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Relaunched Sun on Sunday was a scream... and a damp squib Relaunched Sun on Sunday was a scream... and a damp squib
(1 day later)
Headlines in red-top tabloids routinely shout in BIG CAPITAL LETTERS. The relaunched Sun on Sunday decided to up the ante by SCREAMING.Headlines in red-top tabloids routinely shout in BIG CAPITAL LETTERS. The relaunched Sun on Sunday decided to up the ante by SCREAMING.
The size of the headlines was the stand-out feature of a paper that flattered to deceive, offering a lot of unexciting editorial content.The size of the headlines was the stand-out feature of a paper that flattered to deceive, offering a lot of unexciting editorial content.
The front page was dominated by a seven-word headline over a story claiming that police are investigating claims that two Coronation Street stars were caught in bed with under-age girls five years ago.The front page was dominated by a seven-word headline over a story claiming that police are investigating claims that two Coronation Street stars were caught in bed with under-age girls five years ago.
Inside, two successive spreads also featured disproportionately large headlines. In one, Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell spoke of his willingness to forgive the young woman who accused him of rape.Inside, two successive spreads also featured disproportionately large headlines. In one, Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell spoke of his willingness to forgive the young woman who accused him of rape.
The next one was an interview with footballer-turned-actor Vinnie Jones about a marriage row after he was filmed kissing a Russian model, headlined "WIFE WENT NUTS".The next one was an interview with footballer-turned-actor Vinnie Jones about a marriage row after he was filmed kissing a Russian model, headlined "WIFE WENT NUTS".
In other words, it was business as usual. There was nothing remotely novel about the paper. Suggestions that the "new" Sun on Sunday (SoS) would move closer to the old News of the World proved to be unfounded.In other words, it was business as usual. There was nothing remotely novel about the paper. Suggestions that the "new" Sun on Sunday (SoS) would move closer to the old News of the World proved to be unfounded.
It was a damp squib that amounted to a succession of very average news page leads. Oddly, one story that deserved the screaming treatment, about almost of third of MPs having second incomes, was underplayed.It was a damp squib that amounted to a succession of very average news page leads. Oddly, one story that deserved the screaming treatment, about almost of third of MPs having second incomes, was underplayed.
Then we reached the column by Tony "the Mirror is dying" Parsons. He was treated to a front page blurb, so the editor, Victoria Newton, clearly thinks he is a prize signing.Then we reached the column by Tony "the Mirror is dying" Parsons. He was treated to a front page blurb, so the editor, Victoria Newton, clearly thinks he is a prize signing.
In fact, as the Daily Mirror took far too long to decide, he is no great shakes at all. Leaving aside his reactionary politics, his writing is, quite simply, dull.In fact, as the Daily Mirror took far too long to decide, he is no great shakes at all. Leaving aside his reactionary politics, his writing is, quite simply, dull.
His first effort - a predictable Sun-like rant about the European Union's president José Manuel Barroso - proved the point. His other squibs were routine too (although I agreed with his aside about Chris Huhne).His first effort - a predictable Sun-like rant about the European Union's president José Manuel Barroso - proved the point. His other squibs were routine too (although I agreed with his aside about Chris Huhne).
There were two goodish spreads after that - the "first UK interview" with Amanda Knox and a book extract by former Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh.There were two goodish spreads after that - the "first UK interview" with Amanda Knox and a book extract by former Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh.
A purple-themed gossip and review section was a magazine-style layout nightmare. And the sport was, well, the sport (with one typical pun heading: UNBALEIEVABLE).A purple-themed gossip and review section was a magazine-style layout nightmare. And the sport was, well, the sport (with one typical pun heading: UNBALEIEVABLE).
All in all, on this showing, the paper is not going to do much to reverse its sales slide. It will get an immediate boost because of the promotional hype and Trinity Mirror's helpful inspired decision to increase the cover prices of the Sunday Mirror and the Sunday People to £1.10, meaning that the Sun on Sunday is now 50p cheaper.All in all, on this showing, the paper is not going to do much to reverse its sales slide. It will get an immediate boost because of the promotional hype and Trinity Mirror's helpful inspired decision to increase the cover prices of the Sunday Mirror and the Sunday People to £1.10, meaning that the Sun on Sunday is now 50p cheaper.
But, long term, the paper's acronym, SoS, surely stands for Save Our Sun.But, long term, the paper's acronym, SoS, surely stands for Save Our Sun.
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