William Earl Welcome to Variety’s Weekend Reads, a weekly collection of deep dives, long reads, analysis, reviews and commentary from Variety’s print and digital platforms. Curated by Variety.com editor William Earl, this is your guide to can’t-miss Variety content that is well worth your attention. Subscribe to Weekend Reads and other newsletters here. Today marks the 70th birthday of one of the most creative artists ever seen on television: Paul Reubens, whose Pee-wee Herman persona gave decades of kids the courage to foster their weird imaginations. In the late ’70s, Reubens developed the childlike character at the Groundlings. In 1981, he got his own HBO special based off of his stage show. Fueled by his increasing popularity on late show segments, Reubens made a splash in Variety via a 1984 concert review of Pee-Wee Herman playing the iconic Carnegie Hall.
Less than 1 per cent of Netflix’s 221million subscribers play its games
09.08.2022 - 11:55 / nme.com
Netflix’s subscribers are playing the games included with the TV and film streaming service.Since last year, Netflix has offered a number of games with its streaming service – which will reportedly increase to 50 by the end of this year – that can be downloaded separately at no extra cost.Data from CNBC and Apptopia indicates that of Netflix’s 221million subscribers, the games have been downloaded 23.3million times and average daily users of around 1.7million – or less than one per cent of the service’s subscribers.With more streaming services creating competition for Netflix, this strategy of mobile games is undoubtedly being used to set itself apart from other services. That said, Netflix lost around 1million subscribers earlier this year, which was less than its projected loss of 2million.Whilst Netflix is adding the likes of Spiritfarer and a number of titles from Devolver Digital to its games service, there are also some original titles based on actual Netflix series’ on the way as well.
A narrative RPG based on Shadow And Bone is coming, alongside The Queen’s Gambit Chess, based on the hit original series.The core of Netflix’s video game strategy is still somewhat vague, via CNBC. Back in June the company’s head of external games, Leanne Loombe, said: “We’re still intentionally keeping things a little bit quiet because we’re still learning and experimenting and trying to figure out what things are going to actually resonate with our members, what games people want to play.”In other news, YouTube: Game On is a new show coming to the platform later this month, which will let viewers interact with and make choices in games being played by creators.
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Netflix Sets Documentary Series On Heavyweight Boxer Tyson Fury
Netflix today confirmed it is currently in production on a multipart documentary series with the heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury.
Luke Seraphin Appointed as Head of Inclusion at Sky
Naman Ramachandran Luke Seraphin has been appointed to the newly created role of head of inclusion, content and Sky Studios, reporting into Sky managing director of content Zai Bennett and Sky Studios CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz.Seraphin will be responsible for the creation and delivery of all diversity, equality, inclusion and accessibility initiatives across Sky originals, including development, production and commissioning. They will work closely with Claudia Osei-Nsafoah, Sky’s group director of people, talent, diversity and inclusion, and her team of diversity and inclusion experts.Seraphin has worked at Sky since 2020 as head of drama and factual PR and had previous stints at Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC, Channel 4 and ITV.
Streaming Viewership Has Surpassed Cable TV Tune-In For The First Time, Per Nielsen
Viewership of streaming programming surpassed that of cable TV for the first time in July, Nielsen reported.
‘Purple Hearts’ director defends Netflix film from racism backlash
Purple Hearts director Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum has defended the Netflix film against criticism over misogynistic and racist themes.The romance drama, which has been watched for more than 100 million hours on the streaming service, follows Cassie (Sofia Carson), a liberal aspiring musician who enters a “marriage of convenience” with conservative Marine Luke (Nicholas Galitzine).At the start of the film, Cassie and Luke are portrayed as polar opposites, which includes their political views. In one scene during a going-away dinner, one of the Marines on Luke’s team makes a toast and says: “This one is to life, love and hunting down some goddamn Arabs, baby!”Cassie calls the Marine out on the comment before she storms off, after Luke insists she backs down.The film has been criticised for “painting racism as a simple flaw” while the character of Luke “stays the same”, according to a viewer on Twitter.
‘The Mole’ Reboot Coming to Netflix in Fall 2022
Netflix is rebooting “The Mole,” a high-stakes competition series that will debut on the streamer this fall, TheWrap has confirmed.In the new and reimagined version, 12 players must work together in challenges to add money to a pot that only one of them will win at the end. Unbeknownst to them, one of their teammates has been designated as “the Mole” and tasked with sabotaging the group’s money-making efforts.
Netflix Tracks Down Reboot Of Reality Competition ‘The Mole’
Netflix is bringing back classic competition series The Mole.
‘The Mole’ Reboot Ordered at Netflix
Joe Otterson TV ReporterA rebooted version of the reality series “The Mole” has been ordered at Netflix, Variety has learned.The new version of the former ABC series is expected to bow on Netflix this fall. Like the original American version, the Netflix version is based on the Belgian format “De Mol” created by Bart De Pauw, Michel Vanhove, Michiel Devlieger, and Tom Lenaerts and distributed by Primitives.The streamer has given the new show a 10-episode order.
The Addams Family: First look at Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán as the Parents
Jenna Ortega has completely embody the role of the iconic Wednesday Addams in the latest promotional photos for the highly anticipated Tim Burton’s Netflix series, but now that we see the rest of the family, with Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia, Luiz Guzmán as Gomez and Isaac Ordonez as Pugsley Addams, it’s clear that the show will be a total success.The first images of the show were unveiled by Vanity Fair, introducing the rest of the cast and getting fans excited about the upcoming show, with a fresh storyline and interesting situations. And if you were wondering about Christina Ricci, the actress playing Wednesday in the live-action feature films, she is also coming back as “an “exciting new character” on the show.Ricci has previously praised Ortega’s performance as Wednesday, describing her as “incredible” with a “great modern take” on the character.
Netflix Drops First Look at Guillermo Del Toro’s 'Cabinet of Curiosities' - Watch!
The first look at Guillermo Del Toro‘s upcoming horror anthology, Cabinet of Curiosities, is here!
Pinball London To Set Up First Scandinavian Co-Pro with ‘A Gift to My Mother’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Annika Pham U.S. born British filmmaker Aaron Brookner (“Uncle Howard”) is plotting his first Nordic noir, slated for a market debut at Haugesund’s Nordic Co-Production Market, part of the leading Scandinavian confab New Nordic Films (Aug.
‘Lisa Frankenstein’: Carla Gugino, Liza Soberano, Joe Chrest & Henry Eikenberry Board Zelda Williams’ Horror-Comedy For Focus Features
EXCLUSIVE: Carla Gugino (The Fall of the House of Usher), Liza Soberano (Alone/Together), Joe Chrest (Stranger Things) and Henry Eikenberry (The Crowded Room) will star alongside Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse in the horror-comedy Lisa Frankenstein, which actor-filmmaker Zelda Williams is directing for Focus Features, in her feature debut.
Kathy Bates & Liza Koshy Board Netflix Romcom Opposite Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron & Joey King
Misery Oscar winner Kathy Bates and Liza on Demand actress Liza Koshy are joining the untitled Netflix romantic comedy which stars Oscar winner Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron and Joey King.
Kathy Bates and Liza Koshy Join Untitled Netflix Rom-Com Starring Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron
Wilson Chapman editorAcademy Award winner Kathy Bates and YouTube star Liza Koshy have joined the cast for an upcoming romantic comedy film from Netflix.The film, which is currently untitled, is headlined by former “The Paperboy” co-stars Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron, as well as “Kissing Booth” lead Joey King. According to the logline, the film will focus on a young woman, her mother and her movie star boss as as a surprising romance kicks off comedic consequences for the trio, forcing them to face complications of love, sex and identity.The film is directed by “The Last Five Years” and “Beautiful Creatures” director Richard LaGravenese, who co-wrote the script with Carrie Solomon.
Kathy Bates and Liza Koshy Join Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron in Untitled Netflix Rom-Com
Oscar-winner Kathy Bates and “Work It” star Liza Koshy have joined the cast of a still-untitled romantic comedy in the works at Netflix that will star the previously announced Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron and Joey King.Richard LaGravenese (“Behind the Candelabra”) is directing the film from a script he co-wrote with Carrie Solomon.The film follows a surprising romance that kicks off when a young woman, her mother and her movie star boss face the complications of love, sex, and identity. No character details were revealed for Bates and Koshy.
Fire Breaks Out At Italy’s Cinecittà; Destroys Part Of Renaissance Florence Set; Briefly Disrupts Netflix’s ‘Old Guard 2’ Shoot
Fire broke out at Italy’s historic Cinecittà Studios on Monday afternoon (August 1), destroying part of an old set depicting Renaissance Florence, which was in the process of being dismantled, and disrupted Netflix film Old Guard 2.
Here’s What’s Leaving Netflix in August 2022
Ray Liotta and Paul Sorvino, you have until August 31 before it leaves Netflix. Scorsese classics “Taxi Driver” and “The Departed” also take a bow at the end of the month.
Netflix Feature Doc Exec Jason Spingarn-Koff Exits
EXCLUSIVE: Netflix is making changes in its feature documentary division.