Leftwing Groomer Netflix Bows Out, "Trump-Aligned" Paramount to Win Battle for Warner Bros./Discovery

I don't know why they'd want it. This feels like trying to swallow a big jagged bone.

Netflix Backs Out of Warner Bros. Bidding, Paramount Set to Win
In a stunning twist, the streaming giant's co-CEOs say the major studio "was always a 'nice to have' at the right price, not a 'must have' at any price."

In a stunning twist, Netflix is declining to raise its bid for Warner Bros., positioning David Ellison's Paramount as the winner in the battle for the fabled studio.
Netflix co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters released a statement Thursday outlining their decision, namely that the deal is "no longer financially attractive" and that it "was always a 'nice to have' at the right price, not a 'must have' at any price."
"The transaction we negotiated would have created shareholder value with a clear path to regulatory approval. However, we've always been disciplined, and at the price required to match Paramount Skydance's latest offer, the deal is no longer financially attractive, so we are declining to match the Paramount Skydance bid," the co-CEOs said.
...
With Netflix out, Paramount's latest bid is almost a sure thing to be accepted by the Warners board, which determined earlier Thursday that it was a "superior proposal" to Netflix's deal.
...
PSKY's latest proposal was for $31 per share, but had a number of other sweeteners, including a ticking fee payable to shareholders equal to $0.25 per quarter beginning after Sept. 30, 2026, as well as a $7 billion regulatory termination in the event the transaction does not close due to regulatory matters.
Paramount has also agreed to pay the $2.8 billion termination fee that Warner Bros. would be required to pay to Netflix to terminate the existing merger agreement.

Doesn't Warner Discovery come with $80 billion in debt from the last acquisition?

People are spending billions to own $80 billion in debt plus the right to remake Lord of the Rings in ten years. Which will fail.

i completely forgot about CNN. It's a very easy thing to forget, because its latest ratings are 6. Not a six rating, six people.

But staffers at CNN are reportedly in "a panic."

Mood is 'horrific' inside CNN as staffers brace for change amid potential Paramount takeover, insiders say

Netflix backing out of bid for Warner Bros Discovery paves way for CNN to fall under David Ellison's control

The mood inside CNN was "horrific" on Friday as network leadership sought to calm fears of anxious staffers, with parent company Warner Bros. Discovery appearing set to hand control of the network to Paramount CEO David Ellison.
...
"The mood is horrific," a CNN insider told Fox News Digital. "People are very upset."
...
A second CNN insider told Fox News Digital that staffers feel "a mix of despair, apprehension and curiosity."
...
A second insider said the two main concerns are "job loss" and "editorial indifference," noting the former "greatly outranks" the latter. Specifically, CNN staffers worry about a potential "bloodbath" if CBS News and CNN were to merge.
...

The first CNN insider is trying to keep an "open mind" but said it's easy to understand why staffers are upset given the reporting on Ellison and Trump discussing changes.
"It's existential for the brand to be owned by an individual who has personal allegiance to a political figure and is not even answering to public markets," they told Fox News Digital.
"But -- I mean what I'm saying. It's not just me trying to take a deep breath. I truly believe we can only react to what is, not what might be," they continued. "And we have no idea what the world will look like when this closes."

Waaah, Oliver Darcy reports on the Sads! and A-scareds! of his former colleagues at CNN:

Brian Stelter said two very funny things. Noting that Larry Ellison wants a fair and fact-based news outlet, Stelter said, hilariously, "That sounds like CNN."

It sure does, Tater. It sure does.

But he also worries about whether Ellison will allow CNN to keep the, giggle, "editorial independence that CNN is known for."

Below, a few meh trailers. I like most of the people involved here, including Jorma Taccone, director one of my favorite comedies of the 2010's, MacGruber, but this doesn't grab me.

Meh: Mecha Predator.

Possibly something. I think this is based on some YouTube creepy short.

Update: Yes, it is based on an internet creepypasta about liminal spaces, spaces between the real and unreal. And that sci-fi standby of structures too big to exist whose internal dimensions seem to exceed the external dimensions.

There were a series of webisodes. Here's one:

Posted by: Disinformation Expert Ace at 04:20 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 First.

Posted by: Vengeance. at February 27, 2026 04:21 PM (AnlBQ)

2 Hmm E-6b asset in flight over the NE.

Posted by: Vengeance. at February 27, 2026 04:22 PM (AnlBQ)

3 In a stunning twist, the streaming giant's co-CEOs say the major studio "was always a 'nice to have' at the right price, not a 'must have' at any price."

I wonder what was the "right" price?

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at February 27, 2026 04:23 PM (0N4FZ)

4 >> The mood is horrific," a CNN insider told Fox News Digital. "People are very upset."

I have a fresh batch of Kool Aid. Want some?

Posted by: Vengeance. at February 27, 2026 04:25 PM (AnlBQ)

5 Netflix is a shit company anyway. After what Rice said people should flee like they have the clap.

Posted by: Vengeance. at February 27, 2026 04:26 PM (AnlBQ)

6
"It's existential for the brand to be owned by an individual who has personal allegiance to a political figure and is not even answering to public markets," they told Fox News Digital.

Uh. Hasn't CNN been absolutely ruining their public perception and profitability by ignoring public markets? They seem to cater to what they think the public "should" want instead of what the public actually wants.

Posted by: Emmie -- be strong and courageous! at February 27, 2026 04:27 PM (FMtrg)

7 Ace, any chance of a Chuy sighting?

Posted by: Duncanthrax at February 27, 2026 04:27 PM (ZHCyk)

8 And that sci-fi standby of structures too big to exist whose internal dimensions seem to exceed the external dimensions.

>>>Just once, I want the reverse. It'd be funny.

Posted by: pookysgirl, enjoying Tchaikovsky at February 27, 2026 04:28 PM (Wt5PA)

9 This week has been about 72 hours too long

Posted by: nckate at February 27, 2026 04:28 PM (uQzkA)

10 What kinda of an idiot watches Netflix?

Posted by: Estelle Costanza at February 27, 2026 04:28 PM (Ksqrb)

11 I don't know why they'd want it. This feels like trying to swallow a big jagged bone.

======

Less about politics and more about the general health of the industry.

Netflix is the only streamer that actually makes money from streaming.

Losing a major studio and its IP to the only streamer that can make money is a major hit to the theatrical distribution model that the rest still need financially.

Also, the industry still kind of just hates Netflix. Probably why it's never won the Best Picture Oscar.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at February 27, 2026 04:28 PM (GBKbO)

12 Hasn't CNN been absolutely ruining their public perception and profitability by ignoring public markets? They seem to cater to what they think the public "should" want instead of what the public actually wants.
Posted by: Emmie -- be strong and courageous! at February 27, 2026 04:27 PM

To be fair, it is the Media's job to tell us what to think.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at February 27, 2026 04:28 PM (ZHCyk)

13 In a stunning twist, the streaming giant's co-CEOs say the major studio "was always a 'nice to have' at the right price, not a 'must have' at any price."

That's some industrial-grade cope right there.

"No really, we didn't actually want this that much."

Posted by: FeatherBlade at February 27, 2026 04:29 PM (a+4eV)

14 Mood is 'horrific' inside CNN as staffers brace for change amid potential Paramount takeover, insiders say
=====

Pics, please.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 27, 2026 04:29 PM (RIvkX)

15 People are spending billions to own $80 billion in debt plus the right to remake Lord of the Rings in ten years. Which will fail.

LotR is great cinema. So indeed there is no need to remake it. And people will not go see Black Female Aragorn.

But...you could make some of the Silmarillion stories. But it has to look like Peter Jackson's LotR and without all the non-woke crap they added to The Hobbit and the woke crap they added to the Rangz of Powah

Posted by: 18-1 at February 27, 2026 04:29 PM (sKqQm)

16 It doesn't really matter. Paramount will eventually be sold to Netflix, and will include WB.

The plot is simple enough even Hollywood couldn't screw it up...right?

They can't figure out how to make a Blade movie. They would screw up boiling water.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 04:29 PM (PYyV9)

17 Backrooms looks like it was filmed in the SEPTA and subway concourse in Philly minus the tranq skels.

Posted by: Heavy Meta at February 27, 2026 04:29 PM (GTqXr)

18 I have a fresh batch of Kool Aid. Want some?

Posted by: Vengeance. at February 27, 2026 04:25 PM (AnlBQ)

It was Flavor-aid!

Posted by: pookysgirl, in pedantic mode at February 27, 2026 04:29 PM (Wt5PA)

19 CNN under new mgt. will stimulate Jap Tapper to morph into his final form, prune face ( Dick Tracy) also bears striking resemblance to a spinchter.

Posted by: kingsman at February 27, 2026 04:29 PM (ehY6c)

20 This post feels rushed.

Brian Stelter . . . or "Noted Sex Machine Brian Stelter"?

Adjectives make all the difference.

Posted by: 2009Refugee at February 27, 2026 04:30 PM (8AONa)

21 Hahah they are so scared to work for that 'right wing nut' bari Weiss.

Posted by: BruceWayne at February 27, 2026 04:30 PM (MGB5H)

22 >>>Mood is 'horrific' inside CNN as staffers brace for change amid potential Paramount takeover, insiders say

It's the feel-good story of the year.

Posted by: Citizen Cake at February 27, 2026 04:30 PM (CwhoI)

23 One way for them to make money back is to re release LOTR and other classics into theaters regularly.

Posted by: steevy at February 27, 2026 04:30 PM (YwEeS)

24 Aw the poor little shit stains at CNN are in a horrible mood. You know what put me in a horrible mood watching my country get flushed down the toilet so they could install a half brain dead fucking vegetable as quote-unquote President.

Posted by: melodicmetal at February 27, 2026 04:31 PM (XLfSN)

25 Those CNN employees sound like high school girls.

I actually don't give a shit how they feel about the takeover, especially since their comments illuminated nothing important.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 27, 2026 04:31 PM (n9ltV)

26 The market didn't particularly like Netflix's bid. There has been a downswing in tech, but Netflix has been getting hammered for months. As soon they announced they weren't go try to best Paramount/Skydance, NFLX popped. It closed today up almost 14%.

NFLX had every reason to walk away, and little reason to want it in the first place besides to get IPs. That 10-figure bonus Paramount will pay them because the deal fell through is just icing on the cake.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a op!) at February 27, 2026 04:31 PM (48xL/)

27 Just throwing it out there, and then i have to run...

In his post-SotU press conference, Trump talked about using embargo instead of tariffs since the SC fucked him over.

Odds on this happening?

I would LOOOVE to see Trump embargo China and Mexico and Cuba, but I don't see it actually happening.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 27, 2026 04:32 PM (BI5O2)

28 Also, the industry still kind of just hates Netflix. Probably why it's never won the Best Picture Oscar.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at February 27, 2026 04:28 PM

Are you suggesting that the Oscars are not awarded completely, 100%, on the basis of artistic merit and integrity, or is this just your known cynicism being displayed?

Asking for a friend.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at February 27, 2026 04:33 PM (xY0R2)

29 People still watch CNN?

Posted by: I gotta ask at February 27, 2026 04:34 PM (Fcyf9)

30 Kind of looking forward to Project Hail Mary.

Posted by: Frasier Crane at February 27, 2026 04:34 PM (bNf8H)

31 Horrific does indeed describe CNN. Don't really give a fuck about their "mood." The staff should've DIAF years ago.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at February 27, 2026 04:35 PM (jtM2q)

32 Doesn't Warner Discovery come with $80 billion in debt from the last acquisition?
++++
Zaslav retired a huge amount of it. The WBD balance sheet has about $30 billion in debt. Still a lot, but nothing like it was post-merger.

That said, I suspect Paramount/Skydance just bought a turkey. It will take a few years to play out, but it won't shock me if it ends up destroying the company. WBD is a big bite for PSKY to digest, there is a lot of debt involved and while there are huge "synergies" (read: redundancies that can be eliminated) and it will give PSKY the opportunity to dominate the traditional box office and post-theatrical licensing market, the costs are gigantic.

The Ellisons aren't stupid, but this is a big play in an area where big plays have a habit of ending in disaster...

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a op!) at February 27, 2026 04:36 PM (48xL/)

33 Why do I care about this?

Posted by: Average comma Joe at February 27, 2026 04:36 PM (Fcyf9)

34 Speaking of "a mix of despair, apprehension and curiosity," did I ever tell you about the first time I met my wife's first bull?

Posted by: David French at February 27, 2026 04:36 PM (Bjg/j)

35 People are spending billions to own $80 billion in debt plus the right to remake Lord of the Rings in ten years. Which will fail.

WB has an almost jaw-dropping set of properties, that they have completely failed to take advantage of for decades. They are worth the money... if you can handle them correctly.

Like, fire black snape and cast him correctly, for starters

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 04:36 PM (PYyV9)

36 On the renowned AoSHQ scale of 9mm -> .45 ACP, CNN is a .22 Short.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at February 27, 2026 04:36 PM (xY0R2)

37 >>> This feels like trying to swallow a big jagged bone.

Me at work: But sir, I don't want to eat that frog
Boss: Hey, we all read the book it says to

Me: Actually, I think the author was just using meta..
Boss: It's right here on the cover

Me: Look, this is like when you made us all go around moving cheese, remember? It was ridiculous, we broke into restaurants, Billy got arrested!"

Boss: "But we bonded didn't we? Billy got all those great tattoos. We're better, stronger now, right?"

Me: "Yeah I guess you're right. Do we have any ketchup?"

Posted by: banana Dream at February 27, 2026 04:36 PM (3uBP9)

38 CNN helped fan the flames of every terrible incident this country has ever faced since I can remember. I hope these fuckers are homeless soon because they deserve it. Lies on top of lies. You should be thankful that your shitty ass "news" station is going to have serious changes. I'd prefer you all homeless but I'll settle for watching your work crumble I guess

Posted by: melodicmetal at February 27, 2026 04:37 PM (XLfSN)

39 "I don't know why they'd want it. This feels like trying to swallow a big jagged bone."

I'm guessing it's like all mergings and acquisitions to stake as close a monopoly position as possible. Think Microsoft. When you get big enough, you don't really need to improve from within; you need to become a legal firm and a bank. You simply engulf everything possible and, eventually, you pretty much own the industry.

And when you buy politicians/bureaucrats, breaking the monopoly is not a threat.

Posted by: AnonyBotymousDrivel at February 27, 2026 04:37 PM (gLikB)

40 The real newz is; Brian Stelter, who is a sex machine, is still employed.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at February 27, 2026 04:38 PM (sAmhv)

41 I urge CNN to make a quick deal with Saddam Hussein, worked last time. Get Amanpour to show some ankle.

Posted by: kingsman at February 27, 2026 04:39 PM (ehY6c)

42 Tater and Jim Acosta are upset about this. Pissing off all the right people.

Posted by: Smell the Glove at February 27, 2026 04:39 PM (HYqoK)

43 I'm glad Netflix didn't get them, but most modern entertainment is just BAD. I don't have high hopes for Paramount, but at least they support actual physical screenings (for now).

BTW there is an absolute BANGER movie out right now:

"Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie." It's sort of like "what if Spinal Tap had a baby with Back to the Future?" It's a fake documentary comedy with a super complex time travel plot.

Posted by: Max Power at February 27, 2026 04:39 PM (q177U)

44 Dont make paramount into some bastion of og entertainment. They still employ Kurtzman and allow him to sodomize the beloved corpse of Star Trek.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at February 27, 2026 04:40 PM (zZu0s)

45 Kind of looking forward to Project Hail Mary.

Its supposed to be quite good. I haven't read the book. The last sci fi I read was Calculating God, really well done.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 04:40 PM (PYyV9)

46 Those "the merger didn't go through" fees can be very lucrative.

Remember when AT&T tried to buy T-Mobile but couldn't get it through regulatory approval and the deal failed? AT&T had to cut a $3 billion check to T-Mobile (well, to Deutsche Telekom), along with a chunk of spectrum worth about another billion.

That was hugely important. T-Mobile had bet on HSPA+ as a stopgap because it couldn't afford to build out LTE at the needed scale, and which was not a good bet. It just wasn't good enough. That penalty financed a big piece of T-Mobile's LTE buildout and probably saved the company.

If the PSKY acquisition fails, WBD is going to get a staggering penalty.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a op!) at February 27, 2026 04:40 PM (48xL/)

47 Trailer for Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2K9ccMREOI

Posted by: Max Power at February 27, 2026 04:41 PM (q177U)

48 They still employ Kurtzman and allow him to sodomize the beloved corpse of Star Trek.

New people took over very recently (Skydance) and changes have already happened. I heard a rumor that Kurtzman is out, so Starfleet Academy probably won't get season 2. We shall see but I expect them to do a lot of cleaning house.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 04:41 PM (PYyV9)

49 I just went in to look at my paramount+ subscription on amazon prime which is due to expire tomorrow. They are now charging $13.99 a month, I hit the cancel button and I got an "offer" to continue for .99 cents a month for two months and then it goes back to the $13.99 a month in April.

I am going to track this and see if I can get that special offer more than once.

Posted by: Mister Scott (Formerly GWS) at February 27, 2026 04:42 PM (0N4FZ)

50
How can $80 billion in debt ever be repaid? Is the plan to carry it forward forever, declare bankruptcy, or what?

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at February 27, 2026 04:42 PM (azNOR)

51 Trailer for Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie

I have heard that is hilarious. Spoiler: it has nothing to do with the grunge band Nirvana.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 04:42 PM (PYyV9)

52 Presumably Paramount is the old Hollywood Studios industry's last chance to reinvent itself.

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at February 27, 2026 04:43 PM (vfth7)

53 In a stunning twist, the streaming giant's co-CEOs say the major studio "was always a 'nice to have' at the right price, not a 'must have' at any price."

Corporate PR speak for: “We got outbid.”

Netflix wanted WB.
WB wanted to be part of Netflix.
They kept this thing going for months right up until people started complaining about a potential monopoly.

The Discovery linear cable channels, including CNN, weren’t even part of the deal with Netflix, but Paramount-Skydance us taking everything.

Netflix only wanted the studios, the entire WB back catalog, and the rights to DC Comics and especially Harry Potter with the new series coming on HBO.

They wanted to be able to charge $29.99 per month (with ads) for Netflix + HBO/Max to compete with Disney-ESPN-ABC-Hulu.

Now we’ll get Paramount+NBC+HBOMax instead.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 27, 2026 04:43 PM (6ydKt)

54 PSKY moving Bari Weiss over to take control of CNN would be hilarious. I doubt anyone - even Musk, let alone Weiss - can resurrect CNN, but moving her over there will cause much shrieking and screaming. It would be amusing to watch for a bit.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a op!) at February 27, 2026 04:43 PM (48xL/)

55 30 Kind of looking forward to Project Hail Mary. Posted by: Frasier Crane

----------------

It's the only thing on the horizon that looks remotely entertaining that isn't a cartoon (and Toy Story + Mario Bros look iffy). Maybe Spiderman, Avengers, Dune... Feels fatiguing. Project Hail Mary might be #10 on the watch list if it were any year 1970-2015 but in 2026 feels like far & away #1. Sad...

Posted by: bearski at February 27, 2026 04:43 PM (Bhsk7)

56 New people took over very recently (Skydance) and changes have already happened. I heard a rumor that Kurtzman is out, so Starfleet Academy probably won't get season 2. We shall see but I expect them to do a lot of cleaning house.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 04:41 PM (PYyV9)
++++
They contracted for two seasons upfront. Whether PSKY will pay to cancel it or just release it one drop on Wednesday afternoon, I dunno.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a op!) at February 27, 2026 04:44 PM (48xL/)

57 I heard a rumor that Kurtzman is out, so Starfleet Academy probably won't get season 2. We shall see but I expect them to do a lot of cleaning house.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor
________

They already filmed season 2, but I guess that doesn't mean they have to release it.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at February 27, 2026 04:44 PM (XvL8K)

58 Launch in 6 minutes.

Rocket Lab - Electron - That's Not A Knife
LC-2 - Wallops FF, Virginia - Space Affairs Live
Launch Date: February 27, 2026
New T-Zero: 4:50 p.m. EST (2150 UTC, 22:50 CET.)

https://youtu.be/wPizYVXcn_s

Alternative link if needed.

The Launch Pad

https://youtu.be/_h2RBkuHOzI

Posted by: Joyenz at February 27, 2026 04:45 PM (2F0/Y)

59 This feels like trying to swallow a big jagged bone.

Harder, daddy.

Posted by: David French at February 27, 2026 04:46 PM (YWB+v)

60 ... Corporate PR speak for: “We got outbid.” ...
Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 27, 2026 04:43 PM (6ydKt)
++++
To a point, yeah. And this isn't unusual for Netflix. Their whole thing - one of their two "Co-CEOs" says it all the time - is "we're disciplined and we don't overpay."

The implication, of course, is that PSKY *is* overpaying. And Netflix might be right about that. Time will tell because it always does.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a op!) at February 27, 2026 04:46 PM (48xL/)

61 I am going to track this and see if I can get that special offer more than once.

At least half of streamers are on that kind of deal. A big chunk of Disney's subscribers were shown to be people who got it free for a few months or got coupons with purchase giving them a free month, etc.

Streaming is a huge, huge net loss for these companies. They went all in thinking they'd be rich as Netflix without realizing that
A) Netflix lost money for years, and
B) they only did so well because they were the biggest, best game in town with everybody's stuff. Now that its all splintered off, nobody has that any more and none of them except Netflix are even making money.

Astonishing retards at places like Disney were dumping 200+ million dollar budgets into streaming shows as if they'd make that money back. But one show doesn't make money. Even if people get a month to watch Captain Cream Cheese, they cancel when they've seen the whole show, they don't stay on board. ANd it takes 3-5 years for a lot of these shows to put out another "season" of 6-10 episodes.

Its like having a loony bin run your company.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 04:46 PM (PYyV9)

62 I don't know why they'd want it. This feels like trying to swallow a big jagged bone.
Posted by: Disinformation Expert Ace at 04:20 PM

It "feels" to me like a confidence/contempt play. Like, what if you saw a business that practically had a license to print money, if only it weren't being run by drooling idiots that hate their customers? And, the buy-it-now price (which you can afford) is based on its run-by-idiots income. Then, if you have any confidence in yourself at all, you almost "have to" buy it. Because, you're actually smart and you like your customers, so you'd have a license to print money; and who doesn't want that?

Posted by: SciVo at February 27, 2026 04:46 PM (Sy6m/)

63 Nick Shirley dropped a video on my favorite ghetto, Oakland!
https://youtu.be/ofc0LF9auz4?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 27, 2026 04:46 PM (RIvkX)

64 Jagged Little Pill > Big Jagged Bone

Posted by: Alanis Morissette at February 27, 2026 04:47 PM (PiwSw)

65 "Mood is 'horrific' inside CNN as staffers brace for change amid potential Paramount takeover, insiders say"
===

It is time. The time for the "Downfall" parody.

Posted by: mrp at February 27, 2026 04:47 PM (rj6Yv)

66 People are spending billions to own $80 billion in debt plus the right to remake Lord of the Rings in ten years. Which will fail.

WB has an almost jaw-dropping set of properties, that they have completely failed to take advantage of for decades. They are worth the money... if you can handle them correctly.

Like, fire black snape and cast him correctly, for starters
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 04:36 PM (PYyV9)
----
Paramount can't take care of one its own premiere IPs (Star Trek). Why does anyone think they'd treat another company's IP with respect once they gain control of it?

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 27, 2026 04:48 PM (ESVrU)

67 I haven't watched Starfleet Academy but I saw clip were a short fat cadet told the Dr that she had swallowed her com badge. That's Kamala level stupid

Posted by: Smell the Glove at February 27, 2026 04:48 PM (HYqoK)

68 22 >>>Mood is 'horrific' inside CNN as staffers brace for change amid potential Paramount takeover, insiders say

It's the feel-good story of the year.
Posted by: Citizen Cake

*pops popcorn*

Posted by: nurse ratched at February 27, 2026 04:48 PM (W2Pud)

69 Burn it down. Burn it ALL down. Let 'The Time of the Great Leveling' begin … (but first, a message from our sponsors).

Posted by: Dr_No at February 27, 2026 04:49 PM (ayRl+)

70 WB has an almost jaw-dropping set of properties, that they have completely failed to take advantage of for decades. They are worth the money... if you can handle them correctly.

Like, fire black snape and cast him correctly, for starters
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 04:36 PM (PYyV9)
----
Paramount can't take care of one its own premiere IPs (Star Trek). Why does anyone think they'd treat another company's IP with respect once they gain control of it?
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 27, 2026 04:48 PM (ESVrU)

But Paramount does NOT have a lot of properties...thus why the few they have, they just overwork for any angle...WB is the best fit for Paramount...

Posted by: Nova Local at February 27, 2026 04:49 PM (tOcjL)

71 Critical Drinker has details on the impending deal and what it means for Hollywood.

Paramount Wins - This Is HUGE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni41QPBUR8o

Posted by: Archimedes at February 27, 2026 04:49 PM (Riz8t)

72 I haven't watched Starfleet Academy but I saw clip were a short fat cadet told the Dr that she had swallowed her com badge.

Especially when its shaped like a dagger.

Paramount can't take care of one its own premiere IPs (Star Trek). Why does anyone think they'd treat another company's IP with respect once they gain control of it?

Well a new company took them over, so there's an outside chance that they clean house and fix things up. I am skeptical but we'll see.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 04:50 PM (PYyV9)

73 "Mood is 'horrific' inside CNN as staffers brace for change amid potential Paramount takeover, insiders say"
===

It is time. The time for the "Downfall" parody.

Tapper will flounce!

Posted by: Archimedes at February 27, 2026 04:51 PM (Riz8t)

74 "I mean what I'm saying. It's not just me trying to take a deep breath. I truly believe we can only react to what is, not what might be"

Unburden yourself.

Posted by: Kamala Harris at February 27, 2026 04:52 PM (0bjKf)

75 >>"Mood is 'horrific' inside CNN as staffers brace for change amid potential Paramount takeover, insiders say"

Gazing out upon my Field of Fucks, none have yet sprouted.

Suffah, CNN Staffers. Suffah.

Posted by: garrett at February 27, 2026 04:52 PM (1Udfd)

76 Tapper will flounce!
Posted by: Archimedes at February 27, 2026 04:51 PM (Riz8t)
++++
None of them will flounce. Who else would hire them? They're just going to drink and contemplate the inevitable and ride it as long as possible.

Many of them might get fired, but I doubt any big name will flounce.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a op!) at February 27, 2026 04:52 PM (48xL/)

77 I, for one, am looking forward to the ultimate mashup of Mission Impossible, Harry Potter, DCU, Star Trek, South Park, and Lord of the Rings.

It will be glorious.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 27, 2026 04:53 PM (ESVrU)

78 It's stunning, but is it brave? I thought we only used those superlatives for trannies.

Last night WSJ (leftist) commentators were gloating about how the MAG-RATS akshully lost and how wonderful Netgrommers played this. It all reminded me of the predictions I heard of Musk's bankruptcy, ritual humiliation, future cardboard box dwelling, etc when he bought Twitter-X. How did that prediction work out for the commies?

Posted by: Martin Tell at February 27, 2026 04:53 PM (jvtmc)

79 So, my fellow morons and ettes - when your company merged and/or had layoffs, did you get all these breathless articles about it? Were newsie people wringing their hands over your hardships?

Posted by: Persnickety at February 27, 2026 04:54 PM (NXsA/)

80 Someone should point out to the cnntards that assisted "suicide" is legal in many jurisdictions and urge them to seek the "help" that they need there.

Is the least someone could do!

Posted by: Will Robinson at February 27, 2026 04:54 PM (2H3yT)

81
Wait, how many "news" networks would Ellison own? CBS and CNN both?

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at February 27, 2026 04:54 PM (5pERN)

82 Netflix coming out with new Pride and Prejudice miniseries in the fall. Surprisingly, it appears that the main cast at least, is indigenous Britons. Here's hoping they don't update "Pride" with the Modern Audience definition.

Posted by: Chuck Martel at February 27, 2026 04:54 PM (Dv3i1)

83 The usual suspects are horrified with the Paramount deal. They are wailing and screaming that "fascists" now "control entertainment" and "will propagandize."

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 04:54 PM (PYyV9)

84 I like Friday afternoon Ace, when he focuses on media. By which I mean the non-"news" media -- he posts about movies and the movie business, etc.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 04:54 PM (wzUl9)

85 What Starfleet Academy needs is a dynamic new character -- Admiral Wesley Crusher!

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at February 27, 2026 04:55 PM (PiwSw)

86 Maybe Elison and Skydance can get Paramount back on track, but I doubt it.

I assume ST: Academy was already in the can before Skydance took over.

Kurtzman had the perfect opportunity to do a Star Trek: Legacy series after the success of Picard season three but threw all of that away with the crap they’ve been pumping out since then.

A revamped show with the TNG crew would’ve given Star Trek a chance to find its bearings before going in new directions. Instead they went with a woke college show in space with gay Klingons.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 27, 2026 04:55 PM (6ydKt)

87 It's kind of a big deal.

Posted by: Don Black at February 27, 2026 04:55 PM (ZxPkt)

88 Not sure I care who wins or loses

Posted by: Skip at February 27, 2026 04:56 PM (Ia/+0)

89 I, for one, am looking forward to the ultimate mashup of Mission Impossible, Harry Potter, DCU, Star Trek, South Park, and Lord of the Rings.

They can do a League of Extraordinary Gentleman style crossover! Kenny and Aragorn and Snape and Captain Picard facing off against an AI!

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 04:56 PM (PYyV9)

90 So, my fellow morons and ettes - when your company merged and/or had layoffs, did you get all these breathless articles about it? Were newsie people wringing their hands over your hardships?
Posted by: Persnickety at February 27, 2026 04:54 PM (NXsA/)
++++
Twice that I can think of. I was working at a company that was part of two acquisitions that were *huge* mega-billions deals, with one of them involving some creative accounting.

Lots of coverage, lots of industry pundits saying why it was great or terrible, etc. There was little mainstream coverage of either of those, but a lot of coverage in the industry press and more than a little bit in the financial press.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a op!) at February 27, 2026 04:56 PM (48xL/)

91 I was wondering if Wallops was up to something because the visitor center was open late.

Posted by: Accomac at February 27, 2026 04:57 PM (T8bqm)

92 But staffers at CNN are reportedly in "a panic."

===

🤡🤡🤡🤡🚌

Posted by: runner at February 27, 2026 04:58 PM (/M/4v)

93 learn to snake drains

Posted by: Bilwis Devourer of Innocent Souls, I'm starvin' over here at February 27, 2026 04:58 PM (w/O5Q)

94 Kurtzman had the perfect opportunity to do a Star Trek: Legacy series after the success of Picard season three but threw all of that away with the crap they’ve been pumping out since then.

Word is that he was angry at how popular and well-received Picard season 3 was because he had zero to do with it, and they reversed some of his dumber ideas.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 04:58 PM (PYyV9)

95 What Starfleet Academy needs is a dynamic new character -- Admiral Wesley Crusher!
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at February 27, 2026

***
Well, it has been thirty and more years (in our universe) since we last saw him at the Academy. Who knows up what roads he has traveled?

Has any incarnation of Trek ever discussed how long people can expect to live in the 24th Century? Vulcans are long-lived, and apparently Klingons are too, but what about humans?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 04:58 PM (wzUl9)

96 16 minutes would get me to the beach

Posted by: Accomac at February 27, 2026 05:00 PM (ou30A)

97 Kelly Robinson: "Who knows up what roads that may lead?"

Alexander Scott: "Yes, up what roads. . . ."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 05:00 PM (wzUl9)

98 This glistening bikini brunette has little hope that Star Trek can be rehabilitated before she's middle-aged:
http://tiny.cc/t7lz001

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a op!) at February 27, 2026 05:00 PM (48xL/)

99 Has any incarnation of Trek ever discussed how long people can expect to live in the 24th Century?

They did mention that Kirk was getting old for his job and riffed on them all getting older so it doesn't seem like they live much longer in the future.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 05:00 PM (PYyV9)

100 Guy across the street is flying the Flag upside down.

Posted by: Don Black at February 27, 2026 05:01 PM (ZxPkt)

101 Drives me crazy how the internet and most people under 35 totally misunderstand, misuse and misappropriated the word "liminal," which for some reason is now trending.

The term as now used comes from the fields of Urban Planning and Architecture, where it means, basically, the transition zone between urban and rural. Areas of warehouses and railroad tracks and decaying factories and silos, mixed with old farmland and woodlands, and maybe some new tract housing in the distance. Not the city, but nt the countryside either.

(A lot of anime, including "My Neighbor Totoro," is actually about liminal spaces -- the urban world encroaching on traditional rural Japan.)

but then the internet heard abt the term, and it began to be misused constantly, and now "liminal" just means "weird" or 'illogical" or at best "half in one world, half in the other."

Posted by: zombie at February 27, 2026 05:01 PM (Ys3Ta)

102 Tonight I'm going to a trivia night at the local German-American center. Somehow I doubt they will have National Socialist trivia such as "What was the name of the Fuhrer's dog?"

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 05:01 PM (wzUl9)

103 They did mention that Kirk was getting old for his job and riffed on them all getting older so it doesn't seem like they live much longer in the future.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 05:00 PM (PYyV9)
+++
Could be a cool storyline. They crack longevity and everyone lives a long time and then innovation ceases, etc. because limited lifespan is what makes us achieve so much so fast or somesuch.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a op!) at February 27, 2026 05:01 PM (48xL/)

104 Are you not entertained?

Posted by: Field Marshal Zhukov at February 27, 2026 05:02 PM (wBaIH)

105 Where’s the guy with the festive little hats?

I want a festive little hat!!

Posted by: nurse ratched at February 27, 2026 05:02 PM (W2Pud)

106 Tonight I'm going to a trivia night at the local German-American center. Somehow I doubt they will have National Socialist trivia such as "What was the name of the Fuhrer's dog?"

That would be a hilarious sketch though. Every question is about midcentury Germans

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 05:02 PM (PYyV9)

107 99 Has any incarnation of Trek ever discussed how long people can expect to live in the 24th Century?
---------

With Universal Health care? One word...Carrousel.

Posted by: WisRich at February 27, 2026 05:03 PM (G0vdT)

108 Name Adolphs' dog. Hmmm...Steiner.

Posted by: kingsman at February 27, 2026 05:03 PM (ehY6c)

109 The term as now used comes from the fields of Urban Planning and Architecture, where it means, basically, the transition zone between urban and rural. Areas of warehouses and railroad tracks and decaying factories and silos, mixed with old farmland and woodlands, and maybe some new tract housing in the distance. Not the city, but nt the countryside either.

(A lot of anime, including "My Neighbor Totoro," is actually about liminal spaces -- the urban world encroaching on traditional rural Japan.) ...
Posted by: zombie at February 27, 2026 05:01 PM (Ys3Ta)
++++
Yeah. I used to hear this called something different when I lived in Colorado, which was "the RUI" (pronounced "roo-ey"): the "Rural-Urban Interface." Which is a really lame and gay term.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a op!) at February 27, 2026 05:03 PM (48xL/)

110 They did mention that Kirk was getting old for his job and riffed on them all getting older so it doesn't seem like they live much longer in the future.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor
________

Critical Drinker said the Holly Hunter character is supposed to be like 400 years old.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at February 27, 2026 05:04 PM (XvL8K)

111 I predict the mood in airports will be less horrific.

Posted by: davidt at February 27, 2026 05:04 PM (Q+gd/)

112 Jorma Kaukonen>>> Jorma Taccone . In my opinion, although different artistic palettes. Actually I just wanted to say something nice about Jorma Kaukonen.

Posted by: tubal at February 27, 2026 05:04 PM (pDt9x)

113 Word is that he was angry at how popular and well-received Picard season 3 was because he had zero to do with it, and they reversed some of his dumber ideas.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 04:58 PM (PYyV9)

It’s the only ST season I’ve liked in twenty years.

Brave New Worlds at least tried to get back the groove but I’ll never find out as I gave up in disgust halfway through the first season.

They could start improving things by hiring people to make ST who actually watched and liked ST.
It’s not that difficult, except in Hollywood, apparently.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 27, 2026 05:04 PM (6ydKt)

114 106 Tonight I'm going to a trivia night at the local German-American center. Somehow I doubt they will have National Socialist trivia such as "What was the name of the Fuhrer's dog?"

That would be a hilarious sketch though. Every question is about midcentury Germans
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 05:02 PM (PYyV9)

Don't mention the war.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at February 27, 2026 05:04 PM (PiwSw)

115 Has any incarnation of Trek ever discussed how long people can expect to live in the 24th Century?
*
They did mention that Kirk was getting old for his job and riffed on them all getting older so it doesn't seem like they live much longer in the future.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026

***
Good point. Seems to me that would cause quite a bit of tension between the long-lived races and the ephemeral humans. "You have the secret to long life! Give it to us or we'll annihilate you!" (Though that is not the philosophy of the future according to Chairman Roddenberry.)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 05:04 PM (wzUl9)

116 102 Tonight I'm going to a trivia night at the local German-American center. Somehow I doubt they will have National Socialist trivia such as "What was the name of the Fuhrer's dog?"
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius

first person who says Blondi wins two tickets to the Fuhrerbunker.

Posted by: zombie at February 27, 2026 05:05 PM (Ys3Ta)

117 Dogma is going to be re-released.

Posted by: Ben Had at February 27, 2026 05:05 PM (+nEug)

118 114 106 Tonight I'm going to a trivia night at the local German-American center. Somehow I doubt they will have National Socialist trivia such as "What was the name of the Fuhrer's dog?"

That would be a hilarious sketch though. Every question is about midcentury Germans
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 05:02 PM (PYyV9)

Don't mention the war.
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at February 27, 2026 05:04 PM (PiwSw

Blondi.

Posted by: tubal at February 27, 2026 05:05 PM (pDt9x)

119 Good point. Seems to me that would cause quite a bit of tension between the long-lived races and the ephemeral humans. "You have the secret to long life! Give it to us or we'll annihilate you!" (Though that is not the philosophy of the future according to Chairman Roddenberry.)
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 05:04 PM (wzUl9)
++++
It sure was according to Heinlein, though!

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a op!) at February 27, 2026 05:05 PM (48xL/)

120 …and I would’ve let Quentin Tarantino direct a Star Trek movie when he expressed interest.

It’s not like he could screw it up any worse than they already have,

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 27, 2026 05:05 PM (6ydKt)

121 . . . Actually I just wanted to say something nice about Jorma Kaukonen.
Posted by: tubal at February 27, 2026

***
Sounds like a Finnish name.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 05:05 PM (wzUl9)

122 The Backrooms is also a Steam game. A little bit different name but looks almost identical.

Posted by: banana Dream at February 27, 2026 05:05 PM (3uBP9)

123 Dammit, was thinking it was normal but cutesy sounding and zombie beat me to it.

I guess she is a bigger fan of Hitler.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at February 27, 2026 05:05 PM (zZu0s)

124 112 Jorma Kaukonen>>> Jorma Taccone . In my opinion, although different artistic palettes. Actually I just wanted to say something nice about Jorma Kaukonen.
Posted by: tubal at February 27, 2026 05:04 PM (pDt9x)

Obligatory:

https://youtu.be/SU1YASW3rhc

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at February 27, 2026 05:06 PM (PiwSw)

125 I think there is at least little to no chance there will ever be a House of Leaves movie.

Posted by: banana Dream at February 27, 2026 05:06 PM (3uBP9)

126 Would someone kindly inform RFK Jr. that Glyphosate is an herbicide and not a pesticide. You would think he should no this already.

Better living through chemistry.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at February 27, 2026 05:06 PM (abIsI)

127 Has any incarnation of Trek ever discussed how long people can expect to live in the 24th Century?

They did mention that Kirk was getting old for his job and riffed on them all getting older so it doesn't seem like they live much longer in the future.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 05:00 PM (PYyV9)

Bones was an 137 year old admiral in Encounter at Farpoint.

Posted by: Sjg at February 27, 2026 05:06 PM (aqZN1)

128 121 . . . Actually I just wanted to say something nice about Jorma Kaukonen.
Posted by: tubal at February 27, 2026

***
Sounds like a Finnish name.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 05:05 PM (wzUl9

yep. Truly gifted guitarist.

Posted by: tubal at February 27, 2026 05:06 PM (pDt9x)

129 know

Posted by: Maj. Healey at February 27, 2026 05:06 PM (abIsI)

130 Critical Drinker said the Holly Hunter character is supposed to be like 400 years old.

Yeah but she's supposed to be some alien race.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 05:07 PM (PYyV9)

131
WB has an almost jaw-dropping set of properties, that they have completely failed to take advantage of for decades. They are worth the money... if you can handle them correctly.

WB has had flashes of inspiration where they HAVE handled their back catalog correctly. About 20+ years ago they had their 75th Anniversary and they did limited re-releases of their classic films in theaters. I saw Casablanca, Mrs Miniver, The Maltese Falcon, The Exorcist in fairly packed theaters. Missed The Wild Bunch and The Big Sleep though.

They could easily stream some of their classics as an Event Not To Be Missed, complete with a commentary introduction. Promoted correctly, it'd likely do better than the modern series productions.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at February 27, 2026 05:07 PM (HXiQ2)

132 Dammit, was thinking it was normal but cutesy sounding and zombie beat me to it.

I guess she is a bigger fan of Hitler.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at February 27, 2026

***
Or maybe just of German shepherds?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 05:07 PM (wzUl9)

133 Yeah but she's supposed to be some alien race.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 05:07 PM (PYyV9)
++++
A very annoying one, by the looks of it.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a op!) at February 27, 2026 05:08 PM (48xL/)

134
Re the "horrific" mood at CNN, what's the body count on big tv reporters now? I'll set aside those nobodies who covered "health disparities & explore the way racism & social inequality affects health" (one of the WaPo vital reporters whose essential stories we will no longer read thanks to Evil Bezos).

Chuck Todd
Jim Acosta
Poppy Harlow
Mehdi Hasan
Joy Reid (although CNN puts her on "expert" panels)

I didn't include anyone who landed somewhere else. All those people are either disappeared or doing their own indie thing.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at February 27, 2026 05:08 PM (5pERN)

135 128 121 . . . Actually I just wanted to say something nice about Jorma Kaukonen.
Posted by: tubal at February 27, 2026

***
Sounds like a Finnish name.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 05:05 PM (wzUl9

yep. Truly gifted guitarist.
Posted by: tubal

Saw him acoustic on stage at My Fathers Place in Roslyn, NY with my soon to be wife.

Posted by: Maj. Healey at February 27, 2026 05:08 PM (abIsI)

136 "Mood is 'horrific' inside CNN as staffers brace for change amid potential Paramount takeover, insiders say"
===

Bwwwwaahahahaahahahhahahahhahahahaha!!!

Posted by: LASue at February 27, 2026 05:08 PM (qu4ub)

137 Warner's back catalog is worth having.
Nothing else is IMO

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 27, 2026 05:09 PM (xcxpd)

138 They did mention that Kirk was getting old for his job and riffed on them all getting older so it doesn't seem like they live much longer in the future.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 05:00 PM (PYyV9)

Bones was an 137 year old admiral in Encounter at Farpoint.
Posted by: Sjg at February 27, 2026 05:06 PM (aqZN1)
-----------

How about the stiff, Capt Pike, how long did he make it.

Oh wait, are we sure Pike and Biden are different people.

Posted by: WisRich at February 27, 2026 05:09 PM (G0vdT)

139 I think this is the merger/purchase history. Based on this history Paramount will be selling/merging/restructuring their WB/Discovery ~~blunder~~ purchase in a few years.

2000 $112B AOL acquires Time Warner (+debt)
2016 $101B AT&T Inc. acquires Time Warner Inc. (+debt)
2022 Merger AT&T’s WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc. (+debt)
2026 $???B Paramount buys WB-Discovery (+debt)

No matter what CNN morphs into the odds of Tater, the media cockroach, still being on the air are high.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions at February 27, 2026 05:09 PM (BnDlA)

140 Has any incarnation of Trek ever discussed how long people can expect to live in the 24th Century?

They did mention that Kirk was getting old for his job and riffed on them all getting older so it doesn't seem like they live much longer in the future.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 05:00 PM (PYyV9)
----
Dr. McCoy did survive into The Next Generation era...He had a cameo on the first episode of TNG, I think.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 27, 2026 05:09 PM (ESVrU)

141 WB has had flashes of inspiration where they HAVE handled their back catalog correctly. About 20+ years ago they had their 75th Anniversary and they did limited re-releases of their classic films in theaters. I saw Casablanca, Mrs Miniver, The Maltese Falcon, The Exorcist in fairly packed theaters. Missed The Wild Bunch and The Big Sleep though.

They could easily stream some of their classics as an Event Not To Be Missed, complete with a commentary introduction. Promoted correctly, it'd likely do better than the modern series productions.
Posted by: IllTemperedCur at February 27, 2026

***
They did that re-release thing earlier too. When I visited Santa Fe, NM, in May 1992, I saw Casablanca at the little neighborhood theatre near the Plaza for the film's fiftieth anniversary. It was really cool to watch it at a theatre which might have run it when it was new, and to have an appreciative audience who applauded at the right times.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 05:10 PM (wzUl9)

142 >> I just wanted to say something nice about Jorma Kaukonen.

Jorma is a great guy. I interviewed him back in the mid 90s and ran into him at a BB King show a few years later. He and his wife were really fun to hang with at that BB King show.

Posted by: garrett at February 27, 2026 05:10 PM (1Udfd)

143 WB tried to bring back their Universal Monsterverse and completely crapped the bed first time out with Tom Cruise Mummy movie.

The Werewolf movie wasn’t much better.

Another decent idea given up on before it ever really started.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 27, 2026 05:11 PM (6ydKt)

144 Also, the industry still kind of just hates Netflix. Probably why it's never won the Best Picture Oscar.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, discovering British horror with Hammer Films at February 27, 2026 04:28 PM (GBKbO)

I saw an interview on FilmThreat where they made a good case for why Netflix fucked up screenwriting for most of the industry.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 27, 2026 05:11 PM (xcxpd)

145 It’s not like he could screw it up any worse than they already have

Well it would have been crap but yeah, less crap than... what we've seen for years now.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 05:11 PM (PYyV9)

146 Saw him acoustic on stage at My Fathers Place in Roslyn, NY with my soon to be wife.
Posted by: Maj. Healey

i hesitate t ask what se was doing on stage with him. Some kind of live-action sex show?

Posted by: zombie at February 27, 2026 05:12 PM (Ys3Ta)

147 Also...I really love The Lonely Island, so I do wish Jorma luck.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 27, 2026 05:12 PM (xcxpd)

148 135 128 121 . . . Actually I just wanted to say something nice about Jorma Kaukonen.
Posted by: tubal at February 27, 2026

***
Sounds like a Finnish name.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 05:05 PM (wzUl9

yep. Truly gifted guitarist.
Posted by: tubal

Saw him acoustic on stage at My Fathers Place in Roslyn, NY with my soon to be wife.
Posted by: Maj. Healey at February 27, 2026 05:08 PM (abIsI)

Wow. What a great experience I am sure.

Posted by: tubal at February 27, 2026 05:12 PM (pDt9x)

149 Good point. Seems to me that would cause quite a bit of tension between the long-lived races and the ephemeral humans. "You have the secret to long life! Give it to us or we'll annihilate you!" (Though that is not the philosophy of the future according to Chairman Roddenberry.)
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 05:04 PM (wzUl9)
----
Babylon 5 played around with this idea. An alien commander guilty of genocide developed an immortality serum. But for one person to live forever, another had to die during the manufacturing process.

The Vorlons shut that down quick. "You are not ready."

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 27, 2026 05:12 PM (ESVrU)

150 They did mention that Kirk was getting old for his job and riffed on them all getting older so it doesn't seem like they live much longer in the future.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026
----
Dr. McCoy did survive into The Next Generation era...He had a cameo on the first episode of TNG, I think.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 27, 2026

***
He did, but he was really ancient-looking. He'd have been well over 100, since TNG began about 75 years after Kirk's time. Various Klingons from the original series appeared on TNG and DS9, shown as very old men, and Spock's father was at the end of his life when he appeared.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 05:12 PM (wzUl9)

151 Scott Jennings must be laughing his ass off.

Posted by: Orson at February 27, 2026 05:12 PM (dIske)

152 If CNN is horrified at the deal, the deal is GOOD FOR AMERICA.

I don't need to know anything else.

Posted by: Jukin the Deplorable and Totally Unserious at February 27, 2026 05:13 PM (xvV+O)

153 146 Saw him acoustic on stage at My Fathers Place in Roslyn, NY with my soon to be wife.
Posted by: Maj. Healey

i hesitate t ask what se was doing on stage with him. Some kind of live-action sex show?
Posted by: zombie at February 27, 2026 05:12 PM (Ys3Ta)

Acoustic live-action sex shows are a thing?

Are there...electric versions? Wait, I know the answer to that one. But those are usually one-woman shows...

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 27, 2026 05:13 PM (xcxpd)

154 NASA has closed Assateague beach

Posted by: Accomack at February 27, 2026 05:13 PM (T8bqm)

155 Dr. McCoy did survive into The Next Generation era

Scotty did too, technically but he was caught in some kind of time warp. Kirk too I guess, for the movie where they gave him a crappy unheroic off screen death

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at February 27, 2026 05:13 PM (PYyV9)

156 Also viewed Casablanca in the Sanger movie house on Canal Street in New Orleans. Sanger was restored and a wonderful experience to be sure. Rate Casablanca as my #1 movie.

Posted by: kingsman at February 27, 2026 05:13 PM (ehY6c)

157 WB tried to bring back their Universal Monsterverse and completely crapped the bed first time out with Tom Cruise Mummy movie.

The Werewolf movie wasn’t much better.

Another decent idea given up on before it ever really started.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 27, 2026

***
WB owns Universal, or used to?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 05:13 PM (wzUl9)

158 Dr. McCoy did survive into The Next Generation era...He had a cameo on the first episode of TNG, I think.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 27, 2026 05:09 PM (ESVrU)

They brought back Scotty in an episode of TNG.

He hadn’t aged much as he’d been stuck in a transporter buffer for a century before Jordi brought him back.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 27, 2026 05:14 PM (6ydKt)

159 Might have been a good day hanging out the front door of CNN

Posted by: Skip at February 27, 2026 05:15 PM (Ia/+0)

160 125 I think there is at least little to no chance there will ever be a House of Leaves movie.
Posted by: banana Dream at February 27, 2026 05:06 PM (3uBP9)

Rightly so, that is a book meant to be a book

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 27, 2026 05:15 PM (xcxpd)

161 'A second CNN insider told Fox News Digital that staffers feel "a mix of despair, apprehension and curiosity."'

Sounds like the cleanup crew after the "65-plus Honkey-Tonk Orgy & Buffet" night at the Blue Oyster Bar.

Posted by: Croaker at February 27, 2026 05:15 PM (+BcZI)

162 Was MacGruber good? Nobody talks about it. It was just another SNL spinoff right?

Posted by: banana Dream at February 27, 2026 05:16 PM (3uBP9)

163 Let me translate CNN'ers just now:

Turns out being a left wing twat and spouting lies to prop up my feels isn't going to sell to people with brains. Whaaa.

I think that covers it.

Posted by: tcn in AK at February 27, 2026 05:16 PM (I40wl)

164 160 125 I think there is at least little to no chance there will ever be a House of Leaves movie.
Posted by: banana Dream at February 27, 2026 05:06 PM (3uBP9)

Rightly so, that is a book meant to be a book
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 27, 2026 05:15 PM (xcxpd)

Not a knock at the book, but I just could not follow it.

Posted by: tubal at February 27, 2026 05:16 PM (pDt9x)

165 Also viewed Casablanca in the Sanger movie house on Canal Street in New Orleans. Sanger was restored and a wonderful experience to be sure. Rate Casablanca as my #1 movie.
Posted by: kingsman at February 27, 2026

***
The Saenger was my No. 1 movie house in the days when first-run flicks played on Canal St. I saw Bullitt and True Grit there. The James Bond movies were always across the street at the Loew's State, and a mixture of movies like Jaws and Airport ran at the Joy in the next block.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 05:17 PM (wzUl9)

166 98 This glistening bikini brunette has little hope that Star Trek can be rehabilitated before she's middle-aged:
http://tiny.cc/t7lz001
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a op!) at February 27, 2026 05:00 PM (48xL/)

Would oil up

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 27, 2026 05:17 PM (xcxpd)

167 Might have been a good day hanging out the front door of CNN
Posted by: Skip
__________

I'd be worried about Stelter crushing me in the fall.

Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at February 27, 2026 05:17 PM (XvL8K)

168 WB owns Universal, or used to?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 05:13 PM (wzUl9)

I can’t remember they’ve all changed hands so much.

It’s now Comcast-NBC-Universal, I think?

It’s entirely possible I’m wrong about WB being involved but they did try to revive the Monsterverse awhile back, which went worse than the DCU.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 27, 2026 05:17 PM (6ydKt)

169 @143

>> Another decent idea given up on before it ever really started

Too bad slapstick comedy is dead as well, they could have tried a new gen Abbot and Costello Meets The…. Verse.

Maybe with Vince Vaughn and Jack Black.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at February 27, 2026 05:18 PM (XV/Pl)

170 164 160 125 I think there is at least little to no chance there will ever be a House of Leaves movie.
Posted by: banana Dream at February 27, 2026 05:06 PM (3uBP9)

Rightly so, that is a book meant to be a book
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 27, 2026 05:15 PM (xcxpd)

Not a knock at the book, but I just could not follow it.
Posted by: tubal at February 27, 2026 05:16 PM (pDt9x)

it is a little intentionally hard to get a handle on. People who like it, REALLY like it. I think it's creative but as a story...I've seen it done better.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 27, 2026 05:18 PM (xcxpd)

171 >>> Rightly so, that is a book meant to be a book
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 27, 2026 05:15 PM (xcxpd)

I don't know if it was meant to be at all. It was interesting, but maybe too novel of a novel. It certainly wouldn't make sense outside of a book-pages form.

Posted by: banana Dream at February 27, 2026 05:18 PM (3uBP9)

172 WGAS? Warner and Netflix will both pump out the exact same slop.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 27, 2026 05:18 PM (BI5O2)

173 162 Was MacGruber good? Nobody talks about it. It was just another SNL spinoff right?
Posted by: banana Dream at February 27, 2026 05:16 PM (3uBP9)

Yeah, it's a MacGuyver parody and doesn't sustain a full movie. I unironically liked the opening of the movie but then it went all stupid.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 27, 2026 05:19 PM (xcxpd)

174 Rightly so, that is a book meant to be a book
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 27, 2026 05:15 PM (xcxpd)

Not a knock at the book, but I just could not follow it.
Posted by: tubal at February 27, 2026 05:16 PM (pDt9x)
---
It's debatable that it's even a book.

Maybe it's an Eldritch Abomination that just happens to look like a book.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 27, 2026 05:19 PM (ESVrU)

175
"Mood is 'horrific' inside CNN as staffers brace for change amid potential Paramount takeover, insiders say"
===

Bwwwwaahahahaahahahhahahahhahahahaha!!!
Posted by: LASue

===============

If CNN and CBS both become, shall we say, non-extreme, I wonder if it would make an effective dent in the fake news supply. By "effective" I mean bumping the GOP up a few percents in favorability.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at February 27, 2026 05:19 PM (5pERN)

176 They brought back Scotty in an episode of TNG.

He hadn’t aged much as he’d been stuck in a transporter buffer for a century before Jordi brought him back.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 27, 2026

***
Right, and the dialog indicated he was about the right age. Prob. close to 50 in the five-year-mission days, 65 at the time of the big Khan event, and close to 70 when his ship crashed and he went into the transporter.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 05:19 PM (wzUl9)

177 Bari Weiss should post the "Winter is coming" meme and really freak the people at CNN out.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at February 27, 2026 05:19 PM (O7YUW)

178 >>> Not a knock at the book, but I just could not follow it.
Posted by: tubal at February 27, 2026 05:16 PM (pDt9x)

It is implicitly unfollowable. It is constructed in layers but then the layer structure breaks down and you just fall through unguided, lost.

Posted by: banana Dream at February 27, 2026 05:20 PM (3uBP9)

179 174 Rightly so, that is a book meant to be a book
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 27, 2026 05:15 PM (xcxpd)

Not a knock at the book, but I just could not follow it.
Posted by: tubal at February 27, 2026 05:16 PM (pDt9x)
---
It's debatable that it's even a book.

Maybe it's an Eldritch Abomination that just happens to look like a book.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 27, 2026 05:19 PM (ESVrU)

The King in Yellow for the modern day?

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 27, 2026 05:20 PM (xcxpd)

180 War Machine trailer: So basically Jack Reacher vs. the alien warbot.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at February 27, 2026 05:20 PM (O7YUW)

181 Yeah, why is slapstick comedy not a thing.

It would be a hoot to get DDL into a slapstick comedy as the ultimate straight man.

I mean viewed properly, There Will Be Blood could be a comedy.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at February 27, 2026 05:21 PM (XV/Pl)

182 Mobile had a sanger theater, all art deco and truly grand, plush. Do miss the times greatly. Saw Dr No at the Mobile Sanger, Ursula emerging from the sea in the white bikini was stimulating.

Posted by: kingsman at February 27, 2026 05:21 PM (ehY6c)

183 105 Where’s the guy with the festive little hats?

I want a festive little hat!!
Posted by: nurse ratched at February 27, 2026 05:02 PM (W2Pud)

I need one. Can't wash my hair for five days, because, eye surgery. Nobody needs to see this greasy mess. Even me.

Posted by: tcn in AK at February 27, 2026 05:22 PM (I40wl)

184 "Jorma is a great guy."

Reminds me.

Me: "Whose the new guy?"
HR Scold: "His name is Jama."
Me:"Oh please, tell me his first name is Pa."
HR Scold: "Wut? No! Its Todd."
Me, looking back into her dead, lifeless eyes: "You could have lied to me."

Posted by: Boswell at February 27, 2026 05:22 PM (j10i6)

185 Was MacGruber good? Nobody talks about it. It was just another SNL spinoff right?
Posted by: banana Dream at February 27, 2026 05:16 PM (3uBP9)

As far as the movie. I saw it. It was offensively boring and un funny.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at February 27, 2026 05:22 PM (zZu0s)

186 178 >>> Not a knock at the book, but I just could not follow it.
Posted by: tubal at February 27, 2026 05:16 PM (pDt9x)

It is implicitly unfollowable. It is constructed in layers but then the layer structure breaks down and you just fall through unguided, lost.
Posted by: banana Dream at February 27, 2026 05:20 PM (3uBP9)

I also have had trouble with John Crowley's work - Little, Bid, the Aegypt Cycle books. Tried, and failed on them.

Posted by: tubal at February 27, 2026 05:22 PM (pDt9x)

187 I've been watching some Canadians trying to make sense of America.

It's crazy - on the one hand, they're culturally the closest to us.

On the other, I've met Vietnamese people and Serbians who understand America better than Canadians.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at February 27, 2026 05:23 PM (BI5O2)

188 Nood. Crime.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at February 27, 2026 05:23 PM (zZu0s)

189 I just used an audible credit for Project Hail Mart.
Audio is an audible exclusive, so might as well

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at February 27, 2026 05:24 PM (vfth7)

190 The last time I visited the Saenger was before the Sniffle Scare. Miss Linda wanted to see the live stage production of The Nutcracker, and I was curious to see how the theatre had been revived. It was a pleasant evening.

It's mostly live theatre now, musicals and the like. When I was a kid live theatre played at the Municipal Auditorium three blocks from my house; the Barnum & Bailey Circus, for instance.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 27, 2026 05:24 PM (wzUl9)

191 FYI, be aware that the anti RFK Jr mob is on the Net in full force and asking why you are letting him kill children. One asked me how many measles deaths this year in the US. They did not like that the answer is none. (Two last year). How I long for the day when we get our own dictator!

Posted by: Notsothoreau at February 27, 2026 05:24 PM (gQ15S)

192 I do know one thing. Paramount is not as woke as Netflix. Netflix would have permanently ruined whatever brand WB still has.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at February 27, 2026 05:24 PM (g8Ew8)

193 48 They still employ Kurtzman and allow him to sodomize the beloved corpse of Star Trek.

New people took over very recently (Skydance) and changes have already happened. I heard a rumor that Kurtzman is out, so Starfleet Academy probably won't get season 2. We shall see but I expect them to do a lot of cleaning house.

- That faint sound you just heard was a thousand mid-wit Youtube grifters crying out as part of their lobotomy level grift train starts conking out.

Posted by: Croaker at February 27, 2026 05:26 PM (+BcZI)

194 Who is making these movies and who are they being made for?

They're just bizarre. I might watch them, streaming, for free, if I have a couple of hours to kill. I would never go out of my way to view any of them.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at February 27, 2026 05:29 PM (gVUi7)

195 The King in Yellow for the modern day?
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, buy ammo at February 27, 2026 05:20 PM (xcxpd)
--
I believe that is one of the influences, yes.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 27, 2026 05:32 PM (ESVrU)

196 Would someone kindly inform RFK Jr. that Glyphosate is an herbicide and not a pesticide. You would think he should no this already.

Every herbicide is a pesticide. Not every pesticide is an herbicide.
Should sign it Wesley

Posted by: MkY at February 27, 2026 05:40 PM (q6tQZ)

197 but then the internet heard abt the term, and it began to be misused constantly, and now "liminal" just means "weird" or 'illogical" or at best "half in one world, half in the other."
Posted by: zombie at February 27, 2026 05:01 PM (Ys3Ta)

I normally see it used as a "between" or "boundary" space with an eerie mix of elements of each, such as a liminal space on the boundary of Dream where a mortal with talent and training (and maybe a bit of kitsune DNA) can perhaps adventure and gain insight without automatically going mad, or a liminal space on the boundary of Death where one with the right bloodline (and maybe a psychopomp's guidance) can survive long enough to interact with Shades that have retained their sapience and not yet gone on to the true afterlife. But, I read a lot of webnovels on Royal Road, which largely contains LitRPG and Western cultivation (like wuxia) stories, as well as HFY sci-fi and various fanfics, so there's an actual need for that specific word to describe a particular trope.

Posted by: SciVo at February 27, 2026 05:50 PM (Sy6m/)

198 85 What Starfleet Academy needs is a dynamic new character -- Admiral Wesley Crusher!

Dude, I absolutely loathe Wil Wheaton and I hated the character of Wesley Crusher.

That said, the pack of misfits and r*tards starring in this show; adding Wesley as a character would actually make it better. It's that f**king bad.

Posted by: Nelly at February 27, 2026 05:59 PM (7gpcF)

199 "Noting that Larry Ellison wants a fair and fact-based news outlet, Stelter said, hilariously, 'That sounds like CNN.'"

I think that should read David Ellison, not Larry Ellison. But I hope that Larry Ellison - like his fellow multi-billionaire Elon Musk - wants CNN to be a fair and fact-based news outlet.

Posted by: LibertyDefender at February 27, 2026 06:01 PM (p0skm)

200 34 Speaking of "a mix of despair, apprehension and curiosity," did I ever tell you about the first time I met my wife's first bull?
Posted by: David French at February 27, 2026 04:36 PM (Bjg/j)
* * * * *
I thought that was the only way David French could get a boner.

Posted by: LibertyDefender at February 27, 2026 06:12 PM (p0skm)

201 But he also worries about whether Ellison will allow CNN to keep the, giggle, "editorial independence that CNN is known for."

Not to mention the bonhomie, virile charm and effervescent zest for life that CNN newsreaders are known for.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at February 27, 2026 06:13 PM (8ty7h)

202 While the move all but guarantees brutal layoffs across the company, it landed like a meteor at Hudson Yards

Layoffs were baked into the cake at a network nobody watches anymore. The new management may be less likely to procrastinate, but it was going to happen no matter who ended up with CNN.

Posted by: Ace's liver at February 27, 2026 06:16 PM (B9Dv5)

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