First, ABC wants to keep broadcast inventory for this season open, not waste it on ads purchased at last year's upfronts, and also preserves the higher online ad rate while luring customers with a price break. Second, it floods ABC online video inventory with actual ads, giving their data larger sample sizes with which to set rates and measure performance. One anonymous media executive quoted by MediaPost remained skeptical: "How can this beat full-screen television? We don't even know if they can measure the Internet properly, let alone giving us a demographic breakdown."

[W]ith help from the Egyptian bloggers who received the message and alerted his university and the U.S. Embassy, Buck walked out of the police station a free man. His translator Mohammad was left behind.

In the current contract, writers only get paid when viewers actually buy the content online, like from iTunes, for example. Problem is, the broadcast networks aren't exactly enamored with the online-retail model. Just ask NBC CEO Jeff Zucker. The broadcast business has always been ad-supported, which is why NBC and News Corp are comfortable with Hulu and the Disney-ABC Television Group signed a deal with AOL Video. And naturally, writers want a cut of the ad dollars, too.

• Mark Cuban's money shot
• Mark Cuban feels no pain
• Mark Cuban bores the bojangles out of us
• Mark Cuban geeks out

First, the site's layout is a mess. Without either a strong narrative thread or a tidy navigational hierarchy, it's too easy to get lost among the overly busy pages. Worse, ABC's videos aren't easily — if at all — embeddable. For all the news crew's hard work, surfers won't discover the Web-only segments on their favorite blogs. ABC seems to expect us to come to abcnews.com and click around for clips. How very 1.0.

ABC can dismiss the failure as an experiment:

It's been a great year with Amanda — a great experiment for both of us. We thank her for her many contributions and know that she's about to embark on new endeavors and expect there will be times in the future that we can again work together.

One thing we can count on: Congdon will bounce back, perky as ever. She has a show in development for HBO — technically, according to HBO's advertising, that's "not television," so we don't know if that will count as a TV comeback. And she seems to have a burgeoning if ethically questionable career as a spokesblogger for advertisers like DuPont and American Express. The only question: Will anyone care? Or has her audience, like ABC, tired of her "experiments"?

Not anytime soon, especially if they keep bickering on the popular videoblogging Yahoo group. This past weekend, Amanda and former Rocketboom partner Andrew Baron let loose on the group's email list. Andrew forwarded several emails, all reprinted after the jump, trying to prove his points.

"It's okay to say what you need to say, get it out and move on, but that didn't happen originally," Andrew wrote on his personal blog. "So this weekend, I finally set out to get it all out and off my chest and I did."

"As you can see, I spent legal fees on the HBO opportunity...but you stole it away for yourself...Lie #2. Resolved." declared Andrew on the Yahoo group, after forwarding a communication regarding a prospective deal with HBO.

"This proves what? That I (not you) had an HBO meeting and that I fired my manager?" Amanda shot back. "The best way to avoid factual statements is to ask questions," countered Andrew.

This caused one of the old guards of the blogosphere, Robert Scoble, to jump in: "This isn't impressing me in the least about either party. I don't really care anymore. You both are polluting this group and it needs to stop, and stop now."

Selected E-Mails, Roughly in Chronological Order

***
Sent By: Andrew Baron

Begin forwarded message:
> From: "Amanda Congdon"
> Date: June 2, 2006 2:20:46 PM EDT
> To: "Thompson, Bryan"
> Cc: "Johnson, Channing" , "andrew michael
> baron" , "Jim Congdon"
>
> Subject: Re: Matthew Lesher, semi-urgent
>
> Bryan and Channing,
>
> Thank you for getting back to me on this so quickly. As it turns
> out, the HBO meeting is now happening on Monday rather than later
> today. The introductory meeting between Ari, Andrew and me is still
> on as scheduled at 3pm Pacific. How does this change the order of
> events, if at all?
>
> Yes, please prepare Matthew's termination letter.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Amanda
>
> On 6/2/06, Thompson, Bryan < bthompson@...> wrote:
> Amanda:
>
> I spoke to Channing about this. We think that your analysis of the
> situation is spot-on accurate and that it would be appropriate for
> you now to terminate your relationship with Matthew.
>
> Accordingly, we believe that you should inform Matthew, both orally
> and in writing, that your relationship with him is now terminated.
> You should also inform him that he is not to participate in the HBO
> conference call, nor is he to contact or speak with HBO or Endeavor
> concerning you, Andrew, or Rocketboom.
>
> Let me know if you would like us to prepare a letter to Matthew
> concerning this.
>
> In order to assure that Matthew is not on the call, you will need
> to contact him orally before the call. Even if we sent a letter
> right now, he might not actually read it before the HBO call
> begins. When you speak to him you can let him know that a letter
> will be coming.
>
> From: amazingamanda@... [mailto:amazingamanda@...] On
> Behalf Of Amanda Congdon
> Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2006 10:19 PM
> To: Johnson, Channing; Thompson, Bryan; andrew michael baron
> Cc: Jim Congdon
> Subject: Matthew Lesher, semi-urgent
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> I spoke with Matthew Lesher this evening. I asked him why Ari
> Emanuel would be under the impression he was Rocketboom's manger.
> He said he didn't know, that maybe Ari just "assumed" as much. He
> then said, in fact, that both he and Ari had no interest in the
> management of Rocketboom. He also said that because Ari (and thus
> Endeavor) were not involved in the book deal, that he felt Ari was
> being "aggressive" in wanting 10% equity in Rocketboom. I asked him
> why he then jumped on the bandwagon and asked for the same thing
> (on Friday Matthew brought up getting 10% too). He started back
> peddling and saying that we were just beginning the conversation,
> that nothing had been decided. I told him it sounded like he didn't
> have my best interests in mind, and he said no, he was just
> presenting all the options. If he truly had my best interest in
> mind, he would have told me he thought Ari was being aggressive on
> Friday, not now after I pressed him about it. Bottom line is that I
> don't trust him, so I believe the relationship will have to be
> terminated. I would love to hear what everyone else thinks.
>
> The big issue now is that I have a conference call today (Friday)
> scheduled with Caroline Strauss at HBO to workshop show ideas at
> 2:30 Pacific, and I don't want Matthew in on that. Ari is the only
> one that had anything to do with setting that up. Matthew also has
> included himself in an introductory conversation that was supposed
> to happen directly before the HBO meeting, with Andrew, Ari and
> me. Andrew just sent me an email suggesting perhaps the talk with
> Matthew occur very shortly before the HBO meeting is scheduled, so
> as not to give Matthew time to backlash before the meeting. Help
> please!!
>
> Thanks so much for all of your guidance,
>
> Amanda

**

On Dec 16, 2006, at 1:35 PM, Amanda Congdon wrote:

> This proves what? That I (not you) had an HBO meeting and that I fired
> my manager?

**

On Dec 16, 2006, at 6:36pm, andrew michael baron wrote:

> The best way to avoid factual statements is to ask questions.

**

From: videoblogging@yahoogroups.com [mailto:videoblogging@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of Digital Buddha
Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2006 10:49 AM
To: videoblogging@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [videoblogging] Re: OOoh, Amanda's Up!

Andrew and Amada, I admire your work both when you were working together,
and now independently of one another. I am embarrassed for the two of you
with your public display. The court of public opinion is not the one to
discuss this. It may not seem like poor judgement today to either of you,
but you may be thinking much differently a year or two from now.

Please, please, please take it off line. You are now at the stage of
"virtual shouting". I am waiting for objects to start to fly. It will just
get uglier. I hope you and your respective legal counsel will be able to
settle this swiftly.

**

Sent By: Robert Scoble

I agree. This isn't impressing me in the least about either party.

I don't really care anymore. You both are polluting this group and it needs
to stop, and stop now.

Take it onto your blogs where, if we care, we can read your slings at each
other.

Robert

**

Sent By: Andrew Baron

I only ever made one demand in the history of Rocketboom; only once
did I ever put my foot down.

The last letter to Amanda before she quit:

Begin forwarded message:

Chuck's letter to Amanda:

Hey Amanda,

I just talked to Andrew and he's basically ready to take control of
Rocketboom.
I think no matter what, he's exercising his 51% and taking control of
the business.
He wants to know what you want to do.

Everyone wants you to be the face of Rocketboom.
Would you be happy producing shows in the next month while figuring
out a way to get you to LA and decide what happens next?

Given the state of things, right now Andrew wants you to be talent
and talk to the press,
and probably produce shows, but no more involvement beyond that.

I told Andrew you guys really need to make a clean break and not have
some inbetween state.
Nobody knows what that looks like, still, but this buys a month of
time for everyone to plan for
life beyond that.
............

Here is Amand'a response:
http://panther.video.blip.tv/uploadedFiles/Unboomed-
amanda_unboomed_s509.mov

Then, she went on to hang up the dirty laundry on her blog:
http://www.amandaunboomed.blogspot.com/

**

The full thread is available in the Yahoo group archives.

[Photo of Andrew: Hamletphase on flickr]

So for those who are confused by this, a recap: The guy who used to program ABC has been hired to take Yahoo! in the direction of YouTube, while Microsoft's MSN is trying to be more like ABC.

It's not quite as simple as Mediabistro says. The same MSN that wants to be ABC wants Microsoft to buy Yahoo (but not the part led by the exec from ABC) to fight Google, who's accusing Microsoft of doing to IE what Google did to Mozilla. Meanwhile, Microsoft delays Windows to become more like Apple, who's releasing ads touting how Apple plays well with Microsoft but how Apple is better than Microsoft.

Do not ask about AOL.

Hollywood: Microsoft goes where Yahoo! fears to tread [FishBowlLA]

So when ABC goes and launches a global Internet game, wouldn't Lloyd lock that down for Yahoo? Somehow, neither he nor his company are mentioned in ABC's own news story.

What, again, is Lloyd actually doing at Yahoo?

'Lost' Game Lets Fans Hunt for Clues [ABC News]

You see that "Worst Job Ever" desktop search result? Yeah? That's the sign of unlimited hilarity to come. Click the jump link and share three minutes of crazy-go-nuts.

For those of you who haven't used Desktop Search, that multicolored swirl is its logo. Looks like someone at ABC is getting jealous of the Google employees. (Okay, it's probably just this video. Still.)

People getting fired:
Guys playing Space Invaders. This is a Q*Bert establishment and you are LOOSE CANNONS.
Woman playing piano. She just plays the first line of "Somewhere, Over the Rainbow" over, and over, and over, for her entire "20% time."
Volleyball player. Not for any clever reason. Just, dude, do a little work.

Larry says, "We thought it was really important, as Google grows in scope and influence on the world, to have a philanthropic part of the company." Does he mean that philanthropic part he stopped funding?

Hey, it's John Battelle! Anyone else think the author of The Search looks like a strong-jawed Andy Richter? Yeah? Totally.

Bob Woodruff is about to tell us something new and cool when BAM, the clip ends. Seeya next time.

Workin for Google [YouTube]
Earlier: Google's toys and free food amuse ABC [Valleywag]
And: Nerds on TV: Larry and Sergey talk to ABC News

Other highlights:

Bob comments on the amenities of the Googleplex. "You never have to go home when you've got all this." Larry flexes his eyebrows as if to say "I don't have to go home for sex, Bob."

Bob asks, "What do you want to do with all this money?" Sergey goes off on how he won't live the high life; Larry licks his lips and shifts in his seat. This boy's gonna cause some trouble.

A Bill Gates clip shows, apparently, Bill giving a puppet show.

Larry drinks some water — WHILE SERGEY IS TALKING. Best. Ventriloquist. Ever. These guys should tour.

1:08 — "Now do you need some adult supervision when you work at a company like this?" Respectful, Bob! Way to build rapport with the subject. As the developer explains about workplace freedom, Bob giggles. Oh, what a silly place, thinks Bob. But the seed is planted. "Looks different than my office," says Bob.

2:45 — "Nothing," Bob notes at the Google search globe, "down in Africa. The people at Google say that's one of their greatest points of sadness." We actually saw the "oh shit I'm being insensitive" neurons firing in his brain. "Just not much happening in Africa...move on..." My god, that's too good to be unscripted.

3:20 — "Everything here is free. Free food, free medical care, free haircuts..." He nervously chuckles. "Makes 'em a lot happier."

4:38 — Bob points out the three jokes he can understand on the Google Master Plan.

4:46 — "Here's how they get around. Scooters!" Bob laughs. "I don't know how to ride one of those." Now he's going more for Gob Bluth than Steve Carell. "You expect the guy in the $3000 suit to ride a scooter? Come on!"

5:30 — Bob is hooked on this free food bit. "Why free food?" asks Bob. We mentally slap him upside the head, munch on our $10 sandwich, and keep watching.

6:28 — Bob talks about the porn subpoena.

6:41 — "It's really...quite a remarkable...place." Bob trails off. "I can totally get work here," he thinks. We agree and highly recommend that he quit work as an anchor. Good luck, Bob Woodruff, in your new career as Google cafeteria tray wiper.