On today’s episode, host Cynthia Littleton details the plan to streamline Variety’s business podcast offerings under the “Strictly Business” brand. And we pay tribute to a titan of music and pop culture, Dolly Parton, and to Shelley Fabares, the “Coach” and “Donna Reed Show” star who helped define the image of young America in the late 1950s and ‘60s.

On today&rsquo;s episode, host Cynthia Littleton details the plan to streamline Variety&rsquo;s business podcast offerings under the &ldquo;Strictly Business&rdquo; brand. And we pay tribute to <a href="https://variety.com/2026/music/news/dolly-parton-dead-dies-country-music-1236842727/">a titan of music and pop culture, Dolly Parton,&nbsp;</a>and to <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/shelley-fabares-dead-coach-the-donna-reed-show-1236841162/">Shelley Fabares, the &ldquo;Coach&rdquo; and &ldquo;Donna Reed Show&rdquo; star</a> who helped define the image of young America in the late 1950s and &lsquo;60s.

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

Strictly Business

Daily Variety -- A New Chapter for Variety's ‘Daily Variety’ and ‘Strictly Business’ Podcasts

On today’s special episode, recorded Sept. 7 at the Lumiere Summit in Saint Paul de Vence, France, luminaries from the entertainment industry -- including George Clooney, Donna Langley, Thierry Frémaux, Michael Barker, Lynette Howell Taylor, Maxime Saada, Michael O’Leary and more -- discuss the central themes of the gathering, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.

On today&rsquo;s special episode, recorded Sept. 7 <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/france-korea-macron-lumiere-summit-ai-saint-paul-de-vence-1236857980/">at the Lumiere Summit in Saint Paul de Vence, France,</a> luminaries from the entertainment industry -- including George Clooney, Donna Langley, Thierry Fr&eacute;maux, Michael Barker, Lynette Howell Taylor, Maxime Saada, Michael O&rsquo;Leary and more -- discuss the central themes of the gathering, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.

Lumiere Summit: Why Filmdom’s Top Players Gathered in France to Talk YouTube, AI and the Future of Art

On today’s “Strictly Business Daily,” Maria Taylor, host of NBC’s “Football Night in America” talks about how she’s adjusted to big increase in her on-air duties with NBC’s addition of NBA and WNBA packages. Taylor also discusses her prep for the start of NFL season and what she’s looking forward to at the LA 28 Summer Games.

On today&rsquo;s &ldquo;Strictly Business Daily,&rdquo; Maria Taylor, host of <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/nbc-sports-historic-firsts-innovations-heidi-bowl-1236854745/">NBC&rsquo;s &ldquo;Football Night in America&rdquo;</a> talks about how she&rsquo;s adjusted to big increase in her on-air duties with NBC&rsquo;s addition of NBA and WNBA packages. Taylor also discusses her prep for the start of NFL season and what she&rsquo;s looking forward to at the LA 28 Summer Games.

 How Maria Taylor Juggles NFL, NBA, WNBA and More for NBC Sports

On today's episode,Variety's Gene Maddaus interviews Rob Bonta, California's crusading Attorney General who is doggedly pursuing the antitrust case to block the Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Bonta details his background growing up in a family of social justice activists, attending Yale on a soccer scholarship and other formative experiences that shaped his worldview. "I believe in justice. I believe in following the rules," Bonta says.

On today's episode,Variety's Gene Maddaus interviews Rob Bonta, California's crusading Attorney General who is doggedly pursuing the antitrust case to<a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/rob-bonta-paramount-theater-chains-1236842584/"> block the Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery merger</a>. Bonta <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/rob-bonta-paramount-profile-1236848528/">details his background growing up in a family of social justice activists</a>, attending Yale on a soccer scholarship and other formative experiences that shaped his worldview. "I believe in justice. I believe in following the rules," Bonta says.

Daily Variety -- A New Chapter for Variety's ‘Daily Variety’ and ‘Strictly Business’ Podcasts

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