Better Call Paul
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160 episodes
Paul and Mesh begin with a luxury fashion update as Versace announced that it would be acquired by Prada to create a team-up of Italian luxury fashion brands. Next, Paul discusses the massive $1.68 billion dollar damages award in the sexual assault trial against writer director James Toback. Finally, Paul and Mesh discuss James Cameron, one of the pioneers of big budget motion pictures, and Mr. Cameron's view that AI technology can be leveraged to reduce VFX costs without eliminating jobs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul shouts out Newsmax and their successful IPO before Mesh and Paul go over their top Cinema Con 2025 films. Next, they discuss the impact of tariffs on the entertainment industry, not that they have any answers. Finally, Paul provides an update on NetChoice v. Griffin, a ruling which struck down Arkansas' 2023 Social Media Safety Act as unconstitutional. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul and Mesh begin with a discussion of the use of trademarks in Film and TV and discuss some recent controversies. Next, they update us on Sundance's relocation from Park City, Utah to Boulder, Colorado beginning in 2027. Finally, Mesh shares the amazing developments he is seeing in the AI space for photo and video editing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul excitedly supports his Duke Blue Devils in their March Madness journey, while Mesh largely avoids the hype. Next, Paul and Mesh provide an update on the state of entertainment production in LA, the impact of tax incentives, and whether LA can reestablish itself as the epicenter of the production business. Finally, they discuss the bankruptcy process for Village Roadshow Pictures and its deep catalog which includes the Matrix, Sherlock Holmes, and Oceans franchises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul begins with a recap of Chinese box office phenomenon, Ne Zha 2, which has crossed 2B in revenue and sold 300M+ tickets in China. Next Paul and Mesh discuss the net churn impacting the most popular streamers, and how nearly 50% of subscribers who cancel their subscription re-subscribe within a year. Finally, they reflect on Stan Lee, the creative engine behind Marvel who is the subject of a to-be-completed documentary directed by Jon Bolerjack which presents a melancholy portrayal of how Stan was mistreated by his business partners in his final years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul and Mesh are back in the saddle and start by discussing how unlikely Oscar's star Sean Baker and his film Anora defied expectations and brought home statues without a box office haul. Next, they discuss an alleged ticket scam between conspirators from Jamaica and Jamaica, Queens that resulted in the theft of over $600K in tickets to prime concerts like Taylor Swift's Eras tour. Finally, Paul updates us on Paramount's motion to dismiss President Trump's $20B lawsuit against CBS on jurisdiction and first amendment grounds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul interviews Ross Benes who is an author, journalist and analyst for eMarketer. Ross discusses his upcoming book, 1999, and how it was a such a pivotal year for today’s culture (reality TV, Netflix’s launch). In addition, Ross discusses how streamers have embraced advertising tiers and whether skinny bundles will stem the tide of declining linear television subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul Interviews Eric Perko who is an executive at the forefront of media and advertising. Eric discusses how he got into media, what led him to start Apollo Partners, and how he helps brands stay ahead of the curve, as well as why the Super Bowl is such a sought after media jewel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul and Mesh ponder Valentine’s day ideas and reflect upon the amazing Superbowl advertising and streaming numbers. Next, they discuss the first MCU release of 2025, Captain America: Brave New World and whether it lives up to the lofty expectations of Captain America: Winter Solider. Finally, Paul breaks down Diddy’s $100M defamation case against NBC/Peacock for their behind the scenes documentary regarding the allegations surrounding Sean Combs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul celebrates his beloved Philadelphia Eagles who dominated on their path to becoming Super Bowl champions. Next, Paul and Mesh discuss earnings announcements from some of the biggest tech and media companies. Finally, Paul updates us on some dissension within the college athlete ranks as the House v. NCAA settlement approaches its April 7, 2025 approval deadline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul and Mesh recap some of the winners of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and ponder whether it can remain in Park City, UT. Next, they break down the ranking of the various SVOD and FAST platforms based on Nielsen viewership data. Finally, they discuss the efforts of Skydance and Paramount to clear regulatory hurdles around the long-awaited purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul and Mesh start with a quick review of the 2025 Oscar nominations and celebrate Netflix's 16 selections. Next, they provide an update on the Baldoni v. Lively lawsuit as Justin Baldoni's complaint has been released. Finally, they update another major lawsuit as WBD's case against Paramount for breach of an exclusive South Park license survived Paramount's summary judgment motion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul interviews television and sports executive, Goldwyn Harper, a West Point graduate and life-long sports fan who is currently a distribution executive at a Regional Sports Network and was previously at both DISH and the NFL prior to a short stint at the Orange Bowl. He shares his deep knowledge of both television and sports to analyze how the shifts in expanded basic distribution deals have had seismic impacts across conferences, rivalries, NIL, and (potentially) non-revenue-generating sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul and Mesh discuss the fires that have devastated parts of Los Angeles, including neighborhoods which were home to many stars in the entertainment industry. Next, they discuss the abrupt end of Venu sports, the JV among Disney, WBD and Fox which was shuttered before it ever launched. Finally, they discuss incoming FCC chairman Brendan Carr's support of local broadcast stations in their negotiations with network groups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul and Mesh share their New Year's resolutions before digging into two very high-profile and drama-filled disputes among Hollywood A-listers. First, they recap the 8-year divorce battle between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt which was finally resolved in the last days of 2024. Next, they recap the It Ends with Us scandal involving actor/director Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, following Blake Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni and Baldoni's $250M libel claim against The New York Times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This episode, Paul and Mesh look back on 2024 with the third annual Paulies. Paul and Mesh will award: Best Picture, Best Box Office Performance, Best TV Show, Best Streamer, Most Interesting Lawsuit/Legal Case, and Best BCP Topic of 2024. Tune to reflect on an amazing year in the world of technology, media, sports and entertainment. Happy new year all! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul and Mesh start off by discussing Andrew Ferguson, the next FTC chair, and how his approach may differ from Lena Kahn’s anti-competitive, pro-consumer approach. Next, they recap the Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award nominations. Finally, they discuss Jay-Z being implicated in a civil lawsuit which now accuses both Diddy and Jay-Z of raping a 13-year old at a 2000 VMA’s after party – and Jay-Z’s vehement response. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul and Mesh are back at it after a week off for Thanksgiving. They first recap the best Thanksgiving weekend in history for movie theaters (hint Moana 2 shattered records and expectations). Next, they discuss the increased demand for realty TV co-productions. Finally, they look forward to a creator-AI equilibrium where artists can get paid to train algorithms and what challenges might need to be addressed for it to thrive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul and Mesh begin with an update on Jussie Smollett, whose 2021 conviction was overturned as a violation of due process. Next, they discuss the leadership changes at the top of the FCC which will go into effect in January of 2025. Finally, the discuss an NIL update as the Governor of Ohio pushes to accelerate the process of students getting NIL money from their respective universities and colleges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, we recap Netflix's Jake Paul v Mike Tyson live event and discuss the Nielsen streaming TV and film ratings for October. Next, Paul and Mesh break down Disney's recent earnings call and its search for Bob Iger's successor. Finally, they discuss Alex Jones' recent bankruptcy auction in which Onion seemingly submitted the winning bid for the Infowars assets, prior to the bankruptcy judge ordering a deeper dive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul and Mesh highlight a few entertainment headlines prior to focusing on Trump's election win. In particular, they discuss how the result was a surprise to many mainstream media outlets and Trump's how strategy of appearing on popular long-form podcasts resonated with a new generation of voters. Finally, they ponder whether Republican policies may cause and increase in M&A activity in the media sector. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul and Mesh look forward to four tentpole releases this November: Wicked, Gladiator 2, Moana 2, and Red One. Next, Paul discusses the United Way Hurricane Benefit Concert in support of the communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Finally, they discuss calls from politicians and other industry leaders for a Federal film tax credit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week Paul and Mesh look forward to Halloween and Diwali and reflect on Liam Neeson's action roles amid his tentative retirement plans before discussing Eva Longoria's last minute financing of John Wick which made the billion-dollar franchise possible. Next, they delve back into women's basketball and rumors that Caitlin Clark is being heavily recruited to join a 3-3 winter women's league, Unrivaled. Finally, they ponder the pros and cons of AI on-air talent as Off Radio Krakow in Poland made the controversial decision to lay off its human journalists and replace them with AI avatars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul and Mesh discuss former One Direction member, Liam Payne's tragic death as he fell from a third floor balcony in his hotel in Buenos Aires. Next, they discuss Christopher Nolan's next film at Universal and finally they end with the FTC's recently announced final rule which creates liability for companies that do not allow subscribers to easily cancel their subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul and Mesh begin with a celebration of peak sports season and discuss the recent spike of LSAT takers. Next, they discuss the DIRECTV and DISH merger and DIRECTV's announced entry into the free ad supported streaming (FAST) market. Finally, they do a deep dive into to the 60+ series coming out this fall and highlight the ones they most want to see. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul and Mesh begin with a discussion of the movie box office, including Joker: Folie a Deux's underwhelming opening weekend and rave reviews for The Wild Robot. Next, they discuss the U.S. jobs report and entertainment industry layoffs as well as QVC's entry into live sports programming. Finally, then with a Diddy scandal update including 120 plaintiffs potentially filing civil suits against him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul interviews Faisal Lateef, the general counsel of Avant Gardner. Avant Gardner is a leading electronic dance music brand and venue operator in New York City and it operates the legendary Brooklyn Mirage, among other venues. Faisal discusses his entry into the music business, his journey to law school and how he pivoted during the pandemic to leading the legal team at Avant Gardner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week Paul and Mesh quickly recap the Emmys and reflect on the biggest TV shows of the last year. Next, they discuss Diddy's arrest and the federal indictment regarding decades of criminal activity and ponder Sean Combs' future. Finally, they breakdown five new laws enacted in California regarding the use of AI in political content and sexual deep fakes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Paul and Mesh begin by looking back at the incredible career of James Earl Jones who passed away at the age of 93 but leaves behind a legacy of timeless characters. They then dive into the latest Max growth projections and recap the 40th year of MTV’s VMA's. Finally, they discuss the viewership numbers for the second presidential debate and whether the debate (and Taylor Swift’s post-debate endorsement of Kamala Harris) will move the needle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Paul starts with a shoutout to SABANY who graciously invited him to host their 2024 Awards Gala and then Paul and Mesh discuss the U.S. Open and the Toronto International Film Festival. Next, they recap the summer box office and August jobs report with a focus on the entertainment industry. Finally, they discuss the criminal investigation surrounding Matthew Perry's death and the five individuals who were charged, including the Ketamine Queen of Noho and Dr. P who have both pled not guilty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
