SmartLess "Graydon Carter"
15 snips
Jul 14, 2025 
Graydon Carter, the former editor of Vanity Fair and co-founder of Spy Magazine, shares insights from his extensive career in media. The conversation touches on the evolving landscape of celebrity culture and the rise of niche publications. Carter discusses the delicate balance between storytelling and the commercial aspects of media today. He also reflects on the nostalgic elements of American culture from the '80s to early 2000s, all while pondering the challenges of creating positive narratives in a politically charged world.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Swearing Nearly Costs a Meeting
- Jason Bateman shares a story of his nervousness causing excessive swearing during a meeting with director Jared Hess after Napoleon Dynamite's release. - His agent warned him about possibly offending due to his language, and he never heard back from Hess, likely due to it.
Spy Magazine's Astringent Style
- Spy Magazine captured a moment when New York's financial boom spotlighted investment bankers with money and swagger. - The magazine chose to be "astringent" rather than mean, reflecting sharp but fair cultural cynicism.
Value of Honest Cultural Critique
- Mainstream media plays a healthy role by openly calling out the obvious flaws people whisper about secretly. - This honest critique, although hurtful, contributes positively when balanced and accurate amid internet noise.
