DAVID BIANCULLI

Founder / Editor

ERIC GOULD

Associate Editor

LINDA DONOVAN

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Happy Birthday to Us -- TV WORTH WATCHING Is Three Years Old!
November 5, 2010  | By David Bianculli  | 3 comments
 
cupcakes.jpg

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...

 

7 Comments

 

Marlark said:

Congratulations! TVWW, in any and all of its visual formats, has been an oasis for thoughtful, respectful, amusing and insightful views for a medium we love so much.

It's truly been a WSWV (a website worth visiting).

I find it curious that on this anniversary the lead TV-related business story is about the marked decline in cable subscriptions as viewers blithely reject the outrageous cable bills for online Hulu viewing and Netflix streaming. Or perhaps even due to poverty.

What is TV may be the next big question.

And I know this site will help us discover what's worth watching.

I look forward to many more fruitful visits!

Comment posted on November 5, 2010 10:42 PM


Sally W. said:

Happy Birthday to TVWW! Thank you, Diane, and the others for your great work! Oh, and these virtual cupcakes are quite delicious...

Comment posted on November 5, 2010 11:44 PM


Ryan Ditmars said:

Thank you for three great years!! I don't know how many times one of your best bets changed my evening viewing. Or my DVR recording schedule. Recently last week with the TCM tv series. I would have never heard about if it wasn't for TWW. TV worth watching is my home computer's homepage and will continue to be. It's one of my favorite web pages. Keep up the excellent work!!!

[That means SO much. Really. You made my day. -- David B.]

Comment posted on November 6, 2010 11:32 AM


Eileen said:

Congratulations! I've been a passenger on the "tv train" from the very start. Hard to believe three years have gone by.

But, in those three years I've turned to you first & foremost each day for advice, amusement and to read and enjoy all the comments.

As your list of contributors has grown this site has only gotten better. So a sincere thank you to all -- that means you Tom B and the Dianes and Eric and Mark and all the others.

As Ryan noted above, David, were it not for many of your reviews and those of the others, many a great show would have gone unwatched. Hats off for that.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- this is the most intelligent blog on the internet. Best contributors and commenters hands down.

Very, very Happy Anniversary. I look forward to many more.

[Much appreciated. You're one of our prize readers, and your postings are every bit the level of ours. Unless that strikes you as an insult... - David B.]

Comment posted on November 6, 2010 1:26 PM


Christina said:

I get so much more enjoyment from television since I started visiting this site a couple years ago. So many of my favorite shows are ones that I would have never tried at all (Breaking Bad, Friday Night Lights) or that I would have given up on after a few episodes (Parenthood, Boardwalk Empire). Thanks to your recommendations, I enjoy much more quality TV than ever before, yet spend less time watching because you help filter out what isn't worth my time.

You provide a valuable service, and I thank you. Happy Birthday!

[Consider yourself hugged. Thanks from all of us -- and I'm glad we're trusted. (Hey, wanna buy some offshore real estate?) -- David B.]

Comment posted on November 6, 2010 2:08 PM


Phillip R. Crabb said:

Congratulations Dave!

I think it says something when you don't require the masthead of the Daily News to maintain relevance and loyal readership.

Congratulations on this special site as its success is ongoing and easily measured.

Phil
Franklin, NJ

[Thanks, Phil -- And thanks for being such a loyal reader for so long. You guys really are the reason we do this. -- David B.]

Comment posted on November 7, 2010 1:49 AM


Dom Giofre said:

Congrats, David!! Am So pleased with your success. Not surprised. Been with you since Day One (and before, of course). Read TVWW every day, and you guys never disappoint -- the latest being "young Sherlock" and "Dead" -- You're good, very good, in fact, You da best!!

[Hi, Dom! As one of my favorite NBC publicists from the old days, I think you WERE with me from Day One -- MY Day One, when I attended my first TV critics' press tour in 1977. (I'd been a TV critic for two years before I even LEARNED about the tour. So much for intrepid reporting... Anyway, great to hear from you, and very, very grateful for your support, now as well as then. - David B.]

Comment posted on November 7, 2010 11:24 AM
 
 
 
 
 
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3 Comments
 
 
This is a smart blog. I mean it. You have so much knowledge about this issue, and so much passion. You also know how to make people rally behind it, obviously from the responses.
Jul 9, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
I'm grateful that you shared your wise counsel and expertise.
Jun 8, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
Absolutely outstanding information and very well written,thank you very much for this.
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