May 13 with Running Comedies Still on the Air 170 Episodes Over Eight Seasons

Controversial Confession

In an exclusive interview, ‘The Bachelor’ star Colton Underwood confronts criticism after coming out as gay By Elizabeth Wagmeister

05.12.2021 VARIETY ● 3 FEATURES P.30-44

P.30 Out on a Limb P.36 Roller Coaster Ride P.44 The Marvel Way

“Bachelor” star Colton The stock market’s volatility The studio is using the same Underwood is grappling with is raising concerns about production methodology on its the fallout of his bombshell investment risks and what will Disney Plus series as it does revelation that he’s gay happen when conditions change for its interconnected films

By Elizabeth Wagmeister By Cynthia Littleton and Elaine Low By Adam B. Vary

“The Bachelor” star Colton Underwood opens Cover up about his photograph life after revealing

(Cover) Styling: Lisa Cameron; Grooming: Joseph Michael; Shirt: John Varvatos; (This page) Shirt: Carhartt (This page) Joseph Michael; Shirt: John Varvatos; Grooming: Styling: Lisa Cameron; (Cover) by Matt Sayles he’s gay. 4 ● CONTENTS 05.12.2021

P.50 Variety shines a spotlight on some of the key advertising players FOCUS taking part in the 2021 upfronts

P.52 Singer-songwriter Donovan talks about his animated series “Tales of Aluna”

BIZ + BUZZ

P.13 22

P.13 The controversy over the HFPA has prompted Golden Globes broadcaster NBC to scrap next year’s awards show

P.16 Max Minghella talks about his roles in “Spiral” and “The Handmaid’s Tale”

P.17 Humanity on Set aims to teach new leadership skills in Hollywood

P.18 As “Mom,” “Last Man Standing” exit, it’s the end of an era for sitcoms P.52 P.22 Virtual events, post-Oscar malaise may P.45 be adding to lethargic Emmy season Singer-songwriter Donovan and his wife, Linda, are behind the new animated series “Tales of Aluna.”

TV TV

“The Underground “Hacks” Railroad” P.61 P.59 OUR TOWN ARTISANS REVIEWS

FILM FILM

“Oxygen” “Spiral” P.63 P.64 P.25 27 P.55 57 P.59 64

P.25 Leslie Jones shares what sold her on P.55 Costume designer Jeriana San Juan the vaccine, and Jaden Smith talks shares how she re-created looks about giving food to the homeless for Netflix miniseries “Halston”

P.26 “Nightly Pop” host Nina Parker P.57 A stairwell plays a key role in launches clothing line with Macy’s twisty “The Woman in the Window”

P.27 Pink is debuting a doc at the Hollywood P.57 Choreographer breaks down return of Andrew Bowl. Plus: Other Must Attend events “High School Musical” series FACETIME P.66 McCarthy

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Publications Mail Agreement No. 40043404. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: RCS International Box 697 STN A, Windsor, Ontario N9A 6N4. Sales agreement No. 0607525. Variety ©2021 by Variety Media, LLC. Variety and the Flying V logo are trademarks of Penske Business Media. Printed in the U.S.A. McCarthy: Ali Goldstein/Netflix A Company P/L; Aluna: Three’s of Tales

6 ● MASTHEAD 05.12.2021

VARIETY IS OWNED & PUBLISHED BY P-MRC HOLDINGS, LLC

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8 ● FIELD NOTES 05.12.2021

The Entire Industry Has Enabled HFPA’s Questionable Practices

I bet when the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. that the HFPA’s current leadership and member- announced last week that it had overwhelmingly ship can actually save their sinking ship without a approved its board’s plans to radically reform the radical overhaul. beleaguered organization, it figured that would be The consensus I found among those I spoke with was enough to at least temporarily quell criticism that that the entire organization must be reconstituted to had been mounting ever since the Los Angeles Times reflect a more diverse and ethically responsible group. published its damning exposé in late February. Of course, the question that journalists like myself That totally naive assumption was obviously should be asking our own organizations and others dead wrong. who have worked hand in hand with the HFPA for years This week growing outrage and backlash against — including executives from the studios, streamers, the HFPA’s anemic commitment to eradicate its sys- networks, publicity firms and awards experts — is why temic racism, sexism and ethical and financial lapses we all were complicit in enabling behavior that we knew in a serious and timely fashion reached a crescendo was morally questionable. when NBC announced on May 10 that it would not Veteran publicist Amanda Lunberg conceded to me, air the Golden Globes in 2022. That same morning, “The guiding principle of our industry has been win- WarnerMedia joined Netflix and Amazon Studios in ning awards at all costs, and it’s careened off the rails. drawing a line in the sand by boycotting the HFPA until If we care about decency, inclusion, ethical behavior the organization could demonstrate that real change and fiduciary responsibility, we must hold each other would happen — and happen at a much faster pace accountable to these and other tenets for any of it to be EDITOR-IN-CHIEF than the proposed 18 months. respected.” Lunberg is chief executive of 42West, which “The HFPA now understands that they can’t get away is among a 100-plus coalition of publicity firms that have with business as usual while they work on reforms,” a applauded NBC’s decision to scrap next year’s Globes high-placed industry source told me on background. and give HFPA time to reform. Can the Globes be salvaged, I asked this person. The “We look forward to supporting the HFPA in this reply: “The Golden Globes are worth saving? It’s the effort and continuing to examine ways in which we HFPA that has to step into 2021.” In response to NBC’s can reimagine our own workplaces and the entire decision not to broadcast next year’s Globes, the HFPA Hollywood ecosystem as a safer, fully representative Claudia Eller suddenly released a statement outlining a specific and equitable community where all art — and all artists timeline for reform. — thrive in meaningful contribution to our culture and But many industry insiders remain highly skeptical society,” the PR firms said in their May 10 statement.

The guiding principle of our industry has been winning awards at all costs, and it’s careened off the rails.” --Amanda Lunberg, 42West chief exec

10 ● PLUGGED IN 05.12.2021

produced by Marilyn Fu. It is pro- Stars The Biggest duced by Amazon Studios in asso- of ciation with First Look Media’s 8SFRPLQJ Topic Studios. The Topic Studios TV Stories of the project came to Amazon in 2020 3UHPLHUHV and writing is underway. The Week From still-untitled project will take place in Detroit during the dev- astating recession in the early Our Reporters ’80s, during which American car Compiled by Joe Otterson 3DUDPRXQW companies were being outper- to Audition formed by Japanese automakers, Actors With fueling the racially charged atmosphere that led to Chin’s death. Disabilities — Elaine Low

Paramount Pictures has become the latest studio to adopt the Ruderman Family Foundation’s guidelines for auditioning actors Jean Smart Hacks with disabilities for studio pro- Vscore = 82 ductions. Amid Hollywood’s talk This number is about inclusion and diversity, no joke. people with disabilities have often been ignored, as able-bodied Bu actors continue to be cast as hael disabled characters, frustrating Mic

'HDGPDXˎ igo: disabled performers’ attempts Launches Rodr to get hired. The motto “Nothing Rodrigo: Michael Buckner/Variety;

EDM Label ty; about us without us” has become

7KDW7DUJHWV arie a rallying cry to raise conscious- V Screens Olivia Rodrigo ness. CBS Entertainment became High School the first major studio to respond Joel Zimmerman, popularly Musical: The Musical — to the organization’s request for known as the outspoken and The Series ȃ7XFD %HUWLHȄ6HDVRQˋWR%RZ increased disabled representation pioneering artist Deadmau5, has Vscore = 81 RQ$GXOW6ZLPLQ-XQH in 2019, followed by NBCU earlier launched Beathau5, an electronic Her score might put a song in this year. — Antonio Ferme dance music label specializing her heart. in providing music exclusively for license to film, television, Vincent The second season of “Tuca & Bertie” will premiere advertising and digital media. &KLQ/LPLWHG June 13 at 11:30 p.m. on Adult Swim. The animated Beathau5 is a collaboration be - Series in series aired Season 1 on Netflix, but after the streamer tween Zimmerman’s Mau5trap 'HYHORSPHQW canceled the show, it moved over to Adult Swim in label and Extreme Music in a deal DW$PD]RQ May 2020. Comedians Tiffany Haddish (Tuca) and Ali brokered by UTA. Beathau5 kicks Wong (Bertie) voice the title characters. The 10-epi- Amazon is developing a limited off this spring with five albums of sode second season will see Bertie trying to exca- series based on the true story previously unreleased music from Thuso Mbedu The Underground vate her “inner ghouls” with the help of a therapist, of Vincent Chin, the 27-year- five different Mau5trap artists. Railroad while Tuca “prefers to stuff hers behind the toilet,” old Chinese American brutally Zimmerman most recently scored Vscore = 66 according to the network. The series is produced beaten and killed in 1982 by two Netflix’s “Polar”; he has had his Skyrocketing buzz shows she’s by Michael Eisner’s The Tornante Co.; animation is former autoworkers. The series songs licensed to countless films going places. done at ShadowMachine. — Danielle Turchiano is created, written and executive and series. — Lily Moayeri u el B Uncovered

“I love being a part of a project where the visual distractions,” says Sayles. “It was just subject is telling their truth and I can create a fun day with good music and good vibes. an/Invision/AP Images; C an/Invision/AP imagery that reﬂects that truth,” says Matt Given we are still in a pandemic, I think RoryRory CCulkinulkin Micha Paramount: etflix; ussm Sayles, who photographed cover star Col- everyone was just excited to be on set and Halston N ton Underwood on April 27 in Los Angeles. create safely.” Based in L.A., Sayles focuses Vscore = 61 He’s party to “The inspiration was simple, powerful por- his work on highlighting the stories of un- a fashionable Tuca & Bertie: Netflix; Paramount: Michael Buckner/Variety; Deadmau5: Wade Payne/Invision/AP Images; Smart: Rob Latour/Variety; Payne/Invision/AP Deadmau5: Wade Michael Buckner/Variety; & Bertie: Netflix; Paramount: Tuca traiture that focused on Colton without derrepresented people and communities. increase. Mally Images; Sayles: Sara Images; Culkin: Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP Mbedu: Amy Sussman/Invision/AP

05.12.2021 VARIETY ● 13 BIZ+ BUZZ

Industry Boycott Leaves HFPA Reeling

Golden Globes’ survival in doubt amid mounting crisis over diversity and member behavior

NBC’s swift decision May 10 to cancel the 2022 Golden Globes telecast took most in Hollywood by surprise — even inside the network, where the announcement was made so fast (to avoid news leaks) that it wasn’t widely shared internally beforehand. Days earlier, NBC had placed its support behind the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn.’s plans for reform, and had expressed optimism that the beleaguered organization was on the right path. But it soon became clear that many in the industry had heard By Michael Schneider Courtesy Golden Globes these promises before — and 14 ● BIZ + BUZZ 05.12.2021

was in the pocket of anyone who paid them off. It was believed that Zadora’s then-husband, billionaire Meshulam Riklis, had bought the award for his wife. Whether or not that was true, it didn’t matter: CBS dumped the telecast, and the Globes moved to syndication pur- gatory for the next six years. But then Dick Clark Prods., which had taken over the show, managed to find a new home on TBS, where it ran through 1995. Soon, it was ready for primetime. And DCP managed to strike a deal were extremely skeptical that at NBC. The network worked with true change was on the way. At DCP to put a lot of time and money NBCUniversal, corporate exec- in rehabilitating the brand, utives grew weary as forward including legal supervision. motion seemed to slow down and Viewership climbed quickly, they still hadn’t seen a timeline and by 2004, the show reached its for change. pinnacle of 26.8 million viewers. It As the scandals around the HFPA was on an upward trajectory, and have snowballed over the past two some started to question if after months, the industry’s frustration several years it would be bigger has mounted. Anecdotal stories than the Oscars. of egregious behavior by HFPA In 2018, NBC delivered the big- members are seen as a sign of gest windfall the HFPA ever expe- Hollywood’s culture of looking the rienced: a new Globes contract other way when it’s convenient. with NBC worth as much as $60 Entertainment insiders were well million annually — triple what the aware of the criticisms leveled at network had been paying before. the organization, ranging from As its coffers swelled, the lack serious accusations of groping of stewardship and governance of talent at HFPA events to claims has haunted the HFPA. The Globes that members shopped their own became bigger, more influen- scripts to creative talent in the heat tial and more profitable as an of campaigning. event. The awards matured, but “There will be horribly racist the HFPA didn’t. “I don’t know if questions that are confusing to and its tone-deaf approach to a of the top winners of Globes over Tom Cruise has they’re going to be able to adapt,” other people, or [members] say- lack of diverse representation the past few years, there would won three Golden one executive says. With the rat- Globes — the one ing things that are really deeply (including an enrollment with be no show. Throw in A-list stars ings down 62% this year (to just here for “Born on inappropriate that we would not no Black members). like Tom Cruise returning their the Fourth of July” 6.9 million), NBCU may also be fine accept from anybody else, but it’s The small and insular nature of trophies, and it dawned on NBCU in 1990. He has with letting go of that expense. excused because it’s the HFPA,” the organization has been widely execs that any attempt to rush returned them all. NBCU also owns the People’s says an industry insider. criticized as part of the problem. At into a 2022 show would kill the Choice Awards, which is an E! After 25 years as the HFPA’s TV the very least, NBCU would like to Globes for good. Entertainment brand, but it could partner, NBC has leverage when see the HFPA double its ranks plus “It would be a nail in the cof- very well step up and become a it comes to making sure the HFPA one — which would allow the new fin,” one insider says. Of course, franchise on the broadcast net- commits to real change. The members to outweigh the number the Globes may already be dead work as well. Yet, building a new Globes were a blip on the win- of its returning membership ros- no matter what. But they’ve been awards show in an age where ter awards calendar, averaging ter. Others, like Netflix, would like on life support before — and it existing ones are struggling is a around 3 million viewers a year, to see that number dramatically took Dick Clark Prods., along tall order. That’s why NBC insiders when the show moved to the expand to 300. At present, mem- with Turner Broadcasting and nonetheless hope that this sabbat- network in 1996 and turned into bership totals 87. then a plum slot on NBC, to turn ical might actually do some good a juggernaut. By last weekend, Netflix, Amazon things around. and revive the Globes as a much But the Globes are now dam- and WarnerMedia (which The previous turning point for more meaningful franchise in 2023. aged goods, and the HFPA would includes HBO) had drawn a line in the HFPA came in 1982, when Pia “The path to survive is to take be hard-pressed to find a home the sand and announced plans to Zadora famously won the Globe the year off and do the work,” one beyond NBC for the telecast fol- boycott the Globes and the HFPA for best new star of the year. It was insider says. lowing months of reports about until reforms are implemented. It a joke of a win, and exposed just Adam B. Vary contributed to this story. the org’s financial impropriety became clear that without three how much the HFPA membership Images Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch/IPX/AP

16 ● BIZ + BUZZ 05.12.2021

The actor-director-producer Max Minghella on the new ‘Saw’ movie, indie filmmaking and Bleeds for His Craft ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 4

By Jenelle Riley

But I’m optimistic, maybe naively, that, you know, film culture will return in a meaningful way.” His new film could help spark that return to theaters. “Spiral: From the Book of Saw” opens May 14 and serves as a reboot of sorts to the long-running franchise. It stars Minghella as the new partner to Chris Rock’s seasoned detective, following the pair as they inves- tigate a copycat killer who was Max Minghella never expected to inspired by Jigsaw. Minghella met be an actor. Rock at a party shortly before The son of “The English Patient” being cast. “He said to me, ‘You director Anthony Minghella and know, we’re going to work together dancer-choreographer Carolyn on something,’” recalls Minghella. Jane Choa, Minghella says, “I “And I was convinced he thought I one-thousand-percent anticipated was someone else.” A couple weeks working in movies, but acting was later, he received the “Spiral” script probably the last thing I thought and was thrilled. He had recently I’d end up doing.” That all changed been watching “Beverly Hills Cop” when he was 16 and caught a pro- and “Lethal Weapon” and longing duction of Kenneth Lonergan’s for something in the buddy-cop “This Is Our Youth” and, he says, genre. “There was something so “sort of got obsessed with the idea serendipitous about it,” he says. of saying those words.” “I’ve never experienced that before That obsession has resulted in my career where something in a very busy dance card. This I was so craving was available to month, Minghella is co-starring me at the same time.” in “Spiral” — a new chapter in the Director Darren Lynn Bousman “Saw” franchise — and appear- says casting Minghella was an ing in the fourth season of the easy call: “Max is such an amazing Emmy-winning Hulu series “The talent. He was so passionate about Handmaid’s Tale.” a biopic that will star Bell as Fred VHS tapes and notes: “I’m a person the material and ensuring that Minghella is also busy behind Astaire and Margaret Qualley as of a different era.” With so many everything felt real and organic.” the camera: His feature film Ginger Rogers. platforms and outlets — and with You can also catch Minghella debut as writer-director, 2018’s Growing up on his father’s sets a worldwide pandemic shutting on the small screen as “The “Teen Spirit,” was well-received, and making his own independent down theaters for the past year — Handmaid’s Tale” rolls out its and he’s attached to direct the film has given Minghella a front- he says he misses the ceremony fourth season. “None of us take it HBO Max movie “Shell,” which he row seat to the gravitational forces around movie releases. “It’s very for granted,” he says of the series. calls “a completely bonkers script” that are reshaping the business. In difficult for me to sort of wrap my “We’re all extremely conscious of by Jack Stanley. He’s also writing some ways, however, he remains head around because I’m used to Max Minghella how unique this experience is. several things for his production loyal to certain totems of the it being an event, a cultural event, plays the new There’s such a sense of gratitude company, Blank Tape, which he past. During the Zoom conver- and I think movies now, for better partner to Chris that’s been there from the begin- Rock’s Det. Banks co-runs with Jamie Bell. Up next sation, he angles his camera to or worse, have become so much in the “Saw” ning. We know this is special while

for the company is “Fred & Ginger,” spotlight a shelf in his home full of less active in daily conversation. reboot “Spiral.” it’s happening.” Palmer/Lionsgate Brooke 05.12.2021 VARIETY ● 17

Hollywood Leadership Gets IN OUT UP Ground Rules By Brent Lang

to be done after establishing a code for how that will take place.” The two help producers and other talent to establish better ways of approaching everything Alissa Grayson Julie Townsend Tammy Garnes Gary Foster has worked in from conflict resolution to man- has joined Warner Bros. has exited as VP of has been elevated to VP of Hollywood for more than three agement techniques. They are as executive VP of global communications for ABC education and understanding decades producing hit films like working to get buy-in from indus- publicity. She had been with News. She’d been with the at Ava DuVernay’s Array. “Sleepless in Seattle” and water- try guilds and corporations, selling STX Films since 2017. division since 2011. Before joining Array, she cooler shows like “Community.” them on the need have assurances worked as a producer. It’s a life on set that’s allowed him that the people who manage Chantal Sausedo Steve Markland Paul Richardson to observe the best and often sets won’t berate crew or cast has been tapped as managing has departed as executive has been promoted to senior the worst of human behavior, members to get their way. That’s director of artist relations for VP of A&R for Downtown executive VP and chief human from star tantrums to direc- important because studies show the Recording Academy. She’s Music Publishing. His resources officer for Disney, tor meltdowns. For too long, that less than 2% of producers or a veteran talent producer for exit follows the sale of reporting to CEO Bob Chapek. shows including the Grammys. Downtown to Concord. He had headed HR for ESPN. Foster believes, the entertain- directors have any formal leader- ment industry has looked the ship training. Lynnette Ramirez Anna Serner, Gregory Morgado other way as actors, filmmak- “Why would you bet millions has been named head of CEO of Swedish Film has advanced to executive ers and, yes, producers abuse of dollars and hundreds of jobs development for Bassett Institute, will leave her VP and deputy general their power. on people who might not have Vance Prods., the banner post in the fall. She counsel of ASCAP. He’s been “It’s been there since the foun- leadership ability?” asks Foster. headed by Angela Bassett took the helm in 2011. with the performing rights and Courtney B. Vance. org since 2015. dation of our industry,” Foster Studios and the conglomer- says. “It’s ‘If you fuck me, I’ll bury ates that own them have human you. You’ll never work in this town resources departments and codes again.’ It was mythologized and of conduct, but sets are less reg- passed on from generation to gen- ulated. Producers, directors and WHAT TO Who do you trust for TV and movie recommendations? eration.” But recent exposures of the like are hired by limited liabil- WATCH NEXT the toxic workplace culture at ity corporations that are set up by Close friends 47% “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and entertainment companies when ICM, as well as the career fallout films are greenlit, making them that greeted a report on producer essentially contract employees. Word of mouth is still, Scott Rudin’s history of bullying For independent productions, by far, the preferred way Close family members 44% staffers, is pressuring entertain- there’s often less oversight. people get their TV and movie recommendations. ment companies to crack down Money comes from foreign pre- Streaming platform algo- on tyrannical behavior. sales, and there often aren’t any rithms were cited by 21% And it’s given Foster fresh major distributors involved until of respondents on a sur- Significant others 26% vey of 2,000 Americans, purpose. He’s teamed up with l after a film has stopped shoot- commissioned by consumer eadership expert Eileen Coskey ing. That’s created an atmosphere electronics maker Element Casual friends 24% Fracchia to create a company, that’s ripe for abuse. Electronics. Low on the list: critics (9%) and Streaming platform algorithms 21% Humanity on Set, aimed at train- “I don’t know if you can change celebrities or influenc- ing producers and directors the person, but you can create new ers (7%). — Todd Spangler Social media users 19% on how to run sets more effec- habits,” says Coskey Fracchia. “You tively and respectfully. can get to the point where the pain Co-workers 18% “It’s a good business decision to of not behaving in a certain way Critics 9% do this,” says Coskey Fracchia. “It’s gives them no choice. If they don’t Celebrities or influencers 7% not that you’re not going to have change, then they aren’t allowed to

Grayson: Warner Bros.; Townsend: ABC News ABC Townsend: Bros.; Warner Grayson: tough conversations, but it’s going work in the space again.” Source: Element Electronics/OnePoll survey 18 ● BIZ + BUZZ 05.12.2021

The finales of ‘Last Man Long May You Run Standing’ and ‘Mom’ signal the end of a TV era

By Michael Schneider

As long-running multicam sitcoms “Last Man Standing” and “Mom” wrap up their runs this month, it might very well also be the end of another chapter in TV history. Even as the broadcast networks prepare to order a crop of new series and announce their fall schedules next week, the idea that a new sitcom might make it to the once-vaunted threshold of 100 episodes — let alone more than that — seems antiquated. For one thing, the big-bucks syndication marketplace of yore is mostly gone, making that four-season, 100-episode mark less necessary to reach. (Warner Bros. TV’s “Young Sheldon” was recently sold into syndication with 83 episodes, for example.) And in this age of primetime erosion and viewer migration to the streaming world, season orders are short — usually 10 episodes, a far cry from the once-common 22- or 24-episode count — and many comedies are wrapping up within a few years of launch. Or they take long hia- tuses, keeping their episodic tally

Tim Allen stars to a minimum. in “Last Man While the two longest-running Standing,” which scripted series in U.S. history are ends its run May 20 after still on the air (“The Simpsons” and

194 episodes. “Law & Order: SVU”), as the comedy Foreman/Fox Richard 05.12.2021 VARIETY ● 19

Hot TV Properties By Joe Otterson

stalwarts of primetime disappear, And yet recent hit series that it’s unclear whether new ones will seemed poised to go longer but ever match that longevity. “Last didn’t include NBC’s “Superstore,” Man Standing” exits on May 20 which was retired this year after with 194 episodes (over nine sea- 113 episodes and six seasons, just sons and on two networks), while barely over that 100 mark. Long- “Mom” ends its run on May 13 with running comedies still on the air 170 episodes over eight seasons. include ABC’s “The Goldbergs” and “We put a lot of pressure on our- “Black-ish,” plus NBC’s “Brooklyn selves to get this one right,” “Last Nine-Nine.” Man Standing” executive producer Then there’s the case of FX’s “It’s Kevin Abbott says of the finale. “I Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” Dove Cameron, Chloe Bennet and Yana Perrault topline The CW’s “Powerpuff.” mean, nine years in, there’s not which has made it to 154 episodes, going to be a whole lot of come- despite rarely producing more • THE WONDER YEARS dies anymore that go that long in than 10 a year, because it’s been ABC the new streaming era.” on for 14 seasons — and it’s slated This reboot of the original series has Former Paramount Network to continue for at least four more. had a lot of buzz from the get-go, TV president Garry Hart, who “When something works, and and that has only revved up of late. oversaw several long-running people are still willing to continue The new show revolves around a comedies during his tenure there, to make it, I think it can continue Here’s a look at pilots generat- Black family living in Alabama in including “Frasier” (264 episodes on,” says “Sunny” star and execu- ing buzz going into next week’s the 1960s and boasts names like Lee over 11 seasons), is more optimis- tive producer Rob McElhenney, upfronts presentations. Daniels and original series star Fred tic that audiences and conglom- who remembers advice he Savage behind the camera. erates will still hunger for those once received from “Curb Your • POWERPUFF long-lasting series. “Historically TV Enthusiasm” creator and star Larry The CW • NATIONAL PARKS has always had cycles,” Hart says, David. “He said to me, don’t ever Based on the iconic cartoon series ABC “and funny never goes out of favor.” stop. Never do a last episode ever. “The Powerpuff Girls,” this live-ac- “National Parks,” about the elite “Frasier” sure hasn’t, which is Don’t ever stop doing it; just keep tion reboot will see the pint-sized agents who protect America’s why Paramount Plus is bringing doing it. And you realize, that’s what superheroes all grown up as they national parks, got attention early the character, first seen on “Cheers,” he’s doing with ‘Curb’: He’s not stop- grapple with adulthood and child- due to the fact Kevin Costner is back for another go-round. Hart is ping — he might take off for four hood fame. The show is seen as a attached in his first foray into tele- bullish: “I have my fingers crossed years, and then it’ll come back and strong contender due to the well- vision writing. ABC is also no doubt for a nice long run with chapter do another season. So I don’t know, known IP behind it as well as its keen to cash in on the same audience three of Frasier Crane.” maybe I’ll take his advice.” creative team, which includes that currently watches Costner’s Oscar winner Diablo Cody. wildly successful Paramount Network drama “Yellowstone.” • NAOMI The CW • GOOD SAM Centered on the DC Comics char- CBS acter of the same name, this pilot This medical drama headlined by has a definite leg up at the network, Sophia Bush was originally ordered given The CW’s propensity for the to pilot last year but was waylaid There’s not going to be a whole lot of comedies company’s superhero fare. It also by the pandemic. Now, it has been anymore that go that long in the new doesn’t hurt that Ava DuVernay and picking up steam, particularly as former “Arrow” writer and execu- CBS is said to be high on getting its streaming era.”— Kevin Abbott, executive Upfronts take center stage — tive producer Jill Blankenship are own medical series on the air given

James Acomb/The CW James Acomb/The producer, “Last Man Standing” see page 49. penning the script. the genre’s proven track record.

20 ● BIZ + BUZZ 05.12.2021

With landmark shows like Can Canada’s ‘Schitt’s Creek’ and ‘Kim’s Convenience’ finished, Quirkiness Deliver networks search for Its Next Global Hit? another offbeat winner

By Amber Dowling

with continued second-run suc- harder for projects to get greenlit. “they are so incredibly relatable yet cess on Netflix and the casting Adding to the degree of dif- different,” says New Metric Media of its lead, Simu Liu, in Marvel’s ficulty: rules by regulator president Mark Montefiore, whose upcoming “Shang-Chi and the Canadian Radio-television and hit comedy “Letterkenny,” about the Legend of the Ten Rings.” But the Telecommunications Commission residents of a rural Ontario com- show was abruptly canceled mid- and limited slots on major net- munity, which streams on Hulu, is way through its fifth season as exec works that are anchored by similarly on its way to achieving producers announced they were American acquisitions. With international stardom. moving on to new projects. Netflix and Amazon Prime set- “They are equally broad as they Add in the recent cancellations ting up shop in the Great North are niche, and that’s the necessary of fellow CBC exports “Frankie for future content, and a sea of new chemistry for international and Drake Mysteries,” “Burden of series and movies hitting stream- domestic success,” Montefiore says. All eyes will be on the Canadian TV Truth” and sketch comedy “The ing services every day, it’s easy to Adds Beth Janson, CEO of the industry over the next month as Baroness Von Sketch Show,” and be cynical about the next chapter Academy of Canadian Cinema & major players such as public broad- the slate over at CBC — the broad- of Canadian programming. Television: “Canada has always caster CBC, Bell Media, Rogers and caster that airs the most Canadian Happily, Canada has always punched above our weight in Corus unveil their 2021-22 upfront content of any Canadian channel had a penchant for niche content niche content. One of the major plans. But this year, in the wake of — has some gaping holes to fill. with a strong point of view that impacts of the internet is the abil- heavy hitters like “Schitt’s Creek” The question of where Canada’s also happens to feel universal. ity to reach niche audiences and and “Kim’s Convenience” coming to next big global export will orig- According to some, that may be entertainment. It can be a core an end, the pressure for networks inate, however, is complex. The key when contemplating the next business model, and it’s really to find the next global-facing series Canadian film and television indus- international success story. changing the industry in Canada is palpable. trytry is fueled by grantsgrants and publicpublic Shows like “Schitt’sSchitt s CreekCreek” and a lot because people are realizing Upfront season follows one off fundingfunding as opposedopposed to thethe privateprivate ““Kim’sKim’s Convenience” jijibebe witwithh that we do create content that can the most tumultuous years for studio system,system, which makes iitt iinternationalnternational auaudiencesdiences bbecauseecause resonate globally.” Canadian television in recent mem- Janson reveals that Canadian ory. In September, the final season producers should look toward the of “Schitt’s Creek” made history at internet and other social media the Emmys by sweeping all major spaces to recruit fresh talent in comedy categories, solidifying its the coming years, particularly place as one of the most successful where creators are taking control CBC shows of all time. of their own content and putting it Three months later, the pub- out there in unconventional ways. lic broadcaster was on its knees “That’s the genius of this,” as allegations that filmmaker Janson says, citing Ontario-born Michelle Latimer, the producer Lilly Singh, one of YouTube’s top and director of one of its mostt stars, who broke into mainstream exciting new offerings, “Trickster,” TV with NBC’s “A Little Late With was not of Indigenous descent, as Lilly Singh,” as a recent example. she had claimed. The series, which Janson also pointed to some of had begun airing on The CW, was Eugene Levy and the programming being tested on canned at the end of January Catherine O'Hara CBC Gem, CBC’s tragically unac- took home Emmys despite an earlier Season 2 renewal. last year for knowledged streaming service. Then there’s the “Kim’s “Schitt’s Creek,” “These creators who are writing Convenience” of it all. The CBC which won for best the next big shows, they’re trying comedy. The series was poised to become the show ended its run to be noticed online, so it’s not that

country’s most beloved export after six seasons. difﬁcult to ﬁnd them.” PopTV 05.12.2021 VARIETY ● 21

VARIETY INTELLIGENCE PLATFORM VIP+

SUBSCRIPTION STREAMING SURGE CONTINUES “Trickster,” starring Joel Oulette as By Gavin Bridge an Indigenous protagonist, was canceled over The U.S. subscription streaming market is more competitive than ever, and allegations that one consumers are accessing more and more of its offerings. That’s what data of the show’s co- from the latest wave of Hub Research’s Pandemic Study makes clear, with new creators was not of Indigenous services like AMC Plus and Discovery Plus seeing pickup rates of one in 20 and descent as claimed. one in 10, respectively. Discovery Plus’ big splash in the ﬁrst months since launch is impressive, but HBO Max has recorded the greatest increase in new additions Gregory Taylor, an associate pro- the heart of these future shows.” with an improvement of 13 percentage points, bringing it to the screens of fessor at the University of Calgary’s Given that, the optics behind close to a third of the U.S. population. As traditional TV viewership numbers Department of Communication, CBC’s upcoming “Kim’s Con- continue to decline, it’s apparent that audiences are shifting to streaming.

Media and Film, points out that venience” spinoff “Strays,” star- For more data from VIP+, visit variety.com/vip. you can’t discuss the success of ring the show’s white character shows like “Kim’s Convenience,” Shannon Ross (Nicole Power) which was adapted from a play, and helmed by one of the origi- or “Trickster,” based on Eden nal series’ white producers (Kevin Robinson’s book, without looking White), aren’t great. However,

at the wider Canadian arts com- “Strays” had been in develop- • Netflix munities, including theater and ment before “Kim’s Convenience” 70% publishing, where such projects creator Ins Choi stepped away, have established fanbases. quashing the broadcaster’s plans “None of these areas work in to introduce the spinoff through isolation,” Taylor says. “It’s part of the mothership program. The 60% a wider arts ecosystem in Canada, broadcaster was also sure to reveal and in a lot of ways, these shows it had picked up “Run the Burbs,”

are the evidence that these differ- a half-hour original comedy star- • Amazon ent sectors feed into and fuel each ring “Kim’s Convenience” star 50% Prime Video other. And occasionally, we get a Andrew Phung, at the same time really solid hit out of it. But you it announced “Strays.” A represen- can never guarantee these things.” tative from CBC was not available • Disney Plus • Hulu 40% Tara Woodbury, VP of develop- for an interview at press time. on Demand ment at Sphère Média, is optimis- “Kim’s Convenience is a big loss tic about that talent and what it for the CBC,” says Taylor, who notes means for future Canadian proj- the broadcaster has been instru- • HBO Max ects, speciﬁcally in BIPOC commu- mental in the success of shows, 30% nities. Woodbury believes viewers developing and sticking with many are in the market for shows with of its series in early seasons — well heart, something she says Sphère’s before viewers catch on following

medical drama “Transplant,” about pickups by streaming giants like 20% • Apple TV Plus a Syrian refugee doctor starting a Netﬂix: “There’s no doubt they had new life at a Canadian hospital, a hit. It’s one they developed and • Peacock has in abundance. The show was it’s gone. So they have to hope that • ESPN Plus • CBS All Access* renewed for a second season at they have something to replace it.” 10% • Discovery Plus NBC late last year. Says Woodbury: “We all need to • “There’s a big new wave coming be thinking, ‘Are the shows we’re AMC Plus out of Canada,” Woodbury says. working on going to cut through?’ “The advocacy work BIPOC TV & We all need to strive for excellence 0% Film has been doing is incredible. and strong, memorable television. To use ‘Transplant’ as an example: It starts even earlier than develop- NOV FEB To have a Muslim in a network ment: It starts with making sure 2020 2021 show I just don’t think would have there’s access within our industry happened a while ago. But the data for everyone, and breaking down speaks for itself, and the audience those barriers so that everyone is there. We’re going to be seeing who has a story to share feels like Source: Hub Research

Sienna Films Trickster XIX XIX Sienna Films Trickster different viewpoints like that at they can get in the door.” *Rebranded as Paramount Plus in March 22 ● BIZ + BUZZ 05.12.2021

The Emmys’ Gambit

Finding signs of life in a lethargic season

By Michael Schneider

into Emmy season via a late-April in a packed theater with them. As Anya Taylor-Joy really aren’t. Until a decade ago, stars in early ceremony. The near universal dis- much as those screenings are often front-runner “The May was a wasteland of TV pre- appointment with how that tele- derided as an opportunity for TV Queen’s Gambit.” mieres — no one dared launch a cast ended, and the malaise that Academy members to line their scripted series before the summer has come with this year’s awards bellies with free jumbo shrimp, dead zone! shows (all down 50% or more in they’re also a chance to take the Compare that with this year, viewership) hasn’t helped the temperature of the voting body when in recent weeks we’ve overall mood. — and sometimes even a chance seen the addition of last-minute Perhaps we awards pundits to move the needle on contenders. buzzy entries like HBO’s “Mare of have contributed to the lethargy But here’s the deal. I know we’ve Easttown,” Amazon Prime Video’s by more or less proclaiming that been spoiled in recent years by “The Underground Railroad,” HBO the major category winners the rise of streamers and pay Max’s “Hacks,” Netﬂix’s “Halston” AWARDS CIRCUIT are almost locked in, with “Ted cable networks dumping loads of and Peacock’s “Girls5eva,” and Lasso,” “The Crown” and “The prestige fare in May, making for an even the return of favorites like I don’t use the word “ennui” often. Queen’s Gambit” popping up exciting competition with plenty “Master of None,” “Mythic Quest,” But it dawned on me that it’s the as early front-runners. COVID- of top-notch programming to “Shrill” and “The Handmaid’s Tale.” perfect way to describe the 2021 related production delays and choose from. But I also remember Suddenly looking like an inter- Emmy season so far. There are slowdowns have pushed some the days of covering the Emmys esting Emmy race, isn’t it? And some great shows in the running big contenders to next year, nar- when it was just a handful of con- as we head toward the summer for the top prizes — and reason rowing the crop a bit and leading tenders from the four broadcast and the vaccines allow more of a to honor so much fantastic tele- to that “Lasso”/“Crown”/“Gambit” networks, HBO and a smattering return to normalcy, who knows? vision that managed to be pro- conventional wisdom. of other cable channels with one Maybe we’ll get to toast the power duced and released during these It doesn’t help that Emmy For or two marquee shows. of TV at some Emmy-related fes- pandemic times. Your Consideration season is The Emmys were still fun and tivities or even, dare we imagine Yet the general consensus still mostly virtual, save for a few prestigious back then, and the it, an in-person ceremony this out there is that it still feels like drive-in events. The Zoom panels show is even more vital now in the September. By then, we’re going an off year. I think part of that are convenient, but it’s hard to get a era of Too Much TV. Even in a year to have a lot to exalt — and I can’t comes from the unusual Oscar handle on what’s clicking with vot- when it feels like the choices are wait to squash that ennui by cel-

race, which was pushed deep ers and what’s not when you’re not more limited than normal, they ebrating with Emmy. Phil Bray/Netlfix

05.21.2021 VARIETY ● 25 OUR TOWN

JUST FOR VARIETY (1)

Leslie Jones (1) didn’t exactly run to get a COVID vaccine. “When it first came out I was like, ‘I’m not taking that shit,’” the former “Saturday Night Live” star tells me. “They just going to come up with a potion and we’re supposed to take that shit? ... I was like, ‘I’m going to wait until the last batch and then maybe somebody could talk me (2) into it.” But then she spoke to her aunt’s friend, a biol- ogist working in COVID research. “She was like, ‘This is very serious. Please get vaccinated,’” Jones says. But she still wasn’t ready — that is, until she was asked to host the MTV Movie & TV Awards: “I was like, ‘I gotta… be safe so let me just go bite the bullet.’” SIGHTINGS: Nicole Kidman (2) and Keith Urban and their daughters celebrating Mother’s Day at the Hotel Bel-Air, as were Angelina Jolie and her family. … Stars of the “Gossip Girl” reboot, including Evan Mock, Thomas Doherty, Whitney Peak, an/Invision/AP Images; Dillahunt: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA/AP Images USA/AP Images; Dillahunt: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa an/Invision/AP Eli Brown, Zion Moreno, and Savannah… Smith, dining at NYC’s L’Avenue at Saks. (3) Two years ago, Jaden Smith (3) launched the I Love You food truck to distribute food to the homeless in Los Angeles’ Skid Row area. Now, the actor-musician and philan- thropist will open an I Love You restaurant. “It’s for homeless people to get free food,” says Smith, whose Water Box project is featured in New Balance’s new We Got Now campaign. “But if you’re not homeless, not only do you have to pay, but you have to pay for more than the food’s worth so that… you can pay for the person behind you.” In the last year, we’ve seen Noma Dumezweni (4) as a scene-stealer in “The Undo- ing,” co-star on HBO Max’s “Made for Love” and most recently, play Elektra’s mom (4) on “Pose.” She’s currently filming Rob Marshall’s live-action adaptation of “The Lit- tle Mermaid.” She’s can’t talk about her secret role, but she can rave about stars Halle Bailey (Ariel) and Jonah Hauer-King (Eric). “There’s a moment when the camera zooms in and you see both of them. I was watching on a monitor and was like, ‘If that’s not iconic, I have no taste.’” The Tony nominee went on to say that the two are “fucking adorable”: “They’re just so sweet together.”… Jane Krakowski will star in the Roundabout Theatre gala, “Curtain Up, Light the Lights!,” taking place June 7 in Central Park.… Garret Dillahunt (5) is remembering his late “Raising Hope” co-star Cloris Leach- (5) man, who died in January at age 94. He visited her just two months before she passed while riding his motorcycle from L.A. to Austin, where he films “Fear the Walking Dead.” “She was quite frail, but she was also the same Cloris,” says Dillahunt, whose latest project is Zack Snyder’s zombie movie “Army of the Dead.” “I sat on the edge of the bed, and she held my hand, and she said, ‘I’ve missed you terribly.’” At one point, while making “Raising Hope,” Dillahunt was feeling a bit jaded, so he asked Leachman how she still loved acting. “She said, ‘I feel like a detective. You walk onto the set, and you just start finding out little things about this person, and you start piecing them

Jones: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Images; Kidman: Chris Pizzello/AP Images; Smith: Courtesy New Balance; Dumezweni: Willy Sanju Images; Kidman: Chris Pizzello/AP Strauss/Invision/AP Jones: Jordan together. That’s just so exciting to me,’” he says. “It was very inspiring.” a Deal With Macy’s Fashion Frustration Into Nina Parker Turns Cut ashirtup;take ittothetailor; one shoeandputitontoanother. my own. Iwould take thingsoffof started putting outfitstogether on tion, instead andI ofsitting init, learned tobuildoutofmy frustra- that addsstress ontoyou. ButI’ve about your lookisanextra thing what you’re going tosay, worrying rities anyway aboutyour voice or when you have somany insecu It’s frustrating to beonair— to fashiondesigner? How didyou go from journalist feel good inwhatIhadon.” I was ableto embrace my body and women feeling theway Ifelt once Parker tells My goal istoempower women,” and online.“Mygoal isn’t money. Macy’s, debutingMay instores 14 ing herown clothinglinewith the “NightlyPop” host islaunch who knows where to shop. Now, clothes thatfitherfigure orastylist robe, oftenstruggling tofindcute sense whenitcomestoherward- but she’s dealtwithplentyofnon- approach oncamera, no-nonsense E!’s By AngeliqueJackson 26 Nina Parker ● OUR TOWN Variety isknown for her . “I want other . “Iwant other - - I’m already working on it. feel like you don’t have theoptions, thing inthestores inMay andyou to 4Xand28.Soifyou seesome- fall, we’re going to expand thesizes Butinthe to 3Xandsizes1624. first collection,we range from 0X styles oruptoanother17. Inthe of theyear —asfew asfive new almost every monthfor therest I’m putting outanewcollection What’s next for theline? long enoughfor me. to have Spanxon;jeansthatwere didn’t feel like you always need power soyou mesh insideofit, my bra with;clothes thathave out shirtsthatIcouldstill wear wanted tosee:brightcolors;cut- with avisionboard withthingsI shrink intheseclothes.Istarted body feeling like theyneedto andIdon’tto shrink, want any- plus-size clothesmake you want I want Alotoftimes, tostand out. elements you focused on? What were someofthedesign for everybody.” realized, “Ishouldbedoingthis expand Eventually theback. I sizes 16to28. 0X to4X and be available in Macy’s will fashion linefor Nina Parker’s cause somemore trouble together such as “Life After Beth” together suchas“Life After Beth” due in September, with husband due inSeptember,withhusband can’t believethedream isfinally my darling husband @jeffbaena my darlinghusband@jeffbaena an Instagram post:“Soproud of couple haveworked onmovies the Britishgirlgroup LittleMix; Season 2;DavisisintheArmy. married boyfriend coming true... we can’t wait to coming true...wecan’twaitto quarterfinalist on“TheVoice” meet you. child withfiancé Instagram. Pinnockispartof and “The Little Hours.” Plaza and “TheLittleHours.” Plaza film thattakes ustoitalia referencing theirnuptialsin “We’ve dreamed aboutthis Josh Davis moment for solongandwe is expectingherfirst baby, screenwriter anddirector. is pregnant withherfirst for dreaming upanother Gray isasoccerplayer. is an actor; Baena is a is anactor;Baenaa Leigh-Anne Pinnock Aubrey Plaza Aubrey Plaza RaeLynn . RaeLynn wasa ,” shewrote on Andre Gray Jeff Baena

Newborns

.” The .” The Nuptials . , & son, excitedly expecting the arrival son, excitedlyexpectingthearrival in anannouncementonInstagram. podcaster whowas formerly part are expecting theirsecondchild, of longtime KROQ morningshow Francis Lee Compiled by Haley Bosselman with my amazing husband and with myamazinghusbandand company Dirty Films; Lee is an company DirtyFilms;Lee isan is a partner at U.K. production is apartneratU.K. are expectingtheirﬁrst child. post. “Thefamilyisgrowing.” of baby boy#2,”Fishelwrote almost 2. “Icouldn’t bemore almost 2. announcement withaVogue Ferrer wrote inanInstagram México photo shoot. “Se va México photoshoot.“Seva Fishel is an actor; Karp is a Fishel isanactor;Karpa welcomed theirson grateful toentermy40’s joining son artist; Ferrer isamodel. agrandando lafamilia,” The couple made the The couplemadethe Balvin isarecording Danielle Fishel and DanielleFisheland CocoFrancini and assistant director. “Kevin andBean.” Valentina Ferrer Brendan Lee Jensen Karp JensenKarp J Balvin and JBalvinand onFeb. 21. Francini Adler 05.12.2021 , who is , whois Ronan Ronan

Parker: Erica White; Plaza/Baena: Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP Images; Lee: Courtesy Coco Francini; Fishel/Karp: Dan Steinberg/Invision for American Humane/AP Images Cunningham: James Houston; Bakalova: Chris Pizzello/Pool/AP Images; Aldridge: Sthanlee B. Mirador/Sipa USA/AP Images; Pink: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Sipa USA/AP Images Is to Dye For New Book Cunningham’s Tracey 05.12.2021 Lopez heads ( Deutch (Abrams), by co-authored Essential HairColorHandbook” Color:The “True in hernewbook, ophy thatCunninghamoutlines ver ( Mulligan blondes ( span Hollywood’s most famous inspiration for herclients, who turnstothesesnapshotsas often roots,” says Cunningham,who they hadbefore, backtotheir people want to get back towhat hair goes naturally darker, and hair issogorgeous, andthenyour you’rephotos. “When akid,your Cunningham Celebrity colorist By LesleyMcKenzie offers advicefor achievingyour at itshistory andterminology and of haircolor, thebooktakes alook Weinger Bette Midler,whohelpedCunninghamgetherstartinthebusiness.Bette Celebrity coloristTracey Cunningham’snewbook,“True Color,”features aforeword by Diane Keaton , Jennifer Garner ) andtheoccasionalsil Emma Stone Charlize Theron . Adeepdive intotheart ), brunettes ( wants your baby ). It’s aphilos- Jennifer Tracey , , ), red Zoey Carey Carey Erin - - It gave brunettes options.” way shewas when shewas little. nailed herhaircolorexactly the blond ombre tresses, shesays. “I color? Cunningham’s most-requested Champagne blondfor theOscars. Maria Bakalova co-founder, whodialeddown Cunningham, theMèchesalon can’t answer for you,” explains ing questions thathairdressers doctors —answer-department, — peoplewhowork for thewater interviewed somany specialists to colortheirhairorhashair. Erin handbook for anybody who likes through beautyschool.) “It’s agreat with path tosuccess.(Hint:itstarts there) andtraces Cunningham’s and ( with celebrityclients’baby photos own perfect It’s alsopacked look. Lana DelReyLana Drew Barrymore Bette Midler Lily Aldridge , Khloé Kardashian Khloé Kardashian ’s (1)lockstoa paying herway ’s (2)golden are allin 2 1 May 13 May 18 May 17 a y

1 8 MUST ATTEND MUST • • • • • Hosted by Amber StevensWest Topher The Season4premiere of “In Pink NeueHouse inHollywood. their Starzseries“RuntheWorld” at walk thered carpetatthepremiere of Nick Sagar covenanthouse.org/nightofstars Sara Bareilles Morgan Freeman Rachel Brosnahan Robin Roberts Hamm Jon Bon Jovi, Jon Bon appearances andperformances by House Stars galaincludes Dickerson “60 Minutes”correspondent on MentalIllness. Matt Kidush and Reid Bordeaux executive producers and conversation withstars Treatment” includesapost-screening and drinks. pre-screening picnic-style dinner and essential workers. Includes health care workers, first responders So Far” for attheHollywoodBowl documentary “Pink:AllIKnow casala.org performs, accompaniedby to Foster Dreams gala. of Los Angeles’ninthannualEvening Pink JoshuaAllen Quintessa Swindell premieres herAmazonStudios , Stephen Bishop , and DollyParton , Audra McDonald , theNightof Covenant Bresha Webb amazon.com and Ashley Grace of theNationalAlliance

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, 27

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From a conservative upbringing to the NFL, 29-year-old reality star Colton Underwood is grappling with mixed reactions to coming out THE GAY ‘BACHELOR’ By Elizabeth Wagmeister Photograph by Matt Sayles

P.30

COLTON Underwood didn’t plan on ever telling the world that he was gay. After all, he’d starred as “The Bachelor” in 2019 to scout for a wife on national television, searching for love among 30 aspiring brides- to-be. The television personality was convinced he’d spend his entire life pretending to be a straight man — pushed into that direction by his church and small-town, conservative upbringing in Illinois. But last month, Underwood made national headlines by coming out to Robin Roberts in a bombshell “Good Morning America” interview, shattering the heteronormative conventions of ABC’s top-rated reality dating juggernaut franchise. After hiding his attraction to men since his early teens, the 29-year-old former NFL player initially disclosed his sexuality to someone else a year ago: his publicist. The confession was prompted not by liberation but out of fear. “I’ll just say it,” Underwood reveals on a recent afternoon, still adjusting to his new life as an openly gay man. “I, at one point, during my rock bottom and spiral, was getting blackmailed. Nobody knows I was blackmailed.” Underwood takes a deep breath, as he tells this story for the ﬁrst time. According to him, last year, while living in Los Angeles, he secretly visited a spa known for catering to gay clientele. Shortly thereafter, he received an anonymous email, which has been reviewed by Variety, from someone claiming to have taken his nude photos at the venue. Underwood never saw the alleged photos and explains he was at the spa “just to look,” saying he “should have never been there.” The unidentiﬁed sender threatened to “out” him

in the press, and in a panic of paranoia, Underwood forwarded the Ellis; Shirt: John Varvatos Perry Joseph Michael; Jacket: Grooming: spread) Styling: Lisa Cameron; (Previous P.32 P.33 email to his publicist, Alex Spieller, which forced him to finally have an honest conversation about his sexual orientation. “I knew that out of anybody in my world, my publicist wasn’t going to ruin me,” Underwood explains. Television — especially reality TV — has revolutionized how LGBTQ people are represented in popular culture. At one time, coming out of the closet was deemed a career killer, but shows like “The Real World,” “Survivor” and the original “Queer Eye for who are confused in their walk with Jesus say, ‘I felt closer to God the Straight Guy,” now rebooted on Netflix, led to a profound, when I came out.’” positive transformation in how gay people are perceived, and As our conversation continues, Underwood addresses the media helped bring about progressive changes to LGBTQ civil rights. As coverage of his “Bachelor” breakup. Randolph, who declined to new generations of millennials and Gen Zers have grown up with comment for this story, dropped the restraining order against LGBTQ friends and role models, gay Americans have attained the him with prejudice last year. right to marry, and queerness has become more mainstream in Due to a joint agreement with Randolph, Underwood is limited in media, as proven in shows like HBO’s high school hit “Euphoria” what he can say. But he talks about the situation in greater detail than and essentially half of the characters in the Ryan Murphy universe. he has before. First, he wants to clear the air, because he’s seen the A gay “Bachelor,” though? Underwood’s coming out, so soon word “abuse” next to his name in press reports. “I did not physically after he’d entered into millions of viewers’ homes as the poster touch or physically abuse Cassie in any way, shape or form,” he says. boy of fairy-tale heterosexuality — the Ken doll-like star of a major “I never want people to think that I’m coming out to change dating franchise — touched a nerve. the narrative, or to brush over and not take responsibility for my Seen through the prism of reality TV, social media, sports and actions, and now that I have this gay life that I don’t have to address faith, and as someone who was raised with conservative values, he my past as a straight man,” Underwood says. “Controlling situations suddenly found himself mired in controversy. His announcement to try to grasp at any part of the straight fantasy that I was trying that he was gay coincided with news that he was filming a Netflix to live out was so wrong.” reality show about his new life. Underwood says that after Randolph broke up with him, he was Social media lit up with accusations that Underwood was mon- in “such a dark place” because he knew, in his heart, his last straight etizing his coming-out story. And others legitimately argued that relationship was over and he’d finally have to face his true reality. as a hunky white gay man, he was benefiting from privilege, taking He apologizes for his behavior toward her and her family. “It’s a platform that other members of the queer community deserved not who I am as a human being, and it’s not how I carry myself,” more than he did. Some critics wondered: Was his entire season Underwood says. “If there was anything I could do to take more of “The Bachelor” an act for fame, as he strung along women with ownership, I would. But also, out of respect to her, I don’t want to rose petals and romantic kisses? get into the details. I want this interview to be the last time I address Underwood’s larger spotlight brought attention to the details her, because it’s not fair for her to have her name in articles every of his relationship with his ex-girlfriend Cassie Randolph, whom time I talk. I’m sorry, and I want her to know that I hope she has he dated for a year and a half after meeting her on “The Bachelor.” the best, most beautiful life.” In court documents, she filed a restraining order, alleging that he stalked her and placed a tracking device on her car. Raffy Ermac, the editor-in-chief of Pride, a pop culture and entertainment website for LGBTQ millennials, says Underwood coming out publicly was brave. “But at the same time, we shouldn’t be glori- fying someone who has this history of allegedly stalking a woman.” A petition on Change.org, signed by 35,000 people so far, is pressuring Netflix to cancel the upcoming Underwood series because of those allegations. Despite receiving death threats, Underwood says that speaking his truth was the right thing to do. After his “GMA” interview aired on April 14, he was also inundated with congratulatory messages. “I’m happy for @colton,” tweeted Billy Eichner. “If you’re gay, be gay!” And Andy Cohen chimed in on Twitter: “You’re free now, @colton. A toaster is on its way.” Over a two-hour interview with Variety, Underwood is still adjusting to his new life as an openly gay man. On this day, before filming a scene for his reality show, he’s dressed in casual attire: joggers, “I was a miserable a black baseball cap and red Nikes. At one point, he picks up his person living as a iPhone and scrolls through DMs from strangers, admitting he’s shell of a human being, most touched by those who write to tell him he’s made them feel and being who the less alone by coming out. world wanted to see. “I know people are saying that this story has been told, but I grew I finally had to look up in Central Illinois,” Underwood says. “I had never seen a football myself in the mirror player that had made it to the NFL that had been gay, growing up and say, ‘You’ve got to Catholic.” He points to some of the more touching messages he’s fix this.’” — Colton received. “I’ve had hundreds of gay Christian men and women Underwood Underwood’s coming out has arrived during a turbulent year for “If it just helps “The Bachelor.” The dating series, which launched in 2002, is still a few young men a major revenue generator for ABC and the network’s top-rated and women unscripted series, attracting an average of more than 5 million come out and be viewers for its most recent, 25th season. And while a 30-minute proud of themselves spot on “The Bachelor” still fetches an average of $154,886, accord- and understand ing to Ad Age, the show has come under fire for a lack of diver- that all parents aren’t sity. The recent casting of its first Black Bachelor, Matt James, did going to be upset, little to quiet the criticism. The franchise’s longtime host, Chris it can save lives.” Harrison, stepped aside after he defended winning contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, embroiled in scandal when photos resur- — Scott Underwood, faced of her at an Antebellum plantation-themed fraternity party. Colton’s father, As “The Bachelor” pledges to be more inclusive, Underwood’s story of the upcoming only highlights the lack of diversity within the franchise’s depiction Netflix show of love. With the exception of one queer female couple on “Bachelor in Paradise” — the franchise’s first and only same-sex pairing — the show exists in a world populated solely by straight people. “It’s hard to change the format that has been done the same way — a man and a woman — for so many years,” says Anthony Allen Ramos, GLAAD’s head of talent. “But I definitely hope that we get to see more LGBTQ representation. If people are able to see an LGBTQ person on ‘The Bachelor’ or ‘The Bachelorette,’ there is a lot of potential for impact.” ABC and Warner Bros. declined to comment for this story, or answer questions about whether there have been discussions about developing a gay season of “The Bachelor.” up,” says Kevin Wong, vice president of communications at The Underwood would be all for it. “I think they should discuss it,” Trevor Project. he says. “It should be a conversation.” Asked if he’d want to return For Underwood, growing up in the small town of Washington, to the series to find a potential male mate, he shrugs. “I don’t like Ill., there were no gay role models. “We had one gay person in my speaking in definitives, but I’m not in a position to be in a show entire town,” Underwood says. “And he was the butt of every joke.” like that. I’m at a crossroads in my life right now.” On some days, Though he felt that he was different at the age of 6, Underwood he imagines himself disappearing from the industry completely, never got the chance to interact with gay people. “I would have living a quiet life in Denver, where he recently bought his first done anything to see a gay football player,” he says, getting choked home, permanently away from TV cameras. up. “The closest person I ever could look at was like Ricky Martin because I love music.” eality TV has the power to change minds, showcas- He recalls the lengths he went to one day to watch “Brokeback ing underrepresented communities to sections of Mountain,” the groundbreaking 2005 romance directed by Ang R the country who might not come across gay, bisex- Lee, as a teenager. He used a friend’s Blockbuster card to rent the ual or transgender people in their everyday lives. movie, so that no one in his family would suspect him of being gay. But in Hollywood, progress has still been slow. The number of “That was very authentic to who I was, growing up in the Midwest,” high-profile gay love stories at the movies — among them, the Hulu says Underwood. “I wasn’t a cowboy, by any means, but I grew up romantic comedy “Happiest Season” and 2017 Sundance darling on a farm in Illinois.” “Call Me by Your Name” — remains small. But while reality TV has Around the eighth grade, Underwood’s father saw something on a good track record of including LGBTQ people in casts of every- his son’s computer that raised a flag. “Gay porn was sort of what I thing from competition to docu-series, there’s still one last taboo gravitated towards,” Underwood admits, clenching his jaw. in the genre. It’s rare to see a full-fledged gay love story, or hints At the time, Underwood denied being gay to his father. “I just said of gay romance, on a reality TV show. Even on “Dancing With the that I was curious and I was exploring and just looking,” Underwood Stars,” there has yet to be a same-sex dance couple. When Lance says. “I remember having that conversation with him and being Bass, who is openly gay, appeared on the program in 2008, he was like, ‘Just don’t tell Mom.’” paired with a female partner. After college football, Underwood entered the NFL draft, being Underwood’s faced demons as a closeted gay man. It got so dark signed as a free agent by the San Diego Chargers, then joining the that he took pills one night last summer, hoping he’d never wake Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad and the Oakland Raiders. He up. “I tried to end my life, and it didn’t work,” he says. “That was the remembers that when Michael Sam became the first openly gay saddest and most confused and most hurt” he could remember player drafted by the NFL in 2014, no one in the locker room supported himself feeling. the idea. Their homophobia only drove him deeper into the closet. According to The Trevor Project, the world’s largest nonprofit for “Growing up in sports, I was taught that gay is wrong and gay is suicide prevention among LGBTQ youth, in the past year, 40% of bad and football players are not gay,” Underwood says. “By the time LGBTQ youth have reported they seriously considered attempting I realized that I was gay, I didn’t want to be gay. It was easy for me to suicide; 80% said that out-and-proud celebrities positively impact hide in plain sight behind a football mask and hunting and fishing how they feel about being LGBTQ. and the things that this world tells us is ‘masculine’ and ‘manly.’” “Folks who are in positions to share their story — and not every- After leaving the NFL in 2016, Underwood stumbled upon a ran-

one has that opportunity — also have the opportunity to lift others dom casting call in Denver for the “Bachelor” franchise. ABC

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Producers took a quick liking to him. Within a few months, he in 2016 or 2017. (He’s currently single, but no longer on the app.) was on a plane to Los Angeles, as a contestant on Becca Kufrin’s When he ended up finding fame and becoming a household season of “The Bachelorette,” which aired in 2018. He became a name, Underwood was constantly worried that one of the men he’d fan favorite, appeared on “Bachelor in Paradise” and eventually hooked up with might sell him out to the tabloids. “I remember landed the starring role on Season 23 of “The Bachelor” in 2019. feeling so guilty, like ‘What the hell am I doing?’” Underwood says Part of his appeal was his innocence: He became known as “the of his gay encounters. “It was my first time letting myself even go Virgin Bachelor,” and marketing materials plastered his face on a there, so much so that I was like, ‘I need “The Bachelorette” in my poster similar to Judd Apatow’s “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.” life, so I could be straight.’” Underwood says he didn’t initially offer any information about his virginity. But when he didn’t engage in “locker room banter” nderwood’s next act in reality TV couldn’t be with male contestants in the house in 2018, that led to a series more different from “The Bachelor.” The upcom- of questions. U ing Netflix docu-series about his life sounds less “The producers, as good as they are, probably picked up on like “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” and more how uncomfortable I was getting,” Underwood says. He never like “I Am Cait,” the E! show that followed Caitlyn Jenner as she felt comfortable with the promotional material for his season of transitioned into a woman and created a new life for herself, taking “The Bachelor,” but he doesn’t hold a grudge. “I mean, they had to viewers on a journey of learning and acceptance. do what they had to do,” he says. Underwood says the purpose of his Netflix show is to share a mul- Over the years, Underwood has repeatedly slammed “The titude of LGBTQ stories, not just his own. Olympian Gus Kenworthy, Bachelor” in the press for overplaying his virginity. Now, he offers a close friend, will appear on the series. But producers have made an olive branch. sure not to just focus on white privileged gay men. “I was always looking for somebody to blame,” he says of his anger. “One person’s experience will not fill the void of queer stories on “I was passive-aggressive to the franchise after it was done. But TV,” says Brandon Riegg, vice president of unscripted and docu- all of a sudden, as I was coming out, everything started to make mentary series at Netflix. “We have to do better as an industry to so much more sense. I was a miserable person living as a shell of highlight more kinds of lives and love. That said, we hope the show a human being, and being who the world wanted to see. I finally will help challenge outdated notions of what kind of stories can had to look myself in the mirror and say, ‘You’ve got to fix this.’” or should be at the center of entertainment.” Prior to “The Bachelor,” in his mid-20s, Underwood had a few Nicole M. Garcia, a transgender Latina pastor, appears in the series sexual experiences with men, he reveals. “I’ll say this,” he starts discussing faith with Underwood. “Here he is, a cisgender white man with a long pause. “I was ‘the Virgin Bachelor,’ but I did experiment who comes out as gay, and he gets a show,” says Garcia. “Is it the way with men prior to being on ‘The Bachelorette.’” things should be? Probably not. The whole system is rigged so that He confirms he was, in fact, a virgin when he was on the ABC Colton could get a docu-series about him. But we can either just show. “When I say ‘hookups,’ not sex,” Underwood says. “I want to rail completely against it, or we can try to use it to raise visibility.” make that very clear that I did not have sex with a man, prior to She adds: “I’m honestly riding on Colton’s coattails. I believe Colton that.” He reveals that he joined the dating app Grindr under an alias really wants to try to use his voice to raise the voice of the margin- alized community.” Netflix will air Underwood coming out for the first time to his family and friends, including his father, who tells Variety his son’s sexuality did not shock him, and he actually tried to broach the subject with him in high school, when he had suspicions. “First, I put that on myself — what was I doing that he felt he couldn’t open up to me?” Scott Underwood says. “But Colton said, ‘I didn’t know what I was yet. I was still struggling.’” “I understood that. He was still trying to figure himself out,” his father says. He wishes his son wouldn’t live his entire life in the public eye, but he sees the impact his Netflix series may have on families who abandon their children for being gay. “If it just helps a few young men and women come out and be proud of themselves and understand that all parents aren’t going to Colton Underwood poses with be upset, it can save lives,” he says. prospective matches on Season 23 of “The Bachelor.” Cassie As for the younger Underwood, the reality star is hoping his new Randolph (fifth from left) stands show will bring greater understanding and shatter certain pre- next to him. conceived identity politics. “My dad is proud to say that he is a conservative Republican, and he is also proud to say, I have a gay son,” Underwood says. “I think it’s important for America to hear that and see that. Right now, the media makes it seem like there is no middle ground.” P.36 ILLUSTRATIONS BY FRANCESCO MUZZI WILD SWINGS IN STOCK PRICES FUEL CONCERNS ABOUT RISKY INVESTMENT SCHEMES ERODING PUBLIC TRUST IN EQUITIES

BY CYNTHIA LITTLETON AND ELAINE LOW

There’s no better moment to take the pulse of the investment landscape than during the annual shareholders meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, the $700 billion holding company headed by legendary investor Warren Buffett. The highlight of the event known as “Woodstock for capital- ists” is three-plus hours of open Q&A with Buffett, Berkshire vice chairman Charlie Munger and other top managers at the firm. At this year’s event, held May 1 in virtual form, Buffett and Munger didn’t mince words when asked for their views on the stock market volatility that enveloped ViacomCBS, Discovery and AMC Entertainment earlier this year. Shares in the three companies soared by triple digits and then fell almost as quickly in a roller-coaster ride that deeply unsettled longtime market watchers. “It’s not just stupid — it’s shameful,” Munger said. Buffett lamented the “casino” mentality around equities that has been fueled by the rise of retail stock trading apps like Robin Hood, which aim to make it easier for everyday people to buy and sell stocks. This became acute in March and April as tens of millions of Americans received stimulus checks of as much P.38 as $1,400. The bull market for stocks that emerged over the past year — defying the gravity of the pandemic’s impact on global markets — has also been driven in part by the kind of investor maneuvering that is anathema to the value-investing gospel that Buffett, 90, has preached for decades: Find solid companies that you have faith in and hold the stock for long-term gains, not short-term wins from betting on shares to rise or fall within a short time frame. “The gambling impulse is very strong in people worldwide, and occasionally it gets an enormous shove,” Buffett said. ”It creates its own reality for a while, and nobody tells you when the clock is going to strike 12 and it all turns to pumpkins and mice.” The “gamification” of stock market investing has sounded alarms at the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is investigating the circumstances around the March fluctuations. The reasons for the volatility vary, but they come down to new vehicles for investors that, in some cases, allow them to buy significant shares with other people’s money, until losses pile up. The highs and lows of the past year have many wondering what will happen when the bull market conditions inevitably “The markets are supposed to work efficiently. The price of turn bearish. the stock reflects the value of the company,” says Charles Elson, Mario Gabelli, chairman and CEO of Gamco Investors and a professor of finance at the University of Delaware and a corpo- longtime investor in ViacomCBS and Discovery, says he’s not rate governance expert. “Anything that distorts that theory is fazed by volatility — that’s the price of admission to working on problematic for the whole market.” Wall Street. But the lack of disclosure for some types of invest- Berkshire Hathaway’s Munger also shared his disdain for the ments and the so-called app effect made for a perfect storm. rush of private investment dollars flowing into special purpose “I’m concerned about not having an electronic fence around acquisition companies, which offer an alternate route for taking some of the new participants in this volatility,” Gabelli says. “I’m smaller companies public. SPACs are not a new invention, but concerned about entities that encourage people to buy securities they have become more popular in the past two years as the and not pay commission.” traditional IPO market has cooled off. For inexperienced investors, there’s a disconnect at present Now, with equities in strong bull territory, there are worries because the buoyancy of stocks is a sign of a strong economy. that the SPAC boom will lead to a host of flimsy companies going Corporate earnings as reported so far this year have generally public. Moreover, the number of private investment firms that been healthy even amid the lingering pain felt on Main Street are crafting complicated derivative transactions around stocks because of pandemic shutdowns. That can leave the impression also puts unnatural strain on a system that hinges on public trust that stock prices are only going to go up, when in fact the speed in a regulated market that is moved by business fundamentals. of communication these days has made companies more vul- “You push that to excess, it causes horrible problems for civ- nerable to manipulation. ilization,” Munger asserted.

In the case of AMC Entertainment, the stock movement around a company that was seen as nearly bankrupt was galvanized by social media-driven campaigns targeting specific companies. When it became clear that AMC’s stock was being targeted by short sellers, a coordinated effort to buy up AMC shares emerged on Reddit and other platforms to deny the shorts their profits. Idealism, anger and stimulus money combined for a wild ride that began in late January when shares inexplicably began to rise despite dire headlines for AMC Entertainment. After hitting a high of $19.90 on Jan. 27, shares plunged the next day to $8.63. They’ve been hovering in the $9-$10 range ever since. Even the good news in March of movie theaters reopening in New York and Los Angeles didn’t move AMC shares as much as the coordinated “stop the shorts” buying effort in late January. The activity around core media industry stocks is notable too because the sector hasn’t been a Wall Street darling of late. For the past seven years or so, media stocks have been depressed because of the fundamental headwinds from shifts in consumer entertainment choices and the streaming market, says Cowen equity analyst Doug Creutz. But he points to the returning strength of the advertising market, as well as old media’s investment in new streaming products, as positive signs. “For most of these companies, the initial returns as they launch these products have been pretty good from a subscriber standpoint,” he says. “On the other hand, they’re spending a crazy amount of money. And it’s sort of TBD whether all these costs are going to lead, down the road, to a stable, profitable product. In the meantime, the cable bundle is still under pressure and by announcing plans on March 22 to sell $2.7 billion in stock, at people are still losing linear subs. The more that direct-to-con- $85 a share, to help fund its investment in the Paramount Plus sumer succeeds in capturing subscribers, it just means more streamer. That, not surprisingly, led ViacomCBS’ stock price to pressure on linear.” dip. Two days later, shares that had been at $100 were down to But certain (normally uninteresting) media stocks have seen $70 and falling fast. The modest downturn after the announce- sharp rises and steep falls of late. Discovery’s Class B shares, ment that more shares were to be issued created big problems which are thinly traded and largely owned by Liberty Media for Archegos because it owed the banks for shares bought at mogul John Malone, shot up around 80% in late March. A month higher prices. It’s estimated that Archegos losses hit $20 billion before that, Discovery even issued a press release assuring inves- across at least eight companies. tors that its price volatility ”is not the result of insider trans- The experience was a wild 72 hours for company insiders. actions or transactions by Advance/Newhouse Programming In the end, ViacomCBS and Discovery shares settled down to Partnership or its affiliates.” prices that were justified by business fundamentals. The explanation for why Discovery shares were on the march “I got to know a lot more about swaps and some exotic [invest- is the same as that for why ViacomCBS shares saw a steady uptick ment] instruments than I ever wanted to know,” Discovery CEO starting in early February. The New York-based investment fund David Zaslav told CNBC last month. “But that’s a lot of noise. We’re Archegos Capital Management, headed by Bill Hwang, had been back at work, and the stock is going to be where it deserves to be.” aggressively buying up shares in both companies in compli- Creutz and others credit ViacomCBS with making an oppor- cated transactions done largely with money borrowed from tunistic move to support the larger agenda of investing in direct- banks including Credit Suisse, UBS and Goldman Sachs. The to-consumer growth properties. banks offered Archegos credit to buy shares that they would “They didn’t force anybody to buy their stock,” Creutz says. own, although Archegos would harvest any profits. “With a lot of this volatility, it sort of happens, and its investors Archegos’ buying spree helped bid up the price of ViacomCBS are either making money or losing money, but in at least one and Discovery shares, unbeknownst to the companies or other case, a company was able to take advantage of the volatility and investors. ViacomCBS sought to capitalize on the frothy market raise capital at very attractive rates.” AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (AMC) Short Term Bullish ↑ Mid Term Bullish ↑ AMC 9.73 BAD FOR BUSINESS 20.00

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P. 41 P.42 Despite how frothy the broader market would appear, it’s “There’s just a lot of money sloshing around there, and you important to note that the S&P 500 has not only rebounded from don’t know what’s going on,” says Achuthan. ”To the extent we the massive hit it took a year ago when the pandemic struck, have free-market capitalism — which is a separate debate — but hasn’t slid into correction territory, says Economic Cycle the money is going to try to find a way to make a profit, by hook Research Institute co-founder Lakshman Achuthan, who spe- or by crook. There’s all kinds of systemic imperfections that a cializes in analyzing business cycles. And the current upswing capitalist approach is going to try to take advantage [of]. You’re has prompted hedge funds to borrow more money. pouring lots of fuel on the fire.” “You’ve got a fundamental recovery goosed by stimulus, either What Achuthan is watching out for now are signals of a pend- monetary or fiscal, and part of the way that it gets goosed is these ing downturn. different funds will leverage their bets,” he says. ”So Archegos, “Trees don’t grow to the sky,” he says. And when the market these guys were super leveraged. And they were leveraged to comes off its peak and growth eases, “there’s going to be a big the upside in big amounts.” disconnect between the reality of growth starting to slow and Gabelli and other seasoned investors also express frustra- the stories behind the market running up. And that’s when the tion that disclosure rules can be skirted by some forms of stock risk or the likelihood is of more downside volatility in the broad trading. Traditionally, equity purchases and sales have to be market than we’ve seen in the past year.” disclosed if a single entity amasses more than 5% of a company’s Veteran investors are girding for a busy year. Buffett, speaking outstanding shares. Archegos was believed to be well over that at the shareholders meeting, said the market for acquisitions with ViacomCBS and Discovery, but because of the nature of has been upended by the burst of SPAC activity. But there’s also the transactions, it was not disclosed. That level of activity by some bargain hunting to be done. a little-known firm usually would have set off alarm bells, for “It really makes us money when people are doing stupid ViacomCBS leaders and other investors. things,” Buffett said. “Clearly anyone that owns a certain percentage of a company Adds Gabelli, “There’s lessons to be learned here. Volatility should have to disclose that no matter what derivatives they itself isn’t an issue for me. It just makes me work harder.” own,” Gabelli says. The ability of one investor to exercise that much influence over the fate of large and well-established companies is mysti- fying to Wall Streeters. “We know that there was a hedge fund that was playing Russian roulette with derivatives and leverage and was a big driver moving these stocks,” says Creutz. ”Now, I think in a normal market, probably one single hedge fund or a small group of investors wouldn’t be able to do that. I think we’ve seen in many areas of the market, this isn’t a normal market.” What’s more, in these volatile conditions, the market has been flooded this past year with SPACs — aka blank-check companies with no business operations that raise capital through an IPO in order to acquire an existing private company and take it public. Such entities do not undergo as much regulatory scrutiny as traditional public issues, contributing to the atmosphere of an opaque market in which strings are pulled and cards are played in the shadows. Guard of Galax Marvel Studios’ elimination of the showrunner role on its Disney Plus series is sen dians the xy nding ripples through the creative community By Adam B. Vary 45 executive producer. “I was in the writers’ room so that I could really absorb what was being said and be part of the process by floating ideas. As we were going through production, we would workshop scenes and then ask for rewrites on things. So [Malcolm Spellman] was still very much a part of the whole process, but it’s a slightly different mechanical way it comes down. Honestly, Back when giant crowds could ingful difference in how Marvel it’s very effective and efficient, Another Emmy-winning gather in convention halls, Studios is approaching the lead- because it’s just too much work writer puts it even more bluntly: Marvel Studios president ership structure that TV has for any one person.” “I will never work on a Marvel Kevin Feige stood on the stage traditionally used for decades, A spokesperson for Disney TV show. They do have a show- of the D23 Expo in Anaheim in in which one (or occasionally declined to comment for this runner. It’s Feige — which is 2019 to present Marvel’s inau- two) writer-executive produc- story, but privately, insiders say fine! I just wouldn’t want to gural slate of television series ers quite literally run the show. this should not be a surprising work that way, that’s all.” for Disney Plus — including As Skogland puts it in an development: Marvel Studios David Goodman, president “The Falcon and the Winter interview following the “Falcon has always operated differ- of Writers Guild of America Soldier.” Before inviting stars and the Winter Soldier” ently, transforming franchise West, says Marvel’s embrace Anthony Mackie and Sebastian finale, “Marvel is using the filmmaking into, essentially, a of a “head writer” model is Stan onto the stage with him, features model.” massive ongoing TV show, just “concerning,” but he still sees Feige introduced the show’s Effectively, the studio is one that audiences watch in the company as a “unique case.” core creative team. making its TV shows as if they theaters. Why would Feige and “If Marvel still wants to have “I would love you to meet were roughly six-hour movies, his team change the most suc- its product be at the standard our head writer, Malcolm applying the same production cessful storytelling framework that people are coming to Spellman, and our director, methodology it’s used for in Hollywood history now that expect from it, they’re going Kari Skogland,” Feige said. the 23 unprecedentedly suc- they’re actually making TV? to need good writers, and It was a subtle moment, easy cessful interconnected fea- For writers outside the they’re going to have to invest to miss amid the spotlights and ture films that comprise the company, however, Marvel’s those writers with responsibil- propulsive music. But Feige’s use Marvel Cinematic Universe. decision to diminish the wide ity,” he says. “I stand in awe of of the title “head writer” for That means empowering creative autonomy show- what they’ve done at Marvel. Spellman — rather than “show- directors to lead a lot of cre- runners have traditionally Others have tried, and they runner” or “creator” — wasn’t ative decision-making, in col- wielded in TV — with direc- haven’t succeeded.” just a cosmetic affectation. laboration with a small cadre tors and executives not just Still, the bigger worry isn’t It represents a real and mean- of hands-on Marvel creative calling more shots within the about what it’s like to work at executives who are with the production but also sitting in Marvel; Spellman (who was project from the beginning the writers’ room and request- unavailable for comment for and report up to Feige. ing rewrites — touches a par- this story) is writing a script “It’s a nuance, but it’s one ticularly raw nerve. for a new “Captain America” that I think is being embraced “At some point, it’ll bite movie. Much like Marvel’s wild more and more because the them in the ass when it comes success in features upended job honestly in these big, epic to recruiting top-shelf writer the film industry — setting miniseries or shows is too big,” talent,” says a writer of ele- several studios on a yearslong, says Skogland, who’s also an vated genre TV. “If you’re a largely futile quest for their midlevel writer getting a giant bump to ‘run’ a Marvel show, of course you’re going to do it. But if you’re an experienced showrunner with multiple shows under your belt, are you gonna work under those 46 conditions? Probably not.” and the Winter Solider: Chuck spread) Zlotnick/Marvel Falcon (Previous Marvel Studios/Disney+ Studios/Disney+; WandaVision: As with anything relating to the primacy of writers within the industry of late, the WGA’s nearly two-year battle over packaging — which resulted in all the major agencies signing agreements barring them from collecting fees from producers for shows packaged with their writers — also looms over this issue. From left: Anthony Mackie, director Kari Skogland and Adepero Oduye on the set of Disney Plus’ “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”; Skoglan confabs with Sebastian Stan “That’s a huge amount of money that they’re losing,” own sprawling cinematic uni- These writers point to the says the veteran showrun- that studios would make verses — several writers say first season of “True Detective” ner of the agencies. “How are actors and directors the cen- they are troubled that Marvel (directed entirely by Cary they making it up? If it’s true ter of TV shows. Didn’t hap- could be setting a wider prec- Fukunaga) and the limited that they can package with a pen, because the studios, for edent for event TV in the series “Sharp Objects” (directed director and actors, then [if I’m the most part, still recognize streaming era. entirely by Jean-Marc Vallée) as an agent], I’m going to want a they need writers to do their “The alarm bells that go off examples of prestige filmmakers director/showrunner who television shows.” in my head are just concerns taking on a much larger degree of gets paid that premium to get Marvel Studios, meanwhile, that the habits and hierar- authorship than directors have a package off of that.” is pushing forward with at chies of the film world will in the past, and publicly clash- Technically speaking, there least 12 new series for Disney bleed into the television world ing with the series’ respective is nothing preventing the Plus in 2021 and beyond, from where writers reign supreme,” showrunners as a result. “Sharp agencies from doing just that. the legal dramedy “She-Hulk” says one prolific showrunner. Objects” executive producer But Goodman, who also serves to a “Black Panther” spinoff “Within the circles I run in of Marti Noxon told Vulture in as a showrunner on Hulu’s set within Wakanda. Many of writers, there is an absolute 2018 that she got into “toe-to-toe sci-fi series “The Orville,” isn’t these already have head writ- concern about people return- screaming matches” with Vallée. buying it. ers in place, and the experi- ing to the idea that it is the “It really came down to “This is a common refrain enced showrunner has some filmmaker that makes the story me always as a showrunner. I that I hear, a common fear- words of advice for them: “It’s special, and not the writer.” would put in whom I wanted, ful refrain that showrunners great that Marvel invites writ- “The idea of a showrunner and I would reject whom I are losing power, that writers ers to play in their sandbox. being rewritten is unheard of,” didn’t want as a director,” don’t have the authority any- You just need to put the toy says an experienced showrun- says a veteran showrunner more, that studios are taking back the way you found it.” ner who has also worked on who has worked in broadcast it away from us,” he says. “It movies. “Whereas, in features, and streaming. “Same with was a refrain at the beginning let’s face it, the writer is lucky actors, same with the cuts. of the agency campaign, that Kate Aurthur and Joe Otterson to survive the experience.” Somebody has to have the last when we got rid of packaging contributed to this report. word. And if the last word is the director — oh, dear. If they start having these showrunners who are directors, and the writers are not in charge, you’re going to see a different kind of TV show, which will probably not be as good. I’ve always felt it’s a writer’s medium.”

Paul Bettany and head writer and executive producer Jac Schaeffer on the set of Marvel

Falcon and the Winter Solider: Chuck Zlotnick/Marvel Studios/ and the Winter Solider: Chuck Falcon Zlotnick/Marvel Studios/ Studios Courtesy Jac Schaeffer/Marvel Disney+ (2); WandaVision: Studios and Disney Plus’ “WandaVision”

GutterPawel Kaminski/ABC Credit TV AdTV SalesChiefs It’s Showtime for 05.12.2021 Meet Disney’s Rita Ferro last took the New York City stage in2019, as upfront presentations went virtual beginningin2020due to t 05.12.2021 the key players who will step into the spotlight at the 2021 upfronts he COVID-19 pandemic. By BrianSteinberg

VARIETY VARIETY ● ● 49 49 linear lesscomplex. of buying adsacross digitaland Avenue while makingthe process Disney’s tech savvy toMadison fresh emphasisonexplaining and elsewhere. Ferro hasplaced commercials onHulu,ESPN, ABC but there’s plentyofroom for Ferro,Rita Disney ond quarter. versionad-supported by thesec- whichisslatedtounveilMax, an put ahard pushbehindHBO Colacowilllikely the assignment, In hisﬁrst upfront sincetaking WarnerMedia Jean-Paul “JP” Colaco, to themix. add someconfusionandchaos Paramount Plus.Thatwilllikely upstarts includingHBOMaxand lished outletssuchasHuluto video hubs,ranging from estab- advertising settoincrease 3.4%. billion in2021,withnationalTV sales would to $240 rise6.4% projected thatoverall U.S. ad recentlylarge media-buying unit, Interpublic Group’s Magna,a ing movie studios andtourism. nesses most affected by includ- it, activity from someofthebusi the pandemic—andhikes in nation eager to move onfrom in adspendingfor 2021,citinga coffers. Butthetaskwon’t beeasy. into theircompanies’corporate of advertising dollarsflowing eager tokeep thetensofbillions force over thenext several weeks, ad-sales chiefs. eyes move instead tothenetwork upfront however, market, many IsUs.”“This Duringtheindustry’s Milo Ventimiglia from NBC’s of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” or such asEllenPompeo, thestar favorite characters —people celebrities whoplay the nation’s usually belongs TV 50 challenge. Meet them,below: players willhave torisethe forsupport newbroadband tobuildmore pillarsoftrying cies are projecting increases You can’t buyadsonDisneyPlus, This year’s upfront power And yet, thenetworks are The nation’s bigmediaagen- These execs willbeoutinfull ● FOCUS ● UPFRONTS to the -

from aspecialseries upfronts, including For more onthe variety.com. Variety , visit , visit on pcaeJnSenafLinda Yaccarino Jon Steinlauf Donna Speciale Marianne Gambelli Kim Kelleher Rita Ferro “JP” Colaco Jean-Paul ages 18and49,who are watching their focus onpeoplebetween encouraging advertisers to drop get credit for audience,” “total Olsen isleadingacharge to Peter Olsen, A+ENetworks streaming venues. get placedinothercompanies’ control ofadsinAMCshows that interesting offers, includingthe gained noticefor burnishing companies, butKelleher has smaller AMC isoneofthesector’s Kim Kelleher, AMC Networks the company’s st be eager todrive interest inTubi, Fox News Channel,butwillalso focus onFox’s lineupand sports This executive willnodoubt Marianne Gambelli,Fox reaming o utlet. Peter Olsen efﬁciently atUnivision. thinks couldbeexpressed more language networks thatshe ture addollarsspentatEnglish- Wade Davis andwants to cap- chief isworking for entrepreneur this former WarnerMedia sales Back inthegameafter abreak, Donna Speciale,Univision ing inventory. has withaddressable andstream- lighting newoffers thecompany tied totraditional TV, whilehigh- the CBSbrand, whichisdeeply Ross must continueto burnish One ofTV’s savviest salespeople, Jo AnnRoss, ViacomCBS their consent? fashion. Will advertisers give more videoinnon-traditional

Jo Ann RossJo Ann sell, too? Olympics andaSuper Bowl to linear channels— allwithtwo maintain supportfor NBCU’s let Peacock. Canshedoitand sold onthenewstreaming out- expects premium rates for ads to MadisonAvenue thatshe chief has already telegraphed ad-salesThis hard-charging NBCUniversal Yaccarino,Linda Discovery Plus.its on-demand to callfor more attention to and TLC.Look for Discovery networks, whichincludeHGTV across thecompany’s many ing propositions thattiedeals Steinlauf devisesuniquesell- The industry’s academic, Jon Steinlauf, Discovery 05.12.2021

Calaco: WarnerMedia; Ferro: Bob D’Amico/ABC; Gambelli: Fox; Kelleher: AMC Networks; Olsen: A+E Networks; Ross: Patrick Demarchelier/CBS; Speciale: Jeremy Freeman/Univision; Steinlauf: Discovery Networks; Yaccarino: NBCUniversal

52 ● FOCUS ● LIFE LESSONS 05.12.2021

then you’re also singing about the physical level.” Sunshine Superman Tries Joseph Campbell wrote about the vast change in writing that happened because of the 12th New Medium for His Message century troubadours. It changed from writing only about the dis- tant female, the one beyond reach, the poems about divine love. There was a great change in the consciousness, which you heard played out in the songs Singer-songwriter Donovan moves to animation to tell stories By Steven Gaydos of romance. If you look inside the influ- If there’s one pop music art- and enlightenment all quite and soulmate in “Legend of a ences of astrology, which Linda ist from the ’60s who fits the intact and more relevant than Girl Child Linda.” He and his wife and I read as character descrip- mood of the moment we’re in, ever, Donovan, like the rest celebrated their 50th wedding tion, not fortune telling, you see it’s the gentle U.K. singer-song- of the world, has been cop- anniversary last year. He recently that the character of Linda in her writer Donovan. Best-known for ing with the pandemic, eager talked to Variety about the project: chart, and who I am in my chart, a string of soft rock hits includ- to venture out again with his are closely related on many lev- ing “Mellow Yellow,” “Catch the songs and good humor. Love, Linda and ‘Aluna’ els. Venus is involved in love and Wind,” “Sunshine Superman” and Never one to live in the past, Collaborating with Linda on harmony and our charts are very “Jennifer Juniper” that ﬁrst estab- except as a source of inspira- “Aluna” works on several levels. linked for this job. lished him as “Britain’s answer to tion and wisdom, Donovan and On the ﬁrst level, I have a muse. Linda is open-hearted and car- Bob Dylan” more than 50 years his wife, Linda, are hard at work Early on in our relationship, ing, which you see in her chart ago, the “teen troubadour” of 1965 together on “Tales of Aluna.” It when I played a song for Linda, and there’s no earth sign. So turned 75 on May 10. is a new animated series from she told me, “When you’re sing- “Tales of Aluna” Aluna is open-hearted and caring With his idealism, long-held Sydney-based Three’s a Company ing about me, you’re not just is based on and moves through the air, like respect for nature and spiri- that Donovan says has its roots singing about me. You’re singing the love story Linda. You could say that “Aluna” between tual values of universal broth- all the way back to the days when about all women on the highest Donovan and is a love story that is totally based his wife. erhood and the quest for peace he first wrote about his muse level, the level of divine love and upon a true love story between us. A Company P/L Three’s 05.12.2021 VARIETY ● 53

Happiness Runs in a us. As I said, the leaders of 1969 had Word came back that another film People could suddenly see the Circular Motion no idea and my generation didn’t company already had the rights most important experience was My library is double parked with know, so we thought we must cre- and the special effects at the time your inner life. People began to books on mysticism and poetry. ate something for the young, the couldn’t handle it, so the project believe there is an inner world I’m always drawing from them, very young. was aborted. It was also too early that was abandoned, left behind, whether it’s John Michell’s “The There was a time when mothers to do “Aluna.” so where do you now find it? View Over Atlantis” or reading told their children proverbs and We did make an eight-minute I would say, “Find your local beat ancient texts about Tír na nÓg taught them respect for nature. film for our project on Pismo café.” Where are they? Usually [the Celtic Otherworld from Storytelling is important in the Beach in 1973 with animator Tony close to universities and colleges, Irish mythology]. And you always early years, so we started writing Benedict, who had worked at where you find the books and come back to the same myths and “Aluna,” knowing that powerful Hanna-Barbera and Disney and the older bohemians are teach- stories, about being human, the stories and films can change the did beautifully gorgeous anima- ing. Learn to play guitar, go to the challenges you face as you try to course of a life. That tale being tion, but one thing was left to folk club. Imagine me going into a survive and the questions, “Why told can often become an initia- another, and the project went back record store when I was 17 and on are we here?” and “Where are we tion, a change, a rite of passage. on the bookshelf for a long while. the other side of the aisle is Jimmy going?” The poet’s job is always to We began to create a set of gentle Page. And that night we go to Les see the cycle that is going on here, lessons, about green issues, in an I Dare a Man to Cousins folk club and there on to create something that we must adventure with some humor, with Say I’m Too Young stage is Bert Jansch. honor and continue. To lead peo- characters who have the names of Fans ask me, “Will the ’60s return? But Linda says it can never be ple to Atlantis, which is not the real my songs. Will a revolutionary decade the same, that you can’t expect ocean but the ocean of emotion There’s a hidden tradition of happen again?” But you have to the young people today to find inside us, the depth within us, the power and storytelling, and what remember the circumstances that folk club, that record store, “Land of Eternal Youth.” happens is that when the planet is that created the ’60s. We were because those were of their time. in great trouble and there is great coming out of two world wars And she’s right. Young people All I Have Wished disaster on the horizon, fairytales and a depression. The Beatles know it and they’re finding ways to for Will Be and myths and legends have to grew up in bomb sites and so did experience it themselves. Without “Aluna” is arriving after a long come back. I. And I did meet Burroughs and any drugs, they’re using ASMR, incubation period. Basically, it all Even in an industrial age and Ginsberg and Ferlinghetti and just a set of sounds to relieve their began in 1969. Linda and I were time of advanced technology, what those guys were doing was depression and anxiety. I was read- appalled at the ignorance of world the myths must be preserved, returning to poetry to popular ing that 13 million young people leaders at the time. We had young so we can find something heroic culture. And poetry is invisible, are already doing this. Julian (Linda’s child with Brian in them. it’s the most powerful force. You Jones, whom Donovan adopted) At the same time we were devel- can’t touch it, it’s just the sound Slow Down World when I married Linda. The schools oping this in the ’60s, I met with of the voice and the music. And Everything happens in nature for had at the time had no lessons, no the Beatles at Apple. I was talking they figured that poetry would a reason. We are living through a warnings on the dangers of what to Paul McCartney and George reach the public on the wings of terrible health crisis, a great disas- we now call climate change. I was Harrison, and they told me there jazz, so it would have to be impro- ter for everyone. For musicians, writing green songs, and no one was a film producer trying to get visational, but they were wrong. it’s also the disaster of losing was interested. It was difficult to the rights to “The Hobbit” for The return of poetry would their livelihoods. But this is also accept, so Linda and I sat down, them. They were thinking about be through the folk roots. The folk a period of reflection. and a line came to us: “The hand combining live action and ani- revival, the blues and folk songs While we were working on that rocks the cradle rules the mation. They were going to play would carry the poem, not the jazz. “Aluna,” Greta Thunberg arrived. I world.” That’s from William Ross the Hobbits and I was going to The blues came from slaves and thought, “She’s like ‘Aluna,’ a teen- Wallace in 1865. It rang a bell for play one of the characters as well. also from the Irish who filled the aged girl standing up the way I coffin ships. In New Orleans, by the stood up when I was a teenaged railroads and factories, the Gaels boy.” But Greta is more like Joan and the Africans came together of Arc going out to take on the guys and the blues mixed with the folk in armor. And then we saw Greta dances of Scotland and before long come to a dead end, where march- you had rockabilly and bluegrass. ing in the street wasn’t the answer. There was a fusion that was going Remember, “I ain’t gonna march on with the beatniks and books anymore?” like “Howl,” but that was more That kind of protest is only just one book, because television temporary. The true protest is arrived, and radio was powerful. not a protest against anything, Ginsberg wouldn’t be so famous but understanding how igno- if television wasn’t around. rance is controlling us. This is

Donovan and the real story of ’60s and the new his wife, Linda, Somebody Let the Cat in culture and music. You’ve got to have been A door was opened in the ’60s, a ﬁnd the next thing you disagree collaborating together since portal, and that door opened to with strong enough that you can

Stewart Lawrence/Donovan Discs Stewart Lawrence/Donovan the 1960s. freedom and new ways of living. change it.

Jojo Whilden/Netflix Ewan McGregor stars asHalston,withRebeccaDayanElsaPeretti, intheNetflix miniseries. Channeling ‘Halston’ AFor: Jobto Tie-Dye 05.12.2021 FIRST LOOK ARTISANS Netflix miniseries the looks for theupcoming Jeriana San Juan built How costume designer By JazzTangcay McGregor inthetitlerole. Ryan Murphy andstarring Ewan the Netflixminiseries written by America,” GetDown”) “The in Plot AgainstSan Juan(“The by costume designerJeriana looks that’s faithfully re-created caftans. couturier’s Anjelica Huston donnedtheiconic Yorkers andcelebritiessuchas lutionized fashionasstylish New draped over thebody andrevo the late1960s. Silkchiffon was dye collectionfirst dropped in Fashion designerHalston’s tie- That collectionisoneofthe VARIETY ● 55 - trends thatdrove each era.” models, thetextile makers, the at theiconicphotographers, the meantlookingexplains. “That for eachofthoseperiods,” she voice aspecific “I hadtofind thefamousmoments. re-creating in herresearch when itcameto Culkin). tor JoelSchumacher(Rory Peretti (Rebecca Dayan) anddirec- Rodriguez), jewelry designerElsa of LizaMinnelli(played by Krysta while hehungoutwiththelikes inhisslinkydesigns disco-danced 54 nightclub, where fashionistas reign over Manhattan’s Studio Another highlight:Halston’s Oscar delaRenta andAnneKlein. Pierre Cardin, Yves SaintLaurent, Paris thatalsofeatured thework of “Battle ofVersailles” faceoffin ofthe1973 include are-creation the late 1950s to the1990s. Settings eras asevents follow Halston from Juan’s wardrobes focus onseveral inauguration in1961. for herhusband’s presidential Jacqueline Kennedy’s pillbox hat onymic designingFirst after Lady fame inthe’60s,becomingmon- Chicago hatmaker and shotto milliner whogot hisstart asa Frowick, Goodman theBergdorf 14, traces thelife ofRoy14, Halston 56 San Juan left no stone unturned nostoneSan Juanleft unturned Over theseries’five episodes,San “Halston,” which debutsMay ● ARTISANS 50 years later.” — Jeriana San Juan designs remain timeless even The idea was to show how hissleek in “Halston.” busy background pop againstevena Tie-dyed caftans Sketches showexamplesof Halston’scolorfultie-dyedesigns. San Juan, whoworked closelywith designer instead ofamilliner,” says coming intohisown asafashion we wanted toshow hisevolution revolutionary,” says SanJuan. “He of thecollection and make itfeel my outsome imagination tofill “Iused a sophisticated mindset. customer inmind,someonewith show,” shesays. what pieceswe were going to some creative licenseincurating miered, itwas around 1968. Itook garments fitthatnotionperfectly. and creative voice.” Thetie-dye strate his“strong, independent of Halston’s works would demon- Daniel Minahanto decidewhich the show’s writersanddirector and whenthatcollectionpre ated with hisUpperEast Side “We knewinthefirst episodethat Halston’s linewas cre- tie-dye “We’re comingoutofthe’60s, - back issuesofVogue andpaida documented, San Juanconsulted timeless even 50 years later. show how hissleekdesignsremain pop,” says SanJuan. Theideawas to made thecontrasting collection dated theirclotheslook,’ andthat from the’60sso you cantellhow palettes such asbusy patterns at hisshow incontrasting color ‘Let’s putallofthepeoplepresent collection was tobeheld.“Isaid, the fashionshow for thetie-dye get asenseoftheroom where (“Ma Rainey’s BlackBottom”) to production designerMarkRicker were sophisticated.” her bonestructure. Hiscolors to highlightawoman’s body and He usedbatikandhetie-dye dye thatwasn’t your hippie style. had thisway ofinterpreting tie- Since thecollection was well San Juan alsocollaborated with research, some re-creations and research, somere-creations scenes,usingher for thetie-dye in itspermanentcollection. whichhasaHalston caftan of Art, visit totheMetropolitan Museum Liza. Herevolutionized fashion.” and herfemininity. He created brating her strengths asadancer around herandimage, cele- San Juansays. “Hecreated abrand almost how astylist works today,” put hisnameonthemap. “Itwas unique style. Inturn,shehelped clothes andhelpedtodevelop her for thedesigner, whoselectedher her mother, shebecameamuse to break free from theshadow of Garland’s daughter. Asshetried early years assimply beingJudy who was most known inher Halston’s friendshipwithMinnelli, lives andbreathes Halston.” that you’ve ever laideyes on.He the most beautifulhammered silk wearing butit’s madefrom acaftan, that person,” shesays. “Maybe he’s T-shirt orpajamas.He’scomfy not he doesn’t go homeandputona his vernacular andhisDNA, that intimacy, of andit’s suchapart an artist intheworkroom. on thered carpetatStudio54oras approached hiscareer, whether “It’s avery specialpiece.” loan from avintage collector. tan inthemix,” shereveals, on isonereal [Halston]“There caf- as oneirrezplaceable artifact. some originaldesigns—aswell moments drove SanJuan’s cre she says, explaining how he headspace atthatmoment,” ativity. “Itwas aboutfindinghis The costumer built10pieces The seriesalsoexplores “He wears withsuch hisartistry Discovering Halston’s private 05.12.2021 -

Halston: Jojo Whilden/Netflix; Sketches: Netflix (2) Adams: Melinda Sue Gordon/Netflix; Staircase rendering: Netflix; High School Musical: Nick Sokoloff/Disney+ the A.J. Finnnovel tolife, hewould lit movie andnoirish.Inbringing in theWindow” would be adarkly Woman adaptationof“The film Thompson knewJoe Wright’s Production designerKevin in herlife.” in vibrancy had sheonce that and windows at the life was there that audience the inform to that did and sheer orange curtains. “We couch ared as such house, the in inside herhome. bia andwatches theworld from who suffers from severe agorapho- specific toAmy Adams’ AnnaFox, have tofindacolorpalette thatwas and broken down into five sets. townhouse was builtonastage By JazzTangcay Stairway to Loneliness Designer Created a ‘Woman inthe Window’ 05.12.2021 Amy AdamsasAnnaFox crawls upthestaircase, showninaconceptmodel. The character’s 19th-century 19th-century The character’s ofcolor pops added Thompson of isolation. — like theprotagonist —asense up anddown togive thehouse allowed Wright toshootlooking would notbeinterrupted.” one line,soherhandholdingit feel asthoughthehandrailwas on eachfloor.“Wewanteditto that wouldbestoppedbyapost case’s handrailratherthanone continuous designforthestair- Anna feelsecure,hechosea York brownstones.Tomake who basedhisdesignonNew incarnations,” revealsThompson, the connective tissue. butthestairwellryline, served as floors. Allare central to thesto- and thestairwell thatrisesthree set were thestoop, thefirst floor its spaces.Thelargest ofthe parts era moves through thehomeand debuts May thecam- onNetflix, 14 At thestart which ofthefilm, Ultimately, thestairwell design “That wentthroughmany “HSM’s” Olivia Rodrigo,JoshuaBassett,“HSM’s” Olivia Larry Saperstein, MattCornett,JoeSerafini, JuliaLester By JazzTangcay ‘High SchoolMusical’ for theReturn of Dancing Back to School The East HighWildcats from “High moment tooneofthestars. High, handingoffeach lyrical move around thehallways ofEast throughout are thedancerswho Woodlee. Theconnective tissue and Julia [Lester asAshlyn],” says [Saperstein asBigRed] with Larry duces thenumber. We jumpin who plays Carlos,andheintro- start withFrankie Rodriguez, A. along withateam ofdancers.“We features theshow’s principalcast the season.Theopeningnumber the audiencewithactorsand wanted away to refamiliarize number.a bigsong-and-dance opens, appropriately enough,with for asecondseasonMay which 14, The Series”return toDisneyPlus School Musical:TheMusical— Choreographer ZachWoodlee tion atSaltLake City’s East High moves sothathewouldn’t bother steps ashetested outthedance hisfoot- had anassistant film before thepandemic,soWoodlee Woodlee says. ple theenergy from Season1,” previous year. noticed adifference from the who aren’t trained dancers,he sync. Whenheaddedtheactors, make sure everything was in space for themainactorsto them thesteps andblocked out trained dancersat5a.m.,taught he explains. traveling step thatwas faster,” “I would dothattoseeifIhada back over themandaddedaskip. and timedhissteps, thenwent Woodlee says. Hemadeonepass how toget from pointAtoB,” the students. “Iwas mappingout reography, hebrought inhis The scenewas filmedonloca “Everyone camebackwithtri- Once hehadtheinitialcho- VARIETY ● 57 -

Kyle Kaplan/Amazon Studios By CarolineFramke Railroad The Underground Thuso Mbedustars asrunawayslaveCora in“TheUnderground Railroad.” 05.12.2021 REVIEWS marathon watch couldafford. spotlight thanitsnetwork’s desired each installment amore lasting if itwere to unfold weekly, giving Underground Railroad” would fare own. It’s easy to imaginehow “The could, andshould,stand onits dense enoughthateachepisode but that’s amistake. Theseriesis available uponitsMay premiere, 14 too bigtotake inallatonce. harrowing, emotionalandalmost Jenkins hasmoldedsomething to thetelevision screen, Barry ing ColsonWhitehead’s novel secrets asurgent prayer. Inadapt- the background, sharingterrible emn clarity. Whispers fadeinto sol into thecamera withquiet, somewhere inbetween stare edges. People alive, deadand and future linger atthestory’s Underground Railroad” ishaunted. Every singleframe of“The Underground Railroad” willbe Joel Edgerton Starring: May14(10 episodes;allreviewed); Limited Series: TV REVIEW The entirety of“The Ghosts ofhorrors present past, Thuso Mbedu,Aaron Pierre, AmazonPrime VARIETY ● 59 - to escape. the few runaways Mabel, oneof as Cora’s mother, Sheila Atim stars on herjourney. man Cora meets Royal, afreed Harper plays William Jackson 60 CREDITS: ● Executive producers: REVIEWS lawed Black peopleunlessthey’re because theentire state hasout- Carolina, Cora hidesinanattic its rotten foundation. InNorth seemingly civilizedutopiareveals Pierre) toSouthCarolina, where a Cora runswithCaesar(Aaron (Joel Edgerton). From Georgia, from slave catchers like Ridgeway only runaways who ever got away Mabel (SheilaAtim), was oneofthe ton picker inGeorgia;hermother, for emphasis.Shebeginsasacot- slightly reimagined by Whitehead witness to America’s worst ills,only Cora becomesareluctant living you’ll seethetruefaceofAmerica.” the sidesasyou speedthrough, and leaves herwiththis:“Just lookout vibrantly literal —theconductor South toNorthescapenetwork the historical euphemismfor the Whitehead’s invention thatmakes an underground freight train — slave Cora (ThusoMbedu)into conductors. Ashehelpsrunaway well take theadviceofoneits the series,though,you mightas Barry Jenkins,AdeleRomanski, MarkCeryak,Brad Pitt,DedeGardner, Richard Jeremy Heus,Jacqueline Kleiner,ColsonWhitehead, Over thecourseofherjourney, If you decidetoblazethrough William Jackson Harper bringsa thanaperson; more ofamemory ing force, even when hebecomes Caesar isaconvincing, ground- enriched thetext more. Pierre’s ers whose backstories would have choice aswe meetsomany oth- becomes anespeciallyconfusing used thesameeditorial eye. to Ridgeway’s youth —couldhave Tennessee andalengthy flashback their limits.Othersections—like maybe of thesmartest, becauseof these chaptersendupbeingtwo only get asingleepisode,but TheCarolinaschose to each edit. saw fittolinger versus whatthey where Jenkinsandhiswriters it’s fascinatingtounderstand terrible andtrue. Cora are uniqueuntothemselves, the unbearable lessonsitteaches site. Thedread ofeachstate and Indiana isitstantalizingoppo- wasteland ofburningbrush;lush hanging from trees. Tennessee isa the few extended flashbacks giving theslave catcheroneof And assharpEdgerton is, As withany work ofadaptation, biggest mightalso scene-stealer The show’sheart-wrenching. gets and,inevitably, hopeful Gray makes every minuteshe role offreed manRoyal; Amber steady, sympathetic handto the could have beenunbearably brutal.” an extra dimension of care to something that with moments of intimacy that bring story’sJenkins threads the inherent trauma disturbing enough. recognizing thatthefactofitis than show itingruesomedetail, one describeanatrocity rather rative tradition by having some- the serieswilleschewslave nar- But there are alsotimeswhen son whomJenkins’camera eyes. from thefacesofevery Black per- teeming pain, andsomuchofit, been unbearably brutal.There is care tosomethingthatcouldhave that bringanextra dimensionof trauma withmomentsofintimacy sodes, threads thestory’s inherent white maninthefirst place. yoked himselfto thismiserable entire chapterallabouthow he would have happilywatched an butIlines tomake animpact, Chase Dillondoesn’t needmany henchman Homer, 11year-old be itssmallest: AsRidgeway’s loyal series anddirected all10epi Jenkins, alongsideDPJames Jenkins, whodeveloped the Hoyt.60MIN. Cast: ThusoMbedu,SheilaAtim, W. Chase Dillon,WilliamJackson Harper,Aaron Pierre, JoelEdgerton - Laxton, makes sure the to find every hard stare, there isasoftgaze. places, swelling andsweet. For bursts forth from theunlikeliest every inhumaneterror. Romance human tendernessattheheartof of ascream. thantheshock three-dimensional passion to make itssuffering more but thatnevertheless hasthecom- doesn’t shy away from itstruth, told unlike many others:onethat enveloped inastory aboutslaves exploration may findthemselves do joinCora andJenkins onthis them alltoo well. Butthose who you’re Blackand understand told —which isfair, especially if ition, nomatter how thoughtfully worst instincts cometo grislyfru- 10 hourstowatching America’s if sighingwithrelief rightwithher. score resolves intomajorkeys as to breathe, NicholasBritell’s eerie leaves; when Cora findsthetime hums withcicadasandrustling Thebackgroundand close-ups. ant asthevisuallanguage ofcolors music quicklybecomesasimport- the sonicatmosphere ofnature and And aswithevery Jenkins project, Not everyone willwant todevote 05.12.2021

Atsushi Nishijima/Amazon Studios (2) Jake Giles Netter/HBO Max Einbinder, CarlClemons-Hopkins Starring: six reviewed); May13 six reviewed); Comedy: TV REVIEW By DanielD’Addario Hacks said to be the second series about said tobethesecond seriesabout at wrenching itback. Deborah Vance willtake hershot is wondering whether Smart’s business. Theactionoftheshow osity pushedoutofherby show that fundamentalqualityofcuri- vanity asawoman whohashad performance entirely without be azeitgeist Smart gives hit, a comedy thatseemsdestined to now, inanHBOMaxstreaming the most elegantofscripts.And irony and shrewd witeven within a sensethatshe’s findinglevels of intelligence toherlinereadings, is aptly named; there’s aroving delivery,and Sahara-dry Smart withexceptionalGifted timing where hertalentcantake her. seems endlessly inquisitive about on “Fargo” and“Watchmen” — and now aprestige-TV favorite “Designing Women” inthe1980s has taken thatfeels like astretch. unbound andthrillingperformer try. Itmay bethefirst role TV this era indus- intheentertainment difficult timeadaptingto anew Smart plays awoman whohasa On hernewshow “Hacks,” Jean 05.12.2021 Maisel,” thiscouldcredibly be Marvelous Mrs.iar: After “The Deborah’s situationisfamil- After all,Smart—oneofCBS’ HBO Max(10episodes; Jean Smart,Hannah ing jewelry onhome-shopping too degrading, including hock- treats nobookingastoo smallor about herfans.Like Rivers, she with agingmen,aboutherbody, hours. Shecracks wiseaboutsex vative jokes thanby putting inthe holds ontolessby tellinginno- a berthinLasVegas, oneshe her uneasy reign. Deborah has comedian’s rise,“Hacks” assesses But while“Maisel” considersa great deallike thatofJoanRivers. a figure whoselife story looksa hires, in“Hacks.” writer whomshe Einbinder playsa and Hannah aging comedian, as Deborah, an Jean Smartstars with hipness,itworks. and for anaudienceunconcerned up: Hermaterialistime-tested, simply abouttheartofshowing show. Hercomedyhasbecome ashotatlate-night and losing, grew disillusionedaftergetting, television; like Rivers, Deborah Einbinder) enters theseries. elty. That’s how Ava (Hannah that increasingly values nov isn’t attractive inanindustry sarily growing, though,and That audienceisnotneces- - of theworld’s absurdities, Ava municate herunderstanding treats humorasaway to com whoA young anti-comedian industry. And yet Deborah and came upinaradically different with skepticism atsomeone who to claim spacefor herselflooks whose work hasbeen intended come asnosurprisethatastar material for Deborah. Itshould ends upgetting hired to write ing atasteless joke online. She loses aHollywood dealfor mak- VARIETY ● 61 - resentment. herself byher defines a legacyact, Deborah, 62 CREDITS: ● Executive producers REVIEWS tired material. Sheextends the nights, delivering familiar and notices heraudiencesmany benevolent andbarely neglect, as alost nepotism case)with daughter (Kaitlin Olson, brilliant wit: Deborah mainlytreats her ofherattention. Toof thegift herent andoccasionally worthy one shefindsbothutterly inco- and inAva, she’s found some- ing goes, kidsbecausesheloves, of roasting. Deborah, asthesay- adversary worth doingthehonor first thatshe’s found, inAva, an delivery. It’s apparent from the digious intellectandferocious has aleadrole worthy ofherpro- performers: InDeborah, Smart and richness. andsurprisingtextureboth heart Ava’s relationship develops with : Paul W. Downs,Lucia Aniello,JenStatsky,MichaelSchur,DavidMiner,Morgan Sackett. 30MIN. That heartcomesfrom both wit even within the most elegant of scripts.” finding levels of irony andshrewd intelligence to her delivery, asense that she’s Smart isaptly named; there’s aroving to Ava inparticular. becauseit’smore closed galling, Deborah’s heyday. That’s allthe women ingeneral thanitwas in that seemsmuchmore opento She’s trapped inaHollywood contrast toDeborah’s rigidity.) and sex exist, atleast in atfirst, Ava’s spirals withsubstances a real(Lacking creative outlet, unease feels jagged-nerve raw. sion ofAva’s insecuritiesand expresas jaded.Einbinder’s decades younger, ispractically herself by Ava, herresentment. with amadcreative energy. writer frenemy, Deborah isablaze happens tolandonheryoung the timetoo. Butwhen hereye same incuriositytoAva someof opportunities, anddefined “Hacks” isespecially sharpand Deborah hasmissedouton Cast: Jean Smart,HannahEinbinder, CarlClemons-Hopkins - Jen Statsky, allveterans of“Broad Paul W. Downs, LuciaAnielloand is anovel next step for creators afar andnottohave (Thisseries it. what itmeanstoobserve itfrom clever ontheconceptofcool— shop it, to fightfor itandpolishit. shop it, bringing tothestage —istowork driven by an energy she’s stopped for thefirst time,herinstinct — Deborah hearstheone-liner a joke shedoesn’t defend. When because hercareer endedover She’s only working for Deborah of comedianoreven persontobe. Ava seemsuncertainofwhat kind restart herown derailed career, enough. And,attempting to act thatherlaborhasn’t been asshebecomesalegacyfinds her misfortunes intoajoke, and under threat: Shehasturned Deborah’s abilitytowork isnow from alife devoted towork, but comes toseemabitlike aprison. a perfectly pitched wit),that manager (CarlClemons-Hopkins, mansion, runby afull-timehouse a great dealofafussilydecorated a midseasonepisode;we alsosee recovery from plastic in surgery We demanding seethepainful, and theways thatrigor traps her. make thecasefor Deborah’s rigor, attention to thespecificshelps requires constant upkeep. The gerated personal aesthetic that ishing employer andhasanexag- Deborah iscasual:Sheapun- offhandedly.) Nothingabout that oftenwore itsbrilliance product ofmuch hard work but City,” ashow thatwas plainly the It’s thisrelentlessness that These dubiousrewards stem - line: Trying totakeline: Trying theworst Deborah’s pushfor thepunch us thefervor andeagerness in to interrogate. shows Smart “Hacks” exists to celebrate and thing that’s ever happenedto Ava — in being a hack. — inbeingahack. in showing upandgutting itout that there allitsown isavirtue new seriessuccessfully argues devotion towork. Thisexcellent the curseandblessingoftheir slowly shifteach otherthrough presents isthatthesetwo must possesses; thechallenge theshow ural giftsofthesortSmartherself blessed withtranscendent nat- have butneitheroneis talent, grind offindingthelaugh.Both both love thecraft ofcomedy, the becausetheyultimately of that, each other. Theybuilditbecause ship theyhave despitemocking don’t buildwhatever relation- ative Deborah andAva pursuit. individual, lonely world ofacre- connection withinthedeeply personal to find means to try means to dothis,andwhat it as home.“Hacks”askswhatit as anobjectofstudy rather than from one’s own world, totreat it istoexistof artist, ataremove as akintolove. because Deborah treats analysis in Ava —somethingtopickapart, when Deborah findssomething But it’s atitsmost intriguing something to admire inDeborah. would notwork ifAva didnotfind is what Deborah does.Thisshow given therightpartner, comedy the momentcallsfor, butwhen and make itinto artisnotwhat To beacomedian,orany type 05.12.2021 -

Jake Giles Netter/HBO Max Shanna Besson/Netflix Amalric, MalikZidi Starring: Director: FILM REVIEW By PeterDebruge Oxygen ing secondwave. down andthe industry-hammer- France’s initialCOVID-19 lock- was shotinthewindow between an exec producer credit), that actor (NoomiRapace,whoretains originally intendedfor another movie, Netflix a high-concept Here’sBut thetimingisfortuitous: Black List-selected screenplay. Christie LeBlanc’s bare-bones, style into much outside-the-box Alexandre Ajainjectsabittoo Tension,” extreme-horror helmer by MathieuAmalric)to assist her. Operator,Interface Liaison voiced called MILO (shortfor Medical talkingcomputer9000-like brane, HAL withonlyahelpful in somekindoffuturistic mem- ens aheadofschedule, sealed blank-brained “bioform” awak reserves ofbreathable air. The cryochamber withcritically low trapped inaspiffy, coffin-like Basterds” star MélanieLaurent) single character (“Inglourious dramasurvival centered ona sci-fiouter space:aticking-clock “Oxygen” plays like “Buried” in demic, tenseconfinementthriller tocols ofthecoronavirus pan- thriving withinthestrict pro A clever example ofcreativity 05.12.2021 language feature since“High Making hisfirst French- Mélanie Laurent, Mathieu Alexandre Aja - - we see outsideherpod,thefaster (Malik Zidi).Trouble is, themore — andpossiblehusband —Léo involving beardy fellow doctor Liz presumes to beherpast life experiments and flashesofwhat rats inmazes,unethicalmedical pieces together. identifies her—races toputthe — orOmicron 267, asMILO first zle interesting, asLaurent’s Liz the specificsthatmake thepuz- be anunderstatement. Still,it’s and away the most obvious would describe LeBlanc’s solutionasfar waking upinacryochamber? To can there befor why apersonis many possibleexplanations spoil thesurprise,althoughhow effects shots. and afew visual massive-scale location withfrequent flashbacks the helmerembellisheshiskey crew were inexecuting thefilm, how limitedhisskeleton cast and didn’t want viewers to realize just Asifhe necessarily anaccident. can bedistracting, butthat’s not her memoriesandsave herself. to ascertainhersituation,recover levels drop, withonly alimited time character must make asheroxygen choice, andonethatLaurent’s knew before. Thisisaproactive really want toreturn towhatwe and thelarger issueofwhether we experiencing intheirown lives — isolation audienceshave been nario oughtto resonate withthe hypersleep, thefilm’s basicsce emerges from akindofglobal visual cluesintotheclaustro phobic scenario:shotsoflab For hour, thefirst Ajasplices Elaborating onthelatter would Aja’s directorial interference Arriving now, ashumankind - - in “Oxygen.” Laurent stars Mélanie worked alotbetter withoutthe to keep breathing atall. be madeastowhethershewants there’slight, aconsciouschoiceto once thatrevelation comes to accurately, what —sheis,and of 20Questions. entire film intoanextended game know whattoaskhim,turningthe through herhead.Thetrickisto ing board for everything thatgoes problem-solving kit:He’s asound- more thanjust thekey toolinLiz’s inject her, MILO ifnecessary), is AI (with thecapacityto shock or through straightaway. herrings most audiencescansee since she’s theone supplying red for herto catch up, especially And itcanbefrustrating waiting we figure outherpredicament. This probably would have Liz must divine who —ormore A benignandmostly compliant Laurence Clerc,SergeCatoire. ack, ChristieLeBlanc,FranckKhalfoun,NoomiRapace, Entertainment. away Filmsproduction,inassociationwithEchoLake Cast: Palm Springs,May3,2021. Editor: Screenplay: Chioua. Levasseur, NoëmieDevide,VincentMaraval,Brahim CREDITS: “Stowaway.” Sothere’s that. and MidnightSky” ings as“The recent English-language offer standards, it’s better thansuch breath —by Netflix’s hit-and-miss journey allthesame,and—deep through. Butit’s anintriguing big enoughtopushanasteroid Somearebecome apparent. theplotholes Aja approaches it, fill inthegaps.Executed theway relied ontheir imaginationsto “Oxygen” itsBlack List status page, where thosewhoawarded morecertainly effective onthe freeze life. Frankly, itwas almost abstract glimpsesofLiz’s pre- Mélanie Laurent,MathieuAmalric, MalikZidi Stéphane Roche. Executive producers: A NetflixreleaseandpresentationofaGet- ChristieLeBlanc. Producers: Music: VARIETY Camera: AlexandreAja,Grégory Running time: James Engle,Adam Rib- Director: Rob.Reviewedonline, Maxime Alexandre. MaximeAlexandre. AlexandreAja. 101 MIN. ● 63 - Marisol Nichols, Samuel L. Jackson Marisol Nichols,SamuelL. Starring: Director: FILM REVIEW By OwenGleiberman Spiral very little fan enthusiasm. very little fanenthusiasm. onethatwas greetedment, with reboot thanadelayed denoue- though “Jigsaw” (2017) was lessa Inevitably, theyhadarelapse, (In sequelterms,that’s alifetime.) producers stuck to for seven years. franchise —aresolution thatthe ment-comes-to-the-megaplex installment ofthedismember- in 2010, was supposedtobethelast “Saw: TheFinal Chapter,” released thingsaswell. true ofnot-so-good demonstrated adecadeago, that’s an end,andasthe“Saw” series All good thingsmust cometo 64 ● VARIETY Chris Rock,MaxMinghella, Chris Darren Lynn Bousman • • Unmatched Awards Coverage • Invites to Please updateyour contact information toreceive: or mailthisform. UPDATE INFO AT ATTENTION VOTING MEMBERS Variety Magazine(For AMPAS Members only) Variety decide whether to rip the tongue decide whethertoripthetongue a clampthrough histonguemust (in thefirst ofthese,amanwith dungeon-nightmare set-pieces on-yourself-to-save-yourself? how-much-pain-will-you-inflict- tures ahandfuloftheseries’ though, isthatwhile“Spiral” fea- hung from wires). The bigchange, mascot (agrotesque pigmask fected techgeek) andanewvideo sounds like theworld’s most disaf- puppet’s cheeks),anewvoice (he flourish thatdecorated theJigsaw insignia (anodtothetwirlyred just aJigsaw copycat, withnew less killer—thoughhe’s really “Saw” franchise. actual stab atreimagining the bloody lemondry. Ittakes an another attempt tosqueezethis ninth filmintheseriesisn’t just way,sick trash newagain?” the In its“How canwe make theold titled “From of‘Saw.’” theBook 's Exclusive VirtualEvents The movie features anewface Butnow we have “Spiral,” sub-

VARIETY.COM/AWARDSUPDATE - police-corruption thriller.police-corruption movie isframed asaconventional a speedingsubway train), the out ofhismouthinorder toavoid of gross-out scavengerof gross-out hunt, Minghella), heissentonakind rookie partner(Maxto-please killer, andalongwithhiseager- of ataskforce tohuntdown the tongue.) Zeke gets putincharge given alessoninhow tousehis witness stand. (That’s why hewas — onewhoroutinely liedonthe that thevictimwas cop adirty hellacious murder, Zeke learns Atresentment. thesite ofthatﬁrst he’s allbrutishinsultsandglaring of hisformer cheekyebullience; to actorwholackseven awhisper transformation from comedian his integrity, Rock completeshis only copinsightwho hasn’t lost the departmentbecausehe’s the detective who’s oddmanoutin mance asZeke Banks,ahomicide his seething, embattled perforhis seething,

It stars andwith ChrisRock, - in “Spiral.” homicide detectives Max Minghellaare Rockand Chris TT ZIPCODE CHECK ALLTHAT APPLY EMAIL STATE CITY STREET COMPANY NAME PGA AMPAS SAG-AFTRA ATAS duction. Hoffman, Kevin Greutert. StaceyTestro,Leigh Whannell, JasonConstantine,Gregg producers: Marisol Nichols, Samuel L. Jackson Marisol Nichols,SamuelL. Running time:93MIN. Reviewed online,NewYork, May6,2021. MPAA Rating:R. Jordan Oram. Screenplay: CREDITS: its lead actor is Black and that it’s its leadactorisBlackandthatit’s twist ortwo, butconsideringthat parts belongingtocops. clues intheform ofsevered body blue boxes thatcontainhideous which keeps turningupTiffany- fan or not, eatup…orthrowfan ornot, up. depending onwhetheryou’re a series hasn’t really changed. So are life lessons!Andno, the“Saw” to sever herspinalcord. Yes, these in hotwax unlesssheleansback his fingers off;awoman willdrown flipping onamachinethatpulls in atubavoids electrocution by way. How are thedeaths?Aman untopical, almost garishlygeneric fronts thatthemeinaweirdly police immorality, thefilmcon a thrillerpegged to theissueof HFPA “Spiral” takes anunexpected OTHER North Hollywood,CA 91606 12444 VictoryBlvd Fl4 Attn: IllescasMitchell Variety Producers:

A Lionsgaterelease of aTwisted Pictures pro- Daniel Jason Heffner, Chris Rock,JamesWan, DanielJasonHeffner, Chris

Josh Stolberg,Peter Goldﬁnger. Editor: BAFTA Oren Koules, MarkBurg. Dev Singh. Cast: Director: Chris Rock,MaxMinghella, Chris DGA Music: 05.12.2021 Darren Lynn Bousman. Charlie Clouser.Charlie Q0AAMP3 WGA Executive Camera: -

Brooke Palmer/Lionsgate

66 ● FACETIME 05.12.2021

“The last thing you want when you’re Andrew McCarthy in Hollywood is to be boxed in.”

By Pat Saperstein

Things you approval of her co-star, so I was didn’t know driven up to her house in the hills. about Andrew McCarthy: It was mind-blowing. She was gra- cious and lovely, I was just a kid from New Jersey. Age: 58 --- • What about working with Joel Hometown: Schumacher on “St. Elmo’s Fire”? Westfield, N.J. I had auditioned for “D.C. Cab,” --- In the works: which I mercifully did not get, He’s writing a but Joel remembered me from screenplay based that. I was brought out to L.A. to on a magazine story about meet the studio heads, and I sat a father-son there like a terrified little idiot and boating accident. flopped the meeting. We butted --- What he’s heads a few times, but I had great watching: affection for Joel, because with- “Hemingway” out him my career never would on PBS — “It’s fucking brilliant. have happened. When you self- • Director Howard Deutch and mythologize, it writer John Hughes originally ends up eating you.” wanted a jock for “Pretty in Pink.” What changed their mind? It’s all due to Molly [Ringwald]. John Hughes had no real interest in me. Molly read with me, and when I walked out she said, “That’s the kind of guy I would fall for — dreamy and sensitive.” To John’s credit, he had great respect for young people and their opinions. Director Andrew McCarthy confabs with actor Lidya Jewett on the set of NBC’s “Good Girls.” • You had kind of an epiphany when Alec Baldwin was inter- Andrew McCarthy was barely magazines. As audiences continue judgmental. The last thing you viewing you about stardom, and mentioned in the original New to be fascinated with the movies, want when you’re in Hollywood he proposed, “Maybe you didn’t York magazine article that coined music and fashions of the 1980s, is to be boxed in. want it.” Temperamentally, I was the term “the Brat Pack.” But in the McCarthy has finally embraced • Why do people still love the ’80s split in two. I was often undermin- public consciousness, the star of the snarky label with his new so much? The hair? ing myself. To have the kind of fame “St. Elmo’s Fire” and “Pretty in memoir “Brat: An ’80s Story” from • Take us back to your first night that propels people, there has to be Pink” was still lumped in with Grand Central Publishing. in Hollywood, when you flew a clear drive, clear ambition and the group of red-hot young actors • Why did you call your book “Brat” out to meet Jacqueline Bisset unapologetic sort of belief. that included Emilio Estevez, Rob after fighting that description? for “Class.” I was put up at the • Is directing a more comfortable fit? Lowe and Judd Nelson. After get- I had to own it, in all its compli- Chateau [Marmont]. Belushi had When I started directing, I could ting sober and realizing how con- cations and ironies. But I wasn’t recently overdosed there. It was just go to work and employ all the flicted he felt about Hollywood ready for a number of years. a musty, sinister place — room things I learned over the years. I stardom, McCarthy went on • Why did it bother you so much service consisted of a tuna melt knew all the actor issues, because

to direct for TV and write for at first? I found it limiting and made in a toaster oven. She had I had so many of them. Althaus/NBC Jordin