Better Call Paul
Hosted by former Marvel entertainment lawyer Paul Sarker and entertainment enthusiast Mesh Lakhani, Better Call Paul will delve into the business and legal issues at play behind the glitz and glam. This show takes you beyond the catchy headlines to find out what’s really at play behind the scenes and gives you an introduction to the business side of show business.
Episodes
November 19, 2025 • 27 mins
This week, Paul interviews Shashank who is the co-CEO of Nazranaa, the largest wholesaler and retailer of Indian garments in the U.S. In addition to running Nazranaa, Shashank is the executive producer of the YouTube series, Nazranaa Diaries, which highlights some of the store’s best customers and has taken on a life of its own. Shashank discusses the challenges of growing and managing this business amidst extreme tariff unpredicta...
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November 12, 2025 • 30 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh begin with Alls Fair, Ryan Murphy's star-studded, critically-panned over-the-top legal drama streaming on Hulu and a ranking of their top legal dramas. Next, they discuss England's recently-announced education reforms which were, in part, receptive to Ed Sheeran's call for educators to embrace teaching music in the classroom. Finally, Paul provides a high-level recap of Learning Resources v. Trump, a recent...
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November 5, 2025 • 33 mins
This week, Paul kicks things off with the NCAA's announcement that it will pause its proposed rule change which would have allowed student athletes to bet on professional sports. Next, Mesh recaps October's slow box office, which had the lowest ticket sales (excluding the pandemic) in nearly 3 decades. Finally, Paul and Mesh discuss Taylor Sheridan's $1B deal to move his TV and Film development and production banner to NBCU.
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October 29, 2025 • 32 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh discuss Skydance's bid for Warner Bros. Discovery and the sales process that it ignited which includes many usual suspects, Comcast, Netflix, Apple, etc. Next, they reminisce about MTV's lasting cultural impact as Skydance Paramount announced that it will shutter the MTV Europe music video channels at the end of 2025.
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October 22, 2025 • 35 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh debate Spotify's agreement to distribute its popular Ringer video podcasts on Netflix starting in 2026. Next, Paul discusses SAG's decision to expand its jurisdiction to cover the burgeoning business of microdramas which are produced for consumption on mobile devices. Finally, Paul and Mesh discuss some of California's recently passed laws which attempt to apply guardrails to AI and social media, in particu...
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October 15, 2025 • 32 mins
This week, Paul begins with an explanation of California's SB 576, a new law which will require streamers to make sure their advertisements are not louder than the content of the video programming viewed by users. Next, they discuss Taylor Swift's Life of a Showgirl, which, despite mixed reviews from critics, continues to break records. Finally, Paul provides an update in Drake v. UMG, where UMG was able to dismiss Drake's defamati...
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October 8, 2025 • 34 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh provide an update as AI-generated actress, Tilly Norwood, goes viral and California passes new AI-transparency legislation. Next, they discuss the FCC’s review of its local media ownership rules for radio and broadcast television. Finally, Paul celebrates Bad Bunny being announced as the half-time performer of Super Bowl LX.
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October 1, 2025 • 30 mins
This week, Mesh provides his One Battle After Another review and Paul recaps the initial signups for ESPN Unlimited and Fox One. Next, they discuss Marvel’s Wolverine, a PlayStation 5 game from Insomniac Studios that is scheduled for a Fall 2026 release, whose cinema-quality teaser trailer was dropped last week. Finally, Paul and Mesh debate RushTok, the phenomenon that has transformed Greek life at universities, created several vi...
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September 24, 2025 • 32 mins
Paul and Mesh begin with a quick recap of the biggest Emmys winners and a tribute to Robert Redford who passed away at the age of 89. Next, they discuss Luma AI's new video generator, Ray 3, which it describes as intelligent, iterative, and capable of producing HDR quality video. Finally, they ponder the impact of Telisha Jones, a poet whose an AI-assisted alter-ego, Xania Monet, leveraged Suno and image generators to climb the ...
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September 17, 2025 • 32 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh recap New York Fashion Week which sets the trends for fashion in 2026. Next, they look forward to some of their most anticipated movies for the end of 2025. Finally, they discuss A24's reopening of the Cherry Lane Theatre in Manhattan's West Village where the hitmaker can fine tune its growth into live events and foster direct interaction among creators and fans.
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September 10, 2025 • 34 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh begin with Nielsen’s new ratings methodology which will incorporate 75M devices to provide even more accurate measurements, just in time for the start of the NFL season. Next, Mesh teases 007 First Light, the next installment in the James Bond line of video games which has gotten great initial press. Finally, Paul and Mesh recap the rapid growth of Garage Beer, and its biggest shareholders, the Kelce broth...
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September 3, 2025 • 33 mins
This week, Paul interviews Gaurav Gupta, the founder of Squanto. An app that creates a marketplace for live performers and allows its clients and venues to use AI tools to sort through the sea of options for the best fit.
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August 27, 2025 • 35 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh begin with a discussion of the launch of two new streamers, ESPN Unlimited and Fox One, as well as Nielsen's latest report on television consumption habits. Next, they look forward to WB Animation's relaunch with Cat In The Hat slated for November 2026 with an all-star cast. Finally, Paul provide a recap of a dispute between JV partners Trinity Broadcasting and Merit Street Media and where things went off ...
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August 20, 2025 • 34 mins
This week, Mesh provides a rave review for Weapons, the sophomore effort from Zach Cregger, that is generating massive box-office buzz. Next, Paul and Mesh discuss the introduction of Sling's day, weekend, and week passes which provide a low-cost entry point to linear TV, but may ruffle feathers with TV networks. Finally, they discuss Geoffrey Hinton's (AI forefather, Nobel-prize winner) cautionary statements regarding AI super int...
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August 13, 2025 • 33 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh begin with strong earnings announcements from several leading media companies. Next, they discuss the announced deal between NFL and ESPN where NFL is getting a stake in ESPN in exchange for granting ESPN additional games and media rights. Finally, they discuss Roku entering the pay-streaming game with its new budget-friendly product, Howdy.
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This week, Paul and Mesh begin with a discussion of the home renovation TV genre amidst HGTV's decision to cancel several of its shows in response to declining viewership and cost over runs. On the other end of the TV spectrum, they recap Banijay Entertainment's strong first half of 2025 as the mega TV producer is hitting on all cylinders. Finally, Paul provides an update on a recent Ninth circuit case regarding the potential infri...
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July 30, 2025 • 25 mins
This week, Jessica David is back and filling in for Mesh. Paul and Jessica begin with Marvel's Fantastic Four reboot and George Lucas' first appearance at San Diego Comic Con. Next, Paul provides an update on FCC's approval of Skydance's proposed acquisition of Paramount clearing the path for the deal to close. Finally, they ponder the unconfirmed rumors percolating that Jeff Bezos is considering a purchase of CNBC.
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July 23, 2025 • 31 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh begin with a recap of the 77th Emmy nominations, where streamers dominated yet again. Next, the discuss the conclusion of the 2025 Upfront negotiations for several major players, including a record volume in sales for NBCU built on the strength of a major sports portfolio (World Cup, Olympics, Super Bowl and the return of the NBA). Finally, they discuss the 70th anniversary of Disney World and ponder what t...
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July 16, 2025 • 36 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh recap Superman's box office performance as the Gunn era of the DC film universe starts off. Next, they peer into the summer camp for Billionaires where CEOs and heads of entertainment and tech meet at the annual Sun Valley conference. Finally, Paul provides an update on the FTC's click to cancel rule which was struck down (at least temporarily) on procedural grounds.
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July 9, 2025 • 34 mins
This week, after a short 4th of July break, Paul and Mesh kick things off with a movie update discussing how F1 and Jurassic World Rebirth excelled in theaters. Next, they discuss the Diddy trial verdict which saw Diddy acquitted of the most serious charges he was facing in a mixed decision that will spare him a lengthy prison sentence. Finally, they provide an update on the Skydance and Paramount merger and how the South Park crea...
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