james murdoch

Chernin Reported Out at News Corp., But Which Murdoch Kid Is In?

8:22AM Defamer Hollywood | Peter Chernin is stepping down from his perch as Rupert Murdoch’s right-hand man at News Corp., according to multiple reports. Everyone now expects Murdoch to install one of his kids in Chernin’s place. More »

Paul Keating Is Full Of Helpful Murdoch Wrangling Tips

11:00AM Jess McGuire | An interesting story emerged yesterday about Australia’s favourite loud-mouthed former Prime Minister, Lord Paul Keating of Bankstown. According to the diaries of Tony Blair’s former media advisor Alastair Campbell, “back in the day” PJK very kindly offered T-Bone some advice on how to handle notoriously difficult Supreme Commander Of The Universe Rupert Murdoch. Buried inside the 794-page tome are details about amusing conversations involving Keating, Blair and Campbell while all three were visiting Queensland’s Hayman Island in July 1995 for a major meeting of Murdoch’s editors and executives. Blair, who last month stepped down as prime minister, was Labour’s opposition leader at the time and the conference’s star guest speaker. Shortly before flying to Australia, Keating rang Blair inviting him to stay at his official Sydney residence, Kirribilli House, and offering advice about Murdoch. “He said he had a few things to teach him about how to deal with Rupert,” Campbell wrote in a diary entry dated July 8, 1995. “He said Murdoch is a hard bastard and you need a strategy for dealing with him.” When Blair and Campbell met Keating eight days later, the prime minister passed on his tips. “Keating was everything I expected – charming, tough, funny, totally at ease on the surface though probably a real furnace when he got going,” Campbell wrote. “On Murdoch, he told TB: ‘He’s a big bad bastard, and the only way you can deal with him is to make sure he thinks you can be a big bad bastard too. You can do deals with him, without ever saying a deal is done. But the only thing he cares about is his business and the only language he respects is strength’.” Which is why every time we catch up with Uncle Rupert, the first thing we do is put the grimy little fucker in a headlock and tickle him until he screams “MERCY!”. Which is easier said than done – he may be old, but he’s bloody agile. However, our favourite bit of the article surprisingly doesn’t involve Keating. As prime minister, Blair hosted an intimate dinner party for Murdoch and his sons, James and Lachlan, at his official 10 Downing Street residence in January 2002. Campbell, who was also a guest, said while “Lachlan seemed a bit shy” James attacked his father’s conservative views on the Middle East peace process and accused him of “talking f—ing nonsense”. Well, HELLO THERE JAMES MURDOCH! Why on earth has everyone been focused on Lachlan all these years when clearly you’re the thinking woman’s Murdoch? (flutters lashes) More »