Understanding Test Screenings and Their Influence on Film Success

As the Trump administration moves to slash NPR’s federal funding, the network and three Colorado stations have fired back with a First Amendment lawsuit. Meanwhile, Hollywood’s theatrical business is booming. Memorial Day weekend raked in $326 million — up from $132 million last year — thanks to a packed release slate. Who was the biggest box office winner over the holiday weekend? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive in.

Plus, Masters talks to veteran film analyst Kevin Goetz about pivoting from a steady career in acting to a decades long journey in entertainment research. Goetz sheds light on the science and art behind audience testing, and he and Masters swap stories from some infamous test screenings over the years.