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Think it's tough to combine the subjects of the last two blog entries? Watch how easy it is.

Some time ago, it was a typical Friday night in the NCAA Tournament sometime in the Eighties. That is to say, the games had run really late. I think it was about 12:30 to 12:45 when the last game of the night finally ended.

At that point, your local CBS affiliate was obligated to show "your late local news." You'd hate to guess the size of the audience at that point; I think I could hear the television sets clicking off across Western New York.

Bob Koop and the rest of the crew at Channel 4 turned in a professional job, though. They went through the news, weather and sports. Then it was time to wrap up the show.

"That's News 4 Buffalo for tonight," the news anchor said. "Thanks for watching. Coming up next on Channel 4..."

With that Koop looked down at the script and started to laugh.

"... paid programming." Then with laughter and sarcasm, Koop added, "I know you are going to enjoy that. Good night."

Even Tom Vu couldn't produce that sort of laugh.