On the front page of a daily Chicago tabloid newspaper today is a large picture of Johnny Depp as Capt. Jack Sparrow in the latest 'Pirates Of The Carribean' movie , which evidently is opening on multiplex screens all over the civilized world just about now.
Now I know the Tribune Co.'s 'Redeye' newspaper is not a paragon of journalism, and basically exists in order to advertise Chicago nite spots to the under 30 crowd, but it is a daily newspaper dammit, and Capt. Jack Sparrow and company is not news.
And it's not just this paper. Everywhere you turn in this society you see this obsession with entertainment as news. Cable news programs lead with the very latest on 'American Idol', local news programs blatantly advertise for restaurants in 'news' segments , - " Joe's Pizza is hosting a fundraiser to fight breast cancer tonight, and we've got a team of reporters on the scene. Great pizza at Joe's isn't it Mindy? and for a good cause."
Everywhere you turn in this country someone is trying to hustle you something. You'd have to be a hermit without any electronic devices at all to avoid this constant bombardment of trivial uselessness maquarading as news and 'product placment' everywhere you look.
It stinks I tell you.
Now I know the Tribune Co.'s 'Redeye' newspaper is not a paragon of journalism, and basically exists in order to advertise Chicago nite spots to the under 30 crowd, but it is a daily newspaper dammit, and Capt. Jack Sparrow and company is not news.
And it's not just this paper. Everywhere you turn in this society you see this obsession with entertainment as news. Cable news programs lead with the very latest on 'American Idol', local news programs blatantly advertise for restaurants in 'news' segments , - " Joe's Pizza is hosting a fundraiser to fight breast cancer tonight, and we've got a team of reporters on the scene. Great pizza at Joe's isn't it Mindy? and for a good cause."
Everywhere you turn in this country someone is trying to hustle you something. You'd have to be a hermit without any electronic devices at all to avoid this constant bombardment of trivial uselessness maquarading as news and 'product placment' everywhere you look.
It stinks I tell you.
Have a Coke & a smile.
