Notes From a Launch

March 4th, 2010

As we’ve just entered the fourth day since the launch of our new Web series, OF COURSE, gotta say…we’re pretty stoked. People seem to like the show, and frankly, isn’t that the point? (Well, that and turning it into a TV sensation and making lots of money so we can go to Vegas and “make it rain!”)

Because this is the first original production we’ve pushed out the door (not including our work on the “aha moment” campaign here – that’s an orange to the OF COURSE apple), we might be a tad bit sensitive to the comments (good or bad) that we receive. And we’re starting to understand why people say, “I don’t read the reviews.” (Yes, we understand it, but we don’t actually believe that’s true.)

Whenever someone says they don’t like the show, the gut reaction is a combination of wanting to respond to explain the thinking behind whatever disturbed the particular viewer…and hiring a private detective to hunt down this person and do some unspeakable things that may or may not include duct tape, gerbils and a video camera (apologies to Richard Gere). On second thought, if it’s a FLIP video camera, maybe we can be in a commercial…we know a guy. But we digress.

The point is that we were prepared for the launch. We had great content. We had sponsors (have you been to Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, played the Eagle Falls Golf Course, or worn the best golf shoes on the planet – DAWGS Golf?). We had AWESOME distribution (FOXSports.com RULES!). Home run. And, so far it has been. We just weren’t prepared for people to make negative comments.

Granted, there are only a few folks who don’t like it and what we’re discovering is that even the negative comments can be positive. (Kind of like in a job interview when someone asks for your worst quality, “Oh, I just work too hard all the time! It’s f*cking terrible! And, I cuss inappropriately.”) For example, some dude (we assume dude here, though it could be a “Crying Game” kind of thing) said, we were a “Hangover ripoff.” Ummmm…Okay. Compare us to the most successful comedy of 2009. We’ll take that.

The fact is whether you like it or not, OF COURSE is a creative project. And, like any creative project, some people will love it, some will like it and some will hate it. What’s funny (ironic, not ha-ha) is that the folks who hate it are often the most vocal and bring even more attention to such things than those who love it. So, from our little family to yours, we’re glad the majority of you love OF COURSE. And, a special thank you to those that really hate it! (That’s, right, Bubba Watson, we’re talking to you!)

Thanks for watching. And, keep commenting.