Notes On The Season: Oscar Race Defined In The Last Hour; Plus Catching Up With Contenders From A ‘King Richard’ Key Player To Dame Judi Dench

EXCLUSIVE: Ashley Hoppin, who oversaw animal-based programming across Nat Geo and Disney+, has joined Red Rock Films, the company behind Signourney Weaver-narrated Secrets of the Whales.

Ethan Shanfeld Olivia Rodrigo will flaunt her driver’s license in her upcoming Disney Plus movie “Driving Home 2 U (A Sour Film)” as she takes fans on a road trip from Salt Lake City, where she began writing her debut album, to Los Angeles.Along the way, Rodrigo will tell the stories behind “Sour,” and discuss how it feels to be a woman navigating pop stardom in her teens. Featuring behind-the-scenes footage in and out of the recording studio, the film will debut exclusively on Disney Plus on March 25.The movie will also feature 11 songs from the triple-platinum album performed with new arrangements in unique locations, from Roy’s Motel & Café to Red Rock Canyon State Park.

EXCLUSIVE: Showtime is expanding its cast for The Chi, with the addition of Nia Jervier (Dear White People) and Carolyn Michelle Smith (House of Cards) who will take on recurring roles for the series’ upcoming fifth season.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer“Yellowstone” prequel “1883” has been renewed for Season 2 at Paramount Plus, and the ViacomCBS-owned streaming service has ordered another Taylor Sheridan-created origin-story show following the Dutton Family called “1932.” Yes, you guessed it — the show will follow a new generation of Duttons “during the time of western expansion, Prohibition and the Great Depression.”“1883″ stars Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Billy Bob Thornton, Isabel May, LaMonica Garrett, Marc Rissmann, Audie Rick, Eric Nelsen and James Landry Hébert.The show follows the Dutton family as they embark on a journey west through the Great Plains toward the last bastion of untamed America. It is a stark retelling of western expansion and an intense study of one family fleeing poverty to seek a better future in America’s promised land — Montana.

Oscars website and the Film Academy’s social media accounts.Kristen Stewart scored a nom for her role as Princess Diana in “Spencer,” and will see herself competing against fan-favorites such as Nicole Kidman and Olivia Colman. “The Power of the Dog” and “Dune” each won nine nominations apiece. Will Smith may have two Oscars under his belt in one year this March, as he has received a nom for Best Actor and Best Picture for his role in “King Richard.”“West Side Story” scored five nods amid controversy with its star, Ansel Elgort.

Adele’s boyfriend Rich Paul, 40, knows how to throw a party! Before heading to London for Adele’s performance at the 2022 BRIT Awards, which is taking place on Feb. 8 at the O2 Arena in London, Rich celebrated at his home in West Hollywood, Calif., with some famous friends, including Meek Mill, 34, Kevin Hart, 42, and LeBron James, 37.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterThe upcoming FX limited series “The Patient” has cast Alex Rich in a recurring role, Variety has learned exclusively.Rich joins previously announced series leads Steve Carell and Domhnall Gleeson as well as cast members Linda Emond, Laura Niemi, and Andrew Leeds in the series, which hails from “The Americans” duo Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields.In the half-hour series, a psychotherapist (Carell) finds himself held prisoner by a serial killer (Gleeson) with an unusual request: curb his homicidal urges. But unwinding the mind of this man while also dealing with the waves of his own repressed troubles creates a journey perhaps as treacherous as his captivity.Rich previously appeared in the critically-acclaimed Netflix series “GLOW” in the role of Florian, the butler and best friend of Sebastian “Bash” Howard.

West Side Story, a role that won Rita Moreno an Oscar for the 1961 adaptation, has no shortage of scene-stealing Oscar moments, many of which show off her incredible talent as a singer and dancer as well. Caitríona Balfe’s role as the protective mother in Belfast looks close to a lock as well. She was the only actor from her film nominated at the SAG awards, making the cut even as Jamie Dornan and Ciarán Hinds were brutally snubbed.

He’s taking it easy on her! After Adele, 33,  broke down in tears announcing the cancellation of her highly-anticipated Vegas residency, rumors swirled about where boyfriend Rich Paul, 40, fell in the situation. After The Sun reported that the singer was in Beverly Hills working to ‘fix’ her ‘strained’ relationship, Adele clapped back on Instagram, stating that Rich “sends his love.” Now, HollywoodLife has EXCLUSIVELY learned that contrary to reports, Adele and Rich’s relationship is stronger than ever, and he’s been her “rock” through the entire “ordeal.”

When Chinese President Xi Jinping helps open the Winter Games in Beijing on Friday, dozens of world leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also are expected to attend.

Jordan Moreau The 2022 Oscar nominations are nearly here, and on Thursday morning the Academy announced that actors Tracee Ellis Ross and Leslie Jordan will be on hand to announce the nominees next week.Ross (“Black-ish,” “The High Note”) and Jordan (“Will & Grace,” “The Help”) will host a live presentation of the 2022 Oscar nominations on Tuesday, Feb. 8, beginning at 5:18 a.m.

The £693 rise in energy bills this April will be a “hammer blow” for Scottish households, consumer campaigners and politicians have warned.

Celebrity Big Brother is kicking off again!

After being online over the last two years because of Covid, SXSW’s film lineup returns with a vibrant in-person edition for its 29th 2022 edition, running March 11-20, 2022; teed off with the types of rollercoaster, Hollywood event films that the event is known to spur great national buzz for.

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentHere, Variety talks with Fernando León de Aranoa, director of the Javier Bardem-starring “The Good Boss” (“El Buen Patron”), Spain’s Oscar entry, which is a big box office hit on home turf and has scored more Spanish Academy Goya nominations than any other film in history.What does it mean to you to be shortlisted for the best international feature Oscar?I feel a mix of joy and responsibility. It means following the steps of some of the greatest Spanish filmmakers who have done it before, being among a group of brilliant directors from all over the world and having the opportunity of showing “The Good Boss” to a wider audience.What’s been the most challenging aspect of your campaign thus far?To make our film visible amidst the strong contenders.

Barcelona have completed the signing of another former Manchester City player, as right-back Alpha Dionkou has joined on loan from Granada.

Doesn’t seem like Adele’s romance is making things easy on her right now…

Manchester United have been told by Mark Noble they could have the new Paul Scholes on their hands if they sign Declan Rice in the summer.

Bob Saget's friends found a special way to remember him. Over the weekend, John Mayer, Dave Chappelle, Jeff Ross, Marc Maron and Seth Green hosted a «punk rock Shiva» for their late pal, who died on Jan.