On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin breaks down the recording-setting opening for Lionsgate’s musical biopic “Michael.” And Marc Malkin brings us a Just for Variety report on Madonna’s visit to the Abbey in West Hollywood.

On today&rsquo;s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety&rsquo;s Rebecca Rubin breaks down<a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/michael-box-office-opening-weekend-record-1236730805/"> the recording-setting opening for Lionsgate&rsquo;s musical biopic &ldquo;Michael.</a>&rdquo; And Marc Malkin brings us a Just for Variety report on <a href="https://variety.com/2026/music/columns/madonna-spanks-west-hollywood-nighclub-owner-addison-rae-surprise-confessions-ii-performance-1236730748/">Madonna&rsquo;s visit to the Abbey in West Hollywood.</a>

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

Strictly Business

Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment on Variety's weekly interview series.

Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment on Variety's weekly interview series.

Variety's Strictly Business

 Daily Variety – Box Office: Record Opening for ‘Michael’ Thrills Exhibitors and Fans; Surprise Madonna Appearance Lights Up West Hollywood

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4b9027cf-2a3b-4aea-9626-b439011d7349/transcript

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety’s Chris Willman details his interview with country star Kacey Musgraves as she begins a new chapter of her life and her career. It’s a very revealing interview, just like Musgraves’ new album “Middle of Nowhere,” which bows May 1.

On today&rsquo;s episode, in our Cover Story segment, <a href="https://variety.com/2026/music/features/kacey-musgraves-middle-of-nowhere-country-masturbation-1236732175/">Variety&rsquo;s Chris Willman details his interview with country star Kacey Musgraves</a> as she begins a new chapter of her life and her career. It&rsquo;s a very revealing interview, just like Musgraves&rsquo; new album &ldquo;Middle of Nowhere,&rdquo; which bows May 1.

Daily Variety -- Cover Story: Kacey Musgraves Embraces Her Silly Side With 'Middle of Nowhere' Album and Tour

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9380d22b-9dfa-4bda-bb3d-b43b0115b711/transcript

On today’s episode, writer-producer Aaron Tracy discusses his hugely popular Imagine/iHeart Media podcast “The Secret World of Roald Dahl.” The author of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “James and the Giant Peach,” “Matilda,” “The BFG” and many more classics lived a wild life that Tracy unpacks in his 10-part series.

On today&rsquo;s episode, writer-producer Aaron Tracy discusses his hugely popular <a href="https://www.iheartmedia.com/press/iheartpodcasts-and-imagine-entertainment-launch-secret-world-roald-dahl-dark-twisty-new">Imagine/iHeart Media podcast &ldquo;The Secret World of Roald Dahl.&rdquo; </a>The author of &ldquo;Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,&rdquo; &ldquo;James and the Giant Peach,&rdquo; &ldquo;Matilda,&rdquo; &ldquo;The BFG&rdquo; and many more classics lived a wild life that Tracy unpacks in his 10-part series.

Daily Variety – Aaron Tracy Explores the Life of the Author Who Excited Children’s Imaginations in ‘The Secret World of Roald Dahl’ 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/cd07b5d6-4132-4a01-ae1c-b43a012e4ae5/transcript

On today’s episode, NBCUniversal’s Pearlena Igbokwe details the company’s key areas of focus following the Versant Media spinoff. The leader of NBCU’s TV production operations and programming for NBC and Peacock discusses the return of the pilot process at NBC, the importance of multigenerational co-viewing and harnessing the power of broadcast and streaming platforms. The conversation was recorded April 23 as part of Variety's annual Entertainment Marketing Summit in Beverly Hills.

On today&rsquo;s episode, <a href="https://variety.com/2019/tv/features/universal-tv-chief-pearlena-igbokwe-1203363797/">NBCUniversal&rsquo;s Pearlena Igbokwe</a> details the company&rsquo;s key areas of focus following the Versant Media spinoff. The leader of NBCU&rsquo;s TV production operations and programming for NBC and Peacock discusses <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/streaming-pilots-hbo-max-hulu-x-files-1236725976/">the return of the pilot process at NBC</a>, the importance of multigenerational co-viewing and harnessing the power of broadcast and streaming platforms. The conversation was recorded April 23 as part of <a href="https://variety.com/t/entertainment-marketing-2026-recap/">Variety's annual Entertainment Marketing Summit in Beverly Hills.</a>

NBCUniversal's Pearlena Igbokwe on the Return of Pilots, the Value of Co-Viewing and Threading Shows Through Broadcast and Streaming Platforms

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/69280670-9820-4627-b126-b436011252f5/transcript

Daily Variety – Box Office: Record Opening for ‘Michael’ Thrills Exhibitors and Fans; Surprise Madonna Appearance Lights Up West Hollywood

In 1 playlist(s)

Variety's Strictly Business

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips