Links
Archives
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Boston Phoenix Letter 1/20/05
http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/letters/letters.asp
COMPETITIVE VOID
Dan Kennedy’s look at Mike Barnicle’s troubles at the Boston Herald ["Don’t Quote Me," News and Features, January 7] is sadly amusing, but doesn’t state the obvious — that the "stealth bomber," Howie Carr, is no doubt capitalizing on Barnicle’s lazy writing habits and twisting the knife in the latter’s back. Not that there’s any sympathy here for Barnicle; both "writers" are different ends of the same stick.
Critics have complained that Carr, like Barnicle, is "mailing it in," using his "Chump Line" from the WRKO show as well as information from callers and faxers to develop his "column," and not putting in the elbow grease he did when the paper was his main focus. But territorial creature that he is, Carr is likely incensed that Barnicle was able to get into publisher Pat Purcell’s good graces and hop onboard. If there’s going to be a big-name lazy writer at the Herald, it is going to be Howie, and he will hold on to his turf like a pit bull on steroids.
Not only is Mike Barnicle not giving his second chance a second thought, the Herald itself is on life support and doesn’t seem to know what to do. That’s a pity, because every city needs at least two real dailies (Metro, now part of the Globe, is not viewed as competition).
Maybe the Boston Phoenix can come up with a daily edition? The void is definitely getting wider.
JAY X
Somewhere Out There, U.S.A.
Issue Date: January 21 - 27, 2005Back to the News & Features table of contents
COMPETITIVE VOID
Dan Kennedy’s look at Mike Barnicle’s troubles at the Boston Herald ["Don’t Quote Me," News and Features, January 7] is sadly amusing, but doesn’t state the obvious — that the "stealth bomber," Howie Carr, is no doubt capitalizing on Barnicle’s lazy writing habits and twisting the knife in the latter’s back. Not that there’s any sympathy here for Barnicle; both "writers" are different ends of the same stick.
Critics have complained that Carr, like Barnicle, is "mailing it in," using his "Chump Line" from the WRKO show as well as information from callers and faxers to develop his "column," and not putting in the elbow grease he did when the paper was his main focus. But territorial creature that he is, Carr is likely incensed that Barnicle was able to get into publisher Pat Purcell’s good graces and hop onboard. If there’s going to be a big-name lazy writer at the Herald, it is going to be Howie, and he will hold on to his turf like a pit bull on steroids.
Not only is Mike Barnicle not giving his second chance a second thought, the Herald itself is on life support and doesn’t seem to know what to do. That’s a pity, because every city needs at least two real dailies (Metro, now part of the Globe, is not viewed as competition).
Maybe the Boston Phoenix can come up with a daily edition? The void is definitely getting wider.
JAY X
Somewhere Out There, U.S.A.
Issue Date: January 21 - 27, 2005Back to the News & Features table of contents
