Givenchy’s Hero Complex, ABC News Blues, K Street’s ’25 Draft

Welcome back to The Daily Courant, your afternoon compilation of Puck’s best new reporting.

First up today, William D. Cohan surveys the ugly aftermath of Edgar Bronfman Jr.’s brief and quixotic bid for Paramount Global. “Crazy that this whole thing had the life it did,” observed one participant involved in the process. “There was never anything there!”

Plus, below the fold: Dylan Byers reveals the low-profile players behind CNN’s highest-profile “gets.” Abby Livingston identifies K Street’s most sought-after soon-to-retire members. Rachel Strugatz digs into Givenchy Beauty’s hero product disaster. On Impolitic, John Heilemann rings up his pal Alex Edelman to discuss the bustling intersection of comedy and politics. And on The Powers That Be, Dylan joins Peter Hamby to preview CNN’s Harris-Walz joint interview and discuss the ongoing Harris-Trump debate drama at ABC News.

WILLIAM D. COHAN

News and notes on Edgar Bronfman Jr.’s brief, absurd, and embarrassing attempt to acquire Paramount Global. “He got a lot [of investment] quickly, but not the last mile needed for certainty,” one deal participant told me.

DYLAN BYERS

Dana Bash’s interview with Harris and Walz is CNN’s latest “get” this cycle—from the Trump town hall to the Iowa G.O.P. debate and obviously debategate. It’s largely the handiwork of a relatively anonymous odd couple: Mark Preston and Christie Johnson.

ABBY LIVINGSTON

In just a few months, a new crop of elected officials will trade their legislative power for the higher calling of the lobbying industry. Unfortunately, according to my K Street sources, an increasingly weak crop of lawmakers is cycling through the revolving door—unless, say, Tim Walz needs a job...

RACHEL STRUGATZ

Givenchy Beauty’s botched release of a “clean” version of its top-selling product carries a lesson for competitors and a headache for parentco LVMH.