All Pong, all the time.
It sounds like one of those joke commercials from GTA 3, doesn’t it? I mean, it’s not quite “Fernando’s New Beginnigs,” but it’s a close third after PetsOvernight.com.
Well, G4 went on the air yesterday, and we’re broadcasting all Pong, all the time, for 7 days.
It’s what they call a “Launch Stunt.” They program something silly for a week or so, and it gets people talking about the network, and builds audience. I think it also lets them test the signal and stuff, and work out any problems before the “real” programming goes up.
Well, we’ve already gotten lots of press, including this story at Slashdot, from this morning.
Best thing about the comments so far? People saying, “Man, if they did a show where I could watch people play UT, I’d watch that!” Well, that is EXACTLY what my show is! If you look carefully, you can find my post all about it.
This is how much of a nerd I am: I didn’t care about The Wall Street Journal (I’d link, but those bastards want 50 bucks from me), or Reuters… but I got all excited when I saw the channel I work for in a story on Slashdot. Yep, news for Wil, stuff that matters.
A cool thing happened last night: I was going to pick up dinner, because Anne and I realized at about 7:30 that we didn’t have anything in our fridge, and I asked Nolan if he wanted to come with me. He said that he wanted to stay home and play PS2, but when he saw that I’d taken the cool games back to work, he decided to come with me.
On the way there, we were listening to Incubus in my car. I know that he likes to see the CD case for what is in the player, so I passed it back to him, and I told him that there were many things about our relationship that I loved, and many things about him that I loved, but it was very special to me that we can share an interest in music. I mean, he likes all the same bands that I do, especially the super indie stuff. So I go on and on, telling him that, and he says, “Wil, when you gave me the case, and you said there was something you wanted to tell me, I was going to say everything that you said.” Then he says, “I love you, Wil.”
I just thought that was so cool. Parents don’t always have things in common with their kids, as much as they’d like to, and it touches me deeply that I can share something like music with Nolan.
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See Wil, these are the kinds of moments that make everything else seem unimportant. Life is good!
I remember having to convince my mom to let me borrow her cd’s so I could make tapes of them way back when! Music was one of the few things that we could usually agree upon, so I can appreciate what you’re saying.
Glad to hear your week seems to be going a bit better than before…. 😉
Sounds like things are getting better for ya. I always love hearing warm fuzzy Ryan/Nolan stories 🙂
Oh, and my dorm is eagerly awaiting G4… we can’t wait for Arena >:)
Is there anything that’s more of a day-maker than the love of a child?
I’d forgotten how mindlessly fun Pong can be, but I have to admit it stings a little to be beaten 21-8 by a Flash applet.
Awesome about G4 and awesome about Nolan. It’s great that he looks up to you and that you 2 share an interest in many things.
Joe…who’s so glad he gets G4 next week! Woohoo! Unca Willy on the tube where he belongs!
That is sooo sweet. When I was a kid our fam was always timid about sharing and expressing feelings, and it’s only these days that I have lost the inhibition to express my love to my friends and family. And I know, it really creates a special bonding, and I am glad that you are such a cool step dad. Cos kids need to know they are loved. I think you really have a great impact on them boys, Wil. Which is, for 29, a pretty cool thing.
And the music. Love Incubus. And I know how cool it is to share it with the kids. My kids and I both love 3 doors down and when they were 5 we all sang Oasis songs in the car together.
And don’t forget the headbanging. Heh.
I think the Pong marathon is a brilliant idea. One of the precious few that actually make it to that barren schei
Well now. Looks like someone found their smile.
I know I did and a warmed heart to boot.
Thanks for sharing, Wil!
AWWW that is so cool. See life is really good you just have to look at it instead of the negative stuff.
It didn’t even click that the G4 I read about on Slashdot was the same you had been writing about. That’s way too cool. Pong, though. Pong.
What about some old school Commodore 64? That machine still rules for games. If G4 were playing all Jumpman, all the time, now THAT would be sweet!
btw, Re:Nemesis, think positive. Maybe they cut ya for continuity sake, cuz they just got the script for ST XI: the Traveler!
(Hey, we can dream, can’t we?)
The Pong marathon is a great idea to those people who get it. I’ve been in the G4 chatroom and forums trying to explain the whole purpose of “test feeds” and the color bars to people. It’s a stunt but it’s also something to get people talking. Once I explain it that way to them, they laugh and actually get it.
I’ve even tried diffusing the Slashdot crowd, but I keep getting moderated down. Too bad Slashdot thinks that G4 is a horrible idea.
I can’t wait to see your show, Wil. I won’t ever be in it (I don’t play FPS’s) but it will be fun to watch.
awww. 🙂
When is the “Spudnuts MAMEs Satan’s Hollow on his iBook for one solid hour until his wife comes in and tells him to finish up because sitting on the shitter for so long is bad for your colon, and, oh, by the way, JESUS CHRIST… open a window, why doncha” show going to premiere?
Music brings people together, more special if the relationship is shared between father and son.
Sweet, man. As a dad to a 13 year old going on 73, I defintely appreciate your thoughts. In fact, we just went and bought (for PS2) CRAZY TAXI the other day and play it together every night! Though her driving freaks me out 😉
Kids – they’re the real deal.
Be good,
-sam
Wil,
That is so cool about Nolan. It almost brought a tear to my eye hearing about it, but then like you, I’m also a total badass 😉
*wipes away tear from eye*
*swallows hard*
Dammit Wil, your story made me cry. And I’m in such a foul mood because of my job. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face. I needed it.
(SC is feeling even more sarcastic (but was sincere in above) than usual today. Having a hard time biting tongue. Watch out co-workers.)
Seeing Spudnuts on TV would probably cause me to seek professional help. Either that or it would cause kids to have seizures like that cartoon in Japan.
*Oh no Billy is drooling and babbling, did you let him watch Spudnuts again?* o_o
{_}
Oops my little attempt at ascii art did not work, sorry.
It wouldn’t be like a comedy/variety show.
It would just be one hour.
Of me.
On the crapper.
Playing Satan’s Hollow.
Every night at nine.
Five days a week.
Just like in real life.
That’s it.
And don’t ANYONE fucking tell me that a show like that is in poor taste or would fail to garner ratings since I know full well — NO LIE — that 99% of the stuff they shovel onto cable would lose hands down to me playing MAME on my toilet.
I’m not joking.
Damn. You made me cry twice this week.
Damn. You made me cry twice this week.
=D Awesome!
Hi Wil.
Wow that’s cool! Hey, and Incubus are great, lol! After reading this I got to think about the music I’m listening to. I’ve always listened to the same music as my parents’, but I never thought parents’ could be so happy about that, lol. Maybe I should ask them what they feel?
It seems to me like Nolan and you have this special bond. And that’s great :o) I was so happy to read this. Thank you for this homepage, it makes me really happy.
Bye, Helene
i was so touched by your story with nolan. 🙂 and that’s so awesome you listen to incubus! i’m glad last night was much better for you than it was during the day. and pong rules!
Wil,
I bet you wouldn’t trade that moment with Nolan for all the carefree days of riding bikes with your friends or that last day of school feeling. The love of a child is the most precious of gifts. It’s good to know you cherish it so.
Long live Pong! I’m going to go check the cable in my office right now. We’ll be working hard to get G4 (and Arena) out into the homes.
Have a great day!
Hey Unky Wil! Good to hear you’re feeling better!! That’s an awesome moment you had in the car. 🙂
-Sput
Holly said:
>> Damn. You made me cry twice this week.
Yeah.
And I made you post twice too.
Spudnuts = Best Reality Show ever.
Actually.
It doesn’t even really need to be me.
Just the “Some Guy Playing Satan’s Hollow on the Shitter for One Full Hour” show.
There’s a radio station further south that just plays the weirdest things – and it never ever is a real station. No commercials nothing.
I don’t know if it’s pirate or what. Once I listened to someone’s heartbeat for at least 20 minutes. Another time I listened to the price is right. Last time I drove by there – it was Judge Judy.
Hell it’s better than most morning talk shows.
The other day, I was talking to someone on the phone while my 2 year old was hanging around me. I said something that included the word “goalie” to my friend. Immediately, she raised both arms in the air and yelled “score!” Then she ran and pointed excitedly to our hockey Snoopy on the shelf.
I know exactly what you’re saying, Wil. Isn’t it just the most awesome feeling in the world?
In other news, I hope my cable system gets G4. I’ve got Comcast, so you’d think I would, but who knows.
Hey, Wil!
Everytime I read something you’ve posted and get all excited that you’re a sarcastic, ammusing, sonofabitch…you come on here and post something Real. Damn it.
Seriously, way cool conversation with the youngster. Moments like that take one’s breath away and leave a person feeling all sunshineyfresh! You know…you’re a great dad (step- or otherwise)…don’t you forget it, mister.
Take care, man.
Kids do it to you every time, don’t they? I was a wild, club-and-bar-hopping girl on the town. Then I meet a great guy, have a baby and I find myself crying at all the smallest stuff in the world.
The first time I sat down and watched Sesame Street with the sprogette I was in tears!
When I saw her face as we watched the Parade of Stars at Disneyland I was an emotional wreck!
And when I drove her to her playcare and she asked for the radio to be on HER station, Radio Disney (okay, so she’s just 2 1/2), I was–well completely gutted. In her words, “I don’t want The Clash, Mommy. I want MY show.” Hey, I gotta respect the fact she has her own taste.
(Still, I am toying with the idea of playing London Calling while she’s sleeping to have it subliminally implanted in her brain…)
Now you’ve found yer funny and yer happy – Life is good, ain’t it 😉 ?
Wil Wheaton…SuperDad.
I want my G4TV!!
It looks like you realize how lucky you are and I hope Nolan does too. You have a relationship most step-parents/kids dream of. I’m so happy for you. Just remember that conversation when you’re feeling down.
Nolan sounds like an awesome kid. My dad and I have always kind of shared music too; many of my favorite artists, I discovered through him…and I always feel proud when I introduce *him* to something new!
CNN/SI goes belly up on May 15th. Do I dare dream my crappy cable operator/halfway decent phone company/crappy ISP fill the slot with G4?
Wil,
PONG KICKED MY ASS, GODDAMMIT!!!!! It’s not fair, I tell ya!! I always hated that game. Anyway, I am happy that things are coming together for you. I am eagerly awaiting G4! Nolan sounds like a really cool kid. He must take after his Mom. :o) Gotcha!
Peace Unca Willy!
hey; i just want to say that the idea of “the pong channel” is freakin’ cool. and that story about you and your son warms my heart and gives me hope for the future.
I guess it’s not nostalgia if what you’re longing for is something you never had. Missing things, without even knowing firsthand what you’re missing. A sense of loss, only for what has never been, not for what used to be.
You’re lucky to have kids, Wil. I know you know. But you are.
Wow. I never had that kind of relationship with my parents at that age. Sweet.
MAME rocks! And I would watch Spudnuts playing it on the crapper.
Good relationships with kids are GOOD. Keeps them away from drugs and bad crowds, keeps them moving in the right, successful direction. You’re doing a good job, Wil.
My kids listen to the local “all ’80’s” station on the radio in the car with my wife and me, and they sing along with “Roxanne,” “Don’t You Want Me,” and “Sweet Dreams (are made of this)”!
They are 2-1/2 and 5, and both are boys. They often drive me crazy, and they even more often (or at least, more importantly) make me really happy and proud.
Considering the distant, awkward relationship I virtually always had with my parents, and my dad in particular, I’m doing pretty well so far with my sons.
And I’m amazed and very, very impressed with how well things are going with you and Nolan. And Ryan, too, from what you’ve said in here before.
Keep up the great job!
There are moments with your kids that live in your memory forever because they are touching/shocking/embarrassing. My shocking moment came a couple of months ago when I was driving somewhere with my two year old. She was singing softly to herself in her carseat when out of nowhere I hear a sigh, followed by “motherf*cker”, then more humming. Needless to say I just sat there, for the rest of our journey, with my mouth open in shock. I eagerly await the day that you just experienced!
Hey Wil! Great to see you’re doing better!!! I think it’s so cool how you can connect with your step kids like that. I would probably not even talk with my parents like that! Well, can’t wait to hear from you again…
*tess