[Dave]

Hey folks,

It's time to make the forum public so fans (or detractors) of the show can talk about it. I figured plenty of people would want to make fun of my Irish accent this week, so this is a good time to let people know it's here. Next week we'll start mentioning the forum on the show so people from all sites where it airs can begin participating.

[SantaBJ]

Cool

Got quite decent numbers on EZTV last time, I think. The internet is harsh though, so if I were you I would prepare for some criticism - and not all of it constructive, I'm afraid =/

Let's hope I'm wrong! Oh, and to the new fans - prove me wrong!

[Canadian Trooper]

Google seems to be a fan, but forever the silent type sadly.

[Dave]

That's okay BJ. We expect plenty of negative comments to go with the positive. Especially since we're doing this on a non-existent budget. Once we have a budget we'll be replacing the InSight Guys (Scott and myself) with more attractive types and hopefully adding special segments on the show for book, comic book and gaming news. There's only so much you can do in a half hour show though.

[SantaBJ]

You don't have to tell me, I already know

Guess it's smart to have that clarified for those fans who come in here though

[Newstar]

Yes, you do very well for virtually no budget!

[Newstar]

I've had a look at the Saint Patty's ep now, number 40. I'm no expert on accents, but it sounds good to me! I have Irish ancestors, but it was a long way back, a soldier sent to Canada in the settling days and given a land grant. Anyway, interesting about the Avatar suit and other stuff. It's not surprising someone wrote a similar story to Avatar (probably) by coincidence, I'm one of the ones who doesn't think it was a very original plot, over-all, though it did have some new twists on the old cowboys taking over Indian territory, warrior turns good after falling for the princess thing.

Thanks for the news!

[Dave]

I do believe you guys are going to like the guest host who steps in for me this weekend. We shot the show today and it was a doozy. That's all I'm saying until you see it.

[Newstar]

Now I'm in suspense! By the time it's Posted I should have the new computer hooked up to internet, so I'll be able to watch it properly!

[Dave]

The new episode is up and available. The ending may be a little too much for young ones, but we'll let the parents decide that. It's funny though! Be sure to go to http://www.syzygynetwork.com/insight/ and check out our guest host for episode 44!

[Newstar]

I love it! I won't give any spoilers, but I love the ending!
The video is really clear and sharp on my new HD screen, the colours great. Really looks nice, and I can keep busy watching either the guest host or the movie trailers. Good info with it too.

[SantaBJ]

Hehehe, well played

I should install Skype again, maybe I can help Scott out with the pronunciation of those Russian names

[Dave]

Nah, it's more fun to just let him slaughter the names. lol!

[Newstar]

Thanks for another great episode! I love the way you gather all the latest and greatest in SF news and discuss the topics. I guess if you give opinions I can too. It's so true about the ash reports, it never occurred to me to wonder about the farms and such! When you get funding for it, you can send reporters to find out that stuff and give us the full story!

Stretch Armstrong wasn't fun? That's good because I kept seeing the commercials as a kid and wanted one quite a lot. It sure looks like those kids are having fun.

The Game of Death plot certainly has been done -- um -- to death.

I was a bit sad to hear about Leonard Nemoy's retirement, but as you say he deserves a good one. It seemed like there was a lot of room for him (Spock I mean really) to show up again in a new movie, since he and his younger self are both alive and busy in that universe.

Going to the moon again could indeed be a good thing. Water is pretty useful.

As to those teen/car monitors though, that's pretty scary. Rather Big Brother, don't you think? Even if the teen didn't know, that's pretty invasive. Actually, maybe it's worse if they don't know, and they'd be pretty angry if they found out, and there would be trust problems ever after. If I were going to have one, I'd arrange with them that I wouldn't use it (check out the data, location etc.) unless they were late or failed to call when arranged. You've got to have trust or you have nothing!

Anyway, very interesting episode! It would be fun to hear what others think about these things.

[Dave]

You're right, it has been done to death. I think it can still be done well though. I've just started reading a book called The Maze Runner and I think it's that kind of thing, but I think I'm going to enjoy it (he says even though he's only 15 pages in). I guess it's all in the specifics of character, setting, story, etc. I think maybe pretty much any subject can be turned into a very enjoyable movie or a terrible movie depending on the decisions that are made surrounding the individual project.

[Mik]

Dave,
I've watched, or tried to watch a few episodes now and I have to say it is a tough show to sit through. I realize this is a negative comment and I am inviting a bashing of sorts but I felt like I should give an honest opinion as I hope the show improves. So my issues are as follows:
1) Pacing. Ack! The opening with the techno music give an expectation of something coming that might be featured on a channel like G4. Then the opening credits end and we have what amounts to a slow paced Siskel and Ebert. I think the pace needs to be quickened. This show has the feel of a live broadcast but I think that is the biggest mistake. Might I suggest some robust editing to make the show flow.
2) Pauses. There are way too many pauses in the show that make you guys look amateurish. It seems like a stop occurs when one of you are trying to think of something or have forgotten a point. Again, aggressive editing after filming might change this.
3) Jokes. There are times when one of you are trying to be humorous and it comes across as either an inside joke or you laughing at something that was said earlier in the day. This isn't working. Might I suggest taking a look at shows with hosts and how the interaction plays out. Unfortunately a lot of these are chick fests but they work.
4) Don't be afraid to argue. I find things much more intriguing when there are disagreements in point of views. On Insight you guys compliment and agree with each other waaaaaay too much. I think the audience would applaud the day you say, "dude, you have no clue what the hell you are talking about, and here is why...".

Please accept what amounts to constructive criticism here. Unfortunately as of now I find the show unbearable and I would like to go back to watching at some point.

[Newstar]

Mik, you don't (usually) get bashed on here for giving an honest opinion. Good or bad, they're appreciated. Personally, I think you have some valid points, and I think you took the time to explain yourself well.

I'd like to see the opening music shortened quite a bit, fewer pauses, more interesting discussion. But it's still a fun show, that gives a quick summary of what's happening.

[Brode1627]

Mik,

I'm just curious if you are referring to the older, longer episodes or the last two new ones. I ask this because depending on which and when the episodes you are referencing the most will have different explanations for my basic response. The show has changed a few times and now is basically totally unscripted (last two since the return) and just basic reviews off the top of our heads coming back from just seeing the latest summer scifi/fantasy blockbuster. This is the new format we are planning on keeping for a little and will be hosting separately a short NASA news show and Dave will have a latest science and technology short show. We were debating about changing the name of this new formatted show for people to understand a little better that it will be more the latest reviews and basic movie and tv news in the world of scifi. Thanks for your response as all opinions help make the show better. As far as the interaction of jokes go, my mind usually goes to the comic side of things and some jokes work and some don't or sometimes when I used to script the jokes they were purposely done to make me look like the fool or funnier one where Dave was the more intelligent, serious straight man. Dave has a slightly different sense of humor than me and sometimes just something that we say a certain way can crack the other up and some of those I'm sure seem like inside jokes. The pausing now is more of a surprise as neither of us know or may have anything else to say. We don't happen to disagree in extremes very often as we are pretty forgiving when it comes to hating movies, but we will tell you if it is worth spending your money at full price. I expect a little more of an argument depending on how Rise of the Apes goes as The Planet of the Apes are one of my favorite series and I am very critical as to how the social commentary of the originals seems to have been lost in the new ones, and how I believe Tim Burton totally destroyed the franchise or definitely missed the message and so much more in his presentation and take on the story. Dave doesn't find that whole message that important and isn't the same huge fan of the whole franchise. He actually rather enjoyed the Tim Burton film and is fine with it, where I can watch it and acknowledge it, but it really urks me. So we'll see our thoughts on that one. Most of the others I see us being pretty agreeable on and I know we'll both thoroughly enjoy Harry Potter. Again thanks for the constructive criticism and as I agree with many things you said, I hope I have at least enlightened you and given you InSight on why some of the things may be the way that they are.

[Mik]

Gents,
Thanks for the replies. I actually signed up and wrote because of the latest episodes. I had been checking out eps when I found the time and then with the new format watched and this was what made me decide it was time to speak up. Like I said I still think, even with the newer format, that the pacing is off, which for me, in my caffeine induced haze of a workday is when I try and get bored of watching. I really think a quick chop edit between subjects would not only help the pace but make the presentation a bit more stunning and little less community cable. And let's be honest Scott, if you told Dave he was a no nothing b#### and laid out why Apes rules you might just end up on a segment of Talk Soup (or Tosh.0). It isn't just the content IMHO it is the presentation. And I agree about the humor side, but I say play up the jokes and give the show some excitement. I'd s### my pants if you hit Dave in the face with a pie when he says he doesn't agree. Now, don't get me wrong, dumb humor for the sake of being dumb is crap but sarcasm....that's the ticket. Think Howard Stern. Love him or hate him, his sarcastic wit is sharp as a knife. Sarcasm + Intelligence would make this show rock (Tosh.0, Talk Soup and Cracked.com I think are all brilliant examples of said wit btw, hell, even Mike & Mike in the morning on ESPN). I can see you guys throwing some of that wit out there if you really wanted to. And seriously, EDIT this show some, pauses be damned! I lose my attention every time you do and shut my Youtube session off.
Just a few more thoughts,
Me

[Newstar]

I do get what you mean Mik with the pacing and excitement level, my kids won't bother with the show and they're into most of the things brought up, all the new SF stuff.

I don't think biting sarcasm is Scott's style though. Wit and humour yes, but it doesn't really come out in the show, he just sort of says, "yeah, I liked it too," most of the time. Some real "Insight" would be nice.