Before Elon Bought Twitter, He Tried His Own Version of 'The Onion' (Plus: What's Laci Mosley Into?)
Dec 1, 2022
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Laci Mosley, a podcast guest into media and satire, discusses Elon Musk's failed attempt to fund a satirical startup, while the hosts share Thanksgiving stories and express their disdain for a video of greens being washed in a bathtub. They also debate attending a virtual reality concert and express concerns about hologramming dead celebrities. The chapter ends with discussions on Tyler Perry's production style, Netflix's decision to remove Knives Out from theaters, and cultural observations like Will I Am's fear of the public catching amnesia.
Elon Musk's failed attempt with Thud sheds light on his impulsive nature and tendency to have grand ideas but not follow through.
Tyler Perry's four-picture film deal with Amazon provides him with a new platform to showcase his unique and low-budget entertainment globally.
Deep dives
Elon Musk's failed attempt to fund a new version of the Onion reveals a lot about how he might run Twitter
Elon Musk, known for his influence over the public square, previously attempted to fund a new version of the Onion called Thud. The project aimed to create satire that lived all over the place, both online and in the real world. Musk initially promised to provide funding and potentially promote Thud through his Twitter account. However, the project fizzled out quickly and Musk eventually pulled his support. This story sheds light on Musk's impulsive nature and his tendency to have grand ideas but not follow through with them.
Tyler Perry strikes a deal with Jeff Bezos and Amazon Studios
Tyler Perry and Amazon Studios have reached a four-picture film deal. Perry, known for his unique and low-budget entertainment, will write, direct, and produce four features that will be available on Amazon Prime in over 240 countries and territories. While some may criticize his work as low-budget, others appreciate the entertainment value and enjoy the unconventional films he creates. The deal with Amazon provides Perry with a new platform to showcase his projects globally.
The upcoming Knives Out movie sparks mixed reactions
The new Knives Out movie, titled 'Glass Onion,' is causing mixed reactions as it will only be shown in movie theaters for a limited time before being released on Netflix. Some people are disappointed by the short window of availability, believing it could have generated more revenue if it had a longer theatrical run. However, others are excited about the film and its ability to reach a wide audience through the streaming platform. The suspenseful and entertaining nature of the Knives Out franchise appeals to a broad range of viewers.
Elon Musk's involvement with Thud and implications for his ownership of Twitter
Elon Musk's failed attempt with Thud, a satire project founded by former employees of the Onion, provides insights into his leadership style and potential implications for his ownership of Twitter. Musk often acts on whims and has a tendency to make grand promises without following through. He injected funding into Thud but ultimately pulled his support, leaving the project in a difficult position. This behavior raises questions about how he will approach running Twitter, as he has already made changes based on his personal gripes with the platform. It remains to be seen how he will prioritize and navigate the challenges of creating a brand-safe advertising environment and other essential aspects of the business.
Before his acquisition of Twitter, Elon Musk set his sights on another kind of media company: Thud. A longtime fan of The Onion — he once called it "the greatest publication in the history of all conscious beings, living or dead" — Elon helped two former Onion editors build a new satirical startup. But Elon pulled out of the company before its launch and Thud shuttered in 2019. So what happened? Sam chats with The Verge's Jake Kastrenakes about Elon's first foray into building his "intergalactic media empire" and what, if anything, it can reveal about his rule over Twitter.
We also ask actress, comedian, and Scam Goddess podcast host Laci Mosley if she is into Meta hosting a Notorious B.I.G. VR concert. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: Does will.i.am really believe you can catch amnesia?
Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.