HATES PUPPIES Granger, Ellie (inset)
Most movie lovers know what the Oscars are. Most magazine readers, on the other hand, have probably never heard of the Ellies—but that doesn't mean the editors who vie for them care any less about winning.
On the eve of the National Magazine Awards, as they're formally known—"Ellies" refers to the elephant-shaped statuettes given to winners—Radar set out to discover just who cares the most. Below, the results of our carefully-worded survey, administered at a pre-awards gathering for nominees.
Cindi Leive, editor in chief, Glamour
RADAR: Would you sacrifice a puppy to win tomorrow?
A puppy? [Makes sad face.] No!
How about a pigeon?
[Thinks.] This pigeon thing ... I would have to wrestle with my conscience over that.
We'll take that as a yes.
David Granger, editor in chief,
Esquire
RADAR: Would you sacrifice a puppy to win an Ellie?
What? I don't even like dogs, but I wouldn't do that. [
Concedes that he would probably sacrifice a rat. Also, says he likes some dogs.]
Christopher Napolitano, editorial director, Playboy
RADAR: Would you sacrifice a puppy to win tomorrow?
I'd eat a puppy, but I'm omnivorous. I could never kill it myself, though.
Michael Hainey, deputy editor, GQ
RADAR: Would you sacrifice a puppy to win an Ellie?
No.
A pigeon?
No.
A cockroach?
No! I like animals. It's bad karma. When you kill a cockroach, you might be killing a famous writer.
Huh?
Kafka.
Oh, right.
Eliot Kaplan, editorial talent director, Hearst Magazines
RADAR: We're asking people if they'd sacrifice a puppy to win tomorrow.
I don't know about a puppy. I think most people in this room would sacrifice their cats. I'd sacrifice someone else's cat.
Sid Evans, editor in chief, Field & Stream
RADAR: Would you sacrifice a puppy to win an Ellie?
I don't know. I'm kind of a dog guy.
How about a pigeon?
Oh, definitely.
Bruno Maddox, contributing editor, Discover
RADAR: Would you sacrifice a puppy to win an Ellie?
Yes. I don't like puppies. I'd sacrifice a puppy for a ride home.
Mark Whitaker, editor in chief of new ventures, Washington Post.Newsweek Interactive
RADAR: What would you sacrifice to win an Ellie?
I'd sacrifice a rat.
Cullen Murphy, editor at large, Vanity Fair
RADAR: Would you sacrifice a puppy to win an Ellie?
I think I'm going to get a drink.
Isaac Iselin, editorial assistant, Vanity Fair
RADAR: Would you sacrifice a puppy to win an Ellie?
Yes, I would. I would be happy to.
Kim Hubbard, photography editor, Audubon
RADAR: Would you sacrifice a puppy to win tomorrow?
No!
How about a pigeon?
I probably would sacrifice a pigeon. And I'll probably get fired for saying that, since I work at Audubon.
Vanessa Grigoriadis, contributing editor, New York magazine (and occasional Radar writer)
RADAR: Would you kill a puppy to win an Ellie?
No. I don't kill things. But I would kill a brown recluse spider. One of them just bit my husband.
[Note: Grigoriadis's husband is doing fine.]