GENERAL
Disney/ABC Head Of Affiliate Relations John Rouse To Retire After 33 Years
Denise Petski and Nellie Andreeva, Deadline
John Rouse, who has been with The Walt Disney Company for the past 33 years, most recently as EVP of Affiliate Relations for the ABC Television Network, is stepping down at the end of July.
Liberty Global and Warner Bros Discovery owners weigh deal for All3Media
Amy-Jo Crowley, Reuters
The owners of All3Media, Britain's largest independent TV production company, are exploring options that include cashing out on their joint venture in a deal worth more than 1 billion pounds ($1.26 billion), three people familiar with the matter said.
Danny Masterson convicted of 2 counts of rape, ‘That ‘70s Show’ actor faces 30 years to life
Andrew Dalton, The Associated Press
“That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson was led out in handcuffs from a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday and could get 30 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty on two of three counts of rape at his second trial, in which the Church of Scientology played a central role.
Broadway Is Rebounding, Even Though “the Suburbs Have Not Come Back”
Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter
In its first season without major COVID-19 disruptions, attendance and total grosses saw notable growth to near pre-pandemic levels.
Florida drama teacher who includes deaf students in school shows will receive a special Tony Award
Mark Kennedy, The Associated Press
The special Tony Award that honors educators will go this year to a drama teacher in Florida who has closed the gap between the deaf and hearing worlds by having productions performed in both voice and American Sign Language.
Corporate Amazon workers protest company’s climate impact and return-to-office mandate in walkout
Ed Komenda, The Associated Press
Telling executives to “strive harder,” hundreds of corporate Amazon workers protested what they decried as the company’s lack of progress on climate goals and an inequitable return-to-office mandate during a lunchtime demonstration at its Seattle headquarters Wednesday.
FILM
‘The Flash’ filmmakers say movie was not in danger of shutting down over Ezra Miller controversy: 'That was never real'
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly
Director Andy Muschietti and producer Barbara Muschietti address the situation surrounding the star, saying they "have a lot of empathy in general for people who need help, and especially in mental health issues."
‘Terrifier 3’: Details Revealed For Bigger Budget Threequel After Second Film’s Box Office Breakout
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline
France-based distribution outfit “The Coven” is launching world sales on threequel “Terrifier 3,” following the breakout box office success of Terrifier 2 last year.
Disney’s Live-Action ‘Moana’ Taps ‘Hamilton’ Helmer Thomas Kail as Director
Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter
Dwayne Johnson is returning to the role of Maui, the grandiose demigod of the wind and sea, which he originated in the beloved 2016 animated musical.
Johnny Depp’s ‘Jeanne du Barry’ Enjoys Decade-Best Start for a Cannes Opener at French Box Office
Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter
The period drama, starring Depp as King Louis XV, has done the most box office business of any of the fest's opening-night film since “The Great Gatsby” in 2013.
MoMA Becomes Home to Ken Jacobs, Acquiring Over 200 of His Works
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire
The Museum of Modern Art in New York acquired more than 200 films and videos by the experimental filmmaker to become the major repository of his work.
TELEVISION
On-Location Filming Of Scripted TV Shows Grinds To Near-Complete Halt In L.A. After 4th Week Of WGA Strike
David Robb, Deadline
On-location filming of scripted TV shows in Los Angeles has ground to a near-complete halt in the fourth week of the Writers Guild’s strike, according to data compiled by FilmLA, the city and county film permit office.
CBS News hires Lisa Ling after CNN documentary series was canceled
The Associated Press
Journalist Lisa Ling, who left CNN after her “This is Life” documentary series was canceled, has joined CBS News as a reporter, the network said on Wednesday.
ABC News Selects Brooke Brower As ‘This Week’ Executive Producer, Kendall Heath As EP Of Politics
Ted Johnson, Deadline
ABC News has tapped Brooke Brower to serve as executive producer of “This Week with George Stephanopoulos.”
‘Sex and the City’ Shocker: Kim Cattrall to Return as Samantha Jones With ‘And Just Like That…’ Cameo
Ramin Setoodeh and Elizabeth Wagmeister, Variety
For one night only, the “Sex and the City” universe will be whole again. Variety has learned that Kim Cattrall will reprise her iconic role as Samantha Jones in the Season 2 finale of “And Just Like That,” Max’s revival of HBO’s “Sex and the City.”
‘BBQ Brawl With Bobby Flay’ and ‘BBQ USA With Michael Symon’ Return for the Summer Season
Kayla Cobb, The Wrap
The Food Network is embracing the summer with back-to-back premieres of two primetime hits. “BBQ Brawl with Bobby Flay” and “BBQ USA with Michael Symon” will return on Monday, July 10 at 9 p.m. ET and 10:30 p.m. ET.
How the ‘Transparent’ stage musical aims to continue the hit Amazon show’s legacy
Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times
Inspired by Joey and Faith’s real-life experiences, the half-hour dark comedy chronicled how Maura Pfefferman’s decision to transition later in life affected her and the rest of her Los Angeles-based Jewish family.
‘Ted Lasso’ Taught Phil Dunster How to Play Nice
Calum Marsh, The New York Times
The charismatic English actor, who stars as the cocksure footballer Jamie Tartt, had to trust the writers to transform him from villain to hero.
TECHNOLOGY AND NEW MEDIA
Meta threatens to yank news content from California over payments bill
Katie Paul, Reuters
Facebook parent Meta Platforms said on Wednesday it would remove news content in its home state of California if the state government passed legislation forcing tech companies to pay publishers.
Instagram tests new user control for recommended posts, transparency tool for creators
Aisha Malik, TechCrunch
Instagram announced Wednesday that it’s testing a new feature that gives users more control over what they see on the social network, along with a new transparency tool for creators.
Sarah Perez, TechCrunch
Snapchat on Wednesday announced the launch of a new generative AI feature that will allow Snapchat+ subscribers to send Snaps of what they’re up to in order to receive a generative Snap back from the in-app chatbot, My AI.
Inside the Making of ‘Redfall,’ Xbox’s Latest Misfire
Jason Schreier, Bloomberg
After Microsoft paid $7.5 billion for its parent company, Arkane Studios’ Redfall has been blasted by critics and players.
Lucy Liu to Exec Produce and Voice Star in VR Game ‘The Pirate Queen’
Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter
The immersive project, headed to the Tribeca Film Festival, "is part of an expansive franchise, currently being developed as a graphic novel, podcast, and TV series with Beijing, China’s Seesaw Films," says U.K. production firm Singer Studios, led by Eloise Singer.
MUSIC
Taylor Swift Extends Record Run Atop Artist 100 Chart to 67 Weeks
Xander Zellner, Billboard
Taylor Swift holds at No. 1 on the Billboard Artist 100 chart (dated June 3), spending a record-extending 67th week as the top musical act in the U.S.
Beyoncé fans spare no cost for ‘Renaissance’ tour
Sharon Kits Kimathi, Reuters
Money and distance are no object when your idol beckons in 57 concerts across 40 cities in North America and 14 across Europe.
Diddy Accuses Diageo of Abandoning His Tequila
Jennifer Maloney, The Wall Street Journal
Music mogul in lawsuit says company neglected his DeLeón brand while throwing its weight behind George Clooney’s Casamigos.
Sia Reveals Autism Diagnosis 2 Years After Controversial Film: ‘I Have Become Fully Myself’
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone
“For 45 years, I was like, ‘I’ve got to go put my human suit on,'” the singer explained. “And only in the last two years have I become fully, fully myself.”
The Case for and Against Ed Sheeran
John Seabrook, The New Yorker
The pop singer’s trial for copyright infringement of Marvin Gaye and Ed Townsend’s “Let’s Get It On” highlights how hard it is to draw the property lines of pop.
3rd man charged in 2002 shooting death of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay
The Associated Press
A third man has been charged in the 2002 shooting death of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay, prosecutors said Tuesday, marking the latest movement in a case that languished for years.
Was Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Originally ‘Mongolian Rhapsody’?
Alex Marshall, The New York Times
One of Freddie Mercury’s early drafts, which is being auctioned by Sotheby’s, shows that he crossed out “Mongolian” and substituted the now-famous title.
OPINIONS, EDITORIALS, PERSPECTIVES AND RESEARCH
Are Major Labels Cooling on Viral Artists?
Elias Leight, Billboard
After years of paying big for songs going viral on social media, labels' strategies may be shifting.
Execs on Eggshells: 'This Puts Us in a Weird Place'
Nicole Laporte and Peter Kiefer, The Ankler
Already stressed-out, 'I live in a state of... ugh' says one suit, as the strike tests social lives, allegiances and all sense of what to work on.
Digital doubles, fake trailers: AI worries Hollywood actors before labor talks
Lisa Richwine, Reuters
A search for Wes Anderson on YouTube turns up trailers that the famed director with a distinctive style appears to have made for adaptations of "Star Wars," "Harry Potter" and "The Lord of the Rings" featuring Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson and other stars.
Funny dramas and dark comedies muddy the waters during award season
Randee Dawn, Los Angeles Times
The definition of what makes a comedy and what makes a drama — at least in the eyes of the Television Academy — feels looser than ever.
On shows like ‘Ted Lasso’ and ‘Succession,’ a curse word was ‘a beautiful, powerful sound’
Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times
One of the most ironic things about the shift away from broadcast television to streaming and premium channels is that audiences are now regularly paying to see stories where, unencumbered by FCC guidelines or network-specific stringent standards and practices regulations, characters can speak more freely and talk like real people.
The Return of Ryan Gosling
Zach Baron, GQ
As he ventures back into the spotlight to play Ken in the summer blockbuster Barbie, Ryan Gosling talks candidly about why he stepped away from Hollywood, why he’s thinking about movie-making differently now, and why he’s prioritizing the offscreen roles he plays in real life.
Taika Waititi: “Am I Allowed to Laugh at This?”
Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter
With sly and subversive humor, the multihyphenate powerhouse is redefining representation — “Comedy is a great way of pulling people in and going, ‘Hey, we’re all friends. Get comfortable. You’re racist’”— while having more fun in Hollywood than just about anyone else.
How to Be a Star by Not Giving Your All
Robert Ito, The New York Times
She’s known for playing offbeat characters in “Russian Doll,” “High Maintenance” and “Girls,” but Greta Lee is winning raves for her restrained performance in “Past Lives.” It almost didn’t happen.