Variety

Most series run for longer than 28 episodes before they’re deemed worthy of a Top 10 list, but “The Bear” is in a class of its own. The FX dramedy became one of today’s most important TV projects almost immediately after its debut in 2022. ⁠ ⁠ And a lot of “The Bear’s” runaway success comes from the big swings it took early on, jumping in and out of different filmmaking styles while remaining cohesive as a whole. Just ask the voters of the Emmys, Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, where “The Bear” consistently sweeps.⁠ From the pilot that started it all to the one-off character studies that keep the show fresh, read Variety's ranking of the 10 best episodes of "The Bear" here: https://lnkd.in/g89V8MwE

Netflix co-founder and executive chairman Reed Hastings has joined the growing number of Democrats publicly urging Joe Biden to step down as the party’s 2024 nominee for president. Biden is seeking re-election, but his disastrous performance at the first presidential debate against Donald Trump has led some Democrats to insist he step down as they believe that’s the only way the party can beat Trump. “Biden needs to step aside to allow a vigorous Democratic leader to beat Trump and keep us safe and prosperous,” Hastings said in an email to The New York Times. https://lnkd.in/g9P2bvfu

Don't miss City National Bank's Todd Burach and Jay Williams at Variety + Sportico's Sports & Entertainment Summit on July 12 for an exclusive keynote conversation. variety.com/sportssummit

“Deadpool & Wolverine” is primed to tear into the summer box office. The Disney and Marvel sequel, which unites Ryan Reynolds‘ Merc with a Mouth with Hugh Jackman’s grumpy mutant, is on track to open to between $160 million to $165 million when it releases in three weeks. Get the details here: https://bit.ly/3xIZr7B

Writer-director Robert Towne, an Oscar winner for his original script for “Chinatown” and an acknowledged master of the art of screenwriting, has died. He was 89.⁠ ⁠ Read more about his life and legacy here: https://lnkd.in/geSzg5Qg

Variety hosted its second annual Executive Interview Studio in Cannes, presented by Canva, featuring conversations with top CMOs, senior marketing executives and creative talent from June 18-20. Additionally, Variety and Canva hosted an invite-only dinner for select participants of the studio and festival attendees. Watch the conversations on Variety.com and Variety's social media.

YouTube continues to flex its streaming muscle as FAST entities like Tubi are sneaking up to challenge the leaders of SVOD, per Nielsen Gauge data. 

Season 3 of “Bridgerton” has officially joined the list of Netflix's most popular titles of all time.⁠ ⁠ With a cumulative 91.9 million views since May 16 premiere, the season ranks at No. 10 on the all time English-language TV chart, which Netflix measures based on views during each title’s first 91 days of streaming. This total was calculated on June 30, only 45 days after May 16, meaning the season can — and will — continue to climb higher.⁠ Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gxJ4nH4n

Season 3 of "The Bear" reached 5.4 million views in its first four days on Hulu, according to Disney.⁠ ⁠ That marks not only the best performance ever for an FX show on Hulu, but the most-watched season premiere for any scripted series on Hulu. With unscripted series included, "The Bear" Season 3 is Hulu’s third-biggest season premiere of all time.⁠ https://lnkd.in/gYQA2K7g

Jessica Alba's "Trigger Warning" debuted on top of Luminate's streaming chart for film with 1 billion minutes watched in its first week on Netflix.⁠ ⁠ Other chart debuts included documentary "I Am: Celine Dion" at No. 5 with 82.8 million minutes watched in its first three days on Amazon Prime Video and "Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution" at No. 10 with 46 million minutes watched in its first full week on Netflix.⁠ Read the full analysis here: https://lnkd.in/gVsKehjJ