The weekender, #2
Winners, losers, and the little bar snack dish that could.
It’s Friday, it’s 75 degrees, and the Strait of Hormuz is apparently open, ish. Hottest tips for the weekend: Fill up on gas while the prices ease, listen to Olivia Rodrigo’s new song ‘drop dead’ on repeat, have a spring picnic with your friends, and read the newest edition of The Weekender over a glass of chilled red or an iced latte.
The winner: Movie theaters. This week we got an extended theatrical window for Project Hail Mary, a pretty intense pinky promise from Amazon MGM to spend a billion dollars a year on theatrical releases, and even Paramount’s supervillain CEO committed to a 45-day theatrical window. AMC A-List also announced they would be raising their prices by $2 per month to cover costs, but I suspect anyone willing to pay $27.99 for up to 16 movies a month will happily pay $29.99, so they win, too.
The loser: JD Vance, whose crowd at a Turning Point USA event left much to be desired—but plenty of chairs for him to get romantic with.
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The good news: Voters in Hungary ousted their authoritarian leader Viktor Orban, which could portend bad things for wannabe dictators of the more local variety. And Trump has a new pick to run the CDC: Dr. Erica Schwartz, a veteran, qualified, Black woman with experience in public health, many degrees, belief in vaccines/science in general, and not a single family roadtrip stop to cut off a raccoon’s penis.
The bad news: Your summer Eurotrip might be on hold, due to a possible “systemic” jet fuel shortage prompted by Trump’s war in Iran. If that man and his syphilitic brain come between me and my Sicilian spritz I stg—
Best look: Everyone in Laufey’s new music video.
Worst look: A tie, between Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who accidentally quoted Pulp Fiction thinking it was the Bible, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who called the Strait of Hormuz the “Strait of Vermouth.” Only the best people, etc.
The watch: Big Mistakes on Netflix. I’ve missed Dan Levy on my screen, and Taylor Ortega is a star.
This week only: Upgrade to a paid subscription for just $15 .
The book: Famesick by Lena Dunham is—rightfully—everywhere right now. I will be listening to the audiobook on my flight tonight, as a cozy girl is wont to do.
The bag: My Baggu kick continues, with this Nylon Shoulder Bag. I wanted something for my upcoming travels that a) zips shut, b) weighs nothing, and c) fits my laptop (with my Baggu laptop case, too, mind you.) This bag hits every mark.
The tbd: Air New Zealand announced bunk beds (purchasable at around $300, for a four-hour window) on their long-haul flights between Auckland and New York. An upgrade, in theory? If you’re the first person in the bed, maybe, but otherwise—
Best call: In a special election, NJ voters picked progressive activist and union organizer Analilia Mejia to fill NJ Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s seat and finish her term.
Worst call: The sudden bevy of celebrities randomly endorsing AI—and the likely announcement of some form that I imagine is to follow. A new business venture? An icky collab? The only thing we can be sure of: it’ll cost us brain cells + water.
The quote: “The world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants, yet it is held together by a multitude of supportive brothers and sisters.” — Pope Leo XIV, who is not afraid of squaring off with Donny T. and the hypocritical losers in his company.
The scent: (Seasonal) Sweet Basil Foaming Hand Soap from Trader Joe’s. Stock up.
The snack: The stacked bar trio at brand new Silverlake spot Bar Di Bello, which includes fried olives, candied nuts, + house potato chips in a gorgeous silver dish. And they have a Negroni Sbagliato on the menu, too.
The hack: Lola blankets (a Hot Tip from our Fall 2025 Guide) are currently 50 percent off with a variety of codes: ELLE50, OPRAH50, and PEOPLE50 should all work.
Previously on Hot Tip:
I binged Big Mistakes. Dan Levy back on my screen is what I needed right now.
Must read Famesick !!