Blog Critique: Teevieo
Would you believe I have a blogger doppelgänger out there? Yes, it’s true, and cruelly he is both younger and better looking. Not only that, he is a skilled designer.
Luckily for me I can redress the balance somewhat by trashing his new blog. But no! That last piece of evil revenge has also been snatched from me! His new blog is bloody good. Should I just give up now? 
The “other” Chris Garrett (I am Chris Garrett number 1, after all, I was here first!) has launched a blog called Teevieo. Not the easiest of domains to remember, and I am not sure I am pronouncing it correctly, but quite cool in a Web2.0 Flickr-stylee.
This blog is about all things television, but in particular the kind of television geeks like me love. Shows like Heroes, Simpsons, Dr Who and 24. Perhaps we do have more in common than just blogging and our names? Chris describes it thusly …
Everyone loves TV, whether it’s chuckling along to some top quality comedy, hanging on the edge of your seat trying to untangle the many puzzles of Heroes or just kicking back to some mindless reality TV.
As you would expect from a professional blog designer, it looks really cool. This is exactly my taste in design, very “web2.0″. My one complaint is the favicon looks like a cross until you realize it is a letter ‘t’. Hmm … might want to look at that. Also there is a “find out more” link that doesn’t seem to go anywhere.
Content is just as you would expect. It rounds up all the latest news in a fun, snippy, informal way. One request I would have is if they can clearly mark spoilers, or do that reverse text thing that TV sites often do. I hate to have my favorite shows spoiled, especially “arc” stories like Heroes. I want to be surprised while I am watching the show, not before
A problem with UK based TV blogs is we are always behind the USA in our broadcasts. While there are … uh … technical solutions, Chris needs to work on getting a roster of USA-based bloggers to fill in the gaps. Even better if he can get an industry insider. Otherwise he will be relying on other blogs in the niche for news, giving little in the way of differentiation. Also worth thinking about would be a forum, both as a source of gossip and also to build community.
Finally, once I realized I really liked the site I went looking for the feed. I was very surprised to say it is hard to find. Almost like a treasure hunt! Chris, you need to get subscription options, both RSS and email, right up front.
In summary, a fun blog aimed just right for the target audience. If you are into geek TV like me I recommend you take a look.
Posted on November 21st, 2007 by Chris Garrett in Blogging
You’re still my favourite Chris Garrett
Awww, thanks Jack
Nice blog and nice review of it, we sure all do love television!
You will also always be my #1 Chris, Chris
What, no Battlestar Galactica? and you call yourselves (since there are two of you now) geek tv watchers?
#2 must have immediately changed the RSS and email options, b/c they are right up front now. Such is the power of your words, and why you are #1.
Lisa
@Alex - I love some television, but now I watch most of it recorded on Sky+ (like a UK tivo) as my schedule is quite random
@Lisa - BSG is great, I am sure Chris will be reporting on it once it is back on. At the moment there are only webisodes which we can’t see in the UK I think?
@lisa — exactly right, I could do not defy his mighty words… Chris has a time machine you know, back in the 1960’s he went forward in time and adopted my name…
Cheeky git, I wasn’t born until the 70s
Another great blog review, Chris. Extra entertaining to read, too, because of the whole doppelganger situation!
Chris Garrett “Senior” I enjoyed this review. Chris Garrett “junior” designed my blog. He’s great to work with.
@Adam - Heh, that situation is really strange isn’t it? The two of us often get messages intended for the other. I need to speed up my move to Canada to simplify things
@Galba - He is, and certainly a great designer
Nice blog, I have subscribed for Heroes posts.I don’t know is this all the time but site is really slow ATM, it takes ages…
I also have Heroes blog and I enjoy writing every word on the same.
Only bad think is that now I need to read spoilers
@Matej, MediaTemple who host teevieo are having a few issues at the moment (which is very unusual for them), the site should speed itself back up soon.
Yes, I see it now. Thanks!