Give me all the cheese, we're at war again
+ Emmy noms, Micah Frank, and Wimbledon matches worth the wake up
Too long for your inbox? Read the full newsletter here.
I am back in the US, I am 33, and America is 250. But only one of us looks like shit. I’m also eating copious amounts of dairy again. I guess you could say—
If reading this newsletter makes you feel even more chic and funny than you already are, consider supporting Hot Tip for just $30/year—and get extra goodies, too. Or you can buy me a coffee.
In politics: Over the course of just a few minutes at a NATO summit, Donald “I Know What A Giraffe Is” Trump referred to Iran as “The Islamic Republic of Japan” and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as “President Putin.” At this point, I am 90% sure that if someone handed him a Bratz doll he would introduce it as “my daughter, Tiffany.”
So where do things stand with Japan Iran? It seems we’re back at “skirmish”—weeks after Congress called for an end to the illegal war, co-equal branch my ass—as the US is once again dropping bombs on military targets and the best ceasefire of all time, you’ve never seen a ceasefire like it is “over.” What does that mean moving forward? Still tbd, but expect gas prices to go up again (also an impact of Ukraine hitting Russian refineries) and Pete Hegseth to publicly do something weird with weights.
Re: Congress, Mitch McConnell remains MIA (missing in absolutelydead) and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear wants answers. Meanwhile, the Maine Democratic Party has had it with Graham Platner, who is expected to officially drop out of the race today or tomorrow but is taking his sweet ass time. I am grateful to the brave, multiple women who have come forward with their credible allegations against him. Mayhaps moving forward we draw the line at Blackwater mercenary with Nazi tattoo?
On grass: All eyes are on British wild card Arthur Féry, who was ranked 114 in the world prior and is now about to play in his first Wimbledon semifinal. On the women’s side, Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk (best dressed of the entire tournament!!!) and American Coco Gauff also advanced to the semis, so at least the jet lag that’s been waking me up 5:30 am will finally come in handy for their respective matches early tomorrow morning.
In film + tv: Emmy nominees were announced this morning, and it was a huge day for Kate O’Flynn nation and The Pitt, especially after two actors who self-campaigned in the guest actor/actress categories (HBO didn’t submit them, oopsie!!!) both scored nominations. I was also particularly happy to see noms for A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms and Rufus Sewell in The Diplomat. And sure, The Odyssey is about Odysseus, but these looks on the press tour do beg the question: IS it though?
FYC: Hunter Biden being delightfully frank as fuck on Friends Keep Secrets. The two excellent released singles from Gracie Abrams’ upcoming album. And I bought this La Roche Posay light fluid sunscreen in Paris and wish I had returned with an entire suitcase of it.
Hot Takes: Micah Frank
As of last month, Micah Frank is a Tony Award-winning producer of Schmigadoon! on Broadway. Over the years at Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video, Micah has also produced The Other Two, Mean Girls (the musical), Mean Girls (the musical movie), All In: Comedy About Love and All Out: Comedy About Ambition on Broadway. This week, I asked him to reveal his secret talent just for us–and a few other things, too.
The best breakfast in New York: Not sure if it’s technically breakfast, but brunch at Cafe Luxembourg.
A hill I will die on: Every show should advertise their correct running time. Don’t say it’s 90 minutes when it is really 110!
How I take my coffee: With more oat milk than a normal person would probably like.
Somewhere I’ve never visited but always dreamt of going: Puy du Fou.
Somewhere I’ve gone multiple times and have no intention of stopping: New Orleans, but specifically at Christmas.
How I like to spend a Saturday: At the movies—and especially love a 10 am showing.
Secret talent: I remember the dates of everything, which sometimes is more a curse than a talent.
I would like to personally thank the inventor of: Dairy-free cheese. Really changed my life.
What I wear to the airport: Controversial, but—shorts.
My ideal adult summer camp would be: I think there is a part of me that would have really enjoyed the entire Fyre Fest experience exactly how it played out.
The correct way to store your Broadway playbills is: So I think the right way is technically in a Playbill Binder, but I have so many that I have to keep them all in a box in a storage locker?
My favorite Broadway theatre: The Nederlander!
A show we didn’t talk about enough when it was open: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels! Or maybe people were talking about it and I just didn’t know because I was 14.
You should see Schmigadoon! if: You have a heart.
Follow Hot Tip on Instagram. Join me on Rec League. And coming soon: The Paris Guide.
Previously on Hot Tip:
You juts cracked me up in this part “someone handed him a Bratz doll he would introduce it as “my daughter, Tiffany.” Hahahah