His Two Dads

RAMP Gets An EXCLUSIVE Interview With Lee Abrams!

Meet Lee Abrams:



He was the Chief Innovation Officer at the Tribune Co. until very recently. 

There were a lot of stories going around about how his quick departure was punishment for a company-wide memo he sent containing links to some, erm, videos of questionable taste.

The good people in our RAMP (Radio and Music Pros) division thought that since linking to a video seems to have cost Abrams his job, it's only fitting that he use online video to tell his side of the story. 

Watch the entire interview now at MyDamnChannel.com/RAMP.

Here's something to whet your appetite:  Lee Abrams inspired one of those Hitler memes we were all so fond of for a while.  You know the ones:  we laughed and laughed when we watched them even though they starred HITLER.

Don't pretend like you don't know what we're talking about.

Name-Dropping Like It's Hot

At My Damn Channel, we like celebrities and we like hilarious things.  

And then we realized... there are CELEBRITIES who like celebrities and hilarious things.  If we could get celebrities like MacGruber and SNL stars Will Forte and Kristen Wiig to read, say, the ridiculous AUTOBIOGRAPHIES of celebrities like Tommy Lee and Tiger Woods, it would probably be AWESOME. 

Then we met a man named Eugene Pack and he made all of our celebrity dreams come true.

Witness the celebrity trailer now.

And we were right.  It is celebrity awesome and celebrity hilarious.  New celebrity episodes will be on My Damn Channel every Wednesday beginning May 19th. 

Thank you.  You're welcome.  Celebrity. 

Howard Stern Interviews My Damn Channel's Rob Barnett - 420

I just left Howard Stern's studio after an hour-long, on-air interview with the King.

About 2 weeks ago, Collette McLafferty set up an interview on Dr. Blogstein's Radio Happy Hour on Blog Talk Radio. Their interview was supposed to be about My Damn Channel, but they opened with a question about my old life in a thankless job at CBS Radio working to try to figure out how to replace the irreplaceable Howard Stern.

Howard 100 News ran with the story on Sirius on April Fool's Day. Gary Dell'Abate connected to invite me to come in to meet Howard this morning, 420, to tell the untold, true story.

I'd gotten advice from some of my best friends - and from some of Howard's friends about how to handle the situation. Much of it obvious. Tell the truth. Don't weasal. And the hardest advice - don't be long-winded.

Somehow, the minute I walked in LIVE - the mass nerves disappeared and Howard was totally amazing for over an hour.

We talked about the impossible situation he created by quitting radio in 2004 for satellite. I told him that the only person that came out perfectly smelling like a rose...was Howard.

We talked about Jon Stewart, Matt & Trey from South Park, Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Chris Rock, David Lee Roth, Adam Carolla, Jimmy Kimmel, Free FM, Harry Shearer, You Suck at Photoshop, and My Damn Channel. He couldn't have been cooler.

Today's show will loop all day on Sirius.

CAPTAIN'S BLOG: THE COLLECTIVE

It's been a week since we relaunched My Damn Channel. We're 90-95% of where we need to be with the new redesign. We're attacking that last 5-10% with the help of loyal co-cons writing and attacking us with ideas to fix last fixes. We're also gathering your hit lists for additional ideas to make your house and this new Enterprise more 'be all.'

The new Star Trek entered our brains the same night as our relaunch.

The amount of online communication bout our fave TV franchise is staggering.

Full disclosure - before we continue - somewhere here - in a box - there are 79 memorex audio cassettes - the ones with the 2 little white things in 'em - holding the recordings of every single original episode of the series - taped by a little fat white kid - off the speaker on the tiny TV in our kitchen back in Fort Lee, NJ. When you listen closely - you can hear Mom YELLING: "DINNER!" And you can hear me YELLING back: "SHUT UP! I'M TAPING "STAR TREK!!!'"

If you published any form of digital media in the past week, you're likely part of a mass collective of humans who are 'one' with the 43 year-old phenom of Star Trek.

Here then - a list - to ask ourselves WHY:

Star Trek Assumptions:

 1.  We need to believe in heroes and in the possibility that we are capable of heroic acts.
 2.  The future needs an organizing principle to deliver answers we seek.
 3.  We long for the past while embracing the future.
 4.  Obama reminds us of Spock.
 5.  Kirk represents the ideal leader (or father figure, brother, husband, best friend, lawyer, coach, boss, starship captain.)
 6.  We want to have sex with a green-skinned goddess.
 7.  We like to see things explode.
 8.  We like to sit in dark rooms and fantasize with an about others.
 9.  J.J.
10.  Nerd is the new black.

Found this amazing video yesterday of William Shatner being made to watch the new movie trailer. Watch his face:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDEJXdEcV7U

WAINY DAYS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MY DAMN CHANNEL LAUNCHES SEASON FOUR OF “WAINY DAYS,”

2009 webby award official honoree and 2008 WEBBY AWARD WINNER OF “BEST COMEDY SERIES”  

DAVID WAIN TO STAGE FIRST-EVER LIVE PERFORMANCE OF “WAINY DAYS” AND SNEAK PEEK OF UPCOMING EPISODE AT 92YTRIBECA ON THURSDAY, MAY 7^TH

NEW YORK, April 23, 2009 - My Damn Channel (www.MyDamnChannel.com), the entertainment studio and new media platform, today announced that one of its most popular original web series, “Wainy Days” (www.MyDamnChannel.com/WainyDays), is returning for a fourth season on Thursday, May 7^th.  

“Wainy Days” is the brainchild of its creator, writer and director, David Wain (writer and director of last year’s hit film “Role Models” starring Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Jane Lynch, Elizabeth Banks and Christopher Mintz-Plasse).  The comedy series, developed and produced exclusively for My Damn Channel, follows the romantic misadventures of Wain and has featured past celebrity guest appearances by Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, Elizabeth Banks, Lee Majors, A.D. Miles, Rob Corddry, Jason Sudeikis, Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, Ed Helms, Joe Lo Truglio, Janeane Garofalo and Alicia Witt.  A recap from David Wain of the past 3 seasons of “Wainy Days” and a tease of the new episodes can be viewed at www.MyDamnChannel.com/WainyDays. 

DONNIE, DAVID & THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN

In our never-ending quest to not suck....we're about to unleash the return of DONNIE HOYLE and YOU SUCK AT PHOTOSHOP.

Unless there's a breakin, a leak, and sabotage,
set your timepiece for early FRIDAY morning,
the 27th of June, the year of our lord 2008.



Monday, 6/30 is the premiere of the second all-new WAINY DAYS.
Starring......uh.....David Wain....and LEE MAJORS (The Six Million Dollar Man) ! !

MY DAMN CHANNEL GIVES IN TO IRRATIONAL FANS

In a world of too much stupid, the best thing you can usually do in my job is give in to the WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

My Damn Channel makes three major announcements today.

BRING BACK DONNIE!

There's been virtual chaos since the disappearance of Donnie Hoyle - master mockutorian - king of YOU SUCK AT PHOTOSHOP. Winner of 3 Webby Awards tonight & creator/maker/magician of 9 MILLION VIEWS.

After months of searching, Donnie Hoyle has been found...inside the body...of a cat.


Donnie?

Keep watching, SNATCHBUCKER's SECOND CHANCE.

The truth is in there and will be further revealed.
 
YOU SUCK AT PHOTOSHOP shall return!

MAKE IT WAIN!

David Wain picks up the WEBBY AWARD tonight for Best Comedy Series for WAINY DAYS. We launched My Damn Channel with this awesome auteur and David's grabbed your eyeballs 5 MILLION TIMES. We're lucky bastards to announce the premiere of Season 3 of WAINY DAYS starting one week from NOW: Monday, 6/16.



David Wain, Saffron Burrows ("Boston Legal," "The Bank Job") in Wainy Days on My Damn Channel.


David Wain, Lee Majors ("The Six Million Dollar Man") in Wainy Days on My Damn Channel.


SAY GRACE!

Last & never least....we're proud to announce a new fulltime gig for Grace Helbig! You met her in "Bedtime Stories" - you created a mega community of fans in "Daily Grace." 



Grace's morning vlogs have been seen hundreds of thousands of times. This summer, Grace escapes Gracie Mansion. My Damn Channel goes on the streets, in the clubs, and on tour.  More o dat later.

Here's all the news o' the day with jagoonda thanks from making life great & simple by telling us what to do!

rob 

FOR RELEASE MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2008 – 7a ET

MY DAMN CHANNEL GIVES IN TO IRRATIONAL FANS

Donnie Hoyle Returns With “You Suck at Photoshop”

Plus Season 3 of “Wainy Days” and a New Daily Show

NEW YORK, June 9, 2008 - My Damn Channel (www.MyDamnChannel.com), the entertainment studio and new media platform, today announced the return of two of the most popular, original series on the web.

Tonight, the Webby Awards will honor My Damn Channel seven times with accolades including Best Comedy series for “Wainy Days,” plus Best How-To series and People’s Voice wins for “You Suck at Photoshop.”

“You Suck at Photoshop” is produced by the creative duo Big Fat Brain. The series has been viewed over 9 million times. Donnie Hoyle, the mysterious lead character for these “mockutorials” vanished after episode 10.

Deluged by fan requests for Hoyle’s return, My Damn Channel successfully negotiated a follow-up season with the emotionally unstable screencaster. The series will reboot with all new episodes Friday, June 27.

David Wain is the creator, writer and director of “Wainy Days.” This hit web series follows one man’s absurd quest for love and sex in the big city. The first 2 seasons have been viewed over 5 million times. Guest stars have included Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, Elizabeth Banks, Rob Corddry, Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter.

Wain is a founding member of the comedy troupes The State and Stella. He is a successful film director whose credits include “Wet Hot American Summer” and “The Ten.” Wain is currently filming a new comedy starring Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

The third season of “Wainy Days” premieres Monday, June 16^th, with a long list of guest stars from top Hollywood films and hit television series including Elizabeth Banks, Lee Majors (“The Six Million Dollar Man”), Janeane Garofalo, Jeffrey Ross, Ed Helms, Alicia Witt, Saffron Burrows, Elizabeth Reaser, A.D. Miles, Mather Zickel, Zandy Hartig, Lucy Punch, Matt Ballard, Christine Lakin, Xander Berkeley, Sarah Clarke, Jorma Taccone and Joe Lo Truglio. “Wainy Days” is produced by Jonathan Stern.

Finally, My Damn Channel announces a new, daily show. Grace Helbig is the star of “Daily Grace,” premiering weekday mornings.  Grace hosts a daily, freeform vlog delivering unfiltered commentary on new video premieres, featured clips and life behind the scenes at My Damn Channel. “Daily Grace” features two-way communication with the website’s growing community of music and comedy fans. Grace is a writer, improv artist, actress and comedian. She was previously featured on My Damn Channel’s “Bedtime Stories.”

Founder and CEO of My Damn Channel, Rob Barnett says, “In ten months, we’ve captured over 24 million views for our original videos. We’ll never be able to see the beach this summer now that advertisers are signing up to be associated with our quality content. Later this month, we’ll announce a major, mid-six figure deal for branded entertainment. Better than a sun tan.”

About My Damn Channel

My Damn Channel is an entertainment studio and new media platform created to empower filmmakers, actors, comedians and musicians to co-produce, distribute and monetize original, episodic video. Artists create programming for the My Damn Channel site and for syndication on today's most heavily-trafficked online communities and social networks. My Damn Channel delivers creative control, funding, distribution, and revenue sharing. Co-conspirators include Big Fat Brain, Coolio, Grace Helbig, Steve Kerper, A.D. Miles, Andy Milonakis, Harry Shearer, David Wain and Don Was. The company is supported by an advertising revenue model, and by licensing the studio's entire portfolio of content across all forms of digital distribution.

Media Contact:

Maria Diokno

866.424.8864

Maria@MyDamnChannel.com

#   #   #

THE FILTER

Peter Gabriel's filter

The rock star hopes to shock Amazon with a new web-based recommendation service.

(Fortune) -- There's a reason Peter Gabriel is a household name. One of the founders of the super-group Genesis, the British rock star went on to have great success as a solo artist known for his outlandish costumes, his cutting edge music videos, and of course, his '80s hits like "Sledgehammer" and "Shock The Monkey," which were both artistic and commercial milestones.

What's less known is that the 58-year-old Gabriel has done rather well since then as a digital media entrepreneur. In 2000, he co-founded OD2, which quickly became the leading European digital music provider with clients like Nokia and MSN. OD2's owners reportedly later sold the company for an estimated $20 million.

Okay, so Sammy Hagar reportedly sold a majority stake in his tequila business for four times that amount last year. But now Gabriel has a new business that's potentially much bigger. On Tuesday, he and a new group of partners launch the private-beta version of a web-based service called The Filter that will sort through the vast inventory of content on the Internet and recommend songs, movies, television show and web videos to its users. In May, The Filter website will be open to the public.

Ultimately, Gabriel and his partners in his Bath, England-based company have a grander vision for the Filter than telling you that if you like Sammy Hager, you might also like Van Halen's earlier stuff with David Lee Roth. They hope you'll one day be able to log in and find the perfect place to dine on your upcoming trip to, say, Barcelona -- and a suggestion for the right clothes to wear on your night out. Now that sounds like something an art rocker like Peter Gabriel would go for --- as opposed to a night of tequila swilling at Hagar's nightclub in Mexico.

Gabriel put up $8.5 million along with England's Eden Ventures to start The Filter because he fears that people are being overwhelmed by the web. "Everyone got really excited about the concept of infinite choice through the Internet," he says. "The reality is a little like getting a sore thumb with your remote on your television. Too much choice is not always a good thing."

He describes the solution to this machine-age dilemma in the sort of terms you might expect from a thinking man's rock star. "My friend [recording studio guru to Talking Heads, U2 and Coldplay] Brian Eno has been going on for some time about the increasingly important role of the curator over the creator," Gabriel explains. "In many ways, the disc jockey has become as important as the musician, which is one of the best illustrations of that. I would like a life jockey as well as a disc jockey."

The Filter's founders say their service could play that role nicely, claiming its recommendation engine is more sophisticated than anything else on the market. Unlike competing services, the Filter doesn't rely on the ratings that people assign to songs or movies online. It determines its users tastes by observing what they actually do with these items on the Internet.

The engine is particularly interested if someone buys a song, streams it or clicks on a related link. "We like to get real evidence of people's tastes," says Martin Hopkins, co-founder of The Filter and creator of its recommendation technology.

Hopkins also notes that The Filter's engine doesn't push people choices based on what they bought years ago. It slowly forgets what it learned because peoples' tastes change. Don't you wish Amazon's (AMZN, Fortune 500) service did the same?

Gabriel and his partners hope to generate revenue at The Filter by selling advertising. They also hope to license their technology to other digital media companies. The company already provides recommendations to the users of its former OD2 customers like MSN (MSFT, Fortune 500) and Nokia (NOK). That's why the service launches with a database of over 50 million transactions from which to make suggestions.

It's a long leap from recommending music to choosing their restaurants in foreign cities. Still, the idea is intriguing. Gabriel isn't just taking about this either. He's putting up a lot of money to make it happen. "This is definitely something that's worth watching," says Gartner analyst Mike McGuire who, like Fortune, was briefed by The Filter before the private beta launch.

As you might expect, Gabriel is in the studio working on new music, too. He owes one more album to EMI. After that, he plans to release his music on his own a la Radiohead. The graying rocker is thrilled that the Internet is giving artists a new means of distributing their music -- especially the ones who couldn't get a record deal even in the industry's better days. "I like it that the inmates are running the asylum,' says Gabriel.

This, of course means more choices for those overwhelmed consumers that Gabriel is so concerned about. All the more reason for his new company, right? No wonder he's so pleased.

First Published: April 15, 2008: 4:21 AM EDT\