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Edgar Wright on ‘The Sparks Brothers’ and embracing originality Jun 27, 2021

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Filmmaker Edgar Wright's new music documentary “The Sparks Brothers” celebrates two musicians whose work he loves. Ron and Russell Mael are brothers who make up the band Sparks, and they’re a pair of complete originals. Wright is an original, too. His hit movie “Baby Driver” and upcoming thriller “Last Night in Soho” are based on ideas he made up. And he can’t help but wonder why movie studios aren’t willing to take a few more chances on fresh ideas.

Nida Manzoor created an all-female Muslim punk band for ‘We Are Lady Parts’ Jun 18, 2021

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Writer Nida Manzoor wanted “We Are Lady Parts,” her series about an all-female Muslim punk band, to be funny. But as a Muslim woman writing about very underrepresented characters, she also felt some heavy responsibility. Manzoor shares her process for writing comedy while also breaking new ground with “We Are Lady Parts,” now on Peacock.

Instability at WarnerMedia, revisiting ‘Disclosure’ with Laverne Cox and Sam Feder Jun 11, 2021

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Kim Masters and Matt Belloni offer a fresh banter about the current awkwardness at WarnerMedia. The company is set to spin off from AT&T and merge with Discovery, but the deal will be delayed while undergoing federal review. And The Business replays a conversation with director Sam Feder and executive producer Laverne Cox about their documentary “Disclosure,” which explores the history of trans representation in Hollywood.

Hugh Grant on Murdoch phone hacking scandal and embracing the bad guy role Jun 06, 2021

Show notes

Earlier in his career, Hugh Grant played the charming lead in romantic comedies. But lately, Grant has relished performing the role of the bad guy, including in the HBO series “The Undoing.”

He talks about embracing his dark side on screen and reflects on his decade of work as an activist following the UK phone hacking scandal that engulfed the Murdoch clan a decade ago and continues to reverberate today.

‘Queen of the South’ producer David Friendly ponders his place in a changing industry May 28, 2021

Show notes

Veteran producer David Friendly’s many film credits include three “Big Momma’s House” movies. But as Hollywood became less friendly towards his type of mid-budget pictures, he pivoted to television. Now with his USA TV series “Queen of the South” wrapping up after five seasons, he is finding that adapting yet again in an industry obsessed with streaming is hard, even after years of success.

‘Girls5eva’ creator Meredith Scardino on Peacock’s new musical comedy series May 23, 2021

Show notes

When Meredith Scardino pitched her musical comedy series “Girls5eva,” about an all-but-forgotten late 1990s girl group that reunites in their forties, she made a fake CD case, complete with track listing, cellophane wrapper and discount stickers.

That fake album generated real interest, and now “Girls5eva” is a buzzy new show for Peacock.

NBC drops the Globes, Disney subscriber numbers disappoint, and Ellen says so long May 16, 2021

Show notes

It’s a mid-May mega banter! NBC bounces the 2022 Golden Globes, Disney subscriber numbers disappoint, the stars of “A Quiet Place 2” make some noise over the movie’s theatrical run, and Ellen DeGeneres calls it quits. Kim Masters tackles it all with banter buddy Matt Belloni and Buzzfeed reporter Krystie Lee Yandoli, who broke the story on Degeneres’ alleged toxic workplace.

Former Scott Rudin assistants allege abusive behavior and call out stars who have stayed silent May 07, 2021

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Producer Scott Rudin’s bullying has been an open secret in Hollywood for decades, and now it’s going public. Former Scott Rudin staffers Evan Davis, Max Hoffman and Eileen Klomhaus remember being yelled at, belittled, and gaslighted. And they call out the stars who have been silent.

Director Simon Godwin on ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ now streaming on PBS Apr 30, 2021

Show notes

When the pandemic hit London, director Simon Godwin's National Theatre production of “Romeo & Juliet” shut down before it could open. So Godwin shot the play as a movie — never mind that he had never picked up a camera and couldn’t film outside the theater. Even without a trip to fair Verona, Godwin shot his movie, starring Josh O’Connor and Jessie Buckley, in a mere 17 days.

Oscars 2021: Historic wins for Chloé Zhao and ‘Nomadland’ overshadowed by multiple misfires Apr 26, 2021

Show notes

Chloé Zhao made history as the first woman of color to win Best Director and Best Picture, but the 2021 Oscars will be remembered for the awkward, COVID-era ceremony and blunt ending. Producers expected Chadwick Boseman to win Best Actor, but instead the Oscar went to Anthony Hopkins, who was asleep in Wales.

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