Strictly Business

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 info...

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 &l...

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 f...

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 priva...

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 T...

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 partici...

In today’s episode, host Cynthia Littleton and Variety business editor Todd Spangler compare notes on Paramount Skydance and the vibes and vision shared by CEO David Ellison and his new regime at media Q&A sessions in New York and L.A. And Jenelle Riley, deputy awards and features editor, explains how Variety selected this year’s 10 Storytellers to Watch honorees. See omnystudio.co...

In today’s episode, Variety chief awards editor Clayton Davis unpacks his interview with “Severance” star Tramell Tillman in our Cover Story segment. Marc Malkin dishes with Bob Odenkirk and Sharon Stone on the “Nobody 2” Red Carpet. And host Cynthia Littleton offers a tutorial on Variety slanguage superlatives boffo,  whammo and socko. See omnystudio.com/listene...

In today’s episode, Jennifer Maas, Variety’s senior business writer for TV and gaming, discusses the debate in gaming over the pricing of premium titles, as well as the anticipation building for next year’s release of “Grand Theft Auto 6”; Emily Longeretta, senior TV features editor, details how Variety assembles its annual baker’s dozen Emmy Extra Edition issue...

On today’s episode Variety executive editor Brent Lang explains why the strong opening for “Weapons” and “Freakier Friday” are a good sign that mid-budget movies can still be superhero counter-programming at the box office. And Variety international veteran John Hopewell weighs in from Locarno on why mid-sized European film festivals are more important to the industry...

The founder and CEO of Acceleration Community of Companies explains the vision behind the collection of marketing, communications, branding and live event firms that he has acquired since 2018. Nyman offers insights into how the media consumption habits of Gen Z and Gen Alpha will radically change the shape of entertainment in the coming years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A special Paramount-themed episode as Skydance Media completes its $8 billion takeover after a yearlong battle to acquire the storied studio. Hollywood historian Jeanine Basinger, Variety chief film critics Peter Debruge and Owen Gleiberman and MoffettNathanson analyst Robert Fishman join host Cynthia Littleton to examine the pioneering film factory’s past, present and future. See omnystudio...

In today's episode, Ramin Setoodeh, Variety's co-Editor in Chief, breaks down the Power of Young Hollywood Issue and why Tyla, Sam Nivola and Finn Wolfhard are this year's honorees. And Gene Maddaus, Variety's senior media reporter, details the WGA West's upcoming election and the priorities that are emerging for the guild's 2026 contract talks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, Eva Longoria previews her FX sports-docu series "Necaxa," and she discusses Hyphenate Media Group content venture with business partner Cris Abrego. Joe Otterson, Variety's TV news editor, weighs in on the return of Hank and Peggy Hill et al  as  Hulu revives "King of the Hill" for a new era in America. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, Rebecca Rubin analyzes week 2 of "Fantastic Four: First Steps" and three new wide releases: "Bad Guys 2," "The Naked Gun" and "Together." Host Cynthia Littleton journeys deep into K-pop fandom at the KCON festival, and TV critic Aramide Tinubu explains why she's so high on Jason Momoa's new drama "Chief of War." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luminate Intelligence analyst Rob Steiner shares insights from Luminate's newly released special report on the state of the music business as growth slows for Spotify and other leading DSPs in developed markets, the concert scene cools off a bit and AI begins to make its impact.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode, Tatiana Siegel, Variety’s executive editor of film and media, details her interview with actor Dean Cain, who bucks the trends in Hollywood in more ways the one. And Brian Steinberg, senior TV editor, gives detail on upfront ad sales as Disney, NBCUniversal and Fox call it a wrap on advance advertising commitments for the coming season.  See omnystudio.com/list...

Today's Cover Story segment features Variety's Angelique Jackson, senior entertainment writer, telling all about her experience interviewing Harrison Ford about the sweep of his career as he celebrates his first-ever Emmy nomination, for Apple TV+ comedy "Shrinking." Todd Spangler, business editor, also analyzes the latest moves in the cable TV divorces pending at NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Dis...

In today's episode, Brent Lang, Variety's executive editor, analyzes the recent executive moves and Sony Pictures and Paramount, and he discusses the mood in the broader film business amid encouraging signs from the summer box office. And host Cynthia Littleton offers a tutorial on Variety's famous "slanguage," starting with "tubthump." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marvel gets off on the good foot with the opening weekend of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Michael Schneider breaks down four days of Comic Con that had more cosplay and less big Hollywood news than in recent years. He explains why.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The General Manager of the Americas at CTV advertising company Wurl breaks down the new challenges and opportunities facing the streaming ad business, from YouTube’s growing dominance to Prime Video’s impact on the marketplace. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, Todd Spangler, Variety business editor, breaks down Skydance's deal pledges to the FCC as it seeks to close the Paramount Global deal. And music chief Jem Aswad explains why UnitedMasters founder Steve Stoute was the choice for Variety's Music Mogul of the Year honor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel D'Addario, Variety chief correspondent, details his reporting on FX's massive bet on the sci-fi series  "Alien: Earth," tapping into the franchise launched with the 1979 Ridley Scott film "Alien." Adam B. Vary, senior entertainment writer, offers a curtain-raiser on what to expect — and what not to expect — at San Diego Comic Con this year. He also discusses Marvel chief Ke...

Nick Vivarelli, Variety's Rome-based correspondent, and international editor Elsa Keslassy break down the significance of the Venice Film Festival lineup highlighted by Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" and A24's "The Smashing Machine" starring Dwayne Johnson. The pair discuss the increased competition for Hollywood awards contenders between Venice and the Cannes Film Festival as distributors se...

Naman Ramachandran gives a report on the biggest rom-com to hit Bollywood in years, "Saiyaara," and how its performance reflects India's changing movie market. Rebecca Rubin details "Superman's" week 2 performance at the box office. And Brian Steinberg discusses the fallout from CBS' decision to ax "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" after next season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...