When I was living in Caracas the local english language paper – the Daily Journal, printed what everyone knew to be an April Fools joke. They ran a front page story that construction crews doing sidewalk and water main repair had discovered underneath a sidewalk in a central part of the city an entire city more than 1000 years old – well preserved, intact, etc. The most important archeological find anywhere ever. It was hilarious, and obviously a prank. (Caracas was mostly a sugar cane plantation 100 years ago)
Not to the chairman of the archeology dept at the main university. He assembled a team of professors, students, local politicians and press that very morning and went over to take control of the site during the lunch break. Held his first press conference before actually visiting the site.
Real funny. Of course, he was embarrassed to no end. Local press had a field day with the guy. He demanded the police arrest the publisher, the editor, reporter (fictitious name). More ammo for the press. He finally gave up – or shut up – and the thing blew over. Always comes to mind this time of year.
Of course, after that the DJ was a bit more cautious with their pranks...
Not to the chairman of the archeology dept at the main university. He assembled a team of professors, students, local politicians and press that very morning and went over to take control of the site during the lunch break. Held his first press conference before actually visiting the site.
Real funny. Of course, he was embarrassed to no end. Local press had a field day with the guy. He demanded the police arrest the publisher, the editor, reporter (fictitious name). More ammo for the press. He finally gave up – or shut up – and the thing blew over. Always comes to mind this time of year.
Of course, after that the DJ was a bit more cautious with their pranks...