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.

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 -- 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 Rebecca Rubin explains why Lionsgate’s “Michael” made a surprise return to No. 1 in a weekend that marks the calm before the start of summer blockbuster season next week with Disney’s “The Mandalorian and Grogu” opening over Memorial Day weekend.

On today&rsquo;s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety&rsquo;s Rebecca Rubin explains why Lionsgate&rsquo;s <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/box-office-michael-reclaims-first-place-obsession-starts-strong-1236751550/">&ldquo;Michael&rdquo; made a surprise return to No. 1 in a weekend </a>that marks the calm before the start of summer blockbuster season next week with Disney&rsquo;s &ldquo;The Mandalorian and Grogu&rdquo; opening over Memorial Day weekend.

Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘Michael’ Returns to No. 1 as Exhibitors Brace for ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ and the Start of Summer Blockbuster Season

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3de3af67-ae3a-4be1-a095-b44e01357742/transcript

With all the bells and whistles rumored to be a part of Disney's "super app" plans, there's one feature that can be ruled out at this time: the AI magic the company had been conjuring via its recently aborted partnership with OpenAI. Which begs a question: Will consumers ever be able to create videos that allow them to direct their favorite fictional characters? Jeremy Toeman, senior VP of AI innovation at JWX, helps sort through the possibilities.

With all the bells and whistles rumored to be a part of <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/disney-plus-immersive-interactive-digital-centerpiece-josh-damaro-1236739211/">Disney's "super app" plans,</a> there's one feature that can be ruled out at this time: the AI magic the company had been conjuring via its recently <a href="https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/openai-shutting-down-sora-video-disney-1236698277/">aborted partnership with OpenAI</a>. Which begs a question: Will consumers ever be able to create videos that allow them to direct their favorite fictional characters? Jeremy Toeman, senior VP of AI innovation at JWX, helps sort through the possibilities.

Did OpenAI Kill What Disney's 'Super App' Needs Most? 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b33d554a-8567-4bcc-87c7-b44b0099a907/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s Michael Schneider breaks down the last lap of upfronts week as Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix and YouTube grab the megaphone. And Variety music chief Jem Aswad goes deep on the music of “Heated Rivalry” in a session with showrunner Jacob Tierney, composer Peter Peter and music supervisor Scotty Taylor. It was recorded May 7 at Toronto’ s Departure Festival for music creatives.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Michael Schneider breaks down the last lap of <a href="https://variety.com/t/upfronts/">upfronts week as Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix and YouTube</a> grab the megaphone. And Variety music chief <a href="https://variety.com/2026/music/news/heated-rivalry-jacob-tierney-music-team-sex-scenes-russia-1236745247/">Jem Aswad goes deep on the music of &ldquo;Heated Rivalry&rdquo;</a> in a session with showrunner Jacob Tierney, composer Peter Peter and music supervisor Scotty Taylor. It was recorded May 7 at Toronto&rsquo; s Departure Festival for music creatives.

Daily Variety – Upfronts 2026: What We Learned From TV's Biggest Platforms; Crafting the Music of ‘Heated Rivalry’

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6d924161-a9b1-4bc6-8c55-b44a01232151/transcript

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

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