TypePad Featured Blogs

AMC Monsterfest Blog

It's alive! AMC's The Monsterfest Blog is a monstrous collection of all that's fit to print in the world of fangs and fur. From film classics like Dracula and the Wolfman to modern-day fiends Pinhead and Freddy, they're all in here ready to give you a right good scare. As the horror genre spans across all media, there's also information about monster-inspired games, music, and festivals. Don’t forget to participate in the Monsterfest polls (we here at TypePad rated “Misery” the top Stephen King movie), and take a look at the collection of videos they’ve garnered from around the web. With cheeky writing and witty commentary, this blog is entertaining as it is informative. And let’s face it – how can you resist a blog that includes “zombies” as a category?

StarPrompt

We've said it before and we'll say it again: Whether you're a small business or a sole proprietor, you can use TypePad as your entire web site. It will cost your less per month than a single Fancy Coffee Drink™ and you'll be able to modify your message in an instant without calling a third-party web developer or agency. Take, for example, the excellent StarPrompt Teleprompting Services, which offers these fine features: contact information, snazzy branding, client photos, lists of past clients and recent jobs, a sign-up form for a newsletter, an ad for additional services, a live feed of entertainment news, and perhaps most importantly -- a sense that there are real (and really entertaining) people behind the rented teleprompter. Honestly, it's a beautiful example of getting a lot of crucial information on one screen where the most important people can see it. I guess it's no surprise that pros like StarPrompt make it work, but we think TypePad makes it easy enough for anyone to pull off. High five!

A Writer's Life

If you've ever wondered about the glamorous lifestyle of a successful novelist and Hollywood scriptwriter, wonder no more. Just visit A Writer's Life, where author Lee Goldberg offers a live-wire account of both his trials and his triumphs. With dozens of books and television scripts to his credit, Goldberg is definitely the "been-there, done-that" kind of role model. When you hear his thoughts about screenwriting, you can rest assured that he knows of what he speaks. (He's been penning TV shows since Spenser for Hire.) And when you hear his outtakes from a screen-writing workshop he gave, you'll be rolling on the floor with laughter. If you take nothing else away from Goldberg's generous slices of life, that may be the key -- having a good sense of humor. Currently, you'll be treated to behind-the-scenes narratives from the making of a action-packed TV pilot called "Fast Track."

The Watcher

Ah, the life of a television critic! Sure, you have to watch a whole lot of bad TV, but then again, you get to spend all day speaking your mind about what most of us steal a few moments to discuss at the water cooler. Perhaps it's just the polish of a good journalist, but we'd swear the Maureen Ryan really, really loves what she does. The enthusiasm that she exhibits on her Chicago Tribune blog, The Watcher, is not only inspiring, it's infectious. And this is not to say that Ryan is relentlessly upbeat about the shows that crowd the cable box for our attention. She's equally willing to dole out both applause and antipathy -- giving no show safe passage for simply being a fan favorite. We're looking forward to Maureen's year-old "best" list, which is coming soon, but until then we'll eagerly devour her daily dissections of everything from Heroes to House to How I Met Your Mother.

TV with MeeVee

Don't worry if your new flatscreen television didn't come with a concierge, TV with MeeVee is here to upgrade your viewing experience to the VIP level. Get daily picks for what shows are hot tonight, as well as reviews and exclusive interviews with actors like Nip/Tuck's Willam Belli, One Tree Hill Creator Mark Schwahn, and American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke. Their Top TeeVee category tells you what's golden this season, as well as notable reruns coined "Twice Baked." (They've got a couch potato metaphor, hard at work.)  The blog is run by a host of TV lovers, so you're certain to find a voice that speaks to your TV sensibilities whether you need your fix of the LOST or the Desperate Housewives. If TV with MeeVee turns you on, check out their main site, MeeVee, the popular personalized TV listing site, which even offers a handy TypePad ready widget, so you can share your own TV tastes with the world.

Brightcove

Is 2006 the year of Internet video? If the recent Google / YouTube deal is any indication, it's hard to find a hotter online trend. That said, Brightcove is right in the thick of the race to build the next-generation platform for video content. Founded by Jeremy Allaire, Brightcove has already lined up an impressive list of customers, including Sony, Discovery Networks, Newsweek, and the Tribeca Film Festival. For more on the business model that Brightcove brings to the table, check out their detailed tour. To keep up with the latest news and press clippings about Brightcove and their vision of net-distributed video, their TypePad blog offers updates and insights from this exciting company.

fourfour

The diabolically funny creation of Brooklyn's Rich Juzwiak, fourfour offers recaps of two popular reality television shows: Bravo's Project Runway and the CW's America's Next Top Model. Combining screen captures, sound clips, and dazzling displays of Photoshop wizardry, Juzwiak's long-form critiques have a fanatical following that wait breathlessly for each week's new posts. In addition to unloading this twin-barrelled blast of bitchiness on fourfour, Juzwiak also pulls double duty as the commentator in residence on VH1's Celebreality blog. Thank heavens Rich has enough cattiness and creativity to keep up both gigs. Who knows what crazed PR and ANTM fans would do without him?

The IFC Blog

If you're a fan of independent film, you'll definitely want to have The IFCBlog on your radar. The Independent Film Channel is a cutting-edge cable network that offers a home to indie movies, documentaries, original series, and even talk shows. (In fact, let us all praise the new king of chat: Henry Rollins.) This particular blog, one of a matched pair, is nothing short of encyclopedic. The tagline, "The IFC blog reads the news so you don't have to," is a staggering understatement. Not only does editor Alison Willmore review new films and recently released DVDs, she also combs through the very big world of online film criticism to bring you the most important quotes. She even takes the time to annotate her densely packed (and intensely smart) posts with an unheralded array of related links. You can (and probably will) spend hours clicking around in this film-lover's paradise.

Inside the Experience

If you like getting lost online, wandering from site to site in search of hidden patterns, encoded messages, and web-like connections, then this is the place for you. Inside the Experience is the home of The Speaker -- a collector of objects, knowledge, and, ultimately, secrets. His main focus of study: Alvar Hanso and his eponymous foundation. Ring a bell? It should. There is an entire generation of television fans who are eagerly scurrying around the Net, hatching theories surrounding this mysterious scientist. Don't worry if it's a little difficult to immediately understand what's being discussed at Inside the Experience. Fans of alternative realities take note: Persistence will be rewarded.

Fire Jeff Zucker

For such a negatively titled blog, Fire Jeff Zucker is remarkably positive. Sure, editor Dave Thomas is hopping mad that his favorite television network, NBC, has stumbled under the reins of executive Jeff Zucker, but it's not like Thomas isn't ready, willing and able to fire off post after post of constructive criticism. He is. And he does. And if you care about shows like ER and Scrubs and Today and anything else the Peacock network has on its schedule, then tune in and find out if Thomas can help turn things around (or get someone canned). We know we'll be watching...

Comedy Central Insider

Comedy Central expands their empire of belly laughs with their blog, Comedy Central Insider. Do you have a fetish for South Park, Adam Corolla's Steve-O, or frightening pictures of Carrot Top? (Please say you don't.) In any case, CC Insider can probably meet your comedic needs. First and foremost, the blog takes some time each day to  post videos clips from the network's flagship property, Jon Stewart's brilliant Daily Show. The folks at Comedy Central figured that since every other blogger on the planet was linking to excerpts from the show, they might as well get into the act themselves -- a very smart move that is approximately 500% cooler than sending bloggers cease-and-desist letters. Rounding out the Insider, you'll see posts about just about every show in Comedy Central's growing lineup, plus guest posts from comedians like Kyle Cease, Andy Kindler, and Becky Pedigo. Subscribe to the RSS feed to enjoy exclusives like "Never-Before-Seen Sketches From 'Chappelle's Show's' Third Season" and a steady stream of great comedy tid-bits. There are plenty of fascinating blogs out there, but not that many are as laugh-out-loud funny as Comedy Central Insider.

Idol Chatter

USA Today has some great blogs. We've featured one before, the excellent Pop Candy, and we'll probably feature more in the future. That said, today belongs to Idol Chatter, music editor Ken Barnes' commentary on the continuing phenomenon that is American Idol. This is the show's fifth season and judging by the enthusiasm of this blog's commenters, it's as popular as ever. From thousands of hopefuls, the current competition has been pared down to two -- Katharine McPhee and Taylor Hicks -- and whether or not you have a rooting interest, you have to admit that Idol makes for great conversation. With the show airing on multiple nights each week, Barnes has his hands full with performances to critique, votes to handicap, and results to analyze, but Idol Chatter paints a picture of a tireless blogger who is just hitting his stride as the show enters its home stretch.
 

Tuned In

TIME magazine's James Poniewozik covers the world of television.  And that doesn't mean rounding up last night's ratings or rattling off who's  planted on Jay Leno's couch next week. No, Poniewozik, a former writer for Salon, offers much more substantial pieces, touching on everything from a webcam version of The McLaughin Group to TV turnoff week (two thumbs down!) to a great rememberance of Don Knotts. And while Poniewozik's print columns and blog both afford him the opportunity to tackle these off-center topics, his near daily posts clearly reveal that he's just as obsessed as we are with Lost, The Sopranos, Project Runway, and the dearly departed Arrested Development. He may be smarter and funnier than the rest of us, but at least he's still got his priorties straight.

Jason Bradbury

Gadget junkies beware. Jason Bradbury won't quell your desire to spend every cent of your income -- and then some -- on the latest tech toys. He refers to himself as a gadget maestro, and who can argue? Jason has been on UK TV for years and is currently hosting The Gadget Show on Five. If you are already addicted to finding out the next coolest thing in electronics, Jason will help you feel like a bleeding edgster. Note that Jason doesn't just talk about the latest and greatest, he's testing them out, and even making some of his own gadgetry as well.