Shelton Man Turns Love of Television Into Popular Online Website

In 2007 Keith Padin of Shelton started a small pop-culture website as part of a night class at Albertus Magnus college. Four years later, TheTwoCents.com is now focused solely on television and is averaging over 5,000 readers a day.

“When I look back at why and where this thing started, to where it is today, I sit and just shake my head. I’m constantly amazed when I look at the stats at the end of the day” said Padin.

TheTwoCents is a site that features recaps and reviews of over 90 shows, commentaries, television news and celebrity interviews. Stars such as Tina Fey, Ryan Seacrest, Jane Lynch, Joss Whedon and Simon Cowell have all shared their “two cents” with the site.

The mission of TheTwoCents is simple. Padin said: “Our staff loves TV and we write about it hoping that others who love TV will chime in with their thoughts. We write more than recaps, they are reviews and recaps – it’s all about sharing opinions – sharing everyone’s two cents. We want to be your online water cooler - on our site, on Twitter (@TheTwoCents) on Facebook (facebook.com/TheTwoCents) and everywhere in between.”

Padin doesn’t do it alone. Over the years, he has collected a staff of over 35 writers who help create the site’s content. “These people are amazing, we are truly a family. Aside from three or four, I’ve never even met most of these people in person. They’ve all found their way to the site and offered to be a part of it,” he said.

The crew at TheTwoCents gets their information and interview opportunities directly from many of the biggest networks. ABC, CBS, CW, FOX, NBC, HBO and more are in constant contact with Padin and his gang.

“I get screener DVDs to watch shows in advance and sometimes even fun promo items from the networks too. Recently I received a scorpion in a lollypop from CBS to promote their new show Chaos. That one really made an impression,” Padin said.

Padin, who works his ‘day job’ as the Marketing Director for in Shelton has added a weekly Podcast and can be heard monthly on WPLR 99.1 with Chaz and AJ talking TV. He has also been invited to network annual upfront presentations (revealing of new shows for the fall) and other red carpet events across the country.

“The best part of this has been the relationships I’ve been able to foster. Not just with the crew at TTC, but with people at the networks and even some of the stars from television,” he said.

With the 2010/2011 television season coming to an end in May sweeps, the readership of TheTwoCents will be sure to peak at even higher numbers. Padin summed it up: “The future is very bright. I can’t wait to see what’s next!”