News

For all the gloom around the industry, one form of entertainment production in Hollywood is going gangbusters right now: short-form theater. And some otherwise frustrated writers, actors, and directors are rushing in.

Marlena Rodriguez’s credits include serving as a story editor on Silicon Valley and a staff writer on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, but she agreed to direct a small stage show at this year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival, Near Sex for Work, because “it’s gratifying to be outputting things I’ve never done before,” she said. “Even though I am talking to my agents about staffing opportunities, I’m getting their feedback that there’s no jobs, we don’t know what to do.”

This year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival, the 15th edition, has a record 416 separate productions playing nearly 2,000 performances at small black box theaters like the Hobgoblin Playhouse, the Hudson or the Broadwater on Santa Monica Boulevard near Vine.

The 2024 Emmys In Memoriam segment sparked backlash from viewers, who quickly criticized Jelly Roll‘s song choice and pointed out that actress Shelley Duvall was omitted. The country singer performed “I’m Not Okay” onstage during the ceremony, which didn’t go over well with some of the Emmy audience due to the lyrics’ focus on depression and suicidal thoughts. I don’t mean disrespect to Jelly Roll (which already feels ironic) but choosing to sing a song about depression, suicidal thoughts and hanging on is a curious choice for the “in memoriam” section of The Emmys. Did I miss something with the way these folks passed? #Emmys #odd — Mimi (@MSquared720) September 16, 2024 Jelly Roll is singing a song about suicide over an In Memoriam of people who mostly did not die by choice. #Emmys — Marlena Rodriguez (@MarlenaRodrigz) September 16, 2024 One notable Hollywood actor missing from the In Memoriam segment was Duvall,...

Exclusive: The comedy duo of Mimi Davila (Problemista) and Laura Di Lorenzo (Selena: The Series)—who perform as The Chonga Girls— are set to write, star and co-executive produce an eponymous multi-camera comedy series in development at CBS Studios, Deadline has learned exclusively.

The project hails from Marlena Rodriguez who will serve as writer and showrunner. Additionally, Rodriguez will EP alongside Wilmer Valderrama and Kaitlin Saltzman under his Wv Entertainment banner, and Al Madrigal.

The Chonga Girls follows two dangerously confident childhood friends, Mimi and Laura, who move from Miami to Hollywood to realize their dream of becoming famous. But, much to their surprise, they find themselves working at the makeup counter for a department store right off the Walk of Fame.

L-r: Marlena Rodriguez, Wilmer Valderrama, Kaitlin Saltzman and Al Madrigal

Davila is a Cuban/Bulgarian actress, comedian and writer who, alongside her best friend Di Lorenzo,...