Good day, bad day: August 31, 2012

GOOD DAY FOR:

Lowbrow entertainment

TLC's reality series Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, a spin-off of Toddlers & Tiaras, scores better ratings than several networks that aired the Republican National Convention. [Opposing Views]

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Marketing, maybe

The University of Chicago uses a "Call Me Maybe" reference to woo potential applicants, writing in a letter: "I know that we just met you — and this is crazy — but here are our numbers" — before launching into a list of the school's numerical accolades. [Newser]

Seeing the light

New bionic eye technology allows an Australian woman who was blind for 30 years to see lights and shapes again. [Tecca]

BAD DAY FOR:

American tennis fans

Andy Roddick, America's best male tennis player, announces that he is retiring after he finishes competing in the U.S. Open. [BuzzFeed]

The ivory tower

Harvard investigates 125 students for possible cheating after school officials discover strikingly similar answers on a take-home test. [New York]

Haggling

A man calls the police to complain that a prostitute unexpectedly raised the price of her services after the business transaction was complete. The prostitute was arrested, and the man's charges are pending. [Gawker]

For more winners and losers see: Good day, bad day: August 30, 2012