Hello and welcome to kelsey’s corner, the only newsletter on the internet written and lovingly curated by me, Kelsey. This week is all about founder feuds, Mac & Me, and living a quarter mile at a time.
Things For Your Ears
Very much vibing with this easy listening anniversary edition of “Animal,” which, when you think about it, is kind of perfect pop song?
I’ve learned recently that there’s people out there who just…don’t think “You and I” is Lady Gaga’s best song? And that those people are equal parts toxic and wrong? If I had any desire to be on stage this would be my karaoke song* and I would burn down the house. This is all to say Ben Platt’s cover is pretty good! Sometimes I think he bounces on the handlebars a little too much, but it works for this song.
And my most favorite girl to see is her with me
As long as she's youRoxane Gay joined the good vibes gang at All Fantasy Everything to draft the Fast and the Furious franchise and it is equal parts fast and furious. I don’t love Roxane’s Twitter presence but she seems so lovely on the pod (and I’ve actually never read her work…reply with recommendations if you have ‘em!) Listening to them talk about the hard stares of Vin Diesel just feels like eavesdropping on funny friends-of-friends at a bar.
Things For Your Eyes
I’m giving four stars to Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley Ford. It’s gorgeously written - she has a way of telling stories that’s incredibly straightforward without sacrificing emotion. I will say it’s leans a little on the sadder/occasionally upsetting side, so if you’re not into that (I’m not! I didn’t know!) maybe skip this one.
If you’re looking for something on the lighter side, might I suggest In The Event This Doesn’t Fall Apart by Shannon Barry? It’s a book of poetry and prose of the year she fell in love with her boyfriend and it’ll melt your cold, dead heart. It also led to me muttering “I want what they have” over and over to my dog on a Sunday afternoon.
I (happily, cheerfully, without reservation) paid $1 to read the Business Insider article about the founder’s rift at Great Jones, the candy-colored direct to consumer cookware business that preaches home cooking can be easy and aesthetically pleasing. I love stories about startups imploding, even when they usually follow the tagline of “rich ladies don’t know how to be effective managers.” Also, Insider’s coverage of YouTube culture and online drama has been phenomenal lately so this might turn into a full-time subscription for ‘ol Kelsey.
Annie Murphy just seems so lovely, you know? Just a cool lady who’s good at her job. I don’t know if I’m going to watch “Kevin Can F**K Himself” (I don’t have time to be downloading another streaming app) but I welcome her success with open t-rex arms.
This interview with A’ziah King, architect of one of our greatest Twitter threads and inspiration behind the new movie Zola, is a fascinating conversation about the thin line between sex work and sex trafficking as well as who owns their story and what that entails.
Things For Your Ears and Eyes
All I need in this life of sin is for someone to talk about Gabbie Hanna as “““a product of the internet””” with me. Is she doing performance art? Is it the real-time unraveling of a YouTuber for views? Are rich people okay? Even if you’ve never heard of Gabbie, Smokey Glow’s videos are always so good at recapping how we got to a certain place ~*~in the culture~*~ and what it means moving forward.
As a middle schooler deeply obsessed with late night comedy I’m sad to see Conan take his final bow but thankful Paul Rudd could visit one last time (and bring Bill Hader, professionally delightful giggler along for the ride.**)
Things
I have nothing for you here. Of course I’ve been buying stuff, but nothing’s been delivered yet and I’m not going talk about something I haven’t personally tested.
Things To Make You Smile
AARON TVEIT IN THE SCHMIGADOON TRAILER!!!!!!! AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
Here are two nice videos of puppies swimming.
I don’t know if it’s just been a rough week but there is nothing funnier than this damn sound. What in the world is in that room??? What you got in that room???
I’ll be back on July 16 sweating my ass off. That’s it! That’s all I’ve got!
If you liked this newsletter, please share it with a friend or an enemy using the button below. If you double-liked this newsletter and want to fund my Slurpee habit you can do so here. Until then, please keep wearing your mask (depending on local and state regulations) and be nice to people. I’ll be thinking of you.
Your friend,
Kelsey
*I’ve only done karaoke once, in a hookah bar located in a trailer park in Wisconsin’s capital city. I sang “Night Moves” by Bob Seger. I don’t think it was good.
**The ride, of course, is in a wheelchair and off a cliff and then a gross little alien pops up.