We got Mike!: Barnicle to join Herald

Boston Herald ^ | March 8, 2004 | Herald Staff

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Mike Barnicle, the hard-hitting veteran journalist whose lively commentary has engaged and informed New Englanders for almost 30 years, is returning to the Boston newspaper scene as a columnist for the Boston Herald, Publisher Patrick J. Purcell announced today.

Purcell said that Barnicle, who has been a columnist for the New York Daily News for the past five years, serves as a commentator on national and local news programs and hosts his own radio talk show, will join the Boston Herald as a featured columnist every Tuesday and Thursday, beginning tomorrow.

``It's not every day that you have an opportunity to hire a newspaper legend,'' said Purcell. ``This is an exciting day for the Boston Herald and for our readers. It's especially meaningful for me personally because I've been trying to hire Mike for 20 years. Now, Mike's back - and the Herald's got him.''

Purcell added, ``Although Mike has become known throughout the country through his work on television and radio, he has always been a `local guy.' Boston is where he has always lived and worked and he knows what makes this area tick.

``When our readers turn to his column every Tuesday and Thursday, they may not always agree with what he has to say, but they know he is one of them.''

Boston Herald Editorial Director Ken Chandler, former editor of both the Herald and the New York Post, said: ``After having competed with Mike in New York, it's great to finally have him on our side.

``After almost 4,000 columns, Mike remains a must-read. His arrival at the Herald will make a strong team even stronger.''

Barnicle said it's great to be back writing in Boston - and for the Herald.

``There is nothing quite like reaching out to the public through a regular newspaper column. For me, Boston has everything a writer could want and I'm looking forward to connecting with Herald readers every Tuesday and Thursday,'' Barnicle said.

Barnicle will continue to write a weekly column for the New York Daily News, appear regularly on MSNBC's ``Hardball with Chris Matthews,'' host his popular talk show on 96.9 WTKK-FM and contribute to WCVB-TV's ``Chronicle.''

Prior to joining the New York Daily News, Barnicle was a columnist for 25 years at the Boston Globe, where he established himself as one of New England's most popular and influential journalists.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I buy the Herald most every day. I'm going to feel unclean touching it on days when Barnicle's onboard. I've read his column in the Globe. The columns I liked best were clearly fabrications. What kind of editorial oversight could he have had? Ultimately, he got canned from the Globe for frabrication and plagiarism. He's a story teller, a raconteur but a journalist?

[theDentist]

I'm sure he and Howie Carr will get along famously.

[YaYa123]

I'm with you. You or I would be labeled "liar" if we prevaricated like Barnicle, especially if we made a living at it.

Another gerrymandered, celebrity "redemption", responsible for the downward spiral of standards.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Smart Move. You hire Mike Barnicle and you receive the bonus of getting all of George Carlin's material for free.

[billorites]

This stinks.

[islander-11]

I guess there's hope for Jason Blair to make a comeback next. After all, he and Barnicle are birds of a feather...

Can't wait to listen to Howie this afternoon. He must be somewhere past disgusted, I'm sure.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

At least you got the Union-Leader.

[billorites]

Where Barnicle goes, can Jayson Blair and Janet Cooke be far behind?

[billorites]

"At least you got the Union-Leader."

As a subscriber to the Union Leader and WSJ I receive my daily right-wing marching orders beamed directly to a chip in my brain.

[HEY4QDEMS]

I can't stand Barnicle, even when he tells the truth.

[XXXXX88XXXXX]

``It's not every day that you have an opportunity to hire a newspaper legend,'' said Purcell.

And today still isn't that day, Mr. Purcell.

Mike Barnicle a "newspaper" legend? Phooey!

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I can't stand Barnicle, even when he tells the truth.

If he were to tell the truth, how would anyone know? If he said the sky were blue, I'd have to go check.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Can't wait to listen to Howie this afternoon

Heard Howie on Blute's show this morning. Howie's sucking it in and taking it like a man. I hope the Herald appreciates that their audience isn't Barnicle's. May they're trying to lure Globe readers. The Herald's on the ropes, can't blame 'em for swinging.

[cloud8]

"... can Jayson Blair and Janet Cooke be far behind?"

Not to mention that model of journalistic integrity, Patricia Smith...

[Fishface]

Mike Barnicle bothers me for the following reasons:

1. He is not genuine. I always get the feeling that he is
sucking up to someone to get in the owner's box at
Fenway or a better table at Davios. He's everybody's
friend and is more interested in being "connected"
somewhere than telling the truth.

2. He is self-righteous. When someone calls him with a
a legitmate point, he shouts them down with populist,
touchy, feely crap like "Why hasn't Bush attended
funerals." or "Bush better explain why Tommy Smith
from Anytown, Mass. is dead." These are points that
are hard to argue with in 10 seconds.

3. He has copied his whole show from Imus right down to
the word. He calls his show "hideous" and continuously
jokes that he is stupid. He's more Imus than Imus.

4. Howie Carr knows phonies and has spent his career
exposing how someone "connected" like Barnicle reaps
the rewards. Howie hates Barnicle and after listening
to his radio show, I can see why. If Barnicle went
into politics, he would be the government hack making
$130,000 grand for doing nothing.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Barnicle doesn't brush his teeth in the morning for a mere $130,000 of chum change.

[pt17]

The name, if not the spelling, is a match. Barnacles, which can't get anywhere on their own, have to attach themselves to something else to survive.

[theDentist]

Let me know islander, because I'm in Va now and won't hear it.

[raccoonradio]

The Globe reported that a Herald meeting was held and staffers expressed their disgust with the hiring. Longtime writer Peter Gelzinis asked publisher Purcell if Barnicle would be getting special preferences, as in special placements of his columns. Purcell said, no, Barnicle would be treated the same as everyone else.

The next day, Barnicle's column debuted.

On Page one.

Nice to keep your word, Purcell!!

[raccoonradio]

A yuk on every page!

http://www.boston-online.com/barnicle/timeline.html