Shanghaiist: Did ChinesePod steal The Radical Show?

EL JEFE

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 02:56:24 +0700

The only story is that a privileged meeting with a possible subcontractor was publicized by a former employee. No employment contract? No loyalty? Good luck with that next job.

frankfradella

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:27:58 +0700

Hello! Frank Fradella here again! :) As I've said in several places, while I was originally irked by the similarities, I've talked this over with John Pasden, who is a man of honor and integrity. There was no theft. As dedlam pointed out above, if you are going to teach how to read Chinese characters, these are likely to be the characters used to start. This is likely to be the format you'd use, if video was going to be involved. Do I wish I'd gotten the gig? Of course. This is how I make my living. But I'll take the show somewhere else and they'll do theirs and we'll all remain friends. It's far less dramatic than it all seems. Frank

Andy Best

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:21:38 +0700

It is well cheeky though. And indicative of a wider problem. By that I mean, companies other than C-pod. I have this experience.

moneyinabox

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 22:48:00 +0700

Frank Fradella doesn't seem to think it's stealing, ergo absolutely no story here.

dedlam

Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:27:53 +0700

I'm not even sure it's derivative. Every child who learns Chinese starts with 人 as the first radical they learn. Neither Frank or John are original in that sense. And John, if you're reading this? If you're going to go with the "Radical" 80's theme, you really gotta find sidekicks that are more like "Bill & Ted" Duuude, Strange things are afoot at the Circle K!