Strike.tv struts its stuff
By Andrew Wallenstein
At long last, Strike.tv gives the world a glimpse of what it it will look like via this sizzle reel posted on its site just in time for Independence Day. The timing is not coincidental, according to Strike.tv co-founder and CEO Peter Hyoguchi, whose inaugural blog post likens the professional writers who banded together for this effort to a "self-governing nation."
Sovereignty, shmovereignty--does Strike.tv have the goods to get some half-decent scripted programming going online? That's the pledge behind their slate announcementthis week of over 40 projects of all kinds. Not that you'll be able to actually see any of them yet until later this summer.
Til then, a perusal of this tantalizing teaser video reveals only a few recognizable current actors participating: "Saturday Night Live's" Kristen Wiig and "The Office's" Mindy Kaling. Bob Newhart appears in the teaser's final seconds, but I've attended way too many TV upfront presentations to deduce that he or the aforementioned actresses are actually starring in Strike.tv programs. It could be just a milisecond cameo.
Which begs a question: What's with the soft launch from Strike.tv? If the programs aren't ready yet, why dangle a little leg when we want the full monty? The answer is that the real purpose of this announcement is to attract advertisers and investors. Without their participation, don't be surprised if this ambitious venture starts to take on water.
In a cast of amazing talent, Mindy is one of the worst actors on The Office. That's not such a bad thing to be, really, but I can't imagine how much of a draw she'll be.
Posted by: Liz | July 05, 2008 at 10:06 PM