Remote Surveillance Trailer in Hollywood, CA

David Ellison indirectly answered lawmaker questions about how the combination of two of Hollywood’s five remaining historic studios would impact California in a letter obtained by The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday.

The Paramount studio chief was responding to Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Laura Friedman, L.A.-area lawmakers who previously asked Paramount and former Warner Bros. suitor Netflix to address widespread concerns about a megamerger’s consequences for Hollywood workers.

“I firmly believe that uniting Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery presents a unique opportunity to build a true champion for the creative community, one that can and will bring more stories to life, support filmmakers and talent with real scale, and compete effectively on the global stage as an independent media leader,” Ellison said in response to a question about the merger’s impact on California and Hollywood specifically. “That is the true legacy of Hollywood, and my promise to you is to build a stronger Hollywood, by keeping both of these legacy studios operating separately, thereby preserving and potentially increasing jobs.”

The studio head touted previous commitments he has made as further evidence that the corporate marriage will improve the lot of Hollywood workers. Those include promising that Paramount and Warner Bros. will each have a 15-film annual slate, that they will license their work to third parties and pick up third-party projects for their platforms, and that they will maintain a theatrical window of at least 45 days.

Ellison also talked up preserving HBO and having the “intention” of establishing 60- to 90-day (or longer) VOD windows for successful films after their theatrical runs.

But he wasn’t specific about how the megadeal would preserve jobs in Los Angeles. “The Los Angeles area provides some of the most talented and well-trained film and television workers in the world, and it is my expectation that the commitments I have made will preserve and expand good-paying film and television jobs in the area,” he said.

One of his commitments to help Hollywood, he said, was his team setting up shop on the Paramount studio lot in mid-L.A. after the Skydance-Paramount merger was completed and stepping up Paramount’s film slate from eight to 15 films a year. His plan to continue licensing content “means there will be additional opportunities available for creative talent in Los Angeles.”

Still, he’s in favor of regulatory reform to keep more production in the U.S. Ellison said he was a supporter of restoring Section 181 of the tax code to further incentivize studios like his not to offshore their productions to other countries. Section 181 of the Internal Revenue Code allows productions that shoot in the U.S. to deduct production costs sustained in the same year.

He also spoke in favor of a federal tax incentive, which Schiff and Friedman are attempting to get off the ground: “America already has the world’s leading entertainment workforce and world-class production facilities,” he wrote. “It now just needs a federal film tax incentive to close the competitive gap with the rest of the world, and again attract the biggest film and TV projects, activate its highly skilled workforce, and utilize its infrastructure.”

In a statement, Friedman told THR that she asked for “concrete commitments” and said some were offered, like the promise to release 30 films a year, the 45-day theatrical window and support for the incentive. “Those are measurable, and I intend to measure them,” she added. “The thousands of workers on our soundstages and backlots need to see these promises show up in our lives, not just in a letter.”

Read Ellison’s full letter to Schiff and Friedman below.

"One Battle After Another" wins best picture with six Oscars as Paul Thomas Anderson, Jessie Buckley and Michael B. Jordan lead the night.

HOLLYWOOD, CA — The 98th Academy Awards came to a close with a decisive final statement: “One Battle After Another,” a politically charged thriller about the emotional wreckage of ideological collapse, won best picture, capping a night defined by historic breakthroughs, long-awaited recognition and a fierce contest between the season’s two dominant contenders.

“Sinners,” a feverish collision of blues rhythms and vampiric dread, entered the ceremony with a record-setting 16 nominations and ultimately claimed four awards. Michael B. Jordan earned best actor in what was both his first nomination and his first Oscar win, a defining moment in his career. The film also won best original screenplay for Ryan Coogler, best original score and best cinematography — the latter marking a landmark victory for Autumn Durald Arkapaw, the first woman ever to win the category.

Jessie Buckley delivered one of the night’s most emotional moments, winning best actress for “Hamnet.” The award marked her first Oscar and solidified her status as one of the most compelling performers of her generation.

But the night’s momentum ultimately belonged to “One Battle After Another.” Paul Thomas Anderson won best director — the first directing Oscar of his career — pushing the film to six total wins. Earlier in the evening, the film claimed best supporting actor for Sean Penn, best adapted screenplay, best film editing and best casting, making it the most-awarded film of the ceremony.

Amy Madigan earned best supporting actress for “Weapons,” giving the film its first Oscar and adding a surprise twist to the acting categories.

Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” dominated the craft fields, sweeping production design, costume design and makeup and hairstyling. “KPop Demon Hunters” delivered one of the ceremony’s most notable cultural moments: after winning best animated feature, it added best original song for “Golden,” which became the first K‑pop track ever to earn both a Grammy and an Oscar.

“All the Empty Rooms” won best documentary short, while the live action short category resulted in a rare tie between “The Singers” and “Two People Exchanging Saliva.” Norway’s “Sentimental Value” claimed best international feature film, while “F1” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash” took home sound and visual effects, respectively.

With the final envelope opened and the night’s narrative complete, the 98th Academy Awards closed on a note of artistic ambition, political urgency and genre‑bending creativity — a ceremony where new voices broke through, long-respected artists reached career milestones and cinema’s evolving landscape took center stage.

98th Academy Awards List of Winners

From a Michelin-starred gastronomic experience to a nostalgic hot dog stand, these West Hollywood area restaurants toast the beautiful blend of food and ambience.

The culinary landscape in West Hollywood is often defined by the magnetic pull for high-profile patrons and the subsequent eye-watering menu prices. This is a place where upscale, nightlife-oriented dining establishments proliferate amidst zippy LGBTQ+ watering holes, making for ubiquitous sights within West Hollywood’s colorful but small geographical footprint. However, the closure of several Sunset Strip institutions along with the opening of several creative up-and-comers has imbued the area with a sumptuous sense of hopefulness. Still, the zone has always put the Hollywood in West Hollywood. For hardcore fans of Vanderpump Rules, the restaurants featured in the megahit Bravo show and its subsequent spin-offs—Sur, TomTom, and Something About Her—are all within city limits. And the area boasts L.A.’s most famous Norm’s, a regional 24-hour diner stalwart housed in one of the finest examples of Southern California’s Googie architecture.It’s also worth noting WeHo features outposts of the international sushi fusion chain Nobu, over-the-top Miami export Barton G, and high-energy seafood empire Catch. Other icons like Craig’s, Cecconi’s, Delilah, and Tower Bar in the Sunset Tower Hotel (whose reputations and service surpass their actual culinary chops) cater to Tinseltown power brokers, stars—both actual and wannabe—as well as the salivating tourists who trail in their wake.Despite its relatively small size, the city within a city holds its own as a dining destination. Sure, it’s nearly impossible to eat out on a budget here. But if you are making a reservation for a romantic date night, celebratory dinner, or boozy brunch, West Hollywood delivers. In fact, its dining scene is often on par with—and in some cases surpasses—greater L.A. Read on for our carefully curated guide, which intentionally excludes all of the spots name-checked above.Updated March 2026: We’ve completely revamped the list, excising long-in-the-tooth staples like Dan Tana’s, shuttered venues such as Sushi Fumi, and restaurants not actually located within West Hollywood city limits. Our dramatic overhaul makes way for several heavy-hitting newcomers offering fresh vibes like Alba, Darling, Galerie, Marvito, and Scarlett.

New Fortune Cookie Smash Cake is perfect for birthdays, anniversaries and proposals

Perched dramatically above Los Angeles in the Hollywood Hills, Yamashiro Hollywood has long been one of Southern California’s most photogenic and talked-about restaurant destinations. Built in 1914 as a Japanese-style hilltop palace and later transformed into a dining institution, the venue combines historical architecture, Zen Garden details, koi ponds, and sweeping city views.

Part of Yamashiro’s enduring appeal is its location and layout. The restaurant’s interiors blend wood, stone, and vintage lighting to create a romantic atmosphere perfect for celebrations. Large panoramic windows frame the glittering view of Los Angeles below, while garden courtyards and walking paths invite guests to wander before or after dinner.

The indoor seating spans several environments, from intimate private rooms to the Sunset Dining Room with unobstructed city views, and the Skyview Room, where on clear nights you can toast while watching downtown twinkle.

The menu at Yamashiro showcases a fusion of New American and Japanese influences, with sushi and sashimi alongside grilled meats and shareable starters. Highlights include the Ninja and Dragon rolls, spicy tuna crispy rice, Wagyu Sukiyaki and matcha soba noodles. There is also a long list of artisanal cocktails and curated sake.

Elevating Yamashiro’s dessert repertoire this season is the imaginative Fortune Cookie Smash Cake. This delicious whimsical dessert arrives with its own small mallet, inviting diners to break it open to reveal chocolate truffles tucked inside as well as a customizable fortune at its core.

Available by pre-order at least 24 hours in advance, the Fortune Cookie Smash Cake (priced around $95) can be personalized with a message such asa birthday wish, a celebration note, or even a proposal, making it a standout choice for anyone looking to leave with more than just a satisfied palate.

Yamashiro is located at 1999 N. Sycamore Avenue, reservations at 323.466.5125.

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Los Angeles CA — A wind-driven house fire destroyed a Hollywood Hills home in Los Angeles Saturday, threatening nearby homes.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), crews responded at 9:36 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026, to a reported structure fire in the 8500 block of West Oak Court in the Hollywood Hills.

The first arriving firefighters encountered a two-story, cantilevered wood-sided hillside home heavily involved in flames. Wind pushed the fire into surrounding medium-to-heavy brush, raising concerns that embers could ignite additional spot fires near neighboring properties.

Because the home sat set back from the road and uphill, firefighters faced difficult access conditions. Crews climbed a long, steep staircase to reach the structure, deploying nearly 300 feet of hose line just to reach the front entrance.

Due to the challenging terrain and shifting winds, the incident commander quickly upgraded the response to a Greater Alarm, bringing additional firefighters and equipment to the scene.

LAFD officials said more than 100 firefighters, including two engines and a battalion chief from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, worked to contain the fire. Ground crews focused on suppressing the main structure fire while additional companies were assigned to protect homes along Cole Crest Drive, located on a ridge downwind of the blaze.

An LAFD helicopter coordinator conducted aerial reconnaissance to monitor ember spread, while a water-dropping helicopter remained staged overhead in case conditions worsened.

Firefighters extinguished the fire in approximately 1 hour and 13 minutes, preventing further structural loss.

No injuries were reported. A neighboring home sustained minor damage to exterior stairs and nearby vegetation, but the structure itself was saved.

LAFD’s Unmanned Aerial System (drone) unit conducted thermal scans for remaining hot spots, and fire watch operations are expected to continue through the day and night.

After investigation by the LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section, the cause of the fire remains undetermined.

For residents, students, and commuters in hillside neighborhoods, fires like this highlight how quickly wind-driven flames can threaten nearby homes.

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