The Last (Ever?) Episode of STBD?

[Justin Kownacki]

Well... probably not. But this week's episode will be our last regular update for awhile, and not just because our season has ended. It has to do with geography.

I'm moving to Baltimore. (Which, since STBD is filmed in Pittsburgh, makes the continued future of the show a bit tricky.)

I've been considering various ways to keep the show afloat from a distance, or relocate the storyline... or even shut it down completely. But I can't make that kind of decision without talking to you, the viewers, who've given us a reason to produce the show in the first place.

Our most obvious options are:

* Keep producing full-length episodes on an irregular basis, as long as the cast and I are able to. (Pros: The show lives on as-is, more or less... Cons: Scheduling between 2 cities would make it impossible to produce more than one episode each month, which would essentially turn the show into a series of short films.)

* Produce very short weekly (or bi-weekly) episodes, no more than 3 minutes apiece -- basically 1 or 2 scenes featuring 2 or 3 characters a a time... like a series of vignettes, rather than our current long-form episodes. (Pros: The show lives on in a shorter format, but is updated regularly... Cons: We'd sacrifice long-term plot development for short-term reliability.)

* I could turn over production of STBD to the cast and whomever volunteers to produce the show from now on, and I could become an adviser to the show I created. (Pros: The show continues, although I have no idea what it would look like... Cons: Who can say?)

* We could end the series. (NOTE: Even if we do end the series, we'll still film at least one "wrap-up" episode to tie up most of our loose ends.) Pros: The cast and I would no longer have to worry about scheduling and self-imposed deadlines... Cons: The end of a (very small) era.

These are the options I'm most seriously considering. If you have any others, I'm open to suggestions. I may produce the show, but I don't always see the big picture. (That's where everyone else comes in.)

So... what do YOU want?

[Benjamin Lewis]

While I would be greatly saddened if the show ended, it is understandable. I have watched and enjoyed every episode. I think a wrap-up show would be a great idea. Would it be possible to have appearances by some former cast members? Obviously scheduling would be the ultimate factor in that. Another idea might be an extended epilogue as to the characters lives and that of characters.

Would there be any chance of making a DVD series? I don't know how cost effective that would be.

I think if the show could not keep up the same pattern that it has, maybe it is time to call it a day so to speak. Whatever the final decision is, thank you to the cast and everyone involved with STBD.

[john harris]

that would suck, but you got to do your thing justin.

to your thoughts here, did you think of maybe turning this show over, but maybe doing like an "STBD: Baltimore" (it worked for CSI), and do little things that would tie the 2 together and put it all on one site.

not that it has to totally, maybe just like the view askewniverse or something,

[Tim]

Making the episodes with people in different cities will be difficult at best, unless the remaining Pittsburgh people are capable of handling all the filming and scheduling on their own, and will do it reliably for free. And without the shows producer right there to run things and motivate people, the idea of "work for NO money" will sink in quickly.

I haven't been here much over the years, but I did keep up with the episodes. For those of you who don't know (which is probably most of you), I produce and star in my own webshow at www.loudmouthtim.com , and filmed it in the Pittsburgh area since early 2003, with 156 episodes to date. But I never felt the need to promote Pittsburgh in the course of making my episodes. Earlier this year, I finally packed up and moved to Los Angeles, where I have already been cast in several student films and indie features in small parts. I've been told a couple times that my site / episodes are what got me the parts! I've also filmed a couple episodes of my webshow out here already. My webshow, "Online Video" is mostly a one man show with guest appearances here and there, so it's easy to take it with me and cast other real actors out here, but for STBD, where there's a larger cast, a continuing story line needing those people to stick around, and all the emphasis on promoting Pittsburgh? It's going to be far tougher for it to continue, if not downright impossible.

STBD has done pretty well for a long time, but in the last season I felt like the story line was wandering a bit, and I wasn't always sure how one episode linked to the next. Probably best to make one really good, big, long final episode and let it go at that. Rich wins the PowerBall for about $200 million and finally scores with Tabby Kat, and she becomes his mistress, Tim gets laid, Dierdre changes her look, drops the attitude, and gets a boyfriend, and the others go on to bigger and better jobs or whatever. I think those would be good story ideas for a final episode.

PS - you should've cast me in STBD when you had the chance, it would've worked out really well!

Tim from www.loudmouthtim.com

[Brendan]

As down in the dumps as I would be about the show ending, It would be hard for me to come back to the page week after week and not have an update waiting. Mini episodes sounds like a fun idea, that would keep the show going. What might be interesting is a bi-monthly longer episode (but that is time consuming). As for handing the production over to the rest of the guys, if you feel comfortable with that, and you have some one who can take over, I wouldn't stop coming back to the site.

As for the DVD idea that Benjamin Lewis had, I would totally buy a "Complete Series" DVD if you all produced one.

[Justin Kownacki]

Thanks for all the feedback, folks. I'm still noodling on this, but the likely answer is:

* I'm pretty sure the show will continue in SOME capacity -- most likely the occasional short film-esque full-length update, but...

* As Brendan illustrates, we need to figure out some other kind of update we can do that'll provide entertainment value on a weekly basis without necessarily requiring an actual "episode."

Thinking, thinking...

We move this weekend, so I'll have LOTS of time in a Penske truck to consider this...

[Klim Levene]

I'd hate to see the series go, but I can understand that it cant go on forever. Personally, I feel the last episode is kinda a good wrap as it is, if you want to leave it at that.
I can see promise in the idea of doing a Baltimore version, even tho I would miss the original cast. I'm sure occasional references and cameos would make up for it.
Not user turning it over to the cast would be the greatest idea as that might lose the original creative form and probably never live up to my expectations.

Anyways, looking forward to the future. Justin has proved himself as a very capable writer/creator. STBD is the BEST fiction series/show currently on the web.

And a DVD is a MUST.

[Brittany A.]

I love the series, admire your work & resolve to complete it's course. But, what is the sourse if not the winding, withering & uplifting path of all our lives? If you chose to continue, I will always watch.

I believe you should continue STBD only if you still have something to be desired in your life as it is unfolding. After all, isn't that what we are all trying for?

[Beckie]

I just saw this as I've been checking the site but usually closing when I realized it was the same episode. Likewise, I will be very sad to see the series go. I hardly watch TV, but have somehow found myself so captured by STBD.

This makes me more sad than losing my hubcap, returning minutes later to hear that people saw someone picking it up at 1am. But it's life. :)

I'm sure whatever option you chose, it's what works best for you. I'll take what you can give me. Thanks for entertaining me for 7 years... and best of luck in Baltimore!

[John G]

I've been an enthusiastic fan since the first episode. I'd like a wrap, and I want Justin to follow his muse. As a viewer, I won't be happy if he isn't happy. Deirdre HAS to get laid so she isn't a perennial sourpuss (No pun intended there, no really) but maybe with somebody in left field, like Rich or the DJ from the first season (who she has been saving herself for all along). But why leave Pittsburgh when another Stanley Cup is in the offing???

Justin, here is a mockumentary idea. Intercity Balmore school kids learn to love literacy through Edgar Allen Poe. Call it "Poe Boys" and spice it with culinary riffs.