The Town with Matthew Belloni

Latest Episodes:

Disney vs. DeSantis: Who Will Win Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

Matt is joined by Puck senior political correspondent Tara Palmeri to discuss the ongoing battle between Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis regarding an investigation into Disney’s circumvention of Florida’s plans to takeover Reedy Creek—a special district that was created by Disney and is responsible for governing the area surrounding Walt Disney World. They discuss Bob Iger calling DeSantis’s actions “anti-business” and “anti-Florida,” the downsides of Disney getting political, how much this could damage DeSantis politically, and ultimately who will come out on top. Matt finishes the show by giving a prediction about the opening weekend for Ben Affleck’s new sports drama, ‘Air.’

Read Tara's latest piece here

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click this link: puck.news/thetown

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Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Tara Palmeri

Producer: Craig Horlbeck

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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From Viral Videos to Hit TV With Dave Burd Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

Matt is joined by rapper, comedian, writer, and actor Dave Burd—better known by his stage name, Lil Dicky—to discuss how his show ‘Dave’ became the most watched comedy in the history of FX networks, his approach to the show, his unique path to stardom, and his long term goals in comedy. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the opening weekend of ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie.’

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click this link: puck.news/thetown

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Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Dave Burd

Producer: Craig Horlbeck

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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WWE Sells, Netflix Pulls Back, and the Oscars' Bold Bid on Theaters Apr 03, 2023

Show notes

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss Endeavor merging with the WWE, Netflix restructuring and retracting its movie division with the intention to make fewer projects and fewer lower-budget films, and the Oscars' plans to require theatrical releases in 15-20 major markets to earn eligibility for a best picture nomination. Matt finishes the show by giving a prediction about the 2023 box office.

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click this link: puck.news/thetown

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Lucas Shaw

Producer: Craig Horlbeck

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Has Hollywood Finally Figured Out Video Games? Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

Matt is joined by author and media investor Matthew Ball to discuss the recent boom in successful video game adaptations in Hollywood, whether this is the beginning of a new trend, which studios are best suited to capitalize on this movement, and how this affects the metaverse. Matt finishes the show by giving a box office prediction about the opening weekend for ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.’

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click this link: puck.news/thetown

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Matthew Ball

Producer: Craig Horlbeck

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Marvel’s Bad CGI and the Firing of a “Kingmaker” Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

Matt is joined by Chris Lee, a senior reporter at Vulture and New York magazine, to discuss why the quality of visual effects in comic book movies, particularly Marvel movies, seems to be declining. They discuss Marvel’s questionable employment practices, how it outsources portions of its VFX for cheap, the possibility of a VFX union, and how Marvel chooses and oversees its directors. Then they read the tea leaves on Disney’s firing of Victoria Alonso, the president of physical, postproduction, VFX, and animation at Marvel Studios.

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click this link: puck.news/thetown

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Chris Lee

Producer: Craig Horlbeck

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Apple’s Billion-Dollar Bet on Movie Theaters Mar 27, 2023

Show notes

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss his report about Apple planning to get into the theatrical business in a big way, with the company planning to spend $1 billion to make and release movies in theaters. They break down Apple’s rationale, partnering with traditional studios for distribution help, its commitment to making movies with top-level talent, and whether or not this will help build the Apple TV+ brand.

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click this link: puck.news/thetown

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Lucas Shaw

Producer: Craig Horlbeck

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Lionsgate Film Chief Joe Drake on ‘John Wick’ and the Modern Independent Studio Mar 24, 2023

Show notes

Matt is joined by the chair of the motion picture group at Lionsgate, Joe Drake, to talk about how the 'John Wick' series came to be and the future of the franchise, how hard is it for a non-major studio to compete with other studios in the theatrical business, making originals vs. franchises, and how an independent movie studio survives in 2023. They also discuss a potential sale of Lionsgate and what is next for the company. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the final season of ‘Succession.’

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click this link: puck.news/thetown

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Joe Drake

Producer: Craig Horlbeck

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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BET and the Future of Small Streamers Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

Matt is joined by Puck contributor and analyst at Parrot Analytics Julia Alexander to talk about Paramount selling the BET, a rare instance in which a media conglomerate sells an entire network and streaming service. They discuss why Paramount is selling BET, rumored potential suitors like Tyler Perry and Diddy, and the argument for small streamers to be in the hands of independent owners instead of major media conglomerates. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about ‘John Wick: Chapter 4.’

Read Julia's article on Puck here!

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click this link: puck.news/thetown

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Julia Alexander

Producer: Craig Horlbeck

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Is the Franchise Model Starting to Fatigue in Hollywood? Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss whether we are starting to see signs of decline in the franchise entertainment model. After the poor box-office showing of 'Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' and a slow start to Season 3 of 'The Mandalorian,' they speculate about whether the bankable franchise model of spinoffs, sequels, prequels, and universes is still as safe a bet as it once was. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about Hulu’s future and the upcoming film ‘Flamin’ Hot.’

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click this link: puck.news/thetown

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Lucas Shaw

Producer: Craig Horlbeck

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Matt’s Year One Prediction Report Card Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

Matt and Craig celebrate The Town’s one-year anniversary by looking back at Matt’s predictions and highlighting his best and worst takes after a wild year in Hollywood. They break down his strongest box-office hits and largest misses, as well as his takes from 2022 that aged the best and worst, including Netflix’s future after the Great Netflix Correction, 'SNL' cutbacks, Bob Iger potentially buying the Phoenix Suns, HBO Max’s new name, and more. They finish the show by making a box office prediction for ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods.’

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click this link: puck.news/thetown

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Producer: Craig Horlbeck

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices