Parade (magazine)
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- For other uses of the word (with different case), see Parade (disambiguation).
PARADE is a magazine, distributed as a Sunday supplement in hundreds of newspapers in the United States. It was founded in 1941 and is owned by Advance Publications.
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[edit] Composition of the magazine
The magazine is printed on newsprint, although usually a higher quality of newsprint than the rest of the newspaper, but far from the glossiness of a newsstand magazine or a coupon insert.
The magazine has one main feature article, occasionally a smaller feature article, and a number of regular columns. There is also a significant amount of advertising for consumer products that appeal to conservative suburbanites, some with clipable coupons or tear-off business reply cards (known as Parade Ansercards). Direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising is common. Most issues have several "public notice" type advertisements such as notifications of recently settled class-action suits.
[edit] Mission statement
"Joining the right writer to the right idea, PARADE consistently provides its readers with quality stories. That quality itself is defined by three elements: clarity, authority and substance. Each article must be clear in design and content and well researched and written with a voice of authority. It must also have substance, telling readers something they didn’t know before and giving them an opportunity to effect change."
[edit] Columns
- Personality Parade by Walter Scott (a pseudonym; the author is Edward Klein)
- This section is a roundup of questions about various celebrities. More often than not, the celebrities mentioned will be involved in some project or movie which is just about to be released.
- Ask Marilyn by Marilyn vos Savant
- Marilyn answers questions from readers, ranging from brain-teasers, to explanations of illogical customs, to advice, to actual legitimate philosophical questions. Occasionally she will pose a brainteaser of her own, or poll her readers.
- Health by Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld
- Fitness by Michael O'Shea
- Gadget Guide by Robert Moritz
- Profiles newly released gadgets.
- In Step With by James Brady
- An in-depth interview with a celebrity, usually one who has a new project.
- Intelligence Report by Lyric Wallwork Winik
- Consumer advice, often for saving money or understanding tax laws.
- Laugh Parade by Bunny Hoest and John Reiner
- Fresh Voices
- A collection of short (1–2 sentences) speeches or essays by high school (or younger) students on a topic of general interest, reminiscent of "man-on-the-street" reaction interviews by local TV news.
The magazine has also become known for its annual list of the 'The World’s 10 Worst Dictators', which has been published each year since 2003 by David Wallechinsky. Published each January or February since 2003, the series reports on the heads of state who have committed the worst abuses of human rights in the previous year.
[edit] In popular culture
- In the Family Guy movie, Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story, Stewie Griffin meets his future self, and is disgusted by what a loser he had become. One thing that particularly angered Stewie, was the fact that his future self reads Parade magazine.
- In the animated television series The Simpsons eighth season episode "The Simpsons Spin-off Showcase," Principal Skinner works for Chief Wiggum as his private detective sidekick in New Orleans. "Skinny Boy" describes how he read about the infamous crimelord, "Big Daddy," in Parade magazine.
- In The Simpsons episode G.I. (Annoyed Grunt), Homer Simpson joins the Army and demands a parade, but is given a copy of Parade magazine instead.
- In The Simpsons episode Home Away From Homer, Ned Flanders says he saw his first Humble figurine in (a parody of Hummel figurines) in Parade magazine.
