Morning Show Scarjo nailed it, mitigating against being part of a hit piece, the use of AI in The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez, Grammy predictions, on who might be dressing the First Lady, and more
If Wayfarer deliberately chose to back ScarJo's film because of her enmity towards Blake and Ryan, that is a level of diabolical I can barely comprehend.
it kind of makes me feel bad for scarlett. it’s SO hard to get financing for movies these days (i was just sadly reminded this morning that the john waters movie liarmouth starring aubrey plaza is no longer happening bc no one would fund it).
but scarlett gets financing, only for it to Maybe be a ploy in the recently revealed creep of a co-owner’s battle against her ex-husband and his new wife, who he also maybe cheated on you with? and now her directorial debut has this gross cloud hanging above it, and also with maybe overshadow it when more people start talking about this?
Is there any way Scarjo chose to do the daytime hosting gig as part of that enmity? (Was there ever any truth to years ago rumors that Blake wanted to be a host on a daytime talk show?)
“Basically, think of it like this: the director is the captain of the ship. But the producer runs the shipping company, and the co-producers, associate producers, and line producers work under them to make sure the ship doesn’t sink because the captain is almost always an insane person.”
Been subscriber for a bit but this is 1st time I’ve read a column. I really like this column & format—a lot of info deeper than LaineyGossip (💜LG) & which casual LG readers probably aren’t interested.
The whole producers & VF discussions were really interesting to me—this is the level of sausage making I like ➕learning more of those industries.
I actually didn't catch any of ScarJo's Today Show stint (workin' 9 to 5) , but I'm happy for her that she nailed it. I do think she has a pretty effervescent personality and a great sense of humor, so I'm not really surprised. She's a famously beautiful woman who probably understands that self-deprecation will only endear her more to others and increase her already-bigass audience. Who knows? Maybe she'll be hosting a late night talk show in 20 years. She can certainly shoot the shit with celebs, odder things have happened, and it's about effing time a woman got one of those gigs.
BTW, I also love that little album she released with Pete Yorn a while ago. Seriously! It's really good!!! The first thing she did covering Tom Waits songs was...fine, but I'm also not a Tom Waits person so I can't really judge whether it was worthy of him or not.
As for that Wayfarer connection to her directorial debut...WOW. If this is the result of some pettiness, I honestly kind of don't blame her for it. Not crazy about the Baldoni connection, because I still intuitively mistrust him, but that's a mighty interesting professional decision on her part.
I remember seeing red carpet pics of Blake and Ryan on the Green Lantern carpet before his divorce to Scarlett was announced, and they did look pretty chummy/handsy in a way that I wouldn't have liked if I were Ryan's wife at the time. I do believe there was some sexual overlap - if they didn't knock boots back then, they probably acknowledged the likelihood of it eventually happening. Blake and Ryan publicly launched their relationship not too long after he and Scarlett split, as I recall, and they were also married within the span of a year. I know that happens sometimes; not everyone has to be engaged for a longass time before they get hitched. But I ABSOLUTELY think that there was at least some hardcore flirtation between them before ink on the divorce docs dried. Maybe an emotional affair? That can certainly torpedo a marriage. Either way, I'm sure Blake brought lots of cookies to that set, and I mean that literally and figuratively.
Everyone ended up where they were supposed to, though. Blake and Ryan, though they each annoy me for various reasons, seem incredibly well-matched. And ScarJo now has her Short Harvard King and gets to hang with the SNL crew.
And I kind of like that they named their kid Cosmo, sorry/not sorry.
Regardless, who will win an Oscar first? It *definitely* won't be Blake. ScarJo's already got a Tony. And now I'm wondering how Blake feels about her.
I had zero opinions about Colin Jost until I read his memoir (A Very Punchable Face) which made me fall in love with him a bit. I've been watching him as the host of Pop Culture Jeopardy and it's a full on crush now. He's very quick witted and self-deprecating and I swear they throw in some ScarJo related question every episode just watch Colin squirm a bit. (The same way Michael Che does on SNL.) It's one of those weird things where the more I watch and like Colin, the more I like ScarJo because I think she'd have to be very funny and down to earth to be with someone like him (and even RR who I always forget she was married to).
Totally agree, I have read a lot of SNL cast members’ books, but I liked his the most—way better than any others I have read. I find myself crying laughing, it was so well written!
I love that album she did with Pete Yorn too! I didn't realize there was any potential overlap with Scarjo, RR and BL. And for some reason in my mind I always attributed the end of their marriage to Scarlet being over it? Though I'm not sure why.
I've been a Scarjo fan for a long time. And I know some people don't like Collin, but I do and think they're so cute together!
I worked in Hollywood for a hot minute in my early 20's and hung out with her once in a group setting and she was funny, gorgeous and kind! No airs about her, this was in the aughts a few years after Lost in Translation.
I actually really liked Guy Pearce's question, and I had no idea of his past/current relationship status. It was an honest answer that made sense to me and it didn't come across as shady at all.
I know Ariana Grande gets a lot of props for her SNL hosting gigs (and whatever I think of her personally/her singing I fully agree she is fantastic there), but in my mind ScarJo is even better and it doesn't seem like she gets as much effusive praise.
Thanks for the answer about the Grammys! I totally agree, I think AOTY should be either Beyonce or Billie. They're crazy if they shut Beyonce down again but Grammys seem to loooove Billie so...I wonder. I'll be watching with lots of anticipation! I'll cross my fingers for Brandy and Monica too!
At this point it almost feels personal if they don’t give it to Beyoncé! But past years have shown me that I need to be prepared for disappointment lol.
Yes, always. 😑 My tiers of disappointment for this year are a) if anyone but Beyonce wins it, I'll be annoyed, b) if Taylor wins it, I'll be extra annoyed, and c) if Taylor wins it AND announces a new album release, I think I will rage-quit my TV. (I like Taylor and enjoyed TTPD but it's not AOTY, and please, no more sucking the air out of the room with album announcements.)
Ugh and word on the street is she’s gonna announce “reputation (Taylor’s version)” in the next few weeks… so like let’s just hope she can be ok being on the sidelines for ONE. NIGHT.
I think they missed their window with Beyoncé and now if they give it to her, it’ll be because they feel they “have” to. Which is a knock on them, not a criticism of Beyoncé.
I love Taylor but I always want to see how a show looks where other heavyweights like Beyoncé and Billie win the big awards and Taylor can be on the sidelines. With all the accolades she’s gotten in the recent year it would almost be a better look for her. On and MC I noticed your recent music article and I’m reading it after work today, thrilled to see music focussed articles like this!!
I’m so happy I’m not the only one who feels this way! It’s not shade to Taylor, but at some point we need to be spreading the love more to other artists! And let’s keep it real.. her latest album wasn’t her best! I guess we’ll find out on February 2nd 🤷🏻♂️.
Also, so glad you’re liking the column. Sharing music and inviting conversation around it is such a passion of mine and I feel it brings such joy to us as humans 🤍
The film academy can dig in their heels and get stubborn when they feel like they're being told what to do (see also: Lily Gladstone best actress run). Do you feel the music academy maybe resents being told to give it to Beyoncé every time she makes an album?
They definitely have a history of holding grudges. Just look at how dirty they have been doing Mariah Carey for years (particularly in 1996). I’m hopeful that this year will be a different outcome 🙏🏼
Taylor Swift has only won 14 grammys while being nominated 58 times. I hardly think that qualifies as them always giving her all the awards. She's never even won Song of the Year or Record of the Year! Adele has 16 wins (let's make the same comment about her), Billie has 9 (let's be honest she will probably win Album of the year because the Grammys love her), Beyonce has 32. Let's just be real when making these kinds of statements.
I'm curious what people's thoughts are on the recent narrative that Ryan Reynolds is the driving force behind the drama on the It Ends With Us set? The tip was given to Candace Owens of all people, and she claims it's from a crew member wishing to stay anonymous. Seems pretty convenient, but I'm not sure what she has to really gain from posting slide after slide of a complete lie when defamation/libel is such a hot topic right now surrounding the case. If I remember correctly from reading this site all these years, Ryan does have a reputation for being controlling, and he was insecure that Alanis and ScarJo were both bigger stars than him when they were together. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone here, just wondering how other people are absorbing this new layer?
When Blake Lively's lawsuit and NYT profile first dropped, it looked bad. But after the Depp-Heard fiasco, I was willing to wait and see how Baldoni responded.
My question to the Squawkers who are already branding Baldoni guilty until proven guilty, if he was totally guilty, why would he be pushing back so vehemently along with providing receipts of his own?
Also, why would Lively's team be trying to gag the defendant they accused of SH and has every right to defend himself? Responding to a lawsuit that could destroy his professional career is not DARVO.
Even though Baldoni is small time compared to BL and RR, wouldn't we have heard smoke about any bad behavior in other roles. His Jane the Virgin female castmates, which had been his biggest role to date, all have glowing praise for him.
Lively on the other hand has a documented history of bad behavior BTS as far back as her first role in "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants."
I saw a lot of Squawkers commenting on the video of the JB/BL dance already branding it SH. Maybe BL was nervous, but not because of SH.
And one more note. Blake wearing that Britney Spears dress at the IEWU premier didn't make much sense out of context besides a flex of BL's fashion connections. However, then it came out that Baldoni is a huge Britney fan and she even cameoed on Jane the Virgin.
I wanted to chime in on Lainey’s note about the Sussex piece in VF. While I was (rabidly) reading it, and especially in the days since, the thought I kept having was “this is a modern morality tale.” Anthropologically, I feel like a piece like that serves the same purpose as Aesop’s Fables. After reading it, I felt helpfully inoculated against the lure of putting style before substance, the trap of dilettante-ism, the compulsion to control the narrative. It even spurred self-reflection on my style as a manager (I don’t think I’m guilty of the effusive-to-chilly psychological manipulation, but I’m always grateful for a reminder to bring the golden rule into every interaction). Juicy and instructive - the best kind of gossip. Looking forward to reading more analysis from your team! Lainey, I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through health stuff with your mom. Sending strength.
If Wayfarer deliberately chose to back ScarJo's film because of her enmity towards Blake and Ryan, that is a level of diabolical I can barely comprehend.
it kind of makes me feel bad for scarlett. it’s SO hard to get financing for movies these days (i was just sadly reminded this morning that the john waters movie liarmouth starring aubrey plaza is no longer happening bc no one would fund it).
but scarlett gets financing, only for it to Maybe be a ploy in the recently revealed creep of a co-owner’s battle against her ex-husband and his new wife, who he also maybe cheated on you with? and now her directorial debut has this gross cloud hanging above it, and also with maybe overshadow it when more people start talking about this?
What's the enmity between Scarjo and Blake/Ryan? I didn't know there was any. Can you give some background? Really curious now.
Is there any way Scarjo chose to do the daytime hosting gig as part of that enmity? (Was there ever any truth to years ago rumors that Blake wanted to be a host on a daytime talk show?)
“Basically, think of it like this: the director is the captain of the ship. But the producer runs the shipping company, and the co-producers, associate producers, and line producers work under them to make sure the ship doesn’t sink because the captain is almost always an insane person.”
Hilarious, laughing out loud at that last clause.
I don’t work in the film/tv industry, but why does it feel like that’s the case for most captains no matter where you work 🤣
Yes! So easy to visualize
Been subscriber for a bit but this is 1st time I’ve read a column. I really like this column & format—a lot of info deeper than LaineyGossip (💜LG) & which casual LG readers probably aren’t interested.
The whole producers & VF discussions were really interesting to me—this is the level of sausage making I like ➕learning more of those industries.
H/T to all of you.
I'll just go right into mom mode and say... now you can read through our archive! I recommend Sarah's piece on the limitations of pop culture girl power. https://thesquawk.substack.com/p/the-aspiration-and-illusion-of-pop
Come back and join us some more! Thanks for the support.
“I don’t begrudge craftsmen their tools. I just worry about the day the tool becomes the craftsman.” Aces, Sarah. This is exactly how I feel.
I actually didn't catch any of ScarJo's Today Show stint (workin' 9 to 5) , but I'm happy for her that she nailed it. I do think she has a pretty effervescent personality and a great sense of humor, so I'm not really surprised. She's a famously beautiful woman who probably understands that self-deprecation will only endear her more to others and increase her already-bigass audience. Who knows? Maybe she'll be hosting a late night talk show in 20 years. She can certainly shoot the shit with celebs, odder things have happened, and it's about effing time a woman got one of those gigs.
BTW, I also love that little album she released with Pete Yorn a while ago. Seriously! It's really good!!! The first thing she did covering Tom Waits songs was...fine, but I'm also not a Tom Waits person so I can't really judge whether it was worthy of him or not.
As for that Wayfarer connection to her directorial debut...WOW. If this is the result of some pettiness, I honestly kind of don't blame her for it. Not crazy about the Baldoni connection, because I still intuitively mistrust him, but that's a mighty interesting professional decision on her part.
I remember seeing red carpet pics of Blake and Ryan on the Green Lantern carpet before his divorce to Scarlett was announced, and they did look pretty chummy/handsy in a way that I wouldn't have liked if I were Ryan's wife at the time. I do believe there was some sexual overlap - if they didn't knock boots back then, they probably acknowledged the likelihood of it eventually happening. Blake and Ryan publicly launched their relationship not too long after he and Scarlett split, as I recall, and they were also married within the span of a year. I know that happens sometimes; not everyone has to be engaged for a longass time before they get hitched. But I ABSOLUTELY think that there was at least some hardcore flirtation between them before ink on the divorce docs dried. Maybe an emotional affair? That can certainly torpedo a marriage. Either way, I'm sure Blake brought lots of cookies to that set, and I mean that literally and figuratively.
Everyone ended up where they were supposed to, though. Blake and Ryan, though they each annoy me for various reasons, seem incredibly well-matched. And ScarJo now has her Short Harvard King and gets to hang with the SNL crew.
And I kind of like that they named their kid Cosmo, sorry/not sorry.
Regardless, who will win an Oscar first? It *definitely* won't be Blake. ScarJo's already got a Tony. And now I'm wondering how Blake feels about her.
I had zero opinions about Colin Jost until I read his memoir (A Very Punchable Face) which made me fall in love with him a bit. I've been watching him as the host of Pop Culture Jeopardy and it's a full on crush now. He's very quick witted and self-deprecating and I swear they throw in some ScarJo related question every episode just watch Colin squirm a bit. (The same way Michael Che does on SNL.) It's one of those weird things where the more I watch and like Colin, the more I like ScarJo because I think she'd have to be very funny and down to earth to be with someone like him (and even RR who I always forget she was married to).
Totally agree, I have read a lot of SNL cast members’ books, but I liked his the most—way better than any others I have read. I find myself crying laughing, it was so well written!
The chapter on his mom, a 9/11 responder completely did me in.
I listened to him read his memoir, and I felt the same way!
I love that album she did with Pete Yorn too! I didn't realize there was any potential overlap with Scarjo, RR and BL. And for some reason in my mind I always attributed the end of their marriage to Scarlet being over it? Though I'm not sure why.
I've been a Scarjo fan for a long time. And I know some people don't like Collin, but I do and think they're so cute together!
I worked in Hollywood for a hot minute in my early 20's and hung out with her once in a group setting and she was funny, gorgeous and kind! No airs about her, this was in the aughts a few years after Lost in Translation.
They were divorced by the time Green Lantern premiered.
Oh, really? My bad.
I still think something/someone went down on set, though.
You’re not wrong in thinking that. If you Go back to their interviews, the flirting vibe is strong
I actually really liked Guy Pearce's question, and I had no idea of his past/current relationship status. It was an honest answer that made sense to me and it didn't come across as shady at all.
I know Ariana Grande gets a lot of props for her SNL hosting gigs (and whatever I think of her personally/her singing I fully agree she is fantastic there), but in my mind ScarJo is even better and it doesn't seem like she gets as much effusive praise.
Thanks for the answer about the Grammys! I totally agree, I think AOTY should be either Beyonce or Billie. They're crazy if they shut Beyonce down again but Grammys seem to loooove Billie so...I wonder. I'll be watching with lots of anticipation! I'll cross my fingers for Brandy and Monica too!
At this point it almost feels personal if they don’t give it to Beyoncé! But past years have shown me that I need to be prepared for disappointment lol.
Yes, always. 😑 My tiers of disappointment for this year are a) if anyone but Beyonce wins it, I'll be annoyed, b) if Taylor wins it, I'll be extra annoyed, and c) if Taylor wins it AND announces a new album release, I think I will rage-quit my TV. (I like Taylor and enjoyed TTPD but it's not AOTY, and please, no more sucking the air out of the room with album announcements.)
Ugh and word on the street is she’s gonna announce “reputation (Taylor’s version)” in the next few weeks… so like let’s just hope she can be ok being on the sidelines for ONE. NIGHT.
She was supposed to announce it at last years Grammys but got us with TTPD instead so rep tv will be this year’s surprise instead 🤡
I will say, I adore “reputation” so I’m looking forward to it whenever she does release it lol
Yes give us the rep bonus tracks Taylor!
Beyoncé COWBOY CARTER for AOTY or I ride at dawn!!!!
She’s already done album announcement at the Grammy’s. She’s going to announce on Lunar New Year when it’s officially the year of the snake. 🐍
I think they missed their window with Beyoncé and now if they give it to her, it’ll be because they feel they “have” to. Which is a knock on them, not a criticism of Beyoncé.
I love Taylor but I always want to see how a show looks where other heavyweights like Beyoncé and Billie win the big awards and Taylor can be on the sidelines. With all the accolades she’s gotten in the recent year it would almost be a better look for her. On and MC I noticed your recent music article and I’m reading it after work today, thrilled to see music focussed articles like this!!
I’m so happy I’m not the only one who feels this way! It’s not shade to Taylor, but at some point we need to be spreading the love more to other artists! And let’s keep it real.. her latest album wasn’t her best! I guess we’ll find out on February 2nd 🤷🏻♂️.
Also, so glad you’re liking the column. Sharing music and inviting conversation around it is such a passion of mine and I feel it brings such joy to us as humans 🤍
The film academy can dig in their heels and get stubborn when they feel like they're being told what to do (see also: Lily Gladstone best actress run). Do you feel the music academy maybe resents being told to give it to Beyoncé every time she makes an album?
They definitely have a history of holding grudges. Just look at how dirty they have been doing Mariah Carey for years (particularly in 1996). I’m hopeful that this year will be a different outcome 🙏🏼
Loved reading it! Plus you mentioned some songs I hadn't heard of that I'm adding to my playlist so thanks for that too lol
🤍🎶
Taylor Swift has only won 14 grammys while being nominated 58 times. I hardly think that qualifies as them always giving her all the awards. She's never even won Song of the Year or Record of the Year! Adele has 16 wins (let's make the same comment about her), Billie has 9 (let's be honest she will probably win Album of the year because the Grammys love her), Beyonce has 32. Let's just be real when making these kinds of statements.
Those are interesting stats Patricia! Thanks for sharing, I had no idea Adele had more.
Wow that is a LOT of nominations.
Yes nominations not wins. So they aren't giving her all the awards. There are more than handful of people with more nominations then her.
Thank you for the producing breakdown!!! Super informative.
I'm curious what people's thoughts are on the recent narrative that Ryan Reynolds is the driving force behind the drama on the It Ends With Us set? The tip was given to Candace Owens of all people, and she claims it's from a crew member wishing to stay anonymous. Seems pretty convenient, but I'm not sure what she has to really gain from posting slide after slide of a complete lie when defamation/libel is such a hot topic right now surrounding the case. If I remember correctly from reading this site all these years, Ryan does have a reputation for being controlling, and he was insecure that Alanis and ScarJo were both bigger stars than him when they were together. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone here, just wondering how other people are absorbing this new layer?
Hey Kelsey, lately we've typically been having a subthread on the daily chats here about Blake & Justin. The threads get a lot of discussion and I feel like you would probably get more replies to this question there. This is the link to today's subthread (hopefully it works): https://open.substack.com/chat/posts/37da1ccb-b49d-4618-b8a1-94ef97e37b3e?target_reply_id=329895c4-6f28-4b3f-a12c-a7440ba9bdd2&showTarget=true
We try to keep it all contained to one thread in the daily chat as some members have noted that the discussion is triggering for them.
I recall some of that Ryan/Alanis/ScarJo stuff was brought up by other Squawkers either earlier this week or last week.
I've been wondering where the Baldoni/Blake discussions were, thanks for the links!
Oh whoops, my eyes must have glazed right by the thread, thank you!
Isn’t all of Candace Owen’s’ spiel basically BS? She gains from clicks just like most BS’ers.
When Blake Lively's lawsuit and NYT profile first dropped, it looked bad. But after the Depp-Heard fiasco, I was willing to wait and see how Baldoni responded.
My question to the Squawkers who are already branding Baldoni guilty until proven guilty, if he was totally guilty, why would he be pushing back so vehemently along with providing receipts of his own?
Also, why would Lively's team be trying to gag the defendant they accused of SH and has every right to defend himself? Responding to a lawsuit that could destroy his professional career is not DARVO.
Even though Baldoni is small time compared to BL and RR, wouldn't we have heard smoke about any bad behavior in other roles. His Jane the Virgin female castmates, which had been his biggest role to date, all have glowing praise for him.
Lively on the other hand has a documented history of bad behavior BTS as far back as her first role in "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants."
I saw a lot of Squawkers commenting on the video of the JB/BL dance already branding it SH. Maybe BL was nervous, but not because of SH.
And one more note. Blake wearing that Britney Spears dress at the IEWU premier didn't make much sense out of context besides a flex of BL's fashion connections. However, then it came out that Baldoni is a huge Britney fan and she even cameoed on Jane the Virgin.
Coincidence or Conspiracy?
After seeing Carice van Houten’s statement, I immediately felt terrible. I should have known better. Gossip hygiene!
“I am, however, very proud to say we are in a wonderful partnership raising the true love of our lives — our beautiful son and his hamster” LOL carice
No worries on getting out your comments on the VF article - I think people were just wondering because you had said it would come out on Monday! 😊
I wanted to chime in on Lainey’s note about the Sussex piece in VF. While I was (rabidly) reading it, and especially in the days since, the thought I kept having was “this is a modern morality tale.” Anthropologically, I feel like a piece like that serves the same purpose as Aesop’s Fables. After reading it, I felt helpfully inoculated against the lure of putting style before substance, the trap of dilettante-ism, the compulsion to control the narrative. It even spurred self-reflection on my style as a manager (I don’t think I’m guilty of the effusive-to-chilly psychological manipulation, but I’m always grateful for a reminder to bring the golden rule into every interaction). Juicy and instructive - the best kind of gossip. Looking forward to reading more analysis from your team! Lainey, I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through health stuff with your mom. Sending strength.
I want Charli XCX to win Best Album 💚