Grossed-Out Surgeon Vomits Inside Patient!: An Insider's Look at the Supermarket Tabloids

by Jim Hogshire

Offers a brief history of supermarket tabloids, describes the "big six," introduces the types of stories and headlines used, and examines the influence of these publications on mainstream media

Genres: Nonfiction

147 pages, Paperback

First published July 14, 1997

Reviews

[Shenanitims · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really don't remember much about this book, besides how compelling a read it was. I do remember loving it, and loaning it to my grandmother so we could better discuss "her papers." Also, the bit about the National Enquirer (allegedly) getting its seed money from the CIA. As well as learning why the Weekly World News is the only black-and-white tabloid left.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was published in 1997, so I need to dig around to see how much fuckery the tabloids have got up to in the last 20 years (I’m guessing it’s a lot; Trump is close with David Pecker, CEO of the Enquirer’s parent company, American Media Inc.). Jim Hogshire also tends to write pamphlets more than books, and this one could probably have been expanded far more than its modest page count.

Then again, maybe it couldn’t. The tabloids as we know them - and we know them as the cheap-ish supermarket rags full of trashy gossip and made-up stories about Elvis and UFOs - are extremely secretive about their inner workings. Hogshire, as a former writer for the tabs, has more of an insight into them than most, and makes a compelling case that the tabs exist as psy ops against the American people to reinforce the status quo. I’m hardly a snob and have picked up a few tabs before, and can confirm that tabs repeat the same “lessons” issue after issue: hard work is rewarded. People get what they deserve if they transgress morally. The undeserving high and mighty shall fall. White, middle-class Christian values will prevail. Most damning, tabloids have blatant CIA connections going back to Gene Pope, the legendary owner of National Inquirer.

The mainstream media normally trashes the tabloids, but feeds off them - certain tabs have broken major stories. Tabloids employ former journalists from respected outlets, even.

I like books that make me want to research more about the topic, and the gossip was fun. I’ve liked all of Hogshire’s work.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun readin for reporters or anyone

[Medical Gunch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of interesting history in here, but no footnotes.

[David Bonesteel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jim Hogshire worked for several supermarket tabloids, so it's not surprising that his expose of their inner workings shares some of the same deficiencies. These include a willingness to speculate freely about his subject, often constructing chains of circumstantial evidence to substantiate claims such as tabloids hiring CIA agents in order to provide them with plausible cover for their activities around the world. He also asserts that the tabloids are associated with government psychological warfare departments, serving as right-wing propaganda tools.

All of these accusations are interesting and may even be true. More reliable are Hogshire's accounts of tabloid editorial practices and anecdotes about some of the goings-on behind the scenes. Taken with a grain of salt, there is much to enjoy here.

[David B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jim Hogshire worked for several supermarket tabloids, so it's not surprising that his expose of their inner workings shares some of the same deficiencies. These include a willingness to speculate freely about his subject, often constructing chains of circumstantial evidence to substantiate claims such as tabloids hiring CIA agents in order to provide them with plausible cover for their activities around the world. He also asserts that the tabloids are associated with government psychological warfare departments, serving as right-wing propaganda tools.

All of these accusations are interesting and may even be true. More reliable are Hogshire's accounts of tabloid editorial practices and anecdotes about some of the goings-on behind the scenes. Taken with a grain of salt, there is much to enjoy here.

[SmarterLilac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, great experience. Wanna know what the real purpose behind the publication of tabloids is (hint: national security agencies)? It's alllll in here.

[Joe Faust · Rating 2 out of 5]

Account of tabloid life is a little too self-congratulatory.