8/12: WHAT’S UP WITH THAT METAL SHOW?

Seems several times each day I get a tweet, email or question asking about new episodes of That Metal Show. I am grateful to all of you for asking and caring about the future of the show. The simple truth is that the network (VH1 Classic) who owns the show and makes all the decisions has decided at this time not to do more episodes until this January, to air starting in Feb 2015. You all must understand this is as frustrating for me as it is for you! TMS is on VH1 CLASSIC, not VH1, in the US. They produce the show and their operating budgets and investment in that channel are very limited (as you all know it is still not available in HD in 2014!). The good news is the show is continuing and they repeat the show constantly, which creates new viewers daily just discovering it. The bad news is there are TONS of releases, events and interview opportunities we are missing without the show being produced. I am always looking for new and additional ways to deliver this content, which is one of the reasons I recently launched a podcast. This, in addition to my two weekly radio shows and this site are the best outlets I have to focus on until we start up again. I would LOVE to be doing a TV show daily or weekly, but it just is not within the ability of the network to produce that at the moment. We may do a special between now and the end of the year but that decision is also VH1’s. They decide when, where, and if we do the show and have final approval on guests as well. It has always been that way. Even though TMS was very much my baby, they own and control it. When I know more I will of course let you know. We will be back, but they have decided to take a hiatus before starting again. I am always looking for and exploring new additional opportunities to do what I do and will keep you posted as things develop. In the meantime please check out the radio shows and podcast. Hopefully I will have some new outlets to announce soon as well. Thanks for all the amazing support for TMS. It will be back! And I’m told maybe with some new things you have all been asking for, but it will be a while longer before we relaunch. I always like to be as open and honest about what’s going on so that’s the deal. Obviously not my vision for momentum for the show but January will be here before you know it. Thanks to all of you and if you have DVR set it to record all episodes. In about 4 weeks I now have 75 on mine! Great chance to see shows you may have missed the first airing. Thanks for caring and supporting this show that means so much to so many around the world. Can’t wait to get it going again in January! Of course things can change and if we do a special or anything sooner I will of course let you all know. But that is the plan now.

98 Responses

  1. Hate to hear that but glad the show will be back. In the meantime, call, write, bug Eddie Van Halen to death for an interview. A long, long interview. It is high time.

  2. Any thoughts to creating an online show, almost like a visual podcast? Obviously would need a backer to fund overhead and would need to sell advertising similar to network show. Just a thought. Easier said than done I know. Keep up the great work. Enjoy your materiel! -David

  3. I definitely can understand budget restraints. It isn’t just VH1 Classic. They limit episodes on most cable series usually only producing 10-15 new episodes a year. What is interesting though is at the beginning of this year, VH1 Classic who doesn’t produce much new material (meaning not a ton of costs) seem to kind of be recommitted to That Metal Show. This past season was moved back from L.A., the episodes were more timely and there were a few more of them including a new set. Now, they decide to basically wait a full year. It is just interesting that they would go that long considering TMS is their highest rated program. It also drives me nuts that when they do show videos such as Metal Mania or Rock Show that the repetition of videos is insane. One month I decided just for fun to predict the playlist for the Saturday showings of Metal Mania and I was accurate on not only 98 percent of the bands they were going to show, but over 90 percent right on the EXACT video they would show by that band. The repetition basically ran me off.

  4. How about FINALLY doing a whole episode dedicated to Randy Rhoads………
    There is live footage that has not been seen and should!
    Press Ozzy and Sharon real hard and get them to share some of that footage of Randy…..
    Not only for the memory of Randy Rhoads…….
    But for every fan or musician who has been inspired by him….
    Rock On…… \m/ \m/
    Rick….

    1. We need to do the show first before addressing guests. But there are huge issues with music and clearances and Sharon won’t even let Ozzy on so if she has footage she likely won’t clear it for us. Not sure how much there is to tell about Randy that hasn’t been already.

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