The layoffs at The Texas Tribune highlight the challenges of funding journalism and the sustainability of nonprofit models.
The Hollywood actors' strike impacted the profile of filmmaker Michael Mann, excluding interviews with major cast members.
Social media often produces collective humor and pop culture references, demonstrated by the overworked joke about the passing of Bob Barker.
Deep dives
Texas Tribune faces layoffs and pauses podcasting projects
The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit news organization, has laid off 11 colleagues and paused several podcasting projects. The layoffs include individuals who have been with the organization since its launch in 2009. This development highlights the ongoing challenges of funding journalism and raises concerns about the sustainability of nonprofit and donation-based models. The Texas Tribune has been widely respected for its in-depth reporting, investigations, and coverage of local news in Texas.
Profile of director Michael Mann lacks secondary interviews
A profile of filmmaker Michael Mann in Variety lacked secondary interviews due to the ongoing Hollywood actors' strike. The strike prohibits actors from participating in press events or advertising for upcoming films. Consequently, the profile relied solely on interviews with the cinematographer and excluded insights from the film's major cast members, such as Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz. This limitation showcases the impact of the strike on traditional Hollywood profile writing and the inability to include exclusive quotes and anecdotes from prominent actors.
Bob Barker's death leads to overworked Twitter joke
Following the recent passing of Price Is Right host Bob Barker at the age of 99, Twitter users made an overworked joke referencing Barker's catchphrase on the show. The joke played on the idea that Barker had come as close as possible to reaching the age of 100 without surpassing it, similar to contestants striving to guess the price without going over. The widespread use of this joke demonstrates the collective humor and pop culture references that often emerge on social media platforms.
Only in journalism words: Usher, Rattle, Potemkin
Certain words are unique to the world of journalism and are frequently used in news reporting. Some examples include 'Usher' as a verb, describing the act of guiding or directing someone, 'Rattle' as a verb, indicating the unsettling or disconcerting effect of news or events, and 'Potemkin,' a term used to describe a facade or show designed to deceive or hide unfavorable conditions. These words are often employed to convey specific meanings and enhance the storytelling and analysis found in journalism.
Michael Man's Ferrari profile lacks secondary interviews due to actors' strike
Director Michael Man's profile in Variety for his upcoming film Ferrari did not include secondary interviews with the cast members due to the ongoing actors' strike. As a result, the article solely relied on insights from the cinematographer and excluded perspectives from notable actors such as Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz. This limitation showcases the impact of the strike on traditional film profiling and the inability to incorporate exclusive quotes and behind-the-scenes anecdotes from prominent actors.
Bryan and David discuss takeaways from the first GOP political debate, from the moderator’s performance to Ron DeSantis’s approach to Chris Christie’s role in the race (8:56). Later, they touch on the news that the Texas Tribune has made layoffs, then review the death of the magazine profile and identify more only-in-journalism words (32:48). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline.
