AP Stylebook tweets you right May 31, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism.Tags: AP Stylebook, Associated Press, Twitter
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My life just got a little more complete.
I previously vowed on this blog that I would not become a Twitter fiend, yet I find myself strangely addicted to the social networking site. Yet, thanks to a few certain Tweeters (such as LarryMendte, Captn_Morgan and AlexsLemonade), I’ve embraced this ridiculous Web service.
But now, the ultimate product joined Twitter — the AP Stylebook.
The AP Stylebook is the fundamental product any aspiring journalist should worship, regardless of the type of journalism (even broadcasters). Marketing manager Colleen Newvine tweets to followers who ask AP style questions. I think this might be my dream job (next to host of Wheel of Fortune, of course).
I encourage everyone to follow APStylebook and learn a thing or two. And while you’re at it, follow me, too.
Despite worldwide attention, Boyle lost? May 31, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase.Tags: Adam Lambert, American Idol, Britain's Got Talent, Kris Allen, Susan Boyle
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She became a worldwide phenomenon after her surprising performance on Britain’s Got Talent. Her YouTube video became one of the most popular in the world.
And Britain didn’t vote for her.
From my point of view, Boyle deserved the dropped jaws she received following her initial performance, but frankly, I don’t understand all the hype. But most of the world did — except Britain.
Frankly, I don’t take this personally; I just think it’s incredibly ironic and is a classic example of the media vs. the people. The media blew Boyle’s story incredibly out of proportion, and that may have carried some of her stardom through Britain’s Got Talent.
It’s fairly similar to this season’s American Idol. The media can’t say one negative thing about Adam Lambert, but he didn’t win. Kris Allen just can’t compete, they said. And then, there’s uproar once Allen wins.
Lambert, like Boyle, is a love or hate kind of performer. Either you get him or you don’t. I believe the media misrepresented what many thought about Lambert. I think most of America couldn’t stand him (like me).
Anywho, Boyle didn’t win, yet she’ll have a somewhat successful career if she can find someone who can make her more marketable.
I’m sensing a Boyle-Lambert duet. I’d buy that on iTunes.
Final Titanic survivor dies May 31, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Elizabeth Gladys Dean, Obituary, Titanic
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A chapter of world history has, in one sense, been laid to rest.
Elizabeth Gladys Dean, an infant onboard the Titanic, passed away today at the age of 97. She was the last known survivor from the ship, which sank in April 1912.
Dean was on the ship with her brother and parents. Her father died as a result of the sinking while she escaped on a lifeboat with her brother and mother.
Dean passed away exactly 98 years after the Titanic was launched. Her brother, Bertram, died on April 14, 1992, the 80th anniversary of the ship’s sinking.
Here are some additional links — mostly courtesy of Wikipedia — that are useful.
- Cut to the Chase – I did a column for TTN in which I mentioned Dean in December 2007.
- Titanic on Wikipedia – A very thorough Wikipedia page, complete with 92 primary sources.
- Titanic: Adventure out of Time – This is a fun game I bought. CD-ROMs should come back. Here’s the archive.org page, complete with MP3 files from the game.
Photo courtesy CNN.
ABC stars join forces for a minute May 28, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase.Tags: ABC, Dancing with the Stars, Desperate Housewives, Lost, Tom Bergeron
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Your favorite ABC shows are represented for these house promos for the net. Worth checking out. Both start out the same for about :40 but have different endings.
Some shows/personalities featured: Desperate Housewives, Lost, (my idol) Tom Bergeron, Dancing with the Stars judges, Grey’s Anatomy and … is that Wipeout?
Personal effects returned from Flight 1549 May 28, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Flight 1549, US Airways
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The passengers on US Airways Flight 1549 were lucky to walk off the plane alive on Jan. 15 after it crashed into the Hudson.
Receiving some of the items they boarded with was an added bonus.
The passengers have been receiving some items the abandoned on the sinking plane through the mail recently, as US Airways hired a recovery and restoration firm to salvage anything possible.
From boarding passes to books to briefcases to running shoes, the passengers quoted in this CNN article said the items are in near-perfect condition (minus any permanent water damage). Words in books and documents are still legible, and submerged flash drives still work.
Photo courtesy CNN.
That’s what they said: TV’s funniest phrases May 28, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Cut to the Chase.Tags: Catchphrases, Seinfeld, Television
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The Paley Center for Media and NBC had nothing better to do, so they compiled a list of the 50 funniest phrases television has seen.
The funniest phrase TV has ever seen is from Seinfeld, Elaine specifically, with “Yada, yada, yada.” The show also made the list with “No soup for you” (#21) and “Hello, Newman” (#50).
The Office made the list with “That’s what she said” (#12), while Family Matters’ Steve Urkel made the list at No. 19 with “Did I do that?”
My favorite category, the best game show catchphrases, featured “Come on Down” (#3), “Deal or no deal?” (#2) and “Is that your final answer?” (#1).
Britney and SEPTA don’t mix… May 28, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Philadelphia.Tags: Anthology Project, Britney Spears, SEPTA
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…except with this guy.
Thomas Choinacky has danced around Philly as part of a project called Dance: 31, a series of moves by the Anthology Project theater group leading up to a show at the Philly Fringe Festival. Unfortunately, no one on the El joined in.
Check out Choinacky’s other dance steps here, or visit the Anthology Project’s site.
Battle of the Egos: Broadcast vs. Print May 27, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism.Tags: Bill Martin, News Bloopers
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Cleveland doesn’t take criticism lightly.
More specifically, Fox 8′s Bill Martin doesn’t take criticism lightly.
Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal Constitution wrote about the city he was visiting in unflattering terms. On the local Fox newscast, Martin interviewed Bradley (hence the broadcast vs. print).
As a journalism student, I could tell you some tension between certain print majors and certain broadcast majors. I hope there is a way to avoid such situations as that which occurred below. It’s a somewhat awkward three minutes in which the softspoken print guy stands by his statement and the broadcast guy immaturely “interviews” the “other side.”
I just feel bad for the co-anchor.
Don’t love the Phillies too much May 27, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Philadelphia.Tags: 2008 World Series, Charlie Manuel, Philadelphia Phillies
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It’s your fault, Philadelphia, that the Phillies have been disappointing you lately.
That’s the thought of Daily News columnist Sam Donnellon and Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. Because the team brought a championship title back to Philadelphia for the first time in 25 years, the city has become like the brown-nosing suckup in the office, continually thanking and praising the team.
As Manuel said yesterday:
I notice sometimes when they’re talking to us around the dugout, they’re always talking about last year and thanking us for winning and all that. Of course, they’re enjoying the game and they love us, but . . . well, maybe they should get on us a little bit.
So go ahead, Philly. Tell your team it’s making careless mistakes. You owe it to them, especially after the ballpark inflated ticket prices following the wind. Consider it payback.
LMIRL, K? 143. (NALOPKT.) May 27, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Random Rubbish.Tags: Internet Lingo, NetLingo
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Headline translation: Let’s meet in real life, OK? I love you. (Not a lot of people know that.)
Kids these days have dirty minds.
That’s according to an updated list of Internet lingo by the company NetLingo. Phrases like “BRB” and “LOL” are now replaced with “FMLTWIA” and “TDTM.”
To find out the explicit truth, click here. (Don’t worry — it’s only a link to myfoxphilly.com.)
According to NetLingo, about 95 percent of parents (and, for that matter, many friends whom I spoke to) have no clue what these acronyms mean.
Image Courtesy myfoxphilly.com. Just because it’s a great photo to be attached with this story.
