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CNN’s Jake Tapper is not winning over viewers or making fans right now.
Tapper and journalist Alex Thompson have instead ignited ire over their book, “Original Sin,” which claims Joe Biden’s staff considered getting him a wheelchair during the last year of his presidency. The book casts doubt on Biden’s mental and physical fitness, and says that the staff and his family covered up his declining health.
Meanwhile, Biden — despite tripping once in awhile — rides his bike like a pro, stands erect, appears fit, and alert if not slowed down.
A lot of the blame for this avalanche of attack can be laid to actor George Clooney, who wrote an op-ed no one asked for a year ago in the New York Times declaring that Biden was incompetent and should stand down in his campaign. Clooney, we’ve just learned from Tapper, was upset Biden didn’t recognize him at a fundraiser he hosted last year. (Did Clooney think Biden was home watching “ER” reruns all night?)
This followed the famous CNN debate in which Biden faltered miserably. Jake Tapper moderated the debate. What we the viewers didn’t know is that Tapper was rooting against Biden because he was writing “Original Sin” with Thompson. The worse Biden looked, the better a case Tapper and Thompson could make for the book no one knew they were writing.
Tapper’s CNN show doesn’t have great ratings to begin with, so his insistence on making Biden the scapegoat in the 2024 election loss is not going to win more viewers. As the hourly shilling of “Original Sin” on CNN continues — particularly from Brian Stelter’s embarrassing piece yesterday (see below), viewers are irate and they’re expressing this on Twitter X.
Meantime, Tapper’s subterfuge has worked well. “Original Sin” has risen to number 4 on the amazon best seller list a week before its release. Conservatives are eating it up.
Here are some typical reactions only in the last 15 minutes from presumed viewers CNN covets. They’re coming faster than the candy on Lucy’s conveyor belt.
Just search ‘Tapper’ on Twitter to find more:
I know Jake Tapper is getting a lot of hate right now, but I think we can do better. He deserves a lot more.
They are and should, drag Jake Tapper through the mud! After all is said and done, I would like Jake to feel and look like a small little man, who was ignorantly led down this path for seeking attention, since apparently, he didn’t receive enough attention as a child!
This is amazing. So Tapper and Thompson and the other Praetorian Guard members think they can do this with a straight face?? You guys/gals have to be some of the most un-self aware humans on Earth…. my God people…no shame. Pure unmitigated gall.
Today's "Original Sin" excerpt has an answer to all the liberals who ask, "Why are reporters spending time probing Biden's past when Trump is pushing a radical agenda?" This:
"Democrats deceived the country about Biden's abilities and, Clooney said, 'that’s how Trump won.' " pic.twitter.com/XINuwImlsJ
I can’t add too much more about Stevie Wonder than has been expressed all day on social media.
Isn’t he lovely?
Stevie has long been one of my idols. His run of albums from “Music of My Mind” through “Songs in the Key of Life” is legendary. So much innovation, so many great songs. He’s an actual genius.
Even after “Songs in the Key Of Life,” Stevie picked up with “Hotter than July,” the album that gave us a song I adore called “Overjoyed.” He released his greatest hits and added two classics, “Do I Do,” and “That Girl.”
I know people find “I Called To Say I Love You” too sweet, but you know, its composition is not simple. And “Ebony and Ivory” with Paul McCartney, plus “What’s That You’re Doing?” are wonderfully realized pop.
Stevie’s last album was in 2005, “A Time to Love,” was one I encouraged while Sylvia Rhone and Doug Morris really quarterbacked it. Steve was by then a towering legacy artist, and you know what that means. Even Bruce Springsteen can’t get his new records played on radio. It’s a shonda.
Stevie’s greatest legacy has been his personal march for peace and supporting the civil rights movement. He’s a practitioner of peace. He wrote “Happy Birthday” for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday holiday which he helped create. Now everyone sings it on birthdays!
When Aretha Franklin was coming to an end, Stevie flew from LA to Detroit and sat at her bedside. I know what that meant to her. They loved each other, not just because he wrote one of Aretha’s biggest hits, “Until You Come Back to Me.”
That song, and many others, preceded “Music of My Mind.” In the mid to late 60s, Stevie’s output of hits was unparalleled. My favorite was “If You Really Love Me.” Listen to it. It’s a remarkable record, composed with, again, genius. He was always ahead of the game.
A couple of years ago, I was backstage with Stevie at the Musicares salute to Motown. He was wearing the coolest shiny jacket. I said, “Stevie, I love that jacket.” He responded without missing a beat, “Do you want it? Take it.” My face flushed red. “No no no,” replied, “Thank you for the offer.” He was ready to give it to me. OMG.
Stevie is hilarious. He’s one of the best mimics of all time. He does impersonations that leave you on the floor. I’ve heard that he drives on his property. Nothing is beyond him.
Oh wait — one more thing. At the 2009 Obama Inauguration Stevie performed with Sting on the ABC special. Stevie and Sting are close friends. The backstage area was just curtained off sections for each artist. I was talking to Sting in his section when from the other side of the curtain we heard Stevie practicing “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” with his special recording machine. Sting and I looked at each other, a gog. We were witnessing history.
Happy birthday, Stevie! We can’t get through this without you!
Daniel Day Lewis is out of retirement, at least for now.
The three time Oscar winner returns to the screen this October in a film called “Anemone.” That’s a buttercup flower often in different colors. AN-em-Oh-knee.)
It’s directed by his son, Ronan, and co-written with Ronan and Daniel. Ronan’s got the genes to make great stories. His mother is Rebecca Miller, and his grandfather was legenary playwright Arthur Miller.
Not too much pressure!
The movie explores the complex and profound ties that exist between brothers, fathers, and sons.
“Anemone” also stars Sean Bean, Samuel Bottomley, Safia Oakley-Green, and Samantha Morton.
We should see the DL’s at Toronto or the New York Film Festival, with any luck. Focus Features is releasing it.
What a thrill to see DDL back in business. He’s the best actor his generation, the real, thing and losing him to retirement was sad indeed. He’s only 67, and has so much more to do!
Welcome back Daniel!
The three Oscars? “My Left Foot,” “Lincoln,” “There Will Be Blood.”
So we didn’t have to spend $10,000 this year on a trip to Cannes.
The opening ceremony is being live streamed right here beginning at 11:30am.
The red carpet, the speeches, the introduction of the jury, Robert De Niro as the lifetime achievement winner — all here.
Most of it will be in French. If you’re sitting in the Palais du Cinema, snoozing a bit from jet lag, the French is so melodious that it’s hard to remake awake.
But that’s the charm.
The opening night movie is almost always not good. This year it’s a French film, so you will leave, get a bite to eat, and return for the after party. That’s always good!
Most often there is rain. Sometimes, a lot of it. But the ladies wear their gowns — this year, conservatively according to the new rules. All the men have to wear bow ties except for the artists. They flout the rules and wear outrageous costumes. Sacre bleu!
At the top of the stairs, the celebs will be greeted by Thierry Fremaux and Iris Knobloch. The latter is American, just like the pope! No matter how confusing or chaotic the red carpet has been (once Salma Hayek cut open my hand with a piece of jewelry on her wrist!) it’s worth it.
When you see this duo at the pinnacle of show business, there’s a rush of adrenaline. You’re in Cannes! Nicole Kidman is somewhere close! There are no cabs! And no tickets! All the food is made with real butter! The wine doesn’t cause headaches! A foreign film no one understands will win all the awards! But you’re there!
Jeremy Allen White and “The Bear” return on June 26th.
FX will drop all 10 new episodes on that date. Look for fans to be bleary eyed over the first few days bingeing the drama posing as a comedy.
But is this the final season? JAW will star as Bruce Springsteen maybe later this year in “Deliver Me from Nowhere,” the film about Bruce writing his “Nebraska” album. If it’s good, White could easily walk away from TV. (He may also have a five season contract.)
After winning a lot of awards initially, “The Bear” has gone cold this season. This may be because it’s entered as a comedy when it is a drama. The only Emmy for it last fall was for Liza Colón-Zayas’s almost standalone episode. She was extraordinary. But it was a superior dramatic performance. No laughs.
So now what for Carmy the chef? More angst in his new restaurant. Hopefully we’ll see Jamie Lee Curtis and Abby Elliot as his mother and sister. The whole cast is riveting, and it’s been a career maker. Ebon Moss Bacharach even landed a Marvel movie! Ayo Edibiri is a name now. Mission accomplished.
“The Bear” cast includes Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Richie Jerimovich, Lionel Boyce as Marcus Brooks, Liza Colón-Zayas as Tina Marrero, Abby Elliott as Natalie “Sugar” Berzatto and Matty Matheson as Neil Fak. The past two seasons have included such stars, including Jon Bernthal, Jamie Lee Curtis, Will Poulter, Olivia Colman, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, John Mulaney, John Cena, Josh Hartnett and more.
The famous French actor has been given an 18 month suspended sentence after being found guilty of sex crimes in France.
Depardieu was convicted of sexual assault against two women. It’s no surprise. The actor has acted like an animal most of the time, living large and outside the laws of civilization. Fame and money have fueled his grossness. They’ve also ruined his life.
Ironically, Depardieu starred in a film playing French sex creep Dominique Strauss-Kahn who stood trial in New York for attempted rape. Depardieu saw him as a misunderstood hero.
When #Metoo began, most of the French dismissed it as bourgeois complaining. But more recently, their version of the movement has been taken more seriously. Hence, the attention on the much awarded actor.
Will this affect his career? Hard to say. Probably not. Somehow, he will use it to his advantage. He’s already got a job making a movie in Portugal for French actress Fanny Ardant, his frequent co-star and collaborator, who testified for him at the trial. (Note: I was in love with her 40 years ago when she starred with D in “The Woman Next Door.”)
Depardieu still faces to separate indictments similar to this one. One of them involves 13 women who accused him of sexual malfeasance.
There was Tom Cruise yesterday on the roof of the BFI Theater in London.
What was he doing there? Promoting the three hour “Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning.”
Neighbors posted videos asking what the heck was happening, not for Tom’s safety but for the grandiosity of the moment. It was an over the top moment emblematic of the movie which opens in Cannes in just few hours.
What’s next? Helicoptering into the Palais du Cinema? Skydiving over Lincoln Center for this Sunday night’s premiere?
Reviews today at 4pm. Social reactions on all platforms now.
As I wrote last year, this will be Madonna in “The Crown.” And on Netflix, the Sex book and all the rest of her mild X rated material will find a happy home.
Who will play Sean Penn? Warren Beatty? Jenny Shimizu? Ingrid Casares? It’s going to be a wild casting call.
Viva Madonna! PS This is probably why she went to the Met Gala looking so unhappy. She hadn’t been out and about in a while.
I spent Mother’s Day weekend with 5 of my 6 children. Sunshine laughter, horseback riding. soccer, and the sound of music! The best gift they gave me was the gift of not arguing and being loving to one another When you raise children to be unique and opinionated, you… pic.twitter.com/YYHOjoFry3
They must have paid a lot to get “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe into a sitcom.
But Radcliffe is indeed coming with a show from the “30 Rock” gang meaning Tina Fey and Robert Carlock.
“The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins” will co-star Tracy Morgan. He’ll play a disgraced NFL player whose reputation Radcliffe must rehabilitate. A little “Jerry Maguire,” the sequel.
Their co-stars are Erika Alexander, Bobby Moynihan, Precious Way, and Jalyn Hall. Moynihan comes from “SNL,” of course. Erika Alexander was so great in “American Fiction,” it’s great to see her back.
Radcliffe has made many movies since the “Harry Potter” series, but none of them was really a hit. He’s had more success on Broadway, with shows like “Merrily We Roll Along,” “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” and “Equus.”
Hooking up with the “30 Rock” producers likely means we’ll see Daniel hosting “SNL” next season at some point, and appearing on Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers’s shows.
