Mornin! This is Sean McNulty and here’s the Hollywood + Media news to know on FRIDAY February 25, 2022.
Where Sally Kellerman died yesterday at 84 years-old. If you grew up in the 70’s you likely know her best for “M*A*S*H”… but if you’re an 80’s kid – well let’s just say I probably quoted this ”Back to School” line way too many times in college. Rest in Peace Sally.
ALSO: The TORONTO INT’L FILM FEST will be from Sept 8 to 18 this year IRL. And ya know – I’m not even gonna say “for now” anymore 💪.
AND: Europe’s big football (soccer) tournament, THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE will hold their championship in Paris instead of St. Petersberg, RUSSIA at the end of May. TBD if Russian teams will still be able to compete overall.
FORMULA ONE also canceled their Russian Grand Prix in Sochi, RUSSIA in late Sept.
Otherwise another light news day in Hollywood as everyone’s thoughts go elsewhere in the world, so this will be quick.
📽 📺 THE SILVER TV
Tarantino may direct some of FX’s “Justified” revival
Described as “very early talks” to direct an episode or 2 of the “Justified: City Primeval” so take that fwiw.
But given Quentin’s known love for Elmore Leonard and his previous work with Olyphant in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”… well place your own odds. /Deadline
Jerry Bruckheimer producing pic at PARAMOUNT based on BEYBLADE toy line
And in other news… I just learned what BEYBLADE is – apparently spinning top toys that are a competitor of POKEMON. Although as a guy with no kids and older nieces – I’m ok with that. /Deadline
ALSO
💻 THE MEDIA BIZ
DISH loses 273k Satellite TV customers in Q4
Includes loss of 70k SLING TV streaming bundle customers in Q4.
Year-end totals:
DISH: 8.22 Million (lost 583k customers in 2021)
SLING TV: 2.5 Million (basically even for 2021)
But – a lot of these Satellite TV subscriber losses are low-paying customers, as Profits hit $2.4 Billion, vs $1.7 Billion in 2020.
DISH is still solidly the 4th largest TV bundle provider in the US (COMCAST, CHARTER, DIRECTV are 1, 2, 3), and CEO Charlie Ergen is still bullish on combining with DIRECTV, calling it “inevitable”. /Deadline
ALSO IN MEDIA
GOOGLE removes vaxx mandate for all employees. Likely will return to the office 3 days a week in about a month… masks not required except at the Santa Clara headquarters (#fornow), although unvaxx’d employees will have to wear a mask at all GOOGLE offices, so that totally won’t be awkward at all. /Deadline
CINEMARK, the US’s 3rd largest movie theater chain returned to (slight) profitability in Q4 #thanksSpidey. The $5.7 Million profit was the first since the pandemic started.
🏦 STOCK NOTES:
For the first day of the biggest war on European territory since WWII… the market was quite upbeat. Way to read the room Wall Street.
Lotta folks continue to scoop in on media plays they see as undervalued.
ROKU +14% ($135.10)
AMC THEATERS +12% ($17.68)
LIONSGATE +9% ($15.21)
ROBLOX +9% ($50.10)
IMAX +8% ($21.14)
PINTEREST +8% ($25.34)
DISH +7% ($29.46)
TWITTER +7% ($34.98)
NETFLIX +6% ($390.03)
CINEMARK +6% ($17.75)
VIMEO +6% ($12.62)
NY TIMES +5% ($42.68)
SNAP +5% ($38.83)
AMAZON +4.5% ($3027.16)
But of course…. BUZZFEED -6% ($4.06) and CINEWORLD -7% ($0.48)
If you were sent this newsletter or… just kinda found it:
👩💻 THE FSS FEED:
(new Stuff to Watch this weekend, Friday – Saturday – Sunday)
WEEKEND READS
This week 25 years ago, 65 Million people watched “Schindler’s List” on NBC ad-free, four years after its theatrical run. This was just a #goodread to remember, well… a different time in this country in many ways that’s really not too long ago. Although given that a Republican Senator still publicly objected to it, perhaps times haven’t changed as much as we think.
FRIDAY
IN THEATERS:
OPEN ROAD “Studio 666” – Dave Grohl, FOO FIGHTERS movie – Only in Theaters
MGM “Cyrano” – This was apparently pushed to go wide today instead of earlier this month 🤷♂️. Lotta back and forth on this release plan.
STREAMING:
MOVIES
NETFLIX“A Madea Homecoming” – STREAM HERE
SERIES
NETFLIX “Vikings: Valhalla” new season – STREAM HERE
ROKU CHANNEL “Reno 911! Defunded” – STREAM HERE
SATURDAY
NBC SNL with John Mulaney & LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
AMAZON PRIME “The Weeknd x The Dawn FM Experience” music performance special
SUNDAY
CBS new “60 Minutes” at 7p
TBS & TNT SAG Awards at 8p
BBC AMERICA “Killing Eve” at 8p
ABC “American Idol” at 8p
SHOWTIME “Super Pumped: The Battle For Uber” at 10p
🎥 TRAILER HOUSE
APPLE TV+ “WeCrashed” limited series trailer – This looks really good… no idea why APPLETV didn’t uh, have it on their own YT page yesterday but 🤷♂️. Premieres Fri Mar 18
And… to get ready for the return of SNL and John Mulaney tomorrow – here’s 8 minutes of purely bizarre brilliance to reconnect with from right before the pandemic.
D’OH
My brain spelled Sacha Baron Cohen’s name wrong at night in the APPLE TV story, but correct in the morning in the email headline yesterday… it sends its apologies.
🎧 PLAYING ME OFF
MICHAEL BUBLE´ “I’ll Never Not Love You” – Despite the positive double negative (ah Canadians…), a catchy new tune and video with Michael and the Mrs. and new baby on the way 👏.
If you need some new tunes:
Email me anytime – just Reply to this email, or connect here on LINKED IN.
-SEAN MCNULTY
@theseanmac on TWITTER
@TheWakeupNews on INSTAGRAM
