Nicole Sperling

The Everyday People Who Made Bad Bunny’s Halftime Authentic

“A priest from Sacramento. A bar owner from New York. A taquero from Los Angeles. Puerto Rico came alive at the Super Bowl because of hundreds of non-famous performers.” www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/a...

A staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."

South Africa Cancels Release of ‘Melania’ Documentary The distributor, which was set to release the film on Friday, said it had canceled the theatrical premiere because of “recent developments,” but declined to specify.

“Melania,” the new documentary about the first lady, has been pulled from theaters in South Africa after the film’s local distributor said on Wednesday that it would no longer release it.

Amazon’s Promotion of ‘Melania’ Has Critics Questioning Its Motives

“This has to be the most expensive documentary ever made that didn’t involve music licensing.-- said Ted Hope. "How can it not be equated with currying favor or an outright bribe? How can that not be the case?” www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/b...

Sundance Says Thank You, and Goodbye, to Park City

Park City's last Sundance. It's been real. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/b...

'Wicked: For Good' completely shut out of 2026 Oscar nominations 'Wicked: For Good' was shut out of the 2026 Oscar race after its predecessor collected a staggering 10 nominations last year, including best picture.

“Wicked: For Good” was just completely shut out of the Oscars, including Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande who were snubbed in the acting categories.

Excellent job @alissawilkinson.bsky.social and @theancientqueen.bsky.social!

Ted Sarandos Says Critics Just Misunderstand Netflix

New @nsperling.bsky.social invu w Ted Sarandos assuaging Hollywood re: theatrical

Commits to 45-day windows, “a hard number”

“… we will own a theatrical distribution engine that… produces billions… that we don’t want to put at risk.”

“I want to win opening weekend. I want to win box office.”

Ted Sarandos Says Critics Just Misunderstand Netflix

Ted Sarandos Says Critics Just Misunderstand Netflix www.nytimes.com/2026/01/16/b...

“The reports of F.B.I. agents raiding the home of a journalist and seizing her electronic devices are deeply concerning and portray a stark threat to free press rights in this country. Actions like this inevitably impede reporters’ ability to gather news in the public interest and as a result make the government less accountable. Reporting and newsgathering enjoy protection under the U.S. Constitution. Law enforcement intimidation like this imperils the transparency provided by independent media.” - David McCraw, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel

Can't believe Seth Rogen didn't thank Sal Saperstein. #goldenglobes

Is it time for Hollywood to concede that a lot of moviegoers in the United States and Canada are never coming back? That movie theaters have permanently lost 20 percent of their customers? Some analysts say yes @theancientqueen.bsky.social takes a closer look at the year: the good and the very bad.

He’s Chevy Chase, and He’s Still Like That

For those curious about Chevy Chase today, take a read but don’t be surprised: tigers don’t change their stripes.

He’s Chevy Chase, and He’s Still Like That www.nytimes.com/2026/01/01/a...

Sunday Special: The Best Movies of 2025

The final Sunday edition of The Daily of 2025 is @nsperling.bsky.social and me talking about the year’s best movies and making Gilbert insane with how bad we are at trivia www.nytimes.com/2025/12/28/p...

Australia announces strict new gun laws. Here's how it can act so swiftly Less than 48 hours after the deadly attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach that left more than a dozen dead, Australian authorities announced proposals for sweeping new gun laws.

Less than 48 hours after the deadly attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach that left more than a dozen dead, Australian authorities announced proposals for sweeping new gun laws. n.pr/48UTa7g

in the pit

This entire weekend

But Who Is the Snake in ‘Zootopia 2’?

But Who Is the Snake in ‘Zootopia 2’?

After sparring with Disney in court over the first Zootopia, Gary Goldman is convinced that Gary De'Snake is based on ... him

“Is this meant as some kind of confession? How on earth did this ever get approved by Disney?”

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/b...

Netflix, Comcast and Paramount Submit Warner Bros. Discovery Bids

scoop w/ @laurenhirsch.bsky.social and @nsperling.bsky.social: Warner Bros. boss David Zaslav held a dinner party at Woodland, his French Regency-style home on Wednesday, where he talked up a bid from Netflix. The latest on the race for Hollywood's big prize:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/b...

In Death, Poet Andrea Gibson Gets a Film That Celebrates Life

For all those looking for some meaningful distraction... www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/m...

Excellent piece by @nsperling.bsky.social A quote that struck me was about the importance of people knowing their neighbors - so they understand why having a local film community matters. Maybe, in addition to tax credits, there should be initiatives to rebuild a sense of local community.

Holes Grow in Hollywood’s Safety Net When It Is Needed Most

To make matters worse, commercial production is also down in Los Angeles.

Holes Grow in Hollywood’s Safety Net When It Is Needed Most www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/b...

What did Jafar Panahi Do After Prison in Iran? He Kept Making Movies.

Of interest: @nsperling.bsky.social feature on Jafar Panahi
JP: "What can we do about the people who worked for the regime, who betrayed their country?”
Look for our review of his stunning, humanist film, It was Just an Accident, forthcoming in Cineaste
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/17/m...

There are so many Diane Keaton performances to remember, but a lot of people haven't seen Reds, and A) my God, see it, it is a masterpiece and B) her performance as Louise Bryant is one of the bravest, toughest, least sympathy-courting pieces of work by an American actress in the last 50 years.

Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah says she was fired last week over posts on social media in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/b...

Bruce Springsteen and Courteney Cox are both at the #USOpen. Feels like a Dancing in the Dark reunion is mandatory.

The ‘Troublemaker’ Behind Netflix’s Biggest Gamble

The ‘Troublemaker’ Behind Netflix’s Biggest Gamble www.nytimes.com/2025/08/04/b...

The Naked Gun Is Fall-Off-Your-Seat Hilarious Remember laughter?

This review of THE NAKED GUN by @bilgeebiri.bsky.social is absolutely correct; it's hilarious at a time when we desperately need to laugh with fellow humans. Also, Bilge is right that Leslie Nielsen's name could be Liam Neeson if you were really drunk.

www.vulture.com/article/revi...

“I Love You. Send Bitcoin.” Inside the Billion-Dollar Celebrity Impersonation Scam Victims think they’re talking to Keanu Reeves. Or Kevin Costner. Then come the pleas for cash. The brazen AI-fueled con that fleeces lovestruck fans and has Hollywood finally fighting back.

This story from @thatrebecca1.bsky.social is terrific. I feel so badly for Margaret and I'm so glad Linda and fake Keanu didn't hurt each other. www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/dig...

JUST IN: Jury reaches verdict on some counts at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial reut.rs/4nusyRc

The Bureaucrat and the Billionaire: Inside DOGE’s Chaotic Takeover of Social Security

This is one of the best stories of how Musk's lies and distortions have directly affected policy and DOGE decisions at a federal agency.

The sheer unwillingness to understand a system before posting conspiracies about them or dismantling them is plain for all to see.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/u...