The Slatest for Jan. 5: The Golden Wedding Completely Missed the Point of The Golden Bachelor

So, how was Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner’s much-anticipated televised wedding to show winner Theresa Nist, in the end? It was, as Hillary Frey puts it, “a totally depressing dud!” She examines why the heavily produced event strayed so far from what viewers loved about the show.

Plus: Scott Nover takes a look at the economics of getting married on live TV.

And in case you missed it: Frey homes in on the real winner of The Golden Bachelor.

The Supreme Court will officially be weighing in on whether states can prevent Donald Trump from being on the presidential ballot. Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern argue that, regardless of the outcome, the court’s decision to accept this case will be bad for democracy, bad for public acceptance of the institution, and bad for voters.

Rich Juzwiak quit meat. Then cigarettes. Then alcohol. Then caffeine. Then … eating after 8 p.m.? He shares how none of it has gone like he expected—but it’s still led to a thrilling place.

And as we all push on into 2024 and try to bring our New Year’s resolutions with us, take a moment to peruse Quit It, our collection of essays about smarter ways to leave behind the things that aren’t serving you.

Some diplomats are waxing poetic for the days of Cold War foreign policy. If the icons of that time period were in charge of things today, the argument goes—people like George Kennan, George Marshall, and Dean Acheson—the U.S. would be in a much stronger position on the world stage.

Fred Kaplan argues that this way of thinking is a trap, and that, compared with the international problems of today, post–World War II diplomats actually had it easy.

Plus: Kaplan joined Mary Harris on What Next to discuss what will happen if we let Ukraine lose.

Alan Dershowitz said what about Jeffrey Epstein, feminists, and Hamas? Nitish Pahwa is, quite unfortunately, going to have to break this one down for you.

… much like the face of Nikki Haley’s husband, formerly known as Bill, who changed his name to Michael at her urging. Wait, what? Heather Schwedel takes a closer look at the head-scratching rebrand.

We hope you have a weekend that is perfectly pleasant and mild!

Thanks so much for reading, and we’ll see you on Monday.