here you go bob a real response !
The bottom line is that for the last 3 years, ROMANO (the Senior Editor of the largest bbing magazine in the world) and ME (the editor in chief of Musculardevelopment.com-- the website with the most contest coverage on the web) were both not given press passes. We had to sit in VIP SEATS that were paid for by BOSS BLECHMAN. There's no denying that fact.
And as of this morning, MD was only being given 2 press passes (one for our photographer and 1 additional pass). That means that Per Bernal had a seat and Steve Blechman had a seat. Romano, Me, Flex Wheeler, Shawn Ray, and Elyse Blechman (Steve's wife) all had to pay $600+ for VIP TICKETS to cover the SUPERBOWL OF BODYBUILDING. What's wrong with that picture?
If anyone out there wants to believe BOB CICHERILLO and think, for a moment, that AMI/WEIDER had any intention of breaking with the tradition of providing anything other than the 2 press passes, you're crazy. Likewise, MD has been covering the MR OLYMPIA for the last 15 years that I know. When was the last time we didn't want press passes? Did AMI/WEIDER really think we weren't gonna need press passes when their DEADLINE for press pass requests passed? Obviously, we were never informed of when that deadline was. For all other shows, we submit press pass requests when we book flights and hotels.
The bottom line is that AMI/WEIDER obviously realized the folly they were creating with regard to this press pass issue and decided to step up to the plate and toss us "NO BULL" guys a few extra freebies. For that, I'm appreciative and I just hope this entire "he said. she said" will just go away. End of story.
And here is a real answer...
All Steve requested was 2 press passes...TWO. Even after Robin emailed him back asking if he needed additional passes, it went un-answered. I have the email exchange which can be posted anytime, as well as the written request signed by Steve, asking for TWO passes.
To this date, NO ONE has purchased VIP tickets of the names mentioned.
Blechman can put whoever he wants on the press passes, if he chooses himself and Per Bernal...so be it, thats HIS choice...
If only TWO were alloted, why would Robin Chang email him back asking and offering MORE?
You can take the deadline issue out of the equation...it's basically irrelevant, even though th info has been put out there since MARCH, and somehow...everyone else seems to have gotten the memo, and their requests in on time...
There are 150 seats for press....TOTAL. Thats the reason for the deadline...so the major mags (yes, even MD) can be given choice seating placement...so yeah, I guess you can just ask for passes in the 11th hour...as long as you don't mind being in the back corner....then I guess you can bitch about how AMI is giving you the worst seats because of a rivarly.
Funny part is, Dave and John only get the info they get...from Steve, who choses to tell them what he wants...and of course...they buy it, hook, line and sinker...ultimately making them look like jackasses.
