Kristen Andersen is returning to Walt Disney Television after stints at Shondaland and Netflix. The exec has been tapped as Freeform’s new vice president of communications, meaning she will spearhead the Disney-owned network’s corporate and consumer media relations, with oversight of program publicity, industry relations, awards outreach and talent relations. Andersen’s appointment was announced by
France’s government has said festivals convening more than 5,000 people will be banned until September, along with professional sports games. The announcement was made by France’s Prime Minister Edouard Philippe in a televised address on Tuesday. President Emmanuel Macron had said in an April 13 national address that festivals and events drawing large crowds would
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is making more changes to its film eligibility rules for the 2021 Golden Globes in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The organization implemented new rules last month that are in effect until April 30. However, the HFPA announced on Tuesday morning that the date has been extended indefinitely because of
The Czech Republic has become the first European country to set a date for cinema reopenings, with tentative plans in place to open doors on May 25. On April 14, the government announced a staged approach to the loosening of restrictions, with June 8 given as the initial date for theaters to open, with attendance
SPOILER ALERT: Do not keep reading if you have not watched “The Last Kingdom” Season 4, which dropped April 26 on Netflix. “The Last Kingdom” Season 4 came to Netflix, bringing fans back to the continuing adventures of the intrepid Uhtred Ragnarson. Series executive producer Nigel Marchant spoke with Variety ahead of the premiere, breaking
Wave, a company that specializes in interactive virtual entertainment experiences, announced “One Wave,” a series of virtual concerts with John Legend and others that will see the artists transforming “into their own digital avatar, allowing them to perform live in an immersive and fantastical virtual world,” according to the statement. Past Wave artists, including Tinashe,
Exclusive Instagram’s favorite dumbass, Supreme Patty, had a wild run-in with the law and got busted for gun possession, and cops say he didn’t go easily either. Patty — who took credit for the record-breaking egg that beat Kylie Jenner for most likes — was arrested Saturday outside Daytona Beach … where cops say he
As expected, South Korean pop powerhouse BTS have suspended their world tour over coronavirus concerns, their management said Tuesday. The seven-member band had already postponed the North American leg of their “Map of the Soul” tour that was scheduled to start on April 25, and canceled a Seoul concert because of the coronavirus outbreak. The
“One Day at a Time” has found another way to produce a new, original episode in this time of quarantine: animation. Pop TV has picked up its first-ever animation special, an original “One Day at a Time” episode that will premiere later this spring. The decision to produce an animated episode came after production of
The freshman season finale of “Prodigal Son,” which ended on a suitably gruesome note, came in pretty much even on the last few episodes. Monday’s episode delivered a 0.7 rating among adults 18-49 and 3.5 million total viewers, which represents the show’s largest audience since Oct. 2019 (albeit only just). Fox is yet to make
Some of the biggest names in fashion — including Kim Kardashian West, Hailey Bieber, Karlie Kloss and Diane von Fürstenberg — are coming together for coronavirus relief efforts. CR Runway, founded by Carine Roitfeld, will host its second edition May 1 on YouTube to help raise awareness for the amfAR Fund to Fight COVID-19. Along
Facebook plans to allow users to charge for livestreams, which will provide a way for musicians and other creators to monetize their performances and events on the platform, the company announced Friday in a statement about new services it is offering. In an announcement titled “Introducing Messenger Rooms and more ways to connect when you’re
The Beijing International Film Festival will run an online fest on streamer iQIYI over China’s May 1 Labor Day holiday, typically one of the busier times of year for cinemas, which are still struggling with coronavirus-imposed shutdowns. Fifth Generation helmer Chen Kaige (“Farewell my Concubine,” “Legend of the Demon Cat”), actor Tong Dawei (“American Dreams
Pascal Le SegretainGetty Images Saint Laurent has announced that it plans to forgo its ready-to-wear show at Paris Fashion Week for the upcoming spring 2021 season and will not follow the prescribed Fashion Week calendar for the rest of 2020. The French fashion brand, and subsidiary of luxury conglomerate Kering, points to the coronavirus outbreak
The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences has announced the nominations for the 2020 Webby Awards, with Variety scoring nods in three categories. Dubbed “Webbys From Home” by event organizers, this year’s ceremony will focus on celebrating both organizations and individuals who have best used the Internet in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Variety
Sirius XM’s revenue and earnings rose more than expected in its first quarter, but the satellite-radio giant said it lost 143,000 net subscribers for the first quarter, while adding 69,000 self-paying ones. The company reported a profit of $293 million, or 7 cents a share, compared to $162 million, or 3 cents a share, the
It’s been well over a year since Spotify launched its major foray into podcasting. But the streaming giant had been missing one of the most popular radio shows in the U.S. — “This American Life” — until now. The show is now streaming on Spotify, although only the 10 most recent episodes are currently available.
Narrativia is partnering with Motive Pictures and Endeavor Content for a series of adaptations of the “Discworld” fantasy novels. The series, written by Terry Pratchett, is set on a flat planet balanced on the backs of four elephants standing on the back of a giant turtle. The series began in 1983 and ended in 2015
Facebook will celebrate America’s graduating seniors with a live-streaming event next month that will include a commencement address by Oprah Winfrey and a lineup of other celebs. In addition to Winfrey’s keynote, the May 15 event will feature Miley Cyrus performing her perseverance-themed hit “The Climb.” Celebrities on tap to address the class of 2020
Broadcasters across the Arab world are clambering to serve up Ramadan soaps as the coronavirus pandemic forces the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims to observe the Islamic calendar’s holy month at home rather than in a mosque. Even under normal circumstances, Ramadan — which started on April 24 — is peak TV season for Arab audiences.
Prince Harry has recorded a special introduction to a 75th anniversary episode of children’s series “Thomas the Tank Engine” that will launch on Netflix in the U.S. on May 1 and on ViacomCBS-owned Channel 5′s “Milkshake” strand in the U.K. the following day. Prince Harry introduces an episode called “Thomas and Friends: The Royal Engine,”
Karlovy Vary Intl. Film Festival, Central and Eastern Europe’s leading cinema event, has canceled this year’s edition due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, it will offer a selection of movies from its lineup in theaters across the Czech Republic, as the country prepares to open up cinemas again. It will stage its industry program online.
Jodie Comer, Martin Freeman, Tamsin Greig, Kristin Scott Thomas and Imelda Staunton are among the stars lined up for new BBC One adaptations of playwright Alan Bennett’s acclaimed “Talking Heads” monologues, which start filming Tuesday. Ten of the original pieces are being remade, having first aired on BBC Television in 1988 and 1998, winning two
Terry Pratchett’s comic fantasy series “Discworld” is coming to screen. Narrativia, the production company launched by Pratchett in 2012, has struck an exclusive development deal with Motive Pictures and Endeavor Content for a series of TV adaptations. It is not yet known which of the “Discworld” books will be adapted initially. The “Discworld” series of
Dr. Anthony Fauci gave a thumbs up to Brad Pitt’s portrayal of him on last weekend’s “Saturday Night Live At Home” edition. Pitt began Saturday’s remotely produced episode with a cold open, playing Fauci as he clarified some of the misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic. He responded to President Trump’s comments about disinfectant and UV
To celebrate the one-year anniversary of “Avengers: Endgame,” directors Joe and Anthony Russo shared several behind-the-scenes videos and tidbits. The Marvel directors hosted a virtual watch-along with fans Monday night, reminiscing on the superhero blockbuster and highest-grossing film of all time. They also went live on their Instagram Story to talk with Robert Downey Jr.,
SPOILER ALERT: Do not read if you have not yet watched the third episode of “The Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart.” After spending two weeks fostering relationships in the “Bachelor” mansion, the “Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart” contestants were given a rude awakening. At the beginning of Week 3, host Chris Harrison offered insight into
The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema chain is holding off reopening its 21 Texas locations following an announcement by Gov. Greg Abbott that movie theaters can open this weekend. Austin-based Alamo closed down its 41 locations in mid-March because of coronavirus. In a statement Monday, the company said safety concerns are driving its decision. It did not
In today’s film news roundup, South African drama “A Chain of Voices” gets financing, Korean drama “Yourself and Yours” gets a home and “Hope Gap” is coming to digital a month early. MOVIE FINANCING The Fight to Fame group will finance “A Chain of Voices,” a feature film based on the novel of the same
Amid a fund drive aimed at weathering rough months of closure ahead, Amoeba Music has made a tough call. The beloved store’s current location in Hollywood will not re-open to the public, regardless of when California decides to give non-essential retail the go-ahead again. Instead, the owners plan to steer all finances and energy into