What was your first job as a journalist?
My college newspaper was/is called "The Maneater." I still enjoy the musical (and hair) stylings of Hall and Oates.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
I used a word processor in eighth-grade typing class. Mine printed in cursive.
How is social media changing news?
It levels the playing field and shows that smaller publications can have just as much a voice as the major outlets.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
My college journalism days were often spent giving mad respect to Michael Keaton's character in the Ron Howard movie "The Paper."
What does it mean to be a journalist?
It means you get to document the interests, fashions, foods and more that were popular during your time in history.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I dunno, but now I want to start a Tumble called Funny News . GIFs welcome.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Email is great -- whitneyfriedlander@gmail.com.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Adobe Photoshop, CMS software, FileMaker Pro, Google Analytics, HTML, Microsoft Office, OpenOffice.org, Omniture, TypePad and WordPress.
What's your favorite social network?
Instagram. Because I'm easily distracted by shiny filters.
Who do you wish followed you?
Pop culture enthusiasts.
Why did you become a journalist?
Ask me tomorrow ... I'm on deadline.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Yep! First journalism award I ever won was for my musical critique of the "City of Angels" soundtrack. I placed third.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I love my profiles of unique people (or finding something to unique to say about famous people). And television trend pieces.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Network like mad. You're only as close to your dream job as your friends' friends.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Doesn't matter as long as it's over email.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
It involved cats and pop culture.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
Anything not remotely related to my beat.
What's your favorite drink?
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
On my phone. Womp womp.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Like a good Anglophile, my answer is The Guardian.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
All I do is watch TV. I also think about how it affects your (and my) conscious.
