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)
Super pumped Sarah, I have a feeling amazing things are on their way at TWiT!
Good luck Sarah, been following you since right before Tech TV was sold, glad you have this opportunity.
How cool is this, Leo's been dropping hints for awhile and now it's happening for real. Missed your voice and wit on TWIF so you just made my day. Now we just need Martin to jump back on board. Good luck Sarah, like you need it, See you on my iPad.
Congratulations Sarah!
I'm so happy that Leo got me just what I wanted for my birthday... the first officlal day of employment for Sarah Lane within the TWiT Network!
P.S.
Poolside is better than Leo's long ago plan of a studio in his barn. Sometimes it is good to not be the person on the 'cutting edge'.
Really don't want to see you on the TWiT network...
You're not an entertaining person to watch or listen to. Your Revision3 show failed and TWiF failed. The only reason the iPad show will do well is because Leo will be a co-host. Same goes with this "green" show with Tom.
Congrats....can't wait to see the dynamic duo together again! Prrrrr
i will watch this show to support you, i have no interest in the ipad but i enjoy you to no end
When TWIF started I thought wtf is this? What's it about? When does the show start after the peremptory chit-chat? Nothing and Never seemed to be the answers, but I kept watching, because TWIT was new to me and, I was addicted to it.
Then TWIF grew on me, as I know it did on many others who commented so in chat. When TWIF ended, it may have been my favorite show on TWIT, and my Friday afternoons had a gaping hole.
I finally figured out what TWIF was about: It was about a little over an hour, usually. No. It was just about two bright, attractive, fun and very funny people with unique personalities spontaneously being themselves live on camera. You don't see that on broadcast TV, and most of the 'net on-air personalities sound like they're robotically reading scripts using an odd identical sing-song delivery that always reminds me of spokesmodels at car shows touting a car's features while not having a clue what the words they're saying mean.
And then, as it turned out, TWIF also had some unexpected gravitas. I'll always remember you with that "show must go on" pluck, lying on your couch, supported by pillows, clearly suffering the effects of those meds. The way you carried on through that challenging time of illness and uncertainty was inspirational and revealed a steely strength underneath all that light-hearted charm and humor.
So I couldn't be happier for you, for me, and for everyone that you're going to be back at the cottage.
Sure hope this brings you and Marty one step closer to bringing TWiF back!
Congratulations!!
Nice to see/hear you more often on TWiT shows.
Fantastic news, so glad to hear you have finally got a comfy chair to call your own at Twig cottage.
Congrats on joining the TWiT gang! Yey! Can't wait for the new shows, they sound kinda awesome.
... Does this mean I'll have to get one of them iPads? :D
I am so happy right now. There's so much great online content to watch and listen to!
Also, can we please bring back PopSiren? :D I miss the random crazyness of that show :P
Best news today!
Sarah, that is wonderful news! I know TWIT.tv will be a great fit for you. Any talk of coming back for a bit of N@N every week?
Now, Leo needs to work on Patrick Norton, and Roger Chang. :)
Huzzah!!! :D
TWIT is great and so are you!
Kudos to Leo for expanding his Empire. TWIT more and more has been gaining real estate on my iPod, and now with you, Tom and Becky, how better could it get???
Hey Sarah, congratulations. I've been following the old techtv staff for years, always hoping you, kevin, jessica, Dan, patrick always land on your feet and i could continue to enjoy your various podcasts and shows. Glad to hear things are going well for you.
I was wondering though, what advice would you give someone, in their mid-to-late thirties whose been working in the high-tech industry for years, who would like to switch to something more aligned to the industry that you work in. Im finally at a stage in my life where I realize i'm not happy with what I do, and would like to try something different, something that excites me.
Thanks and I wish you all the best.
Glad to see this. Leo has an amazing capacity for surrounding himself with some very intelligent young women . I enjoyed your TWIF stuff as well as your stand-ins with Amber was with child.
You and your cats are cool.
It's about TIME!!!
Now I need to order an iPad!
Sarah congratulations!!! I cant wait to start listening to the iPadlicuss shows!!!!! I'm so happy you! I hope you have lots of luck and even more success!
loves!
Rene
Yay! You are all going to have such a great time.
Congratulations!!!! That's just awesome sauce! :)
Such wonderful news! I've been a fan since the screensavers days.
It's about time you join the crew!!!!! Congrats!!!
Congrats!!
Congratulations Sarah!! That is fabulous news! I am very excited for you and truly looking forward to seeing and hearing you on TWiT! Both shows sound great!
Great news! Congrats, Sarah. Now, please resume production of TWiF!!
With you joining TWIT, it is no wonder Leo hired Tom, the ratio of Super Babe Geek women (before TWIT I didn't think they even existed) to Old Foggie Geek guys would have been ridiculous/heaven. Glad to have you on the TWIT team, Sarah. With all the S#1t you've been through, I'm glad you've landed on your feet @TWIT.
Sarah,
Congratulations! Glad to hear that things have come full circle after all these years and it's with a group of coworkers that gelled well together! I loved the Screen Savers show and was disappointed when all of you went your separate ways.
Now that both you and Leo are teamed up again, I have a reason to start watching on a regular basis.
Happy to hear that you are returning to an environment that is the perfect setting for you to shine. I have been a viewer(fan) from your early work thru the unfortunate move to G4,the trek around the world,and the online adventures since. We have watched you mature and grow strong in your confidence in front of the camera,strong enough to have some fun and the more fun you have the more we have. Good Luck and Enjoy !
Finally!! I'm psyched!
Sarah,
Congrats! I've been hoping that much of the TechTV gang would get back together on a regular business. Glad you're with Leo. Also nice that it appear the TWIT group and REV 3 group still work well together at times.
You guys are definitely the pioneers of the internet t.v. and podcasting and deserve a lot of credit for making it what it is today.
Cheers!
David
Congrats Sarah!
Such great news to hear, you will be a great addition to the TWiT team. I'd think you'd be great hosting a show around the topic of POP culture aswell.
Good luck :)
Great News. I listen faithfully to three of the TWIT network's podcasts. This will make four. Can't wait!
Hmm The Ipad huh..don't know if I will be watching then.
This is great. You are funny and techy. Lovely mix. Good luck!
Grats! It will be good to see you again.
For some reason I Google "Sarah Lane" having not looked you up in forever and BANG now you are on TWiT. So Podcast is now officially refreshed and I am really looking forward to hearing you again.
Best of luck to you Sarah and enjoy your new digs. I saw Leo on a Adrian Lamo interview an was wondering what the old gang was up to and BOOM - now I have my Sarah Lane back.
What are the odds.
Congrats Sarah! As always, I love hearing about where you will continue being an awesome tech goddess. Have fun, can't wait to see what you come up with at TWiT.
p.s. If this turns into a psudo-Tech TV reunion, please invite me. I'll never get over that internship, it's like your first kiss...wait, was that a weird metaphor? Yeah, whatevs, you know what I mean!
On behalf of Canada, sorry about our "CanCon" rules - I guess TechTV Canada wanted to count the show towards their CanCon Tax credit. It's a point system and since the host wasn't Canadian they must not have had enough points to spare ;(
This is fantastic news. My wife and I are great fans and I can wait for you to get stared. Your writing, journalistic and on-air persona suites Leo so well.
Glad you will be back in a lot of videos. Definitely have missed seeing you. I will definitely be tuning in for all your segments. Best part, I'm no labeled 'delicious' in your internet rolodex haha. Congrats Sarah!
Hey how about some perspective from a wannabe tech geek from South Korea!!!!! :D :D :D
I will not perish!!!
Read from my iPad
Congratulations Sarah and TWiT! Wonderful news. Sarah poolside sounds perfect.
Congratulations girl! I'll definitely be watching. :)
I'm sooo happy Sarah! Maybe I'll go out and buy and iPad tomorrow!
I was excited to hear that you were coming over to the TWiT network.... but that was over a month ago. There is no new news from either you or Leo regarding the new show. Rumor has it that you will be doing something iPad related, but would really be nice to get some more info!
ok so, joe rogans podcast is definitley the best, adam carolla is in second place due to the constant stream of tards, is twit on itunes or can I play that shit in winamp like I want to. =\