A while back I was checking something on the (fancy new) iO webpage and saw that the calendar was being updated right that moment. I'd hit refresh and a couple new shows would appear, hit refresh again and more would pop up. It was funny to know that at that moment someone was typing the new schedule in, date by date.

There was an eerie part to it too, because as shows were appearing, teams were disappearing. That's what happens with new schedules, teams get cut.

The schedule I saw updating in real time was only a two week extension. This usually means there's going to be a big shake-up, or there was going to be a shake-up but then things change at the last minute. Rumors swirl, people whisper "bloodbath" and everyone waits for official word.

Well, it's out now and there are actually an awful lot of teams cut. And a lot of performers cut (not placed on new teams). In theory this makes good sense, the team roster has bloated out of control and cuts can be a good thing, like pruning a tree. Of course, its easier to say that when you're not one of the fallen branches.