Evenin’! This is Sean McNulty (connect with me on LinkedIn here if ya like), and here’s the Hollywood + Media news to know on SUNDAY December 31, 2023.
Where I feel for Ben Affleck, my fellow tall guy compatriot here on New Year’s Eve… as he looks about as comfortable as I would be in the ‘vehicle’ people apparently use to get around on the island of St. Barts.
See, this is why I stayed in cloudy, 40-degree NYC for NYE… and not because no one invited me to go to St. Barts (btw thanks a lot Richard 🙄. Have fun with Ben & Jen!).
AND: Welcome to the… UFL 🏈 (XFL+USFL), which will debut on March 30th… just in time to compete with the final rounds of March Madness 🏀 on its first two weekends 🤦♂️. Games will be played across ABC, ESPN, FOX and FS1.
ALSO: Unsurprisingly, the PGA and LIV golf leagues are still nowhere near a merger deal, despite having a Dec. 31 deadline.
BUT: Let’s face it – the intern paid performer who booked the coveted ‘POP TARTS’ gig the day after CHRISTMAS at the POP TARTS BOWL #realthing is the true winner of the holidays.
REST IN PEACE: Goes out to comedy legend Tom Smothers, who died at the age of 86 last week.
AND: Of course to actor Tom Wilkinson, who died suddenly last week at home at the age of 75. So many great roles (so much so, that I totally forgot he was in The Full Monty), but Michael Clayton always stands out for me. The NY Times obit here is a nice read, including things he learned from his daughters that made him a better actor.
IN THIS EDITION
Who won the CHRISTMAS box office… and 2023 box office, plus the bad movie business myths and hot takes that have now been thoroughly debunked… and the big, real issues the biz needs to either adapt to, or find solves for in 2024.
Who won the CHRISTMAS Day sports showdown?
What’s not involved in the new COMCAST / PARAMOUNT agreement to note, and more.
AND: This is entirely unrelated to the business – but as I didn’t get my cousin Matt a CHRISTMAS present this year 😬 (and to make mom happy as we round out 2023) – I’m recommending his latest podcast episode for anyone with parents who are entering, or will soon hit the MEDICARE stage of life… and have about as much clue as I did about how it worked financially in case you may be a part of this $$ responsibility.
Or for anyone who has any immense medical debt (or has a loved one who does) – this is a great episode of his pod to check out, giving advice on how to significantly negotiate it down 💰 (he’s worked in the health insurance business for decades).
Happy 2024 Cousin Matt! And to any other relatives of mine who may read this (thankfully Matt and I are the only ones in the podcast game in the family).
📽 THE SILVER SCREEN
Another weird box office weekend given holiday timing. Note: all U.S. total grosses listed are through today.
So I’ll do another follow up chart in my Wednesday column with final 4-day numbers, along with the NETFLIX Films chart of course.
But for now – let’s dive in to this weekend’s updates, a look at what 2023 has shown us about audiences, and most importantly of course – who won.
SUBSCRIBE to The Ankler to continue reading this edition of The Wakeup, and get access to all of The Ankler’s newsletters and podcasts.
Plus – a few hours left to still get 25% off a subscription! Valid until 12midnight PT…
So for East Coast folks – nothing like a 2 a.m. subscription buy after da club, that I guarantee will be better than whatever other late night shopping you do.
Ok fine, it’s New Years Eve… I’m also gonna include today’s “Playing Me Off” song too – let’s have Skipworth & Turner move us all into 2024… Happy New Year! See ya Wednesday!
