Welcome back to The Weekend Press! Today, our reporter Gabe Kaminsky drinks milk with RFK Jr. Suzy Weiss watches the much-maligned “Melania” documentary. River Page and Kat Rosenfield consider what two very raunchy TV series tell us about the state of the culture. And more! But first, Free Press book czar Jillian Lederman wants to introduce a remarkable excerpt from an upcoming tome about the stories we need to live well and rest in peace:
Think about the first story you were ever told. It probably began a simple way: Once upon a time. These four words have opened the door to thousands of fables and fairy tales—stories steeped in magic and wonder, meant to pass down the moral architecture of a flourishing society to generations of children.
But according to mythographer Martin Shaw, those stories are slipping away.
You may remember Martin from his essay, published on Christmas Eve, about how, one night several years ago, he found God in the woods. But long before that fateful day, he had been traveling the world bringing ancient myths to contemporary audiences, pushing back against a hyper-technological age that promises happiness through ruthless efficiency and instant gratification—often contradicting the wisdom of our most trusted stories.
Now, Martin has compiled those stories into a forthcoming book, Liturgies of the Wild, which is out Tuesday. We’re thrilled to bring you an exclusive excerpt today, tackling an aspect of life too many of us try to ignore: the end. There are those of us, Martin says, who spend all our time fearing death, chasing medical innovations and cosmetic interventions in desperate pursuit of immortality. A few days ago, our government gave the green light to the first human clinical trial of a therapy designed to literally reverse the aging process.
But if we look to ancient cultures, he writes, “the importance of not cheating death is a theme that rears up . . . time and again.” To show why, Martin begins his essay with the old tale of a young healer who tried to trick Death. . . .
Two Whole Milks with . . . RFK Jr. at the ‘Disneyland for Cows’ |
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What do you drink with the man who’s trying to “Make America Healthy Again?” Two delicious all-American whole milks, of course. Our man in the swamp, Gabe Kaminsky, met up with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania. They chatted about legalizing marijuana, which cabinet secretary would benefit most from heeding MAHA advice, and whether he actually ate that Big Mac on Air Force One. | | |
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The First Lady Really Doesn’t Care. Do U? |
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It’s the documentary that was causing drama before a single screening thanks to its controversial director, chaotic conditions on set, and high-value distribution deal. But is Melania any good? Suzy Weiss was one of dozens of reporters sent out to review it as soon as it hit theaters. Her biggest takeaway? She’s still not sure if Melania Trump even wants the job she has. | | |
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Odessa A’zion Needs to Stop Listening to the Mob |
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What do you do if you’re a not-Mexican actor being yelled at online for daring to take the part of a half-Mexican character? Odessa A’zion, who shot to fame for playing the sort-of love interest in “Marty Supreme,” immediately caved—quitting the job and telling her critics this week: “I AGREE WITH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU! This is why I love you guys.” Suzy, who’s feeling prolific this week, couldn’t resist reacting to this; in her view: It’s better to be canceled than a coward. | | |
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