Does anyone know why Cecil Adams and Ed Zoti are not listed as being members of the Chicago Reader staff?
I would think that Ed would be listed as an editor, and Cecil as a columnist or a contributing writer.
I’m a semi-newbie here at the SDMB, and lurk more than post, but I know that there are occasional discussions about the existence of these two characters.
So, if the Reader wanted to make a statement that these two really existed, then why are they not listed in the masthead?
Dunno about Zotti, but “Cecil Adams” is registered trademark, which means he’s a fictitious character.
No, I don’t have a cite, but if you go to the US trademark website you can look it up.
Here’s the search page:
http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=searchss&state=a06v60.1.1
which came up with:
Word Mark CECIL ADAMS
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 016. US 038. G & S: NEWSPAPER COLUMN. FIRST USE: 19730202. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19730202
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 73631921
Filing Date November 24, 1986
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Owner (APPLICANT) CHICAGO READER, INCORPORATED CORPORATION ILLINOIS P.O. BOX 11101, FORT DEARBORN STATION CHICAGO ILLINOIS 60611
Attorney of Record RICHARD H. COMPERE
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL-2(F)
Other Data CECIL ADAMS DOES NOT IDENTIFY ANY PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL BUT WAS DEVISED AS A FANCIFUL NAME
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Abandonment Date March 29, 1989
Cool. Since it’s an abandoned mark, maybe Ebola Gay should start up a column, or a nightclub act, or whatever, and bill him/herself as “Cecil Adams” – and the Chicago Reader couldn’t raise a fuss.
Cecil’s DEAD?? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
: runs screaming out of the thread :
Just because his name is a trademark, does not mean that he is not real.
So
YOU SHUT UP WITH YOUR FILTHY WHORE LIES!!!
:mad: :mad: :mad:
Cecil alive or dead, fake or real are interesting topics for speculation, but I think the OP is asking: Why does the Reader have a column in its pages that has Cecil’s byline attached to it, but does not list him in the masthead?
I mean, if the Reader has a secret to protect (Cecil is dead, Cecil never existed, the column is ghost written by committee, etc.), then why isn’t the Reader consistent it its fiction and list Cecil as a columnist? Or do the Reader’s editors get off on fueling speculation?
I mean, c’mon, cover your tracks Reader … do something to throw the bloodhounds off the scent!
To back up Muad’Dib on this one, let’s take just one example. Now, we’ve all heard of Billy Joel, right? His name is a also a trademark. Now, I’ve seen Billy Joel on television and heard him on the radio. Surely you’re not telling me he doesn’t exist.
So in conclusion, you’re not going to burst my happy little bubble.
I’m sure the answer would be that Cecil is a syndicated columnist and not on the staff of the Reader at all. Therefore he doesn’t belong on the masthead at all.
“Other Data CECIL ADAMS DOES NOT IDENTIFY ANY PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL BUT WAS DEVISED AS A FANCIFUL NAME”
Sorry…
Pen name, anyone? I mean let’s look at ourselves for a moment, shall we? There are over 43,000 Dopers registered to this message board, if you were the man behind “Cecil Adams”, would you want 43,000+ knowing your name and approximate location?
I think it’s entirely plausible that there is a person who writes the column under the name “Cecil Adams”…
First Santa, then the Easter Bunny, now Cecil. Zotti’s got some explaining to do. If Zotti exists, that is…
Although they do have that article trying to cover up why Ed’s picture got published in the Librarian’s award for best Research Librarian ever…http://www.ipass.net/whitetho/edcecil.htm. I don’t know if that helps, but it makes me feel better.
Swamp gas, my ass.
After finding out that Cecil Adams was a pen name, I always assumed Ed Zotti was Cecil. They’ve never been seen at the same time, place. Hmmm.
Using that logic, Cecil Adams and I have never been in the same place at the same time. I can assure you, Ataraxy, that I am not Mr. Cecil Adams!
Using that logic, Cecil Adams and I have never been in the same place at the same time. I can assure you, Ataraxy, that I am not Mr. Cecil Adams!
Sure, you can assure us, but can you prove it?
But when Cecil, or “Cecil,” started the column in 1973, the concept of an Internet message board with tens-of-thousands of members wasn’t even fathomable.
He, or “he,” wouldn’t have taken a nom de plume for that type of security reason.
Damn, didn’t think of that. I suppose all hope is lost then.
First off, Cecil is an eccentric genius. Even from the first, he was afraid that if people could identify him (through pictures, for instance), he’d be mobbed by fans every time he went to the grocery store. Hence, he’s been very protective of his identity.
Second, Cecil started writing long before Ed Zotti was around the READER. His first editor was Mike Lenahan, and his second editor was David Kerr. Ed didn’t get on board until (IIRC) the late 70s, and Ed’s been the only one who’s been able to put up with Cecil’s eccentricities for more than a few years.
I’m not sure why Ed or Cecil aren’t listed on READER staff, I’ll ask and get back to you.
But you burst my happy little bubble by reminding me that Billy Joel exists. It’s not fair! :mad: