The Daily Valet. - 9/22/23, Friday
✔️ "I'm the Eldest Boy!"
Friday, September 22nd Edition
By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. Editor
Who else feels like rewatching ‘Succession’ this weekend? If not, I’ve got another streaming recommendation below.
Today’s Big Story
Rupert Murdoch’s Retirement
His Son will now be in charge of everything his father built and bought ... For now. But what does that mean?
It's a surprise ending fit for your favorite prestige family/business drama. Rupert Murdoch announced on Thursday that he would step down as chairman of Fox Corporation (the company that owns Fox News and the Fox broadcast channel), as well as News Corp (the company that owns publishers including the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post). He will give control of the company to his oldest son, Lachlan. Fittingly, the Succession comparisons and memes flowed online.At age 92, it's not really a shock he's ready to let go of day-to-day operations. Murdoch's future and the future of his influential empire once he leaves have been the object of media speculation for years—and not just on HBO. This week, for example, author Michael Wolff published The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty, which covers infighting within the Murdoch empire, his decision to sideline Tucker Carlson, and begins with a mock obituary for the media mogul.Lachlan Murdoch (aka the “eldest boy”) now seems to be his successor. In his announcement, Murdoch called Lachlan a “passionate, principled leader” who can take the companies into the future. Lachlan is seen as aligned with Rupert on political and cultural matters, but is he Kendall or is he more Connor? If Michael Wolff is to be believed, Lachlan has largely been disengaged with the news business and more focused on having his “own president” ... meaning Carlson. Yikes.That being said, the New York Times points out that a bruising succession battle may still loom. Upon Rupert Murdoch's death, his four adult children would have to work out his ultimate successor among themselves, based on a plan he put into place nearly two decades ago. Cue that haunting Succession theme song.
Coming Soon:
Fox still faces a $2.7 billion defamation suit filed by Smartmatic, a global election technology company, that like Dominion also alleges Fox allowed its journalists and guests to broadcast falsehoods about its involvement in the 2020 election.
A Government Shutdown Looms
Congress leaves for THE weekend with no solution in sight
Congress is officially heading home for the weekend after conservative hardliners once again tanked plans to fund the government, forcing House Republican leaders to abandon their latest plan to avert a shutdown on the first of October.House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (of California) has struggled for weeks to find a solution that can garner enough GOP support to pass on the floor. His bid to move ahead with a traditionally popular defense funding bill as a first step toward keeping the government running was sunk when five conservative rebels blocked the measure over demands for additional spending cuts.According to NBC News, McCarthy had vowed that the House would work through the weekend to find a solution to the crisis, with votes expected through Saturday. Now, they've canceled votes for Friday and the weekend, with the Speaker telling the Associated Press, “This is a whole new concept of individuals that just want to burn the whole place down. It doesn't work.” Some are now saying that the open revolt is further evidence that his strategy of repeatedly giving in to the conservatives is seemingly only emboldening them. Of course, we've been here before, but a lot of government services would be disrupted and hundreds of thousands of federal workers furloughed without pay if Congress fails to provide funding for the fiscal year starting in October.
Meanwhile:
McCarthy said he turned down a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address a joint session of Congress this week, stating Congress “didn't have time” amid ongoing negotiations.
Ticketmaster, Without the Tickets
The site Prepares Many Olivia Rodrigo Fans For Disappointment As Ticket Sales Begin
It's brutal out there for fans trying to get tickets for Olivia Rodrigo's upcoming tour, as another round of confusion at Ticketmaster leaves fans understandably frustrated. In the run-up to ticket sales for Rodrigo's highly-anticipated Guts World Tour, the ticket seller asked interested parties to first pre-register for an opportunity to purchase seats on its website once they become available. This measure, according to Ticketmaster, is in place to limit the amount of “bots and professional resellers” from buying tickets.But as InsideHook points out, that's not the final hoop fans have to jump through. Actually, it's not even the second-to-last hoop. “We then randomly select fans with authenticated registrations to receive a unique code that allows them to enter the sale,” the site continues. “Advance registration doesn't guarantee everyone tickets.”According to Deadline, the majority of fans trying to register for tickets were waitlisted—the ticketing service hasn't released figures on how many of those on the waitlist eventually made it through to registration. But the whole muddy response and monopolistic debacle recalls similar problems for Taylor Swift and Beyoncé's tours. What's a legit fan to do? There isn't much. Of course, “legitimate resale sites,” as Deadline called them, such as StubHub and SeatGeek, “will have tickets available for purchase at some point after Thursday, though not at the same prices as those on Ticketmaster.”
FYI:
Since Ticketmaster merged with Live Nation in 2010, the company has become a de facto monopoly when it comes to ticket sales.
Back to the Future?
Hyundai's Epic-Looking Retro Sports Car May Be Happening
Sometimes dreams do come true. Last year, Hyundai's N Vision 74 made quite the splash when the automaker debuted the car in South Korea. It wasn't long before many fans (and auto mags like Car and Driver) were asking what it would take for Hyundai to produce it. Well, now it sounds like it might actually be happening.Korean reports from this summer that predicted a production N Vision 74 was about to be unveiled did not prove correct. But there's some evidence the N Vision 74 may still be heading for dealers. A car forum user uncovered that Hyundai had filed a trademark application in Europe for “Hyundai N74.” A trademark application does not mean that a car is definitely heading for production. But Gear Patrol says it's a step Hyundai would have to go through if it were building one.While the automaker itself still hasn't confirmed a production version, the prototype is a 670-hp rear-drive sports car powered by hydrogen fuel cells and batteries. And the unique futuristic retro design has earned some serious plaudits: The N Vision 74 took home a Red Dot Design award this year, along with a Gold Award at IDEA 2023.
FYI:
According to Autoblog, the design recalls the Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed Pony concept from 1974.
In Other News
It’s about a credit card’s worth every week, and some get lodged in our airways.
Have you heard about ...
A Weekend Pairing
‘The Continental’ + a Japanese Whisky
After four movies and just over $1 billion at the box office, it's easy to forget that “John Wick” wasn't supposed to be a franchise. Yet each subsequent sequel saw the gun-toting widower's popularity skyrocket. If you've been missing it, The Continental: From the World of John Wick is an easy watch for fans who want just a little more Wick in their lives—especially as we await the possible announcement of a fifth film.The three-part prequel (now streaming on Peacock) takes viewers back to the sleazy days of 1970s New York, this John Wick spinoff aims to shed light on the history of the mysterious hotel that offers a safe haven to assassins across the globe. For four movies, Ian McShane's Winston has been a father figure to Wick. Finally, we'll be presented a welcome backstory to the hotel's hard-nosed manager. The Hollywood Reporter calls it “more a test of concept than a complete saga,” but also says it's successful and “awash with style.” Other reviewers praised it as well, though no one seems to care for Mel Gibson as the villain. If you can stomach that, check it out.
Pair It With
Even though Keanu's John Wick isn't in this series, I feel compelled to have a Japanese whisky for him. Wick was drinking Yamazaki 12 in the last chapter, but Nikka costs less than half that and has a full-bodied punch of flavor. There's plenty of winter spice and toffee, a little caramel and vanilla finished with a long, warming and fruity finish.
Also Worth a Watch:
‘Sex Education’, season 4 on Netflix; ‘American Horror Story: Delicate’, on Hulu
Shopping
What We’re Buying
An oil pitcher
This Spanish-made stainless steel pitcher will keep your olive oil fresher for longer due to its light blocking qualities. The handsome spout creates an accurate drizzle each time and adds a sophisticated touch to your kitchen counter.
Get It:
Spanish oil pitcher, $48 / $39.99 by Schoolhouse
Morning Motto
Treat yourself to some leisure.
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