“Will & Grace” broke new ground on television for its depiction of LGBTQ+ characters, and involved the exploits of a group of four friends: Eric McCormack’s Will, Debra Messing’s Grace, Sean Hayes’ Jack and Megan Mullally’s Karen.
08.06.2023 - 00:51 / variety.com
Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer HBO and Max chief Casey Bloys thinks AI has no place in the creative process at his brands. “Two things to keep in mind when I say this: One is, remember I grew up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which is Steel Town,” Bloys, the chairman and CEO of HBO and Max content, told Variety co-editor-in-chief Cynthia Littleton during a keynote conversation Wednesday at the Variety TV FYC Fest. “So I am very, very aware of what happens when a company does not think about the future or is not aware of the future. But also, I’ve been at HBO for 19 years and I have never tested a pilot to decide whether to pick it up or not. We just don’t use all of the things other places do, it’s just not something we do. So my take on AI, the idea that AI would be involved in any sort of development or the creative process in the kinds of shows that I do, or we do, at HBO, that’s not something I want to be a part of.
“If it does become something — and I hope I don’t sound like a steel executive in the 70s — I just can’t see it,” he continued. “And if it is, I hope to God I’m retired by that point.” Bloys’ comments come amid the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, which is a result of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers’ (AMPTP) inability to reach a deal with the union after its contract expired on May 1. One of the key issues the two sides can’t agree on: the use of AI in the writing process. According to Bloys, people used to pester him and HBO about pivoting to short-form scripted content, saying that was where things were headed, but he fought back. “I think I was right about that. And I think I’m right about this.” One of Bloys and HBO’s most-prized pieces of long-form scripted
“Will & Grace” broke new ground on television for its depiction of LGBTQ+ characters, and involved the exploits of a group of four friends: Eric McCormack’s Will, Debra Messing’s Grace, Sean Hayes’ Jack and Megan Mullally’s Karen.
Frédéric Fekkai has over 30 years of experience in the beauty business and he has racked up an impressive list of A-list clientele along the way.The New York City-based hairdresser is known for his innovative brand and work with Scarlett Johansson, Martha Stewart, Reese Witherspoon, Heidi Klum, Cindy Crawford, and Naomi Campbell, and now, he’s revealing the truth behind haircare rumors and when it’s acceptable to deviate from the norm. «I've encountered numerous myths during my time in the haircare industry, but one that's continued to stick with me is the belief that if you cut your hair during a full moon, it's promised to make your hair grow. Another is the misconception that washing your hair every day will cause your hair to become too dry,» Fekkai tells ET. The facts: «Hair growth comes from internal factors, such as genetics and overall health, rather than the phase of the moon.
Zack Sharf Digital News Director Before Pedro Pascal landed the male lead in HBO’s adaptation of the hugely popular “The Last of Us” video game, rumors swirled that co-creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann were trying to lure former “True Detective” stars Mahershala Ali and Matthew McConaughey back to the network to headline the series. Mazin finally sounded off on the casting rumors during a recent interview on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast. “I actually never talked to Mahershala,” Mazin said before confirming that talks with McConaughey did in fact take place. However, it sounds like McConaughey’s casting never made it past early discussions about the project.
Adam Lambert is weighing in on the recent string of inappropriate fan interactions during concerts.
Singer Ava Max was slapped by a stage-rushing audience member during a Los Angeles concert last night.
Jason Statham is a bona fide action hero, and with that status comes certain responsibilities. First, you have to have the constitution of a top athlete and second you have to do your own stunts. Being a former elite-level diver, Statham definitely has the former, but now, in an interview with Collider, The Expendables and Fast and Furious star has revealed how he has also done his own stunts over the years – sometimes at great risk to his health.
Gwen Stefani was left feeling a bit emotional when she appeared on The One Show on Monday night. The singer, 53, was on the BBC programme to talk about her upcoming UK gigs - which will be the first time she's performed in the UK for an astounding 16 years.
There’s not a day goes by where the upcoming Barbie movie is not mentioned at least once. Starring Margot Robbie as the iconic fashion doll and Ryan Gosling as Ken, the highly anticipated feature film has also been directed by none other than Greta Gerwig. In the lead up to the big release - which by the way, drops on the 21st July in case you didn’t already know - all of the actors have been extremely busy galvanting around the globe doing press.
Please note, the House of the Dragon screening and panel took place on March 7, 2023.
A casual queen!
Editor’s note: These interview was done outside of the FYC event as there was no cast or creatives panel as a part of the event.
wearing flip-flops on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival last month, Jennifer Lawrence is setting the record straight about the fashion statement that had the internet abuzz.«Ok, thank you for bringing this up. I would really like to straighten this out,» Lawrence told ET's Nischelle Turner while promoting her new film, alongside co-star, Andrew Barth Feldman.
Janelle Monae is opening up about business and pleasure.
The HBO Original documentary Being Mary Tyler Moore reveals the life of the titular actress, producer and philanthropist who dazzled family, friends and fans both on and off screen until her death in 2017.
Former “Grey’s Anatomy” co-stars Ellen Pompeo and Katherine Heigl are together again — not in Seattle’s Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, mind you, but in a new joint interview for Variety.
The HBO Original documentary Being Mary Tyler Moore reveals the life of the titular actress, producer and philanthropist who dazzled family, friends and fans both on and off screen until her death in 2017.
Kelsea Ballerini is getting real about her personal life.
Editor’s note: These interview was done outside of the FYC event as there was no cast or creatives panel as a part of the event.
Jennifer Coolidge got into the thick of things for a conversation with The Bear star Jeremy Allen White in Variety where they discussed their rise to the top of the industry, particularly over the last year. The actress, 61, opened up especially about the means through which she found early success with her work as a character actress and why she feels it was the wrong decision to not capitalize on them. When asked by Jeremy, 32, if she chose roles for longevity or because she found people she liked and wanted to work with, Jennifer responded: "Now that I'm old enough to really look back at my life and certainly my mistakes, I see a lot of those. Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan share reactions to Outlander ending with season eightWhy Princess Eugenie's baby's birth is a huge royal firstRobin Roberts will leave Good Morning America in 2023 temporarily for very special reasonInside the 2023 Oscars goodie bagSean Penn and Charlize Theron grace the red carpet together"But I never had any strategy. I just went job to job. I have to say I made the terrible mistake of not riding the wave that I had early on. "The acclaimed comedienne continued: "It was sort of in the '90s when I had Legally Blonde, Best in Show, and American Pie.
Tom Holland is very grateful for the opportunity to have starred as Peter Parker in three Spider-Man movies, but says he is open to passing on the baton to another actor.