Introducing: Glitter & Might

You Must Remember This

Karina Longworth

Tv & Film

4.7 • 15.1K Ratings

🗓️ 25 August 2023

⏱️ 4 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In Glitter & Might, a new series exploring the intersection of show business and politics, bestselling author Shawn Levy unpacks the story of Lew Wasserman, the shadowy legend who lorded over Hollywood for half a century. He was a feared deal-maker, credited with breaking the impasse that ended the 1960 actors’ and writers’ strike. Wasserman oversaw seismic innovations in the entertainment business, but none as impressive as the way he connected it to Washington. Every president from Kennedy to Clinton took his calls. And he was as comfortable dealing with gangsters as with politicians. Through original research and interviews with Wasserman's associates and the journalists who observed him, we learn how this mystery man definitively ruled many worlds. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, listeners! I'm excited to share the details of a new podcast series that I think you'll enjoy.
0:07.0	Glitter and Might tells the story of Lou Wasserman, a symbol of ruthless power in a dark suit,
0:15.0	oversized sunglasses, and a permanent tan who ruled Hollywood from the shadows for 50 years.
0:23.0	Wasserman oversaw seismic innovations in the rise of television in blockbuster movies,
0:29.0	in the transformation of film studios into theme parks and in actors' earnings,
0:35.0	and was a critical figure in ending the famed labor strikes of 1960 and 1981.
0:42.0	Even more, the mogul connected Hollywood to political power in a way that endures to this day.
0:50.0	Every president from Kennedy to Clinton took his calls, and he was as comfortable dealing with gangsters,
0:57.0	as with politicians. Now, more than 20 years after his passing,
1:03.0	film historian and best-selling author, Sean Levy, is shining a light on this powerful and mysterious figure,
1:11.0	unpacking his extraordinary life and legacy, and examining the ways in which his impact is still felt today.
1:20.0	Enjoy this preview of Glitter and Might, an Odyssey original documentary,
1:25.0	available now on the Odyssey app, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
1:36.0	They called him the most powerful man in Hollywood, and he really was, and he really was for decades.
1:43.0	He extended his tentacles like an octopus throughout the entire entertainment industry.
1:50.0	I believe that he was considered royalty.
1:53.0	We are proud to honor him tonight, Mr. Lou Wasserman.
2:00.0	We talk a lot today around disruption in business,
2:03.0	and whether it's Airbnb or Uber, that's something that Lou is doing in the 40s and the 50s.
2:10.0	At a time and a place where everybody wanted to be a peacock,
2:14.0	Lou stood out by making himself such an unseen figure.
2:19.0	His famous line was, stay out of the spotlight, it fades your suit.
	...

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