Rupert Murdoch Is A Messy Bitch
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This episode of *The Rest Is Entertainment* dives into the escalating public feud between digital influencers Alex Cooper and Alex Earl, dissecting it as a case study in how the modern attention economy thrives on drama and conflict. The hosts trace the timeline of their falling out—from a 2023 collaboration to a mysterious 2025 split, followed by cryptic social media exchanges and a viral TikTok backlash that culminates in a passive-aggressive public showdown. The episode argues that this feud isn’t just personal but structural: social media platforms profit from outrage, turning personal disputes into endless content cycles. The hosts draw parallels to historical media moguls like Rupert Murdoch, suggesting that today’s influencers are the new power players—performing ego-driven battles not for private gain, but for public spectacle and monetization. The discussion then shifts to the controversial Michael Jackson biopic *Michael*, which has sparked debate over its handling of the artist’s legacy, particularly the child abuse allegations, with critics accusing the film of image laundering. Finally, the episode critiques the influencer economy through the case of Binky Felstead, who faced backlash for requesting a free birthday cake, highlighting the growing public fatigue with perceived entitlement and the precarious, barter-based lifestyle of many influencers. The overarching theme is the death of shame in the digital age, where every personal misstep becomes content and every relationship is a potential revenue stream.
Drama and conflict are now central to the business model of social media platforms, which profit from user engagement driven by anger and outrage.
Modern influencers like Alex Cooper and Alex Earl are not just content creators—they are self-made moguls whose entire identity and income are built on public feuds and personal narratives.
The legacy of figures like Rupert Murdoch is mirrored in today’s influencers: power is exercised through gossip, ego, and relentless self-promotion, regardless of gender.
The Michael Jackson biopic *Michael* exemplifies the trend of 'image laundering'—glorifying controversial figures while downplaying or omitting serious allegations.
Influencers operate in a precarious economy where free perks are exchanged for exposure, but public backlash can quickly erase their perceived value.
…and 1 more takeaway available in PodZeus
Sponsor: Octopus Energy & the Gamification of Energy Bills
The episode opens with a promotional segment for Octopus Energy, highlighting how the company uses gamification—like spinning a wheel for octopoints—to make mundane tasks like submitting meter readings engaging and rewarding.
The Alex Cooper vs. Alex Earl Feud: A Modern Drama in Real Time
“This is all content. This is what their business is. This is the best content because it is making people angry or exercised or whatever, which as we know is what keeps them on the platform.”
The Attention Economy: Where Drama Is the Fuel
“The thing is they just do it in private. Oh, Murdoch v Maxwell. But also not just doing it in private. There's lots and lots of it in public. It's just they are men. And so it's seen as somehow machinations.”
Influencers as Moguls: The New Power Players
“If you have spent many, many years owning your own narrative, not necessarily controlling it because people come in and out of it, but owning your own narrative, you're sort of exposure proof.”
Michael Jackson Biopic: Image Laundering or Honest Portrayal?
The hosts discuss the new Michael Jackson film, which has sparked controversy for downplaying the child abuse allegations. They critique the film’s shift from an original script that confronted the allegations to a sanitized version that focuses on his rise and legacy, calling it 'image laundering'.
“If you imagine Rupert Murdoch was a 23-year-old woman and then... This is going to give me a bad dream tonight. But then show the series of things that happened to him, the relationships he was in and then got out of them, what he did and how he got out of them...”
“Pay for your child's birthday cake. It's so basic. If you find someone in life who cannot afford to pay for their child's birthday cake, why don't you pay for one of theirs as well?”
“The thing is they just do it in private. Oh, Murdoch v Maxwell. But also not just doing it in private. There's lots and lots of it in public. It's just they are men. And so it's seen as somehow machinations.”
Hosts
Alex Cooper
person
Alex Earl
person
Michael Jackson
person
Binky Felstead
person
Michael (film)
media
Rupert Murdoch
person
Octopus Energy
brand
Rashmi Bennett
person
The Parisian Agency
media
Call Her Daddy
media
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