The Re-Vertex: Week of December 13 – December 19

Each week, The Re-Vertex travels back in time to the very same week of 10 and 20 years ago to read the major mainstream magazines from that week. Join us as we take a journey back to December 14-20 in 1989 and 1999 to read Sports Illustrated, Time, and Entertainment Weekly:

1999

Time – December 13, 1999

Cover story: A long biographical profile of presidential hopeful John McCain. McCain’s life story is very well known now, so it’s interesting that ten years ago he entered the national stage as “a relative unknown, and so has had to introduce himself.” By contrast, McCain’s Republican primary opponent, George Bush, “entered the race with 100% name recognition, even if some folks still get him confused with his father.” Quaint.

Also inside: One short article points to signs that global warming is real. Another discusses the murder of a gay soldier and how that reflects on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Ten years later and these are still hot debates. There’s also an article on the riots at the WTO in Seattle, which featured the “looting of StarTACs from a cell-phone store.” StarTACs? Why didn’t they steal iPhones?

Sports Illustrated – December 6, 1999

Cover story: “Last Hurrah?” is about 38 year old Dan Marino’s fading chances to win a Super Bowl title after a critical loss to then division rival Indianapolis and Peyton Manning, “the Colts’ 23-year-old whiz kid.” Marino never would get that ring, but at least he lost weight on Nutrisystem.

Also inside: An article on Scottie Pippen’s adjustment to life as a Portland Trailblazer. There’s also an article on Shawn Green’s Judaism and his $84 million contract with the Dodgers. Those Jews, always controlling all the money in professional sports.

Entertainment Weekly – December 17, 1999

Cover story: A profile of The Talented Mr. Ripley and its stars, Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow.  About Damon the article says: “It’s a pretty ballsy role for an actor so new to the A list that the paint on his stardom is barely dry.” Damon’s stardom is safely secured ten years later, but a discussion of his balls is nevertheless welcome even today. The article also says that Damon won’t divulge any details about his “current flame,” a pre-shoplifting Winona Ryder. As for Paltrow, “she’s said to be seeing Maverick Recording Co. exec Guy Oseary, 26, though recent reports have also linked her with former boyfriend [Ben] Affleck.”

Also inside: There’s an article reviewing Warner Bros. recently launched website, Entertaindom.com. The website “combines movie-music-TV news with a stable of online-only shows that take Net entertainment way beyond gaming, chats, and MP3s” and “ is a breeding ground not just for Web content but potentially for TV and film, too.” Indeed, watching shows online has become big business, but for watching shows that air on TV, not for online-only content. Entertaindom.com now redirects to the main WB site. Another article  discusses Heather Locklear’s marriage to Richie Sambora as the couple reached their fifth anniversary. “Friends agree that the couple found the real deal: ‘They’re fun, down-to-earth people, not really into the Hollywood scene,’ says Locklear’s Melrose costar Jack Wagner. ‘That makes for a nice combination.”’ Locklear and Sambora divorced in 2007. She then began a relationship with Melrose costar Jack Wagner. No word on whether Richie Sambora thought that made for a nice combination.

1989

Time – December 18, 1989

Cover story: “A Torrent of Dirty Dollars” discusses the international network laundering money for the drug trade.  The article quotes the chairman of the Senate’s Subcommittee on Terrorism, Narcotics and International Operations, Massachusetts Democrat John Kerry, who said, ”It is hard to understand why we failed for so long to institute adequate controls” on money laundering. Rest assured, Senator Kerry, there will be harder things for you to understand fifteen years down the road.

Also inside: A set of predictions as Communism fell throughout Europe, such as the “inevitable” reunification of Germany. Another article asks, “Is The Soviet Union Next To Explode? The article is far longer than the one word it needed to be – “yup.”

Sports Illustrated – December 18, 1989

Cover story: In “Masters of the ’80s” Rick Reilly pays tribute to the three athletes who dominated the decade -Wayne Gretzky, Magic Johnson, and Joe Montana. On what the future would hold, “Gretzky says he will play at least six more years. Montana says he’s good for at least three. Magic says he wants to finish the four years he’s got left on his contract and then really get to work.” Don’t worry Magic, you’ll have all sorts of exciting stuff going on in the 90s.

Also inside: An article says the Broncos are the AFC’s best hope in Super Bowl XXIV. Tough to imagine any other AFC representative faring worse than a 55-10 whipping at the hands of the 49ers.  There’s also a shockingly lengthy piece on the All-American Turkey Calling Championship.

Entertainment Weekly

Entertainment Weekly wouldn’t begin publication for another two months, but the top entertainment story of the week was undoubtedly the awesome technology promised to us in Back to the Future Part II.