A Glimmer of Hope for Democrats; Princess Diana’s Style Revolution; the Curious Case of Disappearing HBO Max Movies

Plus: Welcome to Chippendales: Your First Look [View in your browser]( | [Update your preferences](newsletter=vf) [Vanity Fair Weekly]( A SPECIAL EDITION OF COCKTAIL HOUR August 4, 2022 [POLITICS]( [Democrats See a Glimmer of Hope for the Midterms]( By Chris Smith [Strategists are hoping to craft a winning message and build momentum off recent political victories and Republican overreach on issues like abortion. Still, in this challenging environment, one operative says, “We’re certainly not measuring the drapes.”]( [Read More]( If someone forwarded you this email, [sign up for “Cocktail Hour” here](. [HOLLYWOOD]( [Why Are HBO Max Original Movies Disappearing From the Service?]( By Natalie Jarvey [With CEO David Zaslav looking to save money following the $43 billion merger that created Warner Bros. Discovery, low-performing titles are dissolving into the ether.]( [Read More]( [ON THE SCENE]( [Dining in a Dump With John Waters]( By Emily Kirkpatrick [The storied filmmaker invited 10 guests to join him for an elegant meal filled with dancing bulldozers, noxious gazpacho, and other disgusting delights, all in the name of raising money for the Provincetown Film Society.]( [Read More]( [RUSSIA]( [Brittney Griner Sentenced to 9 Years in a Russian Penal Colony]( By Caleb Ecarma [The two-time Olympic gold medalist was convicted of transporting less than one gram of cannabis oil in her luggage. Supporters say she is being used as a political pawn.]( [Read More]( [TURN THE BEAT AROUND]( [It’s Time for Big-Name Artists to Join Music’s New Labor Movement]( By Damon Krukowski [A new proposal by Rep. Rashida Tlaib calls for streaming services like Spotify to pay direct royalties to artists. An indie-rock veteran (remember Galaxie 500?) explains why headliners have yet to join the chorus of calls for change.]( [Read More]( [EXCLUSIVE]( [Welcome to Chippendales: Inside Kumail Nanjiani’s Male Stripping Empire]( By David Canfield [The actor pushed himself like never before in Hulu’s wild new limited series. An exclusive look at how he and his starry cast pulled it off.]( [Read More]( [ROYAL WATCH]( [Princess Diana Revamped Her Life—And Her Style—After Her Divorce]( By Eloise Moran [In the years after she and Prince Charles separated in 1992, Diana reinvented herself with a new haircut and an extensive business wardrobe. In an excerpt from The Lady Di Look Book, Eloise Moran explains how she did it.]( [Read More]( [Vanity Fair]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [YouTube]( This e-mail was sent to you by VANITY FAIR. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our [Privacy Policy]( [Unsubscribe]( Copyright © Condé Nast 2022. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.