UTA’s Digital Brand Architects Acquires Digital Golf Collective (EXCLUSIVE)

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer NBCUniversal’s longtime executive vice president of unscripted current production, Shari Levine, is stepping down from her role and shifting to a non-exclusive consulting position, Variety has learned exclusively. Following her exit, Noah Samton will expand his purview as the new head of East Coast for unscripted lifestyle current production across all platforms, while Kathleen French and Ryan Flynn will divide up overseeing the West Coast current production team, with all three reporting directly to NBCU television and streaming’s head of unscripted content, Rod Aissa. With a focus on Bravo programming during her more than two decades at the Comcast-owned company, Levine has overseen franchises like “The Real Housewives,” “Below Deck and “Million Dollar Listing,” as well as the original run of “Project Runway.”

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Blumhouse Television has promoted Chris Dickie to executive vice president of development and programming, Variety has learned exclusively. A five-year veteran of the Jason Blum-founded company, Dickie oversees a team of eight working on current and development across ongoing and limited series, domestic and international, television movies and streaming features, animation and podcasts. “Chris Dickie has consistently proven to be a creative and strategic executive possessing great instincts for material and the EQ essential for being a leader at Blumhouse,” Chris McCumber, president of Blumhouse Television, said. “I have full confidence in his ability to lead the team as we steer towards an exciting television slate in 2023 and beyond.”

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Ina Garten is bringing four new companions over to chat and eat on “Be My Guest With Ina Garten” Season 2, including Faith Hill, Nathan Lane, Emily Blunt and chef Marcus Samuelsson, Variety has learned exclusively. The second season of the Barefoot Contessa’s Food Network and Discovery+ series will debut Oct. 9 at 12 p.m. ET. Per the “Be My Guest” second season description, “In the season premiere, Ina greets Faith Hill with frozen palomas and fresh guacamole and they become fast friends while talking about family, love and music. Faith’s daughter Gracie joins the party to help bake her family’s cola cake recipe and they then take a drive to Topping Rose House to celebrate their new friendship.  In the following episode, Ina serves Nathan Lane a taste of nostalgia with her Rum Raisin Rice Pudding recipe, and they discuss his childhood, personal life and show business career from the early years to his prolific roles on stage and screen.  She also gives cooking-novice Nathan a lesson in making Mussels with Saffron Cream. 

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Magnolia Network’s top PR exec John Marsicano has been tapped as Endeavor’s new vice president of internal communications, Variety has learned exclusively. Beginning in the New York-based position Monday, Marsicano will be leading internal communications efforts across Endeavor’s network of more than 7,000 employees and supporting engagement with the company’s subsidiaries. He will report directly to Kim Ulrich, senior vice president of corporate communications at the Ari Emanuel-run company. Marsicano has worked with the Gaineses since 2017, when he began at the “Fixer Upper” couple’s national home and lifestyle brand by overseeing all communications efforts, both internal and external, for the company and its portfolio of businesses. He exited that role to join Magnolia Network, the Gaineses’ joint venture with Warner Bros. Discovery (previously Discovery, Inc., ahead of the April merger with WarnerMedia), in the comms chief role under network president Allison Page.

A group of Gulf states are threatening Netflix with legal action if the streamer does not remove what they class as content that “contradicts” Islamic values. The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issued a statement saying it has contacted the SVoD to demand the content, which was not specified publicly, is removed.

Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries in the Middle East have told global streaming giant Netflix to remove un-Islamic content. Although not specified, this is understood to mean that it should take down content including LGBTQ elements. The announcement was made Tuesday by the Committee of the Electronic Media Officials within the Gulf Cooperation Council, a trade and political association that includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. issued similar, separate statements. Associated Press reported that Saudi state television also aired video of an interview it conducted with a woman it identified as a behavioral consultant who described Netflix as being an “official sponsor of homosexuality.” It aired footage of a cartoon that had two women embrace, though the footage was blurred out. “Saudi state television also aired a segment suggesting Netflix could be banned in the kingdom over that programming reaching children,” AP reported.

People really want to see Carol Burnett host “Saturday Night Live”.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Netflix has set a third installment of Joe Berlinger’s “Conversations With a Killer” docuseries, this one focused on serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, Variety has learned exclusively. Titled “Conversations With a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes,” the three-part series will launch Oct. 7 on the streamer. Here is the official description for “Conversations With a Killer” season 3, per Netflix: When Milwaukee police entered the apartment of 31-year-old Jeffrey Dahmer in July of 1991, they uncovered the grisly personal museum of a serial killer: a freezer full of human heads, skulls, bones and other remains in various states of decomposition and display. Dahmer quickly confessed to 16 murders in Wisconsin over the previous four years, plus one more in Ohio in 1978, as well as unimaginable acts of necrophilia and cannibalism. The discovery shocked the nation and stunned the local community, who were incensed that such a depraved killer had been allowed to operate within their city for so long. Why was Dahmer, who had been convicted of sexual assault of a minor in 1988, able to avoid suspicion and detection from police as he stalked Milwaukee’s gay scene for victims, many of whom were people of color?

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Amid record-breaking viewership performance for “Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons,” Hulu has set the premiere date for its next big doc: the Adam McKay and Billy Corben-produced Jerry Falwell Jr. project, “God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty,” Variety has learned exclusively. Hailing from McKay’s HyperObject and Corben’s Rakontur banner, “God Forbid” tells the sensational story of evangelical leader and former Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr., his wife Becki Falwell and Giancarlo Granda, the Miami pool boy who had an affair with Becki and claims that Jerry was aware of and involved in the relationship. The streamer says Granda is closely involved with the doc and his point of view is largely the focus of the movie.

Celebrating her triumph. Vanessa Bryant spoke out after being awarded $16 million in her trial against Los Angeles County first responders. 

J. Kim Murphy A federal jury has found that the county of Los Angeles must pay Vanessa Bryant, the widow to NBA player and Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, a sum of $16 million, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Vanessa Bryant’s case concerned photographs of the remains of Kobe and their 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, which circulated after the two died in a 2020 helicopter crash. The jury’s unanimous decision was announced on Wednesday afternoon, one day after what would’ve been Kobe Bryant’s 44th birthday. In addition to Vanessa Bryant’s legal victory, her co-plaintiff, Chris Chester, whose wife and daughter were among the nine people killed in the helicopter crash, was awarded $15 million.

Vanessa Bryant's lawsuit against Los Angeles County.The jury in the lawsuit deliberated for less than four hours before coming to their decision, and ordered Los Angeles County to pay $31 million to the widow of Kobe Bryant and co-plaintiff Christopher Chester, according to multiple reports.The jury awarded $16 million to Vanessa and $15 million to Christopher — who lost his wife, Sarah, and 13-year-old daughter, Payton, in the same helicopter crash that killed Kobe and 13-year-old Gianna Bryant on Jan. 26, 2020 -- the reports.Vanessa and Christopher were seeking millions of dollars in damages for emotional distress regarding gruesome photos taken by officers at the crash site. In May 2020, Vanessa filed a claim against the L.A.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Fox Corp. unveiled its third annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report Wednesday, revealing the company’s approach to corporate giving, environmental, social and governance, employee benefits and resources, diversity and inclusion, and data security during its fiscal year 2022, which Variety has obtained exclusively. Covering corporate activities from June 2021-2022, the new Fox CSR report showcases the Rupert Murdoch-founded company’s philanthropic “Fox Forward” initiatives that focus on “serving veterans, active-duty military members and first responders; enhancing educational opportunities and providing support for underserved students and teachers; providing global disaster relief assistance; and investing in local communities through partnerships, financial donations, volunteer efforts and magnification across Fox’s media assets,” per the media giant.

Pat Saperstein Deputy Editor UTA is stirring up more action in the culinary field, signing top content creators Alexis Nikole Nelson, Matt Broussard (A Cook Named Matt), Owen Han, Danny Mondello (Meals By Cug) and H Woo. UTA will help guide the social media personalities as they grow their digital presence and expand into books, film, television, endorsements, branding, podcasting and other new business ventures. Nelson is known on TikTok as Black Forager. She has become well-known for her videos about foraging and cooking with edible plants, such as seaweed and acorns. She’s amassed more than five million fans across TikTok, Instagram and Twitter for her foraging tips, recipe videos and culinary history lessons. She recently won the 2022 James Beard Award for best social media.

For most, August 23 is just another day. But to the Bryant family, it’s everything. Because it marks the birthday of their late patriarch: Kobe Bryant.

Vanessa Bryant went to court again, but she didn’t go alone this time. The businesswoman and philanthropist were accompanied by her best friends Ciara and Monica and her 19-year-old daughter Natalia Diamante.Kobe Bryant’s widow is suing the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after the graphic images of the helicopter crash leaked.Although Shaquille O’Neal never had a close relationship with Vanessa Bryant, he also showed support.

Kobe Bryant, his wife of nearly twenty years, Vanessa Bryant, is still honoring his life.MORE: Vanessa Bryant shares family joy after devastating loss as fans send supportKobe tragically passed away on 26 January, 2020, alongside his daughter, thirteen-year-old Gianna Bryant, after a helicopter crashed in Calabasas, near Los Angeles, California.Now, on what would have been his 44th birthday, Vanessa is remembering him and their time together. The star took to Instagram to pay tribute to her late husband, making fans emotional and nostalgic as she shared a heartwarming photo of the two together.WATCH: Vanessa celebrates her daughter Natalia's acceptance to USCMORE: Vanessa Bryant pays emotional tribute to Gigi and Kobe Bryant on poignant anniversaryThe photo sees Kobe sporting a Lakers t-shirt, the only team he ever played for during his two decade NBA career, and he is holding on tightly to Vanessa, who is smiling ear to ear in the adorable portrait.In the caption, she wrote: "Happy birthday, baby! I love you and miss you so much!" alongside the hashtag #44 and a red heart emoji.Messages of support immediately poured in from fans and celebrities alike, extending ongoing support to Vanessa and a happy birthday to the iconic basketball player.

Vanessa Bryant and daughter Natalia Bryant showed their love and solidarity as they stepped into court in Los Angeles on Monday.Vanessa, 40, and Natalia, 19, held hands as they arrived at the courthouse, surrounded by photographers, for the start of the third week of trial in Vanessa's lawsuit against Los Angeles County, regarding graphic photos taken and shared by officers from the helicopter crash site that killed her husband, Kobe Bryant, and the couple's 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Bryant.Vanessa wore a white button-down blouse and black skirt with dark glasses, while Natalia donned an all-black suit ensemble for the ongoing courtroom battle.Monday's arrival to court marks the first day of the trial after Vanessa took the witness stand on Friday and emotionally recalled the moment she found out the graphic photos from the crash scene — including photos of Kobe and Gianna — had been leaked.She said she was at home breastfeeding her then 7-month-old daughter, Capri, when she was alerted to a  report about sheriff's deputies sharing the photos.Vanessa also shared that, to this day, she experiences panic attacks and anxiety over the possibility of seeing the photos from the devastating 2020 helicopter crash.In May 2020, Vanessa filed a claim against the L.A. County Sheriff's Department for sharing private photos of the Jan.

Vanessa Bryant has taken the stand in the trial for her lawsuit against Los Angeles County regarding graphic photos taken and shared by officers from the helicopter crash site that killed Kobe Bryant and the couple’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Bryant.

Vanessa Bryant is taking the stand in her civil suit filed against Los Angeles County after the helicopter crash that killed her husband Kobe Bryant and her 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant back in January of 2020.