Mark Pasetsky's Cover Awards

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For Nicole Richie, it’s transformation complete!

From the skinny starlet who couldn’t stop partying to a responsible mom - who would’ve predicted this day?

And, what better way for her to celebrate her transformation than this cover of People Magazine.

People delivers an adorable photo of Nicole and her baby Harlow, plus an exclusive interview with Nicole and Joel inside the magazine.

Yes, this is a soft cover - but will it sell?

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This year’s election has been turned upside down with Paris Hilton throwing her name in the race for President. It signals, above all, it’s time to get serious.

Help Paris pick her VP running mate. According to our sources, here are the people who are being vetted:

-Lindsay Lohan-While Linds will bring in the gay and lesbian vote, these two may have problems getting along. The last thing America needs is a cat fight in the oval office.

-Kim Kardashian- While the military has been strained in Iraq, Kim’s booty could come in handy as a weapon. Never underestimate the power of an AMD (ass of mass destruction).

-Jessica Simpson- With Jess by her side, Paris can’t help looking brilliant in front of heads of state and foreign dignitaries.

-Nicole Richie- They could totally hold their double wedding to the Madden boys in the Whitehouse. That’s hott.

-John Edwards-With the news of his love child, he’s now more scandalous than Paris.

Who do you think she should pick?

I look hot!

New mom Nicole Richie is looking fierce!

Don’t…

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Jail changed my life

According to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department website, Khloe Kardashian is FREE.

She serve a total of 173 minutes. How’s that compare to her fellow celeb inmates? Nicole Richie did 82 minutes, Lindsay Lohan did 84! Click here for more details.

Other star mugshots? Click here.

Posted by: Mark Pasetsky

I have to admit. I wanted to look inside this issue and see the baby pictures making this a strong cover for LIfe & Style.

The big problem for Life & Style this week in one word is OK!

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Star magazine pulls out its Star without make-up issue.

I’m not that excited by this cover and I don’t think readers will be either.

Is anyone talking about Julia Roberts?

I’m not surprised by the Nicole Richie picture.

I’ve seen that Kelly Ripa picture.

And, Katherine Heigl looks good either way.

It would’ve been bold for Star to take a risk and make Lindsay Lohan & Samantha Ronson the main cover.  Everyone’s talking about their romance online.  How it would have done on the newsstand is questionable - but it’s a hot story.

Bottom Line: A so-so week for Star, but that’s what happens when you play it safe.

And, yes, this is another contribution from our French correspondent Vincent Garmain.

I preface this post by saying that I don’t speak a lick of French (which I should have mentioned earlier) - and yes it’s my fault if Vincent is totally f&*k*n with me on the translations.

The cover of Oops! Magazine says stars are “ready to die to lose weight. The forbidden diets of the stars.” I WANT A FULL TRANSLATION!!!

And apparently, Brad & Angelina’s neighbors in France are fed up - probably ’cause of all those paps..

Plus, we get to see some summer weddings, e.g. Nicole & Joel.

On another front, I like the fun layout of the cover. It feels fresh compared to the boxy feel of the covers in the United States’ celebrity weekly market.

Your thoughts?

It’s tough being an editor of a celebrity weekly.

There’s a lot of pressure to deliver sales - especially in this marketplace.

Gas prices are soaring and consumers are less likely to spend money on things like celebrity weekly magazines.

And we’ll see that when ABC releases the numbers for the first half of 2008.

BTW - have you noticed that the celeb weeklies kinda forgot about the whole rapid reporting thing?

Anyhow - this cover of Life & Style disturbs me. Why?

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Pasetsky’s Cover Critique

Introducing the Life & Style killer.

Star magazine’s photo director should win an award for finding this picture.

I’ve looked at this closely and even after staring at it for quite a bit I can’t tell if Angie’s pregnant or not in the pic.

So the pictures possibly old?

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“Motherhood has given her all the keys to understanding how her mother and I were trying to raise her,” he says.

“Now it has come full circle.”

Slap!