It was announced today that the TC50 conference put on by Jason Calacanis and Mike Arrington is no more. This is a shame, but hardly surprising considering the personalities of both men. I attended two of these conferences and it was obvious who the driving force was. Jason. Outgoing, talkative, a leader, a mentor. Mike on the other hand was his usual self. Sullen, withdrawn, obnoxious, and most importantly babyish. If you attended the last one you got to see this firsthand. Mike’s immaturity got the best of him as he walked off stage at the award ceremony leaving Jason to keep the show going, which he did like the wannabee movie star he is. It was appalling to witness as Mike threw a tantrum and went home disrespecting his partner and friend, not to mention his employees, attendees and the companies who were there. It was classic baby bullshit. I remember Mike said on stage “You don’t need me, it’s the Jason Calacanis show.” Well at least he was right about one thing. J didn’t need him.

The great irony is that earlier in the year I was helping to produce “The Crunchies”. Two hours before the show, his own show, Mikey decides he’s not going. I said to him “Hey stupid, what do you mean your not going? It’s your fucking show.” “Don’t care” he says “I’m going skiing”. And that’s exactly what he did, he left. His dumbfounded staff was like WTF? My answer? “Fuck him, we have a show to do.” We show up at the theater and as I’m writing Erick’s monologue, Jason walks in, I tell him the story and he is shocked, but more importantly sympathetic for the TC team. What was his answer? “Fuck him we have a show to do.” And that’s what we did, we put on a show. A damn good one as well. The techcrunch team stepped up and did what they had to do, all of them were heroes, except one, the baby who went skiing. At that point I was pretty tight with TC crew. I was so proud of these guys, these aren’t seasoned performers, these aren’t “show people”. Erick ended up doing a great job and their whole team demonstrated an Esprit De Corps that their “leader” couldn’t muster. And who was there, a bundle of energy, going nuts pumping everyone up? Yup Jason. He was backstage and vital to that show’s success. His and mine friend’s show. We wanted to make sure our friends big night was a success. We all succeeded that night. Without grumpy boy.

I know the full story behind the genesis of the TC50 conference, and the truth is, it was always Jason’s idea. He had put these things on many years before Mike Arrington existed. This is just fact. That’s neither here nor there though, the thing is Mikey yet again demonstrates his unique ability to be a shithead to those who love him the most. The dime store analysis? He deep down knows he doesn’t deserve it. He’s also probably right.

Anyway, like all stories this has an end. Unfortunately it’s not happy. These two maniacs were good together. I know how much Jason really cares for Mike and it’s a damn shame that Mike once again hurts those who care about him most. Such is life. Now we have two conferences from our heroes. Mike has “Disrupt” that’s web talk for big idea. It’s also bullshit and has a negative connotation to the real world. Jason will have “Launch” that is web talk for a start. It’s also a very positive word in the real world. Interesting names, and reflective of their founders personalities. I know which one I’ll be attending, after my own of course.