Rupert Murdoch Steps Down, Sophie Turner Steps Up

Cue the: "I'm the oldest boy!" drama + Sophie Turner is suing Joe Jonas 🤗

Hi angels!!! Since we last spoke I’ve endured my first European hangover, eaten my first codfish cake, and had my first bout of ‘what they fuck am I doing here and how do I make friends’ (all in weeks work right!) I also got tickets to Olivia Rodrigo for next year (YAY) and ate the best iceblock of my life (it’s this and it’s probably technically an icecream) so big swings and roundabouts energy!!

Yesterday we announced our October book club pick and it’s one I am SO excited about!! Ugh can’t wait to dive into this one with you 🥺

• Rupert Murdoch steps down

• The “what about me” effect

• Sophie Turner is suing Joe Jonas

• Liam Lawson is a national treasure

Rupert Murdoch steps down

When I got the notification from my BBC app that Rupert Murdoch was stepping down, it dawned on me that I never thought I’d see this day. Something about the Logan Roy of it all made him feel too dominating, too eternal, but folks, here we have it. I’ve just come off a Facetime with Rubes, who has a fascination with the Murdochs like no other, so she gave me the Sparknotes I needed to get my head around this, so this section is both owed and dedicated to her.

So, yesterday it was announced that Rupert Murdoch is retiring from the Fox and News Corporation boards, and that his son Lachlan is the sole executive in charge. If life is mimicking art (even if that art was mimicking life), this is the equivalent of Kendall Roy taking over Waystar Royco in Succession.

Up until this announcement, Rupert - who is 92 - showed NO signs of slowing down, and is still planning on offering counsel in his emeritus role. (New word alert! Emeritus means a former office holder, university professor etc has retired but is allowed to retain their title as an honour.)

“We have every reason to be optimistic about the coming years — I certainly am, and plan to be here to participate in them,” Rupert Murdoch wrote.

“I will be watching our broadcasts with a critical eye, reading our newspapers and websites and books with much interest, and reaching out to you with thoughts, ideas, and advice.”

But contrary to how this may seem, it’s not likely that everything will just be wrapped up with a nice little bow. Even though Lachlan has control now, when Rupert Murdoch dies, a battle for succession may still come. Based on a plan he put in place about 20 years ago, when he dies, Rupert’s kids have to “work out his ultimate successor among themselves” and I hope there is a documentary made about it.

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The “what about me” effect

The other day I wrote over in culture vulture about the ‘what about me’ effect and the way that, contrary to what algorithms have led us to believe and expect, the world does not revolve around us, and how that’s actually a good thing!

the 'what about me?' effect

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Sophie Turner is suing Joe Jonas

Turns out a couple of margaritas with Taylor Swift is all it takes to get into your reputation era, as Sophie Turner has just filed a lawsuit asking for her kids to be returned to England, and for Jonas to hand over their passports.

From People (the magazine, not just random people):

“The complaint against estranged husband Joe Jonas calls for "the immediate return of children wrongfully removed or wrongfully retained," with Turner's legal team asserting the "wrongful retention" began on Sept. 20.

Turner claims that she and the musician, 34, agreed to declare England their "forever home" in conversations that took place over Christmas 2022 as they prepped for the year ahead.”

Joe’s team has since issued a response:

"Joe and Sophie had a cordial meeting this past Sunday in New York, when Sophie came to New York to be with the kids. They have been with her since that meeting. Joe's impression of the meeting was that they had reached an understanding that they would work together towards an amicable co-parenting setup."

"Less than 24 hours later, Sophie advised that she wanted to take the children permanently to the UK. Thereafter, she demanded via this filing that Joe hand over the children’s passports so that she could take them out of the country immediately. If he complies, Joe will be in violation of the Florida Court order."

There are also allegations floating around that Sophie found out about the divorce THROUGH THE MEDIA, which, I hate to say it, is very much reminiscent of that time he broke up with Taylor Swift on a 27 second phone call.

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Liam Lawson is a national treasure

My bestie Sacha sent me this video last night which made my whole morning. It’s just so cute.

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