Sensationalistic headlines to grab readers attention have been an age old trick in journalism. I call it sloppy journalism. Think The New York Post or any tabloid out there. And the latest purveyor of such genius is AOL. Why I still have them as my web browser is beyond me. Just out of pure laziness, I suppose. I've had AOL since the beginning and like a crazy psycho ex-girlfriend, they just wont go away. Always there.
If you are familiar with AOL, then you know that they have "news" on their home page. Top stories in different categories, if you will. Today had a couple of ridiculous headlines.
Biting the Hand That Fed Her: Meredith Calls "The View" a Joke
Holy crap! Meredith Viera is dissing the show she was on for 9 years! What does she have to say? What's the big gossip? The scoop? Well, click on their link and it takes you to the story. That story has a link to the true story. Of course, the quote was completely out of context. She meant the media's treatment of how her former show has been going through problems lately. There was even a disclaimer from the editorial staff.
Seems Like a Bad Idea: Emmy Award Winner Slams God
This is even more stupid. The link takes you to an article about Greg Garcia's acceptance speech. He's the producer/writer of NBC's hit sitcom, My Name Is Earl. Instead of thanking everyone, he jokingly disses his former teachers for saying he wouldn't amount to anything. And his God dis? "And finally God. I am sure you are responsible in some way, but you took my hair and that's not cool man." Yeah, that's it. He totally gave it to God. Oh snap!
Next time you see stupid headlines like this. Don't buy the paper. Don't click on the link. Don't pick up that magazine while waiting in line at the Food Emporium for 20 minutes when all you have is a box of macaroni and cheese and a 2 liter bottle of Wild Cherry Pepsi and the person in front of you has clearly way over 10 items and coupons and change to count and then pulls out a check book realizing that they don't take them and then has to dig out their credit card which is first denied and then they pull out another when and it finally goes through after a call to the bank. Not that that's happened to me.
I'll leave you with this headline followed by an article.
Jimmy Aquino Rapes Baby Goats For Fun
Well known blogger, podcaster, bartender, overall deity on earth, Jimmy Aquino, took to Coney Island this weekend for his annual charity event. He engaged the local chess club, known as The Baby Goats, in matches for charity and completely schooled them! Much fun was had by all!
See? It's that easy. Look for my new weekly columns with Star Magazine starting at the 1st of Neverember.
"Well known" - now THAT is funny.
Posted by: mike. | August 29, 2006 at 02:01 PM