Comments for SouthlandTvFans.com

Comment on Chat Room Ending by Bob

Bob — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:20:24 +0000

Lacey,

First, thank you for myself and Chris. He is improving, but stroke recovery is a long & difficult road.

FWIW, the “personal celebrity connections” came because of this website. I

I understand what you are saying, I really do.

However, I read the transcripts – all of them – from beginning to end. The ones I referenced regarding “gossip” you didn’t even show up for. Most of those only 2 people were there for, with the exception of maybe 1 or 2 people that popped in for a minute or 2. The rest of the time Southland was discussed perhaps 1/10th or less of the time and the rest of the time was spent on personal discussions that was more appropriate for personal IM chat than a public chat room meant for Southland discussion.

I should also point out, yes somewhat bitterly, that at least one of the persons who was involved in those chat is now clearly involved in another blog that is blatantly stealing content from this blog and making false claims to be the “only source for all news about Southland Online” – which was so obviously setup because we wouldn’t give certain people carte blanche to do whatever they wanted to here.

No, 100% discussion of SL is not absolutely required in our chats. We often strayed off-topic in our group weekly chats and nobody minded, but the PRIMARY topic was always SL.

As for this being “my” website, I have tried VERY hard to make it “OUR” website. I have always encouraged others to participate – practically begged people to do so. I added tools to make that as easy as possible. Every post and article has the ability to comment. We have asked for guest commentators. Team members have contributed to the features, like the Location Filming Map. Yes, as the owner, primary funding source & Editor I have final say on what goes on here, but that’s true about any website. I believe the site needs a level of integrity.

Lastly, I don’t think saving myself and our meager contribution fund money by cutting out chat during the off season and explaining why to the users is treating the fans as children. I believe being honest with the fans and explaining my actions is treating them as adults.

Frankly, what it comes down to is that for all the people who claim to be fans of the show, it’s not translating into support for this website although those same people are more than willing to benefit from the services we offer. Whether that is just a sign of the times (people like Facebook better than websites?) or what, I do not know. What I do know is that more is expected and the financial support is just plain not there.

If you want to continue this discussion, I’m more than happy to do so – via email or IM. This is not the place to do it.

Comment on Chat Room Ending by coopman

coopman — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 02:39:40 +0000

Hi, Bob,
I was disappointed to read the August 20th post on your homepage. I would like to start off by saying that I read about Chris’s scary medical situation on both Twitter and FB, and I hope that he is doing much better and you both are taking care of yourselves.
I would also like to take the opportunity to say thank you again for all the effort and hard work that you put into running SouthLAnd Tv Fans; you brought a new group of people together through dedication to a great TV show, all because you had the talent and loved the show, too. And those things you did for no other reason than to unite people. (And maybe the personal connections to TV celebrities didn’t hurt either.) That is commendable and it says alot about you.
While I understand that running websites can be difficult, especially ones that don’t offer any type of compensation, I had no idea you were going in the hole (and that tells you exactly how many websites I know how to run.. . You do this for a living and it makes no sense for it to be costing you money instead of making it for you. That, I do understand. I am a Senior in Nursing school, am in the middle of the second year with no job after working for over 20 years, and money is tight, to say the least.
Having said that, I was shocked to see the rant as soon as I visited the site. While your points are valid, factual even, I disagree with the use of the word “gossip” (Meh. Could just be semantics, though.) All of the 3 or 4 or 5 of us that showed up pretty faithfully every Tuesday night remembered that we had “friends” that we could chat with. A little time away from our day where we could hang out, most probably talk a little SL and get to know each other. “Personal discussions”? Absolutely. The show is on hiatus and much speculation took place, lots of police scenarios were thrown out, (if only to show the rest of us why we aren’t cops). Stories, hardships, high points; you know, the stuff you “chat” with folks about. This was the ONLY chat site I visited all because of SL and your amazing talent in putting it all together. From Kentucky, to Vegas, to Mississippi, to Northern California and one who recently moved across the country to LA to go to the Police Academy. We were brought together by you, Bob. But you know all this from the transcripts, right?
I was slow in writing this because I thought, “It IS Bob’s website, his rules, his creativity, his hard work (which takes away from his paid work), his opinions. It’s HIS.”
Then I got to the last two paragraphs and my jaw dropped open, literally. After I recuperated from reading them, the very first thought that came into my head was “Wow. So, that’s what new people coming to this site are going to see?” Who’d want to visit when you see something like that? And I have been doing my best to make that goal a reality, getting new people to the site. Just the fact the show gets a (well-deserved) new season is almost guaranteed to increase traffic over here, right? I am in 100% total agreement that something you created for the enjoyment of SL fans (and yourself, too) should not interfere with your monetary contributions. It cannot be a joyous, healthy endeavor and a financial burden at the same time. But it certainly strikes me, as someone who has donated to the site, as a little on the harsh side. I can only speak for myself and again see above: *0 website experience*, I had no idea it was so costly. But I also had no idea that a) it was imperative that SL was the only topic of discussion allowed and b) you speak to the people who visit your site in what I consider to be a patronizing manner. I didn’t mention my donation (of 5X more than a “measly $5″) to gain anything except the continued good fortune to be able to visit the site. I won an awesome jacket during a chat and while I knew it was free to you, it wouldn’t be free to ship. I know chat has an occasional ad for donations, but I think I understand that when traffic is down, there will be less folks there to see it and therefore less money comes in. That is how it works, right?
I just wanted to say I am sorry for the decision that had to be made but I understand the reasoning behind it. Again, your site, your rules, your decision, your money. Completely understood.
Unfortunately, I hardly think speaking to dedicated, appreciative fans of SouthLAnd like children is going to get you any more donations. Just Sayin’.
Maybe I’ll “see” you again in January!
Lacey, aka Coopman
P.S. Hinako, how many chats did you come to? Or were you just reading the transcripts? If so, then you can see we had some fun, when we showed up.

Comment on Southland’s Michael Cudlitz, Kevin Alejandro join The TNT Mystery Movie Night by gingercara

gingercara — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:47:43 +0000

Awesome, can’t wait to see it!

Comment on Chat Room Ending by Hinako

Hinako — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:38:34 +0000

Agree. Good decision, Bob. I have been feeling the same way whenever I saw the transcript.

Comment on Lucy Liu Joins Southland Cast in Season 4 by gingercara

gingercara — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:16:46 +0000

I think she will be a fantastic addition to the show. Can’t wait to see what the writers have in store for her.

Comment on Lucy Liu Joins Southland Cast in Season 4 by Hinako

Hinako — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 05:02:37 +0000

Great add to the show! Can’t wait to know what story the writers will give her character!

Comment on Southland Renewed – Now Let’s Help Renew Japan! by Bob

Bob — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:27:06 +0000

Hinako, it is my – and our – pleasure to do this little bit for such a beautiful and honorable country as yours!

That we have such a personal connection to Japan through you is happenstance. I would like to believe that we would do this, even if you were not such a vital part of our team here at SouthlandTvFans.com. The fact that you are such a dear friend makes it all the much more special and important to us. We can only hope that the auction items bring in as much money as possible, to contribute as much as possible to the cause.

Comment on Happy Birthday Michael McGrady! by alegnarb

alegnarb — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:28:43 +0000

Happy Birthday Michael!! I hope this new year for you will be full of great projects that make you happy

Comment on Southland Renewed – Now Let’s Help Renew Japan! by Hinako

Hinako — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:26:29 +0000

Thank you so, so much, Bob! It must have taken a lot of time for you to search for the best organization and ask the cast for the items. As I know well that you’re very busy, all your efforts for this charity auction are much, much appreciated. Like the name of the organization, America & other countries all over the world have been caring about us, making us feel we are not alone in this hard time.
Thank you so much, my Southland friends!!!!!!

Comment on Happy Birthday Michael McGrady! by Hinako

Hinako — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:39:52 +0000

Happy Birthday Michael!! Sal’s speech is definitely one of my favorite scenes in season 3! Hope you have a great day!