Grantland Hall of Fame: The Men Who Camped Out for Twilight: A Photo Essay
Every week, Big Lead Sports’ staff peruses all 200 million articles on Grantland and picks their favorites. Welcome to the induction ceremony for Big Lead Sports’ Grantland Hall of Fame.
Yesterday, I got into a brief Twitter discussion about the difference between slideshows and photo essays with Dave Lozo of NHL.com. Lozo tweeted:
Grantland does “photo essays.” Bleacher Report does “slide shows.” I don’t see “much of a difference.”
I pointed out that slide shows are created to maximize page views for a single post. He responded by saying that readers don’t think like that. That is true. The only people that get bent out of shape over Bleacher Report’s slide shows and other Google-baiting tactics are bloggers. When Grantland does a photo essay, it’s the same thing, except it doesn’t force you to click “next” 15 times.
Some of you who are familiar with both sites in this comparative analysis might think that the quality of the photo essay on Bill Simmons’ Grantland would be far superior to that of some teenager putting together a couple pictures of Tim Tebow with funny captions. Those of you who think that would be very, very wrong.
The Grantland photo essay that spurred this debate is entitled The Men Who Camped Out For Twilight: A Photo Essay. The post was a part of the Hollywood Prospectus pop-culture blog on Grantland and was written by Lane Brown. If nothing else, the post explores that “little extra creative leeway” Simmons talked about in his Grantland introduction all those months ago.
Apparently, Grantland is across the street from wherever the Twilight premiere was so there were people camping out for a week, obstructing Bill Simmons’ pristine view of Hollywood. Reporters were dispatched. Answers would be had.
Who would give up a week’s worth of work or school, sleep, and indoor plumbing just to watch a few pale actors walk a red carpet? Yesterday, armed with a camera and a tape recorder, we decided to find out. Unfortunately, Twilight stars Peter Facinelli and Jackson Rathbone were visiting at the same time, so many of the female fans were preoccupied. Luckily, there were plenty of men around to answer our questions.
What follows are twenty photographs. Women are visible in 13 of those photographs. Women are posing for the camera in 9 of those photographs. Women are quoted in three of those photographs. I realize this is one of the stupidest things I could possible nitpick over, but what is the point?
More sample text:
Kim (right): “My dog’s name is Bella. She’s our tent city mascot. I got here on Wednesday at noon. I made it a vacation. I’m a nurse. A year and a half ago, I found out when the premiere was going to be, so I asked for the time off.”
They literally asked people why they were there. This isn’t satire or humor. It is apparently informational. I have no good reason to even publish this post, but I’m doing it anyway. I got way too far down the rabbit hole to delete this from drafts. The combination of Twilight and Grantland? Shit. This is the most Google-riffic post I could write this week without working “Did Jerry Sandusky shower with Justin Bieber?”
The title of the article explicitly states “The Men Who Camped Out To See Twilight.” Writing this and reading that article have zapped my will to live. I’m a mess as I attempt to finish writing about this. It just makes me so angry and sad at the same time. And it shouldn’t because I don’t read Grantland anymore. I’ve moved on. But stupid Lozo had to bring my attention to something stupid Grantland had done. There is no difference between anything that exists online. We are all awful. No matter if we are putting together a gallery, a slide show, a photo essay or complaining about them.
This has been the first installment of the Grantland Hall of Fame. Whenever something especially Mount Rushmore-ish shows up on the pages of Grantland, we’ll be ranting about it here. Unless we don’t because what’s the point?

- LeBron James’ Game-Winning Lay Up at the Buzzer in Overtime While Roy Hibbert Sat on the Bench [Video]
- Paul George Hit a Ridiculous 3 to Send it Into Overtime After Throwing the Ball Away Moments Earlier [Video]
- Paul George Wore Aqua Pants and a Green, Amoeba-Pattered Dress Shirt to Game 1 in Miami
- Shane Battier Kneed Roy Hibbert in the Balls [Video]
- Chuck Norris Wants a NFL Team to Sign Tim Tebow Because He is a Winner Like Chuck Norris

- Quietgoesthedon on LeBron James' Game-Winning Lay Up at the Buzzer in Overtime While Roy Hibbert Sat on the Bench [Video]
- knifeyspoony on Paul George Wore Aqua Pants and a Green, Amoeba-Pattered Dress Shirt to Game 1 in Miami
- wildcat1144 on LeBron James' Game-Winning Lay Up at the Buzzer in Overtime While Roy Hibbert Sat on the Bench [Video]
- resolutedefense on Paul George Wore Aqua Pants and a Green, Amoeba-Pattered Dress Shirt to Game 1 in Miami
- resolutedefense on Paul George Wore Aqua Pants and a Green, Amoeba-Pattered Dress Shirt to Game 1 in Miami
67 Responses to “Grantland Hall of Fame: The Men Who Camped Out for Twilight: A Photo Essay”
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November 15th, 2011 at 12:55 PM
Wonder if Jersey was in that line
November 15th, 2011 at 12:56 PM
what.the.fuck.
November 15th, 2011 at 12:57 PM
is this the one where they finally bang?
November 15th, 2011 at 12:58 PM
Great post, TBL.
November 15th, 2011 at 12:59 PM
Did Janoff hack into CRM!’s account?
November 15th, 2011 at 12:59 PM
The CoRM Chronicles?
November 15th, 2011 at 12:59 PM
I was unaware Lozo was still alive. he had a swell website back in the day.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:01 PM
You get way too excited or some of this stuff, CRM. Here, write a post about this guy. That’ll cleanse your palate.
I’m surprised you’ve just given up on Grantland. There’s still a few good things to be had over there.
/Team Katie Baker
November 15th, 2011 at 1:02 PM
Photo essays and slideshows both can be tedious.
Also, there are guys who actually watch the Twilight series? Really?
November 15th, 2011 at 1:02 PM
I read this at Grantland the other day. It was good.
@mizerle: He has a new site: http://davelozo.wordpress.com/ He doesn’t post on it very often though.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:02 PM
hey stephen, I realized that the name my wife and I picked for our soon-to-be daughter led to CRM being the initials.
/we’re finding a new middle name.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:04 PM
what.the.fuck.
Yeah, that’s what I thought as well.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:04 PM
He’s busy writing for NHL.com
November 15th, 2011 at 1:05 PM
What lovely parents let their kids take that much time off from school? I only took one day off from school for the “Jedi” premiere.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:07 PM
What it seems like.
/still like Lozo though
November 15th, 2011 at 1:08 PM
I do appreciate the subtle Google-rific humor that is the photo caption for the apple. Well done.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:08 PM
I was unaware Lozo was still alive. he had a swell website back in the day.
Doing some solid work on nhl.com. Nice write-up on Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award winner Terry Jones the other day.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:10 PM
The CoRM Chronicles?
Pours one out for Hef.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:11 PM
Honest question: These people are subjected to ridicule, but what about the people who do the same thing to watch Kyle Singler play basketball?
November 15th, 2011 at 1:12 PM
hb,miz
November 15th, 2011 at 1:15 PM
anyway you can get the intials to read BBoB?
November 15th, 2011 at 1:15 PM
thanks; vez. I always wanted to be older…today, I get that chance.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:16 PM
Gravatar isn’t working with TBL it seems. I changed back to the tomahawks like 4 days ago.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:17 PM
thanks; vez. I always wanted to be older…today, I get that chance.
being older is rated correctly
November 15th, 2011 at 1:17 PM
JHS – nah, mizerle doesn’t start with a “b” so it’s not gonna work out.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:18 PM
why not just make it Sports Blog HOF of shitty, half thought, lazily written posts?
oh, then most of last week’s PSU coverage would be first ballot shoe ins…
November 15th, 2011 at 1:19 PM
So does this statement still apply after creating a “hall of fame” intended to denigrate an entire website
http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2011/06/29/will-the-last-blogger-who-takes-a-dump-on-jonah-lehrers-sabermetrics-piece-for-grantland-please-turn-off-the-lights/#comment-1352650
November 15th, 2011 at 1:19 PM
I changed mine to pedobear wearing penn state garb a week ago and it still hasn’t loaded here.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:19 PM
Eh. He’s an asshole.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:20 PM
I think we all know who is to blame here. Assassin’s Creed.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:21 PM
The jealousy other writers seem to have towards Grantland is fun to watch.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:22 PM
TEAM EDWARD!
November 15th, 2011 at 1:22 PM
if you changed it to the Vicks Nyquil logo… shows up instantly.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:22 PM
These Snyder’s Jalapeno Pretzel Pieces are making me thirsty. They’re also delicious.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:22 PM
Loved TSH’s comment in that same section I alluded to earlier on this exact point:
To whoever asked why people are so quick to rip apart Grantland pieces (maybe not for this piece in particular since it was rather odd), I think it’s pretty obvious. Many of them are hoping for the eyes of Bill Simmons to light up and force him to promptly fire off an email with an offer letter to come join the Grantland team.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:23 PM
Team Jacob. Edward’s a pussy.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:24 PM
The jealousy other writers seem to have towards Grantland is fun to watch.
p-dub, do you think they are jealous of the talent or the pay/fame, and don’t reply ‘yes’
November 15th, 2011 at 1:24 PM
I just can’t get into the whole undead phenomena. It doesn’t hold my interest.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:25 PM
/fixed
November 15th, 2011 at 1:26 PM
Honest question: These people are subjected to ridicule, but what about the people who do the same thing to watch Kyle Singler play basketball?
Those people are idiots that should be subjected to ridicule. Because, Fuck Duke, that’s why.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:26 PM
Someone hit and quit it.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:26 PM
Pay and fame, I would guess.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:28 PM
The jealousy other writers seem to have towards Grantland is fun to watch.
I’m not a writer or blogger and don’t plan on being either. So, in my unjealous assessment, there is just too much filler and mindless, meandering pieces on Grantland. Also, not enough Wright Thompson.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:29 PM
i don’t understand how there’s any appeal to these books above 14 year old girls.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:29 PM
this is a problem that plagues the entire world.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:30 PM
Lots of people said the same about Harry Potter too. I read all of those. Magic and fantasy are one thing, the undead I just don’t get. Not for everyone, that’s all.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:30 PM
Team Jacob. Edward’s a pussy.
whatsername is growing into a fine looking young lass
/translation: i’d suck her blood
November 15th, 2011 at 1:31 PM
I can see pedobear smiling at me.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:32 PM
/fixed
November 15th, 2011 at 1:34 PM
stupid.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:35 PM
god damned is leo a lucky dude.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:35 PM
You don’t understand because you’re stupid.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:38 PM
Glen Mason is going to be the Lobo’s new football coach and the Orioles have a new logo/uniforms.
/Team ass and legs (Who is this team Edward you talk about?)
//Shamefully knows who Edward is
November 15th, 2011 at 1:39 PM
Lots of people said the same about Harry Potter too. I read all of those. Magic and fantasy are one thing, the undead I just don’t get. Not for everyone, that’s all
i’ve been on/off with swords/sorcery, monsters, etc all my life both in books and movies. cannot put my finger on why i am so disinterested in HP. have not read one book, have seen only parts of the movies, and we have a few of the movies at home
November 15th, 2011 at 1:45 PM
really? I’ve still got the “remember da U” ribbon showing up.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:49 PM
Please. Only private screenings of the new Twilight films for yours truly.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:49 PM
god damned is leo a lucky dude.
for bar, yes, fr blake, hell yes, for this exoskeleton??
i’d break her spine with a thrust
November 15th, 2011 at 1:51 PM
need some big birthin’ hips, huh?
November 15th, 2011 at 1:51 PM
November 29th. 10 pm EST. CBS. Pants are optional.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:53 PM
I just don’t get Grantland. Initially it seemed like a place for Simmons to write long form articles without the filter of ESPN. A place where Simmons could write the kind of articles that he always praises through his “best sports novels”, etc. A place where Simmons and other noted journos could write deep analytic pieces that challenged the status quo and articles that weren’t afraid to criticize the establishment. Occasionally that happens. I’ve read a couple good things from Simmons and Klosterman and others, however, most of it is just garbage. A wedding announcement fantasy league? A reality show fantasy league? This stupid shit up top? So much of it is just plain dumb. It seems like they are trying to be too many things to too many people.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:55 PM
it’s seriously one of the most pretentious sites i’ve ever been to. mind boggling how incoherent and scatter shot their “vision” has been…i mean, for fuck’s sake, THIS is one of their columns?
November 15th, 2011 at 1:56 PM
need some big birthin’ hips, huh?
maybe but definitely some meat on them bones. look at those arms….dachau!
November 15th, 2011 at 1:59 PM
im a big fan of the long, lanky, skinny look.
the french singer from last week tho is still my fav. alizee.
November 15th, 2011 at 1:59 PM
i confess to not having read one grantland piece, but seems to me that if they are not trying to providde a service, like say, a beat writer informms fans of a team, let them wank away. not hurting anyone, and by the opinions i see on the good/best stuff there, occasionally a great read comes of it. it’s like a writer’s workshop.
anyway, maybe a good blog would be for someone with a level head to start aa blog that presents the best of Grantland every week.
/we do the work, so you don;t have toooooooooo!
//scrubbing bubbles
November 15th, 2011 at 2:05 PM
good piece from a legal analyst on the sandusky interview
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/11/15/ham-sandusky-said-way-way-too-much/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook
yep, spence i like long and lanky too, but she is a stick figure
November 15th, 2011 at 2:07 PM
once the show’s over, she can eat again. she’ll be fine.
November 15th, 2011 at 2:46 PM
the french singer from last week tho is still my fav. alizee.
we agree