I look forward to these every week, and this one was among your very best in my opinion. Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us! I am in awe of how hard you all work, and that you are still able to sound so smart and funny. One bad night of sleep and I can barely form words.
I hope you all get tons of rest next week, and enjoy Oscars weekend!
The unhinged writing of this crew is still more measured and insightful than 90% of everything else that's out there in the celebrity gossip space, in my opinion. I'm here for it!
Jacek, I am deeply touched by what you've written here. It is a glimpse into the life you and Lainey share, a life you've built for yourselves, together. The picture you chose speaks of a man who appreciates his wife, loves her the way she is. It's a picture of the Lainey you know and love, not the woman who gets dolled up to do work that untold numbers of us see, but of the private Lainey, the one meant only for you and those closest to both of you. Your selection of that image of a young, freshly scrubbed woman caressing that Very Good Boy feels like a very personal choice, who you see in your mind's eye, how you will always see the woman you loved and married.
And your description about this work the two of you do is just lovely writing. As much as I enjoy reading what Lainey and Sarah write, this may be my favorite thing I've read here. Were it that everyone had someone to share a life with the way you two do.
re: Adrian Brody, let's not forget he bought his girlfriend (at the time) a CASTLE, and they did the most cringey try-hard posing in it for a magazine spread. This was a while ago, and even then I remember having such second-hand embarrassment for him. I believe he was dumped by her not long after. It's too bad, he's such a good actor.
Let's not forget that that girlfriend was Elsa Pataky, who is now married to Chris Hemsworth, and they built a massive ugly mega mansion on the beach in Australia. That girl and her men and her real estate moves!
He's also apparently awful to work with; a friend of mine has him on their sh*tlist forever from a film they did together. Maybe he's mellowed but at the time he was definitely high on his own supply.
Hi!! I haven’t finished the mailbag but I just got to the point about 40-lb tank of a dress and just wanted to share my genuine excitement about seeing!! I don’t know how you and the team are going to get through that schedule but we’re cheering you on!! 💃🏻
Feel so bummed that we in the US can't access ETalk...or... can we and I just haven't figured that out yet? I'm a geezer and I use that as an excuse for being limited all the time. Whatever and whichever hope Lainey posts lots n lots of pics and how she managed to hold everything up.
This is so interesting! I'm 42 and legit cannot work the 16/18hr days I used to and prioritize rest SO much for underlying health issues. I wonder if you see the 24/7 nature of the job as being a deterrent to having more diverse voices in media (those with disabilities/people with kids/etc.)? I'm hyper aware of it in my demanding job and I'm seeing my younger coworkers put their foot down more and more for work life balance (good for them!!).
I do know several writers with disabilities and they work pretty insane hours, too, plus the issue of navigating theaters that are not as accessible friendly as they say they are is prevalent. There are numerous systemic issues around lagging representation in media but the industry at large is in such a shambles right now, I truly don't know what it'll take to fix it. Everyone's just trying to keep their head above water.
I'll say this, these are definitely getting harder and harder on her and we've tried to make some adjustments over the last few years during our awards show coverage to allow her a little bit of rest because to your point, the body just doesn't cope the same way as we age. This weekend worries me a bit because it's a new thing they're doing and this is also why we have Sarah and Duana leading the charge for coverage, which we greatly appreciate.
Sarah, that's incredible and I appreciate your work ethic and the quality of your work remains so high! I have been diligently reading your work for years. I also appreciate this comment Amy about disability (I don't have kids so I cannot comment). I'm 40, Im in academia (or trying to be as I complete my PhD), and have a chronic illness that I now realize/accept after 15 years is in fact a (dynamic) disability [shout out to Brianne Benness for the definition]. I simply cannot function at the level/pace to achieve a tenure'd prof position, even though I do think I have the cognitive capacity to do some quality research. In any case, it's a really important conversation to be having when we talk about "the work". Anyone of us can experience disability at any time in our lives, so for me ableism and work culture has to be critically examined so that work can be inclusive to people of all abilities! I do see current examples in media with many women being diagnosed with MS and no longer being able to do the 16 hour work days on set. So does this mean Christina Applegate cannot be on screen anymore? Perhaps she doesn't want to as she protects her health. Yet, how can disabled people be represented on screen if the work culture does not change to accommodate all people?
"The Academy actually has volunteers walking the carpet holding up signs, like “Halle Berry” or “Oprah” for crews to practise what it might be like the next day."
I'd love to be a fly on the wall for all of this!!
Thank you for answering my question, Jacek! It’s so refreshing to read about a guy who has always seen the value of good gossip. I wasn’t a reader during the newsletter days of LG, so I didn’t know the backstory, but I can see why you view gossip in a positive light. The reason I asked that question is because I’m trying to get my boyfriend to view gossip in the same way. A while back, he saw me reading LG and he said something like, “Ah yes, relax with some light gossip.” And I told him it’s the opposite. Some of LG’s pieces demand a high level of attention and sometimes I do want to be challenged, see a different point of view, and learn something new.
I’m not sure what I can recommend to your BF since my perspective is pretty tied to who I’ve married and what we do, but maybe google Lainey’s TEDx and see if he’ll watch it with you. Truthfully, I haven’t watched in ages and maybe now some of the references will be quite dated, but she talks about how there were signs of “gossip” even in cave carvings and how it’s very much a part of our most ancient history. Maybe that might move the needle.
In addition to the sheer number of hours and tight schedule, I'm also filled with anxiety reading this. Lainey--do you ever have performance anxiety when heading into these things? I cant imagine the pressure. Feel free to answer next week!
It’s not just me then! I moved away around 15 years ago and get back once or twice a year. I wasn’t sure if I was turning into a country/small city mouse but I feel like it gets worse every visit.
I appreciate the hard work that shines through the mailbag this week. Y’all are stars - I hope you have so much fun and greatness amidst the little sleep times!
I’ve got secondhand exhaustion from reading Lainey’s schedule. Everyone take care of yourselves this weekend!
I look forward to these every week, and this one was among your very best in my opinion. Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us! I am in awe of how hard you all work, and that you are still able to sound so smart and funny. One bad night of sleep and I can barely form words.
I hope you all get tons of rest next week, and enjoy Oscars weekend!
Jacek, I really loved reading your writing style and hearing your perspective!
The unhinged writing of this crew is still more measured and insightful than 90% of everything else that's out there in the celebrity gossip space, in my opinion. I'm here for it!
I'm guessing unhinged all nighters are Lainey's happy place :)
😂
Jacek, I am deeply touched by what you've written here. It is a glimpse into the life you and Lainey share, a life you've built for yourselves, together. The picture you chose speaks of a man who appreciates his wife, loves her the way she is. It's a picture of the Lainey you know and love, not the woman who gets dolled up to do work that untold numbers of us see, but of the private Lainey, the one meant only for you and those closest to both of you. Your selection of that image of a young, freshly scrubbed woman caressing that Very Good Boy feels like a very personal choice, who you see in your mind's eye, how you will always see the woman you loved and married.
And your description about this work the two of you do is just lovely writing. As much as I enjoy reading what Lainey and Sarah write, this may be my favorite thing I've read here. Were it that everyone had someone to share a life with the way you two do.
I'm verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves.....
Thanks Andrea. I also enjoy jumping in the odd time and giving my side of what I see from behind the scenes. Glad you liked it.
re: Adrian Brody, let's not forget he bought his girlfriend (at the time) a CASTLE, and they did the most cringey try-hard posing in it for a magazine spread. This was a while ago, and even then I remember having such second-hand embarrassment for him. I believe he was dumped by her not long after. It's too bad, he's such a good actor.
Let's not forget that that girlfriend was Elsa Pataky, who is now married to Chris Hemsworth, and they built a massive ugly mega mansion on the beach in Australia. That girl and her men and her real estate moves!
YES!! That WAS her, I totally forgot....good memory!!
He's also apparently awful to work with; a friend of mine has him on their sh*tlist forever from a film they did together. Maybe he's mellowed but at the time he was definitely high on his own supply.
Hi!! I haven’t finished the mailbag but I just got to the point about 40-lb tank of a dress and just wanted to share my genuine excitement about seeing!! I don’t know how you and the team are going to get through that schedule but we’re cheering you on!! 💃🏻
Feel so bummed that we in the US can't access ETalk...or... can we and I just haven't figured that out yet? I'm a geezer and I use that as an excuse for being limited all the time. Whatever and whichever hope Lainey posts lots n lots of pics and how she managed to hold everything up.
This is so interesting! I'm 42 and legit cannot work the 16/18hr days I used to and prioritize rest SO much for underlying health issues. I wonder if you see the 24/7 nature of the job as being a deterrent to having more diverse voices in media (those with disabilities/people with kids/etc.)? I'm hyper aware of it in my demanding job and I'm seeing my younger coworkers put their foot down more and more for work life balance (good for them!!).
I do know several writers with disabilities and they work pretty insane hours, too, plus the issue of navigating theaters that are not as accessible friendly as they say they are is prevalent. There are numerous systemic issues around lagging representation in media but the industry at large is in such a shambles right now, I truly don't know what it'll take to fix it. Everyone's just trying to keep their head above water.
I'll say this, these are definitely getting harder and harder on her and we've tried to make some adjustments over the last few years during our awards show coverage to allow her a little bit of rest because to your point, the body just doesn't cope the same way as we age. This weekend worries me a bit because it's a new thing they're doing and this is also why we have Sarah and Duana leading the charge for coverage, which we greatly appreciate.
Sarah, that's incredible and I appreciate your work ethic and the quality of your work remains so high! I have been diligently reading your work for years. I also appreciate this comment Amy about disability (I don't have kids so I cannot comment). I'm 40, Im in academia (or trying to be as I complete my PhD), and have a chronic illness that I now realize/accept after 15 years is in fact a (dynamic) disability [shout out to Brianne Benness for the definition]. I simply cannot function at the level/pace to achieve a tenure'd prof position, even though I do think I have the cognitive capacity to do some quality research. In any case, it's a really important conversation to be having when we talk about "the work". Anyone of us can experience disability at any time in our lives, so for me ableism and work culture has to be critically examined so that work can be inclusive to people of all abilities! I do see current examples in media with many women being diagnosed with MS and no longer being able to do the 16 hour work days on set. So does this mean Christina Applegate cannot be on screen anymore? Perhaps she doesn't want to as she protects her health. Yet, how can disabled people be represented on screen if the work culture does not change to accommodate all people?
As a long time reader and animal lover, it was cool to see good old Marcus. The OG Beagle.
I can’t believe it will be 9 years in Sept since he left us. It goes too fast.
I love reading all your logistics!! (And am in awe of your energy. I'm already tired out and this weekend hasn't even gotten going yet for us!!!) - J
"The Academy actually has volunteers walking the carpet holding up signs, like “Halle Berry” or “Oprah” for crews to practise what it might be like the next day."
I'd love to be a fly on the wall for all of this!!
I'd love to be one of the volunteers! I think it'd be fun to "experience" the red carpet that way.
Thank you for answering my question, Jacek! It’s so refreshing to read about a guy who has always seen the value of good gossip. I wasn’t a reader during the newsletter days of LG, so I didn’t know the backstory, but I can see why you view gossip in a positive light. The reason I asked that question is because I’m trying to get my boyfriend to view gossip in the same way. A while back, he saw me reading LG and he said something like, “Ah yes, relax with some light gossip.” And I told him it’s the opposite. Some of LG’s pieces demand a high level of attention and sometimes I do want to be challenged, see a different point of view, and learn something new.
You’re welcome Josephine. I’m glad you asked.
I’m not sure what I can recommend to your BF since my perspective is pretty tied to who I’ve married and what we do, but maybe google Lainey’s TEDx and see if he’ll watch it with you. Truthfully, I haven’t watched in ages and maybe now some of the references will be quite dated, but she talks about how there were signs of “gossip” even in cave carvings and how it’s very much a part of our most ancient history. Maybe that might move the needle.
In addition to the sheer number of hours and tight schedule, I'm also filled with anxiety reading this. Lainey--do you ever have performance anxiety when heading into these things? I cant imagine the pressure. Feel free to answer next week!
The drive to and from the hills gives me straight-up anxiety! LA traffic is no joke!
We’re getting some pretty good training for LA traffic in Toronto. It’s really gotten out of control over the last decade.
It’s not just me then! I moved away around 15 years ago and get back once or twice a year. I wasn’t sure if I was turning into a country/small city mouse but I feel like it gets worse every visit.
It really has. Especially post-pandemic and with the million delayed, over budget projects going on seemingly on all the main arteries.
So true!
In the words of a sports bro: it’s Oscar weekend…let’s goooooo!!!!
“Let’s gooooo” is definitely the “celly”/pump up phrase of choice right now.
Jacek - I agree that the tone of the site matured gradually. Anyway, love reading your perspective too!
I appreciate the hard work that shines through the mailbag this week. Y’all are stars - I hope you have so much fun and greatness amidst the little sleep times!