22 News: All New Format--"Man-on-the Street" Reports

WWLP, the Chicopee-based NBC-affiliate affectionately known as "22 Snews," has abandoned all pretensions of being a credible news outlet. For the past few years, 22 News has filled most of their newscasts with filler in the form of "man-on-the-street" reactions to news items posed by their amateurish reporters. That layer of pretension was stripped away recently when they shelved their reporters in favor of full-time "man-on-the-street" reports, ostensibly to shore up their ratings against YouTube competition. 22 News is working for you, or rather you're working for free for it.

Three Hots and a Roof Over His Head

Finally, somebody using their noggin. 59-year-old Bill Fabrocini of the Florence section of Northampton was facing some heavy obstacles in his life. Loss of job, mental illness and newly homeless, he came upon a scheme so sweet and clever--incarceration. Why didn't I think of it? Perhaps because it's so brilliant, but limiting. Last week he tossed a brick through the window of Bruegger's and waited to be arrested. The Gazette reports "Fabrocini could bail himself out for $50. Instead, he's opted to stay behind bars at least until his next court date July 6. A self-described "loner," Fabrocini said he doesn't have anywhere else to go." Explaining what motivated him, Bill says "I'm not going to stand on the sidewalk and bum quarters and sleep in alleyways." According to the Gazette, "After smashing the window and a neon sign behind it, Fabrocini faces charges of malicious and wanton destruction of property over $250. He's due back in court July 6. If the court imposes a fine, Fabrocini said, he'll ask to work it off by serving more time behind bars."

Eric Suher's Magic Memory Eraser

So in typical Eric Suher fashion, a soft news release went out from his IHEG headquarters this week announcing the first act to play Mountain Park would be the Decemberists. Bravo. I would've thought NRBQ, but I guess I'm relying upon my false memory that Eric was their merch guy. "No comment," is the comment du jour when Suher is asked about his development plans. "No comment," is the answer to everything when baiting the media to do his bidding. And we love it. Isn't that Eric Suher something? Man, he's got chutzpa! Why, he has no permits and hasn't satisfied any of the environmental and zoning issues, but the show will go on! In an article in the Gazette this week, Suher was quoted quipping to Holyoke's Mayor Michael J. Sullivan, "Don't worry about it--I'll get those permits." Wink, wink. In other words, "what permits?" Forget about it.

Abandoned Blog

No postings since December could mean I've died, been incarcerated or worse. Neither of these events have occurred, but I've died emotionally and spiritually. I'm back and promise not to go away. Forgive me?