Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, the Emmy-winning producers behind “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and co-founders of World of Wonder, have responded to the wave of anti-drag legislation being introduced by GOP lawmakers, calling it “un-American.” Speaking with Variety over Zoom, Barbato said the bills — which are working their way through at least 11 state legislatures
Television
Kelly Ripa first appeared on morning TV when she was a soap star on “All My Children.” At that time, she was being booked as a guest on “Live With Regis & Kathie Lee” by a young executive producer, Michael Gelman, who eventually helped cast her in a lead role, replacing Kathie Lee Gifford in
BET has announced its upcoming docuseries special from Gabrielle Union titled, “My Journey to 50.” The two-part special serves as Union’s first project to come from her overall deal with the company, which was announced last June. The documentary follows the “L.A.’s Finest” alum as she jets off with her husband Dwyane Wade, family, friends
Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav’s pay package topped $39 million in 2022, down considerably from the staggering figure he hit in the year prior, thanks to a massive $203 million stock option. In a Wednesday Securities and Exchange Commission filing, WBD stated that president and CEO Zaslav’s exec comp package totaled $39.3 million last
The Peacock limited series adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s novel “Apples Never Fall” has found its last two series regulars. Variety has learned exclusively that Jeanine Serralles and Dylan Thuraisingham have joined the series. They will star alongside previously announced cast members Annette Bening, Sam Neill, Alison Brie, Jake Lacy, Conor Merrigan-Turner, Essie Randles, and Georgia
One of the most resonant issues on the table in the ongoing Writers Guild of America contract negotiations has turned out to be one of the hardest to define: mini rooms. Rising to the top of writers’ concerns in bargaining with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers is the rapid growth in the
In 2014, Nick Viall revealed on national TV that Bachelorette Andi Dorfman had slept with him during their time together on the show. Heartbroken that she didn’t choose him as her winner, Viall asked why she “made love” with him; she said him talking about their sex life was “below the belt.” The episode invited
“General Hospital,” the longest running scripted show currently in production, turns 60 on April 1, and to commemorate that momentous occasion, Variety gathered five of its iconic stars together. Here, Genie Francis, Maurice Benard, Kin Shriner, Kristina Wagner and Tristan Rogers discuss the ABC’s soap opera’s loyal fandom, and reminisce about its heyday, when supercouple
“The Night Agent” has earned a speedy Season 2 renewal at Netflix, Variety has learned. The action thriller series debuted on the streaming service less than a week ago, on March 23. It proved to be popular immediately, rocketing up to the top of Netflix’s weekly Top 10 chart with 168.71 million hours viewed. The
CBS has renewed its hit drama “Blue Bloods” for the 2023-2024 season, marking the show’s 14th year on the network. “’Blue Bloods’ has dominated Friday nights since its premiere and remained an important anchor for CBS’ winning lineup,” said Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment. “Led by the outstanding Tom Selleck, and an incredible cast
Fox has named Diana Ruiz as its new executive vice president of experiences and design. Ruiz will report to Fox Entertainment and Fox Sports chief financial officer, Jeff Acosta. “With more than 20 years in the global events arena, Diana possesses considerable, proven creativity, discipline and operational excellence,” said Acosta. “Her unique skill set will
Comedy Central has released the first official teaser for Season 3 of “Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens” ahead of the series’ April 26 premiere date, Variety can exclusively reveal. The television comedy “Awkafina Is Nora From Queens” draws inspiration from creator and writer Awkwafina’s life experiences growing up in Queens, N.Y. — and she’ll also
“Grown-ish” will end with its upcoming Season 6 at Freeform. The news comes around two months after it was announced the show had been renewed for a sixth season. The final season of the series, which is a spinoff of the ABC comedy “Black-ish,” will air in two parts. The first part will premiere this
Barry Berkman is behind bars in the final trailer for HBO’s “Barry,” which is ending its acclaimed run after four seasons. Season 4 premieres on April 16. In the official trailer, we see Barry (Bill Hader) eating alone and losing his mind in prison. In the Season 3 finale, the police finally catch the professional
Emile Mosseri is slated to score the new Amazon original series “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” created by Donald Glover, Hiro Murai and Francesca Sloane. The new show — which is based on Doug Liman’s 2005 film of the same title (scored by John Powell) — will star Glover himself, opposite Maya Erskine, Parker Posey and
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Apple TV+ is keeping “Ted Lasso” fans well fed with the Emmy-winning show’s third season. Since hitting the streamer on March 16, fans realized that episodes were notably longer than previous seasons’ standard 30-minute
Every year, Variety celebrates the women who make this city’s $60 billion entertainment industry come alive — and thrive. This year, we looked beyond familiar names to showcase 66 executives, producers, directors, writers and actors who deserve to be seen. The women who appear on the pages that follow have broken barriers, navigated TV’s streaming wars, produced indie
Inevitable Foundation, an organization that helps disabled screenwriters reach their full commercial and creative potential, has announced that they are joining forces with WME to expand opportunities for disabled writers. WME, named one of Fast Company’s most innovative companies, is an entertainment organization that represents a variety of creatives across the industry. Teaming up with
U.K. broadcaster ITV has revealed the schedule changes brought about by the death of popular British presenter and comedian Paul O’Grady. At 5pm U.K. time on March 29 “Paul O’Grady’s For the Love of Dogs: A Royal Special” will be repeated on ITV1, replacing the repeat of “The Chase.” At 8pm U.K. time on April
‘BAD KIDS’ ARE AS GOOD AS ‘GOLD’ “The Bad Kids,” a hit series from Chinese streamer iQiyi, is to be remade as a Japanese feature film “Gold Boy.” The 12-episode gritty crime thriller depicts the troubles that arise after three children accidentally film a murder. The series was previously licensed to Japanese pay-TV group Wowow.
Top Middle East broadcaster MBC Group has forged a partnership with U.S. anime and manga distributor Tokyopop under which they are forming a hub dedicated to the licensing, promotion, and production of anime content in the region. The joint venture, called MBC Anime, is led by Stu Levy, the American anime and manga expert who
Argonon CEO James Burstall was prompted to write his new crisis management book “The Flexible Method: Prepare to Prosper in the Next Global Crisis” by the COVID-19 pandemic, when the TV industry – like much of the world – came to a grinding halt almost exactly three years ago. Shows including “The Masked Singer U.K.,”
Netflix will give a May launch to “Sanctuary,” an eight-episode sports drama series set in the specialized world of Japanese sumo wrestling. Produced by the Slowtide company for the streamer, the show follows a juvenile delinquent who becomes a sumo apprentice. He soon finds himself on a collision course with a voiceless wrestler carrying a
Streaming platforms including Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video will be subject to more regulation in the U.K. following the release of the Government’s new draft Media Bill. New rules are set to be introduced bringing the platforms under the purview of the U.K.’s media regulator Ofcom, which currently oversees both public and private broadcasters.
Online story platform Wattpad and Thai media firm GMMTV have joined forces to adapt digital comic “My ID Is Gangnam Beauty!” for TV. The show will begin production this summer and be known as “Beauty Newbie” when it begins airing on GMMTV in early 2024. The adaptation will follow Liu, a young woman who feels
British presenter and comedian Paul O’Grady has died. He was 67. O’Grady’s death was confirmed to the BBC by his partner Andre Portasio, who said the popular TV host died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on Tuesday evening. O’Grady was known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage. A mainstay on British television, he was also the
Prettay… prettay… prettay… bad? “Curb Your Enthusiasm” may be coming to an end after 12 seasons, after two producers hinted on social media that they had wrapped production on the series for good. According to a now-deleted Tweet from producer Jon Hayman, the crew finished “shooting the last scene of the last episode of the
The gig economy, and the food delivery industry in particular, are set for scrutiny in “Appetite,” an Australian short-form series that will debut next month at Canneseries, the TV festival that runs alongside the MIP-TV rights market (April 14-19). “Appetite” is a mystery-comedy in which three penniless food delivery riders are brought together after their
Kate Winslet and Kit Connor took the top acting prizes at the U.K.’s Royal Television Society Programme Awards on Tuesday. Winslet won leading actor, female, for Channel 4’s “I am Ruth.” Winslet won for playing Ruth, who witnesses her teenage daughter Freya (Winslet’s real-life daughter Mia Threapleton) retreating into herself as she becomes consumed by
Fox News is about to have one of its biggest events in years, and everyone from CEO Suzanne Scott to prominent anchors like Tucker Carlson and Maria Bartiromo to primetime chief Meade Cooper is likely to attend some part of it. If Fox’s parent company has its way, however, Rupert Murdoch, the guiding force behind