It was a pretty good week for Bob Bakish and Shari Redstone. TOP GUN: MAVERICK, the long-awaited sequel to the iconic ’80s original, literally blew away the theatrical box office to the tune of more than $150 million. Warren Buffett decided to invest a few billion in their company. And none of the employees contemplated … Read more
AUTHOR’S NOTE: If the following looks familiar to you, it’s because you already follow our sister site, thedoubleovertime.com, which takes Leblanguage into the domain of sports passions exclusively. I’m honestly not in a mood today to post anything on media or life–it’s a holiday, I’m exhausted, and, frankly, the news cycle from Texas has me … Read more
Leave it to the brilliant Nellie Andreeva, now of DEADLINE, to unlock the real winner of this year’s upfront cycle. While it’s true that the overwhelming majority of series come from vertically integrated production partners, three sitcoms that did get ordered are in partnership with Lionsgate Television, that little independent studio with roots in Canada. … Read more
So it appears Memorial Day weekend is a delineation point for talk show history again. Just like Johnny Carson did when he stepped down from the TONIGHT SHOW thirty years ago today, yesterday Ellen DeGeneres ended her 19-year run as a daytime talk show host, bringing back first show guest Jennifer Aniston, appearing emotional when … Read more
So we’ve somehow made it to the precipice of the summer of ’22, which for the past couple of decades has meant that the broadcast television networks shifted into cost-cutting mode and put their scripted series strategy on hold to introduce schedules primarily made up of game and competition shows. This coming summer, there will … Read more
The Media Insights and Engagement Conference of 2022 is winding down, and I’m told they exceeded their attendance goal. And from the looks of the happy faces, most of which we could actually see, and the many business cards and swag in my suitcase, I can attest it feels like there is some degree of … Read more
So you know how I am on milestones, and it appears we’re at about the one year mark with this endeavor. What began as essentially needed therapy that was limited to my own computer has now evolved into a (somewhat) more polished outlet for expression, reflection and even some calls to action, and I’m blessed … Read more
During the earliest days of the pandemic when I was being considered for open positions I had a few occasions when I was being vetted by the team I would theoretically take leadership of, under the watchful eye of the department head who had I had impressed enough to get to this point. Of course, … Read more
So ABC and CBS–er, Disney Media Networks and Paramount Global–actually did in-person upfront presentations this week just like old times. ABC, now under the expert leadership of Hulu czar Craig Erwich,announced only two new series for the Fall 2022 schedule, both brand extensions. A weekly primetime CELEBRITY JEOPARDY and THE ROOKIE: FEDS will debut, and … Read more
You probably hadn’t heard of Dr. Helen Papagiannis before this; I know I didn’t. As we head into the home stretch leading up to next Monday’s Media Insights and Engagement Conference in Nashville, I noticed Helen’s name was added as a keynote speaker for the conference’s key middle day. So I clicked on her agency … Read more