Hosted by former Marvel entertainment lawyer Paul Sarker and entertainment enthusiast Mesh Lakhani, Better Call Paul will delve into the business and legal issues at play behind the glitz and glam. This show takes you beyond the catchy headlines to find out what’s really at play behind the scenes and gives you an introduction to the business side of show business.
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333: Kenny Leu - Actor, Entrepreneur, and Martial Arts Champ
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This week, Paul interviews another unbelievable guest, Kenny Leu. Kenny's star in the acting world is rising. After selling his company, he took the plunge and decided to pursue his childhood acting passion full-time. He walks us through his move to LA, getting representation, and eventually transition from commercials, to network television and fi…
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332. Sean Gupta: Banker, TV Exec and Columbia Professor
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37:46
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This week, Paul interviews Sean Gupta, a television executive and former investment banker who has deep experience across cable, broadcast and streaming. Sean, who also teaches a class on television and streaming at Columbia Business School, provides an insider perspective on the forces causing the major shifts in television today and where the ind…
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331. Closing out the Olympics and Linear TV Turmoil
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This week, Paul and Mesh reflect on the final days of a successful ’24 Paris Olympics before turning to a handful of entertainment updates such as Michelle Pfeiffer joining Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone universe as the lead of the Madison. The main topic this week is the staggering billion dollar write downs for WBD and Paramount as both companies …
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330. UFC Settlement Denied and Government Explores Deepfake Regulations
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31:41
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This week Paul and Mesh begin with a discussion of a plan to reinvigorate the film and television industry in central London. Next, they provide an update on UFC’s recent $335M settlement which was rejected by Richard Boulware, the judge presiding over the antitrust case in Nevada and speculate as to what happens next for both sides. Finally, Paul …
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329. Marvel Dominates, GoT’s New Game, and the Disney+,Hulu, and Max Bundle
30:08
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In this episode of BCP, Paul and Mesh chat about the latest Game of Thrones mobile game created by Zynga. They then break down the amazing opening weekend for Deadpool Wolverine as well as the latest Marvel announcements at Comic Con, including a few big surprises. Finally, they discuss the Disney+, Hulu, Max bundle and how it might impact the stre…
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328. Wolverine & Deadpool Opening, Emmy Nominations, Olympic Viewership and Young Thug's Judge Exits…Again
32:57
32:57
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In this episode of BCP, Mesh and Paul discuss Deadpool & Wolverine's opening and box office estimates. They then cover Emmy nominations and their favorite picks to win. Next, they examine the upcoming Olympics, focusing on NBCU's viewership and ad revenue expectations. Finally, Paul updates on the Young Thug trial, explaining why another judge has …
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327. Political Celebrities, Podcast Deals Heat Up, and Animated Films Top Box Office
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This week, Paul and Mesh start with a quick discussion of celebrities who are weighing in on the upcoming U.S. Presidential election. Then they discuss Dax Shepard’s deal to bring Armchair Expert to Wondering and debate whether this is a sign of a broader resurgence in the podcast market. Finally, they provide a box office update where animated fra…
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326. Fourth of July; Radio Sound Recording Royalties, and IATSE Agreement
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This week, Paul and Mesh start by sharing some of their favorite patriotic flicks in celebration of the 4th. Next, they discuss AMC Networks’ new show runner deal with Jonathan Glatzer, whose credits include Better Call Saul and Succession, and his unique vision for a Silicon-Valley inspired original show. Finally, Paul provides an update on a pote…
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325. Streaming Hits for Summer and Jonathan Majors' shot at Redemption?
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This week, Paul and Mesh start off with the concerning Q1 cable data showing that cord cutting is accelerating. They then discuss one of the potential causes of cord cutting – as studios and networks invest more into streaming shows (often) at the expense of linear TV and discuss a line up of streaming hits arriving just in time for summer – Bridge…
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324. MCU Update, Gina Carano Lawsuit Survives, and NCAA NIL Drama
31:46
31:46
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Paul and Mesh begin with some MCU updates: Daredevil’s director Yann Demange being the second director to bow out of the project; and RDJ stating that he’s open to reprising his role as Tony Stark/Iron Man. Next, they dive into Gina Carano’s wrongful termination and discrimination lawsuit which stems from her being left out of Season 3 of the Manda…
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323. NBA's Massive Payday, Texas Doubles Down on Consumer Data Protection, and IATSE Nearing Strike
31:13
31:13
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In this episode, Mesh and Paul kick things off by sharing their excitement for Tribeca Film Festival and the premiere of House of Dragons Season 2. They then dive into the NBA's massive potential trio of rights deals which are rumored to be worth up to $76 billion dollars over the next 11 years. Paul provides an in-depth look at Texas Attorney Gene…
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322. Box Office Update, An AI-generated Streamer, and WBD’s Next Move
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This week Paul and special guest co-host, Jessica David, kick things off with a look back at a lackluster start to the summer movie box office and a glance ahead at what films could turn the tide. Next, they discuss Fable’s Showrunner AI offering which will allow users to create animated series with just a few prompts. Finally, Paul discusses the l…
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321: Diddy’s Apology, ScarJo calls out Open AI
37:49
37:49
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This week, Paul and Mesh update the latest fallout from Sean Combs’ various lawsuits and the apology he posted after security camera footage of his attack on Cassie was released. Next, they discuss a few updates from Open AI: (1) a multi-year license agreement with News Corp. to leverage its print media assets in Open AI algorithms and search datab…
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320. Major Movies Announced (LOTR and IMAX 2025), Streaming Bundling Bonzana, and Voice Actors Sue AI startup
39:42
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This week Paul and Mesh begin with the latest 2025 and 2026 Hollywood tentpole picture release announcements ranging from Imax’s 2025 slate to a new Lord of the Rings film starring and directed by Andy Serkis. They then discuss several major new streaming bundles which will further complicate the content ecosystem as well as the NFL signing a deal …
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This week, Paul and Mesh begin with a preview the 77th annual Cannes film festival. Next, they dig into the ever-changing NIL landscape: the legal background, recent paradigm shifts, and where major college sports might be headed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Lola Media
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318: CBS Still #1, SAG-AFTRA to use Nielsen data, and Airbnb Launches Icons
34:10
34:10
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Paul and Mesh kick off the episode by discussing CBS, which, for the 16th consecutive year, was the most-watched US broadcast network. Paul then explains the SAG-AFTRA’s decision to use Nielsen to track streaming viewership data and performance, which will help verify the platform’s own reporting. Finally, Mesh expresses his excitement about Airbnb…
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317. Taylor Swift Overload, LOTR Returns, and FCC Takes on MFNs
34:12
34:12
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This week, resident Swiftie, Mesh, gives us his take on Taylor Swift’s latest record-breaking double album, The Tortured Poet’s Department. Next, Paul and Mesh geek out about Fantom Event’s announcement that it will re-release Peter Jackson’s epic Lord of the Rings trilogy this summer in re-mastered 4K. Finally, Paul breaks down the FCC’s recent an…
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316. Netflix's New Head of Film, Caitlin Clark's Deals & APA’s Guidelines for AI in Documentary Film
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Paul and Mesh kick off the episode discussing Netflix’s new head of film, Dan Lin, and the potential change in strategy from big budget films to a more cost-conscious approach. They then dive into women’s basketball star and WNBA #1 pick Caitlin Clark, her deal with Nike, and what it will take for the WNBA to provide better pay to its athletes. Fin…
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315. OJ’s Death, Cinema Con and Paramount’s Latest Deal with Skydance
36:02
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Paul and Mesh kick off the episode discussing OJ’s death and the controversial legacy he left behind. They break down the latest news from Cinema Con- AMC’s survival, Gladiator 2, Transformers, and other IP coming to the big screen. Finally, they give an update on the Paramount/Skydance deal and the tension it’s causing among shareholders. Learn mo…
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This week, Paul interviews a long-time client, Chris Babu, who is the CEO of a technology company in the ticketing industry. Chris discusses how he leveraged his analytics background, his stints at Ebay and Stubhub, and his passion for live sports and music to build a concierge service for season ticket holders. In addition, Chris and Paul discuss …
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Paul and Mesh begin with a potential sale of the theatre chain operator, Alamo Draft House. Next, they discuss the recent federal raid of Sean Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami as part of a sex-trafficking investigation. Finally, they break down Sam Bankman-Fried’s 25-year sentence for financial crimes and provide an overview of how the FT…
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312. Dodgers Gambling Dilemma, UFC $335M Settlement, & Reddit IPO
42:34
42:34
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Paul and Mesh dive into the latest sports legal news, starting with a potential gambling scandal involving Baseball’s biggest star, Shohei Ohtani, whose former interpreter allegedly racked up $4.5M in gambling debts. They then discuss UFC's recent antitrust lawsuit settlement with former fighters and examine its potential impact on the sport. Wrapp…
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311. Rishika Jikaria - Attorney, Dancer, Influencer
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This week, Paul interviews very special guest Rishika Jikaria, a lawyer who is also a rising star in the world of dance. Rishika and her sisters turned their lifelong passion for dance into a viral sensation during the pandemic and grew their following on TikTok to over 600,000. Using this platform, they have expanded into branding deals, endorseme…
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Paul and a very special guest, Jessica David, discuss and recap the Oscars - who won, who looked great, and who stole the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Lola Media
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We'll be back next week with a new episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Lola Media
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309. Max’s Profits, Open AI Sora's Impact on Hollywood, and Mbappé Makin’ Moves
33:17
33:17
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Paul and Mesh kick off the episode with a deep dive into Warner Brothers Discovery's earnings report, highlighting the fact that while streaming was profitable (a first for a major studio), other aspects of the report were mixed. They then turn their attention to OpenAI's debut of Sora, its incredible text-to-video product, and discuss its potentia…
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308. X-Men and the Fantastic Four, A Slow Box Office & Roku’s Earnings
36:21
36:21
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Paul and Mesh start by revealing the upcoming theme of the Met Gala. They then provide a box office update, reflecting on Madame Web’s underwhelming performance and the overall sluggishness in the past few weeks. Shifting gears, they dive into Disney’s introduction of X-Men and Fantastic Four into the MCU and whether it can reignite excitement and …
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307: Sports Streaming Shakeup & Disney's $1.5B Bet on Fortnite
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41:27
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Paul and Mesh dive into the future of sports content distribution, exploring how networks and leagues are shifting towards streaming and potentially disrupting the entire cable business. They also analyze Disney's recent collaboration with Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite, who will begin to incorporate Disney’s intellectual property in a metave…
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306. Superbowl Streaming and Hello, Apple Vision Pro
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42:47
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Paul and Mesh kick things off with a preview of Superbowl LVIII which will stream on Paramount+ and be broadcast on CBS, both of which are Paramount properties, and they discuss Byron Allen’s recent $30B bid for Paramount Global. Next, they recap the early reviews on Apple’s latest gadget, the Vision Pro headset, and ponder whether its cutting-edge…
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305. Oscar Predictions/Snubs, DGA's Streaming Bonus & Peacock's Subscriptions Soar
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In this week's episode of BCP, Paul and Mesh delve into their Oscar predictions and snubs. They then discuss the recent updates to the DGA's agreement with the AMPTP, including a streaming success bonus which is comparable to what the WGA secured, despite the DGA not having to strike. Finally, they break down the latest earnings report from Comcast…
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304. Sundance, and Reddit IPO amid Tech Industry Turmoil
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40:58
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On the heels of the Golden Globes, Paul and Mesh kick things off with a recap of the Emmys and the Critic’s Choice Awards before previewing some of the most-anticipated films at Sundance. Next, they discuss Reddit’s revisiting its IPO plans and what the implications might be for owners and users alike. Finally, they discuss a recent trend of layoff…
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303. Tom Cruise Strikes Deal with WBD & CES's AI Trends
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In this episode of Better Call Paul, hosts Paul and Mesh open with the latest scoop on Tom Cruise's groundbreaking deal with Warner Brother Discovery to develop and produce movies. They then shift gears to provide a comprehensive recap of the Golden Globes, highlighting the standout moments and winners. The episode concludes with a fascinating expl…
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302. Broadway Recap, Paramount Sale & Aaron Rogers vs Jimmy Kimmel
37:13
37:13
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Paul and Mesh begin with a recap of Broadway’s strong finish to 2023 and then delve into the latest rumored replacement for Jonathan Majors in the MCU. Next, they shift to Paramount's exploration of a potential sale and why it might be attractive to a variety of media players and platforms. Wrapping up, Paul shares his legal and pop culture perspec…
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Paul and Mesh kick off the new year with the second annual Paulies! Listen as they recap the best stories from 2023 as they run through their nominees and winners from the categories including: Best Movie, Best TV Show, Best Streaming Service, Biggest Lawsuit and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…
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This week, Paul interviews Oz Krakowski, the Chief Revenue Officer of Deepdub.ai. Deepdub.ai leverages AI to create localized versions of films and television shows. Paul and Oz discuss AI generally, and safeguards that can be put in place to ensure that actors have meaningful consent rights and the opportunity to earn compensation from the use of …
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This week, Paul interviews a very special guest, Melanie Chandra. Melanie is a former Mckinsey & Co. consultant and beauty queen who has followed her dream to become a model, actress, writer and producer. Paul and Melanie discuss her journey, her take on the challenges facing actors and writers today, how she kept busy during a dual SAG and WGA str…
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244. GTA & Netflix, Jaguars' $22M Scandal & The NCAA Proposes Athlete's Pay
40:28
40:28
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In this week’s episode, Paul and Mesh discuss the latest GTA 6 trailer along with Netflix’s plan to bring the GTA trilogy to its gaming platform. Paul then breaks down a wire fraud case involving the Jacksonville Jaguars, where $22M was embezzled by the manager of financial planning. They end with the NCAA’s potential new plan to allow schools to p…
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243: Ad Astra Lawsuit Tossed & SAG On The Fence
40:29
40:29
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This week, Paul and Mesh begin by jamming about whether the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals will generate streaming subscriber growth and looking forward to the Wonka release amid a slow November for the box office. They then dive into a copyright lawsuit brought against a major talent agency and studio over Ad Astra which was tossed last week.…
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242. Streamer’s SouthPark Suit, Diddy Settles & FCC Update
40:54
40:54
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This week, Paul and Mesh banter about Thanksgiving before diving into an update of the recent suit between streamers over exclusive rights to SouthPark. Next, they discuss the whirlwind involving Cassie’s salacious lawsuit against Sean Combs which was settled and silenced within a day. Finally, Paul breaks down the FCC’s recent adoption of final ru…
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241. SAG Strike Ends but The Marvels’ Box Office Struggles
37:25
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In this week's episode, Paul and Mesh begin with a celebration of Diwali and a discussion of the 33rd installment in the MCU, The Marvels, which, despite a hefty budget, has failed to live up to Marvel’s lofty box office standards. They then delve into the resolution of the SAG-AFTRA strike, first discussing the concessions that SAG was able to neg…
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240. Nick Cage on the Dangers of AI, and Yellowstone & HBO Release Schedule Update
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this week's episode, Paul and Mesh reflect on the tragic loss of Friends star Matthew Perry. They delve into a few high-profile examples of celebrities criticizing AI, highlighting voices like Nicholas Cage and Tim Burton. Paul breaks down the recent Executive Order issued by President Biden which addresses the safe use of AI and attempts to provid…
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239. Jonathan Majors’ Trial Update, Marvel’s SPIDER-MAN 2 is a PS5 Slinger, and the Sphere Leverages Ad-Market Resurgence
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Paul and Mesh start by discussing Hasan Minaj's response to the New Yorker's critical expose which questioned his authenticity. They then provide an update on Jonathan Major's assault case and the Manhattan DA’s office reluctance to prosecute Majors’ ex, Ms. Grace Jabbari. Mesh shares his excitement about the new SPIDER-MAN 2 game which broke PlayS…
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238. Author’s Guild CEO: Mary Rasenberger
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This week Paul interviews fellow media attorney, Mary Rasenberger, the CEO of the Author’s Guild and a law lecturer at Columbia Law School. In September 2023, the Author’s Guild, along with 17 other prominent authors, including George R.R. Martin and John Grisham filed a class action lawsuit against Open AI alleging that Open AI infringed their cop…
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237. SAG's Worry of Deepfakes & the USFL/XFL Merger
37:42
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In this episode, Paul and Mesh kick things off by delving into Gareth Edwards’s remarkable film, The Creator, an impressive achievement considering its $80 million budget. Paul dives into the latest developments surrounding the SAG strike negotiations, focusing on the use of AI to mimic actors' voices and their appearances. They also explore the in…
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236. The Hollywood Reporter’s Alex Weprin
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This week, Paul discusses the major stories in media and entertainment with Alex Weprin, a veteran reporter for The Hollywood Reporter. Alex’s knowledge of media and entertainment shines through as he gives us the inside take on the WGA strike resolution, how AI might impact Hollywood, real-life succession drama, and more! Learn more about your ad …
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235. NIL Collectives: Guiding Athletes to Grow and Monetize their Brand
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This week, Paul and Mesh interview Manuel Hernandez and Jeff McKay, the founders of Conquest Collective, an NIL collective which focuses on creating and leveraging opportunities for current and former student athletes at the University of Southern California. We discuss how, unlike more typical collectives which rely on donations, they plan to leve…
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234. TIFF, AMC's Fundraise, and Danny Masterson's Hollywood Fallout
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Paul and Mesh begin by bantering about a few recent NY-area events, New York Fashion Week and the VMAs. They then shift to the Toronto Film Festival, which had some great moments despite the lingering impacts of the SAG and WGA strikes. They then break down AMC Theater’s recent fundraising efforts and how the company is trying to get back to a heal…
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233: Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Hits Theaters & Streamer’s Tease Bundling
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Paul and Mesh kick off the show with the US Open, a symbol of tennis’s rising popularity which hit an all-time high in attendance. They then shift into Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner's divorce announcement and a major announcement from another of Joe Jonas’s ex’s, Taylor Swift, whose Eras concert film will be theatrically released nationwide. Paul and…
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This week, Paul and Mesh give the latest update on the WGA & SAG strikes as the WGA is back at the negotiating table with the AMPTP, and it appears the sides are making progress implementing guardrails around AI-produced materials. Paul then breaks down a recent vote among VFX workers to potentially authorize unionization and its likely impacts. Th…
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