What's New, Pussycat?
These are all the stories — in no particular category — that are posted for awhile on our home page. It’s a pretty good record of all we’ve posted in one place.
The People (Magazine) Have Spoken
Friday, January 6th, 2006Well, the news is in the newest edition of People and, we believe, it’s a mixed blessing.
Yes, it’s nice to see Tom in the magazine but don’t these people at People get it? The knighthood wasn’t awarded for What’s New Pussycat. It’s for a 40-year body of amazing work. And, when Raleigh and Churchill were given their highly deserved honors, there weren’t a lot of people like Sir Elton, Sir Mick, Sir Paul and Sir Tom to even be considered.
Hey, there, people at People, it’s a new world and, honestly, some respect is in order.
Maybe someone should write to People and set the record straight?
Send an email to: Editor@people.com
Be sure to include your full name, address and daytime phone number.
(Thanks, Beth, for the alert.)
Entertainment Weekly (right) did better, although it was buried in the back of the book in the music section. There was the to-be-expected silly comment up front.
And they almost got the beard/goatee thing right .
January 6th, 2006 at 1:39 pm
I sent my email!
January 6th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
Very disappointed People, I’m about ready to cancel my subscription. Hope a correction and apology is in the next issue, if not goodbye!!!
January 6th, 2006 at 3:58 pm
I sent my email!!!
Sir Tom has so much more to offer. Tom has never received the respect he is due here in the USA. Could it be the writters, the media? Are you all just jealous? If this had been written by Ellen, Ursula or one of the many fans, it would have been MUCH different. What we pay for a ticket to see Tom Jones for one night is worth more than any other concert I have ever attended. My husband and I are both music lovers.We buy,CD’s’DVD’S and attend many concerts each year. Tom Jones is by far the best we have ever attended.
Tom, your fans LOVE you and respect your talent.I will never buy People magazine again.
I give you and your team of musicians applause. I don’t have a clue what it must take to perform each night and give us your all for the night. We all feel that you are singing to us personally.Your charisma is infectious. So many woman and MEN have had a fine night listening to your music. That is true talent. Each time I have had the honor of your performances, I just know that you are singing to me. You have the ability to hold the audience and capture them for the evening. We all walk away just yearning for the next time we will hear that beautiful baritone voice. It isn’t so much the sexy way you look, that does help, it is the absolute raw talent and the heart you put into each song that you sing. We all feel that we are there with you, next to you, and can experience the joy and pain in each note.
Please get over the fact that he is just a sex symbol. How many other men at 65 can still get the attention of both the female and male audience. I am 42 years old and I think he is marvelous…. My husband thinks he is marvelous.. His talent is one of a much dying breed. If you haven’t seen Tom in concert then get yourself a ticket for the night of your life.You and your man will best night you have ever had.
Please enjoy this talent while he is willing to share with us. Give him the applause he is due for so many of years devoted to his fans.
Thank you for sharing your gift with us. Julia
January 7th, 2006 at 12:07 am
Here is my email:
Dear Editor:
Shame on you for taking an honorable distinction and demeaning it needlessly.
Tom Jones was knighted for his long term, not to mention, continuing contribution to the music world….no more…..no less. His glorious voice is instantly recognizable all over the world and he is so much more than What’s New Pussycat.
and….
Shame on you a second time for never recognizing Tom Jones as the Sexiest Man Alive.
Wake up People!!!
Sincerely,
Laura G. Cain Walnut Creek, California
January 8th, 2006 at 11:44 pm
Hopefully, every TJ fan will write their comments to People magazine. There is strength in numbers. I wrote them, and received an automated reply, but just maybe we will get some results if enough of us complain about their continuing promotion and publicity on “stars” who will probably not be around in the next five years, and do not have the staying power of a seasoned artist like Tom. I challenged them to find a writer to cover Tom’s 40+ year career…if they have someone of that calibre. Let’s see if they will follow up with a decent article honoring Tom. If not, I would hope we all stop our subscriptions.
January 9th, 2006 at 4:42 pm
You are all sooooooooooo right!
Tom Jones is the sexiest man alive. And he doesn’t need People Magazine to tell him so. I have never subscribed and now never will.
January 9th, 2006 at 5:18 pm
Good for Tom! And re: People and EW — at least they used recent photos. Good God, how often has a magazine or tabloid made a reference and then used an older photo. Yuck. By the by, anyone know why Tom hasn’t been on the Tonight Show for sometime? I put in a request to their website last year — and he seems to take time off (2-3 weeks) quarterly in Los Angeles. I thought he and Jay Leno were friendly. Anything amiss?
January 9th, 2006 at 7:47 pm
I also have wondered why he hasn’t been on Jay Leno. I would love to see him there or maybe Larry King.
January 9th, 2006 at 11:38 pm
I have sent my response to People and here it is : (without mentioning I belonged to any fan club)
A friend of mine told me about the article on Tom Jones and though I never buy your magazine, I would like to tell you something : The one who wrote this article must be as stupid as nasty and frustrated but he reflects the poor quality of your magazine.
Tom Jones has been knighted by the Queen of England and millions of people are happy with this so much deserved honour. So you! Who do you think you are ! It is well known that you make money on malicious-gossip but the only thing you are showing is your deep jealousy!
January 10th, 2006 at 5:04 am
I like the cartoon though.
January 10th, 2006 at 9:45 am
RESPONSE FROM PEOPLE:
Laura asked us to post the response she got from the magazine.
Dear (Laura)
Thank you for writing to PEOPLE Magazine. We appreciate the interest that prompted your response and we welcome this opportunity to address your criticism.
We are sorry that our Scoop item “That’s Sir Pussycat” in the January 16th issue. It was not our intention to belittle Tom Jones’ accomplishments with our Scoop item and we regret your reaction to the contrary. Our editors were attempting to show the diversity among those who have been honored with knighthood. While we regret that our Scoop item offended you, we appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
Sincerely, E. McIntyre For the editor
January 11th, 2006 at 8:18 am
Note: This fan saw the entry on our site and responded to People, with copies to tomjonesinternational.com and to tomjones.com. Here’s what she wrote:
Welcome to the People magazine!
My name is Grażyna Bogucka-Ognisty and I am a 54 year-old teacher of English from Poland.
From all deep hit corners of my heart I would like to confirn that is great than artists more than politicians and businessmen deserve the honour to receive the knighthood.
For me and fortunately for many, many others Tom Jones is the right person to be called Sir.
My resons to support this choice are: • more than 40 years of hard work [in Poland nobody will work having his money] • positive attitude to life [his contribution to music has and gives listeners omnipotent pleasure and almighty powered joy in the world] • help to survive [if I am in trouble, get depressed simply I turn on his CD and his sex-powered voice is enough to live and feel like a woman] • although his songs say nothing new about the world, do not break the rules and regulations, but Tom’s way of performing realise and enoble • to react gathered emotions • reduce the level of tension • make active unverbal zone of communication • consolidate the feeling of safety • increase the level of self-knowledge and self-acceptance and make active the expression of one’s own accord.
It is my music therapy.
THANK YOU, TOM.