363925 Thu Jan 25 04:13:26 -0800 2007 24 30 Site Talk 0 2224607 Dudes, it's bad enough that you're forcing the stupid chow.com features down our throats by advertising them on the sidebar of every Chowhound page. But WTF IS WITH THE TOP CHEF SPOILERS? I'm just minding my own business, catching up on Boston-area posts, and right there is SO-AND-SO AND SO-AND-SO WERE ELIMINATED FROM TOP CHEF LAST NIGHT. Dude, the thing is still on my TiVo. It only showed about nine hours ago. And now you've ruined it before I even get a chance to watch it. Seriously, bad form. If you're going to write a spoiler article only a day after the show airs, don't put the spoiler in the title. And certainly don't advertise that title on a completely non-TV-related website! Thu Jan 25 04:13:26 -0800 2007 10607 Luther 1 2224650 I TOTALLY AGREE! The show is still on my TiVo. It aired in California a grand total of SEVEN HOURS AGO. I think I can be excused for not watching it yet. It's on at 10 PM, I have a early waking toddler and I need to go to bed before 10 PM so I'm not totally trashed the next day, for goodness sake. I shouldn't have to be spoiled by Chowhound's front page at FIVE IN THE MORNING. Ridiculous and a stupid, stupid choice. Thanks for nothing. BTW, many people in this world can't stay up to watch a show at 10 PM, not just me. I am really angry at you, Chowhound. Thu Jan 25 05:10:25 -0800 2007 2224607 10658 Atomica 1 2224714 Thank you Chow.com for ruining my enjoyment Top Chef, which is on my DVR to be watched sometime soon. Thu Jan 25 05:42:10 -0800 2007 2224607 12193 JugglerDave 1 2224886 Guys, sorry about this. We've done our best to try to fix it, and hopefully when the CHOW folks get into the office today, we can solve this problem. Thu Jan 25 06:48:47 -0800 2007 2224607 2 The Chowhound Team 1 2225172 Look ya'll - It already happened and it already broadcast. I know that broadcast times don't mean as much anymore because everyone has DVR etc, but complaining that people are talking about an already aired show on a public forum? Just go watch the thing already. CHOW - I don't think you should be apologetic about this at all. If I hadn't watched it, I would expect the world to stop communicating about it to preserve my sense of drama! Sheesh! Thu Jan 25 08:08:23 -0800 2007 2224607 46897 gridder 2 2225186 I agree, gridder. In this world, "Top Chef" is like the NFL in the wider world. The game's over, the results are out. Deal with it. Thu Jan 25 08:13:02 -0800 2007 2225172 47019 gido 3 2225242 I just made that comparison on another thread. It is so irritating reading all of the complainers this morning -- it is beyond me. Thu Jan 25 08:26:32 -0800 2007 2225186 46897 gridder 3 2225330 gido/gridder uh, no it's not, and anyway people avoid sports results before they watch a game too it's not like people were running over to the Bravo site last week a Spoiler for the show would not have automatically been on this site - it's a function of the new design incorporating and ezine with a message board. that said, it's unnecessarily clunky to put SPOILERS in the title of the podcast ad. If someone is clicking on the podcast, they're ready. "Upset!" or whatever the headline says now is much better - THX for changing that Chowteam. Thu Jan 25 08:45:20 -0800 2007 2225186 11989 pitu 1 2225317 Who forced you to read the thread? It stated there were spoilers in the title. I guess everyone is supposed to wait until you watch the show before we can begin discussing it? Thu Jan 25 08:41:43 -0800 2007 2224607 21571 RBCal 2 2225328 The story title was edited after this thread was started this morning, so as not to reveal who was asked to take their knives home. Thu Jan 25 08:45:12 -0800 2007 2225317 2 The Chowhound Team 3 2226163 Um... I see them right now. There's an ad right there next to your post that reads: "Top Chef" Upset: XXXXX and XXXXX Pack Their Knives Only XXXXXX and XXXXX remain (Names replaced with XXXXX in case someone reads this after the ad is taken down). Thu Jan 25 11:45:06 -0800 2007 2225328 10109 Peter 4 2226241 Yep, same here, still seeing it. Thu Jan 25 12:04:07 -0800 2007 2226163 11369 Robert Lauriston 5 2226262 It was gone for a few hours... and now it's back. Thu Jan 25 12:08:10 -0800 2007 2226241 10607 Luther 3 2232071 I've been seeing that teaser all day, and it's still there right now. Maybe there's some caching issue? Revised titles aren't picked up by the right-column teaser ads? Fri Jan 26 20:10:45 -0800 2007 2225328 11369 Robert Lauriston 1 2225767 Hi all. I'm the one responsible for writing the headline spoiler and posting it on CHOW, so I'm going to step in here. First, I'm sorry: I do understand how frustrating it can be to have the episode spoiled, and you rightly assumed that since Chowhound was safe territory in the past, it would remain so this week. For next week's finale we will not put the winner's (or the loser's) name in the promo copy. We are very careful to make sure that the podcasts get posted only after the show airs on the West Coast. Reality TV is part of what we cover, and the booted contestants are a newsworthy topic; we're a news source. It's important to us to be up to the minute in releasing information. But it's true that Tivo has changed the way people watch television. If we continue to run these podcasts next season, we'll certainly look at how we tease the information. Thu Jan 25 10:24:27 -0800 2007 2224607 10086 davina 2 2225932 You might follow the example of TV Critics' Blogs. They often dissect and discuss key plot points in TV shows the day after they air, and the posts are full of spoilers. However, they never include spoilers in the title of the post. They assume that if you click on a breakdown, you are prepared for spoilers. But you should never be exposed to spoilers by perusing titles. Thu Jan 25 10:57:22 -0800 2007 2225767 10793 Morton the Mousse 2 2226038 Disregarding that I DVR'd it – I understand that you're a news source. The only problem is that you put all the information you really needed to know in a spot where it was impossible to avoid. It would probably be even more effective in garnering interest if there was a teaser to lead you into the podcast or Stories section instead of stating the conclusion directly. BTW, I absolutely never (not even live sporting events – well, maybe hockey) watch anything 'real-time' anymore. For sporting events, I know what places to avoid until I've caught up. You hit it on the head when you said that we thought that Chowhound was safe territory. I still think it should be. Promos don't have to state the obvious to be effective. Why did it reappear? Thu Jan 25 11:16:51 -0800 2007 2225767 14160 Carole 2 2226069 I stopped watching TV in real time 20 years ago. DVRs just make it easier. Headlines should never include spoilers. Thu Jan 25 11:24:07 -0800 2007 2225767 11369 Robert Lauriston 2 2226144 Davina - thanks for understanding. Much appreciated. Not sure if you realized it but the spoiler is still up....i'm sure throughout the next day or two many more people will come to site and it will be 'spoiled' for them. Can this one be fixed please? Thu Jan 25 11:41:02 -0800 2007 2225767 12487 krissywats 3 2226294 thanks davina - except yes it's back up you could see Elia and Sam and not be sure whether they were in or out - the headline does that job and THAT info is totally unnecessary to tease the podcast. especially given the recent changeover - I'm glad you understand that Chowhound was previously safe territory I was pissed off to read it early this morning, and posted a notice so that OTHER PEOPLE wouldn't have to be spoiled too. This is a community that cares about other people - gridder, take note. Thu Jan 25 12:14:21 -0800 2007 2226144 11989 pitu 2 2240675 I appreciate the consideration. As others have noted, you can tease in the ad WITHOUT spoilers and still cover the news. Anyone who has already watched it or doesn't care about spoilers will click through. As you can see, all it did (inadvertently though it may be) was cause a lot more frustration. Also, it was only changed for a few hours. The full spoiler package has been back since then. Mon Jan 29 20:16:35 -0800 2007 2225767 63260 eamcd 1 2226333 Davina, please change the title back to NOT include names. Thu Jan 25 12:22:53 -0800 2007 2224607 10658 Atomica 2 2227239 no kidding I'm really taking this as a sign of contempt from the owners of this site at this point Thu Jan 25 15:34:54 -0800 2007 2226333 11989 pitu 3 2227718 I'd really like them to address whether this is supposed to be some kind of joke or whether there is some glitch they don't understand. DAVINA? Thu Jan 25 17:51:19 -0800 2007 2227239 10658 Atomica 1 2227281 If you removed it twice, it's back three times. Thu Jan 25 15:44:36 -0800 2007 2224607 11369 Robert Lauriston