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The Business

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

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Episodes

Faith-Based Blockbusters; The Westmores of Hollywood

The making and marketing of a Christian hit which landed an impressive fourth place at the box office in its first weekend out. Plus, the first family of hair and make-up finally gets its own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Oct 13, 200829 min

Politics as Mini-Series; Working the Emmys; The Duchess

The closely-contested, presidential race has brought Americans back into the political process, not to mention doing wonders for TV ratings. Plus, and the winner is…not the press covering the Emmys. And finally, the daughter of a black-listed writer comes to Hollywood.

Oct 06, 200830 min

Which Way, Silverman?; A World without Don LaFontaine

Do salacious rumors swirling around NBC's embattled programming chief signal his ouster? What has he done that's so bad, and what good is being overlooked? Plus, a world without Don LaFontaine.

Sep 22, 200830 min

Shrugging Off 'Atlas Shrugged'

Hollywood's been sniffing around Atlas Shrugged since Ayn Rand published it in 1957. So why hasn't it been made into a movie? We talk to the first guy to get the go-ahead from Rand -- in 1974.

Sep 08, 200830 min

Hollywood Assistants; Studio Rights

We revisit our conversation on Hollywood assistants, with authors Peter Nowalk and Hillary Stamm . Plus, how does a studio spend $100 million on a movie when they don't own the rights?

Sep 01, 200830 min

Getting Rid of the (Production) Shingles

Hollywood's studios are slashing producer deals in record numbers. What are these producer pacts? What does it all mean for the kinds of movies that we'll be seeing? We talk to Adam Fields , who's had pacts with most of the majors. Plus, what's in a production company name?

Aug 25, 200830 min

Six Degrees of Celebrity Philanthropy

This week on The Business , six degrees of celebrity philanthropy with, of course, Kevin Bacon - actor, musician and on-line philanthropist.

Aug 18, 200830 min

It Isn't Easy Being a Green Hollywood Studio

We talk to Shelley Billik , the Vice President of Environmental Initiatives at Warner Bros. Entertainment. She's spent the last sixteen years explaining to the industry that recycling vintage Halston doesn't make you an environmentalist.

Aug 11, 200830 min

SAG's Snafu; The Brothers Duplass

SAG and the producers are at an impasse, so what happens next? Plus, what happens when the mavens of Mumblecore go Hollywood?

Jul 28, 200830 min

SAG and AFTRA Talk!

AFTRA approves their deal with producers...and SAG goes back to the negotiating table. Is peace at hand in Hollywood?

Jul 14, 200830 min

A Conversation with the Presidents of SAG and AFTRA

This special edition of The Business features a rare head-to-head conversation about future of acting with the dueling presidents of SAG and AFTRA. It's the first time the leaders have spoken since March 29... Note: This special edition of The Business pre-empts The Treatment at 2:30 and Which Way, LA? at 7pm.

Jul 09, 200832 min

TV Across the Pond; The Day the Creatures Cried

The two-way street between American television and British telly. We talk to TV producer extraordinaire Caryn Mandabach about her dealings across the pond. Plus, last words from the late special-effects wizard Stan Winston.

Jun 30, 200830 min

MySpace Makeover

A makeover at MySpace continues to transform Hollywood into your space. We chat with MySpace CEO Chris DeWolfe . Plus SAG and AFTRA's battle over the hearts and minds of its members.

Jun 23, 200830 min

Runaway Production Runs Faster

A hit network TV show picks up, moves to New York and stirs up the enduring question: why doesn't California do something to staunch the flow of runaway production?

Jun 09, 200830 min

Everything You Wanted to Know about Being an Assistant

This week on The Business , everything you wanted to know about being an assistant, but were too terrified to ask. We talk with the authors of The Hollywood Assistants Handbook . Plus, an update on the actors' negotiations for a new contract.

Jun 02, 200830 min

Indie Film Shake-up; Hollywood on the Couch, Part II

A major studio is getting out of the indie business and one stalwart indie distributor is rumored to be having serious money problems. The two indie film TV channels may roll into one. Is Hollywood going to give indie the bum's Rushmore? We talk to esteemed indie producer Christine Vachon and uber -salesman John Sloss . Plus, 'Hollywood on the Couch,' Part II, with writer-turned-therapist Dennis Palumbo .

May 19, 200830 min

Hollywood on the Couch

We put Hollywood on the couch with writer-turned-therapist Dennis Palumbo .

May 12, 200830 min

Another Visit with Pixar's Big Bird

Pixar's Brad Bird just received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Writers' Guild. So this week we revisit our conversation with the creator of The Incredibles and Ratatouille . Plus, the entertainment industry home team.

May 05, 200830 min

Why Can't SAG and AFTRA Get Along?

The uneasy alliance between the two actors' unions has turned into outright hostility. Plus, the unions want money from the digital future. When will that future arrive? Finally, who gets credit before the credits roll?

Apr 28, 200830 min

Everything You Wanted to Know about Agents

There's been a mad game of musical chairs in the agency business in the last few of weeks. The agency business is changing, but the relationship between agents and clients seems to be as quirky as ever.

Apr 21, 200830 min

Celebrities Can Be Taxing

Using Tax Day as a very weak hook, we talk to the man who helped clear Wesley Snipes of tax fraud conspiracy charges. The question: what are the special challenges of representing a celebrity in court?

Apr 14, 200830 min

Qualified to Act?; The ShoWest Goes On

In a town where actors are more likely to wait tables than wait in the wings, how do you define a working actor? That's the central question in our lively conversation with two actors. How SAG answers that question may determine if there's a strike. Plus, this year's ShoWest movie exhibitors' conference.

Mar 31, 200830 min
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