http://www.showbizsandbox.com Showbiz Sandbox is a podcast featuring industry professionals J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward and Michael Giltz’s humorous viewpoints, insightful analysis and insider opinions on the latest entertainment news headlines. The weekly podcast features renowned industry guests, as well as phone calls and emails from listeners who voice their own opinions on the child’s play of the entertainment business. Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:09:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 en hourly 1 Showbiz Sandbox is a podcast featuring industry professionals J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward and Michael Giltz’s humorous viewpoints, insightful analysis and insider opinions on the latest entertainment news headlines. The weekly podcast features renowned industry guests, as well as phone calls and emails from listeners who voice their own opinions on the child’s play of the entertainment business. J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz sperling@showbizsandbox.com sperling@showbizsandbox.com (J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz) 2010 The podcast that brings you all the dirt on the news making headlines around the entertainment world. Entertainment, Movies, Film, Television, TV, Music, Theater, Broadway http://www.showbizsandbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/showbiz-sandbox-podcast-artwork-with-photos.png http://www.showbizsandbox.com http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/07/12/showbiz-sandbox-62-the-secret-behind-hollywoods-accounting-practices/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/07/12/showbiz-sandbox-62-the-secret-behind-hollywoods-accounting-practices/#comments Tue, 13 Jul 2010 05:55:49 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=919 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/07/12/showbiz-sandbox-62-the-secret-behind-hollywoods-accounting-practices/feed/ 0 "Avatar","Nash Bridges","Nightline","The Avengers","The Little Mermaid","Who Wants To Be A Millionaire",American Idol,Carl Icahn,Conan O'Brien,Daniel Craig,David Letterman,Disney How is it the last Harry Potter film can gross $938 million but still lose $130 million? Journalist and author Edward Jay Epstein joins us to unravel some of Hollywood’s quirky accounting practices. He’s written two books on the subject; The Hollywoo... How is it the last Harry Potter film can gross $938 million but still lose $130 million? Journalist and author Edward Jay Epstein (http://www.edwardjayepstein.com/) joins us to unravel some of Hollywood’s quirky accounting practices. He’s written two books on the subject; The Hollywood Economist: The Hidden Financial Reality Behind the Movies (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933633840?ie=UTF8&tag=showbsandb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1933633840)(http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=showbsandb-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1933633840) and The Big Picture: Money and Power in Hollywood (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0812973828?ie=UTF8&tag=showbsandb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0812973828)(http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=showbsandb-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0812973828). “Despicable Me” topped the box office though the amount it took in from 3D screens was rather low. Could audiences be tiring of paying exorbitant 3D ticket prices? Meanwhile, Miramax finally seems to have found a buyer and Lions Gate is trying to make piece with activist investor Carl Icahn. The Emmy nominations were announced last week and we’ll fill you in on whose up for the television’s big awards. Over in the world of music Pollstar announced that concert ticket sales are down 15% for the first half of the year. During our Big Deal or Big Whoop segment we race through a number of top entertainment headlines, including Roman Polanski’s release, Lindsay Lohan’s jail time and Mel Gibson getting dumped by his agency. Maybe Gibson can find some work on YouTube, which plans to offer $5 million in grants to select content partners. ‘Despicable Me’ Dominates http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2858&p=.htm (http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2858&p=.htm) Lions Gate and Icahn Sign 10-Day Truce To Work On Deals http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/07/lions-gate.... (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/07/lions-gate-and-icahn-sign-10-day-truce-to-work-on-acquisitions.html) Miramax Sold To Ronald Tutor, Colony Capital http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i76b4.... (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i76b408899045994dd63fe6c004c2c183) Emmy Nominations 2010: Your Water Cooler Cheat Sheet http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/07/08/emmy-nominations-2010-snubs-trends-facts/ (http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/07/08/emmy-nominations-2010-snubs-trends-facts/) Emmy Snubs! Master Grouse List http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/07/emmy-snubs-master-grouse-list.htm (http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/07/emmy-snubs-master-grouse-list.htm) ABC News Nightline Is #1 Among Total Viewers http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/07/09/abc-news-nightline-is-1-among.... (http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/07/09/abc-news-nightline-is-1-among-total-viewers/56634) Saturday Night Live Breaks An Emmy Record http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/08/saturday-night-live-breaks.... (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/08/saturday-night-live-breaks-an-emmy-record-and-lorne-michaels-is-cool-with-that/) Concert Tickets Down 15% in First Half of 2010 http://www.pollstar.com/blogs/news/archive/2010/07/09/731238.aspx (http://www.pollstar.com/blogs/news/archive/2010/07/09/731238.aspx) ‘American Idol’ Eliminates Seven Tour Dates and Reshuffles Others http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-the-beat-goes-on/posts/american.... (http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-the-beat-goes-on/posts/american-idol-eliminates-seven-tour-dates-and-reshuffles-others) YouTube Announces Partner Grants Program, Support For 4K Video Resolution http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/09/youtube-partner-program-4k (http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/09/youtube-partner-program-4k) YouTube Leanback Launches, Takes Aim At Your Television Set http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/07/youtube-leanback-tv/ (http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/07/youtube-leanback-tv/) J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no 1:05:16 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/07/05/showbiz-sandbox-61-andrew-garfield-fills-spider-mans-reboots/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/07/05/showbiz-sandbox-61-andrew-garfield-fills-spider-mans-reboots/#comments Tue, 06 Jul 2010 05:44:15 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=911 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/07/05/showbiz-sandbox-61-andrew-garfield-fills-spider-mans-reboots/feed/ 0 "Futurama","Mafia Wars","Spider-Man 4","Sucker Punch","The Last Airbender","Transformers 3","Twilight Saga: Eclipse",3D,Andrew Garfield,Black Eyed Peas,Blockbuster,Carl Icahn That "Twilight Saga: Eclipse: wound up at the top of the box office over the Fourth of July holiday weekend with $280 million worldwide was not a big shock, however the casting of Andrew Garfield to play Spider-Man in the next installment of the franch... That "Twilight Saga: Eclipse: wound up at the top of the box office over the Fourth of July holiday weekend with $280 million worldwide was not a big shock, however the casting of Andrew Garfield to play Spider-Man in the next installment of the franchise came as a surprise. Entertainment journalist Michael Giltz (http://www.michaelgiltz.com) has been following the 26-year-old actor for several years, but the selection of the unknown had most industry insiders searching for his resume. In all likelihood the next "Spider-Man" film will be shot in 3D though the format is not a guarantee of box office gold. Just ask M. Night Shyamalan whose "Last Airbender" had a disappointing opening despite being converted to 3D in post-production. Film critic Roger Ebert was not alone in trashing the film. This week also saw Larry King announce his retirement from the nightly talk show he's hosted on CNN for 25 years. King's program has been slipping in ratings recently, as have late night talkers hosted by Jay Leno and David Letterman. But viewership continues to grow on cable television, not to mention on Hulu which will begin offering monthly subscriptions for expanded content offerings. Over in the music world Eminem is burning up the charts with his most recent album "Recover", which sold 741,000 copies in its first week. Our Big Deal or Big Whoop segment covers the week's top entertainment headlines including Mel Gibson's racist tirade, Wonder Woman's new look and a movie made of Legos. During Inside Baseball we discuss the death of legendary Hollywood talent agent Ed Limato. At Box Office Twilight Continues To Knock Em Undead http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/01/at-box-office-twilight-continues-to-knock-em-undead/ (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/01/at-box-office-twilight-continues-to-knock-em-undead/) Roger Ebert On 'The Last Airbender': Phony 3-D At Its Worst http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big_picture/2010/07/roger-ebert-on-last-airbender-yuck.html (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big_picture/2010/07/roger-ebert-on-last-airbender-yuck.html) Cantor Fitzgerald Abandons Plans To Trade Box Office Futures http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jun/29/business/la-fi-ct-futures-20100629 (http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jun/29/business/la-fi-ct-futures-20100629) Andrew Garfield To Play Spider-Man http://www.heatvisionblog.com/2010/07/andrew-garfield-to-play-spiderman.html (http://www.heatvisionblog.com/2010/07/andrew-garfield-to-play-spiderman.html) Facebook Mafia Wars Movie In Development http://screencrave.com/2010-06-28/facebook-mafia-wars-movie-in-development/ (http://screencrave.com/2010-06-28/facebook-mafia-wars-movie-in-development/) Is James Cameron Bringing The Black Eyed Peas To The Big Screen In 3-D? http://www.hitfix.com/articles/2010-7-2-is-james-cameron-bring-the-black-eyed-peas-to-the-big-screen-in-3-d (http://www.hitfix.com/articles/2010-7-2-is-james-cameron-bring-the-black-eyed-peas-to-the-big-screen-in-3-d) Sucker Punch May Avoid 3D Conversion http://gordonandthewhale.com/sucker-punch-may-avoid-3d-conversion/ (http://gordonandthewhale.com/sucker-punch-may-avoid-3d-conversion/) "Transformers 3" To Be Shot With 3D Cameras http://gordonandthewhale.com/transformers-3-to-be-filmed-with-3d-cameras/ (http://gordonandthewhale.com/transformers-3-to-be-filmed-with-3d-cameras/) Larry King Confirms Fall Exit From CNN Show http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/06/larry-king-confirms-fall-exit-from-cnn.html (http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/06/larry-king-confirms-fall-exit-from-cnn.html) Eliot Spitzer To Replace Campbell Brown http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/06/official-eliot-spitzer-campbell-brown.html (http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/06/official-eliot-spitzer-campbell-brown.html) Futurama Returns With Strong Ratings http://livefeed.hollywoodreporter.com/2010/06/futurama-returns-with-strong-ratings-. J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no 59:38 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/03/15/showbiz-sandbox-45-changing-faces-at-variety/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/03/15/showbiz-sandbox-45-changing-faces-at-variety/#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 06:03:26 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=729 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/03/15/showbiz-sandbox-45-changing-faces-at-variety/feed/ 0 "Alice In Wonderland","Avatar","Glee",AC/DC,Anne Thompson,Billboard,Corey Haim,David Letterman,Jay Leno,Katherine Heigl,Mel Gibson,OK Go Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” took the top spot at the box office again this week, which might be why 3D is causing quite a stir at ShoWest this year in Las Vegas. J. Sperling Reich fills us in on what theatre owners are talking about at the annu... Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” took the top spot at the box office again this week, which might be why 3D is causing quite a stir at ShoWest this year in Las Vegas. J. Sperling Reich (http://www.twitter.com/sperling) fills us in on what theatre owners are talking about at the annual convention. This week Hollywood suffered another untimely death, this time it was actor Corey Haim at age 38. In happier news (for some), Jay Leno seems to be doing quite well back in his old time slot. The late night funnyman went back to “The Tonight Show” and ratings soared. What does this mean for Conan O’Brien and his chances for launching a competing late night talk show? In music news, Billboard published a list of the Top 40 Moneymakers of 2009. Its well worth checking out as you might be surprised who makes the list. (Although it’s no surprise that U2 tops the list.) Finally, we are joined by indieWIRE’s Anne Thompson (http://www.thompsononhollywood.com) during our Inside Baseball segment to talk about why Variety, the industry’s top trade paper is laying off staff members, including Todd McCarthy, their top film critic. Is this a sign of impending doom for the daily?  Panavision Heads Into Theatres With Hybrid 3D System http://celluloidjunkie.com/2010/03/14/panavision-heads-into-theatres-with-hybrid.... (http://celluloidjunkie.com/2010/03/14/panavision-heads-into-theatres-with-hybrid-3d-system/) Corey Haim Dies At 38 http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/10/local/la-me-corey-haim11-2010mar11 (http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/10/local/la-me-corey-haim11-2010mar11) Fox Mulling Summer “Avatar” Re-Release http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/.... (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i474fda2d02866bfd711a3d89a21b17a7) Letterman Harasser Pleads Guilty Gets Six Months In Jail http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/03/letterman.... (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/03/letterman-harasser-pleads-guilty-gets-six-months.html) Billboard lists the Top 40 Moneymakers of 2009 http://www.billboard.com/news/2010-money-makers-list-1004071338.story.... (http://www.billboard.com/news/2010-money-makers-list-1004071338.story#/news/2010-money-makers-list-1004071338.story) Katherine Heigl's "Greys Anatomy" Days Are Done http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2010/03/report-katherine-heigls.... (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2010/03/report-katherine-heigls-greys-anatomy-days-are-done.html) Mel Gibson Says Viking Movie May Be His Last http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2010/03/mel-gibson-says-vikings.... (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2010/03/mel-gibson-says-vikings-movie-with-leonardo-dicaprio-may-be-his-last.html/) OK Go Have Done It Again http://www.sugarscape.com/node/474870 (http://www.sugarscape.com/node/474870) Glee Tour Adds More Dates and Cities http://www.gleetour2010.com/ (http://www.gleetour2010.com/) Variety Sued Over "Iron Cross" http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/variety-sued-over-movie-promotion-gone.... (http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/variety-sued-over-movie-promotion-gone-wrong-15111) Variety Follows Oscars By Cutting 8, Including Chief Film Critic http://paidcontent.org/article/419-variety-follows-oscars-by-cutting-8-including-chief.... (http://paidcontent.org/article/419-variety-follows-oscars-by-cutting-8-including-chief-film-critic/) Variety Editor’s Memo http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=45&aid=179168 (http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=45&aid=179168) Variety Cuts Its Life Blood: Critics McCarthy and Rooney http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2010/03/08/variety_lays_off_its.... (http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2010/03/08/variety_lays_off_its_lifes_blood_critics_mccarthy_and_rooney/) Facebook Group: We'll Pay To Read Todd McCarthy http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/facebook-group-well-pay-read-todd.... (http://www. J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no 1:01:48 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/02/08/showbiz-sandbox-41-live-nation-becomes-the-master-of-tickets/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/02/08/showbiz-sandbox-41-live-nation-becomes-the-master-of-tickets/#comments Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:47:00 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=665 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/02/08/showbiz-sandbox-41-live-nation-becomes-the-master-of-tickets/feed/ 0 "Avatar","Catfish","Daredevil","Stretch Armstrong","The Tillman Story",American Idol,Boxee,David Letterman,Howard Stern,Hulu,Jay Leno,Jeff Zucker We swear we’re trying not to talk so much about Avatar, and although this seemed like a good week to skip the Ava-chat (congrats “Dear John!”), alas, the news cycle had other ideas. - But wait! There was also some important television news! Namely, We swear we’re trying not to talk so much about Avatar, and although this seemed like a good week to skip the Ava-chat (congrats “Dear John!”), alas, the news cycle had other ideas. But wait! There was also some important television news! Namely, the Super Bowl, which drew an average of 106.5 million people, just edging out "MASH's" 106 million people in 1983. And football fans didn’t just watch the Saints win; they also watched the ads (which are sometimes the best part of the Super Bowl). This year’s favorite seems to be the Leno-Oprah-Letterman ad, but you be the judge. Where was Conan? Probably negotiating with Fox? It certainly seems like Rupert Murdoch plans on playing hardball with Team Coco (whenever he’s not unofficially greenlighting “Avatar 2”). A company that doesn’t appear to be negotiating is Hulu, or is it NBC? During a Congressional hearing last week to investigate Comcast’s proposed acquisition of NBC, a representative asked NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker, “What about Boxee?” Yeah Jeff, what about Boxee? Zucker claims the blocking of Hulu content on Boxee was a Hulu management decision. According to Zucker the Boxee social media software (which allowers viewers to watch streaming video on their TVs) was illegally taking Hulu’s content. However Boxee CEO Avner Ronan points out that Boxee is not taking it illegally. And Hulu CEO Jason Kilar wrote in a year-old blog post, “Our content providers requested that we turn off access to our content via the Boxee product, and we are respecting their wishes. “ He doesn’t specifically say NBC, but… we think he means NBC. So, Jeff, what about Boxee?! Finally, Joe Reinartz (http://www.pollstar.com/), the news editor at concert industry trade publication Pollstar, joins us to discuss the merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation and what will mean for the future of the music business, concerts, and consumers. Rupert Murdoch Unofficially Greenlights "Avatar 2" http://www.movieline.com/2010/02/hollywood-ink-rupert-murdoch-unofficially.... (http://www.movieline.com/2010/02/hollywood-ink-rupert-murdoch-unofficially-greenlights-avatar-2.php) Avatar In The Amazon http://www.pri.org/arts-entertainment/movies/avatar-in-the-amazon1863.html (http://www.pri.org/arts-entertainment/movies/avatar-in-the-amazon1863.html) How is Avatar not an animated film? http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/browbeat/archive/2010/02/02/how-is-avatar-.... (http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/browbeat/archive/2010/02/02/how-is-avatar-not-an-animated-film.aspx) Apolitics And The War Film http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/weekinreview/07aoscott.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/weekinreview/07aoscott.html) Relativity/Rogue grabs 'Catfish' http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2010/02/04/sundance_watch.... (http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2010/02/04/sundance_watch_relativity_rogue_grabs_catfish/) Weinsteins Finally Conclude Deal For Sundance Hit "The Tillman Story" http://www.screendaily.com/festivals/sundance/sundance-news/weinsteins-finally.... (http://www.screendaily.com/festivals/sundance/sundance-news/weinsteins-finally-conclude-deal-for-sundance-hit-the-tillman-story/5010485.article) More New Helmers Get Their Hollywood Shot http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/damn-yankees-daddys-home-more-new-helmers.... (http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/damn-yankees-daddys-home-more-new-helmers-get-their-hollywood-shot/) Super Bowl Viewership Sets Record http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118014867.html?categoryid=14&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118014867.html?categoryid=14&cs=1) Letterman/Leno Win Super Bowl Ad Wars http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/super-bowl-ad-watch-a-look-at.... (http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/super-bowl-ad-watch-a-look-at-the-other-side-of-tonights-game/) http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/business/media/08adco.html?hp=&adxnnl.... (http://www.nytimes. J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no 1:09:37 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/01/18/showbiz-sandbox-38-gender-matters-in-hollywood/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/01/18/showbiz-sandbox-38-gender-matters-in-hollywood/#comments Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:13:36 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=623 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/01/18/showbiz-sandbox-38-gender-matters-in-hollywood/feed/ 0 "Avatar","Spider-Man 4","The Hurt Locker",Academy Awards,Ann Hornaday,Conan O'Brien,David Letterman,Dylan Stableford,Golden Globes,Guy Lodge,In Contention,IndieWire The New Year may have started off slow, but 2010 is heating up! “Avatar” is on track to top “Titanic” as the highest grossing film of all time, The Golden Globes were handed out on Sunday and of course the late night talk show war has really taken some... The New Year may have started off slow, but 2010 is heating up! “Avatar” is on track to top “Titanic” as the highest grossing film of all time, The Golden Globes were handed out on Sunday and of course the late night talk show war has really taken some interesting turns. Dylan Stableford (http://twitter.com/stableford) who writes The Wrap’s Media Alley (http://www.thewrap.com/column/media-alley) column joins us to talk about his post, “The Vilification of Leno: Loud, Nasty and Fleeting (http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/vilification-jay-leno-does-it-matter-12930).” Will audiences warm up to Jay Leno again? Who was the bad guy in all this fracas? Leno, Conan O’Brien, or NBC? In movie news, director Sam Raimi and star Tobey Maguire dropped out of “Spider-Man 4” and Sony now says it plans to reboot the franchise with a younger actor. Finally, though she didn’t win a Golden Globe, director Kathryn Bigelow is earning critical praise for her film “The Hurt Locker.” Academy Award nominations have yet to be announced, but she appears to have a lock on one, and may be the first woman to win the best director Oscar in the history of the awards show. Women in Hollywood and the film industry is a topic we discuss frequently here on Showbiz Sandbox thanks in part to Karen Woodward. Joining us to discuss the issue today is Matthew Hammett Knott a London-based writer and guest columnist at indieWIRE who wrote a post titled, “Is Kathryn Bigelow a Female Director? (http://www.indiewire.com/article/for_your_consideration_is_kathryn_bigelow_a_female_director/)” Picking up where Matthew left off is Guy Lodge, a freelance writer and screenwriter based in London, who is a contributor to the In Contention Blog, which covers the awards season. He wrote a post recently on In Contention titled “How Relevant is Kathryn Bigelow's Gender? (http://incontention.com/?p=20468)” Finally, we are joined by Ann Hornaday (http://projects.washingtonpost.com/staff/articles/ann+hornaday/), film critic for the Washington Post, whose article on women in film (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/23/AR2009102300194.html?sid=ST2009102204685) we discussed a few weeks ago on Showbiz Sandbox. Let the debates begin. Spider-Man Gets A Reboot http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/press_releases/2010/01_10/011220.... (http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/press_releases/2010/01_10/01122010_spm4.html) It's Over! NBC To Pay Conan $30 Million http://www.thewrap.com/article/breaking-nbc-pay-conan-30m-13048 (http://www.thewrap.com/article/breaking-nbc-pay-conan-30m-13048) Tallying The NBC Damage http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-01-15/.... (http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-01-15/tallying-the-nbc-damage/) The Vilification of Leno: Loud, Nasty and Fleeting http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/vilification-jay-leno-does-it-matter-12930 (http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/vilification-jay-leno-does-it-matter-12930) Guess Who Said It? Late Night Edition http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/15/guess-who-said-it-late-night-edition/ (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/15/guess-who-said-it-late-night-edition/ ) Did TMZ gain glory or did they lose face by jumping gun before it was actually settled? http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news.... (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ia62d19a7acb838db6035b952fde09415) Beyonce Performs for Gadaffi http://www.thedailyswarm.com/headlines/beyonce-performing-gaddafi-photos-surface/ (http://www.thedailyswarm.com/headlines/beyonce-performing-gaddafi-photos-surface/) Glee's Matthew Morrison Signs To Mercury Records http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-the-beat-goes-on/posts/glee-s.... (http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-the-beat-goes-on/posts/glee-s-matthew-morrison-signs-to-mercury-records) For Your Consideration: Is Kathryn Bigelow A Female Director? http://www.indiewire. J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no 1:18:26 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/10/05/showbiz-sandbox-23-letterman-and-polanski-go-to-the-dogs/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/10/05/showbiz-sandbox-23-letterman-and-polanski-go-to-the-dogs/#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:39:34 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=414 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/10/05/showbiz-sandbox-23-letterman-and-polanski-go-to-the-dogs/feed/ 0 "Fantasty Island","Kate Plus 8","Zombieland",Adam Fogelson,Comcast,David Letterman,DJ AM,Donna Langley,Hulu,Jay Leno,Lady Gaga,Miramax We had a bunch of dogs as our guests this week, also known as Famous Men Doing Bad Things. - First we take a look a the North American box office. “Zombieland” won the top spot this week, beating out “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, We had a bunch of dogs as our guests this week, also known as Famous Men Doing Bad Things. First we take a look a the North American box office. “Zombieland” won the top spot this week, beating out “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” “Toy Story/Toy Story 2,” “The Invention of Lying” (which could perhaps be the title of this podcast) and “Surrogates” rounding out the top five. Now, on to our dogs. David Letterman played the victim when revealing an extortion attempt against him. Allegedly a producer from the television news show “48 Hours” attempted to blackmail him with proof that Letterman had carried on several affairs with female staffers over the years. Karen Woodward (http://www.industrynexus.com) and Michael Giltz (http://www.michaelgiltz.com) debate whether Letterman is guilty of sexual harassment or was just being stupid. Roman Polanski is our next dog. Should he serve more time in prison for committing statutory rape in 1977? For fleeing the country? Or does he get a free pass because he’s a talented filmmaker?  At least Polanski’s arrest has people watching the news again, because Jay Leno certainly isn’t. Data from Nielsen's top five markets - New York, LA, Chicago, Philadelphia and Dallas - show that NBC stations all saw their 11 p.m. newscasts drop by double digits during the first week of the 2009-10 season. Do networks have an obligation to keep their affiliates happy? And if so, will they have to yank Leno off the air? In movie news, Universal Pictures has tapped its head of marketing, Adam Fogelson as its new chairman and Donna Langley has been promoted to co-chairman of the studio, effective immediately. This means former co-chairmen Marc Shmuger and David Linde are out. In Disney news, the Mouse House is revamping film operations, including slashing Miramax Films’ staff to 20, and reducing releases to three a year. In other words, Disney is killing Miramax. Can Bob and Harvey buy it back? Speaking of buying, how much would you pay for a digital book? An avid reader, Michael explains some of the latest technologies coming out of the book market, and makes some suggestions of his own. (Pass the Vook!) We’re introducing a new segment this week: Big Deal or Big Whoop, which is really an excuse for us to touch on all the entertainment news stories of the week. If we think the story is important, it’s a Big Deal, if we don’t care, it’s a Big Whoop. This week we talk about Jon and “Kate plus 8,” introduce Sperling to Lady Gaga, ponder MTV’s decision to air DJ AM’s final reality show, and wish we were on Mark Burnett’s new reality series “Fantasy Island.” (Can’t he do “Love Boat” too?) Finally, we end with some Inside Baseball, our time to chat about insider-y entertainment topics that perhaps no one else cares about. This week we discuss Comcast, the nation’s leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services, which is in talks to buy the entertainment giant NBC Universal from General Electric. Is this a big deal? Could it be? Does this mean Hulu will start charging to watch television shows online? Tune in and find out. Letterman Reveals Extortion Attempt http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118009463.html?categoryid=14&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118009463.html?categoryid=14&cs=1) David Letterman Comes Clean Without Telling All http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-letterman-critic3-2009oct03,0,2491746.story (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-letterman-critic3-2009oct03,0,2491746.story) Jay At 10, Bad News At 11 http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/jay-10-bad-news-11-8117 (http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/jay-10-bad-news-11-8117) Defense Strategies Could Keep Polanski Out of Prison http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-polanski-legal1-2009oct01,0,1100452.story?track=rss (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-polanski-legal1-2009oct01,0,1100452.story?track=rss) J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/06/22/showbiz-sandbox-9-i-loves-me-a-good-ouster-story/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/06/22/showbiz-sandbox-9-i-loves-me-a-good-ouster-story/#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:50:25 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=152 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/06/22/showbiz-sandbox-9-i-loves-me-a-good-ouster-story/feed/ 0 "Middlemarch","Moneyball","Public Enemies","The Proposal","The Three Stooges",Adam Goodman,Brad Pitt,David Letterman,Jon Lesher,Lou Lumenick,Michael Giltz,Paramount Pictures Entertainment journalist Michael Giltz provides his insight and wit again this week. - “The Proposal” topped the box office, and was Sandra Bullock’s biggest movie opening ever. Which begs the question, why is this not also “a Ryan Reynolds movie”? Entertainment journalist Michael Giltz (http://michaelgiltz.com/ ) provides his insight and wit again this week. “The Proposal” topped the box office, and was Sandra Bullock’s biggest movie opening ever. Which begs the question, why is this not also “a Ryan Reynolds movie”? Sean Penn is taking a year off for some “personal time,” or perhaps he just wants to get out of “The Three Stooges.” Other people taking time off are Steven Soderbergh and Brad Pitt, after Colombia Pictures President Amy Pascal pulled the plug on the Steven Zallian-scripted “Moneyball” which was set to shoot on Monday, June 22. Sam Mendes is having better luck, having just signed a two year deal with Focus Features, and he will direct the film adaptation of George Eliot’s classic “Middlemarch.” It was a shoot ‘em up between NY Post Critic Lou Lumenick and Universal over Lumeneck’s early review of “Public Enemies.” Turns out there was an embargo on when the reviews could be published. Lumenick claims he didn’t know that, but according to Michael Giltz, it’s a rule of thumb that all reviewers know. Is the Weinstein Company going out of business, or is all the gossip surrounding Harvey and Bob Weinstein’s production company just a lot of hot air meant to bring down the brothers W? They’ve hired a company that specializes in bankruptcy, so things don’t look good. Speidi – that’s Spencer and Heidi Pratt for the uninitiated – allowed themselves to be bullied by a weatherman on “The Today Show” this week. Who knew Al Roker was such a relentless interviewer? David Letterman apologized for his off-color joke about Sarah Palin’s daughter. David Letterman apologized again for his off-color joke about Sarah Palin’s daughter. And….David Letterman apologized for his off-color joke about Sarah Palin’s daughter. Texas Instruments produces a bombshell for the motion picture exhibition industry by announcing they will be releasing a digital cinema chip with twice the resolution as what’s on the market today. But what do theatre owners do with the equipment they’ve already installed and how long will they have to wait for the new technology to be ready? In Inside Baseball news: Paramount is “streamlining” - i.e. firing Jon Lesher and promoting Adam Goodman. 'Proposal' Accepted At The Box office http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i34e2ede5adb7e1e8aad375728197fb9e (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i34e2ede5adb7e1e8aad375728197fb9e) Sean Penn Taking Year Off http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/sean-penn-is-taking-next-year-off/ (http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/sean-penn-is-taking-next-year-off/) Sony Scraps Soderbergh's Moneyball http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118005208.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&nid=2854 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118005208.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&nid=2854) Sam Mendes Inks Two Year Deal With Focus Features http://www.playbill.com/news/article/130401-Mendes_Inks_Two-Year_Deal_with_Focus_Features (http://www.playbill.com/news/article/130401-Mendes_Inks_Two-Year_Deal_with_Focus_Features) Sorry Public Enemies Is Shooting Blanks http://blogs.nypost.com/movies/archives/2009/06/oscar_watch_pub.html (http://blogs.nypost.com/movies/archives/2009/06/oscar_watch_pub.html) Media Buzzards Circle Weinstein Co http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/media-buzzards-circle-weinstein-co_3523 (http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/media-buzzards-circle-weinstein-co_3523) Weinstein Company May Not Have The Cash To Market Inglorious Basterds http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/06/weinstein-company-may-not-have-the-cash-to-market.html (http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/06/weinstein-company-may-not-have-the-cash-to-market.html) Weinsteins Try To Rebuild A Film Studio http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/business/media/08weinstein.html?_r=1&ref=media (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/business/media/08weinstein.html?_r=1&ref=media) J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no