I am Sarah Lane of TWiT. AMA!

One time at SXSW (2009?) I was at a party and turned the corner and almost ran into you. My (drunkenness + abrupt nergasm) made me yell "SARAH LANE!!!!!!!" really loud, and it was probably creepy, so I'm sorry! I still regret that whenever I see TWiT...

I was probably drunk too, maybe I thought I yelled it?

Hi Sarah. Been a fan for a long time.

How has your health been since you've had that brain parasite from traveling the world? Does it affect your day-to-day life at all?

How did it affect your life when you were first diagnosed?

The concept of a brain parasite is still a bit freaky to me, hence my curiosity for a first-hand account of what it's like.

Ok, for anyone who wasn't heard my long brain saga, here's a tidbit: http://www.sarahlane.com/blog/2009/10/13/i-had-a-grand-mal-seizure-want-to-hear.html

It was horrible at first and took me months to get back to the point where I could work normally again but I was taking so much medication. I also had my license revoked until they could be sure I wouldn't have another seizure and kill someone behind the wheel. I got really good at walking over the next year. Overall it was a pretty scary time.

The good news is that almost 3 years and 100 MRIs later, I'm completely fine and medication-free. I still have a calcified lump in my brain which is how you'll always know it's really me once clones start trying to take over the earth.

If I can ask you anything, what was all that ruckus about what Leo Laporte said last night on Twitter about Kevin Pereira/G4/Adam Sessler?

I'll be honest, it surprised me. I was out of town and got a text from Pereira wanting my opinion on where Leo was coming from. So I read the thread and don't really have an answer. Clearly this is uncomfortable for me because I understand why Leo hates G4, but I don't agree with blackballing specific people (good, smart people) because of what went down on an executive level 8 years ago. If Adam Sessler is tainted from working at G4, then so am I.

when is TWIF coming back??

Martin and I would love to do TWiF. We know it's not a great fit for the TWiT network anyone and we've talked about just bringing it back ourselves in our spare time. But yeah, we're both busy. It's definitely not just Martin's fault that it's not happening. We get gung ho and then we both get busy and postpone everything. I'm glad it's something people would still be interested in!

Hi Sarah! I've been a huge fan of your work and was completely devastated when popSiren went off the air. It was the inspiration for my lady friends starting our own podcast this year.

That said -- what is the most embarrassing thing you can tell us about my friend Colin Weir, engineer at TWiT? :)

Colin lives in a Philadelphia-themed igloo in place of a cubicle in the TWiT basement. He just sits in there all day watching Philadelphia-based programming via his Slingbox app. I once tried to bond with him over the subject of cheesesteaks, but it didn't go over well. I have not spoken to him since.

Why can't you get Tom to dance in the TNT outro?

Are you really really really sure you want to see Tom Merritt dance? Think carefully.

A Few questions

1. How is your relationship with Kevin Rose nowadays?

2. If you had to what Android phone would you use?

3. What podcast do you listen to yourself?

4. Do you not keep in touch with anyone from the TechTV days that you wish you had?

And a comment: When I was looking for podcast to listen to a year ago when I started my night shift job. I was super excited to see how big TWiT had become because you were on staff there.

1. Kevin and I are friends
2. Galaxy S III
3. I love Radiolab & Wait Wait Don't Tell Me. I get my fill of tech the rest of the day being myself
4. The folks from TechTV that I don't see are usually at least my Facebook friends now and I see all their weddings and babies and vacations.

On the Screen Savers, did they tell you ahead of time they were going to point the thermal imaging camera at you?

I don't remember, but I look ridiculous in that shot. Thanks for the memories.

Is Leo pervy to you off camera too?

If you were a lawyer I'd say you were leading the witness.

Has there ever been a guest that has been banned or invited to never again appear on any TWiT show?

I can't think of anyone who was officially banned, but Mickey Rourke once said something very inappropriate to Jessica Corbin and she walked out of the interview.

UPDATE: oh wait! You asked about TWiT, I was thinking TechTV. Yes, as far as I know Jason Calacanis is the only person unwelcome on TWiT. That all went down before I was working here so I stay out of it.

favorite guest ever? ...and why?

Probably David Lynch because he's my favorite director. Though LeVar Burton once told me I was adorable and it made my day. I also interviewed Johnny Depp for the first Pirates movie and freaked out on the inside for ten glorious minutes.

How hard is it to work with someone with chiseled good looks and boyish charm like Marty Sargent? ;P I really miss TWiF

It's very difficult. His beauty is very distracting.

1. How is it working for Leo? He seems like a nice guy on camera, but so do many douchebags. (I swear I won't tell.)

2. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10?

3. Let's say for one reason or another you decide to leave your career in front of the camera/microphone behind. What would you like to do?

4. Have you ever met someone in your industry you just won't work with? Why? (You don't have to say who if you'd feel uncomfortable.)

5. How long is your commute to work?

1. I love Leo. He's been a mentor and friend for many years and I'm honored to be part of TWiT.
2. In five years, I hope I'm still at this. In 10 I hope to have cracked the code on a YA fiction series that'll make me $100B.
3. I'm kidding about the YA part, but I actually would love to be a writer.
4. There are a couple people I won't work with, but I wouldn't want to give them the satisfaction of me typing their names.
5. My commute is 50 minutes each way

Do you get annoyed with Darren starts prattling off shell commands or sed expressions?

Nope, I think it's charming.

If you could reboot one aspect (show/segment/etc) of TechTV, either on broadcast television or the internet, what would it be?

I feel like I'm already doing that on TWiT every day. Downloads and websites are now apps and services, but it's still the latest tech content. If TechTV were still around the subject matter would be just like this!

Do you have any brief words of encouragement or advice for young women in the tech world?

Be yourself. Don't let anyone tell you how you are or what you think.

Any topics you guys currently don't cover on TWIT that you would really like to host?

I wish I could figure out how to fit a food show into our lineup. I know it's way left field for a tech network, but food is my favorite thing in the universe and I spend a lot of time thinking about it. ;)

Do you miss The Screen Savers?

Sure I do. Great memories, great team. I still work with Leo and Tom and just had lunch with Megan the other day. Many of us keep in touch and hang out regularly, so in a way it doesn't feel over, just evolved.

Do you feel that the reputation Silicon Valley has for sexism is overblown or well-deserved? As a woman reporting on the tech industry, have you experienced it firsthand?

I read about it a whole lot more than I see it. I wouldn't say it's overblown, though. That would be a disservice to anyone who's ever experienced sexism. I'm just lucky to not feel like it's a problem in my career. Sure, there have been comments and shitty behavior here and there over the years, but those people always seem to get what's coming to them.

Sarah, I don't really have a question for you... I just wanted to let you know that I started watching TechTV in early high school and you were one of my role models all throughout because you were beautiful, intelligent, seemed friendly and many of the things I always and still strive for.

Thanks!

Thanks for being supportive after all this time!

The day you and Brendan left Attack of the Show was the beginning of the end for G4 as far as I'm concerned.

I've read you guys left to travel and see the world, but I've always wondered if you could see the direction the programming was going and wanted to get out of dodge before it went somewhere you didn't want to go?

Basically, did you leave G4 because the quality was declining, or did the quality decline because you left?

I tend to think it was the latter.

I really did want to travel the world. It was something I'd wanted to do my entire life, and at the time I was in a relationship with someone who wanted to do it with me.

That said, I was burned out and felt like AOTS wasn't the perfect fit for me, so even though I was sad to leave my co-workers, I wasn't sad to leave the job itself. People thought I was insane. It was a great job for someone who wanted it more, I guess.

How do you keep up with all the changes in the tech industry? How do you prevent tech burn out???

I just don't stop. When I stop, I get behind. It's not a very healthy solution but it's the only way I keep momentum.

What are your favorite and least favorite parts of your job?

I love research, and the majority of my job is researching news stories, cool apps, tricks, workarounds, etc. And I can pretty much research anywhere. I love that flexibility. My least favorite part? The long commute (I live in San Francisco, it's a 50 min drive to Petaluma one-way).

does Leo pay well?

The answer is hidden under the silk pillow in the master bedroom on my yacht in Antibes.

Do you miss Margarita Mondays?

Wasn't it Margarita Friday? Or was it Thursday...

How many cats do you have and what are their names?

2 cats: Sam and Lucy

[deleted]

On that particular trip I went to various cities and towns in Greece, Turkey, Russia, China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Brazil, and Argentina (in that order). Many, many interesting stories as I'm sure you can imagine. I answered the brain q above but yes I'm fine and thank you for asking.

That sounds like an amazing trip. I've always wanted to do something like that, but I never know how I could swing it. How did it impact your savings and career?

I quit my job but was lucky enough to get another one when I returned a year later. My savings didn't fare as well, I've never really financially recovered from my trip + brain medical expenses.

Has the growth [of TWiT] been what was expected since moving to the Brickhouse? Judging by some comments Leo has made lately it seems as though it has not been and new shows having not been achieving the same success as the flagship shows.

and has Leo asked all hosts to do AMAs to hopefully drive some traffic to Twit?

P.S. Big fan of yours Sarah :) I really loved it when you & Martin did a show together. People simply do not appreciate good hosting skills

Leo didn't push me to do this AMA, but I was asked and thought it'd be fun.

It's true TWiT's had growing pains and we want to continue to do what works while creating new programming that expands our core base. I know that sounds lame, but it's really true. It's a lot of trial and error. I just launched iFive, which is a complete 180 from the kind of shows TWiT usually does. I don't know how the ratings are yet, but the feedback's been very positive.

What does Kevin Pereira smell like?

mud

Have you ever wanted to strangle a co-host? If so who and why?

Russ Pitts (of eagle semen fame) threw a pen at me once. I wanted to strangle him a little.

Any chances of you reviving PopSiren in any way? Absolutely loved that show, and miss the music recommendations!

I'm not sure everything about popSiren is right for TWiT, but I am incorporating some of the look and feel into iFive for the iPhone (just launched). Check it out here if you haven't yet: http://twit.tv/ifive

What is your favorite "off air" moment while on set?

If you watch TWiT you know we don't have a lot of off-air moments, everything's pretty much live.

Hey Sarah. Top Quark or Bottom Quark?

is this a sexy question?

What the heck happened to Brendan Moran ?

I understand the connection,and how it can be iffy. but come on. He was one of my faves of TSS. Been since your trip around the world since I have heard anything about him.

Is he alive?

Yep, he's remarried and has a family. Seems to be doing really well, and I'm happy for him.

TWIF is what got me watching TWiT, and I do hope you guys do one or two specials a year for TWiT. Onto the silly questions

1. Did TechTV ask you about being involved in their poll for playboy about doing a playboy spread? Was it a big joke to begin with, or was it a WTF moment.
2. Fuck, Marry, Kill, - Anthony Bourdain, Hugh Laurie, Alton Brown
3. Favorite Beer
4. Favorite Wine
5. Favorite Cuss Word

1. Yes they asked. I played along. I knew it wouldn't mean I actually had to pose nude if I didn't want to.
2. Yes, that's the order I'd choose
3. Old Speckled Hen on tap
4. Anything velvety
5. MF'er

Do you think even though TechTV going was sad, do you think it was better in the long run for the people involved since it gave them a format to go on to even better things online?

I prefer to think of it that way, yes.

Who is your favorite co-worker at TWiT at this very moment?

Oh yeah, like I'm going to answer that and be hated by everyone else. I am partial to Jeff Stewart the editor these days though. He helps me a lot on iFive and I love him.

What do you think of G4 now? I used to watch AoTS when it was you and Kevin (I was somewhere in highschool at the time) and I loved it. AoTS and X-Play were my favorites. Now I'm lucky if G4 is showing American Ninja Warrior and not cops or Cheaters.
I hate seeing that on what used to be TechTV/G4.

I don't have cable so I couldn't watch G4 even if I wanted to. But I love the show Cops and I don't care who knows it. The Florida episodes are always the best.

were you ever creeped out over the fact that people were watching you on webcam all day at techtv?

Oddly, it was comforting. Not sure what that says about me.

One piece of tech you could not live without?

iPhone

Hey Sarah, I been watching you since the TechTV. But here is my Question: if you were not doing Tech Journalism what would you want to doing instead?

Travel journalist, food critic, pescetarian chef

How long have you been aware of Reddit? Long time lurker, longtime user, just here for this?

I actually made an account like 6 years ago under "sarahlane" and can't remember my password and now it says there's no email address associated with the account. Doh!

Apart from technology, what interests you the most in life?

Traveling and the science of food. I think about food way too much.

Love all the shows and subscribe to all of them.... do Iyaz and Tom fight like cats and dogs before the show

not at all, they only pretend to fight on air

Hi Sarah! Used to chat a little on the rev3 boards. Do you still keep in touch with the ladies of Pop Siren? I remember Moujan was a bit shy, how is she? Still talk to the Gator?

Thanks for everything, even the rev3 Gazette.

The Gator was last seen in Shanghai. Moujan is doing great in NYC. And I see Heather all the time. We drink wine a lot.

What's your favorite TV show?

Game of Thrones.

I already asked one but I'll ask another. Am I crazy for thinking that your photo on Wikipedia looks nothing like you:

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sarah_Lane_photo_by_Lan_Bui_December_2008.jpg

I don't know if you're crazy for thinking so, but I assure you, I was there for that shoot!

Where do you feel the place for 'Web Content' is? As a cable cutter (like yourself) I've found that i'm more and more entertained and informed by content produced for the web.

Do you find that the opinion of the general public is starting to accept the web as a legitimate publishing platform that could contend with the traditional publishers? Will it ever accept it? Does it matter?

Edit 1: Typo & Clarity

I think the lines are blurred more than ever. I know too many people still don't quite understand the concept of subscribing to content and think of internet video and podcasting as an amateur version of TV, but it is changing. I feel smart being at the forefront of the next wave.

Hey Sarah I've been a huge fan of yours since the old tech tv days and have followed you for years. Online.. Not in rl that would be creepy haha. Anyway Do you keep in contact with Moujan Z from pop siren? I found her absolutely hilarious.

We keep in touch online. Moujan is so funny and talented. She needs to be on SNL.

You have a great taste in music. :) If you could see any band live, who would it be?

LCD Soundsystem but that won't happen anymore. Arcade Fire would be fun.

will your hair ever be short like it was last fall ever again?

It will be if I cut it in two days...

Do you know Alex? He works at TWiT. Is he a super rad dude IRL?

Yes, Alex is great and we share a burning desire for pancakes in the evenings.

Why does Tom Merritt come to Dragon*Con every year and leave you behind? It would be awesome to see you guys do an episode of TNT or something.

Yeah, it would be fun. It's hard for us both to travel at once and still do TNT, actually.

A few years ago, you had a seizure in a restaurant. Did they ever figure out the cause?

Yes, answered this q already, long story short all is well now

I love seeing you on the NSFW show, what do you think of it? Also, how does it feel that TDKR didn't make as much as you hoped for the movie draft?

Love NSFW, those guys are nutty. You know after the whole Aurora thing I felt weird about caring about TDKR numbers. Haven't paid much attention. But I'll get 'em in the winter draft. I already know what I'm bidding on. :)

Saw you on Bourbon St a while back. You had a lot of beads.

Yep, never been on Bourbon Street.