April Fools stories

Just. Say. No.

 

God help me.

 

Now, are you opposing those obviously fake stories that some newspapers run, stories about April Fools pranks or both? Is there an appropriate way to address the demiholiday, in your opinion?

I have no problem with a spread on locals' April Fools stories or easy-to-do, last-minute pranks, provided the spread is in the entertainment section. It's a weak 1A centerpiece, but you can guarantee many newspapers will go that route.

 

I used to think this was a funny idea...when I worked on my college paper. Not any more.

 

There you are. That's where you should get that out of your system.

 

There are a couple on Romanesko (from weeklies), including the first one, which came on a tip from me.

http://jimromenesko.com/2012/03/30/examiner-com-snookered-by-april-fools-issue/

http://jimromenesko.com/2012/03/31/small-papers-april-fools-prank-has-wisconsin-in-an-uproar/

 

Waited for the Sidd Finch reference. Well played, Steak.

April Fools stuff is funny on shows like Price is Right. In papers, not so much.

 

The appearance of Sidd Finch in this thread is THE reason not to do April Fool's stories.

Unless you think you can write or run a story that surpasses "The Sidd Finch Saga", there is no point in doing it or running it.

Lisa Minnelli - - back when she could still sing - - was once asked at a club to sing "Over the Rainbow". She declined telling the patron, "It has already been sung - perfectly." I don't know that "The Sidd Finch Saga" was perfect, but it sets the bar for April Fool's stories so high that none have cleared the hurdle since...

 

The best part of "The Curious Case of Sidd Finch" is that the first letter of every word in the subhead spells out "Happy April Fool's Day — ah fib."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1119283/index.htm

 

A prank backfiring when stoked by a rip-and-read practice from local radio stations lifting copy from a newspaper?
Claude Rains, etc....

 

Holy shit I never knew that. Awesome.

Our paper did one online-only, with the GOTCHA as the entirety of the turn. People here have come to expect something from us and doing it this way, I see no harm.