The Business

Benny Safdie, a filmmaker and actor known for his work with his brother in the Safdie brothers duo, discusses his solo directing venture, The Smashing Machine. He shares the serendipitous moment when Dwayne Johnson approached him about portraying UFC fighter Mark Kerr, a story that reflects his interest in flawed characters. Benny elaborates on lessons learned from directing giants like Paul Thomas Anderson and Christopher Nolan and dives into the evolution of the UFC from its bare-knuckle roots to a mainstream spectacle while also touching on his creative split with his brother.

Mike Figgis, a renowned filmmaker and director of the documentary Megadoc, takes us behind the scenes of Francis Ford Coppola's ambitious project Megalopolis. He shares how a casual email led to his fly-on-the-wall access, capturing the chaos of on-set dynamics between Coppola's improvisational style and the art department's meticulous planning. Figgis reveals insights into actors' reactions, particularly Shia LaBeouf's perfectionism, and discusses the financial and distribution challenges Megalopolis faced, all while highlighting Coppola's fearless pursuit of his artistic vision.

ABC has indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! following pressure from Nexstar and Sinclair, which own affiliated stations across the country. The move comes after Kimmel’s recent monologue about the assassination of Charlie Kirk prompted FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to issue a warning to Disney regarding the late-night host’s presence on ABC. What’s next for Kimmel and how has the industry responded to the suspension? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down the unfolding story.  Plus, we revisit Masters’s conversation with recent Emmy-winner Matt Wolf, director of Pee-wee as Himself. The HBO documentary draws from more than 40 hours of interviews with the late actor Paul Reubens, and Wolf explains how his interest in overlooked artists and forgotten stories led to his portrait of the man behind Pee-wee Herman. He also talks about the actor’s struggle with his sexuality and reveals why HBO pushed for a two-part series to tell the late actor’s story.

In this insightful discussion, Scott Feinberg, the Executive Awards Editor for The Hollywood Reporter and host of the Awards Chatter podcast, shares his Emmy predictions and examines significant contenders like 'Severance' and 'Hacks.' He also delves into the fierce competition and trends in the awards landscape, raising key points about how viewership affects voting. Additionally, the conversation touches on the Murdoch family's multi-billion-dollar settlement and the potential Paramount acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, highlighting the ongoing media dynamics.

Cristóbal Valenzuela, co-founder of Runway, an AI firm, dives into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in Hollywood. He discusses how major studios like Lionsgate and Netflix are already leveraging AI tools to enhance creativity and streamline production. While acknowledging fears of job losses, Valenzuela compares the current AI backlash to the historical resistance against sound in film, suggesting that embracing AI could ultimately benefit filmmakers and the industry at large.

Brady Corbet, co-writer and director of The Brutalist, shares his insights on the cinematic triumph of KPop Demon Hunters, a unique blend of music and magic that captivated audiences. He discusses the film's unexpected global success, despite its unconventional release. Corbet also reflects on his challenging journey in filmmaking and the necessity of a three-and-a-half-hour film with an intermission. Alongside Kim Masters and Matt Belloni, they explore the evolving landscape of film and the balance between artistic vision and market demands.

In a lively discussion, Jason Segel, the talented actor and co-creator of Shrinking, shares his creative journey and career highlights, from Freaks and Geeks to The Muppets. He offers behind-the-scenes insights into Shrinking's evolution and its Emmy nominations. Segel reflects on the emotional impact of storytelling, the challenges of filming a series finale, and reviving childhood inspirations like the Muppets. He humorously recounts the chaos of working with kids while emphasizing the joy of genuine storytelling.

David Ellison’s Paramount is off to a loud start, rolling out a James Mangold/Timothée Chalamet crime drama and a $7.7 billion, seven year UFC deal. Will the studio’s bold strategies play out as intended? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down Paramount’s next act. Plus, Masters talks to documentarian Petra Costa about Apocalypse in the Tropics, a follow-up to her Oscar-nominated 2019 film The Edge of Democracy. What started as a look at Brazil’s COVID response became an investigation into how religious fundamentalism, conspiracy theories and foreign influence have undermined democracy in her home country. She also recounts documenting the rise and fall of Jair Bolsonaro and the risks her crew faced while covering the country’s January 8th attempted coup.  

This week, Kim Masters speaks to Severance director and cinematographer, Jessica Lee Gagné. The Quebecois filmmaker reflects on her collaboration with Severance executive producer Ben Stiller, which began on the Showtime limited series Escape at Dannemora. She discusses becoming the first woman to be Emmy-nominated in the same year for both cinematography and directing in a drama series, and the major leap of faith it took to transition from a successful career as a DP into the world of directing.  Plus, Disney is reshaping its sports strategy, launching a standalone ESPN app, and making billion-dollar deals with WWE and the NFL. Will the NFL's new stake in ESPN bring scrutiny from the Trump-led DOJ? Also, the Skydance-Paramount deal is done, and the Ellisons may have their sights set on Warner Bros. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break it all down.

Kim Masters speaks to Platonic co-creators Francesca Delbanco & Nicholas Stoller about what inspired their show about the comedy and complications of grown-up friendships. They talk about the challenge of writing characters—played by Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen—with none of the underlying sexual tension that has propelled so many television comedies to success. They also remember the time that Netflix boss Ted Sarandos sat through a lengthy table read of their first series, Friends from College.   Plus, as FCC Chairman Brendan Carr ramps up scrutiny of major media players, Comcast’s NBCUniversal appears to be his latest target. Is the company’s cable spinoff Versant a calculated play to dodge the Trump administration’s media witch hunt? Kim Masters and Lucas Shaw dig in.