Showbiz Sandbox show

Showbiz Sandbox

Summary: Industry pros J. Sperling Reich and Michael Giltz provide insightful analysis, humorous viewpoints and insider opinions on the latest entertainment news headlines. The weekly podcast features panel discussions with renowned industry guests, as well as phone calls and emails from listeners who voice their own opinions on the child’s play of the entertainment business.

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  • Artist: J. Sperling Reich & Michael Giltz
  • Copyright: Showbiz Sandbox is licensed under a Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Podcasts:

 Showbiz Sandbox 563: The Grammy Nominations Are Bigger and More Baffling Than Ever | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:10:53

When this year’s Grammy nominations were announced last week the Recording Academy made a last minute decision to expand some of its biggest categories from eight to 10 nominees. This allowed popular artists like Taylor Swift, Kanye West and Lil Nas X to be included in this year’s list. While this generates a small amount of grumbling, we discuss why it may not be such a bad move. Meanwhile the Thanksgiving weekend helped the worldwide box office continue to recover from the ongoing pandemic. Still some industry watchers are dismayed that popular releases like Disney’s “Encanto” and the latest “Ghostbusters” aren’t opening to bigger numbers. Though, when you have studios claiming blockbusters such as the Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” are still in the red after earning nearly a billion dollars, would it really matter if they doubled their opening weekend gross? Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how Adele got Spotify to stop shuffling around, The Weeknd breaks a long-standing record on the music charts and Netflix (sort of) becomes more transparent with viewership data. ‘Encanto’ Chimes In With $70M Global Bow; ‘No Time To Die’ Overtakes ‘Spectre’ In UK https://deadline.com/2021/11/encanto-house-of-gucci-no-time-to-die-international-box-office-china-global-international-box-office-1234881090/ Box Office: Thanksgiving Winners and Losers, From ‘House of Gucci’ to ‘King Richard’ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-winners-losers-house-of-gucci-1235053651/ Dune Is Returning to IMAX for a Limited Time https://gizmodo.com/dune-is-returning-to-imax-for-a-limited-time-1848119751 ‘Licorice Pizza’ Delivers: Paul Thomas Anderson Pic’s Opening Among Filmmaker’s Best With Record Screen Average https://deadline.com/2021/11/licorice-pizza-paul-thomas-anderson-thanksgiving-indie-box-office-1234881070/ ‘House of Cards’ Producer Wins $31 Million in Arbitration Against Kevin Spacey https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/house-of-cards-kevin-spacey-arbitration-1235117425/ At Last Minute, Kanye West, Taylor Swift Added as Top Grammy Nominees https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/24/arts/music/grammy-nominations-taylor-swift-kanye-west.html ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’s Anthony McCarten Sues Queen Biopic Producers Over Profits https://deadline.com/2021/11/bohemian-rhapsody-profits-lawsuit-queen-freddie-mercury-writer-anthony-mccarten-fox-1234876595/ Adele Single-Handedly Made Spotify Change How Albums Are Played on the Streaming Service https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/adele-spotify-shuffle-1260816/ The Greatest Hit: The New No. 1 Song of All Time ​​

 Showbiz Sandbox 562: The Death of Network Television Is Greatly Exaggerated | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:18:35

While the entertainment industry and Wall Street may be distracted by the growth of streaming services and their subscriber numbers, senior network television executives are reminding everyone that linear TV is far from dead. In fact, according to the latest viewing metrics, more audiences are tuning into network television programs on a consistent basis than actually watch streaming content. Meanwhile, while the fall film festival season may be dominated by events in Toronto, Telluride and Venice, there are still a number of festivals taking place that are just as noteworthy, including the AFI Fest and Doc NYC. We’ll discuss some of this year’s official selections at both of these festivals. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including why a high profile director walked away from the next Star Wars movie, Peter Jackson sells his special effects toolkit and Spotify starts a new chapter in streaming. These Are The 101 Best Mystery Books of All Time https://parade.com/1285756/michael-giltz/best-mystery-books/ Hollywood Crew Workers Narrowly Ratify New Contracts With Studios https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2021-11-15/iatse-contract-vote-ratify-film-crews-hutchins-loeb ‘No Time To Die’ Crosses $700M Global, Becomes Biggest Hollywood Pic Of Pandemic Overseas https://deadline.com/2021/11/eternals-no-time-to-die-milestone-dune-venom-jungle-cruise-china-global-international-box-office-1234873775/ ‘Clifford’ Louder With $22M 5-Day: Is Theatrical Hybrid Model Really The Answer For Family Movies? https://deadline.com/2021/11/eternals-clifford-the-big-red-dog-weekend-box-office-1234873514/ ‘General Hospital’ Star Out After Not Complying With Vaccine Mandate https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/general-hospital-ingo-rademacher-out-1235044072/ After the Deaths at Astroworld, Some People May Give Up on Crowded Music Events https://www.npr.org/2021/11/13/1055103014/astroworld-concertgoers-crowds-music-festival Police Audio From Astroworld Festival Reveals Growing Chaos as Crowd Surge Intensified https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/astroworld-fest-tragedy/article/Police-audio-from-Astroworld-Festival-reveals-16611187.php Houston Chief Says He Didn’t Have “Ultimate Authority To End The Show” https://deadline.com/2021/11/houston-police-astroworld-travis-scott-shut-down-show-1234871811/ Peter Jackson Selling Weta Digital’s VFX Tech Division to Unity for $1.625 Billion https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/unity-acquires-weta-digital-1235107544/ ‘Sesame Street’ Debuts Ji-Young, First Asian American Muppet

 Showbiz Sandbox 561: After “Squid Game,” Korea Wants Netflix to Pay Up | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:11:11

Though Netflix’s expensive blockbuster “Red Notice” is getting little notice in movie theatres, the company’s signature streaming service is thriving. In fact, its series “Squid Game” is so popular around the world that in Korea Netflix is being barraged with questions about paying for the cost of the increased streaming traffic it continues to generate. Meanwhile, a music festival in Houston headlined by Travis Scott left at least eight concertgoers dead and scores injured after they were crushed when the audience surged toward the stage. We’ll explore the poor choices made by Astroworld’s promoters that lead to the tragedy. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including why the BBC may lose funding, Netflix launches its mobile games and the Justice Department wants to stop two of the world’s largest book publishers from merging. ‘Eternals’ Is Weekend King(o) With $91M Overseas & $162M Global Bows https://deadline.com/2021/11/eternals-opening-weekend-dune-no-time-to-die-sooryavanshi-venom-china-global-international-box-office-1234869559/ Despite Global Box Office Glory & $71M Domestic Debut, Why ‘Eternals’ Is A Wake-Up Call For MCU; Sizing Up ‘Red Notice’ Box Office https://deadline.com/2021/11/eternals-opening-weekend-box-office-1234868870/ ‘Eternals’ Won’t Be Playing Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain & Oman https://deadline.com/2021/11/eternals-banned-saudi-arabia-qatar-kuwait-bahrain-oman-1234867992/ China’s ‘Battle at Lake Changjin’ Becomes 2021’s Highest-Grossing Film Worldwide, Preps Sequel https://variety.com/2021/film/news/battle-at-lake-changjin-highest-grossing-film-1235100777/ ‘Squid Game’ Hit Raises Stakes for Netflix In Broadband Battle https://www.ft.com/content/de55fa2f-b57f-4dba-8820-0cba3031a7fc Netflix Under Pressure in Korea as ‘Squid Game’ Success Stirs Lawmakers and Internet Firms https://variety.com/2021/biz/asia/netflix-under-pressure-in-korea-1235104596/ ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 2 Finale Scores in Streaming Ratings; ‘Squid Game’ Tops 3 Billion Minutes https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/squid-game-ted-lasso-black-widow-streaming-ratings-1235105088/ ‘CoComelon’ Owner Sold to Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs Venture in $3B Deal https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/cocomelon-blippi-owner-sold-blackstone-kevin-mayer-tom-staggs-1235041583/ China Holds 30,000 People Inside Shanghai Disneyland After Single COVID-19 Infection Reported

 Showbiz Sandbox 560: Should Hollywood Get Rid of the (Real) Guns? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 54:25

In European film and television productions, real guns with either live or blank rounds are rare to non-existent. Instead, plastic replicas or airsoft blowback guns are used with muzzle flashes added during post-production. So why do Hollywood productions continue to rely on working firearms when it would be cheaper and safer for them not to? This is one of the questions the industry is asking itself after a tragic gun accident on Alec Baldwin’s latest film left the cinematographer dead. In more positive news, October turned out to be the biggest for movies all over the world as the box office works its way back to pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, in Germany, exhibitors are rebelling against movies that are showing day and date on Disney+, while in France, cinema operators freaked out when Netflix tried to show movies in theaters instead of just streaming them. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how “Squid Game” has dominated the streaming conversation, the controversy over Spain’s top literary prize and a glimpse at some post-COVID Broadway grosses. ‘Dune’ Leads Domestic Box Office Again as ‘Antlers,’ ‘Last Night in Soho’ Struggle to Scare Up Crowds https://variety.com/2021/film/box-office/dune-box-office-leads-again-antlers-last-night-in-soho-struggle-1235101371/ No Time To Die’ Reels In $600M+ Global As ‘Venom 2’ Licks At $400M & ‘Dune’ Has Eyes On $300M https://deadline.com/2021/10/no-time-to-die-dune-venom-let-there-be-carnage-china-global-international-box-office-1234865457/ China’s ‘Battle at Lake Changjin’ Becomes 2021’s Highest-Grossing Film Worldwide, Preps Sequel https://variety.com/2021/film/news/battle-at-lake-changjin-highest-grossing-film-1235100777/ Why #MeToo Hasn’t Transformed the Stand-Up Scene https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/me-too-stand-up-comedy-scene-1235037186/ Dave Chappelle Addresses the Backlash to His Netflix Special in New Clip https://www.gq.com/story/dave-chappelle-joe-rogan-nashville-the-closer-netflix-backlash-clip Broadway League Releases Total Weekly Box Office Figures https://deadline.com/2021/10/broadway-league-box-office-figures-105m-total-1234863630/ The 10 Most-Produced High School Plays and Musicals of 2020–2021 https://www.playbill.com/article/the-10-most-produced-high-school-plays-and-musicals-of-20202021 Endeavor Content, Studio Behind ‘Killing Eve’ and ‘Nine Perfect Strangers,’ Solicits Bids for More Than $750 Million https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/28/endeavor-content-solicits-bids-for-around-750-million-.html Behind a Top Female Name in Spanish Crime Fiction: Three Men

 Showbiz Sandbox 559: Dune Survives The Streaming Desert | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 47:53

Despite being available to stream day-and-date with its theatrical release, Denis Villeneuve’s epic film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel “Dune” opened to strong box office around the world. While we don’t know, and may never know, how many people viewed the movie on HBO Max, it’s availability on the service has surely cut into its box office potential. Speaking of numbers, Apple TV+ has begun working with Nielsen to get its streaming numbers reported on the company’s charts. And Netflix finally suggests it too will start embracing the “total minutes watched” metric that Nielsen has been using. Maybe Nielsen isn’t dead after all, as so many media pundits have espoused. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including the latest on the new IATSE contract and the dreadful firearms accident involving actor Alec Baldwin on the set of the film “Rust” that left the cinematographer of the movie dead and the director seriously injured. ‘Dune’ Spices Up With $221M Global Cume In Expanded Release; ‘No Time To Die’ Tops $525M WW; ‘Venom’ Voracious https://deadline.com/2021/10/dune-no-time-to-die-venom-china-global-international-box-office-1234861416/ ‘Dune’ Opens to $40 Million at the Box Office. Strong Enough for a Sequel? https://variety.com/2021/film/box-office/dune-box-office-opening-weekend-timothee-chalamet-1235096320/ ‘Dune’ Bumps Up In China With $16M Through Saturday; Will Cross $200M WW On Sunday https://deadline.com/2021/10/dune-china-uk-korea-opening-international-box-office-1234860686/ Nielsen Streaming TV Charts Now Include Apple TV+ for the First Time, Ted Lasso Debuts in Top 10 https://9to5mac.com/2021/10/21/nielsen-apple-tv-plus-streaming/ Cinematographers Guild Lays Out Gains In New IATSE Agreement & Rollbacks Sought By AMPTP That Were Thwarted https://deadline.com/2021/10/cinematographers-guild-gains-iatse-agreement-1234859086/ Leaders of Largest IATSE Local Recommend Ratifying Controversial Tentative Deal https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/iatse-deal-local-leaders-recommend-ratifying-1235034106/ Alec Baldwin Discharged Prop Gun That Killed Woman On Movie Set, Sheriff Says https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2021-10-21/woman-fatally-shot-by-prop-firearm-on-a-new-mexico-movie-set ‘Rust’ Tragedy Reflects Troubling Trends on Movie and TV Sets: ‘We Did This to Ourselves’ https://variety.com/2021/film/news/rust-halyna-hutchins-death-alec-baldwin-production-1235096161/ Guns, Ammo, Accountability: Hollywood Munitions Experts Grapple With ‘Rust’ Tragedy

 Showbiz Sandbox 558: Hollywood Workers Scrutinize Gains In New Contract | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:04:09

At the eleventh hour the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), the union representing film and television production workers, negotiated a new contract with studios and networks. What is still unclear is whether workers are grateful about averting a strike or upset they didn’t gain more. Besides gaining wage increases, the union was aiming to clamp down on workplace conditions that lead to long, exhausting hours. Meanwhile, across the entertainment business, the black hole of data is getting bigger. We don’t really know what streaming shows are popular, we can’t add up all the ways people consume music, TV producers are struggling to prove they’re reaching a lot of eyeballs and Broadway has stopped reporting grosses. Is this just annoying for journalists or a real problem for the industry as a whole? Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including why the Grammys are booting Kacey Musgraves from the country music category, Elton John sets a new record on the music charts and Disney loses a key, veteran executive. ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ Gobbles $62M+ In Wider Offshore Debut, Lashes $284M Global; ‘No Time To Die’ Nears $450M WW https://deadline.com/2021/10/venom-let-there-be-carnage-no-time-to-die-global-international-box-office-1234857262/ ‘Halloween Kills’ Scores Bloody Great $50.4 Million Debut, ‘The Last Duel’ Bombs https://variety.com/2021/film/news/box-office-halloween-kills-debut-matt-damon-ben-affleck-last-duel-bombs-1235091240/ ‘The Last Duel’ Box Office Debacle: Hollywood’s Battle for Older Moviegoers https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/the-last-duel-box-office-debacle-1235032811/ Dave Chappelle’s Brittle Ego – Roxanne Gay https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/13/opinion/dave-chappelle-netflix-trans.html ‘The Many Saints of Newark’ Was a Streaming Hit — and Helped ‘The Sopranos’ Break Records https://variety.com/2021/film/news/the-sopranos-many-saints-of-newark-streaming-ratings-1235084744/ ‘Squid Game’ Draws 111M Views In First Month, Per Netflix, Besting ‘Bridgerton’ To Become Top All-Time Series Launch https://deadline.com/2021/10/squid-game-111-million-views-in-first-month-cruising-past-bridgerton-top-all-time-netflix-original-1234854955/ Superman Comes Out, as DC Comics Ushers In a New Man of Steel https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/11/arts/superman-comes-out.html HBO Max Unveils New Territories, Pricing and 45-Day Theatrical-to-Streaming Window in Europe https://variety.com/2021/streaming/global/hbo-max-territories-pricing-theatrical-europe-1235081132/

 Showbiz Sandbox 557: Talent Agents Strike A Deal… for Themselves | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:09:58

In yet another sign that the entertainment industry is consolidating, Creative Artists Agency, one of Hollywood’s most powerful talent agencies, announced it would acquire ICM Partners, the fourth largest player in the space. Is the move meant to help CAA gain leverage when negotiating with streaming giants like Netflix, or is it all about ensuring success on Wall Street for its biggest investor? And what will this mean for smaller agencies which may actually stand to benefit from the deal? Meanwhile, this year’s Tony Awards honoring Broadway’s brightest were finally held with a live audience. However, some productions in both New York and London are stumbling as they turn on their marquees for the first time since the COVID pandemic began. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how James Bond and Venom are competing for box office glory, Scarlett Johansson settles her “Black Widow” lawsuit with Disney and the labor strike that could shut down Hollywood. ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ Courses Through Russia With Top Opening Day Of Pandemic, Best-Ever For Sony https://deadline.com/2021/10/venom-let-there-be-carnage-russia-opening-weekend-international-box-office-1234848246/ ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ Devours ‘Black Widow’s Pandemic Opening Record With $90.1M Debut https://deadline.com/2021/10/venom-let-there-be-carnage-opening-weekend-box-office-1234847950/ China’s ‘Battle at Lake Changjin’ Claims Global Box Office Crown With $203 Million Weekend https://variety.com/2021/film/asia/china-battle-at-lake-changjin-weekend-global-box-office-1235080062/ ‘Law & Order’ Revived By NBC For Season 21 From Dick Wolf & Rick Eid https://deadline.com/2021/09/law-order-revival-nbc-season-21-dick-wolf-rick-eid-1234846181/ ‘Moulin Rouge!’ and ‘The Inheritance’ Take Top Honors at Tony Awards https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/26/theater/broadway-tony-awards.html TV Ratings: CBS’ ‘Broadway’s Back’ Tony Awards Special Struggles https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tv-ratings-sunday-sept-26-2021-1235021293/ ‘Doctor Who’ Showrunner Russell T. Davies to Return for Next Season https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/doctor-who-showrunner-russell-t-davies-returns-1235073307/ Disney and Scarlett Johansson Settle Suit Over ‘Black Widow’ Contract https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-scarlett-johansson-work-out-agreement-over-black-widow-contract-11633050183 Disney & Scarlett Johansson Resolve Bitter ‘Black Widow’ Profits Lawsuit; Big $$$ Win For Oscar Nominee

 Showbiz Sandbox 556: The Emmys Crown the Streaming Era | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:13:47

When “The Crown” took home the prize for best drama at the 73rd Emmy Awards on Sunday it capped a years-long campaign mounted by Netflix to win one of television’s top awards. The streamer picked up a record-tying 44 Emmys including best limited series for “The Queen’s Gambit.” With the Apple+ series “Ted Lasso” winning best comedy, streaming services swept the awards. Joining us to discuss the Emmys as well as all the movies she saw at the Telluride and Toronto film festivals is Anne Thompson, editor-at-large of Indiewire. She gives us a preview of all the films that were creating a buzz on their way to stirring up this year’s awards season. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including why the West End is ditching matinees, Christopher Nolan heads to Universal Pictures and Fox picks up TMZ. ‘Dune’ Reaps A Heap With $37M From Early Offshore Debut; ‘Shang-Chi’ Tops $320M WW https://deadline.com/2021/09/dune-opening-weekend-shang-chi-global-international-box-office-1234839288/ ‘Shang-Chi’ Ruling Box Office In Third Weekend With $21M+ https://deadline.com/2021/09/shang-chi-weekend-box-office-1234839150/ With ‘The Crown,’ Netflix Finally Takes the Emmys Throne https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/19/arts/television/2021-emmys.html Telluride 2021 Recharged the Film World and Anointed 2022 Awards Contenders https://www.indiewire.com/2021/09/telluride-2021-recharged-film-2022-awards-contenders-1234662752/ The Oscar Race Gets Clearer After the Toronto International Film Festival https://www.indiewire.com/2021/09/oscar-race-the-toronto-international-film-festival-1234665851/ TIFF Winners Jessica Chastain, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Denis Villeneuve Build Oscar Momentum https://www.indiewire.com/2021/09/tiff-tribute-awards-jessica-chastain-benedict-cumberbatch-denis-villeneuve-oscars-1234663897/ Shari Redstone’s Radical Paramount Overhaul Sets Up Clash With Filmmakers https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/paramount-overhaul-sets-up-clash-with-filmmakers-1235013964/ How Universal Beat Other Studios to Land Christopher Nolan’s New World War II Epic https://variety.com/2021/film/news/christopher-nolan-universal-deal-1235064461/ Fox Corp. Acquires TMZ in $50 Million Deal, Expanding Digital News Operations https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/tmz-fox-corp-acquisition-harvey-levin-toofab-1235063443/

 Showbiz Sandbox 555: Modern Media Consumption Metrics Are A Big Mess | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:08:52

Keeping track of television ratings, streaming viewership and music revenue has become a hopeless task in the digital age. Everyone is mad at Nielsen though how can they realistically capture all the eyeballs content on TVs, phones, laptops and tablets? Meanwhile, Billboard keeps changing the formula they use to count album sales by working in various flavors of streaming. What the most popular shows, movies, albums or songs are at any given moment has become impossible to decipher. The good news is, according to new data from the Recording Industry Association, music revenue for the first half of 2021 grew $1.5 billion driven by music streaming, which accounted for 84% of the $7.1 billion earned. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including an executive shakeup at Paramount Pictures, the outcome of Apple’s epic legal battle and the Venice Film Festival kickstarts this year’s awards season in a big way. ‘Shang-Chi’ Lifts To $258M Global; ‘Free Guy’ At $277M https://deadline.com/2021/09/shang-chi-free-guy-quiet-place-china-global-international-box-office-1234831503/ ‘Shang-Chi’ Strong Second Weekend With $35M+; ‘Malignant’ DOA https://deadline.com/2021/09/shang-chi-strong-second-weekend-with-31m-malignant-dying-1234831053/ Book Publishing’s Rousing First Half of 2021 https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/87347-book-publishing-s-rousing-first-half-of-2021.html Stufish Designing Hexagonal Arena for ABBA Reunion Tour https://www.dezeen.com/2021/09/07/stufish-arena-london-abba-reunion-tour/ ‘Raging Fire’ Star Nicholas Tse to Renounce Canadian Citizenship, Embrace China Instead https://variety.com/2021/global/asia/nicholas-tse-canada-china-citizenship-raging-fire-1235057612/ French Abortion Drama ‘Happening’ Takes Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival, Penélope Cruz Wins Best Actress https://variety.com/2021/film/festivals/venice-film-festival-awards-ceremony-gets-under-way-with-penelope-cruz-and-jane-campion-among-those-invited-updating-live-1235061864/ Brian Robbins Expected to Take Over Leadership of Paramount Movie Studio https://www.wsj.com/articles/brian-robbins-expected-to-take-over-leadership-of-paramount-movie-studio-11631281748 With Brian Robbins, ViacomCBS Bets a Kids’ TV Veteran Can Bring Paramount Into a Streaming Future https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/viacom-cbs-paramount-brian-robbins-1235061211/ Disney Releasing ‘Eternals,’ ‘Encanto’ Exclusively in Theaters

 Showbiz Sandbox 554: China’s Love Affair With Hollywood May Be Over | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:11:46

For years analysts have breathlessly insisted China would become the largest movie market in the very near future. Well, last year after North American movie theatres spent most of 2020 shuttered, China did manage to become the top earner and did so primarily with local content. However, after COVID gave it a win with an asterisk, Patrick von Sychowski, the editor of Celluloid Junkie, discusses why the Chinese box office may stumble as the industry recovers from the pandemic whereas the Indian market is primed to take off. Despite all the hurdles of getting their movies released in China, Hollywood’s affinity for the Middle Kingdom has hardly waned. The recent record breaking opening of Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” will surely provoke even more interest in chasing the Chinese market. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including another delay for “Top Gun: Maverick,” Kanye West enjoys his tenth number one album and the pop group ABBA reunites after 40 years. ‘Shang-Chi’ Ringing Up $140M Global Bow https://deadline.com/2021/09/shang-chi-and-the-legend-of-the-ten-rings-free-guy-after-we-fell-china-global-international-box-office-disney-marvel-1234827604/ Box Office: Marvel’s ‘Shang-Chi’ Crushes Labor Day Weekend Records With $90 Million https://variety.com/2021/film/box-office/box-office-marvel-shang-chi-labor-day-record-1235057013/ ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Flies From Thanksgiving To Memorial Day Weekend; ‘Mission: Impossible 7’ Ignites In Fall 2022 https://deadline.com/2021/09/top-gun-maverick-flies-from-thanksgiving-to-memorial-day-weekend-mission-impossible-7-ignites-in-fall-2022-1234825624/ Bonnaroo Canceled Due to Flooded Festival Grounds https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bonnaroo-canceled-due-to-flooded-festival-grounds-1219260/ Texas and Florida Venues Have Found a Loophole in Vaccine Requirement Bans https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/touring/9622797/texas-florida-venues-vaccine-requirement-bans-loopholes/ Fran Drescher Elected President of SAG-AFTRA, Rival Joely Fisher Wins Secretary-Treasurer https://variety.com/2021/film/news/fran-drescher-president-sag-aftra-joely-fisher-1235054675/ Disney to Shut Down Hotstar In U.S., Hulu and ESPN+ to Get Content Boost https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/hotstar-disney-streaming-bundle-hulu-espn-1235003995/ ‘Outer Banks’ Scores Big on Streaming Charts https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/outer-banks-streaming-charts-aug-2-8-1235007713...

 Showbiz Sandbox 553: CinemaCon Makes A Case for the Big Screen | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:27:13

After more than a year in which most blockbuster releases headed to streaming services, movie theater operators gathered in Las Vegas last week for CinemaCon, their annual convention. Ryan Faughnder of the Los Angeles Times moderated a panel discussion at the event featuring the heads of major movie chains, distribution executives and director Patty Jenkins. He tells us what he learned at this year’s show. One consistent headline to come out of CinemaCon was the call from both exhibitors and distributors for an exclusive theatrical release window. When it comes to China however, Hollywood studios are relieved to get any type of release these days, even if they only have a week to prepare for it. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how Apple is buying into classical music, women top the music charts for the first time in ten years and why China is canceling celebrities. ‘Candyman’: Nia DaCosta Becomes First Black Female Filmmaker To Open Pic To No. 1 At Domestic B.O. https://deadline.com/2021/08/candyman-nia-dacosta-box-office-record-first-black-female-filmmaker-1234824013/ ‘Free Guy’ Flies To $100M+ Overseas With China Assist, Global Now $180M https://deadline.com/2021/08/free-guy-china-global-international-box-office-1234823823/ China Box Office: ‘Free Guy’ Grabs $23 Million Weekend Win https://variety.com/2021/film/box-office/china-box-office-free-guy-1235051656/ Theaters’ Plea to Hollywood: ‘Show Movies in Movie Theaters First’ https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2021-08-24/cinemacon-state-of-the-industry-pandemic-movies-theaters-windows Theater Owners Gathered in Las Vegas Amid Hollywood Changes. Here’s What We Saw https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2021-08-27/will-fall-movies-deliver-five-takeaways-as-movie-theaters-hope-for-a-comeback Ron Jeremy Indicted On 33 Sexual Assault Charges By Los Angeles DA & Grand Jury https://deadline.com/2021/08/porn-ron-jeremy-rape-indictment-la-district-attorney-george-gascon-harvey-weinstein-1234822009/ Kris Wu Formally Arrested for Rape Charges and His Shows Deleted Online https://variety.com/2021/film/news/kris-wu-arrested-rape-1235042453/ Celebrities Disappear From Internet as China Moves Against Fan Culture https://variety.com/2021/digital/asia/china-celebrities-disappear-internet-fan-culture-crackdown-1235050381/ Black Theatre United, Theater Industry Leaders Outline Widespread,

 Showbiz Sandbox 552: Disney and the Great “Shang-Chi” Experiment | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:09:00

First Disney tried to shame Scarlett Johansson for daring to sue them over the studios distribution strategy on “Black Widow.” Then during an earnings call the company’s CEO described the upcoming Marvel “Shang-Chi and the Legend Of The Ten Rings” as an “interesting experiment.” Simu Liu, the star of “Shang-Chi,” was quick to push back on such thinking, saying “We are the underdog; the underestimated.” Meanwhile, actor Johnny Depp believes he is an underdog as well these days, claiming in an interview with The Sunday Times that Hollywood is boycotting him. International film festivals are doing the exact opposite however, honoring Depp for his body of work. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including “Funny Girl” is headed back to Broadway, the television game show “Jeopardy” officially has two new hosts and production of “The Lord of the Rings” Amazon series moves from New Zealand to the United Kingdom. Comscore Worldwide Box Office https://www.comscore.com/Insights/Rankings#tab_worldwide_box_office/ How Ryan Reynolds & Shawn Levy’s ‘Free Guy’ Triumphed At The Weekend Pandemic B.O. With A Great $28M+ How Ryan Reynolds & Shawn Levy’s ‘Free Guy’ Triumphed At The Weekend Pandemic B.O. With A Great $28M+ ‘Free Guy’ Unleashes $51M Global Bow; ‘The Suicide Squad’ Marches To $118M WW; ‘F9’ Tops $500M Overseas https://deadline.com/2021/08/free-guy-the-suicide-squad-paw-patrol-f9-international-box-office-1234815225/ AMC Theatres and Warner Bros. Agree to Shorten Theatrical Window https://variety.com/2021/film/news/amc-theatres-theatrical-window-bitcoin-1235037677/ ​​Johnny Depp Donostia Award Defended by San Sebastian Festival Director https://variety.com/2021/film/global/johnny-depp-honor-by-san-sebastian-festival-director-1235041084/ Netflix’s ‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ Shoots to Top of Movie Rankings Chart https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/gunpowder-powder-nielsen-streaming-virgin-river-1234997223/ Mike Richards Confirmed as ‘Jeopardy!’ Host, Mayim Bialik to Front Primetime Specials https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/mike-richards-jeopardy-host-mayim-bialik-1235039354/ ‘The Lord Of The Rings’ To Move Production To UK From New Zealand For Season 2 https://deadline.com/2021/08/the-lord-of-the-rings-season-2-move-production-uk-new-zealand-1234813857/ Beanie Feldstein Starring as Fanny Brice in Broadway Revival of ‘Funny Girl’ https://variety.com/2021/legit/news/beanie-feldsteinbroadway-revival-funny-girl-barbra-streisand-1235039384/

 Showbiz Sandbox 551: The Significance of the Scarlett Johansson vs. Disney Lawsuit | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:10:00

Scarlett Johansson is suing Disney for breach of contract after the studio released “Black Widow” both in movie theaters and its own streaming service at the same time. The actress believes Disney’s distribution strategy is preventing her from earning millions in box office bonuses but instead enriches the company’s top executives. The outcome of the case could determine how or if back end deals on movies are offered to above the line talent in the future. Meanwhile, as film and television production levels in Hollywood return to pre-COVID levels, the pandemic is once again dragging down the international box office. It may start doing so on Broadway and at concerts as vaccines will be required to gain entrance. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how comedian Louis C.K. hopes to make a comeback with a national tour, the game show “Jeopardy” may have found a replacement for Alex Trebek and Doctor Who plans a vacation. ‘The Suicide Squad’ Misses Mark At $72M Global; Overseas On Par With ‘Birds Of Prey’ As Covid Complications Continue https://deadline.com/2021/08/the-suicide-squad-jungle-cruise-f9-global-international-box-office-1234811102/ ‘The Suicide Squad’ Underwhelms With $26.5 Million Debut Amid Delta Variant Concerns https://variety.com/2021/film/box-office/the-suicide-squad-box-office-underwhelms-1235037004/ ​​Comscore Worldwide Box Office https://www.comscore.com/Insights/Rankings#tab_worldwide_box_office/ Arrests Made After Jewel Thief Scooted Off From ‘Mind-Boggling’ Paris Heist https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/28/jewel-thief-scoots-away-after-mind-boggling-heist-in-paris Kris Wu Detained by Chinese Police on Suspicion of Rape https://variety.com/2021/music/news/kris-wu-rape-detained-1235031986/ Louis C.K. To Launch National Tour Next Week At Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theatre https://deadline.com/2021/08/louis-c-k-tour-madison-square-garden-1234809178/ Activision Blizzard Employees to Walk Out Following Sexual Harassment Lawsuit https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/27/22595922/activision-blizzard-employees-walk-out-sexual-harassment Blizzard’s President Is Stepping down Amid ‘Frat Boy’ Culture Scandal https://www.protocol.com/bulletins/blizzard–ceo-stepping-down Ron Meyer Is Adviser to Qatar Royal Family After Universal Exit https://www.thewrap.com/ron-meyer-adviser-qatar-film-institute/ ‘Loki,’ ‘Manifest’ Stay Atop Nielsen Streaming Charts

 Showbiz Sandbox 550: The Olympics Win A Streaming Gold Medal | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:01:10

Like music, movies and television, the Olympics have put streaming front and center during the summer games. It’s easier than ever to watch the hundreds of events taking place in Tokyo over the next two weeks. However, it can be torture figuring out what sport is playing on what channel or streaming service and when. We dive in and try to make sense of it all. Of course with everyone streaming television these days, including the Olympics, it’s been hard for Nielsen to keep track of how many people are watching what programs. In fact, a number of major media conglomerates are calling for Nielsen to be decertified claiming they no longer trust their ratings. Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how streaming music is dominated by catalog titles, this year’s Kennedy Center honorees and rising COVID cases are once again delaying movie releases and productions. Box Office Drops With ‘Old’, ‘Snake Eyes’, ‘Black Widow’ & ‘Space Jam 2’ https://deadline.com/2021/07/snake-eyes-old-m-night-shyamalan-weekend-box-office-1234798883/ China Box Office: ‘Green Snake’ Slithers Into $30M Opening https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/china-box-office-green-snake-30-million-opening-1234988176/ AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. Reaches Agreement to Reopen The Grove Theatre and The Americana at Brand Theatre in the Los Angeles Area https://celluloidjunkie.com/wire/amc-entertainment-holdings-inc-reaches-agreement-to-reopen-the-grove-theatre-and-the-americana-at-brand-theatre-in-the-los-angeles-area/ Chinese Police Outrage Supporters of Kris Wu’s Accuser With Ruling That She Hyped Her Story for Internet Fame https://variety.com/2021/music/news/kris-wu-sexual-assault-case-police-verdict-1235025574/ Harvey Weinstein pleads not guilty to rape charges in L.A. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-07-21/harvey-weinstein-appears-in-l-a-court-to-answer-rape-charges Netflix Growth Sputters in Q2, Streamer Plans to Launch Video Games for No Extra Charge https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/netflix-q2-2021-earnings-video-game-strategy-1235023563/ TV Networks Want to Yank Nielsen Accreditation https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/tv-networks-nielsen-ratings-suspension-1235024816/ ‘Manifest’ May Be Saved As Netflix, NBC Eye New Season Of Canceled Series https://deadline.com/2021/07/manifest-season-4-saved-netflix-nbc-renewed-canceled-1234796743/ Over 66% of All Listening In The US Is Now Catalog Records, Rather Than New Releases

 Showbiz Sandbox 549: Second Guessing Disney’s “Black Widow” Distribution Strategy | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:15:53

In its second weekend the latest Marvel movie “Black Widow” dropped over 67% at the box office; the largest decline for any film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Could it be that the movie’s availability via premium video on demand cannibalized its theatrical returns? The ongoing pandemic makes it difficult to draw any conclusions, though one thing is clear; “Black Widow” is one of the most pirated movies of the year. Meanwhile, the Cannes Film Festival wrapped up over the weekend with Spike Lee and his jury awarding Julia Ducournau’s “Titane” with the Palme d’Or. It is only the second time in the festival’s history that a woman has taken home the prize. Whether it will go on to Oscar glory like “Parasite” did two years ago remains to be seen, but the feeling was this year’s festival may not generate a lot of awards-worthy movies. Of course we also cover some of the week’s top entertainment headlines including how artificial intelligence helped bring Anthony Bourdain back to life, the United Kingdom wants to revise music copyright and filmmaker Frank Darabont settles his lawsuit over “The Walking Dead.” ‘Black Widow’ Posts Steepest 2nd Weekend B.O. Drop For Disney MCU Title; Studio Silent On PVOD Update As Piracy Impacts Pic https://deadline.com/2021/07/black-widow-mcu-record-second-weekend-box-office-drop-disney-piracy-1234795325/ ‘Black Widow’ At $264M Global, Still No Word On China Release; ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ Bows To $55M WW; ‘F9’ Nears $600M https://deadline.com/2021/07/black-widow-space-jam-a-new-legacy-f9-international-box-office-1234795274/ Inside CNN Plus: A First Look at the New Streaming Service https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/inside-cnn-plus-a-first-look-at-the-new-streaming-service-exclusive-1235022517/ Here’s How the Cannes Film Festival Awards Could Impact the Oscar Race https://www.indiewire.com/2021/07/cannes-award-winners-oscar-race-1234651939/ Cannes 2021 Market & Fest Takeaways: Post-Pandemic Theatrical Still Anemic, Streamer $$ A Boon To Content Creators & A Curse For International Distributors https://deadline.com/2021/07/cannes-2021-sales-market-recovery-lessons-theatrical-pandemic-streamers-booming-offshore-content-creators-1234795389/ ‘The Crown’ and ‘The Mandalorian’ Lead the 2021 Emmy Nominations https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/07/13/arts/emmy-nominations-announcement Drake Bell Sentenced To Probation; Josh Peck Says ‘It’s Upsetting’ https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/drake-bell-two-years-probation-child-endangerment-1235017725/ Streaming, Cable Grow Audience Share in June as Broadcast Shrinks https://www.

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