Showbiz Sandbox

Showbiz Sandbox


Latest Episodes

Showbiz Sandbox 471: A Harsh Verdict from Former “America’s Got Talent” Judges
December 10, 2019

After just one season on “America’s Got Talent” celebrity judges Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough had done what they were hired to do; increase the show’s social media footprint. Yet their contracts were not renewed for a second season and Union gain...

Showbiz Sandbox 470: The End of the Paramount Consent Decree
December 02, 2019

The Department of Justice has announced their intention to jettison the Paramount Consent Decree, the agreement that ended the studio system and under which the film industry has operated for the past 70 years.

Showbiz Sandbox 469: Hollywood Unions Set For Fight Over Streaming Residual Payments
November 17, 2019

As television networks turn from linear broadcast methods to consumer streaming platforms a brewing battle over residual payments has the potential to spark a dual union strike in the middle of next year. Jonathan Handel,

Showbiz Sandbox 468: A Rundown of This Year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees
November 10, 2019

Next year’s nominees for placement into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio include candidates considered in previous years, including Depeche Mode, Judas Priest and Todd Rundgren. They join new nominees such as Pat Benatar,

Showbiz Sandbox 467: Is “The Terminator” Really A Franchise Property?
November 05, 2019

When James Cameron made “The Terminator” in 1984 he probably didn’t think the movie would still be spinning off sequels 35 years later, no matter how big a hit it became. Given the disappointing box office brought in by the sixth and latest Terminator ...

Showbiz Sandbox 466: How Hollywood Kowtows to China
October 28, 2019

Entertainment companies are finding themselves in compromising positions when it comes to avoiding political pitfalls in China. Movie studios and media conglomerates don’t want to disrupt their bottom line by appeasing Chinese authorities while surrend...

Showbiz Sandbox 465: Ang Lee’s Latest Science Project
October 14, 2019

Filmmaker Ang Lee is arguably one of the best directors to ever step behind a camera. He’s made acclaimed films such as “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Brokeback Mountain” and “Life of Pi,” winning three Oscars along the way.

Showbiz Sandbox 464: Warner Bros. Gets the Last Laugh With “Joker”
October 07, 2019

After winning the top prize at the Venice Film Festival last month, “Joker” shattered October box office records around the world. This was despite mixed critical reviews and concerns about violence that led to heightened security at movie theaters.

Showbiz Sandbox 463: Why the Emmy Awards Make For Such Bad Television
September 23, 2019

How is it that an awards show honoring the best and brightest talent and content on television always winds up being such a poor representation of the medium? We’re talking about the Emmy Awards, which were handed out this past weekend in a ceremony wi...

Showbiz Sandbox 462: Netflix and Amazon Take Advantage of Fall Film Festivals
September 16, 2019

Though the Cannes Film Festival avoids programming movies from streamers like Netflix and Amazon, internationally renowned festivals in Venice, Telluride, Toronto and New York embrace them. And no wonder. As Anne Thompson of Indiewire tells us,