Well, seems another website wrote of the first blogger’s post and AB’s apparent immediate reaction to being called out over the issue.
Insert a deep sigh and why I’m confused here.
Again, it seems Alton is going against the reason he gave me for not wanting to stop by and see this site or give me an interview. He said he didn’t read things about himself online. Ok, so either he has chucked this policy for something new, remember he reads another site that makes fun of him and his Food Network colleagues, or someone isn’t playing straight.
If this anonymous poster was, in deed, AB and he is now reading, commenting and/or emailing bloggers about their sites, so why am I still waiting to hear one word on how I’m doing? Oh waiting on that interview thing too. This after I personally asked Alton to take a look at the site and see if he liked it or thought it was hideous. When I asked if he would make an exception to his rule for my site, saying since it is a site about you and for your fans please come see it, he countered with, “Not even for you.” He seemed adamant about this stance too.
That’s why it perplexes me to now find him deeply engaged with this blogger over the issue on the heels of the whole thing about enjoying “satire” of another site. If he has changed his stance on reading things about himself online, I suppose this site isn’t what he wants to read or comment on or interview with because I’m not making fun of him nor am I lamenting anything he does... wait I am NOW!
The blog, Passionate Foodie, had several comments from “Anonymous.” Said Anonymous claimed to be AB. The comment that started it:
Anonymous said...
Dear Passionate Foodie,
You called me out, now here I am. Concerning the tuna used in the Uni battle you referenced, you should consider that the challenging chefs bring many ingredients of their own and some of them hit the counter without our prior knowledge. I was surprised and none-too happy to see that piece of contraband hit the counter but since the chef wasn't specifically informed that he could not bring that ingredient into the kitchen I didn't think it right to castigate him for doing so. Moving forward I have requested that the producers of the show forbid the use of blue fin just as they've disallowed foie gras and foreign caviars. Furthermore, if bluefin does come out during a battle I'm going to rip the offending chef a suitable new orifice for being a culinary barbarian. They may be able to cut that out of the show but I'll do it anyway.
In closing, I'd like to point out that you can courteously invite someone to reply to a query without making accusations of greed over integrity. Implying that I would set my standards aside for monetary gain is rude, undeserved, inflammatory, and journalistically unprofessional. If we ever have a chance to meet in person, perhaps we will discuss this further.
Sincerely,
Alton Brown
July 12, 2010 8:07 AM
Anonymous said...
But "rude, undeserved, inflammatory, and journalistically unprofessional" is what the blogosphere's all about!
July 12, 2010 9:56 AM
If this is really Alton commenting then I want to debate him on the finer points of blogging and ask why such a disdain for the medium when you had a blog at one time? What happened to make you despise the medium so?
First of all, I started out not a fan of blogs. I thought they were all some self absorbed way for people to write diatribes and feel better about themselves while knocking down others. As a trained journalist, the lack of a traditional gatekeeper did trouble me because anyone with a computer, opposable thumbs and half a brain could post anything, nothing could stop them and they didn’t have to answer for anything written. Back then, the Canons of Journalism, the journalist’s Code of Ethics had no place in the wilds of the blogosphere.
However, a few years ago the tide shifted. Legitimate news outlets embraced the medium. Blogging is now just as much apart of mainstream news reporting as anything else. Take a look at major daily newspapers, major broadcast news outlets and there are blogs written by professional journalists. It is one of the fastest methods to report on breaking news or just getting a message out to a world of people. Blogging is not always all about being self important, unprofessional and inflammatory just as not all food shows are about showing an impossible to recreate recipe or shoving food in one’s greasy face.
There are many more of us bloggers who do this for the right reasons; for our passions, concerns and the need to communicate with others. Blogging has opened the door to many people without media connections to champion causes, raise awareness and sing the praises of people, places and things we hold dear. Yes, there are those who still pollute cyberspace with self absorbed, petty, hateful things on blogs, but even Alton can’t argue the mainstream media doesn’t contain this as well in addition to making a lot of money from programming featuring that very behavior.
What truly makes me sad here, is that he seemly only to respond to negativity. This site is to share with other about the wonderful things Alton teaches his viewers and that his applications do produce some good eats. Also, I wanted to help fans find a place online to get information since Alton’s own site is usually lacking in the update department. I want to celebrate the good in what he does for me and countless other fans.
Instead of playing a schoolyard game of call him out, I humbly invite Alton, if he’s out there lurking on the site, to give some equal time to this site. If you have changed your mind about reading things online about yourself and you’re reading here as a luker, drop a little note via email, make a comment on the site, it won’t harm you in the least. In fact, it would go a long way toward some good PR, you know the kind you can’t buy, and make one of your biggest and most loyal fans one of happiest people around.
Or if you wish to debate why you feel the need to stereotype bloggers as lacking integrity and journalistic ethics, drop me some thoughts on it... after all, I do have a degree in mass communications and know a tad bit about the subject too, we might have a great spirited discussion over it!
The email lines are open, Alton :) just click here: lisa@allaboutalton.com. Hope to hear from you.
10 comments:
FYI: I confirmed that it was actually Alton Brown commenting on my blog through his Media Contact Beau.Benton@42West.net
Thanks Richard for that info!
Sorry, but Alton looked childish that exchange.
I enjoy him very much, but for the life of my can't understand why he distances himself from this site. He certainly could use you to keep his webpage, the February date is STILL up for goodness sakes.
C'mon Alton, talk to Lisa. She deserves it!
I've read this blog for a while and I thank you for doing it. I'm glad you are here and not "polluting" it with snark. It is refreshing to find other Alton fans to share cooking interests, alot of people don't get my interest in Good Eats because it isn't like the rest.
Hang in here, I have hope that since you asked Alton in a courteous manner (like he asked that other blogger to do) he will post on here too.
NJ
Lisa is my adopted Sis, and one of the most caring and courteous people I know. What you see is what you get with her, and there are no 'hidden agendas'.
I wish Alton would talk to her, he'd have a great interview, and not have to worry about having to answer questions he'd already answered a million times, like "Why do you always use Kosher salt?"
Give her a chance,
AB!
Interesting to say the least. That guy sounds like an ass for calling out AB. That doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me is Alton's conduct. Like you said, he claims not to read/respond to blogs, but he does so here; probably a bit PO'd by this guy which is understandable.
Best thing to do: leave it alone. Not so good thing: respond multiple times; first getting on your high horse and then stepping down to stick out your tongue and blow some raspberries at all bloggers. Real swift AB.
I see this and I wonder why still keep a Good Eats blog; and I feel even worse for you since yours focuses on AB the person.
Interesting Mr. Brown took the time to post on that other blog. I couldn't believe it! Geez its not a major publication. Don't get your panties in a wad.
Now the fact that he bypasses this site, I don't know what to make of that.
Interesting he hasn't commented on here. But maybe he doesn't read blogs afterall or you've pissed him off more than that other blogger.
How the heck could she have pissed him off when she's given him better PR than his own people have for the past two years?
Good grief!
Could it be that your persistent and constant focus on AB creeps him out a bit. You don't really provide much value to a good eats fan. This blog is more about your scary infatuation with Alton Brown than promoting Good Eats, Iron Chef America, or any of Alton's other projects. Your constant whining and stalking of Alton Brown to all corners of the globe is boring and simultaneously frightening. You should talk to someone about it.
You sir or madam are a troll or a toad, or something equally vile. I love how these ugly people come on here under anonymous.
If you read the blog with any regularity you would know that what she does is provide recaps of the show, info on new shows, recipies and also links to other articles she has written on other subjects.
Of course, you don't care to find that out though, do you.
You're just here to spew your verbal vomit and leave.
Sorry you have to see this Lis. Ignore it.
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