On today’s episode, Brent Lang discusses the Sundance Film Festival’s future as it prepares for its final outing in Park City, Utah in January before moving to Boulder, Colo., in 2027. And Joe Otterson weighs in on why vintage board games – think Clue, Monopoly, Catan – are hot properties for TV development. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 22, 2025•19 min
On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin explains why “Black Phone 2” made a connection with moviegoers, and she dissects the record tally for the horror genre this year. And business editor Todd Spangler offers a Q3 earnings preview on what to expect for Netflix, Comcast, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 21, 2025•19 min
On today’s episode, Variety’s Gene Maddaus details recent efforts to test AI-powered software against professional script readers. The results only raise more questions. Plus, a roundtable on the biz and buzz at the Mipcom global content market in Cannes with Variety international veterans Elsa Keslassy, John Hopewell and Leo Barraclough. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 16, 2025•20 min
On today's episode, Variety's Adam B. Vary and Kate Aurthur talk about going deep inside the upside down for their cover story on the final season of "Stranger Things" and the twin brothers who are the brains behind it, Matt and Ross Duffer; plus host Cynthia Littleton has an eye-opening discussion with French YouTuber Inoxtag at Mipcom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 15, 2025•20 min
On today's episode, Variety's Leo Barraclough talks about the mood and the buzz along the Croisette on Day 2 of the Mipcom content market in Cannes, France. He also details his sit-down with Mattel Studios president Robbie Brenner. Plus, highlights from Variety's C-Suite Conversations session with Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti, who was honored at Mipcom with the Variety Vanguard Award for contributions to the global television industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Oct 14, 2025•16 min
On today’s episode, Variety's Brent Lang unpacks disappointing opening weekends for “Tron: Ares,” “Roofman” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” And international editor Elsa Keslassy reports on the buzz by the sea in Cannes as the annual Mipcom content market begins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 13, 2025•20 min
On today’s episode, Variety’s Tatiana Siegel discusses her deep dive on Bari Weiss and what her new role as editor-in-chief means for CBS News. And longtime international correspondent Nick Vivarelli on the pulse of the media biz in Italy as he covers the Rome Media Market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 09, 2025•21 min
On today’s episode, our Cover Story segment features Variety’s Matt Donnelly discussing his sit-down interview with Jason Blum, who will receive Variety’s first-ever Horror Impact Award. And William Earl, Variety’s executive digital director and resident horror expert, details the research that went into Variety’s inaugural Horror Impact list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 08, 2025•16 min
On today’s episode, Variety’s Brent Lang interviews Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves as they breathe new life into “Waiting for Godot” on Broadway. And Ellise Shafer in London reflects on how the U.K. is paying tribute to a native son as the documentary “Ozzy: No Escape From Now” premieres. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 07, 2025•21 min
On today’s episode, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin breaks down the Taylor Swift effect on the box office as her album release party for “Life of a Showgirl” hit the multiplexes for one weekend only. And Variety’s legit editor Gordon Cox explains this year’s selections for our annual 10 Broadway Stars to Watch list. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 06, 2025•21 min
On today’s episode, Variety’s Daniel D’Addario goes inside the mind of a man who is playing a serial killer, “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” star Charlie Hunnam, for our Cover Story segment. And host Cynthia Littleton dives into the Variety archives to revisit a front page from October 1956 full of headlines that resonate today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 02, 2025•18 min
On today’s episode, Variety ’s Jennifer Maas explains the $55 billion buyout deal that will see Electronic Arts be taken over by three private equity firms. And music reporter Thania Garcia discusses Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show gig and why it’s such a significant decision for the Puerto Rican superstar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 30, 2025•18 min
On today’s episode, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin breaks down the opening weekend for “One Battle After Another” at the box office. And veteran international correspondent John Hopewell reports from San Sebastián in Spain where the annual film festival drew Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lawrence and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 29, 2025•21 min
On today's episode, Variety's senior media reporter Gene Maddaus about his investigative report on Los Angeles Film School. The private business is facing allegations of massive student loan fraud. Variety’s gaming chief Jennifer Maas has the scoop on mobile gaming company Scopely. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 25, 2025•18 min
On today's episode, Variety TV chief Michael Schneider speaks to showrunner Sterlin Harjo, whose new series "The Lowdown" bows today on FX. Clayton Davis, Variety 's chief awards editor, discusses the surprise news that Christopher Nolan has taken on a side gig as president of the Directors Guild of America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 24, 2025•20 min
On today’s episode, Variety chief film critic Owen Gleiberman explains why the new Paul Thomas Anderson drama “One Battle After Another” is a movie for our times. And music chief Jem Aswad reflects on the legacy of Sylvia Rhone as the music industry veteran announces her retirement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 23, 2025•19 min
On today’s episode, Variety box office chief Rebecca Rubin explains the weak starts for “Him” and “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey,” and why Taylor Swift is a friend to exhibition. Brian Steinberg, Variety’s senior TV editor, breaks down the five-way brawl among Jimmy Kimmel, Disney, the FCC, Nexstar and Sinclair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 22, 2025•20 min
Variety co-Editor in Chief Ramin Setoodeh tells all in our Cover Story segment about his sit down with Julia Roberts and the cast of Luca Gaudagnino’s provocative new film “After the Hunt.” And chief music critic Chris Willman revisits a moment in time that defines an era: Lilith Fair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 18, 2025•21 min
In today's episode, former Paramount Global majority owner Shari Redstone details her new investment in Israeli production banner Sipur. Variety business editor Todd Spangler and TV news editor Joe Otterson break down the latest on Redstone’s old shop as Paramount prepares a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 17, 2025•20 min
In today's episode, Fifth Season co-CEOs Chris Rice and Graham Taylor talk "Severance" and what its Emmy noms haul means for the business. And TV editor Michael Schneider has a big idea for the new Emmy Awards TV contract. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 11, 2025•18 min•Ep. 30
In today’s episode, Variety TV editor Michael Schneider details his sit-down with Kathy Bates, the “Matlock” star who graces the cover of Variety’s annual pre-Emmy Awards issue. And Emily Longeretta details the movers, shakers and influential creatives who made Variety’s annual TV Producers Impact Report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 10, 2025•18 min
In today’s episode, Variety’s Todd Spangler and Gene Maddaus discuss the latest legal moves for AI heavyweights Anthropic and Midjourney in their copyright infringement battles. And Variety’s Ethan Shanfeld describes comedy’s annual “mad dash” as “Saturday Night Live” finalizes its Season 51 cast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 09, 2025•19 min•Ep. 29
In today’s episode, Variety’s box office chief Rebecca Rubin breaks down the impressive numbers from “The Conjuring: Last Rites” and how it extends Warner Bros.’ box office streak to record territory. And Michael Schneider and Jazz Tangcay weigh in from backstage at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, where Giancarlo Esposito and Shawn Hatosy spoke from the heart about the state of showbiz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Sep 08, 2025•21 min•Ep. 28
In today’s episode, Eric Sandler, chief strategy officer for Pushkin Industries, details the audio studio’s fall slate, which includes a look back at “The Big Short” with Michael Lewis and Pushkin co-founder Malcolm Gladwell taking on an infamous Alabama murder case on “Revisionist History.” Also, Jem Aswad, Variety’s executive editor of music, details his recent sit-down with the inimitable David Byrne. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Sep 04, 2025•22 min•Ep. 27
In today’s episode, Daniel D’Addario, Variety’s chief correspondent, details for our Cover Story segment how Channing Tatum and director Derek Cianfrance revisited a true-crime tale for our times in “Roofman.” And international editor Elsa Keslassy breaks down the important buzz for the biz coming out of the Venice Film Festival. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 03, 2025•19 min•Ep. 26
In today’s episode, Brent Lang, Variety’s executive editor, breaks down an impressive week 4 box office performance for “Weapons” and a less-than-impressive industry-wide B.O. haul for the summer frame. Peter Debruge, chief film critic for Variety, details the reaction to Bruce Springsteen biopic “Deliver Me From Nowhere” at the Telluride Film Festival, and why this particular high-altitude gathering is a movie lover’s dream. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Sep 02, 2025•19 min•Ep. 25
In today’s episode, Jazz Tangcay, Variety’s senior artisans editor, details her report on visual effects stalwart Industrial Light and Magic on its 50th anniversary. TV critic Alison Herman explains why she’s given the coveted Critics Pick seal of approval to the new Netflix comedy “Long Story Short.” And Tatiana Siegel previews the final installment of her podcast “Variety Confidential: The Life and Legend of River Phoenix.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Aug 21, 2025•20 min•Ep. 24
In today’s episode, the Cover Story segment features Variety’s Brent Lang and Ramin Setoodeh detailing director Guillermo del Toro’s $120 million bet on a new vision for “Frankenstein” with help from Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac. Variety’s Jennifer Maas reports on the Sun Valley of gaming that is underway in Cologne, Germany. And Brian Steinberg sets the scene for ESPN’s big send off for the streaming app that launches Aug. 21. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Aug 20, 2025•21 min•Ep. 23
In today’s episode, Cineverse CEO Chris McGurk and MicroCo CEO Jana Winograde join host Cynthia Littleton to discuss their new venture to bring super short, low budget drama series to the U.S. They gamely answer the question: How is this not Quibi? And Variety reporter Ethan Shanfeld details how AI tools are accelerating product placement in TV and film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 19, 2025•20 min•Ep. 22
In today’s episode, we talk box office with Variety’s Rebecca Rubin about “Weapons” week 2 and a ho-hum start for “Nobody 2.” Brian Steinberg has the lowdown on the final tally of this year’s upfront advertising sales. And Tatiana Siegel sets the scene that unfolded at Variety’s Truth Seekers conference, including highlights from sessions with Jake Tapper, Ronny Chieng, Amber Ruffin, Roy Wood Jr. and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Aug 18, 2025•23 min•Ep. 21