'The Players' Tourney: Easy Riders/Raging Bulls Round
The Ankler GOATs bracket: These agents, moguls and stars may be why you wanted to get into (or out?) of showbiz in the first place
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The Ankler bracket is underway, and thanks to all of you who participated in the first round of the Old Hollywood bracket. Your self-esteem is likely in good shape, with lower seeds winning six of the eight matchups. The biggest upset to my mind: William Paley defeating Adolph Zukor, which is either a statement on how people are feeling about Paramount these days or maybe you’re merely nostalgic for your youth (or that of your parents or grandparents) watching the so-called “hick-coms” like The Andy Griffith Show and Green Acres.
Perhaps less surprising? Lew Wasserman’s win over Abe Lastfogel in the 6-11 matchup. But let me ask you this: Lastfogel, founder of the William Morris Agency, may have lost, but has he ever had this kind of spike in Google search interest?
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Here’s what the Old Hollywood bracket looks like heading into round two (which will be next week):
Coming up this week:
Wednesday, March 27: Big IP Hollywood
Thursday, March 28: Streaming Era
And with that, here are today’s matchups — the names that defined a certain golden era of Hollywood creativity as its young guns:
Easy Riders/Raging Bulls (1970s-1980s)
The 1970s and 1980s in Hollywood witnessed a dynamic shift marked by innovative filmmaking, blockbuster hits and powerful studio executives navigating the industry amidst cultural upheavals and technological advancements. No MBAs, no cowards — and finally, not all men. Let’s vote: