
The Business
Lively banter about entertainment industry news and in-depth interviews with directors, producers, writers and actors, hosted by award-winning journalist Kim Masters of The Hollywood Reporter.
Latest episodes

10 snips
May 30, 2025 • 30min
Kevin Goetz explains the art of test screening; A big holiday at the box office
Kevin Goetz, a veteran film strategist and founder of Screen Engine/ASI, shares his journey from acting to a successful career in film analysis. He reveals the fascinating interplay between science and creativity in test screenings. Goetz provides captivating stories about infamous screenings, highlighting the clash between Hollywood expectations and real audience reactions. The discussion also touches on the resurgence of the box office post-COVID, emphasizing the evolving relationship between filmmakers and their audiences.

May 23, 2025 • 30min
‘Pee-wee As Himself’ director Matt Wolf on really getting to know Paul Reubens; The Media’s appeasement to the President abounds
Director Matt Wolf, known for illuminating obscure figures, discusses his latest documentary, which explores the life of Paul Reubens beyond Pee-wee Herman. He shares insights from his in-depth interviews with Reubens, revealing the actor's inner conflicts and struggles with authenticity. The conversation also touches on the media's complex relationship with political power, especially regarding Donald Trump, and the ethical dilemmas faced in the business world. Wolf reflects on the challenges of documentary filmmaking and preserving hidden narratives.

May 16, 2025 • 30min
Ramy Youssef on why ‘#1 Happy Family USA’ had to be animated; WBD puts the ‘HBO’ back in ‘HBO Max’
Warner Bros. Discovery has renamed its streaming service once again. Beginning in the summer of 2025, “Max” will be “HBO Max” again. The company dropped “HBO” from its name in 2023, a move which was widely recognized as the company’s attempt to become more competitive with a company like Netflix in its programming variety. The name change signals a renewed focus on the associations between HBO and a certain caliber of TV. What’s next for WBD and the streaming landscape writ large? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni are on deck to talk it through.
Plus, NPR TV critic Eric Deggans talks with comedian and actor Ramy Youssef on creating #1 Happy Family USA. The new series marks Youssef’s first foray into animation. His latest comedy shares a lot of DNA with the award-winning series Ramy — drawing even more inspiration from childhood memories of growing up in a Muslim family in New Jersey post-9/11.

May 9, 2025 • 30min
Donald Trump threatens Hollywood tariffs; ENCORE: Director Edward Berger talks ‘Conclave’
In a captivating discussion, Edward Berger, the acclaimed German director known for 'All Quiet on the Western Front' and his latest film 'Conclave', shares insights from his filmmaking journey. He dives into the staggering implications of Donald Trump's proposed 100% tariffs on foreign films, warning of rising production costs and fewer movies made. Berger also reflects on the intense cardinals' dynamics in 'Conclave', revealing how his early career experiences and personal inspirations shaped his storytelling vision.

May 2, 2025 • 30min
Titus Welliver talks ‘Bosch: Legacy’; The Trump administration amplifies aggression towards public media
The Trump administration’s scorched-earth media strategy has claimed new casualties at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, including Sony Film Chief Tom Rothman. Meanwhile, the president’s $20 billion lawsuit against Paramount Global continues to force Shari Redstone into what could be a legacy-defining moment. But how will the CBS News staff react to a settlement with Trump? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate.
Plus, NPR TV Critic Eric Deggans chats with Bosch star Titus Welliver about his journey from supporting roles on police procedurals, to portraying detective Harry Bosch for a decade. He talks about his reaction when the spinoff series, Bosch: Legacy was abruptly cancelled after three seasons, and explains how he puts his executive producer credit to good use.

Apr 25, 2025 • 30min
Filmmaker Jared Hess on leaning into his oddball humor for ‘A Minecraft Movie’; An alarming personnel shake up at ‘60 Minutes’
60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens has resigned amid mounting pressure on Paramount Global to settle a $20 billion lawsuit from Donald Trump. What could a deal with the president mean for Shari Redstone’s legacy? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive in.
Plus, Masters speaks to Jared Hess about his pop-culture-shifting filmography which includes cult classics Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre. He’s currently enjoying the wild success of A Minecraft Movie, as that 2025 video game adaptation careens towards a billion dollar box office haul. Hess reflects on the unpredictable nature of success in filmmaking, and says he’s especially grateful to producer Mary Parent for understanding his oddball comedic sensibilities and inviting him into the world of Minecraft.

Apr 18, 2025 • 37min
Daryl Hannah on documenting her husband Neil Young in the concert film ‘Coastal’; The FCC sets its sights on MSNBC
After opening investigations into several media companies in recent months, The FCC has found its latest target– MSNBC. Why did FCC chairman Brenan Carr claim that specific broadcasts on MSNBC were not in “public interest?” Also, what’s behind the Writers Guild’s decision to block members from working on a Martin Scorsese produced film? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate.
Plus, Masters speaks with actress, activist, and filmmaker Daryl Hannah, whose new concert film, Coastal, offers an intimate look at her husband, the legendary Neil Young, on his 2023 solo tour. Hannah also recounts a painful experience with Harvey Weinstein on the Kill Bill press tour, and reveals what prompted her to proclaim “Slava Ukraini” at this year’s Oscars.

Apr 15, 2025 • 7min
SPECIAL PREVIEW: Daryl Hannah on her Neil Young doc 'Coastal'
Listen to a special preview of Kim Masters’ conversation with Daryl Hannah about her documentary Coastal. The film will be in theaters worldwide for one night only, on April 17th.

Apr 11, 2025 • 30min
Michael Shannon on his directorial debut ‘Eric LaRue’; What role will tariffs play in Hollywood?
As the Trump administration announces (and delays) tariffs, Hollywood is bracing itself for industry disruptions. What’s on the horizon for the entertainment industry amid erratic stock market fluctuations? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate. (The Banter runs from 00:01:01 to 00:07:48.)
Plus, Masters speaks to Michael Shannon about his directorial debut, Eric LaRue. The actor tells us how the film's producers managed to quickly pack up and relocate from Little Rock to North Carolina after Arkansas enacted a strict abortion ban. Shannon also admits that despite the movie's dark subject matter, he found making it surprisingly fun. Plus, we get a taste of his R.E.M. cover band, which just wrapped a nationwide tour. (The interview segment begins at 00:07:49.)

Apr 4, 2025 • 30min
Studios bet big at CinemaCon; Entertainment Union Coalition president Rebecca Rhine explains how to ‘Keep California Rolling’
Lionsgate touts a live performance from The Weeknd, Leonardo DiCaprio unveils explosive footage from his new Paul Thomas Anderson film, and James Gunn teases his take on Superman; Matt Belloni reports the big bets being placed by studios at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. Also, what led to the ousting of Amazon MGM Studios chief Jen Salke? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive in with a heaping helping of banter.
Plus, Masters speaks to Rebecca Rhine about the Entertainment Union Coalition’s fight to keep film and television productions shooting in California. Rhine explains how local production incentives work, and how they differ from the ones luring studios to spend their money in other states and overseas. She also lays out the coalition’s plan to create a surge of middle class production jobs in the golden state, and tells us how she’d feel about meeting with Trump’s special ambassadors to Hollywood: John Voight, Sylvester Stallone, and Mel Gibson.