Recycling...

[Killick]

Was reading story on TvGuide.com about the final season of "Rescue Me." Reporter talks to co-creator Peter Tolan. There's a link to a related story, which I read. Only... something's familiar:

Today's story: http://www.tvguide.com/News/Rescue-Me-Final-Season-1035236.aspx

Despite surviving the disease, Kelly is furious at the world, which is something to which Tommy relates, Tolan says. "It's about survival and anger — it is anger at survival," Tolan says of the new story line. "And that fits right into Tommy's, 'Why did I have to experience what I've experienced? Wouldn't it have been easier to just die than to go forward in fear?' I don't think Maura feels like she's got anything hanging over her head, but Tommy does, and that may be the difference between the two of them."

Then, the linked story brings up a story on Maura Tierney from last year (Aug. 31, 2010): http://www.tvguide.com/News/Maura-Tierney-Cancer-1022526.aspx

"It's about survival and anger — it is anger at survival," Tolan says of the new story line. "That was one of the things that Maura said. Even though she got a clean bill of health, her initial response was not relief. It was anger and, 'Why did I have to go through that?' And that fits right into Tommy's, 'Why did I have to experience what I've experienced? Wouldn't it have been easier to just die than to go forward in fear?'

"I don't think Maura feels like she's got anything hanging over her head, but Tommy does, and that may be the difference between the two of them," Tolan says.

Now, sure... it's the same reporter, so it's not like he's stolen something from someone else, but can't help but think this guy's woven together two different interviews and presenting them as one. Screws with context. Really bothered by it.

Am I out of line here, guys?

 

[WriteThinking]

I doubt that TV Guide writers are held to the same rules and/or ethics or principles that newspaper journalists are.

It's not like the writer is really lifting anything, either. As you said, it's the same writer, and the old stuff is essentially background/additional info for the new story.

Newspapers also often draw upon previous stories that have appeared in their past editions, too, sometimes re-using paragraphs almost verbatim in presenting information.

 

[Killick]

Info and paragraphs, yes. But I don't ever remember seeing a quote recycled like this, without any indication that it was said a year ago. It's portrayed as if it was said during this recent interview.