So Emily has the same birthday as Travis Kelce. And I, someone with -50 interest in the NFL, knew that without having to check. What a time to be alive.
Also, sorry, one more - the "hidden" costs are so interesting to be b/c that is the part of the nepo baby discourse that never comes up. It's WAY easier to get a dress for an event if you are, say, Maya Hawke then Jane Doe. It's not just the social capital to know the right people, it's the financial resources to do all of the things you need to do to be in the rooms.
That's a really good point about the hidden costs. It's not even just about getting one specific dress for an event, it's also probably easier for Maya Hawke to access a stylist through one or both of her parents than for any random person off the street.
I'm SO here for the golf-talk. The drama of the Ryder cup was AMAZING (not to mention what actually happened in the match itself). The whole LIV vs PGA Tour has been must-see sports reality TV.
I've listened to Smartless and while I've found it entertaining for certain guests, they are terrible interviewers and they spend too much of their time trying to one-up each other with stories and talking over the guests. The celebrity podcast that I absolutely loved was Wiser than Me with Julia Louis Dreyfus. She interviews older women and has great questions and all the guests have led fascinating lives and have wonderful stories to tell. They discuss what it's like to be in your 60's and 70's and 80's and aging wisely.
A thing that really bugs me re: the nepo baby issue is that it also limits the kind of art that can be made. Like I’m sorry, but no matter how good an actor they are, a third generation Hollywood star who’s never known a day’s financial insecurity in their life is just not bringing anything authentic to a story about struggling to feed your family on food stamps. I personally reeeeally hate watching born-wealthy people cosplay poverty onscreen, because I just don’t think they have anything to add.
That is an issue as well and it's probably one of the main reasons we have less art depicting lower and working class life. These people just do not know how to tell those stories.
Although I will shout out Margaret Qualley, who was terrific in Maid. But she's an exception, not the rule.
It drives me crazy that the premise of Smartless is they don’t know who they’re interviewing. You’re completely unprepared and you’re proud of it? It’s the opposite of Show Your Work.
And yet, they not only got a huge deal from Amazon, they’ve also leveraged it into brand sponsorship. I just saw a Verizon commercial featuring two of the three, and I vaguely remember them shilling a broadcast event earlier this year (like the Super Bowl), but I can’t remember which one.
Thanks Phyl. Somehow she dodged it even though my first positive test didn’t show until the next morning. I’ve heard of folks breezing through their COVID but I haven’t had a fever like this in years.
Oof. That sounds awful. Recommend getting paxlovid (or other treatment) asap, if you haven’t already. Per friends, it’s helped them recover faster, and hopefully avoid long Covid issues. Get well soon!
Thanks for the podcast industry truthing, Sarah! I (a podcaster clinging onto making a living although who knows how much longer) am hoping that once it is evident that very few new shows are going to make any money, the celebs will get bored and go off and do something else, and stop flooding the market with badequate low-concept low-editing shows. But, perhaps they love talking, even if it's not lucrative
Sarah, I cannot thank you enough for this Smartless take. I usually feel like I'm the only one out here who thinks they aren't funny and are bad at the job. Listen to Murder on Sex Island instead, you guys!
I can defend Smartless at the beginning, when they were first figuring it out. The episode with Conan, for example, was excellent. After they scored the big deal though, for sure, it's become a circle jerk. But at the beginning, when they were just shooting the shit with people, it was good.
I really tried with Smartless but, not only are they terrible interviewers in general... They are AWFUL when they're interviewing WOMEN. They have had some really interesting women on the show and they RARELY ask them anything beyond how they balance work and their kids. I can't with them.
Thank you! Sarah, good point about podcasts essentially being opportunity hoarding. Case in point - has anyone else listened to Frosted Tips with Lance Bass? The premise isn't bad - late 90s/early 00s pop culture nostalgia - but Lance is a TERRIBLE interviewer. He asks the same questions to everyone, never does any outside research to ask thoughtful questions, and never asks anything beyond the surface that could cause deeper reflection or illuminate real insight. He's blocking someone else who COULD do this series and do it well (how many of us former TRL teens have a wealth of knowledge and questions we're dying to ask?). Lance, go tour with 'NSYNC! You do NOT need JT!
ITA! Celebrity podcasts are incredible displays of ego. They don't do their homework and just assume their personalities (I guess?) are so fantastic that listeners will be riveted. But then you get two boring people talking to each other about nothing. Credit to Marc Maron and Anna Faris for actually making an effort.
So Emily has the same birthday as Travis Kelce. And I, someone with -50 interest in the NFL, knew that without having to check. What a time to be alive.
😂
Also, sorry, one more - the "hidden" costs are so interesting to be b/c that is the part of the nepo baby discourse that never comes up. It's WAY easier to get a dress for an event if you are, say, Maya Hawke then Jane Doe. It's not just the social capital to know the right people, it's the financial resources to do all of the things you need to do to be in the rooms.
That's a really good point about the hidden costs. It's not even just about getting one specific dress for an event, it's also probably easier for Maya Hawke to access a stylist through one or both of her parents than for any random person off the street.
Feel better, Jacek and happy birthday, Emily! Take care, everyone!
I'm SO here for the golf-talk. The drama of the Ryder cup was AMAZING (not to mention what actually happened in the match itself). The whole LIV vs PGA Tour has been must-see sports reality TV.
I've listened to Smartless and while I've found it entertaining for certain guests, they are terrible interviewers and they spend too much of their time trying to one-up each other with stories and talking over the guests. The celebrity podcast that I absolutely loved was Wiser than Me with Julia Louis Dreyfus. She interviews older women and has great questions and all the guests have led fascinating lives and have wonderful stories to tell. They discuss what it's like to be in your 60's and 70's and 80's and aging wisely.
A thing that really bugs me re: the nepo baby issue is that it also limits the kind of art that can be made. Like I’m sorry, but no matter how good an actor they are, a third generation Hollywood star who’s never known a day’s financial insecurity in their life is just not bringing anything authentic to a story about struggling to feed your family on food stamps. I personally reeeeally hate watching born-wealthy people cosplay poverty onscreen, because I just don’t think they have anything to add.
That is an issue as well and it's probably one of the main reasons we have less art depicting lower and working class life. These people just do not know how to tell those stories.
Although I will shout out Margaret Qualley, who was terrific in Maid. But she's an exception, not the rule.
It drives me crazy that the premise of Smartless is they don’t know who they’re interviewing. You’re completely unprepared and you’re proud of it? It’s the opposite of Show Your Work.
And yet, they not only got a huge deal from Amazon, they’ve also leveraged it into brand sponsorship. I just saw a Verizon commercial featuring two of the three, and I vaguely remember them shilling a broadcast event earlier this year (like the Super Bowl), but I can’t remember which one.
Feel better soon Jacek. Stay away from him Lainey!
Thanks Phyl. Somehow she dodged it even though my first positive test didn’t show until the next morning. I’ve heard of folks breezing through their COVID but I haven’t had a fever like this in years.
Oof. That sounds awful. Recommend getting paxlovid (or other treatment) asap, if you haven’t already. Per friends, it’s helped them recover faster, and hopefully avoid long Covid issues. Get well soon!
Thanks for the podcast industry truthing, Sarah! I (a podcaster clinging onto making a living although who knows how much longer) am hoping that once it is evident that very few new shows are going to make any money, the celebs will get bored and go off and do something else, and stop flooding the market with badequate low-concept low-editing shows. But, perhaps they love talking, even if it's not lucrative
Hi Helen!!!!
Hi Lainey! I moved to Vancouver so when you're here next, let me buy you lunch
Sarah, I cannot thank you enough for this Smartless take. I usually feel like I'm the only one out here who thinks they aren't funny and are bad at the job. Listen to Murder on Sex Island instead, you guys!
I can defend Smartless at the beginning, when they were first figuring it out. The episode with Conan, for example, was excellent. After they scored the big deal though, for sure, it's become a circle jerk. But at the beginning, when they were just shooting the shit with people, it was good.
I really tried with Smartless but, not only are they terrible interviewers in general... They are AWFUL when they're interviewing WOMEN. They have had some really interesting women on the show and they RARELY ask them anything beyond how they balance work and their kids. I can't with them.
Thank you! Sarah, good point about podcasts essentially being opportunity hoarding. Case in point - has anyone else listened to Frosted Tips with Lance Bass? The premise isn't bad - late 90s/early 00s pop culture nostalgia - but Lance is a TERRIBLE interviewer. He asks the same questions to everyone, never does any outside research to ask thoughtful questions, and never asks anything beyond the surface that could cause deeper reflection or illuminate real insight. He's blocking someone else who COULD do this series and do it well (how many of us former TRL teens have a wealth of knowledge and questions we're dying to ask?). Lance, go tour with 'NSYNC! You do NOT need JT!
ITA! Celebrity podcasts are incredible displays of ego. They don't do their homework and just assume their personalities (I guess?) are so fantastic that listeners will be riveted. But then you get two boring people talking to each other about nothing. Credit to Marc Maron and Anna Faris for actually making an effort.
hahah the Brooks Koepka comment had me cackling. would love to hear your LIV and full swing thoughts!
Happy birthday Emily!
Get well soon, Jacek!
I appreciate the golf talk, not because I like golf, but because it's gossip! Just like how I live for F1 gossip/talk!