Lesley Goldberg

Lesley Goldberg, the former TV editor of The Hollywood Reporter, joins to dissect the financial frenzy of costly showrunner deals during the peak TV era. They delve into staggering nine-figure contracts that yielded no new shows, analyzing which deals hit the mark and which fizzled out. The conversation includes a look at high-stakes agreements, such as the $250 million deal with Bad Robot, and how different release strategies impact viewership. Tune in for insights on navigating creative control and the dynamics of TV's competitive landscape!

Lesley Goldberg, a TV reporter and Ankler colleague, joins to share her insights on the most influential showrunners shaping today's television landscape. She reveals how industry execs and agents helped curate the ranking and discusses surprising omissions. The group also digs into the increasing adoption of GPT-5 by writers and producers, contemplating its potential to reshape creative roles and how guilds prepare for the evolving landscape of AI-generated content. Their analysis highlights the balance between market influence and traditional creative storytelling.

In this engaging discussion, Natalie Jarvey shares insights on the reactions from political creators following Jimmy Kimmel's suspension, while Sean McNulty breaks down the ramifications of Nexstar and Sinclair's decisions to pull the show. Lesley Goldberg offers an insider's view of Disney's internal discussions and the regulatory pressures at play, and Katie Rich highlights the historical precedents and potential impacts on Hollywood culture. These perspectives shed light on the evolving landscape of entertainment amidst controversy.