FIRST TV Special!

[Andy Grady]

I thought this was a great subject when it first came up, still do. But sometimes I read the posts and I really sense this "we are elite" feeling. What is it that makes FIRST too good for funny or even edgy network television? What kind of reputation is there for a show like the Simpsons to ruin? Sure, FIRST is a respectable organization, and some people do not want to see it become just another FOX special. But fact of the matter is, its not about reputation, its not about the image, its about inspiration. Getting the word out, is one of the main factors in trying to get teams, kids, people to inspire. I don't care if you have to put FIRST on Jerry Springer, if it gets the word out, its good press for our purpose. The more people of all types and groups are exposed to FIRST, the more people that get involved, and the more people that end up inspired. That is what this is all about. I feel the same way about Battlebots. Battlebots is the same as FIRST in many ways. It can be used as a tool to inspire. It is just in a different format. We are in a great program...but we are not better than everyone else. Lets hit the mainstream, lets get the name out. Only then can FIRST continue to grow.

Peace,
Andy Grady

[Joe Matt]

Originally posted by JVN
You feel you are qualified to tell us what is best for FIRST?

Jeez Joe... I'm willing to bet you don't know half the things that are going on with FIRST right now. Perhaps everyone is saying what they think would be best for FIRST.

Heck... I'll come right out and say it.
I think a Simpsons cameo would be GOOD for FIRST.

You disagree. Why are you right, and I am wrong?

I'm not saying I'm right or wrong, nor am I saying I know a lot (or do I....)

I'm simply saying we need to look beyond what's cool for FIRST to do, and look at what's best for FIRST. This also implies to me too since I thought it would be cool for FIRST to stay at Disney, but it was probably better for them to move out, even if Houston wasn't perfect.

My statement was also an overall general comment that we might want to think about when discussing things. Sure, it would be cool if FIRST held the team party at Cedar Point, but would it be best for FIRST?

Originally posted by Andy Grady
I thought this was a great subject when it first came up, still do. But sometimes I read the posts and I really sense this "we are elite" feeling. What is it that makes FIRST too good for funny or even edgy network television? What kind of reputation is there for a show like the Simpsons to ruin? Sure, FIRST is a respectable organization, and some people do not want to see it become just another FOX special. But fact of the matter is, its not about reputation, its not about the image, its about inspiration. Getting the word out, is one of the main factors in trying to get teams, kids, people to inspire. I don't care if you have to put FIRST on Jerry Springer, if it gets the word out, its good press for our purpose. The more people of all types and groups are exposed to FIRST, the more people that get involved, and the more people that end up inspired. That is what this is all about. I feel the same way about Battlebots. Battlebots is the same as FIRST in many ways. It can be used as a tool to inspire. It is just in a different format. We are in a great program...but we are not better than everyone else. Lets hit the mainstream, lets get the name out. Only then can FIRST continue to grow.

Peace,
Andy Grady

I think it goes back to the Battlebots thing. We finally have somewhat broken through that, but if FIRST is perceived as something different that it really is, that's a problem. Why? Because we will have to deal with it much like what we had to do with Battlebots.

It's not that Battlebots is bad, but it has presented us with some major problems, from Dean to us, that we had to break. FIRST dosn't have Carmen Electra like Battlebots does, etc.

Look at the Spelling Bee episode a while back about Lisa making it to the Spell-a-lympics. Sure, it was a rip off of how education is trying to be made as entertaining as sports, but even a small thing such as them trying to rig the game hurt them. If the same thing happened to Bart's team, FIRST would look a little tarnished, even if it's done jokingly.

[Brandon Martus]

I've received way too many complaints about this thread. It (temporarily) dies now.