Variety's Strictly Business
'Apt.' Co-Writer Theron Thomas on the Competitive Business of Songwriting
'Apt.' co-writer Theron Thomas discusses the ins and outs of being one of the music industry's most consistently successful songwriters. He reminisces on his early days making music in his native St. Thomas, and he traces his career trajectory to the present day.
39:30
Daily Variety – Exploring How Spirituality and People of Faith are Portrayed in Pop Culture; Richard Gere on his Dalai Lama Doc ‘Wisdom of Happiness’
On today’s episode, we hear from Brooke Zaugg, executive director of Faith & Media Initiative, on the coalition’s work to influence portrayals of spirituality and people of faith in media and pop culture. And Variety’s Marc Malkin talks with Richard Gere about his new documentary on the Dalai Lama,…
15:45
Daily Variety -- The Hitmakers Parade: Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan and More; Will Warner Bros. Discovery Try for Round 3 of Bids?
On today’s episode, Variety’s Jem Aswad details our annual Hitmakers issue, featuring cover star Sabrina Carpenter. He details the year-long effort that goes into assembling the survey of the year’s top 25 tunes. And Todd Spangler gives us an update on the state of bidding for Warner Bros. Discover…
18:19
Daily Variety -- Microdramas Go Mainstream with TelevisaUnivision and JCPenney; How Record Store Day Fosters Fandom and Community
On today’s episode, Variety’s Brian Steinberg details a deal between TelevisaUnivision and JCPenney to produce microdramas and microdrama branded content. And Chris Willman discusses the unique pleasures of standing in line with fellow music lovers on Record Store Day, Black Friday Edition.
17:25
Daily Variety – ‘Zootopia 2’ Muscle Sets Box Office Up for a Strong Finish; Jeremy Allen White Turns His Attention Back to ‘The Bear’
On today’s episode, Variety's Rebecca Rubin unpacks the Thanksgiving feast at the box office with “Zootopia 2” and “Wicked: For Good” lighting up screens around the world. And Marc Malkin sits down with Jeremy Allen White as the actor turns his attention back to filming “The Bear.”
15:35
Daily Variety – Marlo Thomas on the St. Jude Story and Advancing Her Father’s Mission to Save Children’s Lives
On a special Thanksgiving Day edition, the legendary Marlo Thomas revisits the remarkable story of how – and why -- her father, entertainer Danny Thomas, launched St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. And we take a Vintage Variety look back at how St. Jude's origins played out in …
16:12
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.
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.
18:46
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.
18:13
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.
24:51