Former Vice President Al Gore announces new TV network

KESQ ^ | 4/4/05

[Crackingham]

Former Vice President Al Gore is in San Francisco to announce the creation of a new television network, called IN-d-T-V.

IN-d-T-V is an independent media company led by Gore and entrepreneur Joel Hyatt.

It's a new network aimed at young liberal viewers.

The announcement will be made at the annual convention of the National Cable Television Association.

[TNCMAXQ]

Too late for an April Fool style news story. That was last Friday.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"Taking its cues from their media consumption habits, Current will offer short-form programming in the TV equivalent of an iPod shuffle. Its "pods" will be 15-second to five-minute segments that range from the hottest trends in technology, fashion, television, music and videogames, to pressing issues such as the environment, relationships, spirituality, finance, politics and parenting, subjects that young adults can rarely find on television"

Thanks for linking to the press release.

[Sigh.]

Where to start.

First, I can think of no Chairman of the Board less qualified to head a network than Al Gore.

Nor can I think of a Chairman of the Board less qualified to lead an endeavor with ambitions of being "smart," "fun," "fearless" or "independent" than Al Gore.

Nor can I think of a social trend more chilling than a generation incapable of being entertained in more than "15-second-to-five-minute segments".

But my expectation, frankly, is that this will flop. There's no doubt in my mind that the elevator pitch for this venture was "Get this: Sesame Street for twentysomethings. Teevee like an Ipod. How ssswingin' is that?" My bet: the condescension inherent in its premise will be a huge turnoff, as will be the whole notion of the bloated, pasty has-been that is Al Gore getting' jiggy with the youngsters.

[rightinthemiddle]

"It's a new network aimed at young liberal viewers."

No, it's a new network aiming to make young viewers liberals.

[PJ-Comix]

Tabitha Soren as Anchorperson? BTW, what happened to Tabitha? She was once hailed as the "voice of the new generation" and has pretty much fallen off the map. I am still laughing about her documentary about the porno industry. Tabitha was yakking away about the exploitation of that industry while all the while exploiting that industry. She even interviewed one porno actress just moments after the "money shot." The documentary was so ridiculous (but unintentionally hilarious) that MTV pulled the plug on the planned rebroadcasts of it.

[BurbankKarl]

is this on Voom?

[BurbankKarl]

She did some nude B - Movies.

No wait, that was Kari Wuhrer

[Shisan]

The name Joel Hyatt sounded familiar. He is (?was) Howie Metzenbaum's son-in=law. Limousine left.

[Witch-king of Angmar]

Hmmm, I didn't have this in mind when I said once it would be great to have Looney Tunes channel.

[rod1]

Somebody better give Al the real demomgraphic data. Young liberal viewers. Most of his anticipated viewers----well they---were aborted.

At least the investors in this loser will have an excuse after they lose their shirts. Oh please I hope Teddy Kennedy is not among those losing his shirt on this. That image of a shirtless "Swimmer" would haunt me for a week.

[6SJ7]

IN-d-T-V, a network created by Al Gore. Is that the same as the 'Yule Log' channel where they show a log burning in a fireplace 24 hours a day?

[BlueNgold]

How can anything connected to AlGore be called independent in good conscience?

[rod1]

"entrepreneur Joel Hyatt".

Is that a local usage phrase in San Franciso for "Ambulance Chaser"?

[IamConservative]

"It's a new network aimed at young liberal viewers."

So, kind of like every channel but Fox News? Sounds unique and refreshing!

[AaronInCarolina]

If I read the description correctly, they are trying to allow their audience, presumably internet-connected, to define the programming through some sort of internet interaction. If that is that case, I believe it will fail miserably. You know the saying... "Too many cooks spoil the broth!" I believe that programming by consensus will produce programming that almost no one will really want to watch.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Algore invented TV?

[George Smiley]

If Joel Hyatt is an entrepreneur, then John Edwards is Andrew Carnegie.

[rwfromkansas]

Teens are the ones who spend money like nuts.

College students are poor and have to borrow movies from eachother. I know...lol.

[GOP_1900AD]

I see, indymedia for the lefty factions of vidiots. Bwahahahah!

[Proud_texan]

All that plus the picture of him looking down the barrel of his gun while he was in Nam.

Sometimes I try and imagine what might have happened had he won. It's so scary that I can't even go very far with it.

[colorado tanker]

He'll finally get his chance to tell everyone all about Dingell-Norwood.