TechCrunch50 is just a week and a half away. The list of presenting companies is kept strictly confidential until the day of the event to ensure maximum audience attention. But we’re making one exception this year. Ashton Kutcher and Jason Goldberg’s Katalyst Media will be launching Blah Girls, one of his new interactive online video products, at TechCrunch50.
Like all products launching at the event, TechCrunch50 will be the first time the public or press has seen it. We got a look at it a couple of months ago and think it’s going to be a hit. Look for a lot more activity from Katalyst Media over the coming months.
I asked Ashton to do a quick intro video saying how excited he is about TechCrunch50. He sent the video below. You have to read between the lines, but I think he’s pretty jazzed about all of the strict confidentiality requirements and the need to meet with us twice before the event to rehearse his presentation. Warning: There’s some strong language.
Next up: A Scoble video where he promises not to embarrass himself by chasing down Ashton for an autograph and a 45 minute exclusive video interview.
Funny.
You call it Funny…I call it Hilarious..
http://www.yout...h?v=5fqgHei6C3E
is this guy presenting at tc50 too?
hahahahahaha – i’d say this is a step up from MC Hammer. cool.
Ah yes, clearly, very excited.
Good to see you guys ensure quality presentations at your event though, I wish all conference holders cared about each presentation as much as you guys do.
thats pretty funny. BTW, mike, get comments working with Opera already. Im still getting this error : 411 Length Required
nginx/0.6.32
{seesmic_video:{”url_thumbnail”:{”value”:”http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/HMLI2AXNwr_th1.jpg”}”title”:{”value”:” ”}”videoUri”:{”value”:”http://www.seesmic.com/video/eKkuugrI2D”}}}
There’s a consensus that the internet is like cable when it comes to that stuff. I don’t think he’s out of line for the language. Though it is your event. He’s definitely not out of line for a webcam clip on blip.tv.
Whoosh…
MA – well played.
You’re so clearly enamored with this b-list celebrity, it’s hilarious. Fame is a hell of a drug.
yay! harold is a-list celebrity
What a humorless, sad, depressed man…who is this?
fyi, Calacanis and I are having an impromptu get together tonight at BBC in Menlo Park starting at 7:30. We’re giving away one of the last tickets to TechCrunch50.
http://twitter....tuses/902029769
Haha, this is fantastic. I can’t wait to see this presentation. My company may not have gotten in, but that just means that I get to have more fun watching this ridiculousness.
you mean the awesomeness.
How about ridiculous awesomeness? I really am excited to see it. I think Ashton Kutcher is hilarious. Even in movies that got panned by critics, his performance is always enjoyable, and Punk’d is definitely a guilty pleasure.
This is hilarious! Congrats! Love the terms he uses “Blarg” and “Interweb” haha!
hollywood invasion! {seesmic_video:{”url_thumbnail”:{”value”:”http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/JZaC2kgQZa_th1.jpg”}”title”:{”value”:”hollywood invasion! ”}”videoUri”:{”value”:”http://www.seesmic.com/video/Lso24sEKwT”}}}
Add curls all-around, or leave your hair the way it is – but fluff it up
curls on just the sides make you look like a cocker spaniel
There’s a reason for the rift between Hollywood and the IT community.
I’ve talked to many people here in LA that have worked for the film companies doing websites and other IT projects, and they say they won’t do that kind of work anymore because they pay badly.
I also have a friend that works at the SAG, and I think he makes like 20 bucks an hour doing sysadmin. He’s been working there as long as I can remember.
So these TV shows and movies are making millions of dollars, yet they feel it’s their duty to outsource and pay local people extremely badly for projects?
The local companies I visited, and I visited a LOT, that are doing well are selling consulting to enterprise.
Basically, Hollywood needs to pay better to get the attention of the tech community. I think what happened is that they figured out that they could get the same type of product more cheaply and that the local companies eventually lost interest and moved on to better things.
I just had an idea. What if software developers had the same type of exposure as movie stars?
Then they wouldn’t be as replaceable, and could command large sums of money just like actors.
What if the public know who the developers of a project are, and are conditioned to want more software from THOSE people?
I am going to add a new blog to the T3chlusive network tonight that will showcase rockstar developers. Hopefully through this, software developers will be able to command the same type of riders as artists???
TC gives me great ideas.
That’s the nature of the entertainment business. As long as there’s a steady stream of hayseeds rolling into down fresh out of college with stars in their eyes (and often armed with trust funds) who want nothing more than to “hang out” with celebrities or impress their idiot friends at parties by saying they “work in the movie business” then there will be an inexhaustible supply of cheap labor for these companies. Unpaid internships, you name it.
It has nothing to do with how much money is being made, and everything to do with supply and demand. There’s an oversupply of people willing (or able, due to family money) to work in that business for nothing to get a “break” and bragging rights, and as long as that’s true there’s no reason for it to change. Sad but true.
@T3chlusive:
Check the video game industry. People do know who the developers are, and believe me when I say that the good ones are rock stars. Interactive digital entertainment ftw!
You just think he is hot. What you needed was a Freudian slip….
ashton, dude! {seesmic_video:{”url_thumbnail”:{”value”:”http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/2eA13vdi5s_th1.jpg”}”title”:{”value”:”ashton, dude! ”}”videoUri”:{”value”:”http://www.seesmic.com/video/xYCBy3Jhcl”}}}
nice video, thanks for the laugh … good impression
I found him arrogant and 17ish, I see why some of you thought that was funny.
Will I be cool too if I cuss a lot and put down tc50 and act like all the nerds showing up should bow to me cause I’m Mr. Cool Dood?
Brad,
that post didnt make you cool.
Ah darn and I wanted to join the ‘use bad language to get laughs from teenagers club’
And Rich, there is always some truth in all sarcasm. I think it is so funny he mocks them as they fall to his feet. Shallow. – The future will hold the answer, but I wonder if TC50 picked him for the publicity and extra hype it’ll give their business, TC50. I hope TC didn’t sell out.
What’s that..a stick, no a light post in your behind…
Brad, this was a JOKE. Geesh.
This was great. The guy in the background was hilarious to watch during the rant.
FYI – Loic from Seesmic. Some feedback. I like your video widget and would watch more videos if I knew the length of the video prior to clicking on it. Please show a time stamp. Hope this makes sense.
Hi Steve, I saw your comment and added your idea to our list. Feel free to visit the link and add your vote to the request. And leave a comment there if I didn’t accurately capture your vision.
hahaha Ashton is so funny and Mike reply is fantastic, is going to be a great event for sure!
.
Dude, you got punk’d
Zivity last year and Blah Girls this year (from the creator of Beauty and the Geek)? I hate this industry.
best comment so far. i do wonder if it does belong to the real leah. considering that is now fashionable to retract oneself from comments made at blogs lately. one now never knows..
boohoo… strong language? Oh, let’s get the children out honey!
Hey, Brad
Ashton displays originality in his awesome jokes unlike your bottom-rate sense of so-called humour. You can never ascend to the level of Ashton’s uniqueness and humour character no matter how hard you try to mimic him. I say, get your facts right before you attempt to attack someone who is successful; do I detect jealousy in the air, or what!
Your lame joke of the age difference is so outdated and it isn’t funny anymore. Get over it.
ashton is effin hot and too smart for a pretty guy. i cant think of any man who is as pretty as ashton is, even with sleepy eyes and trucker hats. he is funny too. this guy is perfect
ok guys, i don’t get the “thing” here. is it like youtube homevideo?
Is it cool to use fuck in every sentence? What a bunch of clowns.
That all depends on who you are trying to market too. If it is a site for the teenage or young adult than f bombs are part of that vocab.
Too many vulgarities in this vid!
http://www.KidT...ru.blogspot.com
Good video. These kids know how to generate interest and visibility.
lol that was funny
Okay, surely this has to be a sign that web 2.0 is ready to crash now? Please? Come on, this is just bloody stupid.
On the other hand, I fully support the right to use as many naughty words as one pleases on the Internet.
In the great words of David Chappelle : “F*ck ashton kutcher”
http://www.yout...h?v=FTCUtUZdINk
Yet another loser thrives after scoffing Ashton Kutcher. Only envious people find it funny.
I wouldn’t envy a man who makes his living off of people’s fear, an entertainer. I envy the people who produce things that are beneficial for humanity like elon musk or mars phoenix team. Something you can refer to as a human endeavor.
Punk’d is over so get over it. So you find David Chappelle’s poem about Ashton is beneficial for humanity?
Its a great observation. Nothing like dropping out of college for a degree in biochemical engineering to making websites for pre-teens.
What? Are you his mom now?
Ashton Kutcher, funny for once. Who knew?
Maybe Ashton is launching a new site… or maybe Mike just got PUNKED…
That is just so awsome. I bet Mr A Kutcher is at least a little bit frustrated with having to put up with the same procedure as everyone else.
Looking forward to seeing what it’s all about.
Didn’t Ashton learn his lesson during the first bubble in the 90’s with his diaper internet company? Babyrush.com ?
and yeah, I did see A.L.L.L.
the was a lot like “site” and at first it was successful then i didn’t know why they had to close it
Man, this guy is funny…and I mean Ashton!
That was AWESOME!!! LOL! I love it!
This is some funny sh**, I watched it 4 times and I can’t stop laughing.
Well played, both Ashton and Michael. Luv it!
smart…these guys are smart!
omg, funniest thing I’ve seen in weeks.
Who is this Asthon guy? {seesmic_video:{”url_thumbnail”:{”value”:”http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/Z4HtI5vaLb_th1.jpg”}”title”:{”value”:”Who is this Asthon guy? ”}”videoUri”:{”value”:”http://www.seesmic.com/video/qIpTbIUpR6″}}}
it’s obvious that you’re joking about ashton kutcher. it seems like you know who the guy is. i sense that from your grins. anyhoo, ashton was kidding about insulting the judges and ma’s suggested you read between the lines
This kind of arrogant behavior is exactly the reason I got out of the film industry. These “I’m more important than you” people litter than landscape like a Corona bottle in Tijuana.
Ashton has obviously been taking “celebrity lessons” from Demi. Tell her Mr. Savannah said hello!
yeah tell me about it. managing him is impoSSible
I thought it was a clever spoof until I realized he really was [removed for stupidity]
Like most thespians, he can [removed for supidity] “content.”
[removed for stupidity] attending?
This just in: Spoiled, pampered Hollywood dickhead pwns poetslife.
Sarcasm recognition FAIL.
Jimijazz as you said in your own words about yourself:
“I play… progressive punk music with poetic intellegent lyrics about chicks, drinks, drugs and living. Depression is settled deep inside of me. I set traps for myself all the time, its like im being drained by a constant companion dragging myself through myself. I feel very disant and far away alot of my life. I know alot of people go through thier whole lives like this. I dont think im smart, I beat myself up all the time. The stage is a perfect place for me, its the truest place i know. It causes me pain like i havent experienced anywhere else. All is shown and all is known. All is turned inside out for all to see. A freak with the lights turned on.”
I agree.
much better after editing.
…or censorship? Vacuous Hollywood pukes and hack corrupt silicon lawyers really do cover for each other.
“In 2008, he (Arrington) was selected by TIME Magazine as one of the most influential people in the world.” Time Magazine
Interesting boyo: “…one of the most influential people in the world” feels threatened enough by my comment about a pretty-boy actor that you actually censor ) “remove” in your lawyer speak) it…and brag about it. You’re a practiced liar and hypocrite, Arrington.
For all your money and fame Mikey, if you’re still so insecure that you allow a simple blog post get to you enough that you censor it and then try to cover your act with a “much better after editing” spin, you’re spineless. Instead of censoring my comments, why not show some balls and post them and allow your blog readers to judge their merits?
Makes me wonder what else you have cravenly censored over the years.
Aye, boyo, like I said…what a hypocrite, Arrington…in your own words:
Web Censorship Is So Bad in Turkey That Blogs Are Shutting Themselves Down In Protest http://tinyurl.com/5ktag6
The point is to show Turkish Web surfers what the Internet would look like if the censorship continues unabated.
01:22 PM August 17, 2008 from twitterfeed
Jma_copy_normal Michael Arrington
Love the video, but had a comment about the Katalyst logo. The identity for Katalyst has a few issues. I would consider re-designing it Ashton. Currently because of all the additional elements that create that look- you have actually created a feeling of discontinuity and weakness. I would suggest a concept with a bit more depth and concept behind it. It’s a too literal.
It also reads more like “CAT Al Yeast”
If you guys would like to talk about it further hit me up at ali@sabet.com or http://www.sabet.com!
talk soon. wish you the best! Ali
Kutcher is to the profession of acting what Arrington is to the law profession…physical beauty surround by a spiritual wasteland.
From 1938Media:
http://www.1938...utcher-at-tc52/
who is this guy? he isn’t funny for once. i find you and ashton way funnier with less efforts
My initial plan for that week what to attend Mobitech, but having read and watched through this hilarious story, decided to purchase ticket to Techncrunch50 and hang with you guys. Cheers, Ashton – you’ve made a great publicity stunt for Techcrunch ppl!
Michael,
Hopefully, you won’t get burned too much by doing the Holly-hypocrits 2-step, perfected by the Kutchers and esp. their producing partners of the world.
It’s scary how new media young studs are being seduced by the Hollywood hype machine. I worked at William Morris for a co-head and saw indie-film get co-opted and the echo-chamber-web-2.0-5 hype is exactly the same. Go where the money is, babbeeee….
Be cuidado, Michael, very careful who you give “breaks” to….
I like very much the writings and pictures and explanations in your adress so I look forward to see your next writings.
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