Stupid reporter jokes

BlindsideCzech · **Posted:** Thu Apr 22, 2004 3:29 pm

Does anyone have any stupid reporter/metro editor jokes, or stories, that they'd like to share?Here's mine:Nearly every night, we get a assistant metro editor running over to our section wondering whether we're running a particular item.Nine times out of 10, the item the editor is referencing is a wire service's rewrite of our own story.Not exactly earth-shattering, I know, but there must be some better yarns out there.

Peter Sibley · **Posted:** Thu Apr 22, 2004 6:32 pm

Is a stupid anchor joke OK?After "Today Show" news reader Ann Curry announced the death of Mary McGrory this morning, Matt Lauer said, "Our best to her."

Phillip Blanchard · **Posted:** Thu Apr 22, 2004 6:42 pm

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by BlindsideCzech:
Nearly every night, we get a assistant metro editor running over to our section wondering whether we're running a particular item.Nine times out of 10, the item the editor is referencing is a wire service's rewrite of our own story.<hr></blockquote>Stop it! You're killing me!

Jolieblonde · **Posted:** Fri Apr 23, 2004 6:33 am

I once worked with a managing editor at a high-profile business trade magazine who was given to asking questions to the room at large, and I quote: Does England have a navy?
What do they make turkey bacon out of?
What's the capital of Scandinavia? There are probably more but I can't just can't remember them now. When I tell this story, everyone says, well she was just kidding right? Uh, no. After she was shown the door in one of the regular management purges, she apparently just stayed home with her kids, thank god.

JayByrd · **Posted:** Fri Apr 23, 2004 9:48 am

Q. How do you hide a $20 bill from a reporter?
A. Put it in an AP Sylebook.

larepublica · **Posted:** Fri Apr 23, 2004 10:27 am

While I was working for a real-time financial wire, the Minister of Economy here refused to simply release the monthly inflation data. Instead, he insisted on giving a news conference to report it (hey, it was the only way he was ever going to get on TV). At one of these pressers, a reporter from a local outlet asked (and yes, this is a direct quote):"Mr. Minister, I understand what you are talking about but could you please explain in simple terms what inflation is?"I kid you not.

BlindsideCzech · **Posted:** Fri Apr 23, 2004 1:31 pm

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by JayByrd:
Q. How do you hide a $20 bill from a reporter?
A. Put it in an AP Sylebook.<hr></blockquote>Great joke. Can we use a dictionary for larger denominations?

Jim Bond · **Posted:** Fri Apr 23, 2004 2:08 pm

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by BlindsideCzech:
Does anyone have any stupid reporter/metro editor jokes, or stories, that they'd like to share?Here's mine:Nearly every night, we get a assistant metro editor running over to our section wondering whether we're running a particular item.Nine times out of 10, the item the editor is referencing is a wire service's rewrite of our own story.Not exactly earth-shattering, I know, but there must be some better yarns out there.<hr></blockquote>

Jim Bond · **Posted:** Fri Apr 23, 2004 2:18 pm

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by Jim Bond:
[QB][/QB]<hr></blockquote>Oh, yeah, here's that joke (actually, not the press and not stupid, but true and kind of funny): A local TV anchor team, an African American woman and a white man, were about to go to commercial and she trips up and says, "We'll be black in a minute." Without skipping a beat, the guy looks into the camera and says, "Won't Mom be surprised!"

wordygurdy · **Posted:** Fri Apr 23, 2004 5:15 pm

Jim's post made me laugh.And I know Matt Lauer made the idiotic remark in Peter Sibley's post, but Ann Curry strikes me as a ditz of the first order. One gets the sense she has no intrinsic understanding of the words she is reading or the events she is describing. She may as well be reading a grocery list as opposed to a newscast.

Phillip Blanchard · **Posted:** Fri Apr 23, 2004 6:42 pm

What have I told you about watching television?

KfitzR · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2004 8:24 am

I once worked with a city editor who sent me out with a photog - to get a picture of a smell. And no, he could not be talked out of it. Also sent me to cover a convention in the wrong year.

paulwiggins · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2004 10:48 am

Brevity is the essence of wit. Note misplaced apostrophe on last graf.

paulwiggins · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2004 11:11 am

See today's post at this site. Keep it short, sharp, simple, crisp, clear and concise.[ April 28, 2004: Message edited by: Paul Wiggins ]

paulwiggins · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2004 11:49 am

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by slummingreporter:
You wouldn't like Bill Simmons, I expect....I usually try to work on the principle that writing is largely an act of expansion while editing is essentially an act of reduction. The finished product, if you get it right, should hold reader attention from beginning to end.<hr></blockquote>Stop it, you're killing me! [apologies to blanp]

DominEditrix · **Posted:** Wed Apr 28, 2004 3:29 pm

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by Paul Wiggins:
this site. <hr></blockquote>Off topic: Your entry regarding the Muzzle award to the Secret Service was particularly amusing, as Michael Ramirez is a right-winger of the first water. Ah, well - that First Amendment was so vastly overrated...D.

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