‘The Librarians’ Alum Lindy Booth Joins Sam Esmail’s ‘Metropolis’ Series at Apple

Bam Margera has found himself in more trouble.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Elon Musk, who acquired Twitter in a $44 billion, debt-laden deal a little over four months ago, said advertising revenue has dropped as much as 50% since he took over. But the mega-billionaire tech mogul said a few large advertisers have continued to spend with Twitter, and he specifically called out — and thanked — Disney and Apple as remaining two of the biggest marketers on the social network, speaking Tuesday at the 2023 Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference in San Francisco. According to Musk, Twitter is improving its ability to serve timely and relevant ads. He said he was speaking with David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, who asked Musk why Twitter couldn’t put an ad with the trailer for HBO hit show “The White Lotus” next to every tweet that mentions “White Lotus.” Musk responded affirmatively, describing it as basic keyword-based ad buys that Twitter is now selling: “It’s just Google AdWords but applied to tweets.”

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer What started as a singing competition special featuring Wiz Khalifa and Bebe Rexha that aired during NBA All-Star Weekend on TNT is now being shopped as a full-format series, Variety has learned. From “The Biggest Loser” and “World of Dance” executive producer Alex Katz, co-founder of Anagram Studios, the special was titled “The Sum” and though it prominently featured Wiz Khalifa and Rexha, they weren’t the competitors. Their fans, singing along to their hit songs, were the real players. Per “The Sum’s” description, “‘The Sum’ is an original concept based on the best part of any concert — fans singing along with the artists, also known as ‘the common chorus effect.’ In ‘The Sum,’ fans share the spotlight with their favorite music stars by performing a song together.”

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Demi Singleton is the latest addition to the cast of the “Bass Reeves” series at Paramount+, Variety has learned exclusively. Singleton will appear in the period drama as a series regular opposite series lead David Oyelowo, who will star as the titular legendary lawman. Additional cast members include Barry Pepper, Dennis Quaid, Forrest Goodluck, Lauren E. Banks, and Grantham Coleman. Per the official logline, the show “will bring the legendary lawman of the wild west to life. Reeves, known as the greatest frontier hero in American history, worked in the post-Reconstruction era as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory, capturing over 3,000 of the most dangerous criminals without ever being wounded.”

K.J. Yossman Taliah Webster, who starred in the Safdie Brothers’ film “Good Time,” and Sam Dillon (“Boyhood,” “Skin”) are set to lead the cast of crime thriller “On Point.” The feature, written and directed by Christian Schifano (“Bratus”), is set in urban New York. A one-take film, “On Point” will follow Natalie (Webster) and her roommate Amy (Alaina Surgener) as they head to a party downtown. While waiting for an Uber, Amy stops to buy a vape when she’s confronted by an armed man with an agenda. “On Point” will be shot as both a short and a feature.

EXCLUSIVE: Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias is joining the cast of The Santa Clauses as a series regular.

Jake Lacy (A Friend of the Family, The White Lotus) and Alison Brie (Somebody I Used to Know, GLOW) are set as leads opposite Annette Bening and Sam Neill in Peacock’s upcoming limited series Apples Never Fall, based on Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers author Liane Moriarty’s bestselling novel.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Alison Brie and Jake Lacy have joined the cast of Peacock’s upcoming limited series adaptation of the Liane Moriarty novel “Apples Never Fall,” Variety has learned. The pair join previously announced cast members Annette Bening and Sam Neill in the series. The show was originally ordered at Peacock in February 2022. Per the official logline, the series “centers on the Delaneys, who from the outside appear to be an enviably contented family. Former tennis coaches Joy (Bening) and Stan (Neill) are parents to four adult children. After decades of marriage, they have finally sold their famed tennis academy and are ready to start what should be the golden years of their lives. But after Joy disappears, her children are forced to re-examine their parents’ marriage and their family history with fresh eyes.”

Coronation Street spoilers follow. Coronation Street revisits Hope Stape and Beth Sutherland's slap storyline next week. Fans have been waiting to see whether Beth's guilt will be exposed after she secretly slapped Hope at the start of this month.

Lindy Booth (The Librarians) is set ro star opposite Briana Middleton in Apple TV+’s drama series Metropolis, inspired by Fritz Lang’s classic 1927 science fiction film, from Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail and UCP where he is under an overall deal.

EXCLUSIVE: Poorna Jagannathan (Never Have I Ever, Defending Jacob) has joined the cast of the untitled Apple Original Films thriller starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt from writer, producer, and director Jon Watts.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter The David Oyelowo-led “Bass Reeves” series at Paramount+ from Taylor Sheridan has cast Barry Pepper in a series regular role, Variety has learned exclusively. Along with Oyelowo, Pepper joins a cast that also includes Dennis Quaid, Forrest Goodluck, and Lauren E. Banks. The series is based on the true story of the titular lawman. Per the official description, “Reeves, known as the greatest frontier hero in American history, worked in the post-Reconstruction era as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory, capturing over 3,000 of the most dangerous criminals without ever being wounded.”

Braunwyn Windham-Burke is married again… but not really?

Briana Middleton, one of the leads of Apple TV+’s upcoming movie Sharper, has been tapped by the streamer to headline its high-profile drama series Metropolis, inspired by Fritz Lang’s classic 1927 science fiction film. Middleton is the first actor cast in the project, from Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail and UCP where he is under an overall deal.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Briana Middleton has been cast in the lead role of Sam Esmail’s Apple series adaptation of the film “Metropolis,” Variety has learned. The series was originally greenlit at the streamer in March 2022. It is inspired by the 1927 Fritz Lang sci-fi film of the same name, which has been hailed as one of the greatest and most influential films of the silent film era. Middleton will play the role of Finnie Polito. The announcement of her casting in the series comes days ahead of the Friday launch of the Apple film “Sharper,” in which Middleton also stars. Her other recent credits include the George Clooney film “The Tender Bar.” Her casting in the series marks her first starring television role.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter The “Bass Reeves” series from Taylor Sheridan starring David Oyleowo has added two new series regulars, Variety has learned exclusively. Forrest Goodluck and Lauren E. Banks are both set to star in the show alongside series lead Oyelowo and previously announced cast member Dennis Quaid. The series is based on the true story of the titular lawman. Per the official description, “Reeves, known as the greatest frontier hero in American history, worked in the post-Reconstruction era as a federal peace officer in the Indian Territory, capturing over 3,000 of the most dangerous criminals without ever being wounded.” Banks will play Jennie, described as “the strong and fiercely loyal wife of Bass Reeves.” Goodluck will play Billy Crow, said to be a “young Cherokee man with an affinity for dime store books and gaudy style.”

Very good news for Bruce Springsteen fans. Springsteen and his E Street Band have added 18 cities to their U.S. leg of the tour, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The news comes as a relief to fans upset over the initial schedule that excluded any West Coast dates.

EXCLUSIVE: Kimberly Harrison (The Crossover) has been tapped as showrunner for Hulu’s limited series about Sammy Davis, Jr. from Lee Daniels and 20th Television, which stars Elijah Kelley as the Candy Man.

Instagram post showing him in a neck brace with bruises and dried blood all over his face, Barry Miles wrote that he was jumped by two unknown men after leaving Powerhouse, a popular LGBTQ bar on Folsom Street in the city’s SoMa neighborhood.Miles wrote that his wallet was stolen, and that he suffered a heart attack during the assault due to high cholesterol, requiring doctors to put in two stents.“My face hit the sidewalk,” he wrote. “Also a front tooth was knocked out, and a small fracture in my neck.