‘Lego’ enjoys holiday weekend. ’12 Years a Slave’ gets BAFTA prize.
After the coffee. Before remembering to record Jimmy Fallon tonight.
The Skinny: I’m three episodes into “House of Cards.†Unlike other folks, I’m perfectly happy taking my time to get through it. Now if I had the rest of HBO’s “True Detective†available to me it’d be another story. Today is a holiday for a lot of you so we’ll make this fast. Our roundup includes a look at the holiday box office weekend. Also, more deep thoughts on Comcast’s proposed takeover of Time Warner Cable.
Daily Dose: Former NBC News President Steve Capus, who left the network last year, has become an executive in residence at the graduate business school for Spain’s University of Navarra. Don’t get too envious. Capus will spend most of his time at the school’s midtown Manhattan space. But no doubt there will be a few free trips to Spain too.
‘Lego’ leads again. The holiday weekend is wrapping up and once again “The Lego Movie†is on top. The surprise smash has taken in $50 million through Sunday and might add an additional $10 million Monday. Opening strong was “About Last Night,†which took in almost $30 million through Sunday. The big flop was a remake of “Endless Love.†Weekend box office recaps from the Los Angeles Times and Movie City News.
More to consider. The ramifications of Comcast’s proposal to buy Time Warner Cable in a deal valued at $45 billion are still being discussed in media circles. Will it lead to more industry consolidation? Will the government put the brakes on the sale? Who will lead this mammoth cable and broadband operation? How many jobs will be lost? Who gets hurt? Here’s more coverage of Comcast’s big move from the New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Los Angeles Times and USA Today.
Oscar preview? “12 Years a Slave†took home the best film prize at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards (BAFTA); “Gravity†snagged six awards and “American Hustle†went home with three big trophies. Cate Blanchett took best actress honors; “12 Years a Slave†star Chiwetel Ejiofor won for best actor. Recaps from Variety, Hollywood Reporter and the Los Angeles Times.
Taking a time out. The Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the big studios and networks, have suspended negotiations on a new contract. One of the goals of the WGA in negotiations is to improve the pay on cable shows. Talks are set to resume in early March. More from the Los Angeles Times.
Inside the Los Angeles Times: Meredith Blake on new “Tonight Show†host Jimmy Fallon. Steve Zeitchik on NBC’s Olympic coverage.
Follow me on Twitter. I actually try to put some thought into all this. @JBFlint.
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