“Toy Story 5” has finally been unveiled to members of the film press, and it appears Pixar’s long-running animated franchise remains in top form after 30 years. The latest sequel is being called “emotional, funny, genuinely warm, and perfect in every way” in rave first reactions. Film critic Scott Menzel posted a glowing review on […]

On today’s Crew Call we speak with husband-and-wife voice-over performers Jeff Bergman and Carla Delaney Bergman, who share with us how they broke into the craft, their successes, and how to forge a path in the industry. Jeff Bergman’s window into voice-overs began when Looney Tunes maestro Mel Blanc visited his college, and he received […]

Could Taylor Swift be suiting up for her ‘Life of a Cowgirl’ era? The Swifties are buzzing with speculation after a mysterious Toy Story 5 billboard went up with the initials ‘TS’ and Andy’s bedroom wallpaper, featuring 13 clouds, which is famously the Grammy-winning artist’s favorite number. On Saturday, the Disney Pixar movie stoked the […]

Taylor Swift is in her Tay Story era. The musician stepped out to join the Toy Story 5 cast at the Los Angeles premiere on Tuesday evening on the heels of her new original song for the film “I Knew It, I Knew You,” breaking records last week. The singer-songwriter stopped for photos in promotion […]

We’ll always have a friend in the Toy Story franchise, which has film #5 coming this summer. First announced in February 2023, the fifth film of the beloved Disney Pixar series has added a new roster of voices to its cast, and it will take on a prevalent theme in the age of AI and […]

Even Tom Hanks didn’t know that Taylor Swift recorded an original song for “Toy Story 5” until hours before it dropped. “It was top secret,” Hanks told Variety at the Los Angeles premiere of “Toy Story 5” on Wednesday night. “We did not know until, literally, when the moment came. They ushered us into a […]

On today’s episode of “Daily Variety” podcast, in our Cover Story segment, Variety’s Daniel D’Addario details his time with David Harbour as the actor tries to navigate that trickiest of transitions – moving on from a career-making role after five seasons as Jim Hopper on Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” And Marc Malkin brings us a Red […]

Joan Cusack made a rare red carpet appearance Tuesday night at the premiere of “Toy Story 5″ at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. For good reason — the actress returns to the fifth installment of the beloved franchise as Jessie. Cusack explained to me why she has largely remained out of the Hollywood spotlight for […]

With his recent return as Woody in Toy Story 5, Tom Hanks thinks it’s time the Academy Awards recognize voice actors… just not in their own category. The 2x Oscar winner recently explained that there are multiple voice actors who have the chops to take home a statuette in one of the current acting categories […]

NEW YORK, June 11 — Pop diva Taylor Swift was courtside at Madison Square Garden to cheer on the New York Knicks in game four of the NBA Finals yesterday.

The 14-time Grammy award-winner, sporting a blue and orange Knicks T-shirt with the slogan “Stevie Knicks,” upped the already considerable star power as she joined longtime Knicks fans like film director Spike Lee and actor Ben Stiller in the crowd.

The appearance came a day after her surprise performance in Los Angeles at the world premiere of the movie Toy Story 5, for which she wrote a song.

And it came at the same iconic arena where it’s rumoured her wedding to NFL player Travis Kelce will take place next month.

The Knicks’ bid for a first NBA title since 1973 — against a young Spurs team featuring French phenomenon Victor Wembanyama — has galvanised New York and captured the attention of sports fans across the United States.

The Knicks’ victories in the first two games in San Antonio fueled feverish excitement among their fans.

The Spurs clawed back a game on Monday at Madison Square Garden — where US President Donald Trump was roundly booed as he attended the last game as a guest of Knicks owner James Dolan.

That game was the most-watched NBA Finals game three since 1998, the year of icon Michael Jordan’s last Finals, according to figures released by the Nielsen media research company.

The game averaged 23.8 million viewers and peaked at 26.3 million late in the fourth quarter, Nielsen said yesterday.

That’s the largest television audience since Super Bowl 60 on February 8.

Swift isn’t a new Knicks fan. Born in neighbouring Pennsylvania, she has attended other Knicks games since moving to New York in 2014.

Three weeks ago, she and Kelce attended a Knicks playoff game against the Cavaliers in Cleveland — a win for the Knicks to the frustration of Ohio-born Kelce. — AFP

For a movie about toys coming to life, it’s no surprise that “Toy Story 5” has inspired a blockbuster-worthy merch rollout ahead of its theatrical release next weekend. But the lineup goes well beyond the expected special-edition Uno cards, Funko Pops and Lego sets that typically accompany a long-awaited franchise release. Less obvious brands have […]

UPDATED, June 4: Taylor Swift’s coming for that Oscar on her bathroom floor. Her new Toy Story 5 song, “I Knew It, I Knew You” is now streaming. The song marks a return to Swift’s early career genre, country music. “Writing this song felt like a musical departure and coming home at the same time,” […]