Paramount Settles States’ Antitrust Lawsuit. Plus, ‘Lanterns’ Episode 6.
Summary
Chris Ryan and Andy Greenwald discuss the Paramount-Warner Bros. settlement and its implications for the entertainment industry, noting the reduction in major buyers and potential job losses. They also cover HBO’s acquisition of a Javier Bardem series set in Miami, critiquing the network’s recent focus on wealthy protagonists. The episode concludes with a detailed analysis of *Lanterns* episode 6, "Bad Optics," where they explore the show’s complex multi-timeline structure and the return of Kyle Chandler’s character.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: NAS Energy and Panda Express
Intro and discussion of Paramount merger settlement
Podcast banter and Andy Greenwald's solo show
Industry unions and creative community opposition
Impact on creatives, buyers, and overall deals
Debt, job losses, and hypothetical Netflix acquisition
Government oversight and the role of the FTC
HBO's history and resilience through mergers
Personal industry connections and state funding issues
Housekeeping: Slow Horses and show notes workflow
Dave Annable, dating apps, and Reese Witherspoon
Reader questions: Linus and coffee in Lioness
Lioness plot points and TV news: Ozark spinoff
Ozark spinoff bidding war and Javier Bardem
Critique of 'visionary billionaire' tropes in TV
Top-down storytelling and stories about the 99%
Common humanity in Succession vs. Your Friends
Sponsors: ADT, NAS Energy, and Garnier
Green Lantern Ep 6: Hal Jordan's arc and acting
Green Lantern: Timeline, consequences, and lore
Green Lantern: Carol Ferris and character depth
Green Lantern: James Gunn's influence and Guy Gardner
Green Lantern: Manhunters, swearing, and spy tropes
Green Lantern: Crossover potential and social themes
Watch After Dark: Philadelphia Eagles football
Outro and sponsor: ChatGPT
Sponsor: Mint Mobile
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