Nothin' But Netflix

Sat Dec 13 2025

This week, the nation tunes in to find out who will receive Donald Trump’s rose: Paramount’s David Ellison or Netflix’s Ted Sarandos? Meanwhile, Obamacare subsidies are set to expire, Trump’s poll numbers continue to plummet, and Marjorie Taylor Greene remains... on the level? What the hell? Director Cameron Crowe riffs on the gods of rock and the zoos we’ve bought. Tig Notaro brings the hot lesbian action, and we all look forward to the new year, taking stock of what we’d change, and what we hope will stay the same. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Transcript

John Lovett (0:00)

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Tig Notaro (1:17)

Believe it.

John Lovett (1:19)

What's up, los angeles? Welcome to Love it or Leave it live at Dynasty Typewriter. We got a great show for you tonight. This is our last show of the year. We're going out strong. Cameron Crowe is here and I'm almost famous. Ting Notaro is back and we're Gonna close out 2025 with what we loved, what we'll leave and what we learned and what we simply refuse to accept as we head into the undiscovered future. There's so much to not accept. I made it weird. But first, let's get into it. What a week. After 60 Minutes aired an interview with his ally turned nemesis, Marjorie Taylor Greene, President Trump attacked the show and its corporate parent, writing, my real problem is, is that the new ownership of 60 Minutes, Paramount, would allow a show like this to air. They are no better than the old ownership who just paid me millions of dollars for fake reporting about your favorite president. Me since they bought it. And 60 Minutes has actually gotten worse, added Trump. And bring back Andy Rooney. That's a good idea. It's fine. If it's possible. This is the thanks Paramount gets for paying Trump millions of dollars to settle a ridiculous lawsuit, installing Bari Weiss as editor in chief of CBS News and greenlighting Rush Hour four at Trump's personal request. And to be clear, that last one is fine. I think Biden or Kamala would have also demanded a new Rush Hour movie, just a natural thing for the president to do given all that's going on. Trump's tantrum is poor timing for Paramount, which hopes he'll put his thumb on the scale in their quest to acquire Warner Brothers. And time is of the essence. Trump's thumbs could fall clean off at any moment. As you know, last Friday, Netflix announced plans to buy Warner Brothers discovery for $83 billion. To put that number in perspective, it's $83 billion. If finalized, Netflix would acquire the studio and streaming business, while the cable unit would be spun off into a separate company. And for some reason, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos demanded a fur coat made of the WB's finest animaniacs. Netflix has already been hit with a class action lawsuit seeking to block the deal, and a group of anonymous top filmmakers wrote a letter to Congress warning that the merger would be a disaster for Hollywood. And I don't know how many more disasters Hollywood can take. We still haven't recovered from the strikes, the fires, the arc light closing, and all the movie stars getting their eyes done at once, showing up fucking different, looking younger and surprised all at once. What the fuck? How was there a deal? Where'd all the lower bluffs go? Just some horrible pile of lower bluffs sitting in Beverly Hills somewhere. The anonymous filmmaker said in that open letter that they left the note unsigned, not out of cowardice, but out of fear of retaliation. Which signals that perhaps not a lot of prominent writers were part of the letter. It's impossible to know who the filmmakers are, though one of them did add, PS I wouldn't fuck Paul Dano with somebody else's feet. And who would say that? Could be anybody. Speaking of not accepting defeat, Paramount. Yes, you are welcome. Fucking yes. Speaking of defeat, Paramount launched a hostile takeover bid to buy Warner Brothers Discovery, going straight to shareholders with an all cash$30 per share offer. Pretty exciting stuff. Will Warner Brothers be sucked up into a giant monopoly in which a half dozen people dec what? A third of us watch every night after dinner? Or will it be sucked up into A different giant monopoly. I'm on the edge of my seat in a car that is going into the ocean. And with the future of Hollywood at stake, these titans of industry are engaged in one of the biggest and most consequential ass kissing contests in human history. But which globe bestriding magnate will attend to the task with greater passion? Which billionaire will get their mouths deeper, use their lips more assertively upon the presidential crack? Who shall play the most beautiful version of of hold to the Chief? David Ellison, the head of Paramount and son of billionaire Larry Ellison made a recent visit to Washington and promised Trump officials that if he bought Warner Brothers, he would overhaul CNN's programming. Ellison allegedly even promised Trump that one of the N's in CNN can stand for any N word he wants. On Wednesday, Trump confirmed that he likes where Ellison's head is at.

Summary

Lovett or Leave It – “Nothin' But Netflix”

Podcast: Lovett or Leave It
Host: Jon Lovett
Date: December 13, 2025
Guests: Cameron Crowe, Tig Notaro

Episode Overview

In this lively, year-end episode of Lovett or Leave It, Jon Lovett brings his signature satirical wit to a whirlwind of topics, combining political lampooning, Hollywood industry chaos, and deep-dive interviews with iconic filmmaker Cameron Crowe and comedian Tig Notaro. The show captures the absurdity of U.S. politics under Trump, the instability and transformation of the entertainment business, and the personal journeys of two revered guests. The tone is irreverent and self-aware; Lovett’s live audience energy blends perfectly with the guests’ warmth and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Political Satire & The Netflix/Warner Bros. Deal

(00:00 – 18:00)

Lovett dives into the latest political and media absurdities, focusing on Trump’s tantrums over Paramount and Warner Bros. coverage, and the blockbuster announcement that Netflix plans to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for $83 billion.
Hollywood anxieties loom large as Lovett lampoons the concentration of media power and the sycophancy of entertainment execs courting Trump’s favor.
The conversation riffs on imagined Rush Hour sequels, CNN programming takeovers, and the influence of Jared Kushner and Middle Eastern wealth funds in Hollywood deals.
Alongside all this, Lovett skewers Trump’s public statements about the economy, healthcare debates in Congress, and Republican efforts to let Obamacare subsidies expire.

Notable Quotes

Jon Lovett (03:53):
“Will Warner Brothers be sucked up into a giant monopoly in which a half dozen people decide what a third of us watch every night after dinner? Or will it be sucked up into a different giant monopoly. I'm on the edge of my seat in a car that is going into the ocean.”
On Trump’s economic claims:
“He's never sounded more like a cartoon rich guy. They're making up new words. Affordability, bogo, coupon. No one knows what they mean.” (08:56)

2. Cameron Crowe Interview: Art, Listening, and Biopics

(19:45 – 42:43)

Crowe’s Journalism Origins

Lovett and Crowe discuss Crowe’s new memoir, The Uncool, and his uncanny ability to get musical legends to open up to him as a teen prodigy.
Crowe reflects on his art of interviewing: “Part of it was listening, because I was terrified the first time I did an interview with somebody who's kind of like, of great status... I realized by the end of the conversation that I made him really happy by not talking.” (20:47–21:32)

Finding Your Voice, Authenticity, and Criticism

The conversation delves into the tension between being a “fan” vs. a critical journalist. Crowe recalls a defining moment at Rolling Stone when his editor challenged him to “write something that's coming from a deeper place.” (24:05)
Crowe explains that his approach is not to judge but to include fans in the experience: “I just kind of want to be on receive and let people sit next to me...” (23:11)

On Biopics & Joni Mitchell Project

Crowe, currently working on a Joni Mitchell biopic, details his philosophy: “Don’t leave the fans behind... but also bring in people that don't know who she is and don't whitewash the story. And she's, like, the queen of not whitewashing.” (25:20)
The two criticize formulaic music biopics, especially cliches like the magical origins of hit songs. Lovett: “My least favorite thing in any biopic about any artist is... Ringo's walking down the street and he sees a yellow car and a submarine and he goes, I've got it.” (28:25)
Crowe: “We're not gonna do that. Nor are we gonna have the record executive scene where it's like, that song is eight minutes, it'll never be a hit...” (29:04)

Vulnerability and Early Experiences

Crowe recounts his traumatic encounter with Gregg Allman that inspired Almost Famous: “He threatened a kid, a literal child, and stole the tapes. Made you sign something fake and took the tapes from you, which was... basically a crime.” (32:15)

Internet & Writing Craft

On the digital era: “Fact checkers don't exist anymore. People can just, like, spew stuff out. And the thoughtful stuff always lands best.” (35:47)
On songwriting, he lauds Don Henley and Tom Petty for crafting songs that “sound simple and easy, like a conversation with a friend. And that's the stuff that I love most of all.” (36:33)

On Movie Theaters & Entertainment’s Evolution

Crowe voices concern over the decline of movie theaters: “A good movie can break through on any format, I think. But yeah, I mean, going and sitting in a theater... that's the Tom Cruise version of moviemaking.” (37:03)

We Bought a Zoo—Title Regrets & Alternate Names

In a comedic segment, Lovett puts Crowe on the spot about the much-memed title We Bought a Zoo:
Crowe: “So nobody ever really stopped to say, should we really call this movie We Bought a Zoo? Nobody.” (38:47)
Audience participates in brainstorming better movie titles, Crowe picks "Keeper" as his favorite. (42:05–42:29)

3. Tig Notaro Joins: Pop Culture, Comedy, and Vulnerability

(45:29 – 62:39)

Outsider to Pop Culture, Musings on Fame

Tig admits her notorious lack of awareness about pop culture (“Who is Jen Shaw?” (47:58)), but is deeply attuned to music and documentaries.
She describes her talk show “Under a Rock with Tig Notaro”, where she interviews celebrities she doesn’t recognize.

Current Projects & Humor

Notaro shares about her appearance in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and a Zack Snyder film, joking about pitching “a whole action film full of lesbians. And the poster will say, hot lesbian action.” (52:17)

Cameron Crowe and Tig: Embarrassment & Self-Acceptance

Lovett and Crowe discuss the catharsis of writing/sharing embarrassing personal stories:
- Crowe: “The more embarrassing, the better. Don't you see? ... Embarrassing is cathartic and ultimately funny.” (56:39)
- Tig: “I used the world as my toilet growing up... I never would have imagined that I would be completely fine talking about any of that kind of stuff.” (58:26)
The trio reflect on how humor and creative work reframe past vulnerabilities and failures.

4. Resolutions: What We’ll Change and What We Won’t

(62:45 – 76:54)

The hosts and guests spin a wheel to muse on their resolutions and what in themselves they steadfastly refuse to change in 2026.
Cameron Crowe:
- Won’t change: his compulsion to “keep everything” – he’s a pack rat who saved copious notes for his memoir. (65:15)
- Will change: Time “to direct again,” referencing his two-year writing period and excitement for the Joni Mitchell film.
Tig Notaro:
- Won’t change: newfound love for working out, despite not seeing instant results: “No difference in the look of my body. But I feel good.” (68:27)
- Will change: saying no more often, and cultivating directness in communication—"I want people to tell me no." (69:29–70:11)
Jon Lovett:
- Won’t change: using his phone in bed (“I'm just gonna use my phone in bed before bed until it's time for my eyes to literally close.” (71:30))
- Will change: treating his (recently diagnosed, “terminal”) ADHD with medication; embraces his quirks, jokes about replying to emails only on Fibonacci-numbered years. (74:41–76:00)

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes by Timestamp

03:53 – Lovett on Media Monopolies:
“Will Warner Brothers be sucked up into a giant monopoly... I'm on the edge of my seat in a car that is going into the ocean.”
08:56 – Lovett on Trump’s Language:
“They're making up new words. Affordability, bogo, coupon.”
20:47 – Cameron Crowe on Interviewing:
“I realized by the end of the conversation that I made him really happy by not talking.”
28:25 – Lovett on Biopic Tropes:
“My least favorite thing in any biopic... Ringo's walking down the street and he sees a yellow car and a submarine and he goes, I've got it.”
29:04 – Crowe on Biopic Cliches:
“Nor are we gonna have the record executive scene where it's like, that song is eight minutes. It'll never be a hit.”
32:15 – Lovett on Gregg Allman Incident:
“He threatened a kid, a literal child, and stole the tapes. Made you sign something fake and took the tapes from you.”
35:47 – Crowe on Internet & Writing:
“Fact checkers don't exist anymore. People can just, like, spew stuff out. And the thoughtful stuff always lands best.”
45:58 – Tig Notaro on Industry Cliches:
Her wife’s favorite: “When somebody from a label is listening... on a payphone, they're like, ‘Man, you gotta hear them.’”
52:17 – Notaro:
“Why don't we just make a whole action film full of lesbians? ... The poster will say, hot lesbian action.”
56:39 – Crowe on Embarrassment:
“The more embarrassing, the better. Don't you see? ... Embarrassing is cathartic and ultimately funny.”
68:27 – Notaro on Working Out:
“No difference in the look of my body. But I feel good.”
71:30 – Lovett on Phone Habits:
“I'm just gonna use my phone in bed before bed until it's time for my eyes to literally close.”
74:41 – Lovett on ADHD and Medication:
“Every day from about 9 to 3:30pm, I'm a superior being... And then I'll crash and burn. Yeah, then I'll crash and burn. Worth it.”

Closing Thoughts

This episode combines Lovett’s biting political analysis, insider Hollywood commentary, and thoughtful, funny interviews with Cameron Crowe and Tig Notaro. The live format sparkles, as guests trade barbs, confess neuroses, and muse freely about art, embarrassment, and the state of the world. The recurring theme is one of self-acceptance and learning: as individuals, as a culture, and as citizens in a chaotic political moment. Both listeners seeking insight into the entertainment industry, and those wanting a smart laugh about politics and getting older, will find plenty to enjoy.

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