Welcome back to IN THE PLACE.
On today’s show: How MomTok broke “The Bachelorette,” she admits Josh D’Amarowedding night with Zendaya, and this week’s recommendations from industry insiders.
Do you have any tips (on how to go about a writer’s association interview or how to beat awards season)? You can find me at rebecca.keegan@nbcuni.com or in Signal at thatrebecca.82.
IT COMES TO THE BACH FRANCHISE
For a company like Disney, with its loyal family audience, the controversy surrounding its new Bachelorette, Taylor Frankie Paul, ran into a serious crisis involving two signature reality franchises.
ABC released the latest season of its dating show three days before “The Bachelorette” premiered, and hours after TMZ published video showing Paul attacking his ex-partner again. Dakota Mortensen in front of his daughter in 2023.
“Due to the newly released video that surfaced today, we have made the decision not to continue with a new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time, and are focusing on supporting the family,” ABC said in a statement.
A source with knowledge of the situation told me that Disney executives did not see the shocking video until it appeared on TMZ.
But the company’s statement followed Disney-owned Hulu’s decision earlier in the week to temporarily halt production on Paul’s other reality show, “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”
And the production company behind “Mormon Wives” had already engaged a law firm to investigate the “contradictory and contradictory claims” Paul and Mortensen had made about each other, according to the source.
In a Zoom call on March 7, “Mormon Wives” sent members to express concerns to Disney executives, including Rob Millsthe company’s senior vice president of unscripted entertainment and more, regarding alleged abuse involving Paul, according to audio obtained by a partner. Rebecca Cohen.
The faltering of Paul and Mortensen’s relationship was hardly news to “Mormon Wives” viewers, as it was an ongoing program on the show. In the 2024 pilot, Paul appears on screen in handcuffs after police respond to the 2023 altercation with Mortensen shown in the newly released video. He later pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.
For some perspective on ABC’s decision to cast Paul in his dating series despite his behavior on “Mormon Wives,” I reached out to Isabelle Morleyclinical psychologist and founding board member of the UCAN Foundation, which provides legal advice and mental health support to cast members.
Morley, who didn’t work on “The Bachelor” but has interviewed former “Bachelor” producers, described the typical psychological test a cast member goes through on that franchise, and used a phrase I’d never heard before: “Bachelor crazy.” That’s the idea that the ideal cast member would be emotionally unstable enough to be good television, without being dangerous.
“Acting experts would say anyone with a criminal record is not someone you want on your show,” Morley told me. “The fact that they knew about it and still put this person in that role shows how little they care about people’s safety.”
HOLLYWOOD’S HARDEST JOB?
Speaking of Disney, on Wednesday, the company’s new CEO Josh D’Amaro he officially entered the workforce as Bob Iger transitioned to his new role as senior advisor.
At the studio in Burbank, the new chapter is marked by a Disney version of the pope’s white smoke, and a Tinkerbell billboard that reads, “Welcome, Josh!”
The very first week. D’Amaro dives right into the “Bachelorette” crisis, as well as all the media company’s other challenges, including growing its broadcast business, fighting franchise fatigue at Marvel and Lucasfilm and embracing AI without alienating creative talent.
The job of Disney CEO is one of those Hollywood jobs — like Oscars host and CAA valet line worker — that requires a unique and hard-to-find set of skills.
“Disney is one of those companies where it’s not clear how many people in the world can run it,” said the Stanford Graduate School of Business’s. David Larcker he told me. “Parks, recreation – it’s a rare person who can have a deep understanding of both.”
The company has already tried to fill Iger’s white sneakers in 2020 Bob Chapekonly to see Iger return in 2022 amid internal turmoil and investor frustration.
Among the most interesting parts of Iger’s farewell speech at the annual shareholder meeting on Wednesday was his comment that “by the time I come back in 2022, people have lost confidence in the company they worked for.” Today, he said, “everywhere I look, I feel confident and excited about what’s to come.”
This seems to be a sign to employees and investors that the D’Amaro transition won’t happen like Chapek, with Iger waiting in the wings to step in and solve the big problems.
THE BRIDE WAS WEARING WHITE
NBC News’ culture and trends editor We are Hamedy was invited to a very special wedding on Tuesday. Here is his message:
Like every other marriage, Emma and Charlie had many common threads. There was a tower of Champagne; a large, tiered cake (featuring a lovely couple on top); monogram napkins; lots of red balloons and roses; themed cocktails (I can vouch that “Until the Death of Us” was pretty good); and other very VIP guests.
Unlike other marriages, however, this one was not real. It was an A24 extravaganza – at the Directors Guild of America Theater Complex, with a party at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood – for the screening of “The Drama.” Zendaya again Robert Pattinson star newlyweds who face the big confession, just days before they’re expected to say “I do.”
After a day of promoting the “Dune: Part Three” trailer together, the two arrived at the premiere in a vintage white car that was decorated with flowers and a “newlywed” sign on the back. Zendaya stuck to the bridal theme and wore the Vivienne Westwood dress she wore to the 2015 Oscars, while Pattinson wore a salmon-pink suit. They were armed with fans as they walked the white carpet before the movie started.
While the event was lavish, it didn’t feel as packed as some Hollywood premieres, perhaps a side effect of holding something right after the Oscars. “The Traitors” and “Love Island” alum Maura Higgins he was on the carpet chatting with the cast of A24’s social media pages. Pattinson’s partner, Suki Waterhousewas also there to support, though “Spider-Man” Tom Holland (Zendaya’s real-life boo) was noticeably absent. Directors and power couple Barry Jenkins again Lulu Wang they were seen on the carpet as well as the artist Thobile Lo. Later at the Chateau, Alana Haimco-starring in the drama “The Drama,” he was joined by his sisters Este again Danielle; and Waterhouse was chatting closely with the comedian Robby Hoffman by the lake.
Throughout the film’s press tour, eagle-eyed fans have noticed that Zendaya has been sporting her wedding ring and gold wedding band, prompting speculation about whether her actual wedding to Holland has taken place. Even if you are Mrs. IRL or just playing with a marketing gimmick, jewelry has caught people’s attention.
The movie officially opens in theaters on April 3. No spoilers, but the writer-director Christopher Borgli touched on how “challenging it was to put a genre into the movie.” Instead, he can choose the audience to watch and react the way they “want to react.” “You decide what is for you. You can laugh, you can cry,” Borgli told the audience. “You can leave the theater if you want.”
The HYPE
Why get your recommendations from an algorithm when you can get them from a Netflix showrunner and cast member in the live-action “Avatar: The Last Airbender” series.
Lee Sung Jincreator of Netflix’s “Beef,” told co-star Tony Lee earlier this month that he enjoyed “No Other Choice,” Park Chan-wook’s residences A dark Korean comedy film. “I think it’s the best movie of the year,” he said. “[Chan-wook] it’s a GOAT, you know. No one does it better.”
Elizabeth Yu, who plays Princess Azula in “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” told Tony that she’s “really into indie Asian music now.” He wrote Laufey again babadoobee as two recent favorites.
CONVERSATION
“Despite the fact that some people might call it controversial, this is what Val wanted.” – Director and writer Coerte Voorhees in using AI to wake up Val Kilmer in the movie “As Deep as the Grave.”
“I’ll keep my head up and carry on. That’s what Buffy Summers would do.” – Actor Sarah Michelle Gellar in an interview with People magazine about the reboot that can be taken.
“Don’t believe anything you read.” – Netflix CEO Bela Bajaria when asked at the “Next on Netflix” event on Wednesday about the alleged rift between the broadcaster, Meghan Markle again Prince Harry.
That wraps up — see you next week!
