"The 100 Unsexiest Men in the World," published in the April 18 issue of the Boston Phoenix, was the number-one story on MSNBC's "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" yesterday. (Transcript available here; scroll way down.) Associate Editor Bill Jensen was on hand to defend his choices, from Gilbert Gottfried at #1 to Brad Pitt at #100. Of course, Olbermann was most interested in #58, Fox News' Bill O'Reilly, with whom he has been feuding. Jensen explained that O'Reilly made the list because of his "splotchiness" and "bullying," and the falafel affair: "I think, any time you are going to, you know, talk to a woman on the phone and say you want to rub her with a sandwich full of chickpeas in the shower is -- is not going to help your sexual quotient."

Continue ReadingKeith Olbermann Weighs Boston Phoenix’s ‘100 Unsexiest Men’ List

The Westerly, R.I., town council has agreed to support local citizens in their bid to have the "adult" section of the Phoenix moved behind the reference desk at the Westerly Public Library, where it would be available only to adults who request it, the Westerly Sun reports. The Phoenix has been the subject of past complaints that resulted in its being relocated to a higher shelf behind the checkout desk. At the council meeting last week, "one councilor indicated that should the library refuse to cooperate, councilors could weigh withholding its funding," according to the Sun, but library officials indicated that they would not "act in the place of parents."

Continue ReadingLibrary Is Asked to Restrict Access to Providence Phoenix’s Adult Section

"Everyone has their opinions. But I get paid for mine," film critic Peter Keough told students at Brandeis University last weekend. The Justice, the university's student newspaper, recounts Keough's description of job perks such as publicity swag and press junkets, as well as techniques to have your review quoted in a film's advertising: "Any time you use the word 'best,' or any other superlative other than the word 'worst,' you have a chance," Keough told the students.

Continue ReadingBoston Phoenix Film Critic: Job Has Interesting Advantages

Morris' upcoming retirement was announced Thursday morning via an e-mail from Brad Mindich (pictured) to employees of the Phoenix Media/Communications Group that was subsequently posted on senior writer Mark Jurkowitz's blog. Morris has worked for the company for 36 of its 40 years. "I find it a bit strange for me to be the one making this announcement," writes Mindich. "Barry has known me since I was a baby, known me well enough to have watched me taking baths in the sink of my family’s small West Roxbury apartment." Mindich is the son of Phoenix publisher and founder Stephen Mindich and has served as executive vice president for three years. Morris tells Jurkowitz that he's looking forward to new challenges, but adds, "It's very possible I can still play a role in the company."

Continue ReadingBrad Mindich To Replace Barry Morris as Phoenix Media President

Foodies at Creative Loafing (Atlanta), Riverfront Times, Westword, L.A. Weekly, East Bay Express, City Pages (Twin Cities), Phoenix New Times, and Houston Press picked up ten of the 21 nominations for which they qualified in the 2006 James Beard Foundation Journalism Awards announced today. The complete list is available as a PDF here. Alt-weeklies were particularly dominant in the "Newspaper Writing on Spirits, Wine or Beer" category, in which all three nominees are AAN members. The awards recognize and honor excellence and achievement in the culinary arts.

Continue ReadingAlt-Weeklies Lap Up Nominations in Food-Writing Awards