Daily Beast Like The Daily News But With A Much, Much Stupider Title

Tina Brown used to edit Vanity Fair and The New Yorker. But her new website The Daily Beast is clearly taking its visual cues directly from the Philadelphia Daily News.

It’s not the worst idea, I suppose. The Daily News is the best looking of the big-city daily tabloids. (The Post and Daily News in New York are so ugly they make me cry). But, um, come on: Not only does it look exactly like the Daily News there’s even a feature with a title nearly identical to Big Fat Friday!

Brown told the Washington Post the look is based off European tabloids: “I’ve always loved the look of the European smart tabloids? La Republica., El Pais… There ’s a lot to be said for the sex appeal of the tabloid flavor but then incorporating into that really terrific writing and good thinking. In some ways, it’s that high-low mix that I’ve liked to do at Vanity Fair and everywhere I’ve gone really, where the visual presentation is exciting and enticing and the content is smart and well-written and upscale.”

Umm, yeah, so apparently it’s based off a paper in this city. Or, uhm, whatever design firm did the Daily News‘ redesign back in 2001 decided nobody would notice if the same exact logo, style and “Big Fat” moniker was used again.

Update: Aw, Will Bunch beat me to this. No Gawker link for me!

The Daily Beast