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HEARNE CHRISTOPHER CRITICIZED FOR LACK OF SOURCES There is little doubt that Hearne Christopher, gossip columnist and shill for the Kansas City Brigade at the Kansas City Star, is disliked by fellow writers at the newspaper. However, since he has one of the most read columns in the entire paper (possibly THE most read column), his job is very secure. The main reason other writers say they don't care for him is that he has no set beat to cover. This means he can write about anything he wants including their beats, which can include politics, restaurant openings/closings, new small businesses, sports, etc. What particularly irritates beat reporters is that when Christopher gets information wrong people they get criticized because sources assume all reporters work together on stories. This has happened numerous times on the small business beat. However, the main complaint aired by TV (and radio) media types in town who are traditionally quoted in local gossip columns, is that Christopher is just plain lazy and uses the same sources over and over again. "If Hearne likes a certain PR person like (Rob) Thomson, (Vivien) Jennings or Mancow (Muller) he has no problem quoting them in nearly every column," says one local TV staffer in a note to BLC. "I've been in markets all over the country and have never seen this phenomena. It's just being lazy using the same sources in every column." His "Cowtown Confidential" column (4/10) highlighted this issue: The lead focused on the Brigade, KC's Arena Football League team, which is in last place with a 2-10 record. The Brigade's PR guy Rob Thomson--and Survivor star Danni Boatwright, who does TV for the games--- are quoted extensively (and again 4/19, 2/23). In the 4/10 column the Thomson/Boatwright duo discussed ad nauseam a touch football match involving area mascots during the halftime of a recent Brigade game. He has written at least three mascot stories, including again on 4/16. Christopher concluded his 4/10 column by listing the upcoming schedule of authors who will be visiting his friend Vivien Jennings' Rainy Day Books. It featured times, dates, costs, etc.. If anyone else had asked the Star to print that type of information they would be told to contact the Advertising Department. His lack of sources have fueled vicious gossip that he might be following in the footsteps of Jared Paul Stern, "Page Six" gossip columnist for the New York Post. We certainly don't believe that is the case.
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