A Century of The New Yorker: From Tumultuous Beginnings to Digital Triumph

A Magazine's Dramatic Origin Story

Imagine a movie opening: bitter feuds, vanishing funds, and high-stakes poker games. Now, replace the film with a magazine – The New Yorker. Its 100th anniversary arrives during a turbulent time for both print and cinema, echoing the drama of its own inception.

Surviving the Print Apocalypse

In an era of collapsing publications and wavering support for giants like Time and Newsweek, The New Yorker, with its 1.23 million subscribers, stands as a testament to resilience. A forthcoming Netflix documentary will explore this very survival, likened to the enduring power of a Hollywood studio, boosted by periodic "blockbuster" articles.

From "In Cold Blood" to "Brokeback Mountain," The New Yorker's influence extended to the silver screen. Landmark pieces like "Hiroshima," "Silent Spring," and "Nuremberg" reshaped societal perspectives, a legacy continued by Ronan Farrow's exposé on Harvey Weinstein.

From "Gaiety and Satire" to Substance and Wit

While initially promising "gaiety and satire," The New Yorker, under its succession of editors, leaned into "argument, substance, humanity and wit," as described by current editor David Remnick. Some readers occasionally yearn for a lighter touch to balance the magazine's often-pointed political commentary.

Early attempts at humor, however, faced writer rebellions, with John O'Hara's infamous piece relentlessly demanding, "I want more money." The magazine's famously gruff founding editor, Harold Ross, fueled by "a diet of overwork and nicotine" (in Remnick's words), staunchly rejected advertisements deemed unseemly, like those for deodorants or alcohol.

Embracing the Digital Age

Remnick has spearheaded the magazine's foray into digital, audio, and video, expanding its reach and audience. His influence will be prominent in the upcoming Netflix centenary documentary, mentored by none other than Judd Apatow. The Film Forum in New York is even celebrating with a two-week festival of New Yorker-inspired films, from "Citizen Kane" to "Monkey Business."

Hope for the Print Medium?

While many traditional magazines have struggled, some intellectually stimulating publications, like The Atlantic and The Economist, continue to thrive, albeit often fueled by political discourse. Surprisingly, perhaps the most commercially successful magazine today is the Costco Connection.

The Unexpected Reign of Costco Connection

Emerging from the secretive marketing empire in Kirkland, Washington, the Costco Connection reaches a staggering 15.4 million subscribers monthly. Its content spans cruise vacations, fish sticks, virtual reality gaming, Wimpy Kid books, and even 18th-century midwifery. Some might call it a catalog masquerading as a magazine.

With its readership boasting an average income of $179,000 and a 92% homeownership rate, the Connection clearly resonates. Its covers feature everyone from Oprah to Springsteen. Jimmy Kimmel even jokes that a Connection cover is a career highlight on par with hosting the Oscars.

This endorsement likely ensures Kimmel a lifetime supply of Costco's iconic $1.50 hot dogs.