Private Eye

Private Eye is a fortnightly British satirical magazine-newspaper. It is currently edited by Ian Hislop.

Trivia

• News (previously called The Colour Section) – The logo for this section of the magazine is a donkey-riding naked man caressing his erect and oversized penis, while hugging a female admirer.

It is a detail from a frieze by "Dickie" Doyle that once formed the masthead of Punch magazine, which the editors of Private Eye had come to loathe for its perceived descent into complacency.

Related Topics:
"Dickie" Doyle - Punch magazine - Private Eye

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The image, hidden away in the detail of the frieze, had appeared on the cover of Punch for nearly a century and was noticed by Malcolm Muggeridge ("Muggo" or "The Guru") during a guest-editing spot on the Eye.

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The 'Rabelaisian gnome' (as the character was called) was enlarged by Gerald Scarfe, and put on the front cover of issue 69 at full size. He was then formally adopted as a mascot on the inside pages, as a symbol of the old, radical incarnation of Punch magazine that the Eye admired.

Related Topics:
Rabelaisian - Gerald Scarfe

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• "The Eye lunch" (or "The Old Crappola") ^{http://www.ericellis.com/britainpe.htm} takes place upstairs in The Coach and Horses, a public house known for its association with deceased columnist Jeffrey Bernard. The lunch plays host to magazine staff and visitors who attend to share their inside information.
• Terry Major-Ball (brother of John Major) once complained to Ian Hislop on Have I Got News For You about the price raise of the Eye from 90p to £1. He then noted that it would be cheaper to photocopy the magazine. The price is now £1.40. Assuming that one page can be copied for five pence, the 40 page magazine can be copied for £2. With further price increases, the statement may become true in the near future.