How to Guest-Edit a Major British Newspaper
May 17, 2006 3:06 PM Subscribe
Bonofilter: Yesterday, May 16, U2 front-man Bono was a guest "editor" for the UK newspaper The Independent. Called the "RED Edition," half of this issue's proceeds went "to help fight HIV and AIDS among women and children in Africa." Highlights included US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice offering her take on "The Ten Best Musical Works" and an interview with Eddie Izzard on immigration in Europe. Is there a downside to celebrity editing, or is it a win-win-win for Bono, The Independent, and some people in need?
Fuck Bono and the Independent, who cares (other than themselves) if they get a win or not . Good for the war on aids.
posted by Eekacat at 3:13 PM on May 17, 2006
posted by Eekacat at 3:13 PM on May 17, 2006
Simon Kelner, editor-in-chief of The Independent, said : "We are delighted to be involved with RED, and I am thrilled to be handing over the editor's desk for a day to Bono. His perspective on world affairs is unique, his access to world leaders is second to none...
Wow. How telling that the editor of a major paper has to turn to an assclown like Bono to get "access to world leaders." But hey - if it weren't for that, we might have never found out that Condi likes "Rocket Man."
/barf
posted by hypocritical ross at 3:18 PM on May 17, 2006
Wow. How telling that the editor of a major paper has to turn to an assclown like Bono to get "access to world leaders." But hey - if it weren't for that, we might have never found out that Condi likes "Rocket Man."
/barf
posted by hypocritical ross at 3:18 PM on May 17, 2006
I'm totally whelmed.
posted by runkelfinker at 3:51 PM on May 17, 2006
posted by runkelfinker at 3:51 PM on May 17, 2006
I'm changing my name to Malo and I'm going to be a globetrotting cheerleader for evil. In this way shall I restore balance to the reality.
posted by George_Spiggott at 5:12 PM on May 17, 2006
posted by George_Spiggott at 5:12 PM on May 17, 2006
Enough of the Bonofilter! Where are the FPPs with the stuff zouhair, oxala, runkelfinker, hypocritical ross, Eekacat and Artw are doing to help people with AIDS? I mean, Bono's organizations have raised billions, but these Mefites have raised trillions. Where's their FPP. I ask, where?
posted by eustacescrubb at 5:24 PM on May 17, 2006
posted by eustacescrubb at 5:24 PM on May 17, 2006
I think this is a pretty cool idea, and can't think of a mainstream American publication that would, or frankly could, do something similar. I mean, Bono can be pretty annoying, but more power to him if he gets more enjoyment out of raising money for good causes than banging groupies. I mean, maybe he does that too, but I'm always surprised at how many Kantians there are on mefi when it comes to charity.
(And at least he's not into jet-skiing.)
posted by bardic at 5:42 PM on May 17, 2006
(And at least he's not into jet-skiing.)
posted by bardic at 5:42 PM on May 17, 2006
trying to find some snarky negative fashionably cynical spin to put on it....working....working...
nope. Can't find anything negative to say.
posted by slatternus at 5:49 PM on May 17, 2006
nope. Can't find anything negative to say.
posted by slatternus at 5:49 PM on May 17, 2006
Brahms makes Rice's top 10 list, and there's no Chopin, Debussy, or Rachmaninoff to be found?
Your favorite classical composer sucks.
posted by weston at 6:11 PM on May 17, 2006
Your favorite classical composer sucks.
posted by weston at 6:11 PM on May 17, 2006
I have the feeling she likes to let her hair down sometimes and rip some tasty Schonberg, possibly Pierrot Lunaire. I mean, how could the most powerful woman in the Western world be so into that flowery Romantic stuff?
posted by bardic at 6:15 PM on May 17, 2006
posted by bardic at 6:15 PM on May 17, 2006
eustacescrubb, please re-read my comment. Since you are obtuse I will try to explain: I said I don't give a shit whether Bono et al get a "win" at anything, only they will care about that, but right on for the fight against AIDS. In other words, I don't care if Bono or the Independant benefit from this, but it's nice that fighting AIDS does. So go fuck your self-important self. Thanks.
posted by Eekacat at 7:05 PM on May 17, 2006
posted by Eekacat at 7:05 PM on May 17, 2006
You'll all feel much better when you realize and accept that Bono is The Messiah of Your Pants: Or Nothing Much, Really.
posted by loquacious at 8:00 PM on May 17, 2006
posted by loquacious at 8:00 PM on May 17, 2006
Condoleeza's #7 artist: U2.
Uhh... shouldn't they have to recuse themselves?
posted by dw at 9:36 PM on May 17, 2006
Uhh... shouldn't they have to recuse themselves?
posted by dw at 9:36 PM on May 17, 2006
Oh man, I'm totally apathetic about Bono, but I LOVE Eddie Izzard. Thanks for this!
posted by grapefruitmoon at 10:19 PM on May 17, 2006
posted by grapefruitmoon at 10:19 PM on May 17, 2006
holds nose ... Do they Know Its Christmas style self aggrandizing PR. Further cements idea that Condi is totally
L7, that is, squaresville. Lets have rock stars focus on rock and roll and politicians focus on solving complex social problems not the other way around OK hows that for an idea
1 Mozart
Piano Concerto in D minor
At the age of 15, Rice began piano classes - although she has played since she was three - with the intention of becoming a concert pianist. This concerto holds many memories for her: "I won my first piano competition at the age of 15, playing this work."
2 Cream
'Sunshine of Your Love'
Cream - Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce - were one of the first of the great supergroups. Despite the fact that the band split up in 1968, Cream's fans are still going strong. "I love to work out to this song," says Rice. "Believe it or not, I loved acid rock in college - and I still do."
3 Aretha Franklin
'Respect'
"The Queen of Soul's anthem", in Rice's opinion. Aretha Franklin is best known for her soul and R&B music, but is also skilled at jazz, rock, blues, pop, gospel and opera. The singer, known also as Lady Soul, has won 18 Grammys and earned the music world's unstinting respect.
4 Kool and the Gang
'Celebration'
Released in 1980, "Celebration" was a No 1 hit for Kool and the Gang in the US, although it only made No 7 in the UK charts. Rice loves this upbeat track, saying: "It's just such a great song." Not so great was Kylie Minogue's 1991 cover version, which reached No 22 in the UK top 40.
5 Brahms
Piano Concerto No 2
This is considered one of the most difficult piano works to learn, but Rice isn't fazed. "It's a stormy, difficult piece, but I'm going to learn to play it before I leave this earth!" Premiered in 1881, the Second is unusual because it is in four movements instead of the usual three.
6 Brahms
Piano Quintet in F minor
This piece by Johannes Brahms is "passionate without being sentimental", Rice says. The work, composed in 1864, is the piece she most loves to play with her quintet. Like most piano quintets, it is written for piano and string quartet (two violins, viola and cello).
7 U2
Anything
Founded in 1976, U2 have regularly topped the record charts since the late 1980s. The band have sold 130 million albums and had six No 1 albums in the US and nine in the UK. One of the most successful groups of all time. Rice, a big fan, is happy to listen to any of their tunes.
8 Elton John
'Rocket Man'
This pop ballad was co-written by Bernie Taupin. It first appeared on John's 1972 album Honky Château and became a hit single. For Rice - and many children of the 1970s - this song is a blast from the past: "It brings back memories of college, friends, my first boyfriend."
9 Beethoven
Symphony No 7
"Quite simply the greatest symphony of all time," is how Rice describes Beethoven's Seventh. The work was written in 1811 and 1812 during what is known as the composer's middle period, at a time when Beethoven was struggling with his increasing deafness.
10 Mussorgsky
Boris Godunov
"The greatest opera of all time," Rice says. "If you love Russia, you have to love Godunov." The composer, Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky, was one of five Russian composers who became known as The Mighty Handful, and were the chief innovators of Russian music in the 19th century.
The Ten Best is edited by Rebecca Armstrong r.armstrong@ independent.co.uk
1 Mozart
Piano Concerto in D minor
2 Cream
'Sunshine of Your Love'
Cream - Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce - were one of the first of the great supergroups. Despite the fact that the band split up in 1968, Cream's fans are still going strong. "I love to work out to this song," says Rice. "Believe it or not, I loved acid rock in college - and I still do."
3 Aretha Franklin
'Respect'
"The Queen of Soul's anthem", in Rice's opinion. Aretha Franklin is best known for her soul and R&B music, but is also skilled at jazz, rock, blues, pop, gospel and opera. The singer, known also as Lady Soul, has won 18 Grammys and earned the music world's unstinting respect.
4 Kool and the Gang
'Celebration'
Released in 1980, "Celebration" was a No 1 hit for Kool and the Gang in the US, although it only made No 7 in the UK charts. Rice loves this upbeat track, saying: "It's just such a great song." Not so great was Kylie Minogue's 1991 cover version, which reached No 22 in the UK top 40.
5 Brahms
Piano Concerto No 2
This is considered one of the most difficult piano works to learn, but Rice isn't fazed. "It's a stormy, difficult piece, but I'm going to learn to play it before I leave this earth!" Premiered in 1881, the Second is unusual because it is in four movements instead of the usual three.
6 Brahms
Piano Quintet in F minor
7 U2
Anything
Founded in 1976, U2 have regularly topped the record charts since the late 1980s. The band have sold 130 million albums and had six No 1 albums in the US and nine in the UK. One of the most successful groups of all time. Rice, a big fan, is happy to listen to any of their tunes.
8 Elton John
'Rocket Man'
This pop ballad was co-written by Bernie Taupin. It first appeared on John's 1972 album Honky Château and became a hit single. For Rice - and many children of the 1970s - this song is a blast from the past: "It brings back memories of college, friends, my first boyfriend."
9 Beethoven
Symphony No 7
"Quite simply the greatest symphony of all time," is how Rice describes Beethoven's Seventh. The work was written in 1811 and 1812 during what is known as the composer's middle period, at a time when Beethoven was struggling with his increasing deafness.
10 Mussorgsky
Boris Godunov
posted by celerystick at 10:24 PM on May 17, 2006
L7, that is, squaresville. Lets have rock stars focus on rock and roll and politicians focus on solving complex social problems not the other way around OK hows that for an idea
1 Mozart
Piano Concerto in D minor
At the age of 15, Rice began piano classes - although she has played since she was three - with the intention of becoming a concert pianist. This concerto holds many memories for her: "I won my first piano competition at the age of 15, playing this work."
2 Cream
'Sunshine of Your Love'
Cream - Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce - were one of the first of the great supergroups. Despite the fact that the band split up in 1968, Cream's fans are still going strong. "I love to work out to this song," says Rice. "Believe it or not, I loved acid rock in college - and I still do."
3 Aretha Franklin
'Respect'
"The Queen of Soul's anthem", in Rice's opinion. Aretha Franklin is best known for her soul and R&B music, but is also skilled at jazz, rock, blues, pop, gospel and opera. The singer, known also as Lady Soul, has won 18 Grammys and earned the music world's unstinting respect.
4 Kool and the Gang
'Celebration'
Released in 1980, "Celebration" was a No 1 hit for Kool and the Gang in the US, although it only made No 7 in the UK charts. Rice loves this upbeat track, saying: "It's just such a great song." Not so great was Kylie Minogue's 1991 cover version, which reached No 22 in the UK top 40.
5 Brahms
Piano Concerto No 2
This is considered one of the most difficult piano works to learn, but Rice isn't fazed. "It's a stormy, difficult piece, but I'm going to learn to play it before I leave this earth!" Premiered in 1881, the Second is unusual because it is in four movements instead of the usual three.
6 Brahms
Piano Quintet in F minor
This piece by Johannes Brahms is "passionate without being sentimental", Rice says. The work, composed in 1864, is the piece she most loves to play with her quintet. Like most piano quintets, it is written for piano and string quartet (two violins, viola and cello).
7 U2
Anything
Founded in 1976, U2 have regularly topped the record charts since the late 1980s. The band have sold 130 million albums and had six No 1 albums in the US and nine in the UK. One of the most successful groups of all time. Rice, a big fan, is happy to listen to any of their tunes.
8 Elton John
'Rocket Man'
This pop ballad was co-written by Bernie Taupin. It first appeared on John's 1972 album Honky Château and became a hit single. For Rice - and many children of the 1970s - this song is a blast from the past: "It brings back memories of college, friends, my first boyfriend."
9 Beethoven
Symphony No 7
"Quite simply the greatest symphony of all time," is how Rice describes Beethoven's Seventh. The work was written in 1811 and 1812 during what is known as the composer's middle period, at a time when Beethoven was struggling with his increasing deafness.
10 Mussorgsky
Boris Godunov
"The greatest opera of all time," Rice says. "If you love Russia, you have to love Godunov." The composer, Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky, was one of five Russian composers who became known as The Mighty Handful, and were the chief innovators of Russian music in the 19th century.
The Ten Best is edited by Rebecca Armstrong r.armstrong@ independent.co.uk
1 Mozart
Piano Concerto in D minor
2 Cream
'Sunshine of Your Love'
Cream - Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce - were one of the first of the great supergroups. Despite the fact that the band split up in 1968, Cream's fans are still going strong. "I love to work out to this song," says Rice. "Believe it or not, I loved acid rock in college - and I still do."
3 Aretha Franklin
'Respect'
"The Queen of Soul's anthem", in Rice's opinion. Aretha Franklin is best known for her soul and R&B music, but is also skilled at jazz, rock, blues, pop, gospel and opera. The singer, known also as Lady Soul, has won 18 Grammys and earned the music world's unstinting respect.
4 Kool and the Gang
'Celebration'
Released in 1980, "Celebration" was a No 1 hit for Kool and the Gang in the US, although it only made No 7 in the UK charts. Rice loves this upbeat track, saying: "It's just such a great song." Not so great was Kylie Minogue's 1991 cover version, which reached No 22 in the UK top 40.
5 Brahms
Piano Concerto No 2
This is considered one of the most difficult piano works to learn, but Rice isn't fazed. "It's a stormy, difficult piece, but I'm going to learn to play it before I leave this earth!" Premiered in 1881, the Second is unusual because it is in four movements instead of the usual three.
6 Brahms
Piano Quintet in F minor
7 U2
Anything
Founded in 1976, U2 have regularly topped the record charts since the late 1980s. The band have sold 130 million albums and had six No 1 albums in the US and nine in the UK. One of the most successful groups of all time. Rice, a big fan, is happy to listen to any of their tunes.
8 Elton John
'Rocket Man'
This pop ballad was co-written by Bernie Taupin. It first appeared on John's 1972 album Honky Château and became a hit single. For Rice - and many children of the 1970s - this song is a blast from the past: "It brings back memories of college, friends, my first boyfriend."
9 Beethoven
Symphony No 7
"Quite simply the greatest symphony of all time," is how Rice describes Beethoven's Seventh. The work was written in 1811 and 1812 during what is known as the composer's middle period, at a time when Beethoven was struggling with his increasing deafness.
10 Mussorgsky
Boris Godunov
posted by celerystick at 10:24 PM on May 17, 2006
and politicians focus on solving complex social problems
Because they do such a great job.
posted by George_Spiggott at 10:30 PM on May 17, 2006
Because they do such a great job.
posted by George_Spiggott at 10:30 PM on May 17, 2006
Oh, and was there a reason you copied and pasted the entire list here? Not once, but twice?
posted by George_Spiggott at 10:32 PM on May 17, 2006
posted by George_Spiggott at 10:32 PM on May 17, 2006
Celebrities get to do fun things. Sometimes, those fun things also involve giving their name to promote a charity of their choice. This is a good thing. It is called "giving back".
Some say Bono is 'annoying'. How can that be, unless you are paying too much attention to Bono?
posted by Goofyy at 1:00 AM on May 18, 2006
Some say Bono is 'annoying'. How can that be, unless you are paying too much attention to Bono?
posted by Goofyy at 1:00 AM on May 18, 2006
Bono is annoying because you can't help BUT be exposed to too much Bono. He's editing the god damned newspaper! You can't escape him! I wonder how long before he runs for Taoiseach (Prime Minister) in Ireland? That would be cooooool. Then we can elect Bryan Adams (hrmm... or Gord Downie?) in Canada!
posted by antifuse at 1:41 AM on May 18, 2006
posted by antifuse at 1:41 AM on May 18, 2006
"The god damned newspaper!"
WTF? There is now only one newspaper? Why wasn't I notified! I don't read newspapers myself, usually. Nor am I exposed to 'too much Bono'. If I want to hear him, I put on U2. Otherwise, I only occasionally hear him mentioned. I hear he's brilliant and picks his causes well.
Why don't you asshats just admit, you're jealous because he gets his pick of bed partners, and is very rich?
posted by Goofyy at 1:51 AM on May 18, 2006
WTF? There is now only one newspaper? Why wasn't I notified! I don't read newspapers myself, usually. Nor am I exposed to 'too much Bono'. If I want to hear him, I put on U2. Otherwise, I only occasionally hear him mentioned. I hear he's brilliant and picks his causes well.
Why don't you asshats just admit, you're jealous because he gets his pick of bed partners, and is very rich?
posted by Goofyy at 1:51 AM on May 18, 2006
Copies of the Red Independant selling on e-bay for £10. I have 2 :-)
posted by Wilder at 1:52 AM on May 18, 2006
posted by Wilder at 1:52 AM on May 18, 2006
There might not be only one newspaper, but there aren't many big ones in London and he got one for a day. You might not read the paper, but lots of people do. I swear I see Bono in the news at least once every couple weeks, and that's too much for me.
Except for those Corr rumours, I've heard that Bono is relatively (for a rock star) faithful to his wife. But that's neither here nor there. Even if he DID have his pick of bed partners, I would RESPECT him for that and his many riches. Many men (and frankly, a good amount of women) would. What *I* hate is his "nobody is doing enough to save the world, so I must save the world myself - hey, check out how great I am!" attitude. It irritates me.
posted by antifuse at 3:30 AM on May 18, 2006
Except for those Corr rumours, I've heard that Bono is relatively (for a rock star) faithful to his wife. But that's neither here nor there. Even if he DID have his pick of bed partners, I would RESPECT him for that and his many riches. Many men (and frankly, a good amount of women) would. What *I* hate is his "nobody is doing enough to save the world, so I must save the world myself - hey, check out how great I am!" attitude. It irritates me.
posted by antifuse at 3:30 AM on May 18, 2006
Except for those Corr rumours, I've heard that Bono is relatively (for a rock star) faithful to his wife.
I have heard a first-hand account from a trustworthy source that says he is not.
Not that it is of any real relevance of course...
posted by bifter at 5:33 AM on May 18, 2006
I have heard a first-hand account from a trustworthy source that says he is not.
Not that it is of any real relevance of course...
posted by bifter at 5:33 AM on May 18, 2006
What *I* hate is his "nobody is doing enough to save the world, so I must save the world myself - hey, check out how great I am!" attitude.
No, what you hate is the media-created image of Bono that is the script nearly every jouirnanalist since 1987 has fallen back on when writing about Bono. Journalists are highly susceptible to groupthink and many of them are too lazy to actually write about the truth in a complelling way, so they rely on tried-and-true memes which are usually gross oversimplifications of reality to drive their stories.
Bono was more tired of the media image of Bono by 1989 than you'll ever be; he fought it for half a decade, and then realized that he could just as easily ignore it and do the work he wants to do. If you ever actually pay attenton to what he says, he often remarks on how out of place he thinks he is in the political world. But even more unseemmly and out of place is the greed and intransigence of the governments of the industrial world which require pop icons like Bono to have to even try to do this stuff.
Oh, if only for every "Bono think he's so great" comment or article there were five "The government has sold out to corporations and poor people are dying on an hourly basis" comments or articles. But see the media myths about Bono are designed to distract you from the fact that the media, in choosing their stories, are just as much to blame as the government -- remember that the job of any media outlet isn't to sell newspapers or tv news minutes but rather to sell you, the reader, to their advertisers, and readers who are engaged in critical thinking about pverty are less likely to buy useless crap...
So then when a newspaper actually does pay attention to real problems, even if in a gimicky way, you complain because you don't like the editor they chose, not because you know anything about his editorial skills, but because you don't like his style.
posted by eustacescrubb at 5:41 AM on May 18, 2006 [1 favorite]
No, what you hate is the media-created image of Bono that is the script nearly every jouirnanalist since 1987 has fallen back on when writing about Bono. Journalists are highly susceptible to groupthink and many of them are too lazy to actually write about the truth in a complelling way, so they rely on tried-and-true memes which are usually gross oversimplifications of reality to drive their stories.
Bono was more tired of the media image of Bono by 1989 than you'll ever be; he fought it for half a decade, and then realized that he could just as easily ignore it and do the work he wants to do. If you ever actually pay attenton to what he says, he often remarks on how out of place he thinks he is in the political world. But even more unseemmly and out of place is the greed and intransigence of the governments of the industrial world which require pop icons like Bono to have to even try to do this stuff.
Oh, if only for every "Bono think he's so great" comment or article there were five "The government has sold out to corporations and poor people are dying on an hourly basis" comments or articles. But see the media myths about Bono are designed to distract you from the fact that the media, in choosing their stories, are just as much to blame as the government -- remember that the job of any media outlet isn't to sell newspapers or tv news minutes but rather to sell you, the reader, to their advertisers, and readers who are engaged in critical thinking about pverty are less likely to buy useless crap...
So then when a newspaper actually does pay attention to real problems, even if in a gimicky way, you complain because you don't like the editor they chose, not because you know anything about his editorial skills, but because you don't like his style.
posted by eustacescrubb at 5:41 AM on May 18, 2006 [1 favorite]
-- remember that the job of any media outlet isn't to sell newspapers or tv news minutes but rather to sell you, the reader, to their advertisers, and readers who are engaged in critical thinking about pverty are less likely to buy useless crap...
WARNING..WARNING... SOMEBODY DROPPED OFF AMERICAN IDOL!! PAULA ABDUL CRIED!!! NOTHING TO SEE HERE... .
great comment eustacescrubb.
posted by cavalier at 7:05 AM on May 18, 2006
WARNING..WARNING... SOMEBODY DROPPED OFF AMERICAN IDOL!! PAULA ABDUL CRIED!!! NOTHING TO SEE HERE... .
great comment eustacescrubb.
posted by cavalier at 7:05 AM on May 18, 2006
Ahh, now I get the joke....the shortcuts section of the guardian was guest edited by a Bonobo on Tuesday. Ha.
posted by primer_dimer at 7:35 AM on May 18, 2006
posted by primer_dimer at 7:35 AM on May 18, 2006
in the uk we call him bongo say no more !
posted by baker dave at 11:56 AM on May 18, 2006
posted by baker dave at 11:56 AM on May 18, 2006
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posted by Artw at 3:08 PM on May 17, 2006