Web site broadcasts live, offbeat humor

By CHERYL YANKOLONIS
Collegian Staff Writer

At the heart of him is a "living, pulsing, dark, organic downward of a spiral journey where man's darkest hour is at hand."

His name is Snack Boy, and for five minutes he enlightens viewers with the comedy, mystery and tragedy that fills his life.

Whether it is talking about his Grandma sneaking drugs into his mom's bedroom, or when he almost wrecked a police car while acting on "America's Most Wanted," "Snack Boy" is the craziest five-minute snack on the World Wide Web.

"Snack Boy" is a live video and audio Webcast that features 25-year-old Terry Crummitt. It's part of a Web site called The Sync (www.thesync.com), which features several uncensored, offbeat live shows.

"People seem to find a piece of themselves in every little snack (five-minute episode) because I talk about things people can relate to," Crummitt said.

The Sync debuted two years ago and was co-founded by then University of Maryland students Carla Cole and Tom Edwards.

Cole, who had hoped to be an architect, wanted to do something that would have an effect on other people. She teamed up with Edwards, who was in the process of earning his doctorate in electrical engineering, and together they created an uncensored Web site.

Shows other than "Snack Boy" include "CyberLove," "The Jenni Show" and "Meeks Unfiltered."

"CyberLove" features a panel of four young people who talk about their lives and loves.

"For 'CyberLove' we picked people who are open, honest and have interesting stories," said Cole, who hosts the show.

This week, "CyberLove" will feature Valentine videos sent in by viewers who want to send extra-special messages to their sweethearts.

For Jennifer Ringley, star of "The Jenni Show," Internet exposure isn't a new concept. Ringley also is the star of "The JenniCAM" (www.jennicam.org), a real-life version of The Truman Show. The JenniCAM site allows viewers to watch Jenni in her apartment, even when she's sleeping.

The Sync's creators wanted to give fans an opportunity to see a more talkative side of Rigley.

One of the more serious Webcasts at The Sync is "Meeks Unfiltered," hosted by Brock Meeks, chief Washington correspondent for MSNBC. This show features in-depth discussions on techno-political issues such as Internet censorship and online privacy.

For those visitors who do not like talk shows, The Sync has a one-of-a-kind ongoing independent film festival.

The visitors of the Web site are mainly college students and The Sync has collected fan mail from all over the world, including Australia and Zimbabwe.

"In the future we are launching a geek-oriented show about stuff like Unix and wearable computers and any new geek technology -- things that people are doing in their basements that just don't get picked up by traditional companies or the media," Cole said.