Join Emmy Award-winning journalist Peter Hamby, along with the team of expert journalists at Puck, as they let you in on the real conversations insiders are having across the four corners of power in America: Wall Street, Washington, Silicon Valley and Hollywood. Puck's contributors will bring you smart conversation around the inside stories happening in these worlds. Presented in partnership with Audacy, new episodes publish daily, Monday-Friday.
Matt Belloni joins Peter to discuss Nikki Finke’s complex legacy as a bile-spilling, news-breaking Hollywood mouthpiece and vixen. Then Ben Landy and Eriq Gardner discuss the Fortune 500 woke wars.
Julia Ioffe joins Peter to discuss why Elon Musk might want to carry Putin’s water—and on Twitter of all places. Then Bill Cohan and Teddy Schleifer discuss the other M&A deal of the season.Read Julia's Newsletterhttps://puck.news/newsletter_content/elons-twitter-plans-ozs-romney-resurrection/Read Bill's Piecehttps://puck.news/morgan-stanleys-twitter-dynamite-hedge-fund-hunger-games/
Jon Kelly joins Peter to discuss NBCU’s streaming woes and then the latest inside conversation within The New York Times.Read Julia Alexander's Piece!https://puck.news/peacock-curiosity-paramounts-future-the-great-streaming-rebundling/Ready Dylan's Piecehttps://puck.news/timesism-its-discontents/
Tara Palmeri and Peter Hamby discuss whether Gavin Newsom poses a material threat to Joe Biden. Then marketing legend Alex Bigler chats with Tina Nguyen about her early years in the conservative movement.Read Tara and Peter's Piece!https://puck.news/bidens-24-math-the-newsom-shadow-campaign/
Dylan Byers joins Peter to discuss The New York Times’s new paradox—its never been stronger and yet its top talent is simultaneously searching for better financial and creative opportunities. And then Ben Landy and Eriq Gardner discuss Bill Murray’s movie-wrecking behavior.Read Dylan's Piecehttps://puck.news/timesism-its-discontents/Read Eriq's Piecehttps://puck.news/the-secret-bill-murray-settlement-revealed/
Bill Cohan joins Peter to discuss the dynamite stick in Elon Musk’s Twitter deal, and how much it might cost him. Then Ben Landy and Teddy Schleifer weigh in on his geopolitics.
Julia Ioffe joins Peter to discuss the re-escalation in Russia’s war on Ukraine, including Putin’s sinister revenge for the bridge bombing seen around the world. And then Ben Landy and Tina Nguyen discuss Elon Musk’s political id.
Jon Kelly joins Peter to discuss the extraordinary contempt for Elon Musk in the media, part of which is deserved and yet some of which is misguided. Then they chat about the many agonizing decisions facing NBC News.
Matt Belloni joins Peter to unfurl the crisis stemming from Billy Eichner’s new film, which tanked at the box office last weekend. Is 2022 America really not ready for a gay romantic comedy, or is the broader rom-com genre just truly embattled? Then Ben Landy and marketing legend Alex Bigler discuss Puck’s apolitical bent.Check out Eriq's article!https://puck.news/elons-secret-wall-street-pact/
Tara Palmeri joins Peter to discuss the unfolding Herschel Walker imbroglio and what it means for Mitch McConnell. And then, sticking with the political theme, Ben Landy and Tina Nguyen discuss the G.O.P.’s plan for Trumpism after Trump.
Teddy Schleifer joins Peter to explain the rash thoughtlessness that apparently fueled Elon Musk’s Twitter bid. Then Ben Landy and Bill Cohan discuss the long tail of Kim Kardashian’s crypto misdeeds.
Jon Kelly joins Peter to discuss the latest manifestation of the linear big bang theory—Trevor Noah’s departure and the looming end of late night. The duo also turn their attention to the NFL’s media accountability challenge.
Teddy Schleifer joins Peter to discuss the new primo silent auction prize for the three comma club: the Phoenix Suns. Then Tara Palmeri and Alex Bigler settle a massive Puck mystery.
Tara Palmeri swings by to chat with Peter about the behind-the-scenes politics about where to hold the ‘24 DNC convention—a seemingly innocuous decision that requires feverish favor-trading and political calculation. Then Tina Nguyen talks with Ben Landy about the genesis of Tucker Carlson.
Dylan Byers joins Peter to offer the inside story on Wall Street’s growing impatience with David Zaslav’s transformation efforts at Warner Bros. Discovery, the frankenmedia conglomerate of our time. Then Ben Landy and Julia Alexander discuss Hollywood’s latest horror feel good strategy.
Julia Ioffe joins Peter to discuss the massive game change in Moscow—the male migration to Georgia, the flagging enthusiasm, and the nuclear question. Then Bill Cohan and Ben Landy discuss the Chamath-inflected bottom of the SPAC market.
Jon Kelly joins Peter to discuss the ascent of Jake Tapper in the Licht era at CNN, where he is now undoubtedly the face of the network. And then they check in on the latest inside chatter about the Biden media narrative
Tara Palmeri chats with Peter about all the insidious politicking in Congress regarding who will replace Nancy Pelosi as leader. And then brand marketing legend Alex Bigler talks to Peter about CNN, Twitter, and Puck inside baseball.Not subscribed to Puck? Take 21% off an annual subscription with the code 2022BDAYhttps://puck.news/puckis1
Bill Cohan joins Peter to discuss the severity of NY AG Tish James’s three-years-in-the-making lawsuit against Donald Trump. Then Teddy Schleifer and Ben Landy assess the challenges of Gavin ‘24.Not subscribed to Puck? Take 21% off an annual subscription with the code 2022BDAYhttps://puck.news/puckis1
Julia Ioffe drops by to discuss Putin’s increasingly precarious position—both abroad and at home. And ace media savant Dylan Byers reveals what’s going down at The Washington Post.Not subscribed to Puck? Take 21% off an annual subscription with the code 2022BDAYhttps://puck.news/puckis1
Bill Cohan joins Peter to discuss inflation, deflation, headwinds, deep fears, and Wall Street’s internal monologue about the macroeconomic climate. Then Eriq Gardner swings by to discuss the journalism lawsuit of the year.Not subscribed to Puck? Take 21% off an annual subscription with the code 2022BDAYhttps://puck.news/puckis1
Jon Kelly joins Peter to discuss CNN’s latest programming shuffle and how the streamers will reshape the NFL and college landscape.Not subscribed to Puck? Take 21% off an annual subscription with the code 2022BDAYhttps://puck.news/puckis1
Teddy Schleifer joins Peter to discuss the financial game of chicken ensuing between Mitch McConnell and mega-donor Peter Thiel. Then Jon Kelly and Alex Bigler break the fourth wall and assess Puck at 1.Not subscribed to Puck? Take 21% off an annual subscription with the code 2022BDAYhttps://puck.news/puckis1
Tara Palmeri checks in with Peter about the school yard G.O.P. blame game—does Rick Scott deserve punishment if the G.O.P. loses the Senate? Or does McConnell? And then Ben Landy talks with Tina about the spooky race everyone in the Republican party is following.
Dylan Byers joins Peter to articulate the various views on the soon-to-be-launched Semafor, The Smiths' new mediaco. And then Matt Belloni and marketing heiress Alex Bigler chat about what went right (and very wrong) at the Emmys.
Bill Cohan joins Peter to discuss whether Trump might go back to the well and retrieve his old Goldman pals—Gary Cohn, Dina Powell, Steve Mnuchin, etc—for a ‘24 run. Then Julia Ioffe and Ben Landy discuss the recent developments in Ukraine and the various consequences coursing through Europe.
Jon Kelly joins Peter to discuss Kara Swisher’s final Code, what Queen Elizabeth’s death teaches us about cable news, and the future of the most obviously insidious social platform laying in plain sight.
Dylan Byers joins Peter Hamby to discuss the latest anxieties, and second-guessing, taking place inside Hudson Yards. And then Julia Ioffe has a personal chat with Puck’s renowned marketing genius, Alex Bigler.
Julia Ioffe joins Peter to discuss the diplomatic crisis that Washington never saw coming. Then Tina Nguyen and Ben Landy discuss the harebrained implosion of Trump’s DWAC media play.
Bill Cohan joins Peter to answer a lingering question hanging over Wall Street—who will buy Peloton, the pandemic darling, and at what price? And then Julia Alexander and Ben Landy sort out the streaming battle between Amazon and HBO Max.
Tara Palmeri joins Peter to discuss her interview with John Anzalone, Biden’s pollster and inner circle member, about the key 2022 races, Biden’s ‘24 prospects, and more.
Jon Kelly and Peter discuss the once ephemeral, now increasingly imminent cable supernova and what it means for CNN, NBCU, and the next wave of boob tube innovation.
Dylan Byers joins Peter to discuss the anxiety inside CNN after Brian Stelter’s ouster and whether Don Lemon is safe from the feared John Malone shoulder tap. Then Eriq Gardner and Ben Landy consider the Justice Department’s potential case against Trump and whether Merrick Garland would truly send a former president to the clink.
Tara Palmeri joins Peter to discuss Kevin McCarthy’s complex attempt to unify the fractious Republican party in advance of the midterms. And then Ben Landy and Bill Cohan get into some serious Jay Powell-induced recession porn.
Teddy Schleifer chats with Peter about the bizarre, looming feud between Peter Thiel and Mitch McConnell over the electoral fates of Blake Masters and J.D. Vance—two Thiel acolytes, sure, but candidates he wants off the dole. Then Ben Landy and Julia Alexander discuss Netflix’s complex mid-life relationship with original series in a multi-streamer universe.
Julia Ioffe joins Peter to discuss the surprising recent developments in Ukraine, where Russia has seized twenty percent of the country and yet Ukraine maintains the momentum. Then Ben Landy and Tina Nguyen discuss Sarah Palin’s resurrection.
Jon Kelly joins Peter Hamby to discuss the latest chapter in the Trump-Fox News saga, plus the secrets behind Ben Shapiro’s billion dollar MAGA-adjacent lifestyle business model.
Matt Belloni visits Peter to discuss what Warner Bros. Discovery David Zaslav is slashing, what is safe, and the consequences of the company’s bet on the Thrones franchise.
Tara Palmeri joins Peter to discuss the Republicans’ mishandling of various Senate races, which could lead to the one implausible outcome—a Democratic hold. And then Ben Landy and Teddy Schleifer discuss Marc Andreessen’s political proclivities.
Julia Ioffe joins Peter to discuss where Russia’s war on Ukraine stands at six months, and what to expect next from Putin. Then Bill Cohan and Ben Landy chat about what changes Disney C.E.O. Bob Chapek can deliver under pressure from Dan Loeb.
Eriq Gardner joins Peter to discuss his mega-scoop about Angelina Jolie’s lawsuit to pin Brad Pitt to the wall. Then Tina Nguyen drops by to discuss the right’s latest fever dream.
Jon Kelly joins Peter to discuss the apparent Stelter “blood sacrifice”—was it as simple as appeasing Malone, or was it about snipping the final umbilical connection to Zucker? Also: who is next and what does this suggest about the future of CNN?
Julia Alexander joins Peter to discuss Disney C.E.O. Bob Chapek's fuzzy streaming numbers and the looming ESPN decision. Then Ben Landy speaks with marketing warrior god Alex Bigler about what's going on behind the scenes at Puck.
Tara Palmeri joins Peter to discuss the Democrats’ various Liz Cheney fantasies—‘24, ‘28, resistance warrior, or future lefty ticket placeholder—and why they are all bananas. Then Ben Landy and Teddy Schleifer discusses Elon Musk’s Republican donor ambitions.
Bill Cohan joins Peter to discuss how Elon Musk is wargaming Tesla’s stock jump, his self-created Twitter litigation hell and competition in the EV market. Then Ben Landy and Tina Nguyen discuss Trump’s F.B.I. pickle.
Julia Ioffe talks to Peter about whether Trump violated the Espionage Act, and all that comes with it. Did the former president truly break the trip wire or is this just another unprecedented moment in an unprecedented world of an unprecedented post-presidency?
Jon Kelly joins Peter to discuss the dynamics behind Axios’s $525 million exit and what it means for Washington media. The duo also discuss the impact that an activist hedge fund will have on The New York Times.
Eriq Gardner joins Peter to discuss how Roger Goodell controls the league’s own Vatican-like legal system. Then Julia Alexander stops by to explain how she reconstructs Netflix’s hidden data.
Tara Palmeri joins Peter to analyze Trump’s bizarre FBI raid bump, and how it will impact DeSantis and the ‘24 field. Then Tina Nguyen and Ben Landy discuss Liz Cheney’s martyr-adjacent next act.
