You knew it was coming, but so quickly? Even our hopes were exceeded by Gemstar's announcement they're going to supersize its slagging TV Guide and – to the laughter of Richard Spencer, we're sure – focus more on celebrity and lifestyle and less on time slot grids.

The new format launches October 17, swapping the 75 percent grids and 25 percent stories formula. And what would a makeover be without cuts?

Yep, staff will be slashed, as will the title's rate base, which was expected. What comes as a surprise, however, is by how much: Not just one-third, but two-thirds of the guaranteed 9 million readers will be chopped off. (That extra third comes from the now scandalous practice of using third-party sales agents.)

And like a good celebrity weekly, TV Guide will cut its cover price from $2.49 to $1.99, which makes it $1.99 more expensive for you to read than this website that dishes the same celebrity shlock for your pleasure.