In The Room

Alisa M
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entertainment News
  • Updated Weekly

In The Room is where culture meets Hollywood and the conversations you don’t hear finally get said out loud. Hosted by industry insiders Ali & Alisa, this podcast pulls back the curtain on entertainment, power, race, and the business behind the headlines. From real studio politics to career pivots, creative survival, and the wins and losses nobody posts about, we’re having the honest conversations you only hear when you’re actually… in the room. If you care about Black creatives, industry tea, real strategy, and unfiltered takes — pull up a chair. We’ll save you a seat.

  1. 6d ago

    The Culture's Custody Battle

    Who gets custody of Black culture?This week on In The Room, Ali LeRoi and Alisa Murray examine the growing battle over who gets to define, protect, and profit from the culture. From Kiki Palmer joining BET's Advisory Board and Mara Brock Akil fighting for the funding Girlfriends deserves, to Oprah's controversial comments about Whitney Houston, Jay-Z's carefully curated documentary, and India.Arie's criticism of Young Miami's "Spend Dat," every conversation asks the same question: Who gets to decide what represents Black culture?Hollywood, music, media, and legacy all collide in an episode about ownership, influence, and the responsibility that comes with shaping the culture.Topics:• Kiki Palmer joins BET's Advisory Board • Regina Hall almost became a nun • Jay-Z's upcoming HBO documentary • Oprah's Whitney Houston controversy • Mara Brock Akil's Girlfriends movie • India.Arie vs. Young Miami • What Hollywood values—and what it doesn't Subscribe for weekly conversations where culture meets Hollywood

  2. Jul 3

    BET Awards 2026 Breakdown: Did Druski Deliver?

    The BET Awards always spark conversation—but this year they sparked debate. We're breaking down the biggest winners, viral moments, unforgettable performances, and whether Druski's internet comedy translated to live television. We also discuss why Keke Palmer instantly changed the energy of the show, Lauryn Hill's emotional tribute, Cardi B's viral performance, and why BET may be defining Black culture too narrowly. Plus, in this week's Table Read, we ask the bigger question: Who actually deserves a seat at the BET table? Does BET celebrate the full spectrum of Black artistry—or only what's trending? We discuss why artists like Lenny Kravitz, jazz musicians, alternative acts, and Black rock artists often go overlooked while the network continues chasing ratings and social media buzz.

  3. Jun 26

    Who Owns Black Culture? SZA vs AI, David Oyelowo & Hollywood's New Rules

    This week on In The Room, Alisa Murray and Ali LeRoi unpack what happens when something becomes valuable and everybody suddenly wants a piece of it. From British actors portraying Black American icons to AI companies training models on Black artists' work, from Reddit becoming Hollywood's newest IP farm to directors fighting over fewer jobs, this episode asks one question: Who owns the culture once everyone wants access to it?We also discuss the CBS lawsuit rocking Matlock, the controversy surrounding I Love Boosters, crew compensation after surprise indie hits, and why creators need to protect themselves before Hollywood comes calling.

  4. Jun 12

    Getting Seen Is Easy. Getting Paid Is Hard.

    This week in the room, we're asking a simple question: Is attention the same thing as power? Nick Cannon turns fatherhood into content and proves he may be one of entertainment's most underrated moguls. Lynn Whitfield explains why she refuses to play broke, and Idris Elba officially closes the door on James Bond while opening up a bigger conversation about Black franchises. We break down Courtney Kemp's defense of hate-watching, why artists are walking away from the Freedom 250 celebration, and whether veteran acts can afford the political backlash that comes with certain gigs. Then we tackle one of the biggest debates in Hollywood right now: Should film crews share in the profits when a low-budget movie becomes a massive hit? From a crew member making less than $7,000 on a $200 million film to Zendaya's profit-sharing model, we explore who really gets rewarded when success strikes. In Is It Just Me?, the Wayans family's decision to walk away from a bad deal leads to a conversation about rejection, ownership, and why betting on yourself can sometimes be the most profitable move of all. Plus: BET's new advisory board, Black storytelling, Love Island obsession, and why attention without leverage might be the most expensive mistake in entertainment.

  5. Jun 5

    Who Runs Culture Now?

    From Marvel's search for the next Black Panther to Jaafar Jackson being tapped for another major biopic, this week we're asking who gets to shape culture in 2026. We unpack Travis Scott's comments on Black authenticity, Jay-Z's return to the stage at the Roots Picnic, and whether hip-hop still belongs to the old heads. We also examine how young creators like Kane Parsons are bypassing Hollywood's traditional development system, why the BET Awards created a new category for digital stars, and whether controversy has become part of Netflix's marketing strategy. Plus, we review Is God Is and discuss why some of the most challenging Black stories spark the biggest conversations.

  6. May 29

    Who Gets Seen vs Who Gets Paid?

    This week, we're looking at the people trying to shape culture from behind the scenes. Byron Allen quietly increases his media empire with a major STARZ stake. Tyler Perry and Malcolm D. Lee invest in the next generation of Black filmmakers. A fully AI-generated feature film premieres at Cannes after being made in just two weeks. And Country Wayne says Hollywood wants his vertical drama blueprint—but not at his price. We also discuss the reality of actor residuals in the streaming era, Quinta Brunson's Betty Boop project, and whether the industry is still rewarding creativity—or simply chasing efficiency. Who controls the infrastructure? Who owns the audience? And who gets left behind when the business changes?

  7. May 26

    Fame, Felons, Fraud & the Face that launched 1000 bigots.

    This week on In The Room — where culture meets Hollywood — we unpack what happens when fame, influence, and access become more valuable than the actual work.A man connected to the theft of Beyoncé’s unreleased music and Cowboy Carter tour materials is finally sentenced — but the bigger conversation becomes why real Beyoncé fans didn’t even want the leaks in the first place.Then Byron Allen quietly expands his media empire again with a major BuzzFeed acquisition focused on AI and FAST-channel content, raising bigger questions about who actually understands the future of media.Seth Rogen sparks debate after questioning writers who immediately turn to AI, leading us into a larger conversation about creativity, originality, and whether Hollywood still values voice over speed.We also unpack the controversy surrounding Dr. Cheyenne Bryant’s credentials and why conversations around mental health influence, expertise, and trust feel especially important in the Black community.In “Is It Just Me?” we discuss the backlash to Lupita Nyong’o reportedly playing Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey — and why “historical accuracy” suddenly becomes a concern whenever Black women are cast in iconic roles.And in this week’s Table Read:The era of the celebrity “blank check” deal may officially be over. From the Obamas to Harry & Meghan to J.J. Abrams, streamers are pulling back — forcing Hollywood to confront whether fame alone was ever enough to sustain a content business.Plus:• Michael B. Jordan sparks a major bidding war with Battlefield• Chase Infiniti explains how social media became her audition tape• The disturbing rise of the Nature Boy cult• And why some movies feel crafted… while others feel manufactured for streamingHollywood isn’t just changing.The rules for relevance, authority, and ownership are changing with it.

  8. May 15

    Nobody Gets to Just Be Famous Anymore: Lets talk MET Gala, Sag union deal and Kevin Hart Roast

    his week on In The Room — where culture meets Hollywood — we break down how the entertainment industry is changing in real time.Druski hosting the BET Awards proves internet fame is no longer the side door into Hollywood… it IS Hollywood. Eddie Murphy reflects on a career that could never happen the same way today. Chase Infiniti reveals how social media helped land her role before her résumé could. And Michael B. Jordan’s attachment to Battlefield shows studios are no longer just betting on IP — they’re betting on stars who function like entire franchises.We also unpack Barack Obama still carrying the weight of public expectation long after leaving office, and why the Met Gala controversy proves celebrities can no longer separate themselves from what the room represents.Then in Table Read, we discuss the future of celebrity, visibility, influence, and what happens when your face, voice, likeness, and online presence all become part of the business model.Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:06 Druski Hosting the BET Awards04:49 Druski’s Growth & Internet Comedy Evolution09:27 Eddie Murphy Says Today’s Actors Couldn’t Build Careers the Same Way12:18 Eddie Murphy, Comedy Clubs & Hollywood’s Old Star System15:04 Chase Infiniti & Social Media as the New Audition Tape18:17 Is Your Online Presence Now Required for Success?20:25 Why Internet Creators Struggle on Traditional Sets23:32 Michael B. Jordan & Battlefield’s Massive Bidding War27:49 Why Michael B. Jordan Is Becoming Franchise Infrastructure29:25 Barack Obama, Public Pressure & The Weight of Leadership33:40 Is It Just Me?: The Met Gala, Celebrity Branding & Public Alignment37:30 When Celebrities Become Symbols Instead of Artists40:00 Table Read: Visibility, Likeness & Hollywood’s New Rules#InTheRoomPodcast#Hollywood#Druski#BETAwards#EddieMurphy#MichaelBJordan#MetGala#BarackObama#EntertainmentNews#HollywoodNews#CreatorEconomy#SocialMedia

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About

In The Room is where culture meets Hollywood and the conversations you don’t hear finally get said out loud. Hosted by industry insiders Ali & Alisa, this podcast pulls back the curtain on entertainment, power, race, and the business behind the headlines. From real studio politics to career pivots, creative survival, and the wins and losses nobody posts about, we’re having the honest conversations you only hear when you’re actually… in the room. If you care about Black creatives, industry tea, real strategy, and unfiltered takes — pull up a chair. We’ll save you a seat.

Information

  • Creator
    Alisa M
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Alisa M
  • Show Website
    In The Room