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. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:48:02 +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) 2009 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/2010/07/19/showbiz-sandbox-63-mel-gibson-wishes-it-were-all-a-dream/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/07/19/showbiz-sandbox-63-mel-gibson-wishes-it-were-all-a-dream/#comments Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:07:19 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=930 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/07/19/showbiz-sandbox-63-mel-gibson-wishes-it-were-all-a-dream/feed/ 0 "Airplanes","Captain America","Inception","Mission Impossible IV","Superman","The Avengers","The Beaver","Thor",Aaron Sorkin,Amazon,Celador,Christopher Nolan Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film “Inception” jumped to the top of the North American box office upon release. The follow-up to the director’s blockbuster “The Dark Knight” has some critics buzzing about a Best Picture Oscar nomination. Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film “Inception” jumped to the top of the North American box office upon release. The follow-up to the director’s blockbuster “The Dark Knight” has some critics buzzing about a Best Picture Oscar nomination. Academy Award nominations are the least of Mel Gibson’s problems. After being caught on tape screaming obscenities and death threats at his ex-girlfriend, the actor and filmmaker should be happy if his next film,“The Beaver”, simply makes it into theaters. A number of important court decisions were handed down this past week having to do with First Amendment rights. These include a ruling about “fleeting epithets” and whether broadcasters can be fined for airing them. An appeals court told the Federal Communications Commission their definition of “indecency” was too vague and may encroach on the freedom of speech. We go over all the week’s top entertainment headlines during Big Deal or Big Whoop, including why the R.I.A.A. has spent $17 million suing music fans only to collect $391k, whether Tom Cruise will be cast in “Mission Impossible IV” and e-book sales outpacing those of real books on Amazon. Our Inside Baseball topic focuses on CNN’s search to replace talk show host Larry King, and how they may have taken a few missteps along the way. “Inception” Incites Intense Interest http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2862&p=.htm (http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2862&p=.htm) Superman Starring Zachary Levi With Jonathan Nolan Directing http://gordonandthewhale.com/superman-starring-zachary-levi-with.... (http://gordonandthewhale.com/superman-starring-zachary-levi-with-jonathan-nolan-directing/) The Beaver: Mel’s Multi-Million Dollar Victim http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-07-14/the-beaver.... (http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-07-14/the-beaver-mels-multi-million-dollar-victim/) F.C.C. Indecency Policy Rejected On Appeal http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/14/business/media/14indecent.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/14/business/media/14indecent.html) 2010 Best Selling Albums List - So Far http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-the-beat-goes-on/posts/who-s.... (http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-the-beat-goes-on/posts/who-s-had-the-best-year-in-sales-so-far-we-count-down-the-top-10-albums-and-singles) New Lil’ Wayne Album Could Be Out Before Lil’ Wayne http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/14/new-lil-wayne-album.... (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/14/new-lil-wayne-album-could-be-out-before-lil-wayne) RIAA Needs To Hire Some Cheaper Lawyers, Spent $17.5M Recovering $391K http://recordingindustryvspeople.blogspot.com/2010/07/ha-ha-ha-ha.... (http://recordingindustryvspeople.blogspot.com/2010/07/ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-riaa-paid-its-lawyers.html) Celador May Sue William Morris Next http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/celador-may-sue-william-morris-next/ (http://www.deadline.com/2010/07/celador-may-sue-william-morris-next/) Pixar Developing Cars Spinoff - Planes http://www.movieline.com/2010/07/exclusive-pixar-developing.... (http://www.movieline.com/2010/07/exclusive-pixar-developing-cars-spinoff-planes.php) Hulu Overwhelmed By Sign Ups For $9.99 Subscription Service http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-facetime-20100713,0,4609242.story (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-facetime-20100713,0,4609242.story) Tom Cruise Is Still Ethan Hunt For Now http://www.hitfix.com/articles/2010-7-14-tom-cruise-is-still-ethan-hunt-for-now (http://www.hitfix.com/articles/2010-7-14-tom-cruise-is-still-ethan-hunt-for-now) http://perezhilton.com/2010-07-15-tom-cruise-confirmed-for-mission-impossible-iv (http://perezhilton.com/2010-07-15-tom-cruise-confirmed-for-mission-impossible-iv) Justin Bieber Nabs Most Watched YouTube Video Of All Time http://mashable.com/2010/07/16/justin-bieber-lady-gaga-youtube/ (http://mashable.com/2010/07/16/justin-bieber-lady-gaga-youtube/) J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no 59:17 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/2010/04/26/showbiz-sandbox-51-ridley-scott-believes-3d-is-an-alien-concept/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/04/26/showbiz-sandbox-51-ridley-scott-believes-3d-is-an-alien-concept/#comments Tue, 27 Apr 2010 04:51:45 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=793 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/04/26/showbiz-sandbox-51-ridley-scott-believes-3d-is-an-alien-concept/feed/ 0 "Alien","Avatar","Shrek Forever After","Song Sung Blue","South Park","The Green Hornet","The Last Airbender",3D,Bret Michaels,Brooks & Dunn,Cantor Exchange,Conan O'Brien Hollywood just won't stop talking about 3D movies, so unfortunately we can't either. It's hard to argue against 3D when films like "How To Train Your Dragon" keep coming in first at the box office, even after five weeks in theaters. Hollywood just won't stop talking about 3D movies, so unfortunately we can't either. It's hard to argue against 3D when films like "How To Train Your Dragon" keep coming in first at the box office, even after five weeks in theaters. With the announce... J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no 1:05:35 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/04/20/showbiz-sandbox-50-coachella-gets-its-crowd-on/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/04/20/showbiz-sandbox-50-coachella-gets-its-crowd-on/#comments Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:46:18 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=782 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/04/20/showbiz-sandbox-50-coachella-gets-its-crowd-on/feed/ 0 "Glee","Kick Ass","The Avengers","The Tonight Show",Apple,BuzzSugar,Charlotte Gainsbourg,Coachella,Comedy Central,Criterion Collection,Hulu,James Bond This year's Coachella Music and Arts Festival was hot, sweaty and packed with great music from more than 120 bands. Though an Icelandic volcano prevented some bands from traveling to Coachella this past weekend, a record setting sold out crowd of 75, This year's Coachella Music and Arts Festival was hot, sweaty and packed with great music from more than 120 bands. Though an Icelandic volcano prevented some bands from traveling to Coachella this past weekend, a record setting sold out crowd of 75,000 attended the festival in the Southern California desert. Among them were Todd Martens (http://twitter.com/toddmartens), the co-editor of the Los Angeles Times Pop & Hiss (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/) blog and Lauren Bradshaw (http://twitter.com/heybuzzsugar), the co-editor of BuzzSugar (http://www.buzzsugar.com/2010-Coachella-Music-Festival-Must-Sees-8100216) (not to mention our very own J. Sperling Reich (http://www.twitter.com/sperling)). They stop by to fill us in on which musical acts were worth catching and which should have stayed home. Meanwhile the superhero comedy "Kick-Ass" opened in movie theaters last Friday, however the film did not live up to it's name. It barely squeaked into first place over the animated 3D film, "How To Train Your Dragon". But is "Kick-Ass" really a flop, or have we become jaded when it comes to box office analysis? As summer draws near, so too does the end of the television season. Which shows will stick around until next fall and which will be looking at the wrong end of the network's ax? We'll go over all the shows which are "on the bubble".  In our Big Deal or Big Whoop segment Joss Whedon will be directing the "Avengers", Martin Scorsese will be going 3D and the ratings for "Glee" on Fox are going through the roof. Finally, during Inside Baseball we find out how the MPAA and RIAA not only make up piracy statistics, but also want to place "anti-infringement" software on all our computers. We wish them luck, 'cause they're going to need it. Why 'Kick-Ass' Failed (And Did It Really?) http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2010/04/kick-ass-matthew.... (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2010/04/kick-ass-matthew-vaughn-box-office.html) Todd Marten's Coachella Coverage http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/todd_martens/ (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/todd_martens/) Coachella and Destination Festivals: The Hidden Costs For Artists http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/04/coachella.... (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/04/coachella-and-destination-festivals-the-hidden-costs.html) Which Shows Deserve to Return this Fall http://www.mediafreakblog.com/2010/04/which-shows-deserve-to-return.... (http://www.mediafreakblog.com/2010/04/which-shows-deserve-to-return-this-fall.html) http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2010-04-13-sos14_N.htm (http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2010-04-13-sos14_N.htm) http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2010-04-13-sos-chart_N.htm (http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2010-04-13-sos-chart_N.htm) Marvel Superheroes Will Be Answering To Joss Whedon http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017689.html?categoryId=13&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017689.html?categoryId=13&cs=1) Kevin Eubanks Is Leaving Jay Leno's Side http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/04/12/kevin-eubanks-confirms.... (http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/04/12/kevin-eubanks-confirms-hes-leaving-jay-lenos-side/) Martin Scorsese Is Going 3D With 'Hugo Cabret' http://www.hitfix.com/articles/2010-4-14-scorsese-attempting-3-d-with-hugo-cabret (http://www.hitfix.com/articles/2010-4-14-scorsese-attempting-3-d-with-hugo-cabret) Comedy Central Locks In Stewart and Colbert With New Contracts http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i7.... (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i7db724a2489ff4ccb98ebf5318ddfdac) Tomorrow Just Died For James Bond http://ca.eonline.com/uberblog/b177113_tomorrow_just_died_james_bond.html (http://ca.eonline.com/uberblog/b177113_tomorrow_just_died_james_bond.html) Netflix Starts To Offer Closed Captioning On Some Streaming Titles J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no 59:48 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/03/08/showbiz-sandbox-44-and-the-six-oscars-go-to-hurt-locker/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/03/08/showbiz-sandbox-44-and-the-six-oscars-go-to-hurt-locker/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:14:21 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=715 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/03/08/showbiz-sandbox-44-and-the-six-oscars-go-to-hurt-locker/feed/ 0 "Alice In Wonderland","Avatar","Precious","The Colbert Report","The Daily Show","The Hurt Locker",Academy Awards,Cablevision,Christolph Waltz,Conan O'Brien,Disney,Hulu The ballots have been counted, the envelopes have been opened and the nominees have undoubtedly returned their ball gowns and tuxes. Finally, after all the news coverage and public speculation about who would this year's Oscars, The ballots have been counted, the envelopes have been opened and the nominees have undoubtedly returned their ball gowns and tuxes. Finally, after all the news coverage and public speculation about who would this year's Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences put us out of our misery on Sunday during their annual awards ceremony. The proceedings lasted more than three hours as usual and provided very few surprises. Katheryn Bigelow made history by being the first woman to win the Best Director Oscar for "The Hurt Locker", which won six awards in total including Best Screenplay and Best Picture. Jim Cameron's "Avatar" won three technical awards for art direction, cinematography and visual effects. One of the night's biggest surprises was when Geoffrey Fletcher walked off with the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for "Precious", upsetting Jason Reitman's "Up In The Air". As we predicted on last week's episode, Jeff Bridges won Best Actor for "Crazy Heart", Sandra Bullock won Best Actress for "The Blind Side", Mo'Nique won Best Supporting Actress for "Precious" and Christolph Waltz won Best Supporting Actor for "Inglorious Basterds". Damien Bona, co-author of the book Inside Oscar (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345400534?ie=UTF8&tag=showbsandb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0345400534)(http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=showbsandb-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0345400534), stops by to help us analyze this year's Oscar results. Believe it or not, there were a few other entertainment news stories this week besides the Oscars. In fact, the Oscars weren't even the only awards show. The Spirit Awards were handed out the day before the Academy Awards and "Precious" walked of with. . . well, just about every top prize. At movie theatres, Tim Burton's 3D adaptation of "Alice In Wonderland" opened to over $210 million worldwide, setting records for a March debut. Over in the world of television, Conan O'Brien may no longer have a talk show, but he does have a Twitter account. Maybe he can use it to promote his upcoming live stage tour. Viacom has pulled "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report" off of Hulu (for now). Is the move just a negotiating tactic for Viacom to get an ownership stake in Hulu? Meanwhile Disney was getting into scuffles of its own. It pulled the entire ABC network off of Cablevision over a retransmission fee dispute with the cable operator. If you don't know what retransmission is all about, make sure to listen to this week's Inside Baseball segment to get caught up on a topic you are sure to hear more about in the months ahead. 'The Hurt Locker' Wins Big At Oscars http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/08/movies/awardsseason/08oscars.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/08/movies/awardsseason/08oscars.html) "Precious" Tops Spirit Awards http://www.indiewire.com/article/list_of_spirit_award_winners_in_progress/pem (http://www.indiewire.com/article/list_of_spirit_award_winners_in_progress/pem) Indie Spirits: "Precious" Sweeps, Izzard and LA Live Fizzle http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2010/03/06/indie_spirits.... (http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2010/03/06/indie_spirits_precious_sweeps_izzard_and_la_live_fizzle/pem) Conan O'Brien Live Tour Confirmed http://showbiz411.blogs.thr.com/2010/03/05/conan-obrien-live-tour-confirmed/ (http://showbiz411.blogs.thr.com/2010/03/05/conan-obrien-live-tour-confirmed/) Conan Twitter Tracker: How Conan Met Sarah http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/03/conan-twitter-tracker.... (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/03/conan-twitter-tracker-how-conan-met-sarah.html) Joaquin Phoenix says he's ready to act; just looking for good script http://showbiz411.blogs.thr.com/2010/03/06/joaquin-phoenix-says-hell-come.... (http://showbiz411.blogs.thr.com/2010/03/06/joaquin-phoenix-says-hell-come-back-to-movies/) Viacom Pulls Daily Show/Colbert Report from Hulu J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no 1:04:25 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/2009/11/23/showbiz-sandbox-30-modern-warfare-stuns-hollywood/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/11/23/showbiz-sandbox-30-modern-warfare-stuns-hollywood/#comments Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:08:57 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=513 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/11/23/showbiz-sandbox-30-modern-warfare-stuns-hollywood/feed/ 0 "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2","Lost","Soapdish","The Blind Side","Twilight: New Moon",Academy Awards,Adam Lambert,Ben Fritz,Disney,Documentaries,Hulu,Jessica Bendinger As predicted, the teen vampire romance “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” opened this week and earned record breaking box office. The second installment of the "Twilight" franchise made $140 million in North America, As predicted, the teen vampire romance “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” opened this week and earned record breaking box office. The second installment of the "Twilight" franchise made $140 million in North America, making it one of the largest openings in history. The film did manage to break the record for highest grossing midnight screening when it opened Friday morning. What might be more amazing is that the Sandra Bullock vehicle "The Blind Side" came in second with an impressive $34 million. Opening so strongly against a powerhouse tent pole like "Twilight" makes Bullock one of the more bankable stars in Hollywood these days. Of course, even "Twilight's" $258 million worldwide opening pales in comparison to what the new video game "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" raked in during its first five days in stores. Ben Fritz (http://www.twitter.com/benfritz) an entertainment business reporter for the Los Angeles Times (http://www.latimes.com) joins us to talk about the wild success of the video game. Actually, calling it a video game is almost an insult - it’s more like an interactive action movie, and one that made $550 million within five days of its November 19th launch. Fritz is a prolific journalist who this past week wrote tons of stories for the L.A. Times Company Town (http://www.latimes.com/companytown) column and blog. One such story was on the controversy over the Academy Awards’ Documentary short list. Specifically, everyone wants to know why all the documentaries people actually saw, like “Capitalism: A Love Story” and “The September Issue” were left out of the 19 films still in contention for Best Feature Documentary? Who picked the short list docs anyway? Meanwhile over in the land of television talk show host Oprah Winfrey has decided to end her successful daytime show after it's 25th season in 2011. year Maybe it could air on Oprah’s new network. After much prayer and thought, Winfrey is making the decision that she can make more money and build her brand better by launching her own cable network. The next season of “Oprah” will be her last and she will shift her focus to her new network OWN which will debut in 2011. Smart move? Who wins and who loses with Oprah's decision? Speaking of questionable moves, remember the 1991 movie “Soapdish”? Well, it’s coming to a theatre not near you. It’s headed to Broadway instead, where Michael Giltz (http://www.michaelgiltz.com) believes it will probably meet a quick death before being relegated to high school musicals. As usual our popular segment Big Deal or Big Whoop stirs lots of debate on subjects ranging from the nutritional value of movie theatre popcorn to the entertainment value of Adam Lambert’s performance at the American Music Awards (speaking of high school musicals!). Finally, we finish off by discussing Disney's new chief Rich Ross during Inside Baseball. Ross has begun to put is own plans in place at the Mouse House, and he started by ending the remake of "Captain Nemo: 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea", which had already begun preproduction. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Video Game Gets Hollywood-Scale Launch http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-duty18-2009nov18,0,5238209.story (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-duty18-2009nov18,0,5238209.story) Oprah Winfrey Announces 2011 End To Her Show http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704888404574546331059957374.html?.... (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704888404574546331059957374.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLETopStories) http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091120/ap_on_en_tv/us_winfrey_show_ending (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091120/ap_on_en_tv/us_winfrey_show_ending) The Oprah Effect: Winners and Losers http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/11/the-oprah-effect.... (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/11/the-oprah-effect-winners-and-losers.html) Frustration Over Oscars' Documentary Short List J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/11/03/showbiz-sandbox-27-thats-it-for-this-is-it-2/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/11/03/showbiz-sandbox-27-thats-it-for-this-is-it-2/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:28:03 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=481 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/11/03/showbiz-sandbox-27-thats-it-for-this-is-it-2/feed/ 0 "Avatar","Precious","This Is It",Anthony Hopkins,Disney,Hulu,January Jones,Jeffrey Katzenberg,Keychest,Michael Jackson,Miramax,Nicolas Cage This week we begin with Michael Giltz and Karen Woodward disagreeing over “This Is It,” the Michael Jackson documentary/concert film/eulogy. Is the film recommendable? Not according to the box office numbers, This week we begin with Michael Giltz and Karen Woodward disagreeing over “This Is It,” the Michael Jackson documentary/concert film/eulogy. Is the film recommendable? Not according to the box office numbers, where the film brought in a disappointing $23 million. But since the film made $103 million worldwide J. Sperling Reich wanted to serve Michael some crow pie. If you don’t want to see “This Is It,” maybe you’ll see “Avatar”? The second trailer for the highly anticipated film was released this week, after the first one bombed. The new trailer looks like this movie is actually about something. How about “Precious”? Sperling and Michael disagree over whether this movie is a heart tugging Oscar winner or shallow drivel. Speaking of shallow, did Jeffrey Katzenberg really add anything new to the future of entertainment conversation in his recent Business Week interview? Seems more like a politician staying message then a mogul adding to the dialogue. But the folks at his old stomping grounds -- Disney -- may be adding to the debate by unveiling technology that will enable entertainment companies to adapt their business models to a new reality in which consumers increasingly rely on computers and cell phones in place of DVD players and TVs. But does anyone care? As usual there is a healthy debate in our little corner of the sandbox. One thing we do agree on is that anyone who DVRs a show and says he/she is still watching the commercials has to be lying. Who would watch the ads if they didn’t have to? Sperling for one: turns out that he uses the commercial time to multi-task. What will advertisers dream up for the rest of us who actually fast forward through brand messaging? We have some ideas. This week we also return to some old stories, such as Hulu (do they have a right to charge viewers?) and Letterman (is he a letch?); take a risk examining Scientology (thanks to filmmaker Paul Haggis); and ponder over why critics actually liked the latest Broadway revivalk of “Finian’s Rainbow.” Some of the stories we touch on in our Big Deal or Big Whoop segment include Anthony Hopkins starring in "Thor", U2's concert webcast getting 10 million streams on YouTube and Google coming up with a new way to search for music. During Inside Baseball, no we’re not talking the World Series, we’re talking the death of Miramax. What would Harvey do? 'This Is It' As His Personal Thriller http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-patterson3-2009nov03,0,5784621.story (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-patterson3-2009nov03,0,5784621.story) Avatar trailer #2 http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi531039513/ (http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi531039513/) The Audacity of Precious http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/magazine/25precious-t.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/magazine/25precious-t.html) Katzenberg: A Front Row Seat At The Movies http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_45/b4154013688591.htm (http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_45/b4154013688591.htm) Disney Touts A Way To Ditch The DVD http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703816204574485650026945222.html (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703816204574485650026945222.html) Once Again, DVR's Not Killing TV, But Helping It http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20091101/2150456755.shtml (http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20091101/2150456755.shtml) http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/business/media/02ratings.html?pagewanted=all (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/02/business/media/02ratings.html?pagewanted=all) Don't Touch That Dial http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_45/b4154030720509.htm (http://www.mediafreakblog.com/2009/10/pandora-hulu-what-happened-to-free.html) Hulu: What happened to free? http://www.mediafreakblog.com/2009/10/pandora-hulu-what-happened-to-free.html (http://www.mediafreakblog.com/2009/10/pandora-hulu-what-happened-to-free.html) J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/10/26/showbiz-sandbox-26-hollywood-struggles-with-new-business-models/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/10/26/showbiz-sandbox-26-hollywood-struggles-with-new-business-models/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:30:06 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=452 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/10/26/showbiz-sandbox-26-hollywood-struggles-with-new-business-models/feed/ 0 "Glee","Melrose Place","Paranormal Activity","This Is It",Francis Ford Coppola,Hulu,Joss Whedon,Kanye West,Lil Wayne,Netflix,Paramount Pictures,Reed Hastings Freelance entertainment journalist Todd Gilchrist joins us this week to talk about movies, music, and journalism. (But he recused himself from discussing TV because he doesn’t watch a lot of it. [gasp!]) Fine. We’ll start with movies then. Freelance entertainment journalist Todd Gilchrist (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/author/author-8531/) joins us this week to talk about movies, music, and journalism. (But he recused himself from discussing TV because he doesn’t watch a lot of it. [gasp... J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no 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/2009/06/12/showbiz-sandbox-7-talkin-tonys-and-trailers/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/06/12/showbiz-sandbox-7-talkin-tonys-and-trailers/#comments Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:59:26 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=131 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/06/12/showbiz-sandbox-7-talkin-tonys-and-trailers/feed/ 0 "The Tonight Show","Up",Conan O'Brien,David Carradine,Eminem,Golden Trailer Awards,Grizzly Bear,Hulu,Michael Giltz,MTV,Rupert Murdoch,Sacha Baron Cohen Michael Giltz of the New York Daily News, Huffington Post and The Advocate joins us to discuss all the winners (and losers) of this year's Tony Awards. Stephen Garrett, the co-founder of Kinetic Trailerworks also shows up to talk about picking up a fe... Michael Giltz (http://www.michaelgiltz.com) of the New York Daily News, Huffington Post and The Advocate joins us to discuss all the winners (and losers) of this year's Tony Awards. Stephen Garrett (http://www.kinetictrailers.com), the co-founder of K... J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/05/18/showbiz-sandbox-4-yes-we-cannes/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/05/18/showbiz-sandbox-4-yes-we-cannes/#comments Mon, 18 May 2009 16:08:47 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=69 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/05/18/showbiz-sandbox-4-yes-we-cannes/feed/ 0 "A Prophet","Angels & Demons","Antichrist","Bones","Gossip Girl","Precious",ABC,American Idol,Ben Silverman,Cannes Film Festival,Elizabeth Edwards,Farah Fawcett Entertainment journalist Michael Giltz joins the conversation to discuss everything from the Cannes Film Festival to who might win American Idol (he's voting for Kris Allen). - Many members of the press, as well as festival-goers, Entertainment journalist Michael Giltz (http://michaelgiltz.com/) joins the conversation to discuss everything from the Cannes Film Festival to who might win American Idol (he's voting for Kris Allen). Many members of the press, as well as festival-goers, took a pass on Cannes this year, but we recap some of the films that have screened thus far. Mariah Carey showed up in Cannes with a body double to confuse the paparazzi. Carey and Lenny Kravitz personally tell us about their festival film "Precious". Meanwhile Lars Von Trier shocks the festival with his misogynistic "Antichrist". The good news is Roger Ebert is back in Cannes. "Angels & Demons" makes $48 million domestically and $104 million internationally in it's first weekend. MGM is fighting for it's life, but the remake of "Fame" may just save it. This week in New York the television networks hold their upfront and we take a quick look at what is rumored to be on the fall TV schedule. ABC has already announced they have picked up another season of "Scrubs" though Zach Braff will only show up for six episodes. Fox has said yes to another season of "Bones". It also looks like the "Gossip Girl" spinoff may be picked up. The New York Times throws a few punches at NBC programming head Ben Silverman and but in the end it may not matter since the website Hulu is making most networks question their business model. Speaking of Hulu, they're going to start showing Bollywood films. Elizabeth Edwards writes a tell all book about her breast cancer and her husband Senator John Edwards' romantic affair. Farah Fawcett discusses her own bout with cancer s well as fighting the tabloids in a stark interview which appeared in the Los Angeles Times. Finally, Jerry Lewis is planning a comeback. . . at 83-years old! Trade Journos No Shows At Cannes http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rex-weiner/trade-journos-no-shows-at_b_201908.html (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rex-weiner/trade-journos-no-shows-at_b_201908.html) MGM Fights To Survive http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/can-mgm-survive-studio-desperate-to-restructure-debt-hires-financial-adviser-to-help/ (http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/can-mgm-survive-studio-desperate-to-restructure-debt-hires-financial-adviser-to-help/) A Lot At Stake At TV Upfronts http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003685.html?categoryid=14&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003685.html?categoryid=14&cs=1) ABC Renews Scrubs http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i505437152ed71367b14b89a4b157dea2 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i505437152ed71367b14b89a4b157dea2) Bones Renewed For Fall http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003809.html?categoryid=14&ref=ra&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003809.html?categoryid=14&ref=ra&cs=1) Is the Gossip Girl spin off back on? http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/05/gossip_girl_spinoff_will_run_f.html?f=most-commented-24h-10 (http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/05/gossip_girl_spinoff_will_run_f.html?f=most-commented-24h-10) NBC Hired A Hitmaker. It's Still Waiting http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/17/business/media/17silver.html?_r=1&hpw (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/17/business/media/17silver.html?_r=1&hpw) Hulu's Tug of War With TV http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-hulu11-2009may11,0,5771665.story (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-hulu11-2009may11,0,5771665.story) Bollywood Goes Hulu http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/05/bollywood-goes-hulu.html (http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/05/bollywood-goes-hulu.html) Elizabeth Edwards: John "Made One Mistake" http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30681150/ (http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30681150/) Farah Fawcett: "Under A Microscope" And Holding Onto Hope http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-fawcett-interview11-2009may11,0,5790379.story (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-fawcett-interview11-2009may11,0,5790379.story) J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/05/11/showbiz-sandbox-3-award-season-redux-2/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/05/11/showbiz-sandbox-3-award-season-redux-2/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 20:02:35 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=58 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/05/11/showbiz-sandbox-3-award-season-redux-2/feed/ 0 "Billy Elliot","Phantom of the Opera","Spider-Man","Star Trek","Wolverine",Andrew Lloyd Weber,Bob Iger,Bono,CBS,CW,Disney,Endeavor "Star Trek" cleans up at the box office earning $76 million in North America over the weekend while "Wolverine" pulled in another $27 million. Fox sets release dates for its blockbusters in Mexico, though actors may not start kissing on telenovelas f... (http://www.showbizsandbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/star-trek-cropped.jpg) "Star Trek" cleans up at the box office earning $76 million in North America over the weekend while "Wolverine" pulled in another $27 million. Fox sets release dates for its blockbusters in Mexico, though actors may not start kissing on telenovelas for a while. "Billy Elliot" heads up the Tony Award nominations. Bono and the Edge are headed to Broadway with a Spider-Man musical, but Andrew Lloyd Weber is falling behind on his sequel to "Phantom of the Opera". "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Twilight" lead the MTV Movie Award nominations, but does anyone care. Big media and celebrities top the Webby awards. NBC announces its primetime schedule and there are rumors about a few CW shows. Looks like the "Gossip Girl" spinoff is a no-go. As scripted television looks to shrink their writing staffs, CBS debates whether they should bring back such game shows as "The Dating Game" and "Let's Make A Deal". A computer bug delayed nearly three days of Nielsen television ratings, however advertisers may want to start using more effective "engagement" ratings anyway. Disney CEO Bob Iger discusses Hulu and informs everyone that new media is here to stay. The MPAA teaches everyone how to pirate DVD's using a camcorder, in fact they prefer the method over the ripping of content off DVD's. Revenue at Warner Music plumets as do satellite radio subscribers at Sirius XM. Looks like Roman Polanski isn't going to return to see if a court will drop his 30-year-old rape charges. Finally, now that the William Morris/Endeavor merger has been announced, clients have started jumping ship in all directions. "Star Trek" Draws $72.5 Million http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003414.html?categoryid=19&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003414.html?categoryid=19&cs=1) Swine Flu Curbs Telenovela Kissing http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003390.html?categoryid=14&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003390.html?categoryid=14&cs=1) Billy Elliot Leads Tony Nominations http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/theater/theaterspecial/06tony.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/theater/theaterspecial/06tony.html) Bono, The Edge Team Up For "Spider-Man" Musicalhttp://www.spin.com/articles/bono-edge-team-spider-man-musical (http://www.spin.com/articles/bono-edge-team-spider-man-musical) "Phantom" Sequel Delayed Until 2010 http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003402.html?categoryid=15&cs=1 (http://www.spin.com/articles/bono-edge-team-spider-man-musical) "Twilight", "Slumdog" Lead MTV Kudos http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003151.html?categoryid=16&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003151.html?categoryid=16&cs=1) MTV Movie Awards Ballot http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/2009/ (http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/2009/) Celebrities Win Madeup Webbys, Big Media Wins Some Real Ones http://weblogs.variety.com/technotainment/2009/05/celebrities-win-madeup-webbys-big-media-wins-some-real-ones.html (http://weblogs.variety.com/technotainment/2009/05/celebrities-win-madeup-webbys-big-media-wins-some-real-ones.html) NBC Announces 2009/2010 Primetime Schedule http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/nbc-announces-20092010-primetime-sked/ (http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/nbc-announces-20092010-primetime-sked/) Fox Orders Second Season of Fringe http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003158.html?categoryId=14&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003158.html?categoryId=14&cs=1) Nikki Finke On CW Upfront Rumors http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/that-gossip-girl-spinoff-dead-at-cw/ (http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/that-gossip-girl-spinoff-dead-at-cw/) Shows To Scrimp On Scribes http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003411.html?categoryid=14&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003411.html?categoryid=14&cs=1) Networks Fume Over Nielsen Delay (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003280.html? J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no