Five Things You Should Know
Vol. VI
[This blog will always be free to read, but it’s also how I pay my bills. If you have suggestions or feedback on how I can earn your paid subscription, shoot me an email: cmclymer@gmail.com. And yes, I am available for speaking engagements. And if all this is too big a commitment, I’m always thankful for a simple cup of coffee.]
Hey folks, it’s that time again: here are five things that will make you smile, make you laugh, and make you think. In this increasingly ridiculous world of ours, I hope this handful of goodness brings you some warmth.
1. Kenny G Randomly Walking Through a Casino While Playing His Sax
Kenny G (Kenneth Bruce Gorelick), the soft jazz composer and saxophonist, is arguably one of the most intriguing public figures of the past several decades.
Although he’s sold 75 million records and earned 15 Grammy noms over his long career, the man’s artistry and appearance and general demeanor have made him a lightning rod for criticism, particularly among the too-cool-for-school set who are wholly allergic to the earnestness thoroughly embodied by his music and public image.
He’s been a solo artist for a bit longer than I’ve been alive, and watching the public’s perception of his image ebb and flow over the years has been fascinating, from the biting Garth-undergoing-a-root-canal sight gag in “Wayne’s World” to the sorta-kinda ironic embrace of him by millennials to this new era of his life in which he now easily transcends irony into a weird, nebulous acceptance by everyone.
To be clear, I have nothing against Mr. Gorelick. His music makes a lot of folks happy, and I personally love his holiday stuff. (Also: much to my surprise, I found out he’s an exceptional golfer. Who knew?)
Anyway, all these layers of humor built around his image have granted us an utterly sublime video that went viral recently, in which hundreds of stressed gamblers were surprised to look up from their slots and card games to see Kenny G randomly walking through a casino and serenading winners and losers, alike. It’s sweet and hilarious.
2. The Menswear Guy on Twitter
When Elon Musk bought Twitter—now officially known as “X,” which I refuse to call it—the site entered what can only be characterized as a slow descent in its cultural power. As millions of users left the site for greener pastures—including countless celebs—it quickly became easy to notice a general decline in the quality of content.
The most notable exception is Derek Guy, a Canadian menswear expert and commentator, whose substantial threads (pun intended) on men’s fashion have made him a towering public figure on the site in the past 18 months. Combining sharp yet accessible expertise (and fantastic wit), Mr. Guy’s commentary is read by millions daily and has undoubtedly led to an explosion of interest in men’s fashion, particularly suiting.
Not only is he particularly adept at responding to trolls but his politically-winking responses to arrogant jackasses, in which he adroitly takes apart their fashion sense, have won him rave reviews across the internet.
Although I know many of you have left Twitter (for very good reasons), it might be worth logging back in just to read his glorious takedown of an alt-right bro who claimed to have the style of Cary Grant. As of this writing, it’s been viewed more than 27 million times.
3. “Manhunt” on Apple TV is the Best Lincoln Project in Many Years
For those of you who don’t know, I’m an enormous Lincoln nerd. For a period of a few years in my mid-20s, I probably read every major Lincoln biography I could get my hands on, the best of which, in my humble opinion, is Doris Kearns Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals” (you should absolutely read it).
Because of that, it’s a bit hard to get into movies or shows about Lincoln that aren’t exceptionally made or put a new spin on things. Much to my delight, the absolutely brilliant Monica Beletsky has thrown down the gauntlet with her Apple TV miniseries “Manhunt,” which chronicles the hunt for John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators following the assassination.
Instead of having Lincoln and his family as the focal point, Ms. Beletsky chose to center Secretary of War Edwin Stanton—played gorgeously by the charming Tobias Menzies—who led the investigation and search and ultimate accountability of those responsible for the conspiracy to kill our 16th president.
Ms. Beletsky has achieved a wholly fresh take on the assassination, emphasizing the unsung heroes and lost storylines that were overshadowed in the years following this moment of horrific trauma for the country.
The result is riveting, insightful, and deeply moving. I highly recommend it.
4. My Wonderful Discussion with NOW President Christian F. Nunes
I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Christian F. Nunes, President of the National Organization for Women, on her leadership podcast “Feminism NOW,” a fantastic project that brings necessary and enlightening conversations about gender equality and adjacent issues to the broader public.
Ms. Nunes is one of my favorite folks in the political advocacy space and an exceptional practitioner of coalition politics. She always seeks to build bridges between different perspectives and makes it easier to talk about the critical things we should all be doing to improve our communities and the larger movement for social equality.
Also: she’s a delightful conversationalist. Over a half hour, we covered numerous topics, particularly the nuances of trans equality and visibility. It’s both a substantial and lighthearted conversation that’s perfect for your morning commute to work.
Give it a listen right here or on any of the major streaming services.
5. I’m Coming to Idaho Next Week!
There are a handful of states which I’ve never visited, and Idaho is one of them. But not for long!
When the Bonneville County Democratic Central Committee recently invited me to deliver the keynote at their annual Truman Dinner on May 18th, I immediately agreed.
It’s so important that proud Democrats are competing everywhere, and there’s nothing I love more than folks who are living in redder areas—such as my home state of Texas—and making the conscious choice to get up every day and improve the lives of those around them with direct advocacy and campaigning.
We’re gonna have a great time, and I highly encourage Idahoans throughout the state to come join us. Tickets for the dinner can be purchased here and for those who would rather make a direct donation in lieu of attending, please do so here (and I thank you for your generosity).
In full transparency: although the Committee is kindly paying for my travel, I am not taking a speaking fee. Every dollar goes right into the county party to support local candidates.
Hope to see y’all there!
(And by the way, if you love my writing and general mirth on social media, please consider tipping me a cup of coffee or cocktail by clicking the button below. My sanity will thank you.)
My husband thought Manhunt would be boring because “everyone knows what happened.” Instead we were both fascinated by all the details, and especially Stanton’s point of view.
Be safe in Idaho, dear Charlotte.
I live in ruby red western Montana, & Idaho is where the magats are fleeing because Montana has become too woke!