Inside Theatrely w/ Kobi Kassal

Nearly a year ago, The E-List sat down to discuss the bidding wars for Warner Bros. Discovery between Paramount and Netflix.   Now, we’re back for part two, as we break down the closing of the Paramount-Warner merger, the creation of the newly combined company, and what’s next for Hollywood.

What goes into creating a world where witches, magic, and mayhem collide? The E-List sits down with debut author Julia Bianco to talk about her novel Witch Season, from dreaming up her supernatural characters to finding the heart of the story. We also chat about what it’s like to adapt your own novel for television, as Witch Season makes its way from page to screen at Lionsgate!

Long gone are the days of waiting in line for listening parties… or even turning on the radio to hear the Top 40.  Music consumption has changed over and over again in the digital age, but there’s been no bigger disruptor than TikTok.  From dance trends to viral sound clips, TikTok has completely transformed how we discover, consume, and even define music. A song can go from garageband to a global hit overnight.  So what does that mean for the music industry? We’re breaking it down E-List style!

Television’s biggest night is back! The 78th Emmy Awards celebrated the shows, performances, and behind-the-scenes talent that defined the 2025-26 TV season, with The Pitt, Window’s Bay, Hacks, and Pluribus among the night’s biggest nominees. Hosted by America’s darling and Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay in her first Emmy hosting gig, the ceremony brought a night of historic wins, great jokes, and even a Taylor Swift Easter egg.  Stay tuned, because we’re breaking it down E-List style!

Whether you love them, hate them, or use them to sneak into the theater five minutes late, movie trailers are an essential part of the cinematic experience. But trailers weren’t always the spoiler-filled mini-movies we know today.  We’re breaking down the history of the movie trailers, from their early days as simple promotional reels to blockbuster previews that have audiences counting down to movies coming out two years later. We’ll explore how trailers became one of Hollywood’s most powerful marketing tools. Grab your popcorn and get to your seat before Nicole Kidman tells you “we make movies better.” We’re breaking it down, E-List style!

The show must go on, but who pays for it? We’re going behind the scenes of nonprofit theatre with Annabel, a development professional who raises funds for the arts. What does “development” actually entail? Why does government funding matter? And what can the U.S. learn from places like the U.K., where the arts are treated as a priority rather than an afterthought? We’re talking philanthropy, public funding, and what it takes to keep theatre thriving, plus some fan-favorite picks for the best of theatre!

What does it take to build a media company from the ground up? This week, we're joined by Kobi, founder and editor-in-chief of Theatrely, the Gen Z-focused publication bringing a fresh voice to Broadway and theater journalism. From theater superfan to college radio host to producing a one-of-a-kind show for internet personality Trisha Paytas, Kobi's career has been anything but traditional. We chat about launching Theatrely, covering Broadway for a new generation, and what it takes to build an entertainment publication in an era where audiences—and media itself—are constantly evolving.

The curtain is up on our three-part summer theatre series with a micro-case study on the most famous playwright of all time: Shakespeare! His words may have started on the page and the stage, but they’ve taken on an incredible second life on screen. From She’s the Man to Anyone But You, Shakespeare’s stories have been remixed into hundreds of rom-coms, teen comedies, and blockbuster hits. We’re diving into why his work never goes out of style. What are Shakespeare’s most iconic storytelling tropes? And why is studying them so valuable for filmmakers?

Ever wonder what it takes to support Hollywood's biggest visionaries? This week, The E-List sits down with a Director's Assistant, Hannah, to unpack one of the industry's toughest and most sought-after jobs. It's a role built on trust, quick thinking, and long hours. In return, you get a front row seat to the creative process and the chance to learn from the best of the best. We talk about the skills that matter, the lessons you can't learn in a classroom, and why apprenticeship matters.

Happy 250th, America! Your birthday present? Season 3 of The E-List! As the country celebrates a milestone amid a deeply divided political and cultural moment, we're diving into the movies that have sold us an idea of America. From war films and historical dramas to stories that celebrate, question, or challenge the American Dream, we explore how Hollywood sells patriotism. Are we buying it? And what do these films reveal about American culture?