The Business

The Business

The Business is a weekly podcast featuring lively banter about entertainment industry news and in-depth interviews with directors, producers, writers and actors. The show is hosted by award-winning journalist Kim Masters of The Hollywood Reporter and produced by KCRW. Past guests include Norman Lear, Ava DuVernay, Matt Damon and Ice Cube. 

NBC is preparing to launch its new streaming service Peacock on July 15. A slate of shows and movies will be aimed at casual viewers.

Hollywood news banter: Peacock prepares for launch, CBS fires showrunner Peter Lenkov

NBC is preparing to launch its new streaming service Peacock on July 15. A slate of shows and movies will be aimed at casual viewers.

The new documentary “The Ghost of Peter Sellers,” now available on demand , is about a troubled comedian and how one film never saw the light of day.

In ‘The Ghost of Peter Sellers,’ director Peter Medak revisits a production that still haunts him

The new documentary “The Ghost of Peter Sellers,” now available on demand , is about a troubled comedian and how one film never saw the light of day.

The new documentary “Welcome to Chechnya” available on HBO and HBO Max, looks at the dangers for LGBTQ people in Russia’s Chechen Republic.

‘Welcome to Chechnya’ documents campaign to eradicate LGBT people in the Chechen Republic

The new documentary “Welcome to Chechnya” available on HBO and HBO Max, looks at the dangers for LGBTQ people in Russia’s Chechen Republic.

More than a year ago, thousands of writers fired their agents over the practice of packaging fees .

Hollywood news banter: Writers Guild and studios reach a deal, Academy adds news members

More than a year ago, thousands of writers fired their agents over the practice of packaging fees .

Last decade was huge for transgender representation in Hollywood.

In ‘Disclosure,’ Laverne Cox and Sam Feder explore trans representation in media

Last decade was huge for transgender representation in Hollywood.

Hollywood remains desperate to get back to business, but with COVID-19 cases spiking across the country , any major reopening is likely a long way off.  Director Christopher…

Hollywood news banter: Disneyland reopening delayed, studio movies in limbo

Hollywood remains desperate to get back to business, but with COVID-19 cases spiking across the country , any major reopening is likely a long way off.  Director Christopher…

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the Oscars ceremony will be postponed from February 28 until April 21, 2021, and the eligibility requirement for films,…

Hollywood news banter: Oscars pushed, Hollywood’s silence on Georgia

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the Oscars ceremony will be postponed from February 28 until April 21, 2021, and the eligibility requirement for films,…

In the new dramedy ‘“The King of Staten Island,” Pete Davidson plays Scott — a stoner in his twenties who lives at home with his mom.

Judd Apatow on ‘The King of Staten Island’ and his unfunny Twitter presence

In the new dramedy ‘“The King of Staten Island,” Pete Davidson plays Scott — a stoner in his twenties who lives at home with his mom.

Companies, celebrities, and influencers have released statements that express support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Does Hollywood really believe Black Lives Matter? Social media solidarity isn’t enough

Companies, celebrities, and influencers have released statements that express support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Dan Taberski talked to The Business last year about his podcast, “Running from Cops” — about the long-running and money-minting reality show.  He and a team of six screeners…

Podcaster Dan Taberski on the cancelation of ‘Cops’

Dan Taberski talked to The Business last year about his podcast, “Running from Cops” — about the long-running and money-minting reality show.  He and a team of six screeners…

Last year, dream hampton came on on The Business to talk about her Lifetime documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly.”

dream hampton on problematic policing on TV

Last year, dream hampton came on on The Business to talk about her Lifetime documentary series “Surviving R. Kelly.”

Hollywood is reckoning with onscreen depictions of racism and police violence.

Hollywood news banter: police on TV, Disneyland reopening

Hollywood is reckoning with onscreen depictions of racism and police violence.

As Black Lives Matter protests and marches have continued throughout the week, with increased incidents of police brutality, Hollywood has given mixed reactions.

Hollywood news banter: How is the industry responding to protests?

As Black Lives Matter protests and marches have continued throughout the week, with increased incidents of police brutality, Hollywood has given mixed reactions.

Writer James Graham adapted “Quiz” from his play of the same name.

In AMC’s ‘Quiz,’ writer James Graham questions a famous game show scandal

Writer James Graham adapted “Quiz” from his play of the same name.

The new documentary “On the Record,” available on HBO Max, explores multiple rape allegations against music mogul Russell Simmons.  Much of the film centers around Drew Dixon, one…

‘On the Record’ directors get dumped by Oprah days before Sundance. Then what happened?

The new documentary “On the Record,” available on HBO Max, explores multiple rape allegations against music mogul Russell Simmons.  Much of the film centers around Drew Dixon, one…

Apple is upping its movie game and putting its stamp on an awards-caliber film.

Hollywood news banter: Scorsese scores a deal at Apple, Disney World to reopen

Apple is upping its movie game and putting its stamp on an awards-caliber film.

In a time when live sports are benched indefinitely, “The Last Dance” has been a lifeline for ESPN.

‘The Last Dance’ series on Michael Jordan: Jason Hehir hustled to release it during pandemic

In a time when live sports are benched indefinitely, “The Last Dance” has been a lifeline for ESPN.

A new report from Ampere Analysis says the film and TV industry is set to lose $160 billion over the next five years because of the coronavirus shutdown.

Hollywood news banter: Production to resume, HBO Max coming soon

A new report from Ampere Analysis says the film and TV industry is set to lose $160 billion over the next five years because of the coronavirus shutdown.

This would usually be the time of year when the big broadcast networks gather in New York City for the upfronts.

Hollywood news banter: Trouble in TV advertising, ‘Hamilton’ to Disney+

This would usually be the time of year when the big broadcast networks gather in New York City for the upfronts.

The new Netflix movie “The Half of It” is a modern-day “Cyrano de Bergerac” — a romance by proxy but with a few twists.  Leah Lewis plays Ellie Chu, a bookish high school senior…

Alice Wu on her LGBTQ film ‘The Half of It,’ and why she took a break from Hollywood

The new Netflix movie “The Half of It” is a modern-day “Cyrano de Bergerac” — a romance by proxy but with a few twists.  Leah Lewis plays Ellie Chu, a bookish high school senior…