Gael Fashingbauer Cooper: Veteran journalist and pop culture chronicler
Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a CNET editor and longtime journalist, has built a career spanning more than three decades as a keen observer of pop culture. Since beginning in 1989, she has contributed to a range of outlets, including Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital.
She is the co-author of two nostalgia-focused books: Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the ’70s and ’80s and The Totally Sweet ’90s. Her work blends cultural memory with contemporary media analysis, reflecting a Gen X perspective that informs her reporting and storytelling.
A noted pop culture enthusiast, Cooper brings a blend of retro insight and modern media savvy to her writing. She is known for examining how past trends influence today’s media landscape, while keeping readers engaged with accessible, thoughtful commentary. She even jokes that if Marathon candy bars ever return, she’d be first in line, a light reminder of the enduring pull of classic era snacks.
Key facts:
– Current role: Editor at CNET
– Books: Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the ’70s and ’80s; The Totally Sweet ’90s
– Career history: Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, NBC News Digital
– Identity and voice: Identifies as Gen X, with a writing voice shaped by that perspective
– Personal note: Lighthearted interest in classic snacks like Marathon bars
This profile highlights a journalist who has helped shape pop culture conversation across decades and platforms, offering nostalgia-infused analysis that resonates with a wide audience.