# What is the purpose of Joel Stein's column in EW? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 1, 2003, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540 "2003-07-01T09:24:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/21 "2003-07-01T21:20:26Z")
I have a friend that works at EW (OK it’s an old roommate’s sister’s SO, but I digress…) Joel Klein was basically the pop culture writer for TIME and sometimes wrote for EW. TIME and EW are both owned by AOL/TIME Warner. TIME got a new political columnist named Joe Klein and moved JOEL Klein over to EW so that people wouldn’t get them confused. That’s right, heresay and rumor… And yet I’m pressing the Submit Reply button. I’m such an evil person. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/22 "2003-07-01T21:38:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DeVena \* > \*\*Joel Klein was basically the pop culture writer for TIME and sometimes wrote for EW. TIME and EW are both owned by AOL/TIME Warner. TIME got a new political columnist named Joe Klein and moved JOEL Klein over to EW so that people wouldn’t get them confused. \*\* Stein. Joel **S** tein. Joe Klein is the guy who “Anonymous” turned out to be. Newsweek canned him afterwards, I think because he lied to their face when they asked him. ---
**Author:** ![Greywolf73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d9b06d/32.png) [@Greywolf73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greywolf73)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/23 "2003-07-01T23:13:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tars Tarkas \* > \*\*They love terrible colmnists at EW. Just read Jim Mullun’s hot sheet where he lists “What the country is talking about this week” which is really “9 things Jim is talking about that no one else is and one token thing everyone is talking about.” \*\* Bahahaha! That’s it, exactly! I cannot stand to read the Hot Sheet. I could think up funnier one-liners in my sleep. Heck, even my eight-year-old daughter could! I really like this Eve EW column idea though. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/24 "2003-07-01T23:30:26Z")
Oh, thank you, darlings, it’s not like I haven’t _tried_. I guess I’ll never wash the stink of _Movieline_ off my resume . . . ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/25 "2003-07-01T23:36:03Z")
Plus, you’re still angry at AOL Time Warner, aren’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Avumede](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/avumede/32/7235_2.png) [@Avumede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avumede)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/26 "2003-07-01T23:40:21Z")
I might be wrong, but didn’t Joel work at [Suck.com](http://Suck.com)? I think he’s pretty funny. His “mix tape” column a few weeks ago was hilarious. Something about the notion of a “vinyl smelting kit” makes me laugh. ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2003, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/27 "2003-07-02T00:03:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rilchiam \* > \*\*Stein. Joel **S** tein. > > Joe Klein is the guy who “Anonymous” turned out to be. Newsweek canned him afterwards, I think because he lied to their face when they asked him. \*\* Yep - SEE! Let this be a lesson to you children, Never repeat gossip, especially if you weren’t paying close attention when YOU heard it. Sorry :o ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/28 "2003-07-03T15:12:06Z")
Just to give you some idea how bad Stein is, I can name someone to replace him who would be FAR superior off the top of my head: Mike Nelson, formerly of MST3K, author of “Movie Megacheese.” Mike is funny, intelligent and sharp – everything Stein is not. Y’know, I read complaints from conservatives about the U.S. media being dominated by Jews, and I think “bullshit” cause it mostly is, but then I see a talentless git like Stein holding down a top media slot, and I wonder: well how DID he get that far? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/29 "2003-07-03T15:47:13Z")
If Time Warner had to borrow a humor writer from one of its other magazines, why not Calvin Trillin? He’s everything that Stein is not: funny, humorous, wry, witty, talented, and funny. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/30 "2003-07-03T20:55:26Z")
Wasn’t he in the rotation back when Time magazine had a current-events humor column? Three weeks of Stein, one week of Trillin. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2003, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/31 "2003-07-03T21:50:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Evil Captor \* > Y’know, I read complaints from conservatives about the U.S. media being dominated by Jews, and I think “bullshit” cause it mostly is, but then I see a talentless git like Stein holding down a top media slot, and I wonder: well how DID he get that far? The same way _Mallard Filmore_ stays in the Funny Pages? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/32 "2003-07-04T00:20:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rjung \* > \*\*The same way _Mallard Filmore_ stays in the Funny Pages? 😉 \*\* I have no clue how or why particular comics get into or stay in newspapers. If I did, I wouldn’t admit to it, out of shame. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Frink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Mr.Frink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Frink)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/33 "2003-07-04T07:01:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rilchiam \* > \*\*Stein. Joel **S** tein. > > Joe Klein is the guy who “Anonymous” turned out to be. Newsweek canned him afterwards, I think because he lied to their face when they asked him. \*\* I dunno…maybe I’m being whooshed or am otherwise confused, **BUT** … Who is Joe Stein, and what are you saying about him? Because Joe Klein _is_ the new _In The Arena_ columnist for **Time**. He’s a very insightful writer…and yes, I do think that he wrote _Primary Colors_. Now who is Joel Stein & what exactly is your point about him??? ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/34 "2003-07-04T07:33:42Z")
**Frink** , reread the thread. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/35 "2003-07-04T16:30:12Z")
HOW DARE YOU, RILCHIAM! Take your off topic discussion of Joel Stein to the Pit or something! We don’t take kindly to people hijacking perfectly good threads! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Frink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Mr.Frink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Frink)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/36 "2003-07-04T23:06:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rilchiam \* > \*\ ***Frink** , reread the thread. \*\* …um…well, my only excuse is…ah, look at the time I posted. My brain fell asleep & somehow my fingers kept typing… So, in conclusion…Never Mind. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2003, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/37 "2003-07-04T23:08:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Frink \* > \*\*…um…well, my only excuse is…ah, look at the time I posted. My brain fell asleep & somehow my fingers kept typing… > > So, in conclusion…Never Mind. \*\* No, no, no… the better response would have been: “They call me MISTER Frink!” ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/38 "2003-07-05T16:39:56Z")
Well, the mail has been delivered and we have the latest copy of EW with Kate Hepburn on the cover. And Joel Stein’s column is _not in it_. I don’t know if he’s on vacation, and devoting the last page to “Stupid Questions” with Carson Daley isn’t much of an improvement. But I’ve got my fingers crossed that this is just a place-holder until they get someone better. **Eve** , perhaps? Ohpleaseohpleaseohplease… ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/39 "2003-07-05T16:45:26Z")
I think his columns are vaguely humerous – but it is “all about him,” for sure. In fact, if he catches wind of this thread it would probably be the topic of next week’s column… ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2003, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540/40 "2003-07-05T20:11:02Z")
Wasn’t asking celebs stupid questions Joel Stein’s schtick at Time magazine? How insulting is it for him to be replaced by somebody else doing what he was doing when he was hired in the first place? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-joel-steins-column-in-ew/185540.md?page=3)