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/2010/07/05/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/2010/04/12/showbiz-sandbox-49-hollywood-experiences-premature-sequalization/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/04/12/showbiz-sandbox-49-hollywood-experiences-premature-sequalization/#comments Tue, 13 Apr 2010 05:31:52 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=771 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/04/12/showbiz-sandbox-49-hollywood-experiences-premature-sequalization/feed/ 0 "Clash of the Titans","Date Night","Desperate Housewives","Mission Impossible IV","The Tonight Show",Bob Dylan,Brad Bird,Conan O'Brien,Erykah Badu,Harrison Ford,Jenny McCarthy,Jim Carrey Have you ever wondered why movie studios love to make sequels of hit films? Well, these studios don't even wait for a film to be released before announcing its sequel. Steve Zeitchik of the Los Angeles Times fills us in on the sequel culture that has ... Have you ever wondered why movie studios love to make sequels of hit films? Well, these studios don't even wait for a film to be released before announcing its sequel. Steve Zeitchik (http://twitter.com/zeitchikLAT) of the Los Angeles Times (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2009/12/steven-zeitchik.html) fills us in on the sequel culture that has taken over Hollywood. Meanwhile, the king and queen of television, Steve Carell and Tina Fey, nudged "Clash of the Titans" out of first place at the box office with their new release "Date Night". While Fey may be making a move to the silver screen, the big news of the week was happening in television - cable television no less. Oprah Winfrey announced five new shows that will air on her cable network starting next January, a lineup that left some industry-watchers befuddled. Another TV personality following Oprah onto a cable network is Conan O'Brien. He surprised just about everyone by announcing he would be starting his own late night talk show this fall on TBS. While analyzing the week's top entertainment news stories including how celebrities are using Twitter these days. We finish off with a little Inside Baseball in which we try and understand why anyone would want to buy Miramax or MGM.  Premature Sequalization: Sequel Culture Runs Amok http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2010/04/tron-legacy-sequel.... (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2010/04/tron-legacy-sequel-sherlock-holmes.html) Conan O'Brien Will Do A Late Night Show On TBS http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/conan-obrien-will.... (http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/conan-obrien-will-do-a-late-night-show-on-tbs/?hp) Winfrey Network Details Programming Plans http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017455.html?categoryid=.... (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017455.html?categoryid=14&cs=1&ref=bd_tv) NBC Attempts To Edit Around Slash's Team Coco Pin http://tv.gawker.com/5511584/nbc-attempts-to-edit-around-slashs-team-coco-pin (http://tv.gawker.com/5511584/nbc-attempts-to-edit-around-slashs-team-coco-pin) Tiger Woods' Nike Commercial Just Doesn't Do It http://www.suntimes.com/sports/2148012,tiger-woods-nike-commercial-08.article (http://www.suntimes.com/sports/2148012,tiger-woods-nike-commercial-08.article) Usher Overtakes Justin Bieber In Top Spot On Billboard's Charts http://www.hitfix.com/articles/2010-4-7-usher-overtakes-justin-bieber.... (http://www.hitfix.com/articles/2010-4-7-usher-overtakes-justin-bieber-at-no-1-on-the-billboard-200) Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy Break Up Via Twitter http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2010/04/jim-carrey-jenny-mccarthy.... (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2010/04/jim-carrey-jenny-mccarthy-split-via-twitter.html) Harrison Ford Joins 'Cowboys and Aliens', Tweets Favreau http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2010/04/07/harrison_ford.... (http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2010/04/07/harrison_ford_joins_cowboys_aliens_tweets_favreau/) Producers Guild of America Agrees on New Credit: Transmedia Producer http://www.deadline.com/2010/04/producers-guild-of-america-vote-on-creation.... (http://www.deadline.com/2010/04/producers-guild-of-america-vote-on-creation-of-new-credit-transmedia-producer/) Nicolette Sheridan Sues 'Housewives' Producer http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/arts/television/07arts-NICOLLETTESH_BRF.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/07/arts/television/07arts-NICOLLETTESH_BRF.html) Erykah Badu Charged With Disorderly Conduct For Music Video http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/04/02/erykah-badu-charged-police/ (http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/04/02/erykah-badu-charged-police/) Nic Cage's House Too Weird To Sell http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2010/04/08/cages_house.... (http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2010/04/08/cages_house_too_weird_to_sell) Brad Bird In Final Negotiations To Direct 'MI:4 http://www.firstshowing. J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no 51:01 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/2010/02/01/showbiz-sandbox-40-taylor-aint-swift-at-the-grammys/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/02/01/showbiz-sandbox-40-taylor-aint-swift-at-the-grammys/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:54:35 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=646 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2010/02/01/showbiz-sandbox-40-taylor-aint-swift-at-the-grammys/feed/ 0 "Avatar","Catfish","Jersey Shore","Lost","Transformers 3",Alison Willmore,Beyonce,David Wild,Geoff Boucher,grammys,Jay Leno,Kathryn Bigelow The highlights of this week’s entertainment news were the Grammys and Sundance. First though, there was “Avatar”, “Avatar”, and more “Avatar”. The 3D wunderkind was number one at the box office again and has sold roughly 56 million tickets in North Am... The highlights of this week’s entertainment news were the Grammys and Sundance. First though, there was “Avatar”, “Avatar”, and more “Avatar”. The 3D wunderkind was number one at the box office again and has sold roughly 56 million tickets in North America so far. “Titanic” sold roughly 128 million admissions in North America, so if “Avatar” did that, it would gross about $1.2 billion in the U.S alone. But there is more going on in the entertainment world besides “Avatar”. The music world gathered for the Grammys on Sunday, January 31. Geoff Boucher (http://twitter.com/latherocomplex) from the Los Angeles Times (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/) and David Wild (http://twitter.com/wildaboutmusic), one of the writers on the Grammy telecast, join us to discuss the hits (Pink’s performance), the misses (Taylor Swift and Stevie Nicks) and what was going on backstage (Alice Cooper hangs with Smokey Robinson). The Grammys weren’t the only prizes handed out over the weekend. Sundance announced its festival winners and Alison Willmore (http://twitter.com/alisonwillmore), a senior editor at IFC.com (http://www.ifc.com), stops by to talk about her favorite festival films and a few she recommends skipping. (Pause for J. Sperling Reich to geek out asking Alison about all the movies she didn’t manage to see in Park City this year.) Meanwhile, Michael Giltz and Karen Woodward are still arguing over the Jay Leno - Conan O’Brien debacle. This week they have Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Leno to debate. Was Jay able to do some damage control, or will America turn off their TV’s when he returns to “The Tonight Show”? Lastly, in Inside Baseball news, indie film great Miramax has officially shut its doors. Or more accurately, Miramax had their doors shut for them by Disney. The film company, named after the parents of co-founders Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Miriam and Max, will live on as a shell of its former self as Disney searches for a buyer. The closing of Miramax makes those of us who were around when “Pulp Fiction” was released feel very, very old. Avatar Ticket Sales in US http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/movies/awardsseason/27record.html?8dpc (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/movies/awardsseason/27record.html?8dpc) Is This A Box Office Record with an *? http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-bigpicture30-2010jan.... (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-bigpicture30-2010jan30,0,7457451.story) Avatar Plot FAIL. http://failblog.org/2010/01/10/avatar-plot-fail/ (http://failblog.org/2010/01/10/avatar-plot-fail/) Breakdown of Avatar Costs http://graphjam.com/2010/01/19/funny-graphs-avatar-costs/ (http://graphjam.com/2010/01/19/funny-graphs-avatar-costs/) Kathryn Bigelow Is First Woman To Win DGA Award http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/feb/01/kathryn-bigelow-first-woman-dga-award (http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/feb/01/kathryn-bigelow-first-woman-dga-award) IFC’s Sundance Coverage http://www.ifc.com/sundance/ (http://www.ifc.com/sundance/) Alison Willmore's Writing On IFC.com http://www.ifc.com/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&id=6 (http://www.ifc.com/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&id=6) "Winter's Bone", "Restrepo" Lead Sundance Award Winners http://www.indiewire.com/article/sundance_10_awards_in_progress/ (http://www.indiewire.com/article/sundance_10_awards_in_progress/) Best & Worst of Sundance: "Gasland", "Giftshop" Lead Critics Polls http://www.indiewire.com/article/best_worst_of_sundance_gift_shop_gasland_lead_critics_poll/ (http://www.indiewire.com/article/best_worst_of_sundance_gift_shop_gasland_lead_critics_poll/) Sundance Sales Pick Up http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118014532.html (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118014532.html) Karina Longworth’s Sundance Coverage http://www.voicefilm.com/search.php?tag=sundance&blog_id=175 (http://www.voicefilm.com/search.php?tag=sundance&blog_id=175) Not Even Oprah Can Keep America From Hating Jay J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no 1:03:56 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/2009/11/09/showbiz-sandbox-28-why-spider-man-is-hard-up-for-52-million/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/11/09/showbiz-sandbox-28-why-spider-man-is-hard-up-for-52-million/#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:38:03 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=484 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/11/09/showbiz-sandbox-28-why-spider-man-is-hard-up-for-52-million/feed/ 0 "A Christmas Carol","Gossip Girl","Precious","Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark","This Is It","V",Academy Awards,Alec Baldwin,Bono,FCC,John Horn,Los Angeles Times We don’t always talk about theater on the podcast, but Los Angeles Times staff writer John Horn wrote a story too good to resist. The Broadway debut of “Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark” has found its greatest enemy is the budget. We don’t always talk about theater on the podcast, but Los Angeles Times staff writer John Horn (http://articles.latimes.com/writers/john-horn) wrote a story too good to resist. The Broadway debut of “Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark” has found its greatest enemy is the budget. Horn joins us to talk about the story behind one of the most troubled productions in Broadway history and how he got the scoop (not to mention the musical's script, soundtrack and a video promo reel). But first, Michael Giltz (http://www.michaelgiltz.com) eats another serving of crow this week, as the Michael Jackson rehearsal documentary "This Is It” held up respectably and indie-darling “Precious” grossed a stunning $1,800,000 on just 18 theaters over the weekend. "Precious" will no doubt be nominated for a few Oscars come awards season. Speaking of the Academy Awards, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin are teaming up to host next year's Oscar telecast. Karen Woodward (http://www.industrynexus.com) though the decision to go with Martin and Baldwin was dated and hopes they don't hijack the show. On the other hand, Michael and J. Sperling Reich (http://www.twitter.com/sperling) thought it was a good choice. In more frivolous news, Nicolas Cage is suing his former money manager, Samuel J. Levin, for $20 million in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming he enriched himself while “sending Cage down a path toward financial ruin.” Granted, this is probably not a frivolous topic for Mr. Cage, although he was not exactly careful with his money, Sperling (who once worked as an executive at Cage’s production company) explains. As much as his NDA will allow. Technology and reality reared their ugly heads this week and movie studios are wondering how to benefit. Is the MPAA betraying theater owners? Are day-and-date release windows a good idea? If you have no idea what that even means, listen to the podcast. Were you one of the 13.9 million people who tuned in to watch the series of premiere of “V”? Michael and Sperling were. Will you continue watching? Did ABC do the show a favor by rolling it out in stages by airing a handful of shows in November, and the rest of the season in January)? Maybe this belongs in a future Big Deal/Big Whoop. We cycle through the rest of this week’s top entertainment news stories in our popular Big Deal or Big Whoop segment, and end on a positive note: Oprah may leave daytime, but that’s only so she can take over the world. "Precious" Stuns With $100K Weekend Average http://www.indiewire.com/article/box_office_precious_stuns_with_100k.... (http://www.indiewire.com/article/box_office_precious_stuns_with_100k_weekend_average/pem) Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin Will Team As Hosts Of The Oscars http://theenvelope.latimes.com/la-et-oscarhosts..... (http://theenvelope.latimes.com/la-et-oscarhosts4-2009nov04,0,1066819.story) On Broadway, Spider-Man's Greatest Enemy Is The Budget http://www.latimes.com/la-et-spider-man..... (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-spider-man6-2009nov06,0,3989809.story) http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/06/.... (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/06/spider-man-musical-announces-new-producers-star/) Nicolas Cage Compulsive Spender http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-11-03/nicolas-cage.... (http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-11-03/nicolas-cage-compulsive-spender/) The MPAA's Motive In Upsetting Exhibitors Over Release Windows http://celluloidjunkie.com/2009/11/09/the-mpaas-motive.... (http://celluloidjunkie.com/2009/11/09/the-mpaas-motive-in-upsetting-exhibitors-over-release-windows/) http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotblog/archives/2009/11/what_does_the_m.html (http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotblog/archives/2009/11/what_does_the_m.html) V Debuts With Massive Ratings http://scifiwire.com/2009/11/v-debuts-with-massive-rat.php (http://scifiwire.com/2009/11/v-debuts-with-massive-rat.php) J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/04/27/showbiz-sandbox-1-the-replicability-podcast/ http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/04/27/showbiz-sandbox-1-the-replicability-podcast/#comments Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:10:15 +0000 J. Sperling Reich http://www.showbizsandbox.com/?p=30 http://www.showbizsandbox.com/2009/04/27/showbiz-sandbox-1-the-replicability-podcast/feed/ 0 "Twilight",AMPTP,Angelina Jolie,Cannes Film Festival,David Slade,Endeavor,Francis Coppola,Jay Leno,MPAA,Oprah Winfrey,PBS,Pedro Almodovar Talks to merge the William Morris and Endeavor talent agencies continue, while the Screen Actors Guild and the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers may have finally reached an agreement on a new contract. (http://www.showbizsandbox.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/alan-rosenberg-large.png) Talks to merge the William Morris and Endeavor talent agencies continue, while the Screen Actors Guild and the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers may have finally reached an agreement on a new contract.  Critically acclaimed movies tank at the box office.  Fox closes Atomic, reshuffles release dates and hires Angelina Jolie for a biopic.  David Slade is selected for the third "Twilight" film. MPAA visits Washington D.C., script doctors are kept busy writing for Tom Cruise.  Cannes unveils it's festival lineup and Francis Ford Coppola is not in it (though he is down the street at the Fortnight).  Jay Leno visits the hospital and Rod Blagojevich visits Hollywood (but not Costa Rica like he wanted). A classic Pedro Almodovar film gets remade for the small screen, PBS goes online with its content and Oprah learns Twitter etiquette. WMA Finds Devil In The Details http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002694.html?categoryid=29&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002694.html?categoryid=29&cs=1) SAG National Board of Directors Approves Tentative Television and Motion Picture Contacts http://www.sag.org/press-releases/april-19-2009/sag-national-board-of-directors-approves-tentative-television-and-motio (http://www.sag.org/press-releases/april-19-2009/sag-national-board-of-directors-approves-tentative-television-and-motio) Flush times for theatrical movies? Don't tell A.O. Scott http://www.riskybusinessblog.com/2009/04/good-movies-struggle-at-box-office.html (http://www.riskybusinessblog.com/2009/04/good-movies-struggle-at-box-office.html) Down Economy = Dumbed Down Movies/TV? Stop the Inanity! http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20269754,00.html (http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20269754,00.html) Fox Folding Atomic Label http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002584.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002584.html?categoryid=13&cs=1) http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/exclusive-fox-atomic-shutting-down/ (http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/exclusive-fox-atomic-shutting-down/) Fox Shuffles Film Schedule http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002645.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002645.html?categoryid=13&cs=1) Angelina Jolie Teams With Fox 2000 http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002704.html?categoryid=1238&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002704.html?categoryid=1238&cs=1) Slade Slated For Third Twilight http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002751 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002751) MPAA Reaches Out To Lawmakers http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002688.html?categoryid=18&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002688.html?categoryid=18&cs=1) Script Doctor's In For Tom Cruise http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002702.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002702.html?categoryid=1236&cs=1) Digital Governator Set For Termininator http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002743.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002743.html?categoryid=13&cs=1) Robert Rodriguez Wields "Machete" http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002792.html?categoryid=1237&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002792.html?categoryid=1237&cs=1) Cannes Unveils Lineup http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=story&id=1061&articleid=VR1118002762&cs=1 (http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=story&id=1061&articleid=VR1118002762&cs=1) Coppola's Thinking Outside The Cannes http://www.riskybusinessblog.com/2009/04/by-steven-zeitchik-we-remember-interviewing-francis-ford-coppola-last-year-upon-the-release-of-his-slightly-lugubrious-you.html (http://www.riskybusinessblog.com/2009/04/by-steven-zeitchik-we-remember-interviewing-francis-ford-coppola-last-year-upon-the-release-of-his-slightly-lugubrious-you.html) J. Sperling Reich, Karen Woodward & Michael Giltz no