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.

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.

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

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9490d037-7699-467e-ba4b-b38d010d88b5/transcript

On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin breaks down the big worldwide opening for Universal and Illumination’s “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.” The moviegoing galaxy was big enough for Amazon MGM Studios’ “Project Hail Mary” to hold on strong in week 3.

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/super-mario-galaxy-movie-box-office-the-drama-impresses-1236708742/">the big worldwide opening for Universal and Illumination&rsquo;s &ldquo;The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.&rdquo; </a>The moviegoing galaxy was big enough for Amazon MGM Studios&rsquo; &ldquo;Project Hail Mary&rdquo; to hold on strong in week 3.

Daily Variety -- 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' Illuminates the Box Office But Leaves Room for 'Project Hail Mary'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b2b5db71-ed34-4fb4-b214-b424011b0410/transcript

Robert Schildhouse, CEO of direct-to-consumer for BBC Studios, details the growing popularity of streamer BritBox and its loyal U.S. subscribers. "We have to earn our way into the living room like every streaming service does," Schildhouse says.

Robert Schildhouse, CEO of direct-to-consumer for BBC Studios, details <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/britbox-podcast-on-the-box-1236668728/">the growing popularity of streamer BritBox and its loyal U.S. subscribers</a>. "We have to earn our way into the living room like every streaming service does," Schildhouse says.

How Streamer BritBox Shapes U.K. TV Strategy Through Success With American Audiences

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/35d56abc-384a-4bbc-87ac-b42100043865/transcript

On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Brent Lang breaks down the numbers and a second-weekend sigh of relief at Amazon MGM Studios as “Project Hail Mary” hangs in at No. 1. And Michael Schneider speaks to daytime TV soap mogul Bradley Bell, the writer-producer who has launched a subscription app for diehard fans of CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

On today&rsquo;s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety&rsquo;s Brent Lang breaks down the numbers and a second-weekend sigh of relief <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/project-hail-mary-global-box-office-shatters-expectations-1236696281/">at Amazon MGM Studios as &ldquo;Project Hail Mary&rdquo; hangs in at No. 1.</a> And Michael Schneider speaks to daytime TV soap mogul Bradley Bell, the writer-producer who has launched <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/the-bold-and-the-beautiful-streaming-app-bbtv-1236696432/">a subscription app for diehard fans of CBS&rsquo; &ldquo;The Bold and the Beautiful.&rdquo;</a>

Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘Project Hail Mary’ Holds on Tight to No. 1; Why ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ is Launching a Streaming App

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c57114da-47df-45ee-95cc-b41d01697fec/transcript

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

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