The Powers That Be: Daily - podcast cover

The Powers That Be: Daily

Puck | Audacypuck.news
Join Emmy Award-winning journalist Peter Hamby, along with the team of expert journalists at Puck, as they let you in on the real conversations insiders are having across the four corners of power in America: Wall Street, Washington, Silicon Valley and Hollywood. Puck's contributors will bring you smart conversation around the inside stories happening in these worlds. Presented in partnership with Audacy, new episodes publish daily, Monday-Friday.
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Episodes

Media Monday: Troy Aikman, Netflix Drama, The Smiths

Puck co-founder Jon Kelly joins Teddy Schleifer for a far-reaching conversation on the NFL's bull market for former QB announcers, its inevitable plural broadcast strategy, and future on streaming. Plus, they weigh whether Netflix will one day embrace an AVOD tier, and catch up on the latest dish surrounding Ben & Justin Smith's new company. Follow @PuckNews on Twitter and Subscribe to Puck.News The Power's That Be is a presentation of Cadence 13 Studios. Please listen, rate, review, and fol...

Mar 21, 202225 min

What Was Bob Chapek Thinking?

Disney’s still-newish C.E.O. Bob Chapek has had a hell of a week—first coming out as neutral on Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” legislation before issuing a too-late mea culpa condemning the bill. Chapek has had a difficult time filling the very large shoes of his predecessor, Bob Iger. But even if he wants to push Disney closer to the center, it seems like he may be more comfortable with the number-crunching part of the job than the public figure aspect. Can he hang on? On Today's show, Peter sits do...

Mar 21, 202219 min

The War Comes to Hollywood (and Wall Street)

America's largest companies are pulling out of Russia, holding their heads high for their decision to penalize Putin's war in Ukraine. But, over time, many will look to recoup their losses by going after their insurance companies-- a potentially dizzying torrent of realpolitik litigation that reveals the gruesome underbelly of the global economy. Peter speaks with Eriq Gardner, Puck's legal expert, about the long-term consequences. Follow @PuckNews on Twitter The Power's That be is a presentatio...

Mar 17, 202218 min

The MSNBC Trainwreck

Dylan Byers, Puck's founding partner, and media expert, swings by to discuss MSNBC's overwhelming problems: Maddow's oncoming departure, Ari Emanuel's vulcan grip on the network's leadership, and the widening chasm with CNN, just to name a few. MSNBC seems to be running the Trump-era playbook in an entirely new age. So what's next? And does anyone at NBCU even care? Follow @PuckNews on Twitter The Power's That be is a presentation of Cadence 13 Studios. Please listen, rate, review, and follow al...

Mar 16, 202222 min

The Mystery of Yuri Milner

Over the past decade-plus, Yuri Milner has achieved first-name status in Silicon Valley--like Mark, Sheryl, Jack, Reid, and Ev. But Milner's origin story as a mega-watt investor involves deep ties to the Kremlin, which is why Silicon Valley's elite are looking for him to take a stand against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. What is Milner saying? Well, it's complicated... On Today's show, Peter sits down with Teddy Schleifer to dig into who Yuri Milner is and what he's saying The Power's That be is...

Mar 15, 202219 min

Media Monday - Axios' Ambitions, The Decline of Cable News, and The New York Times "Lifestyle"

Welcome to the first episode of The Powers That Be: Daily! To celebrate this momentous new endeavor, Peter sits down with Puck co-founder Jon Kelly, who will be joining us every Monday to talk about the media. The two dig into Axios' ambition to become a multi-headed media giant, how the decline of cable news is similar to the fall of the magazine industry, The New York Time's new executive editor, and why everyone wants to be a SaaS company (and what the hell that is). The Power's That be is a ...

Mar 14, 202223 min

Welcome to The Powers That Be: Daily

Welcome to "The Powers That Be: Daily" where Emmy Award-winning journalist Peter Hamby, along with the expert team of journalists at Puck, bring you for an inside look at the stories shaping the day. Go beyond the headlines for the details only the true insiders know. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Mar 13, 20221 min

Putin's Long Game and Betting Against Russia's Economy

On this week's episode, Peter sits down with writer Julie Ioffe to talk about Putin’s brutal long game in Ukraine – and whether the west will slowly stop paying attention. They discuss the tragic images of a maternity hospital in Ukraine getting hit by a Russian attack, Putin's possible war crimes, and they try to understand the mindset of The Russian President as he wages this war. Peter also sits down with writer William Cohan to talk about his new Puck News piece about Wall Street investors t...

Mar 11, 202236 min

Putin's existential war & CNN's new boss

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, Julia Ioffe, and Dylan Byers for an expert discussion about these topics and more: Hollywood's response to Russia: Canceled productions, YouTube bans, and more If you want to see The Batman this weekend, you'll have to pay more at AMC theaters Larry David has abruptly shelved a documentary about himself ... and no, it's not a stunt for Curb Your Enthusiasm Russia has taken the major Ukrainian city of Kherson, and early predictions of how the war might...

Mar 04, 20221 hr

The crisis in Ukraine & Jen Psaki's next move? ​

This podcast was recorded on Wednesday, February 26, before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. For the latest, visit https://puck.news/ (puck.news) and follow https://twitter.com/juliaioffe (@juliaioffe) on Twitter Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Julia Ioffe, Matt Belloni, and Dylan Byers for an expert discussion about these topics and more: ​Putin knew he'd face sanctions if he invaded Ukraine — and he doesn't care Is this the same Putin who invaded Georgia and Crimea, or has he changed since then...

Feb 25, 202257 minSeason 1Ep. 23

The Story Behind Eminem's Kneel

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, Julia Ioffe, and Eriq Gardner for an expert discussion about these topics and more: Allison Gollust is out at CNN, and new details have emerged about a sexual harassment claim against Chris Cuomo WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar now says Jeff Zucker violated CNN's ethics policy — and that's a huge deal This year's Oscars hosts are a reflection of how irrelevant the show has become The agitation along the Russia-Ukraine border and the cautious hopes for a d...

Feb 18, 20221 hr 4 minSeason 1Ep. 22

Oscars nominations & the Jeff Zucker succession race

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, Julia Ioffe, and Dylan Byers for an expert discussion about these topics and more: The 2022 Oscar nominations are out, and all eyes are on the tech giants: Apple, Amazon, and Netflix The relevance question: It's even harder to see all the Best Picture nominees in the age of streaming After the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, the Academy has tried to diversify itself; how has that affected the nominees? The odds of a Russian invasion of Ukraine have shifte...

Feb 11, 202255 minSeason 1Ep. 21

Super Bowl Insanity & MSNBC's Leadership Vacuum

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, and Dylan Byers for an expert discussion about these topics and more: The insane prices for Super Bowl tickets on StubHub The insaner ratings for the NFC and AFC championship games It was a "dry January" at the box office, and February isn't going to be much better As Rachel Maddow steps away, MSNBC doesn't have a primetime strategy to speak of MSNBC's still-new president, Rashida Jones, needs a mandate from her bosses: Talent is rushing in to fill a ...

Feb 04, 202231 minSeason 1Ep. 20

​Emergency Pod: Jeff Zucker's Shocking Resignation from CNN​

On this special bonus episode of The Powers That Be, Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, and Dylan Byers talk about the surprise resignation of CNN chief Jeff Zucker at a pivotal and turbulent time for the network. Topics discussed include: Zucker's relationship with CNN chief spokesperson Allison Gollust was "the worst-kept secret" in the media world Why many workers at CNN — including some famous on-air talent — are devastated by his departure Is this Chris Cuomo's revenge? And would this ...

Feb 03, 202235 min

Spotify vs. Neil Young & Putin vs. Biden

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, Julia Ioffe, and Dylan Byers for an expert discussion about these topics and more: Joe Biden's upcoming Supreme Court nomination (no, it's not gonna be Kamala Harris, or Oprah) Wall Street discovers that Netflix is ... an entertainment company??? Spotify doesn't care about Neil Young, but what if his protest catches on? The grim potential of a full scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and how that might trigger retaliation from other countries What th...

Jan 28, 202255 minSeason 1Ep. 19

Showtime’s Future & Biden vs. the Liberal Elite

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, and Teddy Schleifer for an expert discussion about these topics and more: The CW network is for sale — who might buy it, and how will the sale change its programming? Showtime has a buzzy hit with Yellowjackets, but it ain't in HBO's league anymore Daniel Kaluuya's sketchy personal manager, Heir Holiness Rich Democrats in California are pressuring the White House to protect voting rights Ron Conway, Carla Jurvetson and the other Silicon Valley liberal...

Jan 21, 202241 minSeason 1Ep. 18

MacKenzie Scott's power & the future of cable news

Join Puck writers Teddy Schleifer, Matt Belloni, and Dylan Byers for an expert discussion about these topics and more: No one could watch the 2022 Golden Globes — but did anyone care? What could be done to make Hollywood's big awards shows more popular? Why Mackenzie Scott (nee Bezos) is a powerful, enigmatic "wild card" in the philanthropy-industrial complex What some big personnel moves at Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC signal about the future of cable news "Fox News knows exactly what it is, and th...

Jan 14, 202247 minSeason 1Ep. 17

Ben Smith Intrigue & Yellowstone Mania

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, Dylan Byers, and Tina Nguyen for an expert discussion about these topics and more: The eye-popping numbers for Yellowstone's season finale, and how Viacom screwed up the streaming rights Matt Belloni's predictions for Hollywood in 2022, including "the great theater contraction" Will Democrats draft celebrities like Dwayne Johnson and Oprah to run for office in 2024? What we know about the new media startup from ex-NYT writer Ben Smith and ex-Bloomberg...

Jan 07, 20221 hr 4 minSeason 1Ep. 16

Media war stories & what Joe Manchin cares about

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Jon Kelly, and Julia Ioffe for an expert discussion about these topics and more:​ The state of digital media in 2021, and how Puck is trying to be different from everyone else A new COVID outbreak in New York City "puts the 'me' in media" Why voters under 30 are tuning out the news and trashing Joe Biden Sen. Joe Manchin bumped off Biden's Build Back Better bill, but can anything be salvaged? Will does BBB's defeat mean for other Democrats facing midterm elections ...

Dec 24, 20211 hr 4 minSeason 1Ep. 15

Golden Globes & '22 GOP Drama

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, Tina Nguyen, and Teddy Schleifer for an expert discussion about these topics and more: Hollywood has turned on the Golden Globes, and a different awards show is trying to take the spotlight Without NBC's telecast, will the Globes still find an audience this year? What does Chris Wallace leaving Fox News tell us about his new home, CNN+? Mark Meadows was helping Congress' January 6 investigation, but changed his mind — why? The screaming, incoherent al...

Dec 17, 20211 hr 2 minSeason 1Ep. 14

Devin Nunes' new job & was Chris Cuomo "canceled?"

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, Tina Nguyen, and Dylan Byers for an expert discussion about these topics and more:​ ​What's going to happen in the season 3 finale of Succession? (Spoiler alert!) Adam McKay and Will Ferrell's shocking breakup, and the McKay HBO series that broke the camel's back Steven Spielberg's West Side Story movie is getting rave reviews — but will anyone see it? Republican strategist Jeff Roe's victory lap after making Virginia red again, sans Trump The nuances...

Dec 10, 20211 hr 8 minSeason 1Ep. 13

A reckoning at CNN & dark money Democrats

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, and Teddy Schleifer for an expert discussion about these topics and more:​ Chris Cuomo has been suspended, and a bigger reset at CNN is coming Bob Iger's next act after Disney: Owner of the Phoenix Suns? The dismal Thanksgiving box office and which movies are hurting the most The shifting power centers of campaign finance and the "charitable-industrial complex" How much power do rich people really have over our elections, anyway? Kamala Harris' closed...

Dec 03, 20211 hr 9 minSeason 1Ep. 12

Netflix's number games + "Morning Joe" $$$carborough

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, Julia Ioffe, and Dylan Byers for an expert discussion about these topics and more: Netflix is overhauling how it measures viewership — but good luck figuring out what those numbers mean Who should read Jim Miller's new book about the history of HBO A holiday box office preview: Will the theater-averse turn out for Encanto and West Side Story? What DC insiders say behind Kamala Harris' back — and whether those criticisms are fair What happens in 2024 i...

Nov 26, 20211 hr 22 minSeason 1Ep. 11

Star Wars woes & the Rittenhouse Rorschach Test

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, and Julia Ioffe for an expert discussion about these topics and more: HBO's Succession turns its sights on Sumner & Shari Redstone The Star Wars brand is stronger than ever — but the movie pipeline is in big trouble Mathew Rosengart, the legal mastermind who helped #FreeBritney Will the bipartisan infrastructure bill do anything for Democrats in 2022? What is keeping Biden's approval rating so low? The nuances of the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, a Rors...

Nov 19, 202154 minSeason 1Ep. 10

The un-cancelable country star & the GOP's post-Trump playbook

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, and Tina Nguyen for an expert discussion about these topics and more: Country superstar Morgan Wallen got "canceled" for using the N-word ... or did he? What Yellowstone — an enormous hit on an obscure cable channel — tells us about the future of TV Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers lied about being vaccinated — who does he listen to? The new Republican playbook for winning voters without Trump in the picture Why Virginia governor-elect Glen...

Nov 12, 202146 minSeason 1Ep. 9

Alec Baldwin Conspiracies & What Zuckerberg Really Thinks

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, Julia Ioffe, and Dylan Byers for an expert discussion about these topics and more: A new conspiracy theory surrounding the Alec Baldwin shooting Should Marvel be worried about the Eternals buzz? Is Kevin Mayer the hottest player in Hollywood right now? How Glenn Youngkin swung parents in Virginia to the GOP The Terry McAuliffe gaffe that paved the way for racist fearmongering "Rage works, and culture wars work" Is Facebook rebranding as Meta because o...

Nov 05, 20211 hr 8 minSeason 1Ep. 8

The Alec Baldwin Nightmare & Trump’s SPAC BS

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, and Bill Cohan for an expert discussion about these topics and more: The shooting accident on the set of "Rust," which killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins "A bunch of people screwed up," but who will be held responsible? And will there be criminal charges? The simultaneous release of Dune in theaters and on HBO Max, and what it might signal for the post-pandemic film business Trump's "cockamamie" new media company and SPAC, which is shady-even-by-S...

Oct 29, 202145 minSeason 1Ep. 7

NYT Succession Drama, Chappellegate, & ESPN's Future

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, and Dylan Byers for an expert discussion about these topics and more:​ Netflix's ongoing Dave Chappelle damage control campaign, and the silver lining for trans creators in Hollywood Halloween Kills' big win at the box office — and in the App Store Ratings are up for live sports, but how long will they be tied to linear TV? If Dean Baquet leaves this year, who will take over the New York Times? The challenges facing Politico as Axel Springer comes in ...

Oct 22, 20211 hr 2 minSeason 1Ep. 6

Dave Chappelle screws Netflix & what's up with Javanka?

Join Puck writers Peter Hamby, Matt Belloni, Tina Nguyen, and Dylan Byers for an expert discussion about these topics and more: Dave Chappelle's hateful anti-LGBTQ Netflix comedy special, and co-CEO Ted Sarandos' controversial response The new inclusion standards form for Best Picture at the Oscars Lessons for Hollywood from the new James Bond movie, No Time to Die Why a new survey of Republicans is a bad sign for Trump 2024 Are Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump still part of MAGA-world? The soft c...

Oct 15, 20211 hr 20 minSeason 1Ep. 5

Succession drama at Disney & Silicon Valley's top 5 political donors

Join Puck writers Dylan Byers, Matt Belloni, Julia Ioffe, and Teddy Schleifer for an expert discussion about these topics and more: Why did Disney settle Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow lawsuit? The rocky transition from Bob Iger to Bob Chapek as Disney CEO How Eli and Peyton Manning are changing sports broadcasting Why it matters that Capitol Hill (and the DC media) love baseball The less-obvious stakes of the post-Trump era What's driving Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema Laurene Powell Jobs' pr...

Oct 08, 20211 hr 13 minSeason 1Ep. 4
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