The Business

<p>Matt Belloni and Lucas Shaw dive into the impressive Q3 earnings posted by Netflix… And whether the streamer can fine tune its film strategy to achieve even further world domination. </p> <p>Plus, Kim Masters speaks to Chris Sanders, the writer and director of <em>The Wild Robot</em>. The veteran animation director acknowledges the good and not so good impact of CG animation, talks about his experience of working at Disney during the studio’s famed Renaissance period, and explains why he left the studio to work at Dreamworks after John Lasseter took over Disney Animation in 2006. Plus, Sanders discusses his very special relationship with Stitch, of <em>Lilo and Stitch.</em></p>

<p dir="ltr">As David Ellison’s Skydance merger with Paramount begins, studio executives have been given some <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/paramount-global-ceos-pay-1236032719/">serious incentives</a> to stick around through the transition process. Matt Belloni and Lucas Shaw examine the latest happenings at the studio. </p> <p dir="ltr">Then, Kim Masters wraps a two-part conversation between The Apprentice writer Gabriel Sherman and Briarcliff Entertainment founder Tom Ortenberg. Sherman shares how billionaire Trump supporter Dan Snyder helped finance the project without reading the script… And he also shares how Snyder was bought out of the project once he saw an early screening and realized that the film was far too critical for his taste. Plus, Ortenberg reflects on the death threats he’s encountered over the years due to his propensity for distributing controversial movies.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine MSNBC’s decision to hold Errol Morris’ immigration documentary Separated until after the 2024 presidential election. They also unpack the various factors that led Todd Phillips’ <em>Joker</em> sequel to flop.</p> <p dir="ltr">Plus, Masters speaks with writer Gabriel Sherman and Briarcliff Entertainment founder Tom Ortenberg in the first of a two part conversation about <em>The Apprentice</em>. Sherman tells us about the risks he’s undertaken in making a movie about prominent attorney Roy Cohn’s mentorship of a young Donald Trump. And he describes how a cease and desist letter from Trump put the project’s future in jeopardy. Plus, Ortenberg talks about the sprint to get the film to theaters just a month after establishing the distribution deal with his company.</p>

<p dir="ltr">As Sony Pictures CEO Tony Vinciquerra prepares to step down from his post in 2025, Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take a look at the company’s succession plans. </p> <p dir="ltr">Plus, Masters speaks to Academy Award winning actress Kate Winslet about producing and starring in Lee, the true story of pioneering photojournalist Lee Miller. Winslet discusses the nine year uphill battle of getting the film off the ground — including sourcing financing and pulling together a cast that includes Alexander Skarsgård, Andrea Riseborough, Josh O’Connor, and comedian Andy Samberg in his first dramatic role.</p>

<p>With news of Lionsgate partnering with an AI mining firm and Meta’s new AI chatbot voiced by celebrities, Matt Belloni and Lucas Shaw break down the latest industry forays in the world of artificial intelligence. </p> <p>Plus, Kim Masters speaks to Demi Lovato and Nicola Marsh about their new documentary, Child Star. The co-directors explain the challenges of persuading some of the best known former child stars—including Drew Barrymore, Raven-Symoné, and Kenan Thompson—to share their deeply personal experiences as young performers.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In the wake of Disney’s big night at the Emmys, Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take a look at the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/08/business/media/disney-bob-iger-chapek.html">New York Times</a> article chronicling the chaotic succession endeavors at Disney.</p> <p>Plus, Masters speaks with writer-director J.T. Mollner and producer Roy Lee about their cat-and-mouse thriller Strange Darling. The film currently sits at 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and was called a “clever masterpiece” by Stephen King. But the road to such acclaim was not an easy one for the filmmakers. Mollner and his producers faced constant pushback from studio executives at Miramax, including having production shut down two days into shooting. Plus, the pair tells us about editorial clashes in post-production that would ultimately result in Mollner being given final cut.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down a <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politics-news/mark-ruffalo-ramy-youssef-call-for-pro-palestine-sag-member-protection-1235993880/">letter</a> signed by hundreds of SAG-AFTRA members calling on union leaders to protect Pro-Palestine members from being blacklisted. </p> <p>Plus, Masters speaks to Warsaw-based filmmaker Maciek Hamela, whose documentary <em>In The Rearview</em> traces the stories of refugees fleeing Ukraine. The film originated from Hamela’s personal experience of repeatedly driving into the war-torn country in a small van, picking people up, and driving them to safety in his native Poland.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine the secret battle for <a href="https://puck.news/the-murdoch-succession-trial-will-or-wont-be-televised/">succession</a> among the family of billionaire Rupert Murdoch. They also take a look at a curious Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/media/josh-damaro-disney-parks-chairman-0dbdb13c">profile</a> on Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro. </p> <p dir="ltr">Plus, we revisit Masters’ conversation with writer Justin Kuritzkes about the rollout of his first screenplay, Challengers, now a full-fledged film directed by Luca Guadagnino. He talks about how the Zendaya-led project was inspired by a US Open match that eventually led to him becoming a tennis obsessive. And he shares how he and his wife Celine Song — who experienced a similar career whirlwind last year with her Oscar-nominated feature Past Lives — manage to keep their work separate from their relationship.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni banter about the summer box office, noting that it started with a whimper but is ending with a bang thanks to a sequel and two superheroes. Edgar Bronfman Jr. has withdrawn his bid for Paramount, and as the Venice Film Festival kicks off, Italy's increasingly right-wing government is courting Hollywood productions.</p> <p>Additionally, Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein, the writers of the Pixar megahit Inside Out 2, join Kim Masters to discuss the importance of putting animated movies in theaters instead of only on streaming platforms — as former Disney CEO Bob Chapek did during his tenure. They also address whether the culture at Pixar has changed since John Lasseter’s 2018 departure amid misconduct allegations.</p>

<p>Matt Belloni and Alex Weprin discuss Edgar Bronfman Jr.'s unexpected bid for Paramount Studios, challenging the existing agreement with Skydance Media.</p> <p>Plus, <em>Slow Horses</em> kicks off its new season with nine Emmy nominations, including Best Drama Series and Best Actor in a Drama for Gary Oldman. Eric Deggans revisits his interview with Oldman, where the actor shares insights into his career, the challenges of his craft, and what drew him to his latest role. This conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of one of Hollywood's most acclaimed actors.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni discuss recent Hollywood developments, including Joaquin Phoenix's sudden exit from a film just days before shooting and Paramount Pictures' decision to shut down a studio and layoff 2,000 workers. The industry grapples with uncertainty as Paramount and other major players navigate shifting dynamics. </p> <p>Plus, NPR’s TV critic and media analyst, Eric Deggans speaks with ‘Dear White People’ creator Justin Simien. His new docuseries <em>Hollywood Black</em> chronicles over a century of Black experiences in Hollywood, exploring the contributions of Black actors, writers, and directors. Simien discusses the pivotal pioneers like Donald Bogle and Oscar Micheaux while sharing personal insights on navigating racial barriers in the industry. </p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Beloni discuss Hollywood’s second quarter earnings reports. Disney turned an early profit for streaming service ESPN+, but amusement park attendance still worried Wall Street. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Discovery cites struggling TV business for $9 Billion loss. </p> <p>Plus, Kim Masters speaks with filmmaker Greg Kwedar about his new film “Sing Sing.” Everyone involved in the production was paid the same daily rate, a model that Kwedar hopes could bring more parity to film sets. The movie stars Colman Domingo as an wrongly-convicted man staging a play inside the real Sing Sing. Much of the cast includes formerly incarcerated actors who play versions of themselves.</p>

<p>Kim Masters banters with Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw about the future of Apple’s place in the streaming landscape. Apple TV+ has produced some of the most expensive series and movies in recent years. Now, the company wants to reign in spending after struggling to grow their audience.</p> <p>Plus, The Daily Show’s Jordan Klepper joins us to talk about mining comedy from the increasingly “bonkers” political news. These days, he travels with a security team to report on MAGA rallies, a situation he never anticipated as an improv comedian. Klepper also shares his thoughts on the future of late night television.</p> <p>Episode Photo: (Full sentence caption + credit) Photo captions should be formatted as "Photo by __" whoever took the photos. Or "Photo courtesy of ____" if the person provided the photo and or did not take the photo.</p>

<p>It’s been more than two years since anyone watched the second season finale of HBO’s “Euphoria.” Season three was delayed by the strikes that shut down Hollywood, and a series of dramatic events surrounding the creator Sam Levinson. The network has confirmed its return, but will the audience stay tuned-in?</p> <p>Plus, Comcast and its streaming service Peacock are hoping the Olympic games can reverse a recent subscriber shrinkage. It’s just one example of the television industry’s troubles. Low production, delayed premieres and a sense of uncertainty have plagued T.V. land this year. Kim Masters speaks with the Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg about what the latest Emmy nominations say about the state of the industry. Then NPR’s Eric Deggans breaks down what he learned at this month’s gathering with the Television Critics Association.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The 2024 Emmy nominations are here, with lots of record-breaking nods and surprises to unpack — along with the strategy behind Disney’s acquisition of FX. What does the success of <em>Shōgun</em> and The Bear say about streaming? And does a new Bank of America report on Warner Bros. Discovery suggest… “unbundling”? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break it down. </p> <p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-73928743-7fff-871d-0a2b-41f1aef97301"><br></strong>Plus, in honor of <em>Shōgun’s</em> 25(!) Emmy nominations, Masters revisits her conversation with creators Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo. The series made history this week with its Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama, becoming only the second non-English show ever considered. The husband-and-wife creative team talk about how they’ve been granted more control writing for television over feature films, and explain why FX took the risk on their very expensive, and heavily subtitled, period epic<strong id="docs-internal-guid-73928743-7fff-871d-0a2b-41f1aef97301">.</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">Kim Masters and Matt Belloni discuss the Paramount-Skydance merger. They also look at CNN’s digital future after the company lays off 100 employees, and weigh in on Kevin Costner’s sad “Horizon” rollout. </p> <p dir="ltr">Plus, Masters speaks to Muta’Ali, director of the HBO documentary “MoviePass, MovieCrash.” The filmmaker talks about his desire to center the story of the company’s two Black founders, while detailing the complex business dealings that led to MoviePass’s meteoric rise and fall.</p> <p> </p>

<p>Kim Masters and guest Banterer Lucas Shaw of Bloomberg News discuss the latest twist in the Paramount saga: Just after billionaire Barry Diller raised his hand as a potential buyer, the Skydance-Paramount deal is resurrected from the dead.</p> <p>Plus, Masters returns with an encore of her 2021 interview with Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky, two of the three showrunners behind the award-winning HBO Max series "Hacks." Downs and Statsky talk about how lead actress Jean Smart insisted the cameras keep rolling when her husband passed away with a week of shooting the first season left.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni discuss the tentative deal reached by the major Hollywood studios and IATSE, the union representing below-the-line workers. They also break down NBC’s effort to boost streaming numbers with Olympics recaps from an A.I.-generated version of sports broadcaster Al Michaels.</p> <p>Plus, Masters speaks to Lance Oppenheim, director of the new HBO docu-series Ren Faire, about honing his intimate, uniquely collaborative style of filmmaking, and his interest in subjects who become “entombed” by their own fantasies. The filmmaker also talks about how he cold emailed his way into director Darren Aronofsky’s inner circle. </p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine the dissolution of the Paramount-Skydance merger after Shari Redstone calls it quits on the deal. They also discuss Sony’s purchase of Alamo Drafthouse theaters.</p> <p>Plus, Masters speaks to Rob Reiner and Albert Brooks about Reiner’s HBO documentary, <i>Albert Brooks: Defending My Life. </i>The legendary filmmakers talk about their early years in the industry and they talk about the drastically changing landscape of entertainment. </p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine the complicated situation developing at Paramount as controlling shareholder Shari Redstone determines the future of the company. </p> <p>Plus, Eric Deggans speaks to comedian and <i>Chappelle’s Show</i> co-creator Neal Brennan about his Netflix standup special, <i>Crazy Good.</i> Brennan talks about what he and friends Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock have taught each other about their craft over the years, and he argues that people shouldn’t always care what comedians have to say.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down the latest NBA news at Warner Bros. Discovery. They also discuss activist investor Nelson Peltz’s decision to sell his entire stake in Disney, and why Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos thinks last summer’s biggest theatrical hits would have fared as well on the streamer. </p> <p>Plus, Masters speaks to the head of domestic distribution at Paramount, Chris Aronson. The long-serving executive explains why he believes that movie theaters will survive despite industry-wide gloom over waning box office numbers, and he argues that the lack of consensus about the length of the theatrical window isn't helping consumers or studios.</p>

<p>A frighteningly <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/if-movie-box-office-openig-contributes-to-summer-woes-1235903176/">lackluster</a> summer box office, human ScarJo <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/openai-pulls-chatgpt-voice-sounds-like-scarlett-johansson-1235904085/">dukes it out</a> with OpenAI’s ‘definitely-not-supposed-to-sound-like-ScarJo’ ScarJo, and the movies <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/cannes-francis-ford-coppola-megalopolis-1235899761/">making noise</a> at this year’s <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kevin-costner-horizon-an-american-saga-reviews-1235904101/">Cannes Film Festival</a>–not necessarily in a good way. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down this week’s news in a special Spring Megabanter episode of <i>The Business</i>.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down the biggest stories to come out of the 2024 Upfronts. They also take a look at the latest streaming bundle announcement between Netflix, Apple TV+, and Peacock.</p> <p>Plus, Masters speaks with Jane Schoenbrun about their film,<i> I Saw the TV Glow. </i>The director talks about how growing up in the suburbs was the inspiration for the sinister setting in their A24-backed film, produced by Emma Stone and husband Dave McCary. Schoenbrun also shares why the nuances of gender and identity play a major role in their work, and how they realized they were transgender after taking a mushroom trip with friends.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni discuss the latest at Warner Bros. Discovery following the company’s Q1 earnings report. They also dive into the announced streaming package bundling Max, Disney+, and Hulu.</p> <p>Plus, Eric Deggans speaks to writer Russell T Davies about the new season of <i>Doctor Who</i> on Disney+. Davies talks about casting <i>Sex Education’s</i> Ncuti Gatwa as the latest Doctor, why having Disney on his side is such a big deal, and he explains why he thinks writing <i>Doctor Who</i> is one of the hardest jobs in television.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni discuss why Comcast’s proposed bid for NBA TV rights put Warner Bros. Discovery in a tight spot. They also get into the latest at Paramount as a potential merger inches closer. </p> <p>Plus, Eric Deggans speaks to legendary actress Pam Grier about her storied career in filmmaking and appearing in Prime Video’s horror anthology series, <i>Them</i>. The pioneering female action star explains the origins of the term “Blaxploitation” and shares how she accidentally left Quentin Tarantino hanging for three weeks after he sent her his script for <i>Jackie Brown</i>.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine the surprising decision made by the New York State Court of Appeals to <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/harvey-weinstein-ny-rape-conviction-overturned-1235881207/">overturn</a> Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction. </p> <p>Plus, Masters speaks to writer Justin Kuritzkes about the rollout of his first effort at writing a movie, Luca Guadagnino’s <i>Challengers</i>. He talks about how the Zendaya-led film was inspired by a particular US Open match that turned him into a tennis obsessive. And he shares how he and his wife, Celine Song — known for her Oscar-nominated <i>Past Lives</i> — manage to keep their work separate from their relationship.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take a look at Jeff Skoll’s decision to close <i>Participant Media </i>after 20 years. And the banter partners break down why two congress members sent a letter addressed to the heads of Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery about their in-development joint sports streamer affectionately nicknamed “Spulu.” </p> <p>Plus, Masters speaks to Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz about their investigative documentary series, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvyULepxgw4"><i>Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV</i></a><i>.</i> The filmmakers talk about working with <i>Business Insider</i> contributor Kate Taylor to uncover years of inappropriate behavior that took place on the sets of Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider. They also share how Investigation Discovery went from ordering a three episode series to five episodes with more on the way as the cameras continue rolling.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive into the challenges faced by legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola as he struggles to find distribution for his self-financed passion project, <i>Megalopolis. </i>The Banter partners also take a look at the risks behind David Ellison’s bid to acquire Paramount parent company National Amusements.</p> <p>Plus, Eric Deggans speaks to comedian Mike Birbiglia and documentary filmmaker Eddie Schmidt about their new special, <i>Good One: A Show About Jokes.</i> They share how they approached adapting a popular Vulture <a href="https://www.vulture.com/good-one/">podcast</a> into their Peacock special, and talk about sticking with the truth in autobiographical comedy following allegations that Hasan Minaj falsified elements of his award-winning special <i>Homecoming King.</i></p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take a quick look at Ari Emanuel-led <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/endeavor-taken-private-ipo-1235864661/">Endeavor</a> going private, and the banter partners break down the outcome of the long battle between Nelson Peltz and Disney. </p> <p>Plus, on this special episode of The Business, Kim Masters speaks to director James Hawes about his film <i>One Life, </i>which tells the story of Sir Nicholas Winton, who saved more than 600 children, including Masters’ own mother, from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia. Hawes talks about how after years as a television director, he found his feature directorial debut in <i>One Life, </i>and Masters shares her deeply personal family stories connected to Winton’s rescue efforts.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni report on the latest in the Disney proxy battle, and the banter partners examine the outrage of NBC staff following the brief, yet confounding, hiring of former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel.</p> <p>Plus, Masters speaks to writers Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo about their FX limited series, <i>Shōgun</i>. The husband and wife creative team talk about how they’ve been granted more control writing for television over feature films. They also explain why the risk FX took on their very expensive—and heavily subtitled—period epic tops any hurdles they experienced on the show’s massive production.</p>

<p>Matt Belloni and Lucas Shaw examine four Disney executives poised to take the throne in 2026 following CEO Bob Iger’s proposed retirement. <br /><br />Plus, we revisit our conversation with Steven Yeun, who joined Kim Masters to talk about his Emmy winning limited series, <i>Beef</i>. The actor talks about his initial fears of not living up to expectations after being cast in what would become an Academy Award-nominated performance for <i>Minari</i>, why he and his <i>Beef</i> co-star Ali Wong broke out in hives after production wrapped, and how Netflix approached the A24 limited series with an offer that was too good to turn down.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni discuss the alleged years of abuse and inappropriate behavior on Nickelodeon sets as shown in ID’s new docuseries, <i>Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. </i></p> <p>Plus, Eric Deggans talks to actors Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira about reprising their breakout roles as Rick and Michonne Grimes on <i>The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.</i> Gurira shares why writing an episode of the new spinoff series opened her eyes to the challenges of writing for television, and co-star Lincoln talks about how streaming affected the flagship show’s viewership over the years. </p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine the latest developments in the Disney proxy fight. They also take a look at a peculiar lawsuit filed against CBS Studios and Paramount. <br /><br />Plus, Masters speaks to writer Tony McNamara about his Academy Award-nominated screenplay for the Yorgos Lanthimos film, <i>Poor Things. </i>He talks about how he and Lanthimos managed to take a book about Scottish nationalism and turn it into their film, which is nominated for 11 Academy Awards this weekend. He also shares why he likes splitting his time between film and TV, and why the voices he hears in his head dictate how he writes a screenplay.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down the latest executive hires at Netflix and Disney. They also take a look at Kevin Costner’s ambitious <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/horizon-trailer-kevin-costner-interview-1235833998/">plans</a> to theatrically release a four-part film saga set in the Old West. </p> <p>Plus, NPR contributor Jeff Lunden speaks to composer Laura Karpman about her work on two vastly different 2023 films: the Disney juggernaut <i>The Marvels,</i> and Cord Jefferson’s sharp comedy-drama, <i>American Fiction,</i> which led to her first Academy Award nomination.</p>

<p>PREVIEW: Kim Masters speaks to writer Tony McNamara, who adapted a 1992 Alasdair Gray novel into the Oscar nominated Yorgos Lanthimos film, <i>Poor Things</i>. Tune in to The Business on March 8th to hear the full interview with McNamara, where he shares how his toddler inspired him to write Emma Stone’s favorite line in the Academy Award nominated screenplay. </p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine FuboTV’s $1 billion <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/fubotv-files-lawsuit-disney-warner-fox-sports-streaming-platform-1235830781/">lawsuit</a> seeking to halt the development of the <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-business/christopher-nolan-kai-bird-disney-proxy/nelson-peltz-john-landgraf-peak-tv">recently announced</a> Fox, Disney, and Warner Brothers Discovery sports streaming service. They also take a look at Sony’s struggles with live action Marvel films.</p> <p>Plus, Masters speaks to filmmaker and war correspondent Mstyslav Chernov about his documentary, <i>20 Days in Mariupol</i>. The BAFTA-winning director shares how an Associated Press assignment in war-torn Ukraine turned into a devastating Oscar contender for best documentary. He also talks about the importance of keeping the world’s eyes on the war in Ukraine.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine the latest updates in the Disney proxy vote saga. Also, has peak TV officially ended? The banter partners break down FX chairman John Landgraf’s recent remarks on the current state of television. </p> <p>Plus, Masters speaks to <i>Oppenheimer</i> writer and director Christopher Nolan and <i>American Prometheus</i> co-author Kai Bird about adapting the film’s Pulitzer Prize winning source material. Bird talks about the 25 years it took to complete the sprawling biography with co-author Martin Sherwin, and Nolan shares how he approached adapting their 700-page book into a summer blockbuster hit.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take a look at the big surprises revealed during Disney’s Q1 earnings call. They also dive into the announcement of ESPN, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox’s joint sports streaming service set to debut this year.</p> <p>Plus, Masters speaks to writer-director Ed Zwick about his new memoir, Hits, Flops and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood. The filmmaker shares lessons learned from his decades-spanning career in the industry, and he reads excerpts from the book, including stories from the making of the 1989 film Glory and how he nearly directed an early iteration of Shakespeare in Love, which he would later end up producing and winning an Oscar for Best Picture.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine media mogul Byron Allen’s offer to acquire Paramount Global. They also take a closer look at the Netflix-WWE deal in the wake of WWE founder Vince McMahon’s resignation following allegations of battery and sex trafficking.</p> <p>Plus, Masters is joined by The Hollywood Reporter’s Executive Awards Editor Scott Feinberg to discuss the frontrunners, surprises, and snubs of the 2024 Academy Awards.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine the latest happenings at Netflix and Jon Stewart’s surprise return to <i>The Daily Show.</i> </p> <p>Plus, Masters speaks with Matthew Heineman about directing <i>American Symphony. </i>The filmmaker describes the process of documenting musician Jon Batiste and his wife Suleika Jaouad through her battle with leukemia. Heineman also shares how he snuck into the Grammys to film Batiste’s big night, and how he whittled down 1,500 hours of footage into the film that ended up being acquired by Netflix and the Obamas’ production company, <a href="https://highergroundmedia.com/">Higher Ground</a>.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni look into the Tom Cruise-Warner Bros. deal and what that means for his projects at Paramount. </p> <p>Plus, Masters speaks to Jon Batiste about being the subject of <i>American Symphony</i>. The musician explains how the documentary was originally conceived to follow his composition and performance of a symphony, but following his wife’s recurrence of leukemia, the project evolved into an intimate portrait of the couple coping with a life-threatening illness. Batiste shares how director Matthew Heineman spent eight months with the couple, resulting in over 1500 hours of footage, a premiere at Telluride, and distribution by Netflix.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take stock of layoffs at Amazon as a result of consolidation and reorganizing across its studios. Eric Deggans speaks to <i>Fargo</i> creator Noah Hawley about the fifth season of his anthology series. The writer and director talks about the challenges of writing 51 hours of television based on the Coen Brothers film of the same name. He also teases his upcoming FX series based on Ridley Scott's <i>Alien </i>franchise.</p>

<p>Eric Deggans speaks to Gary Oldman about starring in Apple TV+’s spy thriller series, <i>Slow Horses. </i>He also talks about the joys of briefly reuniting with Christopher Nolan in <i>Oppenheimer,</i> how he worked around being typecast in over-the-top roles, and why he’s considering stepping away from acting after <i>Slow Horses </i>wraps. </p> <p>Plus, the Disney proxy fight continues, with CEO Bob Iger gearing up to stave off advances from activist shareholder Nelson Peltz, former Marvel chairman and CEO Ike Perlmutter, and former Disney exec Jay Rasulo. </p>

<p>What will 2024 hold for Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney, Netflix, and mega-agencies CAA and Endeavor?</p>

<p>Hollywood’s messy year: Strikes disrupted show biz, the box office surprised, studios and execs struggled, and streamers started licensing. Kim Masters, Matt Belloni, and Lucas Shaw look into the main Hollywood events of 2023.</p>

<p>Netflix released its first report revealing viewership patterns. Why does it matter? What does the data reveal — and what happens next?</p> <p>Then, Past Lives writer-director Celine Song and producer Christine Vachon discuss Song’s foray into filmmaking, their partnership, and the journey of the awards circuit. </p>

<p>SAG-AFTRA members ratify a three-year contract with studios. Plus, actors promote work post-strike, studios license content, and streamers bundle services.</p> <p>Then, Kim Masters revisits a 2014 conversation with legendary television producer Norman Lear, who died Dec. 5 at the age of 101. The force behind TV shows like All in the Family, Maude, Good Times and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, among many others, Lear discusses his memoir Even This I Get to Experience, and shares stories about how he got his first job in television and the line that almost caused CBS to pull the plug on All in the Family.</p>

<p>Disney CEO Bob Iger talks about the company’s many struggles, including his succession, selling ABC, and Marvel troubles during the New York Times’ DealBook Summit.</p> <p>Then, we’re taking it to Broadway: Contributor Jeff Lunden speaks to Tony-winning producers Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley about their streaming platform, BroadwayHD. Lunden also talks with Waitress star Sara Bareilles and producer Jessie Nelson about the live capture and theatrical distribution of their hit musical show.</p>

<p>Kim Masters and Matt Belloni discuss what’s shaping up to be a lean holiday box office and what success for movies looks like — and how it’s perceived — when it comes to theatrical versus streaming releases.</p> <p>Then, filmmaker and SAG-AFTRA generative AI advisor Justine Bateman joins to share her concerns over the union's new contract, while Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland explains why it’s the best deal possible.</p>

<p>WBD is looking for a buyer for its Coyote vs. Acme film. Can it find one? Plus, an AI-generated Édith Piaf biopic is in the works at Warner Music.</p> <p>Filmmaker Kristoffer Borgli talks with Kim Masters about his Nicolas Cage-led film, “Dream Scenario,” directing commercials, and how the Norwegian Film Institute unknowingly funded his projects conceived in LA.</p>