It's a weekend for celebration -- for us here at TV WORTH WATCHING, at least -- because it's our website's third anniversary. The site was launched Nov. 5, 2007, a day that is much more memorable for one other TV-related reason. It's the day the television writers went on strike...
"Welcome to the official launch of TV WORTH WATCHING," I wrote then, "a website devoted to the discovery, discussion and dissemination of quality television. The fact that it comes into existence at midnight on November 5 - the very moment the writers in Hollywood threatened to strike - is pure, goofy coincidence. TV, it is the firm position of this website, is better when it's written."
That hasn't changed. (And while the TV writers eventually started writing again, we've never stopped. At least it seems that way.)
What has changed is the look, the reach, the staff, and the size of the audience.
In other words, we've grown, and so have you.
What began in 2007 as a solo venture now includes more than a dozen writers, all dedicated to approaching TV from an intelligent, appreciative perspective. We relaunched a few months ago, and continue to tweak and change. More stuff is coming soon, including at least one new byline, a search function, and other stuff.
Meanwhile, I wanted to stop and say thanks.
Thanks to Eric Gould, who took my ideas for TV WORTH WATCHING and designed and redesigned them into reality, and now does double duty as one of our liveliest writers. Thanks to Chris Spurgeon, who did all the computer work necessary to launch the website, and who continued to toil in that capacity for way too long, until turning over the reins to Rich Baniewicz, who is with us still. Thanks, Rich, as well.
Thanks to Diane Werts, the first other TV critic to come aboard, who since has been promoted to managing editor. She started writing for us in February 2008, and does an absurd amount of writing, editing and layout duties each day. And the killer holiday special sections you'll see any week now -- those are her babies, all the way.
Thanks to all the writers, whose names are on the masthead at the right of the main page. They're featured so prominently because we consider them so important. Thanks to all of you guys (and gals) too, for jumping so eagerly into the sandbox, and bringing your talent and insight with you. I couldn't be prouder.
What I wrote that first day, three years ago, remains true:
"If you care about good television - watching it, collecting it, reading or hearing about it, even discussing it - chances are you'll find something useful, entertaining, maybe even surprising."
And finally, I want to thank YOU. Yeah, you. Because every comment I read, reacting to one of my columns or to anyone else's here, reminds me how lucky we are to have such an involved and intelligent readership. It's our third birthday here at TVWW... but it wouldn't be much of a party if you weren't here.
So tell your friends, and stick around. There are plenty of virtual cupcakes for everyone...