The Town with Matthew Belloni The ‘Sinners’ Deal, the Manosphere, and the Biggest Overreactions of the First Half of 2025
26 snips
Jun 16, 2025 
Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in the entertainment industry, joins to unpack the first half of 2025's most overhyped stories. They delve into the implications of Trump's proposed film tariffs and Hollywood's ownership dynamics. The duo discusses the podcast landscape, the challenges posed by the manosphere, and recent Oscar controversies, particularly surrounding 'Amelia Perez.' Shaw also sheds light on the fierce rivalry between indie giants A24 and Neon and predicts the future of Hulu following its acquisition by Disney, hinting at a major strategic shift in streaming.
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Trump Tariffs Overhyped
- The reaction to Trump's proposed tariffs on movies shot outside the US was disproportionately extreme.
- Industry panic is unlikely to materialize as the proposal probably won't pass due to political opposition.
Coogler Ownership Deal Exception
- Ryan Coogler's deal owning his movie's rights is not a new norm but an exception for top talent.
- Studios' concern is the precedent it sets, but full ownership for directors is rare and not industry-wide.
Warner Exec Drama Overblown
- The intense media coverage over Warner Bros executives Mike and Pam's job security was excessive.
- Their films succeeded, neutralizing reasons for panic despite earlier unrest within the company.
