Are you sure 18431 of this?!?

Really? This is what people are commenting about? That is stupid. Look, Liz Blac just promotes shows that are funny. Darryl is funny. It seems like the person who posted these angry posts (who is obviously a member of the UCBT community and also obviously the same poster with several names) is trying to seem like a community of outraged comedy go-ers, but is really just an angry comedian who didn't get his or her show plugged by Gothamist. Relax pal. If you email Liz, she will post your show too. That is how it works.

The BIGGEST problem here is that Liz is hilarious and puts on an awesome show. I find it unethical that Liz would promote one hilarious show, only to make people suffer through her own hilarious show.

Absolutely unforgivable.

I am sorry that this had led to people thinking I am unethical or shady. You are right, full disclosure would have been a good idea and I apologize, but I am hardly Jayson Blair here. I write on Gothamist and perform at UCB for fun and I enjoy it, I don't do these things as a professional.



The deal is, I plug shows I know and like and think the public should see. If Darryl was performed in any other time slot, I would have still promoted it, whether it benefit me or not - if you choose not to believe that and want to think I'm unethical that is up to you. I don't write on Gothamist to be self serving, I write because there are a lot of shows that I think people would be interested in seeing.



[Insert the next commenter's line by line breakdown of my apology here].

Katie: He's a douche cause he points out a clear journalistic ethical violation? A simple disclaimer would have resolved the situation.

As for Liz Blacks comments here: she writes she doesn't benefit from promoting the show but that is absurd. More people are seeing her show as a result - isn't that the goal of performing the show. Additionally a search reveals her show has already gotten a long write up here on Gothamist before. To start poo-pooing the importance of the theater, its geography, or her benefit are lame attempts to make her conflict-of interest seem less important. Its as shameless are her initial article.

She also writes she wasn't trying to weave a web of deception, but then admits to find out the connection would take some sleuthing.

I think this does hurt Gothamists credibility. If authors are going to be plugging their own projects, or projects they directly benefit from they should be upfront about it. The whole situation is shady to say the least.

If this was done in a major publication it would in the least result in a editorial apology in the paper and at worst, terminating the writer. The credibility of blogging is constantly under attack in mainstream media and it exactly because of incidents like this, where blogs online publications are held to a lower standard because "its just the web"

Liz you could have saved your self the trouble if you mentioned up front that were in the paired show.

"obviously anyone could find that out from the UCB schedule like you did."

- yes but the ownus is on you the "journalist" not to make us do the work. If Time magazine writes an article about a movie being made by warner brothers it always tells us that Time magazine is owned by AOLTime Warner

"No one makes money from the shows we do at UCB"

-People still pay for them and you benefit if you trick people into seeing your show

"Gethard's show is up first, you can leave if you don't want to see mine, so I had very little to gain from promoting his awesome show"

-the casual Gothamist reader doesn't know who wrote the post so they wouldn't know to leave

Even though this is just a blog people trust the opinions of this online publication. In the end you failed to adhere to a simple journalistic rule of full disclosure.

Liz you could have saved your self the trouble if you mentioned up front that were in the paired show.

"obviously anyone could find that out from the UCB schedule like you did."

- yes but the ownus is on you the "journalist" not to make us do the work. If Time magazine writes an article about a movie being made by warner brothers it always tells us that Time magazine is owned by AOLTime Warner

"No one makes money from the shows we do at UCB"

-People still pay for them and you benefit if you trick people into seeing your show

"Gethard's show is up first, you can leave if you don't want to see mine, so I had very little to gain from promoting his awesome show"

-the casual Gothamist reader doesn't know who wrote the post so they wouldn't know to leave

Even though this is just a blog people trust the opinions of this online publication. In the end you failed to adhere to a simple journalistic rule of full disclosure.

Blogger Ethics Committee, you just made me want to go see BOTH Darryl ANNND Celebutantes!!! hahaha!

That made no sense and I appologize. But Blogger Ethics Committee you are still a douche.

I am not making a secret of the fact that the show I wrote is on the same night as Darryl, and obviously anyone could find that out from the UCB schedule like you did. But I wasn't trying to weave a web of deception or tarnish Gothamist's name over a show that costs $5 and is at an alternative comedy theatre under a supermarket...No one makes money from the shows we do at UCB and Gethard's show is up first, you can leave if you don't want to see mine, so I had very little to gain from promoting his awesome show. Sorry if it seems fishier than it really is. You're a good sleuth though.

Awww Josh you're just in a bad mood because you know Tom Cruise is never gonna admit he's gay. Cross out those Josh Cruise's on your notebook and head back to homeroom, honey.

Love,

Katie "beard" Homesypants

What a coincidence that the show "Darryl" being promoted here by author Liz Blac is paired with another show called "Celebutantes" which has an actress named Liz Black. What are the odds of that? I would not consider this a blow to Gothamist's integrity at all.

With that last name, Ghris Gethard should really be in porn.

hahahah thats friggin awesome. i just reserved my tix. $5...hmmmm...oddly enough the same price as a hit of crack. hmmmmmm