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The Gross Backlash Begins!

Ogden v. Gross

A letter in today’s Daily News:

WITH THE RECENT sale of Philadelphia’s two major newspapers, I had high hopes that the level of journalism in this city might once again rise to the proud standards of the past. ¶ After reading Dan Gross’ column on July 20, I believe we have actually scraped the bottom of the proverbial barrel. His lead item dealt with a local traffic reporter, John Ogden, who along with two roommates, owed a $130 water bill. There was no news value in this muckraking piece of garbage.

And, this time, it’s not even from Ogden’s mother!

Editor’s Note: Would that be the high journalistic standards of noted blackmailer and Inquirer reporter Harry Karafin?

Letters | OK, TIME TO LET THE CRITICS HAVE THEIR SAY [Daily News]
Shakedown! [CJR]
July 20: TV News Salary Can’t Stop Apartment Eviction; Gross Moves In For The Kill

TV News Salary Can’t Stop Apartment Eviction; Gross Moves In For The Kill

072006grossogden.jpg

I’m not sure if this is a full-fledge media war yet, but I think it’s close enough for to use the Little Mac sprite nonetheless. Today, Dan Gross reports on NBC 10’s John Ogden’s eviction from his apartment in Manayunk.

That kind of sounds like a blessing in disguise to me, but apparently Ogden was repeatedly late in his rent payments, according to his now ex-landlord. And, prepare for a gasp, Ogden had a dog in the house, making him the first person ever to violate his lease rules.

So why is this a media war worthy of a video game sprite? As Gross notes, Ogden didn’t comment, perhaps due to the story (which he commented about) Gross wrote back in March about an altercation Ogden and his boyfriend had with some homophobic jerks. Ogden was cuffed, but wasn’t charged or arrested. The following day, Gross led off his column with an item about Ogden’s mother, who wrote in to bash Gross’ item about her son.

And so, we can only assume that tomorrow will be a special edition of Dan Gross’ column, with some excerpts of a nice little note from Ogden’s mother.

We can’t wait.

Dan Gross | NBC-10’s Ogden evicted [NBC 10]
Dan Gross | Mom has Ogden’s back [Daily News]