The elder statesman of Hollywood attorneys, Ken Ziffren has logged more than 50 years in Los Angeles’ legal community. He’s represented a wide range of players from the late great showrunner entrepreneur Stephen J. Cannell to the Television Academy to the Directors Guild of America. In this conversation with host Cynthia Littleton, Ziffren touches on his effort to re-establish some content ownership restrictions for the industry's largest players, the state of AI in entertainment, how Hollywood's woes are affecting the Southern California economy and how dealmaking has changed markedly over the decades.

<p>The elder statesman of Hollywood attorneys, Ken Ziffren has logged more than 50 years in Los Angeles&rsquo; legal community. He&rsquo;s represented a wide range of players from the late great showrunner entrepreneur Stephen J. Cannell to the Television Academy to the Directors Guild of America. <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/ken-ziffren-fin-syn-ai-ucla-entertainment-law-1236783296/">In this conversation with host Cynthia Littleton, Ziffren</a> touches on his effort to re-establish some content ownership restrictions for the industry's largest players, the state of AI in entertainment, how Hollywood's woes are affecting the Southern California economy and how dealmaking has changed markedly over the decades.</p>

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

Strictly Business

Variety journalists and industry leaders converse about news and trends in media and entertainment. "Daily Variety" episodes offer entertainment business headlines and news analysis, published Monday through Thursday. "Strictly Business" episodes, published on Friday, feature long-form interviews with the newsmakers, movers and shakers who drive the business of entertainment.

<p>Variety journalists and industry leaders converse about news and trends in media and entertainment. "Daily Variety" episodes offer entertainment business headlines and news analysis, published Monday through Thursday. "Strictly Business" episodes, published on Friday, feature long-form interviews with the newsmakers, movers and shakers who drive the business of entertainment.</p>

Variety's Strictly Business

Ken Ziffren Tackles a New Spin on Fin-Syn and Reflects on Six Decades of Hollywood Lawyering

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5a990742-65b6-4015-bbcd-b46e011cdcb3/transcript