Front page lies - and that's just the free offer

Time was that shock-horror news was what sold tabloids, but these days - at weekends anyway - it is the merchandising deals. But can you trust the promotions any more than the headlines? Today's Sun offers two episodes of The Office "no tokens, no fuss"... taking most of the front page to back up its TV ads. Worth 50p, I thought, with the background excuse (if needed) that these days the series is used in management training. Except the DVD isn't there. Turn to the small print on page 41. "This DVD is polybagged inside The Sun in Carlton and Meridian (TV) areas only. Elsewhere it is instantly redeemable at Blockbuster stores." There isn't one of those round the corner, so I'm not sure I'll bother. Tomorrow, says the Sun, its sister paper the News of the Word is offering "Sex and the CD Vol. 2". I think I'll pass.