The Eric André Show and Public Access TV

This week, after it being recommended by a friend, I watched The Eric André Show for the first time. This friend had no idea of my plans to produce a public access cooking show, nor did I have a clue that The Eric André Show was a sketch-riddled comedy program parodying public access talk shows. Though when it comes to this style I prefer the tastes of Tim and Eric, I found The Eric André Show funny. I especially liked how genuinely uncomfortable the guests felt during their interviews, which seems to have been part genuine, part editing magic.

Tonight I visited Pegasys, the public access studio mecca in Fall Creek in which we plan on shooting/editing together Baking and Entering. They have one studio that is as wonderfully archaic (i.e. analog-based) as we had hoped. There are generic set pieces, curtains (one chroma), a big chunky TV monitor, plenty of lights, and a tall ladder to shoot from. We set up two cameras, plugged in a mic, and fooled around in the control room. I had fun adapting to this much-older version of boards I learned to operate two years ago.

I can see why Eric André wanted to use analog cameras and film in the style of public access television; there's something thrilling about being "limited" in that sense. It's also fun to borrow/imitate a style that is frequently jabbed at feeling uncreative or boring. I'm excited to make the most of public access television this semester.

HBOGO

     The ability to re-watch any show on television new or old is a technology of a generation.  Since Netflix started in 1999 they have been the leader in changing the game of how we watch television on our computers.  The technology spread fast and soon enough every television station will have some type of internet access for live viewing or re-programming.  In 2010 HBO launched its internet streaming syndicator, HBOGO.  This allowed HBO to maintain its credibility as a high powered premium channel with great respect for the quality of programming.

     HBO has been reaching out to service providers to make deals so more people have access to HBO as long as they are paying the premium through the service provider.  Once HBO made a deal with Optimum I immediately created an account with HBO GO.  Since then I have been catching up on my favorite HBO shows like Entourage, Boardwalk Empire, The Sopranos and I can't wait till Game of Thrones season 3 comes out.  What is nice about HBO that differs from companies like Netflix and Hulu Plus is that because HBO has its own programming they can put their shows up on their site immediately after they air giving the viewer the ability to access them anytime.  Netflix has recently taking the role of studio with the release of their first original series House of Cards.  I can't wait to view great television shows on my computer at home on my own time.