Hollywood Week: CBS/Bari Weiss, Broadway, LA Times Strike, Disney, Bad Bunny Backlash
- Details
- Category: Haute This Issue
- Published on Saturday, 11 October 2025 12:46
- Written by Janet Walker
As Paramount/Skydance (PSKY) continues its post-acquisition adjustments, a surprising change the purchase of "The Free Press" and its founder, anti-woke conservative opinion columnist, Bari Weiss, was then hired as to lead the CBS newsroom.
Ellison's Hire Bari Weiss, Anti-Woke, Columnist To Helm Newsroom
While David Ellison, the son and heir to Oracle founder Larry Ellison, is the CEO at Paramount/Skydance, the hiring of anti-woke opinion columnist Bari Weiss, presents one of the first real revelations that behind the decisions are a conservative cabal directed toward placating the government, and solidifying the conservative agenda into America's mainstream.
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Although, Weiss appears, on the surface, to strike a delicate balance between the conservative wave, and apparently has captured the attention of many influencer and money movers, she is a Rino, a republican (or conservative) in name only. Although she has voted for both democrats and republicans she is not registered as an independent.
She rides the wave of opinions crashing over the country and skillfully used the tumultuous changes to secure a big payday for her thoughts and then managed to translate that into leadership at a major news organization without any newsroom tenure or reporting skills, which speak to the current trend in hiring practices of hiring similarly, loyalty to race, religion, ideals, present well and fake it.
Granted, her lifestyle, which by acquisition and position she now introduced to the public and the conservative base that holds the ear of the president, is the antithesis of republican agenda.
While all the right words are there, it is a smoke screen placating the public to secure the big payout. Good for her, she hoodwinked America, which is the current trend, with slick palatable opinions, and rode the wave right to the bank. She capitalized on the polarizing news and political world, and with a perfect playbook knew whose opinions to clone to capture the attention of the movers and shakers and she refined herself to match and mirror those leaders. She is one to emulate, for all the wrong reasons, but speaks to the single driving force in America today, fake it, take it, and make bank.
Dan Rather, who spent the majority of his career working his way up the ladder at CBS, said this in his Substack, Steady, "My friend, Tom Bettag, a former executive producer at CBS News said of Weiss, "An editor-in-chief is the leader of the newsroom. A leader is only as effective as he or she has been able to win the respect of the newsroom." It will take more than salty language to win over CBS News. It will take integrity and a spine."
The rubber, however, is now meeting the road. And from all accounts Weiss is already alienating the news staff. As an unskilled leader she is looking to those she emulates to mine the skills and possibly once again depend on her staff to present their best possible work, simply as they are professionals.
However, as the public has recently seen her attempts to mirror Elon Musk's DOGE efforts by sending out a mass email requesting workers explain their daily duties, it appears to be the beginning of copying leadership ideas from another's playbook.
Already sitting on a pile of money, she can afford months of mistakes before the Ellison's decide she may be best suited for an executive position and return the newsroom to the skilled (shock).
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LA Times Calls Strike Vote
Los Angeles Times staff, who are represented by the Media Guild of the West, have overwhelming responded to authorize a strike should present negotiations continue at the current slow pace.
The call for a vote doesn't mean, that Guild members will strike the newspaper, which is possible, however it is more likely the support for a strike will act as a catalyst to move the LA Times management to quicken their efforts in presenting an equitable proposal.
"These negotiations have dragged on for far too long, and today's vote results show that our members are fed up," L.A. Times Guild chair Matt Hamilton, an investigative reporter at the paper, said in a statement. "Now is the time for management to come to the table with a proposal that is truly fair for our members and helps restore the Times," reported The Hollywood Reporter.
Broadway Musicians Poised to Strike
American Federation of Musicians Local 802, New York's Broadway musicians are also considering a strike as they have been in negotiation with Broadway League, which represents the theater owners and producers more than two months.
For the musicians, the demands are reasonable, with equitable pay, protection against job loss, and healthcare, at the top of the list the Broadway League even after successful seasons are demanding lower wages, a reduction in benefits and healthcare.
As the two couldn't be further apart, the possibility of a strike especially during the high revenue holiday season is very possible.
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Disney Raises Theme Park Prices
The Happiest Place on Earth just got a little more expensive, as Walt Disney just announced an across the board price hike for both Anaheim's Disneyland and Orlando's Walt Disney World two of the theme parks in the Walt Disney portfolio, making that most memorable dream vacation just a little less possible.
"Disney typically raises prices once a year. These price increases are happening in the midst of some major expansions on both coasts, introducing new rides and experiences, and against a backdrop of increasing operational costs," reported MickeyVisit.com.
As the rate hikes take effect immediately, there are many websites that can help families plan for that once in a lifetime extravaganza and even allow for pay by month options with a substantial down payment to help make the trip affordable.
However, don't be fooled, a trip to the Disney Kingdom will still be expensive, with hidden costs for everything from parking (not included, which can be countered by car service options) to some dining (which can run as high as $1000 for a family of four), escaping to the magical kingdom is not for the faint at heart.
Conversely, the magic of Disneyland and Walt Disney World, continues long after the trip is a simply page in the scrape book of life, and preplanning can help avoid those shocking surcharges and will be worth the trip, the adventure, and the memories.
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Bad Bunny Super Bowl Backlash
On September 28, The National Football League announced that Puerto Rican born Bad Bunny will headline the 2026 Superbowl LX Halftime Show, scheduled for February 8, 2026 at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California, there has been a growing backlash since.
Bad Bunny, who is credited for bringing Latin rap music into the mainstream, performs nearly entirely in Spanish, which for many is the antithesis of what the NFL should be presenting.
President Trump criticized the choice and conservative groups, including Turning Point USA, have announced a counterprogramming is now in place to present a more American halftime show.
As February is still four months, it's possible other Latin talents, such as Carlos Santana, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, or Marc Anthony, will join Bad Bunny and as always turn the halftime show into more than a concession break.
Janet Walker is the publisher, founder, and sole owner of Haute-Lifestyle.com. A graduate of New York University, she has been covering international news through the Beltway Insider, a weekly review of the nation's top stories, for more than a decade. A general beat writer/reporter and entertainment/film critic, she is also an accomplished news/investigative news/crime reporter and submitted for Pulitzer Prize consideration "Cops Conspire to Deep Six Sex Assaults" in the Breaking News Category and was persuaded to withdraw the submission. Ms. Walker has completed five screenplays "The Six Sides of Truth," "The Assassins of Fifth Avenue," "The Wednesday Killer," "The Manhattan Project," and the sci-fi thriller "Project 13: The Last Day." She has also published "Unholy Alliances: A True Crime Story," and "Days, Times, Seasons, and Events: A Collection of Poetry & Prose," which can be purchased here. She is a member of the Los Angeles Press Club, the National Writers Union, and a member of the International Federation of Journalists.
