DEAL OR ???

Two questions burn bright this week: 1 — What are media companies doing to get in the good graces of the current U.S. presidential administration? 2 — Will any of it work?

Think: Richard Grennell’s controversial appointment to Live Nation’s Board of Directors; Bob Iger’s recent White House visit to unveil plans for Disney Abu Dhabi (which was promptly followed by the insinuation of a new lawsuit against ABC News); and... seemingly everything that Shari Redstone is doing behind the scenes to ensure a successful Paramount-Skydance merger. To the latter point, CBS News president Wendy McMahon has resigned, marking the second high-profile departure from the company as pressure builds around Paramount Global’s settlement talks with President Trump. And that's to say nothing of the scrutiny that Redstone's pending deal faces from Senators Elizabeth Warren, (D., Mass.), Ron Wyden (D., Ore.), and Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.).

Thankfully, we have host of KCRW's The Business Kim Masters and her partner in Banter Matt Belloni to make it make sense. Listen here.

Why Do Big-Budget Movies Flop So Hard?

Ok, but for real... what if there was a screenwriting book that taught by example of the 1990s sit-com The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? Would flops fully cease to exist because everyone suddenly understand that there's a tried and true formula to this? Musings on these questions and more await in this recent episode of The Sam Sanders Show with Lizzie Bassett and Chris Winterbauer, hosts of the podcast What Went Wrong?

A science writer (and pilot) talks us through the air-safety-focused season 2 of HBO's The Rehearsal

Nathan Fielder's HBO series The Rehearsal has a lofty mission statement. What if you could practice for some of life's most stressful events before they happen? Season one dramatized starting a family; season two takes on plane crashes. Honestly? Perfect timing.

We wanted to hear from someone who could not only unpack the science of the project, but could could give us the private pilot's eye view. Enter New York Magazine writer Jeff Wise to dig into his recent story on why aviation experts are really resonating with the show.  

Matt Wolf explains why his 'barbed exchanges’ with Paul Reubens are essential to Pee-wee as Himself

Documentarian Matt Wolf has lived many a Gen-X/millennial child's dream: hours upon hours spent hanging out with Pee-wee Herman. Well, kind of. Wolf sat with Paul Reubens — the actor best known for his childlike alter-ego — for over 40 hours of interview footage. What emerged is Wolf's new HBO docuseries, Pee-wee as Himself.

Though these conversations often got heated, Wolf took it in stride to allow the project to take its proper shape:

“Some conflicts between us were genuinely interpersonal,” says Wolf. “But I would say most of it wasn't about me, and I included these barbed exchanges between us in the film because I felt like those really reflected Paul wrestling with himself; debating how much he was willing to show and share his authentic self with the world.” 

Hear more directly from the source about how it all came together by clicking the button below. 

KCRW Partner Screening: SNL50 Beyond Saturday Night

KCRW, Vidiots, and Peacock invite you to a special screening of SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, followed by a conversation with Executive Producer Morgan Neville and Director Marshall Curry, moderated by KCRW's Elvis Mitchell.

SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night is a four-part docuseries honoring the legacy of SNL, with over 60 contributors, including SNL alumni, and covering decades of SNL history. Spotlighting some of the show’s most iconic elements, each episode delves into the rich history of SNL and pulls back the curtain on the audition process, the writers’ room, the fan favorite "More Cowbell” sketch, and the pivotal season 11.

Weekend Film Reviews: Mission Impossible — The Final Reckoning, Sister Midnight, Fountain of Youth

Memorial Day is just around the corner, so you know what that means — fun times with your fellow citizens at the multiplex. Get in on the action (literally) with this weekend's big offering Christopher McQuarrie's Mission Impossible — The Final Reckoning. This is the alleged conclusion (insert exaggerated wink here) to the long running, adrenaline rush franchise in which Tom Cruise delivers increasingly elaborate stunts. Hear what film critics Monica Castillo and Shawn Edwards have to say about the soon-to-be-blockbuster. The pair also weighs in on Karan Kandhari's Sister Midnight, Guy Ritchie's Fountain of Youth, and Laura Piani's Jane Austen Wrecked My Life.