History Main / TheMagazineRule

** Dabbler the Succubus is seen reading the ''Pornews Journal'' at one point.
** There is apparently an ''A-Cup Aficionado Quarterly'' publication, which voted Sidney "Sexiest Superheroine".

* Similarly, ''Series/GoodNewsWeek'' featured an occasional round called 'Magazine Mastermind', where two celebrities would be given a obscure magazine to study and then be quizzed on its contents. A particular favourite was ''Bacon Busters'', a magazine for people who go bow hunting for feral pigs.

* There's a magazine for people who like to get drunk. It's called "Modern Drunkard".
* Many non-fans (or even fans who don't read the mag) find it hard to understand how ''Magazine/DoctorWhoMagazine'', ([[OverlyNarrowSuperlative the longest running publication devoted to a single sci-fi franchise]]) remained in business for the more than a decade that the show was off the air, or what it found to publish in that time.

* ''Manga/FrankenFran'': Fran [[http://mangafox.me/manga/franken_fran/v02/c009/21.html apparently subscribes]] to ''[[MadScientist Science Blood]]'' magazine.

->''"Private investigator Emerson Cod was enjoying the latest issue of Knit Wit Magazine, his literary outlet for knitting humor, when he received a phone call from the mother of one Anita Gray."''

* ''Comicbook/NewAvengers2015'' gives us "CHTTT!!! weekly". Comicbook/SquirrelGirl reads it, we can't imagine anybody else being interested in it. Except for squirrels. Maybe.

* In ''Comicbook/KnightAndSquire'' #2, Beryl picks up a copy of ''Total Castle'' for Cyril, who does in fact live in a castle. Who buys the other copies on the shelf, since even in Britain few locations run to more than one castle, is unexplored.

* ''WesternAnimation/TrollsWorldTour'': Barb got her list of bounty hunters from a Bounty Hunter Weekly.

* ''Webcomic/GrrlPower'': Dabbler the Succubus is seen reading the ''Pornews Journal'' at one point.

* Similarly, ''Series/GoodNewsWeek'' featured an occasional round called 'Magazine Mastermind', where two celebrities would be given a obscure magazine to study and then be quizzed on its contents. A particular favourite was ''Bacon Busters'', a magazine who people who go bow hunting for feral pigs.

A character subscribes to a weirdly specific fandom magazine or trade publication you would never expect to have an audience, or that [[PastimesProvePersonality speaks volumes about their character]]. This either represents their interest in a very niche hobby, or shows that a perfectly ordinary part of life is SeriousBusiness to them. If it's a trade publication, they probably belong to a WeirdTradeUnion.

Named after TheWikiRule, its online equivalent. Related to CollectorOfTheStrange and PastimesProvePersonality. If a [[TestosteronePoisoning Manly Man]] subscribes to ''Cross-stitch Quarterly'', it's RealMenWearPink, and if a NightmareFetishist has managed to find a publication devoted to ''Cross-stitch Bondage Babes'', it's Rule Thirty Six.

* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'', there is ''Which Broom?''; although given the popularity of Quidditch in the wizarding world and the broom's ubiquity as a means of transport, this is probably not so obscure; they're essentially the wizards' equivalent of racing bikes. For the actual Quidditch player, the comparison is possibly more akin to hockey skates.

* Many non-fans (or even fans who don't read the mag) find it hard to understand how ''Magazine/DoctorWhoMagazine'', ([[OverlyNarrowSuperlative the longest running publication devoted to a single sci-fo franchise]]) remained in business for the more than a decade that the show was off the air, or what it found to publish in that time.

* ''{{Webcomic/Homestuck}}'': Dad subscribes to ''The Serious Jester''.
* At least one character in ''Webcomic/MountainTime'' has a subscription to [[http://mountaincomics.com/comic/mountain-time-543/ ''Tumbleweed Enthusiast'']] magazine.

[[folder:Web Original]]

* On ''Radio/TheRickyGervaisShow'', Karl mentions in his diary that he saw someone reading a magazine called ''Carp''. Specifically, a "Carp of the Month" article. Later, he searches London for "[[InsistentTerminology UFO Data]]" but keeps getting distracted by gay pornography on the newsstand.

* In a few episodes of ''WesternAnimation/{{Kaeloo}}'', the male characters (especially Mr. Cat) are seen reading the magazine "Oh La La", which has [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar pictures of girls in skimpy costumes]].

'''''There's a magazine for everything.'''''

** Shub-Megawrath once appeared on the cover of ''Pregnant Shambling Horror Magazine''.

* In ''Comicbook/KnightAndSquire'' #2, Beryl picks up a copy of ''Total Castle'' for Cyril, who does in fact live in a castle. Who buys the other copies on the shelf, since even in Britain few locations run to more than one castle, is unecplored.

* In ''Comicbook/KnightAndSquire'' #2, Beryl picks up a copy of ''Total Castle'' for Cyril, who does in fact live in a castle.

See also SeverelySpecializedStore, NicheNetwork.

A character subscribes to a weirdly specific fandom magazine or trade publication you would never expect to have an audience, or that [[PastimesProvePersonality speaks volumes about theircharacter]]. This either represents their interest in a very niche hobby, or shows that a perfectly ordinary part of life is SeriousBusiness to them. If it's a trade publication, they probably belong to a WeirdTradeUnion.

A character subscribes to a weirdly specific fandom magazine or trade publication you would never expect to have an audience, or that [[PastimesProvePersonality speaks volumes about his character]]. This either represents his interest in a very niche hobby, or shows that a perfectly ordinary part of life is SeriousBusiness to him. If it's a trade publication, he probably belongs to a WeirdTradeUnion.

* ''Manga/FrankenFran'': Fran [[http://mangafox.me/manga/franken_fran/v02/c009/21.html apparently subscribes]] to ''[[MadScientist Science Blood]]'' magazine.

* ''Comicbook/NewAvengers2015'' gives us "CHTTT!!! weekly". Comicbook/SquirrelGirl reads it, we can't imagine anybody else being interested in it. Except for squirrels. Maybe.

* ''Film/{{Airplane}}''. [[NunTooHoly A nun is shown reading]] the RealLife magazine ''Boys' Life'', while a boy is reading a copy of ''Nuns' Life''.

* Literature/{{Discworld}}:
** ''Literature/GoingPostal'' has various publications for [[CollectorOfTheStrange pin collectors]] (or "pin heads" as they call themselves). Then, they invented stamps...
** In ''Literature/LordsAndLadies'', Hodgesaargh the falconer reads ''Beaks & Talons'', while Shawn Ogg reads ''Bows & Ammo''.
** InvertedTrope in ''Literature/TheTruth'', where William finds it hard to believe there's a market for a magazine about cats.
* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'', there is ''Which Broom?''; although given the popularity of Quidditch in the wizarding world and the broom's ubiquity as a means of transport, this is probably not so obscure; they're essentially the wizards' equivalent of racing bikes. For the actual Quidditch player, the comparison is possibly more akin to hockey skates.

* Rimmer in ''Series/RedDwarf'' subscribes to ''Fascist Dictator Monthly''. [[UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler Hitler]] was the Mr. October centerfold, apparently. Also, when trying to break Lister, Cat, and Kryten's spirits during a period of Quarantine, Rimmer supplies them with one ''Knitting'' magazine as almost their only form of entertainment. Then, in the episode "Krytie TV", there's the issue of ''Morris Dancer Monthly'' ("That's mine!") that they plant in Ackerman's quarters.

* ''Series/{{Infomania}}'' includes a segment called [[http://current.com/shows/infomania/magazine-cover/ We've Got You Covered]] in which Connor Knighton rounds up the week's mainstream magazines and tabloids. This ends up with a bit called "How the !*#@ Is This a Magazine?" which highlights magazines that are just plain bizarre and/or specialized. Past highlights include ''Pumper'' a magazine about the "liquid sanitation industry", ''Pizza Today'' and ''Parking Today''.

* In one episode of ''Series/BoyMeetsWorld'' Eric subscribed to 26 different magazines, each one's title beginning with a different letter of the alphabet, as part of poorly thought out attempt to game the Publisher's Clearing House contest. Among these magazines is ''Chester'', a magazine for people named Chester (Eric had to lie about his name to get the subscription).
* Parodied in ''Series/{{Community}}'' with ''Dean Magazine'', which at one point plans to do a cover feature about Dean Pelton. Subverted, however, in that it's canceled after two issues (before the aforementioned cover feature can appear), presumably because, as Jeff points out, it's "the worst idea for a magazine ever". ''Double'' subverted in that the publication which informs us of the cancellation of ''Dean Magazine'' is none other than ''Magazine Monthly''.

* The final round of ''Series/HaveIGotNewsForYou'' is the Missing Words round, where the panellists are shown newspaper headlines with words blanked out and have to fill in the gaps. Some of the headlines are taken from that week's "Guest Publication", which is almost invariably a little-known magazine on an extremely specialist issue. Examples include ''Llama Link'', ''The Doorknob Collector'' and ''The Barbed Wire Collector'' (the last of which team captain Paul Merton loudly insisted, for the entire round, couldn't possibly be a real magazine).

* In one ''Radio/BobAndRay'' interview, they're discussing hobbies with the editor of ''Wasting Time Magazine''.

* ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' allows you to purchase an issue of ''Fornax'', a titillating alien magazine. Featuring a [[StarfishAliens hanar]] on the cover.
* Used for a joke in ''VideoGame/Left4Dead'': while passing by a magazine stand, [[DeadpanSnarker Zoey]] may teasingly tell [[AccentuateTheNegative Francis]] that they have the latest issue of ''Hating Everything Magazine''. Francis' reply? "I hate latest issues!"

* ''{{Webcomic/Homestuck}}'': Dad subscribes to ''The Serious Jester''.

* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', Tedd reads ''[[http://egscomics.com/comic/2003-04-24 Cat Chicks]]''.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
** Marge gets several magazines devoted to cleaning with titles like ''Sponge & Vacuum''.
** There is also a whole selection of "death sports" magazines Marge was looking at with titles like ''Glass Eater'', ''Bear Baiter'', and ''Danger Liker''.
** Homer Simpson is once shown napping on the couch with a copy of ''Modern Fart Denier'' on his stomach.
** Homer is also an avid reader of ''Blue Pants Monthly''.
** And in TheMovie, Grandpa is seen reading an issue of ''Oatmeal Enthusiast''.
** Sherri & Terri subscribe to ''First Born Twin'' and ''Second Born Twin'' magazines.
** The comics at one point had Bart perusing the mature section at the Kwik-E-Mart, containing ''Sensuous Single Moms'', ''Barely Senior'' and, most bizarrely, ''Hemp-Made Hot Rods''.
** In one episode Ralph Wiggum hid behind a copy of ''Booger Aficionado''. He is on the cover. Picking his nose.
* In ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' Cartman's mother apparently appeared on the cover of ''Crack Whore Magazine''.
* In ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'', we learn that Cleveland subscribes to black-guy magazines like ''Grape Soda Today''.

* CartoonishSupervillainy appears to be a whole culture in ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'', and Drakken and Shego are sometimes seen reading magazines like ''Villainess''.
* An episode of ''WesternAnimation/GarfieldAndFriends'' has Jon harassed by a magazine salesman, who forces him to purchase a subscription of ''Sponge Illustrated''. Then the salesman starts following Jon to get him to renew (despite the issues having not even arrived yet!)...

* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'' has several of these, starting with Grunkle Stan's ''Gold Chains for Old Men Magazine'', and later ''Fully Clothed Women''.
* The ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'' episode "Joint Custody" has a brief shot of a convenience store clerk reading ''Magazine Enthusiast''.
* In a few episodes of ''WesternAnimation/{{Kaeloo}}'', the male characters (especially Mr. Cat) are seen reading the magazine "Oh La La", which has [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar pictures of girls in skimpy costumes]].
* Seen as part of a SpinningPaper montage in the episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddparents'' where Timmy wishes for Chester to be unbeatable at baseball. The first two magazines are fairly conventional sports mags, but the third is dedicated to ''braces'', and the fourth is focused on [[ItMakesSenseInContext pack mules]].
** Another episode features a comic book writer who subscribes to ''Nerds Who Live With Their Mothers Monthly''.
* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'', Plagg is seen reading a magazine called ''[[TrademarkFavouriteFood Gentlemen's Camembert]]''.
* Seen in ''WesternAnimation/TimeSquad'', Buck Tuddrussel partakes in a few different magazine subscriptions, most of them focusing on "guns" and one in particular that featured a woman in a bikini on the cover with the title being "Just Pictures".

** ''Discworld/GoingPostal'' has various publications for [[CollectorOfTheStrange pin collectors]] (or "pin heads" as they call themselves). Then, they invented stamps...
** In ''Discworld/LordsAndLadies'', Hodgesaargh the falconer reads ''Beaks & Talons'', while Shawn Ogg reads ''Bows & Ammo''.
** InvertedTrope in ''Discworld/TheTruth'', where William finds it hard to believe there's a market for a magazine about cats.

* At least one character in ''Webcomic/MountainTime'' has a subscription to [[http://mountaincomics.com/2014/03/20/mountain-time-543/ ''Tumbleweed Enthusiast'']] magazine.

** Another episode features a comic book writer who subscribes to "Nerds Who Live With Their Mothers Monthly".