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Strictly Business

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Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment.
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Episodes

Daily Variety -- Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves on the Journey From 'Bill & Ted' to 'Waiting for Godot'; Paying Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 07, 202519 min

Daily Variety – 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 06, 202520 min

Digital Native Creatives Talk Shop, Compare Notes on Social Media Platforms

On today’s episode, hear highlights from Variety’s Entertainment and Technology Summit including a lively session with digital native creatives Nicole Byer, Erin Foster, Sara Foster, Matt Rogers, Jake Shane and Benito Skinner, moderated by Variety’s Marc Malkin. Plus, highlights from a session with John Stamos and Zeam CEO Jack Perry detailing their build-out plans for the live streaming platform. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 03, 202524 min

Daily Variety – 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 02, 202517 min

Daily Variety -- 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 30, 202517 min

Top TV and Studio Leaders on Why Streamers Want to Experiment With Broadcast Series Norms

On today’s episode, hear from top industry executives on the latest shifts in streaming and linear strategies, the rise of YouTube and savvy IP management. The full opening session from the Variety Entertainment & Technology Summit features Starz’s Alison Hoffman, NBCUniversal’s Lisa Katz, Amazon MGM Studios’ Laura Lancaster, Warner Bros. TV Group’s Brett Paul, Sony Pictures TV’s Katherine Pope and Fox’s Michael Thorn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Sep 26, 202533 min

Daily Variety 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 22, 202518 min

Daily Variety 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 17, 202518 min

Religion of Sports CEO Ameeth Sankaran on Teaming With Coco Gauff and Building a Content Powerhouse

The leader of the production company behind "Simone Biles Rising," "Aaron Rodgers: Enigma" and many more sports-related series details the company's business strategy and how it has navigated the content marketplace as an independent. Sankaran also discusses the company's new partnership with tennis star Coco Gauff and her IROC media venture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 12, 202520 minEp. 385

Daily Variety – 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 10, 202516 minEp. 30

Daily Variety – 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 09, 202517 minEp. 29

Daily Variety – 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 08, 202519 minEp. 28

Pushkin Industries Revs Up Fall Slate with 'The Big Short' Audiobook and Companion Podcast

Eric Sandler, chief strategy officer for Pushkin Industries, details the business vision for the premium audio studio that was founded in 2018 by Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Weisberg. It’s home to great series such as Gladwell’s "Revisionist History" and “Against the Rules,” hosted by author Michael Lewis. Sandler details the company’s creator-first strategy of nurturing shows and talent. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Sep 05, 202521 minEp. 384

Daily Variety – 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Sep 04, 202520 minEp. 27

Daily Variety – 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 03, 202517 minEp. 26

Daily Variety – 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Sep 02, 202517 minEp. 25

Dr. Orna Guralnik Reflects on the Ethics of Practicing 'Couples Therapy' on TV

For the past four seasons on Showtime, Dr. Orna Guralnik has showcased the benefits of the talking cure to help relationships in crisis. In this revealing interview, she talks about why she was motivated to pull back the curtain on what's always been a private practice, and how she grapples with the ethics of psychoanalysis for public consumption. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 22, 202531 minEp. 383

Daily Variety – 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.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 21, 202518 minEp. 24

Daily Variety – 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 20, 202519 minEp. 23

Daily Variety – 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 19, 202518 minEp. 22

Daily Variety – 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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 18, 202522 minEp. 21

CAA Insiders Talk Agency’s Leadership Evolution, Social Media ‘Game-Changers’ and Content Marketplace Expansion: ‘Our Job Description Has Expanded So Much’

Encore Episode: Original air date: May 8, 2025 In a rare roundtable interview, six senior leaders at CAA discuss the evolution of the agency and its leadership following the ICM Partners acquisition. The group discusses how the rise of social media has changed the game for clients and how the work of agenting has expanded along with the scale of the entertainment industry. The participants are: ** Tiffany Ward (Managing Director and Scripted Television Agent) ** Jennifer Joel (Literary Agent and...

Aug 15, 202534 minEp. 381
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