I just got off the phone with a very nice caller who doesn't think today's A-1 story on "The Scary Guy" belonged on the front page. "I have a few tattoos and had my ear pierced," he said. "My mom had eight tattoos and my dad has twelve, so this is familiar territory. But I don't know where it belongs in the paper. He got some good press and that's good for his career, I guess."
It's a fine story, but I share my caller's concern about its play. The Scary Guy makes a living based on his appearance (and the story does note that his seminars can cost $5000 a day), and it's not as if he hasn't appeared in The Star many times in the past. I wouldn't have put it on the cover, either.
Agree
It's commendable that you are willing to give your opinion on the placement of this story. By virtually any journalistic standard this was not a story that deserved front page play.