Larry Platt out at Philadelphia magazine
Dan Gross' blog, PhillyGossip, covers the behavior and misbehavior of celebrities both local and Hollywood. His Dan About Town column runs Mondays through Thursdays in the Daily News.
Larry Platt out at Philadelphia magazine
Dan Gross
Philadelphia magazine yesterday parted ways with editor Larry Platt who was at its helm for eight years.
Platt's contract with the magazine is up in August, but he was informed yesterday that he would not stay on, we're told.
Sources tell us the decision was largely due to Platt's history of inappropriate and unprofessional remarks and jokes to his employees, in what closely resembled the behavior of the fictional "The Office" boss Michael Scott.
We hear that Platt's recent gift of a framed-photo of a cyst removed from his testicle to a departing female staffer, was one of the examples that led to the decision of Herbert and David Lipson, chairman and president of Metrocorp, which owns the magazine, to relieve him of his duties. The magazine announced today that Platt has resigned.
David Lipson declined to comment on Platt's departure further than what the company issued in a statement.
"After a difficult meeting yesterday afternoon with the Lipsons, it became clear to me that my time at Philly mag has run its course," Platt e-mailed former colleagues today. Platt says he submitted his resignation "effective immediately," and that he will return to his passion of writing. "After two years of nonstop business meetings, I’m actually looking forward to telling stories again," Platt said. He added that he was proud of the July issue and it was "a particularly good one, and a good one for me to go out on after nearly eight years of award-winning journalism. I’m sorry I’m not there to tell you all this in person, but I hate being all visibly emotional.," he wrote.
Reached by phone this afternoon, Platt declined to comment further than what he conveyed to his colleagues.
“Larry Platt reshaped the magazine during an era of great editorial strength, and also great popularity,” said Herb Lipson in a statement. “I wish him the best in his future endeavors, and look forward to the continuing prominence of Philadelphia under the talented staff that Larry leaves behind.”
Lipson announced that seven-year Philadelphia magazine staffer Tom McGrath will assume the role of interim editor. McGrath has served as executive editor since 2005, and in 2009 also became online editorial director.
It sounds to me like he was trying to get fired. I am glad to see he got what he wanted.— syddan26- Bald
Comment removed.- I'm quite surprised that a man as interesting as this is in publishing. It takes a real genius (as opposed to a village) to raise a gem like this. He's not particularly handsome, either. He looks like he smells like cheap deli ham that's been smouldering under Larry Kane's left (as opposed to right) underarm. I love how he incorporated "The Office"-like antics into Philly mag. One of the leitmotifs of "The Office" is how vapid and meaningless the job is. But I'll tell you this...selling office supplies trumps working for that rag Philly mag (rhyme intended). I'll miss you, Larry. xoxoxo— criticalmindsz
After running a cash-cow like Philly Mag into the ground and making his famous nasty remarks about seeing religious Jews in Bala Cynwyd, it's amazing to me that he lasted this long. Somewhere there's a vapid comic book looking for an author.— teckie- Comment removed.
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- does Dunder Miflin has an openning? The Michael Scott comparison is too good. How would anybody think a picture of their testicle is an appropriate gift - even as a gag gift its bad— ruserious
- Dan Gross, i think you need to start looking for other stories. What was the point of this? People get fired every day.— rampage412
- Now he can go sell printers for Sabre.— Rudykizuty
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- The article about the Jewish community in Lower-Merion was the point I vowed to use Philly magazine to line the cat's litter box...problem was the cat said it would be redundant!!— abbanator
- hey Dan...anybody ever tell you you look like Jared the "SUBWAY" guy?— phillyboy88
- This magazine Best of Philly is so bad its lost all meaning.— Sports4Life
