Kathie Lee Gifford remembers Regis Philbin on late star's 91st birthday

Quinta Brunson’s voice is hoarse. The days of pre-award festivities leading up to the Sept. 12 ceremony were frantic, starting with Variety’s Showrunners Dinner (where she swapped war stories with fellow TV creators like Dan Harmon, Danny Strong and Liz Meriwether). Then came the Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony in downtown Los Angeles, the Governors Gala and Disney’s post-Emmy celebration, which spilled into the next day. Something had to give. Yet when the “Abbott Elementary” creator and star sits down for an in-depth interview with Variety, her creative voice is clear and strong.

“I am a woman, I am an artist, and I know where my voice belongs”, Sheryl Lee Ralph sang onstage Monday, performing a few lines from Dianne Reeves’ “Endangered Species” after winning the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

Selome Hailu The heat wave in Los Angeles couldn’t get in the way of the church of Sheryl Lee Ralph. The “Abbott Elementary” actor was met with a standing ovation in Beverly Hills on Sunday at the Creative Coalition’s Television Humanitarian Awards Gala Luncheon, where she was an honoree. Hosted by Variety‘s Marc Malkin, the ceremony was meant to celebrate a number of figures working in the TV industry who also devote their time to worthy social causes. Ralph received the honor, presented to her by “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” star Reid Scott, for her work with DIVA (Divinely Inspired, Victoriously Anointed). She began her acceptance speech with a powerful rendition of Dianne Reeves’ “Endangered Species: “I am an endangered species / But I sing no victim’s song / I am a woman I am an artist / And I know where my voice belongs.”

Walt Disney Studios previewed its upcoming animated offering Strange World at D23 Expo today.

Wilson Chapman editor For decades, wishes have been an important part of Disney history, as seen in songs like “When You Wish Upon a Star” to “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes.” Disney’s upcoming movie, aptly titled “Wish,” is taking that concept to the next level, the company announced at the D23 Expo on Friday. The new, animated film takes place in Rosas, the kingdom of wishes, it was announced at the D23 Expo on Friday. The movie focuses on the power of wishes, and it blends the classic watercolor-esque Disney animation style with a newer, CGI look. Ariana DeBose will play Asha, the 17-year-old heroine and protagonist of “Wish.” Jennifer Lee wrote the film, with Chris Buck, Fawn Veerashunthorn directing.

Disney’s Pixar today named the lead voice actors for its upcoming animated feature, Elemental. The film’s director Peter Sohn and producer Denise Ream, who previously collaborated on The Good Dinosaur, announced the castings, as they brought to the stage actors Mamoudou Athie (Jurassic World Dominion) and Leah Lewis (The Half of It).

Wilson Chapman editor America Ferrera (“Ugly Betty,” “Superstore,”) will star in “Elio,” an upcoming Pixar animated film set to release in Spring 2024. The movie was announced during the D23 expo presentation on Friday. “Elio” tells the story of the titular 11-year old boy, who is struggling to fit in until he suddenly gets beamed up by aliens and is chosen to be the galactic ambassador of earth. Ferrera voices Olga, Elio’s mother, who is working on a top secret project to decode alien messages. Yonas Kibreab voices the titular character. Ferrera is best known for her Emmy winning role as Betty Suarez in “Ugly Betty.” In addition, she starred from 2015 to 2021 in the critically acclaimed NBC sitcom “Superstore,” and also directed several episodes and co-produced. Other notable roles include the 2005 film “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” and this year’s Apple TV+ miniseries “We Crashed.” Next year will see her star opposite Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated “Barbie” live-action movie. As a voice actor, Ferrera previously voiced the character Astrid in the three “How to Train Your Dragon” films for Dreamworks Animation.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Prodigy are expanding their casts. Oscar nominee Carol Kane is set for a recurring role in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and Billy Campbell has joined the voice cast of animated series Prodigy. The news was announced Thursday as part of the global live-streamed Star Trek Day event.

Ana de Armas keeps it casual while arriving in Venice, Italy on Monday (September 5).

Sir Tom Jones has his fellow The Voice judges in tears this series - as he dedicates an emotional performance to his late wife. His fellow judges - Anne-Marie and Olly Murs - have opened up about the emotional performance, which takes place sometime this series. The show is pre-recorded months in advance, with the pair admitting they got very teary through it and the Ciao Adios singer even had to walk off as she cried over the sweet tribute.

Adam B. Vary Senior Entertainment Writer SPOILER ALERT: The final question in this interview includes a spoiler for the Season 3 finale of “The Boys.” “I love Boimler,” says “Star Trek: Lower Decks” star Jack Quaid of his adorably hapless character Brad Boimler. “I love him so much.” Quaid’s third season voicing the Starfleet ensign launched on Paramount+ on Thursday, but as Quaid and co-star Tawny Newsome (who voices Ens. Beckett Mariner) announced at San Diego Comic-Con in July, both actors will get to play the roles in live-action for the first time in a Season 2 episode of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” in 2023. The actor explained to Variety how the episode was possible, why he’s proud of Boimler in Season 3 of “Lower Decks,” how his character on “The Boys” will react to the big reveal in the Season 3 finale and what he did for the cast of “The Boys” spinoff series “Gen V.”