Speaker Johnson, Mark Duplass, & Getting SALT Back 09/18/24
Sep 18, 2024
auto_awesome
Mark Duplass, an actor and producer known for his work on The Morning Show and The Mindy Project, shares his insights on the evolving landscape of streaming as he prepares for the launch of his new series 'Penelope.' He stresses the importance of independent storytelling to combat the trend of bland, homogenized content. The discussion also highlights the challenges of pitching innovative ideas amid fierce competition. Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson addresses the contentious voter verification legislation tied to a crucial government funding bill.
Speaker Mike Johnson underscored the importance of voter verification and claims that any government shutdown would be the Democrats' fault.
Mark Duplass criticized the oversaturation of content in streaming, advocating for a return to independent creativity akin to the 1990s film movement.
Deep dives
Financial Market Predictions and Government Funding
House Speaker Mike Johnson discussed the looming vote on a government funding bill, which is expected to fail due to limited Republican support tied to voting legislation. He emphasized that if the government shuts down, it would be the responsibility of the Democrats, asserting that the Republicans are fulfilling their obligations. Johnson stressed the importance of maintaining government operations and flagged this funding proposal as critical for American electoral security by advocating for proof of citizenship when registering to vote. He reiterated that this measure aligns with existing federal law, aiming to alleviate concerns surrounding electoral integrity.
Streaming Industry Challenges
Actor Mark Duplass provided insights into the current state of the streaming industry, highlighting the oversaturation of content and the financial instability faced by major platforms. He noted that the competition among streaming services has led to excessive spending on productions that often fail to yield profitability. Duplass described the environment as reflecting a 'death of the streaming wars,’ where companies are now forced to revert to a formulaic approach to content, aiming to replicate past successes rather than fostering new ideas. He advocates for a revival of independent creation in television, drawing parallels to the independent film movement of the 1990s as a remedy for homogenized content.
Google's Antitrust Victory
A recent ruling by the European Union's general court ruled in favor of Google, annulling a $1.7 billion fine related to allegations of abusing market dominance in advertising. Although the court upheld many of the findings from European regulators, it highlighted the failure to consider all circumstantial details of the case. This decision appeared surprising, as U.S. companies typically face a difficult battle in such instances within EU courts. The ruling emphasizes the nuanced landscape of international antitrust regulations and their implications for large tech firms.
Drug Pricing Negotiations and Legislative Changes
The podcast explored upcoming negotiations related to drug pricing, specifically mentioning Osempic as one of the drugs likely to be targeted for price cuts under the Inflation Reduction Act. This act allows the U.S. government to negotiate drug prices with manufacturers, impacting the costs of significant medications. The discussion included the complexities of these negotiations, highlighting that the actual discounts may not reflect the advertised list prices due to the influence of middlemen in the pharmaceutical supply chain. These adjustments aim to alleviate financial burdens on consumers while raising concerns about potential impacts on drug innovation.
The House of Representatives is voting on a stopgap funding bill–but Washington expects it to fail. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) discusses the voter verification legislation that he’s attached to the bill, despite limited Republican support. Actor, writer, and producer Mark Duplass is known for his roles on The Morning Show and The Mindy Project, but he’s betting on a big shift for streaming. Ahead of the launch of “Penelope,” Duplass explains his inspiration for his new series and for a new approach to the entertainment business. The EU has ruled to annul a $1.7B fine on Alphabet, and Steve Cohen is stepping further back from the trading desks at Point72, and Ozempic might be targeted for a price cut. Plus, former President Trump has vowed to “get SALT back” if reelected, despite having signed the SALT deduction cap into law during his first term.