Michael Cuby

I said, Jimmy Fallon, where? Where? And listen, I take back everything I said about Jimmy Fallon at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade at 8.30 in the morning in the pouring rain wearing sunglasses. So do with that information what you will. Look at the data points and think about why you would have to wear sunglasses. Look at the data points.

Rashida Jones does her little hip hop stuff though. I've sent you her videos when she dances at the, and she takes hip hop class.

Of course I know she's half black. I was like, her dad just died, Hunter. Jesus Christ.

And that's what America. I think people forget that Sophia Richie is black. I don't know if the white girls really even clock that she's mixed race. Damn. But the thing about Sophia Richie that I think is interesting is that I don't ever feel like she's being inauthentic. I don't feel like she, like, is trying to make herself more palatable.

And that's what I maybe respect about her more than anything is that she doesn't try to do like the – who am I thinking of? Like, someone who I'm like, oh, girl, your heart is just, like, not in it. Like, you don't want to be – it's kind of like – That interview – this is, like, so random. Like, with Leandra Medin on that – the Cutting Room Floor podcast.

And she was saying, like, she was coming up at a time of, like – she was building Man Repeller. God, yes. And Emily Weiss was building Glossier. Yeah. And the Refinery29 people were doing that. And she was, like, I really didn't want to, like –

run a media company but every one of my peers was doing that so I just like did it anyway yeah and I like I don't want to take it out of context but like that was kind of the gist of it that she was more passionate about other things and I feel like with Sophia Richie she's not faking it like she really just is doing what she wants to do and I wouldn't be surprised if like

She has, like, turned down the opportunity to do, like, a, you know, whatever Dua Lipa's newsletter is called. Or, like, something like that that she doesn't need to do or doesn't have to do.

I will not be in a Chanel prison, however. You cannot lock me up in there. No. Free Kristen Stewart. That's all I gotta say. It will not happen for me. Twas not. Twas won't. At the end of the day, listen, you sat there and complained. You didn't want to learn the renegade dance. You didn't want to learn the cognac queen dance. You didn't want to learn the hot girl summer dance.

You didn't want to learn all these dances. And now here comes a dance that's fucking easy. that I can do quickly, that I don't have to study. I want to learn the sticky dance. Have you seen the sticky dance? I don't want to do that.

Yeah. Amy Adams was on talking about Night Bitch, her new movie, and he was like, oh, there's an online petition, one tweet, from a lot of fans, me, saying that you should play Tree Pain in a biopic. Would you be down? And she was like, yes. And in the industry, we call that talent attached. We have a star attached. So let me just open up Final Draft. But I, okay, what was that girl's name?

We should. Warm up, Hunter.

In the early hours of December 4th, 2024, CEO Brian Thompson stepped out onto the streets of Midtown Manhattan.

We're talking about the CEO of the biggest private health insurance corporation in the world. And the suspect.

Became one of the most divisive figures in modern criminal history.

I'm Jesse Weber, host of Luigi, produced by Law & Crime and Twist. This is more than a true crime investigation. We explore a uniquely American moment that could change the country forever.

Listen to Law and Crime's Luigi exclusively on Wondery Plus. You can join Wondery Plus on the Wondery app, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

I have to say, wait. Writer and editor, and also writer of an iconic tweet. Can I quote it?

Say it.

I actually don't even know what it is. Say it. Christmas Day 2017, Michael tweeted, I can't believe my aunt just looked over at me to ask for clarification about some random football fact. Honey. Oh, God. Keep it up. You got this. I'm wearing tassel Gucci boots right now. Do I look like I would know?

High school seniors in physics also know you're a hater.

Lily Singed.

Literally fussing with you during their lunch period. Oh, my God.

Haunted, haunted, haunted. But she, like, that was the first time a tweet of mine had ever made it to late night. And she both took it out of context and didn't credit me. And it was with my mother, Natalie Portman, so I was extra mad. Wait, when did that happen? Whenever her space movie came out, the one about the woman who drove to get her man,

Beyonce, Gisele Knowles, Carter. Heard of her. Well, Beyonce, Gisele Knowles, Charli XCX.

I was shocked. It's kind of giving pay off. But listen, I do love reputation. What can I say? Stereophonic. Stereophonic. Oh, wait, wait. I love me some stereophonic.

Jesus Christ. In your arms.

I am. And then title the creator. Only man to crack my top five.

Oh!

Okay, listen, your voice does not matter. I'm so sorry. Your opinion does not count.

Get her again. Get her for me. Okay, wait. No, I was surprised that there's no chapel in yours.

Interesting. Okay, Miss Girl.

That's rocks. Birds of a Feather.

She drove across state lines. No, but she's an astronaut. It was called Lucy in the Sky, I think. But I was like, oh, she should have worn the diaper. Because in real life, the woman had driven like all through the day and night and worn a diaper. And Natalie Portman's movie didn't wear a diaper.

Where in our musical theater era?

It's so stereophonic, but listen, it's good.

Okay, imagine my surprise that my top song of the year, the song I listen to head and shoulders above any other song, 16 carriages. You know that meme? What are you going through? I really don't know, but I was actually shocked because I thought my top song of the year was dead ass 100% going to be Two Most Wanted. I thought that too.

Yeah, because you talk about it all the time.

I love it. And actually, Andrew is making fun of me because I listen to it and I hold Remy. I like sing it to her.

I'm sick.

It's an album music.

Oh my God. I was like, what was I going through?

I'm going to say Chapel. That's what I was kind of stuck between. I think Chapel because I think with Charlie, it's like she has been working for so long, so hard to like get to this place, which is miraculous. And I like respect it so much. But it's like certainly been like a slow build for her. But with Chapel, it's like overnight.

I'm like talking about like, I remember when we started this podcast, I said, who the hell is a Chappelle Roan?

And look at me now.

Okay, like maybe top three movies of the year for you.

wow i also love nickel boys it is my favorite movie of the year and i think the thing is that it's about this like like these two boys at this reform school and like years later it turns out that like this school was like abusing and sort of killing these like black young men but the way that the movie shows this all as a kind of coming of age story it's like just as much a coming of age story as it's like a story about trauma yeah as it is like a real like tragedy in a way that i just found like so moving and like

just beyond anything i've seen this year like like absolutely hands down i get chills even talking about i think it's just magnificent go see it if you haven't this is your call to action to go see it stare down the barrel of the camera and say go see it it's not good and then listen challengers for me yeah in my top five yeah she's got a white boyfriend you can tell yeah don't you worry yeah

I'm not picking the allegations. This is Indea allegations. And then what else did I really like this year? I don't know. I'll think about it. I think I'm in third. What about you?

to you and your lived experience and only like the only coverage like the only link out is ever to you like there's no one else I have to say shout out to the cut because the cut like blogger who talked about this every single link in this article was to my newsletter It's like, oh, here's one girl. Because no one else.

She's playing chestnut checkers, Jennifer Lopez. You're telling me you are making...

You're saying a lot of things right now that I think are ugly. I think that you should apologize. It was love. It was love.

The mother of his children. No, say some more. They consciously uncouple.

There's a gun in the room, okay?

And it's you pointing it at yourself.

Club Chalamet and the internet.

Does Club Chalamet have a man? Wait, which leads me.

Which leads me.

And she has stocks, too.

You got me thinking about a top contender. Listen. Especially recently. I gotta say it. If he's hot as shit, you must acquit.

Some white with some sage. Like some white with some Parmesan.

I would never deign to speak to the mistress, the madame, Trevadius Payne. No, her name really is Trina.

play this to a jury the jury's like well I don't hear a lie like okay so yes definitely him and then who else who else is a white boy well I really was thinking Timothy because especially after oh Josh O'Connor Josh O'Connor he slowed his pace Josh O'Connor Josh O'Connor and Mike Feist booty out booty forward performance in Challengers that's my man

Drew Starkey with that big-ass forehead. He's not doing anything for me.

Timothy in the video on college game day.

And it's like, kind of the way his voice gets a little deeper. Mm-hmm. Talking about sports. Saying words I don't know. Sports. He said football. He said touchdown. He said sack.

And that little video of him dancing in Marrakesh.

I'm pretty sure the beard is just not very good.

Not my top three. Not me. She said, I hate you. Okay. Very important question. When we think about 2024, who won this year? And you don't have to be pro, but like, who do you think like, okay, 2024, this was his year. I have someone, unfortunately.

I don't know, girl.

Who's taking it? When I think about 2024 from now on, I'll be thinking about Joe Biden. For the rest of time, I'll be thinking Joe Biden, his 89-year-old ass, said, I want to be president so fucking badly that we have to give it to Trump. That's the reality. Okay.

I mean, Queen. No, I'm sorry, we won't have rights because Joe Biden wanted to be president again. It's crazy, it's crazy.

Was, like, in the ether. Everything kind of went back to Brad. Right, exactly. Everything went back to Charlie.

If you don't follow Bald and Dad, I don't know what to tell you. Girl, get on your Zoom. Get on your Zoom. Wait, but I wanted to have, like, I want Ariana to have a good 2025, like, with new music. I want her to have, like, a bigger 2025. Is Wicked 2, when is that supposed to be coming out?

Right. It's kind of iconic. No, I think that's, I was just thinking when you were saying that, what is going to be longer, the Wicked press tour or the Heiress tour? The Heiress tour ended. I know, but that's been a life sentence.

In the early hours of December 4th, 2024, CEO Brian Thompson stepped out onto the streets of Midtown Manhattan.

Became one of the most divisive figures in modern criminal history.

Listen to Law and Crime's Luigi exclusively on Wondery Plus. You can join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. In the early hours of December 4th, 2024, CEO Brian Thompson stepped out onto the streets of Midtown Manhattan.

Became one of the most divisive figures in modern criminal history.

Listen to Law and Crime's Luigi exclusively on Wondery Plus. You can join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Something darker, deeper, more serious. Let's do it. That we need to discuss today. Over the weekend on Sunday, Jay-Z was accused or named in a lawsuit accusing him of raping a young girl in cahoots with Diddy in 2000. Yeah. And I was in shock. Yeah.

Complex didn't wait a beat. They didn't wait a minute. No, and it's, like, immediately has, like, three million comments. Like, something crazy. Also, I'm, like, Pop Crave on Twitter, all this stuff. And the lawsuit had been filed a few months ago, I think in October. And then just recently, like, over the weekend, they named Jay-Z as, like, one of the other accused.

And the attorney had said when he filed the lawsuit that, like, they're accusing Diddy of, like, raping this woman, but that other defendants would be named. And now Jay-Z. And now Jay-Z. And it was just like, you know, hmm, what's going to happen here? And then Jay-Z released a statement. And I'm going to say Jay-Z released a statement.

It was immediately clear. This is a man in a war document. Like, because it was not, oh my goodness. Google Docs opened. This was unreal. I mean, it's funny. I did a story for Vice a couple years ago about like how often celebrities go rogue and release their own statements. And every publicist was like, you'd be shocked how often they take matters in their own hands. When they never should.

And immediately I was like, oh, no one read this. Basically the gist of the statement is him saying that he's innocent, that he's being extorted by this attorney, that he, you know, doesn't know what happened to this woman, but his heart breaks for victims. And that then he talks about how like the worst part is I have to tell my daughter who's like 10 years old about this. And it was crazy.

Your mom is beautiful, and she has a winning personality, and she's hilarious. She's the funniest person in the family, and there's multiple comedians. I'm going to go back to beautiful because my dad met your mom. Sophomore year of college, and he still talks about how beautiful Peyton's mom is.

Do you have any...

The moment that I was like, oh, this is like, like it's kind of, it's bad for him.

Was when, okay, so he says, you made a terrible error in judgment thinking that all these celebrities are the same. I'm from Brooklyn. We don't play these types of games. We have strict codes of honor. Quote, only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics. I said fake physics, fake psychics. That's when I was like, oh my goodness.

This is like, there's a red underline in that document and everyone just ignored it.

It's so early. Who knows what's going to happen? Alleged, alleged, alleged.

I want to reiterate that, like, obviously this is all serious. Yeah. And that there, like, aren't jokes to make about it. However, I did get on Twitter. Hey. I know. And it's like, these are all jokes about the statement itself being just so like. Of course. Like, ooh, girl, what's going on at home?

Nothing about the context of the situation, but only about Jay-Z. Only about a man. And his writing career. Taking a pen to paper. Which they should never do.

If you're a man, stop writing right now. Put down the podcast microphone. Okay, this one, there are two things I have to bring to the space because they were so fucking funny. Someone said, Nina Monet said, I have no idea what the appropriate media response to being accused of sexual assault slash rape is, but I know it's not supposed to sound like Denzel at the end of training day.

I said Denzel at the end of training day. Sigh. No, I had to like catch my breath. And the other one by Amelia Elizalde. Elizalde says, okay, guys, this statement is incredibly important. So for the tone, I'm thinking traveling magician that has been found out. They called him the Wizard of Oz. Oh! They said Wicked in theaters now.

But it's like, but is that a lie? I mean, I read this and I think this is someone who, no one has eyes on this. Yeah.

I know. Listen, I'm like, I need a texter. I wanted to post it on TikTok.

And I've seen a lot of people who have the opposite opinion that's like, oh, this is, like, such a hard statement. This, like – this is really, like, he needs to be emphatic. He needs to come out, like, really strongly, like, disputing all of this. But I'm like, mm-mm. That's not what this is.

Like, I think the best thing to say is nothing. Absolutely. And the second best thing to say is, like, my attorneys will be in touch. Yeah.

And I'm just like, hmm. It's none. It's mum.

Yeah. Because it's like these statements are just the worst time.

I know. But it's hard because, you know, a lot of talent thinks that they know best. And they think – and I'm sure also for – Like, a person who is a writer, is a rapper, like, they think that they know, like, what to say. And it's like – but you never do. Especially not in this day of the internet when, like, everything exists. What do they say in the social network?

The internet isn't written in pencil. It's written in ink. And, like, people – And the fact that it was, like, tweeted from the Roc Nation account, I was like – this needs to be, like, an attorney's letterhead. Like, this – I, you know –

Okay, I mean, I, you know, I don't know. You don't accidentally like that.

No one's ever doubted that she runs her own account because she goes rogue all the time.

Even with the Kamala stuff when she was like, how dare you say that my daughter – Got paid by, you know, Oprah to endorse Kamala.

She really is at the front lines all the time. I wouldn't be surprised if she said something about this, honestly.

I feel like she's always.

Yes. I mean, I don't know. I think it's too early to say anything. Yeah, same. We just don't have enough information yet from any side. I will say that I saw some people in Houston where this attorney is based saying that he has been accused of extortion by other clients before. The lawyer? Yeah, the Tony Busby who's representing this alleged victim.

And then I also saw that Jay-Z has filed like papers, court papers to have the alleged victim named. And Megan Kuniff, are you familiar? Bob. Ms. Bob, Bobiana, who did really important work with the Megan Thee Stallion.

What was that guy's name? Doesn't even matter. We don't say it on this podcast.

But she was the one who was really covering that case. And she said that maybe the case law is in Jay-Z's favor with this, that the victim will eventually have to be named. But I was like, interesting. Okay. So more soon. Yeah. But I just, this statement did not separate in my spirit. It really, really did not.

The marriage? Yes.

You know, I wonder, every Spotify Wrap Day or Apple Music user is like, dang. No, I think they love it. Like Santa Claus passed their house.

Boring four times in a row. Just let's be clear on that. And oh my God, did they just catch the healthcare shooter? Hopefully not. He was fine as fuck. I'm not going to lie.

Okay, fine.

Unfortunately, I did try watching Later Daters. Try? I got about 12 minutes in. I couldn't do that woman's accent. That Macon, Georgia-ass, country. Where's she from? I know it's from Florida.

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The white woman with the big hair.

I couldn't. I couldn't. I can't deal with the accent. Maladriana. It was too hopeful. That was like, it was too hopeful. You're talking to someone who mainlined New York housewives this weekend.

I'm built different.

Okay, well, I don't believe in love, but I do believe in my Spotify rap. Mm-hmm. And let me tell you, there are some shockers on my list. If Drake made it on your list, there's still time to go into witness protection. We will also be talking about that today. We'll be talking about the Sofia Richie dance. If you know, unfortunately, you do know. And don't worry, we were just as confused.

And then later, we will be joined by our number one op, Michael Kuby, to talk about 2024 pop culture highs and the lowest lows. The lowest of lows.

When Luigi Mangione was arrested for allegedly shooting the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, he didn't just spark outrage. He ignited a cultural firestorm. Is the system working, or is it time for a reckoning? I'm Jesse Weber. Listen to Law & Crime's Luigi exclusively on Wondery Plus.

I... Okay, it's interesting because you know my thesis about Hailey Bieber? Yeah. That she is so radically bland, but in a way that really wins me over every single time. Like, I would go to war for her. Yeah. If she calls for the troop, she's calling for me. But with Sophia Richie, I'm kind of like... She's fine. I don't feel super moved either way. I think she's pretty.

I think she has really beautiful lips that don't look too filled. Okay.

Well, listen. I mean, come on. Nicole has generations of daughters.

That's it. Okay, we have to set it up a little bit better than this because, first of all, let me say, I was on TikTok and I saw it and I was like, this can't be a trend. And then the rest of my feed was like girls doing the dance. And I'm watching it and so she's on the, what's it, Pass the Puss? Oh, the Therapus? Therapus, yeah. Handle Pass the Puss. Yes. Yes. His podcast.

And I guess they're friends and they met through her husband. Yeah. And, like, they're really, really close. I have no opinion about him. He seems funny. I don't know. Yeah, he's funny. And then they're, like, in some kind of house that looks like a Nobu Hotel derogatory. Unless someone's on offer and a night at a Nobu Hotel is on offer, then I take it back.

And he's listening to that song, Messy, by Lola something.

And then Sofia Richie, like, comes in the frame, like – That's it. Steps right in with a shoulder shrug.

I feel like I'm... I feel like I just got divorced. That's how I feel. That's how good I feel. I feel like I just- Just lost a husband. I feel like, wow. Wow. I know. Andrew's listening to this like, uh, bitch. But you are in your J-Lo era. I am in my J-Lo era. Like, you won't catch her slipping.

Oh, you look in the mirror, light skin. No, don't put that curse on me, devil.

Well, that was the most shocking part is that I'm scrolling through and it's like, oh my God, the dance is like actually so easy. Like, oh my God, I'm doing the dance. Like, oh, have you seen me doing the dance? Like going to the club so I can do the dance. I'm like, what dance? Your feet are not moving. They're planted on the floor.

And then you see like one black girl with like a trending video that's like, you're talking about just having rhythm? Like you're talking about just moving to music? A five, six, seven, eight, if you will. There are two Americas. I'll say that. Yeah. And that one's winning.

But I think there is something – okay, I was at a dinner a couple months ago with a woman who, like, works in, like, fashion and beauty, like, PR. And she was like, Sophia Richie is, like, the it girl. Every brand wants to work with her. Every brand is, like, she can move product. Like, she is exactly the kind of, like, quiet luxury that works.

Like, she's not – she's, like, a nepo baby, obviously, but doesn't try to do anything. It's not like I'm, like, ugh. It's so – I don't want to listen to any more Gracie Abrams.

I would feel nothing over her. Feels like very mad man. I don't think about you at all.

The wedding shoved down our throats. Shoved down our throats. The wedding that I couldn't escape. What was the check to Vogue.com? What was it? I don't even remember. It was a whole industrial complex, I'm telling you. This wedding was everywhere. But see, that's the thing. I think it's because she just gets all these brand partnerships. She had three Chanel dresses on her wedding day.

And they dressed her the whole weekend. Something really over the top, and it all looked beautiful. But I was like, I don't fucking care. But she did have a troubled past. Remember when she did that Kardashian guy?

Like, oh, my goodness. Disturbing.

Like, really, like, ugh. And it's all on him. It's not on her. Absolutely. That's all. All his fault. Her brain was developing. Leave her alone. The only person under the age of 27 I trust is bald and out. How old is she? I think she's 25.

Like, marriage in shambles, career in shambles, tour canceled. But still, she looks great. And we'll get back to that. I woke up on, I think it was Tuesday morning, with, like, an unsettled spirit. Uh-oh. And I was like, what's going on? Something's happening. I open my phone. I look at Instagram. And someone's like, babe, wake up. They're talking about you on The Tonight Show. I said, what?

Dating Scott Disick is like enough turmoil for a lifetime. Honestly, the only person who's worse is Jonathan Chabon. Is that his name? Oh, I can't.

Like the slick back girls, the girls, but like it's never the, it's like, there's like the black slick back girl who's intense and knows her worth. Who's intense. And has places to be. And there's a white Slickback girl who, like, has a center part. And it's, like, kind of, like, over but then back. And I'm, like, wait, huh?

Sophia Richie is the – she's the leader of the second group of Slickback girls. Which is ironic because she's – Because she's not racial. But I need to say not too much because there's a difference to me between Sophia Richie who is, like, at least seems, like, chill to hang out with. Yeah. And then, like, the true, like, wannabe Martha Stewart homemaker girls. Yeah. Nora Smith.

Where I'm like, oh, your voice is gross to me. Like, I'm not buying any of it. Yeah. Like, I'm not interested in any of it. But at least she's, like, inoffensive. Like, that's what I want from a nipple baby. Someone who simply wears nice clothes, posts on Instagram, and is pretty.

Yeah.

Nicole's got that doc in her, though. You know, I think she did have a Quibi show that was canceled whenever Quibi ended.

But I thought for a long time that she could be, like, a Drew Barrymore. Like, she could have, like, a daytime show.

You know that's not what it's about. You know that's not.