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. 

The new Netflix series ‘ Unbelievable ,’ based on a true story, begins in 2008 with 18-year-old Marie--a young woman struggling to overcome a difficult childhood of abuse and multiple…

Susannah Grant on adapting the real-life story of ‘Unbelievable’ for Netflix

The new Netflix series ‘ Unbelievable ,’ based on a true story, begins in 2008 with 18-year-old Marie--a young woman struggling to overcome a difficult childhood of abuse and multiple…

Another week, another streaming service. This time, NBCUniversal announces the forthcoming Peacock .

Hollywood news banter: Peacock struts into a crowded field

Another week, another streaming service. This time, NBCUniversal announces the forthcoming Peacock .

In the new movie ‘ Hustlers ,’ Constance Wu plays a struggling stripper named Destiny.

For filmmaker Lorene Scafaria, making ‘Hustlers’ was far from easy

In the new movie ‘ Hustlers ,’ Constance Wu plays a struggling stripper named Destiny.

After many months of waiting, Apple’s streaming TV service is almost here.

Hollywood news banter: Apple TV+ is coming soon, and it’s cheap!

After many months of waiting, Apple’s streaming TV service is almost here.

In April, thousands of Writers Guild members were ordered to fire their agents, in large part because agencies refused to do away with packaging fees.

As the WGA standoff with agencies continues, two views on the Guild election

In April, thousands of Writers Guild members were ordered to fire their agents, in large part because agencies refused to do away with packaging fees.

WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey’s job title got even longer . He’s now AT&T President and COO.

Hollywood news banter: A big new job title for the man who runs WarnerMedia

WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey’s job title got even longer . He’s now AT&T President and COO.

In the Netflix comedy series ‘ Special ,’ Ryan O’Connell plays a version of himself. Ryan Hayes is a gay man beset by millennial angst, who also has cerebral palsy.

Ryan O’Connell on his now Emmy-nominated Netflix comedy series ‘Special’

In the Netflix comedy series ‘ Special ,’ Ryan O’Connell plays a version of himself. Ryan Hayes is a gay man beset by millennial angst, who also has cerebral palsy.

Paramount said no to Martin Scorsese’s new film ‘The Irishman,’ which cost upwards of $160 million to make. Netflix said yes, but the trade-off?

Hollywood news banter: Why ‘The Irishman’ may not be coming to a theater near you

Paramount said no to Martin Scorsese’s new film ‘The Irishman,’ which cost upwards of $160 million to make. Netflix said yes, but the trade-off?

"Magic and docs are at odds, you know?" Ben Berman found that out the hard way while making his new film ‘ The Amazing Johnathan Documentary ,’ which is now available on Hulu.

Ben Berman on the real-life twists of making 'The Amazing Jonathan Documentary'

"Magic and docs are at odds, you know?" Ben Berman found that out the hard way while making his new film ‘ The Amazing Johnathan Documentary ,’ which is now available on Hulu.

For the past couple of years, Sony and Disney’s Marvel Studios had a unique arrangement that let them share custody of Spider-Man--that’s why the webslinger appeared in the most recent…

Hollywood news banter: The Spider-Man split

For the past couple of years, Sony and Disney’s Marvel Studios had a unique arrangement that let them share custody of Spider-Man--that’s why the webslinger appeared in the most recent…

Oscar-winner Julianne Moore and writer-director Bart Freundlich make movies together--and they’re also a married couple.

Julianne Moore and Bart Freundlich on their careers and new film, ‘After the Wedding’

Oscar-winner Julianne Moore and writer-director Bart Freundlich make movies together--and they’re also a married couple.

CBS and Viacom have officially recombined , but not without a major struggle. It took Shari Redstone years to bring the two parts of her father’s media empire back together.

Hollywood news banter: The triumph of Shari Redstone

CBS and Viacom have officially recombined , but not without a major struggle. It took Shari Redstone years to bring the two parts of her father’s media empire back together.

In the new coming-of-age movie ‘Blinded by the Light,’ newcomer Viveik Kalra plays Javed, a lonely and repressed teenager dealing with tough financial times and anti-Muslim sentiment…

Making ‘Blinded by the Light,’ following a red carpet run-in with Springsteen

In the new coming-of-age movie ‘Blinded by the Light,’ newcomer Viveik Kalra plays Javed, a lonely and repressed teenager dealing with tough financial times and anti-Muslim sentiment…

Even though Disney is dominating at the box office, its earnings this quarter came in below expectations . The reason?

Hollywood news banter: Disney feels some indigestion

Even though Disney is dominating at the box office, its earnings this quarter came in below expectations . The reason?

Lulu Wang’s new movie ‘ The Farewell ,’ is, as advertised on the screen before the story even begins, “Based on an actual lie.”

Director Lulu Wang on making ‘The Farewell’

Lulu Wang’s new movie ‘ The Farewell ,’ is, as advertised on the screen before the story even begins, “Based on an actual lie.”

At TCA this week, CBS president Kelly Kahl told reporters that Michael Weatherly continues to star in and executive produce ‘Bull,’ even after accusations of misconduct , in part…

Hollywood news banter: Calling ‘Bull’ on leadership coaching

At TCA this week, CBS president Kelly Kahl told reporters that Michael Weatherly continues to star in and executive produce ‘Bull,’ even after accusations of misconduct , in part…

Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ opens this weekend.

Hollywood news banter

Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ opens this weekend.

In Lynn Shelton’s new movie ‘Sword of Trust,’ Marc Maron plays Mel, a cranky, down-on-his-luck pawn shop owner in Alabama.

Marc Maron and Lynn Shelton on ‘Sword of Trust’

In Lynn Shelton’s new movie ‘Sword of Trust,’ Marc Maron plays Mel, a cranky, down-on-his-luck pawn shop owner in Alabama.

Emmy nominations are out , and HBO has at least for this year bested rival Netflix.

Hollywood News Banter: Were Emmy nominations just business as usual?

Emmy nominations are out , and HBO has at least for this year bested rival Netflix.

Sarah Scott was a working actress in Hollywood with the usual ups and downs of a life in the entertainment industry.

Actress Sarah Scott on SAG-AFTRA in the Me Too era

Sarah Scott was a working actress in Hollywood with the usual ups and downs of a life in the entertainment industry.