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Is Mike Oz a hater?
- Jan 28 2011
- 6
Mike Oz is a reputable journalist with a pretty impressive resume of stories (or clips as they say in the industry). He has a loyal following of readers and is genuinely (from everything I've seen) a nice guy who's out to do good for Fresno.
But, is he also a hater?
I'm not going to debate the merits of Mike's post. I'm assuming it was meant to be little more than a snarky shot American Idol, and he probably knew it was going to get a bunch of comments from AI fans. But it also brings up a good question: As a journalist/blogger/someone with an opinion who gets paid to express it, does calling out crappy product make you a hater?
6 Comment(s) for "Is Mike Oz a hater?"
i think it depends on how you define hater. and critic. and journalist.
i'm not trying to speak for mike, but i think he's said before that he doesn't consider himself a critic. he doesn't review shows or albums that much. usually, he is doing more journalistic duties of reporting on what is coming up, stuff happening around fresno, openings and closings of clubs and so on.
sure, he occasionally talks a little smack on promoters or venues or rgm. or, in this case, an american idle winner. and in that post he admits that he hates american idol. but honestly, so what? he's entitled to take a good natured jab at the "success" of the winner who's playing a free show at a mall less than a year later.
to me, if he were a hater, he would be talking a lot more crap about it. instead, he made a poke on a blog. i find that usually when someone is called a hater, it is because those doing the name calling aren't willing to look on the situation with reason.
This comment has been deleted.
I deleted my comment, because after reflection, I realized an ad hominem criticism was a bad thing and these kinds of discussions should be private.
Dale, It's up to you whether you believe me on this or not, but I can honestly say that I never purposely ignore local musicians. If someone calls or e-mails me, I do my best to respond and help/answer/etc.
As far as getting coverage: I try my best to spread the love around, and cover everybody who's out there making a go of things -- whether that's in print, on the blog, a Facebook shout-out, whatever I can.
There are times when people send me shows and I can't write about them because there's too much going on. There are also bands and artists who never send me info about what they have going on, and therefore probably don't get covered as much. That's just a nature of the biz, though.
If I had more time I'd track down all the artists I can and tell them to send me shows, or ask if they want a feature an mp3 in "Sounds of the City" or submit a flier for "Post No Bills."
All I can do is try my best.
No, it means he is honest!
I've seen him a few times around town, at events we both attended. He is one of the sweetest guy's I've met.(You're on that list too Famous Whitewater) He wasn't being a hater, he was simply stating his opinion.
I have to say, I agree with him on AI. It sucks!
Yes.