TMZ Turns Washington Into a Reality-Show-Style Beat

In April, the celebrity-focused tabloid TMZ opened a permanent bureau in Washington, D.C. The team is led by longtime producer Charlie Cotton and journalist Jacob Wasserman, who previously covered high-profile stories such as the Sean Combs criminal trial. The move follows founder Harvey Levin’s call to “start now” after a viral photo-sharing campaign that highlighted members of Congress on vacation.

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Cotton and Wasserman describe their coverage as “a reality show” that blends humor, gossip and serious scoops. Their goal is to reach audiences that might never follow politics, offering “interesting, relatable and funny questions” while still holding elected officials accountable. Wasserman says the approach could serve as “a political gateway” for people who are otherwise disengaged.

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The duo’s first high-profile interview was with Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff at Reagan Washington National Airport. Ossoff noted a “laid-back culture” shared by his Australian-born mother and Cotton, an Australian native. Their conversations have also drawn reactions from other members of Congress. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) discussed topics ranging from Botox to the National Defense Authorization Act, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer declined to answer a light-hearted question about a mysterious sound on the Senate floor, prompting the pair to concede the noise may have had a non-humorous source.

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He argues that the disproportionate attention the two reporters receive makes their new operation worth taking seriously, even as TMZ continues to operate under different rules than traditional news outlets.

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• “You know, there is a laid-back culture, I think, in Australia,” — Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff

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• “What me and Charlie are trying to do is we need to take a step back,” — Jacob Wasserman

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• “You might get TMZ even if you're someone who is politically disengaged,” — Jacob Wasserman

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• “What a great opportunity it is to maybe play it off and show your personality,” — Jacob Wasserman

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