Many of those shuttling around New York City this week for the upfronts, on the heels of the NewFronts two weeks ago, may find themselves trying to synthesize all of the claims and counter-claims, the big data and bigger spectacle.
Evan Shapiro, veteran of many an upfront during his time as a cable network chief and more recently a consultant, producer and self-described “media cartographer,” has a way to process it all. A new event he is shepherding, Streaming Media NYC, kicks off Monday at the Intercontinental New York Barclay hotel and runs through Wednesday. Shapiro calls it an “idea festival” designed to bring together “the smartest people in media to have frank conversations about the industry’s biggest challenges.”
The roster of executive speakers is slated to include Roku’s Charlie Collier, Rob Caruso from Google, Danielle Carney from Amazon and Steve Ellis from Paramount Global. The world beyond...
Evan Shapiro, veteran of many an upfront during his time as a cable network chief and more recently a consultant, producer and self-described “media cartographer,” has a way to process it all. A new event he is shepherding, Streaming Media NYC, kicks off Monday at the Intercontinental New York Barclay hotel and runs through Wednesday. Shapiro calls it an “idea festival” designed to bring together “the smartest people in media to have frank conversations about the industry’s biggest challenges.”
The roster of executive speakers is slated to include Roku’s Charlie Collier, Rob Caruso from Google, Danielle Carney from Amazon and Steve Ellis from Paramount Global. The world beyond...
- 5/14/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Participant, the 20-year-old film and television production company whose mission was to inspire social justice and humanitarian action, is shutting down.
Founder Jeff Skoll broke the news to a staff of roughly 100 on Tuesday. Established in 2004, Participant co-produced or co-financed a number of notable movies including best picture Oscar winners “Spotlight” and “Green Book,” as well as Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” and the breakthrough documentary “An Inconvenient Truth.”
Almost all of Participant’s employees will be dismissed, multiple sources familiar with its plans said, and no new content development or production will be pursued. What’s left will be a skeletal holding company overseeing the Participant library, which represents interests in the 135 films it has made.
“I founded Participant with the mission of creating world-class content that inspires positive social change, prioritizing impact alongside commercial sustainability. Since then, the entertainment industry has seen revolutionary changes in how content is created,...
Founder Jeff Skoll broke the news to a staff of roughly 100 on Tuesday. Established in 2004, Participant co-produced or co-financed a number of notable movies including best picture Oscar winners “Spotlight” and “Green Book,” as well as Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” and the breakthrough documentary “An Inconvenient Truth.”
Almost all of Participant’s employees will be dismissed, multiple sources familiar with its plans said, and no new content development or production will be pursued. What’s left will be a skeletal holding company overseeing the Participant library, which represents interests in the 135 films it has made.
“I founded Participant with the mission of creating world-class content that inspires positive social change, prioritizing impact alongside commercial sustainability. Since then, the entertainment industry has seen revolutionary changes in how content is created,...
- 4/16/2024
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including events for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Palm Royale and Apples Never Fall.
SXSW
Hollywood headed over to Austin for the annual festival, which this year ran from March 8 to March 16 and featured the premieres of The Fall Guy, Road House, I Don’t Understand You, Immaculate, Civil War and The Idea of You.
Emily Blunt, Winston Duke, Stephanie Hsu, Ryan Gosling, Hannah Waddingham, Kelly McCormick, and David Leitch attend the SXSW premiere of ‘The Fall Guy’ Post Malone, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lukas Gage, Jennifer Salke and Conor McGregor at the ‘Road House’ premiere Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells at the ‘I Don’t Understand You’ premiere party Michael Mohan, Benedetta Porcaroli, Sydney Sweeney, Simona Tabasco, and Alvaro Morte attend the world premiere of ‘Immaculate’ Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny and Alex Garland attend...
SXSW
Hollywood headed over to Austin for the annual festival, which this year ran from March 8 to March 16 and featured the premieres of The Fall Guy, Road House, I Don’t Understand You, Immaculate, Civil War and The Idea of You.
Emily Blunt, Winston Duke, Stephanie Hsu, Ryan Gosling, Hannah Waddingham, Kelly McCormick, and David Leitch attend the SXSW premiere of ‘The Fall Guy’ Post Malone, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lukas Gage, Jennifer Salke and Conor McGregor at the ‘Road House’ premiere Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells at the ‘I Don’t Understand You’ premiere party Michael Mohan, Benedetta Porcaroli, Sydney Sweeney, Simona Tabasco, and Alvaro Morte attend the world premiere of ‘Immaculate’ Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny and Alex Garland attend...
- 3/15/2024
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hello, Insiders. It’s the penultimate international newsletter before the holiday season, but there’s no festive slowdown in TV and film news just yet. Jesse Whittock here taking you through. Read on and sign up here.
Netflix Metrics The Glory
Data dump: Since its inception — and especially since it became an original content player — Netflix has wrestled with releasing viewing data publicly. This week, its improving levels of transparency reached new heights with the release of What We Watched, a global report on 18,000+ titles from its library (equating to 99% of its catalog) covering the first six months of 2023. Data transparency was one of the key issues in the WGA and SAG-AFTRA contract negotiations, and while these new semi-annual reports aren’t the full picture, they provide insight deeper than anything released before. Katie Campione’s extensive analysis, on everything from data to the timing of the release, is well worth a read here.
Netflix Metrics The Glory
Data dump: Since its inception — and especially since it became an original content player — Netflix has wrestled with releasing viewing data publicly. This week, its improving levels of transparency reached new heights with the release of What We Watched, a global report on 18,000+ titles from its library (equating to 99% of its catalog) covering the first six months of 2023. Data transparency was one of the key issues in the WGA and SAG-AFTRA contract negotiations, and while these new semi-annual reports aren’t the full picture, they provide insight deeper than anything released before. Katie Campione’s extensive analysis, on everything from data to the timing of the release, is well worth a read here.
- 12/15/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Paramount Advertising President John Halley says the current marketplace, with free and subscription streaming, digital inventory and linear TV as well as uncertainty about measurement is “a big mess” for both buyers and sellers.
Nevertheless, Halley asserted during a keynote appearance at Paramount’s TV Now conference, “we’re going to work toward a better future.” His remarks came during a Q&a session with Evan Shapiro, a former cable and streaming exec who opened the half-day event with an overview of his “media map” and related insights about shifts in consumer habit and the business landscape.
Change has defined Halley’s tenure since being promoted to the top ad role in an exec shuffle last fall. He has contended with an ad market that softened notably in 2022 but one showing signs of a rebound in recent months. Even as dollars are flowing back into the overall ad market, though,...
Nevertheless, Halley asserted during a keynote appearance at Paramount’s TV Now conference, “we’re going to work toward a better future.” His remarks came during a Q&a session with Evan Shapiro, a former cable and streaming exec who opened the half-day event with an overview of his “media map” and related insights about shifts in consumer habit and the business landscape.
Change has defined Halley’s tenure since being promoted to the top ad role in an exec shuffle last fall. He has contended with an ad market that softened notably in 2022 but one showing signs of a rebound in recent months. Even as dollars are flowing back into the overall ad market, though,...
- 11/28/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
A new streaming lobby group, which formed one day before the Writers Guild of America officially ended their 148-day strike, says it is looking to have a collective voice in Washington, D.C. and distinguish itself from big-tech companies. But critics believe it’s preparing for a fight against future government regulation.
While the new Streaming Innovation Alliance (Sia), which includes Netflix, Disney and Max, says the timing with the WGA was coincidental, the move also came two months after the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee voted to advance a bill aimed at protecting children from dangerous or extremist online content, including on streaming services — a law individual streamers have lobbied against.
The Sia, which is spearheaded by Motion Picture Association Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin, and advised by former U.S. Rep. Fred Upton and former Acting Federal Communications Commission chair Mignon Clyburn, plans to advocate for federal and...
While the new Streaming Innovation Alliance (Sia), which includes Netflix, Disney and Max, says the timing with the WGA was coincidental, the move also came two months after the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee voted to advance a bill aimed at protecting children from dangerous or extremist online content, including on streaming services — a law individual streamers have lobbied against.
The Sia, which is spearheaded by Motion Picture Association Chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin, and advised by former U.S. Rep. Fred Upton and former Acting Federal Communications Commission chair Mignon Clyburn, plans to advocate for federal and...
- 10/10/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Every creator on earth now feels the guiding hand of AI.
On social media, TikTokers are rewarded with massive views for tailoring content to an algorithm that is meticulously designed to trigger dopamine release. In Hollywood, producers are rewarded with lucrative film deals for developing projects that feed the black box AI at studios and streaming platforms, which keep valuable viewership data insights to themselves. That viewership data is built via feedback loops created by recommendation engines reinforced by the very viewer behaviors they shape in the first place. It is value creation increasingly usurped by machines, and between TikTok and streaming platforms, the precious space that allows for human-first innovation is closing. TikTokification is metastasizing.
The Writers Guild is right to push for protections against AI, but nowhere are these protections more urgent than in the documentary and nonfiction space, where I have worked both as a producer and a writer.
On social media, TikTokers are rewarded with massive views for tailoring content to an algorithm that is meticulously designed to trigger dopamine release. In Hollywood, producers are rewarded with lucrative film deals for developing projects that feed the black box AI at studios and streaming platforms, which keep valuable viewership data insights to themselves. That viewership data is built via feedback loops created by recommendation engines reinforced by the very viewer behaviors they shape in the first place. It is value creation increasingly usurped by machines, and between TikTok and streaming platforms, the precious space that allows for human-first innovation is closing. TikTokification is metastasizing.
The Writers Guild is right to push for protections against AI, but nowhere are these protections more urgent than in the documentary and nonfiction space, where I have worked both as a producer and a writer.
- 5/4/2023
- by Emmet McDermott
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
MipTV 2023 is coming to an end, with many international execs and stars having jetted in for the 60th edition of the sales confab and Canneseries events. Despite large portions of the Croisette being dug up amidst reams of construction work before the Cannes Film Festival, there was a positive feel. That will please organizer Rx France, which has faced down of ongoing talk of the event’s reduced status in the post-Covid-19 era. Footfall was notably lighter than pre-pandemic, but a less frenetic pace isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Read on for our key takeaways.
Scripted Slowdown Is Real
“The TV bubble has burst,” said Studiocanal boss Anna Marsh, who delivered the weighty proclamation during a keynote on Monday afternoon. Her refreshingly candid admission, a reference to the end of the high-end TV drama boom, was echoed by many of the execs Deadline chatted with throughout the week in Cannes.
Scripted Slowdown Is Real
“The TV bubble has burst,” said Studiocanal boss Anna Marsh, who delivered the weighty proclamation during a keynote on Monday afternoon. Her refreshingly candid admission, a reference to the end of the high-end TV drama boom, was echoed by many of the execs Deadline chatted with throughout the week in Cannes.
- 4/19/2023
- by Max Goldbart and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV Studios has forged a Global Partnerships division combining formats and finished tape, helmed by the newly-promoted Ruth Berry, who detailed her new role, the Plimsoll acquisition and Fast opportunities.
Berry said the move to rebrand Global Distribution and Global Entertainment is “emblematic of the inspiration for us to partner in a broader, deeper way with more content across our portfolio.”
“There is a fair amount of overlap in our clients looking at both formats and scripted,” Berry told Mip TV.
“If we can bring that all together we can really focus these conversations and look at how we can leverage the breadth and scale of our portfolio with what our buyers need.”
Berry, who now oversees a 90,000-strong catalog with more than 250 formats, took on the newly combined finished tape/formats role late last year, at which point Arjan Pomper departed the business. Soon after, former Film and TV...
Berry said the move to rebrand Global Distribution and Global Entertainment is “emblematic of the inspiration for us to partner in a broader, deeper way with more content across our portfolio.”
“There is a fair amount of overlap in our clients looking at both formats and scripted,” Berry told Mip TV.
“If we can bring that all together we can really focus these conversations and look at how we can leverage the breadth and scale of our portfolio with what our buyers need.”
Berry, who now oversees a 90,000-strong catalog with more than 250 formats, took on the newly combined finished tape/formats role late last year, at which point Arjan Pomper departed the business. Soon after, former Film and TV...
- 4/18/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
“It feels like the TV bubble has burst,” Studiocanal CEO Anna Marsh said today.
The French powerhouse has been making TV for around six years and Marsh used a Mip TV keynote to say things feel like they are slowing down, following a boom period.
“We were experiencing greenlights after very short development periods beforehand but now it feels like these decisions are stretching out,” she added. “Some shows aren’t getting over the hump and it’s not as easy as in the past to get a second or third season. It feels like the TV bubble has burst.”
There are great challenges today and “upheaval” but Marsh stressed that Studiocanal remains committed to TV.
In film, she said Studiocanal, which she claimed was 2022’s leading indie theatrical distributor, is at a “crossroads” following the “dark and dim” Covid-19 period. Her team is receiving around 500 movie and 200 TV scripts per year,...
The French powerhouse has been making TV for around six years and Marsh used a Mip TV keynote to say things feel like they are slowing down, following a boom period.
“We were experiencing greenlights after very short development periods beforehand but now it feels like these decisions are stretching out,” she added. “Some shows aren’t getting over the hump and it’s not as easy as in the past to get a second or third season. It feels like the TV bubble has burst.”
There are great challenges today and “upheaval” but Marsh stressed that Studiocanal remains committed to TV.
In film, she said Studiocanal, which she claimed was 2022’s leading indie theatrical distributor, is at a “crossroads” following the “dark and dim” Covid-19 period. Her team is receiving around 500 movie and 200 TV scripts per year,...
- 4/17/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The TV industry is entering a new era of IP being spread across streaming, linear, audio and gaming, according to media vet and Emmy nominee Evan Shapiro.
Delivering the Mip TV Media Mastermind keynote, Shapiro urged TV makers and studios who are yet to embrace multiple platforms to “not eliminate parts of your ecosystem simply because you’ve never done it before.”
“You have to think about how to reach the consumer with each piece of IP on different platforms,” added Shapiro, as he unveiled his latest Media Map showing how the major players fit within the current state of the industry.
“Don’t only think about binary traditions. Streaming, linear and social are all combining on a day-to-day basis and we are entering a new era.”
Shapiro, an NYU Business Professor who was an EP on Portlandia, stressed a “Yes… and” approach to making content and said players will...
Delivering the Mip TV Media Mastermind keynote, Shapiro urged TV makers and studios who are yet to embrace multiple platforms to “not eliminate parts of your ecosystem simply because you’ve never done it before.”
“You have to think about how to reach the consumer with each piece of IP on different platforms,” added Shapiro, as he unveiled his latest Media Map showing how the major players fit within the current state of the industry.
“Don’t only think about binary traditions. Streaming, linear and social are all combining on a day-to-day basis and we are entering a new era.”
Shapiro, an NYU Business Professor who was an EP on Portlandia, stressed a “Yes… and” approach to making content and said players will...
- 4/17/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here penning the weekly mailer a day after Cannes revealed its long-awaited lineup. Read on for all the details and plenty more, and sign up to the International Insider here.
Cannes Lineup Roars
Few surprises: Zac Ntim here reporting on Cannes …Cannes General Delegate Thierry Frémaux announced 52 titles Thursday morning that will debut at the festival’s 76th edition, which runs May 16-27 on the Riviera. There were few surprises in the Official Competition lineup, with festival favorites such as Wes Anderson, Ken Loach, Nanni Moretti and Hirokazu Kore-eda vying for the Palme d’Or alongside long-rumored entries from Alice Rohrwacher, Jonathan Glazer and Aki Kaurismäki. The festival did, however, clock six films with women filmmakers playing in competition, a new record for Cannes. With 19 competition titles announced, however, six still remains far below that elusive 50% parity mark. Progress has been slow. This year’s...
Cannes Lineup Roars
Few surprises: Zac Ntim here reporting on Cannes …Cannes General Delegate Thierry Frémaux announced 52 titles Thursday morning that will debut at the festival’s 76th edition, which runs May 16-27 on the Riviera. There were few surprises in the Official Competition lineup, with festival favorites such as Wes Anderson, Ken Loach, Nanni Moretti and Hirokazu Kore-eda vying for the Palme d’Or alongside long-rumored entries from Alice Rohrwacher, Jonathan Glazer and Aki Kaurismäki. The festival did, however, clock six films with women filmmakers playing in competition, a new record for Cannes. With 19 competition titles announced, however, six still remains far below that elusive 50% parity mark. Progress has been slow. This year’s...
- 4/14/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Berlinale Adds Disney Tribute Film, Donna Summer Docs To Line-Up
The Berlinale has added Love to Love You, Donna Summer and 100 Years of Disney Animation – A Shorts Celebration to its 73rd edition line-up running February 16-26. Both titles will screen in the Berlinale Special sidebar. Co-directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams and Brooklyn Sudano’s the Donna Summer film tells the story of the disco star through unpublished film extracts, home video, photographs, artwork, writings, personal audio and other recording. Academy Award winner and Walt Disney Animation Studios President Clark Spencer fronts the Disney film, sharing his favorite shorts from the studios’ 100 years of filmmaking. In other news, the festival has announced it will pay tribute to French cinematographer Caroline Champetier with its Berlinale Camera 2023 award. She has chosen Anne Fontaine’s The Innocents, on which she did the cinematography, for a screening as part of Berlinale Special program.
The Berlinale has added Love to Love You, Donna Summer and 100 Years of Disney Animation – A Shorts Celebration to its 73rd edition line-up running February 16-26. Both titles will screen in the Berlinale Special sidebar. Co-directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams and Brooklyn Sudano’s the Donna Summer film tells the story of the disco star through unpublished film extracts, home video, photographs, artwork, writings, personal audio and other recording. Academy Award winner and Walt Disney Animation Studios President Clark Spencer fronts the Disney film, sharing his favorite shorts from the studios’ 100 years of filmmaking. In other news, the festival has announced it will pay tribute to French cinematographer Caroline Champetier with its Berlinale Camera 2023 award. She has chosen Anne Fontaine’s The Innocents, on which she did the cinematography, for a screening as part of Berlinale Special program.
- 1/30/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Media vet and Emmy-nominated producer Evan Shapiro will keynote this year’s Mip TV in April.
The Portlandia and Brick City producer will unveil research that shines a light on global industry trends as he takes to the Cannes Palais des Festivals on Monday 17 April for the start of the market. Last year’s keynote was delivered by Kevin Mayer.
Shapiro is Professor of Television at New York University and has become a media commentator over the years, along with hosting podcast Cancel Culture and running change agency Eshap. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy 20 years ago for Dinner for Five and went on to produce a wealth of shows.
Lucy Smith, who runs Mip TV, described him as a “one-off whose predictions are bold, incisive and thought provoking,” adding: “In a rapidly evolving global ecosystem such insights are not only invaluable but inspirational.”
Shapiro said he is “coming...
The Portlandia and Brick City producer will unveil research that shines a light on global industry trends as he takes to the Cannes Palais des Festivals on Monday 17 April for the start of the market. Last year’s keynote was delivered by Kevin Mayer.
Shapiro is Professor of Television at New York University and has become a media commentator over the years, along with hosting podcast Cancel Culture and running change agency Eshap. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy 20 years ago for Dinner for Five and went on to produce a wealth of shows.
Lucy Smith, who runs Mip TV, described him as a “one-off whose predictions are bold, incisive and thought provoking,” adding: “In a rapidly evolving global ecosystem such insights are not only invaluable but inspirational.”
Shapiro said he is “coming...
- 1/18/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: In the decade since Netflix upended the entertainment business by releasing House of Cards, calling-card originals have gone from subscriber catnip to a ubiquitous feature easily taken for granted. Streaming’s dominant players in the years to come will be the companies capable of expanding beyond fresh film and TV fare and into sports, video games, news and audio.
That’s one of the key takeaways from a new survey titled “What Will They Pay For? The Mind of The Modern Subscriber” (read it here) from the consumer insights division of Publisher’s Clearing House. The 69-year-old direct marketing firm known for its sweepstakes and oversized checks polled 15,000 Americans and teamed with TV industry veteran Evan Shapiro to analyze the results.
Asked which categories of offerings they would be most inclined to pay for, 39 of respondents cited movies and scripted TV, the biggest piece of the pie by far.
That’s one of the key takeaways from a new survey titled “What Will They Pay For? The Mind of The Modern Subscriber” (read it here) from the consumer insights division of Publisher’s Clearing House. The 69-year-old direct marketing firm known for its sweepstakes and oversized checks polled 15,000 Americans and teamed with TV industry veteran Evan Shapiro to analyze the results.
Asked which categories of offerings they would be most inclined to pay for, 39 of respondents cited movies and scripted TV, the biggest piece of the pie by far.
- 9/29/2022
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Alison Pill is continuing to add to her podcast slate.
The Star Trek: Picard and Devs star is to lead the lineup of scripted dark comedy podcast The Rubber Room from SiriusXM.
The series will explore the lives of some bad apples from New York City’s public school system who have been locked away in a “rubber room,” a purgatory-like detention hall for bad teachers.
Pill, who also starred in HBO’s The Newsroom, will play Lindsey Whittle, a young, idealistic public school teacher who is framed for drug possession by her fellow teachers and then transferred to a rubber room – based on the real life version in New York City. While there, she must try to clear her name while she navigates her way through the surreal, prison-like environment filled with absurd, frequently corrupt characters.
The cast includes David Cross, Andy Daly, Becky Drysdale, Alex English, Erik Griffin,...
The Star Trek: Picard and Devs star is to lead the lineup of scripted dark comedy podcast The Rubber Room from SiriusXM.
The series will explore the lives of some bad apples from New York City’s public school system who have been locked away in a “rubber room,” a purgatory-like detention hall for bad teachers.
Pill, who also starred in HBO’s The Newsroom, will play Lindsey Whittle, a young, idealistic public school teacher who is framed for drug possession by her fellow teachers and then transferred to a rubber room – based on the real life version in New York City. While there, she must try to clear her name while she navigates her way through the surreal, prison-like environment filled with absurd, frequently corrupt characters.
The cast includes David Cross, Andy Daly, Becky Drysdale, Alex English, Erik Griffin,...
- 8/22/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2022 Nostradamus report was launched in Cannes by the Göteborg Film Festival.
Transforming working conditions across the industry should offer financial, artistic, and efficiency benefits directly. That’s one message in the 2022 Nostradamus report, launched in Cannes yesterday by the Göteborg Film Festival.
The ninth report, which is usually published each January, looks at the near-future of the audiovisual industries by talking to industry experts with analysis by author Johanna Koljonen. This year’s report is entitled “Imagining a Sustainable Industry.”
Questions posed by the report include “How can we build a long-term sustainable industry, taking into consideration financial, social as well as environmental perspectives?...
Transforming working conditions across the industry should offer financial, artistic, and efficiency benefits directly. That’s one message in the 2022 Nostradamus report, launched in Cannes yesterday by the Göteborg Film Festival.
The ninth report, which is usually published each January, looks at the near-future of the audiovisual industries by talking to industry experts with analysis by author Johanna Koljonen. This year’s report is entitled “Imagining a Sustainable Industry.”
Questions posed by the report include “How can we build a long-term sustainable industry, taking into consideration financial, social as well as environmental perspectives?...
- 5/24/2022
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
Taylor Swift, Common, Seth Meyers and cast and crew including Al Pacino and Robert De Niro reuniting to talk about Michael Mann’s Heat are a few of the headliners confirmed for the Tribeca Festival’s Talks and Reunions lineup.
The festival will run from June 8-19 — a later slot than its longtime April-May home and a holdover from last year’s edition, a Covid comeback held largely at outdoor venues.
Swift made a splash as a filmmaker in 2021, directing, writing, producing and starring in the short film All Too Well, which went with an expanded new version of the song of the same title from her album Red. The 2012 album was re-recorded and released last fall.
Along with Swift, this year’s Tribeca Talks: Storytellers lineup includes Grammy winner Pharrell Williams; NBC Late Night host Seth Meyers in conversation with Saturday Night Live’s Aidy Bryant; Tony winner Cynthia Erivo...
The festival will run from June 8-19 — a later slot than its longtime April-May home and a holdover from last year’s edition, a Covid comeback held largely at outdoor venues.
Swift made a splash as a filmmaker in 2021, directing, writing, producing and starring in the short film All Too Well, which went with an expanded new version of the song of the same title from her album Red. The 2012 album was re-recorded and released last fall.
Along with Swift, this year’s Tribeca Talks: Storytellers lineup includes Grammy winner Pharrell Williams; NBC Late Night host Seth Meyers in conversation with Saturday Night Live’s Aidy Bryant; Tony winner Cynthia Erivo...
- 5/2/2022
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Peacock predecessor Seeso, an NBCUniversal streaming platform focused exclusively on comedy, was a total bust that lasted from January 2016 to November 2017 — just 18 months. Or as we’ll refer to that time period today: twice as long as CNN+ and Quibi’s lifetimes combined.
Evan Shapiro, the former head of Seeso who’s now an adjunct professor at the business schools of Fordham and NYU Stern, told IndieWire on Friday the lone connection he sees between Seeso and the newly flopped CNN+ is — and we’re definitely quoting here — “Corporate media be whack, yo.”
“In both cases, the companies went all in on something — all in — and something changed,” he added.
In the case of CNN+, which made it all of three weeks before new leadership announced it was being scrapped, the “something” that changed was the WarnerMedia-Discovery merger. Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav never wanted CNN to launch an SVOD service,...
Evan Shapiro, the former head of Seeso who’s now an adjunct professor at the business schools of Fordham and NYU Stern, told IndieWire on Friday the lone connection he sees between Seeso and the newly flopped CNN+ is — and we’re definitely quoting here — “Corporate media be whack, yo.”
“In both cases, the companies went all in on something — all in — and something changed,” he added.
In the case of CNN+, which made it all of three weeks before new leadership announced it was being scrapped, the “something” that changed was the WarnerMedia-Discovery merger. Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav never wanted CNN to launch an SVOD service,...
- 4/23/2022
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
SeriesFest, which returns for an in-person event, will kick off its Season 8 slate with a little bit of royalty.
On Thursday the annual television festival revealed the lineup, with Starz’s new drama Becoming Elizabeth. set to get things started on May 5. Running from May 5 to 11, SeriesFest: Season will return to Denver, Colorado for six days of screenings, panels, workshops, sneak peeks and television premieres.
The Becoming Elizabeth screening will be followed by a panel from series executive producer Anya Reiss and stars Alicia von Rittberg and Jamie Blackley. Season 8 of SeriesFest will also feature talent and the creative teams from TBS’ Rat in the Kitchen, independent series Bring on the Dancing Horses, AMC+’s This is Going To Hurt, Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil and Hulu’s Candy.
Amber Ruffin will also take the Red Rocks Ampitheatre to open the festival’s Centerpiece event, which will feature a screening...
On Thursday the annual television festival revealed the lineup, with Starz’s new drama Becoming Elizabeth. set to get things started on May 5. Running from May 5 to 11, SeriesFest: Season will return to Denver, Colorado for six days of screenings, panels, workshops, sneak peeks and television premieres.
The Becoming Elizabeth screening will be followed by a panel from series executive producer Anya Reiss and stars Alicia von Rittberg and Jamie Blackley. Season 8 of SeriesFest will also feature talent and the creative teams from TBS’ Rat in the Kitchen, independent series Bring on the Dancing Horses, AMC+’s This is Going To Hurt, Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil and Hulu’s Candy.
Amber Ruffin will also take the Red Rocks Ampitheatre to open the festival’s Centerpiece event, which will feature a screening...
- 4/14/2022
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Paramount+ boasted 27 million sign-ups in the U.S. in 2021, outdistancing all other streamers, according to Antenna’s Year in Streaming Report. Paramount+ did have the advantage of replacing CBS All Access, which first launched in 2014. “They’ve had a really good head start, with regards to user base and data,” media analyst Evan Shapiro, founder of Eshap, noted. Premium SVOD Sign-ups 2021 chart (Antenna) CBS All Access/Paramount+ saw an enormous surge in sign-ups — over 5 million of its total haul — around major content moments, such as the Super Bowl. According to Antenna, more than 750,000 people signed up for CBS All Access on Super Bowl Sunday, making it the biggest day-of user acquisition for any service that year. Premium SVOD Daily Sign-ups 2021 chart (Antenna) Shapiro also noted another reason for the upswing in Paramount+ subscribers. “Part of it is their content, but having an ad-supported tier is also really important,” he said.
- 3/8/2022
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
AMC has finally set the premiere for the sixth and final season of “Better Call Saul” — as well as the second half of the sixth and final season of “Better Call Saul” — after teasing fans mercilessly with the information earlier this week. As an added bonus, the cable channel also revealed first-look images from the sixth season (see above) and unveiled upcoming digital series set in the “Breaking Bad” prequel’s universe.
On Thursday, AMC announced that the seven-episode Part 1 of “Better Call Saul” Season 6 will premiere on April 18 at 9 p.m. Et. on AMC and AMC Plus. Back-to-back episodes will air that night. Once that first half of the final season has run its course, Part 2 won’t be too far behind, as the final six episodes of “Better Call Saul” will begin rolling out on July 11.
Led by Bob Odenkirk as the titular attorney, “Better Call Saul” was...
On Thursday, AMC announced that the seven-episode Part 1 of “Better Call Saul” Season 6 will premiere on April 18 at 9 p.m. Et. on AMC and AMC Plus. Back-to-back episodes will air that night. Once that first half of the final season has run its course, Part 2 won’t be too far behind, as the final six episodes of “Better Call Saul” will begin rolling out on July 11.
Led by Bob Odenkirk as the titular attorney, “Better Call Saul” was...
- 2/10/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
On “Better Call Saul,” Rhea Seehorn plays Kim Wexler, the character with perhaps the show’s highest moral compass. But on her latest series, “Cooper’s Bar,” Seehorn has gone in a completely different direction.
“I’m an absolute asshole in it; I am horrible, which is fun,” she says. Actually, the marketing deck for “Cooper’s Bar” goes even further than that, calling Seehorn’s character, TV executive Kris, the “biggest dick in Hollywood.”
“It’s incredibly different from Kim Wexler,” she says. “It’s definitely fun, when I’m am churning and wringing hands about Kim Wexler, to be working on these scripts for ‘Cooper’s Bar’ and thinking about Kris, somebody that steps over recliners and just screams and yells at people and has no tact whatsoever.”
“Cooper’s Bar” is an original short-form digital series produced for AMC that will be timed to run next spring...
“I’m an absolute asshole in it; I am horrible, which is fun,” she says. Actually, the marketing deck for “Cooper’s Bar” goes even further than that, calling Seehorn’s character, TV executive Kris, the “biggest dick in Hollywood.”
“It’s incredibly different from Kim Wexler,” she says. “It’s definitely fun, when I’m am churning and wringing hands about Kim Wexler, to be working on these scripts for ‘Cooper’s Bar’ and thinking about Kris, somebody that steps over recliners and just screams and yells at people and has no tact whatsoever.”
“Cooper’s Bar” is an original short-form digital series produced for AMC that will be timed to run next spring...
- 11/4/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
One Day Immersion, a student career development program focused on the media and entertainment business, said its fall event will emphasize diversity, equity and inclusion as its central theme.
Gloria Steinem, CBS CEO George Cheeks and SpringHill Co. COO Devin Johnson are among the speakers during the free, virtual event on November 5. Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, New York’s Medgar Evers College and consulting firm Exponent are the day’s presenters.
Evan Shapiro, a Fordham professor who previously oversaw cable TV networks IFC and Pivot and produced shows like Freestyle Love Supreme, chairs the Odi board. He called the partnership with Medgar Evers College, which is new for 2021, “the realization of a major goal for Odi.”
Since 2012, One Day Immersion has sought to connect media pros with students and recent graduates. The organization has held in-person events in New York, Denver, Philadelphia, Austin, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and Washington,...
Gloria Steinem, CBS CEO George Cheeks and SpringHill Co. COO Devin Johnson are among the speakers during the free, virtual event on November 5. Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, New York’s Medgar Evers College and consulting firm Exponent are the day’s presenters.
Evan Shapiro, a Fordham professor who previously oversaw cable TV networks IFC and Pivot and produced shows like Freestyle Love Supreme, chairs the Odi board. He called the partnership with Medgar Evers College, which is new for 2021, “the realization of a major goal for Odi.”
Since 2012, One Day Immersion has sought to connect media pros with students and recent graduates. The organization has held in-person events in New York, Denver, Philadelphia, Austin, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and Washington,...
- 9/30/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Feature documentary The Outsider from Abramorama will become Facebook’s first paid online movie premiere by a major distributor today when the social media giant releases it at 8 pm Et with a ticket price of $3.99.
Facebook’s global users will have a 48-hour window to watch the debut of the film – directed and produced by Pamela Yoder and Steven Rosenbaum — followed by a panel discussion. It will be available to exhibitors tomorrow, August 20, and via Tvod (transactional video on demand) through Giant Pictures in September ahead the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
According to event’s Fb site, 2.9K are “interested” and 179 are “going.” Live paid online event attendance changes most frequently just prior to the event. “We have no idea what to expect, as this is the first time ever that anyone has done this,” Abramorama COO and partner Karol Martesko-Fenster tells Deadline.
(Facebook reported almost 1.9 billion...
Facebook’s global users will have a 48-hour window to watch the debut of the film – directed and produced by Pamela Yoder and Steven Rosenbaum — followed by a panel discussion. It will be available to exhibitors tomorrow, August 20, and via Tvod (transactional video on demand) through Giant Pictures in September ahead the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
According to event’s Fb site, 2.9K are “interested” and 179 are “going.” Live paid online event attendance changes most frequently just prior to the event. “We have no idea what to expect, as this is the first time ever that anyone has done this,” Abramorama COO and partner Karol Martesko-Fenster tells Deadline.
(Facebook reported almost 1.9 billion...
- 8/19/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
A comedy pilot offering a snapshot of what it means to be desperate for success in your 20s has received a strong endorsement at US TV festival SeriesFest, winning Best Comedy and Best Writing in the Independent Pilot Competition.
Co-written, produced, and starring Simone La Martina, Privileged follows Amelia Waterford, a law student whose disposition to always strive for greatness is further realised when she is elected President of the University of Australia Law Society in a landslide victory (five votes to six).
To help with her endeavours, Amelia recruits a rag-tag group of fellow law students with absolutely nothing better to do.
La Martina wrote the pilot with Tom St John and produces with Joshua Anderson, James Kwong, and Hugo Koehne.
The half-hour episode, which is directed by Aaron Lucas, had its world premiere at the Denver-based SeriesFest, which took place from June 24 to July 11.
Now in its seventh year,...
Co-written, produced, and starring Simone La Martina, Privileged follows Amelia Waterford, a law student whose disposition to always strive for greatness is further realised when she is elected President of the University of Australia Law Society in a landslide victory (five votes to six).
To help with her endeavours, Amelia recruits a rag-tag group of fellow law students with absolutely nothing better to do.
La Martina wrote the pilot with Tom St John and produces with Joshua Anderson, James Kwong, and Hugo Koehne.
The half-hour episode, which is directed by Aaron Lucas, had its world premiere at the Denver-based SeriesFest, which took place from June 24 to July 11.
Now in its seventh year,...
- 7/18/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: Evan Shapiro, former head of cable networks IFC and Pivot who shepherded properties like Portlandia and HarmonQuest, has resurfaced with comic series Darkland.
The project, which Shapiro created and wrote, will be hosted as a non-fungible token, or Nft, on the Macroverse platform.
“I’ve been collecting and cherishing comics since the 80s, when the only way to get
them was on paper. So, the idea of launching my series Darkland in the medium of
comics is beyond exciting,” Shapiro said. “Macroverse has always brought a unique
approach to comics – with a one-of-a-kind immersive mobile reading experience. But
their vision of combining comics with NFTs creates true collectability to the medium for
the first time. It’s the perfect home for Darkland.”
Shapiro describes the project as a “deliciously twisted black comedy” that combines Game of Thrones with In the Loop. The story is set in Hell (here called...
The project, which Shapiro created and wrote, will be hosted as a non-fungible token, or Nft, on the Macroverse platform.
“I’ve been collecting and cherishing comics since the 80s, when the only way to get
them was on paper. So, the idea of launching my series Darkland in the medium of
comics is beyond exciting,” Shapiro said. “Macroverse has always brought a unique
approach to comics – with a one-of-a-kind immersive mobile reading experience. But
their vision of combining comics with NFTs creates true collectability to the medium for
the first time. It’s the perfect home for Darkland.”
Shapiro describes the project as a “deliciously twisted black comedy” that combines Game of Thrones with In the Loop. The story is set in Hell (here called...
- 6/23/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Evan Shapiro, a veteran TV executive who is now president of National Lampoon and a college professor, has seen the media, entertainment and technology universe grow increasingly complex.
So, in preparing to teach a new class about the business at Fordham this fall, he did what any explorer would: He made a map of the universe.
Shapiro, a former head of cable networks like IFC and Pivot who first floated the map in a LinkedIn post this month, readily acknowledges he is not the first industry cartographer. In the post, he gave a shout-out to one high-profile effort, a media landscape map regularly published by Recode, calling it “very insightful” and noting it was a fixture for years in his classes at NYU.
“However, it’s somewhat incomplete and misleading,” he wrote. “It leaves out the companies that are, in fact,...
So, in preparing to teach a new class about the business at Fordham this fall, he did what any explorer would: He made a map of the universe.
Shapiro, a former head of cable networks like IFC and Pivot who first floated the map in a LinkedIn post this month, readily acknowledges he is not the first industry cartographer. In the post, he gave a shout-out to one high-profile effort, a media landscape map regularly published by Recode, calling it “very insightful” and noting it was a fixture for years in his classes at NYU.
“However, it’s somewhat incomplete and misleading,” he wrote. “It leaves out the companies that are, in fact,...
- 8/15/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
SeriesFest recently announced it will be going virtual for its sixth annual event.
With the move, more additions to the lineup have been announced.
SeriesFest today revealed new additions to its previously announced line-up as well as details regarding its annual international International Spotlight in partnership with Liberty Global.
A screening of Apple TV+’s multi-Daytime Emmy Award nominee, Ghostwriter, followed by a conversation with Academy Award-Winning and DGA-Nominated Director, Luke Matheny, the children’s series’ writer and director, and Svp, Creative Development, Sesame Workshop, Kay Wilson Stallings, also an executive producer has been announced.
Additionally, there will be a screening of Silent Rose, a hybrid drama that is a multi-character portrait of life in high school after the 2016 presidential election fallout, has also been added to the docket, followed by a conversation with Variety's Top Documaker to Watch, Mitch Dickman, moderated by executive producer, Evan Shapiro (Portlandia).
Cast members...
With the move, more additions to the lineup have been announced.
SeriesFest today revealed new additions to its previously announced line-up as well as details regarding its annual international International Spotlight in partnership with Liberty Global.
A screening of Apple TV+’s multi-Daytime Emmy Award nominee, Ghostwriter, followed by a conversation with Academy Award-Winning and DGA-Nominated Director, Luke Matheny, the children’s series’ writer and director, and Svp, Creative Development, Sesame Workshop, Kay Wilson Stallings, also an executive producer has been announced.
Additionally, there will be a screening of Silent Rose, a hybrid drama that is a multi-character portrait of life in high school after the 2016 presidential election fallout, has also been added to the docket, followed by a conversation with Variety's Top Documaker to Watch, Mitch Dickman, moderated by executive producer, Evan Shapiro (Portlandia).
Cast members...
- 6/18/2020
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
In today’s TV news roundup, Netflix reveals a first look at Season 2 of “The Umbrella Academy,” and Showtime will host a virtual concert on June 21 benefitting the Equal Justice Initiative.
Casting
Nickelodeon has signed an overall deal with 13-year-old social media influencer and hip-hop artist Alaya “That Girl Lay Lay” High. Nickelodeon and High will work together to develop programming across multiple platforms, create music initiatives and build a consumer products business spanning across fashion, accessories and publishing. High has been rapping, singing, writing and producing since the age of five and has already impressed the likes of Nick Cannon and Le’Veon Bell. She became the youngest female rapper to sign a recording contract with Fresh Rebel Muzik/Empire at age 11 and released her debut album “Tha Cheat Code” in September 2018.
Dates
Amazon Prime Video announced that Jim Gaffigan‘s newest stand-up comedy special, “Jim Gaffigan: The Pale Tourist,...
Casting
Nickelodeon has signed an overall deal with 13-year-old social media influencer and hip-hop artist Alaya “That Girl Lay Lay” High. Nickelodeon and High will work together to develop programming across multiple platforms, create music initiatives and build a consumer products business spanning across fashion, accessories and publishing. High has been rapping, singing, writing and producing since the age of five and has already impressed the likes of Nick Cannon and Le’Veon Bell. She became the youngest female rapper to sign a recording contract with Fresh Rebel Muzik/Empire at age 11 and released her debut album “Tha Cheat Code” in September 2018.
Dates
Amazon Prime Video announced that Jim Gaffigan‘s newest stand-up comedy special, “Jim Gaffigan: The Pale Tourist,...
- 6/16/2020
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Editors’ Note: Deadline’s latest series, Reopening Hollywood, focuses on the incredibly complicated effort to get the industry back on its feet while ensuring the safety of everyone involved. Our goal is to examine numerous sides of the business and provide a forum for leaders in Hollywood to discuss pressing issues around restarting production in the era of coronavirus.
As film and TV producers optimistically plot to resume shuttered projects and launch new ones, they are all stymied by a major blind spot. While those producers are immersed in bringing in medical staffs, temperature takers and sanitizers to keep casts and crews safe, a lack of clarity around insurance and completion bonds is hobbling plans to get the billion-dollar production industry off the ground.
Insurers already absorbing thousands of claims from film and TV productions that shut down abruptly in March (and across myriad other industries) aren’t even sure how deep their losses run.
As film and TV producers optimistically plot to resume shuttered projects and launch new ones, they are all stymied by a major blind spot. While those producers are immersed in bringing in medical staffs, temperature takers and sanitizers to keep casts and crews safe, a lack of clarity around insurance and completion bonds is hobbling plans to get the billion-dollar production industry off the ground.
Insurers already absorbing thousands of claims from film and TV productions that shut down abruptly in March (and across myriad other industries) aren’t even sure how deep their losses run.
- 5/15/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
March was supposed to be a big month for National Lampoon.
The content production company that hung out an “Under New Management” sign last year had scheduled a series of 50th anniversary celebrations this year designed to spur its revival. The plan was to use podcasts and live events to introduce a new generation of subversive comedians affiliated with the brand name that helped launch the careers of John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase and others.
One by one, the comeback events carefully plotted by veteran producer and executive Evan Shapiro were canceled. National Lampoon had planned to make a splash at the SXSW festival with a series of live events. A re-imagined version of National Lampoon’s Off Broadway show “Lemmings” was set for showcase performances at the Public Theater’s Joe’s Pub venue on March 14-15. But none of that came to pass as the...
The content production company that hung out an “Under New Management” sign last year had scheduled a series of 50th anniversary celebrations this year designed to spur its revival. The plan was to use podcasts and live events to introduce a new generation of subversive comedians affiliated with the brand name that helped launch the careers of John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase and others.
One by one, the comeback events carefully plotted by veteran producer and executive Evan Shapiro were canceled. National Lampoon had planned to make a splash at the SXSW festival with a series of live events. A re-imagined version of National Lampoon’s Off Broadway show “Lemmings” was set for showcase performances at the Public Theater’s Joe’s Pub venue on March 14-15. But none of that came to pass as the...
- 4/2/2020
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Kevin Hart declared that he plans to become a media mogul. Richard Plepler promised that the premium subscription TV business is not a zero-sum game. Dana Walden explained why she took the big TV gig at Disney. Dawn Ostroff spoke about the humbling process of learning how to produce for digital platforms after a long career in TV.
Conversations with those industry A-listers and dozens more have been featured on “Strictly Business,” Variety‘s weekly podcast that is marking its 100th installment with a retrospective episode featuring highlights from the past two years. The interview-driven podcast that debuted on April 3, 2018, is hosted by Variety business editor Cynthia Littleton and Variety co-editor-in-chief Andrew Wallenstein.
“Strictly Business” casts a wide net across media and entertainment, sitting down with power players and specialists who can provide insights about seismic shifts in the marketplace amid the haze of disruption and consolidation.
Interview subjects have...
Conversations with those industry A-listers and dozens more have been featured on “Strictly Business,” Variety‘s weekly podcast that is marking its 100th installment with a retrospective episode featuring highlights from the past two years. The interview-driven podcast that debuted on April 3, 2018, is hosted by Variety business editor Cynthia Littleton and Variety co-editor-in-chief Andrew Wallenstein.
“Strictly Business” casts a wide net across media and entertainment, sitting down with power players and specialists who can provide insights about seismic shifts in the marketplace amid the haze of disruption and consolidation.
Interview subjects have...
- 3/4/2020
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s TV News Roundup, HBO announced the premiere date for “I Know This Much Is True” and CNN launched a new podcast focusing on coronavirus.
Dates
HBO has announced that “I Know This Much Is True” will premiere on April 27. Based on Wally Lamb’s bestseller of the same name, the six-part limited series stars Mark Ruffalo as identical twin brothers and follows them through different stages of their lives in the fictional town of Three Rivers, Conn. Derek Cianfrance is the writer and director of the series. He also serves as executive producer along with Ben Browning and Glen Basner for FilmNation Entertainment, Ruffalo for Willi Hill Productions, Gregg Fienberg, Lynette Howell Taylor, Anya Epstein and Lamb. Watch a new teaser for the show below.
Greenlights
Quibi has announced “Let’s Go Atsuko!”, a new Japanese game show hosted by comedian Atsuko Okatsuka. In every episode, contestants...
Dates
HBO has announced that “I Know This Much Is True” will premiere on April 27. Based on Wally Lamb’s bestseller of the same name, the six-part limited series stars Mark Ruffalo as identical twin brothers and follows them through different stages of their lives in the fictional town of Three Rivers, Conn. Derek Cianfrance is the writer and director of the series. He also serves as executive producer along with Ben Browning and Glen Basner for FilmNation Entertainment, Ruffalo for Willi Hill Productions, Gregg Fienberg, Lynette Howell Taylor, Anya Epstein and Lamb. Watch a new teaser for the show below.
Greenlights
Quibi has announced “Let’s Go Atsuko!”, a new Japanese game show hosted by comedian Atsuko Okatsuka. In every episode, contestants...
- 3/2/2020
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka is bringing her twerk-friendly funny to Quibi with the woke Japanese game show appropriately titled Let’s Go Atsuko! from National Lampoon and PalmStar Media.
In the new series, Game master Okatsuka will lead two civilian contestants through the surreal universe inside her grandma’s fridge. In every episode, each contestant — perhaps unwisely — will tell Okatsuka one thing they love and one thing they fear. These facts can and will be used against them to create tailor-made challenges that test the players’ “street smarts.”
The forthcoming series for the short-form streaming platform shares the name of her weekly podcast on the Forever Dog network and monthly live show at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles. Past guests include Andy Richter, Aparna Nancherla, Lauren Lapkus, Nicole Byer, Guy Branum, Nik Dodani, Aparna Nancherla, Wyatt Cenac, Judah Friedlander, Sasheer Zamata, Baron Vaughn, among others.
An immigrant from Japan, Okatsuka uses...
In the new series, Game master Okatsuka will lead two civilian contestants through the surreal universe inside her grandma’s fridge. In every episode, each contestant — perhaps unwisely — will tell Okatsuka one thing they love and one thing they fear. These facts can and will be used against them to create tailor-made challenges that test the players’ “street smarts.”
The forthcoming series for the short-form streaming platform shares the name of her weekly podcast on the Forever Dog network and monthly live show at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles. Past guests include Andy Richter, Aparna Nancherla, Lauren Lapkus, Nicole Byer, Guy Branum, Nik Dodani, Aparna Nancherla, Wyatt Cenac, Judah Friedlander, Sasheer Zamata, Baron Vaughn, among others.
An immigrant from Japan, Okatsuka uses...
- 3/2/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s TV news roundup, BBC America and AMC announced “Killing Eve’s” Season 3 premiere date, and Netflix and Mattel Television announced the voice cast for its upcoming anime series “Masters of the Universe: Revelation.”
Casting
Netflix and Mattel Television have announced the cast for the upcoming anime series “Masters of the Universe: Revelation.” A reboot of the original series featuring He-Man, Skeltor, Teela and other characters, the program’s extensive voice cast includes Mark Hamill, Lena Headey, Chris Wood, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Liam Cunningham, Stephen Root, Diedrich Bader, Griffin Newman, Tiffany Smith, Henry Rollins, Alan Oppenheimer and more. Adam Bonnett, Christopher Keenan and Rob David serve as executive producers.
The pilot for Amazon’s series adaptation of “A League of their Own” has announced its cast. D’Arcy Carden (“The Good Place”) will lead a cast that also includes Abbi Jacobson, Chanté Adams, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Kelly McCormack, Roberta Colindrez,...
Casting
Netflix and Mattel Television have announced the cast for the upcoming anime series “Masters of the Universe: Revelation.” A reboot of the original series featuring He-Man, Skeltor, Teela and other characters, the program’s extensive voice cast includes Mark Hamill, Lena Headey, Chris Wood, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Liam Cunningham, Stephen Root, Diedrich Bader, Griffin Newman, Tiffany Smith, Henry Rollins, Alan Oppenheimer and more. Adam Bonnett, Christopher Keenan and Rob David serve as executive producers.
The pilot for Amazon’s series adaptation of “A League of their Own” has announced its cast. D’Arcy Carden (“The Good Place”) will lead a cast that also includes Abbi Jacobson, Chanté Adams, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Kelly McCormack, Roberta Colindrez,...
- 2/15/2020
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Don’t laugh at him (with him is fine), but Evan Shapiro believes his new class of the “National Lampoon Radio Hour” is as talented as the original one.
“We legitimately have what I would call ‘the next class’ of the ‘Radio Hour,'” Shapiro, the former head of Seeso who now leads The National Lampoon’s rebranding, told TheWrap. “The level of talent that was represented originally, at a different stage in their careers today, reflective of their time.”
In making that big comparison, Shapiro is talking about “where they are as artists, and their voices, and where their backgrounds are from, but also in their ability to take on mainstream culture in a very subversive way,” to be as clear for readers and fair to him as possible.
Also Read: 'National Lampoon Radio Hour' Relaunches as a Podcast, Teams With Spotify to Stream Clips (Exclusive)
Names back when...
“We legitimately have what I would call ‘the next class’ of the ‘Radio Hour,'” Shapiro, the former head of Seeso who now leads The National Lampoon’s rebranding, told TheWrap. “The level of talent that was represented originally, at a different stage in their careers today, reflective of their time.”
In making that big comparison, Shapiro is talking about “where they are as artists, and their voices, and where their backgrounds are from, but also in their ability to take on mainstream culture in a very subversive way,” to be as clear for readers and fair to him as possible.
Also Read: 'National Lampoon Radio Hour' Relaunches as a Podcast, Teams With Spotify to Stream Clips (Exclusive)
Names back when...
- 12/18/2019
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
The relaunch of National Lampoon as a comedy production house begins in earnest this week with the Dec. 19 debut of “National Lampoon Radio Hour,” a sketch comedy podcast written and performed by Cole Escola, Jo Firestone and clutch of rising-star comedians.
On the latest episode of Variety‘s Strictly Business podcast, National Lampoon president Evan Shapiro discusses the guiding principles behind the effort to revitalize the comedy brand that was a primal force in the careers of Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Bill Murray, John Hughes, Christopher Guest, Harold Ramis, Michael O’Donoghue and other heavyweights.
The company founded in 1970 as a humor magazine by Harvard Lampoon alumni expanded into a radio sketch comedy series, albums and live stage shows. As industry legend goes, the founders of National Lampoon turned down the offer from Lorne Michaels to develop the original “Radio Hour” into a TV series. That prompted Michaels to hire away...
On the latest episode of Variety‘s Strictly Business podcast, National Lampoon president Evan Shapiro discusses the guiding principles behind the effort to revitalize the comedy brand that was a primal force in the careers of Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Bill Murray, John Hughes, Christopher Guest, Harold Ramis, Michael O’Donoghue and other heavyweights.
The company founded in 1970 as a humor magazine by Harvard Lampoon alumni expanded into a radio sketch comedy series, albums and live stage shows. As industry legend goes, the founders of National Lampoon turned down the offer from Lorne Michaels to develop the original “Radio Hour” into a TV series. That prompted Michaels to hire away...
- 12/18/2019
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Tony Sokol Dec 17, 2019
National Lampoon Radio Hour version 2.0 will recreate the relevance of irreverence, promises Evan Shapiro.
National Lampoon magazine will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2020, and its sonic counterpart, the National Lampoon Radio Hour is being rebooted for the 21st century. Starting on Dec. 19, the iconic sketch comedy troupe which introduced the world to John Belushi, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Harold Ramis, Christopher Guest, and Gilda Radner will produce a new, original 11-episode scripted podcast.
The new National Lampoon Radio Hour is being shaped by head writer Cole Escola and senior writer Jo Firestone. It will be performed by a new generation of groundbreaking comedians coming from the New York alt-comedy scene. The podcast will also feature guest comedians Rachel Dratch, Amy Sedaris, Julie Klausner, Jordan Klepper and Chris Gethard.
The cast includes Andy Kaufman Comedy winner Brett Davis (Podcast For Laundry), Rachel Pegram, Alex English, Maeve Higgins, Aaron Jackson,...
National Lampoon Radio Hour version 2.0 will recreate the relevance of irreverence, promises Evan Shapiro.
National Lampoon magazine will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2020, and its sonic counterpart, the National Lampoon Radio Hour is being rebooted for the 21st century. Starting on Dec. 19, the iconic sketch comedy troupe which introduced the world to John Belushi, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Harold Ramis, Christopher Guest, and Gilda Radner will produce a new, original 11-episode scripted podcast.
The new National Lampoon Radio Hour is being shaped by head writer Cole Escola and senior writer Jo Firestone. It will be performed by a new generation of groundbreaking comedians coming from the New York alt-comedy scene. The podcast will also feature guest comedians Rachel Dratch, Amy Sedaris, Julie Klausner, Jordan Klepper and Chris Gethard.
The cast includes Andy Kaufman Comedy winner Brett Davis (Podcast For Laundry), Rachel Pegram, Alex English, Maeve Higgins, Aaron Jackson,...
- 12/16/2019
- Den of Geek
Tony Sokol Dec 5, 2019
Rachel Dratch, Amy Sedaris and Jordan Klepper will guest star on the new National Lampoon Radio Hour podcast.
While much of the comedy world circumnavigates around the perilous waters of microagressions, there is at least one laughter delivery system which sails straight into it. Coming from an irreverent tradition which included an album called That's Not Funny, That's Sick, National Lampoon provides gags for an audience who can take a joke. They promise that now, as much as ever, is "time for a good laugh, again."
Starting on Dec. 19, National Lampoon Radio Hour, the iconic comedy show that introduced the world to John Belushi, Bill Murray and Gilda Radner returns to celebrate "the next generation of young, diverse comedic superstars," according to their press. They will produce a new, original 11-episode scripted podcast featuring special guests like Rachel Dratch, Amy Sedaris, Julie Klausner, Jordan Klepper and Chris Gethard.
Rachel Dratch, Amy Sedaris and Jordan Klepper will guest star on the new National Lampoon Radio Hour podcast.
While much of the comedy world circumnavigates around the perilous waters of microagressions, there is at least one laughter delivery system which sails straight into it. Coming from an irreverent tradition which included an album called That's Not Funny, That's Sick, National Lampoon provides gags for an audience who can take a joke. They promise that now, as much as ever, is "time for a good laugh, again."
Starting on Dec. 19, National Lampoon Radio Hour, the iconic comedy show that introduced the world to John Belushi, Bill Murray and Gilda Radner returns to celebrate "the next generation of young, diverse comedic superstars," according to their press. They will produce a new, original 11-episode scripted podcast featuring special guests like Rachel Dratch, Amy Sedaris, Julie Klausner, Jordan Klepper and Chris Gethard.
- 12/5/2019
- Den of Geek
National Lampoon has named Evan Shapiro as its president, and acquired the former IFC and NBCUniversal executive’s production label, eshapTV, the company announced Friday.
In the newly created role, Shapiro will oversee all development, acquisitions, and production on television, digital and audio content for the entertainment company.
Shapiro’s projects for eshapTV — more than 40 in total — will be folded into National Lampoon, which includes four series in partnership with Margaret Cho’s production company, Animal Family. Additionally, National Lampoon is rebooting the musical comedy series “Lemmings” as a stage and TV show and will develop an anthology series based on the more than 4,000 short stories from the original National Lampoon Magazine.
Also Read: How Peak TV Arms Race Is Shaping the Way We Make, Sell and Watch (Guest Blog)
National Lampoon also announced an exclusive podcast partnership with alt-comedy podcast network Forever Dog, with which the company will reboot the “National Lampoon Radio Hour.
In the newly created role, Shapiro will oversee all development, acquisitions, and production on television, digital and audio content for the entertainment company.
Shapiro’s projects for eshapTV — more than 40 in total — will be folded into National Lampoon, which includes four series in partnership with Margaret Cho’s production company, Animal Family. Additionally, National Lampoon is rebooting the musical comedy series “Lemmings” as a stage and TV show and will develop an anthology series based on the more than 4,000 short stories from the original National Lampoon Magazine.
Also Read: How Peak TV Arms Race Is Shaping the Way We Make, Sell and Watch (Guest Blog)
National Lampoon also announced an exclusive podcast partnership with alt-comedy podcast network Forever Dog, with which the company will reboot the “National Lampoon Radio Hour.
- 5/3/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Kevin Frakes and Raj B. Singh have tapped Evan Shapiro to become president of National Lampoon. Frakes and Singh, who bought the brand two years ago, have also acquired Shapiro’s eshapTV and will fold the comedy projects he has been developing into the National Lampoon brand.
PalmStar media spent $12 million in 2017 to acquire all the assets of the brand, including the National Lampoon trademark and a library of print, audio and movie content generated over 50 years. One part of Shapiro’s emergence here is a partnership with alt-comedy podcast network Forever Dog, that will carry reboots of the National Lampoon Radio Hour that launched the likes of Bill Murray and Gilda Radner. They are also republishing online pages from the original National Lampoon magazine, and will reboot as a stage and TV show Lemmings, which launched Chevy Chase, Christopher Guest, John Belushi and others.
Shapiro will oversee all development,...
PalmStar media spent $12 million in 2017 to acquire all the assets of the brand, including the National Lampoon trademark and a library of print, audio and movie content generated over 50 years. One part of Shapiro’s emergence here is a partnership with alt-comedy podcast network Forever Dog, that will carry reboots of the National Lampoon Radio Hour that launched the likes of Bill Murray and Gilda Radner. They are also republishing online pages from the original National Lampoon magazine, and will reboot as a stage and TV show Lemmings, which launched Chevy Chase, Christopher Guest, John Belushi and others.
Shapiro will oversee all development,...
- 5/3/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Iconic comedy brand National Lampoon has hired Evan Shapiro as its president as it attempts to re-establish its name in the digital era.
The former IFC, Participant Media and NBCUniversal executive, who launched the latter's Seeso comedy streaming service, will oversee development, acquisitions and production on TV, digital and audio content for the company. National Lampoon has also acquired Shapiro's eshapTV and will continue developing a number of projects the company has in the works.
"I've been fortunate to work with enormously talented and influential comedy minds," said Shapiro. "But the chance to ...
The former IFC, Participant Media and NBCUniversal executive, who launched the latter's Seeso comedy streaming service, will oversee development, acquisitions and production on TV, digital and audio content for the company. National Lampoon has also acquired Shapiro's eshapTV and will continue developing a number of projects the company has in the works.
"I've been fortunate to work with enormously talented and influential comedy minds," said Shapiro. "But the chance to ...
Exclusive: Katz Networks, a unit of the E.W. Scripps Co., has set May 8 for the relaunch of the iconic TV brand Court TV, and unveiled its programming schedule for the network as well as courttv.com.
Weekday programming will kick off at 9 Am Edt daily with live, gavel-to-gavel coverage, legal reporting and expert analysis of trials across the country. Yodit Tewolde will anchor trial coverage from 9 Am-Noon, Julie Grant picks up from Noon–3 Pm, followed by Seema Iyer from 3-6 Pm, all times Edt. The first trial the network will be covering will be announced shortly.
When court recesses for the day, Emmy-winning legal journalist, former prosecutor and original Court TV anchor Vinnie Politan will host Closing Arguments with Vinnie Politan weeknights from 6-9 Pm Et. He’ll lead viewers through the key events and moments of the legal day, joined by Court TV’s team of anchors, legal...
Weekday programming will kick off at 9 Am Edt daily with live, gavel-to-gavel coverage, legal reporting and expert analysis of trials across the country. Yodit Tewolde will anchor trial coverage from 9 Am-Noon, Julie Grant picks up from Noon–3 Pm, followed by Seema Iyer from 3-6 Pm, all times Edt. The first trial the network will be covering will be announced shortly.
When court recesses for the day, Emmy-winning legal journalist, former prosecutor and original Court TV anchor Vinnie Politan will host Closing Arguments with Vinnie Politan weeknights from 6-9 Pm Et. He’ll lead viewers through the key events and moments of the legal day, joined by Court TV’s team of anchors, legal...
- 4/15/2019
- by Denise Petski and Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: David Gleeson is attached to pen the feature adaptation to Polly Shulman’s young adult book series The Grimm Legacy, which is being eyed as a potential franchise for Disney+, the forthcoming online streaming subscription service that is slated to launch later this year.
First published in 2010, the series consists of three books: The Grimm Legacy, The Wells Bequest, and The Poe Estate. Set in a New York Circulating Material Repository, the story follows a group of teens who work at an old-style lending library that lends magical items to people from the Grimm collection.
Jane Goldenring is producing the project with Evan Shapiro, principal of eshapTV.
Gleeson was tapped to co-write the screenplay for the Jrr Tolkien biopic Tolkien starring Nicholas Hoult and Lily Collins, which Dome Karukoski is directing and Chernin Entertainment is producing for Fox Searchlight. His most recent film, the supernatural thriller Don’t Go...
First published in 2010, the series consists of three books: The Grimm Legacy, The Wells Bequest, and The Poe Estate. Set in a New York Circulating Material Repository, the story follows a group of teens who work at an old-style lending library that lends magical items to people from the Grimm collection.
Jane Goldenring is producing the project with Evan Shapiro, principal of eshapTV.
Gleeson was tapped to co-write the screenplay for the Jrr Tolkien biopic Tolkien starring Nicholas Hoult and Lily Collins, which Dome Karukoski is directing and Chernin Entertainment is producing for Fox Searchlight. His most recent film, the supernatural thriller Don’t Go...
- 2/5/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Court TV, the iconic TV brand known for broadcasting the trials of O.J. Simpson, the Menendez Brothers and Casey Anthony, will relaunch under its old name with a new backer.
Katz Networks, a unit of the E.W. Scripps Co. which operates multicast networks like Bounce, Escape and Grit, will relaunch Court TV in May 2019. Just as it did when it was owned by Turner Broadcasting, the network will be devoted to live, gavel-to-gavel coverage, legal reporting and expert analysis of trials across the country. Court TV’s 17-year run ended in 2008, when Turner rebranded it as truTV.
In order to pull off the reboot, Katz acquired Court TV’s intellectual property, including the trademark, website and 100,000-hour library from Turner. It also brought in original Court TV anchor Vinnie Politan as lead anchor and installed former Court TV and CNN producers John Alleva and Scott Tufts as vice presidents and managing editors.
Katz Networks, a unit of the E.W. Scripps Co. which operates multicast networks like Bounce, Escape and Grit, will relaunch Court TV in May 2019. Just as it did when it was owned by Turner Broadcasting, the network will be devoted to live, gavel-to-gavel coverage, legal reporting and expert analysis of trials across the country. Court TV’s 17-year run ended in 2008, when Turner rebranded it as truTV.
In order to pull off the reboot, Katz acquired Court TV’s intellectual property, including the trademark, website and 100,000-hour library from Turner. It also brought in original Court TV anchor Vinnie Politan as lead anchor and installed former Court TV and CNN producers John Alleva and Scott Tufts as vice presidents and managing editors.
- 12/10/2018
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
In a career spanning more than two decades, Margaret Cho has endeared herself to so many by saying things you’re not supposed to say. Whether it’s talking openly about experiences with eating disorders, rape, and addiction, calling out Hollywood’s racism, or dispelling myths about bisexual people and other alternative sexualities, Cho’s comedy addresses many different communities that are used to being ignored. Now, as a producer, she’s handing the mic to the next generation of queer kinky Asian-American feminists.
Based on a memoir by Bdsm educator and activist Yin Quan, “Mercy Mistress” follows the character Mistress Yin (Poppy Liu), a queer, first-generation, Chinese-American professional and lifestyle dominatrix working in Manhattan. Each short episode explores the nuanced relationship between Mistress Yin and a new client as she pushes him to merge his kink life with his dating life. Sultry, subtle, and impeccably styled, “Mercy Mistress” is...
Based on a memoir by Bdsm educator and activist Yin Quan, “Mercy Mistress” follows the character Mistress Yin (Poppy Liu), a queer, first-generation, Chinese-American professional and lifestyle dominatrix working in Manhattan. Each short episode explores the nuanced relationship between Mistress Yin and a new client as she pushes him to merge his kink life with his dating life. Sultry, subtle, and impeccably styled, “Mercy Mistress” is...
- 11/20/2018
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
IFC is developing five comedy projects for series consideration, including one from exec producer Margaret Cho and another from Funny or Die.
The shows in the running at IFC are Almost Asian, which chronicles the life of a mixed-race millennial in Los Angeles; Annika Erotica, following a young Colorado pastor who harbors a secret passion for writing erotic novels under a pen name; Art Thieves, an adventure comedy following three misfit criminals who fancy themselves to be the Robin Hoods of the art world; Beth, about a happily agoraphobic man and his uneasy journey back to the outside world; and The Middle Passage, a satirical and politically provocative sketch comedy. Read details about the projects below.
The projects join two other previously announced series in development: How to Rig an Election and Ngo. All seven are vying to join the recently greenlighted Sherman’s Showcase and Year of the Rabbit on the schedule,...
The shows in the running at IFC are Almost Asian, which chronicles the life of a mixed-race millennial in Los Angeles; Annika Erotica, following a young Colorado pastor who harbors a secret passion for writing erotic novels under a pen name; Art Thieves, an adventure comedy following three misfit criminals who fancy themselves to be the Robin Hoods of the art world; Beth, about a happily agoraphobic man and his uneasy journey back to the outside world; and The Middle Passage, a satirical and politically provocative sketch comedy. Read details about the projects below.
The projects join two other previously announced series in development: How to Rig an Election and Ngo. All seven are vying to join the recently greenlighted Sherman’s Showcase and Year of the Rabbit on the schedule,...
- 10/30/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
J-Law TV? Over several glasses of red wine while being interviewed by a Vanity Fair reporter, Jennifer Lawrence floated the idea of launching her own TV network.
Specifically, she told the magazine that “I have actually been toying with the idea of becoming a billionaire and I’d like to start my own TV network… I am pretty much a television professional at this point.”
Lawrence is a Millennial superstar, beloved by fans and a force to be reckoned with. But launching a TV network seems a tad out of step with the hip, young J-Law brand. The world isn’t clamoring for more traditional TV networks — as a matter of fact, conglomerates are starting to trim their offerings. Over the past few years, networks such as Pivot, Al Jazeera America, Cloo, Esquire, and Chiller have disappeared — while others, such as Spike, have been rebranded in an attempt to survive in this crowded media environment.
Specifically, she told the magazine that “I have actually been toying with the idea of becoming a billionaire and I’d like to start my own TV network… I am pretty much a television professional at this point.”
Lawrence is a Millennial superstar, beloved by fans and a force to be reckoned with. But launching a TV network seems a tad out of step with the hip, young J-Law brand. The world isn’t clamoring for more traditional TV networks — as a matter of fact, conglomerates are starting to trim their offerings. Over the past few years, networks such as Pivot, Al Jazeera America, Cloo, Esquire, and Chiller have disappeared — while others, such as Spike, have been rebranded in an attempt to survive in this crowded media environment.
- 2/28/2018
- by Michael Schneider
- Indiewire
The former head of the defunct NBCUniversal subscription video platform Seeso is looking to make a splash with a new production company, and this time, he's not throwing away his shot. Evan Shapiro's EshapTV is behind Bartlett, a six-episode comedy series that features Hamilton virtuoso Lin-Manuel Miranda as one of its guest stars.
Bartlett stars Anthony Veneziale as an ad man who is looking to make a better life for himself. Its hard to get a strong sense of the exact plot from the show's trailer, which introduces a wide cast of characters and also makes sure to show off Miranda's role as some sort of self-help guru.
Shapiro joined NBCUniversal in 2014 and was instrumental in the launch of Seeso, which arrived in 2016 as a hub for comedy fans. The service struggled to attract paying customers, and Shapiro left his role in 2017, just a few months before Seeso closed for good.
Bartlett stars Anthony Veneziale as an ad man who is looking to make a better life for himself. Its hard to get a strong sense of the exact plot from the show's trailer, which introduces a wide cast of characters and also makes sure to show off Miranda's role as some sort of self-help guru.
Shapiro joined NBCUniversal in 2014 and was instrumental in the launch of Seeso, which arrived in 2016 as a hub for comedy fans. The service struggled to attract paying customers, and Shapiro left his role in 2017, just a few months before Seeso closed for good.
- 1/31/2018
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
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