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- 'Daily Variety' Podcast Recap: 'Frankenstein's' Long Journey to Venice, ESPN Streaming Launch, TV Upfront Sales Wrap, Jake Tapper at Truth Seekers</p>
<p>Cynthia LittletonAugust 24, 2025 at 12:00 AM</p>
<p>That was the week that was for Variety — as covered on the "Daily Variety" podcast, hosted by co-Editor in Chief Cynthia Littleton.</p>
<p>Variety's Brent Lang and Ramin Setoodeh told the backstory of the latest incarnation of "Frankenstein," with help from Guillermo del Toro and print magazine cover stars Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac.</p>
<p>More from Variety</p>
<p>'Variety Confidential': River Phoenix Left Behind Just 14 Film Credits but Also a Legacy That Reverberates to This Day</p>
<p>LISTEN: The Wizardry of Industrial Light and Magic; 'Long Story Short' Celebrates Judaism</p>
<p>LISTEN: How Guillermo del Toro, Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac Brought 'Frankenstein' to Life; Gamescom Boots Up in Germany; ESPN's Streaming Send Off</p>
<p>We heard from Jake Tapper, Ronny Chieng, Amber Ruffin and Roy Wood Jr. from Variety and Rolling Stone's Truth Seekers Summit in New York.</p>
<p>Industry veterans Chris McGurk and Jana Winograde joined the podcast to explain why their new venture with Lloyd Braun, Susan Rovner and Erick Opeka is definitely not Quibi.</p>
<p>Jimmy Pitaro explained what's at stake in ESPN's great leap forward into streaming.</p>
<p>Variety's Tatiana Siegel detailed the final episode of her exploration of the life and legacy of River Phoenix on the latest season of "Variety Confidential" podcast.</p>
<p>Variety's Jennifer Maas filled us in on the Sun Valley of the video games biz, the Gamescom gathering in Cologne, Germany.</p>
<p>Variety's Brian Steinberg revealed the final number for this year's upfront ad sales season: $31 billion.</p>
<p>We heard from Variety's Rebecca Rubin on the "Weapons" of the late summer box office and a look ahead to the fall release slate.</p>
<p>Variety's Jazz Tangcay explored 50 years of visual effects wizardry from Industrial Light and Magic.</p>
<p>And there's more. Here are the "Daily Variety" episodes for Aug. 18-21. More episodes can be found here on the "Daily Variety" show page.</p>
<p>THURSDAY AUG. 21</p>
<p>In today's episode, we talk box office with Variety's Rebecca Rubin about "Weapons" week 2 and a ho-hum start for "Nobody 2." Brian Steinberg has the lowdown on the final tally of this year's upfront advertising sales. And Variety's Tatiana Siegel sets the scene that unfolded at Variety's Truth Seekers conference, including highlights from sessions with Jake Tapper, Ronny Chieng, Amber Ruffin, Roy Wood Jr. and more.</p>
<p>WEDNESDAY AUG. 20</p>
<p>In today's episode, the Cover Story segment features Variety's Brent Lang and Ramin Setoodeh detailing director Guillermo del Toro's $120 million bet on a new vision for "Frankenstein" with help from Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac. Variety's Jennifer Maas reports on the Sun Valley of gaming that is underway in Cologne, Germany. And Brian Steinberg sets the scene for ESPN's big send off for the streaming app that launches Aug. 21.</p>
<p>TUESDAY AUG. 19</p>
<p>In today's episode, Cineverse CEO Chris McGurk and MicroCo CEO Jana Winograde join host Cynthia Littleton to discuss their new venture to bring super short, low budget drama series to the U.S. They gamely answer the question: How is this not Quibi? And Variety reporter Ethan Shanfeld details how AI tools are accelerating product placement in TV and film.</p>
<p>MONDAY AUG. 18</p>
<p>In today's episode, we talk box office with Variety's Rebecca Rubin about "Weapons" week 2 and a ho-hum start for "Nobody 2." Brian Steinberg has the lowdown on the final tally of this year's upfront advertising sales. And Tatiana Siegel sets the scene that unfolded at Variety's Truth Seekers conference, including highlights from sessions with Jake Tapper, Ronny Chieng, Amber Ruffin, Roy Wood Jr. and more.</p>
<p>"Daily Variety" podcast is news and analysis tailored for entertainment industry pros from the journalists of Variety. Delivered Monday through Thursday by noon PT. Click here to subscribe. Click here to subscribe to Variety Podcasts YouTube channel. "Daily Variety" will return Sept. 2 with new episodes.</p>
<p>(Pictured top: Amber Ruffin and Roy Wood Jr. at Variety and Rolling Stone's Truth Seekers summit on Aug. 14 in New York.)</p>
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<p>Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.</p>
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