Plain English with Derek Thompson

How Hollywood's Writers Strike Could Change the Future of TV and Movies

May 30, 2023

Matt Belloni, host of 'The Town' and writer for Puck News, dives into the recent Writers Guild of America strike and its seismic impact on TV and film. He discusses how this labor action reflects shifts in the entertainment industry, particularly with streaming services redefining content creation. The conversation highlights concerns about fair compensation for writers and the looming presence of AI in Hollywood. Belloni's insights probe how this strike could carve out new paths for storytelling amidst an evolving media landscape.

50:21

Episode guests

Matt Belloni

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

6min

Navigating the WGA Strike: Industry Shifts and Challenges

16min

Navigating the Paradox of Choice and Cost in 21st Century Media

3min

The Transformation of Entertainment Business Models

2min

The Effects of the Writers' Strike on Media Landscape

12min

AI in Hollywood: Writers' Strike Concerns

9min

In May of this year, the Writers Guild of America went on strike. For weeks, TV and film writers have been walking in picket lines in Los Angeles and New York, and the strike threatens to bring TV and film development to a screeching halt. Historically, strikes both reflect history—the ever-changing business models behind the media we consume—and change history. The 2007-8 strike famously accelerated the rise of reality TV. Today’s guest is Matt Belloni, the host of the Ringer podcast 'The Town' and a writer with Puck News. He breaks down what’s at stake for writers and studios and answers my deeper questions about how this strike could change the future of TV and film.

If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com. You can find us on TikTok at www.tiktok.com/@plainenglish_

Host: Derek Thompson

Guest: Matt Belloni

Producer: Devon Manze

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