Recent content by tmunson

Plaschke wrote the same thing as the Daily News columnist.

I've been shaking my head through most of this thread. I agree with Elliott, those who say you have to be a schmoozer to succeed in this business are absolutely wrong. Yes, it helps. But no, it's not the only way. As long as you get information, who cares? Some do it thru observation, others do...

ASking the PR staff ... I dont know if this is the case everywhere, but I know of one university with a high-profile coach who had a manager do all his autographs. I imagine a lot of places do the same thing. I just cant see a pr staffer going up to Kobe Bryant and saying, Hey, man, can you sign...

Some good stuff here, but you're probably best off just to keep Will McDonough in mind, the famed Boston reporter who decked a player. Pro athletes, baseball players especially, can be jerks and will try to intimidate or embarrass you if you've written something they didn't particularly like...

I hate when people say that McGwire and Sosa "saved the game," because by "saving it" they actually ruined it. And I say anyone who taints the game doesn't get in. And that's all I have to say about that.

Smith is one of the greatest of his generation. Count me among those who gets excited every time I see he has written a story in this week's SI. We could all learn from his reporting, not his writing. My only complaint -- and I'm just nit picking here -- is that every profile sounds the same...

I must be in the  minority because I'm not  sure the Tour belongs on the Sports front at all. Has anyone seen the television ratings for this? Have you ever been out in public and heard people discussing it? ... An American won. That's big news. But it's all people really want to know. I cant...

1. Forrest Gump 2. Apollo 13 3. Saving Private Ryan 4. Philadephia 5. Nothing in Common (w/ Jackie Gleason) 6. You Got Mail 7. Big 8. The Green Mile 9. Castaway 10. Sleepless in Seattle

All the problems in this biz, and THAT's what has you concerned? I read the note. Basically all it said is these companies are changing their stories. At least USA Today reported as much. How would you have handled it.

Maestro, I think what theyre saying is that instead of writing about an issue and 10 families, narrow the focus to one family so that the feature is more personal. ... It's an approach I agree with. I think it's easier for readers to follow one, two or three people in a story. But it's an...

I've always been interested in the folks who ask: Do readers care about the media? Do they care that Jim Rice was a jerk to reporters? Do they care that Shaq left the locker room without talking? The answer to all these questions is a resounding yes. Bruhman was right. Jay Mariotti is a...

Where do you want to be in 5 years? If it's in sports, don't do it. You may not get back. News editors dont like losing reporters ... to Sports of all places. Yes, working in news may help your reporting skills, but you can improve your skills while working in any section, as long as you stay...

Feinstein a great writer? I'll pass. "Season on the Brink" provided a great look at one of the most interesting characters in sports, but I wouldnt call him a great writer. He gets access no one else gets, but I've never read anything of his and thought, wow, that's great writing. What's more (a...

I initially thought the real-estate agent was with the FBI, going from Tony to Christopher. ... But then she started doing drugs.

If you thought this season finale was going to be a cliffhanger, you havent been watching for very long. That's not Chase's style. A few thoughts and responses: *NO WAY Christopher was going to get whacked with a season still to go. After Carmella and Tony, he's one of the show's most...