No News is NOT Good News.

Slow news days are rough.  I don't think our bosses *wish* death and destruction on our viewers (although, the ratings would SOAR if...).  But, during our news meeting on a slow news day, we were trying to drum up stories.  The dog park opening, the 105th birthday party, and the skiing squirrel could not lead the newscast.  It left a manager frustrated, nostalgically thinking of better days when a virus threatened the lives of millions. And he said (with a very serious, non joking face):

"Man, whatever happened to the swine flu?"

Man. Those were the days.

(p.s. "swine flu?" is still listed as a *story idea* on our list in the editorial meeting room. wishful thinking.)