The Ankler Podcast

What do Stephen Colbert and an entire generation of Hollywood veterans have in common? They're both facing abrupt career disruption. Elaine Low, Sean McNulty and Natalie Jarvey explore the existential crisis facing Gen X, as careers stall out amid consolidation, AI and a Boomer blockade — and reveal what’s coming next for millennials. Then, Lesley Goldberg breaks down the shocking cancellation of The Late Show, revealed days after a $16 million Paramount settlement with President Trump. Was the ouster of late night’s highest-rated star really just a matter of money? And why didn’t his manager tell him about it for weeks? Plus: Sean checks in on summer box office, where The Fantastic Four is about to face the audience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elaine Low and Lesley Goldberg dive into the world’s biggest media swap meet about to start: the great cable TV sell-off. They reveal who’s selling the declining assets, who’s actually buying them and why. Elaine is also joined by Natalie Jarvey, Sean McNulty and Katey Rich, who keep score of the recent Emmy noms including the triumphs, snubs and why, despite heavy campaigning, YouTube couldn’t get voters to “like” them. Also, the team breaks down Superman’s opening weekend and its impact on the summer box office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Paramount–Skydance merger lurches toward an Oct. 4 deadline, Elaine Low, Sean McNulty, Lesley Goldberg and Ashley Cullins break down the latest on who’s in, who’s out, what Cindy Holland will do when she takes creative control of Paramount+ as expected, and Hollywood buzz about “New Paramount”: Who’s actually buying shows and who’s riding out the clock, and what the new org chart and spin-offs will look like. Plus: is a Peacock–Paramount+ hookup still on the table, is Skydance really calling the shots, and can any streamer survive without merging? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We kick off this holiday weekend on The Ankler Podcast with Matthew Frank exposing a rebellion brewing in film schools, where young cinephiles are shunning AI, while their mentors encourage them to embrace the new technology. Later, Sean McNulty breaks down the box office battles this July 4th, with Jurassic World Rebirth trying to take pole position away from Brad Pitt’s F1. But the real bombshell? Lesley Goldberg’s exclusive scoop: Neil Druckmann, the co-creator of Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us games and the Emmy Award-winning HBO series, is abandoning the TV adaptation ahead of season three. Lesley, Elaine Low and Natalie Jarvey dissect how Druckmann helped shape The Last of Us, why he’s leaving now, and where that leaves the show and co-creator Craig Mazin ahead of its next chapter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: Elaine Low, Sean McNulty and Natalie Jarvey unpack a wave of moves shaking up Hollywood. First, the team dissect Spotify’s latest push into video, including a leaked pitch deck showing the platform’s aggressive play to lure creators from YouTube — and what it means for the future of podcasts, revenue models, and digital windowing. Then, six months after the L.A. fires. Elaine talks to Nicole LaPorte about her wrenching interviews with the displaced from Hollywood, now struggling, surviving and rebuilding. Then: the California legislature signed off on a $750 million tax incentive expansion for film and TV production. What’s in the deal, who benefits, and will it really bring jobs back to the state? Plus: a look at the summer box office’s first big flop: Pixar’s Elio, and if Brad Pitt’s F1 can defy the haters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from Cannes Lions, Like & Subscribe editor Natalie Jarvey interviews creator Josh Richards and CrossCheck Studios CEO Chris Sawtelle about building a Gen Z media empire on the back of TikTok stardom. “I don’t mean to be dramatic here, but broadcast television is dead,” Sawtelle, a former ICM agent, said to a packed crowd at ADWEEK House at Le Majestic Hotel. These days, reaching young audiences means partnering with creators like Richards, who talked about how he helped Amazon drum up excitement for Thursday Night Football and is developing series aimed at Gen Z. Other highlights: Richards’ plan for outlasting his 15 minutes of social media fame ("You'll get lightning in a bottle, but you don't know how long you're gonna be able to hold that there"), how he's building his own IP and the investment advice Ashton Kutcher gave him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the ground at Cannes Lions, Janice Min and Natalie Jarvey join Elaine Low to break down the big Rumble(s) on the Riviera. First up: YouTube CEO Neal Mohan fired back at Netflix's Ted Sarandos in Janice’s newsmaking interview (come for the fight, stay for the sports, pod and AI talk); then it was all those creators stealing the thunder (and money) from traditional celebrities as they sped-dated with brands amid a historical shift in ad spend. Plus: Is “authenticity” the most overused word of the era?; a spicy moment onstage with Alex Cooper; and Amazon and Netflix go back to TV basics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Cotton, the innovative executive producer behind both the U.K. and U.S. versions of 'The Traitors,' dives deep into the show's captivating journey. He reveals the show's hands-off production approach that allows authentic drama to unfold. Cotton discusses the distinct differences between British and American reality TV and the psychological challenges contestants face. The immersive Scottish castle setting and the unique host role contribute to the show's success. With inspiration drawn from murder mysteries and thrillers, Cotton hints at exciting developments for future seasons!

Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube, discusses the platform's rise, now outpacing Netflix in TV viewership. He tackles the evolving creator economy and why YouTube is becoming the go-to for engaging content over traditional media. Mohan reveals insights on the NFL Sunday Ticket deal and the platform's expansion into global sports rights. He also highlights YouTube's dominance in video podcasts and how AI is reshaping creative opportunities for users, ensuring that creators thrive in this new landscape.

Dive into the fascinating rise of microdramas, those snappy 60-second soap operas captivating a mobile audience. The hosts explore the surprising financial success these bite-sized stories are generating, contrasting them with traditional Hollywood's struggles. Learn about Apple's new performance-based pay model and what it means for actors like Jon Hamm. As storytelling evolves, discover how platforms like TikTok are reshaping narratives and careers, breathing new life into an industry facing significant challenges.