Podcast
The Town with Matthew Belloni
Hosted by The Ringer · EN
Puck founding partner Matthew Belloni takes you inside Hollywood, using exclusive reporting and insight to explain the backstories on everything from Marvel movies to streaming wars. Multiple times each week, Matt is joined by major executives, dealmakers, and journalists, to discuss what is getting made and why, who is winning and losing, and what people in show business are actually talking about.
168episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Right and Wrong Lessons From ‘Backrooms’ and ‘Obsession’
Yesterday00:33:31Summary readyMatt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss what movie studios should learn from the remarkable weekend at the box office, whether this is really like the '70s all over again in Hollywood, the unique timing as 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' struggles at the box office, and more (02:01). Matt finishes the show with a prediction for the 2026 NBA Finals ratings (27:58). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Lucas Shaw Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Matt Pevic Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryPeter Chernin on ‘Backrooms’ and Where the Smart Money Is Going in Hollywood
4d ago00:44:56Summary readyMatt is joined by Peter Chernin, founder of North Road and the Chernin Group, to discuss the production of the new horror film ‘Backrooms,’ the biggest problems in Hollywood, whether the content recession is ending, his thoughts on where digital media is going, and why the life of a studio head isn't as fun as it used to be (00:00). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘Backrooms’ (39:24). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Peter Chernin Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Matt Pevic Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Industry voters visit Starz FYC.com. For more information visit Hulu.com/FYC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryIMAX Suitors and Why Netflix Put Fincher in Theaters
1w ago00:33:37Summary readyMatt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss who might buy IMAX after news broke last week that it is exploring a sale, and they get into the details behind how IMAX works as a business. They also discuss Netflix putting David Fincher’s new movie, ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth,’ in theaters with an exclusive two-week run in IMAX and whether this is just another Netflix movie theater stunt or perhaps something more meaningful (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the box office performance for the breakout horror phenomenon ‘Obsession’ (26:07). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Lucas Shaw Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Matt Pevic Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Industry voters visit Starz FYC.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummarySpencer Pratt, Karen Bass, and Why California Politicians Suddenly Love Hollywood
2w ago00:40:26Summary readyMatt is joined by Puck’s political journalist Peter Hamby to discuss the gubernatorial and mayoral races in California and Los Angeles and how it might impact the future of Hollywood (02:34). They discuss why Hollywood has become a winning political issue for both races, the state production tax incentives that could reshape the entertainment industry in L.A., Spencer Pratt’s popularity in Hollywood, and more (11:00). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ (34:45). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Peter Hamby Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Matt Pevic Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Industry voters visit Starz FYC.com.Book a new kind of stay at HolidayInn.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryHollywood’s Inevitable Pivot to Vertical Video Is Here
2w ago00:35:08Summary readyMatt is joined by Hernan Lopez, founder of Owl and Co. and Wondery, to talk about the rise of vertical video, how it ballooned to a $100B/year business, the staggering success of Reels, and which companies in Hollywood are best suited to benefit the most from this trend (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about next season's cast of 'Saturday Night Live' (26:50). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Hernan Lopez Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Matt Pevic Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Industry voters visit Starz FYC.com. For more information visit Hulu.com/FYC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryThe Hollywood Jealousy Draft: What Each Studio Would Steal From Its Rivals
2w ago00:36:43Summary readyMatt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to conduct this first ever Hollywood Jealousy Draft, where each of the five major entertainment companies (Disney, Comcast, WarnerMount, Netflix, and Amazon) can steal any asset from any of their competitors for free. Matt and Lucas cosplay as all-powerful CEOs and make their selections for what they believe are the most valuable assets in Hollywood (00:06). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the final episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (29:40). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Lucas Shaw Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Matt Pevic Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Industry voters visit Starz FYC.com. Sarah Snook stars in Peacock’s ALL HER FAULT. Streaming on Peacock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryWho Won (and Lost) TV’s Annual Billion-Dollar Cash Grab
3w ago00:37:40Summary readyMatt is joined by Rich Greenfield from LightShed Partners to recap this year's TV upfronts, highlighting the best, the worst, and everything in between from TV’s most glamorous week (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a box office prediction for this weekend (32:15). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Rich Greenfield Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jon Jones Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Industry voters visit StarzFYC.com. Book a new kind of stay at HolidayInn.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryWhat Makes Good TV Writers (and Execs), With David E. Kelley
3w ago00:35:49Summary readyLive from Los Angeles, Matt is joined by writer and producer David E. Kelley ('Margo’s Got Money Troubles,' 'Big Little Lies,' 'L.A. Law') to talk about the difference between producing television for a streamer vs. a traditional legacy studio, writing about OnlyFans in his new show, what makes a good TV executive, whether he has ever used AI, and more. Host: Matt Belloni Guest: David E. Kelley Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jon Jones Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Industry voters visit StarzFYC.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryDisney vs. Trump in the D’Amaro Era Looks Different
3w ago00:31:57Summary readyMatt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss Disney pushback against the Trump administration by challenging the FCC’s investigation of 'The View,' saying it infringes on the First Amendment and free speech. They debate what this strong political stance means for Disney under new CEO Josh D’Amaro, and dig into Disney’s first earnings call under D’Amaro highlighting what he did and didn’t say in his mission statement (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the government's investigation of the NFL’s antitrust exemptions (24:15). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Lucas Shaw Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jon Jones Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Industry voters visit StarzFYC.com. Book a new kind of stay at HolidayInn.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryA Sit-Down With Blake Lively’s Lead Litigator
4w ago00:35:24Summary readyMatt is joined by litigator Michael Gottlieb to unpack the latest news in the Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni battle, who actually won, why the saga isn't over yet, if there is any regret for how things have unfolded, how much Ryan Reynolds was involved, and the lessons from this case. Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Michael Gottlieb Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jon Jones Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Industry voters visit StarzFYC.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Summary