Jacob Tierney may not be as famous as Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie but even beyond the Heated Rivalry fandom, he is known for his work, for adapting Rachel Reid’s book into a smash television hit. While most of the attention to do with HR is around Hudson and Connor, Jacob’s in the spotlight right now because he’s just released his own book, I’ll Believe in Anything: The Making of Heated Rivalry season one. It’s the collection of annotated scripts, so that includes scenes that were cut or changed or shortened which of course is perfect for hardcore fans of the series who need a fix while they’re waiting for season two. But it’s also perfect for anyone who is interested in storytelling, for scriptwriters who are working on their own ideas, for those who love the inside baseball of film and television and the adaptation process.

A few weeks ago, Duana wrote a piece for The Squawk, pegged to the controversy around The Children of Blood and Bone from her own perspective as a television writer. In an interview with IndieWire to promote his book, Jacob talks about self-editing, about how writing can also be letting go of, and or not being married to the things you write as a way to serve the story. And also the transition from writing, which is a largely solo endeavor, to the filming, which is a largely collaborative effort. Being able to balance that proprietary energy as a writer with the energy that happens onset with a creative team is a skillset – and it’s this set of skills that Jacob has that is inextricable from the success of his show. He had a vision, of course, and his vision was exceptional – but it was made that much better because he knew when to be flexible and when to stick to what was on the page. While, by the way, shooting quickly. There are, by now, all kinds of anecdotes about how efficient Jacob is and, no doubt, much of that has to do with working on a Canadian show with a Canadian budget, LOL.

Jacob was also on Andy Cohen’s show to talk about Heated Rivalry and his book and the new season(s). Here’s another reason why I love him: he has a much bigger platform now, and he not only used it to give love back to the queer community, but he’s also using it to speak truth to power. Listen to what he says about the NHL, immediately correcting Andy when Andy assumes that the NHL has “met the moment”. Jacob does not hesitate to call out the league, call out the toxic culture in the sport. And he sounds exasperated – not with the question but with a league that is trying to benefit from the direct increase in popularity that came from Heated Rivalry without making meaningful change. Jacob is specific with his criticism, not only describing the culture as “toxic” but also elaborating in saying that “it’s not a safe space for people” and “not doing what they should be doing to make their sport an inclusive place”.

Here in Canada, coming for hockey is dangerous. Jacob probably knows this better than anyone. But he’s also accumulated a lot of cultural capital over the last year. And this is how he’s spending it.

What else happened today…

I am Gen X. I know some about Druski but obviously not as much as Gen Z but I can say right now that I’ll enjoy him as the host of SNL much more than the one from this past weekend. Also…another example of new media stars still revering legacy media markers of success. (Pajiba)

Monica Barbaro and Andrew Garfield together at the Artificial premiere in London. (Go Fug Yourself)

I don’t think I’ve ever had shingles… and whenever I say this someone says to me if you don’t think you’ve had it then you’ve never had it because if you had it, you would know. Viola Davis had shingles and with the way she describes the experience, I’m now more terrified to get it than ever. (Celebitchy)

Conscious uncoupling in 2026 is officiating your ex-wife’s wedding to a billionaire. (The Cut)

Beyoncé was in Houston today with Miss Tina and Kelly Rowland to announce the Knowles-Rowland House, giving back the community where they grew up and assisting those who are experiencing homelessness. (Ebony)

 

Photo credits: George Pimentel/Shutterstock

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