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July 07, 2006

Now Amanda really is Un-Boomed

Let's face it. The reason we love the pioneering video blog, Rocketboom is Amanda Congdon. We imagine most of the fans watch the show because of Amanda Congdon. So the fact that Amanda Congdon abruptly disappeared from the show would, we imagine, be A Bad Thing

No doubt, however, fans will keep on tuning in, if only to learn why, and in what circumstances Amanda disappeared, and whether she will return. The entire blogosphere is in a frenzy. The script, as it unfolds, is as zany as any Rocketboom treatment. According to the Rocketboom site, which is being maintained by Amanda's former business partner, and the show's producer, Andrew Baron: "Amanda Congdon has decided to move to L.A. to pursue opportunities that have arisen for her in Hollywood. We wanted to meet her demands to move production out to L.A., however, we are a small company and have not been able to figure out a way to make it work, financially and in many other ways at this time. While we continue to remain with open arms, Amanda has in fact quit and left Rocketboom. So sadly, we bid Amanda adieu and wish her all the best. "

Over at Amanda's personal site, however, Amanda says, "No way." In a touching, and let's face it, bewildering post in which Amanda answers what purports to be a reconciliation attempt by Baron, but actually appears to be a positioning statement, the dialogue goes like this:

Baron: Dear Amanda, this is my last attempt to reach out and let you know I really wish you would stay.

Amanda: Andrew, you fired me.

In Amanda's version of the story, it's Baron who apparently decided to pursue other opportunities. The He-says-She-says dialogue is gripping. He says, "After everything that has built up over the last several months (and longer apparently) and with everything I have learned about your disinterest in my various levels of critical input, I can understand why you would need to leave and I as I have always said, I will never hold you back."

She says, "It saddens me that you have not had the time and/or willingness to significantly participate creatively in Rocketboom for some months now. We've sent you things during the production process, and what we've received back is criticism after the show has already been produced or after it is too late to make changes. Statements like 'I'll continue to check my Blackberry but please don't wait on me if it starts to slow you down' and 'I will have my phone so I can still chime in but don't feel ever wait [sic] on me for any answers if I can't respond in time' really don't cut it."

What emerges from Amanda's side of the exchange is that she planned to do the showfrom LA, while she pursued those other opportunities, and had no intention of giving up her 49 per cent share in the company. Our experience suggests that people don't voluntarily give up 49 per cent of something that's making as much money as Rocketboom - $45,000 to $85,000 a week - so we tend to accept Amanda's story. But it could be, you know, that, like thousands of other Rocketboom viewers, we're just a little bit in love with her. Who knows. Maybe she did just decide to give everything to Andrew, and become a star. Spotted any aerial pigs lately?