When TNT first launched I was hooked simply because it was a show with live in studio anchors Tom...

[G+_Todd Cooper]

When TNT first launched I was hooked simply because it was a show with live in studio anchors Tom and Becky brought something fresh to the party. When Becky Worley started to skype in instead of being in studio, to me that changed the dynamics of the show it did not work. Next Eileen left Twit that was to me the beginning of the end of the relationship between Tom and TWIT. This is business not personal I am sure it was a painful decision Leo had to make. To be frank I was getting tired of regurgitated Redit news I sincerely believe Mike Elgan can reinvigorate and elevate TNT to the next level

[G+_Ned Jeffery]

Agreed. Shame too because I have great respect for Tom Merritt. He is very intelligent, a thorough journalist, and always looks for the interesting angle in a story. Mike Elgan is very professional, but I feel he is less imaginative then Tom. But still, I think it is for the best.

[G+_walter perrault]

I agree Let's see what Mike Elgan brings to the party 

[G+_David Rice]

I was in the audience one day before the move to the Brick House. I was introduced to Eileen in the office, sat through Security Now and Twig. Then Tom Merritt came in to prepare for TNT. It was obvious to me that he was there for himself and himself alone. He was not part of the team. I knew from that moment that he wasn't Leo's heir apparent. If it was that obvious to me, a one-time visitor, it must have been a foregone conclusion to everyone at Twit.

[G+_Marlon Thompson]

David Rice I think its a bit unfair to come to a conclusion after a one time interaction with Tom to come to the conclusion that he was not a team player. In fact in Tom's whole career I have seen him act very much the team player and a very focused individual. And he has posted videos on how he and the team prepare for Twit, a lot of prep work is done way before the get into the studio, but after they have their team meeting its up to the individuals to do their tasks.

 

His contract was not renewed because Leo has been saying for a while now that he wants to be the CNN of tech, he wants to be reporting the news rather than simply commenting on it. As such he wanted someone in house to do that and that was going to Tom's role. With the move things got complicated. In my mind the quality of TNT didn't suffer and I disagree that the chemistry wasn't there. In fact I find their is often a lack of chemistry (though it has been getting better) when Iyaz and Sarah are both in the brick house hosting a show without Tom.  

[G+_Vance McAlister]

I would have to disagree entirely, I have not noticed any reduction in the quality of the show with Tom out of the studio.  Since I am an audio-only consumer (like the vast majority of the audience) I would not have known anything had changed if they had not mentioned it.  While I think Elgan will do an acceptable job by tech podcast standards, what Tom brought was the skill of a true broadcast professional, rather than the analyst/commentator role that Elgan is used to.  Anchoring a daily news broadcast is a specific skill in itself, and one that Mike has absolutely no experience doing.  This will, without doubt, be a step down in quality, but hopefully it will still be good enough to be worth listening to.

[G+_Peter Phillips]

Even watching episodes of TWiT where Leo is the only physical person on the set doesn't make for a great user experience. It's difficult getting interpersonal dynamics going when guests/host Skype in. Video quality, latency, and guests talking over one another is commonplace. More live bodies please.

[G+_Vance McAlister]

And yet, oddly, TWIG is one of their best shows with great dynamics and interaction.  Two of the hosts Skype in every week.  

[G+_Marlon Thompson]

Vance McAlister you beat me to it I was just going to say the same thing

[G+_William Astarita]

I still don't understand why it had to be all or nothing, Elgin is half the presenter Tom is, I don't know why he couldn't be news director while Tom stayed on.  

[G+_David Rice]

Marlon Thompson I wouldn't ordinarily judge a person based on a 2 minute interaction. In this case, it was absolutely obvious that Merritt was not completely on board at Twit, an impression that has regrettably been reinforced by subsequent events.

[G+_Aldo Merino]

Skype has little bearing on the interpersonal chemistry and dynamics. It's all about the hosts, their experience, and their own relationships with each other and the guests.

 

If that were the case, the network wouldn't work since, even now, most of the hosts and guests Skype in.

[G+_Marlon Thompson]

David Rice when Tom was at CNET he fought hard to maintain the integrity of the show and he and Molly basically perfected the format of the tech news podcast. When he came over to twit he brought that experience there and was instrumental in bringing both Jason and iyaz. He has worked hard and sacrifices much to be at twit and one two minute interaction means nothing. If you had come into my office last week you would think that I hated the world because I was having a bad day. This was a contract negotiation plain and simple and sometimes they go smooth and sometimes people have to part ways. Leo and Tom have been working together for years but this was more than friendship this was business.

[G+_walter perrault]

I agree Guests need to Skype due to demographics. in the very beginning when it was tom and Becky there was no Skype, no guest there was no Reddit page it was two people finding and reporting tech news and to me that was compelling What is the point of a Skype guest on a "news Show" when there are three anchors ?  the show changed for me there was something missing I slowly lost interest in a show I would count the hours in each day and could no wait for the start each day, it was very noticeable when Eileen left TWIT That was the beginning of the end between Tom and Twit. This is just how I feel I am sure most people do not feel the same and have their own opinions.

[G+_Vance McAlister]

walter perrault  We will have to agree to disagree.  I think the best thing about the show, besides Tom as the host, is the fact that they bring in guests via Skype.  If it was just Tom, Sarah and Iyaz, I would have a harder time listening and Becky leaving was actually a good thing, she was annoying.  The show is better today than it was in its first few months.

[G+_walter perrault]

Deal......... enjoyable discussion thanks

[G+_Prem Lee Barbosa]

I've started watching TWiT within the last year. I enjoy it. Speak for yourself...which I think is what you were doing...:P

[G+_walter perrault]

yes i was speaking for myself just voicing my opinion and feelings