MAD Magazine's SHOCKING Effect on 1960s Youth!

Subscribers. This is another clip from the interviews that my team and I conducted in 1989 to make my television series, Making Sense Of The Sixties which aired in 1991.
Mad Magazine, first published in 1952, was a groundbreaking satirical publication that had a profound influence on multiple generations of young readers. Its primary focus was to parody, critique, and mock popular culture, politics, advertising, and authority figures in ways that were unconventional and irreverent for the time. With its cartoonish illustrations, satirical humor, and biting social commentary, it appealed strongly to teenagers and young adults who were seeking alternative perspectives to the mainstream narratives they were fed through television, movies, and advertisements.
Mad began as a comic book and soon evolved into a magazine format under the leadership of editor Harvey Kurtzman and publisher William Gaines. Its most iconic features included:
The Magazine critiqued both left- and right-wing political figures, offering no sacred cows. It lampooned television shows, movies, music, and advertising in ways that were often hilarious, exaggerated, and pointedly critical.
Its illustrative style, featuring caricatures, exaggerated expressions, and absurd visual gags, became instantly recognizable. Artists like Don Martin, Al Jaffee, and Sergio Aragonés became household names to readers.
Mad's unofficial mascot, Alfred E. Neuman, a goofy, gap-toothed boy with the motto "What, me worry?" became a symbol of the magazine's irreverence and anti-establishment attitude.
Mad Magazine had a powerful impact on young people from the 1950s through the 1970s, and even into the early 21st century. One of the magazine's primary messages was to question authority figures-whether they were politicians, educators, advertisers, or societal institutions. Its humor often pointed out the hypocrisies, contradictions, and absurdities of those in power.
Mad was often one of the first places where teenagers saw their favorite movies, TV shows, and music parodied. This helped young people develop a critical eye toward media, teaching them to see through marketing hype and shallow commercialism.
By constantly making fun of everything from commercials to the news, Mad helped shape a more skeptical worldview in its readers. It suggested that not everything presented by the media, government, or corporations was as it seemed.
Mad’s humor was often subversive, presenting a countercultural view of the world that resonated with young people who felt alienated or disillusioned with the conformist culture of the 1950s and 1960s. It connected with the growing sense of rebellion and anti-establishment sentiment in the 1960s, inspiring some to adopt similar irreverent attitudes.
Mad Magazine never explicitly told young people what to do, but its satire subtly encouraged certain attitudes and behaviors. Through relentless parodies of consumer culture and commercial products, Mad suggested that advertising was manipulative and should be viewed with skepticism.
Its critiques of politics, education, and authority figures taught young readers to question the motivations behind rules and structures in society.
Through its absurd and often anarchic humor, Mad encouraged young people to value individuality and resist the pressure to conform to societal norms. Mad also implicitly warned against becoming too serious or self-righteous, promoting a sense of humor and humility when dealing with life’s challenges and institutions.
Mad Magazine gave young readers a voice, a way to express their frustrations, doubts, and even anger at the world around them, all while keeping them laughing. It was, for many, a form of intellectual rebellion. By holding up a mirror to society’s absurdities and failures, it encouraged critical thinking and questioning, values that left a lasting imprint on the cultural and political landscape.
Mad Magazine was revolutionary because it dared to tell young people that it was okay to laugh at things that were usually considered serious or sacred-like authority, the government, and even the American Dream. This message empowered generations to develop their own viewpoints, shaping how they engaged with culture and politics.

[@MrUndersolo]

In the 80s, I had a friend whose dad had a stack of Mad Magazines from the 60s. It blew my mind as much as Monty Python, SCTV and the music I listened to did!

[@bornwithbsguards]

We had Mad Magazines in the 60s and 70s and we loved it 🙌 spy vs spy was always fun

[@Dorthy-wx9fq]

I remember reading MAD magazine when I was a kid and again when I was a teenager. I thought that it was nuttyer then a fruit cake. But I liked reading it.

[@StephanieJeanne]

It was. And I liked it, too.😊

[@BeingLifted]

I didn't like Alfred E Neuman but I did like Mad Magazine. (To me, Neuman was a GOOP, for whomever remembers The GOOPS.)

[@b_uppy]

Got to compare the ones from the sixties to ones that were later. The sixties seemed more interesting.

[@iGame3D]

Smartest kin in my grade looked like his guy and he read MAD and Cracked magazine. Last week of school he'd bring about 3 years worth of the monthly periodicals into class for everyone to read while there was nothing left to learn. That added so much value to my education that I actually remembered it.

[@3fsw3]

I discovered Mad Magazine in the middle/late sixties. A neighbor boy introduced me to it and outside of it being genius and funny, the art work was like nothing I’d ever seen! From some more basic line drawings to the intricately crafted caricatures of political and Hollywood types was on a different level. My mom joked my mind would warp but I’m sure she would read them occasionally to make sure it wasn’t too crazy. Was an amazing part of my childhood and I got hooked on drawing and it stayed with me all these years! I actually wrote a letter to Jack Davis with some drawings (I was about 12), and he wrote me back on Mad Magazine stationary with his famous signature! Still have it to this day! Thanks, Alfred and the usual gang of idiots. I jokingly blame my humor on being raised on Mad!

[@StephanieJeanne]

I remember reading some of those magazines in my middle teen years in the '70s. My friends and I loved the irreverent humor. I can see how it affected the teens and college kids from the couple of decades prior. Thanks, as always, David. 😊💙

[@rickdaystar477]

I discovered MAD Magazine around age 12. It was so far from any comic books I ever read I was hooked! Looking back I realize the genius at work in the magazine. The messaging for adults and older teens escaped me and my friends but we did enjoy the humor on our level. We couldn't put the magazine down and went through them many times. Sadly in the late 80's my parents had upgrades to the home and the attic had to be emptied. All magazines I left for "safekeeping" were tossed out. They were from the early to mid 60's.

[@MeatyPeach]

I didn’t discover Mad until I was roughly ten in the 90s and I have such fond memories of it and feeling like the man featured in the video does - like I had found people who were also a little offbeat. The memory of what the items in question are escape me now but in the magazine the staff had some sort of instructions for what to bring to their offices to bribe them with. And I committed that to memory at the time in case I ever found myself in an emergency where I might encounter any of the writers, editors, or illustrators from Mad Magazine. Several years later my family moved to New York City and the first thing I did was save enough money to buy everything on the bribery list and go to the address listed on the masthead. The offices and the staff were wonderful and seemed just as stoked to see some dorky kid as I was to see them (it was probably the candy or whatever) but they were genuine and hilariously funny.

[@StephanieJeanne]

Awesome! 😂

[@riverbender9898]

In 1959 I happened upon the paperback titled "The Bedside Mad" and my world opened up similar to this man's experience. Thanks David.

[@MrMegaManFan]

"For those of us for whom things weren't quite right, we felt like there was something wrong with us." You couldn't have described my experience growing up in the Midwest in the 80's better than that.

[@notintohandles]

Love the comment about the sixties and seventies passing them by. I have often felt that, but have never found the words to sum it up so concisely. Excellent.

[@davidcase1286]

I had a subscription as a child and wrote in Alfred E Neuman for congress in NY one year due to absolute lack of quality candidates

[@HumanBeanbag]

I was a clean cut, straight A student who had a bright future until I started reading MAD Magazine 😢 now I'm just a crazy maniac.

[@ThomasBrenton-pk8gg]

I’m still a subscriber of Mad. Since I was a kid used to read my dad’s Mad magazines, very influential in my life.

[@marshallmkerr]

I graduated from high school in 1970 and MAD magazine helped keep me sane during the whole tumultuous 60s. Of course, nowadays, I actually feel a sort of nostalgia for the relative lucidity of Richard Nixon, Spiro Agnew, and Henry Kissinger.

[@ronlight7013]

Perfect description. I often liken the kind of social reorientation or "alternate affinity" to which he alludes to Mad Magazine, yes, and also to Rocky and Bullwinkle, which was available to even young children. I think '60s youth caught a wave even in the '50s (with the popularization of beatnik culture) that there was a genuine place for social disaffection, and as he alludes, many rewards for forsaking football for the wonders of iconoclastic adventure.

[@ZeroOskul]

The current counterculture of Columbus, OH, salutes you!

[@QuarrellaDeVil]

Checking in from Potrzebie, and I've still got my collection of magazines and some of the books: Lots and lots of good bits of cynicism between those pages. We had a neighbor who was a "separated at birth" candidate for Moxie Cowznofsky, too.

[@russiasgreatestexports4026]

I collected Mad magazines from all decades as a 15 year old in 2007 (money order through eBay). Watching this made me tear up. I didn’t realize it was this foundational at its time.

[@MGMG-lc2fe]

I thoroughly enjoyed, and agree with your write up. Mad magazine was a great continually evolving think piece in its own right. Questioning things is absolutely necessary and wasn't much appreciated by some. I thank you for asking questions Mr.Hoffman 🌞✨

[@drewpall2598]

@MGMG-lc2fe... 👍😊🧡

[@MGMG-lc2fe]

@@drewpall2598 I liked what you had to say as well about the 60's edition ☺️🌞✨

[@drewpall2598]

@@MGMG-lc2fe Thanks you my friend. 😊✌🧡

[@pacoy5319]

Well thank you, David, for the stroll down memory lane. We grew up on military bases around the globe, until I was 17. Now I'm 71. There was always reading material and music...never TV. My older brother had every issue, would share with me, although I doubt I absorbed it in the same manner as he. Thank you, for reminding me, what a wonderful brother I had. Those were special times, with a loving family. What, me worry?😂❤

[@effeojnedib7208]

Born in 60'. Not just Mad magazine. Also, Field and Stream, Outdoor Life, Life, Popular Mechanics. We had monthly subscriptions to lots. My sister had to have her Teen and what ever the other girls magazines were at the time.

[@baronpedro9263]

Mad Magazine was a funny magazine different to regular comics. Relevant to current culture at the time. It was unique and enjoyable.

[@knelson3484]

Thanks David, I loved Mad Magazine! Smile. 🙂

[@darkhorsejim]

I read Mad Magazine religiously until high school. Then I discovered Playboy!

[@dennissvitak5475]

Same here. My dad had a HUGE stack of Playboy's in the garage, and my brother and I were encouraged to look through them as much as we wanted! (not by my mom)

[@sweetcaroline2060]

I loved Mad Magazine when I was a kid but my goofy little brother REALLY loved it, so much that he adopted it's goofiness which made my Dad mad. 😆 🤣 😂 Those are good memories. Naturally, I loved National Lampoon in College and used to read it cover to cover, even the letters to the editor. I miss P. J. O'Rourke. What a writer!💕💕💕

[@Zzyzzyx]

I grew up reading old MADs from the 60s and early 70s. I still have some tattered old copies ❤

[@Dan_Ben_Michael]

I was a big time MAD magazine fan as a kid. I have a stacks of old ones from their golden eras of the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s. I would spend hours pouring over them and even as a 48 year old I can’t bring myself to throw them out.

[@blurglide]

Wow- you got an interview with the real Alfred E Newman, all grown up!

[@kaybrown4010]

I enjoyed MAD back in the day along with my fellow geeks who were in the know!

[@JimmyGambiniEsquire]

ALL MaD mags were great! I had 80s and 90s ones and my big Bro’s 70s ones. They had a tv special that never aired in 74 but what a blast! Big spoof on the Godfather movie 😂. Mad saved me from my horribly boring days in school 🙏

[@donnysarian]

I still have many of my favorite MAD magazines including the spoofs on The Poseidon Adventure (Poopsided Down Adventure), Kung Fu, (Kung Fool) and Billy Jack (Billy Jock)! It was the greatest magazine in the world to us at that time and it is something that will never be replicated again because of the insanity of political correctness. But, I came from a staunch Republican family.

[@peterwassmuth4014]

Totally the best magazine ever! God I loved those magazines!

[@drewpall2598]

I remember looking through Mad Magazine, in the magazine section in the grocery store in the early 1970's thought it was amusing. Out of my love for the 1960's I have a copy of "Mad About the Sixties" The Best of the Decade paperback book by The Usual Gang of Idiots (Author) I enjoy reading through it now and then knowing what I know now about the 60's nice description write up David.

[@susiefairfield7218]

the fold in to see last page, was my favorite page

[@brianfergus839]

I grew up in a similar midwestern town. MAD was super important to me growing up in the 60s and 70s. My favorite thing EVER was when they made a collage of Alfred E. Neuman’s face from parts of photos of the presidential candidates of 1968. Brilliant!

[@AntoineMalveaux]

I had a subscription to M.A.D. for years in the 90s, my dad introduced me.

[@francisjo3]

I grew up with it in the 90s - great memories

[@bigbear8645]

True

[@HikerBiker]

My parents wouldn't allow me to read Mad Magazine, said it wasn't appropriate so I had to sneak read it along with Playboy.

[@mapleext]

Kids would put the mad magazine into their notebooks and then we could read them during study halls etc.

[@bornwithbsguards]

Bro looks like Alfred E Newman... Is it him?

[@Dan_Ben_Michael]

100% He looks like Alfred all grown up. 😂

[@susiefairfield7218]

son of alfred e newman

[@rossriver75yukon27]

Actually, I think the 60s radical movement ended Mad’s radical image because radicalism, cultural sarcasm and cynicism became normalized so that Mad did not stand out anymore. Mad mag was a trailblazer in the 1950s as a fringe movement.

[@bigchimptactical]

I have a copy of the middle finger cover, complete with a certificate of inauthenticity from MAD lol

[@Peter-sk5vg]

Mort Drucker was one of the most masterful penmen in the history of illustration. Beautiful soaring lines and a wonderful gift for rendering cartoon likenesses. I'll never forget "Barmy and Clod"... Made a great change from being force fed Catullus and the Catechism!

[@charlo8664]

Mad Magazine was the best. I couldn’t wait for every issue to come out. I did not know the magazine started in 1952. As a kid I thought it was a sixties thing.

[@charlottewilson3031]

Loved this magazine! I especially like the cartoons in the borders of the pages by Sergio Arragones. The back cover fold over was hilarious also!!😂😂

[@luiszuluaga6575]

Mad magazine helped me to understand the adult world but with a sophisticated visual language that I could easily digest as a child. Asides from that, I completely latched on to the sardonic humor that absolutely was on point. 😅

[@_SpaceDad]

Alfred E. Neuman for President 🇺🇸

[@ChuckSchickx]

I grew up reading MAD magazine...i think it laid the ground work for me to falling in love with National Lampoon magazine when I was a teenager.

[@personanongrata987]

Oh yeah. MAD Magazine and "Catch-22" made me the conformist citizen I am today. --

[@timothykearns2232]

"Blecch!"

[@Spanna]

Grew up in rural Wales 50s most of the 60s. This Bro. said it and I have nothing to add

[@chesterproudfoot9864]

Sergio Aragonés is one of my favorite cartoonists. He just turned 87 last month.

[@asteverino8569]

I had 4 older brothers, so I started reading MAD magazine early in life. I got the humor in all the different parts. Don Martin was my favorite comic, plus The Lighter Side of ... There was a Lighter Side about the big finned cars of the late '50's. Hilarious.

[@tomv4408]

I had a subscription to Mad when I was in grade school in the 70s. My mom said, "Well, you're certainly getting a liberal education!"

[@magdalena1334]

Mad‘s grosses Monsterbuch❗️ 😁🫶🏽

[@ronoldcross8189]

MAD Magazine - the only way to fly.

[@richsiwes]

👍🏼👀✨

[@davidhowe6905]

(UK, late 60s/early 70s) I remember other kids having this magazine at school, and the zany face of that guy on the cover, but I never owned or read it (or if I did, I didn't understand it). I think I mentioned it at home and got the impression my dad did not approve!

[@charlottewilson3031]

I subscribed a few years ago, but of course, everything was different. I saw a copy last week as I was checking out in the grocery store and it was $12.00😮 I remember paying 35 cents for it in the 60's. Then again, a pack of brand cigarettes was 28 cents in1963😅😅

[@janetcarlson9960]

I remember so we'll reading MAD in the 50's

[@johnradovich8809]

Mad Magazine prepared me for the goings on in the US government today.

[@thomcarr7021]

Mad did show youth that it was okay to be a little bit weird. Bever and Wally were so normal and few kids actually related to them.

[@beastmerc84]

I collected Mad and Cracked back in the 90s.

[@froggacuda1605]

Interesting take, although I disagree with this guy's views. Mad Magazine was read by every kid who could get it, regardless of political leanings. It was irreverent and absurd, with exactly the kind of juvenile humor that appealed to elementary and junior high kids. A big part of its appeal was that it made you feel like you were part of the gang, invested in the zany hijinks in the gags. I think this guy's views are simply myopic; if you surveyed a cross-section of the population who grew up in the 50's, 60's, and 70's, I doubt you'd find much, if any, correlation between reading Mad Magazine and any particular political leaning

[@personanongrata987]

I can't decide if I agree with you or disagree. --

[@hilariousname6826]

That really doesn't contradict what he said - he was just talking about its effect on him, how it made HIM feel .......

[@thomcarr7021]

National Lampoon mag that followed was way more counter-culture and a lot more comical.

[@crashdavis4123]

kinda cringe, but for me it was the Joe Rogan Podcast. first source of media that showed me a wider world and had me going, 'oh man, there are others!' Didn't last long, but at least it got me started looking!

[@RobertWestfall-w3k]

My dad didn't no what i was reading.

[@hilariousname6826]

Mad Magazine was educational; it modelled a kind of skepticism that is a vital tool in the modern world ( "Everybody knows that Acme and Ace gorilla-suit companies are owned by the same man!"). Looking at the state of American politics today, I can only assume that not nearly enough people absorbed its message ... I'll leave it at that .........

[@fredwood1490]

Mad Magazine was perfect Absurdist Humor, pointing out so much really stupid stuff that was happening in the real world around us. It may have seemed adolescent humor, and it was, but it really dipped into philosophy, which most adolescent humor does too, and flavored much of the Counter culture of the young people. There were a few of these, Mad, Cracked, Car Toons and they developed into more "Adult" ideas, while maintaining the cartoon style, with the picture worth a thousand dialog balloons. I notice there are quite a number of graphic novel still kicking around, there are also quite a number "Graphic novels" written on the walls of Egyptian Temples and in modern temples too. Are stained glass windows cartoons? Do they tell an absurd story to make a point and teach a lesson? Imagine Alfred E. Newman looking down from a temple wall, maybe in a UU Church, admonishing us not to worry, there ain't squat we can do about it anyway.

[@justinsane7128]

Mad magazine was our internet, the other choice was Boys Life, no comparison

[@Slotnikoff]

"Peace, love and understanding..." What's so wrong with that? Well, it would seem that for many people living in middle-class America during the fifties and sixties, IT WAS BORING!!!!!!!!!!

[@hilariousname6826]

... okay ...................

[@pegsperlin4119]

My youth 😂. Lucky me . Don't mess with boomers

[@habibikebabtheiii2037]

Man this just makes me hate boomers more.

[@9stokey]

How olf is this guy?

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Read the description. This was recorded in 1989. DAVID HOFFMAN filmmaker

[@vinnieagogo]

Mad magazine was the Gateway Drug to Zap Comics... and all the underground periodicals..