This time the full-page ad designed to fool readers for a few seconds is a mock version of the LAT Extra section — using the real nameplate and date but actually promoting the King Kong ride at Universal Studios. There is a warning — "Advertisement" — in red letters under the date and some difference in typography from the real news section. But if you don't look at the paper that often, it's a stopper to see big "news pictures" of destruction and a headline saying "Universal Studios Hollywood Partially Destroyed," with a drop deck about massive damage. The four-page ad section has a bunch of other fake news stories about destruction, but at least this time there are no real Times bylines used. On the real Times website, though, there is a story gushing about King Kong returning to Universal — and a travel section review that calls the new attraction "riveting," with links to a package of five other LAT blog posts or stories about...the new King Kong ride at Universal Studios. It all brings to mind the editors' expressed desire to "own Hollywood coverage"...or is it the other way around?

* Update: Charles Apple at visualeditors.com scans and analyzes.

Previously:
LAT's mock front page ad via Twitpic LA Observed
Alice in Thursdayland LA Observed
LAT sells front page for 'Southland' LAO
Eddy talked down from much worse NBC ad LAO