How The Media Won It For Trump

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Did legacy media lose it for Harris, and new media win it for Trump? Marina and Richard take us through how both campaigns used the media as tools to put their messages across and support their campaigns. One of the TV events of the year is upon us as 12 celebrities head into the jungle for I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. With the lineup in place we go through the runners and riders of this year’s camp mates. Another event in the calendar is the release of the annual Now! compilation album. Richard gives us a history of its release, its heyday, and how it fits into the future of music. Recommendations: Richard: The Diplomat (Netflix)
Producer: Neil Fearn + Joey McCarthy
Executive Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport

Inside This Episode

Discussion on Media’s Role in Trump’s Victory: The hosts debate how the media and celebrity endorsements influenced Trump’s election, particularly in the context of American media biases and UK perspectives.
The Shift from Traditional to Digital Media: They examine how digital platforms like podcasts and social media have overtaken traditional news outlets in influencing young voters, with mentions of Joe Rogan and Logan Paul’s platforms.
Satire and Political Commentary: The relevance and limitations of satire in politics are discussed, citing shows like The Daily Show and South Park for their evolving impact.
The Fragmentation of Shared Culture: The hosts lament the loss of a “shared culture” once created by mainstream television and film, comparing it to the Beatles’ cultural impact in the 1960s.
Celebrity Influence in Elections: Reflecting on endorsements by Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Oprah, and others, they argue that celebrity support has little influence, possibly even countering its intended effect.
The Importance of Authenticity in Media: Commentators from various political backgrounds reflect on the authenticity gap in traditional news, contrasting it with newer, informal content channels.
Revisiting Now That’s What I Call Music: The podcast explores the history and decline of compilation albums in the streaming era, recognising their cultural impact and the nostalgia they evoke.

Media Mentions

Television Shows:
Friends (TV finale viewing)
M*A*S*H (TV finale viewing)
I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
South Park
The Daily Show
Have I Got News For You
The Diplomat (Netflix)
Podcasts
Impulsive (Logan Paul)
Joe Rogan Experience
The Rest Is History
The Rest Is Politics
Music
Now That’s What I Call Music series
Total Eclipse of the Heart
Double Dutch
Red Red Wine
Karma Chameleon
Jesus and Mary Chain
Abbey Road
Books
The Dinosaur That Pooped Christmas by Tom Fletcher

Hot Takes

“Traditional media is either dead or totally ineffective in its current form.”
“Actors have been shown that people don’t really care what they think.”
“I like films, but I don’t want Keanu Reeves to fix my washing machine.”
“Richard Gere can vote for whoever he wants … it has no impact on who I want to vote for.”
“Satire doesn’t work, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.”
“I think Hollywood is always my favourite place for these things to happen… how can we make more money?”
“Every single thing that anyone involved with [McFly] does is an enormous, huge, wonderful, life-affirming hit.”

Who’s Who

Joe Rogan – Comedian and podcaster
Logan Paul – YouTuber and boxer
Alastair Campbell – British journalist and political aide
Rory Stewart – Former UK MP and diplomat
Dominic Sandbrook – British historian and author
Anthony Scaramucci – Former White House communications director
Jimmy Kimmel – American talk show host
David Letterman – American talk show host
Taylor Swift – American singer-songwriter
Beyoncé – American singer and actress
Oprah Winfrey – American talk show host and actress
Richard Gere – American actor
Keanu Reeves – star of the John Wick franchise
Professor Alan Finlayson – Professor of Political and Social Theory
Tommy Fury – British professional boxer and reality TV star
Colleen Rooney – English television personality
Tulisa – rapper/television personality
Danny Jones – Member of McFly
Dougie Poynter – Member of McFly
Harry Judd – Member of McFly
Tom Fletcher – Member of McFly and author
Maura Higgins – Irish television personality
Rev Richard Coles – author, broadcaster and former member of The Communards
Barry McGuigan – Irish boxing promoter and former professional boxer
Alan Halsall – Coronation Street star
GK Barry – social media influencer
Melvin Odoom – Radio 1 DJ

Notable Numbers

73 million – Number of Americans who watched the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show
106 million – Viewership of the M*A*S*H finale in the US
25,000 – Units sold for the most recent Now That’s What I Call Music release, marking a historic low
5 million – Number of copies of Now That’s What I Call Christmas sold
270 – number of platinum album sales in the Now… series