Flannery and his old company

New Cincinnati school board member Michael Flannery, three weeks into life as an elected official, is perhaps still best-known by his former titles, standup comic and reporter for WCPO-TV Channel 9.

On Thursday morning, he merged his roles as comic and politician - and needled a videographer for his former employer.

At a dedication ceremony for the newly built Academy of World Languages magnet school in Evanston, Flannery followed Ohio First Lady Frances Strickland and CPS Superintendent Rosa Blackwell in short speeches. The trio did the usual political speaking, heavy on acknowledgements, public thank-yous and uplifting remarks, but light on actual news.

Near the end of Flannery's speech, he turned his attention to WCPO's videographer. Despite the low likelihood of news, the region's news media turned out for a view of the First Lady and the photogenic school children dressed in world cultural garb.

"I'd like to thank the Channel 9 camera guy for coming in in the middle of the governor's wife's statements," he said. "Can I get you anything?"

With a comic's timing, he then landed the punchline: "Maybe a watch?"