The Baldoni–Lively Bloodbath & The YouTube Midterms

Apr 8, 2026

MLB’s JomBoy Jackpot, Farfetch’s Second Life, Philly Art Jawns

Welcome back to The Daily Courant, your afternoon guide to Puck’s best new reporting. Here’s what you need to know…

What I’m Hearing+: With six weeks to go before the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni trial opens in Manhattan, a federal judge has just narrowed the case, dismissing Lively’s claim of sexual harassment—but leaving another claim in place that’s potentially even more explosive. Eriq Gardner offers an inside look at how ugly it could get. [Read More]
The Best & The Brightest: The Obama-era Democratic super PAC Priorities USA is hoping to “take back the internet” by meeting young, disengaged swing voters where they are: YouTube sports clips and video game streams. Peter Hamby has the exclusive on how they plan to win in Ohio… and in 2028. [Read More]
The Varsity: Last June, MLB took a stake in viral sensation James “JomBoy” O’Brien’s media company in order to court younger, cord-never audiences—and it’s already looking like a home run. Julia Alexander runs the numbers on the early innings of their partnership. [Inner Circle Exclusive]
Line Sheet: Farfetch, the once-ubiquitous luxury e-commerce company, has spent several years in the wilderness after Coupang, the South Korean online retail giant, plucked it from the jaws of bankruptcy. Malique Morris investigates whether the company’s new, aggressive cost-cutting can spark a durable second life. [Read More]

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR

JPMorganChase launched a $1.5 trillion, 10-year plan to facilitate, finance and invest in industries vital to national economic security.

Wall Power: A Nation of Artists, a sprawling, two-museum show in Philadelphia celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States—and the city’s long-overlooked history of art institutions—opens this week. Marion Maneker previews the double-barreled exhibitions and analyzes Philly’s ascent as a museum town. [Read More]

Meanwhile, on the pods…

The Town: Matt Belloni is joined by Cinema United C.E.O. Michael O’Leary to discuss how its new council of A-list filmmakers—including Ryan Coogler, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Emma Thomas—plans to evangelize movie theaters. [Listen Here]
The Powers That Be: Peter rings up Dylan Byers to discuss the still-surprising OpenAI–TBPN marriage—and the very real possibility that it will become a major headache for Sam Altman. [Listen Here]

HOLLYWOOD

Eriq Gardner

Lively v. Baldoni: The Smear Factor Showdown

Yes, a judge narrowed the case. But there’s still plenty at stake in Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s long-running legal showdown, which now centers largely on Team Baldoni’s alleged retaliatory media campaign as the clock ticks down to a trial.

WASHINGTON

Peter Hamby

Democrats Can Use YouTube, Too

The Democratic outside group Priorities USA is hoping to “take back the internet” by meeting young, politically checked-out swing voters where they are: guzzling sports clips on YouTube and commenting on video game streams. They’re starting with Ohio—and looking to ’28.

SPORTS

Julia Alexander

JomBoy Meets World

MLB’s partnership with viral video guru James O’Brien, a.k.a. JomBoy, reflects the league’s increasingly sophisticated approach to winning over Gen Z viewers who aren’t watching TV: If you can’t beat them, join them.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR

JPMorganChase launched a $1.5 trillion, 10-year plan to facilitate, finance and invest in industries vital to national economic security.

FASHION

Malique Morris

Over the Hills and Farfetch Away

The onetime red-hot luxury e-comm company has spent the past few years in the wilderness after a delisting and a bailout from Korea’s Coupang. With a drastic cost-cutting program in place and a newfound détente with its retail partners, is it finding a sustainable second life?

ART

Marion Maneker

Philadelphia Art Fever

A sprawling two-part show celebrates the art of America—from Thomas Eakins to Barkley Hendricks—as well as the city of its birth, 250 years ago.

HOLLYWOOD

Matthew Belloni

The A-List Filmmakers Evangelizing Movie Theaters

Matt is joined by Cinema United president and C.E.O. Michael O’Leary to discuss the organization’s new filmmakers council, which includes Jerry Bruckheimer, Emma Thomas, and Ryan Coogler; what the council plans to accomplish; the 2026 box office’s promising start; whether we’re seeing a shift in the types of movies getting made; and how they plan to improve the moviegoing experience.

MEDIA

Peter Hamby

Dylan Byers

The Powers that Be Daily, Starring Peter Hamby

Sam Altman’s $100M TBPN Trap

Dylan Byers joins Peter to discuss OpenAI’s head-scratching decision to buy TBPN—and the very real possibility that it proves to be more headache than masterstroke for Sam Altman. Then they examine what Politico’s future might look like under new global editor-in-chief Jonathan Greenberger, considering his experience as a TV news executive with deep Washington ties.

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