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Exclusive: The BBC director general has held “listening meetings” with staff as the British broadcaster seeks to address internal unrest over perceived bias in its coverage of the Israel-Gaza war.

Several BBC insiders said Tim Davie and other senior managers have sat down with employees in recent weeks, giving them the space to air concerns about the corporation’s output since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.

Deadline can reveal that one such meeting took place on January 12, when around two dozen employees, including senior presenters, challenged Davie with allegations that the BBC was being biased against Palestinians.

Similar meetings have taken place with workers who feel the BBC’s output has been unfavorable to Israel. The Daily Telegraph reported last week that at least 22 Jewish staff members have submitted formal complaints about antisemitism and the social media activity of presenter Gary Lineker, who recently reposted (and later deleted) a call...

The staff of Los Angeles Times won a Pulitzer Prize on Monday for its stories that uncovered recordings in which City Council members made racist remarks.

The recordings last year set off a furor at City Hall, leading to the resignation of City Council President Nury Martinez and other civic officials.

The Times‘ Christina House also won a Pulitzer for feature photography for images of a pregnant 22-year-old living on the street.

The Times‘ exposé on the City Council members conversation won in the breaking news category, beating two other finalists: Josh Gerstein, Alex Ward, Peter S. Canellos. Hailey Fuchs and Heidi Przybyla of Politico for their bombshell story on the leaked draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. The Pulitzer jury moved their entry to breaking news from the national reporting category. The other finalist in the category was the staff of The New York Times for its coverage of...

Ramy Youssef’s upcoming Amazon animated series has set its main cast, Variety has learned exclusively.

The series, which was originally ordered for two seasons in March 2022 under Youssef’s first-look deal with Amazon, is now titled “#1 Happy Family USA.”

The series regulars are Youssef along with Alia Shawkat, Salma Hindy (“Roast Battle”), Randa Jarrar (“Ramy”), Mandy Moore, Chris Redd, Akaash Singh, and Whitmer Thomas. Full character descriptions can be found below.

The series logline describes “#1 Happy Family USA” as an exploration of “the experiences of a Muslim-American family that must learn how to code-switch as they navigate the early 2000s: a time of fear, war, and the rapid expansion of the boy-band industrial complex.”

Youssef co-created the series with Pam Brady. Both serve as executive producers along with Mona Chalabi, a journalist and illustrator whose work has been featured in publications like The New Yorker and The New York Times,...

Amazon Studios is in business with Ramy Youssef’s production imprint, Cairo Cowboy. As part of the deal, Amazon Studios has ordered two seasons of an adult animated comedy from the Emmy-nominated actor, director, and comedian and A24. It “will explore the experiences of a Muslim-American family that must learn how to code-switch as they navigate the early 2000s: A time of fear, war, and the rapid expansion of the boy-band industrial complex.” Youssef said in a statement, “Amazon Studios has committed to making a show with me that I never could have dreamed of getting made, let alone explore for two seasons. Anchored by Pam Brady and Mona Chalabi, we’ve brought together a special group of experienced and first-time writers to make something that I hope will be a genuine contribution to the animated space, and television. I’m excited and grateful to explore making more weird shit...

Amazon Studios has handed a two-season order to an adult animated comedy series from Emmy-nominated Ramy Youssef and A24. The series is part of a new first-look deal between Amazon Studios and Youssef’s production imprint Cairo Cowboy. The as-yet untitled comedy will exclusively stream on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Co-created by Youssef and Pam Brady, the animated comedy series will explore the experiences of a Muslim-American family that must learn how to code-switch as they navigate the early 2000s: A time of fear, war, and the rapid expansion of the boy-band industrial complex.

Youssef and Brady executive produce along with journalist and illustrator Mona Chalabi, whose work has appeared in The Guardian, The New Yorker, and The New York Times, among others.

Amazon has ordered two seasons of an animated comedy from Ramy Youssef, Variety has learned exclusively. The series is part of new first-look deal Youssef and his Cairo Cowboy production banner have signed with the streamer.

Youssef leads Cairo Cowboy with Andy Campagna, the former senior vice president of television for Sam Esmail’s Esmail Corp.

“Ramy has only scratched the surface of his incredible creative gifts,” said Vernon Sanders, head of global television for Amazon. “With perfectly measured and heartfelt comedic candor, his work penetrates culture, and we are so fortunate to be working with him and his team. Family comedies have long tackled some of the most uncomfortable and difficult societal topics, but through animation and Ramy’s creative voice, we are so excited to bring this one to audiences.”

The animated series will explore the experiences of a Muslim-American family that must learn how to code-switch as...

AMC Networks is doubling down on true crime documentaries and series by striking a raft of talent deals with podcasters and late-night correspondents.

The company has struck deals with Mona Chalabi, data expert on Netflix’s The Fix, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee correspondent Naomi Ekperigin, Cameron Esposito, host of the Queery podcast, and The Daily Show alumnus Jena Friedman.

AMC said it was working on a talent-driven approach to true crime programming.

It is also working with The Circus producer Left/Right and RuPaul’s Drag Race producer World of Wonder to develop projects.

Mona Chalabi has written for The New Yorker and The New York Times as well as TV series including the BBC’s The Frankie Boyle Show and Nat Geo’s Star Talk as well as working on Netflix panel show The Fix and co-creator of video series Vagina Dispatches.

Naomi Ekperigin, who was named one...

AMC Networks has signed talent deals with Mona Chalabi, Naomi Ekperigin, Cameron Esposito and Jena Friedman to develop original true-crime series for its linear networks and streaming services, the company announced during a virtual Ctam panel Friday.

Per AMC Networks, “In keeping with its talent-drive approach to distinctive true crime content, AMC Networks will work closely with Chalabi, Ekperigin, Esposito and Friedman on programming that delivers entertaining, unexpected and progressive points of view in the true crime genre space.”

Producing partners Left/Right and World of Wonder will develop the projects, with AMC Studios distributing the true-crime series internationally.

Also Read: AMC Networks CEO on Why 'Super-Niche' Horror Streamer Shudder Is 'Extraordinarily Beneficial Economically'

“AMC Networks has a rich history of elevating the true crime format, presenting critically acclaimed programming made by award-winning storytellers – most notably with SundanceTV’s ‘The Preppy Murder: Death in Central Park,’ ‘Jonestown: Terror in the Jungle’ and ‘The Staircase,...

AMC is expanding its true crime slate with talent deals for four creators.

Mona Chalabi, Naomi Ekperigin, Cameron Esposito, and Jena Friedman will all work with the company to develop original true crime series for its linear networks and streaming services. Left/Right and World of Wonder are on board to develop projects with AMC Studios distributing forthcoming true crime series internationally.

“AMC Networks has a rich history of elevating the true crime format, presenting critically acclaimed programming made by award-winning storytellers – most notably with SundanceTV’s ‘The Preppy Murder: Death in Central Park,’ ‘Jonestown: Terror in the Jungle,’ and ‘The Staircase,’ among others,” said Dan McDermott, president of original programming for AMC Networks’ Entertainment Group and co-president of AMC Studios. “Mona, Naomi, Cameron and Jena each bring a unique perspective to the true crime conversation while delivering thought-provoking cultural observations and we are thrilled to collaborate with them as...