Shane Smith Has Questions Why Hollywood Lost Its Soul ft. Barry Diller | Shane Smith Has Questions
Oct 23, 2025
In this engaging discussion, media mogul Barry Diller shares his incredible journey from a mailroom job to leading major studios like Paramount and 20th Century Fox. He reflects on the pivotal moments of his career, including his nervous breakdown at 19, and the chaos of iconic films like 'Grease.' Diller critiques Hollywood's shift to data-driven content and emphasizes the lost art of creative confrontation. With stories of near misses with Amazon and a candid look at his relationship with Diane von Furstenberg, he advocates for the power of curiosity in business.
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Value Of Being Undervalued
- Barry Diller says being discounted or handed 'risky' projects created freedom to innovate.
- He repeatedly benefited from others expecting him to fail, starting with Movie of the Week.
Early Breakdown And Recovery
- Diller recounts a nervous breakdown at 19, heavy therapy, and medication that he later stopped.
- He credits psychotherapy and a supportive doctor for recovery and clarity.
Instinct Versus Technology
- Diller emphasizes that Hollywood's instinct-driven era gave it cultural power for decades.
- He argues technology has shifted importance away from storytelling toward platforms and data.
