This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2005, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The latest TV Guide also marks the end of an era, a size-mic shift.

For more than 52 years, dating to the April 3, 1953, cover shot of newborn Desi Arnaz Jr., TV Guide has been a compact, listings-rich chronicler of the medium's highs and lows. But severely slumping sales and stiffer competition from picture-rich celebrity mags and rags have prompted a see change.

''Last Ever Small-Size TV Guide,'' it says at the top of the Oct. 9-16 edition. ''See Our New Full-Size Issue Next Week!''

This means a People-sized edition without local listings but with ''more insider scoop'' and ''big beautiful photos.'' After all, ''TV is bigger and better than ever. Now TV Guide is bigger and better than ever, too,'' reasons editor-in-chief Ian Birch.

Perhaps you've noticed that bigger visuals and briefer text are watchwords of modern-day journalism. There are still gray areas, just not as many. In that context, what took TV Guide so long?

Its old-school version is being sent out in style, though, with nine collectible ''Tribute Covers'' and a nice nostalgic scrapbook within.

The last-gasp cover concept is inspired. Contemporary TV luminaries replicate some of the magazine's previous glamour shots of shows and stars:

l Reba McEntire strikes a pose as grape-stomping Lucy Ricardo from a famed ''I Love Lucy'' episode.

l Conan O'Brien replicates a big-grinning Buffalo Bob Smith, with Howdy Doody at his side.

l Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer from ''Two and a Half Men'' embody ''The Odd Couple's'' Jack Klugman and Tony Randall.

l Homer Simpson stands in for Fred Flintstone, and Jennifer Love Hewitt mimics Sally Field from ''The Flying Nun.''

l The cast of ''The Bernie Mac Show'' rewinds to ''Good Times'' while ''Scrubs' '' Zach Braff and two co-stars re-create a ''M*A*S*H'' cover.

l Dan Marino and Greg Gumbel play Crockett and Tubbs from ''Miami Vice,'' brandishing mikes instead of pistols.

l Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa do ''I Dream of Jeannie.''

The personal favorite is Conan as Buffalo Bob, in part because it's the earliest cover depicted (from 1954) and also one of Little Barky's vintage TV memories.

Asked what he has in common with Howdy, O'Brien tells TV Guide, ''I'm controlled by others. I have artificial joints. And I have no soul.'' Brilliant.

The scrapbook likewise is a keeper, beginning with a photo of Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows from ''The Honeymooners'' and ending with a cast shot from ''Everybody Loves Raymond.'' Evocative pictures deserve colorful quotes, and there are plenty of those, too. Take a look:

l ''The trouble lies with some moralistic, narrow-minded fuddy-duddies who can't stand the notion that a man and a woman can be interested in each other without being married. When people ask me when I'm going to marry Kitty, I tell 'em to go mind their own business.''

- James Arness of ''Gunsmoke''

l ''The critics say it's a bad show, but there ain't no critic who can climb into people's windows and turn off their sets.''

- ''Gilligan's Island'' creator

Sherwood Schwartz

l ''If hear the word 'perky' again, I'll puke.''

- ''Today's'' Katie Couric

l ''Oh, he's such a miserable crud. I love him. I really do.''

- Larry Hagman on J.R. Ewing.

On that perfect note, click.

-

Channeling

Everybody Hates Chris: KPNZ Channel 24, tonight, 7. Chris signs up for the school basketball team even though he's not very good.

Primetime: KTVX Channel 4, tonight, 9. A look at the threat of nuclear terror in America and ways we can protect ourselves.

The Apprentice: KSL Channel 5, tonight, 8. Contestants are charged with creating a character to promote an ice-cream drink.