TONY Editors Like It When It Hurts So Good

Anyone who lives in NYC knows that Time Out New York is not a very good magazine. It has such potential, but their design consistently sucks (what's with all the bland cover art and italicized headlines?), their cover stories lack any substance whatsoever, and the only reason you really subscribe is to browse the listings and make sure you're not missing out on your favorite band playing.
What's funny, though, is that TONY seems to know it sucks. And it's punishing itself. Each issue editors choose a "letter of the week" from someone who bothered to write. The winner of the "letter of the week" gets a Time Out guide of his or her choice for free. You would think that maybe the editors would choose laudatory letters, but no. They know they suck. And so, those masochistic TONY editors choose letters that abuse, taunt and criticize. Let's take a look at a recent example:

Every year you bait me with your Valentine's Day suicide special. But this year, you totally outdid yourself. Not only was this year's guide to low self-esteem downright offensive, it was just the ammo that I needed to break up with you and look at my other New York magazine options. (Letter of the Week, Feb. 22-28, 2007)

Sweet, right? Here's another winner from someone who's pissed off about the "50 Greatest New York Musicians of All Time" issue:

Dion, Seanchai and the Unity Squad, Black 47, Shangri-Las, the Chiffons, the Chantels. Shit, even the fucking Blues Magoos and the Bullys before some of the pretentious bullshit you have. Since you have Madonna, then how about Louis Armstrong, the Reverend Gary Davis and Hot Fucking Tuna. No fucking Dion? Fuck yer mother, ya lousy fuckin' cocksuckers. (Letter of the Week, March 8-14, 2007)

Harsh! So, point of the story: If you'd like a free Time Out guide (not like you would, but just in case you're headed to Bora Bora soon and need some hotel listings), simply e-mail a nasty, curse-laden letter to letters@timeoutny.com. You're welcome.

Update: The March 15-21, 2007 "letter of the week" accuses theater editor David Cote of ageism. I love the progression here. The letters began with mere criticism of the mag, but now we're moving into the prejudices of individual staffers. Can't wait till next week when someone accuses Beth Greenfield of being a homophobe.