Bob O’Leary

What does the clip above have to do with the recent problems at the Orlando Sentinel? Plenty when you think about it.Here is a routine first peformed on the vaudeville stage on YouTube, a media format unknown five years ago. I also have an audio of the routine on my Ipod. In between, it’s been on radio, in movies, and on television. In each form, it’s funny.

And that’s the point. There is content, then there is delivering the content. The two are separate. Good content can be delivered in a multiple of media.

Now, “Who’s on First” is not funny everywhere. If I wrote out the words, it will not fly. You have to hear it.

Also, it takes the timing of Bud and Lou to make it work. Harvey Korman and Buddy Hackett tried it in a biopic about Abbott and Costello. Both men know comedic timing, but they couldn’t pull it off. And there lies the second point – talent creates good content.

That is why the current process of the Sentinel and other papers laying off experienced writers make no sense. People are no longer buying papers because they get their news on the Internet. Instead of using the net to boost advertising sales, they cut back the editorial staff – the one area left that actually delivers readers.

If it weren’t so sad, it might be funny.