From KCRW, I'm Kim Masters, and this is the business.

Today, part two of our conversation with media mogul Barry Diller.

For nearly the past decade, Diller has backed award-winning movies and Broadway shows

from now embattled mega-producer Scott Ruden.

Asked about allegations that Ruden engaged in a decades-long pattern of abusive behavior, Diller pushes back.

If in fact it is true that he was abusive to people in his office, I never participated in it. I do not condone it.

And if it was true, I would hope that he would find a way, as has been suggested, to deal with that and reenter the business because he's too valuable a resource to not be in the business unless his behavior in the future would be heinous.

Barry Diller emotionally defends longtime associate Scott Rudin and decries cancel culture.

But first, a busy news week and an extra big banter.

Stick around. It's the business from KCRW.

Hi, I am joined by my buddy in banter. Matt Bellany. Hello, Matt.

Hi there.

So, Scarlet Johansson, she has sued the Walt Disney Company. This is a big battle, a big star,

in a big war. She is suing because her movie, Black Widow, she says, she was promised

exclusive theatrical release. Disney changed that plan, as Widow, she says. She was promised exclusive theatrical release.

Disney changed that plan, as you know, and we all know.

They put it on Disney Plus the same day that it opened in theaters for a $30 upcharge.

They then proceeded to brag about how much money it made in its first weekend, $60 million,

which is not normal, but maybe they

shouldn't have done that. I don't know. They've been trying to keep that kind of information

secret. She says that this decision cost her $50 million. Yeah, this is a big deal because it goes

to this question of what is the priority of these studios? They have contracts with their

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