Break out the bubbly... I'm joining TWiT!!!
May 27, 2010 
I have some very exciting news. As many of you delicious TWiT fans are already well aware, I’m joining the team!
A little background on how this came to be, presented in a helpful vertical timeline format:
2001 - Leo Laporte and I begin working together on the daily, live, hour-long tech help/how-to/entertainment show “The Screen Savers” on San Francisco-based cable network TechTV.
2004 - TechTV is sold to Comcast who merges it into Los Angeles-based cable network G4. Leo begins working at G4TechTV in Canada and he and I talk about me joining him there vs. moving to LA to work for G4. For a variety of reasons (one being that I’m not Canadian and somehow unqualified to work at this particular Toronto-based network, and BTW nobody’s ever heard this part of the story before), I move to LA.
2004/5 - Leo begins experimenting with podcasting as an alternative to traditional broadcasting, laying the foundation for what will eventually be known as TWiT.tv, the internet’s tech network and a true pioneer of both subscription-based audio/video downloads and live streaming content.
2007 - After a couple years in LA and another year abroad, I settle back in San Francisco and Leo and I talk about how I might be a good fit to work at TWiT. At the time I also have an offer from then-emerging internet TV network Revision3, founded by a group of my former colleagues and friends who’ve just received enough funding to pay me a salary to help build out their empire. Long story short, I take the job at Revision3.
2008 - The morning after my first ever appearance on TWiT.tv’s flagship show, “This Week in Tech”, Revision3 drastically reduces its in-house budget by laying off a group of employees, me included. Leo and I resume our conversation about how I can come aboard at TWiT and I begin training on the Tricaster, the live camera/audio/graphics switching system Leo uses to run his shows. As both a fun side project and vehicle for technical practice, fellow TechTV/G4/Revision3 alum Martin Sargent and I begin recording the weekly, ridiculous, awesome show “This Week in Fun” on the TWiT network.
2009 - Having gone back and forth on a variety of partnership and show ideas, Leo is hesitant to bring me into a staff position at TWiT.tv due to a recession-fueled, volatile online advertising market. There are no hard feelings; it’s a tough time for web companies in general. We agree to keep our options open as the year progresses, and I accept a job offer from Current TV to build out their tech video presence on the web. In the meantime, I continue to record “This Week in Fun” at TWiT.
February 24th, 2010 - Current TV decides to focus on its cable TV franchises and cuts much of the web production budget, including my Tech channel. Later that day, Leo and I spark back up our years-long conversation of working together again.
June 1st, 2010 - I will join TWiT as a host, show producer, ass-kicker and name-taker. Leo and I are launching an iPad-based show, which will not only be focused on the best little gadget this side of ANYTHING, but will mark an exciting departure from the current TWiT in-studio format. Can you say “live streaming poolside”? Just kidding. Actually I’m not kidding.
I’ll also be co-hosting a show about green technology with my former TechTV colleague, friend, and new fellow TWiT kicker/taker Tom Merritt. It’s been a long time since Tom and I worked together, and I can’t think of a smarter, cooler guy to partner with on a variety of projects going forward. I’m really excited to see what unfolds.
Today - What we’re about to embark on at TWiT is new and fresh and here and now, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a tinge of that old gang starting to get back together again. It’s what I’ve secretly always wanted and it finally feels like it’s happening. Plus, I love the TWiT team, love love love them, what they’ve achieved thus far, and what we’re all about to create. I’m so proud and lucky to be a part of TWiT’s next chapter, and I hope you’ll all come along for the ride.
I’ll be co-hosting “This Week in Tech” this Sunday with Leo and Tom and we’ll talk more about the awesomeness then, along with Carol Bartz’s potty mouth issues. Definitely tune in for more info…or perish, alone and penniless. Up to you.
As always I’ll keep you guys up to date any big announcements here. Thanks for reading! I’ve been sitting on this news for too long, and I couldn’t wait any longer to share it with you. I’m really, really happy, and I hope you are too.
Sincerely, Cordially, Affectionately,
Sarah
PS- To be clear, if you watch any of my future shows on TWiT, you are automatically labeled “delicious” in my Internet Rolodex.
Reader Comments (149)
Awesome to have your voice back inside my head during my daily commutes, Sarah!
Leo has dropped this information a few times live during different shows, and I was waiting patiently for the announcement. I am so excited for you guys at the cottage! Good luck and know true fans will be watching!
Awesome! I really miss your Current Tech segments, as well as TWiF. I'm glad we'll be hearing more from you.
I am honored to be the first one to say congrats with the new position at TWIT, it's about time you got paid from Leo! He's been getting all of this free work out of you for some time now.
Here's to TWIT..... twit twit hooo rayyyyy !!!!!!
from a fellow podcaster and blogger
Yay! Tom Merritt, Sarah Lane.. gotta catch 'em all!
Wow!! That's Excellent news. Look forward to seeing/hearing you on TWIT. Already a huge fan of their Team and their podcasts, I know you will bring your usual talents and skills to their team. Can't wait for Sunday...Thanks for sharing and brightening up my mid-week a bit.
Congratulations!!
Excellent news. I've missed your terrific Pop Sirens show, and can't wait to see you back online talking about tech and gadgets!
This is fantastic news Sarah! I know Leo and yourself have been talking about this lately during the live shows but its amazing to finally hear an official announcement. I know you and Tom will be great working at TWiT. I wish you the best and you will be amazing!
Great news. Getting the band back together
Awesome, i knew it was going to happen some day, and i can't wait!
Getting the band back together. Rev3 and Current were cool projects but Leo and Twit.tv are home. Great news. Get Martin on the show if you can. He and Merrit's conversations would be hilarious. (not as funny or informative as yours though. SarahRulz!)
Congratz on joining TWiT.tv - now we have a "beauty" to counter Leo's "beast" <kidding !!>. I respect and admire Leo (although I don't always agree with him) for what he's achieved with TWiT and you'll love it there.
I knew "the old gang" would start reforming one day..:-)
Jon (aka @moldor)
PS - Can you ask him to start listing UTC times for the shows - for us poor Australians ?
Glad that things are going better for you now, Sarah. I know you have been through a lot health-wise and everything else. But we are happy to see your pretty smiling face again almost everyday doing what you love. All the best and see you on twit.tv
Woohoo!!! Glad you're back in good health and reuniting with Leo!
All good news, but the best news of all is finally making it to level "delicious". Achievement Unlocked.
You know what rocks almost as much as me hitting "publish" on this most excellent post? Reading your positive, cheering-me-on comments. This is exactly why I do what I do. Exactly. Thank you.
It will be great have you back on the internet on an even more regular basis. Plus with all your other experience any thought of maybe producing a more polished show (vs the live stuff) on TWIT? I love the live stuff but there is nothing wrong with some pre-produced items too that could be done while other programs are live?
Great news. I was hoping TWIF would come back but I'm just glad to know there's a place I can hear from you once again. Good Luck to you!
Awesome! Congrats :-)
Sarah is easily one of the best parts about TWiT.tv. Welcome back, permanently!
btw, we're still waiting on episode 50 of TWiF.
It's hard for me not to be excited for you. Congrats, Sarah! Just reading how you wrote your post, I can tell you're bursting at the seams with anxious await until June 1st. You deserved this!
That's awesome!!! You totaly dropped off my radar after rev 3 and then into oblivion when you left twif. Your always way more fun to watch when your talking tech. Your the best second to Kevin rose of course ;-) can't wait to watch playboy sexiest geek Sarah Lane.
L8ta
Great that your on the TwiT team Sarah. I'm currently training to be a doctor and your shows have been a nice way to escape when things get stressful! Keep it up!
:)
Congrats Sarah! Looking forward to watching you on Twit!
Congrats! They're lucky to have you.
Sarah,
I''m really happy for you, maybe the old gang from the The Screen Savers will be back together.
I remember those great days!
Looking forward to the new shows. Congratulations!
I have been waiting and waiting for a regathering of ZD/TechTV peoples. Leo I feel was the life blood of that network. I can't wait to see the new stuff. So happy to have an energetic crazy Sarah Lane on TWiT.
Are you ready to go get dinner yet?
Oh, and congrats!
Seriously, though -- dinner, now.
Welcome back to TWiT Sarah! Please keep the boys real; it could turn into a locker room fast...
Sarah, you bounce around jobs more then a kid with A.D.D. in a candy factory. I am so excited for you to be on the TWIT network as I pretty much have it running all day in my office at work. It's been fun following your career and I am excited for this new opportunity for you! Now GO OUT THERE AND KICK ASS :)
I'm very excited to hear this awesome news! Also I will happily accept the label of being delicious!
Even though Leo dropped the news already, I was more than happy to hear it straight from the horses mouth (that seems to have gotten away from me....not an insult)
What can I say, you're awesome and as sad as I was when TWIF signed off, I am now just as happy/excited. Have a fun, launch some shows and I'll be watching!
1. Congrats!
2. TWiF?
3. Will you at any point be sitting in a nook and screening webcam calls? (lol)
Congratulations!
First on-air segment on TSS with Leo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvARoWDho5U
Sarah on Leo's roof
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjbVBsVWy3Q
TWiT is my home of news, views and endless ratholes. So its great to see you've formally the team that I know you've been an informal part of for many years already. Welcome home, just remember that you've got my vote for more polished pre-recorded segments like I remember from The Screensavers.
It is a match made in heaven.
"You got TWIT mixed up with my Sarah Lane"
"No you got your Sarah Lane mixed up with my TWIT"
Both - "Wait they are awesome together!"
Glad to hear from you on a more regular basis.
I'm sooo happy Sarah! Maybe I'll go out and buy and iPad tomorrow!
Don't forget you also bring a kick-ass fan base of your own with you.
This is so freakin' sweet! I miss the old days of TSS and it's great to have you and Leo back together once again!! Congrats and go kick some major ass!!
This is great news. I have a feeling that the 1st phase in "Operation: Phoenix" for TWiF involves getting somebody in place on the inside. Hopefully the next phase will occur on June 1st and a return date for TWiF will be set.
I imagine that it must be gratifying to read so many comments about a show that was only on for 49 episodes. What an impact you two made on people.
Congratulations Sarah!
So you're going to work at TWiT, and you're going to do an iPad show, and you're going to do a show with Tom Merritt? This is three kinds of awesome all mixed together. Excellent news all around!
TWiT pool-side? Sarah in a bikini? That will definitely help with viewership. Just please keep Leo out of the speedos. :-)
Sarah, I am so happy for you and all of us. TWiT is the better for having you back on full time. We love Leo but happy to see things grow with you and Tom. Congrats! You have earned it and deserve it.
We here in the great white north get our iPads tomorrow, Can't wait and can't wait for your show.
p.
I'll be there, watching my ass off.
Congrats Sarah! I have heard both you and Leo mention the upcoming iPad show over the last few weeks, and it's great to see that is has been made official. Even though I don't own an iPad, I will tune in faithfully :)
That is good news. I really enjoy the way you approach broadcasting (a natural blend of warmth and intelligence) and I am especially excited about the green technology show.
This news makes me VERY happy! I love TWIT and I miss the TechTV days with my fav tech people. I know you'll be awesome as usual. Good luck and have fun!
Yessssssssss!!
Way to go Sarah!!!! Lets here it for the Lanester..
I will make sure to make you show on my calandaer so I dont miss a single one..