The Business

WBD is looking for a buyer for its Coyote vs. Acme film. Can it find one? Plus, an AI-generated Édith Piaf biopic is in the works at Warner Music. Filmmaker Kristoffer Borgli talks with Kim Masters about his Nicolas Cage-led film, “Dream Scenario,” directing commercials, and how the Norwegian Film Institute unknowingly funded his projects conceived in LA.

SAG-AFTRA reaches a tentative deal with studios after 118 days on strike. Was the deal a win? What is in it? Plus, WBD and Disney earnings news. Legendary sitcom director James Burrows talks with Eric Deggans, NPR TV critic and guest-host on The Business, about the revival of Frasier, his directing career, and whether sitcoms can endure on streaming services.

First, HBO CEO Casey Bloys asked staffers to create fake Twitter accounts to fight critics of the network. What’s all the attention about? Plus, Disney is finally buying Hulu. Actress-comedian Leslie Jones discusses her tell-all memoir, overcoming personal and career obstacles, and her relationship with ‘SNL’ creator, Lorne Michaels.

The actors’ strike forges on as Hollywood reckons with the impact of the Hamas-Israel conflict and streamers raise prices — again. NPR TV Critic Eric Deggans talks with comic-book-author-turned-showrunner Robert Kirkman about the new animated adaptation of his print series Invincible, modernizing the superhero genre, and why he’s not worried about comic book adaptation fatigue.

Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel feuds with talent agency CAA's head Bryan Lourd. Documentarian Ken Burns discusses his latest project 'The American Buffalo', controversies, and funding his films. Topics include the rivalry between agencies, significance of the buffalo in American history, securing funding for documentaries, long-form storytelling, and challenges faced in funding Civil War film.

Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour concert film is out in theaters. Was this a good deal for Swift and AMC? And will this become a trend with other artists? This week on The Business, Kim Masters revisits an interview with Sterlin Harjo, co-creator of the hit comedy series Reservation Dogs on FX.

As the actors’ strike continues, Netflix announces a price hike. What does this mean for subscribers and the streamer?  Then, Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter talks about her new book, collaborating with Spike Lee and Steven Spielberg, and the joys and challenges of costume designing for Black Panther.

Director Gareth Edwards discusses his AI-centric film The Creator, the behind-the-scenes drama on Rogue One, and the challenges of pitching the movie. The podcast also explores the recent WGA negotiations achievements, Gareth Edwards' filmmaking journey, and the exploration of AI and emotions in The Creator.

Rupert Murdoch steps down as head of Fox Corp and News Corp, Dream Hampton discusses her new docuseries 'Ladies First' which spotlights women in hip-hop, challenges of finding a TV outlet for the series before Netflix got involved, addressing misogyny in hip-hop, untold story of Cindy Campbell, impact of COVID on production process.

First, what lasting damage to the entertainment industry will the extended impasse between striking Hollywood creatives, and the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers leave in its wake?  Then, in an encore interview, Navalny director Daniel Roher and investigative journalist Christo Grozev discuss how they came to pursue a film about Alexei Navalny, Russian opposition leader. They also talk about the risks they faced to make the Oscar-winning documentary, and the eventual arrest and sentencing of the politician in Russia.