"i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th

[XaulZan11]

Originally Posted by Barry Bonzack

If you have a single negative thought towards this special it is because you are not the target audience for it.

I understand what your saying, but if if the biggest reason I'm involved in FIRST (the competition, strategy, sports-like atmosphere) isn't really highlighted at all, I think they may have missed getting people like me interested in FIRST. Dean has been saying for years that they stole the spots model to get people hooked on FIRST. I don't think this special properly utilized or highlighted that advantage or aspect of the FIRST program. It was a great special, but I think it could have been more effective at getting people interesed if they spent some time on the actual competition by showing some match footage.

Again, the special was great and is likely a huge sucess, but I think they have things they could do better next year.

[skywalker341]

Originally Posted by thefro526

I'm disappointed that this program was found to be 'unwatchable' by some of my closest friends from varying demographics.

I hope the next time Will.I.Am and FIRST partner it's less about Music and more about Robots.

word.

[Chris is me]

I didn't see the program, so I will refrain from commenting on it, but a friend who I told to watch the program called me after the show. "I really wish they showed us more of the robots. Those looked really cool. I didn't care about all the celebrities and music."

Take that for what it is. I'm going to assume that most of Chief Delphi was not this program's target audience, though, and thus I probably won't be reading any of this thread.

[PayneTrain]

Hard to complain about an hour of primetime TV for FIRST. Too bad there couldn't have been a lot more FIRST :/.

In my dreams, ABC saw the weekend and would consider broadcasting the Einstein field and a few other matches next year. If they did it live, throw in some pre-produced bits.

Seriously, FIRST would love the exposure. Strongmen Competitions and WSOP could take a break for an afternoon of FIRST on ESPN.

[emtwo]

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

Hard to complain about an hour of primetime TV for FIRST.

Dean conveyed it best when he said that "by most standards outside of science and technology...virtually nobody knows about FIRST..."

Tonight, that changed.

[dodar]

If I could get anything out of this, maybe someone should try and get the ratings and # of households that watched this special.

[Tim Delles]

Originally Posted by emtwo

Dean conveyed it best when he said that "by most standards outside of science and technology...virtually nobody knows about FIRST..."

Tonight, that changed.

I think it will be interesting to see what Nielson ratings say.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Tim Delles

I think it will be interesting to see what Nielson ratings say.

They look pretty modest, really.

[KHall]

I was rather pleased with the introduction before the show started. How many organizations get such a glowing endorsement from the leader of the free world?

This might be something to start in a new thread, but I thought it would be a good idea to start collecting the messages that were delivered during the show. I'll start.

Wil i am pointed out that all young people love science -- they all use cell phones, iPads, big screen TVs -- they just have not been educated that these things are all based on science.

Loved the show!!

Keith Hall
Mentor
2171 Robodogs

[GCentola]

Originally Posted by KHall

Wil i am pointed out that all young people love science -- they all use cell phones, iPads, big screen TVs -- they just have not been educated that these things are all based on science.

Science and technology! We cant forget that part.

[Barry Bonzack]

Originally Posted by Joe G.

Overall, I thought it was very good. A bit much of the concert for my tastes, but then, die-hard FIRSTers aren't exactly the intended audience.

Originally Posted by stundt1

There was way to much music in it.

Originally Posted by XaulZan11

I think the TV special was great for promoting FIRST, Will.i.am and science/technology, but I was a little disappointed with how the show was put together. My biggest complaint is that it was just a bunch of segments and songs for an hour with no real structure or progression.

Originally Posted by Kusha

WAY too much music in it, I wish it was more robotics based than music. But then again, like others said I'm a FIRST junkie, this wasn't intended for me.

Originally Posted by Chris is me

but a friend who I told to watch the program called me after the show. "I really wish they showed us more of the robots. Those looked really cool. I didn't care about all the celebrities and music."

Originally Posted by thefro526

I hope the next time Will.I.Am and FIRST partner it's less about Music and more about Robots.

Originally Posted by EricH

I like how they focused on the message. However: I wasn't a fan of that much music. I have no problem with putting music in; it's a "hook" for the general populace. Just use some slightly shorter songs.

First, let me apologize to all of you for highlighting only this one point in your posts when many of you went on to say many positive things, but I didn't want my reply to be huge.

Yes, there was a lot of music, and that time could have been used instead to talk about other things. How many of us turned off the TV Immediately after the special was over? Realize what came on immediately after, The County Music concert something or another which featured an hour of just music and was advertised by what celebrities were participating in it. If we want to be on primetime, then we have to meet this format to receive views from the general public.

Don't like it? Then lets change the culture.

[Joe G.]

Originally Posted by Barry Bonzack

Don't like it? Then lets change the culture.

"You must spread some reputation around before giving it to Barry Bonzack again"

The special did its job. It got our name out, and generated curiosity. Now, its up to us to change the culture.

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by Barry Bonzack

Don't like it? Then lets change the culture.

Barry, posts like this are why I love you.

And you know what? I don't like it. But this gives me an excuse to try to go out with my team and make them hit the community hard. (Metaphorically speaking)

[gblake]

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

... Strongmen Competitions and WSOP could take a break for an afternoon of FIRST on ESPN.

Yeah - Really - What's up with that? - You would think that we would at the least qualify for some time on "The Ocho".

[zachmartin1806]

I think they should have put at least one match in there, but not an Einstein match. The necessary strategy in order to win wasn't as entertaining as some of the finals on Archimedes, Galileo, Curie, and Newton.