LISTEN: Inside Variety’s 120th Anniversary Issue: How We Tackled 12 Decades of Hollywood’s Highs and Lows

In a special episode of the "Daily Variety" podcast, the crew pulls back the curtain on producing the magazine's massive 120th-anniversary edition. The host is joined by deputy editor Trish Deitch and design director Ted Keller, who detail the colossal task of encapsulating twelve decades of Hollywood and worldwide entertainment into a single, compelling issue—a process that required both meticulous historical digging and creative modern design.

A highlight of their archival exploration was the unexpected discovery of a previously lost photograph featuring Michael Jackson and Liberace together. Deitch recounts how this find energized the team, perfectly illustrating the thrilling potential of sifting through historical records. This image is a remarkable cultural artifact, capturing a moment between two iconic but distinct figures: Liberace, the flamboyant pianist synonymous with extravagant stage shows, and Michael Jackson, the pop titan whose album 'Thriller' remains the best-selling record of all time. Such a discovery underscores how anniversary projects can actively reshape our understanding of entertainment history, unearthing connections that were previously forgotten.

From a design perspective, Keller explains the formidable challenge of creating a visual language that could coherently span from the era of silent films to the age of digital streaming. The solution involved a flexible layout system that honors the aesthetics of different periods while maintaining a contemporary feel. On the editorial side, Deitch emphasizes the difficult curatorial choices involved in selecting which stories and figures best defined each epoch. Publications like Variety, which was founded in 1905 to cover vaudeville, have uniquely documented the entire arc of modern media; its archives are a primary source for historians. As one media analyst noted, "These anniversary editions are more than just commemorative; they are a publication asserting its role as the definitive chronicler of an industry's narrative."

The complete discussion, offering an insider's view into the stewardship of a media legacy, is now available for streaming. Listeners can find it on all major platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio, as well as on Variety's own YouTube Podcast channel. This widespread distribution reflects the modern media landscape, ensuring that this deep dive into journalistic craft is accessible to industry professionals and curious fans alike.