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Tag: the-town-podcast

  • The Post-Pandemic Life of a Hustling Screenwriter

    The Post-Pandemic Life of a Hustling Screenwriter

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    Matt is joined by writer Bruce Eric Kaplan (Girls, Seinfeld, Six Feet Under) to discuss the life of a TV writer and how it has changed over the years, particularly coming out of the pandemic. Bruce talks about his new book—They Went Another Way: A Hollywood Memoir—chronicling his time during the pandemic as a struggling screenwriter, joining Season 2 of the hit Netflix show Nobody Wants This, the bursting of the peak TV bubble, the psychology of the working writer, and whether there is room for optimism moving forward (02:31). Matt finishes the show with opening weekend box office predictions for Venom 3: The Last Dance and Conclave. (21:30).

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    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Bruce Eric Kaplan
    Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • Burning Questions for the Most Uncertain Oscar Race in Years

    Burning Questions for the Most Uncertain Oscar Race in Years

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    Matt is joined by New York Times awards season reporter Kyle Buchanan to preview the 2024-25 Oscar race now that the table is mostly set. Kyle sets the table for a fascinating Oscar season—one without a clear front-runner like Oppenheimer was last year—and highlights the biggest narratives that have emerged, including the movies with the strongest momentum, early 2024 films that could make a last-second surge, and other burning questions (02:09). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the MLB playoffs (28:28).

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    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Kyle Buchanan
    Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • Lionsgate, Meta, and a Wild Week in AI

    Lionsgate, Meta, and a Wild Week in AI

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    Matt is joined by Justine Bateman—writer, director, producer, and SAG-AFTRA negotiation committee consultant on the use of AI—to check in on the latest developments on AI in entertainment. They discuss Lionsgate’s new deal with AI company Runway to make movies and shows more efficiently, Meta’s new deal with celebrities to voice a new AI chatbot, and whether other studios will follow suit (02:24). Matt finishes the show with two opening weekend box office predictions for Megalopolis and the animated film The Wild Robot (26:03).

    For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, What I’m Hearing …, click here.

    Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Justine Bateman
    Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • How to Choose the Right Festival to Premiere Your Movie

    How to Choose the Right Festival to Premiere Your Movie

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    It’s fall festival season! Matt is joined by Peter Kujawski, the chairman of Focus Features, to discuss the science of premiering a movie at a film festival. Peter provides his expertise on why you bring a certain movie to a certain festival, the risk involved, and which specific festivals are best suited for certain types of films. They also discuss the politics of these festivals jockeying to attain the world premieres of splashy titles, and which festival award is the most coveted (02:51). Matt ends the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (26:10).

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    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Peter Kujawski
    Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • Are Expensive Showrunner Deals Worth It?

    Are Expensive Showrunner Deals Worth It?

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    Matt is joined by Lesley Goldberg, former TV editor of The Hollywood Reporter, to look at the most costly showrunner deals of the peak TV era and determine which were the best and worst deals for the respective studios. They discuss the nine-figure deals that led to zero new shows, and the biggest underperformers of Hollywood’s hyperinflated peak TV era (02:44).

    For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, What I’m Hearing …, click here.

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    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Lesley Goldberg
    Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • Does Hollywood Need Deregulation?

    Does Hollywood Need Deregulation?

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    Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav’s latest comments from the Sun Valley conference, during which he advocated for less regulation in Hollywood. They unpack his statement and speculate how the election results might affect the regulatory environment for media companies, which companies would benefit the most from M&A possibilities, and why a company like Netflix might not mind consolidation (03:07). We finish the show with a mid-year check-in of the 2024 Box Office Draft (23:16).

    For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, What I’m Hearing …, click here.

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    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Lucas Shaw
    Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • Burning Questions About the Future of Paramount

    Burning Questions About the Future of Paramount

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    Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to look at what the future holds for Paramount now that David Ellison has purchased the legacy media company from Shari Redstone. They discuss what will happen to Paramount’s assets—including CBS, Pluto, Paramount+—their movie strategy, and ultimately whether a new, young, tech-focused CEO can not only keep Paramount alive, but help it flourish (02:22). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the upcoming criminal trial of Alec Baldwin in the Rust case (25:57).

    For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, What I’m Hearing …, click this link: puck.news/thetown

    Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Lucas Shaw
    Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • TV Viewers Are Getting Old. Do Advertisers Care?

    TV Viewers Are Getting Old. Do Advertisers Care?

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    Matt is joined by Wall Street Journal reporter Isabella Simonetti to discuss an article she wrote that focuses on the older ages of television viewers and how it has affected advertisers (03:35). They go through how the pitches to ad buyers have shifted, the age gap between people who consume traditional linear TV and streaming, whether age demographics are still used, the growing acceptance of older casts on TV, and whether linear TV is beginning to age out. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the distribution of The Apprentice, which highlights Donald Trump’s rise during his business career (19:50).

    For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, What I’m Hearing …, click this link: puck.news/thetown

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    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Isabella Simonetti
    Producer: Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • Everyone Hates Ticketmaster, but Is It a Monopoly?

    Everyone Hates Ticketmaster, but Is It a Monopoly?

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    Matt is joined by Puck’s Eriq Gardner to discuss the U.S. government’s monopoly lawsuit against Ticketmaster and Live Nation

    Matt is joined by Puck’s Eriq Gardner to discuss the U.S. government’s monopoly lawsuit against Ticketmaster and Live Nation (02:58). They briefly go through the history of the Ticketmaster–Live Nation merger, what led to the eventual lawsuit, why concert prices won’t go down even if the two companies split, whether this lawsuit is just a PR attack against Ticketmaster, what impact this could have on the secondary markets, what a broken-up Ticketmaster–Live Nation would look like, and more. Matt finishes the show with a prediction for this weekend’s holiday box office (27:00).

    For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, What I’m Hearing …, click this link: puck.news/thetown.

    Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Eriq Gardner
    Producer: Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • A CEO Firing, and the Chaos at Paramount

    A CEO Firing, and the Chaos at Paramount

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    Matt is joined by Lucas Shaw to discuss the ousting of Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish, why it happened now, and whether it affects a potential deal moving forward. They then update their predictions in the Skydance vs. Apollo deal, and wonder what would happen to Paramount Global and its new three-headed CEO triumvirate if there is no deal. Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for the upcoming action movie Fall Guy.

    For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, What I’m Hearing …, click here.

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    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Lucas Shaw
    Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • Aaron Sorkin, Live From D.C.

    Aaron Sorkin, Live From D.C.

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    In a special live episode, Matt and Puck colleague Peter Hamby are joined by screenwriter, playwright, and film director Aaron Sorkin to discuss the current state of Hollywood, the impact of AI on writers, politics, why he fired his agents, and much more.

    For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, What I’m Hearing …, click here.

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    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guests: Aaron Sorkin and Peter Hamby
    Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • Can IMAX Save Movie Theaters?

    Can IMAX Save Movie Theaters?

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    Matt is joined by IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond to discuss the complicated state of movie theaters and the growing importance of premium large-format screens like IMAX. Rich reveals just how much certain movies have benefitted from IMAX sales, which movies are getting the most IMAX screens this spring and summer, and what to do about the glut of empty multiplexes across the country. Matt finishes the show with an opening-weekend box office prediction for Alex Garland’s newest film, Civil War.

    For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, What I’m Hearing …, click here.

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    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Rich Gelfond
    Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • Inside TMZ’s Cozy Relationship With Hollywood

    Inside TMZ’s Cozy Relationship With Hollywood

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    Matt is joined by Van Lathan to discuss the complicated and nuanced relationship between TMZ and Hollywood. As a former TMZ employee, Van walks us through how the sausage is made at TMZ and outlines its aggressive reporting style, how it pays its sources, and how, despite its often negative perception, the mainstream media has become more like TMZ, not the other way around.

    For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, What I’m Hearing …, click here.

    Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Van Lathan
    Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • The Juice List: The Most Powerful People in Hollywood

    The Juice List: The Most Powerful People in Hollywood

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    Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to craft The Town’s first ever Hollywood Power List: their definitive (and subjective!) ranking of who has the most “juice” a.k.a. the most influential figures in the entertainment business. Matt and Lucas debate who deserves to be in the top 10, who doesn’t, whether an actor will break the top 10, and who currently deserves the coveted top spot.

    For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, What I’m Hearing …, click here.

    Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Lucas Shaw
    Producer: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • ‘The Holdovers’ Plagiarism Claim and How to Protect Your Script

    ‘The Holdovers’ Plagiarism Claim and How to Protect Your Script

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    Matt is joined by Jeremiah Reynolds, partner at Eisner LLP and copyright law expert, to untangle the recent plagiarism accusation by screenwriter Simon Stephenson over Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers, then outline whether or not this case has merit. Matt and Jeremiah discuss famous past examples of copyright infringement, whether the WGA can help with plagiarism, and what a writer can do if they feel their idea is being stolen. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the films that will premiere at South by Southwest.

    For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, What I’m Hearing …, click here.

    Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Jeremiah Reynolds
    Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • Inside Netflix’s Calculated Sports Strategy

    Inside Netflix’s Calculated Sports Strategy

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    Matt is joined by Julia Alexander from Puck and Parrot Analytics to discuss what is and isn’t working in Netflix’s foray into live sports and sports-adjacent programming, and they outline how Netflix is experimenting to make a potential bid on live rights for a major sport. She reveals some data around Netflix viewership, explains why the sports documentary market is oversaturated, and outlines the importance of live sports for Netflix’s bottom line. Matt finishes the show with a prediction on the opening weekend box office for the new Mark Wahlberg film Arthur the King.

    For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, What I’m Hearing …, click here.

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    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Julia Alexander
    Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • The Awards Season Awards: Which Oscars Campaigns Worked (and Didn’t)

    The Awards Season Awards: Which Oscars Campaigns Worked (and Didn’t)

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    Matt is joined by The New Yorker’s Michael Schulman to parse through the endless campaigns from the 2024 Oscar season and give out their own awards for the best, worst, and everything in between. Some of the awards include Best Campaign Narrative, Biggest Campaign Misfire, Best Stunt, Best Overall Campaign, and Who Won Awards Season.

    For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, What I’m Hearing …, click here.‌

    Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Michael Schulman
    ‌Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    ‌Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • Peacock-Paramount+ Merger Rumors, Questions, and What-Ifs

    Peacock-Paramount+ Merger Rumors, Questions, and What-Ifs

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    Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss Peacock’s strong start to 2024 and the prospect of a possible joint venture or “commercial partnership” with Paramount+, as reported by The Wall Street Journal late last week. They run through the logistics of a merger, the curious timing of the Journal’s story, the critical role live sports rights play, Warren Buffett’s sale of a third of his stake in Paramount Global, and who is most to blame for Paramount’s struggles. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about John Oliver’s HBO show, Last Week Tonight.

    For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, What I’m Hearing …, click here.

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    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Lucas Shaw
    Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • The ‘SNL’ Succession Sweepstakes

    The ‘SNL’ Succession Sweepstakes

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    Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images

    Matt and James Andrew Miller talk about whether Lorne Michaels will step down and, if so, who could replace him

    Matt is joined by journalist, author, and SNL expert James Andrew Miller to discuss whether Lorne Michaels will actually step down after the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live in 2025 and, if so, who is best suited to replace him. They also discuss the state of the show, its struggle with political humor, and its lack of star power.

    For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, What I’m Hearing …, click here.

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    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: James Andrew Miller
    Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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  • Are the Golden Globes Unkillable?

    Are the Golden Globes Unkillable?

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    Matt is joined by Brooks Barnes from The New York Times to discuss the long and messy path of the Golden Globes as we gear up for the 81st Golden Globe Awards on Sunday. Matt and Brooks discuss why this show can’t seem to die even though it’s been mired in controversy, how it has been reformed under new ownership, whether people even want to celebrate Hollywood anymore, and why the Globes will probably still exist 30 years from now. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the ratings for the Golden Globes.

    For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, What I’m Hearing …, click here.

    Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

    Host: Matt Belloni
    Guest: Brooks Barnes
    Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez
    Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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