Strictly Business

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

Daily Variety – 'The Studio' Star Ike Barinholtz Tubthumps for the MPTF: ‘It Comes Very Natural to Me to Ask People for Money’

On today's episode, "The Studio" star Ike Barinholtz discusses his tubthumping campaign to raise money for the Motion Picture and Television Fund. And we take a Vintage Variety look back at the birth of the MPTF as covered the pages of Variety.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-26
16:14

Daily Variety – Laugh Factory: Owen Gleiberman and Peter Debruge on Variety's 100 Best Comedy Movies of All Time List

On today’s episode, Variety’s chief film critics Owen Gleiberman and Peter Debruge detail the how and the why behind their selections for Variety’s 100 Greatest Comedy Movies of All Time list.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-25
18:47

Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘Wicked: For Good’ Soars to Fourth-Highest Opening of 2025; HBO Preps for Busy 2026 Amid WBD M&A Drama

On today’s episode, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin unpacks Universal Pictures’ risky decision to break “Wicked” in two parts, and how it paid off with a record haul. And Jennifer Maas gives us an update on the mood at HBO as the parent company slides into sale mode yet again.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-24
18:14

UTA's Blair Kohan and Jason Heyman on the Business of Comedy: 'If You Don't Build It, They Won't Come'

On today’s episode, UTA board members and partners Blair Kohan and Jason Heyman have a deep conversation about where the heat and the headwinds are in the business of comedy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-21
26:33

Daily Variety -- Revisiting Martin Scorsese’s ‘Casino’ With Owen Gleiberman; Turmoil on ‘Tulsa King’

On today’s episode, we’ll hear from Variety‘s Owen Gleiberman about his rediscovery of an under-appreciated Martin Scorsese classic, 1995’s “Casino.” And Joe Otterson unpacks his reporting on the turmoil behind the scenes on Sylvester Stallone’s “Tulsa King” series as the Taylor Sheridan drama shoots Season 4 in Atlanta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-20
20:45

Daily Variety – Cover Story: Producers Stand United to Fight Money Problems and Credit Disrespect; Jonathan Wang and Laura Lewis Unpack the Issues

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety’s Matt Donnelly unpacks his reporting on Producers United and its quest to address the dilemmas and the disrespect that contemporary producers battle. Donnelly is joined by Producers United members Jonathan Wang and Laura Lewis who put a human face on the issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-19
18:17

Daily Variety -- Nonunion Microdrama Production Grows Fast in the U.S.; Takeaways From AFM With Elsa Keslassy

On today’s episode, Variety’s Gene Maddaus talks about the rapid growth of microdrama production activity in L.A. and other areas of the U.S. SAG-AFTRA wants to have a say. And Elsa Keslassy discusses the themes and takeaways from her dogged coverage of the American Film Market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-18
18:24

Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘The Running Man’ Stumbles as ‘Now You See Me’ Conjures the Win; Focus Features Chief Peter Kujawski on Moviegoing and Fandom Psychographics

On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Brent Lang breaks down Paramount’s stumble with “The Running Man” and Lionsgate’s magic with “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.” And Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski talks about the intersection of moviegoing and fandom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-17
16:43

Tetris CEO on Teaming With Red Bull for Dubai World Finals, Next-Gen Games

Maya Rogers on expanding iconic brand Tetris for today's audiences and new partnerships with Red Bull, Amazon, Netflix and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-14
20:31

Daily Variety – Los Angeles TV Legend Pat Harvey on Four Decades of This Just In; Variety’s Angelique Jackson Feted by NABJLA

On today’s episode, Los Angeles TV legend Pat Harvey reflects on changes in news and in Southern California over her long tenure as she is honored by the National Association of Black Journalists Los Angeles. And we’ll take a look at the work of Variety’s Angelique Jackson as she is recognized by NABJLA with its excellence in entertainment media honor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-13
17:56

Daily Variety – Cover Story: Dwayne Johnson Feels Reborn With ‘The Smashing Machine’; George Clooney Talks AI on Red Carpet Rundown; Business Managers Elite

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety’s Daniel D’Addario steps into the ring to capture the backstory of “The Smashing Machine” and Dwayne Johnson’s metamorphosis. Marc Malkin has a Just for Variety Red Carpet Rundown with George Clooney. And Todd Longwell makes the business case for business managers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-12
17:22

Daily Variety – Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery and the Swirl that is Roiling Hollywood; Red Carpet Rundown With Catherine Zeta-Jones

On today’s episode, Variety’s Matt Donnelly discusses the swirl in the industry around Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery and the future of film and television. And Marc Malkin brings us a Red Carpet Rundown with Catherine Zeta-Jones.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-11
15:00

Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘Predator: Badlands’ Bags Bucks for Disney; Edgar Wright Takes a Big Swing With ‘The Running Man’

On today’s episode, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin breaks down the weekend box office and the surprising strength of “Predator: Badlands.” And Jordan Moreau details his profile of “The Running Man” writer-director Edgar Wright.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-10
18:45

Wonder Project CEO Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten on 'House of David,' 'Sarah's Oil' and a Purpose-Built Media Brand

Wonder Project CEO Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten discusses the launch last month of the company's subscription streaming platform with Amazon and how it reinforces the indie studio's content brand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-07
22:14

Daily Variety -- SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin Talks Jimmy Kimmel, Tilly Norwood, Bryan Cranston vs. Sora 2 and Microdrama Boom

On today's episode, actor Sean Astin discusses the recent Jimmy Kimmel drama, the Tilly Norwood flap, Bryan Cranston vs. OpenAI's Sora 2, the rise of microdrama as a mainstream format and more in Astin's first extended interview since he was elected president of SAG-AFTRA in September.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-06
17:35

Daily Variety -- Cover Story: Tatiana Siegel on David Ellison’s America-First Overhaul of Paramount; Chris Willman on Palm Springs’ New Concert Hot Spot

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Tatiana Siegel details Variety’s investigative report that asks a straightforward question: What Does David Ellison Want? And Chris Willman explains why he has fallen for a certain concert venue near Palm Springs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-05
19:10

Daily Variety – AI Drives Big Tech Layoff Bloodbath; Indie Streamer Dropout Raises Price and Fans Cheer

On today’s episode, Variety’s Todd Spangler weighs in on the collision of AI and Big Tech jobs as layoff notices fly. And Jennifer Maas discusses the growth of indie streamer Dropout.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-04
15:51

Daily Variety – Box Office: What Went Wrong on 2025’s Worst Weekend; Mark Walter is the New King of L.A. Sports; Red Carpet Rundown With Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber

On today’s episode, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin unpacks what went wrong after the year’s worst weekend at the box office. Cynthia Littleton reflects on the power wielded by new king of L.A. Sports, Mark Walter. And Marc Malkin has a Just for Variety Red Carpet Rundown with Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11-03
16:52

How COVID Changed TV Production Forever

Ten industry insiders reflect on the upheaval of producing news and topical shows during the harsh early months of COVID. 'The idea that America would essentially shut down was just shocking,' says ABC News' Chris Dinan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10-31
01:17:25

Daily Variety – Profits or Bust: What to Expect for Media and Entertainment in Q4 and Beyond

On today's episode, Naveen Sarma, managing director of S&P Global and sector lead for U.S. media and telecom, unpacks his recent report on the second half of the year, which has some good news and some concerning news for Hollywood and related sectors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10-30
15:45

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