It is not often that I write something to express my thoughts, but occasionally events just promp...

[G+_Graham Whitehouse]

It is not often that I write something to express my thoughts, but occasionally events just prompt me to want to share – and the news that Tom Merritt is leaving Tech News Today and TWiT is one of those moments.

 

I have been listening to TWiT for many years, I even contributed £10 to show my allegiance to TWiT in the early days! I have always been a fan of the show(s) and in my own small way have tried to influence friends and colleagues in their ‘netcast’ needs – England still feels like a small island in world of tech shows, even in 2013!

 

When Tom moved to TWiT to start TNT, I was sceptical at first, as I enjoyed Buzz Out Loud and wasn’t sure TNT would be able to replace it - however the show developed into one of the key shows in my feed. I did get a bit grumpy when the time slot changed, as that meant the news was a little more out of date when I listened the next morning (in the UK), but I learned to live with that.

 

As an audio listener, Tom’s move to LA has been far smoother than I expected, and I think the team have done very well in structuring the show and commentary so that it flows sweetly and people are not shouting over each other.

 

So reading the news of Tom’s departure this morning was a little sad for me – it is not that he is leaving (these things happen), but the blog makes it look like this is not necessarily Tom’s decision, but one taken by the Network (or Leo). If this is actually the case, then I am worried that Leo and the executive team may have lost sight of their roots and focus – Tom is a professional and a shining example of how shows (and news) should be produced and managed – other people at TWiT should take notes!

 

The reasons given for his departure seem vague and smack of ‘spin’, especially when one looks at Mike Elgan as a replacement. I have nothing against Mike, he is great – but an office based news anchor he is not (and probably shouldn’t be).

 

My real worry is that I have been seeing (well, hearing) an apparent decline in quality and professionalism at TWiT across the shows to which I listen (AAA, TWiG, TWiT & TNT), and I’m starting to think that it is the ‘network’ culture creeping in – something Leo has so often rallied against. The shows seem to rely on a few key people to keep them on track and when these people are off, things seem to go awry. When Gina is away TWiG (and to a degree AAA) is a nightmare, when Tom is off TNT lacks style and continuity, and I’m afraid to say that TWiT has become – well, different is a charitable word – a couple of recent shows have been car crashes from a listener’s standpoint.

 

It used to be Leo that kept things together, and most shows are still better when he is about, but there seems to be an increasing tendency for him to interrupt and ‘shout’ about things (and do silly impressions).

 

In summary, although I will obviously still be listening to the shows, and I really hope that the evening news show with Mike Elgan works, I think the nature of Tom’s departure and the way that it has been communicated is a worry. I would like to think this warrants a little further explanation and clarification – which I hope will come soon.

 

Tom, you have been a star and a professional, good luck in whatever you do next.

 

Leo, I hope you (and your team) are making the right decision for the right people – I guess time will tell.?

[G+_Chris Peden (Peedy)]

Wow you said pretty much everything I was thinking spot on. Recent episodes of twit have become comedy hour which is funny to all but the listener.

[G+_Alvaro Marenco]

You practically said what I was thinking. Good good.

[G+_paul nolan]

I agree .twit is getting less interesting so I have started listening to other podcasts more and more

[G+_Mark Picarro]

I agree with you 100%. The guality and professionalism has declined at a rapid rate.

[G+_George Lindner]

I am equally worried, but I understand what Leo is looking for. He not only wants a news anchor with Tom's skillset, but also a News Director which can work closely with the crew. It appears Tom's remote state didn't provide the levels of assistance that Leo needs to grow his business. It may be all a "spin" for something deeper, but I believe Leo is legitimately working to build a quality network and trying to keep the "fun" it has had. I enjoy what he has done and will continue to do my listening.

[G+_Don Robinson]

I have been watching many of the shows over many years .Leo is either playing to a falling off of Avertising or his CFO has too much to say about the shows. Leo be care ful of the Shows that you change. I have noticed a downward spiral for the past year. Take a second look. You are the Boss...

[G+_Michael Conrad]

I'm not a fan of Elgan. I find his "insights" to be on the side of absurd, ie. his article stating that Apple's future is in satellite phones. His editorials read like something from The Onion, except he's serious.

 

Tom Merritt is obviously a professional broadcaster. Elgan is not. This is a major downgrade for TNT and the TWIT network in general. Tom brought a certain gravitas to the network and his absence will be noticed. That said, I'm sure Tom will go off to do great things. He's awesome. To be honest, I have been wondering how long it would be before he would move on from TWIT.

 

I love TWIT, and I want to see it continue to grow.

 

Tom should start working with The Young Turks. :)

[G+_Dave Trautman]

It's a delicate balance to strike between light-hearted banter and serious discussion of technology. As you've pointed out, sometimes it is a train wreck of silliness and pointless jokes.

 

I've noticed the changes in TWiT shows for the past year as well. I've written around Google+ about it for a while. I'm prepared to give Leo Laporte the benefit of the doubt as I see him getting tired and needing to step back from the front lines. This year has also been somewhat overwhelming in the technology news arena. Lots happened in the past year which may have required a more steady hand to handle than TWiT currently had. Tom being in another city was not a technological problem but if coordinating coverage and being there for lengthy strategy sessions was needed, he could not respond quickly. Being a newer Dad is also a factor to consider.

 

This re-structuring of the schedule for the new year may produce some positive results.

 

I'm hoping the acquisition of Mike Elgan is more than just a new host for the TNT podcast. I'm hoping the whole network starts to handle the "hard news" a little more seriously and present it in a compelling way (which will make me want to return for more).

 

Someone above said the Security Now program is quite bad and I would agree. I've tried many times to get through an episode and I find it very hard to have things read to me (by someone with a non-professional voice) in a relentlessly alarmist tone. I too believe Leo could do a better job of directing Steve to stick to the substance and not the details too much. I was most interested in Steve's development of a new way of authenticating on the web. But it took forever for him to explain it.

 

I think a podcast is best when it is a distillation of events and facts into something which connects to our daily lives. As with the popularity of WIRED magazine for the first 5 years, we are desperate to try and understand what is happening around us with technologies and mobility and surveillance. TWiT can do a great service – and become a global brand – by taking the view that people need to comprehend the implications of change so as to not be overwhelmed by them. I also think TWiT (among others) is a chronicle of tech events which will be needed as a historical record of how things came about.

 

I do think Leo is aware things should be fun to watch or listen to. But his perspective seems to have shifted and being silly seems to have taken over. Maybe it makes it more fun for him. I know he is slightly more on-point when he's going the Tech Guy radio show on the weekends. But when he's hosting his guests around the table he tends to try and entertain them as well as himiself.

 

I think it was good you put your thoughts out there for comment. They were very good points – and necessary to be made.

[G+_Simon Bodger]

TWiT really seems set on pursuing a video (preferably live) audience (I'm not sure why, are the ad rates better?).  Unfortunately for myself, and I'm sure many others, the reason I listen is because I can do so in the car or while doing chores etc., I don't have the time to watch a video a stream.

 

For more info on Leo's position on this, you can read a chatroom transcript at http://pastebin.com/ckGCZce5 .

[G+_Paul Gibson]

Very well put.  I have commented in several places, but your post sum's it up very well.  The more I think about it the more I get turned-off about it. I have been listening to Twit for years (plus coffee mugs and bricks)...maybe it is time to look elsewhere.  This move seems personal and I think you nailed it.  It's the way it went down.  Really tarnished my view of the TWiT network.  Never in a million years thought I could feel that way.  Strange.

[G+_Ron K Jeffries]

The banter aspect of many of the shows is out of control. A little small talk goes a LONG way. What is apparent is how little prep Leo does for many of his shows. He is not up to speed, and permits a huge amount of topic drift.

 

I am deeply interested in the implications of the (shocking, to me) NSA revelations. But when a This Week in Google drifts into a LONG discussion of that topic, well, it is not why I subscribed to Windows Weekly. There's a TON of fascinating Google related content/analysis. Please go there. ;)