Hollywood Week: Paramount, AGs Near Settlement, Emmys, Nick Reiner, Bob Mackie
- Details
- Category: Haute This Issue
- Published on Saturday, 19 September 2026 10:29
- Written by Janet Walker
The Paramount Warner Bros merger has been slowly inching toward a conclusion, as news of a possible settlement in the months long lawsuit brought by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 11 other states attorney generals was announced.
AGs and Paramount Near Settlement
The Paramount WBD merger may be closer to becoming a reality as several major news media organizations including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times, have reported the parties have been meeting and are nearing a settlement.
While no information has been released on the possible terms, key issues have always circled around keeping Paramount WBD in California, honoring the commitment to release 30 movies annually, the editorial independence of media outlets, and trimming or selling off minor assets, operating both studios independently gradually folding them under one banner.
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Acquisition Funding
The acquisition of WBD has been backed by the Ellison Family, Paramount CEO David Ellison, the son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, and currently one of the top ten wealthiest men in the world, Red Bird Capital, and three Middle Eastern wealth funds, including Saudi Arabi Public Investment Fund, Qatar Investment Authority, and Abu Dhabi's L'Imad Holding Company.
Relocation Options
As the talks stalled Ellison began floating the idea of leaving California and relocating the behemoth to Texas, a move welcomed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who has already spoke with Ellison regarding the possibility. "A sit-down with Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick last month was said to be on the books, per a public records request obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. In an Aug. 11 email to economic development officials, Red Sanders, chair of the Texas Media Production Alliance, said that Ellison met with Patrick about the move," reported The Hollywood Reporter.
The potential merger has been met by a firestorm of criticism, and grassroots effort to stop the deal from advancing claiming the combination of two studios and the media assets of each, including CBS, which is already operating under Paramount leadership, and CNN, which becomes part of Ellison's conglomerate when the deal is finalized, generate the possibility that Ellison's close association with the current polarizing republican agenda will cause the loss of editorial independence and create the potential for state-sponsored media.
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Loss of Jobs
As California was once considered the movie-making capital of the world, the industry has been on a downward slide as other regions and countries offer better incentive packages and the cost of living and working the California, compared to other areas, is prohibitive.
Should Ellison move the company, the loss of film and television jobs would be staggering, upwards of 4,500 immediate jobs would be wiped out, and this is simply the direct employees in the entertainment industry, it does not include vendors or third party retailers who depend on the industry to survive.
While California Governor Gavin Newsom, as well as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, has urged Bonta to settle, the real motivation behind the urging is future political careers and the $547 million loss in state tax revenue.
Theatrical and Streaming
David Ellison has pledged to release 30 films annually, 15 per studio, and to keep them in theaters for a 45 day commitment. Paramount has already increased its 2026 theatrical release slate to 15 films.
While the naysayers, those who have been critical of the deal from the beginning, have stated this release schedule is impossible as it has never been accomplished in the past. Committing to a theatrical release schedule is a potential solution to the method in which consumers are offered first run features and the notion of the dying movie theater.
Streaming and the manner in which individuals consume content has become a much larger debate than it should be. Streaming and/or direct to consumer viewing options have arrived and are here to stay. Placing unnecessary restrictions on the direct to consumer industry is without merit.
Once the merger is completed, Ellison will combine Paramount Plus and HBO, and while his streaming options won't overtake streaming giant Netflix, he will have reached the top three.
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Television Stations and Foreign Investment
As Paramount owns 28 Television stations, any foreign investments above 25% need to be approved by the Federal Communications Commission, currently under the leadership of headline maker Brendan Carr.
"The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday approved Paramount's petition to allow 49.5% of its equity to be held by foreign entities once the Warner Bros. Discovery deal is complete. "We are persuaded by Paramount's argument that the Foreign Investors therefore will not be able to wield any influence, let alone control, over decisions involving the Licensees," the commission's decision states," Variety reported.
Ticking Fee and Settlement
At stake for Ellison is the October 1, 2026 deadline which automictically activates an additional $7million per day distribution to WBD shareholders in addition to the $81 billion, Ellison has agreed to pay, if the deal has not closed by October 1.
Neither the California AG nor Paramount would comment on the news that the two sides have moved closer to a tentative deal.
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Emmy Awards
History was made at this week's Emmy Award as actress Jean Smart was awarded her eighth career Emmy, tying her with Julie Louis-Dreyfuss, and Cloris Leachman, for most Emmy wins, and her fifth win for her role as the brash and difficult comedian Deborah Vance on the HBO comedic drama "Hacks." Nominated for each of the five seasons, Smart's historic five nominations and five wins, also sets a new record.
Allison Janney, who took home the trophy for her supporting role in "The Diplomat," has also earned eight primetime Emmy wins.
A surprising trend solidified at this year's Emmy Awards is breaking the age ceiling. No longer is Hollywood only recognizing women of a certain age.
"Smart is 75. Janney is 66. They led the way in a banner year for women 40 and over, including acting wins for Linda Cardellini (for "DTF St. Louis"), Sally Field ("Remarkably Bright Creatures"), Rhea Seehorn ("Pluribus") and Betty Gilpin and Kate O'Flynn (both for "Widow's Bay"). Shailene Woodley, who won a guest acting award for "Paradise," was at 34 the youngest woman to win an acting Emmy this year," The New York Times reported.
It was a night of historic wins for the men also. Matthew Rhys made Emmy history as the first performer to win two lead acting awards in one night. He took the trophy for his role in the Netflix drama "The Beast in Me," and Apple TVs "Widow's Bay."
The Emmys, with seven separate branches including Primetime, Creative Arts, Daytime, News & Documentary, Sports, International and Children's & Family Emmy Awards, are by far the biggest creative awards honoring industry professionals and are managed by Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
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Nick Reiner Fights for Trust Fund
Nick Reiner, the accused killer of his parents, Rob and Michelle Reiner, has continued to fight for the release of his trust fund in order to secure high profile defense attorney, Alan Jackson.
As the court has yet to rule on the motion to allow Reiner access to the trust fund. The trustees of the fund have refused his access to the monies from the irrevocable trust set up by his parents under the California slayer statue. Reiner's attorneys have argued that he is presumed innocent under the law and the money was from the inheritance his grandfather comedian Carl Reiner established, exempting the funds from the slayer statute.
"Nick Reiner is the sole beneficiary of a trust his parents created for him in 1993 (the 'Trust' or 'Nick's Trust'), when he was an infant. It holds roughly $1.6 million. He sits in custody awaiting trial on double-homicide charges that carry life without the possibility of parole, defended by the Los Angeles County Public Defender at public expense – not because he cannot afford a lawyer of his own, but because the Trustees of his Trust will not release his money to him," his attorneys wrote," People Magazine reported.
Reiner, who was arrested hours after the gruesome December 14, 2026 slayings, has been formally indicted with two counts of murder, and special circumstances. Reiner, whose battle with mental health drug addiction was well documented and openly discussed by both himself and his parents. The 2015 film, Being Charlie, directed by Rob Reiner, and co-written by Nick Reiner, was based on his and his families struggle to manage his illness.
Los Angeles DA, Nathan Hochman announced this week that he would not be seeking the death penalty. If convicted Reiner will serve a life sentence.
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Bob Mackie, Costume Designer for Cher and Carol Burnett, Dies
Hollywood's go-to costume and fashion designer Bob Mackie died this week. He was 87.
Mackie's death was announced on his Instagram page, "It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today. He lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a Fashion and Costume Designer, which is all he ever wanted to do. His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world."
With a signature dazzling sequin panache, Mackie made exquisite, gorgeous gowns, that radiated with the lights and showcased the women. His spectacular show-stopping elegance carried over through the generations.
Mackie earned three Academy Award nominations in the Best Costume Design category for Lady Sings the Blues (1972), Funny Lady (1975), and Pennies from Heaven (1981). He served as the costume Designer on a total of ten films. Although he never won an Oscar, he earned nine Emmy Awards, and one Tony Award. While known for his work with Cher, Carol Burnett, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, and Barbara Streisand, Mackie also dressed Madonna, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, and Sabrina Carpenter.
Among Mackie's more than 17,000 costume designs for entertainer Carol Burnett, the most memorable for audiences would be the "curtain rod dress," during a sketch with Burnett and Harvey Korman mocking Scarlett O'Hare in the classic film Gone with the Wind.
Cher was also devoted to Mackie's sequin style and while many of her awards show gowns were created by him, many remember the 1986 black sequined cut-out dress with a matching headpiece. "Created by her longtime friend and designer, Bob Mackie, Cher wore a black jewel-encrusted bralette, a matching low-rise side-slit skirt, thigh-high black boots and an embroidered shawl. The artist finished off her look with a voluminous feather headpiece. "This was one of my favorite outfits," the icon explains in the video. "I came to Bob with an idea. I said I want to have a mohawk, [but] that is not actually Indian. I want it to be so over-the-top that it's next week. The beautiful shawl was cashmere. I loved the whole thing," reported People Magazine.
Mackie is survived by his former wife, Lulu Porter, a granddaughter Alyssa, and two great-granddaughters, Kyla and Keira.
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Janet Walker is the publisher, founder, and sole owner of Haute-Lifestyle.com. A graduate of New York University, she has been covering international news through the Beltway Insider, a weekly review of the nation's top stories, for more than a decade. A general beat writer/reporter and entertainment/film critic, she is also an accomplished news/investigative news/crime reporter and submitted for Pulitzer Prize consideration "Cops Conspire to Deep Six Sex Assaults" in the Breaking News Category and was persuaded to withdraw the submission. Ms. Walker has completed five award-winning screenplays "The Six Sides of Truth," "The Assassins of Fifth Avenue," "The Wednesday Killer," "The Manhattan Project," and the sci-fi thriller "Project 13: The Last Day." She has also published "Unholy Alliances: A True Crime Story," a non-fiction narrative, "Days, Times, Seasons, and Events: A Collection of Poetry & Prose," and "Songs of Freedom: A Collection of Biblical Teachings," which can be purchased here. She is a member of the Authors Guild, the Los Angeles Press Club, the National Writers Union, and a member of the International Federation of Journalists.
