Showbiz Sandbox 421: How “Grand Theft Auto” Got Its Groove On
August 27, 2018
The popular video game franchise “Grand Theft Auto” has already made over $6 billion for its publisher Rockstar. Now as the game moves online its players have listened to 75 billion minutes of music. Players can stream 18 online radio stations as they make their way through the game and even buy a nightclub to book performances by major DJ’s like Black Madonna. It’s the latest digital revenue stream for record labels and artists as sales of physical media taper off.
Meanwhile, just as the Justice Department was set to investigate whether the Paramount Decrees are still necessary, a small movie theater operator in Texas is suing the world’s largest cinema chain, AMC, claiming they colluded with studios to prevent them from getting new releases. The case proves just how hard proving antitrust allegations can be.
In the United Kingdom a movement among actors to be treated more fairly during the audition process has turned into a campaign with its own hashtag; #YesorNo. Actors simply want to know whether they have gotten a role or not after an audition. Some say being ignored entirely is worse than being rejected.
Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including the final season of “The Big Bang Theory,” the Eagles break a sales record in a dubious fashion and Cuba Gooding, Jr. is headed to Broadway by way of “Chicago.”
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Jim Parsons and The Big Bang Theory: Why Season 12 Will Be the Last for the Hit CBS Comedy
https://www.eonline.com/news/962825/jim-parsons-and-the-big-bang-theory-why-season-12-will-be-the-last-for-the-hit-cbs-comedy
comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of August 26, 2018
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-august-26-2018-300702441.html
Another Film Yanked From Chinese Cinemas After Poor Opening, Producers Vow Rerelease
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/film-yanked-chinese-cinemas-poor-opening-producers-vow-rerelease-1137218
AMC Theater Chain Headed to Trial Over Alleged Conspiracy With Movie Studio Giants
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/amc-theater-chain-headed-trial-alleged-conspiracy-movie-studio-giants-1136535
MoviePass Plans Keep Changing
https://www.cnet.com/news/moviepass-confusion-isnt-new-here-are-all-the-times-it-altered-the-deal
MoviePass to Renege on Annual Subscriber Benefits
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/moviepass-renege-annual-subscriber-benefits-1137461
How ‘Grand Theft Auto’ Is Changing the Way the World Experiences Music
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/rockstar-games-gta-online-mode-music-streaming-black-madonna-715665/
Multiple Fatalities at ‘Madden NFL 19’ Tournament Live Stream in Jacksonville
https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/the-landing-shooting-madden-nfl-19-live-stream-tournament-1202917187/
Asia Argento Denies Alleged Sexual Assault, Says Anthony Bourdain Paid Off Accuser
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/asia-argento-denies-sexual-assault-claim-says-anthony-bourdain-paid-accuser-1136314
Hugo Awards: Women Clean Up as NK Jemisin Wins Best Novel Again
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/aug/20/hugo-awards-women-nk-jemisin-wins-best-novel
Cuba Gooding Jr. Will Join Broadway Cast of Chicago
http://www.playbill.com/article/cuba-gooding-jr-will-join-broadway-cast-of-chicago
Lauren Ambrose & Nell Tiger Free To Star In M. Night Shyamalan’s Apple Series
https://deadline.com/2018/08/lauren-ambrose-nell-tiger-free-to-star-in-m-night-shyamalans-apple-series-1202450315/
Fewer Than a Tenth of Netflix Homes Log In Using Another’s Password
https://www.rapidtvnews.com/2018082053224/fewer-than-a-tenth-of-netflix-homes-log-in-using-another-s-password.html
RIAA: Eagles’ Greatest Hits Certified 38x Platinum, Passing ‘Thriller’
https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8470996/riaa-eagles-greatest-hits-certified-38x-platinum-passing-thriller
Ariana Grande Earns Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With ‘Sweetener’
https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8472196/ariana-grande-sweetener-number-one-billboard-200-chart
‘MacGyver’ Stunt Coordinator Seriously Injured on Set of CBS Series
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/macgyver-stunt-coordinator-seriously-injured-set-cbs-series-1136735
Disney Wants to End Tax Incentive Deals with Anaheim In An Attempt to Improve Relationship With City
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-disney-tax-agreements-20180822-story.html
Leading Theatres and Casting Directors Sign Up to #YesOrNo Audition Campaign
https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2018/leading-theatres-and-casting-directors-sign-up-to-yesorno-audition-campaign/
Aretha Franklin Nets Highest-Charting Album in 46 Years on Billboard 200 as ’30 Greatest Hits’ Re-Enters at No. 7
https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/8471006/aretha-franklin-nets-highest-charting-album-in-46-years-on-billboard-200-as-30
Robin Leach, ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous’ Host, Dies at 76
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/robin-leach-dead-lifestyles-rich-famous-host-dies-1137244
John Carter, Pioneering African-American Film Editor, Dies at 95
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/john-carter-dead-pioneering-african-american-film-editor-was-95-1137275
Craig Zadan, Prolific Stage, TV, and Film Producer, Dies at 69
https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/craig-zadan-dead-69-producer-chicago-sondheim-1202913206/
Actress Barbara Harris Dies; Second City Alum Became Toast of Broadway, Movies
https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/barbara-harris-dies-second-city-actress-freaky-friday-nashville/
Neil Simon, a Master of Comedy on Broadway and Beyond, Is Dead at 91
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/26/obituaries/neil-simon-dead.html
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