The Morning Fix: Studio shake-ups have Hollywood reeling. More Letterman mea culpas. Viacom’s potential big find against YouTube. Conde Nast closes four magazines
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After the coffee. Before trying to figure out if your studio is the next to be shaken up.
The big picture. The shake-ups at Disney and Universal point to a bigger paradigm shift in how the movie industry operates. There is no more margin for errors. The old rules don’t apply and, oh yeah, nobody still knows anything. Analysis on a changing industry trying to figure out the future from the Los Angeles Times, Kim Masters of the Daily Beast, and Sharon Waxman at the Wrap. If after that you’ve figured it all out, send us an e-mail.
Will he take Miley with him? Rich Ross, who was instrumental in making Disney Channel a global powerhouse will try to make the not-always-so-smooth transition from TV to movies as head of Walt Disney Studios. The Los Angeles Times looks at what Ross is facing and who might replace him at Disney Channel. The New York Times looks at Ross’ track record at Disney Channel. Additional coverage from Variety and the Hollywood Reporter.
Universal decision. The long expected shake-up at Universal Pictures went down Monday as Marc Shmuger and David Linde were bounced in favor of Adam Fogelson and Donna Langley. Details from the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, Variety and an article that is really unlikely to make Shmuger’s clip file from Deadline.
Smoking gun? Viacom lawyers may have found proof that YouTube staffers knowingly put unauthorized content from the media giant up on the video website. CNET says if true, it could be a big blow to YouTube and its parent, Google, because it would remove protection from the Digital Millennium Copyright Act’s safe-harbor provision (otherwise known as the ‘oops, I didn’t know’ defense).
Hope the cafeteria isn’t next. Conde Nast said it was closing four magazines -- Gourmet, Cookie, Modern Bride and Elegant Bride (apparently Dowdy Bride will keep publishing). The move is the latest blow to the magazine industry and comes after consulting firm McKinsey & Co. went through Conde with a fine-tooth comb. So yes, if you hear that your company has hired McKinsey, get worried (just think about that scene in ‘Office Space’ in which the consultant says, ‘Well, what would you say you do here.’) Coverage from the New York Times and the Financial Times.
Letterman saga continues. David Letterman once again aired his dirty laundry on TV Monday night, apologizing to his wife for using the office as a pleasure palace. Of course, his wife worked on the show all those years ago. In the meantime, the lawyer for the man accused of being Letterman’s extortionist took to the airwaves Monday talking a lot but saying little about his client, ’48 Hours’ producer Joe Halderman, who also doesn’t exactly have a perfect track record in romance (do any of us, really) and used to live with one of Letterman’s exes. Details, deep thoughts and a shower afterward from the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.
MLB teams with Fox and Turner on playoff package. If you can’t get in front of the big screen for the playoffs (a problem for us West Coasters), MLB, Fox and Turner are introducing Postseason.TV, which will work across multiple platforms and cost about $10. If you already subscribe to MLB At Bat, you’re already covered. Details from Paid Content.
Inside the Los Angeles Times: Bloggers are hit with disclosure rules from the Federal Trade Commission. Patrick Goldstein on new skills for studio chiefs.
-- Joe Flint
