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Daily Variety

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Variety journalists and entertainment leaders deliver business news and analysis tailored for industry insiders.
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Episodes

Sundance Film Festival Preps for Final Frame in Park City; TV Rolls Dice on Board Games

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, 202519 min

Box Office: 'Black Phone 2' Connects for Blumhouse in a Record Year for Horror; Q3 Earnings Preview for Netflix, Disney and More

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, 202519 min

AI Vs. Script Readers – Who Does the Job Better?; Microdramas, Creators and YouTube Dominate Mipcom Buzz

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, 202520 min

Go Deep Inside the Hive Mind of Matt and Ross Duffer and the Final Season of ‘Stranger Things’; French YouTuber Inoxtag Scales New Heights

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, 202520 min

Mattel's Robbie Brenner, Banijay's Marco Bassetti and All the Buzz From the Mipcom Content Market

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, 202516 min

Horror Master Jason Blum on Frights, Fights and the Fandom That Fuels Blumhouse; Variety's Horror Impact List: Who Made the Cut?

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, 202516 min

Box Office: Taylor Swift Leaves ‘Em Wanting More; Celebrating Variety’s 10 Broadway Stars to Watch

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, 202521 min

COVER STORY: How Charlie Hunnam Transformed into a ‘Monster’ for Netflix; Showbiz News Reverb From the Variety Archives

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, 202518 min

Why Electronic Arts is Taking the Private Equity Route; Bad Bunny’s Going to the Super Bowl

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, 202518 min

Sterlin Harjo Embraces Tulsa Noir in 'The Lowdown'; Christopher Nolan Takes Side Job at DGA

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, 202520 min

9/22/25 - Box Office: What Went Wrong With ‘Him’ and ‘A Big Bold Beautiful Journey’; What’s Next for Jimmy Kimmel and Disney

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, 202520 min

COVER STORY: Julia Roberts Gets Provocative in Luca Guadagnino's 'After the Hunt'; Revisiting the Days of Lilith Fair in Hulu's New Documentary

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, 202521 min

9/17/25 - Shari Redstone on Why She Invested in Israel's Sipur; Why Paramount Wants to Pounce on Warner Bros. Discovery

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, 202520 min

COVER STORY: The Transformation of Kathy Bates; Variety TV Producers Impact Report: Who Made the Cut?

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, 202518 min

AI Legal Jousting in Hollywood Intensifies; ‘Saturday Night Live’ Sets Season 51 Cast Amid Comedy’s ‘Mad Dash’

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, 202519 minEp. 29

Box Office Monday: ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ Slays; Giancarlo Esposito, Shawn Hatosy at Creative Arts Emmys

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, 202521 minEp. 28

Michael Lewis Revisits ‘The Big Short’ as Part of Pushkin’s Fall Podcast Slate; Variety’s Jem Aswad Goes Inside the Brain of David Byrne

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, 202522 minEp. 27

How Channing Tatum and Derek Cianfrance Raised ‘Roofman’; Lowdown on the Lido Fest With Elsa Keslassy

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, 202519 minEp. 26

Box Office: ‘Weapons’ Impresses as Summer Haul Stays Flat; Why Telluride Film Festival is the Ultimate Binge for Movie Lovers

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, 202519 minEp. 25

The Wizardry of Industrial Light and Magic; Netflix’s ‘Long Story Short’ Celebrates the Jewish American Experience

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, 202520 minEp. 24

COVER STORY: How Guillermo del Toro, Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac brought ‘Frankenstein’ to Life; Gamescom Boots Up in Germany; ESPN’s Big Send Off for Streaming App

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, 202521 minEp. 23

Chris McGurk and Jana Winograde on Cineverse’s Big Plans for Micro Dramas; How AI is Fueling Product Placement in TV and Film

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, 202520 minEp. 22

Box Office Monday: ‘Weapons’ Flexes in Week 2; Lowdown on Upfront Ad Sales; Truth Seekers Highlights With Jake Tapper, Ronny Chieng, Amber Ruffin and Roy Wood Jr.

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, 202523 minEp. 21
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