Aaron Sorkin ‘Splains ‘I Love Lucy’ Interest, Desilu History and ‘Ricardos’ Structure

The iconic couple Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz of “I Love Lucy” are getting another close up look at their life.

More than entertainment icons, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were an unstoppable couple. Director Amy Poehler highlights the pair’s personal pain and professional heights in “Lucy and Desi.” The project represents a chance for Poehler — herself an established comedic actress — to reach into comedy history for the endearing story that led to the genre-defining “I Love Lucy.” READ MORE: ‘Lucy And Desi’ Review: Amy Poehler’s Documentary Is An Enjoyable, If Overly Familiar, Look At The Iconic Couple [Sundance] The project features an incredible line-up of names that knew the legendary pair.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter“Lucy and Desi,” a new documentary from director Amy Poehler, tells the true story behind the television trailblazers who changed the landscape of Hollywood.In the first trailer, which dropped on Monday, icons like Bette Midler, Carol Burnett and Norman Lear attempt to put into words the impact that Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz had on the entertainment industry.“They established their own studio. That’s an enormous operation,” marvels Lear.

Nicole Kidman’s fifth ever Oscar nomination came in Tuesday morning, this time for Aaron Sorkin’s Being the Ricardos, from Amazon Studios. As I Love Lucy star Lucille Ball, Kidman depicts the life of a creative comedic icon who led an unprecedented charge for women in the industry, essentially writing for, producing and as good as directing herself as she performed.

Oscars.com, Oscars.org and the Academy’s social media platforms.Following Tuesday’s nominations, the 94th annual Academy Awards will be held late next month, on March 27, at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre. The in-person ceremony will be televised on ABC.For the first time in three years, the Oscars will have a host in 2022, Craig Erwich, president of ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals, announced in January.

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle EditorNicole Kidman’s career has spanned nearly four decades. Her trophy shelf includes an Oscar, two Emmys, a SAG Award and a BAFTA. She is a favorite to pick up her fifth Academy Award nomination next week for her work as Lucille Ball in “Being the Ricardos.”Even so, Kidman acknowledges the road to today has also included some bumps.

Nicole Kidman took to Instagram over the weekend to share a touching post with her 8 million followers – and daughter Bella was quick to show her support.READ: Nicole Kidman unrecognisable as she celebrates major news – famous friends reactMom-of-four Nicole posted a black and white photo showing her cuddling up to acclaimed director Alan Sorkin, and wrote: "Sending a big congratulations to the one & only Aaron Sorkin on his nomination for Best Original Screenplay at the #WritersGuild Awards. #BeingTheRicardos @LATimes #TheEnvelope @RyanPfluger."WATCH: Nicole Kidman wows with incredible transformation for new roleAmong those to like the post was 29-year-old Bella, Nicole’s eldest child.

Owen Gleiberman Chief Film CriticIt’s always a kick to encounter a documentary about a subject after you’ve seen the deluxe scripted and acted Hollywood version. “Lucy and Desi,” Amy Poehler’s film about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz — their love, their showbiz partnership, their revolutionary influence on the creative landscape of television, their meshing and clashing spirits — is a nimble and fascinating documentary.

Nicole Kidman and Kristen Stewart sat down for a chat about their recent on-screen roles in the latest instalment of Variety‘s “Actors on Actors” series.

Tim Gray Senior Vice PresidentJ.K. Simmons was reluctant to appear in “Being the Ricardos.” But reading Aaron Sorkin’s script, “I was able to see the gift that Aaron was giving to each of the actors.”It’s a gift exchange: Simmons is so versatile and talented that he brings gifts to any filmmaker he works with.Oscar voting runs Jan. 27-Feb.

Best Picture Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog” seems to have taken pole position in the best picture race. Campion won a screenplay Oscar at the 1994 ceremony for “The Piano,” which was also nominated for best pic (it lost to “Schindler’s List.”). Early front-runner “Belfast” should also make the ballot.

Nicole Kidman (“Being the Ricardos”) and Kristen Stewart (“Spencer”) sat down for a virtual chat for Variety’s Actors on Actors, presented by Amazon Studios. For more, click here.Nicole Kidman and Kristen Stewart both delve into iconography — and play with their own images — on screen. In “Being the Ricardos,” Kidman takes on Lucille Ball, portraying her both in character as TV’s Lucy Ricardo and as a creative force on the set of “I Love Lucy.” It’s a role whose resilience and grit calls to mind Kidman herself, at the top of her game decades into her career.

Clayton Davis The Producers Guild of America announced its nominations for the motion picture and television categories for the upcoming 33rd PGA Awards, and it was a good day for the streamers (once again).Netflix ruled the film side with three films landing in the field of 10 nominees: “Don’t Look Up” from Adam McKay, “The Power of the Dog” from Jane Campion and “Tick, Tick … Boom!” from Lin-Manuel Miranda.Warner Bros. captured two nods from its slate: “Dune” from Denis Villeneuve and “King Richard” from Reinaldo Marcus Green.At the best possible moment with Oscar voting opening today, Amazon Studios’ “Being the Ricardos” from Aaron Sorkin snagged one of the coveted spots, which helps its best picture chances considerably.

Clayton Davis A tsunami of buzz and Oscar-telling indicators drop on Thursday, with the major guilds announcing award nominations. The Directors Guild of America (DGA), Writers Guild of America (WGA), Producers Guild of America (PGA) and American Cinema Editors (ACE Eddies) all serve as critical barometers for the Academy Awards, especially in the race for best picture.DGA has averaged four of their five nominees landing in the Oscars’ best director category, including last year with Aaron Sorkin (“The Trial of the Chicago 7”) getting bumped for Thomas Vinterberg (“Another Round”).

Skyfall co-star Javier Bardem while his head was bleeding – which he failed to notice until the end of the chat.The pair took part in the latest edition of Variety‘s Actors On Actors segment, which sees two film or TV stars interview each other.At the end of the conversation, Bardem noticed that Craig was bleeding. “Let me ask you this last question my friend: what happened to you here?” Bardem said, pointing to the James Bond star’s head.“Where? Have I just got sandwich on my head?” Craig replied, before going to look in the mirror. He then laughed and explained the reason for the wound: “They’ve sent me this wonderful ring flash that I’ve set up with an iPad in the middle of it..

best picture race continues to narrow, Variety staffers take a look at some of the individual scenes that made us laugh, cry and think — sometimes at the same time.“Being the Ricardos”(Amazon) Lucille Ball (Nicole Kidman) pulls Madeline (Alia Shawkat), the only female writer on Ball’s “I Love Lucy,” out of the writers room for a little one-on-one discussion about a scene that Lucy has been trying to make funnier — or at least make logical, and therefore funny. Like Madeline, Lucy is a smart, funny, strong women in the early 1950s — a unicorn in this man’s world in which they have mastered “work-arounds.” This scene from writer-director Aaron Sorkin is an honest yet sharp and somewhat frustrating talk about the TV character, the way the character is treated on the show and what type of comedy works.

Zoe Hewitt Art is unlike other media in that it requires its creators to share parts of themselves as they’re likewise primed for the supremely subjective criticism that follows. After all, no dentist is asked to soliloquize about how a tooth extraction reflects life choices.