Rupert Murdoch Is A Messy Bitch

The Rest Is Entertainment51mApril 20, 2026

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AI-Generated Summary

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.

Key Takeaways
1

Drama and conflict are now central to the business model of social media platforms, which profit from user engagement driven by anger and outrage.

2

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.

3

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.

4

The Michael Jackson biopic *Michael* exemplifies the trend of 'image laundering'—glorifying controversial figures while downplaying or omitting serious allegations.

5

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

Chapters
0:00
2 min

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.

2:10
6 min

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.

Highlight
8:20
8 min

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.

Highlight
16:40
12 min

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.

Highlight
28:20
13 min

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'.

High-Impact Quotes
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...
Richard Ayoade25:07
Viral: 95.0
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?
Richard Ayoade45:51
Viral: 90.0
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.
Richard Ayoade20:08
Viral: 88.0
Speakers

Hosts

Richard AyoadeMarina Hyde
Topics Discussed
Influencer Economy95%Digital Feuds and Drama90%Attention Economy88%Legacy and Controversy of Michael Jackson85%Public Backlash Against Influencers80%Ego and Power in Modern Media75%Image Laundering in Biopics70%Barter Economy of Influencers65%
People & Brands

Alex Cooper

person

28xNeutral

Alex Earl

person

25xNeutral

Michael Jackson

person

20xMixed

Binky Felstead

person

15xNegative

Michael (film)

media

12xMixed

Rupert Murdoch

person

12xNegative

Octopus Energy

brand

8xPositive

Rashmi Bennett

person

6xPositive

The Parisian Agency

media

6xPositive

Call Her Daddy

media

5xPositive

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