Jesse Plemons & Cole Escola To Star In ‘Jonty’ At A24; Lorene Scafaria Directing From Script By ‘Succession’s Jesse Armstrong, Sam Bain

**EXCLUSIVE: A24 to Produce New Comedy “Jonty” Starring Jesse Plemons and Cole Escola**

A24 is set to produce *Jonty*, a new comedy featuring Oscar nominee Jesse Plemons (*Bugonia*) in the title role, opposite Tony winner Cole Escola (*Oh, Mary!*). Plot details remain under wraps.

Two-time Emmy nominee Lorene Scafaria (*Hustlers*) will direct the film from a script co-written by her Emmy-winning *Succession* collaborator Jesse Armstrong, alongside Sam Bain, a BAFTA winner known for his work with Armstrong on the film *Four Lions* and Channel Four’s *Peep Show*.

In addition to A24, producers include Ari Aster and Lars Knudsen of Square Peg, as well as Lorne Michaels and Erin David of Broadway Video. Executive producers will include Emily Hildner and Micah Frank, alongside Jesse Plemons, Jesse Armstrong, and Sam Bain.

### About Jesse Plemons

Oscar-nominated for his performance in Jane Campion’s *The Power of the Dog*, Plemons has recently starred in Yorgos Lanthimos’ *Kinds of Kindness*, Netflix’s *Zero Day* opposite Robert De Niro, and reprised his role as Robert Daly from *Black Mirror* Season 4 in Season 7’s *USS Callister: Into Infinity*.

Most recently, Plemons reunited with Lanthimos and his *Kinds of Kindness* co-star Emma Stone in the darkly comedic genre-bender *Bugonia*, which premiered at Venice and is scheduled for theatrical release on October 24.

Upcoming projects for Plemons include portraying Plutarch Heavensbee in *The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping*, a role previously inhabited by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. He will also star alongside Tom Cruise in Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s forthcoming Warner Bros. film.

### About Cole Escola

Cole Escola most recently starred in the smash Broadway hit *Oh, Mary!*, which they also wrote. The play was a 2025 Pulitzer Prize Finalist for Drama. Earlier this year, Escola earned a Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role in a Play for their work on the show.

*Oh, Mary!* broke box office records at the Lyceum Theatre and received multiple accolades, including two Tony Awards, a New York Drama Critics Circle Special Citation, a Drama Desk Award, a Theatre World Award, two Outer Critics Circle Awards, and an Obie Award.

Escola has also won a Writers Guild of America Award for their writing on *At Home with Amy Sedaris*. Their additional credits include *Fantasmas*, *Difficult People*, *Man Seeking Woman*, *Search Party*, and *Mozart in the Jungle*.

### About Lorene Scafaria

Lorene Scafaria has been nominated for two Emmys and a Directors Guild of America Award for her work on Jesse Armstrong’s highly praised HBO drama *Succession*. Previously, she received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for directing *Hustlers*, starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu, which she also wrote.

Her other credits include writing and directing *The Meddler* and *Seeking a Friend for the End of the World*, as well as penning Sony’s adaptation of *Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist*. Most recently, Scafaria directed the pilot and served as an executive producer on the upcoming HBO series *I Love LA*, created by Rachel Sennott.

### Representation

– Lorene Scafaria is represented by UTA and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern.
– Jesse Armstrong is represented by UTA, 42, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
– Sam Bain is represented by UTA, 42, Gotham Group, and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.
– Jesse Plemons is represented by TalentWorks and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum.
– Cole Escola is represented by UTA, Rise, and Schreck Rose Dapello.

Stay tuned for more updates on *Jonty* as production progresses.
https://deadline.com/2025/09/jonty-a24-movie-to-star-jesse-plemons-cole-escola-1236548612/

‘Bads of Bollywood’ review: Lakshya elevates Aryan’s entertaining series

**Can an Outsider Make It Big in Bollywood? A Review of *The Ba***ds of Bollywood***

*The Ba***ds of Bollywood* revolves around Aasmaan (Lakshya), an outsider and a rising Bollywood star. After signing a major Karan Johar film, he finds himself co-starring with Karishma Talwar, the daughter of superstar Ajay Talwar. However, Ajay (Deol) isn’t too pleased about this pairing. Adding to the drama, Aasmaan is being chased by the mafia while struggling to juggle his film commitments to Johar and producer Freddy Sodawallah (Manish Chaudhari).

### Self-Aware, Smart, and Funny

Perhaps the best aspect of *The Ba***ds of Bollywood* is how self-aware, smart, and cheeky it is. The show doesn’t shy away from poking fun at the industry — from Johar calling himself the “film mafia” to Rajat Bedi (known for *Koi… Mil Gaya*) taking multiple digs at his prolonged absence from Bollywood. Aryan Khan also makes fun of his own drug controversy and even spoofs the infamous Sameer Wankhede. This meta-humor adds a refreshing layer to the series, making it highly entertaining.

### Rajat Bedi’s Redemption Arc

Rajat Bedi plays Jaraj Saxena, a Bollywood has-been with an amusing and lovable charm. His character drives much of the plot forward and offers one of the series’ most memorable performances. There’s an underlying tragedy to his role which raises questions about the shelf life of fame and what happens when it’s suddenly snatched away. Bedi’s portrayal stands out as one of his best, blending humor with poignancy.

### SRK’s Much-Hyped Cameo

One of the highlights of the show is Shah Rukh Khan’s hilarious cameo during the Filmfirst Awards segment. SRK’s brief appearance is a perfect tribute to the iconic awards scene from *Om Shanti Om*. From the cameos to the way Aasmaan’s winning speech is filmed, it’s clear that Aryan Khan’s direction is a heartfelt nod to Farah Khan and her influence.

### A Gamble with the Final Twist

The series shines most when it mirrors real life. Johar’s lengthy talks about nepotism, jokes about Aryan’s mysterious persona, and mentions of Orry’s “omnipresence” all add to the authenticity. Towards the end, the show takes a bold, filmy twist. If renewed for a second season, this twist could heavily influence the trajectories of the central characters, making for an intriguing continuation.

### Areas Where the Show Could Improve

Despite its many meta moments and solid performances, *The Ba***ds of Bollywood* has its flaws. The biggest disappointment lies with the much-hyped celebrity cameos. While some instantly bring a smile, others feel completely wasted. Icons like SS Rajamouli, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan receive flimsy dialogues and minimal screen time. Salman Khan, in particular, only has a few seconds on-screen, which feels like a missed opportunity.

### Narrative Issues and Underdeveloped Characters

While the show thrives on humor and performances, the storytelling sometimes falters. The love story between Karishma and Aasmaan feels superficial, making it difficult to invest emotionally in their romance. Additionally, characters played by Manoj Pahwa and Juyal, who are supposed to add comic relief, are poorly written and lack depth, despite their pivotal role in the plot.

### Overambition and Distractions

The underworld subplot, featuring Arshad Warsi as a don, struggles to grab attention and often feels out of place. The series juggles so many storylines that it sometimes becomes a victim of its own ambition. The tacky VFX during a car chase between Ajay and Aasmaan is an unfortunate low point and feels especially out of place in such a big-budget show.

### Verdict: Aryan Khan’s Directorial Debut Is Entertaining

*The Ba***ds of Bollywood* is most entertaining when it satirizes the film industry and immerses the audience in the glamorous and enigmatic world of Bollywood. With tighter writing and stronger supporting characters, the series could have been more impactful and dramatic. Nevertheless, despite some narrative fluff and missed opportunities, *The Ba***ds of Bollywood* is a binge-worthy, humorous, and entertaining watch.

**Rating: 3/5 stars**
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/aryan-khan-s-bads-of-bollywood-review/story

‘Bads of Bollywood’ screening: Here’s what the first reviews said

**‘Bads of Bollywood’ Screening: Early Reviews Praise Aryan Khan’s Directorial Debut**

*By Apoorva Rastogi | September 18, 2025, 01:18 PM*

Aryan Khan, son of superstar Shah Rukh Khan, has made his directorial debut with the new Netflix series *Bads of Bollywood*. The show was recently screened for industry insiders on Wednesday night, and early reviews have started pouring in.

Filmmaker Rahul Dholakia took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his thoughts on the first episode, describing it as “entertaining and spoofy.” He congratulated Aryan Khan and the entire team, including Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan, for their contribution to the project. Dholakia enthused, “Not star but ***’s are born!! What an entertaining and spoofy goofy first episode of #aryanKhan’s @NetflixIndia show!! Bhai Binge Karna padega!!! All the talented actors the team Kudos- man great fun public dekho- watch it binge watch it! Kid you killed it !! #MonicaShergill #BellaBajaria- Bravo.”

Filmmaker Sunita Gowariker also shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram Stories, praising Aryan Khan’s work. Sharing a photo with him, she wrote, “Dear Aryan, kudos for making such an amazing, entertaining, funny series, *Bads of Bollywood*. You have outdone yourself. Wishing you success and only success always! God bless you.”

Bollywood star Akshay Kumar expressed his support as well, writing, “May this be the start of something truly amazing.”

**Show Details and Cast**

*Bads of Bollywood* stars Lakshya and Sahher Bambba in the lead roles. The series also features noted actors Bobby Deol, Rajat Bedi, Manoj Pahwa, Mona Singh, Manish Chaudhari, and Gautami Kapoor in pivotal roles. Adding to the excitement, the show includes cameo appearances from Bollywood heavyweights such as Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Karan Johar, and Ranveer Singh, among others.

The series is now streaming on Netflix. Don’t miss out on Aryan Khan’s promising directorial debut!
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/the-bads-of-bollywood-see-first-social-media-reviews/story

The little details that made ‘Seinfeld’ unforgettable

**The Little Details That Made ‘Seinfeld’ Unforgettable**
*By Vinita Jain | Sep 18, 2025, 02:03 PM*

**What’s the story?**
*Seinfeld*, famously known as a “show about nothing,” became an iconic series celebrated for its humor and relatable scenarios. Beyond the memorable characters and witty plotlines, the show was filled with subtle props that added depth and character to each scene. These background elements often went unnoticed but played a pivotal role in creating some of the series’ most unforgettable moments.

From quirky items in Jerry’s apartment to peculiar objects in Monk’s Cafe, these small details enriched the storytelling and enhanced the viewer’s experience. Here are some of the most notable props that contributed to *Seinfeld*’s charm:

### 1. The Superman Figurine
In Jerry’s apartment, a Superman figurine can often be spotted perched on his bookshelf. This small detail serves as a nod to Jerry Seinfeld’s real-life admiration for the superhero. The figurine subtly reinforces Jerry’s character as someone who values strength and justice—albeit in his unique comedic way.

Additionally, it acts as a fun Easter egg for fans who enjoy spotting recurring themes throughout the series, connecting Jerry’s personality to something larger than life.

### 2. The Cereal Boxes
Jerry’s kitchen is famously stocked with multiple cereal boxes lined up neatly atop his refrigerator. This detail highlights Jerry’s childlike tendencies and adds authenticity to his bachelor lifestyle.

The presence of various cereal brands reflects his indecisiveness—or perhaps his love for variety—making this a relatable and endearing trait for many viewers.

### 3. Kramer’s Assorted Vintage Items
Kramer’s apartment is filled with an eclectic collection of vintage items that perfectly match his eccentric personality. From old radios to retro furniture, the props create a chaotic yet intriguing atmosphere.

These visual cues amplify Kramer’s unpredictable nature and add extra layers of interest in scenes where he cooks up his many wild schemes.

### 4. Elaine’s Iconic Jujyfruits Box
Elaine Benes’s beloved box of Jujyfruits candy is another memorable prop that pop up throughout the series. This candy box often appears in episodes where Elaine makes impulsive decisions influenced by her cravings.

It adds humor by highlighting her quirky priorities and offers insight into her spontaneous behavior patterns—without needing elaborate dialogue or explanation.

These carefully chosen props, though small and often subtle, helped shape *Seinfeld* into the timeless classic it is today. They added texture, humor, and authenticity, making the characters and their world all the more relatable and unforgettable.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/seinfeld-s-secret-props-that-made-unforgettable-background-moments/story

The little details that made ‘Seinfeld’ unforgettable

**The Little Details That Made ‘Seinfeld’ Unforgettable**
*By Vinita Jain | Sep 18, 2025, 02:03 PM*

Seinfeld, famously known as a show about nothing, became an iconic series celebrated for its humor and relatable scenarios. While much of the show’s appeal comes from its memorable characters and clever plotlines, it’s the subtle background details—the little props—that added depth and personality to each scene.

These often-overlooked elements played a pivotal role in making Seinfeld so unforgettable. From quirky items in Jerry’s apartment to peculiar objects in Monk’s Cafe, these props enriched the viewing experience and created countless memorable moments.

### The Superman Figurine

One small but significant detail appears in Jerry’s apartment: a Superman figurine resting on his bookshelf. This nod pays tribute to Jerry Seinfeld’s real-life admiration for the superhero. The figurine subtly reinforces Jerry’s character as someone who values strength and justice, albeit through his unique comedic lens. Additionally, it serves as an Easter egg for attentive fans who enjoy spotting recurring themes throughout the series.

### The Cereal Boxes

Jerry’s kitchen is famously stocked with multiple cereal boxes lined up neatly atop his refrigerator. This detail highlights Jerry’s somewhat childlike tendencies while adding authenticity to his bachelor lifestyle. The variety of cereal brands suggests his indecisiveness—or perhaps simply a love for choice—making his character all the more relatable and endearing to viewers.

### Kramer’s Assorted Vintage Items

Kramer’s apartment is a treasure trove of eclectic vintage items that perfectly reflect his eccentric personality. From old radios to retro furniture, these props create a setting that feels both chaotic and intriguing. They act as visual cues that amplify Kramer’s unpredictable nature, adding layers of texture to scenes where he concocts one of his many wild schemes.

### Elaine’s Iconic Jujyfruits Box

Elaine Benes has her own iconic prop: a box of Jujyfruits candy. Featured in several episodes, this prop highlights Elaine’s impulsive decisions driven by her cravings. It adds humor by underscoring her quirky priorities and offers insight into her spontaneous behavior—all without needing lengthy dialogue or explanation.

These subtle details—often easy to miss—helped build the rich world of Seinfeld, giving fans more to discover and enjoy with every episode. It’s a testament to the show’s thoughtful design that such small touches contributed so much to its timeless appeal.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/seinfeld-s-secret-props-that-made-unforgettable-background-moments/story

Ba***ds of Bollywood FIRST Review Out: Aryan Khan’s Debut Netflix Show Is Entertaining & Binge-Worthy

Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan, is all set to make his much-anticipated directorial debut with the web series *Ba***ds of Bollywood*, which is scheduled to premiere soon on Netflix. The project has already generated significant buzz, and ahead of its release, the makers hosted a special star-studded screening for Bollywood celebrities on Wednesday.

Early reactions from those who attended the screening have now surfaced online, giving fans a glimpse of what to expect from the series. Filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, who previously directed Shah Rukh Khan in *Raees*, took to his official X account to share his review of the first episode.

He described the episode as fun, lighthearted, and satirical, hinting that the show takes a humorous and exaggerated jab at Bollywood. Dholakia wrote, “Not star but ***’s are born!! What an entertaining and spoofy goofy first episode of #aryankhan’s show!! Bhai binge karna padega!!! Congratulations @BilalS158 for the amazing creation with Manav & Aryan. @RedChilliesEnt you have truly entertained. Both the proud parents have given a winner ♥️ I know the hard work that’s gone into this baby – 6 years or so!! Amazing @gaurikhan @iamsrk! It’s the ‘writing on the screen’ that makes the magic – & of course the direction.”

He further added, “All the talented actors – the team – Kudos – man great fun – public dekho – watch it – binge watch it! Kid you killed it!! 👊🏽👊🏽 #MonicaShergill #BellaBajaria – Bravo.”

Producer Sunita Gowariker, wife of filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, also shared her appreciation on Instagram, writing, “Dear Aryan… kudos for making such an amazing, entertaining, funny series. You have outdone yourself… wishing you success and only success always! God bless you.”

The buzz around *Ba***ds of Bollywood* has only grown stronger with these early positive reactions. Fans of Shah Rukh Khan, along with Aryan’s own admirers, are eagerly awaiting the young filmmaker’s debut to see how he delivers.

Blending glamour with grit, the show explores the dazzling yet dark world behind Bollywood’s curtains. Spanning seven episodes, the series boasts a stellar ensemble cast, including Lakshya, Bobby Deol, Anya Singh, Manoj Pahwa, Sahher Bambba, Raghav Juyal, Mona Singh, and many others.

Stay tuned for the premiere of *Ba***ds of Bollywood* on Netflix, and get ready to dive into the intriguing world that Aryan Khan has crafted with his directorial debut.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/bads-of-bollywood-first-review-out-aryan-khans-debut-netflix-show-is-entertaining-binge-worthy