The Business podcast

The Business

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Lively banter about entertainment industry news and in-depth interviews with directors, producers, writers and actors, hosted by award-winning journalist Kim Masters of The Hollywood Reporter.

Lively banter about entertainment industry news and in-depth interviews with directors, producers, writers and actors, hosted by award-winning journalist Kim Masters of The Hollywood Reporter.

 

#928

How ‘Survive until 2025’ became Hollywood’s new mantra

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? 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. ... Read more

Yesterday

30 MINS

30:02

Yesterday


#927

FX’s Emmy domination; ‘Shōgun’ makes awards history

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 Shōgun 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. Plus, in honor of Shōgun’s 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. ... Read more

19 Jul 2024

30 MINS

30:02

19 Jul 2024


#926

Muta’Ali on his documentary ‘MoviePass, MovieCrash’; CNN and Paramount step into the future

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. 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. ... Read more

12 Jul 2024

30 MINS

30:05

12 Jul 2024


#925

The latest twist in the Paramount saga; ‘Hacks’ showrunners Jen Statsky and Paul W. Downs (Encore)

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. 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. ... Read more

04 Jul 2024

30 MINS

30:02

04 Jul 2024


#924

‘Ren Faire’ director Lance Oppenheim; A.I. at the Olympics

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. 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. ... Read more

28 Jun 2024

29 MINS

29:34

28 Jun 2024


#923

Albert Brooks, Rob Reiner on their HBO doc and the state of Hollywood

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. Plus, Masters speaks to Rob Reiner and Albert Brooks about Reiner’s HBO documentary, Albert Brooks: Defending My Life. The legendary filmmakers talk about their early years in the industry and they talk about the drastically changing landscape of entertainment.  ... Read more

14 Jun 2024

52 MINS

52:25

14 Jun 2024


#922

Neal Brennan on his Netflix special ‘Crazy Good’; Shari Redstone weighs options at Paramount

Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine the complicated situation developing at Paramount as controlling shareholder Shari Redstone determines the future of the company.  Plus, Eric Deggans speaks to comedian and Chappelle’s Show co-creator Neal Brennan about his Netflix standup special, Crazy Good. 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. ... Read more

07 Jun 2024

30 MINS

30:03

07 Jun 2024


#921

Paramount’s Chris Aronson on the future of movie-going; Trump, according to an ex-’Apprentice’ produ...

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.  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. ... Read more

31 May 2024

30 MINS

30:01

31 May 2024


#920

Spring Megabanter: Cannes flops, Scarlett Johansson vs. OpenAI, underwhelming box offices

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

24 May 2024

30 MINS

30:01

24 May 2024


#919

Jane Schoenbrun on ‘I Saw the TV Glow’; 2024 Upfronts

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. Plus, Masters speaks with Jane Schoenbrun about their film, I Saw the TV Glow. 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. ... Read more

17 May 2024

30 MINS

30:01

17 May 2024


#918

‘Doctor Who’ showrunner on teaming up with Disney; inside Warner Bros. Discovery following Q1 earnin...

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. Plus, Eric Deggans speaks to writer Russell T Davies about the new season of Doctor Who on Disney+. Davies talks about casting Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa as the latest Doctor, why having Disney on his side is such a big deal, and he explains why he thinks writing Doctor Who is one of the hardest jobs in television. ... Read more

10 May 2024

30 MINS

30:01

10 May 2024


#917

Pam Grier on ‘Them’; Comcast prepares bid for NBA TV rights

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.  Plus, Eric Deggans speaks to legendary actress Pam Grier about her storied career in filmmaking and appearing in Prime Video’s horror anthology series, Them. 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 Jackie Brown. ... Read more

03 May 2024

30 MINS

30:02

03 May 2024


#916

Writer Justin Kuritzkes on ‘Challengers’; Harvey Weinstein rape conviction overturned

Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine the surprising decision made by the New York State Court of Appeals to [overturn] (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/harvey-weinstein-ny-rape-conviction-overturned-1235881207/) Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction.  Plus, Masters speaks to writer Justin Kuritzkes about the rollout of his first effort at writing a movie, Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers. 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 Past Lives — manage to keep their work separate from their relationship. ... Read more

26 Apr 2024

30 MINS

30:02

26 Apr 2024


#915

‘Quiet on Set’ filmmakers Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz; Congress vs. Spulu

Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take a look at Jeff Skoll’s decision to close Participant Media 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.”  Plus, Masters speaks to Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz about their investigative documentary series, [Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvyULepxgw4) . The filmmakers talk about working with Business Insider 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. ... Read more

19 Apr 2024

30 MINS

30:02

19 Apr 2024


#914

Mike Birbiglia and Eddie Schmidt talk ‘Good One: A Show About Jokes’; Coppola seeks home for passion...

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, Megalopolis. The Banter partners also take a look at the risks behind David Ellison’s bid to acquire Paramount parent company National Amusements. Plus, Eric Deggans speaks to comedian Mike Birbiglia and documentary filmmaker Eddie Schmidt about their new special, Good One: A Show About Jokes. They share how they approached adapting a popular Vulture [podcast] (https://www.vulture.com/good-one/) 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 Homecoming King. ... Read more

12 Apr 2024

30 MINS

30:02

12 Apr 2024


#913

‘One Life’ director on the true story of Sir Nicholas Winton; Iger triumphs in Disney proxy fight

Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take a quick look at Ari Emanuel-led [Endeavor] (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/endeavor-taken-private-ipo-1235864661/) going private, and the banter partners break down the outcome of the long battle between Nelson Peltz and Disney.  Plus, on this special episode of The Business, Kim Masters speaks to director James Hawes about his film One Life, 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 One Life, and Masters shares her deeply personal family stories connected to Winton’s rescue efforts. ... Read more

05 Apr 2024

32 MINS

32:11

05 Apr 2024


#912

‘Shōgun’ co-creators on their sprawling limited series; Inside the Ronna McDaniel-NBC staff uproar

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. Plus, Masters speaks to writers Justin Marks and Rachel Kondo about their FX limited series, Shōgun. 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. ... Read more

29 Mar 2024

30 MINS

30:09

29 Mar 2024


#911

Steven Yeun on ‘Beef’; Disney CEO Bob Iger’s potential successors explained

Matt Belloni and Lucas Shaw examine four Disney executives poised to take the throne in 2026 following CEO Bob Iger’s proposed retirement.  Plus, we revisit our conversation with Steven Yeun, who joined Kim Masters to talk about his Emmy winning limited series, Beef. 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 Minari, why he and his Beef 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. ... Read more

22 Mar 2024

30 MINS

30:00

22 Mar 2024


#910

Andrew Lincoln, Danai Gurira on ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’; ID docuseries alleges years o...

Kim Masters and Matt Belloni discuss the alleged years of abuse and inappropriate behavior on Nickelodeon sets as shown in ID’s new docuseries, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.  Plus, Eric Deggans talks to actors Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira about reprising their breakout roles as Rick and Michonne Grimes on The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. 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.   ... Read more

15 Mar 2024

30 MINS

30:01

15 Mar 2024


#909

Writer Tony McNamara on ‘Poor Things’; Disney heirs back Iger in proxy fight

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. Plus, Masters speaks to writer Tony McNamara about his Academy Award-nominated screenplay for the Yorgos Lanthimos film, Poor Things. 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. ... Read more

08 Mar 2024

30 MINS

30:02

08 Mar 2024


#908

Composer Laura Karpman, new Disney and Netflix execs, and ‘peak Boomer cinema’

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  [plans] (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/horizon-trailer-kevin-costner-interview-1235833998/)  to theatrically release a four-part film saga set in the Old West.  Plus, NPR contributor Jeff Lunden speaks to composer Laura Karpman about her work on two vastly different 2023 films: the Disney juggernaut The Marvels, and Cord Jefferson’s sharp comedy-drama, American Fiction, which led to her first Academy Award nomination. ... Read more

01 Mar 2024

30 MINS

30:01

01 Mar 2024


#907

SPECIAL PREVIEW: Tony McNamara on adapting ‘Poor Things’

PREVIEW: Kim Masters speaks to writer Tony McNamara, who adapted a 1992 Alasdair Gray novel into the Oscar nominated Yorgos Lanthimos film, Poor Things. 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.   ... Read more

24 Feb 2024

12 MINS

12:00

24 Feb 2024


#906

Mstyslav Chernov on ‘20 Days in Mariupol’; Fubo files lawsuit against announced sports megastreamer

Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine FuboTV’s $1 billion [lawsuit] (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/fubotv-files-lawsuit-disney-warner-fox-sports-streaming-platform-1235830781/) seeking to halt the development of the [recently announced] (https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-business/christopher-nolan-kai-bird-disney-proxy/nelson-peltz-john-landgraf-peak-tv) Fox, Disney, and Warner Brothers Discovery sports streaming service. They also take a look at Sony’s struggles with live action Marvel films. Plus, Masters speaks to filmmaker and war correspondent Mstyslav Chernov about his documentary, 20 Days in Mariupol. 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. ... Read more

23 Feb 2024

30 MINS

30:02

23 Feb 2024


#905

Christopher Nolan, Kai Bird on adapting ‘American Prometheus’; Disney’s proxy war wages on

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.   Plus, Masters speaks to Oppenheimer writer and director Christopher Nolan and American Prometheus 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. ... Read more

16 Feb 2024

41 MINS

41:02

16 Feb 2024


#904

Ed Zwick recounts his ‘Glory Days’; Disney dishes Q1 surprises

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. 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. ... Read more

09 Feb 2024

33 MINS

33:37

09 Feb 2024


#903

Making sense of the ‘24 Oscar noms; the future of the Netflix-WWE deal

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. 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. ... Read more

02 Feb 2024

30 MINS

30:01

02 Feb 2024


#902

Netflix shake-ups, Jon Stewart’s big news, and Matthew Heineman on ‘American Symphony’

Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine the latest happenings at Netflix and Jon Stewart’s surprise return to The Daily Show.  Plus, Masters speaks with Matthew Heineman about directing American Symphony. 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, [Higher Ground] (https://highergroundmedia.com/) . ... Read more

26 Jan 2024

30 MINS

30:01

26 Jan 2024


#901

Inside the Tom Cruise-Warner Bros. deal; Jon Batiste talks ‘American Symphony’

Kim Masters and Matt Belloni look into the Tom Cruise-Warner Bros. deal and what that means for his projects at Paramount.  Plus, Masters speaks to Jon Batiste about being the subject of American Symphony. 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. ... Read more

19 Jan 2024

34 MINS

34:32

19 Jan 2024