Hey.
Kyle, here we go.
My saving grace. Where would we be without Retta?
- Nowhere. - Nowhere.
Thank you, all.
- All right. Here we go. - I mean,
- I know I'm shticky-- - Hey, Cory.
- Hey! - Ladies and gentlemen, here we go.
Here we go.
Let's sing for our supper.
- Yeah. - Run up the bill.
We're hungry. We're gonna kill it.
Hi, everybody. How's it going?
The UBA pooch!
Hello, Bradley.
UBA, am I right?
What a privilege. I salute you.
- Thank you for your service to UBA. - Thank you, sir.
This is the show. I love it. Great energy.
Thank you.
You're gonna have your work cut out for you.
Let it rip.
Here at UBA, we've been hearing the word "canceled" a lot.
And I'm not gonna lie to you. I'm starting to freak out a little bit.
I'm just saying. When I hear people talking about The Donner Party,
I can't be sure if they're talking about our number one hit drama series
or lunch at the commissary.
- Knock knock. - Baby's first upfronts.
God, I miss COVID. Can't we just do all of this on Zoom?
Come on, it's tradition. It's fun.
It's a thousand ad execs from Chicago binge eating takeout from Flavortown.
Stella, don't be a snob.
Fine. You ready?
Yep.
- Okay, good to go. - Great.
My best self. Thank you.
Look, this is all, like, a necessary evil, right?
It's the beautiful thing about bullshit. It can't be outsourced.
...institutional racism, and I'm like,
"Yeah, the writing was on the wall
when they canceled Basketball Wives."
'Cause that shit was good. And then the suits, they always say,
"Black people don't sell well overseas."
And I'm like, "Really? 'Cause it seems to me we sold well for centuries."
Yeah, I said it. But y'all did it.
Wow, she's amazing.
- Who's worse? - Yeah.
Do you have eyes on the Ellipse boys?
Yeah, they're out there. Looking bored out of their minds.
- Are you ready to lock this shit down? - ...a lot of sketchy shit...
If I get them to commit to $300 million in ad sales,
- I want a raise and a Birkin bag. - ...because one old white lady...
- Oh, well, I'll do you one better. - ...wrote Aunt Jemima.
If you get 'em to commit to $300 million, we all get to keep our jobs.
Does no one remember...
We don't get our loan unless the ad boys pony up.
Now if you don't think you can pull it off, I can send Leonard.
- Trust me, I've got this. - ...and his sext messages...
All right, well, singing a song of gladness and cheer.
Hi. Two minutes till you're on.
Knock 'em dead.
Thank you.
Thanks, Retta.
Secretly, I've been dreading this. Nah.
Thanks, Retta. Secretly-- "Hey, I've been s--" I've been secretly--
Thanks, Retta. I've been secretly dreading this.
And now, the man behind the curtain.
Some call him captain of the Titanic, others Napoleon at Waterloo.
I call him the man who definitely did not cut the brake lines
in Mitch Kessler's car.
Please give it up for UBA's CEO, Cory Ellison.
Oh, shit. Hey, Napoleon.
Hi.
I didn't see my docuseries on your fancy sizzle reel this morning.
- Oh, my. - Are you not picking up the show?
Are you asking me as talent who needs placating
- or as a partner with a vested interest? - Don't fuck with me. Speak English.
Just tell me what's happening.
We are flirting with financial disaster.
Okay, so does that-- You are not picking up the show?
The God's honest truth, I haven't made a decision about that.
I have to see how things go this week.
What is going on? Are we in that much trouble?
It is dire, Alex. No bueno.
Okay, I'm s-- I'm very confused. I am very confused.
I thought you were all in with Paul Marks.
Oh, no. That deal is toast.
- It's toast? What? - Yeah.
I guess he didn't like being cucked by you.
Okay, first of all, I didn't cuck anybody.
Oh, yeah, that was a cucking.
And believe me when I tell you, the male ego is fragile.
Some guys aren't into that kind of thing.
Especially if you've spent the last 20 years reinventing jet propulsion.
But if you wanna help keep the lights on,
we could use your considerable superpowers to woo some ad execs tonight.
I wooed all morning, but okay.
I will woo. I'll keep wooing till the cows come home.
- Thank you. - Sure.
Hey, will you do me a favor?
Sure. Here are your pants for tonight for Cory's Hamptons thing.
Oh, right. Will you find out if Paul Marks is in town?
I was sure I was gonna see him this morning.
Yeah, I heard he was going to the YDA party.
He's staying at the Mercer.
- Really? - Yeah.
- Thank you. - Yeah.
Unfortunately, NBN's very own Laura Peterson was implicated
in UBA's hack. Unsurprisingly, no dick pics.
But we did find unreleased photos of Laura and Bradley gone wild.
Sorry, I meant in the wild.
I mean, by the looks of it, we're in for a Sound of Music lesbian reboot.
My hills are alive just thinking about it.
Hey. How are you?
Hey, I'm good.
Who would've ever thought we were aspirational?
I know. We should design a line of bonnets.
I'd be willing to open an Etsy store with you
if you come to Cory's party later.
I thought maybe we could catch up.
I-- okay.
Yeah, I mean, if I can sneak away later from our skate party.
Things are a little crazy around here right now.
Oh, really? I always thought NBN had their shit together, unlike this asylum.
No, we just put up a really good front.
I'm sorry. I have to run. I'm late for a Q and A
on legacy media in the digital age. Good times.
Oh, yeah, okay. Well, I'll see you later.
Maybe.
Hey, Bradley. Mia was hoping you had a minute.
Oh, yeah. Sure.
Yeah. I understand. Thank you.
Hey, I wanna interview the train conductor from the subway shooting.
- You good with that? - Yeah, sure.
I have a slot for it on Thursday after Awkwafina.
Have Layla chase it while we're at Cory's.
Do I really have to go to this party?
It's gonna be fun. I mean, we'll get tipsy.
- We'll talk shit about everybody. - We can just do that here.
- I... - Okay.
Hey, are you going to the Hamptons?
Pack snacks. It's a long-ass drive. What's up?
There's been a bombing in Mariupol. It's gonna be a big story.
The international news desk won't send a correspondent.
Everybody is scared because of what happened to that French news crew.
But if we can be the first to break this, Bradley--
- What do you need? - I need a fixer.
Someone who can at least get my photographer in.
And since you were there in February, I thought maybe you might have someone.
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. I have this guy, Pavlo. He's--
His English isn't great, but he's pretty reliable.
Thanks. I know this is a bit off-book, but--
Please. I'm tap dancing for ad executives while people are dying in Ukraine.
Let's do this.
How'd it go this morning?
Well, they were--
seem really excited about the dog with superpowers show,
but meanwhile there's zero interest in our Texas abortion documentary.
Yikes.
Here he is.
Pavlo, It's Bradley Jackson.
Yes, from UBA. I'm here with my colleague, Mia Jordan.
I'm sorry. Is there someone who speaks English?
Is that it?
Okay, bye.
- What? I-- - Oh, right. My--
I did not know you spoke Russian.
My father was stationed in Berlin in the '80s, and I studied Russian.
It's a long story.
That is wildly impressive. And how come I didn't know?
Do you pull that out on dates?
What's a date?
He wants $2,500. I'm calling André.
- Hello? - Hey. How are you?
Hey.
You calling about the hospital bombing?
Yeah, I got a guy who can get you in Mariupol.
Fan-fucking-tastic. How soon can he be here?
Well, I can get you his info as soon as we're off,
but I need you to understand the risk here.
Yeah, yeah. I agree to all the terms...
- André, I'm serious. - ...and conditions.
From what I'm hearing, it's a shit show.
So you are assuming all liability.
Under no circumstances can you say that you are working with UBA.
- I'll take it to the grave. - But no body bags for you, okay?
Fine, I'll live. Just please get me in there.
Okay. More soon. Bye.
What?
Nothing.
Nothing at all.
Stop, Bradley.
Revenue's down 23% year to date.
That's a 16 bil market cap, and your credit ratios are in free fall.
Well, nah, it's really more of a controlled dive.
We're gonna do a barrel roll.
Hit the thrusters. Climb back up to 30,000 feet.
Ad revenue's 46% of your business.
We're willing to engage if you can beat last year's spend.
Given what's been going on at UBA, that seems implausible.
Well, what is implausible is that
Men of the Ice Age averages 7.2 million viewers in its fifth season.
They just discovered fire last week.
That ice storm lasted 2.5 million years and so will we.
But to your point, my most capable lieutenant, Stella Bak,
she's locking down ad commitments as we speak.
We will have the money. Trust me.
In this line of work, trust is a euphemism for fucked.
But hey, happy to be surprised.
You let us know if you get there. We'll be ready to underwrite the loan.
In the meantime, enjoy your party.
I heard you snagged that stunner on West End.
- Yeah, early pandemic buy. - Good for you.
We should get a round in at Maidstone sometime.
That sounds great.
Yeah, of all the anti-Semitic clubs, that one's my favorite.
Well, some older members belong.
Mayflower Jews.
See, this is the problem with New America. It's the same menu.
- Petit filet. King salmon. - No lobster tagliolini.
Drew was really hoping you'd take us to Carbone.
Carbone, seriously? Carbone is where you take your wife.
You get my wife to eat anything even resembling a carb,
and you can have my fucking job.
Good afternoon. I'm Erica. I'll be taking care of you today.
- I feel better already. - Yeah.
Can I get you started on drinks while you're looking at the menus?
- Yes, please. - Yeah.
We will actually start with an order of the Hamachi Crudo,
the yellowfin tuna tartare and the full caviar service.
And I will have a Grey Goose martini. Dirty. Three olives.
- Two of those. - Okay.
Stella?
Bombay Sapphire. Up, with a twist. And keep 'em coming.
Okay. Damn the torpedoes, right?
- I like this woman. - Yeah.
- I heard you guys could drink. - I guess we'll find out.
We sure will.
This'll be fun.
Hi.
Did you hire some ex-Mossad to stalk me or something?
Well, if by ex-Mossad you mean my assistant, then yes.
- Yeah. Cory send you? - God, no.
Because if this is some kind of elaborate ploy
to rope me back into the fold, I am not interested.
Well, why don't you get in the car and find out?
While I appreciate the ambush apology, I do actually have plans.
Okay, the YDA--
Are you seriously going to the YDA ice-skating thing?
I swear, I'm not stalking you. People talk.
Yeah, I know they do.
Especially when a $40 billion deal is on the line.
Just get in the car. I have a suborbital surprise for you.
You are relentless.
You don't wanna show up to those things while people are still sober.
All right, Levy. Let's see what you got.
- Oh, no. Who's that? - Yeah, that's Howie, my security.
Well, can you tell Howie to stand down?
I mean, it's SoHo. You really think I'm kidnapping you?
Well, believe it or not, it wouldn't be the first time.
Wow. Instantly just got more interesting.
- All right. How we doing? - Great. Everything is pretty much set.
We're gonna have to move the raw bar.
I thought you wanted it next to the cocktail tables.
Well, we can't have the oysters languishing in the sun.
The sunset is at 7:38, 280 degrees Northwest.
Salmonella isn't sybaritic, Kendra.
- We're on it. - Good.
Sixty minutes, people. This is fun. Let's go!
Yes. Thank you.
So how do we know UBA+ isn't another CBN+ situation?
It barely has any programming.
What does CBN+ have?
Alex Unfiltered reached an unprecedented number of households,
put UBA+ on the map, and we've only grown from there.
My wife subscribed for Alex.
She made her book club read Alex's memoir.
She has a lot of theories about Alex's divorce.
Thought she should've ended up with Chip Black.
Well, she's still America's sweetheart.
Didn't seem sweet in Maggie Brener's book.
Maggie took her shot. No one gave a shit. Where is she now?
Still.
Some of our clients have concerns about brand affinity.
It seems like every week there's a new scandal.
But your wife, she's all in, right?
I think she likes the mess.
A lot of people do. Post-hack, our web traffic increased 250%.
Scandals get clicks. That's an organic migration from web to streaming.
Prying eyes became subscribers.
So I would lock this shit down before the number gets any higher,
and we stop giving you a friends-and-family discount.
Wow, I like you, Stella. You're surprising.
But you see, I'm gonna need another drink to think it over. So...
Yes.
- Another round? - You read my mind.
Excuse me. Need the ladies'.
Hey.
I'd be eternally grateful if you could bring water instead of gin.
These guys are impossible to keep up with.
- No problem. - Thanks.
I'm setting a 90-minute timer, then I'm gone.
I'll swim back to Manhattan if I have to.
You are not leaving me alone in this palace of sadness.
It does kinda scream,
"Really, I'm fine being single."
- All right. - Come on in.
Thanks.
Excuse me one second. Hi.
Hey. Your place looks great.
Oh, yeah. I made a few additions since you were last here.
You mean the ad execs don't come with the house?
That group of mouth breathers in the vintage Men's Warehouse
could really use the Bradley Jackson razzle-dazzle.
You wanna go say hi? Good. Thank you.
Hi.
I'm Bradley Jackson.
- Very nice to meet you. - Nice to meet--
Next ride. Welcome.
The one and only Coney Island.
So this place was called Astroland, and the whole park had a space theme.
- I see. - And I worked here
the summer before college.
Turned down an internship at The New Yorker
to salt margarita glasses.
Well, your parents must've been so proud.
My father, he said if he'd known he was raising a cocktail waitress,
he would've never bothered to teach me to read.
Well, is that what this is then? Is this a walk down memory lane?
No, no. I act-- I really just wanted to apologize.
I'm so sorry I bailed on the launch.
- I was just so pissed. - Right, so what was that about?
It had nothing to do with you. Nothing.
Kinda felt like it had an awful lot to do with me.
I know. I'm sorry. I just have such--
I have a very complicated history with UBA.
Men trying to...
control my destiny.
And that is not on you.
And you were right when you said we should take some time
to get to know each other, and I screwed that up.
Well, that was back when there was a deal on the table.
That ship has sailed.
Well, has it?
I mean, you're here.
Under duress.
I really--
Well, your suborbital surprise awaits you, sir.
Really?
Come on, I owe you a ride. Let's go.
- Let's have some fun. - I hate standing in lines.
Oh, my goodness. It's barely a line, moneybags.
Moneybags? Like you do your own grocery shopping.
And you do yours?
- No, I have a farm. - You do?
It's completely self-sustainable.
What do you grow, Bitcoin?
All right.
Strap in. Here we go.
Passed up a ride on my rocket for this?
Regrets, I've had a few.
...chambers and the senators running for their lives.
I actually-- I didn't see the Vice President.
I was in a different part of the building, but--
Well, you're covering-- right?
You kinda know anything new that's going on?
Well, there's different, you know, things.
- Indictments, you know-- - So sorry to interrupt.
Yeah.
Can I borrow Bradley for a minute?
Yeah. Of course.
- Hey. My daughter's a big fan. - Thanks. Nice meeting you all.
Oh, my God. Thank you.
I could hear you dying inside.
Well, you better be careful or we're gonna end up on Page Six.
I'm really surprised you came.
Well, you know, it beats the YDA skate-athon.
- Audra, drunk, on ice is a lot. - She's a lot.
And I wanted to see you.
Laura.
- Mia. - Hey. How are you?
Never better.
Look at us, all together. Like the early days of the pandemic.
- Oh, yeah. - Oh, my gosh.
Hey, how's André? Did he make it to Mariupol?
I'm just waiting on word.
The hospital bombing? You have André Ford working on that?
- Yeah. - He's incredible.
YDA is running something too?
We were supposed to open with it tomorrow, but at this point, who knows anything?
Well, I can't wait to see your coverage.
- Likewise. - Okay.
- Okay, let me know. - Okay.
Oh, my God. This party's never gonna end.
Already burnt out from your first upfronts?
I've had to endure this for the past 25 years.
Although, at least in the '90s, you could smoke,
and cocaine couldn't kill you.
I'm gonna need the details. Maybe even pictures if you have them.
Oh, yeah. Well, it's shocking, isn't it? You know, I wasn't always this boring.
Speaking of...
should we go and explore the king's lair?
I don't know. No.
Come on.
Hurry.
Our analytics team estimates that two billion hours of UBA content
will be streamed by year-end.
That's an impressive number.
What's impressive is how high your tolerance is.
Especially for someone so petite.
What?
Yeah, Stella.
- How have you been keeping up with us? - Hey.
- Covid. S-- - Let me s--
No, it's fine. It's fine.
- Let me get that. - No, leave it.
Actually, maybe you can help us solve a debate.
Do you think that there's gin in there, or is it just water?
You see, I think you two have been working us.
I got to get to the Hamptons. So, I'd love to lock in a rate.
She licks up that drink, and I'll close at 150k per prime-time spot.
Guys, leave her out of this.
I'm serious.
You buy something for me, I buy something for you.
Don't lowball me, Zach.
200k per spot, best and final.
Okay.
$20,000 tip and everybody wins.
Run my card now, if you want. I promise I'm good for it.
Attagirl.
We have a deal.
You are an animal.
I can't take him anywhere.
That's a joke. She'll be fine.
I think we're done here.
Oh, Chris, hello. You having a good time?
Yeah, just getting myself together. Lots more suits to take selfies with.
Well, thank you for that.
It always helps for them to get to see the stars up close, you know?
Speaking of which, congrats, Mr. New Board Chairman.
Thank you.
Do you know, we haven't actually had a chance to connect since
Cybil's departure, have we?
But I want you to know that it's a whole new world at UBA.
Right. I keep hearing that.
Well, it's very important to us that our ad partners hear that too.
Well, so with all this money that we're pulling in this week for the network,
where's it going?
What do you mean?
Is any of it being used to address the pay equity issue?
Have your lawyers not seen our new contract proposal for your services?
- Yeah. Marcus is still looking that over. - Well--
But I'm talking about people who don't have lawyers.
Like Layla, my producer. Julia, our stage manager. People like them.
Well, I can assure you, it is an absolute priority for us
to address that issue as an institution.
That is what Cybil said. Like verbatim.
Right.
Since Jemima-gate, I gained 200,000 followers.
Maybe I should ask them what they think about this.
TV loves a focus group, right?
Right.
I'll tell you what...
it's a board meeting this week, and I'm going to raise this issue.
- All right? Okay. - Thanks.
Thank you.
So, when you say you were kidnapped,
do you mean like you were kidnapped-kidnapped?
Yeah, well, sort of.
My stepfather pulled me out of 9th grade
and put me in one of those wilderness reform camps
where I was literally stuck in a tent by myself for a month.
Oh, my God.
I thought you were gonna say guns and cartel, not child abuse.
Yeah. I mean, I don't know.
Once I kinda figured out that no one was really coming for me,
I kinda got into it.
No light pollution, no people, being outside. Come on.
Wow. That sounds divine.
I would've loved that during the pandemic.
Yeah. How about that?
What was it like having Covid with a camera in your face?
You watched that, huh?
Yeah. Yes, I did. Me and the rest of America.
What?
Marks, I wanna make a deal with you.
If I win this game, you reengage with UBA.
Well, what happens if I win?
You're not gonna win, but--
Really?
Okay. Well, can you explain something to me?
I don't understand why you are fighting so hard for this place.
From where I stand, it looks like you could do whatever you want.
You could go wherever you want.
You could write another book, you could start your own shop.
And yet, here you are in Coney Island,
playing a pinball game in order to save UBA.
No, no, no.
My turn.
I don't know. Maybe I think I owe them something, you know?
Do you though?
Well, yeah. I'd like to finish what I started.
We said we were gonna make a lot of changes, and we are not there yet.
And you could be a part of all of that.
Well, I just beat your score.
Listen. Let's just enjoy the day, okay?
Okay.
I think this might be the primary suite.
- Do you think so? - Well...
No pictures or anything.
Lots of character.
You seem better.
I am, yeah.
When you came to UBA the other day, I was--
- I lost it. - That was brutal.
Yeah.
I wanted to ask, that video never surfaced.
And God knows those hackers posted everything else.
Yeah. I think Cory paid them to bury it.
Our cyber guys connected with the hacker or hackers.
I don't really know.
Well, that was nice of him.
Yeah.
I'm reading that too.
Extra, extra firm. Not a lot of sex happening here.
I think that's his bed from the hotel.
What?
Yeah. I had that bed. But different room, obviously.
Cory bought his bed from the Archer Gray?
I think Mr. Ellison misses having you just down the hall from him.
Laura.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean it.
I just don't know why you would say something like that.
Bradley, I meant nothing by it.
I think we should go back downstairs.
I don't want people wondering where we are.
Okay.
I need a drink.
Oh, my God. Chris Hunter.
Okay. Hey, hey. Can I get your autograph? Can I get a selfie?
- I won't post it, I promise. - Who? Me?
The Rosa Parks of Legacy Media.
Oh, please. You're in the back of the bus,
then I'm the illegal alien cleaning the office at night. Please.
A tequila? Yeah? Okay.
- Two shots of tequila, please, friend. - Coming right up.
Para tokenización, right here.
Come on.
I just grilled Leonard about how slow the company's moving
- on the pay equity issue. - That's probably 'cause UBA's broke.
Yeah. I've never seen them go all out like this, for reference.
- Really? - Yeah. But hey, that's not your problem.
I mean, Leonard should be able to walk and chew gum at the same time.
I did kinda lightweight threaten him.
The only thing these corporate people understand is public pressure.
The followers. Right, yeah.
Careful with that.
- You don't want the tail wagging the dog. - What do you mean?
- Your two shots. - Thanks, bud.
You know how social media can be.
Before you know it, they're a mob making you their poster child.
Yeah, but I can mobilize them and think for myself at the same time.
I know, all right?
Everybody does after your interview with Cybil,
but it's not about that, Chris.
I just-- I don't wanna see you get dragged into the culture wars, okay?
And believe me. I speak from experience here.
No good deed goes unpunished.
I guess we'll see. Won't we?
...in another country.
- Hey. I can barely hear you. Sorry. - Connection's shitty.
Might take a minute to upload all of the footage.
I'm working off a BGAN.
- Where are they evacuating the wounded? - A military hospital in Donetsk.
Russians are back to shelling the shit out of this place.
- I'm gonna just stay put for the moment. - Are you okay?
It looks really bad.
I'm below ground. I'm fine.
As long as you can get those pictures out there.
Mia, the Russians. It's not just a bombing.
They're shooting civilians in the street.
Jesus. Okay. Yeah. I hear you.
If it's okay with you,
then I was thinking that I would run these photos tonight.
Just don't do anything until I'm outta here, okay?
I gotta go. This call's gonna eat up too much bandwidth.
Okay. Let me know when you're safe.
André?
Oh, my God.
Holy shit.
Excuse me one second.
Of course.
There she is. UBA's assassin in athleisure wear.
You live in a fucking terrarium.
Wow. Hey, yeah.
I guess they really-- They put you through the wringer, huh?
I don't wanna talk about it.
Excuse me.
Stella,
you locked down the ad revenue, which means we locked down the loan.
Which means 22,000 employees get to keep their jobs,
their health insurance, the roof over their heads.
We just gotta sign the paperwork now.
And UBA lives to fight another day.
Who the fuck invited Fred?
Excuse me.
Okay.
We are not leaving without getting one of these.
Little fried dough for the road?
- Yes, that's right. Oh, my God. Smell it. - Smell better than they taste.
- Oh, my gosh. This is my hangover cure. - What can I get you, darling?
I would love a funnel cake with whipped cream and strawberries, please.
And I will do the Oreo Lovers. Heart attack waiting to happen.
I know who you are.
Hi, nice to see you.
You're the cocktease.
- I'm sorry. What did you just say? - She's a cocktease.
Mitch Kessler kills himself, and I still gotta watch her on the news.
Wow, you're a real ignorant piece of shit.
- You know that, guy? - Let's just go.
You're just pissed 'cause your girlfriend cries "rape."
No. I'm pissed because you're being a fucking prick.
I think what you meant to say is, "Thank you." And you should apologize.
- You understand me? Fuck you! - Stop it, please!
- Kidding me? - Fuck you.
- Fuck you. Fuck me. - Stop it.
- Enough. - What are you f-- crazy?
- You have to listen to that shit? - No. Thank you, but
you just cannot engage.
But doesn't that get to you though? I mean, seriously.
Some asshole like that can say whatever the fuck he wants,
and you just have to sit there and take it?
It gets to me all the time.
But that guy, he's not mad at me.
He's mad at Mitch for not being who he said he was.
And I'm the one still here, so yeah.
Strangers take a lot of shit out on me.
Whatever they can't say to their girlfriends or their wives,
I'm the punching bag.
It's okay. It's part of the job.
Come on, let's get outta here. Let's go.
- Good to see you, Mark. - Give my best to Genevieve.
All right, Mark. See you later.
Fred Micklen.
Crashing upfronts parties.
Retirement, right? You got all that time on your hands.
You probably get pretty restless over there.
You know, I hear Zen gardens are very calming.
Nothing like a little meditative raking to soothe the restless, jobless soul.
I missed you too, Cory.
Hey, congrats on the house. I know the previous owner.
He's been trying to unload it for ages.
Gee, thanks.
Yeah. I probably shouldn't have, but I decided to splurge.
You have to celebrate the victories, you know?
I do.
Though I hear Q1 revenue is down 23%.
You're cutting back on programming for UBA+,
the incredible shrinking network.
Fred, are you digging through my trash? You're so obsessed with me.
I told you a streamer was a fool's errand.
You were late to the game, and too many people wanted to play.
We were late because you shot down the idea at every fucking turn.
So, thanks for that. Appreciate the help. What are you doing at my house?
I don't know. I just love seeing you shake your tin cup
for the spare nickel or two.
I mean, since your little bromance with Paul Marks didn't pan out.
Does this look like we are on the breadline?
Breadline? Try debtor's prison.
That loan you got today,
Sloan asked me to keep an eye on it since I know the lay of the land.
Off the books, of course.
Every major fiscal decision, you're gonna be running by me.
I'm your sugar daddy, Cory.
You're gonna work for me. Again.
Well, as your sugar baby,
I'm looking forward to the wining and dining.
You'll be wearing golden handcuffs when I fuck you.
I'll send the papers to your office. Hey, just wanted to give you a heads-up.
How are you doing?
Gayle says you wanna bump the Macron piece for Mariupol.
Hospital bombing.
- Oh, my God. Are these verified? - Yeah, they are.
YDA's all over this story, but these are exclusive to us.
- Great. So, let's run it tonight. - Yeah, I told the photojournalist
that I'd wait until I got confirmation that he was out of harm's way.
I haven't heard from him yet.
This is the guy who got us those photos of Putin's inner circle, right?
- Yeah. André Ford. - He's a freelancer.
So, he's assumed liability. He's aware of the risk.
The press has been targeted. These photos could land him on a kill list.
I'm confused.
You wanna hold a breaking exclusive?
Stella, a life is on the line.
That's a job.
He's doing it. So, you can do yours.
These images are important.
They can drive the conversation about increasing aid to Ukraine.
But it's your call, of course.
Whatever you think.
I'm gonna wait a little longer.
- Here. - Hey, thanks.
I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable earlier.
Oh, no. It's okay.
It's just confusing.
What is?
Thinking about us.
Being with you.
I'm not asking for any of that.
It's just good to see you.
I know.
And part of me just wants to run away with you
and leave all of this behind.
And part of me remembers how miserable I was.
But it's not the same. We're not the same.
And you were going through so much.
I wanted to be close to you.
- Not seeing many ad buyers up here. - I was just taking a little breather.
Well, you're still on the clock.
Okay, boss. I didn't realize I'd lost my time card.
You are being asked to drink free champagne
and talk to the nice people whose ads pay for your salary.
- It's really not that hard. - Okay.
Is there somebody you would like me to meet?
You know what? I should head out.
- You have a lovely home, Cory. - Thanks for dropping by, Laura.
I'm really not asking that much considering everything I've done for you.
Fuck.
Hey, it's Mia.
I know it can take a while to get to some place safe.
God knows the Russians are doing everything they can
to knock out communications.
Anyway...
I just wanted to tell you I hope you made it out of there.
Call me as soon as you can.
Hey, Gayle, it's Mia.
Yeah, I know everyone is standing by.
Run the photos.
No, I don't need to see the copy.
Okay, thank you, Gayle.
Good night.
Hey, you wanted to see me?
Yeah,
you know, the beautiful thing about the human body is its capacity for survival.
You can lose 40% of your blood. Still keep going.
After that you go into hypovolemic shock--
Wait, hold on. What are you talking about?
Didn't we just score, like, $8 billion?
So, Fred,
he dropped by to let me know that he is working for Sloan,
consulting off the books.
And we take that loan, he owns us.
And then the Times, and then the tabloids and Maggie fucking Brener,
they'll find out that Fred is still creeping around UBA.
And then they'll own us, and we'll be done, and--
So, you know.
Okay.
Maybe next time do some due diligence before you make me eat shit with Ellipse.
Sorry.
Yeah. I should've known.
- They wanted me by the throat. - Oh, my God. I don't fucking believe this.
Sorry, Stella. And hey.
I'm gonna find the funding.
Good luck with that.
Who the hell is that?
Ron Perlman lives next door.
He abuses his air rights.
Un-fucking-believable.
Alex Levy brought home the kill.