A major update: All fired up

EricDSnider · Joined: 13 Aug 2002 Posts: 2147 Location: Portland

To whom it may concern --

The short version of this story is, as the result of being fired, I no longer work at The Daily Herald. The long version follows.

I wrote a news story on Aug. 8 about the Grove Theatre in Pleasant Grove, Utah, being forced to shut down its production of Neil Simon's "Rumors" because Samuel French, Inc., which handles the copyright, learned the theater was altering some of the dialogue. This is against copyright laws, and faced with either doing it chock-full of profanity or not doing it at all, the theater chose to not do it at all.

Before the theater made its decision, I spoke with Samuel French about possible copyright violations. The Samuel French people led me to understand they didn't act on anonymous information (which is what I was providing), and that they had already heard about this anyway. When the word came down from them officially, they said they were acting on info from Simon's lawyer, not from an anonymous tipster. All of this led me to believe that though I had spoken with them, it was not my conversation that had led to the play closing.

Here's where I made my mistake, which cost me my job: I ought to have told my editors at the Herald that I had been involved, even though I believed my involvement to be ultimately irrelevant. At the very least, I should have disclosed that and asked that another reporter cover the story. It might have been appropriate to disclose my involvement in the story itself, too. But I didn't tell my editors, and when they subsequently learned of it, they fired me for an ethics violation.

I made an error in judgment; I freely admit that. I ought to have spoken up at the time. I'm sending this e-mail to everyone so that there is no mystery or gossip about why I left the Herald. I want to be up front about it, and to admit my mistake. Feel free to send the relevant details of this e-mail to anyone you think may be curious about it.

Let me also caution budding would-be journalists: Don't work for The Daily Herald! Make one mistake, and they fire your sorry behind!

But I jest. While I think the firing was an over-reaction, and one that newspapers are keen to make nowadays in order to prove to the public how noble and honest they are, I also think the editor who made the decision honestly believes he was doing what he had to do. You can't fault a guy for that.

By the same token, I hope I have not lessened my esteem in your eyes (if indeed there was esteem to begin with). I made a mistake, an error in judgment. I misjudged the facts and misjudged how everything would look.

If you are a colleague of mine, or a business associate, I hope you will forgive any damage I have done to the credibility of professional journalists.

To my friends and family, I hope you will look upon me as the same sort of fellow you've always known, and whom you probably already knew was not perfect.

To my readers, I apologize for what will be a sudden dearth of "Snide Remarks" columns (they are too hard to write to do them for free) and only as many movie reviews as money for admission tickets will allow. (Free time will not be a problem.) I hope that you, too, will forgive my mistakes.

Best wishes,

Eric D. Snider

P.S. In the "silver lining" department, this frees me up to return to my first love: pizza delivery. Does anyone know of any openings?

P.P.S. That P.S. aside, I actually DO need a job. Also, now would be a GREAT time to buy those "Snide Remarks" books you've been putting off purchasing.

whiggles · Joined: 20 Aug 2003 Posts: 1

I think I speak for everyone on here when I say that this, for lack of a better vocabulary, really sucks. I don't know what I'll do without my weekly "Snide Remarks". Well, I'm sure there's a newspaper out there in desperate need of a wonderfully funny person like yourself, until then, stay strong!

P.S. If you become really tight on money you can crash at my dorm room at OU for awhile, but if there's a sock on the door you gotta wait a minute.

mistytsim · Joined: 14 Aug 2002 Posts: 1525 Location: Salt Lake City

Everyone go and donate $5 to Eric through PayPal.
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Dude · Joined: 13 Aug 2002 Posts: 463 Location: The Desert

That does suck, your column is the reason I check email on Sundays. I agree with whiggles, and don't think it will be too long before you're writing your column again. And I will buy your book next paycheck.

~Zesdy~ · Joined: 10 Dec 2002 Posts: 7816

At least your worst fear didn't come true.

IMO, the Herald made a stupid mistake.

I'll be sending you a BIG book order through "

-mail." Keep the change.

stvngrdnr · Posted: Wed 20 Aug, 2003 10:47 pm Post subject:

All the racists, idiots, gay-haters, humorless and blue hairs in Utah County can feel safe reading the Sunday paper again.

For the rest of us I'm not so optimistic.

This is probably going to lead for something very good for Eric (e.g. a new and better job), but it's very likely this marks the beginning of the end of a very good thing. I appreciate the ability we have all had to go back and read columns from the past, as well as receiving Snide Remarks via email. But if Eric does go to another paper, it's hard to imagine them being so free to allow his columns being published on any site but their own. Most papers charge to go into the archives. Apparently, and I haven't verified this, the LA Times is charging people to look at the Web site at all. Even finding syndicated columnists' past writings can be a challenge. And I think it's the columns that keep this board fresh. Yes, we dabble in word games and the like, but people come and go because of Eric's reputation as a humorist and the expectation that every week we could read something new. I hope I'm wrong about this, but even if I am it's been a heck of a good time.

In the meantime, it's time for me to pony up some cash for the board.

gamma_helix · Joined: 07 Apr 2003 Posts: 612

This is the saddest news I've heard since my brother-in-law got back together with his insane ex-fiance, and my sister-in-law divorced my brother for no apparent reason. Just when I thought things couldn't get worse. Trust me Eric, if I had any money, I would give it to you.

I wonder if all those angry letter-writers who said they'd renew their subscriptions once Eric no longer worked for the Herald really will resubscribe now. If they do, I think Eric should get the money as severance.

Ryan Reeder · Joined: 14 Aug 2002 Posts: 1707 Location: Utah

For those curious, Eric's original August 8 article is here: http://www.harktheherald.com/article.php?sid=91727

and the Herald's August 21 Clarification is here:
http://www.harktheherald.com/article.php?sid=92719

On another note, wow. That came as a shock. I'd be prone to lighten the mood with a joke or two, but that's not really my place. If someone has had a death in the family, they can cope with the situation by making jokes if they choose; it's not my place to continue.

I can empathize somewhat with the state of unemployment (though perhaps not as much as SDR could right now). I've been there a couple of times. And had to settle for a job which provides less than what I feel would be full use of my talents--still, it's better to have something than not.

Not saying that that'll be your case. Sure, the economy's tight right now and journalism in particular is still reeling from its Jayson Blair black eye and all that. And maybe delivering pizzas can pay bills in the meantime. But you know what initially attracted me to this site and Eric and everything? The whole ambition thing, and ability to actually go out and do really cool stuff. This was a kid, that as an 18-year-old freshman, found out that BYU didn't have a comedy organization, and decided to start one on his own, which became a campus pillar for 8 years, and spawned several other comedy organization spinoffs. '97-'99, writing SR for the Daily Universe, he became the most widely known, if not the most popular, individual on campus that I knew of, at least. More so than the BYUSA [studentbody] President. And probably the football quarterback. I don't even remember who he was--plus, they're only popular for a semester or so, right? So I guess I kinda latched on to see where this kid took himself and if I could get any lifestyle pointers.

And also a very talented writer. Remember when Orson Scott Card called him the best writer in the Church or something like that?

And he's been doing all the fun work at the Herald--or at least he makes it look fun--for the last four years, being their combined Dave Barry/Roger Ebert. Unless he wanted to be editor or something, which probably wouldn't have been as fun, he'd gone about as far as he could there.

I know there've been other websites he's written for in the meantime (in a style markedly different from those writings intended for a Utah Valley readership). He's certainly got an impressive resume. And maybe he's got enough experience to start running solo. If John Bytheway can do what he does, well...

So yeah. Things happen for a reason and all that and trials can be stepping-stones or stumbling blocks depending on how we react to them, but I know Eric hates being preached to like that, so I'll stop there. At least he doesn't have an excuse for missing Jeff's wedding on Friday now.

Hey, condolences for the temporary inconvenience of being unemployed, and looking forward to seeing whatever you do next.

And sorry for the awkward switches from 2nd to 3rd person in this. 'Cause if I acknowledge it, then that saves you the trouble of making fun of it.

Good luck again.
Ryan

SDR · Joined: 14 Aug 2002 Posts: 1232 Location: Hooper, UT

Condolences & commiserations. Next time I see you, the root beer is on me. Well, I mean, I'll buy you a root beer. I won't pour it on myself deliberately.
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TVGM · Posted: Thu 21 Aug, 2003 06:55 am Post subject:

Hey, as the others have alluded to, you've been fired before only to come out with something even better--it's gotta happen again. I'll sit here patiently waiting until that something better does happen. And perhaps I'll pray, too. Good luck to you and keep us informed.

GenAdFemale · Joined: 04 Sep 2002 Posts: 2031 Location: Master Elite

I will greatly miss the EDS brand of humor I find every week in my email. I hope you find fulfilling employment soon.

Spencer · Joined: 13 Aug 2002 Posts: 233 Location: Lehi, UT

I wish that I had enough financial leverage to start a newspaper somewhere. Then I could hire you as my editor of the Life section, writing about board games and cold cereal. (Get it? Life?)

Just kidding. You could write our movie reviews and a humor column or whatever you wanted.

karinka · Joined: 14 Aug 2002 Posts: 2738 Location: SLICK, UTAH

I'm shocked and saddened by this news. As others have said, I also look forward to reading your Sunday article. I guess I will have to buy "Electric Boogaloo" now.
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Njingi · Joined: 08 Oct 2002 Posts: 838 Location: Tuckerton, NJ

Yeah, Eric, that was a mistake. No doubt about that.

I would caution you to be careful not to become too despondent, and not to give up on your dreams, but it's obvious to me from your letter to us that you're already being realistic about this, and that you've learned something important in the process.

I am sure that the vast majority of people on this board will lose no respect for you because of this... everyone here has made mistakes, and most have made some worse than this.

I continue to think of you as one of the most talented people I know. You strike me as a grounded, intelligent, responsible individual and as such I do not doubt that you'll bounce back, and go farther in life than you've gotten up to this point.

Thanks for being frank with us. I hope this thread we've got going here helps to cheer you some.

Hass · Posted: Thu 21 Aug, 2003 07:42 am Post subject:

I am shocked and appalled that such a travesty of justice could be carried forth in Happy Valley.

All mocking aside, I am truly sorry that I won't be receiving my weekly dose of Snide Remarks. What will keep me grounded and sane? How will I get my Monday morning laughs? Where will I go to find purpose in my life?

::Excuses herself to cry bitterly in a closet:: Crying or Very Sad

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scott0000 · Joined: 21 Aug 2003 Posts: 1

Sure, there's fighting and killing in Israel today and a possible sniper in WV, but can anything be as shocking and sad as losing Eric's column and movie reviews - and most importantly the short-term implications for Eric himself (for a while atleast)?

I just bought your book, Eric, per your request and because I want some form of hardcopy of your work since the Herald may take ownership of it now. I sent an email in response to you losing your job last night after I got the news. I just wanted to publicly express my objection to the Herald's decision in this forum. You haven't lost any of my respect, probably just gained more. Again, good luck finding an awesome job ASAP - scott westcott

VANDERTRAMP · Joined: 03 Jun 2003 Posts: 291

It's no secret that Eric and I haven't always seen eye-to-eye (probably because I am a 6'3" male model and he is a short, fat guy.) Still, these are tough times and it is sad to hear of these twists of fate. Since we're all providing consolation and advice, here's mine: dust yourself off and try again.

BTW, am I the only one who still doesn't understand the supposed "ethics violation" Eric committed? I've read the posting a few times, but I don't get it. Does that make me unethical or just dumb?
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Lowdoggy Dogg · Joined: 21 Aug 2003 Posts: 1658 Location: Gatortown, FL

If I could write a poorly written angry letter to the Daily Herald in order to cancel my subscription, I would, but fortunately I live in Florida and we have our own sub-standard, overly liberal paper to complain about.
Come live in Gainesville Eric! Just like Provo (college town) only with a lot more beer!
Seriously, does anyone know what this means for a journalist's career? Does this make it hard to get a job elsewhere?
Seems to me like they had been waiting for an excuse to drop the worthwhile (albeit mildly controversial on occasion) Snide Remarks.
and where will I go for movie reviews?

Momma Snider · Joined: 14 Aug 2002 Posts: 6599

I just wanted to let you all know that Eric still has his sense of humor. I called him last night after I read his letter (he had already called home and talked to Dad, who had told me, so I was forewarned) and when he answered, I said, "I'd like a large pepperoni." And he laughed. He sounded great, and I really do expect that this will somehow lead to better things in his life. He could even come home and deliver pizza in Lake Elsinore! It doesn't get much better than that!

Seriously, I know he will be fine, and I hope (and pray) that this will be not a stumbling block but a stepping stone.

QaPlaHombre · Posted: Thu 21 Aug, 2003 08:37 am Post subject:

Based on the general reaction a large portion of community seems to have toward you, I think a dunking booth with you as the guest of honor would be an excellent fundraising idea. Seriously. There's been enough fruitcakes sending him angry letters to keep the money flowing for days.
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