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Published weekly...or so--usually on Friday.
To contribute, e-mail your article to the editor
Just When I Thought I was Out, They Pull me Back in...
The Examiner is back from the dead once again.
Little did I know that my modest web site was beginning to gain some traction--especially among some journalists. I thank them and everyone else for telling me so.
A Little Help Here???
I never intended to be the only person whose opinions appear on this web site. I'd very much appreciate contributions. Any. All. I'll even print anonymous notes (especially from journalists. hint!) as long as you identify yourself to me so I can keep things straight.
In lieu of submissions, I'd appreciate some feedback - via e-mail or the guestbook. Writing in a vacuum is not very fun.
Thanks.
Blatant Promo Press Release NOT News
By JOHN F. KUCZAJ
I was horrified by the "news" stories about Oreo cookies last week.
I believe it came out last Friday--apparently Nabisco is coming out with some new Oreo cookies, including a version that changes the color of your milk!
At least three TV newscasts reported on this earth-shattering story. None of the newspapers did. The only reason I can figure is that the newspapers can recognize a worthless press release when they see it!
I can't believe that at least three newscasts felt compelled to "report" on this Oreo "news." It was nothing more than a commercial that had as much news value as Oreos have nutritional value.
What really puzzles me is that I've heard that some of those same anchors are disgusted when they are asked to promote their station's Prime Time programming. What's the difference?
A story about Oreos is NOT news unless there's an injury, or poisoning involved.
The Metro Section, Brought to you by Ben Gay
By JOHN F. KUCZAJ
Ads are beginning to infiltrate the Sun-Times newshole as well as their building.
I noticed today that under the "Chicago Sun-Times" lettering on the side of their building is a much larger banner ad for a retail store. I won't mention the name except to say that it rhymes with "Gears". I certainly hope the paper's getting a truckload of money for the banner because it clashes with the color of the building and the integrity of the paper. IMHO.
I've also noticed that little 3/4 x 2 inch ads are popping up in the title banners (is that the right term?) of the paper itself. Earlier this week, I noticed ads for the Rush HMO inside the "Metro" section banner. Today there's one for ceramic floor tile on page 142 in the sports section. Although not intruding on copy, I'm a bit uneasy about the placement within the banner itself. I wonder if it has anything to do with Hollinger reporting lower revenues this week. I have to ask if anyone else is uneasy about this.
Goudie Goofs
By JOHN F. KUCZAJ
On Monday's Buzz Kilman Show on WCKG, Buzz questioned an on-air "award" he bestowed on Chuck Goudie last Friday for tenacious reporting. Buzz played the tape of Goudie's report from the Las Vegas hotel room that the Indiana Principal and 11 year-old girl had rented 2 hours before the two were apprehended. Goudie rented the room and looked around for any evidence the police may have missed. If you recall, Chuck's done this before in another case and actually found evidence...I can't remember what the story was, but I was impressed! Anyway, Goudie reported finding a used condom wrapper in that room even though police searched it and the cleaning staff had cleaned it.
WOW!
A condom wrapper in a Vegas motel room!?!?! What are the odds? I called Caesars Palace, and apparently the odds are 1 to 1-go figure! I wonder if Chuck tried to detect "male genetic residue" on the sheets with a blacklight, but this being a motel room in Vegas, found very few places in the room where residue didn't exist!
Anyway, Buzz was thoroughly impressed with Chuck's ingenuity until he heard that every other news source was reporting that the man and girl NEVER entered the motel room. He even played a snippet of Channel 5's newscast saying as much.
Chuck's one of my favorite reporters, but either he made a BIG mistake, or everyone else did.
Electronic Liquid Paper
By JOHN F. KUCZAJ
In the February 23rd issue, I pondered whether WFLD's Walter Jacobson liked Danielle Serino based on his lack of chatter or interest in her stories that week. My open question has been answered by a WFLD source who told me that, indeed, Walter is highly supportive of her efforts and helps her out. Considering that the majority of stories I have ever heard about Walter had been negative, I am very pleased to hear that he's a supportive guy. To be honest, I did notice after I wrote that piece that Walter was participating in banter with Danielle Serino. Maybe my proclamation that Danielle Serino is Chicago's #1 Newsbabe clouded my judgement a bit.
Ya think?
Zazz Doing Fine
By JOHN F. KUCZAJ
Check out this article on Jeff Zaslow at The Detroit News. There's no disputing that Zazz was let go by the Sun-Times solely as a money saving measure. I had no idea that Zazz commuted from Detroit!
Published weekly...or so--usually on Friday.
If you'd like to contribute, e-mail your article to the editor
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