Before we start a correction from yesterday's episode with David Kramer of UTA, in the intro I said

CAA was owned by the Arnault family of LVMH fame. It is not. It is owned by the Pinot family,

of course, which owns carrying another luxury house. I mixed up my Frenchman. Apologies. Now on to the show.

It is Thursday, June 12th. Today is the start of the voting period for the Emmys.

And if you live in Los Angeles, you know this because there are billboards everywhere,

ads on local TV, and the stars of shows that haven't aired in months are suddenly doing

tons of press about their process and how amazing and

fun everyone was on set. All to remind the 26,000 or so members of the Television Academy that

they did good work this past year. Many of those Academy members listen to this show, so it's

nothing they don't know already. Like Oscar season, the months leading up to the Emmys are a mini

industrial complex, millions of dollars spent to the Emmys are a mini-industrial complex.

Millions of dollars spent by the streamers and traditional networks on campaigns designed to influence

voters. Yes, there even adds on this little show. But it's funny, many people in town don't actually

know how the Emmy nominees are actually chosen. The voting process. It's very different from the Oscars or other awards. And of course, I don't need to explain why these awards are important. In addition to the egos and vanities of the talent, winning an Emmy or even being nominated can be a huge boost to the career of an actor or writer or whatever creative person. Plus, for the platforms, the awards are great distinguishes.

Way to cut through the clutter and signal to the audience,

this is actually good.

HBO has built its brand off the Emmys.

Same with FX, AMC, back in the day.

Now, Apple TV Plus is trying hard.

Netflix and Amazon love the Emmys because it helps

recruit top talent to make shows there,

even though most of their business is not the award-style content.

...