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Oscar-winner costume designer reflects on career in new book; Netflix price hike Oct 07, 2023

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As the actors’ strike continues, Netflix announces a price hike. What does this mean for subscribers and the streamer?

Then, Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter talks about her new book, collaborating with Spike Lee and Steven Spielberg, and the joys and challenges of costume designing for Black Panther.

Gareth Edwards’ ‘The Creator’ zeroes in on AI tension as WGA leaders make a deal Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

WGA leaders reached a deal this week with Hollywood studios, ending 148 days of work stoppage. What did they get? Where did they compromise? And will SAG-AFTRA be next? Plus, director Gareth Edwards discusses his new AI-centric film The Creator and its timeliness within our current cultural climate. He also gets real about behind-the-scenes drama on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Rupert Murdoch steps down, hip-hop femmes shine in the Dream Hampton produced docuseries ‘Ladies First’ Sep 22, 2023

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First, Rupert Murdoch has announced that he is stepping down as the head of both Fox Corp. and News Corp. What will this mean for the Murdoch family line of succession? Plus, Warner Brothers Discovery announces a new paid tier to offer live sports coverage on Max. Then, Ladies First executive producer Dream Hampton talks to NPR’s Eric Deggans about why she doesn’t hesitate to call out misogynists by name in her new documentary series spotlighting women in hip-hop. Plus, she gets real about initially not wanting to do the project at all.

Assessing the strike’s damage, plus an encore with ‘Navalny’ director Daniel Roher Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

First, what lasting damage to the entertainment industry will the extended impasse between striking Hollywood creatives, and the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers leave in its wake?

Then, in an encore interview, Navalny director Daniel Roher and investigative journalist Christo Grozev discuss how they came to pursue a film about Alexei Navalny, Russian opposition leader. They also talk about the risks they faced to make the Oscar-winning documentary, and the eventual arrest and sentencing of the politician in Russia.

‘Reservation Dogs’ director on Indigenous representation, Disney exits Spectrum Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

First, the Walt Disney Co. has pulled all programming from Charter Spectrum in early September. What ripples does this create for Disney, other networks, and the cable industry?

Then, Reservation Dogs director Danis Goulet talks about working on the final season of the FX hit, representation in Hollywood, and Taika Waititi’s integral role in creating a platform for Indigenous stories.

‘Telemarketers’ unpacks systemic scamming, CNN gets a new CEO Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

First, Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav hires former New York Times executive Mark Thompson to head CNN. Will Thompson turn the struggling network around?

Then, directors Sam Lipman-Stern and Adam Lough talk with NPR TV critic Eric Deggans about their HBO documentary, Telemarketers and share how their work helped investigate fraudulent charitable organizations. They also discuss how the Safdie brothers came on board to executive produce the series, and how HBO came to be at the helm.

Encore: Steve Martin can't imagine 'Only Murders in the Building' without Selena Gomez Aug 25, 2023

Show notes

First, the AMPTP released its latest offer to the WGA in a press release this week. Will the studio’s move work or backfire? Then, actor, comedian, musician, and producer Steve Martin and co-creator of Only Murders in the Building, John Hoffman, explain how they met and what it took to get this idea from paper onto the screen.

Blumhouse CEO breaks down real Hollywood horror as strikes rage on Aug 19, 2023

Show notes

First, Hollywood strikes throttle on, despite recent talks between AMPTP and WGA, complicating industry plans for the season ahead. What will this mean for upcoming film festivals and fall television?

Then, Jason Blum, founder and CEO of Blumhouse, discusses the latest on the work stoppages, and the (spooky) current state of Hollywood. But it’s not all horror talk with one of our leading experts on the genre — the powerhouse producer has advice on amplifying profitability across the industry.

Bill Kristol on Fox Corp. accountability, Emmys postponed Aug 12, 2023

Show notes

The 2023 Emmy ceremony has been rescheduled for January 2024. How will it contend with the NFL playoffs? And Disney presents more changes via its latest investor call.

Political analyst Bill Kristol joins to break down an FCC petition to deny a Fox Corp. affiliate’s license renewal and his larger role in seeking accountability for the organization.

Sam Pollard on making ‘The League,’ AMPTP reopens negotiations Aug 04, 2023

Show notes

After months of stagnation, the AMPTP has asked the Writers Guild back to the negotiating table. Is there a deal to be made? Plus, Disney re-hires some familiar faces as consultants.

Then, director Sam Pollard discusses his new doc The League, which pairs his love of baseball with his ongoing examination of Black history, and discusses working with producer Questlove and the “uphill climb” of documentary filmmaking.

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