KCRW's The Business

Troy Duffy, Back from the Boondocks; American Film Market

Podcast:Talk — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST

A Hollywood rags-to-riches-to-rags story might have a happy ending after all. We talk to Troy Duffy, the controversial director of The Boondock Saints. Plus, a not-so-fresh report from the American Film Market with Troma?s Lloyd Kaufman.

The Thalberg; Windows Close in Hollywood

Podcast:Talk — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST

The Motion Picture Academy hands out the first Thalberg Memorial Award since 2000, but what exactly it? Plus, DVD's are dying. What will take their place, and how will it change the way we watch ? and pay for ? movies?

Producer Grant Heslov Directs; Stopping Hollywood's Scammers

Podcast:Talk — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST

Writer/actor/producer Grant Heslov moves to the director's chair on the new George Clooney movie, The Men Who Stare at Goats. Plus, "I'll make you a star! - for 5,000 bucks."

Marketing Movies Interactively, Producing for Cable v NBC

Podcast:Talk — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST

This week, how Warner Brothers used interactive tricks to power a surprisingly strong opening weekend for Where the Wild Things Are. Plus television writer/producer Dan Harmon toiled in basic cable on Comedy Central and VH1. Now, as creator of NBC's Community he tells us how the game is different on a big broadcast network. And, as always, the Hollywood news banter.

Curse of the Mogul; NCIS Spin-off Success

Podcast:Talk — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST

A new book argues that media moguls act like spoiled brats, squandering the shareholders' money on toys that they don't really need. Plus, how do you create a TV spin-off that's original but not too original? We ask the producer of the CBS shows NCIS and the brand new NCIS: Los Angeles.

Writers Face the New Hollywood Economy; Studio Shake-ups

Podcast:Talk — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:30:00 EST

This week, how the recession and major changes in the entertainment industry are impacting the lives of film and TV writers. Plus, Disney and Universal are the latest studios to shake up the executives suites and send a tremor through the industry.

'Paranormal Activity' Gets Life; Thalberg Changed Hollywood

Podcast:Talk — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:18:28 EST

A producer who was haunted by passing on the Blair Witch Project produces a low-budget horror film with big hopes of redemption. Plus Irving Thalberg changed the studio system. Now his life is on display.

Disney; D23; Toronto Film Festival

Podcast:Talk — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST

This week, fans came out in full force to a recent celebration of all things Disney. But major changes are afoot in the Magic Kingdom. Plus, was the Toronto Film Festival a bloodbath for indie filmmakers or just a shift in the life cycle of independent film?

Do the Emmys Matter?; The 'Guiding Light' Goes Out

Podcast:Talk — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:29:07 EST

Does winning an Emmy matter to you, to me, to the business? And, the Television Academy puts TV legends on-line. Plus after 72 years, Guiding Light gets snuffed.

Summer Box Office Round-up; A Long Look at Leno

Podcast:Talk — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST

The summer box office broke records, but was blockbuster season really all that? Plus, what does the Leno prime-time experiment mean for the TV business?