Big changes at the NYT Mag. They seem to be dropping most of the things people like, or like disliking. Sad about G-Hef, in particular, who actually quoted the Cod's biological host in a column spanning 17th century radical religious sects and Mike Gundy. Hesser's sometimes entertaining recipe redux thing is done, too. It's not clear what will be left, leading the Cod to suspect that the NYT mag will be phased out and replaced by Parade. In time, I am confident that the Times readership will come to cherish Personality Parade and the antics of Howard Huge as much as they do these features that have been the staple of many Sundays for many years.
But. The saddest part of all is the plea at the end of the final Ethicist column:
I am sorry to leave The Ethicist but eager to work on “A Question of Ethics,” a program in development for public radio. If you’d like to find out about my next endeavors, please“like” me on Facebook. That sounds so desperately Sally Field, and I don’t mean it that way. Or do I?
Randy Cohen was no Safire or Baker, but it's hard to imagine a less dignified exit. As if you needed reminding, it's shaping up to be just another Guiteau Monday.
*Did Mike Gundy predict cause the death of print journalism back in 2008?
I was reading the magazine and 5 columns in a row had "this is the last column" embedded somewhere within . . . it was a strange feeling . . . and I felt moved to write and complain that the new editor should have had some sort of "dear readers, we are making the following changes for the following reasons": kind of thing - but I did notice that a blogger that you recommended (Hairpin) will have a monthly piece . . . or join the Parade as you say . . .
Posted by: Linda | Monday, 28 February 2011 at 06:50 PM