Let's observe one minute of silliness for the memory of William M. Gaines.
June 2, 2010 
The NY Times ad by the Usual Gang of Idiots ran June 10th, 1992,
William M. Gaines was the founder and publisher of MAD Magazine. Tomorrow, Thursday, June 3rd will mark the 18th anniversary of Bill's demise (He died on June 3rd, 1992). Bill, otherwise known as William M. Gaines, and lot of other names we can't list here - was really an amazing person! I suggest we observe a minute of silliness (or longer, if f you wish) in his memory.
Speaking of names, in the magazine, if I wrote something that supposedly came from MAD's publsiher, I would add something new to his name to each time. The last time I used Bill's name under the title "MAD publisher" that I can recall, he was: William Mildred Farnsworth Higgenbottom Gaines IV.
Thinking about Bill at the old 485 MADison Avenue address, I remember saying to him: "We need to come up with some sort of MAD philosophy in case any member of the press asks for a quote." Bill thought for a minute and said: "Our philosophy is that we must never stop reminding the reader of how little value they get for their money!"
A pefect quote for MAD! Genius!
Love you Bill!
Dick De
Dick DeBartolo
MAD's Maddest Writer (A title blessed by Gaines himself.)
I never wanted to write a real book. MAD books, yes, but not a real one. Then an agent said: "If you wrote a book about Gaines, you would help keep his memory alive!" Those were the magic words that convinced me to write GOOD DAYS & MAD. I'm throwing in a couple of extras this week if you want to read about the crazy way Gaines ran MAD & ran his life. One of the freebies is a copy of the Alfred E. Neuman pictures he liked so much!
http://gizwizbiz.squarespace.com/mad-collectables/
