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

On today’s episode, Variety music mavens Jem Aswad, Chris Willman and Steven J. Horowitz unpack the first weekend of the Coachella music festival. The three discuss the experience of attending the desert festival in person versus taking it in as “Couchella” via the YouTube live stream, and they break down impressive sets from Karol G, Addison Rae, Sombr, Slayyter, Clipse, Wet Leg and Jamie xx, among others.

On today&rsquo;s episode,&nbsp;Variety music mavens Jem Aswad, Chris Willman and Steven J. Horowitz <a href="https://variety.com/2026/music/news/coachellas-best-performances-2026-dijon-laufey-fka-twigs-geese-1236720668/">unpack the first weekend of the Coachella music festival. </a>The three discuss the experience of attending the desert festival in person versus taking it in as &ldquo;Couchella&rdquo; via the YouTube live stream, and they break down impressive sets from <a href="https://variety.com/t/coachella/">Karol G, Addison Rae, Sombr, Slayyter, Clipse, Wet Leg and Jamie xx</a>, among others.

Daily Variety -- Coachella vs. Couchella -- Debating the Experience; Big Moments From Karol G, Addison Rae, Sombr, Slayyter, Clipse, Wet Leg, Jamie xx and More

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/81eaa046-b15c-4413-a1fa-b42c01400afc/transcript

On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Jack Dunn unpacks another big weekend for “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” as well as the art of analyzing Friday night box office numbers. And Marc Malkin brings us a Just for Variety interview with John Waters, the iconoclastic director who turns 80 on April 22.

On today&rsquo;s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety&rsquo;s Jack Dunn unpacks <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/box-office-super-mario-galaxy-movie-scores-second-weekend-you-me-tuscany-opening-1236719765/">another big weekend for &ldquo;The Super Mario Galaxy Movie&rdquo;</a> as well as <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/box-office-the-super-mario-galaxy-movie-you-me-amp-tuscany-1236719521/">the art of analyzing Friday night box office numbers.</a> And <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/columns/john-waters-oscars-chris-rock-will-smith-donald-trump-1236712921/">Marc Malkin brings us a Just for Variety interview with John Waters</a>, the iconoclastic director who turns 80 on April 22.

Daily Variety -- Box Office: 'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' Holds Strong for Universal; John Waters Cruises to His 80th Birthday

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/42d85367-19f9-4948-9bd2-b42b012017ce/transcript

On today's episode, filmmaker Paul Feig speaks with Variety's Matt Donnelly about the state of moviemaking, Hollywood's great contraction and why he is an unabashed fan of popcorn pics. The conversation was held April 8 at Variety's annual Power of Law breakfast event in Los Angeles.

On today's episode, f<a href="https://variety.com/2026/biz/news/paul-feig-patricia-l-glaser-power-of-law-breakfast-1236711958/">ilmmaker Paul Feig speaks with Variety's Matt Donnelly</a> about the state of moviemaking, Hollywood's great contraction and why he is an unabashed fan of popcorn pics. The conversation was held April 8 at <a href="https://variety.com/lists/legal-impact-report-2026-hollywood-top-attorneys/">Variety's annual Power of Law </a>breakfast event in Los Angeles.

Filmmaker Paul Feig Talks Test Screenings, Loving Popcorn Movies and Bringing Fans Back to Theaters

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0853b9b7-1978-4dc3-afa6-b4280112171e/transcript

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

In 1 playlist(s)

Variety's Strictly Business

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips