Commentators are a capricious breed. Some of my favorite, relatively prominent blogs -NYMag, Eater, get relatively few while others with (often far) fewer hits and links can get upwards of 200 per post. Comments, or lack thereof, aren't necessarily proportional to readership- for example, Defamer's piece today on the TCA had 676 views but only 2 comments.
Still, if you can cultivate a core group of commentators, what you post about can become merely a jumping off point for discussion, or, more commonly, inter-reader squabbles and potshots. Soon, you have people waiting for your next post not because of what you will say, but because of how the other commentators respond.
While the viciousness of Gawker's group of snarkmasters (and the occasional "commentard"), are well known within the blogosphere, those over at Essentially Emily are perhaps even more tightly knit, and much more critical of the critic herself. Park Avenue Peerage's are much the opposite; very little is directed at the site's author, as are those of DBTH, although those that do pertain to Solish and not subject are almost always flattering. Below, a sampling of current comments.
On Gawker's "Look We Made You a Gawker Glossary"
Can you tell me how the fuck someone gets a star? Or is this some deep, Dr. Seussian thing meant to teach us a lesson?
@yourfriendandneighbor: It's called "Starfucking."
@yourfriendandneighbor: Oh, the places I'd blow for a star.
On Park Ave. Peerage's Byrdie Bell For Ford
6. big bird rules - July 2, 2008
I thought it said “BB for FOOD” and I was thinking, it’s about time!
Oh well, at least now she can do something productive with that pesky eating disorder.
b - July 2, 2008
she looks beautiful (and bathed!) in this picture. lovely hair, cute outfit, and she’s smiling, which is v rare. i love byrdie. this is her time! 
On Essentially Emily's You Know the Upper East Side is Empty when the Plastic Surgery Starts
Frannie // Jul 9, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Pinky, for free, you can have your very own OMGLOOKATME blog about your daily trials of brushing, flossing, Dr. Phil, and your evening pint of Ben & Jerry’s. I think we’d all enjoy that. And maybe Emily would stop by and give you a HOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLA.
Alice // Jul 9, 2008 at 4:45 pm
God no. I prefer my Lane Bryant shopping, Dynasty watching, grill-cheese-with-mayo eating debate pal to this insinuating-that-I’m-Julia-Allison-so-suck-my-social-dust joke of a commentor. Besides, the seat in the station wagon is already perfectly molded to your tuckus. Fralice Fest of Fug and Fun must carry on!
and from Down by the Hipster's Bon Voyage to Rachelle and GoaG
guest of a guest whores are completely fucking amateur, they are hamptons interlopers and have zero credibility. would never credential them for anything. two unemployed losers that think they can comment on society from the sidelines. DBTH, leventhal and steve lewis all shit on them
July 8, 2008 at 01:05PM | fuckgofag
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