On today’s episode, Variety’s Gene Maddaus offers the latest on SAG-AFTRA’s contract negotiations with Hollywood’s largest studios and streamers. And Emily Longeretta pays tribute to James Van Der Beek, an actor who came to help define his generation of TV and movies.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Gene Maddaus offers the latest on <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/sag-aftra-amptp-studio-talks-media-blackout-1236657118/">SAG-AFTRA&rsquo;s contract negotiations</a> with Hollywood&rsquo;s largest studios and streamers. And Emily Longeretta <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/james-van-der-beek-dead-dawsons-creek-1236659888/">pays tribute to James Van Der Beek</a>, an actor who came to help define his generation of TV and movies.

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 -- What's Happening in Hollywood's Contract Talks; Remembering James Van Der Beek

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a1082847-e31d-4380-8a5c-b3ef01405886/transcript

Josh Simon, the Netflix alum who took the reins of Funko as CEO in September, discusses his vision for growing the pop culture brand and collectibles maker. The company aims to improve its speed-to-market on timely trends, pursue new markets in Asia and Latin America and generally expand the scope of Funko's thinking as a business. "How do we turn every product into a canvas for storytelling," Simon tells Variety's Jennifer Maas.

Josh Simon, the Netflix alum who took the reins of Funko as CEO in September, discusses his vision for growing the pop culture brand and collectibles maker. The company aims to improve its speed-to-market on timely trends, pursue new markets in Asia and Latin America and generally expand the scope of Funko's thinking as a business. "How do we turn every product into a canvas for storytelling," Simon tells Variety's Jennifer Maas.

New Funko CEO Josh Simon is Determined to Make Culture Pop for Collectibles Firm

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2f2ec19c-c358-42b6-bd1c-b3f0005ad219/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s Michael Schneider discusses “The Simpsons” reaching another astounding industry milestone, Episode No. 800. He details his reporting with producers and longtime cast members on how the beloved animated series defies the gravity of its years to stay strong in Season 37.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Michael Schneider discusses <a href="https://variety.com/t/the-simpsons/">&ldquo;The Simpsons&rdquo;</a> reaching another <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/the-simpsons-800-episodes-save-yeardley-smith-life-1236660389/">astounding industry milestone, Episode No. 800.</a> He details his reporting with producers and longtime cast members on how the beloved animated series defies the gravity of its years to stay strong in Season 37.

Daily Variety -- 'The Simpsons' Celebrates 800 Episodes and Takes Aim at 1,000: 'It's a Gift' 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5bf2e48b-48d0-4825-9659-b3ee01271245/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s Elsa Keslassy explains the significance of the big move by France to expand its national production tax incentive and why it matters to the U.S. And Jazz Tangcay reports on Variety’s Artisans Awards that were handed out at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Elsa Keslassy explains the significance of <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/global/france-tax-rebate-hollywood-shoots-actors-salaries-1236655753/">the big move by France to expand its national production tax incentive</a> and why it matters to the U.S. And Jazz Tangcay reports on Variety&rsquo;s <a href="https://variety.com/2026/artisans/news/variety-artisans-awards-2026-santa-barbara-film-festival-1236641014/">Artisans Awards that were handed out at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.</a>

Daily Variety -- France Adds Above the Line Costs to Production Tax Incentives; Variety Artisans Awards at Santa Barbara Film Festival

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/016a9718-eeea-461d-8ccb-b3ed0152b952/transcript

Daily Variety -- What's Happening in Hollywood's Contract Talks; Remembering James Van Der Beek

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