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A BIG WIN for Ankler Media as we welcome our new powerhouse publisher, entertainment industry legend Lynne Segall, who’s teed up to drive even more explosive growth for our journalism, events, podcasts and video in 2026. I was part of the team at The Hollywood Reporter when Lynne and Janice Min, our Ankler Media CEO, boldly reinvented that institution — transforming the entire entertainment media landscape in the process — and I can’t wait to see what Lynne’s passion and leadership will unlock for us and for you as we continue to serve up the most insightful, innovative and honest coverage of Hollywood anywhere.
Case in point: It was fashionable on Friday to tally Kathleen Kennedy’s supposed misfires as the leader of Lucasfilm. But as the longtime steward of the Star Wars franchise made her graceful exit after nearly 14 years, Richard Rushfield offered a necessary corrective — reminding readers of an indelible career that spans everything from Back to the Future and Jurassic Park to a run at Lucasfilm that produced massive films and TV while Kennedy also personally grappled head-on with some of the industry’s thorniest challenges. All, as Richard notes, “while committing the unpardonable sin of being a woman.”
Richard will mark another industry turning point this week at Sundance, as the festival bows its final edition in Park City. He and I will both be on the mountain: Thursday morning at The Impact Lounge’s Pull Focus event, discussing storytelling’s power to drive social change; and Friday afternoon at UTA House, where I’ll lead a conversation on how Hollywood portrays health and disease. Find us there — and look out for Richard’s newsletter and video dispatches from the festival’s opening weekend.
Now, ICYMI, here’s our best of the week:
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Elaine Low gives the play-by-play from the inaugural Ankler Invitational, last weekend’s fierce, fun tennis tournament with Dan Lin, Joel McHale, Fox Entertainment CEO Rob Wade and more joining to hit the courts:
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 | The Golden Globes Winners and What They Mean Prestige Junkie 39:36 |
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In November 2024, NBC’s Tuesday nights featured St. Denis Medical, Night Court and The Voice. This past November, the NBA took over. Sean McNulty crunches the data to see how scripted fared versus sports:
Monday Morning QBs: Could Zootopia 2 really surpass Avatar: Fire and Ash? Richard and Sean break down why, despite still grossing well over $1 billion, the James Cameron sci-fi saga has finally come down to Earth:
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 | Hollywood’s New Gamble: Interactive TV Goes All In Ankler Agenda 33:06 |
MARTINI SHOT
 | ‘Heated Rivalry’ and The Oldest Trick in Showbiz Martini Shot 9:13 |
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