What is it in this garbage

(i can't seem to keep a straight face for long; so i wrote this one right after the previous article about WSJ. just to "balance out". ;-))

Reading tabloids

If you've ever wondered who make up that large readership of the much discredited tabloids, well, count me one. I used to define a cozy afternoon as one sitting alone on my apartment floor with a large bag of potato chips and a thicket of tabloids (It feels cozier, even luxurious now since I don't have that kind of time anymore). I often do not mind the long waiting line at the supermarket check-out -- I would always pick up a tabloid and scan it contently....

The best thing about a tabloid is that it is like one's earnest friend: it only cares about pleasing you. A tabloid goes out of the way (yeah, I know­.) to find out what you might really want to know about some celebrities or some shocking events. It is always enthusiastic about the tasks, as evident in its chatty tones and flashy styles. Contrary to those authoritative and mission-ridden newspapers, the Wall Street Journal coming to mind, a tabloid would never give you any pressure by being so judgmental, argumentative, superior and sophisticated. Nor is it pretentious -- it cheerfully and unapologetically carries news which is not "worth printing".

A tabloid is a showcase of the sad side of life. It illustrates the very famous in full-color and in off-color: how a young beautiful deteriorates into oblivion; how a glamorous becomes aged and ugly. It immortalizes those who have died young. In a tabloid's casual tone, one comes to realize the frailty and irony of life. A tabloid is never forgetful. Instead of getting just "one annual report" in a regular paper, some of the best known culture icons are forever "regulars" here. Under this light, a regular paper looks duty-bound while a tabloid is almost humane.

Oh, don't expect me bad-mouthing tabloids here; others have done that one thousand times over :))