The publisher of the LA Times, Austin Beutner, has been fired by Tribune Co., which was reportedly unhappy with his performance. Beutner’s goodbye note can be read here. If you know any behind-the-scenes dirt, email us.
In an effort to be "fair, nuanced, and precise," the L.A. Times will "no longer refer to individuals as 'illegal immigrants' or 'undocumented immigrants,'" in favor of "describ[ing] a person's circumstances"
A Strong Early Candidate for 'Most Useless Piece of Election Day Journalism'
"Three reasons Obama will win; three reasons Romney will win"—Los Angeles Times headline, which accurately describes the story below, which is simply a list of "three reasons each candidate has to expect victory." (Which of these reasons are correct is not discussed.) What else is in the paper today?
L.A. Times Editor Finally Quits His Hellish Job
Russ Stanton is stepping down as editor of the LA Times, a job he's held for the past four years, through some of the shittiest layoff-plagued times in the history of the newspaper industry, and under the ownership of the thoroughly incompetent Tribune Co. He'll be replaced by Managing Editor Davan Maharaj. Perhaps…
Hung Actor Used to Be a Gay Prostitute
Thomas Jane, who plays a heterosexual prostitute on HBO's Hung opened up his past as a gay hustler in his younger days to the L.A. Times. Talk about going method! Strangely enough, this is probably the first time gay men are going to get all upset about a hunky actor talking about having man-on-man action.
Zooey Deschanel vs. the Lady Who Called Her a 'Snobby Cow'
Catfight, catfight! In one corner, local L.A. crackpot and fluff journalist extraordinaire, Patt Morrison. (See her interview a celebrity Beagle here.) In the other, doe-eyed indie nymph and elf-whisperer, Zooey Deschanel. Two enter! Both leave! We get something to talk about for five minutes!
Welcome to the Newspaper Oligopoly
Quite recently, the New York Times, Washington Post, and LA Times were three of America's best newspapers. Now, they're each facing potentially era-ending challenges. Is there any hope for the Great American Newspaper? Sure—for the lucky ones.
Rupert Murdoch Getting to That Surly Age
In your snippy Tuesday media column: Rupert Murdoch gets snippy at Pinch Sulzberger, Sumner Redstone gets snippy at Rupert Murdoch, we get snippy at the LA Times, and Variety's readership gets snipped.
New York Times Nightlife Column: Hotter than the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
In your party-oriented Wednesday media column: the NYT launches a nightlife column, Julie Chen prepares to take on The View, ads masquerading as news in L.A., and One Man: Two Identical Letters to the Editor.
The First Week of the Rest of Avatar's Life
Avatar is finally dethroned, but Sam Worthington is on his way up. Do you want Wheel of Fortune in 3D? Henry Winkler has a new role, and Valentine's Day gets a pre-release sequel. Welcome to a very super Trade Roundup.
LA Times Sells Ability to Have Relevant Information in Print Edition to Rupert Murdoch
The LA Times is changing its front section deadline to 6 p.m. (from 11 p.m.)—because they agreed to sell the late-night print run to Murdoch's Wall Street Journal. [Via David Carr's Twitter]
Friends Forever!
Bloomberg and the WaPo have struck a content deal that will shame the LA Times.
