ABC News Executive Editor Stacia Deshishku Exits

Stephanie Leifer, a former programming executive who worked a combined 28 years at ABC Signature and ABC before leaving the company in 2022, died Thursday of cancer. She was 56.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Former ABC exec Stephanie Leifer, who spent nearly three decades at Disney TV in various capacities before departing in 2022, has died. She was 56. During her long career at ABC, Leifer was part of some of the biggest and most critically-acclaimed shows in the network’s history.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Black Bear‘s management arm has signed Mikko Mäkelä, the Finnish-British writer and director of “Sebastian.” Mäkelä is a rising force in international queer cinema having made movies that explore sexuality and identity. Mäkelä’s directorial debut “A Moment in the Reeds” premiered at the BFI London Film Festival and screened at nearly a hundred festivals worldwide, including Göteborg Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival and Frameline in San Francisco.

Michael Alex Michael Michael Alex joined MTV News in 1989, where he produced hundreds of segments of “The Week in Rock,” the Peabody-winning “Choose or Lose” series, documentaries and over a thousand daily news television reports. He founded and led MTV News’ digital organization from 1994 until 2007. Variety welcomes responsible commentary — contact [email protected] if interested. Twenty five years of entertainment history, as reported by MTV News, disappeared from the internet a few days ago, when its parent company, Paramount, removed the site’s archives, along with those of CMT and other outlets — without warning, explanation or comment.

There’s some news about season three of And Just Like That, the Sex and the City reboot show on HBO’s Max!

One door opens and another closes: a day after General Hospital thrilled fans by announcing that Jonathan Jackson is returning to the ABC sudser, Michael Easton has announced that he’s moving out of Port Charles.

There’s news about the upcoming HBO Harry Potter series…and fans of Succession might love some of these choices!

Tom Van Amburg died yesterday in Los Angeles after a short illness. He was 83.

The Sage Steele Show,” Carolla was asked how he could still live in Los Angeles, a question he responded to with a loud groan and exclaimed, “It’s horrible.” After telling host Sage Steele how he grew up in L.A. and that his comedy roots were made in the city, Carolla insisted it’s “time to move.”“I have twins, and they’re in their senior year of high school and I couldn’t- I didn’t want to pick up and, you know, tear up their roots, you know? So people always go, ‘When are you leaving?’ And I go, I will be attending their high school graduation in a U-Haul,” Carolla quipped. “That’s a sad testimonial about California and sort of recent downturn in L.A.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large ABC News Studios is teaming up with Imagine Documentaries to tell the story of Barbara Walters, the legendary broadcast journalist, anchor and host who died in 2022. Emmy winner Jackie Jesko is set to direct the film, which will debut on Hulu in 2025.

Daniel Ezra is saying goodbye to All American, but there’s some good news for fans.

BBC News presenter Aaron Heslehurst has announced that he is stepping down from the channel after 22 years, sharing a statement with fans via X on Sunday (23 June).The broadcaster, 57, who has been on screen for a total of over three decades, wrote to his 24K followers: "I guess it’s time to share something with you.This week will be my very last show at the BBC. "After 30yrs in TV news & 22.5 of them at the BBC it’s time to close this chapter! For those who’ve enjoyed my shows over the years I say THANK YOU! It’s been an honour & a privilege".

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Todd Harthan has been tapped as the new showrunner and executive producer of ABC’s “High Potential,” starring Kaitlin Olson. Harthan was previously executive producer/showrunner of Fox’s “The Resident,” which ran for six seasons and recently was a hit off-net for Netflix. Harthan replaces previous showrunner Rob Thomas, who departed the project earlier this month.

Todd Harthan, executive producer/showrunner of Fox’s longrunning medical procedural drama The Resident, has been tapped as executive producer and showrunner of the upcoming ABC series High Potential starring Kaitlin Olson. He replaces Rob Thomas who recently stepped down. The series, which had been on a production hiatus, is slated to resume filming next month.

Stacia Deshishku, who has been executive editor and senior vice president of ABC News, is planning to depart the network, according to a source familiar with plans.

Oscars will turn 100 in 2028. But with dwindling ratings for its telecast, to say nothing of the existential problems facing the movie business, will the show be around for another 100 years? It’s falling to Bill Kramer, the CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization behind the awards, to figure out a way for the Oscars to stay relevant and financially secure. “The Academy sits in two worlds: the film industry and the nonprofit arts and culture sector,” Kramer says.

Jonathan Axelrod, prolific studio and network executive, television producer and writer (Dave’s World, Can’t Hurry Love, Garage Sale Mysteries…), and son of the late George Axelrod (Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Manchurian Candidate, The Seven Year Itch…), died in his sleep on June 13 in Los Angeles. His death was confirmed to Deadline by his ex-wife, television director/producer Katy Garretson. He was 74. 

Selena Kuznikov Jonathan Axelrod, a studio and network executive and television producer and writer, died June 13 in Los Angeles. His ex-wife, television director Katy Garretson, reported his death.

ABC News will simulcast next week’s CNN presidential debate, with plans for pre- and post-debate coverage led by anchor David Muir.

iHeartRadio podcast that nearly all of their former colleagues stopped talking to them after their secret relationship was exposed in November 2022.“We went back to work for two days after that tabloid that shall not be named released those photos of — as we pointed out — just discovering us in a private relationship,” Robach, 51, said on the episode, which was filmed in front of a live audience. “They did not catch us cheating. That is not what happened,” she added.