| Product: |
Closer Magazine |
| Date: |
25/05/08 (33 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Interesting take on stories, not too many adverts, good to pass the time.
Disadvantages: Repetitive, not particularly cheap.
Despite the fact that celebrity gossip can be found in seconds through a quick trip to the gossip sites or a search engine, there's something satsifying about the physical act of holding a shiny magazine. There are definite advantages to picking one up whilst travelling, which I often do.
Closer magazine is popular in my social group. Its celebrity gossip and interesting (but not too hyperbolic or unbelievable) real life stories are a good way to pass the time. It includes a range of things, from diets to celebs to fashion to health rather than focusing on one thing, which makes it a magazine that appeals to a broader market.
In terms of price, I would describe it as mid-range; it definitely isn't value for money when there are 60p magazines out there, but then again it is not as expensive as similar lifestyle magazines which head over the £3 mark.
One unique advantage is that it often does not come with all those annoying advertising leaflets that immediately get binned or left on the shelf in the shop. The adverts that are inside it are appropriate for its readership, and usually appear only on the left hand pages, which makes them a lot easier to skip past and doesn't interfere with the flow of the text.
The regular features in Closer include some interesting ones such as '10 questions we ask everybody' and what's inside a particular celebrity fridge. Though I get the feeling people lie a lot about the latter, the former is quite interesting as it does not stick to typical overrated celebrities but also includes (gasp) men and older people. There is also Coleen McLoughlin's column, and Mr Showbiz's spread (always entertaining to see how much balder he is in real life when comparing the picture in his byline to his recent pictures with celebrities!).
Though I am more inclined to buy Closer than other magazines generally, there are occasions when I would steer clear. These are if I want something that's going to occupy me for a considerable amount of time (I'm a quick reader and Closer is too short in my opinion), or if the front cover celebrity headlines do not interest me. These are often about celeb weight losses/gains, which sell the most. There is also a bit too much reliance on Jordan (Katie Price) and Kerry Katona, particularly when half the story is reiterating last week's.
However, the mid-range price, the interesting stories and features and the lack of tacky free gifts are all good incentives. A bit on the expensive and repetitive side to buy every issue, however.
Summary: Buy occasionally unless you're rich!
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