Better Call Paul

Paul and Mesh start things off with a recap of Super Mario Brothers’ record-shattering box office haul and a discussion of Coachella. They then break down Warner Brothers Discovery’s recently announced the rebrand of HBO Max to “Max” and summarize some of the changes to the popular streaming service. They wrap up the episode with the potential sale of the Washington Commanders. In the midst of mounting legal and PR challenges, Dan Snyder appears to have found a buyer. Rumor has it that private-equity titan Josh Harris, owner of the 76ers and several other sports properties, has agreed to a $6B purchase price.

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In this episode, Paul and Mesh discuss the recent Metaverse spending cuts by a few major companies. They dive into the need for compelling use cases and advanced hardware to make the Metaverse a reality. Plus, they explore how AI's growing popularity has shifted the spotlight away from the Metaverse and its development.

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Paul and Mesh dive deep into the recent Disney layoffs, focusing on Marvel Executive Producer Victoria Alonso. They then discuss the arrest of Jonathan Majors, who was expected to be a significant figure in the new phase of the MCU, but his future involvement now remains uncertain.

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In this week's episode, Paul and Mesh discuss Sharon Stone’s heartfelt speech for the Courage Award for Women's Cancer Research Fund and her potential exposure to the banking industry turmoil.

Next, they dive into the meteoric rise of A24 and its recent $200+ million investment from the prominent Venture Capital firm Stripes. Paul and Mesh explore what this cash infusion could mean for the disruptive indie studio and highlight their favorite projects.

Finally, they delve into a sizzling legal battle involving international music sensation Bad Bunny, who is being sued by his ex-girlfriend for a staggering $40 million over the (alleged) unauthorized use of her voice recordings in two of his hit songs Pa Ti and Dos Mil 16.

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Paul and Mesh commiserate over March Madness and Paul recaps a Hollywood studio lawsuit against a VPN operator in Florida. Mesh and Paul then discuss AMC Theater’s new Sightline differentiated pricing initiative which is rolling out in select cities prior to a national launch and wonder whether it will ultimately help or hurt their bottom line. Finally, Paul analyzes the recent $30M lawsuit between Tiger Woods and his ex-girlfriend, Erica Herman, the legal issues at play (and even some relationship drama!).

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Paul and Mesh devote this week’s episode to the 95th Oscars. They start off with a recap of the big winners of the night (and some head scratchers) and ponder the future of the Oscars. It has been telecast on ABC for nearly 50 years, and while the ratings for the 2023 Oscars improved over the recent past, the viewership is still far below its peak. Finally, Paul and Mesh recognize and celebrate the significance of this year’s awards for Asian and South Asian communities. 

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Paul and Mesh revisit one of their favorite topics, Jussie Smollet, who is back in the news again after filing his appeal and is also the subject of a new Fox Nation docuseries. They then discuss the final season of Succession, its drama-packed trailer and what might be next for HBO Max. Finally, they break down a big week for the video game industry with the 2023 BAFTA game awards nominations and a polarizing but lucrative opening month for Hogwarts Legacy and Warner Brother’s gaming.

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Paul and Mesh start the show by discussing Yellowstone's Kevin Costner drama and Nipsey Hussle's killer being sentenced for first-degree murder. They then dive into the recent U.S. Supreme Court case, Gonzalez v. Google, which tests the boundaries of Section 230 immunity for web platforms, explaining why Section 230 was established and how it allowed the internet to flourish and potential pros and cons to reigning in its broad immunity.

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Paul and Mesh discuss Marvel’s latest installment, Ant Man & the Wasp: Quantumania and whether a recent run of mediocrity is a cause for concern at the MCU. They then turn to streaming which is predicted to overtake linear television as the most-consumed form of television in 2023. Finally, Paul celebrates rising star director, Shaunak Sen, and his beautiful film, All That Breathes, which has won the Golden Eye prize at Cannes and is nominated for dozens of other awards including the Oscar for Best Documentary.

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Paul and Mesh talk about their favorite moments (and commercials) from Superbowl 57. They then dive into a media industry update: (1) whether recent layoffs among media (and tech) companies could be a sign of broader economic trouble head; and (2) how Disney, Peacock, WBD and others are shifting their streaming strategies in their challenging marketplace (e.g., cleaning up balance sheets, lowering costs, bundling, and increasing FAST offerings).

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