Jordan, Jesse, Game! featuring John Hodgman and Andy Daly

[Monty]

Indeed, do a bit of research and know where you're heading, if not then don't be disappointed with anyone but yourself if you don't enjoy the experience. And then don't make an ass of yourself by calling out the host who brought you on his show to promote your product.

I don't think the Penny Arcade guys had any control over their book tour. From their descriptions of it, it sounds like Random House gave them a schedule each day and shuttled them from place to place. Which makes sense, since in theory Random House should be the experts at book tours.

I don't fault them for not researching each place they were going to do an interview. I think the problem came when someone said "Hey, Penny Arcade is online and funny, so is JJG, this'll be perfect!"

[stevenac]

Jesse's response on the PA board is so great. I love it, but you just know the people that aren't willing to give the show a try are going to tear him apart, just for trying to be a nice guy.

[thegreg]

OK, someone mock-up a Team Jesse logo. Time to take this to the VIRAL INTERNET.

[dan telfer]

I love all these motherfuckers as I am a huge anxiety ridden piece of nerd flesh who loves the video games. I am proud to say I have even slain Gabe and Tycho on the battlefields of Azeroth.

This is gross. Hobokamp, you hit a lot of good points. That they didn't own their insecurities at all is so frustrating. They admit it, in a sense, but instead of acting like anxiety was a contributing factor they just rocket-blasted some poop all over the experience. I have anxiety, and it's based on a lot of random triggers that I am mostly self-aware about. It was a shame that, when facing people they had a lot in common with, they fell into (what I always feel is an obvious trap) looking for what they didn't have in common and getting resentful.

Like, they take them to task for being DIY, and Jesse for being an introvert of sorts. What?? Where is PAX held then, ESPNzone? Who gives a shit if Jesse wears a bow tie? They dress their kids up like Final Fantasy monsters.

[Hobokamp]

The most frustrating part of their attack on JJG so far is their main arguing point seems to be "It's unprofessional to do a radio show out of their house."

This is the world of podcasting. They offer a free show that is supported by their fans. Which seems to sound a lot like how Penny Arcade started out. I'm pretty sure they weren't able to start off their days of webcomic-ing from within the fancy office they have now, and certainly by now they have merchandising and sponsorships and deals with video game companies to profit from.

Attacking someone for doing anything creative or artistic out of their own house when that's how you started it is just moronic. And their continued attacks on Jesse for being an "ironic hipster" are even more so. I can't think of anyone less ironic or hip (in a good way) than him. He's 100% Jesse Thorn and running a classy operation.

[Batman The Horse]

I weren't no graphical design man:

[dukerayburn]

I don't want this to be a feud, I like both of these things and all of these people, but the anxiety points are great points, Hobokamp. Shitting all over Jesse and his format is really harsh when the real issue is a collapsing shitstorm of bad scheduling, traffic, and Random House's PA booking agent not prepping his/her clients for what they were getting into.

It's a shame that this couldn't shake out better. I hope Jesse still releases the episode, and I hope that he weathers the storm of PA's some-dickheads fanbase well.

[Hobokamp]

Penny Arcadetards?

[Batman The Horse]

Also, an obese man nearing middle age creating an alter ego that is 21 forever, thin and apparently has no trouble expressing themselves in public is not at all "manicured artifice."

[dukerayburn]

Penny Arcadetards?

I don't want to imply that they're all jerks, they certainly aren't. This situation has revealed a fair amount of overlap between the two audiences.

Most of both groups of people are super nice, I'm sure. If they're not acting that way today, feel free to call them on their shit.

The Random House publicist really should have prepped Gabe and Tycho, and double-checked the times, all of this stuff. Supposedly, this kind of thing is their job, after all.

[Americas Team]

This reminds of when I use to book shows. Sometimes a comic would ask to be on the show. (Often more than once.) I would give them a spot. They would show up. The audience would not be big enough, or the venue not shiny enough, and they would start shitting on the show.

Poor form PA.

[dan telfer]

I think what bugs me is that I thought this strip was, by all accounts, hilarious. It was a great attempt to create funny art out of the vibe that existed in those awkward hours. But everything about Tycho's post bums me out.

[shredcitizen]

I would like to express my entirely sincere support for JJGO, and Jesse Thorn. I have been listening to his collective work for years and the times we met he came across as a totally stand up guy. Hang it up, PA.

[Hobokamp]

I don't want to imply that they're all jerks, they certainly aren't. This situation has revealed a fair amount of overlap between the two audiences.

Most of both groups of people are super nice, I'm sure. If they're not acting that way today, feel free to call them on their shit.

The Random House publicist really should have prepped Gabe and Tycho, and double-checked the times, all of this stuff. Supposedly, this kind of thing is their job, after all.

I definitely agree, I'm just looking for a term to label their most idiotic and loud attackers.

[Ghost Dad]

You know what? If the PA guys learn a wee bit about professional decorum, and if JJGO picks up a couple dozen* more steady listeners - as undoubtedly will happen - I think this could turn into a serious win win situation.

Release the podcast!

*Hundred, handful... I don't know what kind of numbers we're talking about.

[dukerayburn]

I think what bugs me is that I thought this strip was, by all accounts, hilarious. It was a great attempt to create funny art out of the vibe that existed in those awkward hours. But everything about Tycho's post bums me out.

I agree, the strip is really funny, and I love seeing Jesse in Mike's pens. I don't even think they painted him as a monster, really, that's probably pretty close to how he would have been drawn if they had come away with a positive story. I guess PA are just tied to the atmosphere they've established over the years. They didn't have a good time, but it was the most comic-worthy event of the weekend, so they did it up. And then they embellished things in the news post, as well. It sucks, but it's just kind of what they do.

[Batman The Horse]

The New Sincerity is simply The Old Irony, with better PR.

Being sincere and enthusiastic about your likes is just like being an asshole with better "PR."

Wait, what?

I, too, agree these guys are very funny and creative but ew boy is this a misstep.

edit: and I think I've posted enough about this. Sorry doods.

[pissedpissedofferson]

I'm not on PA's side because they were abnormally crass about this, but I get why they didn't enjoy the experience. JJGo is a frustrating show if that isn't your style of humor.

[YoungAmerican]

A) The publicist is really nice, and was hampered by the fact that my email was down almost all of last week - the kind of down where shit just doesn't get through, not where it bounces back so you know the other party didn't read it. I really don't want people to blame her, it was nice of her to book them on the show.

B) The fans of PA, at least on their forum, have been really, really reasonable. So I don't want them to catch any unwarranted shit.

I don't think we're going to put out the episode, not because it's so awful, but just because we're done with the whole thing.

Lately we've been trying to book guests outside of the LA-comedy-scene continuum, and maybe we're still learning how to judge who will be comfortable with our tone, etc. As pissedoffperson said, it certainly is very specific, (though also generally pretty upbeat and silly).

[Hobokamp]

I think the last few episodes have been great guest-wise.

Keeping the Xeni episode up for the Corolla fans is a great idea because that was a great and fun episode. And Brandon Bird was not only a really entertaining, funny episode (especially Chompers) but it exposed me to his artwork, which I've seen used on forums all over the place but never actually attributed to him. So good work on those bookings.