Rewrite time
Today, thanks to Rupert Murdoch's semi-retirement announcement, I'm going to write a new ending for my next book, Network of Lies, which is coming out in November.
But first, I thought I'd say hello. Thursday was a marathon day of TV, radio and podcast appearances about the news. For The Atlantic, I wrote about Rupert's shrinking stature and why, in the words of one longtime Murdoch lieutenant, "There was a time when Rupert would say jump and people would say how high. But not anymore."
For Vanity Fair, I talked with Gabriel Sherman about the news on a special edition of the Inside the Hive podcast. On MSNBC, I said Rupert's news wasn't a "Succession" series finale or even season finale – it was more like a mid-season finale. We’re going to find out more in the days to come.
I highly recommend this week's other episode of Inside the Hive, which is all about the madness of the looming government shutdown, and which is a reunion of sorts with my former CNN colleague John Harwood, as well as VF's Abigail Tracy.
September is a packed month on the media conference circuit. Last week I was in Des Moines, courtesy of Poynter, talking with reporters who will be covering the Iowa caucuses. Earlier this week I was in Boston for a Globe Summit conversation about AI and media. And today I'm in Austin for a well-timed Texas Tribune Festival panel about the future of Fox. Message me if you're in town.
In between the trips I drove out east with Jamie and sang "Dial Drunk" in the car approximately 800 times:
And back home in Jersey, I now have a new title that I'm very proud to share: Class Dad. Yes, I’m helping out Sunny’s first-grade class with fundraising, field trips and class parties. Best job I’ve ever had!
I'‘ll see you back on the tube this Sunday morning. ‘Til then,
–Brian