David Ellison’s Paramount is off to a loud start, rolling out a James Mangold/Timothée Chalamet crime drama and a $7.7 billion, seven year UFC deal . Will the studio’s bold strategies play out as intended? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down Paramount’s next act. Plus, Masters talks to documentarian Petra Costa about Apocalypse in the Tropics, a follow-up to her Oscar-nominated 2019 film The Edge of Democracy. What started as a look at Brazil’s COVID response became an investigation into how...
Aug 15, 2025•30 min
This week, Kim Masters speaks to Severance director and cinematographer, Jessica Lee Gagné. The Quebecois filmmaker reflects on her collaboration with Severance executive producer Ben Stiller, which began on the Showtime limited series Escape at Dannemora. She discusses becoming the first woman to be Emmy-nominated in the same year for both cinematography and directing in a drama series, and the major leap of faith it took to transition from a successful career as a DP into the world of directin...
Aug 08, 2025•30 min
Kim Masters speaks to Platonic co-creators Francesca Delbanco & Nicholas Stoller about what inspired their show about the comedy and complications of grown-up friendships. They talk about the challenge of writing characters—played by Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen—with none of the underlying sexual tension that has propelled so many television comedies to success. They also remember the time that Netflix boss Ted Sarandos sat through a lengthy table read of their first series, Friends from Colleg...
Aug 01, 2025•30 min
[Editor’s note: this segment was taped before news broke of the FCC approval of the Paramount-Skydance merger .] New details from the ongoing Paramount-Skydance merger reveal a $20 million agreement to deliver public service announcements for the Trump administration. And following from the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CBS News braces for potential changes in leadership. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive into what’s unfolding behind the scenes. Plus, an encore of Eric Degg...
Jul 25, 2025•30 min
In the conclusion of Kim Masters’ two-part conversation with Barry Diller, the veteran businessman reflects on his time helping build Rupert Murdoch’s Fox empire. Diller also criticizes studios for spreading misinformation—citing Oliver Stone’s JFK in particular—and weighs in on the now-resolved Trump-Paramount dispute, and the prospect of a David Ellison-led studio. Plus, Paramount’s looming merger with Skydance has South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker lawyering up. The duo is eyeing ...
Jul 18, 2025•30 min
Kim Masters talks to Barry Diller about his memoir, Who Knew? The legendary studio exec reflects on his quick rise at ABC and how helped transform the third-ranked broadcast network into a force to be reckoned with. He also remembers a much happier time at Paramount, where he presided over a studio staffed with future industry stars. He also opens up about why none of his friends in the business are having much fun these days. Plus, summer movie season is heating up, with F1, Jurassic World: Reb...
Jul 11, 2025•30 min
Kim Masters talks to writer & director Larry Charles about his new memoir Comedy Samurai. He shares stories about writing for Seinfeld, directing Curb Your Enthusiasm, and his chaotic experiences working with Sacha Baron Cohen on Borat and Bruno. Charles also tells the story of an early morning call from Ari Emanuel that pulled the plug on his Larry David documentary the day before its HBO premiere. Also, it’s official: Paramount has settled with Donald Trump over a long-disputed 60 Minutes ...
Jul 04, 2025•30 min
Eric Deggans chats with veteran sitcom showrunner Phil Rosenthal about the current state of the industry. The creator of Everybody Loves Raymond and host of the unscripted Netflix series Somebody Feed Phil reflects on how studios shape viewership data to fit their narratives. Rosenthal recalls challenging flawed testing at CBS early in his career and he reflects on the success of Raymond. He also shares how he pitched his food and travel series as: “Anthony Bourdain if he was afraid of everythin...
Jun 27, 2025•30 min
Disney and Universal sued generative AI company Midjourney last week over claims that the startup plagiarized characters from their movies and shows, such as The Simpsons and Star Wars. After remaining mum on the use of AI in movies and shows so far, studios are getting involved in this debate. But why now? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break it down. Plus, Masters talks to GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis about the organization’s 2025 Studio Responsibility Index, which evaluates studios on LGBTQ inclu...
Jun 20, 2025•30 min
Warner Bros Discovery is breaking into two entities : one dedicated to streaming and studios (HBO, DC, and Warner Bros Pictures) and another for global networks (CNN, TNT, TBS). What does this mean for the future of both divisions and CEO David Zaslav’s standing in Hollywood? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni unpack it all. Plus, Eric Deggans talks with Adam Arkin about his career on both sides of the camera. Arkin shares what it was like executive producing and directing episodes of the second seaso...
Jun 13, 2025•30 min
A shareholder revolt is underway at Warner Bros. Discovery… meaning, a 60% vote against CEO David Zaslav’s $52 million pay package for 2024. What drove the investor backlash? Meanwhile, Disney is back in layoff mode , with hundreds affected in the latest wave of budget cuts. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni explain what’s behind both moves. Plus, Masters talks to Late Night host Seth Meyers about how his years at SNL both shaped and traumatized him. The comedian also shares how fatherhood has given ...
Jun 06, 2025•30 min
As the Trump administration moves to slash NPR’s federal funding, the network and three Colorado stations have fired back with a First Amendment lawsuit. Meanwhile, Hollywood’s theatrical business is booming. Memorial Day weekend raked in $326 million — up from $132 million last year — thanks to a packed release slate. Who was the biggest box office winner over the holiday weekend? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive in. Plus, Masters talks to veteran film analyst Kevin Goetz about pivoting from a...
May 30, 2025•30 min
CBS News president Wendy McMahon has stepped down from her post as tensions escalate over ongoing Paramount Global-Trump settlement talks. With the deal already under scrutiny from senators, what’s in store for Shari Redstone's Skydance merger? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive into this and more major media shake-up stories. Plus, Masters talks to director Matt Wolf about Pee-wee as Himself, which looks beyond the iconic character to the complicated man who created him. The two-part series draw...
May 23, 2025•30 min
Warner Bros. Discovery has renamed its streaming service once again. Beginning in the summer of 2025, “Max” will be “HBO Max” again. The company dropped “HBO” from its name in 2023, a move which was widely recognized as the company’s attempt to become more competitive with a company like Netflix in its programming variety. The name change signals a renewed focus on the associations between HBO and a certain caliber of TV. What’s next for WBD and the streaming landscape writ large? Kim Masters an...
May 16, 2025•30 min
President Trump stunned Hollywood over the weekend with his announcement of a 100% tariff on films produced outside the U.S., framing it as a move to revive domestic production and counter foreign incentives. The industry responded with confusion and concern, warning that such tariffs could sharply raise production costs, reduce the number of films made, and hit moviegoers with higher ticket prices. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dig into the details. Plus, the papal conclave recently concluded to...
May 09, 2025•30 min
The Trump administration’s scorched-earth media strategy has claimed new casualties at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, including Sony Film Chief Tom Rothman. Meanwhile, the president’s $20 billion lawsuit against Paramount Global continues to force Shari Redstone into what could be a legacy-defining moment. But how will the CBS News staff react to a settlement with Trump? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate. Plus, NPR TV Critic Eric Deggans chats with Bosch star Titus Welliver abou...
May 02, 2025•30 min
60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens has resigned amid mounting pressure on Paramount Global to settle a $20 billion lawsuit from Donald Trump. What could a deal with the president mean for Shari Redstone’s legacy? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive in. Plus, Masters speaks to Jared Hess about his pop-culture-shifting filmography which includes cult classics Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre. He’s currently enjoying the wild success of A Minecraft Movie , as that 2025 video game adaptation caree...
Apr 25, 2025•30 min
After opening investigations into several media companies in recent months, The FCC has found its latest target– MSNBC. Why did FCC chairman Brenan Carr claim that specific broadcasts on MSNBC were not in “public interest?” Also, what’s behind the Writers Guild’s decision to block members from working on a Martin Scorsese produced film? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate. Plus, Masters speaks with actress, activist, and filmmaker Daryl Hannah, whose new concert film, Coastal, offers an int...
Apr 18, 2025•37 min
Listen to a special preview of Kim Masters’ conversation with Daryl Hannah about her documentary Coastal . The film will be in theaters worldwide for one night only, on April 17th.
Apr 15, 2025•7 min
As the Trump administration announces (and delays) tariffs, Hollywood is bracing itself for industry disruptions . What’s on the horizon for the entertainment industry amid erratic stock market fluctuations? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate. ( The Banter runs from 00:01:01 to 00:07:48.) Plus, Masters speaks to Michael Shannon about his directorial debut, Eric LaRue. The actor tells us how the film's producers managed to quickly pack up and relocate from Little Rock to North Carolina afte...
Apr 11, 2025•30 min
Lionsgate touts a live performance from The Weeknd , Leonardo DiCaprio unveils explosive footage from his new Paul Thomas Anderson film, and James Gunn teases his take on Superman; Matt Belloni reports the big bets being placed by studios at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. Also, what led to the ousting of Amazon MGM Studios chief Jen Salke ? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive in with a heaping helping of banter. Plus, Masters speaks to Rebecca Rhine about the Entertainment Union Coalition’s fight to keep...
Apr 04, 2025•30 min
It’s no surprise that a majority of Gen Z prefers content creators over traditional entertainment , but can the Hollywood establishment find a way to feed the next generation’s media diet? Matt Belloni and The Hollywood Reporter’s Alex Weprin investigate. Plus, we revisit Kim Masters’ conversation with Rob Reiner and Albert Brooks about Reiner’s HBO documentary, Albert Brooks: Defending My Life. The legendary filmmakers talk about their early years in the industry and they talk about the drastic...
Mar 28, 2025•30 min
In Hollywood’s latest changing of the guards, Jeremy Zimmer has announced that he will be shifting from his post as CEO of United Talent Agency to executive board member. What’s behind the shuffle? Plus, longtime Warner Bros partner, Village Roadshow recently filed for bankruptcy — even as arbitration continues over alleged financial losses due to the WB’s decision to release the Village Roadshow backed The Matrix Resurrections (2021) simultaneously in movie theaters and on Max. Kim Masters and ...
Mar 21, 2025•30 min
Disney is dialing back the rollout of its upcoming live action Snow White remake starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot. Why is the studio pulling its talent from red carpet press appearances at the film’s US premiere? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni are on the case. Plus, Masters speaks to director Lesli Linka Glatter about her Netflix limited series, Zero Day. Glatter, whose work in television includes Twin Peaks, Mad Men, and The West Wing, shares stories of being mentored by George Miller, Steven...
Mar 14, 2025•30 min
The 97th annual Academy Awards broadcast saw a 1% increase in viewership from last year’s telecast. What’s behind the ratings boost? Might this have any effect on where the awards show lands after ABC’s deal with the academy ends in 2028? Also, is the Disney CEO succession race heating up? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate. Plus, Eric Deggans speaks with Muslim Matchmaker creator Smriti Mundhra about her diverse body of work. She has a slew of dating series spread across streamers, and ha...
Mar 07, 2025•30 min
Lucasfilm CEO Kathleen Kennedy has announced she will step down from her post at the end of 2025. How will this affect Star Wars? Also, Barbara Broccoli, heiress to the James Bond franchise, has sold the rights to Amazon . What could this mean for the 007 legacy? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate. Plus, NPR’s Jeff Lunden speaks to songwriters Clément Ducol and Camille about creating the musical world of Emilia Pérez. After director Jacques Audiard handed the married songwriting team a 20-...
Feb 28, 2025•30 min
The ongoing Murdoch family drama is ramping up again; this time coming in the form of courtroom details released from a private trial in Nevada. Also, why is Harvey Weinstein suing his brother ? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate. Plus, Masters speaks to Pamela Anderson about starring in The Last Showgirl. The actress, who says she was a shy girl from a small town in Canada, shares how a chance appearance on a jumbotron at a football game catapulted her into the world of entertainment. She...
Feb 21, 2025•30 min
The Trump administration’s hostility toward DEI initiatives has led companies like Disney and PBS to reevaluate their stance on advocating for these principles. How will the pendulum swing affect Hollywood under the new presidential administration? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate. Plus, Masters speaks to Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, the co-directors of Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. Park and Crossingham share how they balanced claymation, a notoriously time-consuming medi...
Feb 14, 2025•30 min
Listen to a special preview of Jeff Lunden's conversation with Clément Ducol & Camille on their songwriting process for 'Emilia Pérez.'
Feb 13, 2025•8 min
The FCC has published the raw transcript of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris following Donald Trump’s claims of CBS commiting “election interference.” What’s behind the president’s attack on the network? Also, Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive into the Emilia Pérez controversy as the film’s director speaks out against his leading actress. Plus, Masters speaks to Jesse Eisenberg about his Oscar nominated A Real Pain. The film's writer, director, and co-star talks about the challenges of ...
Feb 07, 2025•34 min
