The Town with Matthew Belloni

Latest Episodes:

The Gen Z Box Office Boom and What They Think of Spielberg, Marvel, and Star Wars Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by founder and CEO of Screen Engine/ASI, Kevin Goetz, to talk about his new survey of Gen Z moviegoers to explain the Gen Z box office boom, how Hollywood can better appeal to the new wave of moviegoers, as well as their opinions on major stars, directors, and legacy IP (01:54). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for Steven Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’ (21:36).
Host: Matt Belloni
Guest: Kevin Goetz
Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Matt Pevic
Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

Don’t Kill the Messenger

In this darkly comedic series, a love triangle ends in death. Watch now.
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Is the ‘60 Minutes’ Blowup a Threat to Ellison’s Empire? Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss the ongoing disruption at ‘60 Minutes,’ most recently the hiring of Nick Bilton as EP, and the firing of correspondent Scott Pelley. They dig into what the plan to "modernize '60 Minutes'” actually means, what this says about David Ellison’s leadership, if this threatens the Ellison media empire, and ultimately if this could stop the WarnerMount merger (02:48). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about who will attend the UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House lawn on Sunday, June 12 (28:59).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Lucas Shaw

Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Matt Pevic

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

For more information visit Hulu.com/FYC

In this darkly comedic series, a love triangle ends in death. Watch now.

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'Backrooms’ Director Kane Parsons on Bursting into Hollywood, Internet Fandom, and Old IP Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Kane Parsons, the 20-year-old director of ‘Backrooms,’ to discuss becoming the youngest filmmaker to open a movie no. 1 at the box office, his experience transitioning from YouTube to the big screen, what he wants to do with his newfound success, how he uses the internet, and more (01:56). Matt finishes the show with opening weekend box office predictions for ‘Scary Movie 6’ and ‘Masters of the Universe’ (30:18).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Kane Parsons

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Matt Pevic

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

In this darkly comedic series, a love triangle ends in death. Watch now.
Book a new kind of stay at HolidayInn.com

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Is This Hollywood’s First Practical Solution to Control AI? Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by RSL Media Founder Nikki Hexum to discuss her non-profit founded with actress Cate Blanchett that aims to protect artists against AI by requiring a consent framework for name, image, and likeness. Nikki outlines the infrastructure of her company, why this is necessary, how this era of AI is similar to the Napster era from the early 2000s, and why an AI company would participate in this (03:03). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about Taylor Swift’s new song in 'Toy Story 5' (28:04).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Nikki Hexum

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Matt Pevic

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

In this darkly comedic series, a love triangle ends in death. Watch now. Watch Deli Boys at hulu.com.

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The Right and Wrong Lessons From ‘Backrooms’ and ‘Obsession’ Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss what movie studios should learn from the remarkable weekend at the box office, whether this is really like the '70s all over again in Hollywood, the unique timing as 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' struggles at the box office, and more (02:01). Matt finishes the show with a prediction for the 2026 NBA Finals ratings (27:58).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Lucas Shaw

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Matt Pevic

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Peter Chernin on ‘Backrooms’ and Where the Smart Money Is Going in Hollywood May 29, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Peter Chernin, founder of North Road and the Chernin Group, to discuss the production of the new horror film ‘Backrooms,’ the biggest problems in Hollywood, whether the content recession is ending, his thoughts on where digital media is going, and why the life of a studio head isn't as fun as it used to be (00:00). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘Backrooms’ (39:24).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Peter Chernin

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Matt Pevic

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

Industry voters visit Starz FYC.com.

For more information visit Hulu.com/FYC

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IMAX Suitors and Why Netflix Put Fincher in Theaters May 27, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss who might buy IMAX after news broke last week that it is exploring a sale, and they get into the details behind how IMAX works as a business. They also discuss Netflix putting David Fincher’s new movie, ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth,’ in theaters with an exclusive two-week run in IMAX and whether this is just another Netflix movie theater stunt or perhaps something more meaningful (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the box office performance for the breakout horror phenomenon ‘Obsession’ (26:07).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Lucas Shaw

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Matt Pevic

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

Industry voters visit Starz FYC.com.

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Spencer Pratt, Karen Bass, and Why California Politicians Suddenly Love Hollywood May 21, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Puck’s political journalist Peter Hamby to discuss the gubernatorial and mayoral races in California and Los Angeles and how it might impact the future of Hollywood (02:34). They discuss why Hollywood has become a winning political issue for both races, the state production tax incentives that could reshape the entertainment industry in L.A., Spencer Pratt’s popularity in Hollywood, and more (11:00). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ (34:45).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Peter Hamby

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Matt Pevic

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

Industry voters visit Starz FYC.com.
Book a new kind of stay at HolidayInn.com

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Hollywood’s Inevitable Pivot to Vertical Video Is Here May 20, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Hernan Lopez, founder of Owl and Co. and Wondery, to talk about the rise of vertical video, how it ballooned to a $100B/year business, the staggering success of Reels, and which companies in Hollywood are best suited to benefit the most from this trend (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about next season's cast of 'Saturday Night Live' (26:50).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Hernan Lopez

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Matt Pevic

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

Industry voters visit Starz FYC.com.

For more information visit Hulu.com/FYC

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The Hollywood Jealousy Draft: What Each Studio Would Steal From Its Rivals May 19, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to conduct this first ever Hollywood Jealousy Draft, where each of the five major entertainment companies (Disney, Comcast, WarnerMount, Netflix, and Amazon) can steal any asset from any of their competitors for free. Matt and Lucas cosplay as all-powerful CEOs and make their selections for what they believe are the most valuable assets in Hollywood (00:06). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the final episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (29:40).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Lucas Shaw

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Matt Pevic

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

Industry voters visit Starz FYC.com.

Sarah Snook stars in Peacock’s ALL HER FAULT. Streaming on Peacock.