be aware you’re running out of time to post something – quite another to be snug in the belief you HAVE posted something, only to find out (thanks to a couple of politely panicky tweets) that in fact, you haven’t AND THEN YOU BLOODY WELL *ARE* RUNNING OUT OF TIME.
I can see why you might think it was my mistake rather than WordPress’s, because I am quite a divvy man with not much in the way of IT skills, and WordPress is a sophisticated computer program. One of yesterday’s most entertaining comments even addressed this possibility in rhyme. However (the following few sentences are going to be incredibly dull. Feel free to skip ahead; there is more interesting stuff later):
I know for a fact I did write the thing and was assured by my ‘app’ that it had posted. Some people even spotted the title (‘B+’) in my RSS feed or whatever it is that allows certain people to peek at my blog titles before they appear. But when I went on WordPress, rather than ‘publishing’, it had ‘scheduled’ it for publication, and then ‘missed’ its own schedule. The equivalent of putting a letter in the postbox, only to find the postman has taken it out, put it down somewhere, and let it slip his mind. Why does this happen? What does it all mean? Anyone with a working knowledge of WordPress is more than welcome to weigh in. All I can say is that I shan’t be relying on my mobile internet again. But sometimes, with the tour, I’ve got little choice. I am stepping up other security measures and now have three active ‘emergency bloggers’ who can deputise in future, so let us hope there’s no repeat of those jeebies any time soon, but I’d appreciate an answer – however dull – to this ‘missed schedule’ poser.
And now, here is that original post. It was, ironically, pretty boring. But it’s the principle, isn’t it?
Just done the recording. It was pretty much fine. I would give myself a B plus. I read the bits of script quite well and did some good banter but also screwed some things up. Those bits don’t matter of course, they won’t be shown, but still.
I think the show will be decent. Of more interest to sports fans, obviously. But not too alienating to non-fans. There are bits where you try and guess someone’s life story or watch me wear a hat while doing a sack race.
So yes I’m optimistic I think. That’s what we all like, isn’t it. I’m aware that ghastly things might be written about it on forums, or it might get generally ignored. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, there is one thing worse than no one watching your sports panel show, and that’s people watching it and slagging you off and using the phrase ‘poor man’s Colin Murray’. But I will be avoiding criticism where possible. I don’t think it’s cowardice, just self-protection.
Or I guess I could become a national treasure overnight, and that’s problem solved. We shall see.
… to expand on this subject:
We all know I’m quite sensitive to criticism and blah blah blah. When the show goes out on Thursday night, I have the choice of tweeting about it to let people know, or not doing that. Obviously I’d rather people knew about it. But I don’t really want people sending tweets that go ‘why are you hosting this shit show LOL’ which does tend to happen with any television show, regardless of quality. This is a nice inoffensive sports quiz, which is probably going to be good in a first-ever-episode sort of way, but all the same, even a couple of negative tweets would put me in a pretty bad mood. But it seems feeble to not even mention it on Twitter just for the sake of protecting myself.
My options are:
1. Publicise on Twitter;
2. Publicise, but say something like ‘if you don’t like it, I’d rather not hear from you’ (Rebecca Front did this recently with Grandma’s House, which I thought was rather good when I saw it, but which divided opinion a bit)
Or 3., just keep quiet about it, because then the only people likely to tweet me are well-wishers who seek me out as a result of enjoying the show.
This may seem like a ludicrous over-analysis of Twitter etiquette, but I do have quite a lot of followers, so it is an inescapable source of feedback for everything I do on TV (unless I were just to leave Twitter, of course, which I don’t much want to do). And that feedback is rather a double-edged sword. And anyway, I run pretty much every other life decision past you people, so why shouldn’t I get you to help with my social networking?
Let’s hope this posts safely, or tomorrow could be a triple rollover, and soon the blog will be like that Italo Calvino novel where everything’s a book within a book within a book within a book and your head hurts.
Posted by Craig on October 21, 2010
Maaaaark!
Apparently the ‘Missed Schedule’ problem is version specific to WordPress. I found a Plug-In made by some nice person that will hopefully sort it. You’ll need to install it on this blog:
http://blog.5ubliminal.com/posts/missed-schedule-future-posts-scheduled-mias-wordpress-plugin/
Unfortunately you’ll need to register for free with the site too.. but this may be worth it?
Has anyone already tried this?
Posted by Beau Brummel on October 20, 2010
God – that new show is absolute rubbish! What on earth were you thinking?
Haven’t seen it yet, admittedly, but we’re all entitled to our opinion, aren’t we?
Posted by Ingrid on October 20, 2010
Hey. I would say, like (it looks) most other people that you should publish it on twitter. It means more views, which is ultimately a good thing even if not everyone likes it! And i think just ignoring any criticism is a good idea. x
Posted by Depraviato on October 20, 2010
If you’d give the show a 3 out of 5 or higher then publicise. If you wouldn’t then keep schtum. Either way, whatever negative comments you may receive you can always be sure that we of this blog will make it all better for you. Even if your fly was undone for the entirety of the show you can come back here the next day and we’ll be celebrating how it was a subtle yet ingenious protest against the world’s continuing dependence on non-renewable fuels. So there really isn’t anything to worry about!
Posted by Matthew on October 20, 2010
To agree with everyone (on a quick skim through) else:
Publicise on twitter. Telling people not to give negative feedback will not stop many people giving it, and will probably make them ruder when they do.
Ignore negative feedback unless its constructive (which it wont be, this is the internet).
Accept that everything has critics and detractors, even much loved shows are hated by some people, and the worst fate for a tv show is to have no one watch it / talk about it.
It would also seem silly to work hard to get and produce a TV show then not mention it on twitter, which is basically a tool for talking about your life?
Posted by Aislinn on October 20, 2010
Tweet about it.
I only came across We Need Answers by sheer fluke, leaving the television on after Cowards. I very nearly missed out on it entirely and it’s one of my favourite television shows. A tweet informing me of such a show would have been much appreciated.
As for anyone who sends negative @replies, well… they just spent half an hour watching something they didn’t enjoy. More fool them. MuahahahaHAHAAAA!
Ahem.
Posted by Corey on October 20, 2010
Easy……., publicise it. Your fans will want to know when they can watch you.
Posted by Tibbs on October 20, 2010
I definitely think posting about it is worth it for the added publicity, and that it is possibly wise, as others have already suggested, to avoid reading any replies the next day. I still can’t believe how many absolute pricks there are on the internet, but hopefully you can avoid most of them, and still get positive feedback from people on here and on twitter from people who only manage to watch it sometime after it airs.
Posted by h2osarah on October 20, 2010
I say publicise! Don’t you need good viewing figures and stuff (I don’t know how telly works)? Plus, I find most of my new shows nowadays (god, I sound like an old lady) by people tweeting about them. You might want to put a ‘don’t be a dick’ caveat, but I would see that as bait to the more malicious tweeps. If I ever tweet negative stuff about someone or something I won’t @ reply them. It’s common twitter courtesy. But then again, people are dicks.
Posted by Hannah Mae on October 20, 2010
Publicize away. Ultimately, your followers follow you because they like you, think you’re funny and are interested in things you’re involved in, so it’s an excellent advertising tool – especially, as many have pointed out, since lots might not have seen the advert. People will always respond negatively to things and, to an extent, that’s their right (note the “to an extent” – I’m not condoning abuse, but for those who aren’t being amusing or promoting anything, Twitter is essentially just a forum to voice boring opinions that no one cares about) – I think that if you prefix it with any kind of “only say nice things”-type request, it’ll merely invite more rudeness or encourage people to think that you’re too vain to take criticism.
Also, you obviously took on and agreed to do the project because you believed in it, so stand by it! I remember seeing Rebecca Front’s tweet that you mentioned and feeling a bit iffy about it. I can appreciate why she felt the need to sort of warn people (Grandma’s House was quite polarizing, I think) but it did seem a bit as though she was making excuses for it, which I wasn’t sure about. It was as though she was basically saying “I’ve made a programme that probably won’t be that popular – I’m aware of this so please don’t tell me how rubbish it is!”, which seemed rather harsh on the poor writers, who were surely expecting her to back it given that she agreed to be in it! I don’t know , perhaps that’s not how it was meant and that I’m being unfair – maybe she was just fed up of getting lots of negative feedback that she disagreed with. Point is, definitely promote it, unashamedly and without excuses! For every tweet you get about it not being someone’s cup of tea, there’ll be hoards of us who’ll meet anything you work on with enthusiasm.
(I am so incapable of writing short comments! If only the verbose ramblings I submit here could be included in the word count for my stupid unwritten Pynchon essay. Ugh.)
Posted by Kate W on October 20, 2010
Publicise it on Twitter. People who’re going to offer unsolicited criticism will do it anyway, and telling people who like you that the show’s on just might persuade them to watch it. But ignoring your replies for an evening for an evening might be a good plan, just to avoid having to listen to any idiots in attendance – I suggest a blanket “Thanks to everyone who enjoyed the show!” having read nothing.
Posted by Shell on October 20, 2010
I’d also quite like a ‘Frisbee Feature’.
*runs away*
Posted by Shell on October 20, 2010
Plan 4:
(In four complicated steps)
1. Tweet proudly to publicise it to all.
2. Tweet again immediately afterwards to announce that due to an ‘unnamed’ technical fault (your reasonable wish to avoid the wind up merchants’ possible criticisms) any @replies posted that evening will disappear forever unread (i.e. You won’t read any of them)
3. Stick to that and ignore the whole evening’s @replies because you’ll get plenty of feedback on here I expect anyway
4. Return to normal twitter service the following morning but DON’T look back.
I reckon any knobs will forget to @reply the next day with any nonsense but sensible tweeps will make the effort. You might not get any criticism at all but if even one will get you down – just avoid.
I’m looking forward watching you wear a hat whilst doing a sack race and would petition you to make this a regular feature, perhaps with variable conditions – different hats…um…different sacks…add wellies perhaps…
x
Posted by Madeleine on October 20, 2010
Depends if the bit of extra publicity is worth the dent to your confidence that nasty tweets would bring (though I’m still astounded that people actually do that, you would have to have literally nothing else going on in your life) .
Maybe do it and don’t check your @ replies, only read this blog’s comments for feedback, which will probably have you thinking it’s the greatest show in the history of television or sports and what a boost that will be.
Posted by Josh on October 19, 2010
As a sensationally paranoid person, I would say it doesn’t matter what you do. If you say nothing, you’ll be worried that people’s lack of comment means that no one cares, if you ask for no negative feedback you’ll just be worrying about what people would say if they could say anything. Even if you tell everyone and everyone says it’s brilliant you’ll wonder if they’re just saying that.
But then, as I say, sensationally paranoid.
On balance, tell everyone.
Posted by ChrisP on October 19, 2010
Saying ‘please don’t say anything nasty about it’ is pretty much asking for negative criticism.
But do let people know, no doubt you will have a whole load of followers who would love to watch it but wouldn’t know about it unless you said.
And I thought the show went out on Fridays, turns out it’s actually Thursdays now yeah?
Posted by DeborahF on October 19, 2010
Hi again. I really enjoyed the show tonight – yes the seating allocation was weird but it made it memorable for all the funny and bizarre events it created. I think their web booking system was to blame. I bought the “best available ticket” and it put me at the very back of the tiered seating even though there were empty seats up front. You see it’s not just WordPress that is bizarre – technology in general can be bizarre.
Anyway back to the question – I would definitely publicise on Twitter – I’ve only seen the advert once so far so I think the extra publicity won’t go a miss. I’ll be tweeting a reminder as I’ve just found out two of my work contacts on Twitter are fans by tweeting I was going to see you on tour. As others have said before me just don’t dwell on any cruel/negative comments – with my ‘life coaching’ hat on they really aren’t worth expending the mental energy on.
Right – I’m off to get that homework finished
Posted by Anna Lowman on October 19, 2010
It was a really fun show – you were ace and it was a really great line up of guests, properly good mix. Taylor was a revelation. For selfish reasons I hope you don’t publicise… Otherwise as has been noted, you’ll have a lot of allies doing the publicity for you
Posted by Ben on October 19, 2010
I think you should publish it with the additional comment of “I hope you enjoy it but if you don’t, I don’t want to know.”
Posted by Anji on October 19, 2010
Tell the world. Remember some people are only happy when they have something to moan about – that’s their problem not yours. Besides, you have us, we’ll tell you the truth.
You can always block the idiots. I am setting the sky to do it’s thing, as I’m awful for falling asleep early, so to save a 2am panic over having missed it, I can catch up friday! I really don’t know how my TV life survived before sky .
Posted by Sam on October 19, 2010
To save you the hassle you have us. Whilst we don’t all have as many followers as you, together we have a lot, and a wide ranging demographic.
We could all tweet to publicise it for you if you give us somethings we may say, like template tweets, of the specific details or different angles we could use to hook people.
We could tag you or not, that would be our choice, taking the dilemma out of your hands, and there’s no repurcusion on you, unless they read you instructing us to do this. But, optimism!
Posted by Misha on October 19, 2010
In my experience the dicks will seek you out regardless to bombard you with their opinions, like heat seeking missiles.
Might as well publicise it, therefore alerting the nice people, and then perhaps tell the nice people about the dicks and then we can kill them. With pitchforks. And spoons.
We’ve already been publicising it over on the forum, but to date there are no dicks there, so that’s another matter.
Posted by Michael King on October 19, 2010
I think there’s certainly some use in comments from people who didn’t like the show, so long as they have constructive criticism, but Twitter isn’t really the place to say anything more than “I liked/didn’t like it” to be honest. Perhaps you should invite people who want to give any proper feedback – positive or not – to comment on the blog rather than tweet you. Negative feedback when done well – i.e. the person isn’t being a complete dick – can be useful, it’s just a case of responding to any criticisms in the right way also. Obviously you shouldn’t completely pander to public opinion, but if people have any well-thought ideas about how to improve the show you should at least consider them. What you shouldn’t do is get upset about any negative criticisms and let it affect you, and you should rise above any childish “lol ur show is teh suck”-type comments. Every new show has its detractors, and no first episode gets it completely right first time – how many entertainment shows are there that have remained completely unchanged since they debuted?
I don’t think you should say that you don’t want to hear negative comments. It can be perceived as being egotistical and/or somewhat delusional (as if you were trying ti pretend that people weren’t giving negative feedback). By that, I mean no ills towards the extraordinarily talented Mrs. Front, who I enjoyed immensely in both The Thick of It and Grandma’s House, as I’m sure she is neither egotistical or delusional, but I’m just saying. Explicitly stating that you don’t want to hear negative reviews isn’t going to deter the people who are really nasty about what they say – if anything it will spur them on more. Definitely publicise it, and maybe some comic chums will let their followers know too (I see it all the time about people’s live shows and their TV programmes – I think Al Murray publicised your tour the other say if I remember correctly). 22.35 on ITV4 is hardly a prime spot of TV retail, to be frank, so people who aren’t in on the latest news in Watson’s World might need a little reminder.
Anyway, I’ve nattered on for quite long enough now. I look forward to seeing the show! ^_^
Posted by Lydia on October 19, 2010
I think you should publicise, because if you don’t you’ll probably be annoyed with yourself, so the whole avoiding the bad mood thing won’t have worked anyway.
Posted by custard_cream_dreams on October 19, 2010
http://www.bloghighlight.com/wordpress-post-missed-schedule/ has some solutions, I don’t know how effective they’ll be.
Also, I think I’ve done one of my TYSIC challenges (to ride a bike). I rode 14.4km today, to Dutch class. Being the Netherlands, you kinda have to learn…
Maybe you should encourage your network of followers to tweet? Personally I’d bite the bullet and take the rough with the smooth and publicise that motherf-
Posted by Anna on October 19, 2010
Publicise on Twitter, because, unless there’s a massive cock-up in the editing, you’ve made a very funny programme which will appeal to both sports fans and people, like me, who know absolutely bugger all about sport.
I’ll definitely be watching, if only to see how much of Graham Taylor’s stuff about Wayne Rooney gets edited out…
Oh, and thanks for signing my paracetamol box/being lovely/not making me feel like a stalker.
Posted by Rachael on October 19, 2010
I’m all for the ‘publicise but tell people to keep their negative opinions to themselves’ idea. Mainly because I suspect that there is a small chance that people like me might forget and need a reminder.
Grandma’s House is excellant.
Posted by hornseygirl on October 19, 2010
Evening.
My advice echoes other comments. Avoid Option 2; go for it on Option 1 and put yourself in the hands of the Twitterocracy…
Good luck!
Posted by A lot of Rach[a]els on October 19, 2010
Nothing wrong with advertising it on twitter.
I was at the recording last night and really enjoyed it (so did my non-sports fan friends).
And it re-enforced my opinion that Graham Taylor is a legend
Posted by Kate B on October 19, 2010
I agree with pretty much everyone in saying that I think you should publisise it on Twitter. I think option 2 will lead to critisism about you saying that you don’t want critisism… If you get what I mean. And if you don’t get a lot of viewers, which I am sure will not happen, you’ll be kicking yourself later for not spreading the word. Ignore the negative comments, we all love you! I’m excited, I think it’s going to be great.
Posted by Tracey on October 19, 2010
Hi Mark, I’d maybe publicise it because people who like you will tune in. If there are any dissenters just ignore them.As has already been said, a lot of people may not realise it’s on so you’ll get more viewers.Tracey x
Posted by JoC on October 19, 2010
What time and channel? I’m not a huge sports fan, but I’ll certainly give it a go for at least one episode because I like you and actually haven’t seen you do much telly. Part of me wants to scream at you to grow a set of balls and harden the fuck up, but really that’s what we all love about reading this blog. As if we’d all be totally confident and cool with being on TV! I love knowing that these things aren’t easy for everyone. So, perhaps some more practical advice? Tweet about it to get viewers, then get someone you trust (Kit up to this yet?) to filter your Twitter feed for a day so you get some feedback but nothing too nasty. I’m sure after a week or two you’ll be better at putiing any criticism into perspective.
Posted by Someone on October 19, 2010
I just read the 3 comments already up, in reverse order… so it went 1. nice advice 2. nice advice 3. Horrific endorsement of murder!!! Made me laugh though :]
I think you should Let Your People Know via Twitter, even if you then ignore any replies you get for the next 48 hours (though I’m not really sure that’d be healthy either. It’s like shutting all your doors and windows in a social networking sense… which pretty much equates to actual life these days, in another sort of sense) You have to let people know you’ve done a thing if it’s on the telly and you want it to do well and lead to other opportunities. I know; shocker.
Everyone gets criticism, even Jesus… but I’ve heard other people think he’s actually alright.
Posted by Laura on October 19, 2010
You should publicise. I’m sure there are plenty of people who don’t realise it’s on on Thursday (I didn’t until this post), and certainly there will be several of your Twitter followers who will want to bump up the viewing figures so we don’t have another We Need Answers scenario…
I’m with Ivan – I can’t wait!
Posted by Kathryn on October 19, 2010
I think you should publicise on twitter, at least because (not to generalise too much) the kind of people who enjoy reading your tweets are likely to also enjoy actually watching you on television. It’s also good for studenty types like me who have no tv and no exposure to schedules or adverts and so appreciate knowing when there’s something worth watching on the internet.
Social networking etiquette is a nightmare. I’m already worried that some admittedly rather oblique comments which sort of indicate my feelings towards a next door neighbour might possibly get back to him somehow even though he’s not on twitter and create all kinds of awkwardness. I’m anticipating a comment asking for advice about this in the next Can I Help You?
Posted by Ivan (@ivanbrett) on October 19, 2010
I think you should publicise it on twitter without any qualifications. Then, if/when you get some criticism, think of it as part of your TYSIC to rise above it and realise that some people just get off on finding fault in others’ work since it makes them feel better about themselves. The fact is that you’re a part of a showbusiness that doesn’t publish something only when it’s perfect, but when it’s profitable. So nothing’s going to be perfect, there will be criticism (if not on your twitter than on other sites and forums or even just in your head) but you should concentrate on the good reviews. The fact that you’ll be getting good reviews at all could be enough to make it worth publicising on twitter, if you can take those bad ones with a pinch of salt.
Personally, I can’t wait!
Posted by Meg on October 19, 2010
I think you should mention it on Twitter and then track down everyone who criticises it and kill them with a blunt spoon. Although I haven’t actually ever seen a sharp spoon. And you’d probably get arrested and put in prison so maybe that’s not such a great idea.