🎬 They're Dropping Like Flies! 😰

Good morning and a big Happy Birthday to Television. 🥳 On this day in 1926, Scottish inventor John Logie Baird sparked the TV revolution with the first public demo of his “televisor” in London, transforming entertainment forever. Pretty cool, right?

Welcome aboard the Dailies. As you sip your morning brew, we’ll get you caught up with the fast-paced world of Hollywood - no need to chase down a newsstand, we’ve got everything you need right here.

🎞 Here’s what’s on the reel today:

• Navigating the Wave of Layoffs

• Stewart’s Surprise Comeback

• M&A Rumors at Paramount

• Last Looks 👀: Bite-sized scoops on developing stories/projects

• Release Radar: What to watch this weekend

• Video Village 📀

• Martini Shot 🍸

But first, it’s Friday, so let’s take a look at what people were watching this week… 👀

TOP STREAMED THIS WEEK IN THE US

📊📉Navigating the Wave of Layoffs: In recent weeks, the media and entertainment landscape has been hit by a significant wave of layoffs, impacting both traditional media outlets and the broader industry. Esteemed publications like The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Time Magazine are facing layoffs, joining the ranks of high-profile companies such as Riot Games, Prime Video, MGM, and Twitch, which have also announced substantial job cuts. There are looming concerns of further layoffs at industry giants like Pixar and Paramount. This widespread turbulence underscores a profound transformation underway. Some speculate that the ascent of digital platforms like Facebook and TikTok is driving a paradigm shift, challenging outdated business models and reshaping audience engagement strategies. The current instability urges Hollywood to adapt swiftly.

🎬📺 Stewart’s Surprise Comeback: As you may have heard, John Stewart is making a return to ‘The Daily Show’ starting Feb. 12, with a plan to host Monday nights through the 2024 presidential election. The show’s format is getting a fresh twist, with Stewart as executive producer of every episode, while a roster of correspondents (likely including Jordan Klepper and Desi Lydic) keep the laughs coming. Amid initial resistance to appointing a quick replacement in this post-Trevor Noah scramble, Stewart’s availability post-Apple TV+ engagement, coupled with his desire for a less demanding schedule, made him the ideal choice. Paramount’s banking on Stewart’s golden touch to not only boost viewership and ratings but also continue shaping new comedic talent. The Stewart era, part deux is upon us.

🎬📊M&A Rumors at Paramount: Paramount CEO Bob Bakish dropped the curtain on upcoming layoffs as part of a plan to sculpt Paramount into a lean, mean, entertainment machine. Bakish presented a three-pronged approach: maximize content, boost streaming profits, and harness the “power of ONE PARAMOUNT.” While acknowledging M&A rumors, including interest from David Ellison’s Skydance and Apollo, Bakish emphasizes concentrating on execution and strategic growth. Amidst challenges like soft ad markets and streaming evolution, Paramount Global aims to balance revenue growth with cost management, focusing on major market penetrations and efficient operations.

PRESENTED BY PRIME VIDEO

Expats: The First MUST See Show of 2024

In a city where every corner tells a story, a single night changes everything. Gus, a little boy, vanishes into the mysterious neon-lit streets, leaving behind a trail of questions. Where is he? What happened? The search for answers leads to a journey deep into the heart of family, friendships, and the struggle to find peace amidst chaos.

Expats is a six-episode adaptation of Janice Y.K. Lee's novel ‘The Expatriates’ created by the brilliant Lulu Wang and headlined by Nicole Kidman. The show is a journey into the heart of Hong Kong, where drama, mystery, and the search for self collide.

Get a sneak peak here. 👈 👀 Think compelling narrative, a powerhouse cast, and a backdrop that’s as captivating as the story itself. 📺 Stream the first two episodes NOW on Amazon Prime.

Development 🗒️

• Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are teaming up again for the Netflix crime thriller ‘Animals,’ directed by Affleck and starring Damon. (more)

• Focus Features has acquired Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Black Bag.’ (more)

• Tom Ellis is joining the cast of ‘Tell Me Lies’ S2 at Hulu. (more)

• Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, and Chris Evans are set to star in Ethan Coen's upcoming Focus Features comedy 'Honey Don’t!' (more)

• Edward Norton is set to play Pete Seeger in James Mangold’s upcoming Bob Dylan pic. (more)

• Colman Domingo is cast as Joe Jackson in Michael Jackson biopic, and is set to star in and direct Nat King Cole biopic. (more here and here)

• Anthony Ramos and Jennifer Lopez are developing an animated feature-length film based on ‘Bob the Builder.’ (more)

• Julianne Moore is set to star in Pedro Almodóvar's first full-length English-language feature, ‘The Room Next Door.’ (more)

• Netflix has canceled the release of ‘The Mothership,’ a highly anticipated sci-fi thriller starring Halle Berry, despite the film having completed its first round of filming. (more)

• Amazon MGM Studios has acquired the sci-fi thriller ‘Mercy’ starring Chris Pratt. (more)

• David Duchovny, Jack Whitehall, and Carice van Houten are set to lead new series ‘Malice’ for Amazon Prime Video. (more)

• Netflix has secured a multi-film partnership with Japan's Studio Ponoc. (more)

Sundance 🎞️

• Multiple buyers are interested in the documentary ‘Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story,’ with offers around $10M. (more)

Business 🤝

• Comcast's Q4 results surpassed forecasts with $3.3B net income and $31B revenue, as Peacock reached 31M subscribers and $1B in revenue, leading to a dividend boost and a $15B stock buyback plan. (more)

• David Fincher has renewed his contract with Netflix for another three years. (more)

• Tribeca Enterprises and Giant Pictures are launching a distribution label, Tribeca Films. (more)

• Jon M. Chu and his Electric Somewhere Co. have secured a first-look feature film deal with Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group. (more)

• Streaming pirates are generating about $2B/year in revenue and posing a significant threat to legitimate streaming services. (more)

Other News 🚨

• Apple has announced grants to the Sundance Institute Indigenous Program and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. (more)

• Peacock's exclusive airing of the NFL's AFC Wild Card playoff game led to the biggest subscriber acquisition moment ever measured. (more)

• The DGA has revised its film and TV contract with Hollywood studios seven months after the initial deal was ratified. (more)

• SAG defends Alec Baldwin amidst new ‘Rust’ charges. (more)

• Director Doug Liman is boycotting the SXSW premiere of his film ‘Road House.’ (more)

What to watch this weekend? 👀

🎥 THEATRICAL

• Miller’s Girl: Gripping thriller-drama mix featuring Martin Freeman and Jenna Ortega.

📺 STREAMING

• Expats: (Prime Video) Nicole Kidman’s new drama series created by Lulu Wang.

• Masters of the Air: (Apple TV+) American war drama starring Austin Butler and Barry Keoghan.

• The Underdoggs: (Prime Video) Sports comedy staring Snoop Dogg, Andrew Schulz, Tika Sumpter, Mike Epps and George Lopez.