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Whenever we pick up on a story about “cost-cutting” we always pause to ponder the ultimate usefulness of most cost-cutting strategies, namely, slicing off a thin sliver of fat at the bottom rather than the thick fat at the top. So it’s bemusing to read in the Trib that NBC 5 is slicing, dicing and shuffling its news programming in an effort to slim down. Changes include Michael Sneed’s snarky celeb gossip (discontinued), WSCR-AM 670 sportscaster Mike North's contributions to the morning news (axed), and a new morning anchor (Zoraida Sambolin). The latter move is necessary because the 11 a.m. weekday newscast has been dropped entirely; Sambolin had been co-anchoring the show along with Art Norman. Insert Art Norman cutting-the-fat joke here. Norman will now become a “showcased feature reporter.” Nice work if you can get it.
In another story that’s been tugging at our heartstrings, cost-cutting at the Trib might lead to syndication impotence. In other words, since the Tribune is pinching pennies it may not want to pony up the long green necessary to retain the syndication rights for such hard-to-find-on-the-dial shows as Sex in the City, Everybody Loves Raymond and Friends. Heaven forbid any of those should cease to to be on the air, somewhere, at any given moment, ever. If this compulsive weight loss really materializes, Tribune's 25 stations (14 of which are part of the new, underwhelming CW network) may have to go back to Bozo reruns.
Experience demonstrates that there are two classes of people into which humanity is divided: those who think Seinfeld is funny, and those who think Friends is funny. You may draw you own conclusion into which category we fall.
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You're forgetting about the category that thinks The Jefferson's is funny
I think Seinfeld is funnier than the awful Friends, but they are both examples of repulsive TV. Seinfeld takes the degradation of humanity to a new low, and I don't want any of its characters in my home.
Let me just go on the record as saying I would totally watch Bozo reruns. And Tivo them. And I bet I am not the only one.
The Jeffersons IS funny ... all you have to do is watch the episode where Charo guest stars.
I still need to redeem myself from the time I taped over my sister's appearance on the Bozo Show with a sunday morning monster truck rally. So add me to the list who would Tivo Bozo.
Wait, people were still paaying Sneed to rehash gossip that was already months old? Suckers!
I don't know why you are surprised that people pay Sneed to talk about old news, Tankster. After all, people apparently come here to learn about stuff that often is a day or two old--that is, the time you get around to linking to some story that's already been in the papers and on TV and the Web.
You guys should hire Sneed.
To Vise 22
ZING!!!
Nice one you zinged them and they have to read about it on their own blog!
There is a difference between being a paid gossip columnist who reports gossip that is often weeks to months old, and being an unpauid writer for a website that provides commentary on current events.
There's always a difference, tankster, when it comes to Chicagoist.
i like friends and seinfeld. i'm so lowbrow.