• by December 23, 2003

WHAT WERE 2003'S TOP MEDIA STORIES? -- That's what the Riff would like to know. Please send your submissions to joe@mediapost.com and we'll compile them and post them with an accompanying story (one that's sure to be one of the top media stories of 2004).

FEAR OF THE MONTH CLUB - In the media, it's all about circulation and ratings. Fear sells. Look at the scares we've had in the past 20 years: Tainted Tylenol, chemicals on apples and in apple juice, Y2K and sharks, to name a few. This year the media's been road-testing the flu, which is no doubt dangerous and deadly - but hundreds of thousands of people die from the flu every year. But the media's seemed to drop off that topic, and on to an old standby: Terrorism.

BACK ON THE AIR - Riff was delighted to hear the return to the airwaves of a smart, seasoned journalist, if only on a local media. Mary Alice Williams, who along with Bernard Shaw became the stars of Cable News Network when it started in 1980 before moving on to NBC in 1989, has been doing the overnight/weekend anchoring duties at all-news radio station WCBS in New York City.

BUT IS THERE ANY 'PENT' UP DEMAND? - Penthouse will open its doors again. At least that's what General Media Inc., publisher of the defunct skin mag says in a reorganization plan filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court this morning. Following discussions with a majority of its creditors, the company said it has come up with a plan to "deleverage" itself and resume publishing its flagship Penthouse magazine. "We believe the continued publication of Penthouse is now ensured for many years," said Bob Guccione, who also signed a new ten-year agreement to remain "publisher emeritus" of the magazine.

NOTE: The Riff is going to take a holiday break, returning on Monday, Jan. 5. Happy Holidays!