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Stuck In Development
Stuck In Development episodes
- 39 - “Cray? But Not Cray?”: The WarnerMedia-Discovery Merger
Every once in a while, a story comes along that stops you in your tracks. For Eitan and Carl, this weekend was absolutely consumed by the announcement that AT&T would spin out WarnerMedia into a new venture with Discovery. This is Stuck In Development’s Big Game and its raison d'être.
Join the two as they take an exhaustive look at the merger and its implications on the future of AT&T and streaming at large. They recap the corporate history of AT&T, assign a valuation to WarnerMedia’s current business, and try to discern the rationale behind the merger from the perspective of both AT&T and Discovery. This week also features the return of former SID character Kevin Mayer and the ascendance of legacy media titan David Zaslav to the streaming big leagues. Carl and Eitan also touch on a potential Amazon-MGM acquisition and Shrek’s 20th anniversary.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stuckindevpod
Music: Feather Duster by Silverman Sound Studios – https://www.silvermansound.com
1 hr 30 min - 38 - The Not-So-Golden Globes
Step into the Stuck In Development multiverse! This week, Carl and Eitan spent equal time dissecting a framework for modern entertainment companies and discussing the tumultuous future of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (the Golden Globes’ awarding body). For the former subject, they return to last week’s AUA to discuss the love that modern studios try to manufacture for their content; for the latter, they look to define the purpose of the HFPA and dream of a world without the Golden Globes. Eitan and Carl are also nonplussed by Disney’s new lightsaber demo.
Links:
Disney’s Real Lightsaber
Matthew Ball, “What Is an Entertainment Company in 2021 and Why Does the Answer Matter?”
Follow us on Twitter AND Instagram @stuckindevpod
Music: Feather Duster by Silverman Sound Studios – https://www.silvermansound.com
1 hr 15 min - 37 - Magic Mice and Hand Dryers
Eitan and reforming Apple fanboy Carl dive into a few topics this week. They use the Epic v. Apple opening arguments as a springboard for broader discussions about software distribution antitrust and data protection policy. The two also chat about HBO Max’s pricing strategy and offer effusive praise for Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (and a Netflix “Original”).
There is no main topic this week.
Follow us on Twitter @stuckindevpod
Music: Feather Duster by Silverman Sound Studios – https://www.silvermansound.com
1 hr 30 min - 36 - Steven Soderbergh’s Oscar’s Twelve
In his followup to last year’s excellent Let Them All Talk, producer Steven Soderbergh attempted to create a modern, COVID-safe Oscars ceremony. While Carl and Eitan mostly appreciated this year’s changes, they spend this episode debating one question: what is the point of Hollywood’s biggest night when nobody is watching?
In news this week, the two discuss the NHL’s new streaming deal, Sony’s post-pay-one deal with Disney, Roku’s ascendance to the big leagues vis-à-vis threats to deplatform Google, and the impending reopening of Disneyland.
The main topic starts at 24:06 this week.
Follow us on Twitter @stuckindevpod
Music: Feather Duster by Silverman Sound Studios – https://www.silvermansound.com
1 hr 15 min - 35 - Bookshelves (& Oscars & Netflix & Sony & Soccer & COVID)
Grab your vaccine passport and join Eitan and Carl on an unusually chaotic tour through the world of entertainment. In an episode recorded during the brief wondrous life of the European Super League, the two popcorn through a variety of topics: an apathy-inspiring Oscars race; rumblings of stagnation at Netflix; Sony’s blockbuster-based gaming IP strategy and the Sony-Netflix deal’s impact on Starz; the true purpose of leagues in 21st-century sports; and labyrinthine California COVID protocols. Carl also felt inspired to read a passage from Edward Snowden’s autobiography.
News is woven throughout the episode this week.
Follow us on Twitter @stuckindevpod
Music: Feather Duster by Silverman Sound Studios – https://www.silvermansound.com
1 hr 22 min - 34 - Sony Pictures: “Arms Dealer” to the StarsWith an announcement last week, Sony cemented their position as an “arms dealer” within Hollywood. Though both Carl and Eitan bristle at this description, the deal does establish Sony as a content free agent in a Hollywood increasingly focused on DTC streaming. Eitan and Carl debate the merits of Sony’s decision to shed itself of all DTC platforms and become a company focused on development and production.In news this week, they chat about the Atlanta production scene and look at a “real” arms deal at Walt Disney Imagineering.The main topic starts at 29:04 this week.Follow us on Twitter @stuckindevpodMusic: Feather Duster by Silverman Sound Studios – https://www.silvermansound.com1 hr 12 min
- 33 - Oops! All IP! Whoomp! Barry Jenkins!Will someone at Warner please remember that the Iron Giant is not a gun?Eitan and Carl stare into the endless abyss of Space Jam: A New Legacy’s Warner 3000 Entertainment Server-verse and try to discern the factors that drove Warner to make such a thing. The Space Jam sequel is just the latest in a bizarre genre that Carl calls “Oops! All IP!” films. In these films, iconic characters and imagery are drafted to cameo in plots completely unrelated to their source material. From the highs of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? to the lows of Ready Player One, Carl and Eitan explore the evolution of this genre and discuss why these films can feel so hollow.In news this week, they look at Godzilla vs. Kong’s COVID-defying box office and Netflix’s rumored Knives Out deal.The main topic starts at 23:40 this week, but the news items are very related.Follow us on Twitter @stuckindevpodMusic: Feather Duster by Silverman Sound Studios – https://www.silvermansound.com1 hr 11 min
- 32 - Craig Federighi’s Hair or (Eitan Reports from Pandemic-Era Orlando)
Despite repeated threats, Carl and Eitan decided to make this episode about more than just Disney World transit systems. As Eitan wraps up a month living and working remotely from Orlando, they check in on the Walt Disney World Resort in the time of COVID-19. They chat about everything from the 5-hour virtual queue at a cookie bakery to Eitan’s assessment of the cultural accuracy of Epcot’s Mexico pavilion. Eitan also spends quite a bit of time praising Epcot’s ride systems, but these are *technically* not transit systems!
In news this week, they talk about Comic-Con’s purpose in a post-pandemic DTC media world. They also wildly theorize about Disney’s reinvigorated efforts to expand Disneyland and schmooze the city of Anaheim.
The main topic starts at 17:19 this week (with the final news item).
Follow us on Twitter @stuckindevpod
Music: Feather Duster by Silverman Sound Studios – https://www.silvermansound.com
1 hr - 31 - Stuck in Development's Carl Szmutko's Zack Snyder's Justice League's “Justice is Grey”: The Musical: The Musical: The DCEU Special Breakdown Special Extravaganza
Much like the return of Darkseid to Earth, the #SnyderCut episode of Stuck in Development was inevitable. Eitan and Carl dive into the torturous history of the DC Extended Universe and chart its evolution against that of the modern superhero-industrial complex. They discuss the hubristic mediocrity of Zack Snyder’s Justice League and what it means for the future of franchises and fan engagement. Carl also spends a lot of time defending Zack Snyder’s artistic credibility.
In news this week, Carl and Eitan bemoan the death of publicly available viewership data. Eitan’s Helios and Matheson run also comes to a depressing end.
The main topic starts at 15:10 this week.
Follow us on Twitter @stuckindevpod
Music: Feather Duster by Silverman Sound Studios – https://www.silvermansound.com
1 hr 35 min - 30 - Kevin Sachs Subsequent Awards Episode (2020 Oscars Predictions)
Kevin Sachs returns to guide Eitan and Carl through the strange, muted 2020 Oscars race. After walking through the nomination and voting process, the three present their predictions, dreams and snubs for most of the awards. Join them as they gush about Minari, throw shade at Soul and bemoan the lack of Borat in the Best Picture race.
In news this week, Carl, Eitan and Kevin have a nifty and bemused discussion about NFTs, and they check in on Eitan's $100 investment in MoviePass. #StuckInDevBump
The main topic starts at 18:20 this week.
Follow us on Twitter @stuckindevpod
Music: Feather Duster by Silverman Sound Studios – https://www.silvermansound.com
2 hr 6 min
About Stuck In Development
From the publisher's feed
Hosts Carl and Eitan constantly find themselves stuck in the details of what’s developing in media, technology and entertainment. Every week, the two self-described media strategy nerds contextualize what you need to know as the worlds of Hollywood, Orlando and Silicon Valley collide. From your couch to the seat of a 1950s theme park dark ride, Carl and Eitan love talking about the business of anything and everything that could entertain you.
Follow us on Twitter @stuckindevpod
Follow Carl on Twitter @szmantics
Follow Eitan on Twitter @tanchoco