The Biz
*I read on Romenesko that Howard Manly quit his job as columnist at the Boston Herald. His manner of giving notice was the same as when he resigned as sports media critic for the Boston Globe a few years back; that is, one day he just left a note on his desk saying he quit and never came back.
Howard Manly is one of my favorite people I've ever come across in the biz, at least through superficial interaction when he was with the Globe as a staffer and I was a co-op. The dude is incredibly charismatic and his booming laugh just carries through the room. About a half-dozen of my funniest biz-related anecdotes involve him, but I can't tell most of them or I'd get in trouble.
Here's one, though. One morning I was working the early shift on the hawk desk at the Globe. Howard was the only writer in the office at the time.
He was waiting on a big phone call. We're talking someone of high stature in the sports broadcasting business. Someone of Bob Costas/Al Michaels-type standing, though not specifically either of those people.
Eventually, he gets the call, and they're on the phone much of the morning.
Meanwhile, another TV personality calls in, unannounced. He is of considerably less stature in the biz than Costas or Michaels, but clearly has it in his head that he is Walter Cronkite and Howard Cosell all rolled into one. This guy, who we'll call Chuckles the Clown, demands to be put through to Howard instantly. I explain he's on the phone already.
Chuckles: Tell him to get rid of the other guy and talk to me.
Me: I can't, he's been waiting on that call awhile.
Chuckles: Don't you know who I am? I am Chuckles the Clown.
What I'm thinking: Yeah, and if you died today, you might get one line in the SportsLog, as long as Ft. Wayne of the CBA doesn't sign anybody.
What I say: I understand, Chuckles, but he can't drop his call.
Chuckles: I have a scoop just for him, and if you don't give it to him it will be your fault when I go with someone else.
Me: Hold on a minute, let me see if I can get him.
I go over to Howard and get his attention. I tell Howard that Chuckles the Clown is on the phone. Howard rolls his eyes and tells me to take a message.
I go back to my phone, and inform Chuckles I am going to have to take a message. Chuckles asks my name, tells me "You will regret this," and hangs up without leaving any particular message.
Anyway, Howard Manly's one of my favorite people I've come across in the biz, but I'm sure glad I'm not his boss. Some folks can get away with pulling stunts like this over and over and keep getting rewarded for it, but that's another column for another time.
*Did you see this? This has the potential to be one phenomenal show. It also has the potential to be horrendous. If they do it right, and it really comes off like the sports version of The Daily Show, well, this is a long-overdue development.
The Biz 7/15
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