☀️ Bronfman Re-enters PAR Picture
Nic Cage gets next challenge at AMAZON / SONY adds to big May '25 lineup / New HBO, NBC schedule moves
Mornin! This is Sean McNulty (connect here on LINKED-IN if ya like) and here’s the Hollywood + Media news to know on FRIDAY, August 16, 2024.
Where I’m sorry America, it looks like we’re going to still have to keep educating our children. I know, I know — TIKTOK time is important, but sadly AI is dropping the ball. 🙄
According to a new report from UPENN — it seems that high schoolers who prepared for math exams using generative AI scored significantly worse on said exams . . . when sadly the AI was, uh, not handy vs. those who studied the old fashioned way. #ShowYourWork
Although I’m sure making the AI sound like their teacher would totally change those results — keep fighting the good fight HEEYO.
AND: The Hamptons Film Fest announced its A-list lineup for the event that begins Oct. 4, including SEARCHLIGHT’s A Real Pain and Nightbitch, and A24’s We Live In Time with Andrew Garfield attending for a convo.
YES: Levy & Son (Eugene & Dan) have officially been set as Emmys hosts this September 15.
PLUS: PENN GAMBLING’s $200M a year check to DISNEY is not paying out thus far — new data suggests ESPN BET only had a 4% market share among the 18 states where it was available in May.
FANDUEL leads with a 42% share, and DRAFTKINGS follows at 36.6%.
THEN: Gotta love these economic confidence indicators from the WALMART earnings call yesterday:
“We aren’t experiencing a weaker consumer overall,” citing Q2 strength in food and general merch sales, and a 4.2% bump in total sales YoY.
Plus GLP-1 drug sales were also a boost to its health / wellness / pharma biz.
A category that in theory will make customers buy less of those food products in the future . . . but that’s a story for a different quarter.
BUT: WALMART is also cutting prices on more than 7,200 items, so yeah — 😉.
WAKEUP POLL RESULTS
Looks like the bears have mostly, finally, gone back into hibernation this weekend on Alien: Romulus.
NEW ANKLER PODCAST EPISODE
Wherein Elaine, David and I dive into the the beginning of the PARAMOUNT layoffs, and how they contrast with other indicators we got from the Hollywood studio business last week . . . which delivered unflashy success with a different business model approach. As always folks — there’s not one way to “do” Hollywood.
Plus we dive into the world of FAST TV, which is certainly enjoying its honeymoon period in the spotlight — and point out some important factors about its future which are not currently being discussed much. Hmm, growing audience share, but no profit — where have we heard that before? 🤔
AND A WEEKEND LISTEN RECO: I loved this new episode of Kevin Hart’s pod, with guest Jamie Lee Curtis. Great amount of life knowledge (and fun Hollywood stories) from Jamie. But bigger picture, if you could use some solid life motivation — highly recommend you take a listen this weekend.
PLUS: Jeff Goldblum helped 4 fortunate SAG-AFTRA actors make their health insurance for the year ahead when guest-hosting JKL last night, as part of the now annual tradition.
🎥 THE SILVER TV
