Richard Leibner, an Anchor for News Anchors, Will Retire From UTA

Richard Leakey, a renowned Kenyan conservationist whose work was frequently featured in film and television documentaries, died today at age 77. Details on what he died from and where were not revealed.

On the latest episode of Crew Call, producers Tim and Trevor White of Star Thrower Entertainment talk to us about getting Serena and Venus Williams on board for a feature about their tough-as-nails, relentless, ambitious coach father Richard Williams, a man who transformed them into global tennis champs. The pitch included Will Smith being part of the package and convincing Warner Bros. to go with budding filmmaker Reinaldo Marcus Green.

UTA co-president Jay Sures told staff in a memo, “Richard’s impact has been unmatched … His career highlights could be an entire segment of ‘60 Minutes.’” CNN’s Brian Stelter wrote in his “Reliable Sources” blast: “Richard has been like a father to me, offering witty observations and hard truths and bear hugs along the way.” Leibner is in the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame.

Tim Gray Senior Vice PresidentPamela Martin of Warner Bros.’ “King Richard,” says, “When it comes to editing, you have to love your characters, flawed or not. And I loved that family.”Before signing on, the editor says, “I knew very little about Richard Williams, and it was mostly filtered through the media: ‘That crazy tennis dad’ or ‘He’s a nut job.’ Now I think that guy’s a genius.”The Will Smith-starring film, which is an Oscar contender, concerns the early days of tennis champs Venus and

“Nightmare Alley” (opening Friday) stars Bradley Cooper, Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett, and takes place in the seedy traveling carnivals of the 1940s. And no matter how different these movies are, they share one thing in common: they are all tall.

Selome Hailu editorApple TV Plus announced that upcoming thriller series “Severance” will premiere with two episodes on Feb. 18, followed by new episodes weekly on Fridays.The series stars Adam Scott as Mark Scout, who leads a team at Lumon Industries where employees’ work and personal lives are surgically divided.

Ryan Reynolds’ latest collaboration has him dreaming of drifting away at sea.

Sitting on Santa’s lap! Meghan McCain, Jenna Cooper and more celebrities have taken their kids to visit with Saint Nick this year.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorEman Varoqua was named executive producer of “Nightline,” the latest in a series of moves by ABC News President Kim Godwin to fill some of the top positions in the news division.Varoqua has been with ABC News since 2018, most recently working as senior broadcast producer for the late-night news show that launched with Ted Koppel in 1980, with roots in ABC’s coverage of the Iran hostage crisis.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorChris Wallace is leaving Fox News Channel, he announced on his program Sunday morning, a move that abruptly sunders the cable-news outlet’s connection with one of its most recognized and independent journalists.Wallace delivered the news himself, in the last minutes of his “Fox News Sunday,” which he has anchored for nearly two decades on the Fox Corporation-owned outlet.  “I want to try something new, to go beyond politics to all the things I’m interested in.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorLauren Townsend, a veteran of corporate media publicity, has been named a new senior vice president of communications at Fox Corp.The announcement of her new title was made by Brian Nick, the company’s chief communications officer. She will join Fox on January 3, 2022.Townsend had been doing consulting work for Disney’s Hulu, but is probably best known for stints as a senior-level communications executive for Lionsgate’s Starz and Sony Pictures Television.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorOn Thursday evening, Fox News hopes to bring new light to the holiday season after a large Christmas tree placed outside the company’s New York headquarters was set ablaze Wednesday morning.“Fox & Friends” weekday hosts Steve Doocy and Ainsley Earhardt will be joined by meteorologist Janice Dean, weekend “Fox & Friends” hosts Pete Hegseth and Rachel Campos-Duffy and early morning hosts Todd Piro and Carley Shimkus as Fox News lights a new tree during the first

Will Smith and the cast of King Richard are receiving a major honour! The Palm Springs International Film Awards announced Tuesday that the stars of the biopic will be the recipients of the Ensemble Performance Award.

Palm Springs International Film Awards announced Tuesday that the stars of the biopic will be the recipients of the Ensemble Performance Award.The award will be presented to Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Jon Bernthal and Tony Goldwyn, who are all expected to attend.“is a wonderful film that tells the emotional story of Richard William’s determination and vision that, along with the steady support of his wife Oracene, turned their daughters Venus and Serena into tennis

Brian Steinberg Senior TV EditorYamiche Alcindor, whose journalistic profile has expanded during a recent tenure with PBS, is joining NBC News’ Washington team.Alcindor, who is expected to start with NBC in March, will cover the Biden administration as well as the impact of federal policies on communities across the country and issues at the intersection of race, culture and politics, according to a memo from Ken Strickland, NBC News’ Washington bureau chief.

In King Richard, Aunjanue Ellis is Oracene Price, mother and oft-unsung hero in the success story of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams. As a determined and driven father and coach, the titular character Richard Williams (played by Will Smith) has long been known in the public eye as the man behind the sporting family’s magic.