When we talk around here about politicians and other public figures leveraging the new media, we’re not exactly talking about this. Anthony “Buzz” Andrezeski, in his run for County Executive, has turned to talking to the voters directly through Christian Lestat Bussiere and his Spotlight TV.
Both the content and the context of these videos have become the biggest controversy of today’s Municipal Primary election.
Even though our media-saturated culture isn’t shocked by too much we view, it was a jaw-dropping moment for me when in a video supposedly created to “stand up” for county controller Sue Weber, Andrezeski repeats a rumor about Weber and her private activities that supposedly came from the current County Executive, Mark DiVecchio. Beyond the salacious, what Andrezeski is talking about in the at least nine videos are rambling accusations, alleged conspiracies, and nasty name-calling.
Here’s one of the more tame videos, where Buzz answers his critics from the media and blogosphere:
Then there’s the context of Spotlight TV, where the open to most of the videos is a loop of a clip from the drunk Erie Cop video to the tune of “do the spanky leg.” Citizen journalism is new to Christian Lestat Bussiere, whose YouTube user name is “ErieParties“. He’s more comfortable as a Jeff Spicoli wannabe sharing his weekend exploits than trying to be the next Carol Pella.
Buzz said that he wanted to reach out to young people, to a new audience to make his case why he should be the next County Executive. Dude, this is not how you do it. He could have created his own YouTube channel, had a friend with a camera help him make quality position videos with good sound and no profanity. He could have Twittered before each public appearance and Facebook friended the entire county.
Yeah, whatever.

May 19th, 2009
joel
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Deep Background for May 17-23, 2009
What can we say? I had a feeling that this would be a big week for Erie media, but I honestly had no clue how momentous it would be.
Not only have we been trying and talking about the elimination of almost all on and off-air personnel at WSEE, but we haven’t even broached the whole Buzz Andrezewski/Spotlight TV debacle!
As always, your support and participation in this blog is greatly appreciated and never taken for granted. If you need to go really “deep background,” as I’m afraid several folks are thinking that way even now, you can message me in confidence at joel@nataliemedia.com or DM @pressandtower on Twitter.
BTW, I hope that you are following me on Twitter, because as I wrote earlier in the week, that’s where you’ll get up-to-the minute media news that may or may not appear on posts on the blog.
Embrace the chaos!