retrench

Private equity firms — which tend to be attracted to film and TV libraries because of the cash flow they generate — have retrenched a bit from their previous interest in Hollywood.

“It’s the aftereffects of trying to compete at the streaming level and thinking that’s the future. Resources were put there, and now they have to retrench.”

But the company since has retrenched, recognizing the need to focus on creating high-quality originals that meet Disney’s once lofty standards.

Rickey would rather they retrench into a nostalgia tour of laughs and revelry — he’s even found the tan Chrysler LeBaron they used to ride in.

"If consumers retrench... the entire economy is going to go down with it," he said.