Deciding on the least flattering media tribute to Stephen Colbert this week is no easy task. The LA Times seems to overstate his “Catholic” credentials, framing his late-night stint as a sort of “service.” It’s a peculiar description for a show that often feels like a lacking celebrity interview segment. Still, one might suspect that Colbert’s intense disdain for Trump adds a certain fervor to his persona, especially when tackling controversial topics.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press has logged Colbert’s cancellation, all while ignoring the fact that several other late-night shows are rehashing the same tired “Orange Man Bad” jokes.
A noteworthy mention goes to a recent release of a new “Godfather” novel. It’s titled “Connie”, and it tells the story from the perspective of Don Vito Corleone’s only daughter. Naturally, someone reached out to see if Francis Ford Coppola might direct a film version of this. However, his team responded that it’s probably not going to happen. On paper, that’s the best news of the week, but who knows? Another director might still take a crack at it.
I have to admit, a new “Godfather” story could be intriguing. Anyway, speaking of intriguing, there’s been some entertaining buzz around AI relationships. Director Paul Schrader, known for his works like “Taxi Driver,” shared his regretful experience with an AI girlfriend. Despite attempting to form a connection, the bot ultimately left him hanging, possibly because he asked too many complicated questions. “It’s not me, it’s you” continues to apply, even in the digital realm.
As he put it, he was trying to delve into her programming and boundaries, but she just shut down the conversation. A humorous takeaway here: It’s generally not a great idea to inquire about the programming of someone you’re dating.
Now, on to Chelsea Handler, who seems to be making headlines by offending people who weren’t initially upset. During Netflix’s “The Roast of Kevin Hart,” Handler stirred up controversy with her jokes, including some that didn’t land well with the audience. The roast’s nature, which clearly had no rules, contributed to some particularly harsh jokes about sensitive topics. Ironically, she now finds herself in quite a peculiar position, having criticized others for enjoying the very kind of humor she has built her career on.
And then there’s the recent rescue story involving American pilots. It sparked thoughts of a potential blockbuster film. But let’s be real: Hollywood likely won’t touch a heroic narrative connected to Donald Trump. Still, director Michael Bay is reportedly teaming up with the co-creator of the “Benghazi” thriller to adapt this extraordinary rescue. Given Bay’s talent for telling compelling narratives without heavy-handed politics, I really hope he continues that trend here.
