Cosmopolitan, October 1992

It’s the end of season one! And what better note to end on than right back where we started: with the OG of having it all, Cosmopolitan. It’s October 1992 and Lucy is at the helm as the Mag Hags navigate post-Thatcher pre-Loaded gender politics to explore the timeless editorial territory of: has feminism been bad for men? There’s a recession on, but that doesn’t seem to have dented Cosmo’s advertising coffers because this magazine is HUGE. We have, inexplicably, four entire pages about the concept of Being Blonde. And there’s a feature about the women who have affairs with other women – which has aged like an outdoor shellfish buffet on a hot summer’s day. Plus: the Mag Hags pay homage to the bygone era of women’s mags providing essential service journalism. And Cosmo recommends its readers try out temporary tattoos. Too cute. Want more of these mags? Sign up for the Mag Hags newsletter. See the features we talk about in the show, marvel at the amazing adverts, enjoy vintage fashion, beauty, and lifestyle tips, and get access to loads of other bonus bits. Plus episode transcripts straight to your inbox. Go to maghags.substack.com If you are enjoying the show, why not buy us a coffee? Ko-fi is a super easy way to support the podcast with a one off donation - you can think of it like buying us a drink, or leaving a tip. Simply go to ko-fi.com/maghags. Mag Hags is created entirely by us – Lucy and Franki. So your support means the world to us and it’s what will allow us to keep doing it. Thank you so much! LINKS READ - Power and the production of subjects: a genealogy of the New Man and the New Lad, by Ros Gill WATCH - Men Behaving Badly on ITVX CHAPTERS 03:35 – Intro to Cosmopolitan, October 1992 09:30 – “All you need to know about abortion”: A reminder of the comprehensive service journalism women’s mags offered their pre-internet readers 11:47 – “Poor darlings”: Writer Michael Bywater skewers men who are butt-hurt they aren’t getting more thank-yous from women 26:38 – *An ad break from 1992* 29:02 – “Are you going through a lesbian phase?”: INTERNALISED BI-PHOBIA KLAXON Cosmo attempts to unpick the hidden phenomenon of ‘lesbain tourism’. It’s every bit as problematic as it sounds so do skip ahead if you’d rather 46:13 – Fashion and beauty tips from 1992 48:55 – “More than just a blonde”: An exploration of that now-extinct creature: the Bimbo 56:24 – What’s hot and what’s not in 1992? – Mag Hags is written and hosted by Lucy Douglas and Franki Cookney. Editing and audio production by Franki Cookney. Our theme music is Look Where That Got You, Mattie Maguire. Additional music: Leotard Haul, Dez Moran. Both courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.