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. 

Netflix just announced some major reshuffling of its top executives. How will this play out? Plus, a quick look at the 2023 Oscar noms.

How will Netflix’s top exec reshuffle play out?

Netflix just announced some major reshuffling of its top executives. How will this play out? Plus, a quick look at the 2023 Oscar noms.

Sarah Polley discusses her career from traumatic experiences as a child actor, to the challenges, and surprises of directing the Oscar-nominated film, “Women Talking.”

Sarah Polley’s career: From child actor to award-winning director

Sarah Polley discusses her career from traumatic experiences as a child actor, to the challenges, and surprises of directing the Oscar-nominated film, “Women Talking.”

The recently-reinstated CEO Bob Iger faces a new battle. This time with activist corporate raiders pushing to get a set on Disney’s board. Can he survive this?

Can Disney’s Bob Iger survive activist investor seeking board seat?

The recently-reinstated CEO Bob Iger faces a new battle. This time with activist corporate raiders pushing to get a set on Disney’s board. Can he survive this?

‘Glass Onion’ producer Ram Bergman discusses his start in movies, his fruitful partnership with director Rian Johnson, and making a ‘Star Wars’ film.

Ram Bergman talks ‘Knives Out’ franchise, collaboration with Rian Johnson

‘Glass Onion’ producer Ram Bergman discusses his start in movies, his fruitful partnership with director Rian Johnson, and making a ‘Star Wars’ film.

James Cameron delves into the challenges and technical aspects of creating “Avatar: The Way of Water,” and why he’s been tempted to walk away from filmmaking.

Part 2: James Cameron on challenges, opting to direct ‘Avatar’ sequels

James Cameron delves into the challenges and technical aspects of creating “Avatar: The Way of Water,” and why he’s been tempted to walk away from filmmaking.

The Golden Globes came back, and it was not a disaster. But who will carry the show next? And, a quick glance at the rest of the awards season ahead.

The Globes have returned. What’s next for the awards show?

The Golden Globes came back, and it was not a disaster. But who will carry the show next? And, a quick glance at the rest of the awards season ahead.

While the ‘Avatar’ and ‘Top Gun’ sequels brought droves back to theaters in 2022, studios seem poised to continue emphasizing their streaming services this year.

Theaters see box office win with ‘Avatar,’ ‘Top Gun’ sequels

While the ‘Avatar’ and ‘Top Gun’ sequels brought droves back to theaters in 2022, studios seem poised to continue emphasizing their streaming services this year.

Filmmaker James Cameron discusses the challenges of making “Avatar: The Way of Water,” his view of streaming releases, and what’s next in the franchise.

Part 1: James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ sequel needs repeat viewing to succeed

Filmmaker James Cameron discusses the challenges of making “Avatar: The Way of Water,” his view of streaming releases, and what’s next in the franchise.

In part two of Bradley Cooper’s interview, he discusses his anxieties around the future of streaming, and shares how he created Marvel’s Rocket Raccoon’s voice.

Replay: Bradley Cooper on Rocket Raccoon’s voice, his next film going to Netflix

In part two of Bradley Cooper’s interview, he discusses his anxieties around the future of streaming, and shares how he created Marvel’s Rocket Raccoon’s voice.

On a special edition of The Banter, Kim Masters and guests look at what’s looming in Hollywood in 2023: a possible writers strike and a mega studio deal.

What’s looming in 2023: A writers strike? A mega studio deal?

On a special edition of The Banter, Kim Masters and guests look at what’s looming in Hollywood in 2023: a possible writers strike and a mega studio deal.

The Business reviews Hollywood’s top stories: Wall St. ditches streaming, Netflix adapts, Warner Bros. slashes costs and Disney has a new management shake-up.

Megabanter 2022: Wall St. ditches streaming, Disney undergoes a shakeup

The Business reviews Hollywood’s top stories: Wall St. ditches streaming, Netflix adapts, Warner Bros. slashes costs and Disney has a new management shake-up.

Director Ruben Östlund delves into his latest film “Triangle of Sadness,” and the aftermath of its success, while actor Dolly De Leon discusses her part and career.

Ruben Östlund: ‘Working with Dolly De Leon, everything feels true’

Director Ruben Östlund delves into his latest film “Triangle of Sadness,” and the aftermath of its success, while actor Dolly De Leon discusses her part and career.

The “Avatar” sequel premieres in the United States and China. Can it gross more than $2 billion to succeed? Plus, Warner Bros. Discovery pulls the plug on “Minx” season 2.

Can the ‘Avatar’ sequel get over the $2 billion hump to succeed?

The “Avatar” sequel premieres in the United States and China. Can it gross more than $2 billion to succeed? Plus, Warner Bros. Discovery pulls the plug on “Minx” season 2.

Netflix theatrically releases “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” for a week, then pulls it, to re-release it to its own platform. What could this mean for the film?

Netflix's stunt with new ‘Knives Out’ has angered Hollywood

Netflix theatrically releases “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” for a week, then pulls it, to re-release it to its own platform. What could this mean for the film?

Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino discusses the making of “Salvatore, Shoemaker of Dreams” doc and “Bones and All,” and working with actor Timothée Chalamet again.

Filmmaker Luca Guadagnino on ‘Bones and All’ movie, Ferragamo doc

Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino discusses the making of “Salvatore, Shoemaker of Dreams” doc and “Bones and All,” and working with actor Timothée Chalamet again.

Kumail Nanjiani talks about his career evolution, from being a very shy kid, to doing standup, to getting an Oscar nomination, to playing his darkest character yet.

Part 2: Actor Kumail Nanjiani evolves from stand-up, to movie star

Kumail Nanjiani talks about his career evolution, from being a very shy kid, to doing standup, to getting an Oscar nomination, to playing his darkest character yet.

As Amazon takes full control of MGM Worldwide TV, purchased earlier this year, chairman Mark Burnett steps down, while it struggles to find a film head.

As Amazon takes full control of MGM, Mark Burnett steps down

As Amazon takes full control of MGM Worldwide TV, purchased earlier this year, chairman Mark Burnett steps down, while it struggles to find a film head.

Actor Kumail Nanjiani discusses being cast for his first dramatic role in “Welcome to Chippendales,” and how he studied to play this real-life, dark character.

Part 1: Kumail Nanjiani on ‘Welcome to Chippendales’

Actor Kumail Nanjiani discusses being cast for his first dramatic role in “Welcome to Chippendales,” and how he studied to play this real-life, dark character.

The Walt Disney Company board fired CEO Bob Chapek over the weekend, and immediately reinstates Bob Iger to head the company.

Shocker: Bob Chapek leaves, Bob Iger returns to head Disney

The Walt Disney Company board fired CEO Bob Chapek over the weekend, and immediately reinstates Bob Iger to head the company.

Filmmaker James Gray and Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski discuss “Armageddon Time,” the challenges to make the film, and their careers.

James Gray: ‘Armageddon Time’ is the Beatlemania version of my parents’

Filmmaker James Gray and Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski discuss “Armageddon Time,” the challenges to make the film, and their careers.