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
June 25, 2025 • 32 mins
Paul and Mesh begin with Mark Walter's purchase of a controlling interest in the Los Angeles Lakers for $10B, which is 40% higher than the next-highest NBA sale price (Celtics). Next, they discuss YouTube's CEO's comments regarding integrating generative AI video tool Veo3 into YouTube Shorts to further democratize content creation. Finally, they provide an update on the bankruptcy auction for Village Roadshow which Alcon has agree...
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June 18, 2025 • 36 mins
Paul and Mesh begin with a quick update on the Nintendo Switch 2 which set sales records in its first week of launch. Next, they discuss Disney and Universals' copyright infringement complaint against Midjourney. Finally, with the announcement that Warner Bros. Discovery will be spinning off its legacy cable networks and Disney's statement that it plans to keep all of its media assets under the same umbrella, they ponder the pros a...
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June 11, 2025 • 31 mins
This week, Paul recaps a great Tribeca Film Festival event he attended and discusses its importance to the greater NY entertainment scene. Next, Paul and Mesh cover some recent layoffs affecting legacy media companies. Finally, Paul provides an update on the House v. NCAA settlement which was just approved and formally ushers in the era of colleges paying their student athletes directly for NIL rights.
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June 4, 2025 • 38 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh start with a recap of the highest grossing Memorial Day Weekend for the U.S. movie business as Lilo and Stitch outperformed and MI:8 held its own. Next, they discuss the latest billion-dollar beauty sale as e.l.f has agreed to buy Hailey Beiber’s Rhode skin care and cosmetics brand for up to one billion dollars ($1,000,000,000). Finally, Paul and Mesh provide their take on Reed Hastings, the legendary found...
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May 21, 2025 • 34 mins
Paul and Mesh begin with WBD’s announced rebrand of Max back to HBO Max and a few Cannes film festival highlights. Next, they recap 5 primetime shows that NBC recently cancelled, in part to make room for its new NBA telecasts which will air on Tuesdays and Sundays (in addition to Peacock). Finally, they break down a recently announced 34.5B merger between Charter and Cox which, once completed, will create the largest cable/broadban...
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May 14, 2025 • 35 mins
Paul and Mesh begin with life imitating art as the real-life 2025 Conclave has a few striking similarities to the 2024 Best Picture nominee Conclave. Next, they discuss President Trump's intent to establish a College Sports Commission to be co-chaired by Nick Saban and Cody Campbell. Finally, Paul and Mesh breakdown the latest entertainment tariffs as the President has floated a 100% tariff on films made overseas and released in th...
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May 7, 2025 • 33 mins
Paul and Mesh begin with a recap of Marvel's Thunderbolts* box office performance which was solid but not a home run. Next, they discuss the start of Diddy's criminal trial in New York after Diddy rejected a plea deal on the eve of trial. Finally, Paul provides an update on the FCC and potential replacements for democratic commissioners, including former chair Jessica Rosenworcel.
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April 30, 2025 • 31 mins
Paul and Mesh begin with a discussion of Ryan Coogler's Sinners which continues his stellar trajectory and whether his bespoke deal with WB could become a trend. Next, they discuss Ted Sarandos' comments regarding the theatre experience and shifting consumer preferences. Finally, they celebrate YouTube which turned 20 in April and look back at how it revolutionized video distribution.
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April 23, 2025 • 35 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh begin with musical festival season as Coachella concludes and Fyre Festival 2 hits the brakes. Next, they discuss Drake’s amended defamation complaint against his own label, Universal Music Group, resulting from his rap beef with Kendrick Lamar. Finally, Paul breaks down college football QB, Nico Iamaleava, leaving the University of Tennessee for UCLA and how it illustrates the often hidden world of NIL dea...
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April 16, 2025 • 36 mins
Paul and Mesh begin with a luxury fashion update as Versace announced that it would be acquired by Prada to create a team-up of Italian luxury fashion brands. Next, Paul discusses the massive $1.68 billion dollar damages award in the sexual assault trial against writer director James Toback. Finally, Paul and Mesh discuss James Cameron, one of the pioneers of big budget motion pictures, and Mr. Cameron's view that AI technology can...
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April 9, 2025 • 35 mins
This week, Paul shouts out Newsmax and their successful IPO before Mesh and Paul go over their top Cinema Con 2025 films. Next, they discuss the impact of tariffs on the entertainment industry, not that they have any answers. Finally, Paul provides an update on NetChoice v. Griffin, a ruling which struck down Arkansas' 2023 Social Media Safety Act as unconstitutional.
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April 2, 2025 • 33 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh begin with a discussion of the use of trademarks in Film and TV and discuss some recent controversies. Next, they update us on Sundance's relocation from Park City, Utah to Boulder, Colorado beginning in 2027. Finally, Mesh shares the amazing developments he is seeing in the AI space for photo and video editing.
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March 26, 2025 • 31 mins
This week, Paul excitedly supports his Duke Blue Devils in their March Madness journey, while Mesh largely avoids the hype. Next, Paul and Mesh provide an update on the state of entertainment production in LA, the impact of tax incentives, and whether LA can reestablish itself as the epicenter of the production business. Finally, they discuss the bankruptcy process for Village Roadshow Pictures and its deep catalog which includes t...
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March 19, 2025 • 33 mins
This week, Paul begins with a recap of Chinese box office phenomenon, Ne Zha 2, which has crossed 2B in revenue and sold 300M+ tickets in China. Next Paul and Mesh discuss the net churn impacting the most popular streamers, and how nearly 50% of subscribers who cancel their subscription re-subscribe within a year. Finally, they reflect on Stan Lee, the creative engine behind Marvel who is the subject of a to-be-completed documentar...
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March 12, 2025 • 31 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh are back in the saddle and start by discussing how unlikely Oscar's star Sean Baker and his film Anora defied expectations and brought home statues without a box office haul. Next, they discuss an alleged ticket scam between conspirators from Jamaica and Jamaica, Queens that resulted in the theft of over $600K in tickets to prime concerts like Taylor Swift's Eras tour. Finally, Paul updates us on Paramount'...
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March 5, 2025 • 35 mins
This week, Paul interviews Ross Benes who is an author, journalist and analyst for eMarketer. Ross discusses his upcoming book, 1999, and how it was a such a pivotal year for today’s culture (reality TV, Netflix’s launch). In addition, Ross discusses how streamers have embraced advertising tiers and whether skinny bundles will stem the tide of declining linear television subscriptions.
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February 26, 2025 • 43 mins
This week, Paul Interviews Eric Perko who is an executive at the forefront of media and advertising. Eric discusses how he got into media, what led him to start Apollo Partners, and how he helps brands stay ahead of the curve, as well as why the Super Bowl is such a sought after media jewel.
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February 19, 2025 • 29 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh ponder Valentine’s day ideas and reflect upon the amazing Superbowl advertising and streaming numbers. Next, they discuss the first MCU release of 2025, Captain America: Brave New World and whether it lives up to the lofty expectations of Captain America: Winter Solider. Finally, Paul breaks down Diddy’s $100M defamation case against NBC/Peacock for their behind the scenes documentary regarding the allegati...
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February 12, 2025 • 34 mins
This week, Paul celebrates his beloved Philadelphia Eagles who dominated on their path to becoming Super Bowl champions. Next, Paul and Mesh discuss earnings announcements from some of the biggest tech and media companies. Finally, Paul updates us on some dissension within the college athlete ranks as the House v. NCAA settlement approaches its April 7, 2025 approval deadline.
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February 5, 2025 • 33 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh recap some of the winners of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and ponder whether it can remain in Park City, UT. Next, they break down the ranking of the various SVOD and FAST platforms based on Nielsen viewership data. Finally, they discuss the efforts of Skydance and Paramount to clear regulatory hurdles around the long-awaited purchase.
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