A critic of the Los Angeles Times' investigative series on Las Vegas judges says the newspaper "needs to pay attention to the communities in its own backyard."
In a commentary published on the LAObserved.com Web site, Jeffrey Brody, professor of communications at California State University, Fullerton, said the series illustrates "the strength of a great paper like the L.A. Times. It also illustrates the shortsightedness of the paper's editors at a time when the newspaper has been bleeding circulation."
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Headlined "Juice vs. Justice," the series ran in the Review-Journal's In Depth section Sunday.
Brody, co-author of "The Newspaper Publishing Industry," a book that explores economic trends affecting papers, wrote, "Rather than devote resources to investigating the California judiciary, a local story, the Times puts its energy in an out-of-state effort that will certainly win prizes but do little to boost readership in Southern California.
"The same thing happened when the Times did a wonderful story about Muslims in Nevada, ignoring the Muslim presence in Orange County."
Brody added, "A newspaper that has its core business in Southern California, and is losing circulation, needs to pay attention to the communities in its own backyard."
NO LOVE
The new Cirque du Soleil-Beatles show "Love" has taken legal action against local comedy magician Nathan Burton.
No sooner had invitations to Burton's Wednesday press and industry show started arriving Friday when "Love" delivered a cease and desist notification.
The problem: Burton's logo is close to a knockoff of the "Love" logo that appears on the Mirage marquee and wraps around the upper floors of the resort.
"Love" is replaced by the word "Magic" on the invitation, and silhouettes of the Fab Four have been replaced with a magician. The wording on the invitation reads: "If you go to one press event this summer ... go see LOVE!"
In smaller print at the bottom of the invitation, the words "If you have time for one more ...," and on the inside, details of Burton's event at the V Theatre in Desert Passages at the Aladdin.
"I'm just a little guy trying to make an impact," Burton said.
"They have no case because it's a parody," he said, adding, "Where's the love?"
By the way, that's Burton in the NBC commercials promoting the debut Wednesday of "America's Got Talent," hosted by Regis Philbin (KVBC-TV, Channel 3, 9 p.m.)
SIGHTINGS
At the Wynn pools Sunday: "Superman" Dean Cain and super-rich Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. In a cabana: composer David Foster, his daughters and his girlfriend, Alicia Jacobs, KVBC-TV, Channel 3 entertainment reporter, in a yellow bikini. ... At CineVegas' closing night party Saturday at Green Valley Ranch: Dennis Hopper, Christina Ricci, Dylan McDermott, Chris Kattan, Kenan Thompson, Clint Holmes, George Wallace and NFLer Steven Jackson. ... Travis Barker of Blink 182 and DJ AM, at separate tables at Pure (Caesars) on Saturday. ... R&B singer Trey Songz, making an impromptu performance at OPM (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Saturday. ... The '80s rock group Journey, breaking into a chorus of their hit "Don't Stop Believin'" at the end of Lance Burton's show (Monte Carlo) on Saturday. It was part of a taping for a "Where Are They Now" documentary. Burton acknowledged the band members and announced they'll be performing at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Aug. 18.
THE PUNCH LINE
"It's graduation time around New York City. We have a lot of honor students here. Yes your honor, no your honor, not guilty your honor." -- David Letterman
