Lev Mailer Dies: Former SAG Vice President Was 88

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorJon Adler, a veteran behind the production of many of CNN’s original series, has been named a senior vice president overseeing that programming at CNN as the WarnerMedia unit is creating more documentary content for its soon-to-launch streaming outlet, CNN Plus.“With the expansion of our mandate to create premium long-form programming for CNN Plus, Jon’s experience developing distinctive content for CNN linear will now benefit our newest platform,” said Amy Entelis, CNN’s executive vice president for talent and content development, in a memo to staffers. “Jon is one of the most passionate advocates for all things CNN and we are excited to see him embark on this new chapter.” Adler reports to Entelis.

LOS ANGELES -- Liv Ullmann likes to say that she’s given away many Oscars in her life. But she’s not talking about losing.The great Norwegian actor was once a frequent presenter at the awards. She called Peter Finch’s name for his posthumous Oscar for “Network” and stood beside Roger Moore when Sacheen Littlefeather accepted the statuette for Marlon Brando.So when she heard the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was trying to get in touch with her recently, she figured she was going to be asked to “give away” another.

Lionsgate has promoted David Edwards to Executive Vice President, Global Marketing. In his new role at the studio, he will report to President of Global Marketing, Marisa Liston, overseeing creative, digital and strategy for its global motion picture marketing department.

EXCLUSIVE: Reid Miller (Joe Bell), Jonathan Silverman (Good Girls), Marguerite Moreau (Wet Hot American Summer) and Chris Mulkey (Twin Peaks) have signed on to star in the indie Feeling Randy, marking the solo directorial debut of veteran cinematographer Dean Lent.

EXCLUSIVE: Amazon Studios is negotiating a feature deal on the Shipli Somaya Gowda novel Secret Daughter, with an impressive package that has Chinese helmer Anthony Chen (llo llo, Wet Season) attached to direct Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Sienna Miller in the lead roles. Shruti Ganguly will adapt the novel.

Danny Miller has given fans a glimpse inside his first family holiday with his fiancée Steph Jones and their four-month-old baby son Albert. The couple recently jetted off to a sunnier climate, with former Emmerdale star Danny keeping his 713,000 Instagram followers up to date with their trip. I’m A Celebrity… winner Danny, 31, and Steph, 30, have shared a series of sweet snaps from their sun-soaked getaway on social media, with midwife Steph gushing about the pair “making memories”.

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff has COVID-19.

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, who survived a brutal home invasion and rape in 1985, is praising Congress for approving and President Joe Biden for signing the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act.

K.J. Yossman Canadian animation studio Mercury Filmworks has appointed Guillaume Dubois as their new vice president of production.Dubois, who will report to Mercury Filmworks’ founder and CEO Clint Eland, will manage current and future productions including work-for-hire and original IP.

Jennifer Garner, 49, has been a mainstay of the TV and movie worlds for over 20 years since getting her big break in the 2001 TV series Alias, after making her earliest appearances during the 90s. Other than her amazing acting abilities, Jennifer’s love life has also garnered much attention during her time in the spotlight. While she was most famously married toBen Affleck for 13 years and shares three kids with The Tender Bar star, she’s since sparked a connection with businessman John Miller. Find out everything you need to know about John and Jennifer’s past relationships here!

Joe Otterson TV ReporterHulu has hired Brandon Shaw to serve as vice president of originals publicity, Variety has learned.In his new role, Shaw will report to Candice Ashton, who was recently promoted to senior vice president of originals publicity and events. Barrie Gruner is executive vice president of marketing and publicity for Hulu Originals, with Shannon Ryan overseeing the group in her role as president of content marketing for Hulu and General Entertainment.

Reece Dinsdale made a name for himself as one of Emmerdale's dastardly baddies when he joined the ITV soap as Paul Ashdale in April 2020. However, after a harrowing addiction and abuse storyline involving Mandy (Lisa Riley) and Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson), Paul was killed off in an explosion on his wedding day.

Stacia Philips Deshishku has been promoted to the newly created post of executive editor and senior vice president at ABC News.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterLegendary Television has hired Jen Roskind to serve as executive vice president of production, Variety has learned exclusively.In her new role, Roskind will manage all aspects of the studio’s operations, including physical production, post-production, safety & risk management and production labor. She will report to Carmi Zlotnik, president of Legendary TV.“We are fortunate and excited to have Jen join our team at such a pivotal time in the TV marketplace,” said Zlotnik.

Isobel Steele has become a staple to our weeknight TV schedule, after joining the cast of Emmerdale back in 2019. The actress, 21, portrays Liv Flaherty in the hit ITV soap, and has found herself at the centre of many dramatic storylines since arriving in the Yorkshire village. Most recently, viewers watched as Liv married her sweetheart Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) after the smitten pair decided to elope to Daventry.

DirecTV has dropped RT America, the sister network to Russia Today, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Emmerdale fans have been left fearing for their favourite Vinny Dingle after he recently married Liv Flaherty in sweet scenes. Soap watchers will recall that earlier this year Vinny was held hostage in an abandoned barn with Manpreet Sharma by evil murderer Meena Jutla. Viewers are now worried that Vinny could die in a devastating twist on the ITV soap due to an injury sustained during the chilling kidnap scenes.Taking to social media, soap watchers predicted that Vinny could drop dead due to a slow bleed on the brain after he was attacked by Meena.