US WEEKLY: Inside Jennifer Hudson's Family Tragedy

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This week it’s a face-off between Us Weekly and People Magazine.

Both feature the tragic Jennifer Hudson story.

Us Weekly pretty much used the exact cover line I suggested on Monday.

Overall, this is an emotional cover.

It promises specifics, e.g. how a family squabble may have turned deadly.

It also delivers the moment Jennifer Hudson found out about the tragedy.  This is what Us Weekly does very well as a magazine.  It delivers those “moments” that readers are most intrigued by.  This is certainly one of them.

In other news, the split between Madonna and Guy gets ugly.  I’m surprised this story only made it on one cover this week considering how much attention it’s still getting in the press.

But, from what I’ve heard on the street, the numbers on last week’s Madonna covers did not go through the roof.  So, it’s not surprising that the editors ran away from this story.

The Dancing with the Stars “Fat” controversy gets a shout out on Us Weekly’s cover.  And, this one is directed to women.  “Men tell women to lose weight!”  As the majority of buyers in the celebrity weekly space are women, this makes this a well written line.

Closing off Us Weekly’s cover is the biggest star in Hollywood right now – Zac Efron.  HSM3 had the biggest weekend opening for a musical in history. Why isn’t he getting more play on the weeklies?

OK! tried Zac and Vanessa cover a few weeks ago, and that cover didn’t blow people away, according to sources. For Zac to make a full cover, he’ll need to be involved in some type of scandal.  He’s now 21 so the clock is ticking.  Game on Zac!

Bottom Line: If Us stood alone with this cover, it would have had a solid week.  But, it’s competing with People, which will make this a tough one for Us.

Read this week’s celebrity critiques by Mark Pasetsky!

National Enquirer: Patrick Swayze Collapses

People: Jennifer Hudson’s Agony

Us Weekly: Inside Jennifer Hudson’s Family Tragedy

OK! Magazine: Brad and Angie are Having a Wedding & Baby!

Star: Angie’s Humiliating Betrayal

Globe: Ted Kennedy’s Desperate Gamble

In Touch: Jen Aniston Looks Pregnant

Life & Style: Carrie Underwood calls Jessica Simpson FAT!