Fr: Media Control Central
Re: Stories That Must Be Done During Thanksgiving Week
Monday: Do’s & Don’ts of Holiday Travel. Include important things that the public can’t figure out on its own, like a reminder of how to pack clothes neatly in a suitcase.
Tuesday: Deep Fryer Turkey Scare Stories. Dig up video of that guy from last year who burned down his house and ruined the family get-together.
Wednesday: Live Shots From The Airport. Start this at 5am, and keep doing it until there actually is a crowd of anxious travelers lined up out the door. Do not mention that a great deal of their anxiety came from getting around the many live trucks blocking traffic outside the terminal.
Thursday: Parade. Include not just the local Thanksgiving parade, but also interviews with a few people who have to make a last minute run to the supermarket because they forgot cranberry sauce. Also report on how much more this year’s average Thanksgiving meal costs, and interview the Butterball Hotline lady (who has likely been outsourced to Bangalore, India).
Friday: Busiest Shopping Day Of The Year. It doesn’t matter that today is not the busiest shopping day of the year — that’s always the last Saturday before Christmas, because that’s when men finally remember they have to buy something for their wife, who bought gifts for the rest of the family back around Halloween — play up the hype, especially for your advertisers.
Saturday: Retailers Report. Based on exactly one day of shopping, but hundreds of analysts making predictions, report that retailers are having a tough holiday shopping season.
Sunday: Back To The Airport. Remind the public that if they haven’t left for the airport already, they’re screwed.
Monday: They’re Dead. Report the number of people who died on the road during the holiday weekend, and how high gas prices didn’t seem to keep Americans from traveling long distances to eat and argue with their families.
Future File (Upcoming Stories To Work On):
- Fire hazards of Christmas trees.
- Increased popularity of online shopping.
- Find a Jewish family that can explain Hanukkah.