'X Factor' surges at finish line

A relative ratings surge for the opening-season finale of "The X Factor" pushed Fox to a primetime victory Thursday. According to preliminary nationals from Nielsen, "X Factor" (3.8 rating/11 share in 18-49, 12.4 million viewers overall) improved more than 33% in its demo rating compared to the previous week and more than 20% in overall viewers. It was the program's best-performing Thursday since Oct. 6 and Fox's most-watched entertainment telecast since premiere week. In its final halfhour, "X Factor" peaked at 4.2/12 in 18-49 and 13.8 million overall. Airing repeats, CBS was second on the night among the networks, led by "The Big Bang Theory" (2.6/8, 9.1 million), followed by "Rules of Engagement" (1.9/6, 6.8 million), "Person of Interest" (1.6/5, 7.9 million) and "The Mentalist" (1.5/4, 8.2 million). CBS' 18-49 rating declined during the final two hours even as its overall viewership rose. Thanks to the latest edition of its stripped gameshow "Who's Still Standing" (1.5/5, 5.2 million), NBC narrowly grabbed third-place honors. Repeats of "The Office" (0.9/2, 2.2 million) and "Whitney" (0.8/2, 1.9 million) preceded a burnoff episode of terminated drama "Prime Suspect" (1.0/3, 4.3 million). ABC came in fourth with repeats of holiday specials "Prep and Landing" (1.1/3, 3.8 million), "Prep and Landing: Naughty vs. Nice" (1.1/3, 3.7 million) and "I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown" (1.1/3, 3.6 million), followed by "Grey's Anatomy" (0.7/2, 2.5 million). The CW aired reruns of "The Vampire Diaries" (0.4/1, 1.4 million) and "The Secret Circle" (0.5/1, 1.4 million). Univision made a dent at 9 p.m. with "La Fuerza del Destino" (1.8/5, 4.6 million), edging CBS for second place in the hour among viewers 18-49. Preliminary 18-49 averages for the night: Fox 3.8/11, CBS 1.8/5, Univision 1.4/4, NBC 1.1/3, ABC 1.0/3, CW 0.5/1. In total viewers: Fox 12.4 million, CBS 8.0 million, NBC 3.9 million, Univision 3.6 million, ABC 3.3 million, CW 1.7 million. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

New poster for Abraham Lincoln subsequently: Vampire Hunter

twentieth century Fox have launched a brand new poster for Abraham Lincoln subsequently: Vampire Hunter, and it is among individuals great lenticular jobs that changes with respect to the position that your perception.1 1 / 2 of the look shows old Abe sitting within the Oblong Office, although another transposes him into the rear of beyond, clutching an axe and illuminated through the light of the full moon.Directed by Timur Bekmambetov and modified from Seth Grahame-Smith's book, the film sees Benjamin Master star being an alternate version from the sixteenth leader from the USA, who occupies a secret existence of demon-slaying after his mother is wiped out with a supernatural creature.The supporting cast consists of the kind of Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Dominic Cooper and Rufus Sewell, although Tim Burton has added his Medieval influence inside a production capacity.Abraham Lincoln subsequently: Vampire Hunter opens within the United kingdom on 2 August 2012. Browse the new poster in most its double-on the sides glory, below.

AP Partners With WhoSay To License Photos, Video

NY (AP) The Associated Press said Wednesday that it has entered into a partnership with WhoSay Inc., a company that helps celebrities manage interactions with fans through social networks and traditional media outlets.The AP will give celebrities who are members of WhoSay the option to provide exclusive, personal photos and videos to the AP for licensing to major media companies worldwide.The AP will also provide photo services at events upon the request of WhoSay members. The members will own the images while giving the AP the ability to license them.WhoSay has hundreds of film, television and sports personalities who are clients, including Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan, Tom Hanks, Rihanna and Sofia Vergara. The company was cofounded by talent agency Creative Artists Agency, with funding from investors including Amazon Investments LLC, Greylock Partners and High Peaks Ventures.The company puts celebrities in greater control of and offers the opportunity to profit from their photographic lives. It also allows them to spread their social media posts easily across sites like Twitter and Facebook. As an example, Vergara posted a picture of a family lunch in Miami last month. The photo has a copyright symbol, indicating she owns it and can make money from it if, say, a magazine wants to publish it.WhoSay has also agreed to allow AP journalists to post photos and videos onto its platform for distribution onto social networks. Twenty AP journalists will initially participate in the agreement."We continue to look for new ways to innovate in the social media space, and this agreement does so in the photo marketplace and with our journalists," said Lou Ferrara, vice president and managing editor who oversees AP's social media efforts.Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.Founded in 1846, The Associated Press is the world's largest source of independent information. On any given day, more than half the world's population sees news from AP.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Box Office Preview: 'Sherlock Holmes,' 'Alvin' Installments Kick Off Christmas Parade

ABC"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" ABC has canceled Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.our editor recommendsThe Kardashians Throw Anti-Bullying Rally With Demi Lovato on 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' (Video)'Extreme Makeover' Host Ty Pennington Joins New ABC Daytime Show'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition': Michelle Obama to Guest Star on the ABC Reality Series The network has opted not to move forward with the series in its weekly format, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively. ABC, however, will air four special episodes after its current ninth season ends its run on Jan. 13 with its 200th episode. The series, which features host Ty Pennington and a team including designer Michael Moloney visiting and rebuilding the homes of families in need, premiered in 2003 as a 13-part special to 12 million viewers on a Wednesday night, moving to its initial home on Sundays where it became a regular staple for its first eight seasons. The Extreme Makeover spinoff continued to grow, cracking the top 20 in viewership in its second season, averaging 15.8 million viewers per episode as it made its way to visit all 50 states helping veterans, victims of natural disasters, the homeless and foster care and adoption organizations. To date, the team has designed and rebuilt more than 200 homes, in addition to firehouses, schools, daycares and more. ABC moved the series to Fridays this year where it has struggled to attract the same audience -- despite a slate of high-profile guests including first lady Michelle Obama and the Kardashians -- against competition including Fox's Kitchen Nightmares and scripted offerings including A Gifted Man. Its most recent episode, airing against CBS' holiday broadcast of Frosty the Snowman (7.3 million), drew 5.1 million viewers and a 1.3 rating in the advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demographic. The decision to air four specials follows a similar model Fox incorporated for America's Most Wanted. The long-running law-enforcement series, hosted by John Walsh, was canceled as a weekly series in May with Fox opting to air four quarterly specials. (Lifetime has since picked up the series for a 25th season.) "It is with a somber heart I close this chapter, but with such excitement I begin the next one," Moloney said in a statement to THR. "I have EM:HE to thank for the platform I have to continue doing good work and great design in 2012 and on." Pennington, meanwhile, has already lined up a new gig, ABC's upcoming daytime health and lifestyle series The Revolution, set to premiere in January. He joins Tim Gunn and Harley Pasternak. Pennington later posted a statement on his Web site thanking the network, fans and those associated with the show for their support for what he called "the greatest job of my life." "I believe the spirit of what we have done across the country for over 200 families will continue to inspire," he wrote. It has been an honor to work side by side with the EMHE families, builders, and thousands of volunteers who have proven that good hearts can and do change the world." The series has earned two Emmys for outstanding reality program in its nine-year run, with another year of eligibility to go. Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit ABC Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

'American Horror Story' Scares Up Golden Globe Nominations

It certainly is great to determine genre game titles reach the honours shows, and that's why we are excited that Ryan Murphy and Kaira Falchuk's "American Horror Story" continues to be nominated for any Golden Globe within the Drama Series category. The Harmon family as well as their supernatural roommates are facing other beginners such as the much-loved "Bet on Thrones." Champion also go to the sharp-tongued Jessica Lange's Constance Langdon, who's nominated within the Best Supporting Actress category. Does the horror series stand an opportunity this year? Ponder that, and educate yourself around the relaxation of the week's horror news beyond the break. New "[REC] 3: Genesis" Trailer Hits The bad dreams continue with a brand new trailer for "[REC] 3: Genesis" the 3rd installment within the terrifying found footage series. [REC] and [REC] 2 co-director Paco Plaza informs the storyline that happens only a couple of hrs prior to the first film's carnage starts in a wedding, even. Stars Leticia Dolera and Diego Martin see their big day become an utter bloodbath (like it!). Wedding alarms ring in The spanish language theaters on March 30, which hopefully means we'll be visiting a release date within the U.S. sometime soon. 'Saw' Authors 'Rise' At Warner Bros. Deadline has not shared much in regards to a new action/sci-fi pitch circulating at Warner Siblings, but we observed two familiar names in the genre world. "Saw" authors Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan have partnered with "The Ring" producer along with a fledgling film writer for any project they are calling "Rise." The horror duo lately done the "Piranha 3DD" script and there is some ambiguous info going swimming on IMDb in regards to a "Collector" follow up, so we are curious to determine how that one pans out for that team. 'Paradise' Hopefully Found Soon For Legendary Pictures Alex Proyas' good versus. evil action epic, "Paradise Lost" in line with the classic John Milton poem has hit a financial roadblock. Legendary Pictures exceeded their $120 million mark, meaning it's to enter board to create some cuts. Hopefully that does not mean any changes for that cast which includes Bradley Cooper, Casey Affleck, and Dominic Purcell. We'll uphold with patience for the time being to determine where things go, because we actually want to understand what Bradley Cooper appears like as Lucifer. Stop Motion Animated Hellfire Not Far Off There is a new stop motion animation feature that transmits anyone to hell to lose for those eternity. Two close friends attempt to save their buddy, but all individuals annoying devils attempt to stop them since the dark ones could be pretty greedy if this involves meeting their monthly quota. Nick Swardson ("Reno 911") and TJ Burns ("Cloverfield," "Make him the Greek") is going to be showing up within the R-ranked animation that begins shooting in The month of january. Are you going to brave the awful take a look? Universal Conjures 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone' Universal just scooped in the privileges to Laini Taylor's youthful adult novel, "Daughter of Smoke and Bone" a recently released story that Vital attempted to snag several days ago. A 17-year-old art student is distributed around the globe to gather teeth by her father. She's unsure why (guess this family does not talk much ), but an encounter by having an angel discloses everything her family members have been hiding. Otherworldly adventures ensue. Perhaps you have browse the book yet, and would you see that one making a fascinating translation towards the giant screen? " target="_blank">Watch the Unnerving New Trailer for IFC's 'Kill List' Should you weren't having to pay attention, IFC's "Kill List" arrives on VOD on The month of january 4 along with a creepy new trailer has showed up for Ben Wheatley's movie. The film finds an ex-soldier like a contract killer who's grappling using the devastating aftermath carrying out a botched job in Kiev. He presses up with an unusual, new assignment, but soon knows that his world is starting to solve. Inform us that which you think about this week's Horror Bites within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

Snowtown Finds Favor With Marrakesh Jury, From Bounds Nabs Grand Prize

Justin Kurzels Snowtown was granted the Jury Prize within the eleventh Marrakesh Worldwide Film Festival on Saturday evening. (The mental thriller went in Experts Week within the Cannes Film Festival taken where IFC Evening time selected up for U . s . States rights.) Star Daniel Henshall was the most effective actor prize champion in Marrakesh. Frederikke Aspocks From Bounds needed the fest’s Grand Prize.The most effective pointing award was presented with to Gianluca and Massimiliano P Serio for your Italian dramaSeven Functions Of Whim. Joslyn Jensen acquired the most effective actress award for Without, a film by Mark Jackson that needed advantage of Kickstarter, went in Slamdance, and was recently nominated for your ‘Best Film Not Playing Inside A Theater In Your Town’ prize within the Gotham Honours.

'Rock of Ages' Trailer to Premiere Before 'Sherlock Holmes'

The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Power 100 breakfast, which HBO's Sue Naegle described as "estrogen meets ambition," was held Dec 7 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.our editor recommendsJane Fonda Opens Up About Her Father, Her Return to Acting and the Lesson She Learned From Warren BeattyThe Scene at THR's 2011 Women In Entertainment Power 100 BreakfastAnne Sweeney Tops THR's 2011 Women in Entertainment Power 100 ListKim Kardashian Attends THR's Women in Entertainment BreakfastBonnie Hammer Reveals E! Rebranding Plans; Wants Up to Four New Kardashian Spinoffs13 Female Power-Players Who Rule the WorldRelated Topics•Women in Entertainment The annual breakfast, which Summit's Nancy Kirkpatrick said is "the one event of the year that says, 'You go girl,' "began at 8 am with a reception at the hotel's Crystal Ballroom where Sony's Amy Pascal said she feels what's best about the affair is "it's great for young women to see they can do anything in the business." PHOTOS: The Scene at THR's 2011 Women In Entertainment Power 100 Breakfast The program kicked off with an intro from Chelsea Handler, who began by saying, "I have no idea why there are so many f***ing men here." She was followed by THR editorial director Janice Min who said the bottom line on the WIE Power 100 issue is: "You want to be on it and we want you to be on it." Afterward, Lifetime's Nancy Dubuc, who spoke about the need for women to mentor each other, drew applause when she said, "We know the most dangerous thing for the men at the top is for the women to be talking" and helping each other. PHOTOS: THR's 2011 Women in Entertainment Power 100 Kirsten Dunst then introduced Pascal who paid tribute to the late producer Laura Ziskin and began by saying, "I had no idea how much her death would affect me. There are big holes left in so many lives." Before a video clip played, she told a story of how, when Ziskin's ashes were scattered from the Santa Monica pier, dolphins suddenly appeared and began splashing in the water. "I swear this happened," said Pascal. "We were sure that somehow Laura was able to produce that too." COMPLETE LIST: 2011 Women in Entertainment Power 100 The Help author Katheryn Stockett was joined by Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis to speak about THR's mentoring program and how this helps young women "discover their own beautiful self-worth." The heavy-set Spencer got a laugh when she began by telling the photographers to "aim high. That's where the money is" and joined with Davis in introducing who this year's mentees will be. THR publisher, senior vpLynne Segall thanked the event's sponsors and organizers before Sherry Lansing spoke regarding honoree Jane Fonda. The former Paramount head told a story of working with Fonda when she was a producer on The China Syndrome and being told by the studio execs that the film's name must be changed, news that Lansing dutifully passed on to the actress. "Are you a corporate tool?" was Fonda's reaction. "Where are your instincts? Your values? Are just carrying their water?" Lansing said this was her first experience with how "non-compromising" the actress could be. Fonda then began her remarks by saying, "Did I really say corporate tool? No wonder people didn't like me." She accepted the award, which is shaped like a small crystal block, and joked, "it's made out of a chunk of the glass ceiling that Sherry broke." She also corrected Lansing who said Fonda was engaged to Richard Perry by saying she was "in love with" the record producer but there were no wedding plans. She got a laugh when she did a quick run through of the times she's been married and then not. Fonda then spoke on the subject of how until women hold decisive positions in the industry films won't reflect "the fascinating complexity of women's lives." She ended her remarks by saying, "In the spirit of Laura Ziskin, let's keep moving forward." Women in Entertainment is presented by Lifetime. Other sponsors include Audi, BCBGMAXAZRIA Group, Gersh, Guggenheim Partners, Marina B, Scandia Down. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery THR's 2011 Women in Entertainment Power 100 Related Topics Chelsea Handler Kirsten Dunst Nancy Dubac Women in Entertainment Sue Naegle Women in Entertainment 2011 Nancy Kirkpatrick

Bravo encourages Maker in program strategy

With programming topper Andy Cohen's role at Bravo happen to be reduced because he devote his time for you to "Watch What Goes On Live", the cabler has upped David Maker to Vice president of program strategy and purchases. Maker, whose previous publish in the network was director of proper program planning, works under Jerry Leo, that has absorbed a lot of Cohen's old duties. Within the new role, Maker will supervise arranging, series rollout planning, movie and series purchases and lead programming support for that net's marketing and advertising. Maker has done a number of Bravo's high-profile choices during the last couple of years -- various iterations from the "Real Average women" franchise, "Top Chef Masters" and "Uniform Matchmaker." Just before his time in the cabler, he labored being an NBC page. Cohen is dedicating the majority of his time for you to "Watch What Goes On Live," that is set to grow to some five-a-week strip in The month of january. Contact Mike Thielman at mike.thielman@variety.com

Golden Frog hops to Dylewska

From a pool of fest sensations including "Tree of Life," "Melancholia," "We Need to Talk About Kevin" and "Shame," Poland's 19th Plus Camerimage, which honors cinematographers, bestowed its Golden Frog on local d.p. Jolanta Dylewska for her work on Warsaw native Agnieszka Holland's "In Darkness." The jury included director Roger Donaldson, film critic Elvis Mitchell and d.p. Dante Spinotti, who will receive the American Society of Cinematographers' lifetime achievement award in February. "Suicide Room," directed by Jan Komasa and shot by Radoslaw Ladczuk, took top prize in the Polish film competition, while the Laszlo Kovacs Student Award went to d.p. Balazs Revesz and director Balasz Simonyi for their work on "Finale." Helmer/d.p. Tomasz Wolski took the Golden Frog in the feature doc competition for "Doctors." Karl Markovics won the Directors Debuts sidebar for "Breathing" and Radoslaw Ladczuk took the Cinematographers Debuts honor for "Suicide Room." Among fest guests, Aussie d.p. John Seale, known for his work with Anthony Minghella ("The English Patient," "Cold Mountain"), was honored for lifetime achievement, as were production designer Jack Fisk ("Tree of Life," "There Will Be Blood"), Austrian actor Klaus Maria Brandauer ("Mephisto," "Out of Africa") and director/d.p. tandem Todd Haynes and Ed Lachman. Others given tributes included Polish helmer Andrzej Wadja ("Ashes and Diamonds") and documentarian Albert Maysles ("Gimme Shelter"). The eight-day fest took place in Bydgoszcz for the second year after a disagreement with city officials in its longtime home of Lodz forced the move. Contact Steve Chagollan at steve.chagollan@variety.com

UPDATE: Paramount Says Jeremy Renner Never Told Extra Hes Taking Over Mission: Impossible From Tom Cruise

2ND UPDATE 8:30 PM: Extra has now revised its website. Here is the full account ofhow Jeremy Renner replied to the question about “the rumors his Mission: Impossible character might possibly take over in a 5thinstallment of the franchise. Renner shot down the rumor, replying:’I don’t think that’s really ever a possibility. I think thepossibility, first and foremost, is for audiences to receive this movie and like it, want to see more.And then it’s Tom’s willingness to want to do another one,to put together another big movie like this. These aren’t easy to put together.So if Paramount and Tom want me to do it, I’d be happy to be a part of it.I’dbe up for it… assuming my character doesn’t croak. I’m not going to tellya!’ “ UPDATE 7:30 PM: Now Paramount is denying the Extra account of its interview with Jeremy Renner. In fact Deadline was just played a portion of the tape by the studio. Renner is asked about the rumors that he would replace Tom Cruise on the Mission: Impossible franchise. And Rennerresponds: “No, I don’t think that’s ever really a possibility.” Sounds like Extra didn’t presentRenner’s full reply and in doing so changed the meaning of what he said. But it’s also clear from the way the studio jumped into the fray that Paramountwants to ensure nobad blood between Renner and Cruise. PREVIOUS: During an Extra interview promoting Paramount’sMission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol, Jeremy Renner replied to a question about taking over the franchise lead:”I’d be up for it, and Tom wants me to do it. I’d be happy to be a part of it. But that’s assuming my character doesn’t croak [in this one]. I’m not going to tell you.” Renner already has takenover a new lead rolein Universal’sBourne franchise.

AFTRAs Mind PR Leaves To Become Listed On 42West

After an 11-year stint in the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the stars union’s top PR executive, National Director of Communication Christopher p Haan, is departing to become listed on entertainment PR firm 42West a professional within the Proper Communications division. There, p Haan is anticipated to still use AFTRA, that has been a customer of 42West since 2007. P Haan’s last day is going to be 12 ,. 16, and AFTRA will probably title his successor the following month. The move may come as the 2 stars unions, SAG and AFTRA, continue merger talks. P Haan first became a member of AFTRA at the begining of 2001 as National Assistant within the Entertainment, Advertisements, Non-Broadcast/Industrial, and Interactive Media departments. He later offered as National Manager of Communications and was upped to National Director in 2008.

'The Sing-Off' Season 3 Champs Are ...

The Two and A Half Men producer that took on Charlie Sheen, the biggest name in Spanish TV, the former head of Disney, and Fred and Ethel Mertz are among the latest inductees into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame.our editor recommends'I Love Lucy': 5 Things to Know About the SeriesBunim/Murray and Henson Alternative Team on Satirical Puppet Show (Exclusive)Michael Eisner Sells Comedy Project to ABCRelated Topics•Charlie Sheen The executive producer of Two And A Half Men as well The Big Bang Theory and Mike and Molly is Chuck Lorre, who survived Sheen's anger to see his show become even stronger in the ratings. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Biggest Blunders He is joined among the 21st annual Hall of Fame inductees by Michael Eisner, who was CEO of the Walt Disney Company from 1985 until 2005; Don Francisco, the popular longtime Univision show host; Sherman Hemsley, the actor who most famously played George Jefferson; TV lighting legend Bill Klages; producers Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray, who are widely credited with inventing the modern reality TV genre; and the late Vivian Vance and William "Bill" Frawley, who will forever be remembered as Ethel and Fred Mertz, the best friends of the Ricardo's on I Love Lucy. "The group of inductees for this year's Hall of Fame has had a remarkable impact in all areas of the television industry, from performers and hosts to producers and executives," said Mark Itkin, the WME board member who headed the selection committee. The announcement was made by Television Academy Chairman and CEO John Shaffner, who ends his tenure as head of the group at the end of December. The other members of this year's selection committee were Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment at FOX; Peter Roth, President of Warner Brothers Television; Fred Silverman, founder of the Fred Silverman Company and former executive at ABC, CBS and NBC; Nina Tassler, President of CBS Entertainment; and Steve Venezia, Director, Content Services at Dolby Laboratories, Inc. The 2012 inductees join more than 120 others in the Hall of Fame. Past honorees include Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, Walter Cronkite, Walt Disney, Bob Hope, Mary Tyler Moore, Barbara Walters, Dan Rather, Oprah Winfrey, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Lorne Michaels, Carl Reiner, Katie Couric, Bob Mackie, Bob Barker, Bea Arthur, Bill Cosby, Regis Philbin, William Shatner, Bob Stewart and Candice Bergen. The Academy's information about the new inductees follows after the break. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Chuck Lorre & His TV Empire Related Topics Chuck Lorre Michael Eisner The Real World Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 1 2 next last

FCC Moves To Bar AT&T Cope With T-Mobile Predicting Massive Job Loss

Up-to-date: The merger from the wireless companies had been around the ropes after August once the Justice Department stated it might challenge the offer in the court on antitrust grounds. Now FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski is circulating a draft order that will add an essential additional barrier towards the deal: It might request an administrative law judge to think about if the combo would serve the general public interest — following the finish from the Justice trial, because of come from Feb.That will significantlydelay and complicate the AT&T and T-Mobile’s merger plans. The final time the FCC did this — in 2002 when Echostar desired to merge with DirecTV — the businesses scrapped their plan. Genachowski’s proposal followsa conclusion by FCC staff thatconsumers could be injured if AT&T and T-Mobile merge. “The record reveals that — in no uncertain terms — this merger would create a massive lack of U.S. jobs and investment” as AT&T cuts costs to create the financial aspects from the deal work, a senior FCC official states. The company discovered that there’d be less competition in 99 from the 100 greatest marketplaces. (The exception is Omaha.) Staffers also came to the conclusion the deal wouldn't improve deployment of 4G services. When the FCC decides to not approve a merger such as this, it needs to send the situation for an administrative law judge for any court-like hearing that will take a look at if the deal would serve the general public interest. The judge’s finding would go back fully FCC for any election. AT&T states the FCC’s draft order is “yet another illustration of a government agency acting to avoid billions in new investment and the development of many 1000's of recent jobs at any given time once the U.S. economy frantically needs both. At this time around, we're looking at all options.” But Dish Network — that has been gathering wireless spectrum with the hope of starting a broadband service — states the FCC made the best decision. An AT&T-T-Mobile mergerwould raise “barriers to entry for potential new newcomers like Dish Network.” Consumer advocates also congratulated the company. “It means the FCC finds merit within our arguments that the combined AT&T/T-Mobile can create a duopoly within the wireless market (AT&T and Verizon) that will increase prices for service as well as for mobile phone models,” states Media Access Project Policy Director Andrew Jay Schwartzman. Free Press Boss Craig Aaron states the Department of Justice and also the FCC both agree this merger is really a bad deal, and it is time for AT&T just to walk away.

Ewan McGregor to Star in HBO's 'The Corrections'

Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesEwan McGregor Ewan McGregor continues to be drawn on to star in Cinemax's drama pilot The Corrections. The The Exorcist and Moulin Rouge actor will co-star alongside Dianne Wiest and Chris Cooper in Noah Baumbach and Scott Rudin's adaptation of Jonathan Franzen's best-seller, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. McGregor will have Nick, the center child of the seniors Midwestern couple (Cooper, Wiest) who reunite the household for just one last Christmas. STORY: Dianne Wiest Set, Chris Cooper in Talks for Cinemax's 'The Corrections' Rudin optioned the film privileges for Vital towards the National Book Award-winning novel in 2001 and would executive produce the project. STORY: Noah Baumbach to defend myself against Jonathan Franzen's 'The Corrections' for Cinemax Baumbach and Franzen will pen the project and professional produce, with Baumbach pointing the drama, that is presently in production. McGregor's TV work includes guest starring on NBC's ER in 1997 in addition to showing up as themself within the U.K. TV docuseries Lengthy Way Lower. McGregor's approaching features range from the Impossible and Jack the large Killer. Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com Twitter: @Snoodit Ewan McGregor TV Development

Howard Stern Shoots Lower Americas Got Talent Gossips

First Launched: November 14, 2011 12:22 PM EST Credit: Getty Images La, Calif. -- Caption Howard Stern attends a screening of Eco-friendly Zone in NY City on February 25, 2010Howard Stern states hes not applying over for outgoing Americas Got Talent judge Piers Morgan, but furthermore won't reveal if hes in talks for your NBC gig. Everyone knows I like Americas Got Talent. I believe that it is the best which i possibly could be certainly honored to sit down lower with Howie [Mandel] and Sharon [Osbourne] and choose these lunatics, the shock jock mentioned on his on SiriusXM Radio on Monday morning. I take show business very seriously, Howard ongoing. Essentially will be a judge online, there'd be sincere whatsoever. I'd be there for your talent. I'd be there to actually find somebody good. Adding, I am not the next judge. I have no deal with Americas Got Talent I'm not prone to comment if Im in discussions I dont discuss discussions. As formerly reported on AccessHollywood.com, the other day sources told The Wall Street Journal radio stations giant is at talks with NBC to participate the panel, in the deal regarded as worth possibly $15 million yearly. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

CMA Honours wow Wednesday

Taylor Quick works throughout Wednesday's New Bands Honours, which came a superb 16.3 million audiences to ABC.A lot of the competition needed popular Wednesday as ABC preempted its strong entertainment selection for your New Bands Assn. Honours, which gave it its finest evening in the fall. NBC's ''Harry's Law'' was really the only series to edge up week to week.According to preliminary national estimations from Nielsen, the ''45th Annual CMA Awards'' averaged a sizable 4.8 rating/12 participate grownups 18-49 and 16.3 million audiences overall from 8 to 11, peaking getting a 5. demo score at 9:30. The kudocast was up a tick year upon year and shipped the finest nightly average for nearly any evening on ABC this fall , as well as the the 2nd perfect for nearly any entertainment selection on any network this season (behind only the evening of Ashton Kutcher's bow on CBS' ''Two . 5 Men'').The show hit a seven-year filled with males 18-34 (3./9) and ABC won the evening overall: both males and girls in 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 additionally to teens and 50-plus.Fox will be a solid second round the evening among 18-49ers having its two-hour ''The X Factor'' (3.7/10 in 18-49, 10.millions of audiences overall), which peaked inside the 9:30 half-hour getting a 4. demo rating. Though prone to can be found in lower about 5% week to week, the music activity contest provided the web with substantial time-period improvement , greater than 40% a lot better than two several hours of ''Hell's Kitchen'' opposite the CMAs this past year (2.6/7).As they are usually situation, CBS was hit most difficult with the CMA Honours, as ''Survivor'' (3.1/9 in 18-49, 10.6 000 0000 audiences overall) was lower greater than 10% from last week's season how. Also, crime dramas ''Criminal Minds'' (3.4/8 in 18-49, 11.3 million audiences overall) and ''CSI'' (2.5/7 in 18-49, 10.millions of audiences overall) were lower some, while using former ranking third in 18-49 as well as the latter coming second.NBC's ''Up All Night'' had an chance to shine because this didn't face any comedy competition the first time, nevertheless it essentially held steady week to week (1.8/5 in 18-49, 4.8 million audiences overall) still, it exercised substantially better inside the 8 o'clock half-hour than last year's ''Undercovers'' did opposite the CMA Honours (1.2/4). Following an ''Up All Night'' repeat at 8:30 (1.2/3 in 18-49, 3.5 million audiences overall), second-year drama ''Harry's Law'' (1.3/3 in 18-49, 7.millions of audiences overall) matched up up a season filled with the demo, likely enjoying useful advantages of the possible lack of ''Modern Family.'' At 10, ''Law and Order: SVU'' (1.9/5 in 18-49, 6.6 000 0000 audiences overall) ongoing to stay in third place, lower a tick week to week to possibly its least expensive firstrun score so far.At CW, ''America's Next Top Model'' (.7/2 in 18-49, 1.6 000 0000 audiences overall) was lower just a little week to week.Preliminary 18-49 earnings for your evening: ABC, 4.8/12 Fox, 3.7/10 CBS, 3./8 Univision, 1.7/4 NBC, 1.5/4 CW, .6/2.In general audiences: ABC, 16.3 million CBS, 10.7 million Fox, 10.millions of NBC, 5.9 million Univision, 4. million CW, 1.3 million. Contact Ron Kissell at ron.kissell@variety.com

Pilot Season Hot Trends: Comedies, Books, Formats, Westerns And Enormous Obligations

Economic decline be damned — the broadcast systems are actually trading appreciate it’s 2007 this year. A slew of investing in an offer wars introduced with a staggering 9 pilot orders/production obligations and 33 put pilot obligations up to now this buying season. In addition, NBC is eying straight-to-series orders for two main Bryan Bigger-written dramas: a Munsters reboot and Hannibal, good Hannibal Lecter character. With dire needs, new entrepreneurs ready to invest a lot of money in the turnaround and new management attempting to make their mark, NBC remains most likely probably the most aggressive this buying season. Furthermore for the likely straight-to-series orders, four in the 9 pilot orders/production obligations up to now are actually provided with the peacock network: comedy Isabel, inspired having a French Canadian format, and John Scott Shepherd’s comedy Save Me, which are casting, as well as the J.J. Abrams/Eric Kripke adventure thriller Revolution and crime drama Blue Tilt, put together by Chris Brancato and starring Ethan Hawke and Vince D’Onofrio, which have pilot production obligations. The relaxation from the 4 pilot production orders visited Jon Favreau comedy spec Tweaked together with a multi-camera workplace comedy from Bill Lawrence and Greg Malins at CBS, multi-camera family comedy The Manzanis starring Kirstie Alley plus an untitled Serta Fogelman comedy at ABC as well as the Mike Royce-composed cast-contingent comedy pilot Little Brother at Fox. It wasn’t exactly the mass hysteria of summer season 2007 when the systems were stockpiling when faced having a possible authors strike, but the quantity of emergency this season came pretty close. (NBC) got cash, (ABC) got competitive against that cash, which we needed the bait, Fox’s entertainment leader Kevin Reilly mentioned within the HRTS lunch lately. Most of us think i had been carried out a little. Indeed, there has been numerous projects, especially round the comedy side, which in fact had NBC, ABC and Fox investing in an offer strongly against each other. How aggressive was ABC this season, which marked the initial full development cycle for your network’s topper Paul Lee? It compensated out some 10 put pilot obligations, greater than almost every other network. That is despite the fact that a substantial a part of ABC’s development arises from sister studio ABC Art galleries where the huge the majority of sales haven't any penalties attached since the transaction involves moving profit one pocket to another. Fox and CBS aren't far behind with 9 put pilot obligations each, while NBC has 5, through it greater than composed the primary difference with several bigger obligations additionally to some slew of script sales with penalties attached. Part of the cause of the staggering volume of put pilot obligations this season might be the devaluation in the term, which once placed on penalties of $millions of but is becoming useful for penalties less than $500,000 as well as lower. The comfort was fierce competition, especially between NBC and ABC. Both systems bought more projects in comparison as to the they did a year ago. NBC got second wind monthly roughly ago when the network’s brass apparently examined their slate and made a decision it had been missing in a few areas. After I have noted ad nauseam, it's been the summer season of comedy. Extended just before the genre’s red-colored-colored-hot fall with breakout hits New Girl, 2 Broke Ladies and Suburgatory and solid artist Last Guy Standing, the systems went strongly following a genre, which ended up eclipsing drama in sales this year the first time in quite a while. Having a recent account (you will discover a few more comedy projects in play, and so the comedy tally remains growing), there's been about 252 comedy and 250 drama sales this year versus. 233 comedy and 269 drama last season. Seven in the 9 pilot orders/production obligations visited comedy projects. In contrast, all large obligations in pre-WGA strike 2007 received to dramas: straight-to-series orders to Section 8 at ABC, The Philanthropist, Fear Itself and Robinson Crusoe at NBC and incredibly Last Second at CBS and series persistence for Ryan Murphy’s Full B, The Trees andThe FBI at Fox as well as the Kingdom at CBS. Besides the astounding overall volume of comedy buys, also remarkably high this year was the quantity of half-several hours that incorporated talent attached, especially at NBC and ABC. They include NBC comedy projects starring Roseanne Barr, Sean Hayes, Sarah Silverman, Portia p Rossi, Kal Penn, Snoop Dogg, Nick Thune and Omid Djalili. ABC went for comedies toplined by Kirstie Alley, Reba McEntire, Jim Belushi, Judy Greer, Ashley Tisdale, Rob Garlin, Jim Breuer, Romeo Santos, Nia Vardalos, Marlon Wayans, Craig Kilborn and Sharon Horgan. Final 4 may even create their starring automobiles, as will Aasif Mandvi who's headlining a comedy for CBS. Fox has comedies starring Tyler Labine and Hannibal Buress. The recognition is almost non-existent round the drama side save for NBC’s Blue Tilt that was offered with Hawke and D’Onofrio aboard. Talent remains large this season, using the large quantity of comedy projects with stars attached but furthermore inside the rise of talent holding deals, that have almost gone away lately. The second reason is another symbol of the improved competition this season, while using broadcast systems as well as the art galleries building war chests heading to the craziness of pilot casting season. The heavens signed in talent/development deals up to now include Vanessa Williams, Jesse Martin, Leah Remini and Scott Michael Promote at ABC Dane Prepare, Jason Ritter, Sally Pressman and Corey Reynolds at NBC Martin Lawrence at CBS Greg Grunberg at Warner Bros. TV, and Tim Roth and Sarah Chalke at 20th TV. Also hot for just about any second straight season are book adaptations. I’ve counted no less than 4 dozen this year. Probably the most prominent are Stephen Gaghan’s adaptation of Leif G.W. Perssons books about homicide detective Evert Backstrom at Fox, Shane Brennan’s adaptation in the King & Maxwell quantity of books by David Baldacci at CBS, the CW’s series based on Candace Bushnell’s Sex As Well As The City prequel The Barbara Journals, NBCs Easy Rawlins, based on Walter Mosleys best-selling books, NBC’s Valley in the Dolls, composed by Lee Daniels (though that's based much more about the film it produced), Peter Tolan’s single-camera comedy for ABC Angelas Bachelor's, good book Angelinas Bachelor's: A Novel With Food and X-Males: Top Quality co-authors Ashley Burns & Zack Stentz’s adaptation of Lev Grossmans popular fantasy novel The Masters of miracle for Fox. Not just a large year for comic adaptations, with basically a few, introduced by Fox’s collaboration with Marvel round the Punisher, put together by Erection dysfunction Bernero. Another comics getting potential series treatment this season are the Spectre at Fox and Deadman within the CW. Also getting away . of favor as source material are blogs and Twitter feeds, with only one major representative, Silvio Horta’s comedy at Fox good Texts From Last Evening blog. Round the drama side, Westerns are hot this season, as well as the streak started just before the strong premiere of AMC’s Hell On Wheels on Sunday. CBS is restarting The Rifleman with Laeta Kalogridis, Chris Columbus and Carol Mendelsohn, Fox features a Wyatt Earp Western composed by John Hlavin, NBC posseses an untitled Kerry Ehrin project occur the 1880s, while ABC has Ron Moores Hangtown , occur the very first 1900, and David Zabels Gunslinger. The Western buys underline the broadcast systems’ ongoing fascination with period dramas no matter the struggles of sixties records The Playboy Club and Pan Am this fall. Shonda Rhimes alone setup 2 period projects: Gilded Lillys at ABC, a 1895 drama put together by KJ Steinberg and Wildwood, a eighties dramedy put together by Diane Ruggiero, which received a put pilot commitment at Fox. In addition, NBC’s Valley In The Dolls is occur sixties as they are CBS’ Take advantage of Lamb, from Goodfellas author Nicholas Pileggi. ABC bought 2 projects about seventies families who've their unique variety shows: an untitled comedy from author Joe Keenan as well as the Lockharts, a musical hour drama from authors Michael Gans & Richard Register. The systems’ fascination with series/movie reboots also wasn't wet with the quick demise of ABC’s Charlie’s Angels. (though a lot of the new projects were setup just before the series opened up). Series revamps include Bewitched as well as the Rifleman at CBS, Wiseguy as well as the Munsters at NBC (the second reason is technically a redevelopment from last season) and wonder As Well As The Animal within the CW. Movies getting series adaptations are the 1984 action-adventure romantic comedy Romancing the Stone at NBC, with Mark Friedman and Shawn Levy potentially pointing, a comedy series good 2010 British comedy feature The Infidel, while using film’s star Omid Djalili reprising his role, half-hour series version of Zombieland at Fox, with original authors Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick aboard, together with a drama at ABC good Lincoln subsequently subsequently Lawyer. Format adaptations also were very popular this year, while using geographic region in the source material ongoing to develop. You will discover 3 projects based on Israeli formats — CBS’ comedy Existence Isn't Everything, NBCs drama Support beams Of Smoke as well as the CW drama Danny Hollywood. That's on componen considering the variety of formats within the typically most broadly used destination, Uk: Suburban Shootout and White-colored Guy Van at ABC and Friday Evening Dinner at NBC, that's shepherded by Greg Daniels. ABC has 2 high-profile remakes of Mexican telenovelas: Devious Service personnel, that's put together by Desperate Regular folks creator Marc Cherry, plus an adaptation of hit Soy Tu Duea, composed by Jorge Zamacona. Pals co-creator Marta Kauffman is behind 2 format adaptations at ABC, Red-colored-colored Band Society, which she's writing good The the spanish language language format Polseres Vermelles, and musical drama The Avalon, good Pan Asian format Your Home Musical, which Kauffman will write with Jessica Queller. In addition, ABC has devote development Anti-Mafia Squad, a drama good 2009 Italian series Squadra Antimafia Palermo Oggi. You will discover 2 French Canadian comedy formats that made their approach to the U.S. broadcast systems: Le Monde P Charlotte now now, which offered as inspiration for your NBC pilot Isabel, and Ces Invincibles at Fox. The effective launch of fairytale-designed new series Not Such A Long Time Ago on ABC and Grimm on NBC came too far gone to assist the broadcast systems’ buying designs though ABC may have recognized that they're onto something without Such A Long Time Ago since it bought 2 drama projects with magical/fairytale elements while watching show’s debut: the Jonathan E. Steinberg-composed Beauty as well as the Animal, known to becoming an epic fantasy re-imagining in the classic Beauty as well as the Animal tale, together with a project from author Michael Eco-friendly and 20th TV, which concentrates on a girl cop who discovers an awesome world that's available within NY City. The 2nd received a put pilot commitment within the network. While the quantity of large obligations this season is certainly staggering, industry veterans understand that they don’t mean much. In case your network doesn’t like the finished script, generally it won’t obtain the project to pilot regardless of commitment. And frequently it won’t give the steep penalty stipulated inside the commitment either, inducing the typical equine purchasing and selling between systems and art galleries and moving of obligations to next season. This can be a word of caution about how precisely irrelevant large obligations are: In the 4 projects with series commitment in 2007, none handled to get at pilot. In the five with series orders, one, Section 8, was scrapped (it recently resurfaced on Syfy as Alphas) as well as the others didn’t last beyond that initial order. Approaching inside a couple of days: A peek how showrunners and producers did this development season.

Julie Taymor Sues 'Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark' for Infringing Her Creative Input

Taylor Hill/Getty ImagesJulie Taymor Julie Taymor has filed a blockbuster lawsuit in NY that claims that Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark, the most expensive production in Broadway history, has violated her rights by continuing to use her work without compensation.our editor recommends'Spider-Man' Musical's Ex-Director Julie Taymor Speaks Out'Spider-Man' Owes Julie Taymor $300,000, Union SaysBroadway's 'Spider-Man' Rep Denies Report of Stalemate with Departing Director Julie Taymor'Spider-Man' Director Julie Taymor Out; New Creative Team Hired Taymor, an Academy Award-nominated director, was let go from the musical earlier this year, before it officially opened, due to artistic differences. The show suffered from poor early reviews and high-profile injuries to cast, but it has been a success at the box office, showing to near-capacity crowds since it first premiered in November 2010. After Taymor was let go, she filed an arbitration claim against producers, saying she was owed more than $500,000 in royalties. An arbitration hearing was held earlier this month, and the outcome isn't known. But Taymor is taking a new tack in an effort to claim profits from the show, alleging in her complaint that producers have continued to make use of her creative contributions. Producer Michael Cohl's 8 Legged Productions is the defendant. "Ms. Taymor regrets that the producers' actions have left her no choice but to resort to legal recourse to protect her rights," says her attorney, Charles Spada atLankler Siffert & Wohl. Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark is a rock musical that credits its music and lyrics to U2's Bono and The Edge and its book to Taymor, Glen Berger and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. It not only set the record for Broadway's most expensive production ever at more than a reported $75 million, but also the longest preview period (182 performances before it officially opened). Producers needed the long gestation period to figure out the story as well as complicated flying stunts that left several cast members injured. In March 2011, Taymor left the production. Taymor's legal move isn't unprecedented. In the mid-1990s, director Joe Mantello managed to get the U.S. Copyright Office to accept his application of an annotated script of "Love! Valour! Compassion!" a Terrence McNally play. When a Florida-based regional production company attempted to put on a production without acknowledging and paying Mantello, he successfully sued. Other directors haven't found as much luck. For instance, in 2004, producers of an off-Broadway production of "Tam Lin" were sued by a fired director, Edward Einhorn, who argued that his work in developing the play entitled him to part of the copyright. A judge released a preliminary ruling that raised doubts about this claim, saying he saw no evidence of a copyrightable annotated script at the time of Einhorn's firing. Before a judge made a definitive judgement, the two sides settled for $800. The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers have long supported the contention that directors and possibly choreographers deserve a piece of copyright and the ability to participate in the income generated by productions. The issue hasn't been settled, but the forthcoming Taymor case could be an opportunity for the theatrical community to discuss authorship for copyright purposes. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner Julie Taymor Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark

Veterans back in action

Alexander PayneBruce RobinsonLynne Ramsay Clint Eastwood births one film per year. Woody Allen continues to pop them out like the Duggar family. And after a three-year break, Steven Spielberg will deliver not one, but two directing vehicles in late December.Though some awards-season regulars are maintaining a prolific pace, other decorated helmers -- Terrence Malick ("The Tree of Life"), Alexander Payne ("The Descendants"), Lynne Ramsay ("We Need to Talk About Kevin"), Bennett Miller ("Moneyball") and Bruce Robinson ("The Rum Diary") among them -- stand out for the well-spaced entries in their filmographies. Whether or not absence makes the heart grow fonder depends on the talent.When Malick returned to action 20 years after "Days of Heaven" (1978) with "The Thin Red Line," his reputation had gone beyond cult to legend, doubtlessly due in no small measure to a reclusiveness that would make J.D. Salinger proud. The result was an Academy that welcomed Malick into the fold, rewarding the enigmatic artist with his first two Oscar nominations, for writing and directing.Though the six-year gap between Malick's "The Tree of Life," which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, and his previous directing effort, "The New World," marks a comparatively rapid follow-up, rumors have been swirling about an origins-of-the-universe project connected to Malick dating back to the '80s.For Payne, Ramsay and Miller, the gap had much to do with aborted projects. Nine years elapsed between Ramsay's previous directing effort, "Morvern Caller," and "Kevin," with several of those years spent developing Alice Sebold's novel "The Lovely Bones." The Scottish writer-director, who originally held the option on Sebold's dark drama narrated by a murdered girl, began penning the script before the author's manuscript was finished."I was on my own path with the script when the book became an international best-seller," recalls Ramsay. "I then felt under pressure to write a very literal translation, and I didn't think it would work as a film, so I left the project."Peter Jackson famously took on "Lovely Bones," which became an expensive CG-heavy adaptation, while Ramsay segued to "Kevin," a project that took four years and was nearly derailed when the film's budget was slashed from $12 million to $6.5 million due to the global recession."It was very complicated to make on less money as it spanned over 17 years with four versions of Kevin from a baby to a teenager," notes Ramsay of the film, which centers on the mother of a teenage boy who embarks on a high-school killing spree. "I had to cut it to the bone and be inventive and economical to make it work. The film was prepped within an inch of its life as we had only 30 days to shoot with costume changes and limited hours with children." Variety called the film "exquisitely realized" at Cannes.Similarly, Miller got caught up on a project that was eventually shelved. After his successful collaboration with Philip Seymour Hoffman on "Capote" in 2005 the two began developing "Foxcatcher," a film about troubled scion John du Pont."I could not imagine that it wasn't going to happen," says Miller, who spent several years on the pic before conceding defeat. "It was really a struggle to find something worthy but that could also get off the ground."The subsequent project, "Moneyball," touts the highest score on Metacritic.com, 87, of all current releases.Payne spent much of the six years since the release of "Sideways" -- which received five Oscar nominations including a screenwriting statuette for Payne -- working with his Ad Hominem partners Jim Taylor and Jim Burke on the epic "Downsizing," which revolves around a down-on-his-luck man who decides he can have a better life if he undergoes a process to shrink himself."Given that the production of 'Downsizing' is such a beast, I coaxed (Payne) into doing 'Descendants,' " says the film's producer Burke, who optioned the manuscript for "Descendants" five years ago. "I probably asked him 40 times. But he needed to find his own personal connection to the material."Once Payne did, the film was cast and began shooting within months. At Telluride, where it premiered in September, the film's right-to-die subject matter was described by Variety as handled "with such sensitivity that it's hardly noticeable you're being enlightened while entertained."Though "Tree of Life" reached the bigscreen faster than a typical Malick outing, the director has been collecting images for the film for more than a decade. The one-time MIT professor consulted with world-renowned academics to grasp the science behind the formation of the universe, which the film depicts."All along, Malick was hunting for the Tao, that completely unanticipated phenomena, those magical unexpected moments that no one could possibly design," says special effects maven Douglas Trumbull ("2001: A Space Odyssey"), with whom Malick consulted.Meanwhile, Robinson's 20-year hiatus is due to the fact that he retired from directing. Robinson was coaxed by Johnny Depp -- a huge fan of Robinson's sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll saga "Withnail and I" and his wildly satiric "How to Get Ahead in Advertising" -- to return to write and helm "Rum Diary," based on Hunter S. Thompson's novel."These two films destroyed me," Depp told the L.A. Times recently, adding he felt Robinson's penchant for "huge humor and absurdity" was the perfect match for a work that foreshadows Thompson's ground-breaking gonzo style.Whatever the reason for a film's lengthy gestation, as Orson Welles once suggested while shilling for Paul Masson, "no wine before its time." And this is how Miller views "Foxcatcher," which he hopes to resurrect: "I never think of the time spent developing a film as time lost."EYE ON THE OSCARS: BEST PICTURE PREVIEWReading the voters' minds | Rewriting history to suit the demands of drama | Veterans back in action | Beyond the boardsAWARDS SEASON CALENDARNovember | December | January | February Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

How Michael Fassbender Ready for His 'Shame' Sex Moments

"Michael Bay posseses an incredible eye to make use of it and adrenaline-moving movies, so that it made an appearance natural to put him associated with creating this trailer," states 'Need for Speed: The Run' star Christina Hendricks in this new behind-the-moments video. "It seems like the next large blockbuster movie in the summer season." On November. 15, 'Need for Speed: The Run' might be the eighteenth entry inside the 'Need for Speed' gaming series, although the only person who may claim some of it have been Bay-ified. Mixing this mixture-country racing part of 'The Cannonball Run' while using 'Fast as well as the Furious' franchise, 'Need for Speed: The Run' features break-neck video-game action and what editor Doug Brandt calls "hyper-realism." Consequently, it's a natural fit for Bay, who's helmed such massive action spectacles as 'The Rock,' 'Bad Boys,' 'Armageddon' as well as the 'Transformers' series. "What's interesting about games is always that they've taken the appear to this kind of amount, they've upped their music, they've upped the acting quotient on these games," states Bay, mentioning to Hendricks ('Drive,' 'Mad Men'). "The lighting is enhancing. I used to be very impressed using this 'Need for Speed' crew. There's a really filmic use their stuff." Don't take Bay's word with this watch the behind-the-moments video below, and search for the whole trailer at America online. Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

Bones Season 7: Can a Baby Break the Moonlighting Curse?

David Boreanaz, Emily Deschanel Ever since the demise of Moonlighting, many television writers have had one great fear: Once their show's two romantic leads sleep together, the show will lose its tension and become lifeless.Fall Preview: Get scoop on your favorite returning showsBut Bones creator Hart Hanson - who faces that challenge as the show's seventh season premieres with Dr. Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel) pregnant with the child of her former will-they-won't-they partner Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) - has found the opposite to be true."I feel like it re-energized the series," Hanson tells TVGuide.com. "I think it breathes new life into the franchise - into the story engine of Booth and Brennan. The reason we put them together is that it's just been so long. It had to happen. We just could not put it off anymore."The trick, Hanson says, is finding drama to replace the sexual tension. Even though he and executive producer Stephen Nathan had planned for a Booth-Brennan hookup from the beginning of Season 6, it wasn't until Deschanel revealed she was pregnant that the duo landed on their new dynamic.Bones Season 7 scoop: Booth and Brennan's family matters and a new villain, squintern "We knew we did not want them getting together and breaking up. We didn't want misunderstandings," Hanson says. "So, they're contending with a brand new relationship. 'How together are they?' is a question that needs answering. And how are they going to deal with having a child together? As we started banging out this season, it just gave us so many places to go with story."Thursday's premiere finds the couple tired of splitting time between their respective homes and considering a more permanent cohabitation solution. Other bumps in the road could include the couple's differing views on religion, not to mention that Brennan learns the sex of the baby without even including Booth.But Hanson says the drama won't be so trivial all season. "There are deeper places to go," he says. "What happens to the relationship between two people who share a child and love each other deeply? That's our journey this year. Where do they go next? And of course, the biggest question is, do they get married?"Bones scoop: Meet the Jeffersonian's new squintern!Booth's reaction to (or fear of) that question may be somewhat surprising, given his history. "I think it really is a peek into how Booth has progressed," Hanson says. "[He's] the man who keeps asking people to marry him, and they never say 'yes.' He's maybe learned to lay back a little bit."Although Hanson says "motherhood opens up an emotional side that is not easy for [Brennan] to deny," Booth will also find himself in a very reflective state as he prepares to become a father again. "Booth has had a combative and difficult relationship with his father," Hanson says. "His father was abusive, and we have a story coming up with [Booth] and his grandfather, concerning his dad. And it's just... having a kid, changes everything in your life. Everything is from a different perspective."Not surprisingly, family will be a theme throughout the season. The show will explore the ups and downs of new parents Angela (Michaela Conlin) and Hodgins (TJ Thyne), as well as revisit the relationship between Cam (Tamara Taylor) and her teenage daughter. Plus, the Jeffersonian is adding a new squintern (Luke Kleintank) to its "family" after the death of Vincet Nigel-Murray (Ryan Cartwright) last season.Bones scoop: Meet Season 7's new baddie!But the show also remains focused on catching bad guys. This season will introduce a new tech-savvy villain (Andrew Leeds) who will stump both Brennan and Booth. "I think he is a great amalgamation of high-tech and analog," Hanson says. "This serial killer flummoxes them both by swapping back and forth, and they have to combine their talents. It would be too creepy to say that it's like, 'What if Booth and Brennan's baby grew up to be a horrible serial killer?' Butthematically they have to deal with two things this year that are a combination of the two of them. One's the baby, and the other is this big baddie."And will the couple stop to consider that chasing killers might not be in the best long-term interest of Baby Bones? "That's exactly one of the arenas that we have to deal with this year," Hanson says. "Can you still go running around, chasing dangerous people, and doing dangerous things when you have an infant depending upon you for a whole life? That is grist for the mill for the two of them.One of the great things about having this child is that it makes everything very immediate and very gut-oriented. It's gut versus brain. What do we do?"Bones premieres Thursday at 9/8c on Fox.

Crown Media Says Hallmark Movie Channel Contributes To Strong 3Q

The owner of The Hallmark Channel had a happy story of its own to tell in 3Q as ad sales improved, marketing expenses dropped — and it recorded a big gain from a deferred tax asset. With that $191.7M one-time tax jolt,Crown had net income of $203.3M, up from $5.9M this quarter last year, on revenues of $74M, up 18%. The company says that ad revenue was up 15% to $56M as it raised average per-viewer prices, while payments from pay TV distributors were up 29% to $18M. The Hallmark Movie Channel contributed $7.8M in ad sales, up 69.6%. Crown says it also benefited from improved ratings from shows in the Hallmark Channel’s daytime block, which includes The Martha Stewart Show, Martha Bakes, and Mad Hungry With Lucinda Scala Quinn. Crown didn’t spend as much on marketing this past quarter as it did a year ago when it launched The Martha Stewart Show. “We have experienced solid growth for our overall advertising sales revenues and are optimistic that the trend will continue,” says CEO Bill Abbott.

The Biz: Conan O'Brien Looks Back on His Big Year

Conan O'Brien This month will mark one year since Conan O'Brien moved his sofa, desk and bone-dry sidekick, Andy Richter, to TBS and launched Conan. He's back in NY this week to tape four shows at the Beacon Theater (Monday - Thursday, 11/10c, TBS). We celebrated his homecoming with a chat about the past, present and future of late night.TV Guide Magazine: Do you miss NY?Conan O'Brien: Oh, yeah. We just were back two weeks ago. I had a couple days off and I went back there with the crew, and we shot a bunch of things in and around the city, and it was just this blast of adrenaline, you know? It's like on ER, when they stick that needle into someone's heart to get it going again. It's a needle of adrenaline in your left ventricle. And the people were great. I mean, everywhere I went, people were leaning out of buses: "Conan!" You know, I think people were happy to see my weird orange head.TV Guide Magazine: Do you ever think about bringing the show back to NY full time?O'Brien: When I moved out to Los Angeles, and I took my wife and my kids here and we made this big commitment to this, it felt like my kids actually put down roots. They like it here. I spent 21 years walking, mining, shooting every single possible remote I could think of, in and around NY City. And it's really fun to go back for a couple of days. But L.A. is like shaking up the Etch A Sketch and starting again. It's giving me a chance to maybe try and reinvent some things.TV Guide Magazine: When you were back in NY recently you appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. How emotional was it to return to the sixth floor at Rockefeller Center where you worked for more than 20 years?O'Brien: I walked away from that building and came out to L.A., and we all know what happened next. I hadn't been back there since. I was thinking to myself, 'This is going to be strange.' But it was really nice to do it. It just wasn't the amount of time that I spent there, it was the intensity of it. You know when I first saw it, I was a writer at Saturday Night Live. My writing partner, Greg Daniels, and I would sneak into David Letterman's studio. And I would sit at his desk and write SNL sketches. Now it's Dr. Oz's studio and it's a completely different audience... They're talking about hysterectomies.TV Guide Magazine: You've always talked about the legacy of late night television. But it feels like a very different environment since you left The Tonight Show. How do you size it up?O'Brien: Late night has become more democratic. When I grew up, there was one person, Johnny Carson. The first revolution was when Dave went to CBS, because there wasn't just one late night network show at 11:30. But I think what's accelerating it now is there are just so many ways people experience television. If you're obsessed with the idea of being the guy or woman who everyone gathers around at night and watches, there is no such thing. There are so many different niche shows for different types of audiences and people experience it all different times and ways. We have a younger audience, so they watch our show on DVR. I have an assistant who doesn't even own a television and she's a huge television fan. She watches on her computer. And I now have so many people that come up to me and say, "Oh, I love that thing you did." Some of them saw it at 11 o'clock on TBS. But there are so many people who saw it on the Huffington Post or on YouTube.TV Guide Magazine: Is there pressure to come up with bits that are going to run as clips on news shows or web sites? O'Brien: I have people on my staff come to me and say, "Oh, this will be good, because this could go viral." And I actually try and discourage it. I say our job is no different than it was in 1993. And it's no different than what Johnny's job was. You're there for an hour, and you're trying to be as entertaining as you can. The really great moments - you can't force them, they come.TV Guide Magazine: Comedy about the presidential campaign gets replayed a lot. But your show has younger viewers who tend not to watch a lot of news. Is it harder for you to do political humor? O'Brien: Sometimes I feel like a lot of this ground is being covered by other people. There are whole shows - Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and Bill Maher - that focus on it so much. We don't have as overtly a political show, and when we do stuff, we try and keep it sillier. So I don't go out of my way to try and think, "The editorial page in The Wall Street Journal is going to love this take on John Huntsman." TV Guide Magazine: Have the parameters on what you can do changed at TBS? It's hard to imagine a couple of years ago on NBC that you could have a basketball mascot dressed as Anthony Wiener's underwear bulge.O'Brien: That's a guy who's spent years training to be an actor. We said, "Congratulations. Now put on this underwear bulge outfit." You know, now that I'm on Turner, I'm allowed to swear. And you know what? I don't. I don't go out of my way to swear nearly as much as some other hosts.TV Guide Magazine: What are late-night viewers getting from you that really can't get anywhere else? O'Brien: I think there is a looseness that has evolved. I'm looser than I've ever been. You know, we built a nice little comedy lab room, and we have a very excited audience. Andy Richter and I can finish each other's sentences. The relationship I have with him is different from anything else on television. He never was a traditional sidekick. We've both been through the wars. We've both been through a lot. And so he will openly mock me in the monologue, if something isn't working. And we'll go at it. What you see when you tune in to our show is me, every night, figuring out what the hell it is. It's still evolving. It's still changing. I'm fascinated by the Internet side of my show, which is growing. It's going to sound like a joke, but it's possible that in 10 years the TV show will be a small unit that's attached to the giant octopus that is Team Coco (the show's Web site). It's a very strange thing that's happening.TV Guide Magazine: The passion among your fans is deep. But do you ever think about how to broaden it out and get more people to sample what you're doing? O'Brien: TBS is in the process of developing original programming and building up. They've been terrifically supportive. We always knew, "Okay, we're signing up with these guys for the long haul, and this is going to have to evolve." Also, I've always had a Field of Dreams philosophy: If you build it, they will come. If you keep putting out funny stuff, we have a culture now where it can get batted around and where people are working out in the gym and they show something funny on one of the news outlets.TV Guide Magazine: Do the TBS people tell you not to worry about conventional day-to-day ratings? O'Brien: Yeah. We always knew we're going to get the time and they're in the process of re-branding. They just added The Big Bang Theory to their primetime, which leads into us. And we're going to all work together and build this thing. That's the nice thing about being with these guys. They watch every single show. And they call me up, and they love the show. And they love what we're doing. We all have a clear vision of what it is we want to do here.TV Guide Magazine: Has anyone suggested producing a version of the show that could air in broadcast syndication or other outlets?O'Brien: There's been talk about us doing a best-of show. You know, they leave me out of those talks because I always just want to do live shows. I'm constantly just trying to get back to vaudeville. And they're like, "No, no, no. That's not what we want. Settle down, kid." I just want to put on makeup and go tap dance.TV Guide Magazine: What happens if Turner comes to you with a contract extension?O'Brien: I'd be fine with that. I love these guys. I have upcoming talks with Telemundo. We're going to have tapas, and we're going to talk about some stuff. That might be my only caveat with TBS.Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Siegfried

Jay Hunter Morris in "Siegfried" A Metropolitan Opera presentation from the opera in three operates by Richard Wagner. Directed by Robert Lepage. Completed by Fabio Luisi. Connect Director, Neilson Vignola.Siegfried - Jay Hunter Morris Wanderer - Bryn Terfel Mime - Gerhard Siegel Alberich - Eric Owens Erda - Patricia Bardon Fafner - Hendes-Peter Konig Forest Bird - Mojca Erdmann Brunnhilde - Deborah VoigtHow difficult can it be to stage Richard Wagner's "Siegfried"? Or maybe more precisely, how difficult can it be to discover a tenor to sing the punishing title role? The Met Opera introduced believe it or not than two tenors, who then withdrew, before it emerged with somebody who really could sing Siegfried for Robert Lepage's new production. If this describes scraping the feet from the barrel, your Met should do it more often: Newcomer Jay Hunter Morris is magnificent, and he's mostly ornamented by equally wonderful entertainers familiar to auds who've seen Lepage's stagings in the previous two operas in Wagner's tetralogy. After "Das Rheingold" and "Die Walkure," Lepage's staging from the chapter of "The Ring" is less revelatory. People humongous piano strategies of Carl Fillion's unit set tend to be stationery, much less abstract, and so are used mainly just like a wall to project images. Functions one and a pair of begin with numerous hyper-realistic snakes and bugs that slither about, however, if the secrets turn, they morph in to a beautiful forest right for the favourite fairytale. When the libretto demands a bear, a mountain stream together with a bird, we have precisely that. But all this literalism ultimately becomes kitsch. After grossing us by helping cover their people snakes and bugs, the forest's ultimate bad secret's a cutesy dragon directly from Universal CityWalk. Lepage and Fillion are saved to firmer ground while using more abstract earthscape and firestorm of act three. Possibly kinks will probably be worked out afterwards perfs, however, if people piano secrets change to produce new formations, they often times appear like they weigh every pound of the numerous tons. There's been more expansive bloodstream pressure dimensions of "Siegfried," but Fabio Luisi's carrying out has real drive that doesn't lag for just about any minute in the opera's five-plus several hours. Opening-evening perf showed up 20 minutes beneath the thought running time. Morris, getting a apparent and focused voice, sings with great precision, and also the lament for your mother he never understood is actually poignant. A encouraging Siegfried? This type of wonderful contradiction. Bryn Terfel continues use a commanding yet deeply conflicted Wotan/Wanderer. And Gerhard Siegel's Mime is fantastically sang. OK, he's playing a hate-filled hunchback, but within the twisted confines in the role, that is impassioned singing. The level of smoothness Brunnhilde really can get beautiful music to sing. Sadly, Deborah Voigt isn't any more around the needs in the role. The Met's "Live in HD" transmission of "Siegfried" plays in movies theaters November. 5.Sets, Carl Fillion costumes, Francois St-Aubin lighting, Etienne Boucher videos, Pedro Pires. Opened up up, examined March. 27, 2011. Running time: 5 Several hours, 10 MIN. Contact Robert Hofler at bob.hofler@variety.com

Rhianna, Jason Aldean to do at Grammy Nominations Concert

Five-time Grammy champion Rhianna and country singer Jason Aldean happen to be drawn on to carried out in the Grammy Nominations Concert, which happens survive Wednesday, November. 30 in the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live and it is located by LL Awesome J. Nominations in a number of groups is going to be introduced throughout the show, with a lot more entertainers and presenters introduced shortly. This is actually the 4th time nominations for that Grammy Honours happen to be introduced on primetime television. The 54th Annual Grammy Honours occur live at Staples Focus on Sunday, February. 12, 2012 and will also be broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Tickets for that concert, created by AEG Ehrlich Endeavors, continue purchase Friday at 10 a.m. PT are available online at world wide web.nokiatheatrelalive.com or Ticketmaster. Ken Ehrlich can serve as the executive producer, with LL Awesome J becoming producer. Related Subjects Grammy Honours Rhianna Grammys 2011

'Avengers' Director Joss Whedon Explains 'Much Ado About Nothing'

Joss Whedon's "Much Ado About Nothing," the "Avengers" director's adaptation of the William Shakespeare comedy classic, is starting to become a little less mysterious. How did Whedon manage to shoot this movie while simultaneously working with Earth's Mightiest Heroes for Marvel Studios, for example? What went into his casting process? How was he able to keep his cast quiet? Did he have to threaten notorious tweeter Nathan Fillion with violence? The answers to all these questions and more, plus some new photos from the secretive project, are here, thanks to a new interview with Entertainment Weekly. Some highlights: » On the project's origins: "Well, its not a bit secret that Ive done these [Shakespeare] readings before, and I always had a vague notion of shooting 'Much Ado.' But I didnt really have a take on it. And then, for some reason, I kinda sorta did. As we were finishing 'The Avengers' in NY, my wife and I were planning our vacation for our 20th anniversary. And she said, 'Lets not take the vacation. Make a movie instead.' I was like, 'Im not even sure if I can adapt the script, cast the movie, and prep it in a month.' And she was like, 'Well, thats your vacation time, so you do it.' And so I did." » On being way too busy: "There is an element of 'I have a serious problem' thats one thing. And then theres an element of this is the best vacation Ive ever taken. I mean, yes, it was super hard, it was a ton of work, and there were moments where I went, 'Whats wrong with me? What am I thinking about? I need to rest!' But Ive never been so well rested and so well fed as I have on this movie. You know, you make the time, because no ones going to make it for you. Theres never going to be a good time to do it. You make the time and you make it work if you really, really want it. And I really did." » On keeping the cast quiet: "I asked the cast specifically and everybody involved not to say anything until we wrapped. And, you know, it all happened very, very fast. Thats how you know. When its something that fast, you actually have a shot. When somethings rolling around for three years, its harder. This film was a month from inception to production, and then 12 days to shoot. Even Nathan did not tweet for that long." For more, including interviews with stars Amy Acker and Sean Maher, head over to EW. Tell us what you think in the comments section and on Twitter!

Lindsay Lohan Briefly Jailed, Purchased to Work on Morgue

Lindsay Lohan Lindsay Lohan was removed of court in handcuffs Wednesday after showing up for any scheduled "progress review," which turned from previous probation violations which time she stole a necklace. Judge Stephanie Sautner suspended Lohan's probation, set bail at $100,000 and scheduled a hearing for November. 2.She subsequently published bail and ended up being to be launched when the processing was complete.Lindsay Lohan photo galleryIn This summer, Judge Sautner had purchased the 25-year-old actress to do community service in the Downtown Women's Center, but to the court documents demonstrated she "unsuccessful to exhibit for nine scheduled visits, so when she did appear, she blew them off after an hour or so or perhaps an hour . 5.InchLohan had formerly informed her probation officer that in the women's shelter she "wasn't getting together with anybody therefore the service wasn't fulfilling." Is one thing wrong with Lindsay Lohan's teeth?After reading through the statement, Saunter fired back with, "Is the fact that exactly what the services are about? It's designed to match the individual? Possibly community services are work."Shawn Chapman Holley, Lohan's lawyer, requested the court think about a statement from her counselor. "Ms. Lohan attended every regularly scheduled therapy session, and anything she skipped was using the approval of her counselor." Holley continued to express the counselor claims Lohan has arrived at a level in her own maturity.Browse the relaxation of present day newsSautner responded, "So her failure to exhibit up nine occasions in the downtown women's shelter ... that's reaching a level inside your maturity?"Sautner came to the conclusion that they violated her probation, demanding that Lohan work 16 hrs per week in the morgue until her next hearing.

'Monster' Director Jenkins Takes on 'Thor 2'

LOS ANGELES (AP) Hollywood has signed up its first female director for a major superhero movie.Marvel Studios announced Thursday that Patty Jenkins will direct "Thor 2," the sequel to last summer's hit that is due in theaters Nov. 15, 2013.Jenkins is best-known for writing and directing 2003's "Monster," which earned Charlize Theron the best-actress Academy Award. Her credits also include episodes of "Entourage" and "Arrested Development."Chris Hemsworth will reprise his title role in "Thor 2" as the Norse god of thunder, with co-stars Natalie Portman and Tom Hiddleston also returning.The first "Thor," directed by Kenneth Branagh, took in $448 million worldwide.Another female filmmaker, Lexi Alexander, made the lower-budgeted Marvel movie "The Punisher: War Zone" in 2008. But Jenkins is the first woman to direct a blockbuster superhero franchise.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Lost's Alan Dale to Guest-Star on Person of great interest

Alan Dale It's another Lost reunion! Alan Dale, who performed the enigmatic Charles Widmore on ABC's island drama, will guest-star on J.J. Abrams' Person of great interest, Entertainment Weekly reviews. Fellow Lostie Michael Emerson stars because the mysterious billionaire Mr. Finch within the series. Not so long ago enlists Lost alum Alan Dale Dale will have an old person in the German secret police in Episode 9 from the newcomer drama. Over on ABC, he'll have another islander reunion with Lost's Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis for any stint as Prince Charming's father around the approaching story book drama Not so long ago. Person of great interest, also starring Jim Caviezel and Taraji P. Henson, airs Thursdays at 9/8c on CBS.

'American Reunion' Teaser Trailer: Jason Biggs Hasn't Changed

Well, let's be realistic: it cannot be an "American Cake" follow-up without Jason Biggs doing something sexually shameful, and because regard, the initial official teaser trailer for "American Reunion" doesn't dissatisfy. Video: 'American Reunion' movie trailer (mature) As first demonstrated on MSN, this red-colored-colored-band trailer see: unsafe for tasks are but a brief glance into the lives of Jim and Michelle, our prime school sweethearts switched long-term fanatics carried out by Biggs and Alyson Hannigan but what little all of us happen to determine is, ah, much ample, to put it in gentle terms. In "American Reunion," 12 years have passed since Jim and also the pals made their solemn vow to eliminate their virginity before purchasing and selling the safe, familiar arena of secondary school looking for the dark, intimidating space heard only in whispers... the "real existence." The first time since "American Cake 2," the entire gang has came back together again again. Meaning returning looks from Mena Suvari, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Tara Reid, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Shannon Elizabeth, in addition to Seann William Scott. But sorry, Stifler fans, nothing to suit your needs here save for just about any quickly-glimpsed photograph of Scott's legendary mischief maker. We'll get plenty of him as well as the others over the following full-length trailer, I am certain. "American Reunion" hits theaters on April 6, 2012 without any, the neighborhood theaters will not be serving complimentary apple pies. Not likely, no less than. Reveal everything you considered the initial "American Reunion" teaser inside the comments section and also on Twitter!

The new sony testing 'Teacher' on iTunes, Amazon . com

'Bad Teacher'"Bad Teacher" is putting traditional distribution technique to the exam. The new sony Pictures' homevideo division silently gave a headstart towards the the R-ranked comedy's electronic sell-through offering across iTunes, Amazon . com, Xbox 360, Ps Network and Vudu two days prior to the March. 18 DVD release. The aim would be to convert even a small fraction of the customers who might otherwise rent the film to buy rather. As galleries aim to offset steep declines in DVD revenues essential to their fiscal health, they're doing whatever easy to incentivize possession, specially the launch of recent cloud-based system Ultraviolet. The development push for "Teacher" marks the very first time a significant studio has changed the distribution plan in this way for any broadly launched theatrical, though The new sony has been doing some similar experiments on more compact films previously and it is giving a brand new documentary, "Beats, Rhymes and Existence: The Travels of the Tribe Known as Mission," exactly the same early release as "Teacher." In This summer, Summit Entertainment advanced both digital rental and get choices for "Source Code" about two days prior to the DVD street date. But giving digital purchases a 2-week hop on digital and disc rental fees and disc purchases does not represent a brand new window because the early bow does not violate the 90-day gap between theatrical release and homevideo, that is simply pressed farther from theatrical. Obviously, every purchase produced in the faster EST window could siphon transactions from platforms like cable VOD, which survive positioned on rental fees. John Calkins, professional veep global digital and commercial innovation at The new sony Pictures Home Theatre, is urged enough through the preliminary sales figures on "Teacher" to point a minumum of one more title can get the first push before year-finish. "The amounts on 'Bad Teacher' look really promising, and so i imagine we'll try another things," he stated, decreasing to divulge specific figures. U.S. consumer investing on film rental fees surpassed purchases within the first quarter of 2011 the very first time since 1998, based on Morgan Stanley research, and it is forecasted to command two-thirds of investing by 2015. Migration from buying game titles is anticipated to decrease per-household profits for galleries from $130 in 2005 to $90 each in 2015. "Teacher" was selected like a guinea pig because its aud was forecasted to possess enough electronically savvy customers to rely on for early sampling. The first EST bow is not prone to increase beyond two days, stated Calkins, or risk needing the type of additional anti-piracy security that premium VOD needs. He did not eliminate making early EST standard for The new sony game titles, but stated there is no current plans to do this. "Bad Teacher" also uses incremental marketing efforts in the digital-store level. Apple and Vudu marked the title like a "digital exclusive" and gave it prominent positioning on the particular stores. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

Clancy Brown Joins Cast of Dennis Quaid-Zac Efron Film

Clancy Brown, immortalized as the Kurgan in in 1980s cult classic Highlander, has joined the cast of the untitled Ramin Bahrani project starring Dennis Quaid and Zac Efron. Killer Films is producing the pic, formerly titled Heartland, which centers on a farmer and sales seemdman (Quaid), who tries to deal with his racecar-driving son who refuses to follow in his footsteps. Brown will play a rival farmer. The pic is shooting in Illinois with a cast that counts Heather Graham and Kim Dickens, among other actors. Brown, repped by ICM and Pop Art Management, most recently appeared in Cowboys & Aliens and was the voice of the Parallax in Green Lantern. Related Topics Clancy Brown Dennis Quaid Zac Efron

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Why Podcasts Are Comedy's Second Coming: Adam Carolla, Marc Maron and Greg Proops Weigh In (Q&A)

This piece appears in the new issue of The Hollywood Reporter. Clickhereto see the cover.our editor recommendsMelissa McCarthy Working on Comedy with 'The Help' Director; How 'SNL' Made Her CryModern Film & Television ComediansThe Comedy Roundtable Podcasts have been compared to television in the 1940s, and for good reason: The medium is entering uncharted territory but has the potential to rival terrestrial radio. PHOTOS: Modern Film & Television Comedians During the past two years, while the radio industry has obsessed over formats and a flawed ratings system that often fails to accurately gauge audience numbers or demographics, podcasts of the comedic variety have flourished. Adam Carolla and Marc Maron lead the pack, following the pioneering path cleared by Kevin Smith, Ricky Gervais and Jimmy Pardo. The numbers tell the story: Carolla, who bid farewell to 15 markets when his syndicated CBS Radio morning show was canceled in 2009, has amassed an audience 10 times as big with his daily podcast. The Adam Carolla Show has logged more than 50 million downloads in a year; Maron's twice-weekly WTF is at 20 million and counting. Both are offered for free, while archived episodes (like Maron's intense 2010 interview with Robin Williams) cost $1.99 at iTunes (no money changes hands between the programs and Apple, but server space is the responsibility of show producers and can get pricey at about $10,000 a month). Cash starts flowing when listenership hits certain benchmarks and advertisers come calling, which, according to Carolla, they have -- big time. VIDEOS: The Comedy Roundtable "A lot of it is performance-based, and our audience performs," says Carolla, the former Man Show and Loveline host who spent about $125,000 of his own money in the podcast's nascent days and whose advertisers include ProFlowers.com and Nissan. "It's more accurate than radio, where there's so much BS about cumes, time spent listening, people filling out Arbitron diaries with golf pencils. ... With podcasts, you can tell how many shows have been listened to, down to the click. That's better for the sponsors and for us." The beauty of the podcast is its simplicity: Anyone can purchase a microphone and mixer, and the cost is nominal compared to a traditional radio program. "With an investment of $700 to $1,000, you can make a show," says Maron, whose podcast regularly charts in the iTunes Top 10 and charges $1,000 to $15,000 per sponsor. The comedian conducts interviews from the garage of his Los Angeles home, but he's rarely there these days as demand for his stand-up shows (which often double as podcast-recording opportunities) has jumped by 50 percent. "I'm now performing in rooms," cracks Maron. "When I started WTF, I was a marginal character who couldn't get booked -- a respected but acquired taste, not a seller of tickets. Now, I can sell pretty good." STORY: AOL Launching Late Night Block With Kevin Smith, Adam Carolla and Kevin Pollak "As a singular business, a podcast might not be profitable, but if you look at other revenue streams that can grow from it, it definitely is," says Judi Brown-Marmel, partner at Levity Entertainment Group, which manages such comedians as Jim Breuer and Hal Sparks. "Who it serves best are the people that don't fit a traditional broadcast model. Like, if George Carlin were 22 today, what would he be doing? Probably a podcast." Beyond the spoken word, the ripple effect can bring revenue from merchandising, book deals (Carolla's NY Times best-seller In Fifty Years We'll All Be Chicks was released in 2010, and Maron is working on his first book for Spiegel & Grau), iPhone apps (after Apple and Google take 10 percent, revenue is split 50-50 with the developer) and sales of comedy albums. Maron, in an ironic twist after being told in 2009 to ride out his contract at the now defunct Air America, has returned to terrestrial radio through NPR, which pays to air edited versions of WTF.Currently, 13 public radio affiliates carry the PRX version. Of course, not all podcasts are created equal. Greg Proops, who hosts cult favorite The Smartest Man in the World, says what he makes from his Proopscast "is not even gas money. I do it because a couple hundred thousand people will hear me, which is more than all my gigs combined." Maron says his initial goal was to "make an honest buck" and pay his mortgage. And now? "I'm making a living because I've been able to book more work, but it's still just me and a guy in my garage." In contrast, Carolla also works from his garage -- "He's got a bunker!" mocks Maron -- but he employs 18 people, from "$10-an-hour guys" to those "making six figures." "It's a business," he says. "Madison Avenue and corporate America are already involved. I don't know how to define success, but I can tell you that 18 months ago, companies like Nissan or LegalZoom didn't exist in our podcast world. Now they're in it in a big way, and other companies are coming on board." ReadThe Hollywood Reporter's Q&A with Maron, Carolla and Proops after the jump. Related Topics Adam Carolla Marc Maron Greg Proops 1 2 next last

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AMC Launches Walking Dead Webisodes

Walking Dead Ever desired to begin to see the evolution of the zombie? Prior to the second season from the Walking Dead premieres, you'll get the opportunity to discover. On Monday, AMC will launch a number of six webisodes that explore the rear story of Hannah (Lilli Birdsell), also known as "Bicycle Girl," whom Ron Grimes (Andrew Lincoln subsequently) wiped out from whim within the series' first episode. Walking Dead's New Boss: I am not Frank Darabont and that i should not play the role of Directed through the Walking Dead's Greg Nicotero, the webisodes will illustrate Hannah's existence prior to the zombie apocalypse, her tries to survive and her eventual evolution right into a zombie. The 2nd season from the Walking Dead premieres Sunday, March. 16 at 9/8c on AMC.

New Dragon Tattoo Trailer Lands

Lisbeth speaks!While it's possible that David Fincher's version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo will forever be more closely associated with that pulsing, hypnotic teaser scored with Trent Reznor and Karen O's cover of Immigrant Song, Sony was always going to need to release a more comprehensive promo to get some of the plot across. And it's now online for your viewing pleasure - take a look below. <a href='http://video. uk. msn. com/?mkt=en-gb&vid=711ed3f0-7b20-9609-c37f-de9511616b9a&src=SLPl:embed::uuids' _fcksavedurl='http://video. uk. msn. com/?mkt=en-gb&vid=711ed3f0-7b20-9609-c37f-de9511616b9a&src=SLPl:embed::uuids' target='_new' title='The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Exclusive Trailer'>Video: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo - Exclusive Trailer</a>For the three people who still don't know what's going on here, Daniel Craig stars as investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist, a man reeling from legal action after his latest subject sued the pants off him. He's approached by Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer), patriarch of a family with some very deep and very dark secrets. Vanger wants Blomkvist to investigate the decades-old murder of young Harriet Vanger, a case that is slowly driving him nuts. Vanger recommends that Blomkvist works with ace computer hacker/researcher Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), a distinctly unconventional young woman with serious issues of her own. Together the pair digs into the mystery and starts to realise that it's even more complicated than they thought...It frankly seems unfair that we have to wait until December 26 to see this, but it's true! Call it a late Christmas present.

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R.I.P. Dolores Hope

Dolores Hope, the widow of Bob Hope, died of natural causes at her La home today. She was 102. Born in Harlem in NY on May 27, 1909, Dolores DeFina will be a singer at Manhattan’s Style Club when she met Bob Hope in 1933. The happy couple married the year after after which adopted four children. She frequently supported her husband on his USO shows. At 84 she sang “White Christmas” to Operation Desert Storm troops in the rear of the truck inside the Saudi desert. Although she put her singing career on hold after her marriage that you should she labored for numerous charitable groups. From 1969 to 1976 she offered as leader in the Eisenhower Clinic in Palm Desert, Calif. Funeral services will probably be private.

Charlie Sheen, WB near dismissal of legal fight

SheenOn exactly the same evening that "2 . 5 Males" switched the page around the Charlie Sheen era, word appeared the lengthy-running dispute between your actor and "Males" studio Warner Bros. is approaching an finish. At war since Feb over Sheen's behavior -- peaking with Sheen's March 7 termination in the show -- Warner Bros. and Sheen are becoming nearer to an offer that will dismiss the pending lawsuit between your sides and can include a payment called at about $25 million. The payout would largely cover distribution gold coin from "Males" that Sheen has already been owed. The studio stopped making all obligations towards the thesp after he was fired and also the legal fight started. While Warner Bros. stated no deal have been arrived at, sources near to the situation confirmed that discussions were advancing toward an armistice that will incorporate some mixture of money owed to Sheen which have been withheld throughout the conflict, along with a lump sum payment parting-of-the-ways payment. Sheen filed a $100 million suit against Warner Bros. and "Males" professional producer Chuck Lorre over his termination and lack of earnings on March 10, in the height from the craze all around the actor, who made a number of highly promoted, bigger-than-existence rants by which he trashed nearly everybody and everything getting related to "Males." That situation has since been at the disposal of an arbitrator, after Sheen lawyers unsuccessful to convince a court to maneuver the situation to some jury trial. As opposed to his belligerent stance in last spring's "My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat isn't a choiceInch live tour and the bravado about getting "tiger bloodstream," Sheen now seems to become set on attempting to rehabilitate his acting career. A week ago came a mea culpa on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," then his brief, no-joke remarks like a presenter Sunday's Primetime Emmys, forwarded to the "Males" cast and crew, that appeared a minimum of partly calculated to exhibit he was prepared to color within the lines again -- and employable. From the foot of my heart, If only you only the very best for that coming season," Sheen stated onstage in the Nokia Theater. "We spent eight wonderful years together, and that i know you will keep to create great television." Even that moment were built with a behind-the-moments debate, with Lorre's camping and Warner Bros. brass stated to become incensed that Sheen was handed the chance to airbrush his status in an event on the face dedicated to honoring excellence in television. Obviously, just like Sheen's camping is moving to place the chaos of history seven several weeks behind him, his meltdown is in the spotlight as attention turns to Ashton Kutcher's debut on "Males" as well as with Monday's "Roast of Charlie Sheen" on Comedy Central. Sheen vowed to resurrect his career separate from "Males," but to date, the outcomes happen to be mixed. He's toplining a Lionsgate-created TV adaptation from the 2003 feature comedy "Anger Management," a project that's just getting off the floor and it has not really been looked to purchasers. Around the feature side, Sheen continues to be cast opposite Jason Schwartzman within the approaching Roman Coppola film, "A Glimpse Within the Mind of Charlie Swan III" (Variety, Sept. 8) which involves a once-effective artist whose existence spirals out. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com