Bring it closer to me! (Closer Magazine)

Member Name: AmyAmy

Product:	Closer Magazine
Date:	30/11/08 (198 review reads)
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I must admit, with the plans to study Journalism in a few short years' time, I really do not read enough magazines; I've always been more of a book-person. However I decided to up this last week and bought a few magazines. Of course, I wasn't going to pay for something I wouldn't enjoy reading, so I scanned the shelves for something that would be of interest to me. That is when that week's issue of Closer, dated 29 November - 5 December, leapt out at me, with three of the five articles shown on the front appealing to me.

I think it is clear to say that this is quite a girlie magazine - the front cover to Closer has a gorgeous bright pink background, with the title written in fresh white. Surrounding it, you will see images and photos of some of the stories and articles you will find inside. This is always a good start to see if this magazine is the sort for you. On the magazine I have sitting next to me, there is shown an article about Kristina from Strictly Come Dancing, and another about Charlotte Church. The three that drew me in was the piece about an anorexic, one about Cheryl Cole's troubles, and the article about Billie Piper's new diet.

When you open up, after passing an advert for the new Beckham fragrances (!), you will find the contents page which is split into six sections; On the cover, Celeb News, Real Life, Shopping, Your Body and Also in Closer. Especially with the bold headings, this makes it easier for you to find your way around the 114 pages of this magazine.

Following that, you will find the next five articles are all celebrity based, with two of them from the cover. I was quite disappointed that the Billie article was just half a page, but I suppose there was still something in it about her! Throughout this there further adverts, which although can be quite annoying, help to bulk it out.

There is a double-page called Mr Showbiz, which is full of all the latest showbiz gossip and information. As a celeb fanatic, this is always an interest to me and found this part most delightful. This blog is written by Dean Piper, who certainly has a way with words! There is also an email address provided so you can contact him if you have any gossip to share!

There are a few more celebrity articles, until you get to a real life story. In this particular issue, it was about a woman who still loves her husband who was in jail, or so the title suggests. However, I did not find this article to be very interesting, and decided to give it a miss, and flicked on past the next few adverts.

Stop! Was that a picture of Cheryl Cole I saw? Yes, there is even more about the fame-struck Geordie lass that first suggested! This was in Danii Minogue's double-page X Factor 'files'. As she is a judge on the show, I found what she was saying about the show here was going to be how it really is, rather than how a journalist sees it, so I tended to absorb her words. And it was great to hear that she and Cheryl were getting along after rumours about them not doing so!

Ulrika Johnson, another talent, also has her own page full of her life story that week and things she cares about. In this issue, this included her views on ITV show 'I'm a Celebrity...', what she feels about the Baby P story, and her 'Highs and Lows of the week'. Although I'm not a huge fan of hers, I decided to read this section anyway and I must admit, I found it interesting! It's definitely something worth getting the magazine for each week along with the others which appeal within.

Now, although I didn't feel I should go into each and every article in detail, I do want to talk about the next one as I found it exceptionally fascinating! Scientist Le Trung spent at £14, 000 making a female robot, which he named Aiko. This robot was made over the course of two years, and can talk, read, recognise faces, give directions, and yes, this robot can even orgasm. Le Trung - this is a very clever creation, but I do have to ask ' Why?!'.

The Body Talk articles are written by dating expert Tracey Cox. This is quite interesting, allowing us to take an incite into other celeb's love lives, purely based on their interactions with one another. And since this issue was about Cat Deeley, one of my Presenter idols, I was most pleased. After this I found the story about the anorexic, so I continued to smile as I read on.

After a few more celeb pages and colourful adverts, I came across some of the fashion pages. Not only does this tell you what is in at the moment (who doesn't love bright gold leggings?!), there are also some celebrity fashion flaws, which can always be fun to gawp at, however unless it is a celeb i am particularly fond of! Thankfully, in this issue, there was nobody! The fashion part goes on for quite a bit, and guess who props up again? Mrs Cole! It's lucky she's one celeb I like aint I?!

At the end of this, I finally reached the diet section, which is always something I read over more than once! You can get tips here from nutritionist Juliette Kellow about calories and ways to save them, star diets and various other extras, including a taste test - this week three bags of vegetable crisps were tried...exciting stuff! If you go online to www.closeronline.co.uk, not only can you disover more news and gossip, but you can sign up to Closer Diets and get extra help with shifting those lbs and perfecting your health.

The next article annoyed me, as it was about how Jennifer Ellison struggles to eat when unhappy. There was an image timeline of her at different weights, and at her thinnest, even then she was not too tiny. Why are they making a mountain out of a molehill? Everybody gets like that at times when they are too upset to eat! I do like Jeniffer Ellison, but that article took the biscuit (away from Ellison!).

I always remember the next part of the magazine well, as it is something I have always enjoyed reading. It's titled 'Fridgeraiders', and over half the page is taken up by a large image of a fridge full of food! Each issue, you will learn about what is inside a different celebrity's fridge - I always love to know what their diet is like! This issue gave us information about Mel B's fridge, a singer I have admired since the start of the Spice Girls (oh the memories!), and Nutritionist Barbara Wilson, came to a verdict that Mel had a well-balanced diet! Good on you, Mel!

The magazine also has a competition in it, and in this issue, since it is coming close to Christmas (yay!), you have the chance of winning £1,000 worth of Christmas gifts. Looking at the image though, it is clear to see that this competition is aimed at parents, with a mountain of childrens' toys! I suppose at the end of the day though if you did win it and you didn't know any children, there's always charity donations...

Closer also has the typical 'letter' pages of a magazine, where you can write in about various problems to specific agony aunts, and Dr Christian too with medical problems. However whether you get the response you were hoping for, if any, is simply down to chance. There is also the usual section with puzzles and crosswords to keep you amused - I find these most of use if I travelling! You will also find a timetable for the week's television for all the main channels. There are also interesting pictures throughout to encourage you to watch the shows! And finally, right at the very back, one of my favourite parts; 'My Guilty Pleasures'. This is a little interview with a different celebrity each week about their guilty pleasures in different areas, including TV, food, crush and various others. This issue gave us a look into Connie Fischer's life, who won How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? a few years back, playing Maria in the West End show Sound of Music. This was the one and only time when the contestant on a reality TV show won that I had voted for all the way from the start, so this was good to read!

As you can see, the magazine is packed full of exciting gossip and news, with loads of tips and hints too for a better, happier life. But was it worth its money? Well considering it cost me just £1.30, then yes it was! That's not a lot for such a fantastic packed magazine, and you won't necessarily need to buy any others that week as it gives you all the news and update you could possibly wish for! Perhaps this is one I am going to continue buying after all!

© Amy 2008

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