Digging into ‘Wake Up Dead Man’ with Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman
This week, Kim Masters talks to writer-director Rian Johnson and producer Ram Bergman about their latest Knives Out installment, Wake Up Dead Man. Johnson opens up about leaning on his producer when he panics during the writing process—and why, oddly enough, he never hit that wall on The Last Jedi. Bergman explains why he and Johnson prefer to bankroll early development themselves rather than put up with studio input. And they dive into the Netflix of it all: a global megaphone for Benoit Blanc mysteries, but not much of a run in theaters.
Plus, in a truly baffling twist, Paramount is set to distribute Rush Hour 4—with the once-canceled Brett Ratner back in the director’s chair. Even stranger, reporting from Semafor suggests President Donald Trump pushed Larry Ellison to revive the Jackie Chan–Chris Tucker franchise. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni attempt to make sense of the latest happenings at Paramount.
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Shawn Levy talks ‘Stranger Things,’ ‘Star Wars,’ & studio shakeups
This week, Kim Masters talks to filmmaker Shawn Levy, who takes a short break from the London shoot of his Star Wars film to talk about the final season of Stranger Things, including Netflix's surprising decision to give the finale a limited theatrical release. He also weighs in on his work from Night at The Museum through Deadpool & Wolverine, and he shares his bittersweet feelings about an industry that’s undergoing very painful contraction.
Meanwhile, the bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery offers no especially comforting scenario: Paramount’s deep-pocketed Ellisons, a studio-and-streamer play from Netflix, or a cautious Comcast—each facing the hurdle of FCC approval. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive into what each bidder’s move could mean for the town.
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Judd Apatow’s memoir reflects a lifetime as a ‘Comedy Nerd’
This week, Kim Masters talks to Judd Apatow about his memoir, Comedy Nerd, a scrapbook that chronicles his journey from a stand-up-obsessed kid to one of Hollywood’s most influential comedy voices. Apatow shares stories from his early days interviewing his heroes on his high school radio station, to his years as an uncredited screenwriter on the films of Adam Sandler and Jim Carrey. He also reads the infamous letter he wrote at age twelve to Steve Martin, demanding an apology after being turned down for an autograph.
Plus, Paramount has released its first earnings report under new chief David Ellison, and the message is clear: tighten up. The studio says it’s targeting $3 billion in savings by 2026 following a substantial round of layoffs. Meanwhile, Netflix is pouring serious money into video podcasts, chasing a rival’s success in the space. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni break down what’s behind the streamer’s latest splurge—and what Ellison’s belt-tightening reveals about the studio’s priorities.
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‘The Alabama Solution’ filmmakers on exposing America’s prison crisis
This week, Kim Masters talks with documentarians Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman about their film The Alabama Solution. The filmmakers reveal how an invitation from an unwitting warden to film a religious revival at an Alabama prison opened the door to their investigation. They met desperate prisoners who shared allegations of abuse and even murder. The film includes evidence that the prisoners captured on their cell phones, which were smuggled in and sold to them by prison guards.
Plus, after turning down Paramount’s latest buyout offer, Warner Bros CEO David Zaslav is teasing a Christmas announcement about the company’s future. With Comcast, Netflix, and Amazon rumored to be circling, questions over FCC approval and strategic stakes loom large. Kim Masters and Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw break down the latest in the Warner Bros. bidding war.
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Brad Falchuk on life, death, and ‘Famous Last Words’
This week, Eric Deggans talks with Brad Falchuk about his Netflix series Famous Last Words. The longtime Ryan Murphy collaborator talks about adapting a Danish format built around deeply personal conversations that air only after the guests have died. He also explains why working with streamers isn’t so different from his days in cable television, and how living with dyslexia has made him a stronger writer and creative partner.
Plus, NBCUniversal has snatched up Taylor Sheridan from Paramount, marking the latest shift in Hollywood’s talent landscape. The Yellowstone creator will start a film deal at NBCU in 2026, with his TV projects following in 2029. His departure comes as Paramount faces layoffs and budget tightening under CEO David Ellison, who has spent heavily on sports and South Park rights since acquiring the media company. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dig into how Sheridan’s exit has amplified the growing tension between creative power and studio belt-tightening.
Lively banter about entertainment industry news and in-depth interviews with directors, producers, writers and actors, hosted by award-winning journalist Kim Masters of The Hollywood Reporter.
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