Handicapping the Competition for New Observer Editor
Julie Lyons announced yesterday that she will step down as editor at the Dallas Observer at the end of the year. I spent the better part of my 20s at the paper, so I think I have a pretty good handle on what they’ll be looking for in a replacement. After the jump, I take a gander at the field.
Patrick Williams: Currently the managing editor, and clearly the best man for the job. Which is one of the reasons why he’d have no shot, even if he wanted the job. But I think P-Dub would rather just keep doing what he’s doing, then going home and, let’s just say “eating sandwiches.” (30-1)
Robert Wilonsky: The longest tenured staff member and editor of the DO blog, Unfair Park. I’ve always felt like he wanted the job, but I’ve also always felt like I look good with a beard. So who knows? But to the more immediate point: Could he get it? He would make sense, but try telling that to the crazy Irish guy who runs New TimesVillage Voice Media and will probably show up at the office to fight me for just typing that. (25-1)
Eric Celeste: Yeah, I know. He works here and is generally pretty happy. But he’s also worked everywhere, a few places twice, so I wouldn’t be surprised by anything. I mean, he just bought a house and still looks at the real estate section. He has a condition. That said, I’m sure they hate him because he quit and convinced half the staff to leave. (”Erroneous! Erroneous!” — Eric Celeste.) So … (18-1)
Jim Schutze: You know? I was joking when I typed it, but it makes a ton of sense. The crazy Irish guy who runs the company loves a good street fight. Putting Schutze in charge would guarantee that. They might even hang out here for a bit, just itching to get thrown in the pokey over some pointless issue. Do no discount this. (10-1)
Tom Korosec: The recently laid off former Observer staff writer definitely has some skins on the wall. And I think he’d definitely bring a lot to the table: combine TK, Matt Pulle, and Schutze and you’ve got a pretty dynamic team covering city hall. But, nah, not seeing it. Sorry, Tom. He quit. They don’t bring people like that back. (50-1)
Some random dude you’ve never heard of from the Cleveland Scene or another paper in the chain who comes in with a swagger but little else: I don’t know who it is, but I’d put all my money on this. (2-1)
15 Comments to “Handicapping the Competition for New Observer Editor”
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Perhaps Blow and Schutze could co-edit the paper? That would give you guys a lot to write about.
Note to Wick and Tim: Keep Eric and Zac, they are the only reason many of us read this blog.
Considering the current contretemps going on between Schutze and Dreher why not hire Dreher to be the editor
talk about fireworks, plus you get a somewhat conservative type running a lefty loonie bin
Since you didn’t open comments in the other thread…
My pick: The woman who was plastered on the cover of the Seattle Weekly a few weeks back thanks to this absolute beating of a cover story. Way to go, VVM.
Oh how I WISH Sarah Hepola would come back. I cannot believe what a great writer she is. (Which, I guess, is no guarantee that she’d be a great editor. But I still wish she’d come back to Dallas.)
Bring John Anders home for a kinder, gentler Observer with a few positive stories. Then the publication would have something very lacking in the Dallas media - a native who knows the difference between Old East Dallas and Far East Dallas, South Dallas and The Grove from Oak Cliff, etc.
I’m voting for Sarah Hepola. You think she’s in town today for no reason? No, me either. Plus she’d rock. So there’s that.
I like Zac’s suggestion for Gustavo Arellano (Ask a Mexican). It confronts the whole minority majority issue head-on but with humor.
Zac’s right to put his money on an out-of-towner company man/woman. However, I would place a substantial side bet on Patrick Williams. He’s really the heir apparent.
Asked my druthers, I would echo the sentiments regarding Sarah Hepola.
BRING BACK SARAH HEPOLA! While your at it, go read her Mormon interviews… good times.
You’re, I meant. Dang.
I would vote for Elizabeth, and Daniel, and Topham, because I like how they roll. I also think Zac Crain looks good in a top hat. And Tim Rogers looks good in a thong. Christ, what do I know? My vote, honestly? Is for Robert Wilonsky. And I’m not even kidding.
Let me add: Though I adore Patrick Williams, I don’t think he wants the job. I know I don’t.
Forget the job talk. Someone at long last has acknowledged my adorableness. Thanks, Sarah. I knew my plan to giggle like a toddler and wear adult diapers around the office would pay off eventually.
I think the founding publisher Bob Walton should be hired as senior editor if he would take the job. He began alternative coverage in Dallas and was the thorn in the side of the Dallas Times Herald, The Dallas Morning News and D Magazine. He invented what some writers and editors once despised but now embrace.
Really, Patrick? Could’ve sworn that was Schutze.