All articles tagged with #variety
John Oliver roasted Trump’s Freedom 250 concert debacle on Last Week Tonight, mocking the aging lineup that collapsed as artists pulled out after realizing the event was politicized, noting donor perks and a string of add-ons (UFC fights, a Ferris wheel, film screenings) that kept the spectacle alive amid ongoing controversy and costly missteps.
Paul McCartney was approached to participate in Netflix’s celebrity roast but declined the offer; Netflix declined to comment and McCartney’s representatives did not respond, while producer Jeff Ross has previously teased the idea of a high-profile roast.
The 30th Webby Awards announced winners across eight digital media categories, with Variety among honorees for Does Jennie Know Her Lyrics From Her Biggest Songs? and a slate of TV, music and AI-category wins; Special Achievement honorees include Shonda Rhimes, Kylie Kelce, Taraji P. Henson, Druski and Pete Davidson, while Anthropic’s Claude is named Webby Person of the Year. Google won Brand of the Year and PBS was Media Company of the Year. The ceremony, hosted by Josh Johnson, took place in New York City on May 11, 2026, and the full list of winners is available.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has become 2026’s highest-grossing film to date, pulling in about $629 million globally after a strong opening and second weekend. It surpassed Project Hail Mary, which has surpassed $500 million after four weekends. The film earned roughly $308 million in North America and $320 million overseas (with $37.4 million from the UK & Ireland), and analysts expect continued sales toward the $1 billion mark as other major releases loom.
After Chuck Norris’s death, a Variety piece questions whether his on-screen patriotic vigilante characters (e.g., in Missing in Action, The Delta Force, Walker, Texas Ranger) reflect a dangerous form of patriotism or propaganda, suggesting politics may overshadow his legacy. The article contrasts Norris’s off-screen image as a family man and martial arts icon with the critique of his cinematic persona, igniting a broader debate about the cultural impact of his work.
Variety’s review argues SNL U.K. lands best when it leans into British humor—darker, surreal and dry—rather than copying the American format; with a strong cast and live-sketch energy, it could carve out a distinct UK identity, otherwise it risks feeling too American.
Meghan Markle’s jam-centered lifestyle brand As Ever, backed by Netflix, faltered as sales lagged and strategic disagreements emerged; Netflix reportedly pulled back, top executives distanced themselves, and insiders describe Meghan as effectively purged from the partnership, with unsold stock around $10 million and uncertainty over Archewell projects threatening the couple’s Hollywood plans.
Variety highlights 15 anticipated SXSW 2026 premieres across film and TV in Austin, featuring a mix of edgy comedies, dramas, thrillers, and documentaries, including The Comeback Season 3, #SkyKing, #WhileBlack, Margo’s Got Money Troubles, The Audacity, Over Your Dead Body, Pretty Lethal, The Sun Never Sets, The Dads, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, I Love Boosters, Power Ballad, Forbidden Fruits, and Love Language across HBO, Hulu, AMC+, Apple TV, and Netflix.
At Sundance, Chris Pine said he’s unsure about Star Trek’s future under Paramount’s new leadership; the next film, written/produced/directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, won’t feature Pine and won’t be a direct continuation of the Abrams reboot. Pine offered advice to the new bosses—“Have fun, good luck, live long and prosper”—as the franchise’s path remains uncertain, while he kicks off Sundance with Carousel.
A BMJ Medicine study of over 111,000 adults followed for more than 30 years found that those who did the widest variety of exercises—across cardio, strength, and everyday activities—had about a 19% lower risk of premature death compared with those who did less variety, with benefits seen at every activity level; experts say mixing workouts supports multiple health pathways, and any activity beats none, so aim for CDC guidance of about 150 minutes of moderate cardio per week plus two days of strength, while rotating exercises and adding daily tasks like gardening.
Alexander Skarsgård says his remarks about his past relationships during promotion of the film Pillion were not a bisexual coming-out statement; he explains he was trying to shift focus to the story and its characters, not his personal life, and notes the interview centers on the film rather than his sexuality.
Michelle Sobrino-Stearns, CEO and Group Publisher of Variety, is stepping down after 28 years to pursue a startup fashion venture. Dea Lawrence will become co-president and publisher, while Ramin Setoodeh is named co-president, continuing his role as co-EIC. The leadership transition marks a new chapter for the historic entertainment news brand, which has undergone significant growth and innovation under Sobrino-Stearns' tenure.
Netflix is developing a new K-pop drama titled 'Variety' featuring Son Ye-jin and Jo Yu-ri, exploring the competitive and complex world of K-pop industry, with a focus on industry dynamics and fan-idol relationships, directed by Kim Yong-hoon.
Variety's 2025 'Actors on Actors' lineup features pairings that range from expected to surprising, with some duos lacking the tension or unexpectedness that makes for compelling interviews. The article humorously critiques the pairings, suggesting alternative matches, particularly involving Sebastian Stan, who struggled to find a partner due to his association with Trump. The lineup includes notable pairings like Kidman and Zendaya, and Gomez and Ronan, with discussions anticipated around themes like sexual power and evolving with age.
Variety's 'Actors on Actors' series returns for its 21st season, featuring prominent stars like Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, and Ryan Reynolds. The series will showcase conversations between actors such as Andrew Garfield and Ryan Reynolds, and Ariana Grande with Paul Mescal. The interviews will be available on Variety.com starting December 9, with the annual issue hitting newsstands on December 11. The series will also air on PBS SoCal and stream on pbssocal.org and the PBS App.