I used the Google.  Is Ms. Burstein a relation?

I'm not sure who else I would have had do the David Mack interview.  Keith knows the Trek literature scene inside out, and I "Like" the inside knowledge stuff, even if I don't follow it.   To me, the giveaway was fine, a interviewed subject offered a prize, and that's a damn nice idea.  I don't feel there was a sell out in any way.  Hell, I'd like to see this happen with every big interview, a competition to win something from the interviewed subject. Maybe next time, a MST3K give away (not sure what there is along those lines though, and obviously, it could get expensive)

Okay, let me address some of these issues as cautiously, carefully, and diplomatically as possible.

We are at the beginning of our podcast venture, which means we don't have people beating down our door to be interviewed on our show just yet (give us a few more months).  So most of our current interviewees are people we already know either through The Chronic Rift TV show or in real life.  Jay is correct in pointing out that since Keith goes out to conventions more than any of us, he's ideal for us to say, "Hey, while you're there promoting your own stuff, could you also get an interview or two for the podcast?"  We will be acquiring more interviews in the coming months as several of our hosts are lining up interviews with other authors/celebrities.  Keith is also probably the ideal person to interview a Trek author simply because he's read more Trek fiction than (I think) the rest of us put together.  There's a line somewhere between interviewing a friend and acting like Barbara Walters and trying to make the person cry, but I don't pretend to know where that line should be, exactly.  I also wished there had been more of a discussion of Mack's latest book because I was more interested in that than in his Trek books, but that's my (our) personal preference.  Perhaps there are Trek fans who will be disappointed that he didn't talk ENOUGH about the Destiny books.

I, too, am interested to see how the media-tie-in novel episode will turn out.  The war between the fans and detractors of these books is much more bloodthirsty than I had originally imagined.  Stay tuned, indeed.

I am now going to step back a few paces before I get hit with too much shrapnel ...

First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to respond to the episode.  It is appreciated.

In regards to the overall interview, I don't know how much more David could tell you about his upcoming novel, The Calling, without giving the whole story away.  I think he whetted the appetite and I for one am looking forward to reading it.  He is a Trek author as well and the novels are currently available, so to not touch on them would be out of line to David, who wants to promote ALL his work.  As for the cronyism, I don't think the swapping stories is anymore out of line than interviews with Hollywood celebrities or sports people who talk about people they know.

Yes, Keith plugged his follow-up novel, in the PLUGS section.  I specifically set up that portion of the show, not only to allow Keith to bring up his upcoming releases, but to showcase anything we on the staff want the world to know.  I have utilized it to promote my Dome audios and Judy her photo exhibits.  Since Keith was promoting his upcoming works, it made perfect sense to bring it up at that point in the show.

I take your point about the upcoming media tie-in episode, your cheap shot at Keith notwithstanding.  I only ask that you wait and listen to the episode before you jump to conclusions.

The giveaway, a generous offer from S&S and Dave Mack, ties in perfectly with the episode.  On the off chance I can get a 25th anniversary MST3K set for the next episode, should I not offer it for fear that it would be considererd shilling?

Again, I appreciate the time you took to comment, but I don't think you're looking at the whole picture when it comes to our show.

I'm not sure it's really a conflict of interest.  I see what you're saying and I'd be interested in your thoughts after you listen to the show.  Keith is very good at interviewing people and he has an encyclopedic knowledge of various people and materials that allows him to ask smart questions.  The rest of us could do the job just as well, but it would require more prep time and special arrangements to meet by phone and all that stuff.  I think Keith just had an excellent opportunity to talk to an exciting talent about upcoming projects that we didn't want to pass up. Keith also travels to conventions much more than the rest of us, so he can meet and interview people we otherwise wouldn't have time to bring to the show.

I'll tell ya what I think was CLOSE to a conflict of interest: I REALLY wanted to interview TV's Frank for the upcoming MST3K anniversary show, but I know I would be such a giggly fangirl that I declined to participate.  I'll probably poke my head in at the top of the show, say something incredibly pedantic like "Oh Frank, you're so amazingly awesome." and then sit through the taping with my mic on Mute.  I know there's no way I could do an objective interview.  Keith, on the other hand, isn't impressed that much by anybody, so I think we're good. :)

In the future you'll notice we mix it up with different hosts interviewing a wide range of guests, so let us know if you think it's getting a little too "Access Hollywood", nose-to-buttcrack in its presentation.

JS