Shows
Stuck In Development197 - Epic Universes and Hunger GamesesCarl's last episode before his paternity leave is about things he and Eitan care too much about.First, Carl guides Eitan through the latest casting announcements for the upcoming Hunger Games movie, Sunrise of the Reaping, and gasp at the Minecraft movie overperformance at the box office.Then, Eitan walks Carl through the details and first reactions to Universal's new theme park in Orlando: Epic Universe.Join us!2025-04-1651 minStuck In Development181- It's Time to Gut The Muppets! It's Time to Divest Chrome!This week on SID, Carl and Eitan dig into proposals for the future of Chrome at Google and The Muppets at Disney's Hollywood Studios.2024-11-2938 minStuck In Development180 - No More Freevies + Awards Check-inCarl and Eitan have always been bullish on AVOD and FAST. Amazon's latest move to kill the Freevie brand and move its content to Prime might signal that they are not. The boys start this episode going through what this move could signal for the broader industry, and share how their views have evolved around the ad-supported side of streaming.
After that, they dive DEEP into the awards race and share their mostly spoiler-free reviews of Emilia Perez, Conclave, The Brutalist, and Juror #2.
Join us!2024-11-2055 minStuck In Development176 - Google Folie à deuxJust like the Joker, Google has been having some rough weeks dealing with the law.
In this episode, Carl and Eitan walk through the latest developments and provide "highly tentative perspectives" for both of Google's antitrust cases, including one related to the Play Store and another around Search.
Before they end, Carl shares his take on Joker: Folie à deux, which spoiler alert, he likes! (Eitan saw it after recording, and shares a lot of the perspectives of Carl)
Join us for SID: Suits edition!2024-10-1441 minStuck In Development174 - Meta's Vision (Pro)Last week Meta introduced a new lineup of VR and AR lenses. The highlight of the event, by far, was the tease into Orion, Meta's prototype for the vision of AR. In this week's episode, Carl and Eitan share their thoughts about what seems to be a promising direction.
After that they touch on the news of James Cameron joining the board of Stability AI, and what it might (or not!) mean for the future of filmmaking.
Join us!2024-10-0431 minStuck In Development170 - Venu gets SID'd, and (un)remarkable AlexaCarl and Eitan start the episode by congratulating Paramount for getting unstock with the conglomerate's shopping window closing, making Skydance the super official winner (vF vThisOne vToPrint). Stop us if you've heard that before.
Then, they welcome Venu as the latest to get Stuck in Development. The boys explore Fubo's injunction and share their predictions of what will ultimately happen with the Disney+WBD+Fox sports venture. Spoiler, it's no bueno.
Finally, they close by trying to find a reason why anyone would be excited about having Anthropic LLM models available in Alexa.
...2024-09-0527 minStuck In Development164 - The Marvelous Inside Out and the Curious Netflix HouseThis was a week of highs, lows, and questions marks.
First, Carl and Eitan marvel at the enormous power of Inside Out and its incredible box office run (which doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon), and what it could mean for their prediction of Disney making exactly $3.75B at the box office this year.
They later try to come up with some crazy accounting that could help explain a report about MoviePass having a profitable year last year.
Towards the end of the episode they close by breaking down...2024-06-2738 minStuck In Development161 – Are Theaters Dying Historic On the Fury Road?Carl and Eitan dissect the latest round of doom-and-gloom around the future of theaters from the perspective of new release Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Carl's also mad about new tiling at EPCOT.2024-06-0733 minStuck In Development160 - Cannes 101 (with Kevin Sachs)The Cannes Film Festival was last week, and Carl and Eitan HAD to ask Kevin to join them and share some wisdom about this historic festival.
The Three Caballeros first go through the history of the festival, before jumping to this year's iteration highlights.
Lastly, after Eitan had to run out, Kevin and Carl go through their movie aficionado WAAAAW.2024-05-311h 07Stuck In Development159 – Bundles of JoylessnessIt's Friday afternoon and cable is BACK!
Carl and Eitan attempt to parse a pair of "bundles" announced by the major streamers. Only one bundle is, in fact, a bundle.
Later in the episode, the boys chat through Carl's recent trip to Disney World. 2024-05-2451 minStuck In Development154 - Lightning News RoundA 20-rundown of the latest big media and entertainment business news? You got it!
Carl and Eitan start by exploring the news and impact of Endeavour, Ari Emmanuel's modern media conglomerate, being taken private by Silver Lake for $13B.
After that, they check in on the latest of Disney's corporate drama and their proxy fight with activist investors.
Finally, they close out with more thoughts on Netflix's 3 Body Problem!2024-04-0924 minStuck In Development152 - Paramount HillParamount Mountain is starting to look like a hill.
In this week's episode Carl and Eitan analyze the bid to acquire Paramount's studios business by private equity giant Apollo.
After that, they preview a potential DOJ suit against Apple.
Join us!2024-03-2729 minStuck In Development148 - The One With the S CompaniesSpulu? Sony? Sawesome!
In this episode, Carl and Eitan explore the latest in the Spulu saga (Sports + Hulu, very creative media Twitter) before exploring why no one has thought about Sony's media assets as an M&A opportunity, especially considering their we-don't-have-a-streaming-channel-and-license-to-everyone strategy.
After that, Carl shares his long-awaited thoughts on the Apple VisionPro after being able to take it for a spin.2024-02-2839 minStuck In Development147 - Sports Bundle To Be Named LaterAfter briefly touching on it last week, Carl and Eitan dedicate most of this episode to a deep dive into Disney, Fox, and WBD's new sports venture.
They explore potential repercussions, how rights licensing might work, and even brainstorm some potential (bad) names.
In the movie front they catch up on American Fiction and The Taste of Things.2024-02-2232 minStuck In Development145 - The 2023 Bold Take ReviewEvery year Carl and Eitan make hot takes about what they think will happen over the next 12 months. That's the fun part.
A year later, its time to check the receipts. In this episode, Eitan and Carl go through their 2023 predictions and explore what they got right and what they got wrong, paying special attention to the causes of each action.
Join us for this review episode to get ready for next week's 2024 hot takes!2024-02-071h 00Stuck In Development142 - A Breakneck Breakdown of Netflix's Perpetually “Record-Breaking” Viewership DataFor their last episode of 2023, Carl and Eitan received an incredible gift: actual viewership data from Netflix! The two dig into the (very limited, almost useless) dataset to try and draw insights around content shelf-life and Netflix's "auteur" projects. In other news, the two briefly discuss the outcome of the Epic v. Google trial as well as new releases Godzilla Minus One and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.2023-12-2740 minStuck In Development141 - Hunger Games of Set SupervisionCarl and Eitan are back in the swing of things after a small break for Eitan's wedding (!!).
The main topics in this episode are Carl's love for the latest installment of the Hunger Games universe, and trying to figure out what Bob Iger means when he says some Disney movies are not performing well because they didn't have "enough on-set supervision".
They also talk Eileen, Godzilla Minus One taking over the world, and anticipate how great December will be in terms of movie releases.2023-12-1141 minStuck In Development140 - The Post-Wedding Pre-Wedding Catchup EpisodeSID has become unstuck in time. In this episode from 2.5 weeks ago, Carl and Eitan discuss whether Warner Bros' Coyoto vs. Acme could ever be a wise (or moral) decision; quickly discuss the now-very-wrapped-up SAG-AFTRA strike's implications on streaming numbers; and catch up on The Killer and The Holdovers.2023-12-0154 minStuck In Development139 - The Greatest Award DraftHave you ever wished there was a contest where 3 media strategy nerds drafted movies and tracked how many nominations and wins each one gets across 10+ different awards shows to ultimately crown the 2023 Movie Award Champion? You have? Well, do we have a treat for you!
In this episode, Carl and Eitan are joined by award and game master Kevin to draft the slate of movies more likely to reap the highest number of points. They also use this exercise to share their predictions of how things might shake out.
...2023-11-151h 06Stuck In Development138 - Marveling At the MCU's TroublesCarl and Eitan jam-packed this week's episode with a few pet topics. At the Box Office, they dissect the appeal of Five Nights at Freddy's and discuss Eitan's experience with Killers of the Flower Moon. They then attempt to read between the strategy lines of Disney's (full) Hulu acquisition and Apple's primetime "Scary Fast" event. The two spend the most time reveling in the schadenfreude of the collapsing multiverse that is the MCU.2023-11-0954 minStuck In Development137 - The Rest of 2023The remaining movie schedule for 2023 looks good. The streaming price increases look bad (but make sense).
In this episode, Carl and Eitan take stock of what's left of 2023. Join us!2023-10-2344 minStuck In Development134 - The Passion of the CarlEitan provides Carl with a free therapy session on – what else – the state of streaming media. Also covered are Charter's updated contract with Disney as well as Disney's non-announcements about the future of Animal Kingdom.2023-09-2751 minStuck In Development132 - Oops! All Carl Rambles!Carl's a ramblin' man after a week off from recording with Eitan. While essentially rehashing Eitan's solo episode, the two chat wade through a variety of tangents (Ready Player One! Warner's 2024 release calendar!) before discussing ESPN's sports betting gamble and the iPhone's prophesied transition to USB C chargers. 2023-09-0743 minStuck In Development131 - Eitan Flies SoloAt first, this episode wasn't supposed to happen. And then a lot of things happened.
With Carl unable to record this week, we first thought we wouldn't record.
But then Microsoft tweaked its acquisition of Activision-Blizzard. And then Warner Brothers Discovery delayed Dune 2 to 2024.
So Eitan had to act. Join him as he quickly powers through a crazy week!
2023-08-2816 minStuck In Development130 - The Zaslavification of SituationsCarl and Eitan are NOT here for the modern streaming era today. The two are unable to easily find the movies they want to stream, and they're dismissive of perennial "you know, Disney could buy Apple..." takes. 2023-08-2242 minStuck In Development129 - Netflix ZagNetflix added 5.9M subscribers in Q2! The password sharing is working! Or is it?
In this episode, Carl and Eitan dig deep into Netflix's results and analyze if all the hype around their earnings number is warranted.
They also spend some time finally talking a bit more about Barbie, and close out by sharing some Kickstarters that they've backed over the years.
Matt Stevens' 'Good Movies as Old Books' Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mattstevensclt/good-movies-as-old-books-vol2/
Kronecker Wallis...2023-08-1451 minStuck In Development124 - What Are The Szmutkos Watching? (w/ Alex Szmutko)It's an Oops! All WAWW! episode on SiD this week as Alex Szmutko steps in for Eitan. Alex & Carl discuss a host of movies & TV shows they've been watching & debating lately. Topics include:
TV: Halt and Catch Fire, The Bear, Black Mirror, The Other Two, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Film: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, Master Gardener, Past Lives, You Hurt My Feelings, Across the Spider-Verse, and Asteroid City2023-06-291h 12Stuck In Development123 - A Bibbidi Bobbidi Bachelor WeekendAfter many years of joking Eitan actually had his bachelor party at Disney World. He was joined by close friends (including Carl!), and this week's episode is all about reviews and reactions!
With the help of votes from all of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Friends, Carl and Eitan go through their favorite rides, snacks or drinks, and vibes. They also touch on the things they thought are underrated in Disney World, as well as some overall takeaways from the trip!
Come for Tower of Terror appreciation, and stay for the...2023-06-2056 minStuck In Development121 - Never Apologize For Going To The MoviesWith that title...is this another movie review episode? Right? Not this time!
Carl and Eitan kick off the episode by analyzing Disney's announcing the closure of the Galactic Starcruiser multi-day experience. They go through its history, explore why it might have failed, and predict whether the Mouse should give it another shot at the concept.
After that, the boys analyze Disney taking content out of Disney+, and GM + Google's joint venture around car infotainment systems.
2023-05-2640 minStuck In Development120 - Free Telly!Hello... Imaginears? This week, Carl and Eitan check in on a wave of developing topics including the WGA Strike and Disney streaming & theatrical news. They also (surprisingly!) come down favorably on a new flash-in-the-pan-sounding startup called Telly.2023-05-221h 11Stuck In Development117 - Max HeartburnIf a major streaming service changes its name, but nothing really changes (apart from adding "not high quality" content), does it make a sound?
That's what HBO Max announced this week, and Carl and Eitan break it all down.
After that, they check in with Netflix's weird week, where they announced they are (finally?) shutting down their DVD delivery/rental services, and had a nightmare scenario during their second-ever livestream.
They close the episode by checking in on the latest Twitter Twitter, before trying to cleanse their palate with a quick AUA.2023-04-2339 minStuck In Development114 - Something's Majorly Rotten in the State of Hollywood Superhero FranchisesCarl and Eitan discuss the (ongoing) implosion of the DC and Marvel franchises. In better news, Eitan had a great time seeing John Wick 4!2023-04-0649 minStuck In Development113 - Prepping for Disney and Struggling with AppsThis week's episode is a combination of dreams becoming a reality, and apps being dumb. Not very related, but Carl and Eitan do their best.
First, they talk about how Eitan's childhood hope/joke that his bachelor party would be a weekend in Disney World with his friends is becoming a reality. As part of this, he shares all that goes into planning something like this, including getting all the friends to understand all the intricacies Carl and Eitan love.
After that, they go through a couple of stories of struggles they've had trying to do the "right thing" while...2023-03-2942 minStuck In Development109 - Oscar Nominations and Other Musings2023 is up and running. Layoffs, antitrust, and even already a correct prediction by one of the hosts!
After catching up on some of the latest musings, Carl and Eitan go through the Oscar nominations they found surprising (for either positive or negative reasons).
2023-01-3031 minStuck In DevelopmentEmergency Ep - Iger is Back!Drama at the House of Mouse! Chapek out, Iger in. Out with new, in with the old-that-is-also-new.
As if Carl and Eitan didn't already love Disney's executive history, they can finally react live to this market-shaking moment.
In this emergency episode, they explore what might have led to this move, how Chapek's time will be remembered, and what is likely to be at the top of Iger's to-do list.
Join us!2022-11-2227 minStuck In Development102 - The "Huh?" EpisodeWhat a week. Carl and Eitan are confused.
Box Office? Confusing. Everything happening at Twitter? Confusing. Netflix's ad-tier having a super bumpy roll out? Very confusing.
Join the boys in this episode as they try to make sense of this topics and more!2022-11-1139 minStuck In Development98 - The Great Florida CatchupAfter a mini fall break, Carl and Eitan are back in full swing.
They start by catching up on their reverse reviews for Avatar and Don't Worry Darling, before going through their now ongoing segment "Flight movies: the ones you love to hate". In this instance, they go through Jurassic World Dominion, Lightyear, and Thor: Love and Thunder.
After that, they share their disbelief at yet another Netflix strategy decision (shocking, we know), and then close the episode with a report about Eitan's trip to Walt Disney World.
Come for the talk of...2022-10-161h 02Stuck In Development96 - Outside InThere is an Inside Out 2 in development? A Magic Mike 3!?
Carl and Eitan start the episode talking about the latest contract mishap in the House of Mouse, with Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling reportedly not coming back to reprise their roles in Inside Out 2.
Later, they chat about the announcement that Magic Mike 3 going theatrical instead of directly to HBO Max, with Eitan using it as a springboard to expand his famous Encanto Paradox.
Finally, they bemoan the latest M&A speculation around WarnerDiscovery and explore if the potential merger with NBCUniversal is as...2022-09-2542 minStuck In Development95 - Disney vs Epic (Universe)Throughout their first 94 episodes, Carl and Eitan have talked about theme parks countless times. From their love to solve the logistical puzzles they represent to their favorite rides and even what their perfect day at Disneyland looks like (check episode 8 for that one). Throughout those conversations, something they've never done is explore in-depth the role they represent within Disney's business, especially as they relate to market competition. It was long overdue, and they finally did it this week.
As part of their conversations, Carl and Eitan use last week's D23 conference as a springboard to chat about...2022-09-1954 minStuck In Development94 - Worry, Darlings!As Tom Cruise and Paramount continue to shatter records, Carl and Eitan look at two high-stakes new releases: Amazon's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and Warner Brothers' Don't Worry Darling. Both properties threaten to tank their respective studios, but the latter has even Wilder cultural implications.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stuckindevpod2022-09-1350 minStuck In Development93 - Catching Eitan UpAfter two weeks away, Eitan needs to be caught up on everything that happened in the world of entertainment!
The news list is long and varied: a potential MoviePass renaissance, Netflix's pricing for their ad-supported tier, yet another plane WAWW, and AMC's latest APE-driven business decision.2022-09-0152 minStuck In Development91 - HBO MAXimum ConfusionHBO Max and WarnerDiscovery took the Hollywood news-cycle hostage for a week. It didn't let it take even a bathroom break.
In this week's episode, Carl and Eitan dissect all the twists and turns the newly created content behemoth went through over the last 7 days. They touch on the canned Batgirl movie, the curious case of the disappearing HBO MAX originals, and the not-so-great earnings report.
Are these moves an overreaction to the market dynamics? Is the panic showing in a company that has long touted its plans to be acquired? Do any of the m...2022-08-0839 minStuck In Development90 - NopeflixFor Stuck in Development's 90th episode (thank you, everyone!!), Carl and Eitan deliver a quintessential SID episode: a mix of business strategy (including some ARPU calculations), Holywood Silicon Valey dealmaking, a movie review, and an AUA around a feature AMC is using to try to lure viewers back into theaters.
In the first of two main topics today, they start by exploring Netflix's decision to choose Microsoft as their ad-serving partner for the new tier, and why it makes more sense than what the initial industry reaction may suggest.
Later, they take a tour through...2022-08-0151 minStuck In Development88 - Our Most Contentious Episode YetDo Carl and Eitan ever disagree? If they do, is it ever strongly? This episode answers this question. Multiple times.
In this week's episode, the boys spend most of their time checking in. From its updated UX, to the news about a potential comeback into Amazon Prime Channels, this top-tier streamer leads Eitan and Carl into uncharted waters: strong disagreements.
In other topics, they touch on Disney's newest cruise ship, and spend 7 minutes more than they wanted check-in on the latest Twitter v Musk battle.
Come for the analysis, stay for the spice.2022-07-1537 minStuck In Development87 - Minions, Minions EverywhereThis episode may as well be your grandmother’s Facebook feed, because it is jam-packed with Minions content (despite the fact that neither Carl or Eitan have had the chance to catch up with this weekend’s Minions: The Rise of Gru). The two use the record-breaking success of the new film to reassess the premium video-on-demand (PVOD) fever that swept studios in summer 2020 and resulted in some strange deals between Universal and theatrical exhibitors.
In news, they also look Bob Chapek’s renewed contract at Disney.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stuckindevpod2022-07-0841 min
Stuck In Development84 - Mystery Topic #1Driven by a schedule-constrain creative rush, Carl and Eitan introduce a new episode type: The Mystery Topic! From time to time, especially during weeks when time is short, one of the boys will prepare a topic to get the other's live reaction.
For this first one, Eitan runs Carl through some viewership numbers that compare two major streaming releases. Curious about Carl's reaction? Listen to our first under-20-minute episode and let us know what you think of this new format!
Before jumping into the mystery topic, the boys spend 5 minutes checking in on Apple's W...2022-06-1618 minStuck In Development81 - VindicationFor years, Carl and Eitan have been fighting an uphill credibility battle. In their professional circles, they’ve been the town loons proffering doomsday prophecies about Netflix’s business model.
Unfortunately, the boys were right.
Now that almost every Hollywood studio has reorganized around streaming and pumped billions of dollars into fleeting and brand-diluting original content, Netflix has revealed projections showing staggering future subscriber losses. Eitan & Carl look at what’s next for the firm and dissect Netflix's plans to create a cheaper AVOD tier.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stuckindevpod2022-05-0755 minStuck In Development80 - Quality Over QuantityAfter a 1-episode run where the boys recorded together from the same location, Carl and Eitan are back on different sides of the country. Even with the geographical distance, they were both able to catch Everything Everywhere All at Once in theaters and they have thoughts. Same thoughts? You'll have to listen to find out!
In the news, they check in with the finally-closed Warner Brothers Discovery merger, and play a round of "Imaginary Investor".
This episode was recorded on Monday April 11. Eitan and Carl have been dealing with some personal stuff...2022-04-2236 minStuck In Development77 - What's Old is NewAh, the week before the Oscars. Could CODA really pull an offset? Do "for your consideration" campaigns actually help the chances of any movies to get an award? Is earnestness truly out in Hollywood? Carl and Eitan dig into all these questions.
On non-Oscar news, they check in on the latest Disney corporate gossip before moving on to this week's 'main' topic, Netflix's incoming crack down on password sharing.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stuckindevpod2022-03-251h 11Stuck In Development75 - SID's Wrestling Match with Roman MilanIn this special episode, Carl and Eitan are joined by Roman Milan from the All Sequels Go To Heaven podcast to talk wrestling and all the aspects that make it a unique form of entertainment in the current over-caffeinated world of content.
Roman walks the boys through US wrestling's history, from its roots as a purely regional business, the emergence of WWE, the evolution of its business models, all the way to its current status. This episode is filled with stories of glorious scripted slaps and superstars asking if "people can smell what they are cooking?" (even...2022-03-061h 28Stuck In Development73 - The Greatly Snowstorm-Impacted Episode of 2022In this strangely produced and edited episode, the boys follow the old adage of "when life gives you lemons (lemons being one co-host's travel plans being impacted by a snowstorm), record 6 individual sections and edit them together to come up with a surprisingly coherent and effective episode."
In terms of topics, the boys explore ViacomCBS's new/old name, MoviePass' creepy potential comeback, the latest Soderbergh pandemic-produced film, and a weird Disney tweet. They close by exploring which new categories the Oscars could create to make them more interesting... for Carl and Eitan.
Follow us on...2022-02-1839 minStuck In Development72 - It’s Oscarin’ Time!It will come as no surprise to listeners of Stuck in Development that Carl and Eitan have takes on the new crop of Oscar noms. Overall, there were few surprises, but the two still found plenty to celebrate and lament.
In news, Carl takes the lead on 2022 predictions in the aftermath of Meta’s stock downturn. The hosts also discuss a new lawsuit between Village Roadshow and Warner Bros. that threatens to undermine the power of independent producers across the entire film industry.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stuckindevpod2022-02-131h 27Stuck In Development70 - A Serious Analysis of The Best of 2021 That’s Definitely Worth Listening ToAs “2021 Month” stretches into February, Carl and Eitan take a look back at the best TV, film and media moments of 2021. (Debatably) More importantly, Carl also gives out the inaugural The Goldfinch Award For The Wide-Release Film From An Established Director That Was Widely Reviled Or Ignored But I Also Loved.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stuckindevpod2022-02-021h 11Stuck In Development69 - The 2022 Bold Takes EpisodeAfter being pleasantly surprised around how their 2021 predictions played out, Carl and Eitan shell their top 3 boldest takes for 2022. From the future of movie distribution, the need to add more diverse types of content into streaming subscriptions, all the way to a tech giant path to irrelevance, the boys really shoot far and wide.
Before jumping into their predictions Carl and Eitan react live to Netflix's terrible, no-good earning report.
Come from the takes, stay for the Netflix bearish commentary.2022-01-2447 minStuck In Development68 - The HFPA… Just Tweeted It OutCarl and Eitan, like most of the world, learned about this years’ Golden Globes after they already happened. After a longer-than-planned analysis of the winners, the two take time to review their 2021 media business predictions. Both ended up (mostly) happy with their performance!
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stuckindevpod2022-01-181h 02Stuck In Development67 - Happy New Year!Carl and Eitan welcome 2022 with a short episode reviewing their end-of-year break. After letting Carl's review of Don't Look Up send them into an exploration of sci-fi and fantasy impact on their worldview, the boys share everything they watched during the break (and, sometimes, even why).
On top of this being the first episode of the year, it's also the first episode where both hosts finally have professional microphones. It only took 67 episodes!2022-01-0939 minStuck In Development65 - Rotten Things in the Land of TomatoesWhat’s that smell? A discrepancy between critic and audience scores around the beautiful art form that is cinema? Preposterous or expected?
In this week’s episode, Carl and Eitan are joined by frequent guest Kevin in exploring different interesting trends in Rotten Tomatoes land. From 2021 films that are beloved by both audiences and critics to the ones with the biggest gap in history, this episode is filled with trivia and (mostly failed) guesses.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stuckindevpod2021-12-151h 30Stuck In Development64 - David Geffen’s YachtAs the winter sun gets lower and the laziness of the holidays sets in, all Carl and Eitan want to do is catch up on the latest TV and movies. This, of course, is what they always want to do, but in the spirit of the season they do an all-WAWW episode to catch up with each other. The death of Stephen Sondheim – on the heels of the Sondheim love letter Tick Tick Boom – also serves as an introspection point for the two as they (once again) question the merit of success at all costs.
Follow us on T...2021-12-091h 30Stuck In Development62 - The Great Molasses FloodFor the first time in an embarrassingly long time, Carl and Eitan had the chance to discuss a new release that they have both seen. Despite finding The French Dispatch frustrating, they were ultimately enchanted by Wes Anderson’s new film. The two also chat about Eternals’ impressive $71M opening and this week’s episode of Succession.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stuckindevpod2021-11-1259 minStuck In Development60 - Theaters Are Dune BetterThe spicy takes must flow!
It was a calmer week in both the world of media and the lives of Carl and Eitan. A random smattering of IATSE and tech topics lead the episode, and the boys check in on the surprising crossover success of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune. For once, Eitan beat Carl to the theater!
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stuckindevpod2021-11-011h 08Stuck In Development59 - PR Disaster WeekWhat a week.
In the first-ever morning-recorded episode, Carl and Eitan check in on the different PR disasters plaguing Hollywood this week. From Netflix's botched response to the Dave Chappelle backlash, to Disney’s lack of marketing for The Last Duel, this was a rough week for the crisis management departments. But hey, at least looks like IATSE will not go on strike (even though the deal does not seem to be perfect).
The boys also celebrate Dune day, react live to Uncharted’s 13-years in the making trailer, and answer an AUA from Cartoon All...2021-10-241h 04Stuck In Development58 - No Time To BondIn this week's (relatively) short episode, Carl and Eitan close the royale door on Daniel Craig’s time as the world’s most famous spy.
After Eitan finds solace in being back home after a couple of weeks of travel before diving, the boys break down the franchise's latest installment and share their top-5 lists on many things Bond before spending a quantum second looking at the latest IATSE strike news.
Come for the search of specters in 007’s closet, stay for the “sky is falling” takes.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stuckindev2021-10-1541 minStuck In Development56 - A Fireside Chat w/ Eitan and CarlJoin Eitan and Carl for a fireside chat live from Oaxaca and San Francisco! In a new episode format that definitely didn’t come about from a lack of preparedness, the two speedround through a series of pet SID topics:
Disney’s Star rollout in Mexico!
The Tonys!
Nightmare musicals!
Netflix viewership stats!
...and more!
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stuckindevpod2021-10-0144 minStuck In Development55 - Every Time I See My Car, I Think of Barry JenkinsCarl and Eitan have never felt so unprepared to discuss an awards show. Somehow, an entire year has elapsed since Schitt’s Creek, Watchmen and Succession took home the lion’s share of statues at the 2020 Emmys, and the boys haven’t watched as much TV in the year since then. Instead of diving deep on the big winners and losers, the two discuss the very soul of the Emmy Awards itself.
In news this week, Carl bought an AMC A-List membership and Netflix bought a Roald Dahl catalog.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stucki...2021-09-271h 11Stuck In Development54 - The Long Way Back to an Epic AppleCarl and Eitan are back in full swing after a quick break.
After Eitan catches Carl by surprise with some quick theme park news, they spend the episode going through everything that happened in the last couple of weeks: from Disney's decision to release the rest of their 2021 movie slate in theaters only, reviewing the temporary conclusion of the Epic v Apple case (including a philosophical conversation around 'fairness'), all the way to the adventurous trek studios made to Christopher Nolan's Beverly Hill compound.
Join them for the ride!2021-09-1957 minStuck In Development53 - The Boys Neg NetflixIn the strange sideshow world of theatrical distribution, CinemaCon is the biggest week of the year. Among the endless reports from studio presentations at this year’s conference, JPMorgan analyst Alexia Quadrani made an interesting observation: “Netflix desires its movies to have a bigger cultural impact.” Regular listeners of Stuck In Development will not be surprised that Carl and Eitan felt absolutely vindicated by this statement.
After a quick jungle cruise through chaotic box office reports and WAWWs, the two spend this episode reviewing Netflix’s film strategy in a world where almost every studio has a streamin...2021-09-0554 minStuck In DevelopmentEp 52 - A 1st Anniversary Theme Park Logistics MinisodeIn the middle of a crazy week for both of them, Carl and Eitan carved out a half hour to check in with each other on Disney’s latest dastardly plans. They quickly recap updates on the ScarJo vs. Disney saga before getting into A LOT of detail around the topic that’s been dominating Theme Park Twitter for the last week: Disney’s new Genie service. The boys track the evolution of this service from the days of E-tickets through the fragmented rollout of FastPass globally. They also chat about what makes FastPass and Genie a core component of Dis...2021-08-2736 minStuck In Development51 - Oh my God, Apple killed privacy!Carl and Eitan devote this week’s episode to three of their pet topics: Hollywood talent compensation, Apple’s privacy claims and… South Park, apparently. The two use Emma Stone’s Cruella sequel deal to dive into the previously under-discussed role of talent agencies in the streaming future. There’s a surprisingly straight line between this deal and Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s near-billion-dollar South Park check for 6 new seasons and 14 (!!) streaming movies. Apple’s CSAM debacle rounds out this diverse set of topics, and Carl and Eitan contrast this PR disaster with Disney’s Black Widow lawsuit.
Follow us...2021-08-191h 34Stuck In Development49 - No Rational Price: Disney Lawsuits and Parks UpdatesIt’s an all-Disney news week as Carl and Eitan react to Scarlett Johansson’s bombshell Black Widow lawsuit. The two discuss what this lawsuit means for the future of Hollywood talent compensation, and they contextualize this suit within broader trends in antitrust, labor and talent management. They also spend far too long dissecting the pricing structures of both Disneyland’s new Magic Key program and the underwhelming-seeming Galactic Starcruiser hotel (resort? experience? land cruise?).
Links:
Entertainment Strategy Guy: You Can't Split the "G"
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stuckindevpod2021-08-071h 34Stuck In Development47 - Please, Somebody, Stop This News OnslaughtThis week is a (space) jam-packed news episode. Carl and Eitan start by discussing the reportedly loathsome Space Jam: A New Legacy and the Carl-approved Pig. They also scoff at various industry reports blaming Disney Premier Access for Black Widow’s box office downturn. After news of Netflix’s impending foray into video games leave them nonplussed, they end the episode by reacting to an excellent op-ed that advocates for heavier antitrust restrictions on Netflix and other streamers.
Links:
LA Times: Op-Ed: How the streaming wars are changing what you watch by Peter Labuza
WS...2021-07-231h 22Stuck In Development44 - An Ode to Bird Box, the Most Successful Film of All Time (?)For data nerds like Eitan and Carl, Hollywood used to be a candy store. Decades of stats around productions, contracts and box office receipts were readily available, allowing them to slice and dice the successes and failures of decades past. This data still exists publicly – allowing the two to talk about the returns of In the Heights, F9 and Luca in the news – but it’s rapidly becoming harder to find and understand. This week, Carl and Eitan dig into one question: why?
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stuckindevpod2021-07-011h 22Stuck In Development43 - Catching Up With Mr. Pellegrino and the NewsCarl and Eitan are back after a pesky honeymoon got in the way of recording last week’s episode. They catch up on Carl’s wedding, debate the merit of some gossip around Jason Kilar’s future at WarnerMedia, unpack In the Heights’ mediocre box office performance, and revel in the last gasps of the Great MoviePass Grift.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stuckindevpod2021-06-241h 00Stuck In Development40 - Walking the Red Couple as a Carpet: (the Rest of) 2021 Movies PreviewCarl and Eitan are unstuck in time. They decided to do a 2021 Movies Preview… in late May. A late Oscars ceremony coupled with a pandemic can really mess with your perception of time! This week, the two share their personal lists of the top 5 films they are most excited to see in the back half of this year.
In a busy news week, they chat about the then-rumored Amazon acquisition of MGM; share some flirty details about the Warner-Discovery deal; talk Boss Baby; relay a riveting saga about animatronic replacements at Epcot’s Mexico pavilion; review theoretical them...2021-05-271h 28Stuck In Development39 - “Cray? But Not Cray?”: The WarnerMedia-Discovery MergerEvery once in a while, a story comes along that stops you in your tracks. For Eitan and Carl, this weekend was absolutely consumed by the announcement that AT&T would spin out WarnerMedia into a new venture with Discovery. This is Stuck In Development’s Big Game and its raison d'être.
Join the two as they take an exhaustive look at the merger and its implications on the future of AT&T and streaming at large. They recap the corporate history of AT&T, assign a valuation to WarnerMedia’s current business, and try to disce...2021-05-201h 29Stuck In Development38 - The Not-So-Golden GlobesStep into the Stuck In Development multiverse! This week, Carl and Eitan spent equal time dissecting a framework for modern entertainment companies and discussing the tumultuous future of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (the Golden Globes’ awarding body). For the former subject, they return to last week’s AUA to discuss the love that modern studios try to manufacture for their content; for the latter, they look to define the purpose of the HFPA and dream of a world without the Golden Globes. Eitan and Carl are also nonplussed by Disney’s new lightsaber demo.
Links:
Disn...2021-05-121h 14Stuck In Development36 - Steven Soderbergh’s Oscar’s TwelveIn his followup to last year’s excellent Let Them All Talk, producer Steven Soderbergh attempted to create a modern, COVID-safe Oscars ceremony. While Carl and Eitan mostly appreciated this year’s changes, they spend this episode debating one question: what is the point of Hollywood’s biggest night when nobody is watching?
In news this week, the two discuss the NHL’s new streaming deal, Sony’s post-pay-one deal with Disney, Roku’s ascendance to the big leagues vis-à-vis threats to deplatform Google, and the impending reopening of Disneyland.
The main topic starts at 24:06 this...2021-04-291h 14Stuck In Development34 - Sony Pictures: “Arms Dealer” to the StarsWith an announcement last week, Sony cemented their position as an “arms dealer” within Hollywood. Though both Carl and Eitan bristle at this description, the deal does establish Sony as a content free agent in a Hollywood increasingly focused on DTC streaming. Eitan and Carl debate the merits of Sony’s decision to shed itself of all DTC platforms and become a company focused on development and production.
In news this week, they chat about the Atlanta production scene and look at a “real” arms deal at Walt Disney Imagineering.
The main topic starts at 29:04 this week.
Follow us on Twitter @s...2021-04-151h 11Stuck In Development33 - Oops! All IP! Whoomp! Barry Jenkins!Will someone at Warner please remember that the Iron Giant is not a gun?
Eitan and Carl stare into the endless abyss of Space Jam: A New Legacy’s Warner 3000 Entertainment Server-verse and try to discern the factors that drove Warner to make such a thing. The Space Jam sequel is just the latest in a bizarre genre that Carl calls “Oops! All IP!” films. In these films, iconic characters and imagery are drafted to cameo in plots completely unrelated to their source material. From the highs of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? to the lows of Ready Player One, Carl and Ei...2021-04-071h 10Stuck In Development32 - Craig Federighi’s Hair or (Eitan Reports from Pandemic-Era Orlando)Despite repeated threats, Carl and Eitan decided to make this episode about more than just Disney World transit systems. As Eitan wraps up a month living and working remotely from Orlando, they check in on the Walt Disney World Resort in the time of COVID-19. They chat about everything from the 5-hour virtual queue at a cookie bakery to Eitan’s assessment of the cultural accuracy of Epcot’s Mexico pavilion. Eitan also spends quite a bit of time praising Epcot’s ride systems, but these are *technically* not transit systems!
In news this week, they talk about...2021-04-0159 minStuck In Development31 - Stuck in Development's Carl Szmutko's Zack Snyder's Justice League's “Justice is Grey”: The Musical: The Musical: The DCEU Special Breakdown Special ExtravaganzaMuch like the return of Darkseid to Earth, the #SnyderCut episode of Stuck in Development was inevitable. Eitan and Carl dive into the torturous history of the DC Extended Universe and chart its evolution against that of the modern superhero-industrial complex. They discuss the hubristic mediocrity of Zack Snyder’s Justice League and what it means for the future of franchises and fan engagement. Carl also spends a lot of time defending Zack Snyder’s artistic credibility.
In news this week, Carl and Eitan bemoan the death of publicly available viewership data. Eitan’s Helios and Matheson run al...2021-03-241h 34Stuck In Development27 - A (Superstar) Limo Ride Into the PastOn Disney California Adventure’s 20th anniversary, Eitan and Carl chauffeur you to the park’s grand opening. This park represented the culmination of a decade of disaster for Disney’s theme parks. Nothing exemplifies DCA's early, dark days more than one garish, dark ride: Superstar Limo. Carl and Eitan use this attraction as a case study to explore the tradeoff between artistic dreams and limited budgets.
In news this week, Eitan and Carl discuss Apple’s new distribution deal with Skydance Animation and the reopening of movie theaters in NYC. They also congratulate former Imagineering boss Joe Rohd...2021-02-251h 29Stuck In Development26.1 - Snowpocalypse Now!Due to internet and power disruptions caused by winter weather, Carl and Eitan are taking an unexpected break this week. They'll be back next week with an episode celebrating Disney California Adventure's 20th anniversary through the prism of its infamously terrible opening day attraction: Superstar Limo.
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Music/FX:
Feather Duster by Silverman Sound Studios – https://www.silvermansound.com
Walking Snow Sound by SPANAC – https://www.freesoundslibrary.com/walking-sound-snow/
2021-02-1701 minStuck In Development25 - The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Trilogy - Part 3: Revenge of the RewritesLast fall, Eitan and Carl set out on a quest to understand the muted reaction to The Rise of Skywalker and the Galaxy’s Edge lands at Disneyland and Disney World. Along the way, this quest became about uncovering the very soul of modern Hollywood.
In the final episode of their miniseries on Disney’s Star Wars films, Carl and Eitan discuss the merits of Episode XI and Galaxy’s Edge. From reviewing Colin Trevorrow’s lost Duel of the Fates screenplay to nerding out over Disneyland ticketing systems, the two take you deep into the Star Wars rab...2021-02-041h 39Stuck In Development24 - Getting Cyberpunk’d w/ Pete SampsonCarl and Eitan take a tour of Night City with guest Pete Sampson. Pete talks them through the development and disastrous launch of Cyberpunk 2077. On one hand, the game is a case study in mismanaging hype, developers, and distribution channels. On the other, it’s a surreal, glitchy mess that is magnificent to behold.
In news this week, Eitan, Carl, and Pete debate the merits of postponing 2020 films yet again. They also begrudgingly accept the news of a new Harry Potter TV series.
The main topic starts at 20:40 this we...2021-01-271h 28Stuck In Development23 - Anyone Can Podcast: A Brad Bird Deep Dive w/ Sam ParkerGuest Sam Parker joins Carl and Eitan to take them from the sewers of Paris to the top of the Burj Khalifa. They discuss filmmaker Brad Bird and his place in the evolution of franchise filmmaking. The three also dig into how Bird’s influences and animation background shape his films’ visuals and narratives.
In news this week, Eitan and Carl skeptically respond to Netflix’s announcement that they will be cash-flow positive by the end of 2021. They also check in with WandaVision.
The main topic starts at 17:35 this week.
Music: Feather Duster by Sil...2021-01-211h 27Stuck In Development22 - Reading the 2021 Tea LeavesA week in, predicting what will happen in 2021 already seems impossible. Eitan and Carl wanted to try anyway. They share their boldest predictions across every Stuck In Development vertical, tracing 2020’s impact on everything from Disneyland’s eventual reopening to visual effects labor reform. One thing is certain: Carl and Eitan will be here all year to make sense of any news story that develops.
In news this week, they address the week’s biggest political story: former T-Mobile boss John Legere’s political ambitions. Eitan also gloats about correctly guessing the sale price for Roku’s acquisitio...2021-01-1355 minStuck In Development21 - Adventures in Body Swapping: Soul and WW84Happy New Year, #OakesHive! Carl and Eitan spent the last two weeks relaxing and watching films with loved ones. They caught the month’s two biggest films – Soul and Wonder Woman 1984 – and walked away (from their couches) with many questions. Join the two as they discuss the film’s releases and what they mean for their respective studios.
In news this week, they react to a rumor that Roku is purchasing Quibi’s catalog.
Soul discussion starts at 30:29; Wonder Woman 1984 discussions starts at 50:51.
Music: Feather Duster by Silverman Sound Studios – https://www.silvermansound.com2021-01-061h 30Stuck In Development19 - Back to the Future of StreamingDid COVID-19 simply accelerate disruptive strategies at AT&T and Disney?
As the dust settles from weeks of HBO Max and Disney news, Carl and Eitan check in on the two most aggressive combatants in the streaming wars. They react with both horror and intrigue to Disney’s Investor Day announcements, and they follow multiple tangents through the histories of Disney’s content verticals. They also discuss the multiple lawsuits brewing against Warner Brothers.
In news this week, they gawk at the Cyberpunk 2077 release, try to understand the target customer for Peacock’s The Office tier a...2020-12-151h 40Stuck In DevelopmentX.1 - Emergency Episode: Warner Day-and-Date Streaming AnnouncementIn a radical move, Warner Brothers announced that they will release all 2021 films simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max. Carl and Eitan couldn’t wait, so they paused a production meeting to react in real time to this game-changing news.
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Music: News Intro Sound by Maximilien – http://soundbible.com/2041-News-Intro.html2020-12-0415 minStuck In Development17 - The One Where Eitan and Carl Do (Some) Math: Modeling Streaming-First BlockbustersCan Warner Brothers turn a profit on direct-to-streaming blockbusters? ….maybe.
In a timely episode, Eitan and Carl model hypothetical theatrical and streaming releases for three films: Godzilla vs. Kong, Wonder Woman 1984 and Soul. This discussion showcases the hard path to profitability that streamers face. Though this episode was recorded before the announcement that Warner Bros. would put all of its 2021 films directly on HBO Max, Carl and Eitan provide analysis on how this streaming move adds up. They also end up chatting about the future of franchises, canons and standalone content.
(Don’t worry, we’re dropping an emergency Warner Bros...2020-12-041h 25Stuck In Development16 - It’s About Time: The Splash Mountain RevampThis Thanksgiving, we give thanks for good audio quality and experienced hosts.
Unfortunately, this episode from our archives has neither. Listen to Carl and Eitan’s very first attempt at Stuck in Development. They explore the troubled past and hopeful future of their favorite Disney ride, Splash Mountain.
Eitan and Carl will be back next week with a brand new episode.
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Music: Feather Duster by Silverman Sound Studios – https://www.silvermansound.com2020-11-281h 22Stuck In Development14 - Fantastic COVID Stories and Where to Find ThemWill a COVID-19 vaccine actually save media and entertainment companies?
Carl and Eitan weigh in on whether the market reaction to Pfizer’s vaccine announcement is rational or just bad speculation. First, they dedicate the bulk of this episode to a busy post-election news week. Topics veer wildly between Netflix’s linear ambitions, Harry Potter franchise-keeping, Apple’s ARM transition and next-gen console launches.
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Music: Feather Duster by Silverman Sound Studios – https://www.silvermansound.com2020-11-111h 19Stuck In Development12 - The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Trilogy - Part 2: Attack of the Kinda WhateverCarl and Eitan return with the second part of their investigation into what went wrong with Disney’s Star Wars franchise. Disney followed up the record-breaking The Force Awakens by firing 3 directors and releasing 3 films. Two films had troubled productions, and one ignited hatred on certain corners of the internet. Will Eitan be able to convince Carl of Rogue One’s brilliance? Can Carl finally show the world that The Last Jedi is a masterpiece? Join us to find out.
In news, they eulogize Quibi and try to convince Apple to buy MGM rather than license No Time...2020-10-271h 41Stuck In Development10 - Musings on StreamingShould you be bullish or bearish on Netflix?
In a streaming-heavy news week, Carl and Eitan chat about Netflix’s evolving content strategy as well as Disney’s plans to focus on digital distribution. They also check in on Quibi’s acquisition prospects.
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News and main topic conversation are interspersed this week.
Music:
Feather Duster by Silverman Sound Studios – https://www.silvermansound.com2020-10-141h 22Stuck In Development8 - A Virtual Day at DisneylandWhat’s the best restroom in Disneyland? Should you go left or right at the fork in Pirates of the Caribbean? Is Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! an improvement on the Tower of Terror or an annoying monstrosity? This episode answers these very important Disneyland questions and more.
This week, Carl and Eitan finally head back to Disneyland – to a Disneyland state of mind, that is. They do a deep dive on the logistical challenges of a day at Disneyland Resort and share their tips and tricks for getting the most out of a visit to the Ha...2020-10-011h 40Stuck In Development6 - The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Trilogy - Part 1: Bob Iger’s New HopeDisney’s first attempt at reinvigorating the Star Wars franchise fizzled in 2019 with the muted response toward The Rise of Skywalker and Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland and Disney World. What happened to this storied intellectual property?
In the first episode of a 3-part investigation, Carl and Eitan trace the Star Wars saga from its 2012 acquisition by Disney to the successful release of The Force Awakens in 2015. Like the first episode of any Star Wars trilogy, this episode ends on a false positive note while laying the groundwork for the drama to come. Beyond Star Wars, they brie...2020-09-161h 22Stuck In Development4 - Ask Us Anything: Volume 1In their first mailbag episode, Carl and Eitan answer your questions about film development and copyright quirks. They also open up about discovering their love of theme parks and the entertainment business. In the news this week, Carl and Eitan celebrate the life of Chadwick Boseman and check in on Tenet and Mulan.
Links:
Book: Shooting to Kill: https://bit.ly/3gPdsCl
Film: The Last Black Man in San Francisco: https://bit.ly/31TIVzb
Carl’s LOWKeynote: https://bit.ly/3biVqqQ
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Music: Fea...2020-09-021h 18Stuck In Development3 - Epic v Apple: Dawn of Justice?Epic Games, Apple and Google are weeks into a battle royale over the fate of digital sales platforms. Who will prevail?
In news this week, Carl and Eitan discuss the evolution of DC’s superhero programming and a rumor threatening Hulu’s future. For this half-fortnight’s major topic, Carl and Eitan dig into the history of the Apple App Store and draw parallels between Epic’s antitrust fight and the ongoing streaming wars.
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Music: Feather Duster by Silverman Sound Studios – https://www.silvermansound.com2020-08-251h 07Stuck In Development2 - A Girl Worth Fighting For: Disney Earnings and Mulan on PVODThe House that Walt Built reported Q3 earnings last week. They weren’t great… or were they? Carl and Eitan walk you through what you need to know.
There was too much news to skip straight to Disney, so they begin with discussions of AMC’s reopening, Tenet rapidly-approaching theatrical release, the official end of the Paramount Decrees, and a Quibi Quibi. They next analyze Disney’s Q3 earnings, their impact, and share what these earnings might mean for the future of the company. Finally, they deep dive into the big news of the call: the launch of Mulan...2020-08-211h 11Stuck In Development1 - Playing Monopoly: Cinemas and the Film Value ChainAre movie theaters dead?
In light of AMC and Universal clinging to each other for dear life, Carl and Eitan explore the century-long evolution of the movie industry. From Fantasia to Trolls World Tour, they trace the destruction of Hollywood's ‘Golden Age’ via the Paramount Decrees to the streaming wars and the rise of modern theatre chains.
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Follow Eitan on Twitter @tanchoco
Music: Feather Duster by Silverman Sound Studios – https://www.silvermansound.com
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