Better Call Paul
About
Available on
Community
113 episodes
This week, resident Swiftie, Mesh, gives us his take on Taylor Swift’s latest record-breaking double album, The Tortured Poet’s Department. Next, Paul and Mesh geek out about Fantom Event’s announcement that it will re-release Peter Jackson’s epic Lord of the Rings trilogy this summer in re-mastered 4K. Finally, Paul breaks down the FCC’s recent announcement that it will look into the enforceability of most favored nations clauses and internet holdbacks in carriage agreements between operators (e.g., cable, satellite) and independent networks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul and Mesh kick off the episode discussing Netflix’s new head of film, Dan Lin, and the potential change in strategy from big budget films to a more cost-conscious approach. They then dive into women’s basketball star and WNBA #1 pick Caitlin Clark, her deal with Nike, and what it will take for the WNBA to provide better pay to its athletes. Finally, Paul breaks down the Archival Producer’s Alliance development of guidelines regarding the use of generative AI in documentary filmmaking and how the APA attempts to balance risk and reward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul and Mesh kick off the episode discussing OJ’s death and the controversial legacy he left behind. They break down the latest news from Cinema Con- AMC’s survival, Gladiator 2, Transformers, and other IP coming to the big screen. Finally, they give an update on the Paramount/Skydance deal and the tension it’s causing among shareholders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul interviews a long-time client, Chris Babu, who is the CEO of a technology company in the ticketing industry. Chris discusses how he leveraged his analytics background, his stints at Ebay and Stubhub, and his passion for live sports and music to build a concierge service for season ticket holders. In addition, Chris and Paul discuss current trends in the sports industry and some surprising facts about March Madness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul and Mesh begin with a potential sale of the theatre chain operator, Alamo Draft House. Next, they discuss the recent federal raid of Sean Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami as part of a sex-trafficking investigation. Finally, they break down Sam Bankman-Fried’s 25-year sentence for financial crimes and provide an overview of how the FTX bubble burst. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul and Mesh dive into the latest sports legal news, starting with a potential gambling scandal involving Baseball’s biggest star, Shohei Ohtani, whose former interpreter allegedly racked up $4.5M in gambling debts. They then discuss UFC's recent antitrust lawsuit settlement with former fighters and examine its potential impact on the sport. Wrapping up, they discuss Reddit's successful IPO and ponder the company's future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul interviews very special guest Rishika Jikaria, a lawyer who is also a rising star in the world of dance. Rishika and her sisters turned their lifelong passion for dance into a viral sensation during the pandemic and grew their following on TikTok to over 600,000. Using this platform, they have expanded into branding deals, endorsements and live performances all while balancing prestigious corporate careers. Rishika shares some insights on how she broke through and what it takes to grow a brand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul and a very special guest, Jessica David, discuss and recap the Oscars - who won, who looked great, and who stole the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We'll be back next week with a new episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul and Mesh kick off the episode with a deep dive into Warner Brothers Discovery's earnings report, highlighting the fact that while streaming was profitable (a first for a major studio), other aspects of the report were mixed. They then turn their attention to OpenAI's debut of Sora, its incredible text-to-video product, and discuss its potential to impact Hollywood. Finally, they analyze Kylian Mbappé’s anticipated move from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid, as he jumps from his hometown squad to one of the most prestigious clubs in the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul and Mesh start by revealing the upcoming theme of the Met Gala. They then provide a box office update, reflecting on Madame Web’s underwhelming performance and the overall sluggishness in the past few weeks. Shifting gears, they dive into Disney’s introduction of X-Men and Fantastic Four into the MCU and whether it can reignite excitement and recapture the magic for fans. Finally, they analyze Roku’s recent earnings and its performance in the competitive streaming race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul and Mesh dive into the future of sports content distribution, exploring how networks and leagues are shifting towards streaming and potentially disrupting the entire cable business. They also analyze Disney's recent collaboration with Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite, who will begin to incorporate Disney’s intellectual property in a metaverse. To wrap up, Paul sheds light on the potential for an IATSE strike as their deal is set to expire this summer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul and Mesh kick things off with a preview of Superbowl LVIII which will stream on Paramount+ and be broadcast on CBS, both of which are Paramount properties, and they discuss Byron Allen’s recent $30B bid for Paramount Global. Next, they recap the early reviews on Apple’s latest gadget, the Vision Pro headset, and ponder whether its cutting-edge technology will lead to mainstream adoption. Finally, they discuss UK lawmakers' efforts to require increased transparency in music streaming monetization, so that artists can easily understand the revenues that each of their songs generate, and how music streaming royalties are driving evolution across the music industry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this week's episode of BCP, Paul and Mesh delve into their Oscar predictions and snubs. They then discuss the recent updates to the DGA's agreement with the AMPTP, including a streaming success bonus which is comparable to what the WGA secured, despite the DGA not having to strike. Finally, they break down the latest earnings report from Comcast, highlighting Peacock's remarkable subscriber spike fueled by having the first ever exclusive right to stream an NFL playoff game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On the heels of the Golden Globes, Paul and Mesh kick things off with a recap of the Emmys and the Critic’s Choice Awards before previewing some of the most-anticipated films at Sundance. Next, they discuss Reddit’s revisiting its IPO plans and what the implications might be for owners and users alike. Finally, they discuss a recent trend of layoffs to start 2024 in the tech industry and wonder whether they are a cause for concern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of Better Call Paul, hosts Paul and Mesh open with the latest scoop on Tom Cruise's groundbreaking deal with Warner Brother Discovery to develop and produce movies. They then shift gears to provide a comprehensive recap of the Golden Globes, highlighting the standout moments and winners. The episode concludes with a fascinating exploration of the hottest trends at CES, focusing on the SAG AFTRA agreement with Replica Studios regarding AI voice technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul and Mesh begin with a recap of Broadway’s strong finish to 2023 and then delve into the latest rumored replacement for Jonathan Majors in the MCU. Next, they shift to Paramount's exploration of a potential sale and why it might be attractive to a variety of media players and platforms. Wrapping up, Paul shares his legal and pop culture perspective on the recent drama between Aaron Rogers and Jimmy Kimmel that started on Pat McAfee's show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul and Mesh kick off the new year with the second annual Paulies! Listen as they recap the best stories from 2023 as they run through their nominees and winners from the categories including: Best Movie, Best TV Show, Best Streaming Service, Biggest Lawsuit and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul interviews Oz Krakowski, the Chief Revenue Officer of Deepdub.ai. Deepdub.ai leverages AI to create localized versions of films and television shows. Paul and Oz discuss AI generally, and safeguards that can be put in place to ensure that actors have meaningful consent rights and the opportunity to earn compensation from the use of their likeness (or dialog) in new works. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul interviews a very special guest, Melanie Chandra. Melanie is a former Mckinsey & Co. consultant and beauty queen who has followed her dream to become a model, actress, writer and producer. Paul and Melanie discuss her journey, her take on the challenges facing actors and writers today, how she kept busy during a dual SAG and WGA strike, and some of the differences between being an actor and a producer. Finally, Melanie and Paul discuss the impact of AI and digital likenesses on actors and some of the tough decisions actors may have to make. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this week’s episode, Paul and Mesh discuss the latest GTA 6 trailer along with Netflix’s plan to bring the GTA trilogy to its gaming platform. Paul then breaks down a wire fraud case involving the Jacksonville Jaguars, where $22M was embezzled by the manager of financial planning. They end with the NCAA’s potential new plan to allow schools to pay college athletes directly for the first time in college sports history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul and Mesh begin by jamming about whether the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals will generate streaming subscriber growth and looking forward to the Wonka release amid a slow November for the box office. They then dive into a copyright lawsuit brought against a major talent agency and studio over Ad Astra which was tossed last week. Finally, they end with a discussion of SAG’s proposed agreement whose ratification vote will come down to the wire as several actors want to go back to the negotiating table. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul and Mesh banter about Thanksgiving before diving into an update of the recent suit between streamers over exclusive rights to SouthPark. Next, they discuss the whirlwind involving Cassie’s salacious lawsuit against Sean Combs which was settled and silenced within a day. Finally, Paul breaks down the FCC’s recent adoption of final rules to help prevent discrimination in broadband access across the U.S. and what some of the critics are saying about the FCC’s new rules. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this week's episode, Paul and Mesh begin with a celebration of Diwali and a discussion of the 33rd installment in the MCU, The Marvels, which, despite a hefty budget, has failed to live up to Marvel’s lofty box office standards. They then delve into the resolution of the SAG-AFTRA strike, first discussing the concessions that SAG was able to negotiate from the AMPTP (e.g., increased minimum compensation, pension and health contributions, AI protections and streaming success bonuses) as well as the implications of the strike more broadly. Finally, they discuss how the dual WGA and SAG strikes have impacted content slates and kicked off a frenzy to produce and release more film and television projects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
this week's episode, Paul and Mesh reflect on the tragic loss of Friends star Matthew Perry. They delve into a few high-profile examples of celebrities criticizing AI, highlighting voices like Nicholas Cage and Tim Burton. Paul breaks down the recent Executive Order issued by President Biden which addresses the safe use of AI and attempts to provide a framework which allows development while mitigating risk. Finally, they provide a comprehensive update on the estimated release dates for highly anticipated shows, including the much-awaited Yellowstone Season 5 conclusion and HBO's upcoming slate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul and Mesh start by discussing Hasan Minaj's response to the New Yorker's critical expose which questioned his authenticity. They then provide an update on Jonathan Major's assault case and the Manhattan DA’s office reluctance to prosecute Majors’ ex, Ms. Grace Jabbari. Mesh shares his excitement about the new SPIDER-MAN 2 game which broke PlayStation sales records. Finally, they discuss strong Q3 earnings reports, the advertising market resurgence for tech companies, and the Sphere, Vegas’ newest arena which may also be the billboard of the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week Paul interviews fellow media attorney, Mary Rasenberger, the CEO of the Author’s Guild and a law lecturer at Columbia Law School. In September 2023, the Author’s Guild, along with 17 other prominent authors, including George R.R. Martin and John Grisham filed a class action lawsuit against Open AI alleging that Open AI infringed their copyrights by using the authors' works to train Chat GPT’s large language models without the authors' consent or a license. This lawsuit could have wide-reaching implications for AI, copyright and even culture as we know it. Mary provides invaluable perspective as a media and copyright lawyer and a leader of the Author’s Guild of both the challenges presented by AI and potential paths forward for copyright and AI to co-exist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Paul and Mesh kick things off by delving into Gareth Edwards’s remarkable film, The Creator, an impressive achievement considering its $80 million budget. Paul dives into the latest developments surrounding the SAG strike negotiations, focusing on the use of AI to mimic actors' voices and their appearances. They also explore the intriguing merger between the USFL and XFL, a strategic move aimed at capitalizing on the immense popularity of the NFL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul discusses the major stories in media and entertainment with Alex Weprin, a veteran reporter for The Hollywood Reporter. Alex’s knowledge of media and entertainment shines through as he gives us the inside take on the WGA strike resolution, how AI might impact Hollywood, real-life succession drama, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
