Ken Kao's Hit Indie Model; Globes' Hot Mess Mediation; Upfronts Intel
Plus: Ankler x Netflix hit the stage
For all the heavy, real-world topics they tackle on the screen — from statecraft to the state of truth — the creator-showrunners behind The Diplomat, Zero Day and The Residence are all more concerned with the characters at their stories’ center. As The Diplomat’s Debora Cahn told The Ankler’s own showrunner, Janice Min, in a panel at Netflix’s Tudum Theater last night, she wanted to make a show about big, world-changing events, with “the understanding that regular people make these decisions, and they’re just doing their best.” Cahn joined Zero Day co-creator Eric Newman and The Residence creator Paul William Davies for a lively discussion about politics and storytelling — and how to set aside the noise of the frenzied politics around us to simply tell a really, really great story.
It was one of three conversations The Ankler led yesterday as part of our partnership with Netflix for FYSEE: LA, the streamer’s first-ever Emmys FYC fest. Earlier yesterday, Katey Rich emceed two “Rebels & Rule Breakers” panels at Tudum — one with showrunners, one with stars. Along with Cahn, Katey spoke to Forever showrunner Mara Brock Akil and star Karen Pittman, The Four Seasons showrunner Tracey Wigfield, The Residence stars Uzo Aduba and Susan Kelechi Watson, Nobody Wants This star Justine Lupe, Zero Day director Lesli Linka Glatter, and Katie Walsh, director and EP of the doc Simone Biles Rising. Katey will have more on these supertalents tomorrow, and we’ll have a fuller report on the day — plus videos on AnklerEnjoy — later this week.
Meanwhile, You’re Invited:
L.A.! Today, May 18, together with the Directors Guild of America, we’re hosting our first-ever Series Business event focused on TV directors — The Art of the “Show”: Demystifying TV Directing — presented by Threads, at the DGA Theater. Katey Rich, Elaine Low and Lesley Goldberg will chat with Zero Day helmer and DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter, as well as directors behind Severance, Hacks, High Potential, What We Do in the Shadows, The Pitt and Good American Family. Click here to request to attend.
New Yorkers! Join us on Thurs., May 21, for our next Documentary Spotlight event at the Crosby Street Hotel with Thom Powers. Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music and Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius) is keynote speaker, and Liz Garbus (Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer), Reginald Hudlin (Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood), Michelle Khare (Challenge Accepted: I Trained Like a Black Belt for 90 Days), Lance Oppenheim (Ren Faire) and David Tedeschi (Beatles ’64) will take the interview stage. Request to attend here or click the invite below:
Now, without further ado, ICYMI, our best of the week:
Rushfield: Penske Problems Mount; HBO > Max
In Richard’s latest scoop-filled missive from nepo mogul Jay Penske’s media empire, he has exclusive audio from a troubled SXSW’s all-hands call, and reveals that mediation talks have begun following the Attorney General’s reassessment of the Penske-Todd Boehly Golden Globes deal. Plus: Lessons the industry should learn from HBO Max’s return:
Dealmakers: Power Player Ken Kao’s Hit Indie Model
Waypoint CEO Ken Kao has his hands in more projects than ever: a partnership with Neon, a new horror label — he’s even backing a plant-based protein drink with Venus Williams. He tells Ashley Cullins (paid subscribers only) the one thing you need to strike a deal with a distributor like Neon; what kinds of projects he wants to make; and why Kao and Waypoint fund their own development:
Series Business: Upfronts-Mania; a Fin-Syn Redux?
Before Upfronts consumed New York, Elaine Low caught up with Disney’s and WBD’s ad chiefs (paid subscribers only) to take a broader view of the power moves, shakeups and what really matters this year; how Trump’s trade war is rattling media budgets; and what the live sports ad gold rush means for scripted TV’s future:
Jon Voight wants to bring back the long-gone “fin-syn” rules, which, if reinstated, would upend the economics of the entire industry. Lesley Goldberg reveals whether a fin-syn return could happen under Trump; and why independent producers and studios would rejoice:
They Can Stop Me for What?! Int’l Travel FAQ
Amid President Trump’s new immigration and travel policies, USC immigration law professor Jean Reisz answers your burning questions about what U.S. citizens and non-citizens alike should be concerned about, and actions to take before you cross the border:
ESG: Big Tech Hot Seat = Hollywood Comeback
The judicial microscope is out for Google and Meta, and Entertainment Strategy Guy names the one group that should sue Google to break off YouTube; what a Meta breakup could mean for marketers desperate to escape the algorithm trap; and why Trump-era chaos could be Hollywood’s unexpected M&A lifeline:
Prestige Junkie: In A Galaxy Far, Far Away . . .
Following Andor’s thrilling conclusion, Katey Rich previews her illuminating chat with series creator Tony Gilroy. Plus: Étoile star Luke Kirby unpacks his continued collaboration with the Palladinos:
The Ankler x Screen International Cannes Dailies
Whether you’re at Cannes or wishing you were, don’t miss Gregg Kilday and Claire Atkinson’s daily reports on the ground from the fest:
THE WAKEUP
On the scene at Upfronts this week, Sean McNulty broke down each of the presentations he attended, from NBCU’s and Amazon’s sports fanaticism to Disney’s more balanced approach and Netflix’s laser focus on ad buyers:
Monday Morning QBs: Live with Richard & Sean
After a weekend with no major new releases, Richard and Sean took a broad view of the box office this week, looking ahead to summer’s schedule and making their picks for the top three movies by Labor Day:
The Rushfield Lunch
This week, Richard is joined by The Bulwark’s Sonny Bunch, who dishes on the herd mentality of the modern critical establishment, why it’s better to trust one critic who shares your taste over a Rotten Tomatoes score, and the reason festivals like SXSW should get smaller:
🎧 PODCASTS
THE ANKLER
Upfronts: Less Glitz, Higher Stakes & a Fierce Fight to Win The team awards The Uppies fresh from the NYC ad confab:
Like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts
MARTINI SHOT
My ER Trip to Grey's Anatomy: Gen Z What Rob Long's hot stroke doctors taught him about TV:
📱 LIKE & SUBSCRIBE FROM NATALIE JARVEY
👓 THE OPTIONIST BY ANDY LEWIS
FINAL HOUSEKEEPING!
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