Comments on: The Prank Review, with Juli Weiner: An Introduction http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/the-prank-review-with-juli-weiner-an-introduction Seriously, this could not be more beta Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:07:14 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: My Number Is My Address http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/the-prank-review-with-juli-weiner-an-introduction#comment-41328 My Number Is My Address Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:45:10 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19682#comment-41328 Ambler? Hilarious. I wish you had carried out the subsequent parts of the plan. My fiancee is currently vetoing my "prank" of not going to work ever again and seeing when they stop paying me. I say "prank" because she was really against it a lot more than I had hoped. Good to see someone from MontCo make it on the internet! Ambler? Hilarious.

I wish you had carried out the subsequent parts of the plan.

My fiancee is currently vetoing my "prank" of not going to work ever again and seeing when they stop paying me. I say "prank" because she was really against it a lot more than I had hoped.

Good to see someone from MontCo make it on the internet!

]]> By: petejayhawk http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/the-prank-review-with-juli-weiner-an-introduction#comment-41244 petejayhawk Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:28:56 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19682#comment-41244 Well, at least now we know the poor sap in charge of the engagement announcements for the good ol' <i>Ambler Gazette</i> reads The Awl. Hi there, engagement announcement editor for the good ol' <i>Ambler Gazette</i>! I'm drunk! Well, at least now we know the poor sap in charge of the engagement announcements for the good ol' Ambler Gazette reads The Awl.

Hi there, engagement announcement editor for the good ol' Ambler Gazette! I'm drunk!

]]> By: son of spam http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/the-prank-review-with-juli-weiner-an-introduction#comment-41242 son of spam Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:00:06 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19682#comment-41242 Spending Thanksgiving alone again, aren't you? Spending Thanksgiving alone again, aren't you?

]]> By: demonx http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/the-prank-review-with-juli-weiner-an-introduction#comment-41240 demonx Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:06:09 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19682#comment-41240 You know what? This is a passably funny, if caustic, story, but it falls short, somehow, of being a prank. A prank is something more than a mere lie, even a mere published lie. All the would-be pranksters did in this case is abuse the trust and low-grade incompetence of a local newspaper. A prank seems like it should have at least three qualities that this funny-sad story lacks: 1. an element of the deeply and rewardingly surreal, a beautiful unsettling of perception like the police car that MIT hackers famously parked on top of that university's monumental landmark dome. 2. an element of, as somebody said, afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted: a prank seems at best like a form of equalizer, the turning of a system of power against itself. In this case, it seems more like a case of the bored abusing the guileless. 3. an element in which the revelation of the prank--successively as an event, and as a revealed deception--is itself part of the intended drama or pleasure, rather than a restless and vexing extended anti-climax for both the pranked and pranking, as was the case here. I think that those unfortunate enough to have their own real weddings published on that same page and issue were demeaned. One measure of a prank, or at least of a skillful or thoughtful one, is a clear consciousness of, and deep care for the status and sensibility of subject, object, victim, witness, and especially innocent bystander. Bad job. You know what? This is a passably funny, if caustic, story, but it falls short, somehow, of being a prank. A prank is something more than a mere lie, even a mere published lie. All the would-be pranksters did in this case is abuse the trust and low-grade incompetence of a local newspaper. A prank seems like it should have at least three qualities that this funny-sad story lacks:
1. an element of the deeply and rewardingly surreal, a beautiful unsettling of perception like the police car that MIT hackers famously parked on top of that university's monumental landmark dome.
2. an element of, as somebody said, afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted: a prank seems at best like a form of equalizer, the turning of a system of power against itself. In this case, it seems more like a case of the bored abusing the guileless.
3. an element in which the revelation of the prank–successively as an event, and as a revealed deception–is itself part of the intended drama or pleasure, rather than a restless and vexing extended anti-climax for both the pranked and pranking, as was the case here.

I think that those unfortunate enough to have their own real weddings published on that same page and issue were demeaned.

One measure of a prank, or at least of a skillful or thoughtful one, is a clear consciousness of, and deep care for the status and sensibility of subject, object, victim, witness, and especially innocent bystander. Bad job.

]]> By: donner http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/the-prank-review-with-juli-weiner-an-introduction#comment-41187 donner Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:09:21 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19682#comment-41187 "Although in the same class at Upper Dublin High, the happy couple first met at Magistrate District Court when both answered summons for public urination." "Although in the same class at Upper Dublin High, the happy couple first met at Magistrate District Court when both answered summons for public urination."

]]> By: Wordsmoker http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/the-prank-review-with-juli-weiner-an-introduction#comment-41175 Wordsmoker Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:49:56 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19682#comment-41175 This is why newspapers are dying. Good. This is why newspapers are dying. Good.

]]> By: HiredGoons http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/the-prank-review-with-juli-weiner-an-introduction#comment-41172 HiredGoons Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:43:08 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19682#comment-41172 It's hard to tell if those are smiles of romantic bliss or smug self-satisfaction. Is there even a difference? It's hard to tell if those are smiles of romantic bliss or smug self-satisfaction.

Is there even a difference?

]]> By: katiebakes http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/the-prank-review-with-juli-weiner-an-introduction#comment-41168 katiebakes Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:37:34 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19682#comment-41168 The eyebrows are even aligned on the same plane. Nicely done. The eyebrows are even aligned on the same plane. Nicely done.

]]> By: HiredGoons http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/the-prank-review-with-juli-weiner-an-introduction#comment-41155 HiredGoons Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:06:35 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19682#comment-41155 Also: fucking awesome. Also: fucking awesome.

]]> By: ecgroom http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/the-prank-review-with-juli-weiner-an-introduction#comment-41153 ecgroom Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:06:21 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19682#comment-41153 Mmmmmmm...Weiner-Sickles (said in my best Homer Simpson impersonation). Mmmmmmm…Weiner-Sickles (said in my best Homer Simpson impersonation).

]]> By: HiredGoons http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/the-prank-review-with-juli-weiner-an-introduction#comment-41149 HiredGoons Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:01:31 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19682#comment-41149 I believe you meant to say an 'opposite wedding.' I believe you meant to say an 'opposite wedding.'

]]> By: formerly it takes a lot etc. http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/the-prank-review-with-juli-weiner-an-introduction#comment-41145 formerly it takes a lot etc. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:59:46 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19682#comment-41145 I third the thing about the name and demand that you proceed with the nuptials tout suite. I promise an appropriate kitchen gadget or appliance. But bring us up to date: where is spurned bridegroom? Did the joke turn real, and he now regrets having missed out on The One? Does he appreciate now the force of cosmic justice, the danger of mocking emotions for a few chuckles, fire and fingers and, yes, burned? I third the thing about the name and demand that you proceed with the nuptials tout suite. I promise an appropriate kitchen gadget or appliance.

But bring us up to date: where is spurned bridegroom? Did the joke turn real, and he now regrets having missed out on The One? Does he appreciate now the force of cosmic justice, the danger of mocking emotions for a few chuckles, fire and fingers and, yes, burned?

]]> By: jagorev http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/the-prank-review-with-juli-weiner-an-introduction#comment-41140 jagorev Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:45:19 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19682#comment-41140 I don't know if I should feel jealous that Juli is cheating on our Wonkette, or kinda turned on by this whole editor-swap thing. I don't know if I should feel jealous that Juli is cheating on our Wonkette, or kinda turned on by this whole editor-swap thing.

]]> By: myfanwy http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/the-prank-review-with-juli-weiner-an-introduction#comment-41138 myfanwy Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:41:32 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19682#comment-41138 "Weiner-Sickles". Ha! It's almost worth actually getting married to have that last name. "Weiner-Sickles". Ha! It's almost worth actually getting married to have that last name.

]]> By: Tuna Surprise http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/the-prank-review-with-juli-weiner-an-introduction#comment-41137 Tuna Surprise Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:41:04 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19682#comment-41137 Weiner-Sickles? I think you should go ahead with the marriage. Weiner-Sickles? I think you should go ahead with the marriage.

]]> By: petejayhawk http://www.theawl.com/2009/11/the-prank-review-with-juli-weiner-an-introduction#comment-41134 petejayhawk Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:33:29 +0000 http://www.theawl.com/?p=19682#comment-41134 So <b>this</b> is where you were all morning. Tsk tsk. So this is where you were all morning. Tsk tsk.

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