Latest news with #MindyKaling
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Netflix Showrunners Talk Shop and Compare Notes on the Art of Pitching
The rituals of pitching, the magic of casting and the joy of working with mature actors were among the subjects tackled in a panel session featuring five showrunners who steer high-wattage series for Netflix. Mara Brock Akil ('Forever'), Mindy Kaling ('Running Point'), Molly Smith Metzler ('Sirens'), Eric Newman ('American Primeval,' 'Zero Day') and Michael Schur ('A Man on the Inside') gathered May 20 at Netflix's Tudum Theater in Hollywood to talk shop and compare notes. The session was moderated by Peter Friedlander, Netflix's head of scripted series for the U.S. and Canada. More from Variety What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 Anthony Boyle to Play Sam Bankman-Fried Opposite Julia Garner as Caroline Ellison in Netflix's FTX Series 'The Altruists' Netflix's 'Dept. Q' Is an Emotionally Fraught Crime Thriller That Never Lets Up: TV Review The event came on a momentous day for Akil, as it fell on her birthday, and at a heady time for Schur, who celebrated the unveiling of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last week. 'I did not, in all honesty, know that writers were eligible. So when I got that call, I assumed it was a prank of some kind,' Schur confessed. 'I was incredibly honored by it. I am very glad that writers are eligible. I think more writers ought to be part of the landscape of the town. Also this the first event that I personally attended where I was like, Oh this is what your funeral is like. All your old friends are there, and they're saying nice things about you.' The 'FYSEE' session focused on shedding light on the pitching and development process. Friedlander pressed the group for details of any personal rituals that they engage in for good luck on the day of a pitch meeting. 'After I vomit?' Akil said, acknowledging that she does not enjoy the showmanship that comes with selling shows to buyers for networks or streamers. 'I just want to write. I just want to get to the script,' Akil said. 'One ritual I do is [listen to] music. The playlist actually helps me write. It also helps me get the tone, get the vibe, get the texture and then just really relax me before going in and having to talk about it.' For Kaling, it's the opposite. Pitching her wares as a writer and producer can be an outlet for her as an actor. The multihyphenate who became a star on NBC's 'The Office' and Fox's 'The Mindy Project' has taken a break from being on camera since she became a mother of three (her oldest is 7). 'I haven't acted since I've had children. For me, even when it's this grim pitch over a Zoom and there's just like tiny smiling boxes. I enjoy the performance of it,' Kaling said. 'You get to be funny and tell a rehearsed story to six on smiling faces, passing a show. As a performer, It just feels like it lets me act a little bit.' Smith Metzler goes minimalist when she's trying to make a sale. 'I don't know if I recommend this, but I have one little ritual, which is that I bring nothing with me, because if it's in front of me, then I end up reading it. So my way of preparing is to do a lot of prep and then bring nothing.' Schur has a full-time, in-house consultant who provides invaluable feedback before he saddles up and takes his ideas to top buyers. His wife, fellow writer-producer J.J. Philbin, is a tough audience. 'She has a terrible poker face,' he said. 'When she's bored, she just is immediately, visibly bored. She doesn't know she's doing it, but her writer brain is saying 'No, this is bad.' And it's wonderful. Because then I'm like, OK well, this part of the pitch stinks, and I should cut it or improve it or change it or whatever. And then I get to the end, and she's like, 'It's so good,' and I'm like, 'You physically hated it. You hated parts of it. I saw you.'' Newman has been a pillar of Netflix since its earliest days in original programming with series such as 'Hemlock Grove' and 'Narcos' and its iterations. Drawing on his experience as a film producer in addition fielding multiple TV series in recent years, he reflected on the circumstances that make a buyer say yea or nay. 'Every executive that you're going to pitch to wants to say 'No' because it's safe to say no,' Newman said. 'There are a variety of reasons for someone to say 'No,' and again, you don't get fired for saying no, unless you said no to 'Star Wars' or 'Twilight' or something like that. You get fired for saying yes to something insane. And so I feel it's my job always to go in and say, 'Here are the reasons why it's safe to say yes to this.' Because I do believe that as much as it's safer to say no, there's nothing that feels better than for someone like Peter to sit opposite any of us and get excited about an idea that we're excited about it and safely say 'I believe in this.' ' Friedlander shared a general practice that he feels is important for people in his position in the era of Zoom pitch meetings. 'I'm very conscious of how people typing into their computers' during video calls, Friedlander told the panel. 'I have this thing where if I'm on the other side of a pitch, both of my hands will always be in the frame. … I try to show that you have my undivided attention. I'm not shopping.' Akil and others thanked Netflix for the support they've received to execute their creative visions (read: generous budgets). Akil's location-heavy adaptation of Blume's beloved coming-of-age novel 'Forever' transports the story to 2018 Los Angeles and revolves around the sexual awakening of two Black teenagers from different backgrounds. 'The challenges of falling in love, above the 10 and below the 10,' she said. 'It's anchored by the beauty of Los Angeles every day. We're telling an epic and intimate love story within a love letter to Los Angeles.' Among other highlights: Newman thanked Friedlander for buying 'every show I've pitched' and for having never 'made me feel bad when one hasn't worked.' Schur urged his fellow showrunners to seek out seasoned actors over the age of 75 for their shows. He's done so for 'A Man on the Inside,' starring Ted Danson and adapted from a Chilean documentary about an investigator who goes undercover in a retirement community. 'It was just very lovely and heartwarming to see how many legitimately great, funny people there are who are 82 years old and love to work,' Schur said. 'If you want to have a messy, semi-bad read-through of a pilot, hire a bunch of young people. If you want the most metronomically crisp, perfect read-through you've ever had in your life, hire a bunch of 80-year-olds. Those sons of bitches were all lines memorized, timing perfect and had clearly worked it all out beforehand. They were just on it. From beginning to end, it was a total joy to watch a large group of 75-plus actors kill it every day.' Akil emphasized how she sought to stay true to the spirit of Blume's novel even as she adjusted many aspects of the story. No corners were cut because 'Forever' is part of Netflix's YA content slate. 'One of the things I love about Judy Blume was that she didn't talk down to the reader. She treated the young person as a full human being,' Akil said. 'She took their issues, their concerns very seriously. And one of the things off the bat I knew is that this seriousness had to anchor this YA show.' (Pictured top: Eric Newman, Michael Schur, Molly Smith Metzler, Peter Friedlander, Mara Brock Akil and Mindy Kaling) Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Evening Standard
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Prince Harry sought advice from Diana's brother about name change
In episode two of With Love, Meghan, the 43-year-old former actress told comedienne Mindy Kaling: "It's so funny you keep saying 'Meghan Markle' – you know I'm Sussex now... You have kids and you go, 'No, I share my name with my children'.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
An Oscar party snub forged Kate Hudson and Mindy Kaling's enduring friendship
Kate Hudson and Mindy Kaling's friendship began in classic Hollywood fashion: while being snubbed at an Oscar party. "We were in line to get our portraits taken by the great Mark Seliger, and a very famous celebrity, who we won't mention, cut in front of us in line," recalled Kaling. "I remember looking at Kate, who I didn't know that well, and asked, 'Is this normal?' And she's like, 'Not really.'" "It was a bad move," added Hudson. "And by the way, he wasn't as famous as he should've been if he was going to do that." "I've held it against him ever since," continued Kaling. "I'm glad we gave a gender too, because I want people to know that it was a man and not a woman." The pair's lasting bond has now spawned a hit Netflix series, "Running Point," loosely based on the life of L.A. Lakers President Jeanie Buss. The first season — the show's already been renewed for a second — follows Isla Gordon (Hudson), who's chosen to run her family's legendary basketball franchise after a scandal forces her brother (Justin Theroux) to resign. Hudson and Kaling, who created the series along with Elaine Ko, Ike Barinholtz and showrunner David Stassen, recently joined The Envelope to discuss the strength of their partnership, the show's enthusiastic endorsement by Hudson's parents, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, and what to expect in Season 2. Can you talk about the specifics of your partnership and creative strengths? How's Kate as an executive producer? Kaling: She's really good at pacing. I come from the sitcom world and "The Office," where you have 21½ minutes to jam in as much comedy and story as possible. And I think what was great about having her in the editing room in post-[production], she is so good about saying, 'We need to let things breathe here more.' And music. She literally launched a music career while we were shooting this, but music is not my strong suit, the score and finding great new songs, so she was extremely helpful with that. Hudson: Let me go back to our first meeting. A lot of times, in my experience, you read a script, you get involved, and then the next thing you know, because it's female-led, it gets dumbed down. It's like, 'You can't curse, you can't do this, you can't do that because we're going for a more female audience.' And I've always felt like, for me, I wouldn't compromise the comedy for the sake of some idea that women can't handle a harder comedy. I think a lot of times when you sign up to do something, it does change a lot. You're sort of brought in and then it shifts. And that never happened once in this process. Loaded question, but has there been one especially magical or memorable moment with the show so far? Hudson: My magic moment was when I realized I was the only girl surrounded by really hot guys. And I was like, "Mindy knew I'd be the right girl for this job." Kaling: [Laughs] When you're creating a show, I would say there's probably 40 of these moments where you're like, 'Ooh, we're marching in the right direction.' This show looks expensive, but Kate and I can fill you in: It's done on a very tight budget. We are making very modest things look amazing. How have loved ones responded? What feedback have you received? Hudson: From my 13-year-old son to my friend's 96-year-old grandmother, it hit every demographic, which to me is so exciting because it's so rare that it's something everyone can sit and enjoy. Even though it might be inappropriate for some teenagers, not mine — I let them watch things like this. The biggest compliment I got was from my dad, who is a big sports guy. His big thing is the believability factor. Do you believe that this person could actually run a sports team and at the same time deal with all the dynamics of the family and love, and have it be funny and have it be light on its feet? That is actually a very complicated execution. And my dad, that was one of the things he never compliments. We're not that kind of family. We don't really talk about each other's work. But when they got excited about it, and because he loves sports, it was like a big one. He really loved it. Kaling: By the way, I asked the same thing. Literally like, 'What do Goldie and Kurt think?' I think I asked once in person, and then she was on an international press tour for this, and then I thought, 'I won't follow up in a text because she'll be like, 'Hey, don't be a loser. Stop asking what my famous parents think of the show. I'll tell you when I see you.'' I was sensitive to that, but I'm really happy to hear it now. I think this is what I'm hearing. This would be a funny place for you to be like, 'They didn't care for it,' which is fine. Hudson: [Laughs] Look, we're a critical family. You know what I mean? If it's not great, it wasn't great. But that was exciting [to hear from them]. They binged it in one night. Kaling: Really? Oh, that's nice. What's telling for me is, I have my friends from suburban Boston that I grew up with, I have my L.A. mom friends, and then I have professors from college. And just universally, out of everything that I've ever done, this has been the one that I've gotten the most instantaneous feedback about. The writers came out to Malibu to do a little writers' retreat, and when we were having lunch in the yard, my stepmom came out. She's never done this on any show that she's ever met the writing staff of, and she came over and she's like, 'I just have to tell you, 'Running Point' is my favorite show. All of my friends are watching it.' How are you both feeling about the industry now, about what you get to make now versus earlier in your careers? Hudson: This is the hardest industry to get anything made in the world. Does the landscape change? Does it move, do the conversations shift all the time into different important areas that we need to be focused on? Yes, but I don't think it's ever easy. Even when you think someone has such success, that's just a subjective outside-looking-in perspective. When you get success, then they want you to do the things that you didn't sign up to do as an actor or as an artist. But they're going to end up paying you. You'll pay some bills, you're going to make a good living doing the things that now maybe people want you to do, but that's not why you got into the business. Kaling: I think in the past, since I came off of 'The Office,' I have been someone that gets things on the air, which is nice, but it's not like any of it is easy. Even in the most delightful of shooting circumstances, it's still hard. But I feel so lucky. I did the show about an Indian American family, 'Never Have I Ever.' Then I do a show about girls in college ['The Sex Lives of College Girls']. Now I'm doing this show that Kate is the star of. So I feel like it has gotten easier for me, Mindy Kaling, to launch a show, which I hoped would be the case. But as a producer who wants to get other writers' shows about Indian families or Pakistani families or other things made, that's still challenging. So it's, like, how do I, as someone who thinks of myself as an effective producer and a mentor, try to help other people and produce other things for them? So just because things are easier for me, I don't necessarily think it's become easier. You hope that when you open the door, it kicks it open for other people. Hudson: No matter how much you prove yourself, you're always still reproving yourself. It's where art and commerce don't mix well, because it doesn't matter how much you try to convince someone that it's going to be beautiful or great. They're not looking at it the way that we're looking at it. Any specific hopes and dreams for Season 2, or hints of what's to come? Kaling: We're in the room right now for it. And honestly, some of [the hopes and dreams] are sort of boringly administrative and logistical, which is, like, Kate really did work 60, 16-hour days in a row, so that's not healthy, we would like to change that. But unlike other shows where it's like, "Ooh, we hope to get this big guest star," I love how cozy the show is. This is boring but more of the same [next season]. Hudson: More nudity [laughs]. Get the Envelope newsletter, sent three times a week during awards season, for exclusive reporting, insights and commentary. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kate Hudson Says Mindy Kaling Was Sending Notes for 'Running Point' 'Like an Hour After' Giving Birth: 'Isn't Mindy in Labor?'
Kate Hudson said Mindy Kaling, 45, was sending script notes about their show Running Point 'like an hour after' giving birth During a panel at an Emmy FYC event for the show on Friday, May 30, Hudson also described Kaling as a 'powerhouse' who 'delivers what she says she's going to deliver' Kaling, who co-created and executive-produces the series, quietly welcomed her third baby in February 2024 while the Netflix series was in productionMindy Kaling is officially the GOAT — at least according to Kate Hudson! Hudson, 46, spoke about her immense love for Kaling, 45, while attending an Emmy consideration event for their Netflix show Running Point on Friday, May 30, at the UCLA Lakers Training Center in Los Angeles. 'I have to say, I've fallen in love with this woman,' Hudson said of Kaling, who co-created and executive-produced the show. 'And she's just not only so brilliant, but so trusting … she puts the best team together,' she said. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! 'And she was pregnant,' she continued. 'We had a script, like our first table read. She's on Zoom. She then has the baby and is sending notes like an hour after she has the baby. I was like, 'Isn't Mindy literally in labor?' ' 'She is a powerhouse and delivers what she says she's going to deliver,' Hudson continued. Kaling, who quietly welcomed her third baby in February of 2024, created the show with Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Hudson, who plays high-powered NBA team owner Isla Gordon, also revealed that she put in some blood and sweat of her own while working on the sports-comedy series during an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE at Friday's event. '[I had] so many bruises,' she recalled. 'I remember one time I had this big bruise on my left thigh, and I was getting into bed and Danny [Fujikawa], my partner, was like, 'Babe, what's going on?' And it was massive. And I was like, 'Oh, that's weird. Something's wrong.' And then I was like, 'Oh, wait, the drug drawer.' I had been hitting a drug drawer for two weeks.' 'Yeah, the war wounds,' she added. The How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days star also shared that filming the show was 'so fun' and that the cast had 'the best time shooting.' '[We] all fell in love with each other, and our hope was that people would enjoy watching it as much as we did making it,' she told PEOPLE. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. She added, 'Especially for comedy, that's what you hope for. And then for it to have the success that it did, and for people to really enjoy [it], it's just wonderful.' The first season of Running Point is streaming now on Netflix, and the show has officially been renewed for a second season. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Kate Hudson cuts a stylish figure in a brown midi dress as she joins glamorous Mindy Kaling and Brenda Song on the Emmy FYC red carpet for Running Point in LA
Kate Hudson, Mindy Kaling and Brenda Song were dressed to impress as they attended the official Emmy FYC red carpet event for their series Running Point in El Segundo, California on Friday. American actress Kate, 46, who stars as the lead character Isla Gordon in the Netflix comedy series, looked stunning in a chocolate brown midi dress. The chic ensemble featured a high asymmetric neckline, a figure-hugging waist, and a flared skirt with a bow detail. She completed the look with open-toe tortoiseshell heels, a silver bangle, stacked silver rings, and statement drop earrings. Her wavy blonde locks were styled in a chic half-up, half-down hairstyle, and she wore a bronzed, glowy makeup look. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Meanwhile, her co-star Brenda Song, 37, turned heads in a sheer black crochet dress adorned with beaded embellishments. She layered the ensemble over a form-fitting black bodysuit that highlighted her figure. To complete her look, she styled her brunette tresses in a voluminous blowout and wore a natural makeup palette. While Mindy, 45, who co-created, co-wrote, and executive produced Running Point, looked stylish in a structured black top with flared sleeves. She teamed the ensemble with a pair of light-blue high-waisted denim jeans and added inches to her height with pointed black heels. The Office star completed her look with a flicky blowout and a glamorous makeup palette. The trio posed up a storm on the carpet, with Kate and Mindy sharing a sweet moment as they embraced and giggled in front of cameras. Also in attendance were Running Point stars Toby Sandeman, Scott MacArthur, Fabrizio Guido, Chet Hanks, Drew Tarver, and Max Greenfield. While Mindy, 45, who co-created, co-wrote, and executive produced Running Point, looked stylish in a structured black top with flared sleeves The sports comedy follows Isla Gordon (Hudson), the sister of the president of a pro basketball team in LA, who is unexpectedly thrust into the top job. Described as 'ambitious and often overlooked,' Isla must prove to her skeptical brothers and the wider sports world that she's the right woman for the role. It premiered on the streamer on February 27, less than a year after it was announced at the platform's 2024 Upfront presentation. The series premiered on Netflix on February 27, less than a year after being unveiled at the platform's 2024 Upfronts. It was created by Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen.
