Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Jason Reitman on Hollywood’s grown-up comic dramas
Film director Jason Reitman.
(
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Sony Pictures
/
Getty Images North America
)
Topline:
As Jason Reitman’s new film "Saturday Night" arrives in theaters, the writer-director talks about his crusade to keep alive Hollywood’s grown-up comic dramas and experience-driven movie theaters.
Why it matters: Hollywood doesn’t make nearly as many adult comedies or dramas for theaters as it once did. And those theaters are promoted for their “great picture and great sound” to see superhero flicks, not as places to have a communal experience for all kinds of movies. Jason Reitman is bucking both those trends, hoping to keep alive the spirit of originality and showmanship that are in shorter supply in the industry these days.
Saturday Night lessons: Reitman’s new movie, Saturday Night, revolves around the 90 minutes leading up to the first episode of Saturday Night Live in 1975. The moment marked a turning point for television and mainstream comedy, as young, fresh voices became undeniable and the show has been one of their prime breeding grounds ever since. As Reitman celebrates that moment when the older gatekeepers let a new generation emerge, he sees a similar modern through-line with TikTok and how “the next great performers are going to be...kids telling a narrative in 6 to 10 seconds with a different kind of sense of humor.”
Support for LAist comes from
Westwood Theater revamp: Reitman assembled a star-studded coterie of directors to buy and restore the 1,400-seat Fox Westwood Village theater, which was “languishing” out in Westwood. His goal is to foster a place and a community where young directors can show their films to passionate audiences. “What we’re interested in is what we can do in Westwood that reminds you of the romance of going to see the movies,” he says, “and what lessons we can learn that can then extend to other movie theaters across the country.”
For more... read the full story on The Ankler.
This story is published in partnership with The Ankler, a paid subscription publication about the entertainment industry.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist