BC: Do you think that readers are turning more often to non-traditional media for their culture news and reviews? Will there continue to be a place for the Roger Eberts of the world?
El Bicho: Yes, but only because there are more options. People like Roger Ebert will always have a place because he has an ability to convey his arguments in an understandable, thoughtful way. He’s very good at what he does or else he wouldn’t have been around for as long as he has. I don’t always agree with him, but I understand why he likes or dislikes something. When he moves on, there will be opportunities for others to move up.
There’s big money in traditional media, so of course they will find a replacement rather than just give up that cash cow. If someone non-traditional can capture a large audience and have the potential to make a lot of money, you can guarantee traditional media will sign them up.
BC: In these days of Netflix and pay-per-view and content coming to us via the Internet, the film industry is a different beast than it used to be. Do you have any thoughts about where it's heading?
El Bicho:The term “film industry” is too limiting because film is just a part of the larger entertainment industry. Films, until they stop shooting on film, which will happen, are now commercials for DVDs, which are the bigger share of the market.
The ultimate goal seems to be that the consumer will be able to experience any form of entertainment, any time they want to, anywhere they want to. It sounds like a good thing, and I’m sure I’ll take advantage of it, but it’s not. Since most consumption appears to be done in isolation, social skills are shot to hell because no one has any consideration for others around them.
I almost never go to the theatres on weekends anymore because the public is so self-absorbed that they no longer know how to behave. Everyone talks loudly, unwraps plastic bags of large meals, takes phone calls, or lets their kids run wild. It’s infuriating and ruins the film-going experience, yet theatre owners are puzzled by their revenue dropping.
Concerts are just as bad, with every idiot taking a picture or calling someone to hear a song. I understand the desire to keep and share a moment, but they aren’t fully experiencing the moment as completely as they could because they are removed from it. Plus, I’m trying to enjoy the show, so I don’t need your phone blocking my view of the band or to hear you screaming into the phone, “I’m at a concert.”
Article comments
1 - DJRadiohead
Congrats, El B. Well done feature, Lisa.
2 - Lisa McKay
Thank you, DJ. It was a lot of fun to do, but the lion's share of the credit belongs to El Bicho, who, after all, supplied me with the source material.
3 - Eric Berlin
Outstanding El B and Lisa, great stuff !
4 - Matthew T. Sussman
"El" means "the?"
5 - -E
And how about that sexy mug shot. Good job, El Bitch-o.
6 - Sterfish
This is a very cool new feature and congrats to El Bicho for being the first honoree. It's definitely well-deserved.
7 - Mark Saleski
well-deserved bicho. congrats.
8 - Jess
Congrats! Next time you come by this way again we'll have to celebrate :0)
9 - Triniman
Very interesting. It's cool to get to know more about the writers. I look forward to more profiles in the series.
This may make you laugh. For a while, I thought El Bicho and Aaron, Duke de Mondo were the same person. I'm not sure why.
10 - El Bicho
My reign is half over and I wanted to thank those of you who stopped in and offered your congratualtions. It is appreciated.
Trini, although we started at around the same time and have some similar tastes, I too must wonder how you thought the Duke and I were one in the same.
Yes, Matt, "El" can mean "The". I'm glad to see you found the feature thought-provoking.
11 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
El Bicho, this was all the fun in the world, and a damn great feature, too, Ms. McKay.
Heh, Triniman, that dazzles my shock-glands senseless.
12 - Scott Butki
Congrats. I'm going to go read a few of your reviews.
13 - -E
So now that your reign as supreme king of all critics with blogs everywhere is almost over, how was it?
14 - El Bicho
-E,
The honor was a great compliment. I hope the powers-that-be got out of the feature what they desired. As for me, and not to appear ungrateful, after the first week, it was mostly uneventful on my end.
Intially, I noticed a few people come to my blog from this article, but they can read everything I write over here, so that's not an accurate measure of anything.
With all the writers and readers the site has I thought there might be more comments, but I proably needed to take a strident position on a political issue or list the greatest [insert noun] of all time.
I was surprised not to get a negative comment by a random poster, this is the Internet after all, so that's a relief. Although, I'm sure I've just opened up that door wide.
From the comments I did received, it appears at least half the people already knew and enjoyed my writing. That was flattering to discover because I was unaware they thought so.
If this feature introduced me to one new reader who will continue to read my future articles, it was definitely well worth it.
And lastly, we've finally put the rest the notion that Duke De Mondo and I are the same person. That's got to be worth something right there.
Thanks again to BC and Lisa.
El Bicho
BCotM for the next few hours
15 - Jet in Columbus
ElBicho did you write oscar acceptance speeches in another life? By the way, oddly your photo is exactly the way I've always pictured you.
I enjoyed it ;}
16 - Lisa McKay
El Bicho, it is indeed our fervent hope that this series will introduce the featured writers to a new audience by bringing just a bit more attention your way. You're quite right that the posts that always seem to bring the greatest number of comments are the political ones and the ones that challenge one's notions of who the greatest guitar players might be. The rest of us, laboring quietly in the vineyard for the most part, never really know who's out there reading, but if a few more readers are regularly making their way to your articles because of this piece, then it was well worth the effort.
And I personally enjoy learning a tiny bit about the 'insides' of our regular contributors, too.
17 - El Bicho
Dang, just saw a bio on Rod Serling last night on PBS and would certainly add him to my list of favorite writers.
18 - Dawn
Having finally met you in person, you are every bit as engaging and interesting as your writing. We sure are glad to have you around!!!
19 - for-too-oooh
i guess you know in puerto rico el bicho is vulgar for penis? it makes you seem sexier to me -- despite your associating the word with its literal meaning of bug
20 - IgnatiusReilly
"in puerto rico el bicho is vulgar for penis"
That's a coincidence because I know people who think he's a dick.