First things first, this episode of TableTop features Miracle Laurie and Angela and Aubrey Webber of The Doubleclicks. They play the area control game, Lords of Vegas, where they compete against each other and Wil to become the most powerful bosses at the richest casinos.
It’s the last episode of season two and it’s a very comfortable one. The guests all have great chemistry with each other and, at times, the episode verges on turning into a music video. The atmosphere is warm and fun but, in the end, it feels a little bittersweet because this could be the last episode of TableTop we’ll ever see.
Since its inception, the show has been funded through Geek & Sundry by YouTube’s Original Channel Initiative. After sinking $300 million into the program that supported just over 100 new channels featuring content from Madonna to ESPN to Deepak Chopra and, of course, Geek & Sundry, YouTube shuttered the program this past fall.
The sad, simple truth is that Geek & Sundry hasn’t announced new funding for its most popular and successful show, TableTop. Certainly, producing the show is a significant endeavor. The crew is made up of more than 30 people and with its set and camera and lighting requirements, it’s like putting on a small television program.
Like a television program, its production schedule is drawn out. By this time in late February, before seasons one and two, the crew had already filmed half of the episodes to be shown in the upcoming seasons, but that’s not the case this time around. Instead, the maroon-felted table is sitting empty and collecting dust, waiting for news if a season three will take form.
A Kickstarter campaign to fund the show is a possibility, as is the hope of finding new funding. But at this time, neither of those is any more than a dream. At the very best, we’re looking at a really long hiatus before we see Wil and his friends playing tabletop games again. At the very worst, this is the last episode of TableTop we’ll ever see, which is an awfully sad possibility.
But let’s focus on the positive. This is another great episode of TableTop and to celebrate this episode (and the entire series), The Doubleclicks recorded a tribute to TableTop that is, in true Doubleclicks fashion, nerdy and quirky and wonderfully endearing. Have a watch and keep an eye out for game designers Keith Baker, Paul Peterson, Mike Selinker, and James Ernest, plus a special appearance by Adam WarRock.
But for this episode of TableTop and its winner, I’ll just quote The Doubleclicks: “So we got to the studio, time to make TV. They have lights, they’ve got cameras and my sister and me. And we played a game. So how did it go? I guess you’ll have to watch the episode if you want to know.”
Note: Since this story was published, Geek & Sundry Public Relations Manager, Jennie Kong, has responded to us, saying that “TableTop season 3 is currently in development.”
Honestly, you would think that the board game industry and retailers would do something to back the show. My FLGS has a shelf with all the tabletop games right by the door, and they can’t keep them in stock. The show has won a TON of awards, and is making people money (even if it isn’t Geek & Sundry and Wil Wheaton), and I can’t believe that it won’t remain out there somehow.
Hey there!
We wanted to leave a comment to thank you for being so supportive of TableTop, and to let you know that this is absolutely not the end. Fear not, dear gamers — we’ll be updating you via our website and social media very soon!
P.S. – your blog is really, really great! Keep up the good work!
Hey an awesome acknowledgment from Geek & Sundry. Nice! Both Geekdad and G&S are Web entities I would be very upset to lose. I would be willing to monetarily support anyway I can to keep you guys up and running.