From L to R: TIME Managing Editor Rick Stengel (moderator); Speaker Newt Gingrich, Bryan Cranston, Padma Lakshmi, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Matt Lauer 
Photo credit: Jemal Countess/Getty Images 

TIME hosted its annual Person of the Year panel today, where a seemingly random assortment of notable people give their opinions on who should get the honor. Moderated by managing editor Rick Stengel, panelists included:

Bryan Cranston – best known for his chemical concoctions on Breaking Bad, star of Argo.

Newt Gingrich – The only panelist who actually held the honor of “Person of the Year,” as speaker of the house back in 1995. Dubious about climate change.

Matt Lauer – host of the Today show, not dubious about climate change.

Padma Lakshmi – Host of Top Chef, woman.

Michael Nutter – Mayor of Philadelphia.

Here’s a roundup of the contenders, and what the panelists thought. Read more

If the thought of working for Seventeen conjures images of attending VIP events for “research,” being able to expense your lipstick addiction, and generally basking in the glow of crazy, insane, delicious, wonderful, fun on a daily basis, you’re right.

Seriously, editor-in-chief Ann Shoket says the biggest thing she looks for in new hires is an “ability to think surround” by considering social media outreach, advertising partners, and possible Web content for all articles. “A magazine story doesn’t resonate if it’s just on the page,” she says.

Part 1: Media Beat: Ann Shoket Says “The Web is Not Eating Our Lunch”

Part 3: Media Beat: Ann Shoket’s Role in the Launch of mediabistro.com

Media Beat is mediabistro.com’s interview series with the movers and shakers of the media world. View all past episodes at MediaBeat.com.