Graydon Carter Has “Never Been Happier”

It appears that many people are now discussing their experiences working with Graydon Carter during his legendary time at Vanity Fair (1992–2017), which coincides with the release of his memoir, “When the Going Was Good: An Editor’s Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines“, due on March 25 from Penguin Press. I’d like to contribute my own account as well.

As a gamer, let me tell you about my journey far from my humble beginnings in Montreal, Canada. Instead of basking in the luxurious lifestyle of a well-paid Vanity Fair writer, jetting off to stay in top-tier hotels for months at a time, I’m chasing an even more elusive dream – becoming a writer myself. Stupidly ambitious? Maybe. But that’s what makes it exciting!

In 1997, driven by extreme need, I penned a letter to Graydon Carter, who was the head honcho at my desired magazine. I emphasized our shared Canadian heritage and boldly asked for employment in the letter. I addressed it to “Graydon Carter c/o Vanity Fair” and deposited it into an East Village mailbox, not anticipating any response.

A few months down the line, I got a call regarding an available freelance position, essentially a paid apprenticeship role, at Vanity Fair.

In my gaming world, it felt like Carter (or perhaps one of his assistants) had taken on the role of messenger, reading and forwarding a crucial letter for review. Before I knew it, I was being entrusted with the golden ticket to Disneyland, joining the daily march of Condé Nast employees each morning just like any other team member.

During my tenure at Vanity Fair, I rarely interacted with Carter nor exchanged looks with him. Instead, I would only catch brief glimpses of him as he confidently entered his expansive office corner.

Often, my responsibilities encompassed journeys to the local New York Public Library to unearth fragments of memory nagging at Carter’s mind. For instance, I spent numerous days searching for a specific cartoonist’s (whose name eludes me) work in a satirical magazine from the turn of the century – I suspect it was Puck – but ultimately found nothing.

During the peak of Vanity Fair, even routine tasks weren’t ordinary. One such task involved phoning a distribution list to determine the destination for our annual Hollywood Issue. It was Billy Wilder who picked up. We had a delightful conversation.

Usually, during lunchtime, I’d be found in the company of truth-verifiers, each of them harboring ambitions beyond fact-checking. One of them once shared with me that he had submitted his “Frasier” television script to the appropriate individuals at Paramount through an “internal mail system,” which reminded me of a kangaroo carrying its young.

Later on, they welcomed me into their group and initiated me into their secretive truth-verifying methods. Shortly afterward, I secured a position as a fact-checker at House & Garden, located in the same building but on a different floor, thereby bringing my Vanity Fair tenure to a close.

By 2000, the well-known Condé Nast cafeteria designed by Frank Gehry was opened – let’s save that story for later. The key point is, Carter (or his assistant, who effectively represented him) didn’t dismiss my letter in contempt. Instead, he provided me with an opportunity – one for which I will always be thankful.

In September, when I shared the news about his memoir, I at last had the chance to share that story with him. To my joy, instead of getting upset or blocking me, he appeared quite pleased by my narrative.

After finishing the memoir, I must say it exceeded my expectations. Lately, I’ve had an engaging conversation with Carter, who is now 75 years old. We discussed a wide range of topics, from Donald Trump’s hostility towards our cherished country to close calls involving Harvey Weinstein’s physical altercations, as well as Gwyneth Paltrow’s controversial vaginal jade eggs.

It’s a full-circle moment if there ever was one.

When Graydon initially arrived at Vanity Fair, he dismissed several problematic employees. He explained to them, “The issue is, you’ve mistaken courtesy for vulnerability.” To me, that sounds quite characteristic of a Canadian way of thinking.

100% of the way. Be mindful not to underestimate them based on their friendly demeanor; Canadians are incredibly robust. Their strength lies deep within. While they might appear cordial on the surface, there’s a solid core beneath.

At 100%, don’t let their amiable appearance fool you into thinking they’re an easy match. Canadians possess remarkable strength. This strength is deeply rooted within them. On the outside, they may seem friendly and charming, but there’s a hidden resilience to them.

I’m curious, then, what you make of Donald Trump’s ongoing hostilities towards our native land.

First off, Canada is an ideal neighbor anyone could ask for. Not only are they a fantastic trading partner, but they’re also simply delightful neighbors. It feels quite uncomfortable being in New York right now with the president criticizing the country I cherish. I believe Canadians have managed this situation admirably. In my opinion, Rob Ford, Ontario’s premier, gave an outstanding response. And I must say, I was impressed by Justin Trudeau’s reaction as well.

What is the Vanity Fair story you’re most proud of — your greatest scoop?

The Deep Throat expose, where the magazine unveiled W. Mark Felt as the Watergate informant legendary figure, was significant due to the two years it took to gather information. For journalists, this was one of the greatest enigmas within our field. At Vanity Fair, we played a long game. Few publications today can allocate two years for a single narrative. However, there were numerous captivating stories. I’m pleased with the team I assembled. We worked collaboratively. We all shared meals together. It was a very friendly environment.

Venture deep within the glamorous Vanity Fair Oscars gathering. The book is filled with captivating tales – such as the incident when this year’s best actor, Adrien Brody, attempted to steal a table lamp.

Those were some rather bulky and powered table lamps made of brass. I joked about it, and he responded humorously. It was delightful to witness his victory. Indeed, he is a true gentleman. Interestingly, his mother once took photographs for Spy magazine, which predates Vanity Fair. Before that, she worked as a photographer for The Village Voice. And there she was in the crowd the other night! He possesses a smart, New York-style intellect.

He just has sticky fingers.

Like anyone with a good, New York head.

Did you have a favorite this year?

Other than Conclave, I haven’t seen a single film. I haven’t watched the Oscars for seven years.

And why is that? Has it something to do with leaving Vanity Fair?

It’s partly due to the trauma from attending those parties for so many years that I mentioned earlier. Over the past six years, my wife and I have lived intermittently in France. The Oscars were aired at 1:00 a.m., and I decided not to stay up for them. Instead, I learned about them the next day from reading newspapers.

One memory that stands out from my days at Vanity Fair is the annual tradition during Oscar season when we’d gather in a meeting room to watch all the nominated films, which were played on VHS tapes. Lunch was included too. I distinctly recall Geoffrey Rush’s performance in Shine, a role that earned him the best actor award. It was my first experience working at a place that truly appreciated movies and encouraged everyone to respect them as important pieces of art.

These days, when it comes to entertainment, I’ve found myself drawn more towards captivating TV series rather than movies. A few years back, I made sure to catch all the major films to stay current for social gatherings. However, life has been hectic lately, leaving little time for movies. Currently, I’m engrossed in “The White Lotus” and soon will dive into “The Leopard”. It seems that TV is really hitting its stride these days, resonating more with my generation than films do. Movies, it seems, are more for the younger crowd, perfect for dates and such. I guess I’m no longer part of that demographic.

One more intriguing tale that seems to have grown into an urban myth from the Oscar events, and it’s a far cry from the truth as depicted in the book, is the one about you two having a physical altercation with each other.
Another captivating yarn that has morphed into an urban legend since the Oscar nights, and it’s quite contrasting to the account in the book, is the one suggesting you two had a physical fight.

A few nights before the Oscars, I found myself with friends Mitch Glazer, screenwriter of Scrooged, and Kelly Lynch, who starred in Cocktail. We were dining at a restaurant owned by Christopher Ciccone, Madonna’s late brother. I believe it was named Atlantic or something similar.

While departing, we found Harvey Weinstein seated among several young actresses at a table. He called out to me and said, “Graydon, I’d like to have a word with you.” To which I replied, “Sure, what’s up?” He then revealed, “I’ve heard you’re planning a major exposé about us at Miramax in Vanity Fair.” I paused for a moment before denying his claim, saying, “I don’t remember anything of the sort.” In response, he suggested, “We could create a sensational piece [for Talk, Weinstein’s magazine collaboration with Tina Brown] about all the drugs at Spy.

It was clear to me that his warning was empty, as no one at Spy earned enough to buy drugs. Instead, they consumed alcohol, not having the means for drugs. So, he suggested something like, “Let’s take a walk outside.” He had watched too many movies.

We made our way to the pavement, and lo and behold, there were cameramen present. The thought that crossed my mind was, “This isn’t going to look good – here we are, a couple of middle-aged gentlemen having a dispute on a city sidewalk.

However, once he stepped outside, his demeanor shifted dramatically. He attempted to embrace me, and exclaimed, “I find ‘Vanity Fair’ extraordinary, and I truly hope our magazine ‘Talk’ will be equally impressive.” It was all a performance, aimed at the half dozen women present.

And then he moved in across the street from me in New York.

Really? And did you ever run into him?

Daily, we resided on a compact street within the West Village, with a house right opposite ours being his purchase. Frequently, he intertwined with my life. Despite being an amiable neighbor, it was evident that he wasn’t an upstanding individual.

There were many stories circulating about him, but none seemed verifiable. Have there been any instances where you found information that proved challenging to publish?

David Carr from The New York Times attempted a story, and I discussed it with him. Harvey wouldn’t conduct such actions openly, nor would he do it on Bank Street where his family resided, as his wife and kids lived there.

To put it another way, just like many articles have been published, your book delves into the early portrayal of Jeffrey Epstein in Vanity Fair, which was written by Vicki Ward. This piece reported some alleged misconduct against Epstein, as claimed by two sisters. However, you chose not to include these accusations in your article at that time, a topic you explore extensively in the book.

Initially, during the time when Epstein was still a private citizen, any legal proceedings would require people to testify in court. However, these young women opted not to participate, and they eventually developed animosity towards Vicky Ward due to her exploitation of their stories for personal gain. Thirteen years later, as news resurfaced, they felt compelled to ask her to stop mentioning their names because of the distress it caused them. In essence, Ward’s persistent talk about them is akin to a lingering case of COVID-19.

In the book, you refer to Ward as a “mini Tina Brown,” suggesting a smaller version of Tina Brown. It’s mentioned that Ward had worked under Brown at Talk and elsewhere. Prior to your tenure at The New Yorker, Tina Brown was the editor of Vanity Fair, and you were later offered the position at The New Yorker. The book suggests that Brown experienced a change of heart, deciding she wanted to lead The New Yorker instead. This sudden shift might have led to the development of tension or animosity between the two of you. Did this last-minute swap ultimately spark a history of strained relations between you?

Absolutely not, she held my utmost respect as an editor. However, unexpectedly, we became rivals, and that shift altered our relationship significantly. We didn’t mingle in the same social groups, so it’s been about 15 years since I last saw her, and I haven’t had any contact with her since then.

I would think you would run in the same circles.

You would think, but no.

What did you want to do differently with Vanity Fair?

Simplify the ornate, elaborate style in the writing, which required a good amount of time. My aim was to transform this environment into a collaborative one. However, upon arrival, I found it wasn’t as I expected; instead, it was filled with uncooperative individuals. It was like a den of snakes when I first stepped in, making it quite intimidating. In fact, I wouldn’t dare to bring my own children here. Therefore, the focus became on purging the old leadership from the place.

With sage and whatnot.

There was was a lot of sage.

Regarding the Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue, I found it amusing that there were actual disputes among stars about which of the three cover panels they would feature on.

Not fights. Negotiations.

To put it another way, persuading stars to appear on the second or third panel was as challenging as speaking to someone on the edge of a precipice.

On a coffee table, only the first panel is visible to the eye, while the other panels remain hidden. However, when displayed on a billboard annually, you can view all three panels at once.

Since you’re no longer involved, would you be willing to share a few names about those from the A-list who were the most challenging to work with?

At my Greenwich Village eatery, the Waverly Inn, our least preferred patrons, surprisingly, hailed from the local community – Harvey Weinstein and Alex Rodriguez. You see, they had a peculiar habit of causing a stir when they desired privacy, which is the absolute worst thing one can do in a restaurant environment. This behavior was particularly noticeable during their escapes – a simple snap of their fingers would signal their demand for attention, something that’s generally considered impolite in such settings. Interestingly, most people were well-mannered at our Oscar party, but the journalists tended to be less disciplined than the actors and actresses.

In this present edition of Vanity Fair, Gwyneth Paltrow graces the cover, which brings to mind the controversy in 2014 surrounding a supposedly damaging piece about her that you had requested. The situation became quite contentious, leading to Gwyneth advising her friends to steer clear of Vanity Fair reporters.

We didn’t actually carry out the big takedown story on Gwyneth. There had been talk circulating that we were planning to do so, but here’s the thing – I have a soft spot for her. One of her exes used to live in my neighborhood and I would often cross paths with her. It wasn’t Owen Wilson, but his brother. I can’t quite recall his name at the moment.

Luke.

Luke Wilson was often seen with her on the neighborhood. I’ve always had a soft spot for her. I find Gwyneth Paltrow incredibly smart and innovative. I receive her emails every morning, even though I don’t usually need jade eggs or similar items. However, I understand why people purchase her products. We affectionately refer to her as the “Steve Jobs of the Vagina.” She was indeed a talented actress, and I regret that she’s no longer acting.

She is. She’s going to be with Timothée Chalamet in a movie.

Everything’s good, but to clarify, no actual story ever existed. Instead, what I ended up creating was an account of how this whole situation unfolded. [In his editor’s note, Carter explained that the article was just the assigned task – a rational, fact-based piece about the controversy surrounding Gwyneth Paltrow – and it was so different from the legendary tale people were anticipating by then that he considered it a flop and decided not to publish it.] We crossed paths a few months later, and everything worked out fine. It might have been at the Met Ball or a Broadway performance, I can’t quite remember now.

And you talked and hugged it out?

Briefly, I’ve always held no ill feelings for her. In fact, I admire her as an excellent actress. To put it another way, that situation seemed to develop independently.

What I appreciate about you is your ability to maintain distance from situations, which helps prevent them from escalating quickly if taken personally. Even the relentless criticism from figures like Trump…

(This version maintains the original sentiment while using more natural and easy-to-read language.)

I adore those! Can’t you see they’re amazing? They’re simply fantastic. It’s a bit disappointing that he hasn’t mentioned me on Twitter since 2016. I feel somewhat overlooked because he’s tweeted about me forty-eight times in a negative way. Frankly, I yearn for the recognition. (Informal and conversational)

In gaming terms, it’s like saying another player, let’s call her Anna Wintour, is often mentioned alongside my character in the same sentence. In the game’s narrative, I’ve written a line where my character says she either treats me like a long-lost friend or like a car attendant.

For quite some time now, I’ve held onto the sentiment. Yet, my affection for Anna remains deeply heartfelt. She was an exceptional friend to me, and our friendship gradually shifted as she climbed the ranks within Condé Nast, eventually taking on more prominent roles.

Indeed, according to your account in the book, it was primarily the overhaul she implemented at Condé Nast – specifically the establishment of a centralized copying and fact-checking department – that prompted your decision to depart.

I found it completely unsuccessful for my purposes. I managed to halt it for Vanity Fair, but it felt like plugging a hole with my finger – temporary at best, and I knew it wouldn’t last forever.

So are you OK with your decision to leave Vanity Fair when you did?

Never have I been more content. For 25 years, I cherished my time there, but the last seven years away have brought me even greater joy.

I’ve never felt so content before. The past 25 years were wonderful, but the last seven years apart have given me a whole new level of happiness.

Or:

I’ve never been happier in my life. I adored the past 25 years, but the last seven years away have brought an unprecedented level of joy.

Has the plan to sell your existing newsletter-based publication, Air Mail, via the investment bank Raine Group moved forward as planned? I’d like to confirm its current status.

Absolutely. Running your own business requires independence initially. However, as it grows and matures, merging with a larger entity may be necessary for long-term success. Currently, we are exploring options with several potential buyers. This process should unfold over the subsequent two to three months.

So an Air Mail sale could happen as soon as this year.

Yes. I hope so.

I’d like to avoid putting you in an uncomfortable position, but I must ask, what are your thoughts about Vanity Fair since you departed? Do you still find it appealing enough to read or enjoy?

As a gamer, I used to eagerly wait for my name on our subscription list of 400 members. Each month, we’d send out blue stickers labeling “first-bound copies” to these influential figures. The anticipation was always high as I was one of them, just so I could calculate when my coveted game copy would arrive.

Since I departed from Vanity Fair, I was removed from their complimentary subscription list. Consequently, I haven’t perused the magazine for the past seven years. Occasionally, I’ve merely glimpsed it due to our country house manager, who remains on the comp list, having it at his place every now and then. Nevertheless, I personally have not read Vanity Fair in seven years.

They didn’t provide me with the digital access code in 2018, and I’m not willing to pay for it now. [According to The New York Times, Radhika Jones, Carter’s successor, stated, “We sent him a digital access code in 2018. We’re ready to renew it if necessary!”]

2025-03-20 17:26

Read More