A Conversation with Ben Heck

[@Rickmakes]

I think a lot of us saw this coming when they talked about changing the name.

[@smartroadbiker]

If this is the reason they wanted to change the name, I wonder if the response to the idea would have been different had they said this is why it was being changed? As it stood, they were asking the community to change a name no obvious reason. So is the show being canned when Ben leaves? Or is someone going to step in?

[@robindonnolly3261]

Yes Ben looked pissed off when it didn't change after all. This was supposed to be his out, i believe.

[@neoqueto]

Why won't they just keep the name in Ben's honor even after he quits??

[@M1D3RM4N]

Gonna miss Ben! Thank you Ben!

[@ironman5034]

check his channel on youtube, his covid mask is excellent

[@SmokyFrosty]

Benjamin J Heckendorn, This is your life! Nice interview guys. I'm sure people won't be surprised that Ben has come to his end, you can feel it in the recent episodes but It's been an absolute blast, been watching since the start, so much great stuff. All the good wishes for the future.

[@ironman5034]

check his youtube cjannel

[@dude22072]

I will never not miss Alyson.

[@MatthewMaulwurf]

I will never miss Alyson

[@chrisjericho7123]

Where did she go?

[@stonent]

She got married I think or got tired of being asked if she was Ben's Sister/Wife/Girlfriend.

[@LesKing72]

Alyson moved on to a different job. Something to do with bikes, I think. It's on the channel somewhere

[@BrentWilliams2]

I'm a new subscriber - early 2017 probably, so this is like finding Firefly after the fact and realizing there isn't a season 2.

[@davidhealdjr.513]

It's like when my cousin and I discovered Mitch Hedburg two years after he died.

[@custos3249]

Same

[@Pete292323]

Same here.

[@EKTORPTULLSTA]

After Solar Freakin` Roadways, the thought of firefly season 2 seems a lot less appealing .

[@yonaguska2050]

Lol, pretty much. Have you seen the channels of Andreas Spiess or Julian Ilett?

[@ituxcoza]

I watched from day one. The heydays has passed, we all know that. But what Ben taught us all, will be forever. Long after this show is dead and gone, we'll remember the awesome work of the team. I salute Ben in his choice to break free from the grind, and go live the life he wants to. I just pray that he doesn't disappear completely! We'll be rooting for you Ben! Thanks for the hundreds of hours of inspiring viewing pleasure!

[@ituxcoza]

A day later, reading these comments of all the old viewers, i can't help but feel like this must validate Ben that he made the right choice. So many of us volunteering to unsub (Going down with Ben) and standing by him. Heartwarming. Lets hope someday we see a return with Alyson (; [or am i over optimistic after all the great support comments]

[@PVCtromboneMaster]

Thanks for all you've taught us over the years Ben. Hate to see you go, but I'm glad you're doing what's best for you. Good luck in your future ventures!

[@himselfe]

Would liked to have seen more back story. Like how Revision3 fit in the picture, why the earlier shows seemed a lot more like The Ben Heck show and not The element14 Show, how social media shifted from being focused on the Ben Heck community to being focused on the element14 community. Come back without element14 and you'll do much better, they were an anchor and they sucked the passion out. How complicit Ben has been in their meddling I don't know, but they never really seemed to understand the fan base of the show. In all honesty this did not feel like a 'candid' interview, it felt like a puppet theatre by an authoritarian state trying to placate the people and still not really getting it.

[@paulb4334]

Didn't also pay for all the stuff?

[@jsonic1045]

I came across Ben Heck through Hack-A-Day. It's been fun watching your content. I look forward to the remaining episodes and beyond that, I wish you the best of luck in your future ventures.

[@cjpoisson]

Thanks for everything Ben! I started following you when you only had benheck.com. I would listen to your podcasts and studied all of your projects. It inspired me so much that I decided to follow a carrier in IT and electronics. I want to thank you for everything you have done through the years for the electronics and maker community. You will be missed!

[@TheTrueDecimal12]

I found this show years ago in like 2011 I've really enjoyed watching along with my children, one of which disassembled our DVD player saying he was "Being Been Heck". I will truly miss the show, but wish you all the best.

[@DesignBuildExecute]

I think I started watching when the episodes were on Revision3. I remember thinking "I wish there was some kind of show where they take a concept from idea to finished thing and show all of the steps along the way. Especially the actual building and coding.". It wasn't maybe a month later I stumbled upon it on the Revision3 channel on my Roku. I couldn't believe I was actually watching essentially what I had dreamed up before. It was great. Sad to see an end to the era, but I can understand getting burned out and wanting to do the next thing. I wouldn't mind seeing the show turned over to Felix, but I'm not sure Felix has the enthusiasm in his character to attract viewers the way Ben does. Having said that, Felix really grew on me as he was on the show more and more. He proved that he could host and be that guy during the guitar modification episode. Just take that energy and mold it into a new host, Felix! At least, that's what I hope they do.

[@DesignBuildExecute]

Sorry, FELIX. I wrote this when I was kind of tired and kept typing Max. I meant Felix. Fixed!

[@Hellwyck]

NO MASTER YODA, YOU CAN'T DI... I mean No! Ben Heckendorn, you can't leave us!!!!!! but if you have to, I want to personally say *THANKYOU* to Ben, Felix, Alyson, Karen and the crew for the amazing show. Also to Element 14 for hosting it.

[@HelloSwiftful]

Don't forget Max, the camera guy!

[@RetroBuiltGames]

Thanks Ben for everything. Best of luck in your new endeavors. Please be a guest on red letter media sometime.

[@whollymindless]

But please don't disappear. There are not enough genuine "characters" or "personalities" in the tech world that feel honest and "embrace the quirk". You're no Woz but I think you fill a similar niche - Passionate, honest, encouraging and a bit off kilter. Thanks Element14 for supporting this all these years. I have definitely purchased from Element14 based on the exposure with TBHS.

[@mtbevins]

Thanks Ben and team. I love watching your videos. You will be missed.

[@xavelor]

Your show is what inspired me to get into electronics and making in general. Sorry to see you go. Glad I got to take a selfie with you at Bay Area Maker Faire last year. Good luck in whatever you do in the future.

[@firstsequence7132]

I first became aware of Ben's work way back in 2000 - the year I first had access to the internet. I had been collecting vintage video games, consoles and computers for a while (which really was a niche hobby back then) so when I came across Ben's website detailing his first Atari 2600 portable build I was fascinated by what he had achieved. It was actually through Ben's site that I first heard about eBay (as I believe he had mentioned he was selling one of his builds there) and over the next couple of years I was able to add a lot more classic games and systems to my collection from there. It was then a few years later (after I had sold my collection) that I re-discovered Ben's work on KZbin and have been watching ever since. Good luck for the future Ben, look forward to seeing what you do next.

[@LetsPlayKeldeo]

Ben was like the father I never had showing me the things he was passionet about and this spark grew to a flame in myself as I started pursuing a Job as an Technician .

[@joost199207]

Ben's leaving? :( I learned allot from you, you're such a loveable, smart and funny guy. Hopefully we'll see you again in future projects. Thanks for inspiring me to make a RPI portable, would have never tried if it wasn't for your videos.:D

[@MoreUniqueThanMost]

a lot* ;-)

[@Super_Bros.]

He has his own channel now and it’s awesome, just in case you didn’t know.

[@PCBSLC]

Bon voyage Ben! You've been a creative force devising so many wonderful things over the years. The community that has built up around this show is one of your finest contributions. Wish you all the best in your future endeavors! You will be missed!

[@lrochfort]

Wow. Hard to think I've been watching for 8 years. Thoroughly enjoyable. All the best for the future, Ben.

[@iCach0]

I've learned so much from Ben. I'm really going to miss him.Thanks for everything and good luck in the future!

[@Hunnter2k3]

It's finally here. I knew it was coming. Sad times. Always crushing when a person leaves their creation. I look forward to seeing your future projects and wish you well. Hope to hear more about this funky film thing.

[@-Kerstin]

Damn. I really hope Ben keeps making YT videos.

[@colonelbarker]

Thanks for all your hard work on the show Ben, it's been a blast, I've been watching the last six years or show every week. It's inspired me to try some more technically complex builds than i would have previously ever considered and really has helped me understand a lot of key electronic elements that previously I was only ever aware of. I can't say I won't miss it, and you. Thanks once again Ben. Make sure you let us know how we can follow what you're up to after this!

[@JasonFowler]

Thank you Ben for all the fun hours of video and crazy cool projects.

[@crosenblum]

I miss this show a lot, the humor, the helping others, and simple of gaming and electronics.

[@TommieTF]

Even tho I commented a few videos ago that the channel is pretty dead, I really really want to thank you Ben. You were/are the main reason why I got into DIY electronics as a hobby, and currently im studying Computer Science/engineering thanks to you. Thanks for all the amazing videos you have uploaded over the years and I will totally miss your videos in 6 months. I didn't mean that comment I posted in an offensive way I was just stating the obvious and I thought it was quite a shame.

[@danielgiesbrecht9701]

Thank you for everything that you have taught me over the last 5 years since I became a subscriber. You inspired me to pursue a career in hardware design, and I'll always be grateful for that.

[@EdwardDrachenbergJr]

Ben, love the show and wish you the best. Such an inspiration in the electrical engineering field.

[@Wreclis]

Crushed and excited all in 45 seconds... Love the show! I hope for the best for everyone.

[@itechflagstaff]

I'll miss you. thanks for all the videos. You have taught me a LOT.

[@ozzie0409]

Thanks Ben (and the crew) for all of the enjoyment since season 1!

[@tronophono913]

Thank you Ben for all the awesome projects and showing us what it takes to get it done. Your videos allowed me to go through my engineering education in college. You have been my main motivator for electronics, loved the passion you showed as well as the knowledge you provided. Thanks to you I was able to love what I do and hope to do it for as long as I can. I hope to see you around later around youtube, and I wish you a great future on that movie. I will watch it if it comes out. See you around Ben Heck.

[@Vicfirth1989]

I have been subscribed forever. This channel is one of the things that got me started and excited about making things. Learned many of over my head things over the years. I hope y’alls next projects work out well. Rip tbhs.

[@pikalovesnaruto]

This is a sad day for me... I have be a member of Ben's original forum since 2008. I have always loved watching the show and I have learned a lot by watch him. I will miss watching but I do wish Ben good luck on his future endeavors wherever they may lead him

[@That_Guy42]

I watched from the beginning to year 3 or 4 (can't quite remember) just got busy with life but I loved the show. It's really sad to see that you're leaving. Good luck with your future endeavors.

[@Henners]

I’ve been folllowing bens builds since the portable 2600 on his old page in the early 2000s. I’ve loved watching this series and just got my girlfriend into it. Sad to see it go, but I followed your work before the ease of KZbin and will continue to.

[@TidBitOf]

Thanks for helping me get excited about electronics. I hope that all of your adventures in the future are full of happiness and joy. All of the people at TBHS are pretty amazing. Best of luck. Thank you so much!

[@rick420buzz]

Just when I got Fridays off to watch first thing in the morning. Gonna miss not starting the day with Ben. Loved the builds where he made portable Ataris and Nintendos.

[@darkguardian1314]

Followed Ben Heck since seeing him on the Jace Hall Show. I was busy this year and just found out about Ben leaving on his podcast Ep #116. Odd, I don’t watch Jace Hall but came up in an iTune Podcast search. Here’s looking to a bright future for all on the show - past and present.

[@blackvulcan3]

Ben, thanks for everything man. The stuff you have done for people whose lives had been adversely affected cant be understated. People need normality and you enabling them to do the things they love again is massive. I will forever want to build a handheld console, but I know despite having some skills, will never have the skills needed. Thanks again for everything from a long time viewer.

[@BlizzetaNet]

My eyes opened up wide when I heard that he's leaving... It's sad to see someone I've been watching since like around 2013 to just go and shut shop. I'm also deeply saddened that the show was not in favor for project selection, I feel that do something you love without getting pressured for a deadline. I'm sorry to see you go, Ben, but I hope you continue to be the Ben I've known for the past 5-6 years. To the Ben Heck Crew, I'll miss you.

[@kristiandawe85]

This is truly sad that Ben is leaving, I could tell this was coming for awhile now, hopefully Ben doesn't fall off the face of the earth, season 1 of the show was my favorite. I wish you all the best Ben and to everyone who has worked on TBHS.

[@shangrilai1990]

Thanks Ben for igniting and keep lit my love for electronics of all shapes and sizes. I've been a loyal Ben follower since it was just benheck.com. Listened to every one of your podcasts, watched all of your independent films (Still have my original .wmv download of Port Washington), poured through every build log of your portable gaming systems throughout the years and have one of your gaming headsets from back in the day. I'm glad you were able to explore your love of electronics further through this show and it absolutely shows how far you have come from doing portable Nintendos and Xbox 360s to designing and hopefully mass producing your own electronic game. Good luck with all your future endeavours.

[@MichaelBerthelsen]

What an odd way of announcing that the show will be over...

[@curtisreidhenderson6050]

Is agree. Having a concise recap of the show’s history was cool, but I think they should have started the video with the announcement, and used that as a jumping off point to celebrate the past. The was they shoehorned it in at the end just felt awkward and forced. It was like they were afraid to tell the fans.

[@Geraki0n]

Ben Heck said there was a good chance of him stopping his participation on the show on the Not So Common Podcast with Pat Contri about a year ago.

[@MichaelBerthelsen]

apprentice58 How about a proper announcement to the vast majority who don't necessarily follow said podcast...?

[@Geraki0n]

Don't assume I'm contradicting you. I was explaining why some other commenters had good foresight of this announcement.

[@McMeatBag]

Just dropped in during the last few minutes "yeah, I'm quitting!"

[@lindholmaren]

I'm just hoping Ben will keep going with the online guides that introduced me to him

[@scdallav]

Thanks Ben, your show was my favourite KZbin thing on Fridays, and frequently of the entire week.

[@markabernard]

Just came across your channel and enjoy it immensely. Sorry to see you go.

[@JeremyMorganSyr]

All good things come to an end. You got to do what makes you happy. Good luck and I hope you check in with your fans from time to time!

[@OldSchoolNYCGamer]

All good things must come to a Ben, thank you for your work.

[@1mxtp]

thank you for all the informative and constructive years

[@thelasttankmage]

Been watching this show since the beginning and followed Ben even before that when he made a name for himself doing portable hacks. Gonna miss this show but I'm also excited to see what Ben moves onto, I would love to see him return to his retro hacking roots.

[@tubejay1]

Was a great show! Thanks for all the effort and content. You will be missed.

[@sewashburn0529]

It was a real treat to meet Ben at the Southern Fried Gameroom Expo in Atlanta in 2015. He is very personable and interesting to talk to. At least we will have this archive of shows to watch (please don't take the channel down).

[@AeroQC]

I only just got wind that you're leaving, Ben. It's sad to know that you're leaving the show, but after 8 years of amazing videos full of contructive learning and "regrettable" acting, I'm still happy to hear that you have ideas that you still want to share. Maybe not on a week-to-week basis as the show has been for so long, but on your own time, at your own pace. Sad to see you go, but I'm still happy to hear you won't be gone. I hope to see some of your other projects after the show is over.

[@philsbbs]

I look forward to these videos and be sad to see it come to a end.

[@MrRushArt]

I first got to see Ben's work, long before he even had a show. sad to see it end though

[@SurvivingTheApocalypse]

Not watched this channel in a few years and came back expecting to have a nice marathon of videos to catchup on. Devastated.

[@keepmoving6029]

You have inspired me many times and for that I am grateful. Thank you for everything and I wish you well in your future endeavors. May the magic smoke never be released from your brain

[@duckyvirus]

this was obvious that it was coming. I hope the show continues and hope it resolves a lot of the tension they try very hard to hide between Ben and other staff. I'll still miss him, but he's not been the same since Allyson left and he became more of a boss than a partner. please Felix/Karen keep the show alive! (but go back to the old format, this 3/year thing has been a drag)

[@michaelbowen840]

I'm so shocked that you're leaving KZbin Ben I've only just started watching all your video. You are surely going to be missed I hope a lot of people I for one will miss you because the way you explained you don't talk down the people I'm lost for words. It's a sad day Thank you very much for the great videos and explaining a heck of a lot of things I see things differently now best of luck for the future for you and your family thank you. 😭😭😭😭

[@brianrichards8013]

You can’t leave Ben, you were my inspiration to get into collecting arcade machines and repairing them. I don’t think I ever would have bought all the soldering tools and knew how to use a multimeter if it wasn’t for you. You will be missed .....

[@ncgallagher]

Thanks for everything Ben!

[@00Klingon]

I'm going to really miss Ben. I've learned so much and he has re-introduced me to the world of electronics and really enjoyed his humor and skits. I wish there was a way to keep the awesome going...

[@sokauo]

That is sad but if ben continu making videos on youtube it coul'd be better, without deadlines and perhaps his own channel. Anyway the ben heck show was a great adventure and a lot of good memories.

[@andersmilton]

Yeah, a really in-depth full size pinball build would be cool. Like old times. :)

[@saadmughal5478]

He's going to make videos with EEVBlog now.

[@SomethingNewEveryDay]

Thank you for all the videos Ben

[@yonaguska2050]

The show gave me the push I needed to revitalize my hobby.

[@jorgeszabo1659]

Oh well... It's been an awesome journey since 2012 for me. I remember coming from school and going into my dad's computer and checking if there's a new video. Ahh good times. Wish you the best of luck Ben, I think we all kind of saw this coming. You even said in one of your podcasts that this show was wearing you off. But hey, you still inpired me and many more people into tinkering with electronics and that's all that matters after all. Good luck with your movie!

[@VacFink]

A classy exit, leaving enough time to take one last old project into the future in a new way. I appreciate Element 14 for supporting this adventure and this great journey of inspiration and exploration of great maker's work. I hope element 14 has started a search for more talent to take electronics education and inspiration in a new direction.

[@lathiat]

Love your work Ben. Best of luck on your new adventures in film making, deadline-free tinkering or wherever your heart takes you.

[@maikemota3950]

That is bad news! Now, we'll need a new channel with amazing content like Ben Heck Show to entertain us on the Friday. We will miss your builds and hacks, but we have to say thanks for all these year and the things that we learn with you guys until now. Good luck on this new road!

[@ThingNumberTwo2]

The end of an era... Best of luck to Ben, Felix, Karen and the rest of the BHS crew going forward.

[@gumarro72]

new name: The what the heck show

[@christopherlastname7638]

It's the Ben's hack show he is back

[@MichaelHomeisterMardorf]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO BEEEEEEN. We neeed you and the show! I want to see sooo much more about pinball. You brought me to pinball. I bought a pinball machine and started building my own BECAUSE OF YOU!!!! Keep up the good work till midyear! All the best Ben :-) thanks for all your effort!! I learned soo much from you!

[@sundjinnkari]

Ben its been a great trip, and an enjoyable adventure! I wish you the best, and hope that whatever your endeavors that you do well and succeed in them. We will miss you, and hopefully you will return to us when you are feeling the same. Also, before you leave, fill your pockets with sand from the shop.

[@thomasmathew13]

Sad to see the show go, but I hope whatever projects you do for yourself in the future you film and share with us.

[@clusterloop5863]

Going to miss the show, thanks a lot for the inspiration! Best wishes.

[@CubicleNate]

I just became aware of the show and liked it from the the first episode. Too bad he has to move on but nothing is forever, I suppose. I wish him and everyone involved the best.

[@jeetlodaya775]

😞 i will miss u ben , learned so much from the show !

[@forceraider451]

I think my favorite thing they built was the revisit of the Sinclair Portable. I would have loved to buy something like that since it looked so nice. Best part would have been that all the audio for the tapes are free online.

[@RussCottier]

So long and thanks for all the fish Ben...I mean thanks for all the solder ;-)

[@alexkindl861]

Happy trails, thanks for all the ideas

[@Najvalsa]

Been following you (online) since like 2004/5 so this is just me having to follow you somewhere else again. Should be very interesting. Good luck, mate.

[@nicholasmeibaum5090]

I'll be satisfied with a Ben vlog of projects on his own time. Follow your dreams!

[@srinikethb]

IT is a heart breaking moment for all fans to know that the show will come to an end. It was been about 2 years since have started watching the show and now, to see the show coming to an end wells me up. It would be truly nice if the show stays on. We don't bother about deadlines, all we want is the comforting feeling that there will be another episode, another new build and more fun in store. I am starting a petition to keep the show running . I request all youtubers to comment below this comment showing their support and to also like this comment. I will even be happy if anyone can draft a petition and post it on any forum. As viewers, #Ben, #Allyson, #Karen, #Felix and #Max will always remain immortal and it will be devastating to not see them again after June '18. Please do support this cause. Regards, Sriniketh B, Bengaluru, Karnakata, India.

[@atraxr603]

Pull yourself together...

[@GameplayandTalk]

Aw man, no more Ben Heck Show after June? That's a bummer. Thanks for all the great content though, Ben and the rest of the team. It was an awesome run!

[@MrMalky1550]

well farewell and good luck with the future Ben

[@nitram1666]

Gonna miss seeing ya on here Ben! Good speed ahead!

[@derekcamilleri8]

Good luck for the future will miss your videos

[@rustyshackleford5166]

I wish ben could transmit his knowledge to me and i could take over. I love thinking of new inovative ways to mod things for the better

[@MrAMyatt]

So sad to see this great entertaining resource go. Been watching Ben for so long now. You will be missed.

[@ramonster163]

I hope Ben returns to youtube in some way or another after he leaves this month, at some point. Perhaps his own channel without sponsors pushing deadlines? I think most of us watch the show because of him.

[@philsbbs]

Really enjoyed this video. Thanks for sharing.

[@Edson_Staack]

Obrigado Ben por tudo! Foram muitas horas de diversão com os seus shows! Vai deixar saudades!

[@snowpython]

I'll miss this show. I love shows that great and build I don't care about frequency I like watching the failures and the researching to see how they do troubleshooting. I hope another show takes it's place.

[@69chase666]

thank you

[@claudiogodoi2925]

Thanks for the inspiration Ben!

[@retrohaxblog]

Wow, I never saw this coming lol :D I was like - Ben is going to be here forever ... which is a good thing, because I've learned a lot from your work. I actually started my own blog with similar (retro machines) stuff. I wish you all the best with new projects Ben :)

[@lorinan]

Sad to hear you're ending the show, but it's defiinitely been great learning all the neat things here. Keep it up.