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Lively banter about entertainment industry news and in-depth interviews with directors, producers, writers and actors, hosted by award-winning journalist Kim Masters of The Hollywood Reporter.
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ABC has indefinitely suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! following pressure from Nexstar and Sinclair, which own affiliated stations across the country. The move comes after Kimmel’s recent monologue about the assassination of Charlie Kirk prompted FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to issue a warning to Disney regarding the late-night host’s presence on ABC. What’s next for Kimmel and how has the industry responded to the suspension? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down the unfolding story.
Plus, we revisit Masters’s conversation with recent Emmy-winner Matt Wolf, director of Pee-wee as Himself. The HBO documentary draws from more than 40 hours of interviews with the late actor Paul Reubens, and Wolf explains how his interest in overlooked artists and forgotten stories led to his portrait of the man behind Pee-wee Herman. He also talks about the actor’s struggle with his sexuality and reveals why HBO pushed for a two-part series to tell the late actor’s story.
The 77th annual Emmy Awards will air this Sunday night (Sept. 14) on CBS and Paramount+ — hosted by a first-timer, comedian Nate Bargatze. Kim Masters is joined by Scott Feinberg, Executive Awards Editor for The Hollywood Reporter, and they’re making predictions.
Plus, money wins? Masters and her partner in Banter Matt Belloni unpack the latest Murdoch family lawsuit… And the increasing possibility of a Paramount Skydance purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery.
At 84, veteran mogul John Malone is still a power broker, hinting at “further consolidation in the media industry” following a recent sit down with David Ellison. Should we be on the lookout for a Warner–Paramount merger? Meanwhile in Vegas, the Sphere’s $100 million Wizard of Oz reimagining leans on AI to expand the visuals and even slip in cameos of David Zaslav and James Dolan. The Directors Guild did not take kindly to the stunt. Partners in Banter Kim Masters and Matt Belloni pull back the curtain on the Sphere's Emerald City sideshow.
Plus, Masters speaks with Runway co-founder Cristóbal Valenzuela about the role of artificial intelligence in Hollywood. The Chilean-born developer acknowledges that AI may lead to some job losses, but he argues it will ultimately benefit filmmakers. He explains why studios including Lionsgate, Netflix, and Disney are already using Runway’s tools. Plus, he compares the current backlash against AI to the upheaval that followed the introduction of sound in film.
It’s official, KPop Demon Hunters’ sing-along screenings were a resounding success. The film about a KPop girl group who also hunt… well, you know… became an immediate global phenomenon via streaming on Netflix when it was released in June. Now that the desire for communal experiences has been made abundantly clear, what will this mean for the franchise going forward? Kim Masters and her partner in Banter Matt Belloni get into it.
Plus, in an encore conversation from January, Masters speaks to The Brutalist co-writer & director Brady Corbet and co-writer Mona Fastvold. The pair talk about the seven-year battle to get their post war epic to the big screen. They also explain their audacious decision to make a three and a half hour film with an intermission, share thoughts on the state of the country, and Corbet reveals his thoughts about Trump’s plans to demolish brutalist federal buildings.
P.S. Expect to hear much more from Fastvold as the current awards season shapes up, her forthcoming, Amanda Seyfried-led film The Testament of Ann Lee is sure to be on everybody’s lips.
This week on a special episode of The Business, Kim Masters talks with Shrinking co-creator and star Jason Segel, recorded live at KCRW’s Annenberg Performance Studio. Segel looks back on highlights from Freaks and Geeks, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and The Muppets. He also discusses how Shrinking, now nominated for five Emmys, came together with co-creators Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein.
Plus, after closing the $8 billion Paramount Global deal with David Ellison’s Skydance, Shari Redstone tells her story in a New York Times interview: boardroom drama, her doubts about the Ellisons, and the Trump settlement that cleared regulatory hurdles. Matt Belloni and Lucas Shaw dig in.
David Ellison’s Paramount is off to a loud start, rolling out a James Mangold/Timothée Chalamet crime drama and a $7.7 billion, seven year UFC deal. Will the studio’s bold strategies play out as intended? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down Paramount’s next act.
Plus, Masters talks to documentarian Petra Costa about Apocalypse in the Tropics, a follow-up to her Oscar-nominated 2019 film The Edge of Democracy. What started as a look at Brazil’s COVID response became an investigation into how religious fundamentalism, conspiracy theories and foreign influence have undermined democracy in her home country. She also recounts documenting the rise and fall of Jair Bolsonaro and the risks her crew faced while covering the country’s January 8th attempted coup.
This week, Kim Masters speaks to Severance director and cinematographer, Jessica Lee Gagné. The Quebecois filmmaker reflects on her collaboration with Severance executive producer Ben Stiller, which began on the Showtime limited series Escape at Dannemora. She discusses becoming the first woman to be Emmy-nominated in the same year for both cinematography and directing in a drama series, and the major leap of faith it took to transition from a successful career as a DP into the world of directing.
Plus, Disney is reshaping its sports strategy, launching a standalone ESPN app, and making billion-dollar deals with WWE and the NFL. Will the NFL's new stake in ESPN bring scrutiny from the Trump-led DOJ? Also, the Skydance-Paramount deal is done, and the Ellisons may have their sights set on Warner Bros. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break it all down.
Kim Masters speaks to Platonic co-creators Francesca Delbanco & Nicholas Stoller about what inspired their show about the comedy and complications of grown-up friendships. They talk about the challenge of writing characters—played by Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen—with none of the underlying sexual tension that has propelled so many television comedies to success. They also remember the time that Netflix boss Ted Sarandos sat through a lengthy table read of their first series, Friends from College.
Plus, as FCC Chairman Brendan Carr ramps up scrutiny of major media players, Comcast’s NBCUniversal appears to be his latest target. Is the company’s cable spinoff Versant a calculated play to dodge the Trump administration’s media witch hunt? Kim Masters and Lucas Shaw dig in.
[Editor’s note: this segment was taped before news broke of the FCC approval of the Paramount-Skydance merger.]
New details from the ongoing Paramount-Skydance merger reveal a $20 million agreement to deliver public service announcements for the Trump administration. And following from the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CBS News braces for potential changes in leadership. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive into what’s unfolding behind the scenes.
Plus, an encore of Eric Deggans’ conversation with Lauren LeFranc about her Emmy nominated HBO mini series, The Penguin. The writer discusses the challenges of adapting a well known comic book villain into a complex, three dimensional character and she shares why her perspective as a woman writing a show about a middle-aged crime boss makes for interesting storytelling. And of course, she talks about the joys of working with Colin Farrell, who is both the star of the show and an involved executive producer.
In the conclusion of Kim Masters’ two-part conversation with Barry Diller, the veteran businessman reflects on his time helping build Rupert Murdoch’s Fox empire. Diller also criticizes studios for spreading misinformation—citing Oliver Stone’s JFK in particular—and weighs in on the now-resolved Trump-Paramount dispute, and the prospect of a David Ellison-led studio.
Plus, Paramount’s looming merger with Skydance has South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker lawyering up. The duo is eyeing legal action over billion-dollar licensing deals they claim are being undercut. At the center of it all: South Park’s future on Paramount+. New execs Jeff Shell and David Ellison are feeling the heat; Matt Belloni and Lucas Shaw are on hand to explain what’s at stake.
Kim Masters talks to Barry Diller about his memoir, Who Knew? The legendary studio exec reflects on his quick rise at ABC and how helped transform the third-ranked broadcast network into a force to be reckoned with. He also remembers a much happier time at Paramount, where he presided over a studio staffed with future industry stars. He also opens up about why none of his friends in the business are having much fun these days.
Plus, summer movie season is heating up, with F1, Jurassic World: Rebirth, and a highly anticipated Superman reboot staking their claims at the box office. But is there room left for Disney’s big bet with Fantastic Four: First Steps? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down the wins and worries shaping Hollywood’s high-stakes summer.
1Kim Masters talks to writer & director Larry Charles about his new memoir Comedy Samurai. He shares stories about writing for Seinfeld, directing Curb Your Enthusiasm, and his chaotic experiences working with Sacha Baron Cohen on Borat and Bruno. Charles also tells the story of an early morning call from Ari Emanuel that pulled the plug on his Larry David documentary the day before its HBO premiere.
Also, it’s official: Paramount has settled with Donald Trump over a long-disputed 60 Minutes segment. The company agreed to pay $16 million, a move that could clear the path for David Ellison’s long-anticipated Skydance merger. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down what this means for Paramount’s future… and what an Ellison-led studio might look like.
Eric Deggans chats with veteran sitcom showrunner Phil Rosenthal about the current state of the industry. The creator of Everybody Loves Raymond and host of the unscripted Netflix series Somebody Feed Phil reflects on how studios shape viewership data to fit their narratives. Rosenthal recalls challenging flawed testing at CBS early in his career and he reflects on the success of Raymond. He also shares how he pitched his food and travel series as: “Anthony Bourdain if he was afraid of everything.”
But first, we banter! As the Donald Trump-Paramount Global lawsuit continues, a mediator has floated a proposed settlement: $20 million, including a $17 million donation to Trump’s presidential foundation, plus legal fees and anti-semitism PSAs. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni unpack the latest chapter in the president’s standoff with Shari Redstone.
Disney and Universal sued generative AI company Midjourney last week over claims that the startup plagiarized characters from their movies and shows, such as The Simpsons and Star Wars. After remaining mum on the use of AI in movies and shows so far, studios are getting involved in this debate. But why now? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break it down.
Plus, Masters talks to GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis about the organization’s 2025 Studio Responsibility Index, which evaluates studios on LGBTQ inclusivity in films. Ellis discusses the rise of mid-budget films as spaces for queer stories and shares why she feels optimistic about the newly elected Pope Leo.
Warner Bros Discovery is breaking into two entities: one dedicated to streaming and studios (HBO, DC, and Warner Bros Pictures) and another for global networks (CNN, TNT, TBS). What does this mean for the future of both divisions and CEO David Zaslav’s standing in Hollywood? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni unpack it all.
Plus, Eric Deggans talks with Adam Arkin about his career on both sides of the camera. Arkin shares what it was like executive producing and directing episodes of the second season of Poker Face, and the challenge of preserving the show’s distinctive tone. Plus, as the son of a legendary actor, he gets candid about the enduring nepo baby conversation.
A shareholder revolt is underway at Warner Bros. Discovery… meaning, a 60% vote against CEO David Zaslav’s $52 million pay package for 2024. What drove the investor backlash? Meanwhile, Disney is back in layoff mode, with hundreds affected in the latest wave of budget cuts. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni explain what’s behind both moves.
Plus, Masters talks to Late Night host Seth Meyers about how his years at SNL both shaped and traumatized him. The comedian also shares how fatherhood has given him plenty of material for his standup specials — Lobby Baby and Dad Man Walking.
As the Trump administration moves to slash NPR’s federal funding, the network and three Colorado stations have fired back with a First Amendment lawsuit. Meanwhile, Hollywood’s theatrical business is booming. Memorial Day weekend raked in $326 million — up from $132 million last year — thanks to a packed release slate. Who was the biggest box office winner over the holiday weekend? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive in.
Plus, Masters talks to veteran film analyst Kevin Goetz about pivoting from a steady career in acting to a decades long journey in entertainment research. Goetz sheds light on the science and art behind audience testing, and he and Masters swap stories from some infamous test screenings over the years.
CBS News president Wendy McMahon has stepped down from her post as tensions escalate over ongoing Paramount Global-Trump settlement talks. With the deal already under scrutiny from senators, what’s in store for Shari Redstone's Skydance merger? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive into this and more major media shake-up stories.
Plus, Masters talks to director Matt Wolf about Pee-wee as Himself, which looks beyond the iconic character to the complicated man who created him. The two-part series draws from more than 40 hours of Wolf’s interviews with Paul Reubens, who spent much of his life guarding his privacy. The filmmaker also explains how those conversations revealed Reubens’ inner conflicts and why HBO pushed for more when it came to telling the late actor’s story.
Warner Bros. Discovery has renamed its streaming service once again. Beginning in the summer of 2025, “Max” will be “HBO Max” again. The company dropped “HBO” from its name in 2023, a move which was widely recognized as the company’s attempt to become more competitive with a company like Netflix in its programming variety. The name change signals a renewed focus on the associations between HBO and a certain caliber of TV. What’s next for WBD and the streaming landscape writ large? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni are on deck to talk it through.
Plus, NPR TV critic Eric Deggans talks with comedian and actor Ramy Youssef on creating #1 Happy Family USA. The new series marks Youssef’s first foray into animation. His latest comedy shares a lot of DNA with the award-winning series Ramy — drawing even more inspiration from childhood memories of growing up in a Muslim family in New Jersey post-9/11.
President Trump stunned Hollywood over the weekend with his announcement of a 100% tariff on films produced outside the U.S., framing it as a move to revive domestic production and counter foreign incentives. The industry responded with confusion and concern, warning that such tariffs could sharply raise production costs, reduce the number of films made, and hit moviegoers with higher ticket prices. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dig into the details.
Plus, the papal conclave recently concluded to reveal the next pope — 69-year-old Chicago-native Pope Leo XIV. Masters revisits her interview with Edward Berger about his latest film, Conclave. The German director tells us how studying filmmaking at NYU in the 90s led him to an internship at the indie production company Good Machine. He also sings the praises of Netflix, which he reveals was the only financier daring enough to pay for his grim German-language war film All Quiet on the Western Front. The film went on to receive four Academy Awards, including Best International Feature Film.
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My fav show
What a great episode! 😁 More mega banter please!
My favorite podcast. Kim Masters is such a delight to listen to.
Initial 8 minutes of utter gibberish.