October 20, 2003
THE EASTERBROOK MEDIA BLACKOUT: While
THE EASTERBROOK MEDIA BLACKOUT: While L'Affair Easterbrook is just about the only thing bloggers are talking about today, a Google News search for TMQ's name shows no news stories whatsoever about his firing (Instapundit noticed this too). There's also still no acknowledgement anywhere on ESPN.com that the column no longer exists; perhaps there will be tomorrow when his thousands of readers log on hoping for their TMQ fix.
In fact, the only hits on Google for any mention of Easterbrook's firing are for the transcripts of two chat sessions, both on the Washington Post website, in which readers brought the subject up- and, since both readers are from "Richmond, Va," I'm guessing they're the same person.
In a Media Backtalk chat, Howard Kurtz takes the mealy-mouthed approach, while in The Chat House, Tony Kornheiser has this to say:
I have no idea who Gregg Easterbrook is. I think there are far too many Web sites now including this Web site. I think you people who spend more than 1 hr a day looking at Web sites should be transformed into giant bugs and crows should fly over and eat you. Are you happy now?
Since Tony Kornheiser and Gregg Easterbrook have both been working journalists in Washington for the better part of 25 years, and (until yesterday) shared a common employer, I really hope Tony is kidding, or is at least shielding his real thoughts so as to not draw the ire of Mr. Eisner.
UPDATE: Doesn't Meryl Yourish live in Richmond, Va.?
UPDATE II: ESPN's Page 2 says the following: "To our readers: Tuesday Morning Quarterback will no longer be available on ESPN.com." No explanation, but it does show us the logo one more time:
