Apple Halts Scripted Series ‘Scraper’ After Tim Cook’s Intervention

A group of former Gawker staff, including Cord Jefferson, Max Read, Emma Carmichael, and Leah Beckmann, worked on a scripted series titled "Scraper" for Apple based on their experiences at the blog.

The project was halted after Tim Cook reportedly intervened, citing concerns about the content. Cook did not respond to requests for comment.

The Gawker Legacy

Gawker operated from 2002 to 2016, known for exposing the misdeeds of the powerful. In 2016, the site was forced into bankruptcy after losing a privacy lawsuit brought by Hulk Hogan, which was secretly funded by Peter Thiel. Thiel had been angered by a 2007 Gawker story outing him as gay.

The 'Scraper' Project

Former staffers turned the raw material of their years at the blog into a scripted drama for Apple. The series, titled Scraper, aimed to capture the chaotic, irreverent, and often controversial culture of the digital media powerhouse.

Despite the creative pedigree of the team—which included Oscar-winner Cord Jefferson—the project was reportedly killed after a direct intervention by Apple CEO Tim Cook.

"The project was halted after Tim Cook reportedly intervened, citing concerns about the content."

Where They Are Now

The article includes statements from former staff about the site’s culture, impact, and legacy. Many have since moved to other media roles:

• Cord Jefferson won an Oscar for American Fiction
• Max Read and Emma Carmichael have taken on senior editorial positions elsewhere
• Leah Beckmann continues work in media development

Gawker’s domain was sold in 2023 to Caldecott Music Group, closing a chapter on one of the most contentious and influential blogs of the early internet era.