Argonon Label Like A Shot Entertainment Launches First Podcast Series ‘Forbidden History’ (EXCLUSIVE)

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent CANNES — Framing one of the first independent series co-productions between Brazil and Portugal, Ventre Studio, Coral Europa, Canal Brasil and TVI are co-producing “Godless John,” with Brazilian acting legend Marco Nanini as John of God. Directed by Marina Person (“California”), the three-part series’ boasts a powerful Brazilian cast which has gained international recognition: Bianca Comparato,  star of Netflix hit “3%,” Karine Teles (“Second Mother”) and Antonio Saboia (“Bacurau”). Two Portuguese actresses will be confirmed shortly.

Jem Aswad Senior Music Editor Warner Chappell Music publishing has unveiled an original podcast series called “Setting the Standard: Stories from the Great American Songbook,” in partnership with Bang/Audiation – the team behind WCM’s podcast “Final Sessions: Harry Nilsson’s Losst and Founnd.” The new podcast will “weave together story and song into a tapestry of American cultural history for songwriters, historians, musicians, artists, and fans alike,” according to the announcement. Launching on October 25th, “Setting the Standard” will feature eight episodes – each on a different legendary songwriter – starting with three-time Oscar-winning and pioneering film composer Harry Warren. Additional episodes will roll out throughout the year and spotlight composers and songwriters including Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Jule Styne, and more. Using historical sources and new discussions with scholars, critics, artists, and family members, the series will tell the stories of their lives and highlight their most iconic songs. It will also feature exclusive interviews from artists like Billy Corgan and Michael Feinstein, and top songwriters such as Justin Tranter.

RBW Entertainment has shared that it is currently investigating several claims of infidelity and sexual misconduct made against ONEUS member Ravn by an alleged ex-girlfriend.On October 14, an anonymous Twitter user claiming to be an ex-girlfriend of Ravn’s uploaded a lengthy post accusing the idol of repeatedly cheating on her. He also made her “pay for everything” during the span of their relationship, among several other allegations.She alleged in her post that when they first met, the idol had gotten her drunk to the point that she was “not fully conscious” and proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her that same night.The user also alleged that Ravn had used violent language while talking about another ex-girlfriend, and later posted an audio clip which she alleges is a recording of the idol expressing his desire to “stab [his ex] with a knife”.The following day (October 14), RBW Entertainment shared a brief statement announcing that it was in the process of investigating the matter.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Peacock has shared a first look at Joe Pesci in Pete Davidson’s semi-autobiographical comedy series “Bupkis.” It was first reported that Pesci would be joining the series in August. He stars alongside Davidson as well as Edie Falco. The half-hour show is described as “a heightened, fictionalized version of Pete Davidson’s real life.” Pesci stars as Davidson’s grandfather, while Falco will play his mother. It was ordered to series at Peacock in April and is currently in production. “Bupkis” marks just the second regular television role of Pesci’s career. Prior to this, he starred in the short-lived NBC series “Half Nelson” in 1985. Pesci is best known for his film career, in particular his collaborations with Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro. The trio have worked together on seminal films like “Raging Bull,” “Goodfellas,” “Casino,” and “The Irishman.” Pesci won the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his work in “Goodfellas” and was nominated in the same category for both “Raging Bull” and “The Irishman.” Pesci is also known for his roles in films like “My Cousin Vinny,” the “Lethal Weapon” franchise, the first two “Home Alone” films and “JFK.”

Holly Jones Brazilian film editor, screenwriter and director Bruno Carboni tells a merged tale of human disconnection in “The Accident” (“O Acidente”), sharing an exclusive first-look trailer with Variety as the film begins to advance on the festival circuit.  Completed within the framework of the 2018 Torino Film Script Lab, Carboni’s reflective first feature has debuted in competition alongside seven other projects, including Eduardo Cassanova’s “La Piedad” and Carlos Lechuga’s “Vicenta B” at the 32nd Annual Cine Ceará in Fortaleza, Brazil, which wraps today. It is also screening at the Festival do Rio and has just been selected for the Tallinn Black Nights First Feature Competition. 

Emily Ratajkowski is getting into the podcasting game.

The BBC has posted a new podcast series exploring the evolution and global rise of K-pop from the perspective of six super fans. Hosted by journalist Lucy Ford, the Beeb says that the series “traces the evolution of the South Korean music genre from its beginnings in South Korea to its rise up the music charts to catapulting into mainstream global culture”.Ford adds: “I’m so excited to be hosting this series which looks at the history of K-pop, its place on the global stage and the real-life experiences of the people who love it – the stans! A lot of conversations about K-pop mischaracterise or leave fans out of the equation altogether, so I’m really THRILLED to be centring them in this conversation and letting them be the ones to tell their stories!”“Having been a huge K-pop stan for so long”, she goes on, “it’s amazing to be a part of sharing with the world why it’s so meaningful and fun for fans, and maybe – just maybe! – convert a few more newbies in the process”.As well as the fans, the series also features people involved in the K-pop business, plus Radio 1’s Adele Roberts, who appears because she was the first person to play a track by BTS on the BBC pop station.Roberts says: “In 2017, I gave BTS its first play on Radio 1, marking the beginning of my journey of discovering K-pop, meeting stans and icons and even travelling to South Korea.

Meghan Markle called out Hollywood for stereotyping Asian women in her latest podcast episode. Markle spoke to actress Margaret Cho and broadcast journalist Lisa Ling about how the media portrayal of the "Dragon Lady" has affected Asian women in real life in the fourth episode of "Archetypes." The Spotify podcast returned after a brief hiatus due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. King Charles III and other senior royals have also returned to work following a royal mourning period.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Anders Holm has joined the cast of the live-action Godzilla and the Titans series at Apple in a recurring role, Variety has learned exclusively. Holm is the latest addition to the the series, joining previously announced cast members Anna Sawai, Ren Watabe, Kiersey Clemons, Joe Tippett, Elisa Lasowski, Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell and Mari Yamamoto. Character details are being kept under wraps. The show hails from Legendary Television and is a part of the company’s growing Monsterverse franchise. Per the official description of the series, “Following the thunderous battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco and the shocking new reality that monsters are real, the untitled series will explore one family’s journey to uncover its buried secrets and a legacy linking them to the secret organization known as Monarch.”

Kim Kardashian is exposing the system.

Co-produced by veteran true crime producer Lori Rothschild Ansald, “The System” follows the case of Kevin Keith, a man who was convicted in 1994 on three counts of murder despite no physical evidence. Decades later, Keith, along with his brother Charles, are still trying to clear his conviction.

The Special Tour and made sure to mark the occasion with a historic performance—quite literally.During her show, the singer and played a stunning crystal flute loaned to her by the Library of Congress that once belonged to former United States President James Madison. Madison was the fourth president of the United States and served from 1809 to 1817—in other words, a long time ago.To make sure everyone understood the gravity of the history-making moment, the decided to immortalize it on her Twitter for fans around the world to see.

James Madison’s crystal flute during a concert on Wednesday night in Washington, DC. Loaned to her by the Library of Congress, handlers appeared onstage during “The Special Tour” stop, gently lending the Grammy-winning artist the 200-year-old instrument. “Bitch, I’m scared,” the “2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)” songstress declared into the microphone.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Ed Helms has managed to find the amusing parts of impending nuclear Armageddon. The actor, writer and comedian hosts “Snafu,” a nonfiction comedy series in which he’ll dissect some of history’s most notorious screw-ups. In the inaugural season, set to premiere Oct. 5 on major podcast platforms, Helms tells the story of Able Archer 83, the NATO military exercise that may have almost triggered a real nuclear war in November 1983. “It kind of felt like a story that needed to be told, and it also seemed like a story that would be fun to tell – it’s loaded with drama and spy-thriller intrigue,” Helms told Variety. “There’s a lot of comedy baked in. But ultimately it’s an intense and somewhat mortifying chain of events.”

Sarah Michelle Gellar shared a first look at her Wolf Pack character Kristin Ramsey, a chief arson investigator who she describes as a “hard person to crack” with plenty of secrets of her own.

Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest are celebrating their five-year work anniversary! The hosts spoke to ET’s Rachel Smith about the milestone.  “It seems like not five years,” Ripa says.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor It seems like everyone is launching a podcast these days — and now comes the Central Intelligence Agency. But don’t expect any major revelations from CIA’s “The Langley Files,” which is really a PR-outreach initiative to burnish the agency’s image as well as dispel notions that it’s a glamorous line of work as sometimes portrayed in popular entertainment. As the agency explains, “The mission of ‘The Langley Files: A CIA Podcast’ is to educate and connect with the general public, sharing insight into the Agency’s core mission, capabilities and agility as an intelligence leader…and to share some interesting stories along the way!”

Disney has a new television series for the "Star Wars" universe that is already getting thumbs up from fans and critics alike.  On Wednesday, the company released "Andor," a prequel show to the commercially successful 2016 film "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," on the Disney+ streaming service.The story focus on the journey of Cassian Andor, portrayed by Diego Luna, who also executive produces the series.  Set five years before the events of "Rogue One," the show focuses on the transition of Cassian from petty thief to the rebel hero we see in the film.The actor believes the show will provide fans with an "intimate" perspective of what life was like under the rule of the Galactic Empire.  "There has to be action and adventure and that like big scope of science fiction that you expect from 'Star Wars,' but at the same time, we can allow ourselves to be different," Luna said in an interview with Reuters. Diego Luna reprised his role as Cassian Andor for the prequel series released Wednesday on Disney+.  (Getty Images for Disney)  "What was the life like for people to be willing to sacrifice everything for a cause, you know? I don't think we've seen that," He told the news service.  Luna noted, "I don't think we've been in the most intimate life of the people that were having to live under the control of the Empire.

K.J. Yossman Adjoa Andoh is narrating “Chasing the Rains,” an upcoming four-part docuseries on African wildlife, Variety can exclusively reveal. Andoh is perhaps best know as “Bridgerton’s” Lady Danbury and has also appeared in “The Witcher” and “Silent Witness” as well as numerous theatrical productions. Produced by Love Nature and Sky Nature and created by Maramedia (“Stormborn”), the docuseries promises to take viewers “into one of the most majestic, unspoiled and rarely filmed areas in Africa” in an exploration of how wildlife – including cheetahs, hyenas and elephants – survive the cycles of draught and rainfall.