Ben Stiller Thinks Being a Nepo Baby Is Kinda Cool When You Think About It

Because celebrities are allergic to saying, “Yup, my famous last name got my kid’s foot in the door where it will stay firmly lodged regardless of their talent,” Ben Stiller is the latest to jump on the nepo baby grenade. In fairness, Ben is a nepo baby himself, so it’s all he’s ever known. Sure, grading on a curve is the story of his life, but I am sympathetic to a dad trying to shield his daughter from criticism. I get it. That said, there’s really no excuse for arguing that nepo baby is actually a positive term like the “Brat Pack,” and you better believe that metaphor gets worse. “It’s like, you buy a violin, a Stradivarius or whatever, it’s been in the family for hundreds of years. That’s a selling point.” (Variety)

Ming-Na Wen’s post about her difficult relationship with her mother has kicked up a lot of conversation. (Lainey Gossip)

Kelsey Grammer, texting outside the delivery room: “Your move, Baldwin.” (Celebitchy)

People say these are dark times, but personally, I embrace this bold new era where you can’t just go around pouring water on elevator magnets. We’ve lived in fear for too long! (Wonkette)

From Roxana: New “Which of these people is worse?” feature story just dropped. (The Cut)

OK, now Jacob Elordi is single. (Page Six)

Adventure Time fans are making a case for its place in the comedy hall of fame. (Polygon)

There are “Trad Sons” now? Yeah, not on my watch. Let me at ‘em. (PEOPLE)

Gavin Newsom is over trying to debate Joe Rogan. (The Wrap)

AOL still exists and someone paid money for it? That’s actually way more weird than trad sons and wet magnets. Why? (The Verge)

The Japanese horror film, Ringu, was significant to ingres77, but he didn’t read the source material, Koji Suzuki’s book, for 20 years. “It’s fitting that in a highly advanced nation that is also somewhat reluctant to adopt technological developments, a modern ghost story might use technology as a metaphor for social alienation, sexual repression, and the transmission of generational trauma.” Is there a book that has changed your understanding of a genre? (Cannonball Read 17)

Instead of reading Elon Musk's BAD analysis of LOTR, why don't you read my GOOD analysis, in which I expand on some @bretdevereaux.bsky.social thoughts about how systems of magic and morality work in Middle-earth, and how they're essentially the same thing.

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— Nathan Goldwag (@goldwagnathan.bsky.social) October 29, 2025 at 5:54 PM