Entertainment Weekly isn't on the Fray's bandwagon

Around here, implying that the Fray is something less than the second coming of the Beatles borders on apostasy. In the world at large, however, the Denver band seldom gets special treatment -- unless said treatment is especially nasty. Take the "Coming Reactions" section of Entertainment Weekly's January 9 edition,...

By Michael Roberts

January 5, 2009

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Around here, implying that the Fray is something less than the second coming of the Beatles borders on apostasy. In the world at large, however, the Denver band seldom gets special treatment -- unless said treatment is especially nasty.

Take the "Coming Reactions" section of Entertainment Weekly's January 9 edition, which reviews "long movie-trailer-like ads for new and returning shows." The promo for the much-anticipated January 21 return of ABC's Lost receives a middling C+ grade that's justified by the following blurb: "Vague glimpses of Season 5 are intercut with shots of the Fray performing their latest power ballad. Translation: The new year of Lost will either be gripping, romantic, and easily accessible... or as lame as the Fray."

That sound you just heard was Isaac Slade canceling his EW subscription... -- Michael Roberts

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo