I love this theory! I just know that many otherwise excellent American actors feel like they’re cosplaying when portraying a person from the South, then someone like Damon Herriman shows up and *occupies* the character. There’s got to be a reason, and yours is a great one.

There’s this whole other conversation about how Australian actors might be better at playing folks from the South than their American counterparts (see also Kwanten, Ryan). As someone who has spent abundant time around folks like that fam, he’s dead on.

‘Murdaugh: Death in the Family’ Blows Up the Myth of the Southern Gentleman Hulu’s fictionalized take on the slaying of Paul and Maggie Murdaugh—among other crimes—is a Lowcountry boil of guns, pills, booze, and money.

Do we need another take on the Murdaugh family scandal? Reasonable people can disagree! But it’s very interesting that of all stories, this is what lauded documentarian @erinleecarr.bsky.social chose for her scripted debut. I talked to her about that decision for Vanity Fair. Check it out:

Hitler Confidant Leni Riefenstahl Always Said She Was Just a Filmmaker. A New Doc Reveals the Truth ‘Riefenstahl’ examines the ‘Triumph of the Will’ director—and her unconvincing claims that she was unaware of Hitler’s genocidal agenda.

My latest for Vanity Fair, in which I speak with director Andres Veiel and producer Sandra Maischberger about their chilling new documentary “Riefenstahl,” the message of which feels especially crucial today.

Today in The Pleat (aka my aughts-style personal blog): John Irving, dog attacks, freelancers who lie, and why “what are the odds” sometimes sets me off. Come read and subscribe!

In this week’s issue of The Pleat, I worry about what might happen if my kids meet each other and applaud a critique of inferior sports movie ‘Rudy.’ Time to subscribe!

Is this the most scatological EHG episode ever? Perhaps!

Back on my blog bullshit; first issue dropped today. Sign up at www.pleatmag.com (subscribe button is at the upper right) for a weekly dump from my brain to your inbox.

i have a podcast so you know i really mean it: no podcaster should be allowed to hold public office

Elon Musk Will Subject His Notoriously Thin Skin To Restaurant Critics The Tesla investor is opening a Los Angeles diner—because who'd dare complain about food service?

Notoriously thin-skinned Tesla investor Elon Musk is opening a Los Angeles restaurant. It's not like people *ever* complain about food service, so this should go great! www.vanityfair.com/style/story/...

The Chatterbox Flourishes Following MAGA-Hat Mess Indianapolis bar the Chatterbox gained national attention after Elise Hensley said she was kicked out over her support of Donald Trump.

An Indy woman went viral after claiming she was booted from a bar over her MAGA hat. But a conservative-boosted state law supports businesses that deny service to patrons who express beliefs they oppose. Will progressive spots take that law and run w/ it? www.indianapolismonthly.com/food-and-dri...

This season of American Horror Stories (the anthology one, not the Emma Roberts pregnancy one) is giving Black Mirror Halloween and I’m kind of into it.

The Strange but True Story of the Pioneer Woman’s Link to ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ Ree Drummond’s family hasn’t been directly implicated in the Reign of Terror depicted in Martin Scorsese’s new movie—but their present-day dynasty has an unmistakable connection to that years-...

Extremely proud of my latest for Vanity Fair! My editor described it as “dense but very legible,” which 1) is the greatest compliment when it comes to this kind of reporting and 2) what I will have engraved on my tombstone. www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/20...

Sign that contains a double entendre involving erections

Spotted during today’s walk.