

Strictly Business
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Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 22, 2025 • 31min
Dr. Orna Guralnik Reflects on the Ethics of Practicing 'Couples Therapy' on TV
For the past four seasons on Showtime, Dr. Orna Guralnik has showcased the benefits of the talking cure to help relationships in crisis. In this revealing interview, she talks about why she was motivated to pull back the curtain on what's always been a private practice, and how she grapples with the ethics of psychoanalysis for public consumption. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 21, 2025 • 18min
Daily Variety – The Wizardry of Industrial Light and Magic; Netflix’s ‘Long Story Short’ Celebrates the Jewish American Experience
In today’s episode, Jazz Tangcay, Variety’s senior artisans editor, details her report on visual effects stalwart Industrial Light and Magic on its 50th anniversary. TV critic Alison Herman explains why she’s given the coveted Critics Pick seal of approval to the new Netflix comedy “Long Story Short.” And Tatiana Siegel previews the final installment of her podcast “Variety Confidential: The Life and Legend of River Phoenix.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 20, 2025 • 19min
Daily Variety – COVER STORY: How Guillermo del Toro, Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac brought ‘Frankenstein’ to Life; Gamescom Boots Up in Germany; ESPN’s Big Send Off for Streaming App
In today’s episode, the Cover Story segment features Variety’s Brent Lang and Ramin Setoodeh detailing director Guillermo del Toro’s $120 million bet on a new vision for “Frankenstein” with help from Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac. Variety’s Jennifer Maas reports on the Sun Valley of gaming that is underway in Cologne, Germany. And Brian Steinberg sets the scene for ESPN’s big send off for the streaming app that launches Aug. 21.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 19, 2025 • 18min
Daily Variety – Chris McGurk and Jana Winograde on Cineverse’s Big Plans for Micro Dramas; How AI is Fueling Product Placement in TV and Film
In today’s episode, Cineverse CEO Chris McGurk and MicroCo CEO Jana Winograde join host Cynthia Littleton to discuss their new venture to bring super short, low budget drama series to the U.S. They gamely answer the question: How is this not Quibi? And Variety reporter Ethan Shanfeld details how AI tools are accelerating product placement in TV and film.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 18, 2025 • 22min
Daily Variety – Box Office Monday: ‘Weapons’ Flexes in Week 2; Lowdown on Upfront Ad Sales; Truth Seekers Highlights With Jake Tapper, Ronny Chieng, Amber Ruffin and Roy Wood Jr.
In today’s episode, we talk box office with Variety’s Rebecca Rubin about “Weapons” week 2 and a ho-hum start for “Nobody 2.” Brian Steinberg has the lowdown on the final tally of this year’s upfront advertising sales. And Tatiana Siegel sets the scene that unfolded at Variety’s Truth Seekers conference, including highlights from sessions with Jake Tapper, Ronny Chieng, Amber Ruffin, Roy Wood Jr. and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 snips
Aug 15, 2025 • 34min
CAA Insiders Talk Agency’s Leadership Evolution, Social Media ‘Game-Changers’ and Content Marketplace Expansion: ‘Our Job Description Has Expanded So Much’
In this insightful discussion, Tiffany Ward, Managing Director and Scripted Television Agent, and Jennifer Joel, Literary Agent and Co-Head of CAA Books, share their perspectives on the evolving landscape of talent representation. They explore how social media reshapes the agent-client relationship and the expanded role of agents in nurturing talent. The conversation highlights the ongoing shift towards inclusive practices within the agency and the collaborative nature of adapting literary works. Their insights into leadership dynamics and resilience in the industry offer a fresh perspective on navigating change.

Aug 14, 2025 • 16min
Daily Variety – David Ellison and Paramount’s New Regime Meets the Media in L.A. and New York; The Backstory on Variety’s 10 Storytellers to Watch
In today’s episode, host Cynthia Littleton and Variety business editor Todd Spangler compare notes on Paramount Skydance and the vibes and vision shared by CEO David Ellison and his new regime at media Q&A sessions in New York and L.A. And Jenelle Riley, deputy awards and features editor, explains how Variety selected this year’s 10 Storytellers to Watch honorees.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 13, 2025 • 15min
Daily Variety — COVER STORY: Clayton Davis Remembers Everything About His Time With Tramell Tillman; Sharon Stone Talks ‘Euphoria’ on ‘Nobody 2’ Red Carpet
In today’s episode, Variety chief awards editor Clayton Davis unpacks his interview with “Severance” star Tramell Tillman in our Cover Story segment. Marc Malkin dishes with Bob Odenkirk and Sharon Stone on the “Nobody 2” Red Carpet. And host Cynthia Littleton offers a tutorial on Variety slanguage superlatives boffo, whammo and socko.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 12, 2025 • 15min
Daily Variety -- 'Grand Theft Auto 6' and the Gaming Debate Over Pricing; Inside Variety's Emmy Extra Editions
In today’s episode, Jennifer Maas, Variety’s senior business writer for TV and gaming, discusses the debate in gaming over the pricing of premium titles, as well as the anticipation building for next year’s release of “Grand Theft Auto 6”; Emily Longeretta, senior TV features editor, details how Variety assembles its annual baker’s dozen Emmy Extra Edition issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 11, 2025 • 19min
Daily Variety — Box Office Monday: ‘Weapons,’ ‘Freakier Friday’ Impress as Superhero Alternatives; Why the Locarno Film Festival Punches Above its Weight
On today’s episode Variety executive editor Brent Lang explains why the strong opening for “Weapons” and “Freakier Friday” are a good sign that mid-budget movies can still be superhero counter-programming at the box office. And Variety international veteran John Hopewell weighs in from Locarno on why mid-sized European film festivals are more important to the industry and movie marketing than ever before.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.