Tuesday, September 23, 2008

The big questions- Women's Weekly














I was flicking through a copy of Woman’s Weekly at lunch today, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the people responsible for writing up the articles. When they were young and idealistic, dreaming of breaking that one big story and the riches of journalistic integrity, did they think they would have to churn out crud such as “Prince Frederick and Mary, A Love Story”? Or “Olivia’s Love Match in Peru”? While I am sure most people are there just to pay the mortgage, am I being elitist and looking down on a job that makes a certain person happy?

As people enjoy reading this vapid shit I guess there must be people who enjoy writing it too.

But who?

17 comments:

Perseus said...

Who's that in the photo? Is that ONJ and the dead/missing husband?

I wonder if the writers are actual journalists, as such.

Perseus said...

Oh, and even bigger question than your big question. Why the Hell were you reading WW in the first place?

Anonymous said...

Why the Hell were you reading WW in the first place?

Perseus, you have your spank bank material and Stubbadub has his.

Personally, a good copy of House and Garden gets me hot under the collar.

WitchOne said...

I'm sure they aim for the over 50 demographic. Those who are old enough to have lived enough tragedy to need fairy stories.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

My mum hearts Women's Weekly. She keeps her stash for me so that I can catch up on Christmas day. You know, when you've had the turkey and the wine and everyone goes to sleep or plays with their new toys? That's when I read it.

She's started on the Ok! though, and I don't think that's ok at all.

patchouligirl said...

Who's that in the photo? Is that ONJ and the dead/missing husband?
The new husband does resemble the one who went missing. I usually flick through the magazines while I wait at the checkout but only ever buy the occassional recipe mag.

Did anyone see the story of Bruce the domineering pig on tele last night? I felt for the film crew who got that gig. And the woman! "oh he's locked me in my house and terrorised me but I'm a vegan so I can't bear to think of anything bad happenning to him" Aaarghhh!

wari lasi said...

I've been arguing with the estranged Mrs L about these crappy rags for years. For a woman who is actually exceptionally intelligent, I still can't fathom it. She buys them all, Who, WW, WD, NI, Ok. She says it's a bit of escapism from Uni essays and school stuff.

Go figure.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Most of the international copy would be provided by the big, overseas agencies, Stubb.

And far from being "young and idealistic, dreaming of breaking that one big story and the riches of journalistic integrity" most of the young journos I meet got into the journalism caper because they "like, rilly, rilly want to be on television?".

Sad but true.

Anonymous said...

"oh he's locked me in my house and terrorised me but I'm a vegan so I can't bear to think of anything bad happenning to him"

Typical bloody vegans, always looking a gift pig in the mouth.

Most people would think feral pig = month's supply of free bacon.

Melba said...

re question from perseus, the dude in the pic is olivia's current husband, who she married in peru pehaps wearing a lot of beads and inca-type drapery.

the other missing/dead guy was her affianced/boyfriend. but don't quote me on all that.

Anonymous said...

Livvy's looking good.

Amazing what a truckload of plastic surgery, botox, and rejuvenating masks squeezed from the livers of little Incan boys can do for your appearance.

Stubbadub said...

Oh, and even bigger question than your big question. Why the Hell were you reading WW in the first place?

It was the only thing in the lunchroom. I swear.

And Ramon, that is sad. But surely some must want go down the serious jorno path?

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

But surely some must want go down the serious journo path?

Not really Stubb, no.

I could write a post about this that would make your hair curl - but I'd be accused of being a crumpy old cunt.

shitbmxrider said...

I wanted to be a journalist back in my younger years (ie: Year 10-11-12)....but, only as a Motoring Journo.


If I had to write about anything else, not fucking interested.


The dream, it is still there...

Unknown said...

that would make your hair curl - but I'd be accused of being a crumpy old cunt.

Or a crimpy old cunt.

Kerces said...

Ramon, Stubba, I'm not most, but I became a journo a) because of a boy (long and complicated and related to writing) and b) because my french teacher told me i asked too many questions. I don't want to be on television. I do want to wind up in the press gallery. But as I said, I'm not most.

(but don't worry ramon, the naive idealism is slowly seeping out and being replaced with cynicism and swearing about RTA pr buffoons)

I have (perhaps to answer the original question) met plenty of girls who want to write for magazines. I don't think they understand how much shit (I believe) you have to put up with to eventually get anywhere near a keyboard, let alone published.