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Not News
The desperate search for [ a new angle on] Madeleine
By Bottleblondesurfer
17 September 2007
 I've been sitting on this for a while, better put it out before it happens.
I've nailed my colours firmly to the mast here, perhaps Fellpony is right you can't be angry and funny

We are imminently expecting the latest theory from the Portuguese police on the McCann disappearance. We have our regular group of media experts on hand, here, in the studio to assess it. They are hopeful that this one will maintain the police’s consistently innovative and inflammatory standard. Over to you, Tristam
Thank you, Jeremy.

 Yes the police, here, have really pulled the stops out. They have managed to extrapolate a whole case against the McCanns, on easily, the flimsiest of evidence yet. I really can’t see how they can top this one, but then I said that yesterday.

 Well, the head of police can’t be with us, today, as he had just moved house and memorizing his new address is taking priority right now, so I’ve just been handed a press statement to read out.

 

“We can now reveal we found dog hairs stuck to Mrs McCann’s shoes and similar hairs on the door mat which leads us to the obvious conclusion that they must have trained a large dog to take Maddy away and bury her somewhere. There are a lot of stray dogs round here and they will do anything for a dog biscuit. We also have damning evidence; a covert photo of Mr McCann stroking a dog, which he claims not to remember. We have consequently diverted all search teams to look for the dog. We are confident of an early result”.


Over to you and the team, Jeremy.

 
Well reaction here from the journalists has been fevered. They can’t believe their luck, not only will it fuel more wild, uninformed speculation about the family but there is the added bonus of the issue of stray dogs which should further polarise the public, a neat touch.
The Sun journalist is starting campaign to rescue the dog as we speak. This one should keep copywriters, media pundits and newscasters in a frenzy of action.
 It’s got all the necessary ingredients to keep everyone arguing, allowing the media to, happily, crank up even more rabid speculation.
 

I can safely say this one gets a big thumbs up from our panel, who all predict increased circulation. A really well judged piece with something in it for everyone……..with the exception of Maddy of course, but you can’t have everything.
  

Reviews

Written by stevetroster (1549 comments posted) 17th September 2007
Hard hitting, finger on the pulse, not funny in a funny sort of way yet about as comical as the real thing.  
Well done, 
Steve.
Dingo doings
Written by patterjack (1193 comments posted) 17th September 2007
No doubt the large dog was that same dingo that stole Azaria Chamberlain from the tent in the Northern Territory. 
 
Have any police yet been sent to Austraila ? 
 
patterjack

Written by coosh (867 comments posted) 17th September 2007
... plus the word "dog" spelt backwards is mentioned a few times in the Bible she was carrying. Nice angle, and you kept it simple and straightforward, just like the case itself. I assume the delay in posting is because you're glued to the Women's World Cup in China.

Written by Phil (6713 comments posted) 18th September 2007
There's so much material to lampoonhere that it's difficult to know where to start. Also, because of the nature of the case, it's difficult to really let rip. I know I've had a couple of ideas but abandoned them on grounds of taste. 
 
Having said all that, I reckon you managed to tread a careful line that will offend no-one. Hopefully. 
 
As Steve said: not funny in a funny sort of way. It is difficult to do anger and humour at the same time, but there was humour here - just not the laughing kind. Not a crit, just an observation.  
 
What's JP doing these days - and does he holiday in Portugal? Is he substantially fatter? Is the DNA in one Jag, but not the other?Now that would sell papers. 
 
Good to see you back. 
 
Phil. 
 
Hi BBS
Written by jean.day (2279 comments posted) 18th September 2007
I agree with everything the others have said. It was a cleverly written piece, but not so much over the top as to offend too many people.

Written by Livinginanattic (456 comments posted) 19th September 2007
More angry than funny. Nothing wrong with that, given the subject matter. You've done a good job in satirising the exploitation and incompetence we have seen in this case. 
 
Ben

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