```html 'Daily Variety' Podcast Recaps 'Frankenstein's' Journey, ESPN's Streaming Leap, and More The "Daily Variety" podcast, hosted by Variety's co-Editor in Chief Cynthia Littleton, recently wrapped up a series of episodes covering key developments and insights across the entertainment industry. The podcast, a daily briefing for industry professionals, delved into topics ranging from Guillermo del Toro's ambitious "Frankenstein" adaptation to ESPN's foray into streaming, and the nuances of TV upfront ad sales.

Del Toro's 'Frankenstein' Unveiled Variety's Brent Lang and Ramin Setoodeh provided an inside look at the latest iteration of "Frankenstein," featuring interviews with director Guillermo del Toro and stars Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac. The extensive report explored del Toro's vision and the challenges of bringing the classic monster tale to a modern audience. "Del Toro's 'Frankenstein' represents a significant investment and a bold artistic statement," noted film critic Anne Thompson. "The film's success, or lack thereof, could influence the types of projects studios are willing to greenlight in the future."

Truth Seekers Summit Highlights The podcast also featured highlights from Variety and Rolling Stone's Truth Seekers Summit in New York. Jake Tapper, Ronny Chieng, Amber Ruffin, and Roy Wood Jr. were among the speakers whose insights were shared, providing commentary on the intersection of entertainment, news, and culture.

ESPN's Streaming Strategy Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN, discussed the company's strategic move into streaming. The conversation addressed the potential impact on traditional television and the evolving media consumption habits of viewers. "ESPN's streaming launch is a pivotal moment for the sports broadcasting industry," said media analyst Paul Dergarabedian. "It's a high-stakes gamble that could redefine how sports content is delivered and consumed."

Other Key Topics Covered

"Variety Confidential" Podcast: Tatiana Siegel concluded her exploration of River Phoenix's life and legacy. Gamescom: Jennifer Maas reported from the video game industry gathering in Cologne, Germany. Upfront Ad Sales: Brian Steinberg revealed the final numbers for the year's upfront ad sales season, totaling $31 billion. Summer Box Office: Rebecca Rubin analyzed the performance of "Weapons" and previewed the fall release slate. Industrial Light and Magic: Jazz Tangcay celebrated 50 years of visual effects innovation.

Not Another Quibi? Cineverse's New Venture Chris McGurk, CEO of Cineverse, and Jana Winograde, CEO of MicroCo, joined Littleton to discuss their new venture focused on short-form drama series. They addressed the inevitable comparisons to Quibi, emphasizing their distinct approach to content creation and distribution.

AI's Growing Role in Product Placement Variety reporter Ethan Shanfeld examined how AI tools are changing the landscape of product placement in film and television, allowing for more seamless and targeted integration of brands within content.

Podcast Schedule and Availability The "Daily Variety" podcast delivers news and analysis tailored for entertainment industry professionals, airing Monday through Thursday by noon PT. The podcast will resume with new episodes on September 2nd. Episodes can be found on the "Daily Variety" show page and the Variety Podcasts YouTube channel.

Recent Episodes:

August 21: Box office analysis with Rebecca Rubin, upfront advertising sales update with Brian Steinberg, and highlights from Variety's Truth Seekers conference. August 20: Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" with Brent Lang and Ramin Setoodeh, gaming industry trends with Jennifer Maas, and ESPN's streaming launch. August 19: Cineverse's new venture with Chris McGurk and Jana Winograde, and AI's impact on product placement with Ethan Shanfeld. August 18: Box office recap, upfront ad sales figures, and Truth Seekers Summit highlights.

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