Transcript: Hollywood and the Kamala Blockbuster

How stars found their lane at the DNC

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Sean McNulty (00:04):

Welcome to The Ankler Podcast. This is Sean McNulty of The Wakeup newsletter here at The Ankler on the Jersey Shore on Thursday, August 22nd. I'm joined here on the east coast by David Lidsky once again and in Los Angeles by Elaine Low who has thankfully taken a break from her US Open research preparation to join today. Elaine, thank you for making the sacrifice. I know you have a lot to get in there before next week.

Elaine Low (00:25):

It's true, although I do have FOMO from not actually being at the US Open this year. Although, as you have alluded to our listeners, I'm working on a story that requires anybody who works in Hollywood who loves tennis to contact me immediately. Just sort of a fun end-of-summer feature.

Sean McNulty (00:40):

Hold on. The switch board's lighting up, people, the switchboard's lighting up. We can't handle all the incoming calls.

Elaine Low (00:45):

It's elaine@theankler.com. I await the waterfall of emails coming through.

Sean McNulty (00:50):

Is there a preferred subject line, like 30 love or some sort of other thing that I should be aware of?

Elaine Low (00:55):

Some other sort assorted tennis pun. Anything you want, guys ... "Hollywood Tennis" ... Would love to hear from you. I'm just interested in hearing about the intersection of these two worlds. It seems to be the most popular sport in town these days.

Sean McNulty (01:08):

Let's go with that lede. All right, sure. Fair enough. Fair enough. David, do you play tennis? I've never asked that.

David Lidsky (01:14):

I have not. No. I mean-

Sean McNulty (01:16):

Okay, we're good on that. Alright.

David Lidsky (01:18):

I have hit a tennis ball with a racket, but nobody would call it playing tennis, to be very clear. But yes, I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, which has a vibrant tennis community.

Elaine Low (01:31):

Aware of, familiar with what the sport looks like.

David Lidsky (01:34):

Yes, yes, yes.

Sean McNulty (01:34):

Sorry.

David Lidsky (01:35):

So yeah, and I do feel it important for me to note that just Richard is fine.

Sean McNulty (01:41):

He's safe. Oh, Richard's on vacation. He's fine. No, nobody's worried about Richard Rushfield.

Elaine Low (01:45):

I don't think people will worry until you said that, David. Now there's going to be conspiracy theories.

Sean McNulty (01:50):

Exactly. Nice. Nice job. Nice job. Yeah. Why is that closet moving behind you, David? But yes, Richard will be back from vacation next week. So Elaine, if you want to take a week to enjoy the US Open, you've certainly earned it. Richard will be back.

Elaine Low (02:01):

Hey, if anyone would like to invite me to New York.

Sean McNulty (02:05):

Email Elaine at elaine@theankler.com. There you go. Not quite the quiet week we were expecting/hoping for thanks to a surprise Bob Iger succession development, which we'll dive into in a little bit. Mostly due to the blast in the past, Edgar Bronfman is indeed returning to the spotlight to enter the Paramount bake-off with a new and improved offer for the company, thus extending the Paramount soap opera another two weeks. And if you could see the looks of excitement and pure joy on the faces of David and Elaine right now, I'd say you're capturing just how the town feels, guys. Well done.