The Review of Mess: Episode Summary – "Blake Lively Is Not Very Demure"
Release Date: September 2, 2024
In this episode of The Review of Mess, hosts Jessica DeFino and Emily Kirkpatrick delve into a myriad of pop culture phenomena, with a central focus on Blake Lively's recent actions and their repercussions within the fashion and beauty industries. The conversation weaves through various topics, from celebrity PR strategies to the commodification of beauty standards, offering sharp critiques and insightful commentary.
1. Blake Lively's Controversial PR Maneuver
Timestamp: [48:37] – [50:09]
Jessica and Emily kick off the main discussion by addressing the "Blake Lash of 2024," a term Emily coins to describe the widespread backlash Blake Lively is facing. This backlash mirrors previous celebrity downfalls, such as that of Jennifer Lopez.
Notable Quote:
- Emily Kirkpatrick [48:37]: "The less ideal version of fame, should we pivot into Blake?"
The hosts examine how Blake's release of her new hair care line, Blake Brown Beauty, coincides with her ongoing media storm, creating a perfect synergy for brand promotion despite her tarnished public image.
Notable Quote:
- Jessica DeFino [49:43]: "The other thing from that Puck article was that a source close to Target told Puck that the brand had over a million dollars in sales in the first week."
2. Foot Fetish in Pop Culture and Asin Rae's Music Video
Timestamp: [00:44] – [03:07]
Emily introduces the discussion by referencing their previous episode on foot fetishes and connects it to Asin Rae's new music video for Diet Pepsi, which she describes as "chock full of fetish content."
Notable Quote:
- Emily Kirkpatrick [01:03]: "Of course, I do think it should be behind a paywall. Right."
They analyze how the inclusion of niche fetish content serves as a strategic PR tool, inflating views and penetrating specific online communities without overtly crossing into pornographic territory.
Notable Quote:
- Jessica DeFino [02:06]: "I mean, for people who might not love the music, because, to be honest, I've heard the song many times now, and I can't remember it."
3. The Pornification of Skincare
Timestamp: [03:07] – [05:27]
The conversation shifts to the trend of incorporating sexualized elements into skincare products. Jessica draws parallels between Asin Rae's music video and the resurgence of controversial skincare ingredients like semen and sperm derivatives.
Notable Quote:
- Emily Kirkpatrick [04:19]: "Where it's like we put this weird, I don't know, scientific middleman wearing like, it's not sperm, it's the essence of sperm that's been put through a lab and so now it's safe to put on your face."
They critique how natural and biological ingredients are sanitized and commodified, distancing consumers from basic human functions to make products more marketable.
4. Emily's Editing Nightmare with The Face Magazine
Timestamp: [05:27] – [18:30]
Emily shares a personal experience involving The Face magazine, where she was commissioned to write an article on fashion's flirtation with the alt-right. She recounts how her submissions were met with inappropriate and dismissive edits, leading to a breakdown in professional respect and integrity.
Notable Quote:
- Emily Kirkpatrick [05:27]: "I've never been a professional writer for at least 12 years now, full-time professional writing for everyone. And this experience has literally never happened to me."
The hosts discuss the broader implications of such editorial practices, emphasizing the importance of maintaining authenticity and professionalism in writing.
Notable Quote:
- Jessica DeFino [12:17]: "And you would hope that an editor would also kind of feel that way."
5. The "Demure" Meme and Brand Co-option
Timestamp: [30:32] – [38:14]
Jessica and Emily explore the rapid meme cycle surrounding the term "demure," originating from Jules Lebron's TikTok. They critique how brands swiftly appropriate internet slang and memes to align with Gen Z aesthetics, often stripping terms of their original cultural and social significance.
Notable Quote:
- Emily Kirkpatrick [36:00]: "There's no such thing as effortless. There is no such thing as low maintenance."
They highlight the dissonance between the meme's roots in trans ballroom culture and its appropriation by mainstream brands to reinforce traditional femininity.
Notable Quote:
- Jessica DeFino [35:30]: "Boggles the mind that, like, that kind of stuff is still being published."
6. Dolly Parton's Beauty Line: A Shift Towards Monetization
Timestamp: [40:38] – [47:27]
The discussion turns to Dolly Parton's entry into the beauty industry with her new brand, Dolly Beauty. While Jessica admires Dolly's transparency and consistent branding, Emily expresses disappointment over how Dolly has shifted from an authentic aesthetic to a commodified beauty line.
Notable Quote:
- Jessica DeFino [41:00]: "Thought it was very funny that she is promoting the brand with, like, the line she's using is, like, a little red lipstick never hurt anybody."
They debate the implications of celebrities leveraging their personas to launch beauty products, questioning the sincerity and impact on brand legacy.
7. Tom Cruise's PR Drama and New Relationships
Timestamp: [103:30] – [114:11]
In a lighter yet incisive segment, Emily lambasts Tom Cruise's new PR endeavors, particularly his relationship rumors and public appearances. She scrutinizes the orchestrated nature of Cruise's public relations, portraying his actions as manipulative and out of touch with genuine public interest.
Notable Quote:
- Emily Kirkpatrick [104:25]: "She's been doing all this relationship press cycle and then he's at the Olympics, obviously, which is another weird role for us to give him that."
The hosts mock the superficial aspects of Cruise's PR strategies, highlighting the disconnect between his actions and public perception.
Notable Quote:
- Emily Kirkpatrick [106:25]: "It's just so weird."
8. Food Franchises Launching Beauty Products: A Trend of Absurd Collaborations
Timestamp: [109:07] – [113:25]
Jessica and Emily critique the bizarre trend of food franchises venturing into the beauty industry. Examples include Chipotle by Wonder Skin's lip gloss, Auntie Anne's pretzel-scented perfume, and Hellman's mayo-infused products. They ridicule the illogical scent profiles and product pairings, questioning the rationale behind such collaborations.
Notable Quote:
- Emily Kirkpatrick [113:02]: "You're losing the plot in the middle of there. We're talking about mayonnaise. Like, get back to the basics."
The segment underscores the overreach of brands attempting to capitalize on their existing consumer base by diversifying into unrelated sectors, often resulting in nonsensical product offerings.
9. Substack's Internal Drama and The State of Online Writing
Timestamp: [80:04] – [100:09]
The hosts delve into the internal conflicts within Substack, focusing on Emily Sundberg's essay "The Machine in the Garden." The essay critiques the platform's impact on writing quality and originality, igniting heated debates about the commodification of personal content and the erosion of unique voices.
Notable Quote:
- Emily Kirkpatrick [82:02]: "Substack is making everyone into writers the same way Instagram made everyone into photographers."
Jessica and Emily discuss the broader implications of such platforms democratizing content creation, juxtaposing it with the decline in writing standards driven by monetization pressures.
Notable Quote:
- Jessica DeFino [93:11]: "I think that's a legitimate conversation to be had about like pinpointing these particular types of newsletters."
They argue for the value of authenticity over viral content, highlighting the challenges writers face in balancing personal expression with audience expectations.
10. Conclusion: Embracing the Chaos of Pop Culture
Timestamp: [113:34] – [114:11]
As the episode winds down, Jessica and Emily reflect on the extensive discussions, urging listeners to support the podcast through positive reviews. They acknowledge the depth and breadth of their conversation, celebrating the journey through the intricate web of pop culture "mess."
Notable Quote:
- Jessica DeFino [113:56]: "I know. If you're here, I'm proud of you. I'm grateful to you."
Final Thoughts
In "Blake Lively Is Not Very Demure," Jessica DeFino and Emily Kirkpatrick offer a comprehensive and critical examination of current trends in celebrity culture, beauty standards, and media practices. Through their engaging dialogue, they shed light on the often absurd intersections of fame, marketing, and personal authenticity, urging listeners to question and reflect on the underlying motives driving these phenomena.