ICYMI: Hollywood Then and Now; Industry Romance; Exec Malaise

Catch up on our recent best

(Illustration by The Ankler; Fiordaliso)

It’s nice to remember what Hollywood once felt like and why it meant so much to so many. We closed out this week with a really special and evocative selection of shots by the late photographer Julian Wasser, who, during the 1960s and 70s, had privileged access to big stars at their most unguarded (already in its first 24 hours, our story is set to become one of our most read ever. Clearly, it has struck a nerve). Have a look at some moments captured through his lens, like this one…

Wasser shot Robert Evans and Mia Farrow on the set of Rosemary’s Baby in 1967. Wasser’s daughter says, “He just loved movies and even on his last days, we would just watch movies together.” (Julian Wasser/Courtesy of Craig Krull Gallery, Santa Monica, Calif.)

…And then let’s step back into the present (sigh), a moment that certainly would’ve been unrecognizable to earlier generations of the industry, as Hollywood remakes itself yet again. Here’s what to know:

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Our Big Event!

• The Ankler announced its first summit, a one-day Oscar week event in partnership with Advertising Week. Tony Vinciquerra, chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment; Rita Ferro, president of Disney Advertising Sales; Tom Ryan, president and CEO, Paramount Streaming; and Jeremy Zimmer, CEO and co-founder, UTA, are the first headliners announced. Click here to submit a request to attend and read more about our inaugural NXStream Global summit, held March 8 at UTA’s Beverly Hills campus.

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Great Reads

• The Squeeze: Execs are Exhausted, Unsettled and Anxious 'It's just not as fun,' as a culture of no raises, stock option agony, IP mining and overwork overwhelms

• Rushfield: Jenna Ortega and the A-List Challenge Richard looks at the choices facing the breakout star of Wednesday in a streaming age that makes enduring stardom elusive

• Explaining the New Stark 'Un-Order' Economy Entertainment Strategy Guy on what to know about the erasure of Hollywood content

• Should You Date Someone in the Industry? Kit Sargent, our TV comedy writer, asked (and answered) the dreaded question on Valentine’s Day

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Great Listens

• What's Eating Hollywood Execs? 'Malaise' is the word of the day. Peter Keifer joins to reveal what he learned from his conversations with a dozen industry “suits”

• Martini Shot: Need vs. Want Rob Long on why no writers or producers should rely on what studios and streamers say they are looking for

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5 Days of The Wakeup

Sean McNulty was back on CNBC to talk Netflix and sports in streaming. That is, when he wasn’t writing the industry’s best daily analysis of this business:

• AMC NETWORKS beats Q4 $ expectations, but core Cable biz continues to fade away M. Night sets new home at WB / HBOMAX orders JJ Abrams series / DISNEYFOX sets Rami Malek to lead thriller

• PARAMOUNT writing off up to $1.5 Bil in Content, sets P+ price increases ROKU tops projections, but has biggest $$ loss ever / ESPN sets YANKEES docuseries / AMC NETWORKS picks another Dolan to lead

• Reese & Kutcher can't top Jonah & Eddie NETFLIX opening numbers VICE takes $30 Mil loan to pay far overdue bills / NEW LINE sets yet another horror pic / SEARCHLIGHT buys another SUNDANCE pic

• SHO cuts about 120 people - a look at leader changes as Chris McCarthy merges divisions NFL exploring Sunday Ticket-lite package / DEADPOOL gets his new villain / DOTDASH MEREDITH Ad outlook not great

• Hollywood dominates SUPER BOWL Ads, as MAGIC MIKE leads big Box Office drop COMCAST ending free PEACOCK for Cable subs / NEW LINE wins another bidding war / DIS+HOTSTAR losing HBO content

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