Karen Bass, Spencer Pratt and the Brawl in the L.A. Mayoral Race

Hollywood's Problems Intersect With California Politics Like Never Before as Showbiz Rallies Around a Federal Production Tax Incentive

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety’s Gene Maddaus unpacks the brawl that has erupted as Hollywood’s systemic problems become a pivotal political issue [On%20today%E2%80%99s%20episode,%20in%20our%20Cover%20Story%20segment,%20Variety%E2%80%99s%20Gene%20Maddaus%20unpacks%20the%20brawl%20that%20has%20erupted%20as%20Hollywood%E2%80%99s%20systemic%20problems%20become%20a%20pivotal%20political%20issue%20in%20the%20race%20for%20L.A.%20mayor%20and%20California%20governor.] in the race for L.A. mayor and California governor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

'Disclosure Day' Adds to Box Office Momentum; Why Fox is Buying Roku

On today’s episode of "Daily Variety" podcast, [https://variety.com/p/daily-variety-podcast/] in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin weighs the opening weekend of Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day." [https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/spielberg-disclosure-day-box-office-opening-masters-of-the-universe-huge-drop-obsession-shatters-expectations-1236780872/] And Todd Spangler breaks down the surprise news of Fox Corp.’s acquisition of Roku. [https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/fox-acquiring-roku-1236781308/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

'60 Minutes’ Explodes With Firings, a Hiring and Questions About the Venerable News Program’s Future

On today's episode, Variety's Brian Steinberg breaks down the implosion at "60 Minutes." [https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/cbs-news-bari-weiss-defends-firing-scott-pelley-60-minutes-1236765673/] Scott Pelley joins the list of correspondents getting the ax as a new executive producer, Nick Bilton, and CBS News editor in chief Bari Weiss look to put their stamp on the venerable news program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

'Backrooms' and 'Obsession' Rattle the Box Office as Gen Z Embraces its Own Horror Helmers

On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin unpacks the eye-popping stats delivered by A24’s “Backrooms” [https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/backrooms-box-office-kane-parsons-1236763407/] and weekend three of Focus Features' “Obsession.” It’s a one-two punch of low-budget horror from digital-native directors, [https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/backrooms-box-office-record-opening-weekend-obsession-jumps-star-wars-crumbles-1236763355/] and it was enough to KO the second weekend of Disney and Lucasfilm’s “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” However, theater owners aren't complaining, as Rubin explains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

'The U.S. Against the World' Director-Producer Rand Getlin Documents the Road to the World Cup

On today’s episode of “Daily Variety” podcast, [https://variety.com/p/daily-variety-podcast/] Rand Getlin, director-executive producer of the HBO documentary “U.S. Against the World: Four Years With the Men’s National Soccer Team,” [https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2026/04/usmnt/us-against-the-world-introducing-the-players-hbo-documentary-fifa-world-cup] discusses the road to the World Cup and the rising popularity of men’s and women’s soccer in America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]