Mornin! This is Sean McNulty (connect with me on LINKEDIN here if ya like or email me at seanmcnultynyc@gmail.com), and here’s the Hollywood + Media news to know on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
Where ya gotta love this Vulture read looking at the 69-year-old movie projectionist called back into action this summer to operate 70mm movie projectors in IMAX theaters for The Odyssey, working 12-hour night shifts to make sure you’re enjoying those 3 a.m. screenings, L.A.
Let’s all give a thanks to Pat Caldwell for also training the next generation of projectionists to keep Christopher Nolan (and future Nolans) in business for decades to come.
But apparently, whatever you do, don’t make him screen Joker: Folie à Deux again (Pat’s . . . not a fan).
YAH: David Ellison is out with a new op-ed in the NY Times this morning, essentially arguing that his running CNN is the real core of the issue here — and not potentially things like higher cable bills or higher movie ticket prices for Americans (i.e., the 2 main arguments of this legal case, not who owns CNN).
- “I believe this fight is not really about market share.”
- “I believe a plainer worry sits beneath the briefs and the news releases: the news. The issue is whether I can be trusted as a steward of Warner’s CNN. There has been speculation about my politics, my loyalties, my intentions.”
- Citing a continued journalism north star at CBS NEWS “to answer to the facts and to all the people they serve — not to any party or cause” as something that has “always fueled the greatness of 60 Minutes” is a bit curious of an example given the immense changes Ellison’s leaders are making to such an already “great” show . . . but take a read for yourselves.
WELL: Ari Emanuel thinks setting up some sort of “editorial board” to oversee CNN/CBS NEWS would help matters, according to his appearance on CNBC this morning. The fact that idea even has to be mentioned is uh, kinda the problem overall here . . . no?
ALSO: PSKY has held conversations with former ACTIVISION CEO Bobby Kotick and META Prez & Vice Chair Dina Powell McCormick about joining a WARNAMOUNT Board, should one come to exist, according to the WSJ.
THEN: SONY’s ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE is renaming its Mueller location in Austin, Texas as the MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY CINEMA, and if there’s no popcorn/soda/candy combo special called the Alright, Alright, Alright . . . know that I’m very disappointed in you.
OH: Godzilla Minus Zero will world premiere at the NYFF on Sept. 26.
SO: This was an intriguing read from John Koblin at the NYT about how FX is essentially adding a new episode to season 1 of Adults as its new episode 1 on HULU before season 2 launches, after research showed a considerable amount of viewers stopped watching the original pilot at the same point.
- That plot point is when the group of friends sees a man masturbating on the subway, and one of the women in the group decides to do the same as a protest. Yeah, that’ll do it.
- FX is also putting the entire first season (with the new pilot episode) for free on TUBI and ROKU in advance of season 2.
AND: This NYT look at Gen Z’s issues with the costs of dating / going out in NYC these days is definitely a more relatable topic for Adults to regain audience appeal.
WOW: It did not rain once in July in London at the weather station in Kew Gardens — the first dry month that it has ever seen in its 156 years of keeping records there.
PLUS: KAUFMAN-ASTORIA Studios in NYC will now be managed by SHADOWBOX STUDIOS, following the default of previous owner HACKMAN CAPITAL. The company was appointed by the receiver in DEUTSCHE BANK’s proceedings against HACKMAN for loan default.
IN THIS EDITION:
- See what the most popular non-kids movies were on streaming in America for the first half of 2026, according to NIELSEN data — but ranked by views, not minutes-watched . . . which definitely shifts placement considerably for quite a few movies.
- What genres are most popular, what streamer is missing from the list and much more.
- Q2 Earnings Season Updates:
- Why SPOTIFY’s Q2 numbers are getting a . . . muted response from Wall Street this morning
- Our latest #cordcutting numbers update
- I think TKO may punch you in the gut if you ask it one more time, “So, what other things are you looking to buy?” (and I can’t blame them).
- Plus, NETFLIX’s big film deal signing, how big was Prada 2’s debut on DIS+/HULU, Jafar Jackson books a post-Michael gig, WB adds to summer 2027 and much more.
🎥 The Silver Screen
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