The internet's appetite for scandal
...and the dog who didn't care.
A programming note: I am preparing for my family’s summer migration to Wyoming. So, this week’s newsletter will be a little shorter than normal as I sort, pack, and sweep. Please send recommendations for audiobooks or podcasts for the drive!
New in your Death, Sex & Money feed this week: a story of internet journalism, ruined reputations, and coming around back to friendship…thanks to a dog.
This dog.
AJ Daulerio, the former editor of Deadspin and Gawker, joins me to discuss his decision to run with a hot viral story about Brett Favre, even though the woman at the center of it asked him not to.
Jenn Sterger had told AJ about her experiences working at the New York Jets — the messages and a photo she received from the star quarterback, who was propositioning her. She thought she and AJ were having a private conversation. Then, he paid a source $10,000 for access to the photo and messages and published them.
AJ got the glory of a big story, and Jenn’s name and image were forever linked to Brett Favre’s behavior.
AJ and Jenn hadn’t been in touch for years. And then, a shelter dog reconnected them in the wildest way.
In our episode this week, you can hear AJ and Jenn in conversation together.
Jenn is in the new Netflix documentary called Untold: The Fall of Favre. You may remember AJ from this Search Engine episode we shared about how AJ knew it was time to get sober. He now runs the recovery newsletter and community, The Small Bow, which also has a podcast. You can listen here.
And the winner of MY FAVORITE HEADSHOT AWARD goes to….
The co-hosts of the Girls Rewatch podcast, Amelia Ritthaler and Evan Lazarus!
They are joining me and actor Allison Williams in a live event at the Tribeca Festival on June 11 in New York City. Do not miss it. Get your tickets here.
Other Recommended Reads, Watches & Listens
—Let producer and audio historian Julia Barton tell you about a groundbreaking radio host I’d never heard of: Mary Margaret McBride, “one of the first creators of the ‘confessional interview’ format on US air.” Julia and I talk about Margaret’s legacy here.
—The Righteous Gemstones’ series finale ends with a prayer about pain, mercy, and letting go that’ll be thinking about for a long time, and I’ll also be smiling to myself about the ridiculous bloody shoot-out that leads up to it.
—My Slate colleague Nitish Pahwa hit me in the gut with this piece about people trying to land work right now: ‘Why Are There No F-cking Jobs?’ There’s More Than Trump to the Vexing Employment Market
— This isn’t something to read, watch, or listen to, but something to admire. Behold: Primo! The rooster I met at the Potter Valley Rodeo in Mendocino County.
Primo now lives with family friends and I look forward to a long friendship together.
Until next week,
Anna
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