Origins
Tom Green conceived the idea for the show in 2005, deciding that if it were technically feasible and economically viable, he’d be happiest doing his own nightly talk show from his living room. Green went on to approach online television network ManiaTV! with the idea. On June 5, 2006, ManiaTV! announced they had signed Green to host a live talk show from his own home and would give him complete creative control. Green provided his desk, as used on '' The New Tom Green Show'', and ManiaTV! provided the additional equipment. The first show aired live on June 15, 2006 at 11pm ET, and was originally called ''Tom Green Live!''. The show was initially only scheduled to air on Thursday nights, but soon expanded to air Monday-Thursday. Early shows often included technical issues with the phone system, computers,Webovision
While it is not the first Internet show, ''Tom Green's House Tonight'' may be the first Internet ''call-in'' talk show, and Green frequently cites this as an innovation. With little reliance on advertisement funding, his show is similar to Public-access television. Green often refers to it by a word he coined: "Webovision", and jokingly says he is broadcasting to "The National Internet", despite the show having a worldwide audience, and joked that his show is "the highest rated, longest running, and ''only'' talk show on the Internet." Fellow comedian Joe Rogan named the show as an influence on his own podcast, '' The Joe Rogan Experience''. Green has likewise been cited by numerous podcasters and other online content creators as a pioneer in the medium. The show is not bound by FCC regulations, and therefore has very few content restrictions, such as a ban on swearing, nudity or drinking. Green has stated: "I don't go out of my way to be shocking on the show. I'm really trying to take advantage of the looseness of the medium and the ability to be completely honest, real and in the moment like the way television was when it first started". The show is not scripted or rehearsed; the emphasis in every broadcast is on the conversation between Green and his guests. The relaxed and unrestricted nature of the show, along with the fact they are in Green's own home, often leads to a very natural and open style of interview rarely found on other talk shows. Many notable guests have appeared on the show, including stars such as Pamela Anderson, Kat Von D, actors Val Kilmer, Brooke Shields, Crispin Glover and Thora Birch, hip-hop artists Flavor Flav and Xzibit, talk show hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Carson Daly, musicians Henry Rollins and Dave Navarro, pro wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin, skateboarderThe Channel
Tom Green refers to his website as "The Channel". The output of The Channel is not limited to ''Tom Green's House Tonight''. Shows appearing on The Channel can vary significantly in length and can last for many hours.Shows
Other shows broadcast on The Channel have included: *'' Poolside Chats'' - Talk show hosted by comedian Neil Hamburger *''Leonard Mills Live'' - Green in character playing guitar and singing, often about ridiculous subjects *''YouTube Special'' - Green plays and comments on a selection of videos fromAdditional broadcasts
In addition to broadcasts from Green's home, Green frequently posts footage filmed around Hollywood and Los Angeles, including video recorded with his camera phone. Green sometimes takes a video camera with him when taking a break from The Channel and posts pre-recorded clips such as his visits to Costa Rica and New York. He once showed his surgery after a skateboarding accident. In 2008, The Channel embarked on its first road trip across the west coast of America. Green and his team travelled in an RV that had been equipped to allow cameras to be set up in remote locations whilst broadcasting a live video stream using wireless technology. A fixed camera located behind the front windscreen of the RV enabled viewers to follow along with the journey. In January 2010, Green began his first ever stand-up comedy world tour. The Channel broadcasts a video stream to the internet 24/7. Between live shows the feed either switches to a security camera within Green's living room, a selection of clips from previous episodes, or a test card consisting of the ''Tom Green's House Tonight'' title screen.Sponsors and partners
Samsung was the show's first sponsor, advertising the Samsung Upstage phone. Budweiser became the next sponsor. Bud Light commercials were played before each show. Product placement was also used as bottles of Bud Light would be provided for Green and his guests during every show. Bottles of the beer could also be seen in Green's fridge. ManiaTV! was Green's original partner and funded the installion of his living room studio. Green's split from ManiaTV! in August 2007 necessitated upgrades to the equipment and technology used to produce and stream the show. With the upgrades complete, Green launched the all-new ''TomGreen.com'' on September 27, 2007, with the help of producer Victor Borachuk. The new site implemented new technology, featuring full 16:9 live Flash video, and was streamed by BitGravity, aMembership service
On March 11, 2009, a new membership service was launched to provide funding for The Channel. Subscribers to the service receive access to the full video archive. Green's intention is for viewer funding to allow him total creative freedom over The Channel by removing the need for financial support from TV networks and corporate sponsors. However, Green has confirmed he is talking to possible business partners for his show. On February 10, 2010, additional features were added to the membership service, including forums, the ability to comment on videos, and priority when Skype calling into the show. In early 2011, the membership service was discontinued as Green took a hiatus from The Channel to focus on his stand-up comedy world tour.Television syndication
The Comedy Network
After his split from ManiaTV!, Green hinted that a new partnership would lead to ''Tom Green Live!'' being broadcast on television as well as the Internet. In October 2007, ''Broadcasting & Cable'' announced the show's January 2008 expansion to TV syndication in a deal with Debmar-Mercury.''Broadcasting & Cable'', October 2007. To coincide with the television debut ''Tom Green Live!'' was renamed ''Tom Green's House Tonight'', and bleachers were built in Green's living room to seat a small audience consisting of friends of his guests. Beginning January 7, 2008, the show appeared in a pared-down version on conventional TV on The Comedy Network. The show ran on television for two seasons before Green decided to stop syndication, primarily due to dissatisfaction towards his loss of creative control.Tom Green Live (standup special)
''Tom Green Live'' was also the name of Green's standup special that was released on Showtime in August 2012 and on Netflix. This was recorded at The Wilbur Theatre inAXS TV
On October 3, 2013, ''Tom Green Live'' debuted on AXS TV. The weekly live broadcast airs at 9pm ET every Thursday night from a studio in Los Angeles. The telecast has a similar format to the web show, with an hour long discussion between Green and his featured guest and live Skype calls from viewers. Although it is intended for the series to showcase Green's more serious side and highlight his skills as an interviewer, he has advised viewers to expect "spontaneous, ridiculous, and outrageous conversations". Guests have included Richard Belzer, Howie Mandel andNotable episodes
* On June 15, 2006, ''Tom Green Live!'' made its debut broadcast. Green's guest was the marionette Howdy Doody. Green celebrated the completion of the first episode by diving fully clothed into his swimming pool. * On August 31, 2006, Green, increasingly frustrated by technical issues with the phone system, destroyed the Pepper Pad supplied by ManiaTV! for handling viewer calls. ManiaTV! responded by cutting off the live feed during that night's debut episode of ''Poolside Chats'' with Neil Hamburger. Hamburger and his guest, musician Buzz Osborne, were unaware of the situation until being notified by viewers. Green later made an on-air apology for his actions. * On October 10, 2006, the longest standard format show, in which Green interviewed Steve-O, ran for four hours and ended with Green drunk and Steve-O heavily intoxicated from a combination of hash brownies and nitrous oxide. In addition to large amounts of alcohol, Green and his guest drank mustard and a bottle of salad dressing. The show went off the air after Steve-O had vomited and both men had collapsed. * On October 25, 2006, Green's guests included pro skateboarderAwards and accolades
* On November 26, 2007, the show won theReferences
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