Variety's pathetic take on Jared Leto, adapting LG to industry changes, Lumidee and the power of nostalgia, BET Awards and the exclusion of genres, when to release movies, my BTS origin story, more
Variety's descent into clickbait, creeps defence, and dog-whistles has been tough to watch. Between that Leto piece and the weird parade of defensive profiles of so-called cancelled right-wingers like Zachary Quinto and Roseanne Barr is so Daily Mail-esque. The way they treated Rachel Zegler was especially nasty. The monopoly Penske Media has over the trades is a crime (and of course the Penskes are tight with Trump.) Independent gossip and entertainment industry media matters more than ever (and I'm talking about actual reportage, not TikTokers calling themselves body language experts to hate on women.)
This is why trusting the source has to have caveats. Legacy media can degrade their own standards. Frankly, dog whistles come from legacy media just as easy because that's how bias operates. It's always amusing that certain legacy outlets can be trusted if it's about a one person, but let it be about the Beckhams then it's suddenly questionable.
i know variety is a trade publication but lately it feels like it’s been a turn into something dangerous and honestly, pathetic. from the campaign against jlo, to the way they’ve reported blake/that rat and now jared leto, maybe it’s time to put them in the same category as a trashy british tabloid 🤭
Hey Lainey! Just thought you'd like to know on this 0613 that YOU are my BTS origin story. Your deep dive articles in 2018/19 had me paying attention, loving what they stood for in their soft masculinity. Then I watched their late night run in support of Map of the Soul: Persona and 7.
But I wasn't ready yet.
It wasn't until January 2021 when I circled back around to go down the YouTube rabbit hole. Specifically the Dionysus dance practice. If you want to see some top tier Work content, check out BTS Behinds.
The Dionysus practice for MAMA 2019 is the holy grail. All those people in that formation - that long table and those dance combinations, especially when Hobi and JK pull each other up first and go across the length of the table…I have watched it so many times and I have showed so many people working in live TV because the whole scale of that production was wild
Truly. It is really hard not to get hooked when you see the skill, the synchronization, the commitment, the scale, the set work... nevermind that the song is a banger about the drive of an artist through the metaphor of drinking using the dueling positions of Dionysus as the god of wine and art.
I'm somehow not shocked by the Jared Leto allegations. Gross on all levels. What I don't get is why this weirdo was so well protected given his pervy actions were yet another "worst kept secret" in Hollywood. Its not like Leto is a Tom Cruise or Leo DiCaprio level star or had the outsized power of a Harvey Weinstein. And celebrities wonder why regular people roll their eyes whenever some Hollywood elite lectures the masses on right and wrong? Look at the rogues gallery of villains that establishment has protected for decades!
Either way, throw the book at Leto if proven guilty.
Re: Reels, TikTok, etc - check out Joanna Johnson (Instagram handle: unlearn16). She’s a kickass Gen X teacher who has managed to use her platform to educate. I could absolutely see Lainey doing something like this but with a focus on gossip hygiene and gossip from a sociological perspective. Endless possibilities. I’m personally more interested in the superb and thoughtful writing that presently exists, but I thought this was worth a think. . .perhaps a more palatable way to engage with a younger demographic while maintaining your excellent integrity. Lainey, you could refer to yourself as the Dean of Smart Gossip or something similar. Take the kids to school!🎓
I know I'm late commenting but regarding not sourcing things on TikTok and other media plus Gen X/Millennial preferring written content, I wanted to mention that you got proper credit on a post going around Tumblr a few weeks back!
It was a post regarding Matt and Ben and someone had put in the caption or comment "which could mean nothing" and multiple people reblogged it with correct attribution to LG! At least in my corner of Tumblr, the people I follow and what they reblog are always trying to add sources when possible. (which makes me think most of us are in the Gen X/Millennial crowd!
I always thought Never Leave You was off key intentionally, a trick certain songs employ (albeit usually on small parts, not the whole song) to create auditory tension. I think I heard that on Switched On Pop or something? Maybe. The song is a banger and an ear worm though, that “uh oh” hook is fire. I just added to my Old Skool playlist, thanks Jill for the reminder of it!
Thank you for answering my question MC! When I used to hear Lumidee’s song back in the day I’d be in my car feeling like Will Ferrell in Zoolander yelling about Blue Steel (it’s the same look!!) and it is a strange relief to hear that I’m not alone in thinking she’s a bad singer. But you are right that the beat is great and carries the song, and I do like the Uh-oooohhs. What a weird life to be a one hit wonder and live off that for decades after!
My mom used to teach students going into teaching how to teach reading and she used tabloid magazines, Star, The Enquirer, etc. as a way to entice new readers. She said that they were great fun because everybody loves to read gossip but it also allowed you to develop critical thinking by asking if it was truth or fact, where was the information in terms of how it was sourced, etc. I think I learned gossip hygiene from that and I am avid reader to boot. She said it was more critical to get people to read stuff that gave them the thrill to read than to worry about them reading something deemed important.
Thank you for answering my question. Linking to sources is so important and that’s something I’ve noticed is lacking on Tik Tok - not just for celebrity gossip but everything including news. It’s wild. Even if MSM is never fully objective, at least the reader can make an assessment on what to take with a grain (or bucket) of salt!
The Kid Stays in the Picture is epic--great choice! For any Bob Evans fans, The Offer series (the story of how the Godfather got made) is a must-watch. Matthew Goode does a killer Evans!
Thank you for answering my question, MC! That makes sense, especially about the BET Awards focusing on the genres of the videos they previously played. It sounds like they could revise what they award as the genres are morphing and becoming more fluid. For example, I cannot imagine them not wanting Queen Bey to be at the awards show for any album, even if it is rock n' roll. Maybe she's the one to change their categories, if that is indeed what she does with Act III. Last thing, how can they NEVER have invited Lenny Fucking Kravitz to even just present let alone perform??!?!?!?!? Lenny is as close to perfection in every way as any human can be. Our Stephany has claimed Lewis as her husband so I claim Lenny. I love that man. 😁💜💜💜
I could be incorrect, but Lenny's people (team) were apart of his communication breakdown. This man (like his daughter) was not hanging out in BET circles, but he wasn't avoiding them either (BFF Denzel). The culture is a fine line. He's never been on the BET videos which is what I believe MC was pointing out. BET videos was green/blue(?)-eyed Donnie Simpson was the host far before Free and AJ. They played Patti, Luther, Jodeci, HiFive, ABC, BoyzIIMen, etc etc. Janet (and he brother) was probably the only one near him in genre to be broadcast, but she specifically ran in those circles. There's a discussion about the makeup of the team of certain high profile nonwhite celebrities. JLo has never been averse or caught out of tapping into her community. Lenny might have dated Lisa Bonet, but he wasn't out with or employing someone that would have him on the cover of Ebony, Essence or Jet. Black people invited absolutely almost anyone to the imaginary cookout...this is not on us. He's also a nepo baby that would have been hanging with a certain echelon that were not BET adjacent. He'd probably know the founders of BET who rolled more upper class than doing deals for their company.
Clumsily leaving this here, maybe not effectively but if appropriate for the Squawk, I'd love to have a discussion about capital B billionaires not being ethical exceeeept Queen B, RiRi and Mackenzie Scott. Which I don't think is the right take! But I love this group and want their thoughts.
Variety's descent into clickbait, creeps defence, and dog-whistles has been tough to watch. Between that Leto piece and the weird parade of defensive profiles of so-called cancelled right-wingers like Zachary Quinto and Roseanne Barr is so Daily Mail-esque. The way they treated Rachel Zegler was especially nasty. The monopoly Penske Media has over the trades is a crime (and of course the Penskes are tight with Trump.) Independent gossip and entertainment industry media matters more than ever (and I'm talking about actual reportage, not TikTokers calling themselves body language experts to hate on women.)
I think you mean Zachary Levi.
I do! My apologies to not!Shazam. I'm sure he believes in vaccines.
Also 👋🏼 hi Kayleigh! I love and value your writing - which i know from Pajiba (which LG introduced me to) ! Thank you for being you 💕
Oh my god I almost died when I read Quinto, and then I started googling permutations of Quinto/T/Republicans ... Sooooo glad it's not Q
I did a double take when you said Zachary Quinto and right-winger in the same sentence! Yes, Levi can go away and stay gone.
This is why trusting the source has to have caveats. Legacy media can degrade their own standards. Frankly, dog whistles come from legacy media just as easy because that's how bias operates. It's always amusing that certain legacy outlets can be trusted if it's about a one person, but let it be about the Beckhams then it's suddenly questionable.
i know variety is a trade publication but lately it feels like it’s been a turn into something dangerous and honestly, pathetic. from the campaign against jlo, to the way they’ve reported blake/that rat and now jared leto, maybe it’s time to put them in the same category as a trashy british tabloid 🤭
Hey Lainey! Just thought you'd like to know on this 0613 that YOU are my BTS origin story. Your deep dive articles in 2018/19 had me paying attention, loving what they stood for in their soft masculinity. Then I watched their late night run in support of Map of the Soul: Persona and 7.
But I wasn't ready yet.
It wasn't until January 2021 when I circled back around to go down the YouTube rabbit hole. Specifically the Dionysus dance practice. If you want to see some top tier Work content, check out BTS Behinds.
WE HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE BACK!
The Dionysus practice for MAMA 2019 is the holy grail. All those people in that formation - that long table and those dance combinations, especially when Hobi and JK pull each other up first and go across the length of the table…I have watched it so many times and I have showed so many people working in live TV because the whole scale of that production was wild
Truly. It is really hard not to get hooked when you see the skill, the synchronization, the commitment, the scale, the set work... nevermind that the song is a banger about the drive of an artist through the metaphor of drinking using the dueling positions of Dionysus as the god of wine and art.
Joon and all his metaphors!
I'm somehow not shocked by the Jared Leto allegations. Gross on all levels. What I don't get is why this weirdo was so well protected given his pervy actions were yet another "worst kept secret" in Hollywood. Its not like Leto is a Tom Cruise or Leo DiCaprio level star or had the outsized power of a Harvey Weinstein. And celebrities wonder why regular people roll their eyes whenever some Hollywood elite lectures the masses on right and wrong? Look at the rogues gallery of villains that establishment has protected for decades!
Either way, throw the book at Leto if proven guilty.
I have felt similar about The Hollywood Reporter as well. When they did a cover story on Jake Paul I was like 🤯
Re: Reels, TikTok, etc - check out Joanna Johnson (Instagram handle: unlearn16). She’s a kickass Gen X teacher who has managed to use her platform to educate. I could absolutely see Lainey doing something like this but with a focus on gossip hygiene and gossip from a sociological perspective. Endless possibilities. I’m personally more interested in the superb and thoughtful writing that presently exists, but I thought this was worth a think. . .perhaps a more palatable way to engage with a younger demographic while maintaining your excellent integrity. Lainey, you could refer to yourself as the Dean of Smart Gossip or something similar. Take the kids to school!🎓
I know I'm late commenting but regarding not sourcing things on TikTok and other media plus Gen X/Millennial preferring written content, I wanted to mention that you got proper credit on a post going around Tumblr a few weeks back!
It was a post regarding Matt and Ben and someone had put in the caption or comment "which could mean nothing" and multiple people reblogged it with correct attribution to LG! At least in my corner of Tumblr, the people I follow and what they reblog are always trying to add sources when possible. (which makes me think most of us are in the Gen X/Millennial crowd!
I always thought Never Leave You was off key intentionally, a trick certain songs employ (albeit usually on small parts, not the whole song) to create auditory tension. I think I heard that on Switched On Pop or something? Maybe. The song is a banger and an ear worm though, that “uh oh” hook is fire. I just added to my Old Skool playlist, thanks Jill for the reminder of it!
Thank you for answering my question MC! When I used to hear Lumidee’s song back in the day I’d be in my car feeling like Will Ferrell in Zoolander yelling about Blue Steel (it’s the same look!!) and it is a strange relief to hear that I’m not alone in thinking she’s a bad singer. But you are right that the beat is great and carries the song, and I do like the Uh-oooohhs. What a weird life to be a one hit wonder and live off that for decades after!
this was such a fun question and answer and took me all the way back—ty for that
My mom used to teach students going into teaching how to teach reading and she used tabloid magazines, Star, The Enquirer, etc. as a way to entice new readers. She said that they were great fun because everybody loves to read gossip but it also allowed you to develop critical thinking by asking if it was truth or fact, where was the information in terms of how it was sourced, etc. I think I learned gossip hygiene from that and I am avid reader to boot. She said it was more critical to get people to read stuff that gave them the thrill to read than to worry about them reading something deemed important.
Thank you for answering my question. Linking to sources is so important and that’s something I’ve noticed is lacking on Tik Tok - not just for celebrity gossip but everything including news. It’s wild. Even if MSM is never fully objective, at least the reader can make an assessment on what to take with a grain (or bucket) of salt!
The Kid Stays in the Picture is epic--great choice! For any Bob Evans fans, The Offer series (the story of how the Godfather got made) is a must-watch. Matthew Goode does a killer Evans!
The audiobook read by Robert Evans himself is GREAT, highly recommend 👌🏻
I, for one, cannot wait to read about this Bob Evans.
Who had me at Matthew Goode.
Thank you for answering my question, MC! That makes sense, especially about the BET Awards focusing on the genres of the videos they previously played. It sounds like they could revise what they award as the genres are morphing and becoming more fluid. For example, I cannot imagine them not wanting Queen Bey to be at the awards show for any album, even if it is rock n' roll. Maybe she's the one to change their categories, if that is indeed what she does with Act III. Last thing, how can they NEVER have invited Lenny Fucking Kravitz to even just present let alone perform??!?!?!?!? Lenny is as close to perfection in every way as any human can be. Our Stephany has claimed Lewis as her husband so I claim Lenny. I love that man. 😁💜💜💜
I could be incorrect, but Lenny's people (team) were apart of his communication breakdown. This man (like his daughter) was not hanging out in BET circles, but he wasn't avoiding them either (BFF Denzel). The culture is a fine line. He's never been on the BET videos which is what I believe MC was pointing out. BET videos was green/blue(?)-eyed Donnie Simpson was the host far before Free and AJ. They played Patti, Luther, Jodeci, HiFive, ABC, BoyzIIMen, etc etc. Janet (and he brother) was probably the only one near him in genre to be broadcast, but she specifically ran in those circles. There's a discussion about the makeup of the team of certain high profile nonwhite celebrities. JLo has never been averse or caught out of tapping into her community. Lenny might have dated Lisa Bonet, but he wasn't out with or employing someone that would have him on the cover of Ebony, Essence or Jet. Black people invited absolutely almost anyone to the imaginary cookout...this is not on us. He's also a nepo baby that would have been hanging with a certain echelon that were not BET adjacent. He'd probably know the founders of BET who rolled more upper class than doing deals for their company.
Thank you, Angela. I appreciate this insight. I'm just being outraged on behalf of Lenny, whom I think is amazing. 😁
Stand by your mans.
Clumsily leaving this here, maybe not effectively but if appropriate for the Squawk, I'd love to have a discussion about capital B billionaires not being ethical exceeeept Queen B, RiRi and Mackenzie Scott. Which I don't think is the right take! But I love this group and want their thoughts.