Re: Associated Press Prepares Obituary for Britney--Just in Case

Adam H. Kerman wrote:
> Steven L. <sdlitvin@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> 
>> Usmagazine.com re****ts that the Associated Press began preparing an 
>> obituary for Britney Spears within the past month. Most major news 
>> organizations have obits for aging celebs already written, but having 
>> one ready for someone as young as Britney is a bit unusual.
> 
> Not really. What is an advance obituary other than a biographical sketch
> emphasizing the highlights of a public figure's life and impact on
> society or popular culture? Any news organization that has a file on an
> entertainer wold have such a piece prepared already. If it's not used as
> an obit, they can pull it out for a quick feature.

Traditional assignment for summer interns, and punishment detail for 
junior staff. Most publications have cut back so far on staffing, that 
I'd hazard a guess that a lot of the pubs use the internet as their 
source library now.

Woe be to an editor that runs the canned obit without careful review. 
Glaring errors and mixups are to be expected when they are written by 
beginners, and readers and family jump all over them.

aem sends...