On the way to the airport this morning I heard Todd Woodbridge, yes, the now-retired doubles tennis champion, talking with Neil Mitchell on 3AW about trashy magazines. Woodbridge was billed by Mitchell as a new social commentator on his show.
Over the course of the eight to ten minutes I heard Woodbridge did not engage in much commentary about magazines. He made fun of the medium and queries why anyone would buy them. Mitchell agreed with him.
What was billed as social commentary was lightweight fluff, not unlike the some of the magazines they criticised. Maybe Mitchell would say it has to be light to keep it moving. If that’s the case, don’t bill it as social commentary.
Magazine are important to Australia and Australians. Sales per capita are strong and browser interest even stronger. Women’s weekly magazines – the category in the cross-hairs of today’s discussion, are an important component of entertainment for many people.
Woodbridge seemed to not like the print medium because at one stage he asked why women who buy these things don’t go online and look at the pictures and read articles.
What could have been a worthwhile discussion was wasted.