Mailbag for December 8, 2023

The process, on Omid, credit to Leo (?!), Ryan Reynolds' change, my gift idea, why Princess Bride, and C and K-drama recos

(Photos: Nancy Rivera/ Gigi Iorio / Shutterstock, 20th Century Studios, IMDB, HarperCollins)

Dear Squawkers,

Every day for LaineyGossip, I work off a loose lineup of posts that is prepared the night before. Sarah gets most of her writing done before morning because she’s more organised than I am. I don’t get going until morning because I never really know what I’m doing in the “Dear Gossips” section until five minutes before I start writing it.

From there, though, once “Dear Gossips” is finished, I try to stick to the order, and I write around my television assignments. This week was my first week back on set after being away for month. When I left, the SAG-AFTRA strike was still happening. Basically, the minute I was gone, the strike was over, and my colleagues had to blitz out the next four weeks one host down.

Upon my return, then, this week has been a flurry of year end assignments and shoots. We’re basically producing as many daily stories as we can to keep up with all the events and carpets and junkets before Hollywood goes on break for the holidays and also bank content to roll out when we’re on holiday too.

Which is why I had to be extra focused about how I was managing the site this week, timing out my writing and trying my best to stick to the posting order in between all the voiceovers and the meetings and my time on set. Wednesday, in particular, was especially tight, because I was in the office in the morning and then our whole team was shooting the year-end special off-site. So the plan was that I had to wrap up all the writing and editing on the site by 11:30am, package it for Emily, our site manager, and then shut it down to travel to set and focus on the shoot.

And then all that got shot to hell when TIME released their Person of the Year cover featuring none other than Taylor Swift. Sometimes, with certain stories, they can wait until the next day. This one, though, would not hold. There is only one editorial decision when Taylor Swift is named the Person of the Year and that is that the story has to go up the same day.

That post took me over an hour to write – because I had to read it a couple of times and actually give it some thought, and decide which of those thoughts would become my thesis, and then go about coming up with a collection of words that supported that thesis… while constantly looking at the clock and worrying about how much time I had left to do all the other writing and editing in the lineup.

And that’s the inside baseball of what happens when there’s breaking news or a big feature that drops. To be honest, I’m not entirely happy with what I ended up writing in my post about Taylor’s Person of the Year cover story. All my opinions are there but if I had a little more time and didn’t feel as rushed, maybe I would have found a better word here and there, phrased a sentence differently. But this is the reality of how we manage the site, and I’ve learned over the years to let it go. Mostly. I mean obviously I haven’t quite let it go because I’m still thinking about it now. But this is also why I’m so thrilled to have this space now, so that I can share some of the behind-the-scenes details with you. Thank you for caring.

Question from Betts: Lainey, I remember you had some sort of relationship with Omid Scobie at some point (at least collegial enough that you were on his podcast). What’s your take on Endgame? And his reporting as one of the few voices against the royal rota?

Lainey’s Answer:

I have only just started Endgame. And when I say just, I mean I’ve read three pages. It came out when I was travelling, and I didn’t have much time to read on our trip and now I’m so jet-lagged I can’t stay awake. I’m hoping to read it this weekend and have some thoughts on it next week but, you know, Hollywood is busy as fuck right now, there are six junkets alone this weekend and more next week and Endgame may just have to wait until Christmas.

End Game Cover (HarperCollins)

But while I can’t speak yet on the book, I can for sure talk about its author. Omid Scobie is my friend, a good friend. We have known each other almost 15 years. We first met in Cannes when he was the European bureau chief for Us Weekly covering the festival and kept running into each other at events. Since we were both covering celebrities – and Brange was our big focus at the time – and reporting on all the gossip from the parties and the premieres, we just ended up hanging and sharing information and helping each other out and eventually we bonded and became close outside of our jobs.

In my experience, Omid is an excellent reporter. He is a principled journalist, he is a generous colleague, and he works really, really, really hard. He researches, he fact checks, he is objective, and he is thorough. He is also constantly learning along with the rest of us, evolving with the times, understanding that even he, as a person of colour, has had to shift his perspective so that his coverage can be more inclusive, more progressive.

Omid was part of the royal rota for many years, and he’s written a book that gives readers more insight than ever into what that was like. This is the good shit! This is what we want! Omid is showing his work! However, since he is my friend and I care deeply about him, I understand if you think what I have said or what I’m about to say is biased, but I stand by my position: what is happening to him, these attacks from the British tabloids, the way they have targeted and harassed him, just because he’s not kissing the British royal family’s ass, just because he’s daring to push back against the status quo and examine in the context of our modern times the relevance of an institution that functions on privilege– it’s appallingly unfair and cruel.

As Omid has said, much of what he writes about in his books was already known to many other members of the royal rota. But those people don’t share any of it because they were trying to protect their positions so that they could be invited to the next garden party or whatever fucking horse and rabbit race was next on the royal agenda. Omid is being vilified for actually doing his job – and doing it well. Like I just said, maybe you don’t trust me and my opinion here because I’m defending my friend, and if that is the case, perhaps consider this instead: the Daily Mail hates him, and if that fucking publication hates him, don’t you think he might be doing something right?

Question from Chris: I’d love Lainey and Sarah’s opinion on why Leo is doing the most to show up for Lily Gladstone. Not that he shouldn’t be (I haven’t seen the movie but in general he should be showing up for costars) but this seems very un-Leo. Usually I feel like he’s more of a coattail rider, always wanting to appear when Scorsese is, but we don’t usually see him giving a hand up. Especially to a woman. We all know women are trophies to him, so I’m cynically curious. Is it because he knows his reputation and is trying to improve it? Is it because the PR team decided they’re putting her front and centre so he wants to be in the photos too? It’s unfortunate, but i really don’t believe it’s because he just wants to support her - so what’s in it for him?

Sarah’s answer:

We might just have to give Leo credit for being decent here, and showing up for Lily Gladstone because he actually likes and respects her. It’s possible! (See also: his friendship with Kate Winslet.) I think he IS happy to take a backseat to her this awards season and focus his own spotlight on her. I’ve heard a lot about the production of Killers of the Flower Moon, and a consistent refrain was that Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese genuinely loved Lily.

Lily Gladstone, Leonardo Dicaprio, and Robert De Niro attend the "Killers Of The Flower Moon" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 21, 2023 in Cannes (Photo: Gigi Iorio/ Shutterstock)

I also think he’s smart enough to 1) realize the trophy trail is harder for Lily than it would be for a white woman, and 2) know that being the face of a film like Killers isn’t a good look for a white dude. If there is a selfish motivation here, it’s just that he knows he’s an outsider to this narrative twice over, and that a white guy fronting the campaign for a film about Indigenous pain, and an Indigenous woman’s pain at that, isn’t ideal in 2023. Twenty years ago, no one would have questioned it, now, he knows better than to put himself forward first.

Question from Pankie: **TL:DR** Does Ryan R have a reputation - beyond the Mint Mobile spots - as a loyal colleague/ producer who puts actors into the spotlight at a time when they aren't getting attention? The equivalent of a manager IRL creating opportunity vs. punching down and embarassing someone in a team meeting? It's unique. And... it's a business strategy. --- I watched the Ryan Reynold's Mint Mobile spot recently with Amy Smart and their whole "Just Friends" movie reunion. I really like all of these spots. His mom and THE Teen Witch Robin Lively, and Grant Gustin. They all hit a nostalgia chord and break thru the clutter - reminiscent of PC vs Mac spots. Plus they hit 3 key strategies - on brand, solid delivery, low cost. (P.S. I'm a Mint Mobile subscriber.)

Lainey’s Answer:

That’s a very specific reputation, LOL. And my short answer is that I haven’t heard of him having that *specific* reputation but I have heard that he’s amazing to work with… now.

The story on Ryan Reynolds that I have shared over the years but that I haven’t revisited in a while is that at the beginning of his career, he was a douchebag. Rude to people, not appreciative, typical wannabe movie star shit. Heard from an impeccable source that all that changed when he worked with Hugh Jackman. Hugh Jackman is an angel. He is kind and gracious to everyone, one of the very, very, very best humans in the business. Like an actual human and not a celebrity. And seeing Hugh’s example and being around Hugh and mentored by him, Ryan changed for the better. You can’t be around Hugh Jackman, #1 on the call-sheet, and walk around like an entitled fuck all the time.

Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds attend "The Adam Project" NYC premiere on February 28, 2022 (Photo: Nancy Rivera/ Shutterstock)

Since then, almost everything that I get about Ryan is solid. He does some charity work in Toronto from time to time, and when he’s booked for interviews, he shows up by himself, on time, no security and no fuss.

To go back to your very specific question then, I’m guessing that now, since he’s become such an impressive entrepreneur, after so many years of treating people well, he’s learned that that’s one of the keys to success. Don’t be a dick and good things will happen, what a revolutionary idea.

Question from Rachel T: I know gift guides are a lot of work, but even just a few ideas of gifts the LG team likes to give or get... would like Jacek’s input too as LG Man in Residence.

Lainey’s Answer:

You’re right, gift guides are a lot of work, so I’m not putting one together for you. But… I also won’t leave you hanging. Just don’t ask Jacek because I don’t consider him a reliable gift giver and he’s reading this now and will probably huff and puff out a rebuttal but what he does is swing for the fences. When you take big swings, sometimes you strike out. And he has struck out badly. (Edit from Jacek: I have, because I do, but often I hit huge homers) For my birthday two years ago, he gave me a bidet attachment for the toilet in my bathroom. I came home, it was already installed, and he was jumping up and down begging me to try it. For my birthday he wanted me to squirt water into my ass. The “gift” was promptly returned. (Edit from Jacek: she is terrified of dirty bathrooms and being dirty down there, so was this not a good attempt?)

Anyway, back to your request for ideas. Here’s one suggestion for stocking stuffers: sheet masks. No one will ever not like a sheet mask. Which ones? To tell you the truth, I’ve been a stingy bitch about my sheet masks because I always worry about them selling out, so I’ve not shared this even though I’ve been asked and no, I’m not sorry! I am selfish! Since I just got back from Asia though and am now well stocked, I’m ready to tell you. These are the ones that I’ve mentioned that you can buy in a package, and it amounts to like $2 per mask. Amazon has them. I love these because the mask itself is like teabag material. I find it holds moisture the best. And that price point. So put one of these in a stocking or give someone a full set. It’s a great gift.

Question from Charlotte: Question for Sarah: Why is The Princess Bride such a great movie? And why does everyone agree that it is so great? Or do they? There are other movies I adore beyond reason - Spirited Away and Stranger Than Fiction, for example - but I wouldn't feel actively suspicious of another person if they didn't like those movies. But I would feel markedly iffy about someone who said they disliked The Princess Bride (the movie, not the book - the book I thought was deliberately annoying).

Sarah’s answer:

Wait, can we go back to the part where Jacek gave Lainey a bum brush for her birthday, and she made him return it? What is that return process even like? (Edit from Jacek: it said clearly that returns are not accepted if it’s used, at it wasn’t, sadly. I didn’t test it myself)

As for The Princess Bride, that movie is a perfect storm of factors. Great script (by William Goldman), great direction (by Rob Reiner before his ego took over), perfect ensemble cast. Part of its allure today, though, is just how well it holds up—love stories never get old, but on a filmmaking level, the look of the film hasn’t degraded over time. The practical effects are great, maybe the ROUSes are a little clunky but the fact that they full-body hurl one at Carey Elwes and he wrestles it so believably is A+ filmmaking. Some movies diminish over time because they start to look cheap and cheesy compared to contemporary filmmaking techniques, or social mores change and some jokes and situations are no longer acceptable, but The Princess Bride is truly timeless, the humor isn’t meanspirited, and everyone always loves a happy ending.

If you look hard enough, there probably are people who don’t like The Princess Bride, but they’re few and far between. The local arthouse theater near me programs it a couple times a year and it’s a sellout, every time. It’s just a perfect crowd pleaser, the right mix of romance, adventure, and comedy. There’s something for everyone, I assume we all love the movie, and probably all have a different favorite scene (I love Westley’s comeback against Humperdinck). Plus, it stars Peter Falk! You can never go wrong with Peter Falk.

Also, if you love The Princess Bride, please watch Our Flag Means Death. It’s a similar blend of romance, adventure, and comedy, with a huge warm heart to balance the darker elements. And Rhys Darby is giving a Carey Elwes-level performance, totally committed to the bit and never faltering no matter how silly the circumstances become.

Question from HunchieFlower: I’d love some C- and K-Drama recommendations from Lainey, having spent most of 2023 going down this particular rabbit hole and wishing I’d discovered it earlier. I am fascinated by how romance, either as a genre or part of a series, is considered absolutely normal, and by how much attention is given to the female gaze. (Also wanted to say how much I enjoy the site and everyone’s writing. Sarah is my absolute go-to movie critic, even when I disagree!)

Just finished The Story of Kunning Palace, which I absolutely LOVED, and other favorites have been Till The End of The Moon (big Bai Lu fan, love how her characters are always so strong), Love Between Fairy and Devil, The Blood of Youth, Mysterious Lotus Casebook, Under the Skin, League of Nobleman and I Am Nobody. I have tended to watch more costume dramas (wuxia/xianxia) on the C-drama side and more romcoms/fantasy on the K-drama side, like Alchemy of Souls, Dali and The Cocky Prince, What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, W Between Two Worlds and the King - Eternal Monarch. Basically anything with beautiful men, a supernatural or mystery or romcom plot and I’m happy! Also about to finish Perfect Marriage Revenge which is making me giddy with delight at its melodrama. Thanks in advance for any recommendations, I feel like I’m very much just scratching the surface of what’s available.

Lainey’s Answer:

In Chinese and Korean dramas, it IS absolutely normal to lean into romance – and that’s why they’re so good. To your point about the female gaze… most of these dramas can easily be cut down by half, lol, but the reason they’re as long as they are is because they indulge in the romance. You know why this is effective, for those of us who love romance? It’s because C and K-dramas play out like books.

When you’re reading a romance novel, you get inside the mind of both lovers. In the heteronormative stories, much of the good shit is from inside the man’s brain, when the author, most often female, is describing how much the man loves the woman; what he’s thinking when he’s looking at her; his description of her features, her eyes, her skin, her mouth… it’s feelings in slow motion. Sarah wrote about the Looking the other day in her post about Steven Yeun and how he’s so good at it. He’s good at it because he’s playing out the pages of a romance novel. The way he’s acting is exactly how it’s written.

This is the dream for women in non-queer relationships, right? You want to believe that when a man is looking at you, his inner monologue reads like one of those books. I’m not convinced that this the way straight men actually think because I’m married to one and I’m pretty sure that when he looks at me all he’s thinking is that my tits look great in my top. But this is the power of the fantasy. And C and K-dramas are here to indulge our fantasies. So they will take the time to give us a two minute long scene of two beautiful people just staring at each other. Western audiences find this embarrassing. Those of us who are fans of C and K-dramas, meanwhile, are exhilarated.

With that said, here’s a short list of recommendations.

I’m currently watching a C-drama called Wonderland of Love (wuxia) and it’s delightful. Who Rules the World is also good, but the ending is rushed. Love Like the Galaxy was great. All of those are period pieces.

When I Fly Towards You is a modern high school series that was released earlier this year that is fucking ADORABLE. It might be too cutesy for some but the friendships and the romance is so sweet, I could not stop.

Oh, and I loved last year’s Lighter and Princess. LOOOOOVED. When you’re finished that one, ask me about the scandal. It’ll make for a great mailbag response.

On the Korean side, I’m surprised Goblin aka Guardian: The Great and Lonely God isn’t on your list. It’s kinda like the Korean Twilight but way funnier. And the bromance in this series is pretty much legend at this point. Bonus: Gong Yoo’s wardrobe on this show is straight up pornographic.

Vincenzo (Photo: IMDB)

Another hilarious series is Vincenzo. Be careful though. My cousin just watched Vincenzo and now has a very serious Song Joong-ki problem. He is so beautiful it fucks me up. Speaking of beautiful, why didn’t you watch It’s OK To Not Be OK when I was nagging you all about it in 2020?! Or Crash Landing On You?! The romance of Crash Landing is super swoony and the fact that they’re now married IRL just makes it that much better but don’t sleep on the comedy of that show. The comedy is what made it for me. 

You mentioned you like strong characters? Strong Girl Do Bong-soon will check that box. The male lead in that series, Park Hyung-sik stars in another totally different series that I really enjoyed called Happiness about a zombie situation. Really, really well done.

Oh my God there are so many, now I’m just going to list:

Twenty-Five Twenty-One

Our Beloved Summer

Fight For My Way

Extraordinary Attorney Woo

And here’s one from Sandra Oh because she told me she was super into it: Mr Sunshine.

Keep us posted on what you think.

Sarah’s answer:

For C-drama, it has to be Miss S. It’s the Chinese adaptation of the Australian cozy mystery series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. Yili Ma and Weiguang Gao play the lead couple, a sassy lady detective and a strict police inspector, respectively, in 1920s Shanghai. They’re so swoony, and the pining is off the charts. Lots of stares.

And here’s a rec for anyone hesitating to jump into the K-drama, C-drama pool—Warrior. It’s an American series, with three seasons streaming on Max, but it’s based on a story idea and treatment by Bruce Lee, and is produced by his daughter, Shannon Lee, along with Justin Lin. It’s set in San Francisco during the Tong Wars of the 19^th century, and stars Andrew Koji as a man looking for his estranged sister. It’s like Peaky Blinders crossed with a Bruce Lee movie—you can definitely see how Lee meant for this to be his own project—and it might be more accessible if you’re new to the world of K-drama and C-drama, which blends genres and tones much more than western cinema and TV do. Also, on a purely shallow note, Andrew Koji can GET IT.

Thanks again as always for all your support. The last few weeks have been chaotic in the best way. So much gossip! May it continue as we ride out the year!

Keep squawking, keep gossiping,

Lainey and Sarah