Rocketboom 2.0 and Amanda Congdon

Rocketboom 2.0 began yesterday with new host (ex MTV Europe News VJ) Joanne Colan. Rocketboom was one of the first video blogs on the internet that started last year with long time host Amanda Congdon at the helm. She, however, was fired or quit. That part is under debate depending on who you ask.

Amanda posted that she was fired by Rocketboom creator Andrew Baron on July 4th. Apparently he wanted her as host or as part owner, but not both. He claims she quit to explore furthering her acting career in Los Angeles. Based on how she tells it in a post on blog, AmandaUnBoomed, it sounds like she was trying to have her cake and eat it to. Her goal was move to Las Angeles to help with a new project "The Jet Set Show" and for "Rocketboom" business.

Considering that Rocketboom was largely a news of the weird/stream of consciousness/celebrity this and that, it fits with what the show was going for. Can't beat LA for all that. However, as her imdb.com profile shows, and she admits, she clearly has a desire to be an actress and has goals that go way beyond Rocketboom. Its sounds like, at least briefly, the plans of Rocketboom and her plans reached a consensus which then seemed to fall apart as Rocketboom never went forward with the LA plans. I have a feeling this is the core of the rift between the two.

So where does this leave Rocketboom and Amanda Congdon? Rocketboom 2.0 has launched, new host took a few tomatoes for giggles, and its course is already looking steady. Basically, Amanda was easily replaced and the ADD that is the internet audience will begin to move on.

Not trying to be rude on that, but the simple fact is most programs, even vlogs, survive as much on the behind the scenes talent as it does the on-camera talent. Considering what I have seen of Rocketboom, it was the former that allowed the latter to look better. I am biased though as while both woman are very attractive and personable, I am a sucker for a British accent. Just as many daily programs survive host changes, so too shall this one.

This doesn't leave Amanda out in the pasture though. She has gotten more press in the last week then ever received in the year plus she has been plugging away on Rocketboom. Articles are everywhere about her, she even compiled some. Long story short, she has about a 90 day window to cash in on the opportunity that getting fired in a public fashion (thanks to blogs) has provided her.

Oh and little advice to the new host, producers, etc, make version 2.0 your own. Don't copy what came before, chart a new direction. Start by dropping the maps and the "good" day of the week bit. Those where Amanda's. Just as Jon Stewart made the Daily Show his own, make this show yours.