Radar Aims High, Hits

Well, no one is ever going to accuse Radar of elevating the discourse: For this month's issue they go lowest common denominator via the tried-and-true custom of superimposing heads on other people's bodies who happen to be naked. In this case, they are inflicting the execrable Tom Ford/Keira Knightley/Scarlett Johanssen Vanity Fair cover on us yet again, this time with images of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Rudy Giuliani. Ew. Though it has obviously achieved the desired effect — Radar's Tyler Gray has already been on MSNBC twice this morning to discuss it (and the politics-themed issue it graces). Folio's Dylan Stableford notes that it's a gimmick that works (he calls it a "Roshan tradition" thanks to the Tom Cruise/George Lois cover, though really the tradition seems to be photoshopping, given the Paris Hilton/George Bush, Prince Harry and Colin Farrell covers), but the question is, will it actually sell? It's not a very, er, appealing cover image — MSNBC's Mika Brzezinski looked at it, expressed revulsion and said "Get it off the screen" — and she tasked Gray to come back to her after it had hit newsstands to report on whether people actually bought it, because she had her doubts. There's no question that it's a mesmerizing image — you really can't look away, possibly because Rudy's head just looks so natural on Tom Ford's skin-crawlingly skeevy body — but it will be genuinely interesting to see how that translates into sales. So far, not surprisingly, it's translating into buzz. The devil's in the follow-up.

p.s. In case anyone's wondering, I don't particularly feel like Hillary's being objectified here — it is clearly a spoof, and hey, she looks pretty good. It's actually Obama who comes off worst, smooth and feminine and clearly not part of the conspiratorial whispering going on quite literally over his head. Sort of not something that emphasizes his raw strength as a candidate — a message that targets one of his weak spots. Whether or not that was intentional, that's an element Radar captured surprisingly effectively.

Hot On The Trail [Radar]

Related, because I can never erase that searing image:
Tom Ford's skeevy, lecherous Vanity Fair [Tomatoes Are Delicious]

Also related in superimposed heads on magazine covers of naked-ish people:
ETP Photoshops Radar, For Kicks [ETP]

Comments

[comatoast]

Double ew.

[comatoast]

In fact, triple ew.

[kellygrrrl]

stupid!!!!

[hugs4u]

Hillary looks like a wicked witch whether dress or undressed.

[noamjunior]

you know- normally it's women that have penis envy of men, not the other way around

[ppk]

This is exactly what it looks like. It IS to objectify Clinton and Obama. You obviously see Rudy has clothes on and there you go. I think the republicans are very frightened right now. They see a train wreck on the way and they're throwing as much mud as possible to see what will stick. They think people are stupid and won't see this crap for what it is. Similar to the nooses at Jena and Columbia etc. We know what that stands for. It's the same thing going after this family about SCRIP. These are nasty, disgusting people who have no shame. Only interested in power and money and holding onto it. But it's slipping away and they know it.

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

Thank Gawd, Rudy has clothes on.

[clumberfeet]

What? Everybody is getting board with the Bush administration showing their ass?

[noamjunior]

http://www.thenewsvault.com/cgi/news.pl?t=185
more than their asses

[Balzac]

It makes me want to throw up, but these awful politicians deserve nothing less.

[barackoblogger]

It's pretty funny. And I thought Barack looked good.

[Chocolate2008]

I thought Barack Looked HOT !

I will definitely be looking at him a little differently when I see him on Monday even though that's not his body.

What ?

;p

[hannitizer]

Simply put, this is the lowest form of political nonsense.
It's childish, vulgar and completely without need

[nuglet304]

y'all sound like you're ready to burn somebody at the stake -- lighten up a little. and who says smoking's bad for the skin? barack's backside looks just as smooth as silk. u-s-a! u-s-a!

[Waitaminute]

This picture is no better then, what i would have expected in something like mandingo. White man standing tall with cloths on, white woman naked in the middle and black man at the lower botton position waiting like some animal at the foot of the bed or on the Floor, for his turn at the leftovers.

There are many of us black people, who remember what these images really mean. This is so racist. 1700 KIND OF SHIT.

This is the kind of racist we are dealing with people. Keep the shit up ok.

[Rand]

It's an African-American owned and run company

[myna]

I agree and in addition to your observations about the photo literally, notice that the woman and the Black are both looking towards the camera (more captive?), while the white man remains aloof from the audience.

[andyboy]

Maybe that's what it's a comment on or what it's about? Your's is a cursory reading at best.

[Waitaminute]

I don't have to say "maybe" it is what it is. As for as it being an "African- American owned and run company" ,i'd say the blacks at this magazine are OWNED!!! Considering the cover, AND WHAT I KNOW TO BE THE REAL MEANING OF IT.

[DRaymond]

Yes, it is tacky. Hilariously tacky. Deliciously guiltily tacky. I loved it.

[noamjunior]

In her excellent video "Killing Us Softly 3", Media critic Jeane Kilbourne discusses ways advertising subjugates woman and people of color through commercial imagery.

This is done through positioning white males in the frame higher than women, making women and people of color pose in awkward or subjugated poses, and dressing white men while leaving women and people of color naked or semi-clothed

So CONGRATS RADAR

not only is your cover in poor taste, but it is racist, sexist, and frankly little more than GOP propaganda

[deckard70]

And congrats for not being aware it is replicating a Vanity Fair cover. The link to the original Vanity Fair cover is right there in the article! Does no one read anymore?

[noamjunior]

That the cover is supposed to be a parody does not remove it from the context of being sexist and racist. The publishers could have just as easily put Obama or hillary in the top position. IN fact the cover would have been much more CLEVER if hillary was the only clothed figure in the dominating position- as it is, the Radar cover is just tripe tying to be sophisticated

[AnnaCaroline]

Is it tacky? Maybe. Is it funny? Maybe. Is it protected? Maybe. Is it worth everyone in here getting their panties in a bunch? Hardly.

[Waitaminute]

Why isn't guiliani naked ass exposed. This is about as bias as something a white separatist and women hater organization would put out.

The rightwing racist, and i know them very well, are trying to portray Obama as just another "black ass slick nigger" Laying naked waiting for his turn at white naked Hillary ready to give it up" Other words to get the left overs. OLD MISSISSIPPI PLANTATION SLAVE REDNECK SHIT.

One of the RACIST posters imply one of Jesse Jackson's son is involved. bullshit!

This shows how racist the dogs we're dealing with are. Wait until the tables turn.

I am glad huffpost let us know what we are really dealing with.

[Rand]

Sorry, Waitaminute, but Jackson's son IS one of Radar's principal owners. When I read the comment i, like you, found it hard to believe, so I checked with several reputable sources. Yusef Jackson was even interviewed about the magazine and his investment

You and I might wish it wasn't true, but it is

[DavidBeckham]

Anger has ruined your life and made you insane.

I'm not saying the anger isn't justified, but it's had an effect that is undeniable.

[Waitaminute]

uh huh!! not there yet, but your observations are close. I am from mississippi. I have seen and experienced enough to make a normal person insane. I am angry. I am not insane. But how many crazy people, will tell you they are.

[OCDDAVID]

I just threw up in my own mouth.... Urgggp!

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