-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So we thought it would only be fair to update on what the current situation is in relation to the probability and time-frame of interviewing George on the podcast. This is not to rant on the situation, since the 'fault' relies on us for not pursuing things more aggressively. Please keep comments respectful and limited to the forums then, because the goal of this is not to stir the pot, but just to be transparent. For the long run, we'ld like to keep collecting potential questions for George, which you can paste into this document (I know we have had threads collecting this in the past, but let's just put further questions in this document for easy sorting).

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15RX ... UicJ0/edit


Anyway, we contacted George sometime before season 1 aired if he would be interested in guest hosting/being interviewed by the podcast. In what in hindsight might have been a mistake, we mentioned interviewing him about the books, but also the TV show. George responded nicely and added our website to the links page on his personal website. He said that all interviews with any mention of the TV show would have to be scheduled and managed by HBO and put us in touch with HBO. HBO put us down on the list for interview requests and even asked for the names of any actors we'ld like to interview as well. George was always the priority for us, so we didn't respond right away but we did submit a few names as season 1 began to air.

Then we left it at that for a long time, waiting to see when we would be contacted. This is our fault for doing nothing more pro-active than waiting to be emailed off the list, but we followed what was suggested and didn't want to nag HBO or George. We were and still are busy with our work and personal lives and the podcast and it wasn't a particular rush to have a very busy George come on here right away. We were content with the knowledge that our number would be called up at some point.

As we got through season 2 and still heard nothing, I began to wonder if we should re-request the interview, without any mention of the HBO show and to just focus on George's books. That would salve over any problem of HBO marketing fearing our mixed reaction to season 2, though I wasn't sure if HBO was just scheduling all interviews in general, tv related or not, as part of their deal with George. I asked Mimi to email George (though it would be better from her) and I emailed HBO, checking on our interview status and mentioning that while we enjoyed the TV show, there were already some excellent interviews of George related to that and asking questions about the show was not required for us, if that would speed up the scheduling process. I am not sure if Mimi did get in contact George or not - I forgot to check on that when we talked about the situation in episode 96. But I received an email from HBO in October saying the following:



I wasn't sure what to say to that given that I thought he was still giving interviews, though we may be wrong. So again we left it, until I emailed them back a few weeks ago to see if the situation has changed and whether there is still a wait-list going on for this. Waiting for the response right now. But as we said, I think it may be best for Mimi to email George and talk about an interview that would not make any mention of the HBO show - frankly, I'm more interested in asking about his pre-ASOIAF written works than about the HBO show, when there is already so much marketing and information on that.

Interesting. I'm all for the entirely book focused, not at all HBO related, GRRM interview option. It seems odd that HBO mediates all of his interviews regardless of whether or not they are about the show. Anyway, keep fighting the good fight, and thanks for sharing an update.

Thanks for keeping us informed, I'd been wondering about this. It's frustrating that this interview hasn't worked out for you guys yet, but I'm sure that it will. I agree that it makes sense to keep trying through multiple avenues; House Manwoody is not a flash-in-the-pan fansite, it's a dedicated community with real staying power. (And you have a sigil and everything, dammit!) Anyway, when this interview does happen, I bet it will be terrifically memorable for everyone involved.

Your post makes me feel all warm and nice... Indeed, this is one of the best online communities I've ever had the pleasure of being part of.

I agree with Amin that ASOIAF has got quite a bit of press and that the podcast should prolly give more focus to his earlier works... I myself think that it would make a smashing podcast. I still think Dying of the Light is still the best "Getting Over The Old Flame" story ever. It's way too simple a summary for the story but damn if it doesn't do its job and then more.

It's sounds like you're getting the run around to me, though I understand that George and all the HBO people must be really busy. I agree that if you have a way to contact him personally that would be best.

If you could get him on the podcast at all I think it'd be really neat. I almost don't care what you talk about.

Hi,
first of all thank you for your dedication and for keeping us informed.

- I thought about that point and in a way I understand why HBO dictates the interviews. They want to keep track on their promotion and therefore they want to have a hand on it (and per se it would be good if GRRM would have such an instance also in regards of his writing ). I can see now how that went wrong - as Amin wrote: They ask if the could interview him about the show and the books. That triggered that whole stuff.

- I also understand that the hosts can not (and do not want to) nag permanently to get their interview - on one hand they are not paid for it and simply do not have the time, on the other hand such behaviour leads to permanent refusal sometimes.

I hope especially for the hosts that their long-time commitement for us listeners pays off and that GRRM will really somehow be on the show. Do not give up! GRRM is aware of you and he is the type who likes to nerd about his books. Maybe Elio could help a bit? And in the end Mimi could write the lipstick-letter to save the day - she is hot enough to melt the wall!

And I really want to know what the thought when he invented Dickon and Mors Manwoody...

I totally agree with Brynden that, depending on whether or not the hosts feel comfortable asking Elio and Linda, that might be the best way to circumvent the HBO blockage.

brynden and Bina007 have the right of it, there are times when you really don't want to play the 'friend of a friend' card - this is NOT one of them, Elio and Linda have both been on the podcast so why not ask ?

Just to echo what others have said.

Thanks for keeping us informed.

Not to impose on Elio but would it be possible to ask him to send a letter of introduction to Ty Franck ( I think from reading Not a Blog that he is Martin's Assistant/Gatekeeper) and from there send a formal interview request with parameters to Ty. If he says "Mr. Martin is not currently doing interviews" or "All interview requests must go through HBO" then you know better where you stand.

My 2 cents but I would love to hear an interview from you guys

Agree completely! And we;ll all just cross our fingers and pray! It will happen someday dammit!

it will be sweet to hear an interview where no one asks him who his favorite character is so keep at it guys

Agreed!

Hope you manage to work something out, Amins interview of Jason Walden (Game Producer) from Fantasy Flight Games (FFG) was a joy to listen to and i'd not even heard of the game of thrones board game before. A basic guide to preventing spontanious combustion should probably be read if it does happen.



and please no questions about him being a modern day tolkin, it seems hes asked it in every interview.

I added some of my burning questions to the document Amin linked in the first post. I have to say that I wrote them in a way so that Mr. Martin could answer them with yes or no and does not need to go further into spoiler territory if he does not want to. I have the feeling such questions are the ones he will more likely answer than others.

I added mine too. There's a common theme to them

Hope it works out. I gotta hear the official word from Martin on the Feathered Hat theory.

Man, that's pretty frustrating... but good job on being patient and professional about the whole thing!

This interview HAS to happen, eventually... and I think it will be one of the best GRRM interviews ever, because you won't just ask the same boring quesitons we've heard a hundred times. George seems to really appreciate interesting/original questions, and I'm sure you guys will bring it.

I would say that while you were curteous when you waited for them to contact you, unfortunately they don't need the interview with you guys, you wanted to do it so yeah you should have contacted them sooner. That being said, it is ridiculous how much they control his schedule.

Anything new with this?

Would be good, but lets be honest dude is major busy (fingers crossed). Still added some questions.

What with the Geekie award and the time lapse I think a new request wouldn't be far-reaching.

There is a yearly double secret interview request window.

I still so hope for you that that someday will happen.

http://grrm.livejournal.com/335405.html

A Congratulations from the big guy himself!

Ahhhhhhhhhh. He listens from time to time!!!!
But lol he says they're also not always right, which is hilarious.

I wonder if Mimi is happy or mortified that George has actually listened.

This makes me happy

That is amazing! It's so weird to think he's listening in on occasion. I hope you guys get lots of new listeners from that shout out!

OMG! that is so cool!


It's a bit like someone you admire, seeing your room covered in posters of them in a semi stalker fashion...

How great!!!!