That People magazine has a nicey-nice relationship with Madonna, as Gawker relayed today, has been an ill-kept secret in the tabloid biz. Some veteran tabloid editors said they weren't surprised managing editor Peter Castro is rumored to be accepting free tickets to the pop star's concerts — but comp'd tickets, though worth thousands of dollars combined, isn't enough to guarantee her protection from the biggest circ celeb weekly. Rather, Madonna relies on the magazine's "straight and narrow" approach to celebrity news (though, to be sure, fairness is a relative concept in the industry).

While Madonna's publicist Liz Rosenberg isn't known to play well with others — which makes her awesome to us — we're told she has a soft spot for People, because they're always willing to run her statements and spin, and not the rumors others traffic in, as the real news. (i.e. "Madonna 'Over the Moon' About Finalized Adoption" sounds a lot different than, say, "Madonna Finally Nabs African Baby After Adoption Scandal.")

But what are the consequences of Madonna having such a lovey-dovey relationship with the Time Inc. tabloid? For one, the other kids on the playground won't be so nice.

Take a look at this week's Us Weekly.

Editor Janice Min has no problem letting People defend Madonna's honor (exclusively!), especially when that means Min's own cover will be dedicated to trashing her. "It's Over!" screams the headline. And so is any pretension that Madonna will be reversing the negative press anytime soon.

As we've pointed out before, the price that's paid when a celebrity works closely with one outlet and shuts out the rest is … absolute carnage.

Related:

• Who’s Launching an All-Out Assault on Madonna?