The New Yorker Radio Hour: Celebrating 100 Years with Jia Tolentino and Roz Chast

Release Date: February 18, 2025

In the milestone episode "Celebrating 100 Years: Jia Tolentino and Roz Chast Pick Favorites from the Archive," The New Yorker Radio Hour commemorates the centennial of The New Yorker magazine. Hosted by David Remnick, the episode features insightful discussions with staff writer Jia Tolentino and acclaimed cartoonist Roz Chast, each selecting and analyzing a cherished piece from the magazine’s extensive archive.

Introduction to the Centennial Celebration

David Remnick sets the stage by reflecting on the significance of reaching the 100-year mark. He highlights the debut issue of The New Yorker from February 21, 1925, and introduces the concept of celebrating this centennial by revisiting standout pieces from the past century. Remnick emphasizes the magazine’s legacy of profiling, storytelling, and incisive conversations, setting a nostalgic yet analytical tone for the episode.

Quote:

“This is the New Yorker Radio Hour. I'm David Remnick. Listen, I am not one for anniversary journalism or even birthdays. You reach a certain age and it's hard to remember what all the fuss is about. But when you reach 100, well, at 100, you get to make a fuss.”
(00:39)

Jia Tolentino’s Exploration of Joan Didion’s Essay on Martha Stewart

Jia Tolentino, author of the bestselling Trick Mirror, selects Joan Didion’s essay on Martha Stewart as her archival favorite. Published in the year 2000, Didion’s piece delves into Martha Stewart’s public persona, examining the nuances of female power and the complexities behind a meticulously crafted image.

Why Joan Didion and Martha Stewart?

Tolentino explains her choice by connecting Didion's foresight with Martha Stewart’s subsequent legal troubles and Didion’s own personal tragedies. She appreciates how the essay anticipates the challenges Stewart would face, maintaining its relevance even years later.

Quote:

“This is published in the year 2000, and three years later, Martha Stewart gets indicted for securities fraud. And four years later, Joan Didion starts writing the Year of Magical Thinking...”
(02:30)

Analyzing Didion’s Perspective

Remnick and Tolentino discuss Didion’s ability to capture the dichotomy between Stewart’s flawless public image and the underlying pressures of maintaining such perfection. Didion portrays Stewart not just as a symbol of feminine domesticity but as a powerful woman navigating a male-dominated world.

Notable Quote:

“She seems perfect, but she's not. She's obsessed. She's frantic. She's a control freak beyond my wildest dreams. And that shows me two things. A, no one is perfect, and B, there's a price for everything.”
(07:41)

Tolentino admires how Didion’s essay remains focused on the themes of image versus reality without being complicated by Stewart’s later legal issues, allowing for a pure examination of ambition and the cost of perfection.

Roz Chast’s Tribute to George Booth’s Cartoons

Renowned cartoonist Roz Chast brings George Booth’s work into the spotlight, celebrating his unique contributions to The New Yorker. Booth, known for his dog-themed cartoons, used humor and detailed observations to depict the quirks of everyday American life.

Why George Booth?

Chast recounts her admiration for Booth’s ability to infuse ordinary scenarios with humor and depth. She highlights one of his cartoons depicting a chaotic grocery store scene, showcasing his talent for capturing human idiosyncrasies through meticulous detail and storytelling.

Description of Booth’s Work:

“A woman is having a yard sale. This front lawn and the side lawn are just covered with crap... The grocery cart is smashed into a parking meter and two rabid looking dogs are barking at her...”
(11:56)

Personal Anecdotes and Impact

Chast shares personal memories of meeting Booth in the mid-80s, illustrating the profound influence his work had on her. She appreciates his authentic approach and the way his cartoons diverged from the stereotypical sophisticated New Yorker imagery, instead focusing on the peculiarities of small-town life.

Quote:

“George was always nice and he was a great laugher. He laughed at his own stuff, he laughed at other people's stuff. And he was so true to himself, you know, from the beginning to the end. That, to me, that was, you know, encouraging.”
(17:00)

Connecting Themes: Image vs. Reality and Perfectionism

Both Tolentino and Chast explore overarching themes of image versus reality and the pressures of perfectionism through their selected pieces. Didion’s essay on Stewart and Booth’s cartoons collectively highlight the façade individuals maintain and the underlying complexities that often remain hidden from the public eye.

Discussion Highlights:

• Tolentino on Didion’s Analysis:

  “They are both perfectionists on the surface, something that I can't quite connect to... what she was analyzing was another woman that had made a career out of flawless surfaces at a cost to her critics.”
  (04:58)

• Chast on Booth’s Observational Humor:

  “I loved his work so much. I loved it for its unique point of view. Always funny, never cruel, kind of off the wall.”
  (17:00)

These discussions underscore the enduring relevance of The New Yorker’s archival pieces, showcasing how they continue to offer valuable insights into human behavior and societal norms.

Conclusion: Enduring Legacy of The New Yorker

Remnick concludes the episode by emphasizing the timeless nature of the selected archival pieces. He invites listeners to explore more insights on The New Yorker’s centennial through the website, promising continued celebrations and deep dives into the magazine’s storied past.

Final Quote:

“You can find Roz Chast on George Booth, as well as Gia Tolentino on Martha Stewart, by the great Joan Didion, and much more @newyorker.com takes...”
(18:18)

The episode serves as a testament to The New Yorker’s lasting impact on American literature and culture, celebrating its ability to capture and dissect the intricacies of everyday life with unparalleled depth and wit.

Additional Notes:

• Supporting Cast and Production: The episode features contributions from various WNYC Studios and The New Yorker staff, including production by Max Bolton, Adam Howard, and others. The theme music composed by Meryl Garbus adds a distinctive auditory backdrop to the discussions.

• Availability: Listeners can access the featured essays by Tolentino and Chast on newyorker.com/takes, alongside other centennial celebrations.

This comprehensive exploration not only honors the rich history of The New Yorker but also provides contemporary listeners with a deeper appreciation of its pivotal role in shaping and reflecting societal narratives over the past century.