You ever seen the episode of The Simpsons when Homer was sued by a babysitter for sexual harrassment when in fact he was just getting a Gummi candy that was stuck on her backside? Well, when he was being dubbed a pervert by the local yokels, Homer got interviewed by a tabloid magazine trying to tell his side of the story. When the interview aired, the magazine spliced off a lot of information, making Homer sound like a total and utter baffoon (well, even more of a baffoon than he really was). Recently, after reading an interview I made months ago for the first time, I felt an awful lot like Homer Simpson.
For those that don't know, let me explain what I do here at CNX. When I created the site, its purpose was to spread the word about the little known action block known as Toonami. CNX was one of the first Toonami-oriented sites on the planet (I think it was either the third or the fourth one made). Anywho, the fanbase grew and grew while the block had its ups and downs. Many new sites came and went while a lot of older sites shut down never to return. For some odd reason, I stayed around. I never gave up on the block. I guess the folks at Cartoon Network noticed my resilience, and gave my e-mail to the folks at WIRED Magazine. I got interviewed for a special story in September about the Lockdown miniseries, but since I never heard back from the author, Brad King, after the events of September 11, I figured the story was pushed back and wouldn't be published at all.
Months later, I found out that the article was indeed published, and here's the link:
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,46529,00.html.
Now, I'm not one to put down anybody, I figured that any press was good. But, as you'll see in the article, they provided a link to the site, but didn't give the site's name, and basically cut down the interview portion with me into a few soundbytes, kinda making sound like a geeky fanboy who's just obsessed with Toonami. Okay, I am kinda geeky (heck, I run a webpage dedicated to a cable block), but I'm not THAT geeky.
Fortunately for you, the public, I have the questions and answers from the interview unabridged and not cut down (with random points inked like this by yours truly). See, I've learned that you always have to keep a record of everything that you say because, in some cases, it could come back to bite you on the but. Without further adieu, read the official article first, THEN read the unabridged interview:
Me (in italics): You're Brad King, correct?
Wired: yes, who is this?
Jeff Harris. I just read an e-mail sent to me. About the Toonami piece.
oh, yeah... man, I'm playing this game Majestic -- long story, but I thought you were part of the game...
Ah, heh heh (at this point, I almost wondered about the credibility of this report, but I had to see if this was legit) BTW, I'm WAY past 18 (I'm 23) (at the time of the interview, I was 23. I'm 24 now, but that's beyond the point).
I got your website from the Toonami folks... just checking, they didn't know and I didn't want to end up in trouble...
Really? Cool. Nice to be noticed by the network. (typical fanboy response, I know, but it really is nice to be noticed by the network once in a while).
Anyway, doing this piece on the Toonami Lockdown thing coming up, and thought since you ran a site that we might chat...
Alright.
Right, so give me the particulars first, got your name and age -- where do you live, what do you do, and what's the site address...
I live in Portsmouth, VA (just across the river from Norfolk). I'm in my final year of college at Old Dominion University finishing up my bachelor of fine arts degree in Drawing and minor in English. My site's address is . . . (at this point readers, if you don't know that, well, I feel for you)
so, when did the Toonami thing start -- how did that develop?
Toonami started up on March 17, 1997. It was an afternoon block full of great shows like Thundercats, Voltron, and Robotech. Over the years, it basically became more anime-friendly airing shows like Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z, the popular show ReBoot, and new to US shows that probably wouldn't have a chance anywhere else like Gundam Wing, Tenchi Muyo, Outlaw Star, and Big O, among others.
I mean the Toonami thing for you..ha...the website and all that..what got you into it enough to run the site?
(Okay, so I misunderstood the question, sue me!)
Oh! Well, I've been a fan since day one, but I didn't have web access in '97. When I did get into the internet, I began my search for Toonami sites. Needless to say, the well ran dry and you could count the sites on one hand. I knew I wasn't the only fan of the block, so I decided to create a webpage for the Toonami fans by a Toonami fan. In short, I wanted a site that I'd enjoy going to. Been at it since July 10, 1998, and while other sites have come and gone, it's still around. I still love Toonami.
How many people come to the site??
On an average week, about 10,000
nice...
I think so! I'm still surprised by that number myself.
are you planning on playing the Lockdown game...
If time permits. I probably won't play when Lockdown is on-the-air because of late classes, but I'm definitely going to check it out!
what is it about Toonami that's so compelling??
It's just different than anything else on television now. Those behind the scenes of Toonami have made a block that was aimed towards the fans. Afterall, from what I've heard from them, they're fans as well. You got shows normal broadcasters wouldn't take a chance on, plus an environment that treats these shows with great care, you got to love that about Toonami. I guess that's why the fans are always supportive of the block.
"Treats these shows with care" -- what does that mean?
In order, intact, edited without taking away from the story. This is what I mean when I say they treat their shows with care. Kids' WB's "Toonami" lineup is cold and without heart and was basically a Toonami candy covering over the regular KWB lineup, not fooling fans of the Cartoon Network Toonami . . . the REAL Toonami.
Ha!
So, you're familiar with the Kids' WB-branded Toonami lineup I see.
:) and crapily edited kids shows
Very.
Hey, I gotta run to a lunch meeting, but I want to chat a little later -- is that cool?
Sure.
okay, catch you later
later
And that's the last I heard of Mr. King. No response about when the article was published, nor any other feedback. Like I said, I figured that the article wasn't going to be published. Some things seemed more important at the time. I just found out about the article last night, and, well, I was kind of disappointed.
Okay, that's not the right verbage for this situation. I wasn't bitter or frustrated. I was just a little perturbed that the things that I said was basically whittled down to a gushing fanboy quote. I just wish the whole interview could have been conducted a lot better, but I guess any press is good press.
I guess.
