Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 19h

I explore why clowns are everywhere. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/a...

What Clowns! (That’s a Compliment)

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Jason Zinoman

Sarah E. Bond @sarahebond.bsky.social · 1d

You can now search the Anthropic database for your books 📚 and then file a claim directly if your work was stolen: secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup

Submit a Claim

secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 4d

www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general...

Lesbian Stand-Up Comedian Jessica Kirson Expresses “Sincere Regret” for Riyadh Comedy Festival Performance

Though she requested a guarantee that she could be “openly out as a lesbian on stage and perform gay material,” Kirson is apologizing to fans and confirms she will donate her fee to a human rights org...

www.hollywoodreporter.com

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Reposted by Jason Zinoman

Karen Attiah @karenattiah.bsky.social · 5d

And here is my latest.

open.substack.com/pub/karenatt...

Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post, and the Cost of Speaking Out

As Saudi Arabia hosts comedians and courts gamers, the silenced voice of Jamal Khashoggi still echoes.

open.substack.com

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Reposted by Jason Zinoman

MidCenturyCinema @midcenturycinema.bsky.social · 6d

10/1/62: Johnny's 1st tonight show
Sure, you can say he was post-rat pack, middle of the road, medium cool - I know I did
But he was a rock, and a master of his craft
Nice take via @jasonzinoman.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/2020/07/26/a...

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 11d

Second night too

Brian Stelter @brianstelter.bsky.social · 11d

Jimmy Kimmel is breaking records on YouTube, Spotify is waging war against "spammy" music, and "60 Minutes" is coming back this Sunday. Details in today's Reliable Sources: cnn.it/3KIqtly

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 12d

Shane Gillis turned down the Saudi comedy festival. www.pajiba.com/news/shane-g...

When Shane Gillis Takes the High Road Over Bill Burr ...

www.pajiba.com

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 12d

Yep. And the way the writer discusses Star Wars is how I feel about Alien (and the TV show)

Christian Schneider @anti-knowledge.com · 12d

My column today at @nationalreview.bsky.social: There's too much of (waves arms wildly)...EVERYTHING. (Gift link):

There’s Too Much of Everything | National Review

The deluge of entertainment and information in our era is diluting our enjoyment.

link.nationalreview.com

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 12d

Wow, this is a fiercely eloquent @manohladargis.bsky.social review that will get you to the theater. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/m...

‘One Battle After Another’ Review: Paul Thomas Anderson’s Rallying Cry

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Jason Zinoman

Ryan Schwartz @ryanschwartz.tv · 12d

"Critics who have been incessantly saying that late night no longer matters are going to need to catch up. The government doesn’t go after entertainers because they are irrelevant."

Great piece by @jasonzinoman.bsky.social:

Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 13d

I thought Ross Douthat's recent explanation of how late night became more political was off. So I dug into the history. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/a...

How Did Late-Night Get So Political? It Didn’t Start With Trump

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Jason Zinoman

Mick Garris @mickgarris.bsky.social · 13d

In Austin TX celebrating the 20th anniversary of MASTERS OF HORROR at the 20th anniversary of Fantastic Fest! With Joe Dante, Don Coscarelli, Ernest Dickerson and Fangoria editor Phil Nobile, Jr.!

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 13d

Yup

Reposted by Jason Zinoman

Bryan Curtis @bryancurtis.bsky.social · 13d

I'm sure this has been mentioned but, back in 2003, ABC's first choice for the late-night job was Jon Stewart.

But ABC felt Stewart was too "topical"/political, especially for the network of Roseanne and Home Improvement. So they went with Kimmel. And here we are. www.nytimes.com/2002/11/03/m...

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 13d

Thank you! And for the reminder. It's wild that the guy at the center of the biggest political controversy of the year in comedy was picked because...he wasn't political. Alt time lines where Stewart gets the job are fascinating to consider.

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 13d

Woah. This hot take makes me at least want to see it.

Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 13d

Means a lot from you, Ben. Thx

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 13d

He was a good talking head on that cnn doc on the history

Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 13d

Interesting on Virtel. I could also see it coming from Kimmel who does revere the form of late night. And yes about Johnny. As i say in this piece, his rep for being apolitical has become overstated. www.nytimes.com/2024/11/20/a...

Johnny Carson and the Fantasy of America

www.nytimes.com

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 13d

I thought Ross Douthat's recent explanation of how late night became more political was off. So I dug into the history. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/a...

How Did Late-Night Get So Political? It Didn’t Start With Trump

www.nytimes.com

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 13d

Great exit line for sure

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 14d

Familiar?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrhQ...

Jack paar returns to the Tonight Show [partial Higher quality footage] (March 7, 1960)

YouTube video by Random TV and News Archives

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Jason Zinoman

TVMoJoe @tvmojoe.bsky.social · 14d

ABC has posted the first 28 minutes of @jimmykimmellive.bsky.social

WATCH:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1tj...

Jimmy Kimmel is Back!

YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live

www.youtube.com

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 14d

[gulp] I confess I did (and survived!). During an earlier Kimmel news cycle. Sometimes you have to promote your book LOL. Isaac is actually a very sweet soul who is terribly good at his job. slate.com/news-and-pol...

How David Letterman Changed Late Night

Jimmy Kimmel’s passionate and surprisingly political account of his newborn son’s emergency heart surgery has gone viral this week. It’s hard to...

slate.com

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 15d

If the goal was to "avoid further inflaming a tense situation," well, really nice job.

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Jason Zinoman @jasonzinoman.bsky.social · 15d

Kimmel is back tomorrow.

Oliver Darcy @oliverdarcy.bsky.social · 15d

Breaking: Jimmy Kimmel to return Tuesday.

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