Chris Stover

a broadcast journalist in a newspaper world

Archive for April, 2008

Overheard in Philly: Non-alcoholism

Posted by Chris Stover on April 29, 2008

Waiting for the subway at the crowded Cecil B. Moore station, I attempted to mind my own business as the throng of people screamed around me.  But one person’s conversation stuck out to me:

I’ve been 21 since February, and I’ve only had two drinks!

She was proud of it - like it was a huge accomplishment.  Which, I’m sure, it was.  Her friend responded with an excited “Congratulations!”  I can’t say that I haven’t had two drinks since February…and my 21st is on Sunday…

This was Overheard in Philly.

Posted in Philadelphia, SEPTA | Tagged: , | No Comments »

What will happen on Jan. 20?

Posted by Chris Stover on April 28, 2008

As an avid watcher of The Late Show of David Letterman, I’m left to wonder about the state of politics.  Many people ask comics who they want to win the presidential election so the jokes can continue.  But I think we’ll be forgetting what we’ll be losing by focusing on what we’ll be getting.

Of course, I am referring to the nightly feature, “Great Moments in Presidential Speeches,” which begins with two clips from well known presidential speeches followed by a not-so-great Bush moment.  For an example, check out the hilarious compilation below.

I don’t care about your politics, but you have to admit - watching more than four minutes of Bush trying to say things really humanizes him, doesn’t it?  OK, so he can’t always get the right words out when prompted.  He misspeaks sometimes.  But we all have those issues.  Like the stress of being the leader of the free world doesn’t get to him every now and then.

Posted in Random Rubbish | Tagged: , | No Comments »

If only fire escapes were this much fun

Posted by Chris Stover on April 28, 2008

My mom clogged my e-mail account a few months ago with some old photos of Philadelphia, mostly from the Northeast.  Instead of writing one of my two papers due this week, I figured I’d share one with you.

I didn’t pay much attention to them when I received the e-mail, and I would’ve felt guilty had I deleted the e-mail, so I saved them to my computer.  As I was browsing one of them, I came across this:

I wish fire escapes looked like they belonged in RollerCoaster Tycoon.  I can tell you - riding eight floors down a spiral slide through my apartment window would be much more fun than the drab fire escape I have at the moment.

I guess people just knew how to have more fun back in 1927.

Posted in Philadelphia, Random Rubbish | Tagged: , | No Comments »

Events of today too current for Hollywood flicks

Posted by Chris Stover on April 28, 2008

Original version from The Temple News.

CHRIS STOVER
The Temple News

Remember when the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League debuted in 1943?

Regardless if you were born or not, you probably know little about it. Unless you’ve seen A League of Their Own.

But how much do you, in fact, know based on the flick? Former leaguer Doris Sams said the movie was “about 30 percent truth and 70 percent Hollywood.”

If you’re going to fabricate info, let’s just lie like God’s not watching.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Clips & Videos, Cut to the Chase, The Temple News | Tagged: , , , | No Comments »

Chilly day for Chili Cook-off

Posted by Chris Stover on April 27, 2008

The third annual Chili Cook-off (not to be confused with 92.5 XTU’s 24th Anniversary Show) took place in Sewell, N.J., yesterday.  The “beautiful weather” boasted on the radio wasn’t exactly true, as the sunless sky and cold wind more than counterbalanced the heat from the chili.  But, hey…free chili.  I was happy.

Jason Michael Carroll and Sara Evans were the featured guests, and I think I’m a newfound fan of the Lost Trailers, as well.

Sara Evans performing onstage (she’s in the green…my camera’s zoom isn’t the greatest)

My cousin, Anna, and I, bearing the cold

And…our fellow attendees.

Posted in Out & About, Random Rubbish | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Breaking News: Child star breaks arm? Seriously?

Posted by Chris Stover on April 25, 2008

Yep.

The most popular story on CNN.com right now (April 25, 2008, 5:09 p.m.) is that former child star Shirley Temple broke her arm.

I like to keep up to date on all areas of news, including entertainment, but I think the Associated Press has to take a lesson in newsworthiness.

I have nothing against Shirley - God bless her at 80 years old - but who cares if she broke her arm?  I’m sure she’d enjoy it if half the world didn’t know she broke her arm - not necessarily because of privacy, but because many people every day break their arm.  BIG DEAL!

This is your Random Rubbish for the day.

Posted in Journalism, Random Rubbish | Tagged: , | No Comments »

Celine Dion hates squirrels

Posted by Chris Stover on April 25, 2008

Originally for Journalism 2252: Writing Humor with Diane Bones

CHRIS STOVER
Writing Humor

I never realized it’s against the law to run over a squirrel in Delaware. Well, until I hit one. Then it became pretty evident.

I was on my way home from PetSmart, where I had just finished purchasing food for Baldwin, my pet gerbil. Suddenly, a Celine Dion song began playing on my favorite soft-rock radio station. And you know I can’t resist performing a ballad while driving.

At the very moment of the key change in “Because You Loved Me,” I saw a little, furry forest animal jump into my lane. I wish I could say I missed the squirrel like I missed the note, but the little bugger never had a chance.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Clips & Videos | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Cut to the Chase Blooper: Freud would be proud.

Posted by Chris Stover on April 25, 2008

The Freudian slip is one of the most feared things by all broadcast journalists - particularly because they usually happen when they’re LIVE!  Here are two of YouTube’s favorites.

I feel bad for this woman.  She seems like such a composed, conservative lady. 

You can tell this guy’s heart sank as soon as he said it…

Posted in Cut to the Chase | Tagged: , | No Comments »

A welcome home

Posted by Chris Stover on April 24, 2008


I was honored to be the keynote speaker at the Garnet Valley High School induction of the Quill & Scroll International Journalism Honor Society.

As a former editor of the Jaguar Journal, it was a great experience to return and see all of the talented writers.  The newspaper adviser, Heather Arters, gave me a very thoughtful introduction.  Editor in chief and future Temple student Wajeeha Choudhary did a great job organizing the event.

Click here to view my speech (I diverted a few times, but these blocks of paragraphs guided me along).

Posted in Journalism, Random Rubbish | Tagged: , | No Comments »

Is that bias for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama?

Posted by Chris Stover on April 23, 2008

Original version from The Temple News. Photo by Christopher Wink.

CHRIS STOVER
The Temple News

She’s been compared to a monster and Rocky. High-ranking Democrats have called for her to quit the race. And the media have been ruthless in her campaign coverage, including commentary by The Temple News.

It seems that no matter what Sen. Hillary Clinton does, she’s under constant attack by the media. The other presidential candidates don’t have that pleasure.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Clips & Videos, The Temple News | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »