I’m so sorry that content creators like you feel like you have to apologize / hedge your language around any attempt to charge for your work! I really appreciate you being sensitive to different readers’ ability/desire to pay, but the assumption that high quality content should ever be free is how Google got rich off of others’ hard work and now AI models like ChatGPT are doing the same!!! Let’s normalize paywalling anything of value and maybe find ways to make certain things less expensive to some users if justified — but those instances should be considered a gift, not a right.
I've been reading your stuff since the blogspot days. Whither thou goest, I shall follow.
I hope the platform switch goes well for you. I do think the "platforming hate" charge against Substack was pretty overblown, especially for those who lit out for places like Ghost and WordPress that have even less content moderation, but...whatever.
And if you'd like me to throw a few shekels in the pot, I'd be up for that. I cancelled a bunch of my subscriptions after the election, so there's some cash to spare.
Best of luck to you in your new home. I will send a nice, fruit basket.
Duster is... fine. . Really missed a casting opportunity last episode. Terry O'Quinn played Howard Hughes in The Rocketeer 34 years ago and this show is set 34 years after that.
It's a great sequence but it sometimes feels incongruous with the show, no more than this week when it starts up right as someone is being waterboarded.
I'm not as familiar with Ghost as I am with substack. Is there a way to preview paid tier content, either like a free trial or just the first section of individual pieces? I ask because if I'm being 100% honest, this initial description of the paid tier content seems pretty basic. As indicated in another comment, paying for ghost won't get access to Rolling Stone articles (which totally makes sense!). And poker face is about to end, I don't watch Star Trek, and I have not caught up on the Pitt.
So would just be curious to see what I'm missing out on before committing—though presumably I could cancel after a month. And I realize several elements are TBD as of now.
There will be more details about the paid tier before it launches, and possibly the first one or two examples of it will also be free. But it will likely be a rotation of several different ideas: recaps, video Q&As, looks back at classic shows, etc.
Just curious would your paid tier get Rolling Stone articles? I almost exclusively subscribe to it for your content so was curious if I would be paying for the same thing twice. Thanks for all the great work
Here goes the final time commentating on this version of the newsletter...
That was a fun list of July 4th related episodes. The only other one I'd have added is "Caged Fury" (S5, E2, 10/2/76) from The Bob Newhart Show where all the friends get trapped in a storage room retrieving supplies for the Bicentennial party. (Very similar to what Frasier did 3 decades later.)
Of course, I'd love to see you and Dan permanently reunited on a podcast project but I know there's hurdles. I now have an excuse to use Ghost more often with you and also Keith/Scott moving there.
Regarding the new Ghost newsletter, the features I have missed in recent years have been #AskAlan videos and the #SummerRewind. They are still fun to revisit again as I watch certain older shows/episodes for the first time.
Excited for you on this next chapter and hope it's a tremendous success!
SO HAPPY you're getting off Substack, I wish everyone would. And, hey, you and Emily will be e-neighbors!
I've been reading you since the Blogspot days, kinda bonkers to think this will be the first chance I've had to actually pay you directly for all the great content. Can't wait!
When I was watching the Bear finale I had the closed captions on. During the three way conversation Sydney called one of the other two the “affectionate/conversational” version of the N word on the CC. It wasn’t evident by sound or her lips . I haven’t seen any comments on this. I was watching Direct TV Stream through AppleTV
Have been reading you since the Star Ledger/blogspot days, and completely support your rationale for moving to Ghost. Tough times we live in these days, so thank you for allowing us all a respite with your work!
I’m so sorry that content creators like you feel like you have to apologize / hedge your language around any attempt to charge for your work! I really appreciate you being sensitive to different readers’ ability/desire to pay, but the assumption that high quality content should ever be free is how Google got rich off of others’ hard work and now AI models like ChatGPT are doing the same!!! Let’s normalize paywalling anything of value and maybe find ways to make certain things less expensive to some users if justified — but those instances should be considered a gift, not a right.
I've been reading your stuff since the blogspot days. Whither thou goest, I shall follow.
I hope the platform switch goes well for you. I do think the "platforming hate" charge against Substack was pretty overblown, especially for those who lit out for places like Ghost and WordPress that have even less content moderation, but...whatever.
And if you'd like me to throw a few shekels in the pot, I'd be up for that. I cancelled a bunch of my subscriptions after the election, so there's some cash to spare.
Best of luck to you in your new home. I will send a nice, fruit basket.
Duster is... fine. . Really missed a casting opportunity last episode. Terry O'Quinn played Howard Hughes in The Rocketeer 34 years ago and this show is set 34 years after that.
Loving the show ‘Duster’.. and like you said awhile back.. always have to watch their opening.. love that sequence
It's a great sequence but it sometimes feels incongruous with the show, no more than this week when it starts up right as someone is being waterboarded.
Duster has been the highlight of my summer. Much love for everything about it.
Any chance the paid tier could include a revival of the Firewall and Iceberg podcast?
Dare to dream. But probably not.
In the "Bears" episode of "The Bear", I enjoyed it when Jeremy Allen White, who is playing Bruce Springsteen in an upcoming movie, danced
to a Bruce Springsteen song ("Tougher Than the Rest”, covered by Emmylou Harris).
I'm not as familiar with Ghost as I am with substack. Is there a way to preview paid tier content, either like a free trial or just the first section of individual pieces? I ask because if I'm being 100% honest, this initial description of the paid tier content seems pretty basic. As indicated in another comment, paying for ghost won't get access to Rolling Stone articles (which totally makes sense!). And poker face is about to end, I don't watch Star Trek, and I have not caught up on the Pitt.
So would just be curious to see what I'm missing out on before committing—though presumably I could cancel after a month. And I realize several elements are TBD as of now.
There will be more details about the paid tier before it launches, and possibly the first one or two examples of it will also be free. But it will likely be a rotation of several different ideas: recaps, video Q&As, looks back at classic shows, etc.
Okay got it, thanks for the response! Will stay tuned for more details. Certainly if there's enough value I have no problem paying for good content.
Just curious would your paid tier get Rolling Stone articles? I almost exclusively subscribe to it for your content so was curious if I would be paying for the same thing twice. Thanks for all the great work
No, that’s something unrelated
Is China Beach currently available on streaming? I recall that there might be a work around with substitute songs but don’t remember the details.
No streaming for China Beach. I have the DVD box set, which is incredible, but is not cheap. And less convenient than streaming.
That "solution" has happened with other shows (like recently with Homicide: Lots), but no updates on China Beach.
Here goes the final time commentating on this version of the newsletter...
That was a fun list of July 4th related episodes. The only other one I'd have added is "Caged Fury" (S5, E2, 10/2/76) from The Bob Newhart Show where all the friends get trapped in a storage room retrieving supplies for the Bicentennial party. (Very similar to what Frasier did 3 decades later.)
Of course, I'd love to see you and Dan permanently reunited on a podcast project but I know there's hurdles. I now have an excuse to use Ghost more often with you and also Keith/Scott moving there.
Regarding the new Ghost newsletter, the features I have missed in recent years have been #AskAlan videos and the #SummerRewind. They are still fun to revisit again as I watch certain older shows/episodes for the first time.
Excited for you on this next chapter and hope it's a tremendous success!
Revisiting old shows is very much on my mind for the paid tier.
SO HAPPY you're getting off Substack, I wish everyone would. And, hey, you and Emily will be e-neighbors!
I've been reading you since the Blogspot days, kinda bonkers to think this will be the first chance I've had to actually pay you directly for all the great content. Can't wait!
When I was watching the Bear finale I had the closed captions on. During the three way conversation Sydney called one of the other two the “affectionate/conversational” version of the N word on the CC. It wasn’t evident by sound or her lips . I haven’t seen any comments on this. I was watching Direct TV Stream through AppleTV
Have been reading you since the Star Ledger/blogspot days, and completely support your rationale for moving to Ghost. Tough times we live in these days, so thank you for allowing us all a respite with your work!
What about Julia S's audio readings of the newsletter? I listen to them every week. I'd be willing to pay for it.
Those will be continuing!
Is anyone anywhere talking about the final season of "Squid Game"?
I wrote about it last week! https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/squid-game-season-3-1235368590/