Strictly Business

On today’s episode, Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of Cinema United, discusses the state of moviegoing and the reaction among exhibitors to the Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery news. He unpacks why movie theater owners are so worried about Netflix taking the keys to Hollywood’s biggest producer of theatrical films.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gene Maddaus, a senior media writer at Variety, dives into the industry's opposition to Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros., discussing the potential regulatory and labor hurdles. Meanwhile, Alex Rittman, Variety's London bureau chief, provides vibrant insights from the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, highlighting local filmmaking ambitions and cultural investments under Vision 2030. The festival shines a spotlight on women filmmakers, emphasizing their rising role in a changing cinematic landscape.

Brent Lang, Variety's executive editor and box office reporter, dives into the heated rivalry between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery as they eye Netflix's turf. He discusses the impressive $63M debut of 'Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,' highlighting its success with budget-friendly filmmaking. Lang also examines the thriving trend of video game adaptations and their appeal, particularly among younger audiences, and expresses hopes that upcoming releases like 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' will revive annual box office totals.

Theron (T-R / Tiran) Thomas, a talented songwriter and artist known for creating hits for artists like Miley Cyrus and Rosé, shares his journey from St. Thomas to Grammy recognition. He discusses the dynamics of collaborative songwriting, the evolving nature of music placements, and the importance of crafting commercially viable songs. Theron also reflects on the lessons learned from early publishing deals and advocates for fair compensation in the industry, emphasizing the need for sustainability in songwriting.

The podcast dives into the influence of media on spirituality, featuring insights from Brooke Zaugg of the Faith & Media Initiative. She discusses the necessity of nuanced portrayals of faith and the impact of stereotypes in Hollywood. Richard Gere shares behind-the-scenes stories about his documentary on the Dalai Lama, emphasizing compassion and kindness. They also explore the growing interest in spiritual themes, especially among younger audiences, and the potential for cultural change in the representation of faith in film and television.

On today’s episode, Variety’s Jem Aswad details our annual Hitmakers issue, featuring cover star Sabrina Carpenter. He details the year-long effort that goes into assembling the survey of the year’s top 25 tunes. And Todd Spangler gives us an update on the state of bidding for Warner Bros. Discovery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Variety’s Brian Steinberg details a deal between TelevisaUnivision and JCPenney to produce microdramas and microdrama branded content. And Chris Willman discusses the unique pleasures of standing in line with fellow music lovers on Record Store Day, Black Friday Edition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today’s episode, Variety's Rebecca Rubin unpacks the Thanksgiving feast at the box office with “Zootopia 2” and “Wicked: For Good” lighting up screens around the world. And Marc Malkin sits down with Jeremy Allen White as the actor turns his attention back to filming “The Bear.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marlo Thomas, an acclaimed actress and lifelong advocate for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, shares the inspiring story of her father, Danny Thomas. She discusses the emotional journey of founding St. Jude, emphasizing its mission to combat racial medical neglect. Marlo outlines the Thanks and Giving campaign's goals, personal anecdotes from families affected by St. Jude, and the hospital's groundbreaking $12 billion expansion in research and care. She also highlights efforts to engage younger generations in philanthropy.

Ike Barinholtz, actor and comedian known for his roles in film and television, dives into his role as a board member of the Motion Picture and Television Fund. He shares why fundraising feels natural to him and highlights the vital services MPTF provides, like counseling and emergency assistance. Ike reminisces about attending MPTF events and discusses the significance of community support. He encourages listeners to donate, emphasizing that even small contributions can make a big difference in the lives of industry members in need.