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☆ 'Survivor' contestants share 17 facts about being on the show that would surprise even the biggest fans
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Meghan Cook | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

Eight "Survivor" competitors spoke with Business Insider about their time on the show and shared behind-the-scenes secrets that might surprise even the series's biggest fans. The production team has a set of 'identical' replacement clothesLauren-Ashley Beck and Karishma Patel on "Survivor: Island of the Idols." Beck added that she sometimes said things out loud before remembering that they could be aired on national television. Contestants aren't allowed to directly address the camera crewKellee Kim and Lauren-Ashley Beck on "Survivor: Island of the Idols." But Beck added that after spending weeks with the crew, it's hard to not notice certain things about them.

Persons: —, Lauren, Ashley Beck, Beck, Davie Rickenbacker, Rickenbacker, Elaine Stott, Stott, We're, we're, Patel, Karishma Patel, Janet Carbin, aren't, Carbin, castmates, Malcolm Freberg, Carbin's, Kellee Kim, they're, Tyson Apostol, Dean Kowalski, Tom Laidlaw, Chelsea Walker, Robert Voets, Jeff, doesn't, Andrea Boehlke, Boehlke, David, — Nick Wilson, Nick, Goliath, Dan Rengering, I've, she's Organizations: Service, CBS, Business, Getty, YouTube Locations: Philippines, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Cambodia, Fiji, Tribal, Ponderosa

☆ A former 'Real Housewives' star with alcoholism is suing Bravo and Andy Cohen, accusing them of making her relapse for ratings
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewLeah McSweeney, known for appearances on Seasons 12 and 13 of "The Real Housewives of New York City," is suing Bravo, executive producer Andy Cohen, and others, accusing them of encouraging her to relapse for ratings. AdvertisementMcSweeney, who also appeared on the spin-off show "The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip," was candid with viewers and producers about her sobriety journey. According to the lawsuit, McSweeney had been sober for around nine years until a brief relapse about five months before joining the show. However, according to the complaint, producers discriminated against her by intentionally planning scenarios intended to exacerbate her disabilities.

Persons: —, Leah McSweeney, Bravo, Andy Cohen, McSweeney, Cohen, Andy, Brandi Glanville, Caroline Manzo Organizations: Service, Housewives, New, of, Business, Bravo, Shed Media, Warner Media, Beverly Hills, Housewives of Locations: New York City, Southern, of New York, Housewives of New Jersey

☆ Critics are hailing FX's 'Shōgun' as the next 'Game of Thrones'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Palmer Haasch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

"Shōgun," created by Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, takes place at the turn of the 17th century in Japan. Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga in the series premiere of "Shōgun." The Washington Post's Lili Loofbourow wrote that "Shōgun" will draw comparisons to "Game of Thrones" because it has a "proven combination of gorgeous set pieces, moral ambiguity, cliffhangers (literally, in one case!) According to critics, however, FX's "Shōgun" more effectively shifts the focus to the story's cast of Japanese characters. AdvertisementReviews praised Hiroyuki Sanada's performance as Toranaga YoshiiHiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga in "Shōgun."

Persons: —, James Clavell's, Rachel Kondo, Justin Marks, John Blackthorne, Yoshii Toranaga, Hiroyuki Sanada, Katie Yu, Alan Sepinwall, Nick Hilton, Lili Loofbourow, Loofbourow, Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai, Time's Judy Berman, Mike Hale, Toda Mariko, IGN's Samantha Nelson, Sanada, Hiroyuki Sanada's, Yoshii Hiroyuki Sanada, Stone's Sepinwall, Today's Kelly Lawler, IGN's Nelson, Toranaga, Critics, IndieWire's Ben Travers, Travers, Rebecca Nicholson, Yuka Kouri, Kurt Iswarienko, Variety's Alison Herman, showrunners Marks, Jonathan van Tulleken, Helen Jarvis, Carlos Rosario Organizations: Service, Hulu, Disney, Taiko, Regents, Business, Thrones, FX, New York Times Locations: United Kingdom, Japan, Kanto, Washington, Osaka, Hulu

☆ A guide to all the confirmed 'Game of Thrones' spinoffs, prequels, and sequels in development at HBO
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Eve Crosbie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Following on from "House of the Dragon," there are lots more "Game of Thrones" spinoffs in the works. So here's everything we know about all the "Game of Thrones"-related projects that are in development, are rumored to be in development, or returning. "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight""A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight" is in development. I don't want to repeat what happened with GAME OF THRONES itself, where the show gets ahead of the books," he continued. "House of the Dragon" season twoEmma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen in "House of the Dragon."

Persons: George R.R, —, Martin, Kim Renfro, Ser Duncan, King, Laverne, Shirley, Abbott, Costello, Beavis, Butthead, I've, Martin's, Ira Parker, Ryan Condal, Vince Gerardis, Jon Snow, Kit Harington, Martin . Per, Harington, Jon, Eddard, Ned, Stark, Sean Bean, Lyanna Stark, Rhaegar, Targaryen, Emilia Clarke, Dany, Ygritte, Olly, Steve Toussaint, Corlys, Corlys Velaryon, Bruno Heller, it's, Toussaint, Princess Nymeria, Arya Stark's direwolf, Valyrian, Mattson Tomlin, Tomlin, HoD, Emma D’Arcy, Naomi Watts, Jane Goldman, S.J, Clarkson Organizations: HBO, Service, HBO HBO, Entertainment, King Aegon, Hollywood, Free Folk, The New York Times, New York Times, Variety, Aegon Targaryen, Aegon Locations: Westeros, Pentos, Driftmark, Lys, Volantis, Qarth, King's, Essos, Dorne, Imperial China

☆ Chick-fil-A appears to be creating an entertainment app to host video series and podcasts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The chain is hiring an "entertainment producer," according to a job posting on its website. The new entertainment app, PLAY, will feature scripted and non-scripted programming. The Atlanta-based fast-food chain, owned by the wealthy Cathy family, is set to launch a family-focused entertainment app called PLAY, according to a job posting for an "entertainment producer" listed on the chain's website. The PLAY app is geared toward entertaining families and children. AdvertisementThe entertainment producer will manage writers, actors, casting directors, artists, and showrunners.

Persons: —, Cathy, thoughtfully Organizations: Service, Evergreen Locations: Atlanta, Evergreen Hills

☆ As ‘Billions’ Ends, Its Creators Discuss the Changing Face of the Ultrarich
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Sean T. Collins | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

As the Showtime financial thriller “Billions” prepares to air its final episode this weekend, it’s worth considering how far we’ve come. The show started as the story of the crusading U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) and the hard-charging hedge funder Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis). Exclusive restaurants, elaborate schemes and a host of cameos by real-world power players provided the backdrop for their battle. In a video chat earlier this month they discussed the state of play and the fates of the major players in the series, without revealing who (if anyone) wins the final “Billions” battle. According to an otherwise cagey Koppelman, “The end of this show is really for ‘Billions’ fans.” These are edited excerpts from the conversation.

Persons: Chuck Rhoades, Paul Giamatti, Bobby Axelrod, Damian Lewis, Lewis, Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Andrew Ross Sorkin, Mike Prince, Corey Stoll, Chuck, Prince, —, Wendy, Maggie Siff Organizations: Showtime, U.S, New York Times, CNBC Locations: Miami

☆ Netflix wants its own version of 'The Bear' and more 'Dahmer'-style true crime. Here's its series wish list, per Hollywood insiders and leaked agency documents.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Several producers, agents, and other dealmakers also weighed in for this story about the content market and what the streamers are looking for. In short, broadcast network-type shows that will grab broad viewership are the top priority for Netflix and all its competitors. Netflix wants another 'Squid Game' and more true crime, but 'nothing too political'"Squid Game." And for its version of Hulu's "The Bear," it wants a series set in a fast-paced world, but not a restaurant. In unscripted and non-fiction programming, per both documents and Insider's sources, true crime remains a big area of focus for series as well as films.

Persons: aren't, It's, Meghan Markle, MoffettNathanson, Fox, Shonda Rhimes, Michelle Obama, it's, Netflix execs, Dahmer, FreeVee Organizations: Hollywood, Netflix, Netflix Netflix, AMC, NBA, Sydney Locations: USA, Korea, Hollywood, Beach

☆ Hollywood insiders are bracing for M&A activity to make a comeback, as 10 experts reveal the deals they're predicting
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Reed Alexander | Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

"The unknown is hard to transact in," Sam Powers, the global head of technology, media, and telecommunications for Bank of America, told Insider. Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision , which was completed Thursday, has also put media and tech M&A back in the spotlight. "People have been holding their breath in nervous anticipation" about the idea of tech buying big media , one investor told Insider. Private-equity bets on media and Hollywood have seen mixed resultsPrivate-equity firms may have the cash to finance major media acquisitions, but they're reckoning with market volatility. Are you a Hollywood insider?

Persons: Hollywood dealmakers, Jonathan Handel, Sam Powers, Bob Iger, —, Byron Allen, Greg Doherty, Iger, Disney's, Byron Allen —, Allen, Disney, it's, Handel, It's, you've, Reese Witherspoon, Dave Kotinsky, Moonbug, Reese Witherspoon's, Jeff Zucker, Abu, Tom Staggs, Kevin Mayer, Lucia Moses, Reed Alexander Organizations: Hollywood, Puck News, Bank of America, SAG, Writers Guild of America, Disney, ESPN, Activision, Byron Allen The Weather, Wall Street shareholders, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hulu, ABC, Nexstar Media Group, Allen Media Group, Weather, Lionsgate, Starz, Paramount, BET, Warner Bros, Games, Disney Digital Network, Maker Studios, Observers, Comcast, Paramount Global, Tech, MGM, Microsoft, Netflix, Apple, RedBird Capital Partners, RedBird IMI, Private, SP, G Global Market Intelligence, Bloomberg, Media, Apollo Global Management, Yahoo Locations: Hollywood, Blackstone, Abu Dhabi, lmoses@insider.com, ralexander@insider.com

You could say Joe Cristalli tweeted his role as co-executive producer and co-showrunner on the new “Frasier” sitcom into existence. Political Cartoons View All 1205 ImagesThis “Frasier” stars Grammer in the title role of the high-brow psychiatrist, as he moves back to Boston. They also reference the original series sparingly and smartly — which is an act of restraint that Cristalli said Harris helped him to understand. That’s not Frasier.’ The next day he’s got, you know, longer pants and the next day it's a blazer. Bruce Miller composed the original ”Frasier" theme.

Persons: Joe Cristalli, Frasier, “ Frasier ”, Cristalli, Kelsey Grammer, “ Frasier, Frasier ”, Grammer, “, Chris Harris, Freddy, John Mahoney, Harris, Frasier Crane, ”, Chris, We’re, Jack Russell, James Burrows, “ Will, Grace ”, ” Burrows, Jack Cuttmore, Scott, Anders Keith, David, Frasier's, Niles, Daphne, Kelsey, he’s, he’ll, ’, Bruce, Jason Miller, Bruce Miller, hipper, Martin, —, It's, Glenda Rovello, ‘, Burrows Organizations: Paramount, Harvard Locations: Boston, Cambridge, Mahoney's

☆ Bill Maher Says Show Will Return Despite Writers’ Strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( John Koblin | More About John Koblin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“The writers have important issues that I sympathize with, and hope they are addressed to their satisfaction, but they are not the only people with issues, problems, and concerns,” he wrote. Tens of thousands of actors have been on strike for two months as well, the first time writers and actors have walked out at the same time since 1960. But over the past three weeks, bargaining has again stalled out, frustrating some big-name Hollywood showrunners in the process. More than 11,000 writers walked out in early May, arguing that their compensation levels and working conditions have deteriorated in the streaming era. The strike caused many talk shows to go dark, including “The Tonight Show,” “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” and “Saturday Night Live.”

Persons: ”, “, Stephen Colbert ” Organizations: Labor, Hollywood, Writers Guild of America

The Writers Guild of America, which represents more than 11,000 television and film writers, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which bargains for studios, have not held talks for three weeks. “This was the companies’ plan from the beginning — not to bargain, but to jam us,” guild leaders said shortly afterward. The studios have rejected that demand, but it is a position supported by many Writers Guild members, including numerous showrunners. “We’re just always trying to see if there are any ways anybody can help.”Behind the scenes, however, frustration among elite Writers Guild members has been mounting. Mr. Murphy set up a financial assistance fund for idled workers on his shows and committed $500,000 as a starting amount.

Persons: ”, Alexi Hawley, Scott Gimple, ” Steve Levitan, “, “ We’re, Ryan Murphy, Chris Keyser, Murphy Organizations: Guild of America, Alliance, Television Producers, Union, Writers Guild, Fox Studios, Guild Locations: Los Angeles

☆ Disney's wildest ride: Iger, Chapek and the making of an epic succession mess
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +88 min

Iger told Chapek that he lived for those "two-shower days," according to people familiar with the conversation. In January 2020, Iger told Chapek the plan was back on. During his 27 years at the company, Chapek had only attended one annual meeting — as a guest in the audience. Bob Iger, Disney CEO, during a CNBC interview, Feb. 9, 2023. WATCH: Disney CEO Bob Iger's exclusive July 2023 CNBC interviewTake the 'A'During Chapek's tenure as CEO, Disney lost more than a quarter of its market value.

Persons: Elham, Bob Iger, Bob Chapek, Iger, wasn't, Chapek, Michael Eisner, —, who's, he's, Clint Eastwood, Eastwood, Arthur Bochner, Jackie Hart, Kareem Daniel, Chapek —, Eisner, Michael Ovitz, Ovitz, Bob, Disney's, Kevin Mayer, Mayer, Bryan van der Beek, he'd, Tom Staggs, Staggs, Staggs —, Steve Jobs, cajoled Ike Perlmutter, George Lucas, Rupert Murdoch, Iger's, Susan Arnold, Arnold, Peter Rice, David Paul Morris, Rice, CNBC's Julia Boorstin, Mark Parker, Mary Barra, Michael Froman, Willow, Parker, John Donahoe, Roy Disney, Walt Disney, Stanley Gold, David A, CNBC Eisner, Big Bob, Little Bob, Christine McCarthy, Patrick T, He'd, McCarthy, Iger —, Coronavirus, Gavin Newsom, Michael Kovac, curtly, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Ben Smith, Smith, Disney, Randy Shropshire, Agnes Chu, Ricky Strauss, Chu, Strauss, Kevin Feige, Kathleen Kennedy, Who's, Alan Bergman, Bergman, Bob Kyncl, Daniel —, Iger didn't, Daniel rankled, Daniel, Chapek didn't, James Pitaro, Jesse Grant, CNBC Chapek, Jimmy Pitaro, Zenia Mucha, didn't, Mucha, Barbara Walters, Charles Eshelman, Scarlett Johansson, Scarlett Johansson —, Florence Pugh, Natasha, Yelena, " Johansson, Bryan Lourd, Johansson, Lourd, Steven Spielberg, Al Michaels, David Muir, Robin Roberts, Michael Strahan, Spielberg, Geoff Morrell, Alan Braverman, Alan Horn, Jayne Parker, Bochner, Claire Lee, Paul Richardson, Josh D'Amaro, Ron DeSantis, Morrell, Disney Animation —, George Floyd, Reba Saldanha, Reuters Chapek, DeSantis, Nicholas Maldonado, Octavio Jones, Chapek she'd, we're, " Morrell, CNN's Chris Wallace, Kristina Schake, John Skipper, Daniel steamrolled, Latondra Newton, Newton, Charles Krupa, Pitaro, NBCUniversal's Peacock, Dana Walden, Thomas Murphy, Josh Kushner, Privately, Schake, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Michelle Obama's, David Dee Delgado, Kara Swisher, hadn't, Netflix's, overhiring, McCarthy hadn't, Safra Catz, Kareem, DMED, Horacio Gutierrez, Justin Warbrooke, Alexia Quadrani, Bryan Castellani, Michael Buckner, Quadrani, Lindsay Lohan, Winnie, Nelson Peltz, Catz, Donald Trump's, they'd, Walden, Gutierrez, D'Amaro, Rich Polk, Walden he'd, Iger she'd, Mickey Mouse, Mark Rightmire, haven't, Indiana Jones, Halle Bailey, Ariel, Hamilton Faber, Rich Greenfield, Bob Iger's, — Mayer, McCarthy —, doesn't, they'll Organizations: Disney, Marvel, CNBC, Bloomberg, Getty, Walt Disney, Indiana University, Michigan State University, Shanghai Disney, Man, Hong Kong Disneyland, Walt Disney Parks, Resorts, Pixar, Fox, Chapek, Nike, General, Mastercard, Foreign Relations, University of Pennsylvania, Grogan, Disney's, Fallon, ABC, ESPN, ABC News, California Gov, New York Times, Disney confidants, Hollywood, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Walt Disney Television, Walt Disney Studios, Hulu, HBO Max, Walt Disney Company, YouTube, Companies, Netflix, Apple, Disney Media, Entertainment, Stanford, Rights, Junior, petulant, Filmmagic, Brunswick Group, Covid, CAA, onetime Defense Department, Century Fox, Human, Florida Gov, Republican, Disney Animation, Reuters, Human Rights, HRC, Walt Disney World, Employees, American Foundation for Equal Rights, AP, Amazon Prime, Paramount, South Pacific, Capital Cities, Dow Jones, CVS, Kingdom, Variety, Trian Partners, Charter Communications, U.S, Comcast, Charter's, MediaNews, Orange, Allen, Co, Candle Media, Advisors Locations: Burbank , California, Midwestern, Brentwood, Los Angeles, Westlake Village, Iger, Hammond , Indiana, Shanghai, China, Hong, Fox, Willow Bay, Raleigh , North Carolina, Orlando, U.S, Hulu, Iger's Brentwood, coronavirus, Brunswick, Hollywood, Hawaii, Disney's, Marvel's, Anaheim , California, Montana, Florida, Rye , New Hampshire, Chapek, Hong Kong, California, missteps, South, DMED, Burbank, New York, India, Atlantic, Sun Valley , Idaho, America

☆ Please, Lina Khan, don't make Hollywood's crisis worse — consolidation is not the problem
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Nathan Mcalone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

She blamed the industry's market structure and suggested consolidation had weakened competition. But Hollywood's problems aren't caused by consolidation, but rather a harrowing transition to streaming. AdvertisementAdvertisementFTC chair Lina Khan made some recent comments that should trouble anyone in the TV and movie business. She continued on to say that "unless those market structure questions are addressed, it seems like potentially some of these power imbalances will persist." And I worry that if Khan thinks the market structure in Hollywood is already broken, it suggests any significant media merger is likely to be challenged.

Persons: Lina Khan, Khan, Rich Greenfield, Brandon Ross, Mark Kelley Organizations: Hollywood, Netflix, Disney, Comcast, Warner Bros, Paramount, Apple, YouTube, Morning, WBD, Paramount Global Locations: Hulu, Hollywood

☆ Hollywood producers take heated negotiations with writers union public, revealing latest offer
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Lillian Rizzo | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Hollywood producers are taking their latest contract proposal public as talks between the studios and writers union remain heated. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers overnight publicly revealed the latest proposal, which they delivered to the writers on Aug. 11. The offer addresses residuals and compensation, artificial intelligence, and increased transparency regarding the streaming business — the top issues for the writers. Still, the negotiations appear far from over: Soon after the proposal was made public, the writers union released its latest update and said the parties have engaged in further discussions since the Aug. 11 offer. The union said the studios' latest offer still includes "limitations and loopholes and omissions" that fail to protect Hollywood writers.

Persons: Carol Lombardini, Bob Iger, Donna Langley, Ted Sarandos, David Zaslav Organizations: Writers Guild of America, Screen, Netflix, Hollywood, Alliance, Television Producers, WGA, Disney, Warner Bros, Discovery, Comcast, CNBC Locations: Hollywood , California

Representatives for Disney, Amazon and Netflix did not immediately respond to requests for comment. And critics seem to say that the quality of content being produced is actually in decline," Khan told The Ankler podcast. The SAG-AFTRA actors union, which went on strike July 14, also is seeking an increase in base pay and residuals. The WGA letter did not single out other companies, including Apple (AAPL.O), Google parent Alphabet (GOOGL.O) and Warner Bros Discovery (WBD.O), which also offer streaming media options. Reporting by Lisa Richwine and Dawn Chmielewski; Editing by David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Julia Louis, Dreyfus, Christine, Walt Disney, Linda Khan, Khan, Lisa Richwine, Dawn Chmielewski, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Warner Bros ., Screen, Writers Guild America, Guild of America, Netflix, Disney, Federal Trade Commission, WGA, Hollywood, SAG, Apple, Google, Warner Bros Discovery, Thomson Locations: Burbank , California, ANGELES

☆ As Strike Continues, Writers Turn Focus to Ryan Murphy’s Productions
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Matt Stevens | More About Matt Stevens | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

He is among the high-profile showrunners who have donated during the strike to the Entertainment Community Fund, which provides grants to those working in film, TV and other disciplines. Disney owns the FX cable channel, which is home to his “American Horror Story” franchise, which began airing in 2011. “We’re not here in protest of Ryan Murphy, the guy, we’re here in protest of production happening without writers and while writers are on strike,” said Josh Gondelman, a member of WGA-East’s leadership, who was out picketing on Thursday. The Writers Guild had summoned its members to a so-called Horror/Fantasy Theme Day in Queens as the writers’ strike entered its third month. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which bargains on behalf of Hollywood companies, has said that its contract offer includes “generous increases in compensation for writers.”

Persons: Murphy, “ We’re, Ryan Murphy, ”, Josh Gondelman, ’ Organizations: Entertainment Community Fund, Walt Disney Company, Netflix, Disney, FX, WGA, Hollywood, Alliance, Television Producers Locations: Queens

☆ How the hit podcast 'Scamanda' could become a TV show, according to a leading exec in Lionsgate's audio arm
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Marta Biino | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

She discussed how her team plans to turn podcasts into TV shows, and how "Scamanda" could be a doc. The show was produced by Lionsgate Sound, the Hollywood giant's new audio division that launched last year. Lionsgate is one of several television companies to start its own audio arm — like Netflix and HBO, which produce audio companions to their TV shows. Pilgrim is a Lionsgate-owned production company that specializes in unscripted TV, and also a minority owner in Lionsgate Sound. Conversely, the podcast division can also leverage the success of existing TV shows and programs by producing companion audio works for them.

Persons: Gretchen Stockdale, you've, Amanda C, Riley, swindling, Pilgrim, Stockdale, Elizabeth Holmes, Jussie Organizations: Lionsgate, Apple, Lionsgate Sound, Hollywood, Netflix, HBO, Pilgrim Media Group, Hulu, ABC, Bloomberg, Fox Nation

☆ The True Stars of Peak TV Are Caught in the Middle
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( John Jurgensen | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Showrunners, who steer the making of series from script to debut, helped drive a TV gold rush as companies built up inventory for the streaming era. Now, the boom is over and these writer-producer “hyphenates” are at the center of a tug of war between studios and a striking union of writers.

Persons: Showrunners, “ hyphenates

☆ Titanic Wreckage Visualized in Unique 3-D View
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Inside the Writers Strike: Negotiators Explain Where Talks Broke DownWSJ sat down for exclusive interviews with the showrunners of “Abbott Elementary” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” to understand the key sticking points that led to the writers’ strike and what’s next for the industry. Photo Illustration: Amber Bragdon/Getty Images

While there have been improvements in diversity within writers' rooms in recent years, writers of color, women of color, disabled writers and LGBTQ+ writers in Hollywood still lag in opportunities. Demands for more compensation and larger writers' rooms may be newer concerns for what Hines refers to as the "upper echelon of writers," but this has been an unresolved struggle for underrepresented writers for years. "When it comes to the issues of writers of color, there's a constant feeling of being left out of the negotiation," Hines said. Many WGA members also believe the specific strike demands, including adding larger writers' rooms, offer a better chance for writers on the sidelines to join in. "That would be absolutely huge for all kinds of underrepresented writers, and disabled writers as well, because we are wildly underrepresented," said Jamey Perry, vice chair of the WGA's Disabled Writers Committee and "Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector" writer.

☆ Two Television Showrunners on ‘Creative Short Circuits’
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Reggie Ugwu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

I don’t think that I could have been successful in this environment. I think we all pooh-pooh broadcast these days, but I am the showrunner I am because of broadcast, without a doubt. And I think the fact that broadcast has died is really killing showrunners. To Soo’s point, you have X number of dollars and X number of days to produce these episodes and everything kind of backfills into that. So it requires a lot of delegation and trust inside of the writers’ room.

☆ 'iCarly' writers join the WGA strike as showrunner Ali Schouten calls out Hollywood studios' 'corporate greed'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

Insider spoke to Ali Schouten, the showrunner behind Paramount+ series "iCarly," about what's at stake. The "iCarly" writers will link up with the picket line outside the lot where the show is filmed, according to Ali Schouten, the series' showrunner and executive producer. Ahead of the "iCarly" writers' picketing on Thursday, I spoke with Schouten to understand what she and her colleagues are fighting for. Lisa Rose/Paramount+The last writers' strike resulted in $2 billion worth of losses for the California economy, and some experts predict the impact of this work stoppage could be even greater. How is the writers' strike impacting you, your business, or your family?

☆ Hollywood writers' strike halts production of 'Stranger Things,' 'Severance,' Marvel's ‘Blade’
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

More than 11,000 film and television writers, who say their compensation doesn't match the revenue generated in the streaming era, are on strike for the first time since 2008. Since then, a number of notable films and shows have halted or wrapped production early, including Netflix's "Stanger Things," Disney and Marvel's "Blade," AppleTV+'s "Severance" and Paramount's "Evil." Beyond the delayed production, and likely delayed releases, of these titles, industry experts worry the work pause could have a financial toll greater than that of the previous writers' strike. A number of productions with finished scripts, like Amazon's "The Rings of Power," have decided to continue filming without writers or showrunners on set. "While we're excited to start production with our amazing cast and crew, it is not possible during this strike.

☆ In ‘A Small Light,’ an Ordinary Woman Resists the Nazis
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Claire Moses | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Work on “A Small Light” began six years ago, after its showrunners Joan Rater and Tony Phelan, a married couple who used to be producers and screenwriters for “Grey’s Anatomy,” visited the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Walking around the museum and listening to tour guides, they learned that many people don’t really know the story of the Frank family anymore, let alone the story of the people who helped them, Rater and Phelan said in a recent video interview. Since then, they said, the moral question at the heart of Gies’s story — whether to do the right thing, the wrong thing or nothing at all — has only become more important, given how war, nationalism and antisemitism have once again been spreading across Europe. She finds employment with Otto Frank (Liev Schreiber) — a stern, fellow German-speaking immigrant — and meets her future husband, a social worker. Much of the first episode follows Gies living life as a modern young woman, meeting friends and going out dancing.

☆ The Spies of ‘Citadel’ Have Big Plans: Global Domination
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Chris Vognar | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“But those were Hollywood-centric narratives that traveled. “It really is like riding a bucking bronco,” Joe Russo said. (The Indian and Italian productions have different showrunners.) According to The Hollywood Reporter, reshoots pushed the cost of “Citadel” to more than $200 million, which would make it one of the most expensive series ever made. (Amazon did not respond to multiple queries about the show’s budget.)

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