G4 Might Not Be Dead After All
G4 may still live: months after laying off a number of staff and canceling both of the struggling channel's flagship gaming shows, NBC Universal has decided to keep G4 alive, The Hollywood Reporter reports.
The Cast And Crew Of G4's X-Play Say Goodbye
Via Blair Herter, here's the cast and crew of G4's X-Play saying goodbye as they shoot their last episode.
In ending its gaming-themed programming, G4 was rumored to become either an 'Esquire' or 'GQ' channel. Esquire it is.
G4 Canceling X-Play, Attack of the Show. Gaming Programming Nixed…
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--xgftvbrv--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/183dadh26sbh7jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--EvCsIkKs--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/183dadh26sbh7jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--vRm0x4EJ--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/183dadh26sbh7jpg.jpg, (large)])
G4—the network once known as the go-to destination for video game-friendly programming—is ending its gaming programming. The network is informing its employees in meetings today.
Report: G4 As We Know It Is As Good As Gone
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--vEqVx0uJ--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/17ybpfp20g5eujpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--HRaq3i7u--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/17ybpfp20g5eujpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Tgjvrpi_--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/17ybpfp20g5eujpg.jpg, (large)])
According to a report on Variety, G4 - one of the only TV stations in the world with a "geek" mandate - will be "rebranded" early next year, resulting in a change of focus and possibly a change of name as well.
Kevin Pereira Also Out At G4
Two weeks ago, we reported that Adam Sessler had parted ways with television network G4TV. Today, popular Attack of the Show host Kevin Pereira said he is also leaving the network. [G4TV]
Watch Adam Sessler's Best Video Game Rants Right Here
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--KAGkochm--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/17ks155nfyl1cjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--xq4a-z_K--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/17ks155nfyl1cjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--RhWvyKK7--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/17ks155nfyl1cjpg.jpg, (large)])
It's not an exaggeration to say that an era ended yesterday. G4 aired its last episode of X-Play with popular commentator Adam Sessler as co-host on Wednesday, just hours after Kotaku reported that Adam Sessler would no longer be working at the network.
Adam Sessler Out At G4 [UPDATE]
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--3jC_eBtf--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/17kp87iccbaukjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--ZkcNzz8z--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/17kp87iccbaukjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--xOKgXFDR--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/17kp87iccbaukjpg.jpg, (large)])
Longtime gaming personality Adam Sessler is no longer at G4, the TV host's representative said today.
Ice T's Gears of War 3 Music Video Premiers Tonight
Ice T and Body Count's Gears of War 3 music video "Horde 2.0: Five Against All" will premier tonight on G4's X-Play at 6:30 PM ET/PT.
Cowboys and Pokemon
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--ZGqb2olO--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18j1r46dy41z1jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--5_zvwuTU--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18j1r46dy41z1jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--bZEwULG3--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18j1r46dy41z1jpg.jpg, (large)])
Forget Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford and Olivia Wilde, this parody has ten times the star power of Cowboys & Aliens. Pikachu, Charmander and Jigglypuff all make cameo's in X-Play's Cowboys & Pokemon. Ash Ketchum has no memory, a price on his head and one question - who's that pokemon?
The Rise Of The Nerd Princesses
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--d1MW6dIv--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18j2oaxkrj73djpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--1jwpOgq5--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18j2oaxkrj73djpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--1QCiXdBZ--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18j2oaxkrj73djpg.jpg, (large)])
In 2006, an unknown named Olivia Munn began hosting a program on game-centric network G4. Five years later, she's sitting on Dave Letterman's chair and readying her sitcom debut. Olivia Munn is a new breed, that stretches beyond the US.
DirecTV Unplugs Video Game Channel G4
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Oyz-9JST--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18j2wbfvc5ht4jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--HcCg_v0j--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18j2wbfvc5ht4jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--ZIhBx_Pm--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18j2wbfvc5ht4jpg.jpg, (large)])
X-Play is on pause for DirecTV subscribers. The satellite TV provider has dropped video game-centric network G4 from its line-up today, with DirecTV saying it has "no plans" to bring back the cable channel for its 18 million U.S. customers.
Olivia Munn Trying Out For The Daily Show
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--IL_HvSLO--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18j3flovssn9ypng.png, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s---bLvMlIC--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18j3flovssn9ypng.png, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--adZvRtHE--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18j3flovssn9ypng.png, (large)])
Attack of the Show host Olivia Munn, who recently played a reporter in Iron Man 2, is appearing as a correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart over the next couple of weeks.
Hey, Olivia Munn Was Cut From Iron Man 2, Then Added Back
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Wp5stRm2--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18j3uzynbvl2gjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--pDz4GdRk--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18j3uzynbvl2gjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--WYZFbO9k--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18j3uzynbvl2gjpg.jpg, (large)])
Olivia Munn, host of television program Attack of the Show! and Playboy covergirl, was slated to appear in forthcoming Hollywood film Iron Man 2. Then she ended up on the editing room floor.
Olivia Munn Not Nude, Not for a Lack of Effort
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--mqerYek6--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18j4n9712144njpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--UmppNEN---/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18j4n9712144njpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--PRXE5-pF--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18j4n9712144njpg.jpg, (large)])
No matter what was discussed, agreed, or signed, when you're in front of a Playboy lens, the nudity negotiation never ends. Olivia Munn learned that after two days with one of their more persistent stylists.
Watch The Game Developers Choice Awards On G4 Tonight
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--gxu5cgl5--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18hglxktw0jn0jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--pwyvDCnS--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18hglxktw0jn0jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--y67-sU3w--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18hglxktw0jn0jpg.jpg, (large)])
Don't forget, like I did, that G4 will be airing the 2009 Game Developers Choice Awards tonight, giving the cable-subscribing masses a chance to hear great Tim Schafer jokes and watch awards being accepted.
You Too Can Watch The Game Developers Choice Awards
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--IRRYIAGD--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18hgt13bsjnhbjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--bSShmfWL--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18hgt13bsjnhbjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--UbchDrVF--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18hgt13bsjnhbjpg.jpg, (large)])
One of the highlights of next week's Game Developers Conference will be the show's annual awards ceremony. Tim Schafer will host. Sides will be split. Everyone will be happy. And you can watch it.
Vin Diesel Begged For Dark Athena Multiplayer
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--5AHSqlif--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18j4vq9750rqzjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--a9yHv8Hz--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18j4vq9750rqzjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--wqi4YObc--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18j4vq9750rqzjpg.jpg, (large)])
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena might have been a purely single player affair, if not for the begging of a large, muscle-bound bald man.
Cuts Hit X-Play, Show Drops to Thrice Weekly [Update]
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--2uFBxgEz--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18hgvdhvbn1m1jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--oEK4ht6h--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18hgvdhvbn1m1jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--akFX4HUf--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18hgvdhvbn1m1jpg.jpg, (large)])
Deep cuts have hit G4's flagship show X-Play, sources tell us, and the five-day-a-week program has been cut back to three times a week.
AJ on X-Play - Yes, I'm a Girl, You Can Stop Speculating
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--qiZktWoS--/c_fill,g_north,h_358,w_636/18hgxsuylbijsjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--47xvenYR--/c_fill,g_north,h_180,w_320/18hgxsuylbijsjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--AmRncsur--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18hgxsuylbijsjpg.jpg, (large)])
A couple of weeks back, I climbed on a soapbox about the media frenzy surrounding video games in connection with real life violence or tragedy.