Greetings from Variety Awards Headquarters! Today is May 4, 2026, which means it’s 3 days until the May 7 entry deadline for programs that identify as Primetime programming by virtue of genre and were originally presented June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026. It’s also 38 days until nominations-round voting begins on June 11; 49 days until nominations-round voting ends on June 22 at 10 p.m.; and 67 days until Emmy nominations are announced on July 10. And looking far ahead, it’s 133 days until the 78th Emmy Awards on Sept. 14 on NBC.
Welcome to May, or as I like to point out, the busiest month of the year for us TV folk. FYC season is in high gear, including this week’s Variety TV Week — hope to see all of you out there for our events of the week; I’ll be moderating several panels at our TV Fest on Wednesday and our Night In The Writers Room on Thursday — so come say hi! And you’ll probably see me moderating a few more things in the coming days, including at a big Sony FYC event on Wednesday. (Also, a thank you to all the kind words for folks who attended the “Tucci In Italy” panel I moderated on Saturday. It was a blast chatting up the Tucc!)
Next week is the New York upfronts, so I’ll also perhaps see some of you East Coasters in Gotham. Like I said, a busy month! So without further ado, let’s get going!
SHARE YOUR BURNING EMMY OR AWARDS QUESTIONS! Leave a message on the Emmy Emergency Hotline at 323-617-9110 or email mschneider@variety.com and we will answer your question on an upcoming episode of the Awards Circuit Podcast!
EXCLUSIVE: How ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ Unique Opening Credits Scene Was Created
If you’ve seen Apple TV’s “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” you’ve probably been super curious about the show’s very unique opening credits sequence (which plays out along with “Blow My Mind” by Robyn). It’s the work of Peter Anderson Studio, which uses a mix of practical sets, mechanical rigs and CG to create something visually pretty interesting.
Creative Director Peter Anderson tells AWARDS HQ that he calls the opening sequence “Assault Course of Life.” Says Anderson: ” It’s a surreal, textured obstacle course built from the chaos of Margo’s life, where overdue bills become towering buildings, sunglasses form a tunnel of watching eyes, baby bottles spin, and swinging gavels threaten to knock her off course. A deliberately DIY 3D Margo hurtles through it all, climbing, dodging, leaping and occasionally failing, in a bonkers gauntlet where the domestic and the fantastical collide.”
Anderson says the way Margo (Elle Fanning) creates an OnlyFans account and content inspired the DIY sensibility of the opening. “We built the sets using original props, costumes and materials from the production wherever possible, from fabrics and baby clothes through to trinkets and her miniature set, and then made additional pieces to match. It let us root everything in her reality while still pushing it into something heightened and surreal.”
The set in the sequence was fully hand built, made from hundreds of modular tiles, each one individually constructed with its own materials, textures and references. “Many had embedded practical lighting, and we included mechanical elements like spinning bottles driven by custom rigs,” Anderson says. “We used original props throughout, alongside our own builds, shot everything physically on a bespoke rig with interchangeable walls and floors, and then combined it with a CG Margo, using a practical stand-in on set, plus subtle digital embellishments to extend and enhance the world.
We could only make something like this because we had real trust and support from everyone at A24, Apple and director Dearbhla Walsh,” he adds. “It brought together a brilliant team across set build, props, textiles, mechanics, cinematography, design and animation, all working in sync, and that shared energy and care is what allowed us to build something this detailed and playful.”
Click on the image above to watch a video where Anderson and team break down how the different segments of the opening were made, or go here.
Disney’s ‘Toast to TV’ Emmy FYC Kickoff, Hosted by Dana Walden, Celebrates With A-List Stars, ProducersFor a brief moment Monday night, Hollywood folks put aside any concerns they have about the industry’s troubles and found reason to celebrate at the Walt Disney Co.’s “Toast to Television.” The event, held at Soho House Hollywood, was exactly that: A moment for some of the medium’s biggest stars, creators, writers, executives, producers and directors to rub elbows and celebrate the fact that good storytelling is alive and well.
Stars and producers from ABC, Disney+, Hulu, 20th TV and other Disney-related entities repped shows including “9-1-1,” “Abbott Elementary,” “Alien: Earth,” “American Dad,” “The Bear,” “Chad Powers,” “Dancing With the Stars,” “Deli Boys,” “Disneyland Handcrafted,” “Family Guy,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “High Potential,” “Ironheart,” “Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery,” “Love Story,” “Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair,” “Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice,” “Murdaugh: Death in the Family,” “Paradise,” “Reasonable Doubt,” “RJ Decker,” “Scrubs,” “Shifting Gears,” “The Simpsons,” “Swiped,” “The Testaments,” “Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox,” “Welcome to Wrexham,” “Wonder Man” and more.
In her opening remarks, newly named Walt Disney Co. president and chief creative officer Dana Walden noted that “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane had a little fun teasing the “Toast to TV” event title. Then, she added, “I wanted to say it’s kind of remarkable the year that you have all had. You have told stories that break through an incredible amount of clutter. You’re just such dreamy partners. All of us at Disney, we spend a lot of time thinking about who we want to partner with. And I have to say, when I look in this crowd, this is our dream… You are the best of the best. And cheers to you.”
Here are some photos from the event:William Stanford Davis, Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Chris Perfetti, “Abbott Elementary.” (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)Shailene Woodley and Thomas Doherty, “Paradise.” (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)Bill Lawrence (“Scrubs”) and Ryan Reynolds (“Welcome to Wrexham”). (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)Lucy Halliday, Chase Infiniti, “The Testaments.” (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images) Sterling K. Brown, “Paradise.” (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images) Dana Walden with Shailene Woodley, Dan Fogelman, “Paradise.” (Disney/Frank Micelotta) Chris Perfetti, Tyler James Williams (“Abbott Elementary); Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison (“Scrubs”). (Disney/Jonny Marlow) Variety was also on hand, recording its video series “Between Takes.” Above, “The Bear” stars Edwin Lee Gibson, Abby Elliott, Lionel Boyce (“Scrubs”). And also in the Variety video studio, “Scrubs” stars Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, Zach Braff.
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Clayton Davis on The Latest in This Year’s Emmy StrategiesLast week, we shared some of Variety awards guru Clayton Davis’ scoops and insights on where everyone is submitting their programs for this Emmy season. As we get closer to the submission deadline, he’s got more. Click on the headlines for details:
NBC, TV Academy Tap Jesse Collins Entertainment to Produce the Emmys for a Fourth Consecutive YearJesse Collins Entertainment has got this Emmy thing down. The live TV production shingle has signed on for a fourth year in a row to produce the Primetime Emmys — this time, helming the 78th Emmy Awards for NBC and Peacock on Monday, Sept. 14.
This now means Jesse Collins Entertainment will have gone through a full cycle of Emmys, having produced the kudocast for all four networks under the current “wheel deal” (which expires after this next Emmys). In January 2024, the producers earned rave reviews for the 75th Emmys on Fox, hosted by Anthony Anderson. Nine months later, they were also behind the 76th Emmys on ABC, hosted by the father/son team of Eugene Levy and Dan Levy. Last year, the group returned for the 77th Emmys on CBS, hosted by Nate Bargatze.
Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and of Jesse Collins Entertainment are all back as executive producers of the 78th Emmys. There’s no host as of yet.
“In the year that we celebrate NBC’s 100th anniversary, we’re honored to be the home of the Emmy Awards and know we’re in great hands with Jesse and his team,” said Jen Neal, NBC and Peacock’s executive VP, live events and specials. “His experience on previous Emmys and other high-profile broadcasts makes him a perfect choice to produce this beloved event.”
Added Television Academy chair Cris Abrego: “Our focus is on delivering an Emmys broadcast that feels current, creative, and reflective of where the industry is today. Jesse, Dionne, and Jeannae have been strong partners in that effort over the past three years, and we’re excited to keep building together.”
EXCLUSIVE: SAG-AFTRA Launches ‘I Am An Actor’ Podcast; First Guests Include Quinta Brunson, Kate Hudson, Mariska Hargitay, Kerry WashingtonAt the beginning of every Actor Awards (the kudocast formerly known as the SAG Awards), actors give a speech from their chairs in the room, sharing their origin stories. It’s usually about their big break, or how they first got their SAG-AFTRA card. The anecdotes can be amusing, serious or emotional, but they always end the same way: With the performer sharing their name, then proudly declaring, “I am an actor.”
That’s the inspiration behind “I Am An Actor,” a new podcast from SAG-AFTRA that launches on May 7. The show, available on all podcast platforms, will be hosted by Actor Awards showrunner Jon Brockett and actor Jamie Chung (“Dexter: New Blood,” “Lovecraft Country”).
Initial guests for the first season of “I Am An Actor” include Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”), Sofia Carson (“The Life List”), Sherry Cola (“Shrinking”), Colman Domingo (“Michael,” “The Four Seasons”), Phil Dunster (“Rooster,” “Ted Lasso”), Tony Hale (“Veep”), Mariska Hargitay (“My Mom Jayne,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”), Justin Hartley (“Tracker”), Kate Hudson (“Running Point”), Chase Infiniti (“The Testaments”), Katherine LaNasa (“The Pitt”), Michael Peña (“All Her Fault”), Carrie Preston (“Elsbeth”), Timothy Simons (“Nobody Wants This”), Jackie Tohn (“Nobody Wants This”) and Kerry Washington (“Imperfect Women”), among others.
The podcast will be produced by SAG-AFTRA and digital production company SickBird Productions. New episodes of “I Am An Actor” will drop every Thursday, including on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Each episode is between 40 and 60 minutes long, and features a single guest — who starts off with their “I Am An Actor” story. Per the logline, “conversations will explore what being an actor means to them, tracing the full arc of their career from early beginnings and breakthrough roles to personal milestones and their most current work.”
AWARDS CIRCUIT PODCAST: Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds on the Struggle to Find Dan Aykroyd for Their ‘John Candy: I Like Me’ DocColin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds knew exactly how they wanted their Prime Video documentary “John Candy: I Like Me” to begin, with the touching eulogy that Dan Aykroyd gave at the private Los Angeles memorial service for Candy in 1994.
“We’re dealing with people already know what the outcome is, but they don’t necessarily understand the root in which you got there,” Hanks, who directed the film, tells Variety‘s Awards Circuit Podcast. “I felt like it was important to open the film and show that heart right out of the gate, within those first few minutes. Dan Aykroyd wrote such a beautiful eulogy for John, and it just felt like that was such a beautiful way to start the film. To remind people of his grace, his wit, his charm.
But there two big problems with that: There wasn’t a recording of Aykroyd’s speech, as the L.A. funeral wasn’t recorded — only the much larger memorial service held later for Candy in Toronto. And even if they wanted Aykroyd to re-enact it, Hanks and Reynolds didn’t know how to even contact the star.
“We couldn’t find Dan Aykroyd to save our lives,” says Reynolds, who produced. “And we couldn’t get his voice to record it. The voice on the rough cut was a bad impression of him. Eventually, we tracked him down, and he recorded the eulogy. It became as vivid as the day he delivered it the first time.”
Hanks and Reynolds dropped by Variety‘s Awards Circuit Podcast to talk about the production of “John Candy: I Like Me,” and the love, care and respect they put into honoring the legendary Candy, who died way too soon at just 43 in 1994. Listen below!
TEN Qs WITH COLIN HANKS AND RYAN REYNOLDS: 1. Childhood nickname: Reynolds: “Casper.” Hanks: “Doctor. I get called ‘Doctor’ a lot.” 2. Something you loved as a kid but can’t believe you were into it now: Reynolds: “Tiger Beat magazine.” Hanks: “The film ‘The Lost Boys.’” 3. Go-to Karaoke or sing-in-the-shower song: Reynolds: “’Hold On,’ by Wilson Phillips.” Hanks: “‘Wanted Dead or Alive,’ by Bon Jovi.” 4. Give me an alternate title for your show: [I skipped this one.] 5. What’s your secret talent?: Reynolds: “I can do a standing back flip.” Hanks: “Stick my arms out, put my hands over each other, push them through my arms and lift.” 6. Favorite ice cream flavor: Reynolds: “Rocky road.” Hanks: “Tie between cookies & cream and coffee.” 7. The one item you couldn’t live without: Reynolds: “Music.” Hanks: “I’m going to have to go with music as well!” 8. What TV show in all of history do you wish you were a cast member of?: Reynolds: “Cheers.” Hanks: “SNL.” 9. Fictional character you most relate to: Reynolds: “Peter Sellers in ‘Being There.’” Hanks: “The Dude.” 10. Your favorite personal hot take: Hanks: “No one knows! They don’t know.” Reynolds: “The three words ‘I don’t know.’ It’s very sexy.”
Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast, produced by Michael Schneider, is your one-stop listen for lively conversations about the best in film and television. Each week “Awards Circuit” features interviews with top film and TV talent and creatives; discussions and debates about awards races and industry headlines; and much more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere you download podcasts. New episodes post weekly.
‘Pluribus,’ ‘Beef,’ ‘I Love LA,’ ‘Big Mistakes,’ ‘Death By Lightning’ Among This Year’s Gotham TV Awards NomineesNetflix’s ‘Big Mistakes” and “Death By Lightning” led the nominations for this year’s Gotham Television Awards, as announced Tuesday by the Gotham Film & Media Institute. The org revealed noms in 12 award categories.
“With today’s nominations, our third annual Gotham Television Awards celebrates an incredible year of breakthrough comedies, dramas, and original films, as well as a newly expanded Limited or Anthology Series category recognizing where some of television’s boldest work is being made,” said The Gotham executive director Jeffrey Sharp in a statement. “As the first awards show of the new television season, we’re proud to bring together the industry’s most exciting voices, celebrate the year’s achievements, and deepen our commitment to supporting the creative community we represent here at The Gotham.”
‘Big Mistakes” and “Death By Lightning” received four noms, while “I Love LA,” “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” “Alien: Earth,” “Pluribus,” “Beef” and “DTF St. Louis” recevied three nods each.
The Gotham 2026 Television Awards event will be held on Monday, June 1, at 7 p.m. ET at Cipriani Wall Street in New York. The Duffer Brothers will be given a special honor for “Stranger Things,” with additional awards to be announced soon.
Nominations were selected by a group of film and television critics, journalists, festival programmers and film curators. Additional juries of “writers, directors, actors, producers, editors, and others directly involved in making television” will choose the final Gotham Television Awards winners. Last year’s honorees included “Adolescence,” “The Studio,” “The Pitt,” “Social Studies” and “Pee-wee as Himself,” in addition to tributes for Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, Hwang Dong-hyuk and Elisabeth Moss, as well as the cast of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Parker Posey, Brian Tyree Henry, Sheryl Lee Ralph and David E. Kelley. The full list of the 2026 Gotham Television Award nominations can be found here.
Variety’s TV Week Gets Underway: Here’s What to ExpectVariety‘s TV Week is this week, bringing together top talent across directing, writing, acting, and producing for a series of intimate, high-impact experiences.
Here’s what’s on tap:
Tuesday, May 5, 1:30 p.m.: High Tea: Celebrating Female Directors (Merois at The Sun Rose, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood)
An elegant afternoon gathering paired with a forum-style discussion honoring Emmy-contending female directors including: Lucia Aniello, “Hacks” Janicza Bravo, “The Bear” Susanna Fogel, “Ponies” Lisa Joy, “Fallout” Mimi Leder, “The Morning Show” Lesli Linka Glatter, “Imperfect Women” Christina Alexandra Voros, “The Madison”
Wednesday, May 6:TV FYC Fest (The Edition, 9040 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood) Leading creators, actors and artisans take part in engaging, genre-focused panels moderated by Variety editors. Here’s the schedule:
10 a.m. “Best Medicine” (Fox comedy) Speakers: Josh Charles, Actor and Executive Producer; Ben Silverman, Executive Producer; Liz Tuccillo, Showrunner and Executive Producer Moderator: Alison Herman, TV Critic, Variety
10:20 a.m. Doc Dreams Live: Beyond the Persona Speakers: Andrew Renzi, Director, “aka Charlie Sheen”; Colin Hanks, Director/Producer, “John Candy: I Like Me”; Isabel Castro, Director, “Selena y Los Dinos” Moderator: Emily Longeretta, Director of Features, Variety
10:40 a.m. “IT: Welcome to Derry” (HBO drama) Speakers: Andy Muschietti, Director and Executive Producer; Barbara Muschietti, Executive Producer Moderator: Jazz Tangcay, Senior Artisans Editor, Variety
11:20 a.m. “The Audacity” (AMC drama) Speakers: Jonathan Glatzer, Showrunner/Writer/Executive Producer; Gina Mingacci, Executive Producer; Billy Magnussen, Actor, “Duncan Park”; Simon Helberg, Actor, “Martin Phister” Moderator: Michael Schneider, Executive Editor, TV, Variety
11:40 a.m. Meet the Makers: FX’s “Love Story,” “Pulling Off a Secret Wedding” Speakers: Gillian Robespierre, Director; Juli Weiner, Writer; Jen Malone, Music Supervision; Rudy Mance, Costumes; Constance Zimmer, Actor Moderator: Jazz Tangcay
12 p.m. ID/Discovery’s “Lost Women of Alaska” Speakers: Octavia Spencer, Narrator and Executive Producer, Orit Entertainment • Matt Robins, Executive Producer, October Films • Christina Douglas, Executive Producer, Momentum Content Moderator: Jazz Tangcay
12:20 p.m. Supporting Stars of “Matlock” (CBS drama) Speakers: Skye P Marshall, Actress, “Olympia Lawrence” Jason Ritter, Actor, “Julian Markston” Moderator: Emily Longeretta, Director of Features, Variety
12:40 p.m. Mary Tyler Moore Visionary Award Presentation and Q&A with Quinta Brunson Speaker: Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary” Executive Producer, Creator and Actress Presenter: Dr. S. Robert Levine, Founder and CEO of the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative Moderator: Michael Schneider
Thursday, May 7, 6 p.m.: A Night in the Writers Room (The Edition, 9040 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood)
Drama Panel: Vince Gilligan, “Pluribus” Eric Kripke, “The Boys” Sam Levinson, “Euphoria” Bruce Miller, “The Testaments” Matthew B. Roberts, “Outlander: Blood of My Blood” Geneva Robertson-Dworet, “Fallout”
Comedy Panel: Eva Anderson, “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” Lucia Aniello, “Hacks” Erin Foster, “Nobody Wants This” Celeste Hughey, “The ’Burbs” Chris Kula, “Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat” David Stassen, “Running Point” Liz Tuccillo, “Best Medicine” Oren Uziel, “Spider-Noir”
Limited/Anthology Panel: Connor Hines, “Love Story” Mike Makowsky, “Death by Lightning” Annie Weisman, “Imperfect Women”
Watch My Show: ‘Task,’ ‘Imperfect Women’ Producers Tackle Our Showrunner SurveyWe’ve asked showrunners on first-year (or one-time-only) programs to fill out our irreverent ‘Watch My Show’ survey and its seven questions. Here’s this week’s batch.
Brad Ingelsby, “Task” (HBO)
1. Sum up your show’s pitch in one sentence. A cops and robbers story where you want both sides to win.
2. What’s an alternate title for your show? We never seriously considered another title. In fact the more options we were sent the more strongly we felt about keeping it as “Task.”
3. What do we need to know before tuning in? That it lives in the same universe as “Mare of Easttown.” The accents, characters, streets, and architecture should feel familiar to anyone who watched “Mare.”
4. Give us an equation for your show. “Heat” with a side of “Manchester By The Sea” equals “Task.”
5. What’s the best thing someone said about your show? That we explored a family experiencing mental illness with honesty and authenticity. I especially appreciated the caregivers who reached out and told me they felt seen.
6. If you could work on any other series in TV, what would it be? “Line of Duty.” It’s incredible.
7. Finish this sentence: “If you like _______, you’ll love our show.” If you like I don’t know. Maybe cheesesteaks, you’ll love our show.Annie Weisman, “Imperfect Women” (Apple TV)
1. Sum up your show’s pitch in one sentence. It’s a show that braids together the intricacies of female friendship with the messiness of romantic relationships, while taking you on a thrill ride to solve a murder.
2. What’s an alternate title for your show? “Fucking Friendship.”
3. What do we need to know before tuning in? No matter what any narrator tells you, there is always another side to the story.
4. Give us an equation for your show. Elisabeth Moss + Kerry Washington + Kate Mara = Watch! Duh!
5. What’s the best thing someone said about your show? How refreshing it is to see a show both filmed & set in Los Angeles. A huge reminder that we need to bring production back to LA!
6. If you could work on any other series in TV, what would it be? “Platonic” – so I could work with the incredible Rose Byrne again!
7. Finish this sentence: “If you like _______, you’ll love our show.” If you like gossiping with your best friends, you’ll love our show.
ON THE CIRCUIT: ‘Tucci in Italy,’ ‘Top Chef,’ ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ and MoreHappy “Devil Wears Prada 2” box office Monday to those who celebrate! I had the treat of chatting with star Stanley Tucci on Saturday morning — to celebrate the “Devil Wears Prada” performance and his new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, of course, but also to talk up his fun Nat Geo series “Tucci in Italy.” We gathered at the Linwood Dunn Theater to watch Episode 1 of Season 2, “Naples & Campania,” talk a bit and then eat some food inspired by the episode! (Photo by Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup for National Geographic)
More recent events:Bravo’s “Top Chef” held its FYC event on April 29 on the Universal lot, featuring Kristen Kish (host and consulting producer), Tom Colicchio (head judge and executive producer), Gail Simmons (judge and executive producer), Casey Kriley (executive producer, Magical Elves) and Doneen Arquines (showrunner and executive producer) in a panel moderated by KCRW’s “Good Food” host Evan Kleiman. After the chat, attendees enjoyed food created by “Top Chef” contestants/chefs Sherry Cardoso, Brandon Dearden, Jonathan Dearden, Duyen Ha, Laurence Louie and Rhoda Magbitang. (Photo: Tom Williamson.)Speaking of “Top Chef,” Kish appeared at the Studio City Farmers Market this weekend for a free knives sharpening event that we mentioned in last week’s AWARDS HQ. The “Top Chef” took to sharpening some knives, taking orders and walked around the market tasting food and meeting with vendors and attendees. Above, Kish with Sharper Edge knife sharpener David Golombeck. (Photo: Todd Williamson)Netflix held an FYC event for its new film “Remarkably Bright Creatures” on Tuesday, April 28, at the Pacific Design Center. Among those in attendance: Stars Sally Field and Lewis Pullman. (Photo: Gonzalo Marroquin for Netflix)FX held its FYC event for “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette,” including stars Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Anthony Kelly, on April 29 at Metrograph in New York City. (Photo by Stephanie Augello/PictureGroup for FX)Kit Harington, Marisa Abela, Myha’la and Max Minghella at HBO’s “Industry” Season 4 Emmy FYC Event at the Television Academy on April 27. ((Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for HBO)Peacock’s “All Her Fault” FYC event on Monday, April 27, at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Los Angeles featured Abby Elliott, Dakota Fanning, Jay Ellis, Sophia Lillis and Michael Peña. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Peacock)On Sunday, April 26, ABC hosted its Emmy FYC event for “Dancing With the Stars” at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. The event included a performance by pro dancers Brandon Armstrong, Britt Stewart, Alan Bersten, Emma Slater, Pasha Pashkov, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Jenna Johnson, Daniella Karagach, Ezra Sosa and Hailey Bills, followed by a panel with Derek Hough, Alfonso Ribeiro, Robert Irwin, Chmerkovskiy, Jordan Chiles, Andy Richter and Witney Carson, moderated by Ariana Madix. (Photo by Frank Micelotta)“Chad Powers” stars Glen Powell, Perry Mattfeld, Frankie Rodriguez, Quentin Plair hit the TV Academy on April 25 to promote their Hulu series. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Disney)
For a brief moment Monday night, Hollywood folks put aside any concerns they have about the industry’s troubles and found reason to celebrate at the Walt Disney Co.’s “Toast to Television.” The event, held at Soho House Hollywood, was exactly that: A moment for some of the medium’s biggest stars, creators, writers, executives, producers and directors to rub elbows and celebrate the fact that good storytelling is alive and well.
William Stanford Davis, Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Chris Perfetti, “Abbott Elementary.” (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Shailene Woodley and Thomas Doherty, “Paradise.” (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Bill Lawrence (“Scrubs”) and Ryan Reynolds (“Welcome to Wrexham”). (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Lucy Halliday, Chase Infiniti, “The Testaments.” (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Sterling K. Brown, “Paradise.” (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Dana Walden with Shailene Woodley, Dan Fogelman, “Paradise.” (Disney/Frank Micelotta)
Chris Perfetti, Tyler James Williams (“Abbott Elementary); Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison (“Scrubs”). (Disney/Jonny Marlow)
Variety was also on hand, recording its video series “Between Takes.” Above, “The Bear” stars Edwin Lee Gibson, Abby Elliott, Lionel Boyce (“Scrubs”).
And also in the Variety video studio, “Scrubs” stars Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, Zach Braff.
Last week, we shared some of Variety awards guru Clayton Davis’ scoops and insights on where everyone is submitting their programs for this Emmy season. As we get closer to the submission deadline, he’s got more. Click on the headlines for details:
Jesse Collins Entertainment has got this Emmy thing down. The live TV production shingle has signed on for a fourth year in a row to produce the Primetime Emmys — this time, helming the 78th Emmy Awards for NBC and Peacock on Monday, Sept. 14.
At the beginning of every Actor Awards (the kudocast formerly known as the SAG Awards), actors give a speech from their chairs in the room, sharing their origin stories. It’s usually about their big break, or how they first got their SAG-AFTRA card. The anecdotes can be amusing, serious or emotional, but they always end the same way: With the performer sharing their name, then proudly declaring, “I am an actor.”
Colin Hanks and Ryan Reynolds knew exactly how they wanted their Prime Video documentary “John Candy: I Like Me” to begin, with the touching eulogy that Dan Aykroyd gave at the private Los Angeles memorial service for Candy in 1994.
Netflix’s ‘Big Mistakes” and “Death By Lightning” led the nominations for this year’s Gotham Television Awards, as announced Tuesday by the Gotham Film & Media Institute. The org revealed noms in 12 award categories.
Variety‘s TV Week is this week, bringing together top talent across directing, writing, acting, and producing for a series of intimate, high-impact experiences.
We’ve asked showrunners on first-year (or one-time-only) programs to fill out our irreverent ‘Watch My Show’ survey and its seven questions. Here’s this week’s batch.
Annie Weisman, “Imperfect Women” (Apple TV)
Happy “Devil Wears Prada 2” box office Monday to those who celebrate! I had the treat of chatting with star Stanley Tucci on Saturday morning — to celebrate the “Devil Wears Prada” performance and his new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, of course, but also to talk up his fun Nat Geo series “Tucci in Italy.” We gathered at the Linwood Dunn Theater to watch Episode 1 of Season 2, “Naples & Campania,” talk a bit and then eat some food inspired by the episode! (Photo by Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup for National Geographic)
Bravo’s “Top Chef” held its FYC event on April 29 on the Universal lot, featuring Kristen Kish (host and consulting producer), Tom Colicchio (head judge and executive producer), Gail Simmons (judge and executive producer), Casey Kriley (executive producer, Magical Elves) and Doneen Arquines (showrunner and executive producer) in a panel moderated by KCRW’s “Good Food” host Evan Kleiman. After the chat, attendees enjoyed food created by “Top Chef” contestants/chefs Sherry Cardoso, Brandon Dearden, Jonathan Dearden, Duyen Ha, Laurence Louie and Rhoda Magbitang. (Photo: Tom Williamson.)
Netflix held an FYC event for its new film “Remarkably Bright Creatures” on Tuesday, April 28, at the Pacific Design Center. Among those in attendance: Stars Sally Field and Lewis Pullman. (Photo: Gonzalo Marroquin for Netflix)
FX held its FYC event for “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette,” including stars Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Anthony Kelly, on April 29 at Metrograph in New York City. (Photo by Stephanie Augello/PictureGroup for FX)
Kit Harington, Marisa Abela, Myha’la and Max Minghella at HBO’s “Industry” Season 4 Emmy FYC Event at the Television Academy on April 27. ((Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for HBO)
Peacock’s “All Her Fault” FYC event on Monday, April 27, at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Los Angeles featured Abby Elliott, Dakota Fanning, Jay Ellis, Sophia Lillis and Michael Peña. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Peacock)
On Sunday, April 26, ABC hosted its Emmy FYC event for “Dancing With the Stars” at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. The event included a performance by pro dancers Brandon Armstrong, Britt Stewart, Alan Bersten, Emma Slater, Pasha Pashkov, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Jenna Johnson, Daniella Karagach, Ezra Sosa and Hailey Bills, followed by a panel with Derek Hough, Alfonso Ribeiro, Robert Irwin, Chmerkovskiy, Jordan Chiles, Andy Richter and Witney Carson, moderated by Ariana Madix. (Photo by Frank Micelotta)
“Chad Powers” stars Glen Powell, Perry Mattfeld, Frankie Rodriguez, Quentin Plair hit the TV Academy on April 25 to promote their Hulu series. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Disney)
