Strictly Business

Maya Rogers, CEO of Tetris Ltd., shares her journey from family ties to leading the iconic brand. She details an innovative collaboration with Red Bull for a global mobile competition culminating in a stunning drone show in Dubai. Discussing Tetris' growth, Maya emphasizes balancing brand authenticity with expansion into immersive experiences. She touches on the significance of esports in promoting inclusivity and mental wellness while addressing challenges in merchandise due to economic factors. A Rubik's Cube partnership and next-gen innovations are also on the horizon.

In this engaging discussion, Los Angeles television icon Pat Harvey reflects on over four decades of journalism, emphasizing the importance of community connections and her series 'Diamonds in the Rough,' which celebrates inspiring youth stories. She also shares her experiences covering historic events like the 1992 riots and the evolution of local news in a digital age. Joining her is Angelique Jackson, a senior writer at Variety, who discusses her acclaimed features, including her profiles of significant figures like Opal Lee and Harrison Ford.

Daniel D'Addario, Variety's chief correspondent, dives deep into Dwayne Johnson's artistic transformation for his role in 'The Smashing Machine'. He shares the film's expectations versus reality and discusses how Emily Blunt inspired Johnson to take on a more vulnerable character. Todd Longwell, Variety's legal and finance editor, elaborates on the crucial role of business managers in Hollywood, illustrating their impact with Larry David's story and explaining the selection process for the Business Managers Elite list.

Matt Donnelly, Senior Entertainment Writer at Variety, dives into the swirling chaos of Hollywood, discussing Paramount's bold moves under David Ellison’s tech-savvy leadership. He explores the $7 billion UFC bet and its implications for direct-to-consumer strategies. Plus, the podcast delves into the potential acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and the challenges of operating two legacy studios. Lastly, Marc Malkin features a fun Red Carpet Rundown with Catherine Zeta-Jones, who playfully suggests Danny DeVito for a quirky role.

Rebecca Rubin, Variety's box office guru, dives into the $40 million opening of "Predator: Badlands," highlighting its impressive performance and Disney's strategy. Meanwhile, Jordan Moreau shares insights from his profile of Edgar Wright, exploring his nuanced adaptation of "The Running Man" and how contemporary themes like AI are woven into the narrative. Wright's insights on ensemble casting and behind-the-scenes anecdotes add a personal touch, making this discussion a captivating blend of box office trends and creative filmmaking.

In this engaging discussion, Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten, CEO of The Wonder Project and an early Netflix and YouTube executive, dives into the launch of their Amazon streaming platform. She shares insights on audience engagement and highlights the success of 'House of David.' Kelly also discusses the importance of community building around flagship shows and the innovative studio strategies focusing on original content. Plus, she reveals how they’re integrating AI into production workflows for efficiency and how the indie studio landscape is evolving.

Sean Astin, veteran actor and new SAG-AFTRA president, dives into hot topics impacting the industry. He discusses the complexities of the Jimmy Kimmel situation and articulates the union's stance on synthetic performers amid the Tilly Norwood controversy. Astin emphasizes the need for strong protections against AI encroachment, including human-only clauses in contracts. He also shares insights on Bryan Cranston’s involvement with OpenAI's Sora 2 and reveals SAG-AFTRA's proactive steps in addressing the booming trend of microdrama.

Tatiana Siegel, an investigative reporter for Variety, dives into David Ellison's tumultuous overhaul at Paramount. She reveals a drastic transformation with tough leadership, significant layoffs, and strategic bets on middle America, including a massive UFC deal. Meanwhile, Chris Willman, chief music critic at Variety, shares his insights on the AccraSure Arena near Palm Springs, noting its intimacy and production-friendly atmosphere that attracts top artists for rehearsals and concerts, offering a refreshing perspective on live music venues.

In this discussion, Todd Spangler, a Variety Business Editor, explores the impact of AI on big tech layoffs, particularly highlighting Amazon's significant job cuts driven by efficiency needs. He delves into how AI is reshaping roles within companies like Meta, enhancing coding efficiency while redefining workflows. Meanwhile, Jennifer Maas, a Senior Writer at Variety, unveils the secrets behind Dropout's subscriber growth, detailing a recent price increase that fans embraced. She emphasizes the indie streamer's unique niche content and strong fan relationships.

Rebecca Rubin, Senior film and media reporter at Variety, dives into the dismal box office turnout of Halloween weekend 2025. She explains how the combination of no major releases and competing events like the World Series led to staggering declines in theater attendance. October is highlighted as the worst month since 1997 for grosses, with several big-budget films missing the mark. The conversation also touches on Mark Walter's rise as a major force in L.A. sports, owning the Lakers and Dodgers, and a glamorous LACMA Gala featuring Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber.