đ° đ„ Media Diet 05.15.26
What Iâve been reading, watching and listening tp the past several weeks
I havenât posted one of these in a minute so hereâs a brief rundown of the news from the past several weeks. I encourage you to read it in a âso hereâs what you missed on Gleeâ style:
Alix vs Alex, the Strait of Hormuz situation (ongoing), Coachella (weekends 1 + 2), White House Correspondents Dinner shooting, Megan the Stallion and Klay Thompson breakup, the Devil Wears Prada 2 premieres, Summer House leaked audio (parts 1-3), Supreme Court overturned the Voting Rights Act, Summer House leaked nudes, gerrymandering in multiple states (TN, FL, AL, VA, LA, etc.),possible LIRR strike, alleged hookup b/t Summer Houseâs West Wilson (30) + RHONJ Jenn Fessler (57) and the Hantavirus outbreak. Got it? Good, letâs get into it!
đStart with Yourself by Emma Grede
You may have heard the clip about her being a â3 hour momâ but Emma Grede (co-founder / CEO of Good American + founding partner of Skims) explains the real sacrifices necessary to have it all (career, family, money) and how to do so by starting your own business.
đVulture - The Masterminds of Reality TV
I did find Andy Cohenâs interview interesting and Nicâs (Love Island) response to the editorial telling. And if this spread proves anything it is that public incendiary behavior is rewarded (and paid) in our current society.
đ Glamour - Ciara Miller Will Let the Universe Handle It
Since this cover came out Ciara has been featured in ads from Sonic, Google and Old Nay, has been announced as a contestant on the next season of Dancing with the Stars and has a new gig as co-host of Love Island Aftersun this summer with Tefi Pesoa. Meanwhile West is fending off allegations that he hooked up with another married woman on a different Bravo show (LINK) and Amanda is posting ads with Jimmy JohnsâŠ
đŹEveryone Is Lying to You for Money (2026)
I saw a total of 11 movies in theaters last month, a new personal record! This documentary about the modern day grift better known as cryptocurrency was my most highly rated. Who knew the guy who was told âWelcome to the O.C. bitchâ got an economics degree.
đ”Need for Speed by Kim Petras
I love this new song from Kim Petras even more than the stuff off Clarity from 2019. I feel like this is a pattern for artists where they feel like their career is on the decline, theyâre on the outs with the industry/label and theyâre in their IDGAF mode, is when they create their best music.
âïžThe Things We Think and Do Not Say by Sean Fennessey
The Big Picture podcast co-host has new newsletter on Substack called Projections (#1 in new bestsellers in fact) and clearly itâs been a warm welcome. Sean mentioned he had a long career as writer at publications like Spin before pivoting into the movie/podcast game and it shows.
đ€Nicky Reardon - The Wor$t Interview in America
There were multiple sections in this interview I found inspiring especially when she speaks to her creative process and visual references. Canât wait to see Crank live at Gov Ball!
đ€Friends Keep Secrets - The Nick Kroll Episode
At first I did not understand the concept of this not a podcast podcast or why music producer Benny Blanco or rapper Lil Dicky even needed one in the first place. Then I listened to the Nick Kroll episode and it all clicked. It has the cozy feel of a multi-cam sitcom plus the hidden surveillance quality of a reality show with a touch of Jack-ass hi-jinks all to create a disarming environment to drop high profile guests like Selena Gomez (Bennyâs wife) and Ed Sheeran into.
đ»WNYC - Inside Linda McMahonâs Efforts to Dismantle the Dept. of Education
Was listening to this segment in an Uber ride (more Uber drivers who listen to npr please!) and was impressed by the discussion. This interview stemmed from a piece Zach Helfand wrote in the New Yorker on Linda McMahon and Dept. of Education. Iâve been following the slow dismantling of the DOE under Trump for over a year as I was working on this book. Itâs gross negligence and I worry for future students.
â°HOORAE Media - Screen Time
Issa Raeâs production company dropped 22 episodes for a new vertical drama called Screen Time. It sucked me in immediately and Iâm mad we still have to wait one more week for the finale. And if you havenât been reeled in by one of the multi-part micro-dramas yet hereâs your chance.
đșThe Real Housewives of Rhode Island (Season 1, Episodes 1-7)
I usually preach that I am a B tier Bravo watcher. I love the spinoffs (Summer House, Vanderpump Rules), one season wonders (NYC Prep) and middle of the week marathon shows (Below Deck) but not the Housewives. This show is the one exception. These women are hilarious and honest about all the mess going on in their lives and have already given us canon worthy one liners: âDoes he look like he goes to the gym?â
â¶ïžCBS Sunday Mornings - Extended interview: Kacey Musgraves
I weirdly enjoyed this CBS segment over all of Kaceyâs other interviews during this album release cycle for Middle of Nowhere (my faves btw are Believe in Ghosts, Abilene, Rhinestoned and Mexico Honey). Something about the nostalgia of an on location interview, simple two camera set up. No artsy overly staged sets or try hard horse rides here (sorry Zane Lowe). Also the journalistic grind of interviewing her and her family over 10 years ago and having those clips to look back on is what makes reporting more meaningful and special. Also loved her spread in Texas Monthly (support local media!) and her sister took the album art picture (so striking!).
â¶ïžAshley Norton - A Deep Dive into the Life and Scandals of Justin Bieber
Yes I admit I stayed up until 3AM to watch the Justin Bieber Coachella set live from the comfort of my Bedchella. And unlike the TikTok comments would have you believe he did not have gay guy music video night in front of 150,000 people due to the legality surrounding his song rights (Bieber sold his entire catalog to an investment firm in 2022), the Verge debunked that. Performance choices aside, the set did have me go down a JB rabbit hole including this video essay and now I mourn 10-12 year old me who never got to be completely swept up in a fandom. I wouldâve ran my Twitter stan account like an army sergeant.
đđ„ł1 Fun Thing: perfectionist on the way to the polo fields