Jimmy Kimmel discusses the evolving focus of the American media on Donald Trump's MAGA agenda
In the world of entertainment, the week saw significant changes as the industry seemed to be tilting rightward. This transformation was evident in various aspects, from the decisions made by major studios to the rise of new production companies.
Disney, under CEO Bob Iger, has declared a shift in focus, renouncing 'woke' values and stating that its mandate is to 'entertain' rather than to advance any kind of agenda. This decision comes as Hollywood's movie box office remains below pre-COVID levels, and the decline of the DVD and cable TV industries has forced studios to reconsider their strategies.
Meanwhile, ABC News agreed to pay $15 million to resolve a defamation case involving Trump-critical comments made by presenter George Stephanopoulos. This settlement follows the cancellation of 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' by CBS, which cited financial reasons. The move led to accusations of political reasons, especially given the $16 million settlement between CBS and Donald Trump over a previous lawsuit.
The week also saw the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel 'indefinitely' after his comments about the murder of far-right activist Charlie Kirk. ABC's decision to suspend Kimmel is linked to the pending mega-merger of Nexstar, which owns dozens of ABC affiliates. Nexstar pre-empted Kimmel's show on its stations due to the merger requiring government approval.
Nexstar's CEO praised the Trump administration as the company announced its upcoming $6.2 billion merger with TV rival, Tegna. This praise is not isolated, as David Ellison, head of Skydance, has shown a willingness to align with Trump's agenda. Ellison, son of Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison, is speculated to bid for a billion-dollar takeover of Warner Bros., potentially uniting Paramount and Warner's assets. Ellison has also been linked to conversations with the founder of an 'anti-woke' Free Press.
The rightward shift in the US entertainment business is not limited to the big players. Angel Studios, a faith-friendly production company, has become a breakout player with projects like 'The Sound of Freedom' and 'The King of Kings.' Angel Studios went public last week with a $1.3 billion valuation.
However, not all news was about political shifts. The entertainment industry also mourned the loss of screen legend and environmental activist Robert Redford, who passed away this week.
In a surprising turn of events, Amazon is paying $40 million for two documentaries by and about Melania Trump, and is re-running the first seven seasons of 'The Apprentice,' the reality-TV show starring Trump.
Taylor Sheridan's neo-Western 'Yellowstone' and its spin-offs have become billion-dollar franchises despite being snubbed by the Emmys. This success demonstrates that audiences are eager for compelling content, regardless of its political leanings.
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these shifts impact the stories we tell and the ways in which we tell them.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
