Indie streaming platform Dropout, formerly known as CollegeHumor, is vying for a spotlight at this year’s Primetime Emmys with an ambitious campaign to secure its first major nominations. With a passionate and niche audience, Variety has learned exclusively about Dropout’s top contenders submitted for Emmy love, including the innovative game show “Game Changer” and the…
Hank Green’s ‘Pissing Out Cancer’ Stand-Up Special to Launch ‘Dropout Presents’ Comedy Series
Dropout has set a new series of live recorded comedy specials titled “Dropout Presents.” The series will launch on June 12 with Hank Green’s “Pissing Out Cancer,” taped at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles Green is a YouTuber best known for the “Vlogbrothers” channel he runs alongside his brother, John Green, with whom he also…
Tim Allen ABC Comedy Pilot ‘Shifting Gears’ Casts Froy Gutierrez, Daryl ‘Chill’ Mitchell (EXCLUSIVE)
The ABC comedy pilot “Shifting Gears” has cast Daryl “Chill” Mitchell and Froy Gutierrez, Variety has learned exclusively. The pair join previously announced series leads Tim Allen and Kat Dennings in the multi-cam comedy, which was originally ordered to pilot at ABC back in March. In the show, “Matt (Allen) is the stubborn, widowed owner…
‘Planet of the Apes’ Timeline Explained, From the 1968 Original to ‘Kingdom’
For a writer, signing on to “Planet of the Apes” is less an assignment than a calling. After all, it’s the longest-running science-fiction series in film history. So when Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, the husband-and-wife screenwriting and producing team, conceived “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” in 2011, they envisioned more than a…
Apple’s New iPad Pro Ad Sparks Outrage as Hugh Grant and More Slam Tech Giant: ‘The Destruction of the Human Experience’
An Apple commercial for the new iPad Pro tablet showing an industrial press literally crushing a TV, musical instruments, books and more ignited an angry backlash among many in Hollywood and other creative industries. The ad, titled “Crush!”, shows an array of various objects — including a record player, a piano, a guitar, an old…
Guy Nattiv’s ‘Harmonia’ Casts Naomi Watts, Vicky Krieps, Bella Ramsey and Odessa Young as Pre-Sales Launch Ahead of Cannes (EXCLUSIVE)
Guy Nattiv’s “Harmonia” has cast Naomi Watts, Vicky Krieps, Bella Ramsey and Odessa Young as Embankment Films, Range Media Partners and CAA Media Finance launch pre-sales ahead of Cannes. Inspired by a real-life events, the film is based on Nattiv’s grandmother and her involvement in an insidious cult. The synopsis reads: “Set in the 1980s,…
Beatles’ 1970 ‘Let It Be’ Documentary Is Now Streaming on Disney+
The Beatles’ “Let It Be” documentary, which first released in theaters in 1970, finally sees the light of day once again. The documentary re-releases on Disney+ on Wednesday, May 8. The film was restored by Peter Jackson’s Park Road Post Production using the same technology employed to revitalize the vintage footage in “The Beatles: Get…
Willie Geist, Steve Kornacki Will Join NBC’s Paris Olympics Coverage
NBC is adding a new event to its coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics: Steve Kornacki in front of his big board. Kornacki, who is known for his deft on-the-fly analysis of political campaigns and races, will turn his focus for a short period of time to athletic competition in Paris as part of a…
French Production Incentives Boost Country’s Visual Effects Sector
The growth of France’s VFX sector cannot be overstated, as the implementation of a comprehensive 10% bonus for international productions that spend more than $2.1 million with local companies (and the fact that the full 40% tax rebate can be earned off digital expenditures alone) has supercharged the post-production ecosystem, funneling first financial and then…
‘Beef’ Series Creator Lee Sung Jin Reflects on Show and ‘Roller Coaster’ Year: ‘It Felt Really Special’
It’s been a ride for “Beef” creator, writer and director Lee Sung Jin and the cast — the series dominated the Emmy Awards with five wins, and nabbed two SAG Awards for stars Ali Wong and Steven Yeun. While a second season has yet to be announced, Lee is making good use of his Notes…