Tom Lester, best known for his role as the smart-aleck farmhand Eb Dawson on the ’60s sitcom “Green Acres,” died Monday in Nashville, Tenn. from complications related to Parkinson’s disease. 28 more words

via ‘Green Acres’ Actor Tom Lester Dies at 81 — Variety

Major Hollywood unions, including AFM, DGA, IATSE, Teamsters, SAG-AFTRA, and the Writers Guild of America East, sent a joint letter to entertainment workers to stress the importance of solidarity as the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact the world and the entertainment industry. 16 more words

via Hollywood Guild Leaders Send Solidarity Message to Members — Variety

Dwayne Johnson, Issa Rae, and Dany Garcia are set to executive produce a half-hour series in development at HBO about the creation of a backyard wrestling promotion, Variety has learned exclusively. 31 more words

via Dwayne Johnson, Issa Rae, Dany Garcia Team for Backyard Wrestling Series at HBO (EXCLUSIVE) — Variety

Herb Stott, a trailblazing director and producer of TV commercials, died Feb. 8 in Hollywood. He was 85. The cause of death has not been made public. 33 more words

via Herb Stott, Television Commercial Producer, Dies at 85 — Variety

Collections of films by iconic directors such as François Truffaut and Charlie Chaplin are heading to Netflix as part of a wide-ranging deal struck with distributor MK2 Films. 32 more words

via Francois Truffaut, Charlie Chaplin, David Lynch Titles Hit Netflix — Variety

An average of 6.1 million viewers tuned in to watch the first two episodes of the much-anticipated documentary series “Last Dance” across ESPN and ESPN 2, a boon to the Walt Disney-owned sports networks as they scramble to maneuver in a climate where nearly all live sports have been canceled. 7 more words

via 6.1 Million Watch ‘Last Dance’ on ESPN, ESPN2 — Variety

Between the Beastie Boys’ retrospective book (“Beastie Boys Book”), their 2018 “event tour” (featuring readings and Q&A) and “Beastie Boys Story” documentary — which comes out Friday on Apple TV+ — one might wonder what’s left to talk about. 22 more words

via Beastie Boys and Spike Jonze Talk New Apple TV+ Documentary: ‘Fame Was Like an Extra-Large Bag of Fritos’ — Variety

“I’m not a scientist, but …” That’s how an awful lot of opining is framed these days, as columnists, pundits and sources offer a quick disclaimer before proceeding to predict how the coronavirus crisis will play out. 23 more words

via Movie Theaters Might Reopen Sooner Than Expected, But Is It Safe? (Column) — Variety

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will allow movie theaters to reopen starting April 27, but exhibition insiders stress that it would be nearly impossible for most major chains to start business back up by next week. 23 more words

via Most Movie Theaters in Georgia Won’t Reopen Next Week Despite Governor’s Plans — Variety

Retired baseball star Alex Rodriguez and his fiancé, recording artist and actor Jennifer Lopez, have retained JPMorgan Chase to raise capital for a possible bid on the New York Mets, people familiar with the matter said. 22 more words

via Alex Rodriguez, Jennifer Lopez Retain JPMorgan to Raise Money for Mets Bid (EXCLUSIVE) — Variety