Sponsors
Shopify, Momentous, Gymshark, Neutonic
Bias Assessment
Not Applicable - No sponsor-related claims are exaggerated, overly positive, or integrated into factual content beyond the designated ad sections in the episode description or facts provided.
Analysis Summary
In this episode, Critical Drinker, a well-known movie critic and YouTuber, delves into the current state of Hollywood, exploring why many films and shows are struggling despite increased budgets. He discusses the impact of Amazon's acquisition of MGM and its control over the James Bond franchise, suggesting potential expansions into a Bond Cinematic Universe with spin-offs. Critical Drinker also touches on the creative frustrations faced by producers like the Broccoli family, who have been integral to the Bond series since the 1960s. Additionally, he critiques the management of Amazon Studios under Jennifer Salke and the perceived failures of projects like "The Rings of Power." The episode also covers broader industry trends, such as the dominance of the video game industry over traditional media and the lack of new culturally impactful book series.
Critical Drinker addresses several specific topics, including the future of the Star Wars franchise, suggesting it may need a break to regain profitability. He also discusses George R.R. Martin's ongoing work on his series, expressing concerns about his health and age affecting completion. The episode further explores the philosophy behind Martin's storytelling, contrasting it with J.R.R. Tolkien's approach. Other topics include the casting choices in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series and the impact of social media on celebrities like Anya Taylor-Joy. The episode concludes with updates on the production and release of the film "Rust," which faced significant delays due to an on-set incident involving Alec Baldwin.
The accuracy of the information presented varies. Facts about the Broccoli family's involvement with James Bond, Amazon's acquisition of MGM, and the video game industry's financial dominance are well-documented and accurate. However, some claims, such as the specific frustrations of the Broccoli family or the firing of a Tolkien scholar, are less verified and more speculative. Similarly, the assertion about the need for Star Wars to take a break and the status of George R.R. Martin's work are based on opinions and trends rather than concrete evidence. Overall, while the episode provides a comprehensive overview of current entertainment industry issues, listeners should approach some of the more speculative claims with caution.
Fact Checks
| Timestamp | Fact | Accuracy | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 --> 00:00:00 | The Broccoli family has been running the James Bond franchise since the 1960s, initially led by Albert Broccoli and followed by his daughter Barbara. | 100 🟢 | This statement is verified; the Broccoli family has indeed been integral to the James Bond franchise since its inception in 1962. Albert Broccoli was a co-founder of Eon Productions, and his daughter Barbara Broccoli has been involved in the production since 1995 (source: Biography.com). |
| 00:00:01 --> 00:21:45 | Amazon has full creative control over the Bond franchise since acquiring MGM, which owns the rights to Bond. | 100 🟢 | This is accurate. Amazon acquired MGM in March 2022, resulting in Amazon holding distribution rights to the James Bond franchise (source: Variety). |
| 00:00:01 --> 00:21:45 | Amazon is discussing creating a Bond Cinematic Universe with several spin-offs including characters like Moneypenny. | 50 🟠| While there's speculation about expanding the Bond franchise, no official confirmation of specific spin-offs like Moneypenny has been made. Discussions about a broader universe are speculative and not confirmed (The Hollywood Reporter). |
| 00:00:01 --> 00:21:45 | Creative failures in Hollywood, including the Lord of the Rings series, have led to frustration among producers like the Broccolis. | 50 🟠| Frustration over creative control is common, but attributing it specifically to the Broccoli family regarding Amazon's control lacks direct evidence. Public critique of adaptations exists, but not tied directly to the Broccolis (various critical reviews). |
| 00:00:01 --> 00:21:45 | Jeff Bezos does not run Amazon Studios; it is led by Jennifer Salke, who is blamed for failures like the Rings of Power. | 100 🟢 | This is accurate. Bezos does not manage Amazon Studios; he focuses on broader company operations, while Jennifer Salke is the head of the studio (source: Deadline). |
| 00:00:01 --> 00:21:45 | A Tolkien scholar was reportedly fired for criticizing the writing of the Rings of Power show. | 30 🔴 | Reports of dissent among writers exist, but specific claims about a Tolkien scholar being fired remain unverified and anecdotal. No concrete evidence supports this specific incident (various media reports). |
| 00:00:01 --> 00:21:45 | Hollywood studios are aware that recent productions have not been selling well and are seeking to shift toward more commercially viable content. | 70 🟡 | Industry analyses suggest studios recognize changing audience preferences, but specific internal insights are anecdotal. Observations align with recent trends (industry analyses). |
| 00:00:01 --> 00:21:45 | The video game industry makes more money than movies, TV, and music combined. | 100 🟢 | This fact is accurate; reports from the Entertainment Software Association support the claim that the video game industry generates higher revenue than traditional media (source: ESA reports). |
| 00:00:01 --> 00:21:45 | Some AAA video games have budgets that can reach $300 million to $400 million. | 100 🟢 | This is verified; top-tier video game titles frequently report production budgets in that range (source: industry reports). |
| 00:00:01 --> 00:21:45 | There are no more culturally impactful book series comparable to Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings being produced today. | 50 🟠| This claim oversimplifies current trends; while fewer crossover phenomena exist, stating 'no more' influential series is too absolute. Trends in popular literature can change (publishing industry analyses). |
| 00:00:01 --> 00:21:45 | The character Severus Snape has been race-swapped in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series. | 30 🔴 | Reports on casting choices for Snape have sparked discussion, but official details are limited. Claims of race-swapping are unconfirmed and speculative (various media outlets). |
| 00:56:48 --> 00:56:55 | Everything was shut down for a time. They wanted a hit somehow and would go on social media to get that validation. | 50 🟠| Lacks specific details about what was "shut down" or the time frame. General assertion about social media use during events like the COVID-19 pandemic is reasonable (WHO report on mental health during the pandemic). |
| 00:56:56 --> 01:03:05 | Anya Taylor-Joy is not super active on social media, which is a good thing. | 70 🟡 | Anya Taylor-Joy is known for being relatively private, but this claim lacks precise metrics. As of 2021-2023, she maintained a presence but was not excessively active (celebrity social media activity reports). |
| 01:03:05 --> 01:03:06 | Star Wars might need to rest for 5 to 10 years to come back profitably. | 30 🔴 | Reflects a viewpoint on franchise fatigue rather than evidence-based profitability. While some fatigue exists, the timeline for profitability is speculative and not universally agreed upon (McKinsey analysis of film franchises, Box Office Mojo data). |
| 01:03:20 --> 01:03:22 | George R.R. Martin's health issues and age lead to concerns about him finishing his series. | 70 🟡 | Martin has been open about his age and health, adding context to this claim. Discussion about his productivity is ongoing, but speculation about successors lacks definitive evidence (Washington Post profile on Martin). |
| 01:03:22 --> 01:06:54 | The philosophy of George R.R. Martin's storytelling is based on nihilism, contrasting clear good vs. evil from authors like J.R.R. Tolkien. | 70 🟡 | Captures debated character dynamics and themes in Martin's works as articulated in literary analyses. Critics have drawn parallels between Martin's and Tolkien's approaches to morality (The Atlantic article on Martin and Tolkien). |
| 01:08:04 --> 01:14:49 | The show "C", starring Jason Momoa, has a 7.6 rating on IMDb and 63% on Rotten Tomatoes; it premiered in 2019 and depicts a world where all descendants have lost their sense of sight. | 100 🟢 | This fact is verified. "C" indeed has a 7.6 rating on IMDb and a 63% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The show's premise about a society without sight aligns with official descriptions ([IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5537002/), [Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/c/s01)). They are reliable sources for entertainment data. |
| 01:08:03 --> 01:08:03 | The production of the film "Rust" halted after an incident involving Alec Baldwin, resumed in April 2023, completed in May 2023, and is set to premiere in Poland on November 20, 2024; no U.S. release date has been announced. | 100 🟢 | This claim is fully accurate. Production was indeed halted after the fatal incident, later resumed, and completed in May 2023. The film is scheduled for a foreign premiere, and reports indicate there is no U.S. release date as of now ([Variety](https://variety.com), [Deadline](https://deadline.com)). |