This guy is definitely *not* a fan of Mitch Albom!

June 11, 2005 6:19 AM

Mitch Albom is a Terrible Writer"Morrie" has a keen dislike for the sports columnist (Detroit Free Press)/author ("Tuesdays with Morrie"/radio talk show host. And he expresses it -- sometimes quite angrily, sometimes wittily, always hilariously........
posted by ringie78 (18 comments total)

so that's what one cub reporter for the detroit news does on his spare time ...
posted by pyramid termite at 6:38 AM on June 11, 2005

That writing. That face.
I had to upload it to face analyzer:

You particularly enjoy the traditional way of life. Having drinks with your friends, attending parties and relaxing while watching TV are some of the simple pleasures you indulge in. You may also enjoy physical exercise. Your driving force is to retire as early as possible, so that you can do the things you enjoy more often. Your main source of ambition comes from this desire.

You don't particularly like your job but you do it without complaining. You realize that the income that it provides is essential to your lifestyle. You are friendly yet competitive with your co-workers. This competitiveness may lead you to squander your earnings to match other peoples' possessions.

You operate most effectively when there is a set power structure, and the lines of authority are clear. You know your place in the ranks, you play by the rules, and will deliver what is expected of you. You do not care for responsibility; you would rather be care free.

Ah well, not any more useful than a goofy horoscope.
posted by nj_subgenius at 7:39 AM on June 11, 2005

Yes, it's all pretty irrational. On the other hand, this imitation of the column Mitch Albom would write is a scream. When I wrote for a newspaper I actually had people try to teach me to write this way.

And Mitch Albom is a godawful writer.
posted by argybarg at 7:40 AM on June 11, 2005

I had no idea such a jewel of a turd was sitting just under my nose. Now i have reason to open my free newspaper every day. Rummaging through the links to Mitch's stuff on the blog there reminded me of why I loved being the editor of the school newspaper in highschool.

nj_subgenius: could you post the link for that face analyzer? I wonder what mine says about me... Besides you know, that I need to shave.
posted by phylum sinter at 8:13 AM on June 11, 2005

Here...
posted by nj_subgenius at 8:19 AM on June 11, 2005

:: smites Mitch Albom ::
posted by God Almighty at 8:23 AM on June 11, 2005

Cmon now... this is jealous and hateful (though I admit the sample is pretty funny).
posted by mert at 9:00 AM on June 11, 2005

You guys act like Albom is some sorta hero. Does no one remember the incident a few weeks ago where he wrote about two guys' experience at the NCAA basketball finals, and then it turned out they didn't even go, and he had made the whole thing up? And then every comedian did a bit along the lines of "The Two People You Don't Meet at the NCAA Tournament"?

Between that and his Oprah-baiting books and general goobish behaviour, I'd think he was fair game for having a bit of a laugh, yes?

Maybe if he said he liked George Bush, or hated Apple...
posted by First Post at 9:23 AM on June 11, 2005

I have to say, the columns linked to in the blog entries did suck. Noticeably.
posted by clevershark at 9:57 AM on June 11, 2005

We all know Mitch sucks at writing and at life, but did you know he also is a shitty songwriter/lyricist?

heheheh.

by the way, I've never heard of this guy before, and its still funny.
posted by Edible Energy at 10:07 AM on June 11, 2005

On first skimming, the "parody" site seems lame. (I think it's difficult to write good satire if you're just all-consumed with hatred for the subject.)
But count me among the Detroiters who think Albom is a smug asshat of a second-rate talent. During the recent brouhaha I was pleased to see that so many others share my opinion of him.
I also learned that my alma mater refuses to send interns to his radio show after he threw something at one intern. I don't think the intern was seriously hurt because Mitch throws like sportswriter. But yay Oakland for taking that stand. (And sheesh, didn't Russell Crowe just get arrested for that kind of behavior?)
posted by NorthernLite at 10:23 AM on June 11, 2005

mitch albom and i share 2 alma maters. both continue - despite his recent ethical scandal - to kiss his ass. i never thought he was all that.
posted by LilBucner at 10:36 AM on June 11, 2005

Just Remember : Every attempt to "find yourself" is really an attempt to get away from the pathetic human being you really are.
posted by Satapher at 12:04 PM on June 11, 2005

I never read anything Albom wrote before visiting this link. Now I think he a worse writer than George Lucas. In fact, I think I actually hate him in my heart.
posted by Vallenwood at 12:25 PM on June 11, 2005

Well, it's good to see a young man who is so enthusiastic about the oeuvre of Mr. Albom.

... Just kidding. I too had only a faint idea who he is, namely the guy who wrote a book I didn't read which was turned into a movie I didn't see. This Morrie guy seems kind of obsessed, though. And what's with the name, why's that the same as the movie? Just a strange coincidence? Or is that perhaps the source of all the hate and venom? Like, every time he introduces himself, people will go "Oh, like the movie?" Would certainly get on my nerves after the third time. Which reminds me, one cruel thing to do is when parents of a baby introduce their offspring and it happens to have a slightly unusual name, just go "Oh, like the famous porn star?" and after a moment of embarrassing silence pretend you didn't say anything, but I disgress.
posted by sour cream at 1:37 PM on June 11, 2005

I actually like Mitch Albom, although my samplings are from the Detroit Free Press; So there.
posted by AllesKlar at 6:55 PM on June 11, 2005

This is the first time I've read anything by Mitch Albom. It's incredible, he's more obnoxious than Bill Simmons.
posted by sellout at 8:43 PM on June 11, 2005

What people tend to forget--even here in SE Michigan--is that Albom doesn't have to be a friggin' genius, or even a good writer: he inherited the generic-folksy-column position at the Freep from Bob Talbert.

If you think that Albom writes worse than Talbert, you is outta yo' mind. That bar was set limbo-low 20 years ago.
posted by beelzbubba at 10:35 PM on June 12, 2005