The Iger Sanction*

We spent most of last week discussing the Jimmy Kimmel suspension and its aftermath. Much of that discussion was based on speculation about what was going on inside the corporate offices of Disney, Nexstar, and Sinclair. This opening segment from KCRW’s essential Hollywood podcast The Business is also speculation, but it’s coming from the most informed and trusted sources in the field.

Plus, Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late-night (in most markets) was greeted with strong ratings and warm audience reactions. But behind the scenes, the decision to put him on indefinite leave has become another headache for Bob Iger. The Disney CEO, already navigating a difficult chapter, now faces questions about whether the move could leave a lasting mark on his legacy. Kim Masters and her partner in Banter Matt Belloni weigh in on the fallout — including what it might mean for his heir-apparent Dana Walden.

[Sorry, no transcript, but it’s 8 minutes long and well worth your time.]

When it comes to the business of entertainment, Masters is arguably the dean of Hollywood journalists. No one knows the studios better, which is why, when you want to know what’s really going on in the industry, this is the first place you look. When Masters and the also very good Belloni assess the aftermath of last week’s events, they tell a story of C-level executives having their reputations damaged and their careers knocked off track. 

All of this because Disney capitulated to Trump. As we said before, when it came to giving in to Trump, the basic calculation had been weighing principle and reputation on one side and financial gain and safety from harassment on the other. It’s not surprising that the overwhelming majority of CEOs opted for the latter, but one of the lessons of the past week is that C-level executives can no longer assume their self-interest lies with caving in. 

 

* I have to admit I'm way too pleased with myself over this title.