A very long explanation about the "writer" of the article

Hi Everyone,

Firstly, thanks to those of you who have sent me either “PM’s”, personal emails or posted on the board. Your comments were very appreciated and your support here and on other forums was overwhelming.

Secondly, it has come to my attention that I should inform everyone of how the reporter misrepresented himself to me first via a “PM” on the oz-forum and later on regular email. It is because of this misrepresentation that I may be writing a letter to the editor. Strangely enough I actually feel fine about what happened, except for the idea that I truly felt he was interested in talking with me about BFO!

So here is the second “PM” I received from him on the Oz-Forum. The first was just a test on his part to see if what he wrote would be read by anyone else.

The title of the “PM” was:

me again -- important question, research for article

which was followed by:

Piglet,
Ok, sorry about that, I just wanted to make sure I knew exactly how the site worked. Anyway, here's my email -- I'm writing an article for the NY Times about online theater forums, esp. in regard to Boy From Oz, and since you seem to be one of the main online forum-posters on the show, I was wondering if I could speak with you. If you can, please call me asap at 917-***-****. The article is due Thursday, so if you could call today or tomorrow I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks so much,
Zachary Pincus-Roth
*******@yahoo.com

Now, from that I gathered he was interested in talking with me about why I post to the forum, why I like the show…etc.

He wrote that on 9/22. His deadline was that Thursday. Ok, now I am a bit on the slow side…so I had no idea there was even a site for “PM’s” on that forum…why? B/c naturally it was not designed by Rob! : D

So I immediately emailed him back and apologized. Here is what I wrote:

Zach,
I am so sorry! believe it or not, I just learned that I had message on this area! I would have loved to have helped you. Did the article run? Again, I am so sorry!
And my email is:
*******@aol.com
If you would like to contact me regarding anything again, feel free to contact me there.


This is what I received via email:

Hey, don't worry about it :) It's running in this Sunday's Times. I actually mentioned your All That Chat screen name, since I thought it was funny, and representative of the bizarre name-number combinations that people think up (I hope that's ok).

Zach


At this point, I had not read the article. Once I did, I drafted an email. I am sharing this with all of you because I would hate it if anyone else on this forum or any other forum ended up in my position. And no…it was not a welcomed 15 minutes of fame. Way too much going on in my life to have that happen to me now.

Zachary,

If your intention was to do as you said below, I wouldn't have minded...but since you feel I "gripe," something that couldn't be further from the truth, then allow me to do so right now. I post on these boards basically to talk with others who appreciate theatre as much as I do. There are many posters, such as "Danny," who you seem to appreciate, but who "gripes" MORE than anyone on ATC, who are very detrimental to a shows health. Let me explain how, since you neglected to.

People have feelings. Did you know that? From your article, I take it that you don't...typical journalist that you are. Well, when a cast member, producer, or anyone involved with a show reads that his/her show is bad or that it needs serious help before its opening, that can be detrimental to how a person performs in or behind the show. Thus, causing more problems for the show itself.

If you want to "gripe" about people who "gripe," perhaps you should read what reviewers have to say and then do a study on how the ticket buyer is affected by it.

I have received many emails from people on the mentioned sites who feel you have been unfair to me. If you have been hired by the Boy From Oz producers or someone in the know, I highly recommend that I be notified. If your intention was otherwise, I would greatly appreciate knowing why you wrote what you did.

I hope I wrote that well enough!

PigletH13


So alas, my dear friends…I have been “duped.” I am thinking very seriously of writing a letter to the editor considering what has been going on at that newspaper of his. By the way, he also writes for Variety.

Anyway, enough of my “griping!!” Just thought I would share!

Pigleth13

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Vinnie,

Thanks for your opinions. Um. well, since I was asked by some of our fellow posters to post this, I did what was asked. As for my claim, its not a claim, its a fact...something the NY Times obviously has trouble with.

Please understand that I am just a fan that rarely bitches about anything...you of all people should know that from the oz-forum. This was a huge surprise for me to wake up to yesterday and it concerns me. I don't feel Zachary is being fair with me. Nuff said.

Oh and btw, you are obviously involed with the show for you to a) see it so often and b) go on opening night (unless you know someone) But after reading your issues with the show, I am confused why you would continue to go back, unless as I said, you are involved with it somehow. We can now take this to PM's where it belongs.

Oh and its Piglet. Not Piggy. I am not a character from Lord of The Flies.

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Let me apologize to Vinnie now...b/c I know what I wrote is a bit..um...mean for me. So Vinnie...I sorry!

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Oh and for those who care...Zachary did just email me back and was very understanding of my concerns. Case closed!

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try the repetitive motion on someone else...and preferably a Sports Medicine major.

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He should be apologetic Piglet. He should apologize for his crappy writing style. He sounds a bit young and eager and I don't mean in a good way.

Updated On: 10/5/03 at 11:24 PM

I'm a journalism student, so I think I can see both sides -- but I do think you took the whole thing too far, and I feel more sorry for him than for you. Besides, at least it was a handle and not your real name.

He said he used your name because it's funny, and honestly I would've done the same thing. The griping was general and your name and another's were there to provide color.