The high-stakes gambler who sparked an internal investigation and filed a complaint against Jeff Shell was previously negotiating with the head of Paramount over a reality musical show.
RJ Cipriani co-created and produced the Spanish-language Roku series Serenata de las Estrellaswhere Latin artists like Ozomatli and Los Lobos perform surprise mini concerts for fans who have fallen on hard times. He was introduced to Shell by co-counsel Patti Glaser, and recently convinced the studio head to choose an English-language format for Serenata.
After the discussion became tense, Cipriani brought the allegations involving Shell to Paramount’s attention. like THR The entertainment mogul was previously revealed to have incorrectly disclosed details about the timing, cost and structure of his public company’s $7.7 billion media rights deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, whose parent TKO Group Holdings shares jumped 10 percent on news of the agreement.
Notably, Glaser was a lawyer for Shell and a consultant representing Cipriani in Shell-related business Serenatawhose English version was marketed as Star Serenade. In the current fight, Cipriani’s attorney is Steve Aronoff, who previously worked for Glaser.
Glaser is one of Hollywood’s leading litigators with a formidable reputation. Kim Basinger referred to her as “Mrs. Glaser” during the 1990s legal dispute over the film. Helena boxing. “I kind of took it as a compliment,” Glaser later recalled.
Cipriani and Shell declined to comment. Glaser did not respond to an inquiry about her involvement with both parties.
The Shell story has surfaced as Paramount owner David Ellison appears to have succeeded in his $111 billion bid to take on Netflix and win control of Warner Bros. Discovery, pending regulatory review.
Shell landed at the top of Paramount after he was fired from his last position as CEO of NBC Universal over sexual misconduct allegations with a CNBC reporter. Ellison has repeatedly been willing to go beyond the reported alleged irregularities in major hiring, hiring John Lasseter to run Skydance Animation, as well as THR It was reported on February 27 that screenwriter Max Landis is working on a feature to reboot the film GI Joe privilege. Both men have made public confessions in response to accusations of sexual misconduct.
Cipriani is a larger-than-life figure known inside and outside the entertainment business for his exploits as a gambler, connector, agitator and whistleblower. Last year, he took issue with the accuracy and framing of a Mark Wahlberg-produced Amazon docuseries about his fraught involvement with an international drug lord.
