Petition to Bring Veronica Belmont Back

That doesn't mean she can't come back!

I don't exactly want someone bumped off the show.
Molly does great rants, Tom is an all round excellent debater, Veronica brought a sense of light hearted fun and geek attitude that helped the flow of the show a lot and an antidote to Molly's negativity. It was a perfect balance I think.

You term talking truth to power "negativity"? I want honest analysis from the podcast. That means telling it like it is. It's a tech podcast that deals with the tech news of the day. There's plenty of opportunities for light-hearted bantering now.

I find your characterizations of Molly being a "ranter" and Tom being an "excellent debater" a bit troubling. Those terms define her commentary in a pejorative way, while bucking up his.

Ranting is what she is famous for.

You said "...antidote to Molly's negativity". If she finds fault with a product or a PR position, is she supposed to just gloss over it and not call it out? That's "negativity"? Again, it's your characterizations. You seem to want fluff and frothiness and a "all's well with the tech world" approach. I'm sure there are outlets for that. But if consumers are getting hosed and/or if promises have been made that have gone unfulfilled, I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT.

Otherwise, what's the point?

Let me ask you point-blank: Would you be upset if Molly left and Veronica came back to take her place?

Be honest. All you have in life is your word, so let's hear how you really feel. My perception of your thread is that you really don't like Molly's presentation much (remember, I'm NOT saying you don't like Molly, I'm saying it appears you don't like her way of dealing with topics.)

Plus, it appears that you don't think the podcast is fulfilling now as-is. You seem to think it needs yet another contributor. So, that, in and of itself, is a criticism.

So, what exactly is wrong with the podcast today?

No Molly is a useful part of the show, she does good criticisms and brings up points that the other hosts wouldn't.
It just gets a bit tense sometimes, Veronica was always able to counter that.

I just had to jump in because some ****** left a commment on friday (#676) about how he would rather the gang not go on rants or 3mins tangents but just read the news, which reminds me the joke about the guy being disgusted at nudity in a strip joint.

What makes this show brilliant is EXACTLY because they dont do what the guy wants them to do, which is also what the majority of other shows give.
There are tons of techie shows with vapid, perky, vacuous hosts around doing generic, bland and boring. And just as many fanboi shows which consist of polishing Jobs' knob or worried about offending a sponsor.

With so little courage to call a spade a spade in the industry, how about we let them do what they do best with BOL?
I'm not here for Buzz Out Loud, the show. Im here to hear Tom and Molly's view of things because Im entertained, I laugh, I learn and I enjoy how they do it (which I why I enjoy when they are guests on TWIT,etc).

Nothing really says "I love the show" like telling the hosts not to be themselves because it disturbs you.

As for the topic: get a life, get a girlfriend or a blowup doll. Just move on. I wasnt a huge Raygun fan at the beginning but actually missed him when he was hiking a few weeks ago. He has found his rhythm/place when they are three or even two in studio.
Belmont doesnt do a podcast now, so I've lost touch.
Saying that you want her back is saying you want J. gone. Period. This is a 3 person gig (actually more like 2.5 to be effective). 4 people wouldnt work. And let's remind you again, she left for the sleazebag's cash.


"Aleks"

Right, 4 people wouldn't work. But I suspect the original poster doesn't want 4, he/she seems to want the old 3 configuration, with someone else (Veronica) replacing Jason.

I think Jason is a great producer, but nowhere near being a host. Jason is not a host. I'm not just saying I don't like his "style", I am saying he is not cut for hosting at all. Not everyone is good at doing the talking. That's pretty much a talent that most people don't have. Jason is no host and I'll bet Jason himself is aware of that.

I got back to listening the show this week and I am happy with it as it is, especially because Jason hardly talked at all. I wonder if that was a permanent change. The problem is that Tom or Molly will be absent occasionally and the third person has to talk so it doesn't sound like a monologue. Then I think BOL lacks one leg, because Jason is no host. Just because he is human, has opinions and a tongue and can pronounce words doesn't make him a host. Obviously.

I think the hosting should be left to Tommolly and occasional guests. I think that is the sweet spot, and Jason is fine as a producer. That's what a good team is like: the right individuals in the right places doing what they do best.

I'm not a host. I'm a producer that has the chance to occasionally throw a remark out here and there. Quite frankly, thats my comfort zone in the podcast.

Keep in mind too that my exposure to BOL goes far back beyond the time I became producer. In the beginning, I was simply a huge fan of the show like many of you. And I was EXTREMELY honored to find out that I would be producing the show.

Following in V's footsteps is a difficult thing to do, I'm sure you can understand that. V took a very active roll in the discussion. She has a much easier time meeting Molly and Tom on that level then I sometimes do.

I'll say that there are days that I feel I do a pretty decent job getting in my two cents. Those days don't happen regularly. Could be because I am a critical person of myself... especially when surrounded by talented and knowledgeable individuals like ToMo. I hope to improve this over time... but I never aspire to be an authority of what we are talking about. I just don't have that background. I didn't graduate in Journalism or English. Broadcast was my degree. And to that, I feel like I produce the show better because of it.

For the most part, I really try to limit myself to speaking only when I really have something "valuable" to contribute. When it comes to industry analysis, and trends, I'll be the first person to say I suck at going toe to toe with the other two... but that's why they are so good. I figure by the sheer fact that I'm in the same room with them that perhaps this will improve over time.

But getting to the root of it all: My job is to produce the podcast. That's at the top of my list, and I try my best to satisfy that before anything else. Live streams/Video of the show, process improvement in how we put it together in the morning, etc... all that is totally my base. But following V's role as both producer and host, there is a certain expectation out there in Buzz-land that I contribute in the discussion in the same type of way.

I'm happy to... when I have something to add. That's all.

I appreciate any and all feedback. And I hope that over time, I'll continue to find my "happy place". In the meantime, I'll still try my best to make the BOL experience the best it can be.

Cheers everyone!

The following is my own personal view (wanted to make that clear upfront)
At times it feels like the people of buzz town keep going after Jason because he is not like Veronica Belmont but if he jumped in there are started talking all the time people will be like he is trying to by to much like Veronica. So were do you find that line? I think Jason is doing fine and yes I do miss Veronica at times but not because of Jason but more that Tom/Molly seem out of control. Yes we all listen to the show for the news and the rants but is it just me or since Veronica has left it seems like Tom and Molly at times just go on rants or try to fight with each other for no real reason? At one point I turned down the podcast because them two would not stop fighting back and forth, seemed like it went on for ever. Now back to Jason I think people need to let him do his thing. Jason maybe you could bring those two back in at times because it is getting a little out of hand. Will I stop listing? No but it is not as fun at times.

Then I guess we can wrap this up with the trite inevitable conclusion that it's just not possible to please everyone. I like it when Tom and Molly jab. Almost invariably, both have strong points. Molly is more impetuous, totally unlike Tom, but Tom won't budge either when he thinks he has a point. It would suck if either were a weak contender, but it always ends up pretty much a tie. Good times.

I don't like it when Tom pits against Rafe. The level of respect is not the same, he sort of tramples over Rafe, who also has good ideas but lacks Molly's claws. But that is (usually) another show...

You are right you are not going to please everyone and I do like that both have such strong thoughts and views but when v was there it seemed a little bit more in line or orderly. But I will get use to it.

Jason is doing a really good job at producer, attention to detail, things like putting shownotes in the lyrics of the mp3, the RSS feed on itunes with all cnet podcasts...
And whatever else he's doing behind the scenes that's not so easy for the audience to see.
I'm certainly not trying to imply I want jason to go.
As great as Molly and Tom are at arguing with each though, I think Veronica had the role of comic relief and tension reliever. Very jovial personality. I just miss that a lot.
This petition was meant in a joking way... it's really about how I miss her role in the podcast though.

You are so right that the show is missing some comic relief and tension reliever. That was what I was trying to get at in my other post. At times now the shows ton seems see dark and mad. Great point.

there was the same outrage when veronica started chiming in. same shizz just a different day. geeks fear change, period.

Jason, you are awesome. Personally, I feel like you are more yourself on gadgettes and it is AWESOME. its almost like you are purposely more subdued on bol, and I HOPE its not cuz of garbage like this thread... so do what u want and dont listen to the BS these ppl are whining about.

grr this stuff really pises me off.

keep it real jason!
-karl

Sometimes you just gotta move on.

No more V. She's moved on. There's too much cross-pollination among tech podcasts. Can't these shows just survive without having "fake" journalists on who just like to hang out with tech celebrities.

Half of it is about personality.

I agree. If you miss Veronica (like I do) then watch her show Mahalo Daily. The more cool shows the better, if you ask me.

It's not really what we're used to, something conversational.

Veronica received what was probably a very lucrative (by comparison) offer to host her own daily show, which by all accounts has quickly become very successful. It will take a lot more than four or five signatures on a petition to counter value of Veronica's growing audience to Mahalo.

I think BOL's as good as it's ever been--maybe better when you factor in the cool live streaming stuff (thanks Jason)-- but I understand not everyone may feel that way. But if you have criticisms about the show, why not bring them up to the hosts, who have shown an amazing willingness to listen to feedback, instead of wasting time petitioning for someone who's not coming back?

Seems a bit disrepectful to me.

I know there's not much point, but it's a way to express that I still like Veronica.

I enjoy Mahalo Daily. I didn't really care for it at first. Now I look forward to each episode. Sometimes she exposes me to new things that I didn't know about.