The all-new Hollywood Reporter offers unprecedented access to the people, studios, networks and agencies that create the magic in Hollywood. Published weekly, the oversized format includes exceptional photography and rich features.
1 PETER KIEFER “I was immersed in a world of such staggering opulence and astronomical sums of money that my sense of what constitutes ‘wealth’ got periodically scrambled,” says Kiefer of the reporting that went into THR’s power real estate agent list (page 82). The 40-year-old L.A. native, who attended Harvard-Westlake and graduated from UC Berkeley, lives in Venice Beach with his girlfriend in an “old, funky” Spanish bungalow. When not with friends or family, THR’s real estate contributing editor usually can be found taking a surf break or chasing his dog, Wesley, around Oakwood Park. “The amount of money pouring into Los Angeles from all over the world is simply mind-blowing,” he says, “and buyers are asking for some pretty outrageous amenities — one wanted a weed dispensary installed…
BROADCAST NETWORK EXECUTIVES MIGHT LAY IN BED AT NIGHT dreaming of the next Empire or Voice, but their waking aspirations are more realistic. The Big Five’s waning linear ratings and rich competition has altered the definition of a “win” as the fall season has become more about maintaining (or finding) stability and building affection for shows and the brand. “Broadcast almost operates like cable used to,” says Horizon Media’s David Campanelli. “They have an identity and certain audience they’re targeting.” THR breaks down how the nets can declare victory this season: ABC Renovate the 10 p.m. hour It’s a rebuilding year, and ABC’s priorities reflect that. The network, which shed double digits and fell to the No. 4 slot during a 2015-16 season peppered with niche shows, is targeting broader…
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO) With longtime winners The Colbert Report and The Daily Show With Jon Stewart out of the running, Last Week Tonight’s win in this category (the first for a non-Comedy Central show since 2007) speaks volumes about his likelihood to take the top prize in the variety talk show race. RuPaul’s Drag Race (Logo) A first-time nomination led to a win for RuPaul, the pop culture staple who has hosted and produced the campy competition since its 2009 debut. Drag Race isn’t nominated for reality competition series, but his win could suggest voters are willing to look past The Amazing Race and The Voice. Game of Thrones (HBO) As in 2015, the HBO epic heads into the Sept. 18 ceremony with the most wins…
IT’S A 90-DEGREE AUGUST DAY IN L.A., and Mark-Paul Gosselaar, clad in a San Diego Padres uniform, is chasing errant throws all over the field — at Dodger Stadium. Welcome to the start of production on Pitch, where the ability to film on such sacred ground — thanks to a deal with Fox and Major League Baseball — is as groundbreaking as its concept about the first woman to break the sport’s gender barrier. The pact, where no money exchanged hands, extends Fox and MLB’s partnership beyond their $12.4 billion TV rights deal. Pitch has unparalleled access to big-league teams, stadiums and logos that lend the production an authenticity that makes its premise realistic. It marks a never-before-seen cooperation between Hollywood and baseball. “If we didn’t have MLB, I don’t…
THE EMMYS MAY BE INVALUABLE in the U.S., but they don’t carry the same clout overseas. Increasingly, nominated shows, which tend to be more serialized, don’t play well abroad. “The Emmys have become less and less important for commercial broadcasters,” says German TV acquisitions head Rudiger Boss, who argues that the majority of series lauded at the ceremony are “too art house” for international audiences. The one exception: Game of Thrones. “It’s the biggest thing,” says Boss, who attributes the global success of the HBO drama to its writing and strong visuals. “But that’s the only one. The others are not working.” While viewing metrics remain unknown for many of this year’s contenders — some are only on streaming platforms (Amazon’s Transparent, Netflix’s Master of None) and others aren’t available…
WHY UBER TO the Emmys in a Prius if you can take a Tesla? Just in time for awards season, Motev, a boutique black-car service in Los Angeles, has launched with an all-Tesla fleet of four S and seven X models. All are fully loaded and equipped with Ludicrous mode, which can accelerate the cars from zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. Not that Motev drivers will be allowed to enable Ludicrous on the job. Safety is paramount, says co-founder Robert Gaskill, who hatched the idea for the company with entrepreneur Abe Pollister in February. “We went with Tesla because of its safety record, technology and because it’s an exciting brand for clients,” Gaskill tells THR, adding that the Palo Alto, Calif.-based automaker doesn’t offer deals for buying in…
