Latest news with #DavidSilverman
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Fans Are More Intense Than Ever': Matt Groening, David Silverman and Matt Selman on ‘The Simpsons' Enduring Appeal
Nearly four decades after a spiky-haired boy first declared, 'Don't have a cow, man,' 'The Simpsons' remains one of television's best-loved and influential institutions. At this year's Annecy Animation Festival, the series' incredible run, which will extend beyond 40 seasons after a recent re-order, was celebrated with some of its key figures in attendance. 'The fans are as intense as ever. In fact, more intense,' series creator Matt Groening told Variety during a sit-down interview at the French festival. 'When we were here last, we got a pretty great response. But this time, it's completely nuts.' More from Variety 'No Soy Sauce!': Anthony Bourdain's 'Get Jiro' Introduces Future Where Chefs Have the Most Power - and a Brand New Catchphrase Sébastien Laudenbach's 'Viva Carmen' Reimagines Bizet's Opera for Contemporary Young Audiences 'Anime is Niche No More': Crunchyroll EVP Mitch Berger Teases 2025 Slate at Annecy 'We were here in 2008 and 2010, and it's even bigger now,' agreed executive producer David Silverman. 'It was really big back then, so it's pretty amazing. But it's great. The fans are really great.' Showrunner Matt Selman, clearly amused by the attention, added, 'When you walk around with David Silverman, he gets recognized. David is a celebrity here.' That enthusiasm reflects a legacy few, if any, shows have achieved. Since its debut in 1989, 'The Simpsons' has never taken a hiatus. It's a production rhythm that Groening, Silverman and Selman have grown used to, but never take for granted. 'We've been on the air since 1989,' Groening explained. 'The show goes year-round. The fact that we're here in France to celebrate the show means we're going to be a week behind.' For decades, 'The Simpsons' has enjoyed a level of cultural saturation around the world that initially surprised, and still does to a degree, the show's bosses. 'From my own experience, [the show's early international popularity] was great, but we were working so hard we could barely pay attention to it,' said Silverman. 'We were like, 'Oh, that's great, but we have a deadline.' It took a few years before I could get my head above the drawing table to notice, 'Oh my gosh, we're having an effect.'' With more than 750 episodes, a feature film, comics, parade balloons and innumerable catchphrases and memes embedded in the pop-culture lexicon, 'The Simpsons'' staying power defies modern TV logic. Streaming has only amplified its impact. 'Being on Disney+ has been somewhat rejuvenating for us,' Selman said. 'Not that we realized we needed rejuvenation, but we appreciate it.' Instead of catching a random rerun on broadcast TV or waiting for DVDs, fans can now dive into decades' worth of content in one click. 'Now instead of the kids watching it on local TV in the afternoon, they can just watch it all, all the time, all day, all forever,' Selman added. 'We really have that super connection to young people.' That connection with young people has always been there for the show, but it wasn't always easy for young fans to watch. When 'The Simpsons' first hit the air, it was prohibited in many homes by parents who were shocked at the show's more mature elements and frequent cartoon violence. 'One of the best things that ever happened in the course of the show was that some people forbade the show,' Groening recalled. 'It became this exotic, forbidden thing. Bart Simpson Underachiever T-shirts were once controversial and banned in schools. So when we did a Lisa Simpson Overachiever T-shirt, but we got in trouble for that because it said 'Damn I'm Good.'' Selman also pointed out that another advantage of being on Disney+ is that the platform occasionally allows for longer edits of episodes to stream after shorter versions have aired. It's never anything that significantly changes an episode, but it does offer a small degree of greater freedom when formatting a story. The latest three-series order of 'The Simpsons' includes just 17 episodes per season, but that doesn't mean the team will slow down. 'We used to do 22 a year. For the next four [seasons], we're doing 17 a year,' Selman explained. 'Fifteen that will premiere in America on Fox, and then two exclusives on Disney+. It's still a full-time job.' 'Work has a way of expanding to fill the time available,' Groening said. 'But if you know that you have four seasons to think about, it changes how you approach storytelling.' Groening, who is still heavily involved in Hulu's 'Futurama' reboot – another of his creations – joked about using his workload as a scheduling loophole. 'The great thing about having more than one show to work on is I can tell the people at 'Futurama' I'm working on 'The Simpsons,' and the people at 'The Simpsons' that I'm working on 'Futurama'.' 'The Simpsons' has lived through seismic shifts in distribution, merchandising and marketing, but one thing that has remained constant and helped the series survive such major changes is that its storytelling has never been explicitly limited to TV. The series has long transcended the screen through music, games and even lunchboxes. 'It is storytelling,' said Groening. 'Even merchandise—even a lunch box—we try to tell a little story, include a little joke.' 'We try to avoid what's called in the biz a 'label slap,'' he added. 'We actually try to have jokes on everything.' Silverman chimed in, 'Even comment on what we're doing, you know, like our characters being on a lunch box – it's sort of making some observation about being on a lunch box.' Selman acknowledged a delicate balance between commercialization and satire. ''The Simpsons' was always sort of able to have its cake and eat it too, in terms of selling a lot of merchandise but also satirizing the phenomenon of over-merchandising. It was like, 'Look, can you believe we're doing this?'' This self-awareness is nothing new. 'Maybe the first or second episode of 'The Simpsons,' we showed Krusty Flakes on the kitchen table,' said Groening. 'The slogan on the box was 'Because only sugar has more sugar.'' The team later tried to develop a healthier real-world cereal, but, according to Groening, 'There was not a single cereal company in America that would put it out.' Selman believes it could be possible for 'The Simpsons' to expand beyond the screen again, perhaps musically. 'We should make our actors sing another album. Not from the show. Separate songs,' he said. 'Like 'The Simpsons Sing the Blues.'' Even now, the creative team is focused on the future and on cultivating the next generation of artists. 'Over the years we've had various outside animators do the so-called couch gag,' Groening said. 'That's been amazing.' He recently suggested to Selman that they explore even more animator collaborations, though the compressed runtimes of modern episodes often make those gags harder to fit. 'I wish we could do an original couch gag for every episode,' Selman said. 'But money is a little tighter than it used to be… and you can't cut a story short to add a couch gag,' he lamented, stressing that cutting even seconds off an episode can often cause a jarring tonal shift. The editing process remains one of the show's most painstaking challenges. 'If a show is cut really tight and the jokes don't breathe, the scenes seem too fast-paced,' Selman said. 'None of it really seems as funny or as engaging.' Groening added, 'This is the kind of thing we agonize over.' Even after decades on the air, the modern-day legends behind 'The Simpsons' aren't resting on legacy alone. They're tweaking, adapting, evolving and always laughing. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Retail investors account for 59% of Union Bankshares, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:UNB) ownership, while institutions account for 23%
Significant control over Union Bankshares by retail investors implies that the general public has more power to influence management and governance-related decisions The top 25 shareholders own 39% of the company Insiders have been buying lately Every investor in Union Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ:UNB) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 59% to be precise, is retail investors. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk). And institutions on the other hand have a 23% ownership in the company. Institutions often own shares in more established companies, while it's not unusual to see insiders own a fair bit of smaller companies. In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Union Bankshares. See our latest analysis for Union Bankshares Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices. Union Bankshares already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Union Bankshares' historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story. Union Bankshares is not owned by hedge funds. Susan Mercia is currently the largest shareholder, with 8.6% of shares outstanding. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 6.6% and 6.3% of the stock. In addition, we found that David Silverman, the CEO has 0.9% of the shares allocated to their name. A deeper look at our ownership data shows that the top 25 shareholders collectively hold less than half of the register, suggesting a large group of small holders where no single shareholder has a majority. Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. Our information suggests that there isn't any analyst coverage of the stock, so it is probably little known. The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. Our most recent data indicates that insiders own a reasonable proportion of Union Bankshares, Inc.. Insiders have a US$23m stake in this US$130m business. We would say this shows alignment with shareholders, but it is worth noting that the company is still quite small; some insiders may have founded the business. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling. The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a substantial 59% stake in Union Bankshares, suggesting it is a fairly popular stock. With this amount of ownership, retail investors can collectively play a role in decisions that affect shareholder returns, such as dividend policies and the appointment of directors. They can also exercise the power to vote on acquisitions or mergers that may not improve profitability. While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Union Bankshares . Of course this may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free free list of interesting companies. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Sign in to access your portfolio
CNN
20-02-2025
- Business
- CNN
Walmart warns of a slower 2025. That's a bad sign for America's economy
Shoppers flooded to Walmart for groceries and clothing last year. But 2025 will be trickier for the retail giant as inflation ticks back up and Trump's tariffs kick in. Walmart said Thursday that its sales and profit growth will slow this year. The forecast sent its stock tumbling as much as 8% during pre-market trading. Walmart said sales will grow by up to 4% this year and profit will grow up to 5.5%. But that was short of investor expectations. Walmart (WMT) is the largest retailer in the United States and a bellwether for consumer spending. Its projected slowdown is a signal for the rest of the retail industry that 2025 will be a rockier year. David Silverman, a senior director at Fitch Ratings, expects 'retail choppiness to continue in 2025,' given a recent dip in consumer sentiment, particularly for lower-end consumers and tariffs, he said in a note to clients Thursday. To be sure, Walmart's business is strong and consumers are 'resilient,' the company said. But it acknowledged it will have to navigate tariffs and manage other challenges. Walmart's outlook 'assumes a relatively stable macroeconomic environment' but 'acknowledges that there are still uncertainties related to consumer behavior and global economic and geopolitical conditions,' Walmart finance chief John David Rainey said on a call with analysts. Walmart will be able to handle tariffs better than most companies because it can apply its size and scale to muscle down prices with suppliers. Smaller companies have less leverage and may have to raise prices for consumers, economists say. Still, in an interview with CNBC, Rainey said Walmart 'is not going to be completely immune' from tariffs. Americans are showing signs of concern about the economy. Most adults nationwide, 62%, feel President Donald Trump has not gone far enough in trying to reduce the price of everyday goods, according to new CNN polling. Consumer prices rose 0.5% last month from December — the fastest pace in more than a year — as energy and food costs continued to bite. Egg prices have soared as a result of a deadly avian flu. Walmart said that it expects normal inflation this year of 1% to 2%, despite the rise in egg prices.
CNN
20-02-2025
- Business
- CNN
Walmart warns of a slower 2025. That's a bad sign for America's economy
Shoppers flooded to Walmart for groceries and clothing last year. But 2025 will be trickier for the retail giant as inflation ticks back up and Trump's tariffs kick in. Walmart said Thursday that its sales and profit growth will slow this year. The forecast sent its stock tumbling as much as 8% during pre-market trading. Walmart said sales will grow by up to 4% this year and profit will grow up to 5.5%. But that was short of investor expectations. Walmart (WMT) is the largest retailer in the United States and a bellwether for consumer spending. Its projected slowdown is a signal for the rest of the retail industry that 2025 will be a rockier year. David Silverman, a senior director at Fitch Ratings, expects 'retail choppiness to continue in 2025,' given a recent dip in consumer sentiment, particularly for lower-end consumers and tariffs, he said in a note to clients Thursday. To be sure, Walmart's business is strong and consumers are 'resilient,' the company said. But it acknowledged it will have to navigate tariffs and manage other challenges. Walmart's outlook 'assumes a relatively stable macroeconomic environment' but 'acknowledges that there are still uncertainties related to consumer behavior and global economic and geopolitical conditions,' Walmart finance chief John David Rainey said on a call with analysts. Walmart will be able to handle tariffs better than most companies because it can apply its size and scale to muscle down prices with suppliers. Smaller companies have less leverage and may have to raise prices for consumers, economists say. Still, in an interview with CNBC, Rainey said Walmart 'is not going to be completely immune' from tariffs. Americans are showing signs of concern about the economy. Most adults nationwide, 62%, feel President Donald Trump has not gone far enough in trying to reduce the price of everyday goods, according to new CNN polling. Consumer prices rose 0.5% last month from December — the fastest pace in more than a year — as energy and food costs continued to bite. Egg prices have soared as a result of a deadly avian flu. Walmart said that it expects normal inflation this year of 1% to 2%, despite the rise in egg prices.
