Somewhat related, I feel like Megyn Kelley is looking really silly with her defenses of Tucker. The way she went at Noah Rothman was bananas. Her show has become increasingly more cringe, and I can only listen when I know I at least trust the guest. Her obsessions with Lia Thomas, Dylan Mulvaney, Megan Markle, etc has gotten old. Maybe she should only broadcast once a week. She needs new material.
I'm glad the boys go on her show because I feel like they generally promote psychologically healthy attitudes in a time when everyone seems so nuts, and I've got no beef with Megyn at all, but I feel like she only ever asserts her positions with a confidence level of 10/10. That might be artifact left over from when it would have served her well, namely, her days as a prosecutor. (Perhaps it's still serving her well.) For me, that kind of delivery kind of predisposes me to resist what she's pushing, which makes listening to her show not gratifying enough to listen to. I don't think she seems like a bad person or unintelligent.
Love this perspective. I support having a kooky friend (most of us either have one or are one), and if the boys might help moderate her worst instincts and show her audience how to engage more thoughtfully with ideas, then it would seem worthwhile.
Couldn’t agree more! I only tune in occasionally when she has the Fifth crew on. Or if there’s some other guest I’m interested in. Megyn is plenty smart, but her pod often resembles Daily Wire type stuff. Lots of red meat for the listeners.
I didn't watch or listen, but I found the recent title--something like "Tucker leaves Fox, Don Lemon fired"--a little curious. Is that what happened, Megyn? Tucker just left? Came in on Monday, and just decided, "eh, never mind"? Kind of pathetic, I thought.
Cringe is the word. I respect MK, and appreciate that she has the lads on regularly (increasingly the only eps I can make it all the way through), but I wish she’d be more measured, less histrionic in her conservative commentary — like the panelists on the Commentary podcast.
Agree. I was pretty disappointed with the one she did with the lads last month (not the most recent). I only watched because it was extra ‘Fif content, but am less inclined to do so again.
I can't even watch the episodes featuring the Lads, sadly. I've been online and off TV for so long I have lost tolerance for the cable-style "intensity up to 11" schtick.
I'm glad it's not just me. I have really had respect for Megyn over the years, But this really looks like a case of audience capture. In the early days, you were never sure how she would come down on an issue. Now, it's just whether it's far right or extreme far right. I only listen when the lads are on to show my respect for her having reasonable, level headed people on.
There’s a bit of the uncanny valley for me with Megyn. Something off with her affect. Like a bad method actor playing the part of someone deeply concerned about trans swimmers. She may be entirely sincere, but it reads intellectually and emotionally shallow, even if she’s capable of more.
It's possible. Talk radio people have always considered themselves frost and foremost entertainers and recent events may be an example of the truth of that. I can't remember the name but a long time ago there was a talk radio host who was on in two different markets and in one he was a liberal and the other a conservative. I always felt that way about Michael Savage. That he was a complete put on who just loved the theater of what he did and knew the right button to push with his audience.
I agree MK is on a different level than the boys when it comes to Tucker but this is one case where I do believe a “lived experience” really plays into the analysis of the decisions inside of an institution such as Fox News.
As discussed today, there is an interesting binary with RM having de facto editorial control (and a ‘jackal’ of an exec whose sole job it seems is to make sure the talent doesn’t get bigger than the brand), versus the talent that has their own motivations and incentives.
The guys like Megan because she (and they) have de jure editorial control of their content. And the law is their own- principled debate and genuine effort to find what they feel is correct and just.
I also listened to the Rothman/MK kerfuffle and do believe that though some wine was spilled, there were two compelling good faith arguments. MK the talent arguing for the talent, and the commentator NR arguing for the public.
What’s more interesting to me given the first hour of todays episode is how the guys differentiate themselves from someone like MK who does 5 episodes a week with a bazillion different guests.
And compare it to the thorough dissemination of RFKJR’s various stances, articles, books, tweets, etc from the lads today.
When comparing the pods I do want to say that they are two different shows with two different mandates and I agree with what Moynihan often says about bad book reviews.
She clearly has a valuable perspective and I appreciate that. But I could do without her going after Rothman when he noted Carlson peddled conspiracy theories for years. "OH YEAH! Well the LAB LEAK was a conspiracy theory!" So...we need to now treat all 'conspiracy theories' with the same credulity? Will she have Kyrie Irving on to discuss the earth's flatness? She then went nutso "OHHH you think people are TOO STUPID? YOU THINK HIS VIEWERS ARE STUPID?" Uh, maybe a bit?
Couldn’t agree more. 🍌 About three minutes into her Monday show about Tucker she says something to the effect: “Many, Many, Many, Many of my audience watch Fox and they love Tucker. It’s the only reason they still watch.” - enough said.
Raquel continually enhanced her grace and fashionable presentation right up until her passing. It is silly to suggest that her mature dress (as opposed to undress) should rank below her 1960s-70s era manifestation. Bob, of course, peaked as a hot rookie in LA in the 70s and continually deteriorated right up until his passing. To be fair, Matt falls squarely between the two, and the jury is out as to where he will end up. He hopefully has at least a few years to up his game.
The dude from Fleetwood Mac? Yeesh, didn't think of him. If Matt reads these comments, I'm curious: Does reference to "Bob Welch" make you think "Cy Young Pitcher" or "Sentimental Lady?"
First 'FIRE in a Crowded Theater' now 'The Fall of the House of Tucker'...is there a tip jar for whoever is coming up with these titles? Hats off, lads.
I generally support outlandish public slander of Matt, not because he's not a delightful human being. I just want another angry cassingle complete with several intermittent, pre-announced pauses to allow for wine gulping.
Just wanted to say, absolute banger of a podcast. Loved the RFK Jr. Discussion. So many right wing vaccine skeptics are pretending they just discovered this guy and he’s going to be some heroic democrats running in 2024. He’s as big of a lunatic as it gets.
My favorite part about this episode....no listener emails!!!! No offense to John from Omaha and a lot of the people who write-in, but those emails can sound like a community NPR mail bag sometimes.
These only happen on paid subscriber pod, like today's. This one was public so no emails. Haven't listened to the one from today but guarantee there will be some.
Fwiw, In-Q-Tel is the CIA’s venture capital arm. They fund projects like DARPA does that they think might be useful. Palantir was a beneficiary back in the day.
I started my career in venture capital during the dot com era and at that time they were prolific. I saw them in many cap tables.
Their approach is almost like a corporate development effort in which they invest strategically to gain access and information.
That said, I have never once met anyone from the organization and it was a bit of a mystery as to what their strategy was. They were not involved in any of the companies that they invested in as far as I know.
The flip is that they lent credibility to the companies that they invested in, regardless if it was deserved or not.
There was one topic you could have asked Ben Smith about to sandbag him this time. About his tie up with the (Red) Chinese think tank that he's started kind of suspiciously after having to return SBF's money. I know Semafor's official response is that they retain editorial independence etc, but come on..its the (Red) Chinese we're talking about. There's probably an MSS agent reading every keystroke on Ben Smith's computer already
Gents, the audio quality (dynamic range) of the intro music for 404 (and 403, 395, 394) is poor. There is no bass in these intro tracks. Bring back the full dynamic range intro music please!
I hadn’t noticed that, but if what you’re saying is true, that would be a crime against humanity. The moment when the bass drops in during the intro is truly exhilarating. An adrenaline rush every time.
If CNN was smart they’d do a Parts Unknown type show with Sir Charles where he goes city to city and just roasts them. First episode should be him going to San Antonio.
In the spirit of the wonderful rants in first half of this episode, can we talk about how much of my Substack feed is currently shot through with the phrase- “THE CENSORSHIP INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX!!!!”?
Also- references to “WOKENESS!!!!!”
These horseshoe fuckers are turning me into a neocon
Somewhat related, I feel like Megyn Kelley is looking really silly with her defenses of Tucker. The way she went at Noah Rothman was bananas. Her show has become increasingly more cringe, and I can only listen when I know I at least trust the guest. Her obsessions with Lia Thomas, Dylan Mulvaney, Megan Markle, etc has gotten old. Maybe she should only broadcast once a week. She needs new material.
I'm glad the boys go on her show because I feel like they generally promote psychologically healthy attitudes in a time when everyone seems so nuts, and I've got no beef with Megyn at all, but I feel like she only ever asserts her positions with a confidence level of 10/10. That might be artifact left over from when it would have served her well, namely, her days as a prosecutor. (Perhaps it's still serving her well.) For me, that kind of delivery kind of predisposes me to resist what she's pushing, which makes listening to her show not gratifying enough to listen to. I don't think she seems like a bad person or unintelligent.
Love this perspective. I support having a kooky friend (most of us either have one or are one), and if the boys might help moderate her worst instincts and show her audience how to engage more thoughtfully with ideas, then it would seem worthwhile.
Couldn’t agree more! I only tune in occasionally when she has the Fifth crew on. Or if there’s some other guest I’m interested in. Megyn is plenty smart, but her pod often resembles Daily Wire type stuff. Lots of red meat for the listeners.
I didn't watch or listen, but I found the recent title--something like "Tucker leaves Fox, Don Lemon fired"--a little curious. Is that what happened, Megyn? Tucker just left? Came in on Monday, and just decided, "eh, never mind"? Kind of pathetic, I thought.
Cringe is the word. I respect MK, and appreciate that she has the lads on regularly (increasingly the only eps I can make it all the way through), but I wish she’d be more measured, less histrionic in her conservative commentary — like the panelists on the Commentary podcast.
She has the sense of humor of a bottle of Evian!
Backwardly naive?
Flat?
And the personality of coleslaw. And not the fun vinegar kind... more like the gas station chalk white kind.
Agree. I was pretty disappointed with the one she did with the lads last month (not the most recent). I only watched because it was extra ‘Fif content, but am less inclined to do so again.
Totally agree and I feel like they are being too polite with her.
I can't even watch the episodes featuring the Lads, sadly. I've been online and off TV for so long I have lost tolerance for the cable-style "intensity up to 11" schtick.
I'm glad it's not just me. I have really had respect for Megyn over the years, But this really looks like a case of audience capture. In the early days, you were never sure how she would come down on an issue. Now, it's just whether it's far right or extreme far right. I only listen when the lads are on to show my respect for her having reasonable, level headed people on.
There’s a bit of the uncanny valley for me with Megyn. Something off with her affect. Like a bad method actor playing the part of someone deeply concerned about trans swimmers. She may be entirely sincere, but it reads intellectually and emotionally shallow, even if she’s capable of more.
It's possible. Talk radio people have always considered themselves frost and foremost entertainers and recent events may be an example of the truth of that. I can't remember the name but a long time ago there was a talk radio host who was on in two different markets and in one he was a liberal and the other a conservative. I always felt that way about Michael Savage. That he was a complete put on who just loved the theater of what he did and knew the right button to push with his audience.
Megyn has the biggest morons in right wing media on her show! It’s unlistenable most days.
I agree MK is on a different level than the boys when it comes to Tucker but this is one case where I do believe a “lived experience” really plays into the analysis of the decisions inside of an institution such as Fox News.
As discussed today, there is an interesting binary with RM having de facto editorial control (and a ‘jackal’ of an exec whose sole job it seems is to make sure the talent doesn’t get bigger than the brand), versus the talent that has their own motivations and incentives.
The guys like Megan because she (and they) have de jure editorial control of their content. And the law is their own- principled debate and genuine effort to find what they feel is correct and just.
I also listened to the Rothman/MK kerfuffle and do believe that though some wine was spilled, there were two compelling good faith arguments. MK the talent arguing for the talent, and the commentator NR arguing for the public.
What’s more interesting to me given the first hour of todays episode is how the guys differentiate themselves from someone like MK who does 5 episodes a week with a bazillion different guests.
Listen to MK’s most recent interview with RFKJR:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fauci-vaccines-and-big-pharmas-power-robert-f-kennedy/id1532976305?i=1000554759192
And compare it to the thorough dissemination of RFKJR’s various stances, articles, books, tweets, etc from the lads today.
When comparing the pods I do want to say that they are two different shows with two different mandates and I agree with what Moynihan often says about bad book reviews.
She clearly has a valuable perspective and I appreciate that. But I could do without her going after Rothman when he noted Carlson peddled conspiracy theories for years. "OH YEAH! Well the LAB LEAK was a conspiracy theory!" So...we need to now treat all 'conspiracy theories' with the same credulity? Will she have Kyrie Irving on to discuss the earth's flatness? She then went nutso "OHHH you think people are TOO STUPID? YOU THINK HIS VIEWERS ARE STUPID?" Uh, maybe a bit?
Her show yesterday with James O'Keefe was something else
Oh lord. I couldn’t decide if I should hate-listen or not.
I can't lie, it was a good hate watch
Couldn’t agree more. 🍌 About three minutes into her Monday show about Tucker she says something to the effect: “Many, Many, Many, Many of my audience watch Fox and they love Tucker. It’s the only reason they still watch.” - enough said.
Welches that dress better:
1. Raquel (1960s-70s era)
2. Florence
3. Jack
4. Gillian
5. A glass of grape juice
6. Raquel (present day)
7. Bob
.
.
.
187. Matt
Great Gillian Welch song here https://youtu.be/B8aH4cRdplE
Raquel continually enhanced her grace and fashionable presentation right up until her passing. It is silly to suggest that her mature dress (as opposed to undress) should rank below her 1960s-70s era manifestation. Bob, of course, peaked as a hot rookie in LA in the 70s and continually deteriorated right up until his passing. To be fair, Matt falls squarely between the two, and the jury is out as to where he will end up. He hopefully has at least a few years to up his game.
No, I meant her months dead corpse... and the master musician behind "Sentimental Lady". Neither will be caught dead in cargo shorts.
The dude from Fleetwood Mac? Yeesh, didn't think of him. If Matt reads these comments, I'm curious: Does reference to "Bob Welch" make you think "Cy Young Pitcher" or "Sentimental Lady?"
He thinks these are all baseball players. [Insert Moynihan remark about Raquel swinging a bat in "Myra Breckenridge"].
I'm here for the grape juice.
First 'FIRE in a Crowded Theater' now 'The Fall of the House of Tucker'...is there a tip jar for whoever is coming up with these titles? Hats off, lads.
Moynihan is not untalented....
He should join the NY Post’s headline-writing farm team, and probably make The Show in 2-3 years if he keeps at it.
You’re welcome everyone. I demanded an emergency podcast, threatened to pull my money, and Bob’s your uncle—we got our podcast.
Have a blessed day.
Not the hero we deserve, but the hero we need. Bless you!
“We’re a little pressed for time on account of me being dead.”
-Kmele’s ghost wandering the south side of Chicago
I generally support outlandish public slander of Matt, not because he's not a delightful human being. I just want another angry cassingle complete with several intermittent, pre-announced pauses to allow for wine gulping.
The perfect birthday gift. Thanks, boys!
🎉
Happy Birthday.
Just wanted to say, absolute banger of a podcast. Loved the RFK Jr. Discussion. So many right wing vaccine skeptics are pretending they just discovered this guy and he’s going to be some heroic democrats running in 2024. He’s as big of a lunatic as it gets.
My favorite part about this episode....no listener emails!!!! No offense to John from Omaha and a lot of the people who write-in, but those emails can sound like a community NPR mail bag sometimes.
These only happen on paid subscriber pod, like today's. This one was public so no emails. Haven't listened to the one from today but guarantee there will be some.
Yes I’m aware. Just enjoy hearing the boys vamp on the news of the day! No offense to the emailers lol.
Fwiw, In-Q-Tel is the CIA’s venture capital arm. They fund projects like DARPA does that they think might be useful. Palantir was a beneficiary back in the day.
You won't believe what company In-Q-Tel and its predecessor helped fund in the late 90s.
I started my career in venture capital during the dot com era and at that time they were prolific. I saw them in many cap tables.
Their approach is almost like a corporate development effort in which they invest strategically to gain access and information.
That said, I have never once met anyone from the organization and it was a bit of a mystery as to what their strategy was. They were not involved in any of the companies that they invested in as far as I know.
The flip is that they lent credibility to the companies that they invested in, regardless if it was deserved or not.
There was one topic you could have asked Ben Smith about to sandbag him this time. About his tie up with the (Red) Chinese think tank that he's started kind of suspiciously after having to return SBF's money. I know Semafor's official response is that they retain editorial independence etc, but come on..its the (Red) Chinese we're talking about. There's probably an MSS agent reading every keystroke on Ben Smith's computer already
Gents, the audio quality (dynamic range) of the intro music for 404 (and 403, 395, 394) is poor. There is no bass in these intro tracks. Bring back the full dynamic range intro music please!
I hadn’t noticed that, but if what you’re saying is true, that would be a crime against humanity. The moment when the bass drops in during the intro is truly exhilarating. An adrenaline rush every time.
Signed- a guy who apparently needs to touch grass
If CNN was smart they’d do a Parts Unknown type show with Sir Charles where he goes city to city and just roasts them. First episode should be him going to San Antonio.
Amaze balls
I have been waiting for this!
In the spirit of the wonderful rants in first half of this episode, can we talk about how much of my Substack feed is currently shot through with the phrase- “THE CENSORSHIP INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX!!!!”?
Also- references to “WOKENESS!!!!!”
These horseshoe fuckers are turning me into a neocon
Well, I was expecting Ian Bremmer tonight on Real Time, but lookie here, Mr Moynihan instead!
(I just had to pause while I was watching and stick my oar into the comments, I haven't seen the whole show yet)
his name is anand gingivitis. get it right moynihan
I actually attended a lunch with him. Was pretty impressed by his ability to dodge even light, polite pushback on his book.
Dude is brilliant at triggering tension between Joe and Mika whenever he shows up early on MSNBC. Gotta love a clever troll.