The knives came out at the Washington Post and Chicago Reader on Friday. But the stories behind the ousters of Dave Weigel and Alison True have nothing on this one.
Philadelphia magazine editor Larry Platt, who had been with the title for eight years, was fired on Thursday, two months before his contract was up.
The reason? According to the Philadelphia Daily News, 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 by Metrocorp heads Herbert and David Lipson to "relieve him of his duties."
“Larry Platt reshaped the magazine during an era of great editorial strength, and also great popularity,” Herb said 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.”
In an e-mail to colleagues, Platt confirmed his departure. "After a difficult meeting yesterday afternoon with the Lipsons, it became clear to me that my time at Philly mag has run its course. […] After two years of nonstop business meetings, I’m actually looking forward to telling stories again."
If what the Daily News reported is true, he'll have a good one to tell.
Platt added: "I’m sorry I’m not there to tell you all this in person, but I hate being all visibly emotional."
