Amazon says they were just hiring some talented execs. Warner Bros. Discovery hired lawyers.
One of this summer’s biggest Hollywood dramas isn’t even on a screen. It’s a lawsuit. Warner Bros. Discovery is suing Amazon, accusing the tech giant of running a “lawless employee shopping spree,” Variety reports. The beef centers on Pia Barlow, HBO Max’s former senior VP of originals marketing, who Amazon hired for a newly created head of original series marketing role starting August 3.
WBD alleges Amazon lured Barlow into breaking her agreement with WBD, dangling a bigger paycheck and even providing her with one of its own hand-picked outside law firms for legal defense. Barlow resigned June 5, after notifying the company of her plans in late May.
WBD claims this isn’t an isolated incident, alleging Amazon attempted a similar poaching tactic on another WBD executive weeks earlier, though that effort reportedly failed. The company is seeking unspecified damages and an injunction. Amazon declined to comment.
One of this summer’s biggest Hollywood dramas isn’t even on a screen. It’s a lawsuit. Warner Bros. Discovery is suing Amazon, accusing the tech giant of running a “lawless employee shopping spree,” Variety reports. The beef centers on Pia Barlow, HBO Max’s former senior VP of originals marketing, who Amazon hired for a newly created head of original series marketing role starting August 3.
WBD alleges Amazon lured Barlow into breaking her agreement with WBD, dangling a bigger paycheck and even providing her with one of its own hand-picked outside law firms for legal defense. Barlow resigned June 5, after notifying the company of her plans in late May.
WBD claims this isn’t an isolated incident, alleging Amazon attempted a similar poaching tactic on another WBD executive weeks earlier, though that effort reportedly failed. The company is seeking unspecified damages and an injunction. Amazon declined to comment.
${reply?.comment_author}${reply?.eln_tier_label ? `${reply.eln_tier_label}` : ”}
•
${reply?.comment_relative_time}
${reply?.comment_content?.trim()}
`;
}
function createComment(comment, replies, isLastComment) {
const commentListDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.LIST);
if (!commentListDiv) {
return;
}
const borderClasses = isLastComment ? ” : ‘tw:border-b tw:border-slate-200’;
const currentUser = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
const currentUserInitials = currentUser
? getInitials(`${currentUser?.firstName ?? ”} ${currentUser?.lastName ?? ”}`)
: ”;
const repliesHTML = replies.length ? `
${replies.map(buildReplyHTML).join(”)}
` : ”;
const replyButtonHTML = allowsComments ? `
` : ”;
const replyFormHTML = allowsComments ? `
` : ”;
const commentDiv = `
${comment?.comment_author}${comment?.eln_tier_label ? “ : ”}
•
${comment?.comment_relative_time}
${comment?.comment_content?.trim()}
${replyButtonHTML}
${repliesHTML}
${replyFormHTML}
`;
commentListDiv.innerHTML += commentDiv;
}
function displayComments() {
// Empty out the comment list container before refreshing comments.
const commentListDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.LIST);
commentListDiv.innerHTML = ”;
const comments = state?.comments ?? [];
if (!comments.length) {
return;
}
// Build a threaded structure: separate top-level from replies.
const repliesByParent = {};
const topLevelComments = [];
comments.forEach(comment => {
if (comment.comment_parent === 0) {
topLevelComments.push(comment);
} else {
const parentId = comment.comment_parent;
if (!repliesByParent[parentId]) {
repliesByParent[parentId] = [];
}
repliesByParent[parentId].push(comment);
}
});
// Apply top-level sort order. Server returns DESC; reverse for oldest-first.
if (state.sortOrder === ‘oldest’) {
topLevelComments.reverse();
}
// Replies always show oldest first within a thread (server returns DESC, so reverse).
Object.keys(repliesByParent).forEach(parentId => {
repliesByParent[parentId].reverse();
});
topLevelComments.forEach((comment, index) => {
const isLastComment = index === topLevelComments.length – 1;
const replies = repliesByParent[comment.comment_ID] ?? [];
createComment(comment, replies, isLastComment);
});
createCommentAvatars();
}
function updateCommentCount() {
const countDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.COMMENT_COUNT);
const sortControls = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_CONTROLS);
if (!countDiv) {
return;
}
const count = state?.comments?.length ?? 0;
// Do not display if there are no comments.
if (count === 0) {
return;
}
countDiv.innerHTML = `${count} Comment${count > 1 ? ‘s’ : ”}`;
if (sortControls) {
sortControls.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
sortControls.classList.add(‘tw:flex’);
}
}
function displayLoader(show) {
const loader = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.BUTTON_LOADER);
const text = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.BUTTON_TEXT);
if (!loader || !text) {
return;
}
// Show or hide the loader.
if (show) {
loader.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
text.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
} else {
loader.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
text.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
}
}
function displayError(error) {
const errorDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.ERROR);
if (!errorDiv) {
return;
}
if (error) {
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:block’);
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.textContent = `Comment submission error: ${error}`;
} else {
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:block’);
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.textContent=””;
}
}
function clearCommentInput() {
const commentField = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.INPUT);
if (!commentField) {
return;
}
commentField.value=””;
}
function updateComments(comments = []) {
state.comments = comments;
displayComments();
updateCommentCount();
}
function runCommentProcess(type) {
if (type === ‘postComment’) {
const comment = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.INPUT);
if (!comment || !comment?.value) {
return;
}
// Hide errors, show loader.
displayError();
displayLoader(true);
}
const data = {
type,
postId: 443325,
};
// Get a fresh nonce and either fetch comments or post comment.
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_get_public_comment_nonce`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
// Handle errors.
if (!response.success) {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(‘Error getting nonce: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
const nonce = response?.data?.nonce;
// Get comments.
if (type === ‘getComments’) {
getComments(nonce);
return;
}
// Post comment.
if (type === ‘postComment’) {
postComment(nonce);
}
})
.catch((e) => {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(`Error running comment process ${type}: `, e);
});
}
function getComments(nonce) {
const data = {
nonce,
postId: 443325,
};
// Fetch comments.
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_get_public_comments`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
// Handle errors.
if (!response.success) {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(‘Error getting comments: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
updateComments(response?.data?.comments);
displayLoader(false);
})
.catch((e) => {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(‘Error getting comments: ‘, e);
});
}
function postComment(nonce) {
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user || !user?.uid) {
console.error(‘Error posting comment: Unauthorized. Submission aborted.’);
return;
}
const comment = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.INPUT);
if (!comment || !comment?.value) {
return;
}
const data = {
nonce,
comment: comment.value,
commentParent: 0,
postId: 443325,
uid: user?.uid,
};
// Post the comment.
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_create_public_comment`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
credentials: ‘include’,
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
// Handle errors.
if (!response.success) {
displayLoader(false);
displayError(response?.data?.message, true);
console.error(‘Error posting comment: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
// Handle success.
clearCommentInput();
runCommentProcess(‘getComments’);
})
.catch((e) => {
displayLoader(false);
displayError(e);
console.error(‘Error posting comment: ‘, e);
});
}
function toggleReplyForm(commentId) {
// Close any other open reply forms.
document.querySelectorAll(‘.ep-reply-form’).forEach(function(form) {
if (form.dataset.parentId !== String(commentId)) {
form.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
}
});
// Toggle the targeted reply form.
const targetForm = document.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-form[data-parent-id=”‘ + commentId + ‘”]’);
if (targetForm) {
targetForm.classList.toggle(‘tw:hidden’);
if (!targetForm.classList.contains(‘tw:hidden’)) {
targetForm.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-input’)?.focus();
}
}
}
function setReplyLoading(formEl, isLoading) {
const btn = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-submit’);
const btnText = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-button-text’);
if (!btn || !btnText) {
return;
}
if (isLoading) {
btnText.textContent=”Posting…”;
btn.disabled = true;
} else {
btnText.textContent=”Post Reply”;
btn.disabled = false;
}
}
function displayReplyError(formEl, error) {
const errorDiv = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-error’);
if (!errorDiv || !error) {
return;
}
errorDiv.textContent=”Reply error: ” + error;
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:block’);
}
function clearReplyError(formEl) {
const errorDiv = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-error’);
if (!errorDiv) {
return;
}
errorDiv.textContent=””;
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:block’);
}
function postReply(nonce, parentId, replyText, formEl) {
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user || !user?.uid) {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
return;
}
const data = {
nonce,
comment: replyText,
commentParent: parentId,
postId: 443325,
uid: user?.uid,
};
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_create_public_comment`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
credentials: ‘include’,
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
if (!response.success) {
displayReplyError(formEl, response?.data?.message);
console.error(‘Error posting reply: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-input’).value=””;
formEl.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
runCommentProcess(‘getComments’);
})
.catch((e) => {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
displayReplyError(formEl, ‘Network error. Please try again.’);
console.error(‘Error posting reply: ‘, e);
});
}
function submitReply(parentId, formEl) {
const input = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-input’);
if (!input || !input.value.trim()) {
return;
}
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user || !user?.uid) {
openLoginModal();
return;
}
setReplyLoading(formEl, true);
clearReplyError(formEl);
const data = {
type: ‘postComment’,
postId: 443325,
};
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_get_public_comment_nonce`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
if (!response.success) {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
displayReplyError(formEl, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
postReply(response?.data?.nonce, parseInt(parentId, 10), input.value.trim(), formEl);
})
.catch((e) => {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
displayReplyError(formEl, ‘Network error. Please try again.’);
console.error(‘Error getting nonce for reply: ‘, e);
});
}
function setupCommentListDelegation() {
const commentListDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.LIST);
if (!commentListDiv) {
return;
}
commentListDiv.addEventListener(‘click’, function(e) {
// Reply button: toggle the inline reply form.
const replyButton = e.target.closest(‘.’ + PublicCommentSelectors.REPLY_BUTTON);
if (replyButton) {
const commentId = replyButton.dataset.commentId;
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user) {
openLoginModal();
return;
}
toggleReplyForm(commentId);
return;
}
// Reply cancel: hide the reply form.
const replyCancel = e.target.closest(‘.ep-reply-cancel’);
if (replyCancel) {
const parentId = replyCancel.dataset.parentId;
const form = document.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-form[data-parent-id=”‘ + parentId + ‘”]’);
if (form) {
form.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
}
return;
}
// Reply submit: post the reply.
const replySubmit = e.target.closest(‘.ep-reply-submit’);
if (replySubmit) {
const parentId = replySubmit.dataset.parentId;
const form = document.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-form[data-parent-id=”‘ + parentId + ‘”]’);
if (form) {
submitReply(parentId, form);
}
}
});
}
function setupUserAvatar() {
const usernameDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.USERNAME);
const userAvatar = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.USER_AVATAR);
if (!usernameDiv || !userAvatar) {
return;
}
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user) {
return;
}
const fullName = `${user?.firstName ?? ”} ${user?.lastName ?? ”}`;
usernameDiv.innerHTML = fullName;
userAvatar.innerHTML = getInitials(fullName);
}
function openLoginModal() {
window?.tp?.pianoId?.show({ displayMode: ‘modal’, screen: ‘login’ });
}
function setupCommentSubmitButton() {
const submitButton = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SUBMIT);
if (!submitButton || state.submitCommentButtonRegistered) {
return;
}
// Register a single click handler that checks auth state at click time.
submitButton.addEventListener(‘click’, function() {
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user) {
openLoginModal();
return;
}
runCommentProcess(‘postComment’);
});
state.submitCommentButtonRegistered = true;
}
function setSortOrder(order) {
state.sortOrder = order;
const newestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_NEWEST);
const oldestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_OLDEST);
if (newestBtn && oldestBtn) {
const activeClasses = [‘tw:font-bold’, ‘tw:text-blue-800’];
const inactiveClasses = [‘tw:font-normal’, ‘tw:text-slate-500’];
if (order === ‘newest’) {
newestBtn.classList.add(…activeClasses);
newestBtn.classList.remove(…inactiveClasses);
oldestBtn.classList.add(…inactiveClasses);
oldestBtn.classList.remove(…activeClasses);
} else {
oldestBtn.classList.add(…activeClasses);
oldestBtn.classList.remove(…inactiveClasses);
newestBtn.classList.add(…inactiveClasses);
newestBtn.classList.remove(…activeClasses);
}
}
displayComments();
}
function setupSortControls() {
const newestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_NEWEST);
const oldestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_OLDEST);
if (newestBtn) {
newestBtn.addEventListener(‘click’, function() {
setSortOrder(‘newest’);
});
}
if (oldestBtn) {
oldestBtn.addEventListener(‘click’, function() {
setSortOrder(‘oldest’);
});
}
}
runCommentProcess(‘getComments’);
listenForPianoLogin();
setupCommentSubmitButton();
setupCommentListDelegation();
setupSortControls();
});






