VIBE, the black Rolling Stone magazine, folds after 16 years

I still remember the first time I got a byline in VIBE; a forgettable, four-paragraph piece about super-talented character actor Steve Harris, who was playing chrome-domed lawyer Eugene Young on ABC's The Practice.

Didn't matter how small the gig was, though. It allowed me to put VIBE magazine on my resume, and that's all I cared about.

VIBE was the Rolling Stone magazine for black music and black culture, featuring hip-hop-inspired columnists with patter so thick it was sometimes hard to read, and insight into the oddball ways of black artists who were less likely to get attention from mainstream music mags.

But all that is about to vanish. VIBE is shutting down, according to numerous reports on Gawker, AOL's Daily Finance blog and among journalists who should know. The closing places VIBE on a long and depressing list of magazines which have gone away this year, including Radio & Records and Blender. (cofounder Quincy Jones has said he wants to buy the magazine back, but it's unclear whether that's just idle talk)

Paid Content has a list of all the magazine which have folded this year, and the list includes:

Alpha Media Group: Blender—March (Online only);

Hearst: CosmoGirl—December-January (Online only);
Hallmark Cards: Hallmark Magazine—February-March (Shuttered)—Up 11 percent
Condé Nast: Portfolio—May (Online only)
Hearst: Oprah At Home—January (Shuttered)
Ziff Davis: PC Magazine—January (Online only)

Billboard: Radio & Records—June (Shuttered)
American Express: Travel + Leisure Golf—March-April (Website still live, but inactive)
Wicks Media Group: Vibe—June (Possibly online only—stay tuned)

Such a fate didn't seem possible back in 1993 when Jones founded the magazine, stirring up controversy when it was revealed that editor Jonathan Van Meter was a white guy. Eventually, VIBE's brand expanded to include a 1997 talk show and an annual awards ceremony. Check the magazine's history here.

But recent money troubles led to a sale in 2006 and more recently, cut salaries and shortened work weeks for staffers.

As the magazine prepares to officially announce its status later today, the only question left is how many great pop culture magazines will vanish before this awful media recession ends?  

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Infomercial company declares one-week moratorium on Billy Mays spots

It's an eerie sight: reruns of Billy Mays commercials playing on in the wake of his death on Sunday.

But one company that hired him to turn their product into a serious moneymaker, Mighty Putty owner Media Enterprises, says it will declare a one-week moratorium on Mays' commercials for the putty, and Mighty Mendit, as a tribute to the fallen pitchman, resuming airings on Monday.

Another company, Wisconsin-based Impact Gel, is reconsidering plans to implement a national marketing campaign built around Mays.

Impact Gel was featured in the first episode of Mays' Discovery Channel show Pitchmen and is one of the salesman's best-known new products (Mays took the product on talk shows, wrapping his hand with the material and banging it with a hammer.

"After 10 years as Billy's business associates and personal friends there is no doubt that Billy would expect the show to go on," said Bill McAlister, President of Media Enterprises. "A brief moment of advertising silence seems to be fitting tribute to the world's greatest infomercial voice.  He will be missed."

Some might ask whether taste might indicate holding off running his commercials for much longer. Few infomercial hosts are as well know as Mays; it's tough to gauge the impact for consumers who will see products pitched by a pitchman they know is deceased.

Look below to see what you'll be missing this week. Click below to see the release from Media Enterprises on their decision.

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6 laid off at WTVT-Ch. 13; news finally in HD

Tampa Fox affiliate WTVT-Ch. 13 is the latest TV station to feel an economic pinch, laying off six workers on Thursday including four staffers from its newsroom.

Skeptics predicted that job reductions might follow the start of a new Local News Service allowing WTVT to team with rivals WFTS-Ch. 28 and WTSP-Ch. 10 to gather footage of routine news events.

But WTVT general manager Bill Schneider insisted the job reductions and the LNS were not connected, citing the station's success Saturday in securing the last TV interview with infomercial king Billy Mays before his death as evidence their newsroom continues to move along.

"The decision to make changes in the building is an ongoing process which has lasted a year," he added.

WTVT also plans to debut high-definition newscasts at 5 p.m. Tuesday, making the Fox station the last Tampa broadcaster with a news department to go HD. (WFTS-Ch.28, WTSP-Ch. 10 and WFLA-Ch. 8 were all broadcasting newscasts in HD by January 2008.)

"When you do nine hours of news a day, it's a huge undertaking," said Schneider, noting recent figures from Nielsen Media Research indicated about 41 percent of the market can now watch high-definition programming.

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As a tribute to Billy Mays, Discovery runs day-long 'Pitchmen' marathon Wednesday

In tribute to the late, legendary infomercial host Billy Mays, the Discovery Channel has planned a series of  announcements honoring Mays to air within an already-planned marathon of his unscripted series Pitchmen on Wednesday.

The channel will present all 11 previous episodes of Pitchmen, starting at 11 a.m. At 10 p.m., the series finale will air, with a slate added to the end of the show commemorating Mays, who died in his sleep Sunday.

Mays' partner on Pitchmen, Anthony "Sully" Sullivan, said Sunday he hoped to convince Discovery to turn Wednesday's show into a tribute. But the channel announced today it will develop a special tribute show for another time.

The channel also said no decision has been made about whether they will bring back Pitchmen for a second season without Mays. "The network is focused on supporting Mays' family and friends during this time of incredible loss," the statement said.

Click below to read the full release from the Discovery Channel.

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Hillsborough County medical examiner says Billy Mays showed evidence of heart disease

Turns out, all the speculation about infomercial king Billy Mays hitting his head during a flight or having problems related to hip replacement surgery may be moot: the Hillsborough County medical examiner has ruled out head trauma and blood clots, saying they found evidence of hypertensive heart disease and hardening of the arteries.

Mays, 50, was found dead in his Tampa home Sunday morning by his wife. Because Mays had flown on a airplane that had trouble landing Saturday -- a wheel blew out on landing and Mays told a journalist after getting off the plane that he struck his head during the rough stop -- airwaves and Web sites were filled with speculation about whether the incident might have caused his sudden death.

In a press conference that just concluded, Hillsborough County Medical Examiner Dr. Vernard Adams said an official cause of death could take 6 to 8 weeks while they sort through toxicology reports. But they did find evidence of the kind of heart disease which doesn't reveal symptoms in a third of cases until the person affected dies.

"He had no history of heart disease," Adams said in a press conference aired on Bay News 9 cable newschannel. "This came as a total surprise."

See the tribute to Mays I wrote for today's newspaper by clicking here.

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How I channeled my inner Simon Cowell to help pick the Tampa Bay Idol finalists

In the middle of a day that eventually saw the demise of both Farrah Fawcett and the King of Pop, I gathered with a spirited crew of Tampa Bay area media and music people for a more positive purpose.

For the first time, I joined St. Petersburg Times music critic and colleague Sean Daly, MJ Morning Show personality Meredith, area vocalist Belinda Womack and WTVT-Ch. 13 feature reporter Charley Belcher on Thursday to help judge WTVT's Tampa Bay Idol contest.

The 10 folks we selected will perform in person -- and without music -- at noon Wednesday in the Westfield Brandon mall, to be judged in person by our motley crew. (And no, I am not planning on using the words "dawg," "pitchy" or "dude." Well, maybe dude.) 

This is one of the contests held by Fox affiliates nationwide to send a local person into a guaranteed audition slot at a nearby American Idol cattle call audition.

The winner in Tampa Bay, who will get a slot in the Idol auditions planned for July 9 at Amway Arena in Orlando, still face incredible odds -- they just get a ticket into the first rung of auditions before the show's talent producers.

Facing the show's star judges isn't even an option -- Randy Jackson Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi won't join the audition process until later in the year -- assuming they all decide to continue on the show.

But last year's Tampa Bay winner Cesar De La Rosa (left) traveled to the auditions in Hollywood; Idol winner Jordin Sparks got back into the contest as a local affiliate winner, after trying to audition off the street at a different cattle call.

So we sorted through about 80 eligible applicants and came up with a slate of 10 competitors and two alternates.  Our great hope: that the local Idol winner pulls a Jordin Sparks.

For anyone thinking of doing this again, let me offer a few pointers as someone who saw lots of audition tapes:

1) The background matters -- try to find a nice-looking space to film your video. And if you do it in your bedroom, at least make the bed and pick up the dirty clothes in the background (shudder).

2) Pick a song that has more than two notes in the melody and gets interesting early. Too many singers almost got doinked because the songs they chose took too long to get interesting. Also, try to pick songs that are familiar, but not typical audition fodder -- several applicants chose the classic ballad At Last, which can feel monotonous after the fifth time.

3) Look at your tape after you make it, and record it again if the tape didn't turn out well. We got one video where you literally could not see the face of the singer, because he was shrouded in shadow. Other recordings cut off the beginning of the performances or had other obvious, glaring problems. And make sure the video file, DVD or VHS tape actually works before you mail it.

Here's the list of Tampa Bay Idol Finalists – in no particular order:

    * Antoinette Smith, Tampa
    * Amy Weaver, St. Petersburg
    * Alexandra Amor, St. Petersburg
    * Syreeta Banks, Bradenton
    * Samantha Leigh, Tampa
    * Derrick “DeeJay Young Jr., Tampa
    * Brad Iturriaga, Plant City
    * Caroline Kelly, Wesley Chapel
    * April Slazas, Clearwater
    * Daniel Pate, Auburndale

Alternate #1
Krystal Lambert, Orlando
Alternate #2
Kelly Sykes, Tampa

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Could conflict over Billy Mays' death spark another fight between morning radio jocks MJ and Bubba the Love Sponge?

Tampa radio personality Todd "MJ" Schnitt says he talked to infomercial pitchman Billy Mays at about 10 p.m. Saturday, calling the host directly after hearing about Mays' rough landing on an airplane which blew a tire while landing in Tampa.

But Schnitt's rival in morning radio, Bubba the Love Sponge Clem, says he first broke the news of Mays' death online at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Schnitt announced it at 11 a.m. Sunday on WFLA-AM 970, after getting tipped to Mays' death around 9:30 a.m.

Schnitt's conversation could make him the last non-family member to speak with Mays, who died in his sleep after going to bed Saturday night.

He plans to feature Mays son, Billy Mays III, on his morning show for WFLZ-FM 93.3 Monday morning -- delaying his vacation by a day to memorialize the infomercial king.

 Schnitt (left) also taped a conversation with Mays' partner Anthony "Sully" Sullivan for airing Monday and spent time Sunday telling local media of his last conversation with the well known pitchman -- revealing that Mays had just signed a deal to represent Taco Bell in his signature style.  

"I just called him as a personal friend," Schnitt said, noting that Mays talked about getting hit in the head when the luggage compartments opened during the flight. "He sounded groggy . . . (but) he was coming off an OxiClean (commercial) shoot in Philadelphia . . . He said he was tired and he was going to sleep."

Will Mays' death become another bone of contention between Clem (right) and Schnitt, who sued his rival last year alleging "false, highly offensive and defamatory statements" against him and his wife?

I guess that's something we'll learn Monday morning.

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Were you on the plane?
Were you a passenger on the U.S. Airways flight from Philadelphia to Tampa on Saturday that blew out a tire on landing? If you were on Flight 1241, we’d like to talk to you. Please contact reporter Rebecca Catalanello, (813) 226-3383 or rcatalanello@sptimes.com.

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Legendary pitchman Billy Mays' death today leaves fans, friends stunned

As news spread of the death of infomercial king Billy Mays, found dead in his Tampa area home Sunday morning, longtime business partner Anthony "Sully" Sullivan was stuck in London, fielding an avalanche of phone calls and struggling to hold himself together.

Mays, 50, was pronounced dead at 7:45 a.m. at a Bowen Daniel Drive condo, discovered by his wife, Deborah Mays. Though Mays had been a passenger on a US Airways flight that had a tire blow out during landing on Saturday, Sullivan said he doubted the incident had anything to do with his friend's death.

"He was going into hip surgery, and he was a little nervous about it," said Sullivan, who last saw Mays on Tuesday when the two appeared together on The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien. "We were going to take the whole of July off . . . he was going to have his hip surgery and we were going to just relax.

During a press conference with police at 1 p.m. Sunday, a spokeswoman confirmed that Mays was due to have hip replacement surgery Monday. A reporter at the press conference said Mays told reporters on Saturday that a piece of luggage hit him in the head during the flight incident.

"I hate to say it, but the king is dead," said Sullivan, his voice breaking into tears. "I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I’ll always remember his booming voice – him saying 'Billy Mays here.' He was the best friend a man could wish for – he was much more than people knew."

Mays became an internationally known celebrity thanks to his energetic infomercials for products such as OxiClean detergent and Kaboom household cleaner. Always clad in his trademark, sky blue shirt and khaki pants, Mays drew audiences with a booming voice, expansive gestures and his well-known opening: "BILLY MAYS HERE."

Heralded as one of the most successful infomercial hosts in history -- he proudly claimed $1 billion in sales over his career -- Mays reached a new audience in April when the Discovery Channel presented a TV series based on his work with Sullivan, dubbed Pitchmen.

Cool Billy Mays Links:

*Hear audio from one of Mays greatest pitches and see photos from a Gulfport filming session for Arm & Hammer baking soda by clicking here; photo at left from that session.

*See my interview with Mays, featuring outtakes from some of his best-known infomercials, by clicking here.

*One of Mays' last infomercials was for the Jupiter Jack cellphone broadcast system. Check out that video on the product's Web site, by clicking here.

*Video from the Associated Press of Mays can be found by clicking here.

*And you can sign our guestbook on Mays' legacy by clicking here.

Pitchmen's last episode of the season is scheduled for Wednesday and Sullivan hopes to talk Discovery into reworking it as a tribute to his departed partner. "We were close as anyone could get over the last six months . . . I still can't even believe this," he said. everyone in Tampa is just devastated."

Mays, who had two hip replacement surgeries last year, talked about dealing with continuing discomfort during a commercial shoot in Gulfport in April. Even the consummate pitchman, he also used the opportunity to tout the product featured in the first episode of the TV series, Impact Gel.

"I had a tough year," he said. "I had (my hip) replaced twice. I had a staph infection from the first one, so this last year’s been trying. All my shoes have the Impact Gel in ‘em and it’s given me more stamina . . . I stand on my legs all day, I’m still feeling . . . I’m healing right now, so  these hard floors just kill ya. So it’s been a big lifesaver for me." 

Mays' son, Billy Mays III, noted his father's death on Twitter Sunday morning, saying: "On my way to the house. He's gone. I'm gonna be strong for him. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers everyone."

The Discovery Channel also released a statement Sunday morning, saying: "Everyone that knows him was aware of his larger-than-life personality, generosity and warmth. Billy was a pioneer in his field and helped many people fulfill their dreams.  He will be greatly missed as a loyal and compassionate friend."

Tampa police have announced a press conference at 1 p.m. No information yet on funeral plans.

Photos by Times photographer Scott Keeler

Here's a look at Mays' last talk show performance, on The Tonight Show, and one of his last infomercial pitches, for the Jupiter Jack:

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Talking Michael Jackson and the duality of his legend on National Public Radio

At the risk of overloading on Michael Jackson coverage, I'll post a link here to my appearance on National Public Radio's Tell Me More, where we waxed philosophical on the King of Pop during the roundtable Barbershop segment.

Initially, we were planning to talk this week about the craziness on Jon & Kate plus 8 (Jon Minus Kate Equals Hate, perhaps?), maybe slip in a little Ed McMahon and Mark Sanford material. But when TMZ declared Jackson dead at 5:20 p.m. Thursday, we knew all that had to change.

Check out my discussion with blogger/host Jimi Izrael, activist/writer Arsalan Iftikhar, columnist Ruben Navarrette and host Michel Martin.

I also appeared on WTVT-Ch. 13's Your Turn and offered some quotes to WMNF-FM for their news show later this evening.

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Twitter, Facebook prove invaluable as Michael Jackson story exploded in media

Twitter and Facebook have emerged as valuable tools in tracking stories where access is tough; consider the unrest in Iran and terrorist attacks in Bombay as recent examples.

But as news of Michael Jackson's death unfolded Thursday, these online tools offered ways to track the exploding story closer than the continuous coverage offered by cable TV news and more conventional outlets.

The race started when Jackson was taken to the hospital, said to be in cardiac arrest, which is fatal unless treated immediately, but no one had many details on his condition -- at least, until the entertainment Web site TMZ posted an entry at 5:20 p.m. Eastern time stating that Jackson was dead.

It was a declaration the Los Angeles Times wouldn't confirm for nearly an hour, forcing cable TV outlets and news Web sites to cite TMZ's reporting. Accounts that Jackson wasn't even declared dead until 5:26 p.m. leave lots of questions about how TMZ got its info. ("Everything starts with a tip," TMZ managing editor Harvey Levin told the Associated Press Thursday.)

The news raced across the microblogging service Twitter, making subjects such as RIP MJ and #michaeljackson among the most popular topics. A half hour before the Los Angeles Times would confirm Jackson's death, radio personality Ryan Seacrest tweeted "I am hearing from a source at ucla medical center, michael jackson has died. I am checking other sources right now."

Given the visibility of celebrities on Twitter, it makes sense that so many would express their condolences online. Even as cable TV channels scrambled to find big names for their shows, Paris Hilton told her followers on Twitter  "  :( I can't believe Michael is gone." Meghan McCain, daughter of Sen. John McCain, noted "It just feels like the end of an era for so many reasons." And MC Hammer said "I will be mourning my friend, brother, mentor and inspiration."

As a prank rumor began to spread that actor Jeff Goldblum might have died in New Zealand, a tweet from actor Kevin Spacey, who had spoken with Goldblum's manager, knocked that down (even CBS News passed along the message to its followers).

According to the Los Angeles Times, the explosion of interest doubled Twitter's update frequency and tripled Facebook's activity, as friends traded lists of favorite Jackson songs, links to treasured videos and commiserated on the unfolding media circus.

 By the time the big TV networks could offer prime time retrospectives Thursday night, fans with Twitter feeds and Facebook accounts had already seen loads of quotes, lists and video clips, traded and retweeted by a growing community of users who reacted more intensely than when Iran erupted after its recent elections and swine flu spread across the world.

"Already been asked several times if I'm 'disappointed' in Twitter for going much crazier over MJ than Iran election or Swineflu," tweeted Laura Fitton, author of the book Twitter for Dummies. "But see, Twitter's about 'What do we have in common.'  500 million have just Thriller in common, let alone the rest of his life/career."     

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