We’ve seen a spew of Internet weblebrities flounder as they tried to dive across the giant chasm between online-video and television.  But we have our money on Michael Buckley (WhattheBuckShow), whose HBO deal was confirmed by Wired and Tilzy. You know it sucks being at the center of gossip, but the last blog that gets the official story.

This was, of course, interesting for two reasons. First, we’ve grown immune to hearing YouTubers talk about a “big tv deal in development” that never seems to actualize.” Second, Buckley despite conversations with E and other networks, was quite happy sticking with his Internet thing. As noted in his comment below, Buckley will continue to do his WhattheBuck show, even if that means he outsources most of it to Mason, his abused assistant.

Here’s why if Buckley can’t do it, then aspiring television and film stars should put down their video cameras, stop surfing YouTube and get back to the headshots and waitressing:

1. Buckley’s got talent. He writes well, and has an appealing personality. Almost every one of his videos is among the top 10 highest-rated YouTube videos of the day, and he’s shot from obscurity to a top position on YouTube in less than 6 months (even with his late arrival to the scene).
2. His content is universal. We don’t need to know YouTube to understand his pop references. He clearly consumes more television than my children.
3. He’s as adept at interacting with his viewers (an obsessed lot) and YouTube’s community. But he has proven experience saying “oh no you dint” to agents and the cuthroat world of big media. He’s hungry but not stupid.
4. He’s got that “Secret,” inner confidence, “I Know Where I’m Going, Don’t You Want to Help?” vibe. A lot of YouTubers get shy or compulsive when confronted with the world of Hollywood, but Buckley will find it charming. It will get to his head, of course, but there’s enough room in there for everyone.
5. Buckley’s faithful assistant, Mason, takes a beating and stays with him. It’s no secret that in Hollywood you need a loyal assistant who can take abuse and remain faithful and avoid tabloids. Mason’s his guy.

We’re happy for Buckley because perhaps now he can start paying me for writing his scripts. [inside joke explanation: In my lowest-rated video, I claimed to write for him. Buckley cried (Tammy Faye style), a drama ensued, and I was spanked].

Let’s celebrate the news by watching the Tubicide parody of him, or my recent video that shows what you television noobs have to look forward to whatever he’s got cookin’ with HBO. Hey- this started as a post about Buckley, and then it’s all about me. All about me. No wonder they never give me exclusives.