Our weekly recognition of less-than-meritorious excellence in journalism is worthy of Pulitzer Prize consideration.

As an extension of the media-mocking venture at Townhall, Riffed From The Headlines, we once again recognize the exalted performances in our journalism industry and compile worthy submissions to the Pulitzer Prize board in numerous categories. To properly recognize the low watermark in the press, let us get right to the latest exemplars of journalistic mis-excellence.

Distinguished Cultural Commentary

• Christine Rendon – The Daily Mail

You begin to wonder what the ratio is of news coverage of Kanye West, between his music career and all the other things he is up to. We apparently need to be updated on all of his arcane activities, so consider your life enriched to know that the rapper is involved with wrapping fast food in new packaging these days.

Kanye West announces he is redesigning McDonald's food packaging https://t.co/S0ffXfeune

— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) May 24, 2022

Distinguished Coverage In Frozen Desserts

• Thomas Friedman – New York Times

After going 100 days without giving a press conference, it was considered big news when Thomas Friedman was granted a personal interview with the President. Then came the bizarre news that the entire interview was off the record, so Friedman wrote a column about what he was– and was not– permitted to talk about. So, we learn about the glorious chocolate milkshake he enjoyed.

Beyond parody pic.twitter.com/EiCcVOzB7Y

— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) May 23, 2022

Distinguished National Reporting

• John Harwood — CNN

One of the more dependable defenders of Joe Biden and his numerous, not-his-fault-at-all challenges is John Harwood. There may be no better example of his dedication and fealty to the President than his constant insistence that the inflation issue and numerous other economic challenges the public faces. The problem is that in his latest round of rectal smoke blowing Harwood tries telling us families are doing well at the moment. His rosy outlook on behalf of Joe Biden manages to get undermined by…Joe Biden.

He may want to let Biden know how good we have it. pic.twitter.com/hZJqlF48Ox

— Schadenfreudelish (@aggierican) May 23, 2022

Distinguished Public Service

• Hafsa Kahlil – CNN

Most people who construct burritos are familiar with the needed techniques in construction integrity. The rolling method, application of sour cream as a sealant, and placement of the fold on the bottom to retain closure are known. But apparently, there are enough neophytes flummoxed with Mexican cocina origami that the creation of a tortilla adhesive was needed to ease consumption.

Four US engineering students were brainstorming the perfect invention for their product design course, when lunch inspiration — literally — fell into their laps https://t.co/mjsLnR87fv

— CNN (@CNN) May 26, 2022

Distinguished Breaking News

• Mike Baker – New York Times

You just know, ever since author Nancy Brophy was arrested for the death of her spouse, that The Times headline offices were just vibrating with the anticipation of running this one – and really, who could blame them?!

Nobody saw this coming???https://t.co/lzIbVeGix1

— Lie-Able Sources (@LieAbleSources) May 25, 2022

Distinguished International Reporting

• Olivier Vergnault – Cornwall Live

I guess when you have lawyers on retainer, you better put them to work. Condé Nast Magazines, which publishes Vogue, sent a threatening letter to a pub owner in Cornwall, located in a tiny hamlet. The issue – the magazine magnate was leaning on a copyright infringement because the pub is named The Star Inn at Vogue.

The company that had $2 billion in revenue last year was claiming it was concerned about losing commerce to a tiny bar in a hamlet with a few thousand residents. The owner promptly sent off a letter of scorn, informing the publisher that he was not, in fact, appropriating their couture publication, but that his business operates on location for generations and has been named for centuries after the village in which it is located.

As someone who works at Condé Nast I leave this here without comment – Vogue magazine threatens to sue Cornish village pub of the same name https://t.co/oFvIn8j97U

— Jeremy White (@jeremywired) May 13, 2022