Take Back the Times: L.A. Times Editor Typically In Chicago For 6 Days

In a flurry of bloggers reports, then denied, that L.A. Times editor James O'Shea had already designated assistant managing editor John Arthur to become a new managing editor of the Times, replacing the departing Doug Frantz, it became known on Friday that O'Shea was on his way to Chicago, where he would be for the next six days.

This is not surprising. O'Shea, sent out from Chicago at the age of 63 last fall to replace the ousted editor Dean Baquet, has never exactly moved to Los Angeles. His family remains in Chicago and O'Shea very frequently returns there on weekends and at other times. In the meantime, O'Shea is rarely seen out in the L.A. Times newsroom rubbing shoulders with the staff. He has hardly been a successful editor.

Word that at this critical time, when Times management is in limbo, O'Shea has chosen to take a long Fourth of July leave came from Arthur in an e-mail to LA Observed editor Kevin Roderick denying that, so far at least, he has gotten Frantz's job.

[CUT]

Getting rid of Tribune CEO Dennis FitzSimons, a proven incompetent, should be Zell's first order of business. If FitzSimons goes, perhaps Hiller and O'Shea would not be far behind.

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L.A. Times Editor Typically In Chicago For 6 Days