Michael Wilbon’s sports chat today highlighted a new wrinkle in the ongoing Paul Farhi/Tony Kornheiser battle:

Leesburg, Va.: So what was Tony’s reaction to Gene Weingarten’s article from last week? I loved the “review.” The only thing funnier [than] the satirical article was the reaction of the people who didn’t get the joke. Joe Thiesman made a comment that he would no longer be friends with anyone who wrote an article like that about him. I think Joe needs to get a sense of humor. I hope Tony found the article funny, but I’m worried that enough people didn’t get the joke, and that would bother him. 

Michael Wilbon: I haven’t talked to Tony about any more of those pieces. I know this for sure: most people weren’t certain if it was satire. I read the piece not knowing for sure until the agate type at the end…and that day (Tuesday of last week) I ran into a bunch of prominent Washingtonians who are faithful readers of the newspaper (we’re talking senior partners in law firms and one noted politician) who said to me they didn’t know for sure what to think, whether it was satire…Everybody’s sense humor, and this should be underscored, ain’t the same. Anyway, we know what Weingarten was trying to do and to some it was successful. I think Tony, who has taken millions of hard shots over 30 years, has to suck it up, be a big boy, and live with criticism. Don’t throw the rock if you’re not willing to take one on the forehead

What “prominent politician” couldn’t figure out that Weingarten was writing satire? Any bets? That’s what he does, folks.

Paul Farhi deserves a medal for the mess he’s stirred.