RWS Entertainment Group Buys JRA, Maker of Visitor Experiences (EXCLUSIVE)

K.J. Yossman As BBC Studios gears up for its annual showcase, where it introduces its upcoming hot projects to international buyers, U.K.-based Jonathan Blyth, BBC Studios’ director of comedy, and Kelly Miller, BBC Studios’ Los Angeles-based senior VP of scripted strategy, sat down with Variety to discuss what’s on their comedy slate, working with streamers and the biggest challenges they’re currently facing.What do you look for in a comedy?Kelly Miller (KM): It’s all about authentic storytelling, that lived-in experience, a talent who has something to say. Those are the comedies and the shows that are most resonant with audiences around the world, but particularly here in the U.S.Jonathan Blyth (JB): Talent is very much at the heart — front and centre.

The Tinder Swindler subject Shimon Hayut has said the women in the Netflix documentary “weren’t conned”.Hayut, who also went by the alias Simon Leviev in the recent film, recently spoke to Inside Edition about the allegations levelled against him by several women who met him on Tinder.The first part of the interview aired yesterday (February 21) with a second part due to be released today (February 22), also featuring Hayut’s girlfriend Kate Konlin.“I’m not this monster,” Hayut said of the claims of The Tinder Swindler. “I was just a single guy that wanted to meet some girls on Tinder.”The Netflix documentary alleges that Hayut convinced women he was the son and heir of diamond mogul Lev Leviev, before reportedly conning them out of millions of dollars.“They weren’t conned and they weren’t threatened,” Hayut said of the women featured in the doc, and said of the claims he was the son of Leviev: “No I am not, and I never presented myself [as such].”He went on to say he didn’t “feel bad” for the women who accused him as the allegatiosn were false, and said he is “a legit businessman” in terms of justifying his current lavish lifestyle.Hayut added: “I want to clear my name, I want to say to the world, this is not true.”Victims Cecilie Fjellhøy, Ayleen Koeleman and Pernilla Sjoholm recently set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to repay their debts after being conned.“You’re probably here because you’ve heard about our story, and we appreciate you taking the time to search and find this page,” they wrote.“The past few days have been a whirlwind, and we three (Ayleen, Pernilla and Cecilie) have been completely shocked and floored by the flood of compassion and support from everyone.

Pale Waves have announced new dates for their shows in Dublin and Belfast.

Prominent Australian TV Executive and philanthropist Neil Balnaves has died aged 77 in a boating accident, his foundation has said.

America’s Got Talent judges have paid tribute to series star Jane Marczewski, who died on Sunday 19 February after being diagnosed with cancer. She was 31.

The Mysterious Girl singer celebrated Valentine's with wife Emily last week. Writing in his New magazine column Peter said : "Valentine’s for us is all about time together, we got each other a few little bits but the most special for me was the card Emily got me. " Peter added: "As part of this beautiful card, was hidden 12 things you love about your partner and she hid each one in different locations, and I had to find them.

Coronation Street star Kimberly Hart-Simpson has recently revealed she is returning to the soap.

A lad pointed a BB gun at a college student who had a ‘silly’ argument with his girlfriend before firing at him.

Rio Ferdinand has praised Manchester United starlet Anthony Elanga for seizing the initiative during his early days with the first-team squad.

Chris Sutton believes Manchester City could regret signing Jack Grealish rather than Harry Kane last summer by the end of the season.

The much awaited all-British heavyweight championship fight between Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte has now been confirmed with Whyte signing his contract.

Oti Mabuse has announced she is leaving Strictly Come Dancing after seven years.

Ex-England and Man United footballer David Beckham has splashed out on a lavish £5m super yacht, which he helped design! The multi-millionaire, 46, has enjoyed many sea-bound adventures with music legend Sir Elton John - so it’s no surprise he’s coughed up the cash to treat Victoria and the kids. It’s a whopping 100ft vessel which sources told the Sun: “It’s pretty plush by anyone’s standards.

Voluminous, extravagant hairstyles are always on the cards for RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants, but Michelle Keegan is giving our Drag Race UK Versus The World queens a run for their money with her guest judge look – well, if running were possible in 8-inch heels. The actress transformed her lengths with the help of hairspray and secrets (likely in the form of backcombing and extensions) to get ready for her one-off panel appearance.The full episode is yet to air, but we have been treated to an advance teaser where Michelle is shown looking nothing short of fierce with a voluminous updo.

Kate Garraway has given an update on her husband Derek Draper’s health while revealing she’s managed to sleep for the first time in two years after taking a break from caring for her ill husband. Derek, 54, contracted Covid-19 in April 2020 and went on to spend over a year in hospital battling the virus. Since leaving hospital, Derek has needed 24 hour care from home, a large majority of which has been done by devoted wife, Kate, also 54.

Eamonn Holmes has rushed to the defence of Rylan Clark after an online troll accused the former X Factor star of faking illness. Rylan sparked concern last week after sharing a snap of himself in hospital, and has since gave a health update to his fans and said he was “resting”. His most recent trip to hospital came after he received medical attention last month following his split from husband Dan Neal last year.

Holly Willoughby made a super stylish return to ITV's This Morning as she and co-host Phillip Schofield returned from their week off from the show. Starting the week off by embracing a Spring-inspired look the mum-of-three stunning in a short floral mini dress from Whistles.

Good Morning Britain viewers were taken aback as Richard Madeley got stuck straight in to an interview with John Barrowman.

EXCLUSIVE: UK distributor and producer Signature Entertainment has appointed Ben Jacques to the newly created role of Head Of UK Production.

EXCLUSIVE: All3Media-backed Little Dot Studios’ Head of Arts Catherine Bray has departed to focus on UK indie Loop.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and Media“RuPaul’s Drag Race” finalist Rosé will star in “Fowl Play, a new musical comedy about the story of two queer theater writers who are commissioned to write an apology for a fried chicken company with a history of homophobia that sounds an awful lot like Chick-fil-A.The show is directed by Tony Award and three-time Emmy Award nominee John Tartaglia, best known for appearing in “Avenue Q.” It has a book by Billy Recce (“Little Black Book” concept album) and Yoni Weiss and music/lyrics by Recce.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaDerek Luke will star in “Rare Objects,” reuniting with Katie Holmes nearly two decades after the pair appeared together in 2003’s “Pieces of April.”Holmes not only stars in “Rare Objects,” but will produce and direct the movie as well. She also co-wrote its screenplay, which is based on Kathleen Tessaro’s novel of the same name, with Phaedon Papadopoulos.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaMTV Documentary Films has acquired worldwide rights to “Krimes,” the new non-fiction feature by award-winning filmmaker Alysa Nahmias. The deal comes before the film’s screening at Doc NYC on Sunday.“Krimes” had its world premiere at the Heartland Film Festival.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaEven when COVID-19 finally, happily and at long last becomes a thing of the past, the distribution shifts it helped usher in across the movie business may be here to stay, Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek said on Wednesday.“We know that we’re in a time of flux,” Chapek told analysts on a conference call shortly after the company reported its quarterly results. “COVID will be in the rear-view mirror, God willing, [in 2022], but changing consumer behavior is a long-term change that is not going away.”With that in mind, Disney is “sticking with our plan of flexibility” when it comes to the way it releases movies in theaters.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaSaban Films has acquired North American and South African rights to “So Cold The River,” a new thriller from Paul Shoulberg. The deal, which was forged with UK-based distribution and sales company Blue Finch Films, also includes rights to distribute the film in Australia and New Zealand rights via Saban’s partners at Defiant Screen Entertainment.Shoulberg, best known for “The Good Catholic,” also wrote the script, an adaptation of the novel by Michael Koryta (“Those Who Wish Me Dead”).

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaJulia Mayorga will star opposite Katie Holmes in “Rare Objects.” Holmes not only stars in the film, she will produce and direct the movie. She also co-wrote its screenplay.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaMentalist Jason Suran will start an in-person residence this month at the Fifty Hotel & Suites by Affinia. Dubbed “One in a Million: An Evening of Extraordinary Events,” the show will be presented on Saturdays beginning on Nov.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaJet Media Network has closed a $2.5 million seed round of funding led by Los Angeles Media Fund. Other investors in the data-driven digital publishing company include 10X Capital, Gaingels, JetSynthesys, Spivy Private Capital and Equinox Systems.The investment comes as Jet Media Network is preparing to launch its first mobile app — a collaboration with former Brazil, Barcelona and AC Milan soccer star Ronaldinho.