In the NYT, Amy Winehouse > James Gandolfini

Jack Benny: Yes. 12/27/74

 

How about athletes? Does Bill Russell get top billing? Hank Aaron definitely does. Mike Krzyzewski would but Bob Knight might not. Bobby Bowden wouldn't. Since it's the Times qe're discussing, I could see Roger Bannister and Mark Spitz being possibilities. Jim Brown is a lock because of how outspoken he is. Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer seem likely. Pele is a lock.

 

Inside info: At times the editor's pitch, and/or the writer's ability, can influence story placement. Having an obit pre-written makes a little difference on (relative) deadline as well.

 

Betty White, with a long career of distinction, plus her status as America's irascible sweetheart for about 15-20 years, makes her a shoo-in. Lorne Michaels, who practically invented a genre and is a quintessential New York icon, is a lock, too. Paul Simon, going by that last part, too, is a shoo-in, tho probably not Garfunkel. By that same standard, with You're So Vain thrown in, Carly Simon is at least probable. Leno and Letterman are locks.

 

There's no way Carly Simon gets A1. None. I might even say she wouldn't land in the A section at all. Paul Simon is a very hesitant maybe. Bob Dylan and Billy Joel are in.

Jay Leno will only get considered if he dies before he retires. Everyone in New York hates him, and he has no creative credibility or influence.

 

Name an important author-thinker who would make the cut.
(No, Jones would not.)

 

But he hosted one of America's iconic shows for decades, and was part of two major controversies, plus the car collection, plus the hundreds of millions of show salary never spent....shoo-in. Same with Paul Simon. And I maintain Carly Simon has a chance. I guess we'll all see.

 

I think you're overestimating how much the Times cares about city stories. The front page is for national stories. Regional ones that make the cut do so because they are important on a national level.

One interesting one: Ringo Starr. If he outlasts Paul McCartney, then he probably is in as the last Beatle. If not, I doubt it.

 

Yeah, I'm just out here in Podunk, same as you, speculating. I think Ringo a lock either way.

 

Had George Harrison been A1 I would have said all 4 are a lock.

But he wasn't so I don't think Ringo gets A1.

Madonna will.

 

But Ringo has his work with the All-Starrs also.</blue>

Harrison not making it makes me even angrier that Winehouse and Whitney Houston made it.

 

Both Beatles are locks.

As for authors, I would like to believe Philip Roth makes it. And when he doesn't, I suppose there will be people saying he's no John Grisham.