This is Cast & Crew’s Friday Five, an audio edition of our weekly Friday Five blog. Listen in your car, at your desk, and anywhere you take your podcasts. To subscribe, visit our profiles on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Film
Movie Theaters Are Having Their Best Year Since the Pandemic
Unconventional hits are fueling a genuine box office comeback. Project Hail Mary earned $683 million globally, Michael became the first biopic to cross $1 billion, and Obsession turned a $750,000 budget into $426 million and counting. Their success is giving studios new confidence to bet on original films.
Production
New York's Film and TV Production Spend Surges While California Halts Exodus
New York saw a 19% jump in filming count and a 57% surge in production spend to nearly $1.06 billion last quarter, fueled by expanded tax incentives and growing soundstage capacity. California, meanwhile, held onto its No. 1 spot with $1.33 billion in spend after doubling its own incentive program. It’s an early sign the state may be regaining ground it lost to other markets.
Sports
ESPYs Deliver a Night of Joy, History, and Heartfelt Tributes
The New York Knicks celebrated their championship season, Marcello Hernández became the first Latino host of the ESPYS in 25 years, and Robin Roberts presented a posthumous Arthur Ashe Courage Award to NBA trailblazer Jason Collins, accepted by his twin brother in a moving moment.
Television
Daytime Emmy Nominations Give Soap Fans Plenty To Cheer
Nominations for the 53rd Daytime Emmys were announced, with CBS' The Young and the Restless topping the leaderboard for a third consecutive year.
Music
Madonna Tops the Billboard 200
Madonna achieved her 10th No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart with the debut of Confessions II, marking a triumphant return to the dance floor two decades after the original Confessions on a Dance Floor.
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