Showbiz Sandbox 426: China Gets A Tighter Grip On Its Entertainment Industry

When movie star Fan Bingbing went missing in June there was little doubt that the Chinese government had her in custody for tax evasion. Confirmation came this week when the actress resurfaced, apologizing to the country and begging for “everyone’s forgiveness!”. Chinese authorities have announced Fan will pay at least $70 million in back taxes or face criminal prosecution.

The episode has shined a spotlight on the use of what are known in China as “yin-yang contracts,” wherein two different contracts for different amounts are used; one with the full value of the contract and one with a lower value used with tax agencies. Now that the government seems to have taken notice, the Chinese film and television industry has come to a standstill as everyone restructures their deals to comply with the country’s tax laws.

Speaking of China, Hollywood’s share of the country’s box office for the year is off by roughly $500 million and we wonder why. Back in North America, September grosses nearly set an all time record and October is off to a great start.

Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment headlines including how Apple is stumbling its way into original TV programming, the RIAA diversifies and Bill Cosby heads to jail.

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Ansel Elgort to Star in Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ansel-elgort-nabs-male-lead-steven-spielbergs-west-side-story-1148420

Banksy Auction Prank Leaves Art World in Shreds
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2018/oct/06/banksy-sothebys-auction-prank-leaves-art-world-in-shreds-girl-with-balloon

comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of October 7, 2018
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-october-7-2018-300726675.html

Audrey Wells, Screenwriter on ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ and ‘The Hate U Give,’ Dies at 58
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/audrey-wells-dead-under-tuscan-sun-hate-u-give-screenwriter-was-58-1149868

Box Office: ‘The Nun,’ ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Fuel Near-Record September Revenue
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-nun-crazy-rich-asians-fuel-record-september-1148096

Fan Bingbing, Missing Chinese Celebrity, Is Fined for Tax Evasion
https://variety.com/2018/film/asia/china-fan-bingbing-fined-for-tax-evasion-1202966663/

Chinese Stars Rush to Pay Taxes in Biz Crackdown
https://variety.com/2018/film/asia/chinese-stars-make-tax-payments-in-biz-crack-down-1202968474/

China’s Film Industry Grinds to a Halt Because of Fan Bingbing Tax Scandal
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/2167047/chinas-film-industry-grinds-halt-because-fan-bingbing-tax

New Chinese Laws to Hit Streaming, Broadcasting of Foreign Content
http://chinafilminsider.com/new-chinese-laws-to-hit-streaming-broadcasting-of-foreign-content/

Cameron Crowe Adapting ‘Almost Famous’ Into Stage Musical
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/cameron-crowe-almost-famous-broadway-musical-727615/

Zoe Kravitz to Star in ‘High Fidelity’ TV Series for Disney Streaming Service
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/zoe-kravitz-star-high-fidelity-tv-series-disney-streaming-service-1146529

Mel Gibson to Direct, Co-Write ‘Wild Bunch’ Remake
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mel-gibson-direct-write-wild-bunch-remake-1146622

Wrecked by Joe Ide — third in mystery series starring IQ. Still not optioned!
http://bookfilter.com/2018/02/20/wrecked-7/

Super Thursday: One Day Sees 544 New Books Fighting to be Christmas Hits
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/oct/04/super-thursday-one-day-sees-544-new-books-fighting-to-be-christmas-hits

Bill Cosby Sentenced to 3 to 10 Years in State Prison
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bill-cosby-sentenced-prison-sexual-assault-1146603

Louis C.K. Performs Again, but Club Gives Patrons an Out
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/02/arts/television/louis-ck-performs-again-comedy-cellar.html

CAA Fired Adam Berkowitz for Allegedly Groping TV Executive
https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/caa-adam-berkowitz-fired-groping-1202957505/

Matthew Weiner on Sexual Misconduct Allegation: “I Don’t Remember Saying That”
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/matthew-weiner-denies-sexual-misconduct-allegation-1148105

CBS Fires ‘NCIS: New Orleans’ Producer Brad Kern, Terminates Overall Deal
https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/ncis-new-orleans-brad-kern-fired-1202965635/

‘Criminal Minds’: Producers, Studio Kept ‘Tyrant’ Senior Staffer in Place Amid Abuse Allegations (EXCLUSIVE)
https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/criminal-minds-abc-studios-abuse-tyrant-1202965261/

CBS Exec Vinnie Favale Placed on Leave After Allegations of Workplace Misconduct
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cbs-exec-vinnie-favale-leave-allegations-workplace-misconduct-1149105

‘Wheel of Time’ Fantasy Drama Nabs Amazon Series Order
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/wheel-time-fantasy-drama-nabs-amazon-series-order-1148488

‘Chronicles of Narnia’ Series, Films in the Works at Netflix
https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/chronicles-of-narnia-series-films-netflix-1202966920/

Netflix to Dramatically Expand L.A. Footprint, Taking Lease on Entire New 13-Story Building in Hollywood
https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/netflix-lease-13-story-epic-building-hollywood-1202969724/

Walmart’s Vudu Orders MGM Shows for Free, Ad-Supported Video Service
https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/walmarts-vudu-orders-mgm-shows-for-free-ad-supported-video-service-1202970491/

MacArthur Foundation Announces 25 New ‘Genius’ Fellowships
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/04/arts/macarthur-foundation-fellowship.html

HBO Says It Is Leaving the Boxing Business
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/27/sports/hbo-boxing.html

‘Kinky Boots’ Musical Encouraging Drag Queens in China To ‘Be Themselves’
https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/kinky-boots-musical-encouraging-drag-queens-in-china-to-be-themselves-1.4105385

‘Kinky Boots’ Will End Its Broadway Run in April
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/28/theater/kinky-boots-closing.html

The Real Cost of Working in the House of Mouse
https://www.topic.com/the-real-cost-of-working-in-the-house-of-mouse

SiriusXM Is the New — and Newly Massive — Owner of Pandora
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/siriusxm-pandora-deal-728314/

Fox to Sell Sky Stake to Comcast for $15 Billion
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-sell-sky-stake-comcast-15-billion-1143992

National Theatre’s Cheap Tickets in Doubt as Travelex Pulls Sponsorship After 15 Years
https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2018/national-theatres-cheap-tickets-doubt-travelex-pulls-sponsorship-15-years/

No Sex Please, We’re Apple
https://www.wsj.com/articles/no-sex-please-were-apple-iphone-giant-seeks-tv-success-on-its-own-terms-1537588880

Dr. Dre’s Apple Music Series ‘Vital Signs’ Shelved Due to Graphic Content
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dr-dre-apple-music-series-vital-signs-728252/

Ticketmaster President Talks TradeDesk Scandal: ‘We Absolutely Do Not Turn a Blind Eye to the Misuse of Our Products’
https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8476697/ticketmaster-president-tradedesk-scandal-exclusive-interview

Ticketmaster Responds to Senate Letter Investigating Resale Controversy
https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8478525/ticketmaster-responds-senate-letter

Brockhampton’s ‘Iridescence’ Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart
https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8477553/brockhampton-iridescence-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200-albums-chart

Lil Wayne’s ‘Tha Carter V’ Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 With Second-Largest Streaming Week Ever for an Album
https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8478576/lil-waynes-tha-carter-v-no-1-billboard-200

Emilio and Gloria Estefan to Receive Library of Congress Gershwin Prize
https://variety.com/2018/music/news/emilio-gloria-estefan-library-of-congress-gershwin-prize-1202955692/

Recording Academy Invites 900 New Voting Members Based on Task Force Recommendations to Increase Diversity
https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8478236/recording-academy-invites-900-new-voting-members-task-force

Charles Aznavour, 94, Enduring French Singer of Global Fame, Dies
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/01/obituaries/charles-aznavour-dead.html

Will Vinton, Oscar-Winning Legend of Claymation, Dies at 70
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/will-vinton-dead-oscar-winning-legend-claymation-was-70-1149596

Jefferson Airplane Co-Founder Marty Balin Dead at 76
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jefferson-airplane-guitarist-marty-balin-dead-76-730912/

Gary Kurtz, Star Wars Producer Dies at 78
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/gary-kurtz-dead-star-wars-producer-dies-at-78-1146427

Geoff Emerick, Beatles Chief Recording Engineer, Dies at 72
https://variety.com/2018/music/news/geoff-emerick-beatles-engineer-dead-1202966681/