Some say we Angelenos can get a wee bit hysterical about the tiniest sign of less than perfect weather; a drop of moisture from the neighbor’s sprinklers falls at our feet and we take to social media proclaiming God’s vengeance is at hand. But today as the atmospheric river pours over the region, the sky might actually be falling. So stay safe if you live here; or, better yet, just stay inside with our Rainy Day Catch-Up. It beats dodging downed trees.
First of all, we hope you caught our big news that The Ankler is now partnered with 89.3 LAist (formerly KPCC), NPR’s #1 station in Los Angeles, with reach from Santa Barbara to Palm Springs to Orange County (in other words, everywhere it will rain today). Our team will appear on what is now known as “Entertainment Thursday” on:
Morning Edition (5:00 am to 9:00 am PT)
AirTalk (9:00 am to 11:00 am PT)
All Things Considered (1:00 pm to 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm PT)
Elaine Low kicked off the partnership on Morning Edition this week. Listen here, and read more about our new reach to more than 10 million people (and about our new executive editor, the great David Lidsky from Fast Company):
So grab a blanket and enjoy then best of the week, ICYMI:
Netflix in the News
Netflix was the tail wagging the dog this week as one headline after another from the top streamer owned the week’s narrative. Richard named names as meetings begin in the Stuber succession games, and Elaine unpacked the unspoken (potential) effect on reality TV in the wake of the streamer’s WWE deal in her new every-Monday Series Business column. And wait — not so fast Netflix, what is this about YouTube? Make sure to check out the smart story from Entertainment Strategy Guy:
An Historic Theater Finds a Lifeline
As Westwood theaters come and go in L.A., Peter Kiefer broke the big news that Oscar-nominated director Jason Reitman is leading an ownership group set to buy the legendary Fox Village Theater:
The BTS of the Film World
From K-pop to TV juggernauts, Korean pop culture has dominated globally over the last several years. And when it comes to film, one Korean company — CJ ENM — seems to have mastered the art of creating and promoting Oscar bait. Gregg Kilday takes an inside look at the force behind Parasite, Past Lives, and Decision to Leave:
L.A.’s Private School Wars
Amid demographic shifts, angry parents, a mental health crisis and college confusion, Hollywood’s favorite private schools are in a battle to stay competitive. Peter Kiefer dives into the escalating situation:
☀️THE WAKEUP
🎧 PODCASTS
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THE ANKLER
Netflix's Search for the Most Powerful Job in Film The pros and cons of the role — and the candidates in contention:
👓 THE OPTIONIST
IP Picks🔎: A Prep School #Metoo Revenge Drama Plus, a chance encounter gone awry and badly-behaving moms
FINAL HOUSEKEEPING!
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