The 3 Best The Town with Matthew Belloni Podcast Episodes
1) SNL’s Fate After Lorne, and Streaming’s Most Overpriced Platforms
Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to recap ‘SNL50’ and look ahead to the future of ‘SNL’ in a post–Lorne Michaels world, and wonder whether NBC will continue to finance such a costly and labor ...Show More
2) Why Are Movies Longer Than Ever?
In 2010, the 10 movies nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars ran on average 1:52. By 2019, that average bloated to 2:20. And it’s not just the prestige movies. In 2021, the top 10 performers at the...Show More
3) The Arms Race Behind Where Movies Shoot
Matt is joined by Joe Chianese, SVP of Incentives at Entertainment Partners, to talk about where movies are being shot these days, how tax incentives play a role, what a city or country offers to a pr...Show More
4) Actors vs. Studios, and the Existential AI War, With SAG-AFTRA Lead Negotiator
Matt is joined by national executive director and chief negotiator for SAG-AFTRA Duncan Crabtree-Ireland to discuss the union's upcoming negotiations with the AMPTP, the possibility of another strike,...Show More
5) 'Zootopia 2,' China, AI, and the Battle for Originals With the Head of Disney Animation
Matt is joined by Jared Bush, the writer and codirector of Zootopia 2 and chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, to discuss the smash-hit sequel, its incredible success in China, the...Show More
6) The Shameless Golden Globes, and Paramount Takes Warner Bros. to Court
Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to react to Sunday's Golden Globe Awards, including the cringiest corporate moments and the studios and streamers that overperformed. Then, they discuss the la...Show More
7) Is Hollywood Broken? A Savvy Investor’s View of 2026.
Matt is joined by Jeff Sagansky—a longtime investor, executive, and producer—to discuss the current media landscape and how things are trending as we begin 2026. Jeff previews the M&A deal market for ...Show More
8) The 2025 Box Office Year in Review: Sydney and Timmy, Superheroes vs. Horror, and Studio Power Rankings
Matt is joined by Puck contributor and box office guru Scott Mendelson to recap the year in moviegoing, give his take on the general disappointment in domestic box office performance, and hand out awa...Show More
9) 2026 Burning Questions: Another Strike? Is 'Avengers: Doomsday' Doomed? And David Ellison’s Movie Taste.
Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to ask their most burning questions for Hollywood in 2026, including whether another strike is imminent, how NFL rights negotiations will affect the shows and ...Show More
10) Who Won (and Lost) the Year in Streaming?
Matt is joined by Puck media correspondent Julia Alexander to recap the year in streaming, and hand out awards for Streamer of the Year, Most Disappointing Streamer, Show of the Year, Biggest Surprise...Show More