He's definitely an asset.
Convincing a few restaurants to accept bitcoin alone has persuaded other businesses (by mainstream TV) to accept bitcoin which we can only hope is contagious.
I think this achievement alone has made bitcoin so much more visible, and more importantly, is a solid demonstration that bitcoin is a legitimate tool for merchants and consumers.
So much of the earlier coverage has focused on black-market aspects such as tax avoidance and drugs - despite there being little evidence that there is much of this really going on. Along with some of the better known merchants such as MemoryDealers, bitbrew, cablesaurus and bitmunchies - OnlyOneTV provides a counterpoint to the persistent taint that some commentators like to push. Indeed this sort of high profile focus on the positive uses and aspects of bitcoin potentially makes it that much harder for legislators and unfriendly corporations to take kneejerk actions against Bitcoin as a whole.
As far as being a personable bitcoin contact with whom mainstream media can talk, without coming across as a fringe nerd-type - he's currently without peer.
That said, I'm completely unimpressed with the announcement of multiple conference locations for 2012 - apparently with no community consultation, and as far as I can see - no explanation of why fragmenting the attention of potential bitcoin enthusiasts and exhibitors is the way to go.
Surely exhibitors would prefer to get the most bang for their bitcoin by having an annual expo to focus on.
Now of course he's under no obligation to consult or explain, as there's nothing 'official' about OnlyOneTV being *the* world expo organiser for bitcoin for all time.
I had hoped that he'd take a less autocratic approach and simply be the instigator of a more community-based effort in this regard.
Nothing about the way the 1st conference was organised, and the next conferences were announced suggests this though.
It might be easy to point to the fact that Bruce used to promote mybitcoin as a negative - but the situation would have been a problem for a large slice of the community even if he hadn't, and having the show as a platform to shed light on these issues is invaluable.
Some of his more exuberant proclamations certainly fit my definition of 'hype', and he often comes across as more 'marketer' than realist and commentator, but I'm hopeful that he will listen to some of the feedback from the community and pull back from some of the more speculative claims, without losing his enthusiastic style.
Still.. on balance Bruce and the Bitcoin Show have done a lot of good for the public image of bitcoin.