Watch Esquire 80th Anniversary Special

In 2013, the Esquire Network aired a special television event to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Esquire magazine. The Esquire 80th Anniversary Special was a two-hour program that examined the magazine's history and impact on American culture. The special was hosted by John Slattery, who at the time was one of the stars of the hit TV show Mad Men. Slattery was the perfect host for this program, as his character on Mad Men worked in the advertising industry during the 1960s, a time period that overlaps with many of the iconic moments in Esquire's history.

Throughout the program, Slattery interviewed a number of notable guests who shared their thoughts on the magazine's influence. Some of the guests included Andy Cohen, Bill Maher, James Caan, and Clive Davis. The program also featured appearances from several of Esquire's past and present editors, including David Granger and Jay Fielden.

One of the key themes of the special was the role that Esquire played in shaping the conversation around masculinity in America. The magazine was founded in 1933 as a publication aimed at the affluent, sophisticated male, and it quickly became known for its coverage of fashion, culture, and politics.

To illustrate this point, the program featured clips from some of Esquire's most famous articles, including the classic profile of Ernest Hemingway by A.E. Hotchner. The program also looked at iconic Esquire covers, such as the famous April 1968 cover featuring Muhammad Ali as Saint Sebastian.

In addition to its coverage of masculinity, Esquire also made a name for itself by publishing some of the most talented writers of the 20th century. The program looked at the legacy of writers like Norman Mailer, Tom Wolfe, and Gay Talese, all of whom contributed to the magazine's reputation for publishing bold and provocative journalism.

The special also examined some of the controversies that Esquire has been involved in over the years. For example, the program highlighted the backlash that the magazine received in 1966 when it printed a photo of a pacifist protester who had set himself on fire in protest of the Vietnam War.

Another controversial moment in the magazine's history came in the 1990s, when the editors decided to switch to a smaller, more convenient format. The move was met with resistance from some readers, who felt that the smaller size diminished the magazine's larger-than-life personality.

Despite these controversies, Esquire has remained a beloved cultural institution for over 80 years. The Esquire 80th Anniversary Special celebrated the magazine's legacy by looking at its impact on American culture and society. Whether it was through its coverage of politics, fashion, or literature, Esquire has always been at the forefront of the conversation.

At its core, the Esquire 80th Anniversary Special was a celebration of the magazine's ongoing commitment to excellence. It was a reminder that, even in an age of digital media and shrinking attention spans, there is still a place for long-form journalism and thoughtful analysis. The special was a fitting tribute to a publication that has shaped the American cultural landscape for over eight decades.