This week, Kim Masters speaks to Severance director and cinematographer, Jessica Lee Gagné. The Quebecois filmmaker reflects on her collaboration with Severance executive producer Ben Stiller, which began on the Showtime limited series Escape at Dannemora. She discusses becoming the first woman to be Emmy-nominated in the same year for both cinematography and directing in a drama series, and the major leap of faith it took to transition from a successful career as a DP into the world of directing.
Plus, Disney is reshaping its sports strategy, launching a standalone ESPN app, and making billion-dollar deals with WWE and the NFL. Will the NFL's new stake in ESPN bring scrutiny from the Trump-led DOJ? Also, the Skydance-Paramount deal is done, and the Ellisons may have their sights set on Warner Bros. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break it all down.
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‘Platonic’ creators Francesca Delbanco & Nick Stoller love it when you hate watch
Kim Masters speaks to Platonic co-creators Francesca Delbanco & Nicholas Stoller about what inspired their show about the comedy and complications of grown-up friendships. They talk about the challenge of writing characters—played by Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen—with none of the underlying sexual tension that has propelled so many television comedies to success. They also remember the time that Netflix boss Ted Sarandos sat through a lengthy table read of their first series, Friends from College.
Plus, as FCC Chairman Brendan Carr ramps up scrutiny of major media players, Comcast’s NBCUniversal appears to be his latest target. Is the company’s cable spinoff Versant a calculated play to dodge the Trump administration’s media witch hunt? Kim Masters and Lucas Shaw dig in.
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Will Paramount produce a PSA (or many) for the Trump admin?
[Editor’s note: this segment was taped before news broke of the FCC approval of the Paramount-Skydance merger.]
New details from the ongoing Paramount-Skydance merger reveal a $20 million agreement to deliver public service announcements for the Trump administration. And following from the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CBS News braces for potential changes in leadership. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive into what’s unfolding behind the scenes.
Plus, an encore of Eric Deggans’ conversation with Lauren LeFranc about her Emmy nominated HBO mini series, The Penguin. The writer discusses the challenges of adapting a well known comic book villain into a complex, three dimensional character and she shares why her perspective as a woman writing a show about a middle-aged crime boss makes for interesting storytelling. And of course, she talks about the joys of working with Colin Farrell, who is both the star of the show and an involved executive producer.
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Barry Diller calls out studios for reckless misinformation
In the conclusion of Kim Masters’ two-part conversation with Barry Diller, the veteran businessman reflects on his time helping build Rupert Murdoch’s Fox empire. Diller also criticizes studios for spreading misinformation—citing Oliver Stone’s JFK in particular—and weighs in on the now-resolved Trump-Paramount dispute, and the prospect of a David Ellison-led studio.
Plus, Paramount’s looming merger with Skydance has South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker lawyering up. The duo is eyeing legal action over billion-dollar licensing deals they claim are being undercut. At the center of it all: South Park’s future on Paramount+. New execs Jeff Shell and David Ellison are feeling the heat; Matt Belloni and Lucas Shaw are on hand to explain what’s at stake.
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Hollywood legend Barry Diller opens up via ‘Who Knew?’
Kim Masters talks to Barry Diller about his memoir, Who Knew? The legendary studio exec reflects on his quick rise at ABC and how helped transform the third-ranked broadcast network into a force to be reckoned with. He also remembers a much happier time at Paramount, where he presided over a studio staffed with future industry stars. He also opens up about why none of his friends in the business are having much fun these days.
Plus, summer movie season is heating up, with F1, Jurassic World: Rebirth, and a highly anticipated Superman reboot staking their claims at the box office. But is there room left for Disney’s big bet with Fantastic Four: First Steps? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down the wins and worries shaping Hollywood’s high-stakes summer.
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.
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