After the coffee. Before getting ready for Emmy madness!
The Skinny: I'd like to squeeze a movie in this weekend and am debating between "Prisoners" and "Enough Said." Anyone want to go with me? Friday's headlines include producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Disney splitting up and the weekend box office preview. Also, NBC is planning a Johnny Carson miniseries.
Daily Dose: Once upon a time, broadcast and cable networks got out of the way of the Emmy Awards telecast. That is no longer the case. This Sunday, AMC will have the second-to-last episode ever of "Breaking Bad" on opposite the Emmys and Showtime will be airing the "Dexter" finale. Now we live in an era of the DVR so it's not like people can't record one thing while watching the other. But we also live in an era of social media spoilers so if you're saving "Breaking Bad" or the Emmys, you better plan on steering clear of Facebook and Twitter on Sunday night.
Parting ways. Every week there is at least one story I link to where I say it's the end of an era. But producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Walt Disney Co. ending their first-look deal next year really is the end of an era. Bruckheimer has been at the helm of some of Disney's biggest hits over the last 20 years. But the disappointing box office for "The Lone Ranger" and a delay for the latest "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie coupled with what Disney said was Bruckheimer's desire to make more adult fare, likely led to a reassessment of the relationship. More from the Los Angeles Times, Variety and Hollywood Reporter.
PHOTOS: Hollywood backlot moments
Take no prisoners. "Prisoners," a kidnapping drama starring Jake Gyllenhaal (whose last name is a typo waiting to happen) and Hugh Jackman, is expected to capture the top spot at the box office with a projected take of $20 million. The only other wide release is the dance movie "Battle of the Year," which looks like it will have two left feet. A box office preview from the Los Angeles Times.
Playing around money. Independent movie producer the Weinstein Co. is nearing a deal for $370 million in financing, according to the Wall Street Journal. The money would not be used to make or acquire movies but rather for potential acquisitions. There has been speculation that Bob and Harvey Weinstein are eager to get their hands around their old production company Miramax.
Throwing a flag. Remember when the performer M.I.A. flipped the bird during her cameo in Madonna's Super Bowl halftime performance in 2012? The NFL does and has been quietly engaged in a legal battle about it with the performer. Although there were no fines from the Federal Communications Commission stemming from the gesture, the NFL wants a public apology and $1.5 million but the singer isn't playing ball, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
PHOTOS: Celebrities by The Times
Lost in space. Reality king Mark Burnett wants to send someone into space. The producer is developing a new show which, according to TV Guide, would put someone aboard a Virgin Galactic space flight. Back in the mid-1980s, my father was trying out to be the first journalist in space. Then the Challenger blew up and that put the kibosh on NASA's plans to put a member of the Fourth Estate into space.
Who'd you vote for? Since the Emmys are Sunday, it just wouldn't be right to send you off on your weekend without a piece predicting who will win and who deserved to win. Here are USA Today critic Robert Bianco's thoughts on who will get a trophy and who should.
Inside the Los Angeles Times: Betsy Sharkey on "Prisoners." NBC is planning a miniseries about legendary "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson.
Follow me on Twitter and help me get to 10,000 followers before the end of the year. @JBFlint.
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