Here's everything you need to know about the world of television for Tuesday, February 11th, 2025:
PRODUCTION NOTES
My apologies for not sending out a newsletter last night or a paid subscriber-only video this morning. I managed to get food poisoning, which is the first time that's happened in maybe 15 years. I'm feeling somewhat better now, but I'm still a few days from eating buffalo anything. And all I want to do is sleep.
EXCLUSIVE: WHY DISNEY MADE THEIR MOVES ON DEI & DIVERSITY
One of the best things about writing this newsletter is that there is an amazing range of people subscribing to it on the industry side. So a lot of tips pop up that I might have struggled to otherwise uncover.
When I wrote several days ago about Disney's decision to scale back on DEI issues and diversity, I heard from several people working at the company who told me "Well, there's more to this story than what Axios reported."
While Disney had been working on changes to the employee guidelines internally for months, sources at the company tell me the timing was prompted by an inquiry from the FCC about Disney's DEI and diversity initiatives. The belief within the executive ranks was that making the changes and making sure it was seen by Trump Administration officials (in this case, by leaking it to Axios) would put off any formal investigation similar to the one just launched against Comcast.
A source at the FCC who is familiar with the thinking at the agency told me that "it was a win-win. Disney very publicly folded. But that still gives us the ability to block future business moves by the company that we believe are anti-consumer or anti-American."
One Disney source who was directly involved in some of the decision making of the changes told me the moves were controversial internally. And that some people argued against some of the moves because they felt performative and wouldn't have any real impact on whether or not the FCC or some other government agency came after Disney in the future.
"We're the perfect target," I was told. "Disney is a beloved media company that is seen as being family-friendly. So coming after us shows they'll come after anyone and that's useful." I was also reminded that while Disney initially stood firmly against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis when he complained about the company's support of the so-called "Don't Say Gay" law, incoming CEO Bob Iger made nice with critics, reassuring opponents that Disney wasn't interested in getting involved in social or culturally uncomfortable issues.
I have also heard recently from some people on the creative side, who have noted that while no one is being told not to pitch diverse projects, there is an underlying understanding of what they are looking for. An upper-level writer who recently pitched a project to several streamers noticed a trend in the feedback for executives. "I was told they weren't looking for strong visions right now, or stories that were too personal or focused on an experience that wasn't universal," they said. "It was clear that they didn't want anything right now that was going to lead to complaints from anyone. I was never told 'this is too diverse' or 'does it have to be a gay love story?' But it was pretty clear to me that was what they meant."
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ON A RELATED NOTE
The Ankler's Richard Rushfield has his own thoughts about what is going on at Disney and he isn't being any kinder than I am:
All of which makes one wonder why the company is so eager to appease this President so quickly. Getting out of the MAGA crosshairs would certainly have value. There’s the usual suite of corporate interests: piracy enforcement, tax incentives, etc. Making whatever DEI factors are at work less visible could stave off, say, the FCC Commissioner threatening to strip Disney of its broadcast licenses. Nothing to be sneezed at, to be sure. Could appeasement end up saving jobs and shareholder value? One could hold your nose and say, certainly.
To be fair, Disney is far from alone here. It’s merely today’s example, but I have no doubt that equal or greater instances of cravenness will follow from all of our great leaders, who to their credit so far it must be said, have at least not matched the sheer performative cravenness of the tech titans. But the night is young. Already on the runway now are Shari Redstone’s negotiations to capitulate completely and settle the company’s 60 Minutes lawsuit, as its Skydance deal hangs in the balance.
THE PRESS TALKS A GOOD GAME ABOUT NOT BENDING A KNEE
It's easy to talk brave when it doesn't cost you anything. When you're not inconvenienced or the decision doesn't impact you financially. But there are a lot of people in the world who talk a good game until they're forced to take a stand. And then they have a lot of "well, what I could do?" excuses as they just go along with something they know is wrong simply because it's the path of least resistance.
Today marked the third day that the White House has blocked the Associated Press from access to White House briefings and events in the Oval Office. The White House has been very explicit about saying the decision is based on the AP's decision not to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf Of America." The AP's explanation is that they have a variety of international clients, the new term isn't recognized by anyone other than the Trump White house, and the cowardly mapmakers at Google and Apple. So they aren't going to change the name in their coverage.
The White House Correspondents organization was founded to push back against such moves by any president. And every president - no matter the party - has had their own tussles with the press. There was a time when blocking access to a major news organization such as the AP would have led to the refusal of other news organizations to participate directly in the events. A boycott in this case would have some weight, particularly given Donald Trump's need for press coverage.
The fact that none of those other outlets have bothered to complain because they're afraid of losing their own access is a moral failing and a sign of journalistic malpractice. It's a cliche to say "first they came for X, and I didn't say anything." But I suspect that many of these media companies are going to regret not pushing back now, while they still have some leverage.
ODDS AND SODS
* I had a fun interview with St. Denis Medical's Josh Lawson. This was one of the those interviews I wish would have lasted a lot longer.
* Fighting To Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story is a true crime biopic of Detroit native Dwen Curry, who moved from celebrity stylist to the stars to transgender gangster. Dyllón Burnside (Pose) stars as the lead, alongside D.B. Woodside (9-1-1: Lone Star) and A.J. Johnson (Baby Boy). It premieres Thursday, February 27th on BET+. Here is a first look at the trailer.
* The Kennedy Center has canceled its tour of Finn, an acclaimed Kennedy Center-produced children’s musical about a young shark who, in the words of the show’s creators, “wants to let out his inner fish.”
* BET+ also has a new original movie, Sugar Baby, with the very understated logline "young woman down on her luck gets drawn into a world of powerful, wealthy older men seeking transactional relationships." If it's of interest of you, here's a first look at what to expect.
* I don't know why older comics somehow believe that growing a beard or letting their hair grow will hide their new wrinkles and turkey neck. But it's quite the trend. In a related note, George Lopez has a new stand-up special premiering February 18th on Prime Video. And here is the trailer, short though it might be.
* Rahm Emanuel is joining CNN as senior political and global affairs commentator, making his first appearance on the network on a segment today. So we can look forward to lots of segments in which he argues that Dems have to "move towards the center" and "pick their battles" with the new administration.
* Issa Rae has canceled her sold-out show at The Kennedy Center after Donald Trump was elected chairman.
* A24’s prison theater drama Sing Sing is set to begin streaming on Max on March 21st.
* Martha Stewart and José Andrés are teaming up for a new cooking competition series coming to NBC. The pair will host and executive produce Yes, Chef!, where "the series puts 12 highly skilled chefs, who have been nominated by their bosses, co-workers, friends and even family, through the ultimate test. These rising stars all have natural talent, but their egos, intensity, stubbornness or short fuses are holding them back from reaching their full potential."
* 404 Media has a crazy story about a guy who created a successful YouTube channel that featured true crime stories for crimes made up by AI.
WHAT'S NEW TONIGHT AND TOMORROW
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH:
Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy (Peacock)
Broken Rage (Prime Video)
Cobra Kai (Netflix)
Dog Days Out Series Premiere (Netflix)
Home Sweet Rome (Max)
La Dolce Villa (Netflix)
My Fault: London (Prime Video)
Next Level Chef Season Premiere (Fox)
Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) (Hulu)
Sweethearts Series Premiere (Prime Video)
The Exchange (Netflix)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH:
Dhoom Dhaam (Netflix)
Goldie Series Premiere (Apple TV+)
I Am Married....But (Netflix)
Jon and Lucy’s Odd Couple Series Premiere (Britbox)
Lethal Desire (LMN)
Love Is Blind Season Eight Premiere (Netflix)
Love Forever (Netflix)
Melo Movie Series Premiere (Netflix)
SNL50: The Homecoming Concert (Peacock)
The Dead Thing (Shudder)
The Gorge (Apple TV+)
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World (Netflix)
Umjolo: There Is No Cure (Netflix)
Valeria (Netflix)
SEE YOU ON FRIDAY!