Copyright © 2012 Tom Merritt .com. All Rights Reserved. Snowblind by Themes by bavotasan.com. Powered by WordPress.
Starting May 14th I’ll be doing a whole lot of different things.
On that day I’ll step down as a full-time employee of CNET. I’ve been there almost 6 years. They were my lifeboat after TechTV sunk and I’ve met and worked with some awesome people there.
But I’m burying the lede. Starting June 1 I’ll be joining Leo Laporte’s TWiT network as a daily host. Stay tuned to TWiT for more details on what I’ll be doing there.
As for CNET, I’m still working out the details of what I can continue to do there. Maybe Top 5, and maybe some regular appearances on BOL.
Overall I’m incredibly excited. This will allow me to keep doing some of the things I love for CNET, while opening the door to a whole lot of creative flexibility and control over my own content.
So what kind of content do you want to see on TWiT? I’ll have some 20 hours or so to fill, so ideas are more than welcomed!
Thanks again to CNET for being pretty cool through this process and a huge thanks to Leo for having the confidence in me to give me this opportunity!
And thanks to all the folks who watch and listen to what I’ve done over the years. Because if you hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t be able to do any of this.
Update: For perfectly understandable reasons, CNET has declined to keep me on part-time to do any shows. But I do have pitches out at a couple other outlets. Plus they’re paying for the drinks on my last day, so I’ll make sure to make them feel it then.
It’s funny how in the Internet era of blogs and podcasts and Twitter and Facebook and everything else, you get to feeling like you know someone when, in fact, you’ve never met and maybe only exchanged a couple of e-mails.
In that context, I’d like to express my congratulations and sincere well wishes on your new venture.
As a long-time BOL listener (from the days before there were episode numbers and the ‘indeterminate length’ was around 10 minutes three times a week), I’ll miss the constant, reliable presence that is Tom Merritt.
At the same time, I looking forward to a new constant, reliable presence that is Tom Merritt on TWiT.
> So what kind of content do you want to see on TWiT? I’ll have
> some 20 hours or so to fill, so ideas are more than welcomed!
19.5 hrs of @Jangothedog & @Sawyerthedog
(BTW, I really thought Molly would be the first to leave CNET.)
Congratulations Tom. You and Le o have always made a good team.
Content, hmmmm. How about “SportsGeek” or sume such a name. An hour a week dedicated to gadgets in sports and/or the geeks that play professional sports or geeky fans. With you location in the Bay Area with all its sports teams and all its tech, you should be able to find material. Add your love of baseball, it should hold your interest.
I’d suggest “TWIB”, but that was taken long ago…
Yay! You’re the best thing that’s ever been on Twit.
Tom,
This is huge. Congratulations!!!
Tom,
Congratulations. I’m a quiet but still a big fan. Sounds like an exciting move.
I’d love to see a podcast that covers how tech is used, can be used with other areas. One week, tech and cooking. Another, tech and running. Another, tech and woodworking. Another tech and movies. The list is endless. Also, it’d be great to review topics as things change so you may come back to a particular topic 4 months later. Another big benefit is to get guests that you don’t see on a lot of tech shows.
What about a good how to series? I know this is done elsewhere (including cnet) but I was thinking more in depth. You could cover some topics from my other suggestion and also old tech favorites. Specifically what I’m thinking is a series that progresses from beginner, to intermediate to advanced with several shows on each level of expertise. Use how to podcast as an example where the first show is for beginners using a simple usb mic and garage band. Talk about the tech and the process including small upgrade options. Where to host etc. In the intermediate, it’s about where the smart money is spending whether that be hosting or equipment or software. Advanced might be a briefer show as those folks really know what they are doing but you might cover challenges (how to make money, reach bigger audience). Topics here seem nearly endless too as you can stay with tech but as I said in the first suggestion, go with tech and non-tech how to’s.
Good luck. I can’t wait to see what you’ve got for us!
— Glenn
Oh no you didn’t!
Congratulations! I look forward to seeing you on the twit network!
Wow I honestly didn’t see this coming. Best of luck! Can’t wait to see what you have in store of us on your new show.
Outstanding! So sad to see you leave BOL, but I understand the need for change. Glad things worked out.
Leo has eluded to a succession plan in the past, and my guess is you’re a part of that. Couldn’t think of a better choice. Congratulations on the forthcoming move!
Does this mean you have to drive to Petaluma every day?
Nice! I listen to both Cnet and TWIT podcasts, so I will be following you no matter what. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with for TWIT!
Best of luck!
Ignacio (from Argentina)
Tom – you will do well WHEREVER you are. I always look forward to hearing you intelligently comment on, debate, and analyse all things tech and so much more. Carry on!
By the way, that double-whammy MOTO rant on BOL the other day was spectacular.
Must admit to being a relatively recent comer to the BOL & CNet party (Came to it via TWiT), but have really enjoyed your output ever since. Will miss your great working chemistry with Molly (at least on a regular basis) but really believe Leo couldn’t have made a better choice for a new recruit.
I continue to look forward to hearing the fruits of you labours
)
Glad to hear you thinking about appearing on BOL still – the rapport between you and Molly is the reason to listen to that show.
Excited to hear what you’re gonna do with the TWiTs.
Do whatever you want on TWiT but leave Molly at CNET! We don’t need her negativity bringing down the TWiT network.
I would recommend a daily show that can give TWiT listeners an idea what TWiT East would be like.
Tom and Twit. Great combo!
Sweet! I have been listening to Current Geek constantly (including a lot of catching up of the daily shows I missed) ever since you started the weekly episodes on TWiT.tv. While I never really got into the CNet shows, I have been very impressed with every TWiT episode you have been a part of, so I think this was a very natural and fabulous move that you and Leo have made!
I agree with Patrick Schommer above that I instantly thought of you when Leo mentioned succession planning, and I am so glad to see things moving in that direction!
Best of luck to you, Tom, and I look forward to hearing your voice much more often on my iPhone!
I for one, welcome our new overlord. All hail timelord Merritt!
Congratulations….looking forward to hearing you on the TWiT network!
Hey Tom,
Glad that you’ll be joining TWiT!
This means more shows and content from King Leo! Man, I think I’ll need more work hours (my podcast listening time) lol.
BOL would be different but they’ll do just fine.
More NSFW Show appearances would be awesome!
I’m really beginning to think Leo is rebuilding Tech TV. Ah-mazing…
Keep up the good work and have fun at TWiT!
ps: the drive would be a killer though…
I wish you the best! I have followed you for many years and will continue to due so on TWIT.
My vote for a new TWiT show has and will be a mobile show, though that may have made more sense five years ago.
Though I’m a latecomer to both BOL and TWiT, I have come to enjoy both a lot. I welcome this, and hope it works out as well as we think it will.
Well I can’t say that I’ll like this in the beginning but I can only say that this will cause me to get more into TWiT because I couldn’t live without your trademark humor and it will be especially difficult just as your merritrant on BOL episode
I just really saddens me that BOL will lose its classic format.
When I was feeling sentimental I would always go back to the really old episodes and hearing you say “I’m Tom Merrit the author of the Real Deal column”.
I am just glad that you may make appearances on BOL and that the Top 5 will remain.
But I can hope that The Real Deal will always remain. The chemistry between you and Rafe is classic and is even more pronounced when Molly joins in. It makes for perfect podcasting. Although I guess you’d call it netcasting now…
Thank you so much for all you’ve done in bringing me into the world of technology that started with the OSX86 video and the wiping your harddrive that were dug up on youtube for my learining pleasure
Congrats! I’m sad for the major changes at BOL but uber excited over the possibilities for you at TWiT. Maybe I’ll bring my next box of Filipino pastries to Petaluma
You nearly wrenched my heart out of my chest, sir.
I read the first sentence, and cried out “No!”.
I then read the next one, and excitedly yelled out “Yes!”
Sorry to see you leave CNET, but will be happy to see you at TWIT.
BOL episode 1207
congrats! nice segue to twit! you’re joining Leo, the king of the internet. long live content!
Congratulations! I’m very happy for you! When will the mugs be available?
Tom whatever you do you can’t leave BOL. Who will be there to keep everyone from getting sidetracked!? Who will be there to make awesome segways!? You are the only host that has been on BOL since the begining. You are irreplaseable. Don’t leave BOL!!!
lightningboy7
Congrats! I am really sad to hear that you are leaving BOL. The Chemistry between Molly and yourself was really great everyday. Hope you will try to be back as often as possible!
Well, I see I won’t need to download every BOL episode in the future anyhow.
How about some “live” interviews of netcasters in World of Warcraft? As in actual video in-game, your toon and theirs, conducting the interview. I don’t think that’s ever been done in a serious vein.
So excited for you man. I will be listening to TWiT nonstop now.
Say it ain’t so! I’ve always figured that BOL was something too good to last–that eventually you would all wind up following greater opportunities as they presented themselves. Every person involved in BOL, from you and Molly, to the guest hosts, to Jason, are too talented to be held in one place for too long.
I’ve never been much of a TWiT fan (for various reasons that are all named “Leo”), but hopefully your common sense, knowledge, and fairness will bring some much-needed balance to that network. I’ll always follow your work, and wish you the best in whatever you choose to pursue. It’s the end of an era.
Warren “War2d2″ Taylor
First, congratulations! I think this is an exciting new chapter in your life. Second, I have to admit that I feel a sense of loss. BOL was one of the first podcasts to which I regularly listened, and you were always the consistent members of the show despite the various changes in the line upbif hosts. So, one of my favorite podcasts will no longer be the same without your presence.
However, I am glad that you will have the opportunity to flex your creative muscles. I’m sure you felt a bit restricted as an employee of CNET (especially after the acquisition), and I look forward to getting to know the real Tom Merritt.
As far as show ideas, do you remember the episode of Star Trek: TNG titled “Lower Decks”? It focused less on the “Stars of the Enterprise” like Picard, Riker, Data, Troi, Worf, etc., and featured the regular rank and file members of the crew. I think a show that features people who are doing cool things in the technology space in the Bay Area would be interesting. They aren’t the Leo Laportes, Kevin Roses, or Robert Scobles of the world, but they comprise the “Lower Decks” of the tech community and may deserve a little shine.
Again, congratulations!
-Anjuan
Great for you Tom. This sounds like a great opportunity. We’ll miss you on CNET, but catch you on Twit. Have fun!
I think a tech show that really gets into the daily dirt like BOL, but much more in depth. I personally don’t like how short the conversations have become. I see others want short, but I love seriously in depth coverage with a wide gamut of knowledgeable people. Really dig deep.
Another couple things I’d like to see a dedicated time for on TWIT are programming, gaming and Linux. (Not gaming on Linux, that’s an oxymoron…no offense)
feel free to e-mail me if you need some help I’ve been working on some podcasting ideas for a while, but with some complications it’s been problematic, and I can’t think of a better set of people to help out. (You, Leo, and the TWIT crew) [psst bring Molly aboard]
We’ll all miss you with Molly and Rafe on BOL. Hopefully, you can get the politics and the 45-minute commercials out of TWiT, and maybe keep them on tech. I stopped listening a while back, but you’re a good reason to try them again. Glad that Current Geek won’t end, too!
Best wishes!
But who will handle the segues on BOL!?
A Tom-less (or mostly Tom-less) BOL makes me very sad, but you were born to podcast, so it definitely seems like the perfect move for you.
Congrats!
Good to see that your moving on and doing your own thing! BOL is going to be a different show without you, but change is good. I have actually been working on putting together a This Week In Mobile type of podcast as I work on the mobile communications industry and am very passionate about it and technology as a whole. There are not a lot of big podcasts that concentrate on just the mobile space so I think it would be an interesting place for you to go. It would be nice to see a big name like you or Leo doing one…and if your looking for a co-host I’m down
.
Congratulations, Tom! You will be a wonderful presence on TWIT!
Suggestions for TWIT content —
sports/baseball with a tech twist
sci fi in books and film (current and classic)
the language of tech
this week in tech news
anything with Scott Johnson
At least now I’ll be able to watch you live on my iPhone.
Well as sad as I will be to see less of you at CNET, a very heart congratulations
Tom!. I look forward to seeing what content comes from your new endeavors!
DAK
Great move Tom! You will be a great addition to TWiT. It will be great to be able to hear you and not have to tolerate Molly. How you have worked with her this long is beyond me.
Congrats on the new opportunity, can’t wait to see what you do on Twit, Will miss you on CNET though
So excited to see you going to TWIT to do the morning show (potentially). As a NY person it will great to be able to wake up and listen to you. I think the stuff you do on BOL has been great, I hope you have lots of regulars call in like on Mike&Mike in the morning on ESPN Radio, maybe have like every Monday so and so try to call in for 15-20-30 mins, etc, every Tuesday, etc. Tech person, comedy person, Baratunde would be great to have on, Veronica, Molly, some of the other TWIT guests … It would be great to talk about tech news while also mixing in some of what is going on in the world. Like someone else mentioned more in-depth on certain things would be good, people being able to write in to ask questions would be good, an occasional tech tip and such that most people might not use. I dunno, I’m sure you guys will do something great, I’m really excited!!
Don’t fret, you have my $50 bucks a month when you say when. Gook luck and a great move in my option.
I am so happy for you, T. It will change BoL, but, then… change is part of the medium. Will be anxious to hear/see what’s next. As I mentioned to you once, you do a wonderful job of taking the extremely complicated, and making it understandable to those of us who aren’t deeply in the tech world, without ‘dumbing it down’. You’re an excellent journalist, no matter the medium. Again, very happy for you! You and Leo… What an unstoppable combination.
Congratulations Tom!
You are a great catch for Leo and TWiT. Just when Molly came back to BOL, they break up the team again. I look forward to seeing what you will do over there.
Congrats again!
We will miss you on BOL. Thank you so much for hundreds of hours of brilliant commentary. I’m looking forward to listen to hundreds more.
Congratulation.
Brave and bold move, Tom. All the best.
You are the podcast ‘man’ so I will have to follow you over to TWIT.
BOL won’t be the same without you but I hope that they forge ahead regardless – they still have a good crew of regulars.
Anyway, good luck with the big change.
Tom,
You are a Geeks Geek. You are a Renaissance man of geekery and I take great pleasure in listening to you on BOL. I’m not sure where that show will go without you since to me you are the anchor. That being said I’m sure you’ll have more freedom to create truly awesome content at TWIT and I will be there as a fan to support you.
Ray