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Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fifth Season's Noah Greenshner on ‘Severance,' Emmy Glory and the Studio's Creator-First Approach
In case you hadn't noticed, Fifth Season has officially arrived. When 'Severance' earned a staggering 27 Emmy nominations this year, Noah Greenshner, executive vice president of development and production at Fifth Season, found himself scrolling through the Television Academy's website in disbelief. More from Variety Tramell Tillman on His Emotional Coming Out Story, 'Severance' Delays and Acting With Tom Cruise the Day After He Got 'Mission: Impossible' Script Netflix, Prime Video and Beyoncé Lead Wins in 77th Emmy Juried Categories A Salute to Legends Like Kathy Bates, Jean Smart and Harrison Ford on Finally Getting Their Emmy Flowers 'After they went through the main categories, I went on the Academy website, and I scrolled to the bottom, and 'Severance' was sitting at the top with 27,' Greenshner recalled. 'I kind of just stared for a couple of seconds, and then I started to text everybody I knew on the show and just said '27' with a bunch of exclamation points. People thought I had gotten the number wrong.' The psychological workplace drama, which returned for its second season in January after a three-year hiatus, has become something of a signature project for Fifth Season — a testament to the production company's creator-friendly approach in an industry often criticized for prioritizing profits over artistry. For Greenshner, 'Severance' represents everything Fifth Season stands for. 'It's the perfect show to be the signature show because, from a philosophical standpoint, we're meant to be creator-friendly,' he says. 'We're meant to treat people as partners and not like roadblocks, which is how, historically, some of the industry has been.' The show's success has provided Fifth Season with a definitive calling card. 'It's the reference point now for everything — you can point to it and say, 'These shows can get made.' And we're the studio that wants to help people make these kinds of shows,' Greenshner says. That philosophy extends well beyond 'Severance.' The company's slate includes the recently-released epic 'Chief of War' on Apple TV+ and an adaptation of John Steinbeck's 'East of Eden,' written by Zoe Kazan, the granddaughter of Elia Kazan, who wrote and directed the original 1955 movie adaptation starring James Dean. This time around 'East of Eden' will star Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott and Mike Faist. The road to 'Severance's' Emmy triumph wasn't without obstacles. The first season faced pandemic delays, while the second season was stalled by the dual Hollywood strikes of 2023. Despite those challenges, Greenshner remained confident in the show's staying power. 'We definitely were worried about how long things were taking based on the strikes and when the show was going to be able to air,' he said. 'I remembered the same feeling when we watched the pilot — you're like, 'This really is something special.' You have confidence that the audience is going to come back.' That confidence proved well-founded. The time between seasons, rather than hurting the show, actually built momentum as new audiences discovered — and others rediscovered — the series. Greenshner has particular praise for one of the show's biggest standouts, Tramell Tillman, whose portrayal of the enigmatic Seth Milchick has become one of the most talked-about characters this Emmy season. 'He's one of the unique characters where there's still a lot of cards that are being held back for specific reasons, and so the growth has been organic with him on that journey,' Greenshner notes, highlighting how Tillman has masterfully balanced the character's menacing authority with subtle humor. As for the show's ultimate destination, the circle of those who know how 'Severance' ends remains deliberately small. When asked if he's among the select few privy to the series' conclusion, which Tillman noted in his Variety cover story is about three or four, Greenshner confirms: 'I would say the circle is a little bit bigger than that, but not that much bigger. And yes, there have been conversations between us, Apple and Ben, regarding the ending.' Greenshner remains tight-lipped about Season 3 details but confirmed all parties are eager to continue the story. 'All I can officially say — and I have to be a little coy on this one — is that from top to bottom, Apple, Fifth Season, Ben [Stiller], Dan [Erickson] and everybody involved want it back on the air as soon as possible,' he said. 'We are targeting to get it back into production as soon as we can.' As for what drives him personally about the series, Greenshner points to his romantic sensibilities. 'I'm a very big romantic at heart,' he said. 'I love, love stories. I love twisted love stories, and I'm hopeful there's a lot that comes out from there because, again, there are innies and there are outies, and there's a lot that can be.' At its core, he added, 'Severance' remains 'an idea about a man having to grieve over the loss of his wife,' exploring what happens when that fundamental human experience is complicated by the show's unique premise. There's perhaps no better symbol of Fifth Season's commitment to creativity than their Los Angeles headquarters: the Lumen Building, which is also home to Variety in Los Angeles. The name bears an uncanny resemblance to — a coincidence that isn't lost on visitors or employees. 'People like writers who walk our halls are like, 'We're in Lumen building, and your offices kind of look like 'Severance,'' Greenshner laughs. 'I just say, I know.' After seven and a half years at Fifth Season, Greenshner sees the company's mission as more relevant than ever. 'I just think we're still one of the rare places that are trying to protect talent and those kinds of bold ideas,' he says. Fifth Season was founded in 2017 as Endeavor Content. It was acquired by South Korean entertainment conglomerate CJ ENM for about $700 million in 2022. With 'Severance' leading the charge, Fifth Season is firmly out of its growing pains stage. Greenshner emphasizes the that goal is to continue championing distinctive series that cut through in today's crowded television landscape. The 77th Emmy Awards, hosted by comedian Nate Bargatze, will broadcast live on Sunday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS. The ceremony will also stream live and on-demand through Paramount+. Awards Circuit Predictions: Emmys Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in August 2025 What's Coming to Netflix in August 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
Edmonton Journal
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
Tony-winning actress breaks silence after polarizing NBA Finals anthem performance
Article content She first posted a quote that said, 'The price of authenticity is being disliked.' Later, she followed it up with an excerpt from John Steinbeck's East of Eden, which says: 'And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good.' Chenoweth took major heat on social media for her rendition of the U.S. national anthem ahead of the deciding game of the championship series between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Chenoweth flexed her vocal muscles while belting out The Star-Spangled Banner, which included holding an incredibly long high note at the song's crescendo.
New Statesman
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Statesman
Mark Hoppus Q&A: 'Enjoy every second and rage against the dying of the light'
Illustration by Kristian Hammerstad Mark Hoppus was born in 1972 in Ridgecrest, California. He is the bassist for the punk-pop band Blink-182, which he co-founded in 1992. He is the only band member to appear on all of the group's nine studio albums. What's your earliest memory? I was in my parents' closet looking for something and ended up playing with an empty spool of thread – this is how boring it was in the desert in early 1970s in California. Who are your heroes? Growing up, it was my mom's dad, Alan. He was a soldier in World War II. He fought through the war and liberated concentration camps. When he got back to the States he became a teacher. After going through probably the most brutal experience a human can go through, he came back and decided that he wanted to help educate kids and become a kind person. My hero as an adult is my wife. What book last changed your thinking? I read East of Eden for the first time maybe two years ago and I was blown away by it. I'd always know that John Steinbeck was a great writer but that story specifically affected me a lot. What would be your 'Mastermind' specialist subject? I know a lot about the City of London, its history and its inhabitants. I have always been fascinated by London. When we would tour over here my wife and I would come over a week early and we'd stay a week later. We loved it so much that we moved to London for three years; our son went to school here. I love walking through the city and learning about English history. In which time and place, other than your own, would you like to live? I'd like to go back to the early 1990s before the internet – with Sonic Youth, Nirvana and great bands like that. I miss the thingness of things, the joy of finding an object that you didn't know was there before. It's different than finding something new on the internet that you just download. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received? Right before I got married my mum gave me some advice. She said that marriage is very rarely even 50/50 – it's more of a shifting 60/40, and sometimes even 70/30. That's really given me a lot of perspective, Knowing that it's not always equal: sometimes you lean on the other person and sometimes they lean on you. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe What's currently bugging you? European showers are the worst experience in the world. The fact that you don't have shower doors is ridiculous to me. I've showered from the dirtiest punk-rock clubs to the nicest hotels, and no matter where I take a shower there's always a soaking wet bathroom floor with a wet towel in it. What single thing would make your life better? I'm blessed beyond blessed. There is nothing in the world that could make my life better other than time with my band and time with my family. When were you happiest? I'm happiest creating a song with Tom and Travis. The moment of creation in the studio, where somebody has an idea and somebody else says, 'What about this?' and it improves the song. In another life, what job might you have chosen? I would have been an English professor. Educating others would be a joy for me and it would be a tribute to my grandfather. Are we all doomed? Absolutely. Every single one of us is doomed, so do the best you can while you're here, enjoy every second and rage against the dying of the light. Mark Hoppus's 'Fahrenheit-182' is published by Sphere [See also: Inside No 10's new dysfunction] Related This article appears in the 04 Jun 2025 issue of the New Statesman, The Housing Trap
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Notorious stretch of California highway dubbed ‘Blood Alley' where James Dean died is to close for safety work
A stretch of California highway where actor James Dean died will temporarily shut down. The road, known as 'Blood Alley,' spans 20 miles of Highway 41 and connects the state to the Central Valley, Paso Robles and Kettlemen City. The high volume of traffic and the narrow lanes have been blamed for a high number of accidents. Authorities will be carrying out construction on the highway for five days from June 9 to 13. The work will extend from the interchange of highways 41 and 46 near Cholame, about 20 miles east to Reef Station near the junction of state Route 33, according to SFGate. The Independent has emailed Caltrans, the state's transportation authority, for more information. Jim Shivers, a Caltrans spokesperson, told the San Francisco Chronicle the new works were the latest effort to make the stretch of road safer. He said: 'There will be some lengthy detours, which we have acknowledged. The flip side of that is we'll have a brand new interchange opening up soon. It's a major upgrade, it's a major safety enhancement.' In 2002, the San Francisco Chronicle reported 54 people had died on the stretch of highway, with James Dean being one of them. An additional 690 people were injured in the same spot. On September 30, 1955, the 24-year-old actor – who had recently achieved superstar status with his movies Rebel Without a Cause, East of Eden and Giant – got into his Porsche 550 Spyder and started driving up the coast toward Salinas. Around 5.45p.m., he passed through the intersection in Cholame, about 227 miles from San Francisco. Ford Tudor, a student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, turned onto the road and struck Dean's car. The actor's vehicle crumpled on impact and Dean died from severe injuries, including a broken neck. He became the first actor to receive a posthumous Academy Award acting nomination, and later received a second. The site of the crash has become a tourist attraction, featuring a sculpture of the actor. Caltrans has spent two decades working to improve safety conditions on the road. The State Route 46 Corridor Improvement Project expanded the number of lanes and added a new interchange. Officials believe the established detour will be operable through the improvement efforts. Drivers heading west from the Central Valley are being advised to take Highway 41 to state Route 33 south to Highway 46 west before rejoining Highway 41. Officials say they are optimistic the work will be completed ahead of July 4.
Otago Daily Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Film body praises rebate funding
Film Otago Southland chairman Kyle Murdoch says a half-billion-dollar funding boost to New Zealand's film and television sector will ensure the country remains competitive on the world stage. Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis yesterday announced the $577 million funding boost to sustain the international screen production rebate. The Budget increase over the next four and a-half years would take the total funding for the rebate scheme to $1.09 billion, ''better reflecting expected demand for the scheme''. First introduced in 2014, under the scheme eligible productions could access a cash rebate of 20% for production costs, where those costs were more than $15m for feature films and $4m for TV productions. A further 5% rebate was available to productions spending more than $30m, which met additional criteria for industry and economic growth. Ms Willis said yesterday those settings remained unchanged. ''The rebate scheme is working and we want New Zealand's film industry to know the government is backing them to grow into the future. ''We are sending a clear message to the world: New Zealand is the best place in the world to make movies. ''Bring your productions here to take advantage of our talent and locations.'' Mr Murdoch said the announcement was '''massive''. ''It's really good news for us. ''I think it's fantastic recognition that, actually, the New Zealand screen production rebate works because without it we lose work to other parts of the world, in terms of good-quality international film and TV projects. ''That's what we really need, as an industry, to attract work from overseas to come here, because it really supplements our much smaller domestic market. ''It keeps people working, gives people this amazing work experience and keeps the industry ticking over.'' He said the rebate had a huge impact on the industry in the South and believed it was likely responsible for some recent major shoots, including East of Eden, a Netflix production starring Florence Pugh shot in Oamaru and blockbuster American movie Heart of the Beast, starring Brad Pitt, shot in Queenstown. Without the incentive, ''it would be very likely they wouldn't be working here'', Mr Murdoch said. ''This is really helping make New Zealand more competitive on [the] world stage.'' Ms Willis said industry incentives were ''not generally our favoured approach''. However, she doubted New Zealand, which competed with more than 100 global territories providing ''more generous incentives than ours'', would get the offshore investment without the scheme. Over the past 10 years, inbound productions had invested almost $7.5b in New Zealand, supported by $1.5b in rebate payments, while the industry generated about $3.5b in revenue. ''We want New Zealand's film industry to know the government is backing them to grow into the future. ''The government will continue to work with the New Zealand Film Commission to ensure we continue to attract high-value productions from around the world,'' she said.
