CBS Names Adam Verdugo Executive Producer, ‘CBS Evening News’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorTrailblazing trans actor Hari Nef will headline “Lina’s Song,” a new scripted podcast from executive producer Mark Duplass, set in the ’80s punk scene of East Berlin.“Lina’s Song” is set to premiere on Spotify and Apple Podcasts on Aug. 19.

Rebecca Romijn (“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds”) and Jerry O’Connell (“The Talk”) will co-host CBS’ upcoming reality series “The Real Love Boat,” the network announced Tuesday.Inspired by the ’70s scripted series “The Love Boat,” “The Real Love Boat” is a dating show that sees contestants mingling on a luxury cruise ship, sailing through the Mediterranean. The show will feature destination dates and challenges between the couples that form, with one couple winning a cash prize and a free trip from Princess Cruises.“The Real Love Boat” is set to premiere Oct. 5 at 9 p.m.

Bondit’s Buffalo 8 has hired Adam Harris Engelhard as head of production and B8 Services.

Jason Momoa has taken on a new honorary role as the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Adovocate for Life Below Water.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterMimi Leder has signed a multi-year overall deal with Apple, Variety has learned.Leder is currently an executive producer on the Apple drama series “The Morning Show.” She has also directed multiple episodes of the series, including the pilot. The show was renewed for a third season earlier this year, which is currently in production.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentStudiocanal CEO Anna Marsh has been named International Distributor of the Year at CineEurope, the exhibition conference which is taking place this week in Barcelona. Andrew Sunshine, president of CineEurope organizer Film Expo Group, said Marsh “defines what an executive is and is well respected throughout our industry.”“Anna is a natural leader who has helped take Studiocanal — the European leader in the production and distribution of features films and TV series — to the next level and could not be more deserving of this award,” continued Sunshine.Laura Houlgatte, CEO of UNIC, the international guild of exhibitors, pointed that Studiocanal “remains a crucial partner of European cinema exhibition and has shown itself to be fully committed to bring the best of European films to the big screen.” Marsh, a New Zealand-born executive who graduated from the prestigious French business school HEC and began her career working in sales at Tele Images Productions and TF1 International, joined Studiocanal in 2008 as VP of international sales.

Naman Ramachandran Harry Lawtey (“Industry”), Jessica Barden (“The End of the F***ing World”) and Sophia Brown (“The Witcher: Blood Origin”) star in writer Jamie Davis’ contemporary love story “You & Me.” Produced by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios, and executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins (“A Very English Scandal”), Alexander Lamb (“We Hunt Together”) and Russell T. Davies (“It’s A Sin”) the three-part series has begun filming on location in Southeast London, and first looks have been revealed.

Billy Crystal is attached to star and executive produce new limited series “Before,” where he will play Eli, a child psychiatrist and recent widower who encounters a troubled young boy. Apple TV+ has picked up the show hailing from Paramount Television.Sarah Thorp (“The Bounty Hunter”) will serve as writer, with Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Levinson (“Dopesick”) attached to direct.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterJen Garcia Allen, a veteran journalist and digital media executive, has been named co-president of social entertainment studio and brand consultancy firm Shareability.Garcia Allen will oversee day-to-day operations of the company as well as key divisions including strategy, content and the newly formed Insights group. She will report to Shareability CEO Tim Staples.“I am thrilled to join the incredible team at Shareability.

Selome Hailu Syrinthia Studer has joined Paramount’s global content licensing division as executive vice president of international productions.After being promoted from serving as executive vice president of Nickelodeon and Awesomeness Films, she will now oversee content strategy, development and production of local language and micro-budget films for the studio’s new business unit. Her purview will focus on originals and culturally specific local language remakes sourced from Paramount Pictures’ film library, with projects releasing via limited theatrical or direct-to-consumer platforms globally.

Angelique Jackson Comedian David A. Arnold is back on Netflix with a new special, “It Ain’t for the Weak!”Produced by Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat, the comedy special will launch globally on July 19 and follows his 2019 Netflix debut, “Fat Ballerina.”“It Ain’t For The Weak!” taped earlier this year at The Hanna Theater in Arnold’s hometown of Cleveland, OH.

This Manchester venue has just been named the Best Vegetarian Restaurant in the north at a national awards ceremony - fresh from a move to a stunning new home in the city centre. The Allotment vegan restaurant has been winning rave reviews and an army of admirers since first opening on Lloyd Street four years ago.

CBS News has tapped Adam Verdugo as the next executive producer of CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell.

technological doomsday. Filmmakers Brian Becker (“MLK/FBI” producer) and Marley McDonald are currently looking for American home videos from Dec.

Apple TV+ has a sweet update to share about its big acquisition from 2021: The streamer has greenlit Sugar to series. It stars Colin Farrell and is from creator Mark Protosevich (The Cell, I Am Legend).

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorLuis Silberwasser is getting ready to till new terrain on a familiar piece of ground.The veteran TV executive, who has in recent years become a top content executive in Spanish-language media, has been named to head up the broader sports business for Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a person familiar with the matter.

William Earl The Variety & Sony Pictures Television Virtual FYC House, which captures the attention of TV awards voters, kicked off with a special preview night on June 1 featuring an exclusive “Power of Production” panel in-person on the Sony lot.The round table, moderated by Variety TV editor Michael Schneider, featured panelists Liz Friedman, executive producer, “The Good Doctor”; Chris Miller, executive producer, “The Afterparty”; Simon Racioppa, executive producer, “The Boys Presents: Diabolical”; Matthew B. Roberts, executive producer, “Outlander” and Gordon Smith, executive producer, “Better Call Saul.”The showrunners and executive producers responsible for bringing Sony Pictures Television’s roster of shows to screen unveiled how they position a show for ultimate success.

Kathie Lee Gifford's son, Cody, welcomed his baby into the world on Tuesday, and when it came to choosing a name for his son, he decided to keep it in the family. The TV personality called into  to discuss her new role as a grandmother and revealed her grandson's name is none other than Frank Michael Gifford, in honor of her late husband who died in 2015. Our friend @KathieLGifford is officially a grandmother! We’re checking in with KLG about her family’s newest addition! pic.twitter.com/stPT924B6S«I was surprised Cody named him after his dad because Cody knew what it was like to grow up in the shadow of a great man,» she said. «But I guess he's never gotten over, really, and he never will, the loss of his dad at an early age and he was his hero and he still is,» Kathie Lee continued. A post shared by Kathie Lee Gifford (@kathielgifford)In April, Kathie Lee spoke with ET about how thrilled Frank would be for Cody and his wife, Erika.«It's funny, I was saying to my son last night that, 'Daddy would be so happy, honey, with so many things going on in our lives.