The Business

By KCRW

What's The Business about?

Lively banter about entertainment industry news and in-depth interviews with directors, producers, writers and actors, hosted by award-winning journalist Kim Masters of The Hollywood Reporter.

4.5

420420 ratings

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The Business episodes:

04.19.2024
‘Quiet on Set’ filmmakers Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz; Congress vs. Spulu
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take a look at Jeff Skoll’s decision to close Participant Media after 20 years. And the banter partners break down why two congress members sent a letter addressed to the heads of Disney, Fox, and...
04.12.2024
Mike Birbiglia and Eddie Schmidt talk ‘Good One: A Show About Jokes’; Coppola seeks home for passion project
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive into the challenges faced by legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola as he struggles to find distribution for his self-financed passion project, Megalopolis. The Banter partners also take a look at the risks behind David...
04.05.2024
‘One Life’ director on the true story of Sir Nicholas Winton; Iger triumphs in Disney proxy fight
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take a quick look at Ari Emanuel-led Endeavor going private, and the banter partners break down the outcome of the long battle between Nelson Peltz and Disney. Plus, on this special episode of The...
03.29.2024
‘Shōgun’ co-creators on their sprawling limited series; Inside the Ronna McDaniel-NBC staff uproar
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni report on the latest in the Disney proxy battle, and the banter partners examine the outrage of NBC staff following the brief, yet confounding, hiring of former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel. Plus, Masters speaks...
03.22.2024
Steven Yeun on ‘Beef’; Disney CEO Bob Iger’s potential successors explained
Matt Belloni and Lucas Shaw examine four Disney executives poised to take the throne in 2026 following CEO Bob Iger’s proposed retirement. Plus, we revisit our conversation with Steven Yeun, who joined Kim Masters to talk about his Emmy winning...
03.15.2024
Andrew Lincoln, Danai Gurira on ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’; ID docuseries alleges years of abuse at Nickelodeon
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni discuss the alleged years of abuse and inappropriate behavior on Nickelodeon sets as shown in ID’s new docuseries, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. Plus, Eric Deggans talks to actors Andrew...
03.08.2024
Writer Tony McNamara on ‘Poor Things’; Disney heirs back Iger in proxy fight
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine the latest developments in the Disney proxy fight. They also take a look at a peculiar lawsuit filed against CBS Studios and Paramount. Plus, Masters speaks to writer Tony McNamara about his Academy Award-nominated...
03.01.2024
Composer Laura Karpman, new Disney and Netflix execs, and ‘peak Boomer cinema’
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down the latest executive hires at Netflix and Disney. They also take a look at Kevin Costner’s ambitious plans to theatrically release a four-part film saga set in the Old West. Plus, NPR...
02.24.2024
SPECIAL PREVIEW: Tony McNamara on adapting ‘Poor Things’
PREVIEW: Kim Masters speaks to writer Tony McNamara, who adapted a 1992 Alasdair Gray novel into the Oscar nominated Yorgos Lanthimos film, Poor Things. Tune in to The Business on March 8th to hear the full interview with McNamara, where...
02.23.2024
Mstyslav Chernov on ‘20 Days in Mariupol’; Fubo files lawsuit against announced sports megastreamer
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine FuboTV’s $1 billion lawsuit seeking to halt the development of the recently announced Fox, Disney, and Warner Brothers Discovery sports streaming service. They also take a look at Sony’s struggles with live action Marvel...
02.16.2024
Christopher Nolan, Kai Bird on adapting ‘American Prometheus’; Disney’s proxy war wages on
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine the latest updates in the Disney proxy vote saga. Also, has peak TV officially ended? The banter partners break down FX chairman John Landgraf’s recent remarks on the current state of television. Plus,...
02.09.2024
Ed Zwick recounts his ‘Glory Days’; Disney dishes Q1 surprises
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take a look at the big surprises revealed during Disney’s Q1 earnings call. They also dive into the announcement of ESPN, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Fox’s joint sports streaming service set to debut this year....
02.02.2024
Making sense of the ‘24 Oscar noms; the future of the Netflix-WWE deal
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine media mogul Byron Allen’s offer to acquire Paramount Global. They also take a closer look at the Netflix-WWE deal in the wake of WWE founder Vince McMahon’s resignation following allegations of battery and sex...
01.26.2024
Netflix shake-ups, Jon Stewart’s big news, and Matthew Heineman on ‘American Symphony’
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine the latest happenings at Netflix and Jon Stewart’s surprise return to The Daily Show. Plus, Masters speaks with Matthew Heineman about directing American Symphony. The filmmaker describes the process of documenting musician Jon...
01.19.2024
Inside the Tom Cruise-Warner Bros. deal; Jon Batiste talks ‘American Symphony’
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni look into the Tom Cruise-Warner Bros. deal and what that means for his projects at Paramount. Plus, Masters speaks to Jon Batiste about being the subject of American Symphony. The musician explains how the...
01.12.2024
Noah Hawley on season 5 of ‘Fargo,’ Amazon layoffs
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take stock of layoffs at Amazon as a result of consolidation and reorganizing across its studios. Eric Deggans speaks to Fargo creator Noah Hawley about the fifth season of his anthology series. The writer and...
01.05.2024
Gary Oldman on ‘Slow Horses,’ Disney proxy fight continues
Eric Deggans speaks to Gary Oldman about starring in Apple TV+’s spy thriller series, Slow Horses. He also talks about the joys of briefly reuniting with Christopher Nolan in Oppenheimer, how he worked around being typecast in over-the-top roles, and...
12.29.2023
Hollywood predictions 2024: studios, streamers, and agencies
What will 2024 hold for Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney, Netflix, and mega-agencies CAA and Endeavor?
12.22.2023
A look back at Hollywood’s rollercoaster year
Hollywood’s messy year: Strikes disrupted show biz, the box office surprised, studios and execs struggled, and streamers started licensing. Kim Masters, Matt Belloni, and Lucas Shaw look into the main Hollywood events of 2023.
12.15.2023
Celine Song and Christine Vachon on ‘Past Lives’; inside Netflix’s big data drop
Netflix released its first report revealing viewership patterns. Why does it matter? What does the data reveal — and what happens next? Then, Past Lives writer-director Celine Song and producer Christine Vachon discuss Song’s foray into filmmaking, their partnership,...
12.08.2023
TV legend Norman Lear on a lifetime of ‘experience’; Actors approve deal
SAG-AFTRA members ratify a three-year contract with studios. Plus, actors promote work post-strike, studios license content, and streamers bundle services. Then, Kim Masters revisits a 2014 conversation with legendary television producer Norman Lear, who died Dec. 5 at the...
12.02.2023
Serving up ‘Waitress,’ streaming BroadwayHD, and Bob Iger on Disney’s future
Disney CEO Bob Iger talks about the company’s many struggles, including his succession, selling ABC, and Marvel troubles during the New York Times’ DealBook Summit. Then, we’re taking it to Broadway: Contributor Jeff Lunden speaks to Tony-winning producers Stewart...
11.24.2023
Justine Bateman, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland on AI contract language; Hollywood’s lean holiday box office
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni discuss what’s shaping up to be a lean holiday box office and what success for movies looks like — and how it’s perceived — when it comes to theatrical versus streaming releases. Then, filmmaker...
11.18.2023
Kristoffer Borgli on the “Dream Scenario” of directing Nicolas Cage; The saga of “Coyote vs. Acme
WBD is looking for a buyer for its Coyote vs. Acme film. Can it find one? Plus, an AI-generated Édith Piaf biopic is in the works at Warner Music. Filmmaker Kristoffer Borgli talks with Kim Masters about his Nicolas...
11.10.2023
Inside the end of the actors’ strike; James Burrows on the return of ‘Frasier’
SAG-AFTRA reaches a tentative deal with studios after 118 days on strike. Was the deal a win? What is in it? Plus, WBD and Disney earnings news. Legendary sitcom director James Burrows talks with Eric Deggans, NPR TV critic and...
11.04.2023
Comedian-actress Leslie Jones bares it all in raw memoir; HBO trolls critics
First, HBO CEO Casey Bloys asked staffers to create fake Twitter accounts to fight critics of the network. What’s all the attention about? Plus, Disney is finally buying Hulu. Actress-comedian Leslie Jones discusses her tell-all memoir, overcoming personal and...
10.28.2023
Robert Kirkman on ‘Invincible’ Season 2; Israel-Hamas conflict’s impact on Hollywood
The actors’ strike forges on as Hollywood reckons with the impact of the Hamas-Israel conflict and streamers raise prices — again. NPR TV Critic Eric Deggans talks with comic-book-author-turned-showrunner Robert Kirkman about the new animated adaptation of his print series...
10.21.2023
Agency heads feud, Ken Burns takes the (long) road less traveled with ‘American Buffalo’
The CEO of Endeavor, Ari Emanuel, attacked rival Bryan Lourd, head of the talent agency CAA, at Bloomberg’s Screentime conference. What’s behind the feud? Documentarian Ken Burns talks about his latest project, The American Buffalo, his career, financing projects,...
10.13.2023
Encore: Creating ‘Reservation Dogs’ with Indigenous cast and crew; Swift’s concert hits theaters
Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour concert film is out in theaters. Was this a good deal for Swift and AMC? And will this become a trend with other artists? This week on The Business, Kim Masters revisits an interview with...
10.07.2023
Oscar-winner costume designer reflects on career in new book; Netflix price hike
As the actors’ strike continues, Netflix announces a price hike. What does this mean for subscribers and the streamer? Then, Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter talks about her new book, collaborating with Spike Lee and Steven Spielberg, and...
09.29.2023
Gareth Edwards’ ‘The Creator’ zeroes in on AI tension as WGA leaders make a deal
WGA leaders reached a deal this week with Hollywood studios, ending 148 days of work stoppage. What did they get? Where did they compromise? And will SAG-AFTRA be next? Plus, director Gareth Edwards discusses his new AI-centric film The Creator...
09.22.2023
Rupert Murdoch steps down, hip-hop femmes shine in the Dream Hampton produced docuseries ‘Ladies First’
First, Rupert Murdoch has announced that he is stepping down as the head of both Fox Corp. and News Corp. What will this mean for the Murdoch family line of succession? Plus, Warner Brothers Discovery announces a new paid tier...
09.15.2023
Assessing the strike’s damage, plus an encore with ‘Navalny’ director Daniel Roher
First, what lasting damage to the entertainment industry will the extended impasse between striking Hollywood creatives, and the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers leave in its wake? Then, in an encore interview, Navalny director Daniel Roher and...
09.08.2023
‘Reservation Dogs’ director on Indigenous representation, Disney exits Spectrum
First, the Walt Disney Co. has pulled all programming from Charter Spectrum in early September. What ripples does this create for Disney, other networks, and the cable industry? Then, Reservation Dogs director Danis Goulet talks about working on the...
09.01.2023
‘Telemarketers’ unpacks systemic scamming, CNN gets a new CEO
First, Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav hires former New York Times executive Mark Thompson to head CNN. Will Thompson turn the struggling network around? Then, directors Sam Lipman-Stern and Adam Lough talk with NPR TV critic Eric Deggans about...
08.25.2023
Encore: Steve Martin can't imagine 'Only Murders in the Building' without Selena Gomez
First, the AMPTP released its latest offer to the WGA in a press release this week. Will the studio’s move work or backfire? Then, actor, comedian, musician, and producer Steve Martin and co-creator of Only Murders in the Building, John...
08.19.2023
Blumhouse CEO breaks down real Hollywood horror as strikes rage on
First, Hollywood strikes throttle on, despite recent talks between AMPTP and WGA, complicating industry plans for the season ahead. What will this mean for upcoming film festivals and fall television? Then, Jason Blum, founder and CEO of Blumhouse ,...
08.12.2023
Bill Kristol on Fox Corp. accountability, Emmys postponed
The 2023 Emmy ceremony has been rescheduled for January 2024. How will it contend with the NFL playoffs? And Disney presents more changes via its latest investor call. Political analyst Bill Kristol joins to break down an FCC petition...
08.04.2023
Sam Pollard on making ‘The League,’ AMPTP reopens negotiations
After months of stagnation, the AMPTP has asked the Writers Guild back to the negotiating table. Is there a deal to be made? Plus, Disney re-hires some familiar faces as consultants. Then, director Sam Pollard discusses his new doc...
07.29.2023
Gloria Calderón Kellett calls for equitable storytelling, ‘Barbenheimer’ wins the box office
Barbie and Oppenheimer have proven to be massively successful at the box office, but where does that leave the comparatively underwhelming performance of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One and other tentpole hopefuls? Then, The Horror of Dolores Roach...
07.21.2023
Hollywood VFX expert weighs in on AI, studios and guilds dig in
On the strike lines, rhetoric from studios and guilds makes it difficult to reach a resolution, while Disney’s CEO digs in. Plus, Netflix and streaming services face growth challenges. Then, Emmy-nominated VFX specialist and AI expert Mike Seymour talks...
07.14.2023
Bigger Banter: SAG-AFTRA strikes, Bob Iger extends contract
The Business analyzes SAG-AFTRA’s strike, which will effectively shut down Hollywood at an already perilous time. Plus, Bob Iger announces a contract extension until 2026, and the summer box office heats up.
07.07.2023
Screenwriter Billy Ray on WGA battle with AI; Amazon CEO probes shows’ budgets
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy asks for detailed budgets of all the biggest shows made by its Hollywood studios. Why now? Plus, another polemic involving David Zaslav. Oscar-nominated screenwriter and director Billy Ray talks with Kim Masters about the guilds' battle...
06.30.2023
Maureen Ryan burns it down, Netflix union-busts, TCM reverses course
Following the decision to fire top execs at Warner Bros. Discovery’s TCM, WB’s CEO David Zaslav feels the blowback and is forced to reverse the channel’s course. Plus, Netflix’s union busting tactics, exposed. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni discuss. ...
06.24.2023
Randall Poster on life as a music supervisor, plus WBD’s struggles
To pay debt, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav is licensing HBO original series to Netflix, and fires the head of TCM. Meanwhile, Disney/Pixar’s “Elemental” underperforms at the box office. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down what it all...
06.17.2023
Summer previews: Will movies deliver at the box office? Plus, Emmy changes, predictions
A summer banter: Will the season bring the big box office returns studios are hoping for? Plus, Disney pushes back franchise releases, and The Golden Globes undergoes another massive change. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break it down. Then,...
06.10.2023
Carol Burnett on her sprawling career in entertainment, CNN fires CEO Chris Licht
CNN CEO Chris Licht is out from the network following a damning article in The Atlantic reporting his “alienating” behavior towards his staff. Was he a bad match for the job? Then, Kim Masters speaks to legendary actress, singer,...
06.02.2023
The resilience of the movie theater industry and Cannes during the writers’ strike
While the WGA strike continues in the U.S., many writer-directors, actors were off promoting their films at Cannes. Did that weaken the WGA effort? Then, former National Association of Theatre Owners CEO John Fithian speaks about the industry navigating...
05.26.2023
Encore: ‘The Great’ creator on swearing, sex and ‘fun’ violence in 1700s Russia
As week three of the writer’s strike continues, other unions and guilds show solidarity while studios cut costs to see quarter stock increase. Plus, we revisit our long pre-strike conversation with Tony McNamara, whose viciously satirical series “The Great” has...
05.19.2023
Jimmy Chin, Chai Vasarhelyi on making ‘Wild Life,’ WGA strike vs. Upfronts
“Wild Life” directors Jimmy Chin and his wife Chai Vasarhelyi discuss mortality, making the film, and its uncanny parallels with their own lives. Plus, guest host Matt Belloni of Puck News speaks with Lucas Shaw, head of entertainment at...

What's The Business about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Business episodes:

‘Quiet on Set’ filmmakers Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz; Congress vs. Spulu

Mike Birbiglia and Eddie Schmidt talk ‘Good One: A Show About Jokes’; Coppola seeks home for passion project

‘One Life’ director on the true story of Sir Nicholas Winton; Iger triumphs in Disney proxy fight

‘Shōgun’ co-creators on their sprawling limited series; Inside the Ronna McDaniel-NBC staff uproar

Steven Yeun on ‘Beef’; Disney CEO Bob Iger’s potential successors explained

Andrew Lincoln, Danai Gurira on ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’; ID docuseries alleges years of abuse at Nickelodeon

Writer Tony McNamara on ‘Poor Things’; Disney heirs back Iger in proxy fight

Composer Laura Karpman, new Disney and Netflix execs, and ‘peak Boomer cinema’

SPECIAL PREVIEW: Tony McNamara on adapting ‘Poor Things’

Mstyslav Chernov on ‘20 Days in Mariupol’; Fubo files lawsuit against announced sports megastreamer

Christopher Nolan, Kai Bird on adapting ‘American Prometheus’; Disney’s proxy war wages on

Ed Zwick recounts his ‘Glory Days’; Disney dishes Q1 surprises

Making sense of the ‘24 Oscar noms; the future of the Netflix-WWE deal

Netflix shake-ups, Jon Stewart’s big news, and Matthew Heineman on ‘American Symphony’

Inside the Tom Cruise-Warner Bros. deal; Jon Batiste talks ‘American Symphony’

Noah Hawley on season 5 of ‘Fargo,’ Amazon layoffs

Gary Oldman on ‘Slow Horses,’ Disney proxy fight continues

Hollywood predictions 2024: studios, streamers, and agencies

A look back at Hollywood’s rollercoaster year

Celine Song and Christine Vachon on ‘Past Lives’; inside Netflix’s big data drop

TV legend Norman Lear on a lifetime of ‘experience’; Actors approve deal

Serving up ‘Waitress,’ streaming BroadwayHD, and Bob Iger on Disney’s future

Justine Bateman, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland on AI contract language; Hollywood’s lean holiday box office

Kristoffer Borgli on the “Dream Scenario” of directing Nicolas Cage; The saga of “Coyote vs. Acme

Inside the end of the actors’ strike; James Burrows on the return of ‘Frasier’

Comedian-actress Leslie Jones bares it all in raw memoir; HBO trolls critics

Robert Kirkman on ‘Invincible’ Season 2; Israel-Hamas conflict’s impact on Hollywood

Agency heads feud, Ken Burns takes the (long) road less traveled with ‘American Buffalo’

Encore: Creating ‘Reservation Dogs’ with Indigenous cast and crew; Swift’s concert hits theaters

Oscar-winner costume designer reflects on career in new book; Netflix price hike

Gareth Edwards’ ‘The Creator’ zeroes in on AI tension as WGA leaders make a deal

Rupert Murdoch steps down, hip-hop femmes shine in the Dream Hampton produced docuseries ‘Ladies First’

Assessing the strike’s damage, plus an encore with ‘Navalny’ director Daniel Roher

‘Reservation Dogs’ director on Indigenous representation, Disney exits Spectrum

‘Telemarketers’ unpacks systemic scamming, CNN gets a new CEO

Encore: Steve Martin can't imagine 'Only Murders in the Building' without Selena Gomez

Blumhouse CEO breaks down real Hollywood horror as strikes rage on

Bill Kristol on Fox Corp. accountability, Emmys postponed

Sam Pollard on making ‘The League,’ AMPTP reopens negotiations

Gloria Calderón Kellett calls for equitable storytelling, ‘Barbenheimer’ wins the box office

Hollywood VFX expert weighs in on AI, studios and guilds dig in

Bigger Banter: SAG-AFTRA strikes, Bob Iger extends contract

Screenwriter Billy Ray on WGA battle with AI; Amazon CEO probes shows’ budgets

Maureen Ryan burns it down, Netflix union-busts, TCM reverses course

Randall Poster on life as a music supervisor, plus WBD’s struggles

Summer previews: Will movies deliver at the box office? Plus, Emmy changes, predictions

Carol Burnett on her sprawling career in entertainment, CNN fires CEO Chris Licht

The resilience of the movie theater industry and Cannes during the writers’ strike

Encore: ‘The Great’ creator on swearing, sex and ‘fun’ violence in 1700s Russia

Jimmy Chin, Chai Vasarhelyi on making ‘Wild Life,’ WGA strike vs. Upfronts