One of my favorite URL’s to visit on a daily basis is the infamous and legendary Newsblues.com.  It is a website which – among other things — details all the lurid, headline-making scandals that happen in TV newsrooms across the country.

Not only do I read it religiously, I love the fact I typically know half of the people involved in said scandals.  If a freshly-scrubbed anchor gets busted for DUI, you’re likely to see their disheveled mug shot on Newsblues.com.  If a novice reporter drops the F-bomb on live TV and gets fired for it … chances are you’ll see the video posted on Newsblues.com.

TV news anchors and reporters are often criticized for being overpriced, over-hyped and over-processed buffoons.  And it fills me with glee to see them caught in a variety of shenanigans. 

And if you think this stuff happens only at big market TV stations … think again.  Heck, when I worked in Des Moines, we had our fair share of loony tunes.  Once a veteran anchor thought it would be funny to sprinkle talcum powder all over the mailroom.  It was a practical joke – but it was also at the height of the anthrax scare in 2001.  He was subsequently fired and the story took off like wildfire. 

Another anchor actually fell asleep on the set during a commercial break.  Blame those pesky prescription pain killers.  Seconds before coming back on camera, someone smacked her.  She bumbled through the rest of the newscast high as a kite.  She made Jessica Savitch sound articulate. 

I love all my TV brethren … don’t get me wrong.  But if you get a little too big for your britches, you’re going to be brought to justice someday.  And instead of reading the lead story – you’re going to BE the lead story. And it ain’t gonna be pretty. 

And finally, one small piece of advice to any of my partners-in-crime in the world of TV news.  Always, always, always make sure all of your bloopers are erased off the face of the earth.  Or else.