‘Snide Remarks’ bombshell: I’m dumb
So here’s the thing. Remember that one time when I had the Kickstarter campaign for a year of “Snide Remarks,” and the deal was that I’d do 50 columns in 52 weeks — basically every Monday, except that I’d get a couple weeks off? Well, do you know what I didn’t take into account when I made those plans? I didn’t take into account that when I’m at a film festival, I cannot accomplish any work that isn’t immediately related to the coverage of that film festival.
My plan was to have a column written before I left for Tribeca so that I wouldn’t have to work on it while I was in New York. Now, I could make some excuses for why that didn’t happen, but they all boil down to the fact that I just didn’t get it done. I just didn’t. Oh, I tried. I have some great bits assembled. So funny! But nothing resembling a coherent (even for me) “Snide Remarks.”
So I figured I could either publish something that I’m not entirely 100 percent proud of — and let’s pretend that I’ve never, ever done that before, and definitely not during a film festival — or I could own up to my mistake and plead for your mercy and not run a column this week and make it up to you later. I have chosen the latter option.
Technically, I’ve now used up both of my free weeks, and believe me, I feel dumb for using them already, like when people on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” blow through their lifelines before they even get to the $100,000 question. You’ll still get your 50 columns, don’t worry — only 44 more to go! — even if I have to double up one week or something.
So that’s the story. I’m an idiot. Back on track next week, and then forever.
Love,
Eric
April 25th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
I can’t speak for anyone else, but if it takes longer than a year to get all 50 Snide Remarks written, I won’t feel cheated as long as I get to read all 50 of them eventually. I know that’s not exactly what was promised but… well, what do the rest of you guys think?
April 25th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Yeah, it’s OK as long they gut published eventually.
April 25th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
I’m a less than 0.25% shareholder of Snide Remarks, so I’m not sure that my opinion counts for much. But I’d rather have 50 high-quality Snide Remarks over a year and a half period, than 30 high- quality and 20 so-so columns over the span of a year.
Take me miniscule shareholder vote for what it’s worth.
April 25th, 2011 at 5:05 pm
Dear Eric- Your column on the Huffington Post was so good that it counts twice.
April 25th, 2011 at 5:29 pm
The return of Snide Remarks brings me such joy that I forgive you for being that guy who bid $1 as the second-to-last Price is Right contestant.
April 25th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Sounds good
April 25th, 2011 at 6:03 pm
Yeah, it just means we don’t have to donate to the Kickstarter thing until a few weeks later next year. Right? Right?
April 25th, 2011 at 7:26 pm
You remind me of what Mark Twain wrote in “Roughing It” about making a commitment to a journalistic deadline:
“Mr. Goodman went away for a week and left me the post of chief editor. It destroyed me. The first day, I wrote my “leader” in the forenoon. The second day, I had no subject and put it off till the afternoon. The third day I put it off till evening, and then copied an elaborate editorial out of the “American Cyclopedia,” that steadfast friend of the editor, all over this land. The fourth day I “fooled around” till midnight, and then fell back on the Cyclopedia again. The fifth day I cudgeled my brain till midnight, and then kept the press waiting while I penned some bitter personalities on six different people. The sixth day I labored in
anguish till far into the night and brought forth–nothing. The paper went to press without an editorial. The seventh day I resigned.”
April 25th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
If I were at Tribeca, I wouldn’t have spent a moment worrying about any of my loyal followers. The fact that you even thought to write us an explanation for your absence proves that you are, indeed, a grown-up.
April 25th, 2011 at 9:41 pm
As long as I get my snide remarks, I’m happy(:
April 26th, 2011 at 6:12 am
Also agreed. I donated to the Kickstarter campaign, and I’m fine with getting 50 columns for that, no matter what the time frame is.
April 26th, 2011 at 6:38 am
I agree with Nate the Great.
As long as we get our 50 awesome SRs eventually I’ll feel like I got my money’s worth.
Kudos to Eric for not wanting to half-butt it!
April 26th, 2011 at 8:31 am
Everyone posting commments is awfully nice to Mr. Snider here. You are the pansiest shareholders in the world. As for me, I want my column now!
My office cubicle space is coming in on me and only Mr “Snide’s” jokes prevent me from being swallowed up completely. Give me a single joke to appease me, Snider, or the streets will flow with blood!
April 26th, 2011 at 8:59 am
I donated to the campaign, and my feeling is that I’d rather get the 50 columns you feel good about in a year and half, say, than doubled up on weeks and a handful of less good columns in order to do them all in a year.
April 26th, 2011 at 11:35 am
I want my money back!!!!! Oh wait…I didnt donate any…..nevertheless “GOOD DAY SIR!”….. I said “GOOD DAY!”
April 26th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Is this a bad time to ask when the Water For Elephants review is coming?
April 26th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
I for one would gladly accept film-festival commentary as the occasional Snide Remarks.
April 26th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
“Is this a bad time to ask when the Water For Elephants review is coming?”
No worse than the time my grandfather died you and asked when I was going to review “Soul Men.” http://www.ericdsnider.com/blog/2008/11/07/friday-movie-roundup-nov-7/
April 26th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
50 great snide remarks and take the reasonable amount of time you need.
April 26th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Oh wow- that was a bad time. I definitely don’t feel bad about asking you this time!
April 26th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
In my defense I wasn’t going to ask……….but you said “Now then. Back to work”
April 26th, 2011 at 5:53 pm
Is it just me, or is Rob D. kind of a *****?
For the record, I’m ok with seeing a mostly-weekly SR. That is, every week unless it becomes grossly unrealistic, like in the movie festival scenario, or a family emergency, or something. And if it takes more than 52 weeks to get through them…meh. I’m all about the quality humor, and masterpieces take time.
April 26th, 2011 at 6:02 pm
And Grandpa was all about getting back to work!
April 27th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
I don’t know Katy………I just enjoy reading Eric’s reviews of new releases. It helps me decide if should go see the movie. I’m not sure if I deserve a 5 star rating (thanks though!)
April 27th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
Settle down Katy…no need for name calling
April 28th, 2011 at 10:55 am
I’d settle for a song…a NY Broadway musical number on Tribeca? Since you have piano skills and all
April 28th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
I too am good with 50 columns in a reasonable time, allowing for the occasional week off for film festivals, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Comic Con, etc. In fact, I kind of wondered about film festivals when we did the Kick Starter thing, because those are the dreaded weeks when I don’t get an EBM to brighten my Thursday.
April 30th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Wait, you’re writing Snide Remarks again? And people are paying you? Wow. That’s neat. Good for them! Good for you!
May 2nd, 2011 at 4:27 am
Rob D! That was class*****ic!!! Ahhh….made me laugh.