The Morning Fix: Who will scream ‘Toldja’ first?
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After the coffee. Before deciding who I should sue.
The Skinny: Another day of listening to investor conference webcasts. Can you feel the excitement? In Thursday’s headlines, a couple of Hollywood trades take shots at each other. Some tips on who to bet on in your Emmy Awards office pool and a look at life as a booker on a morning show.
Can’t we all just get along? Penske Media Corp., parent of Hollywood entertainment news websites Deadline Hollywood and TVLine, has sued Prometheus Global Media, the parent of the Hollywood Reporter, alleging theft of both code to its websites and content. The two media companies have been bickering and hiring each other’s staff for some time now. Tempting as it is to make some snarky observations about all this, I will opt not to poke the bears. All I will say is if that house in Malibu is still available, I’m game. Details on the battle from Deadline Hollywood, Hollywood Reporter and Los Angeles Times.
Another brick out of the wall. DreamWorks Animation SKG is looking to expand its operations into China and produce films for the Chinese market, which is viewed as a potential gold mine by Hollywood, but is also very restrictive. More on DreamWorks’ plans from the Wall Street Journal.
Buyer’s market. As the Toronto Film Festival starts to wrap up, it is shaping up to be a buyer’s market. While sales are steady, they are not overwhelming as has been the case in the past. The only new buyer in the market making waves is CBS Films, which spent $5 million on a film. IFC Films has been active as well, picking up three titles. The latest on the festival from Variety.
Great characters. The New York Times looks at the best character actors working in Hollywood. Besides citing the obvious -- Paul Giamatti and Steve Buscemi -- the piece also highlights Stephen Root and Isiah Whitlock Jr., both of whom were in ‘Cedar Rapids,’ and Donna Murphy and Kathy Baker. My favorite character actors include the late great J.T. Walsh.
Book ‘em! One of the most competitive jobs in TV news is not being a reporter, it’s being a booker for a morning show. That’s the person who tries to woo the wayward celebrity or the crime victim with fruit baskets and a nice hotel suite. The Washington Post looks at battling bookers and gets their war stories.
Emmy tips. With the Emmys just a few days away, Vulture and Daily Beast offer up their thoughts on who will win. I tend to steer clear of pools, but I will predict that after the ceremony there will be griping about the length of the show and how the movie category that HBO dominates should be moved to another night.
Inside the Los Angeles Times: Sarah Jessica Parker tries to move past Carrie Bradshaw. Buck Henry on John Calley.
-- Joe Flint
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