Well, it was a tough week, but we made it through. I've talked with a bunch of the folks who got laid off from Big Idea on Monday, and their attitudes are amazingly good. Without exception (at least the ones I spoke to), they all appreciate the time they spent at Big Idea and the joy of working together toward the mission we framed way back on Clinton Street in Chicago. What is even more encouraging is that the folks I've talked to seem ready to see what God has in store for them next. One of them said watching me follow God into my new ministry has inspired them to move on in faith into their next chapter.
Is that cool or what?
The pain hasn't been isolated to Big Idea this week, of course. Also on Monday, Christian publisher Thomas Nelson laid off 55 people. Viacom laid off 850. NBC/Universal laid off 500. A few weeks ago Focus on the Family let go 200. So things are rough all over. But faith grows in the rough patches. So we'll have to watch carefully to see what new ministry is born out of all this disruption.
In other news… it's cold now in Chicago. It got down to 5 degrees last night. The puppets were shivering when we came into the office this morning. Some of them haven't experienced winter before, so this is very new. I recorded a new science film today with Dr. Schniffenhousen, and he couldn't stop complaining about the weather. I told him to knock it off or he'd find himself on a boat back to Germany. We also made a series of 30 second Christmas carol sing-alongs that will start playing next Monday on JellyTelly. They're very weird. (In a good way, I hope.) So tune in and check them out.
We started signing people up a month ago, so "free month trials" are starting to expire. We certainly hope you've seen enough value in what we're doing to go ahead and send a few bucks a month our way. Either that, or Buck Denver is going to have do a Jerry Lewis-style telethon to keep this thing going, and I don't think that would be very pretty.
(We have a really cool Christmas special scheduled for the Sunday before Christmas, but we were having trouble getting the dub from the producer, so we started talking about what we'd do if the dub didn't show up. We decided Buck Denver would have to improvise a half-hour Christmas special. Live. The more I thought about it, the more I actually wanted to see it! Ha! But hopefully we won't have to do that because this other Christmas special is really cute.)
I gotta go home now before it gets too cold to leave the building. Happy Friday, everyone!
happy firday! im glad and suprised the b.i. folks aren’t really angry about this. jelly on!
oops. friday. oh well. well, with Mr. Denver, you can’t really go wrong. Even if its improvision. i sure hope the puppets have sweaters. and scarfs.
That is a tough week! I hadn’t heard the news about all those companies, but that is good news that the folks from Big Idea are taking it so well. I think this is an opportunity in disguise, and that we’ll all be amazed at how God works all this out.
I can’t wait to see the new singalongs, but I’d be interested in seeing that half hour special myself. Not wishing that on you by any means, but it’d be fun to watch.
Hey we’re ready to pay more than $3 a month. I mean if PBS/Disney are all charging $10 a month then $3 is a sweet deal. Esp for new content so frequently. Thank you for jelly telly. Thank you. Oh, as I’m typing I’m trying to figure out people who’d like it…is there a way to prepay a few subscriptions to give as gifts?
Angela, if you want to give that as a gift right now, you could sign up as another user and just give them the username and password as part of the gift. They can update their information once your gift “runs out”. Just a suggestion.
Big Idea folks have a good attitude too? God bless them and you ^^
We want Buck! We want Buck! Actually, the Christmas special sounds pretty good too. I just have a soft spot for puppets, I guess. We’re really loving Jelly Telly Phil. And $3 is a great deal! Keep up the good work. And we’re still praying for you guys, and now the folks from Big Idea as well. And you’d better keep the Dr warm or he might turn into Dr Schniffennosen…
Ha! Very funny, Brian!
God is good! I am so glad to hear about how some of the people from BI have handled this situation. What great examples of faith.
OK…the weather in Chicago is something I can not even phathom! I thought of moving out there in my mid 20’s but would have probably froze to death long ago. 🙂
If you need me I’ll be outside, enjoying the mid 70’s.
I envy those puppets. I love the cold.
STUPID ECONOMY!!!! i don’t think it’s gonna get better either. Jesus is definatley wrapping things up on this earth it can’t last too long. i pray that i’m ready when he comes again. 5 Degrees???? OH MY! in cali its 70ish…maybe 60’s. but it’s not bad.
Maybe Christ is stretching the faith of some B.I. employees…..I would love to see JellyTelly EXPLODE and be able to hire anyone from B.I. that they could use…..my Fiancee and I started a new christian blog with (what we think) are good topics, check us out @ angelsarmorandammo.blogspot.com
Phil, can’t you hire some of those laid off from Big Idea at JellyTelly, you will need a staff, won’t you?
Eeeeek! You just killed me!
Uuuugh, and I’m sitting here in Va freezing in 55 degree weather. Well it was close to 30 yesterday, but still, I really hope Dad doesnt decide to go to Chicago for Christmas again this year if it really is that cold. I’ll be wearing 7 layers of clothing, and still freeze to death.
i would like to see some subscription gifts also!
Well, i don’t have a credit card so I can’t go past my monthly trial. We don’t have unlimited internet, so I hav watched Jelly Telly on my friend Bob’s computer.
So, is the proper way to write it: JellyTelly (without a space) or :Jelly Telly (with a space). I think its without but we better get this right!
Jonathan
Jonathan,
I don’t know if this will work for sure, but I think you can buy a Visa gift card that acts like a credit card and use it that way. I’m pretty sure it will work because it’s supposed to work like a regular credit card.
Phil & co.,
Keep up the good work! My kids love the show and $3/month is a great value. And I just played the “take a tour” video for about 225 people last Sunday morning, so hopefully you’ll see some new subscribers soon from MN. 🙂
Speaking of subs, how are things ramping up from your perspective? Are you happy with the rate of membership growth so far?
Cool Baby, cool.
Thanks Kyle. I know you probably live in the USA and you can get that VISA thing there. I’ll just have to check that I can get it in Australia where I live. Thanks again Kyle, its good to have someone friendly taking care.
Jonathan
I am encouraged to hear that God is moving amongst the VT/BI staff who were released. I will continue in prayers for them and their adventures! Stay warm!
Phil & co.,
Keep up the good work! My kids love the show and $3/month is a great value. And I just played the “take a tour†video for about 225 people last Sunday morning, so hopefully you’ll see some new subscribers soon from MN.
Speaking of subs, how are things ramping up from your perspective? Are you happy with the rate of membership growth so far?
Carl
The concept behind this is a total no-brainer for Christian parents. Especially at the current price!
Just a thought (and I know it’s still early on), but you should have a section on JellyTelly with material that supports your fans’ efforts to promote you. Two things that immediately come to mind are 1) a printable bulletin insert for churches, and 2) something that could be used in a PowerPoint presentation.
facebook.comHEY EVERYONE
I JUST MADE A JELLYTELLY FAN SITE ON FACEBOOK!!!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/JellyTelly/38744353121
Thanks!