Topic: Hbo Max

The film industry is undergoing a massive shift as major studios like Warner Bros. move their entire 2021 slate to streaming platforms like HBO Max. "Wonder Woman 1984" earned significantly less in its opening weekend compared to traditional blockbusters, signaling the potential death of the theatrical experience. The hosts argue that movies designed for THX and giant screens lose their impact when watched on home soundbars or mobile phones.

Warner Bros. Discovery has canceled the $90 million "Batgirl" movie, opting for a tax write-off rather than a streaming release. CEO David Zaslav cited a lack of economic viability for high-budget streaming-only films, signaling an end to the era of "free money" in Hollywood.

The HBO Max show "Santa Inc.," starring Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman, has received historically low ratings on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes. Rogen attributed the negative reviews to "tens of thousands of white supremacists." The hosts critique the show for its extreme profanity and claymation style, which they argue is deceptively marketed toward a demographic that includes children.

Warner Brothers' decision to release its entire 2021 movie slate on streaming services simultaneously with theaters is seen as a potential death knell for Hollywood. The move has forced the studio to pay top actors millions in extra compensation to make up for the loss of back-end residuals and the increased risk of piracy.

Warner Bros. announced that its entire 2021 film slate, including *Dune* and *The Matrix 4*, will debut on HBO Max simultaneously with theaters. This move has sent the Hollywood studio system into a panic, signaling a potential permanent shift away from traditional cinema. The hosts discuss the implications for theater chains and the consolidation of media under giants like Disney.

The HBO Max streaming application experienced significant technical issues during the finale of the limited series The Undoing. Viewers expressed frustration on social media over the inability to access the episode starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant. The discussion also mentions the Netflix series The Queen's Gambit, praising its direction and production quality.

The concept of the "Noodle Gun" is introduced to describe how social media activists use shaming tactics to influence advertisers and corporations. Recent examples include HBO Max temporarily removing "Gone with the Wind" to add historical context and the cancellation of long-running television shows like "Cops" and "Live PD." The hosts argue that these "noodle kids" have figured out how to weaponize digital platforms to force cultural shifts.

The HBO fight between Paulie Malignaggi and Juan Diaz is characterized as "rigged" following a controversial decision in favor of Diaz. Malignaggi's post-fight interview, where he expresses disgust with the sport's corruption, is highlighted. The hosts also discuss the lack of mainstream media coverage for boxing compared to other sports.