Thursday, September 29, 2011

Work: How Andy Bernard Got the task and What's Next for Dunder Mifflin's New Manager

Erectile dysfunction Helms Who's the (new) boss? It had been the question on every Office fan's mind since Steve Carell introduced in June 2010 he planned to depart Scranton permanently in the finish of Season 7. Ultimately, it required at least a year for Dunder Mifflinites to have their guy - Andy Bernard - but star Erectile dysfunction Helms thinks the waiting game was really a blessing. "It gave all of us time for you to just kind of zen out about this and be prepared for whatever it may be,Inch Helms told reporters on the business call Tuesday. Did Dunder Mifflin result in the cut? See our listing of favorite TV places of work But exactly how exactly did the Nard Dog get probably the most coveted jobs on prime-time TV? Regardless of the stiff competition from both within the office (Jim, Dwight, Darryl) and outdoors of the organization (season finale guest stars for example Ray Romano, Jim Carrey and Catherine Tate requested the gig), executive producer Paul Lieberstein states it had been among the large commonalities between Michael and Andy - their emotional purchase of their co-employees - that made Andy the best candidate. "He likes you people a lot more than he is doing concerning the product," he states. "Andy is somebody that is actually caring and interested and understanding. Any little problem that anybody's getting, he'd feel totally deeply, making him very suited to become a comic lead within the show." However, existence in the regional paper company is going to be not even close to yet another day in the office. While audiences were first brought to they years into Michael Scott's reign as regional manager, Andy is simply now learning what must be done to become the boss. "The greatest difference right from the gate is the fact that Michael would be a well-established manager for a lot of his run at Dunder Mifflin which Andy is simply discovering that. It is a brand new factor," Helms states. "Andy's leadership is some a wide open question and that is what I am really excited to flesh out." Work: Did the best person obtain the manager job? But finding out how to lead they will not be Andy's only obstacle. Since he's in control, expect other changes towards the Dunder Mifflin landscape: Andy is not the only real new boss around: Unlike Michael, who only needed to cope with the periodic visit from Jan and, later, Jo, Andy will need to deal with the large presence of Sabre Boss Robert California (James Spader) at work, that ought to end up being a fascinating match. "One thing we are most delighted about is when Andy handles upward and just how both scared he's and courageous he's at the identical time when confronted with Robert California," Lieberstein states. Adds Helms: "Robert California is really a type of an strongly confident individual who appears to consider lots of pleasure in applying his energy which is a very crazy energy since it is so a new comer to Dunder Mifflin and it is not something which Andy Bernard is especially well outfitted to cope with.Inch There is no easy answer for Andy and Erin: Sure, Erin (Betty Kemper) is no more tied lower by her wet blanket of the boyfriend, but that does not mean she'll be jumping into Andy's arms. "They are quite a odd pair simply because they have quite strong feelings and incredibly poor communication abilities. And there is been something type of charming about watching them attempt to connect and then try to communicate," Helms states. "Obviously with Andy's new boss position, there is a energy dynamic that is necessary which just makes all that tension and clumsiness much harder. And things get tricky, especially around Halloween." Maura Tierney to check on in to the Office Dwight will really help, not hinder, Andy: First, they fought against over Michael and also the No. 2 office position (which really belonged to Jim). Then, they fought against over Angela. However that Andy has defeated Scranton's longtime assistant in landing the regional manager's publish, the way Dwight (Rainn Wilson) handle it? "Dwight is somebody that responds perfectly to some firm hands of leadership, which Andy continues to be kind of hunting for a tiny bit. But I am really excited that for the reason that first episode we began to simply see the initial inklings of the backbone in Andy," Helms states. "Celebrate Andy's leadership more plausible in ways as well as shows you plenty of where Andy still needs to go and where he needs to travel. Dwight supplies a constant friction for your." Gabe is, like, therefore the new Toby: For a long time, Toby (Lieberstein) was Michael's Achilles' heel - the main one individual who could always bring him lower from the greatest of free-pretzel-day sugar levels. Who will get the recognition to be Andy's foil? "I seem like in certain respects Gabe (Zach Forest) is Andy's Toby," Helms states. "We had just a little hint of this on 'The List' episode. But Gabe certainly continues to be Andy's enemy deeply in love with Erin." Expect music (and fireworks!) when Andy's brother stops by: This year might find a look and feel in the Bernard clan - including Andy's brother performed by Josh Groban. "Josh's appearance is a component of the really exciting episode for me personally as well as for Andy since it is where we become familiar with a lot about Andy and not every one of it is good. A number of it's kind of poignant. Obviously there's a chuckle music that will get included there too," Helms states. "I'll just state that there's some competition, however it requires a compelling turn that's unpredicted. ... I am excited to exhibit the fans where and just how Josh's character suits Andy's existence as well as what it really method for who Andy is." Work airs Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Melissa McCarthy Focusing on Comedy with 'The Help' Director How 'SNL' Made Her Cry

For Melissa McCarthy, the leapfrog over better-known nominees to win an Emmy on her role in CBS' Mike & Molly marked the state Hollywood coronation of the actress so outdoors the arena of convention it gave the honours broadcast among its couple of genuine surprises. Indeed, it might appear McCarthy has plenty working against her -- she's an advantage-size fortysomething (41 to become exact) within an industry that typically favors sample-size women 2 decades more youthful. But what she lacks in dewy ingenue attractiveness, she comprises for with depth, comedy timing and sheer likability. "It's truly her moment," CBS Entertainment chief Nina Tassler informs The Hollywood Reporter.our editor recommendsEmmy Nominations: Melissa McCarthy Surprised on Stage (Video) Emmys 2011: Melissa McCarthy Pulls Off Best Comedy Actress Win (Video)Melissa McCarthy Is Getting Her MomentMelissa McCarthy: From Closest Friend to BreakoutThe Hollywood Reporter Cover Tales VIDEO: Behind the curtain of THR's Melissa McCarthy Cover Shoot What exactly's it prefer to all of a sudden maintain the whitened-hot center of Hollywood desire, especially after nearly 2 decades of attempting? THR senior author Lacey Rose swept up using the star just days after her major Emmy win. Incorporated in news reports out of this week's THR cover story: SHE'S Focusing On A DARK COMEDY WITH 'THE HELP'S' TATE TAYLOR, Along With A ROADTRIP COMEDY McCarthy and also the Help author-director are midway carried out with their dark comedy script. McCarthy knows Taylor from the time both were within the the L.A. comedy troupe The Groundlings. However it's a project known as Tammy that they states has her heart. "It's so funny, and in addition it type of breaks my heart," she states of the film script of hers focusing on a lady who's leading an extremely unfulfilled existence. The smoothness awakens one morning as situations are falling apart round her and decides she needs to get free from town -- and the only method to achieve this is within her grandmother's vehicle. When her heavy-consuming grandmother demands ongoing along, they finish on an outrageous journey to Mount Rushmore. "It's both of these ladies who aren't where they thought they'd be, plus they type of band together," she states, her excitement displayed. MCCARTHY Includes A SLEW OF OTHER PROJECTS ON FILM AND TV She and her actor husband Ben Falcone lately offered a multicamera TV comedy project to CBS in regards to a lady getting a middle age crisis, and she or he's co-writing a film with Bridesmaids author Annie Mumolo for Vital, that will star McCarthy because the mastermind of the intend to hijack the Stanley Cup to be able to cheer up her sick husband. She's also in discussions to star opposite Jason Bateman within the movie Identity Crook, while Bridesmaids producer Judd Apatow cast her in the untitled Knocked Up spinoff and Bridesmaids director Paul Feig provides his movie Dumb Jock to feature her because the star. "She's really among my new heroes," Feig states of McCarthy. "I'll do anything whatsoever to help keep dealing with her. Whenever you hire a company like her, you do not allow them to go." SHE AND HER ACTOR-HUSBAND ARE Starting Their Very Own PRODUCTION COMPANY Now, McCarthy and Falcone, a Goundlings Alum who performed Air Marshal Jon in Bridesmaids, are establishing a production company. The happy couple is leaning toward naming it At the time, an expression McCarthy utters frequently. "Whenever someone really wants to really rehearse a component, I usually say, 'Oh, at the time, at the time it will likely be fine," states McCarthy, referencing her distaste for more than-practicing. It is a fitting next thing given the number of projects McCarthy has within the works, a consequence of her recent success. "To achieve the chance to begin developing and standing on the creating side of stuff, for me personally, is among the most amazing and exciting things that's happened," she states. "I have been writing for fifteen years, and today, all of a sudden, individuals are like, 'Oh, what's for the reason that drawer?' It's like, 'Well, I'll show what's within the drawer.' " PHOTOS: The Hollywood Reporter Cover Story Gallery AFTER MAKING Her Very Own EMMYS DRESS, She's Being A Designer McCarthy is applying her elevated profile to produce a line for other plus-size women. "Looking for items that's still fashion-forward during my dimensions are damn near impossible. It's because of just like a 98-year-old lady or perhaps a 14-year-old hooker, and there's nothing in the centre,Inch she laughs, remembering her recent struggles to locate a dress for that Emmys. After brushing through "9 million dresses with taffeta or shiny bows," she elected to funnel her teenage passion to become designer and design her very own Emmy gown (with couture dressmaker Daniella Gem.) MCCARTHY HATED HER 'BRIDESMAIDS' AUDITION McCarthy went into her audition for Bridesmaids putting on Dockers with no makeup. The smoothness of Megan, that was initially created like a nervous oddball, McCarthy reimagined being an uber-confident misfit. In her own mind, she was directing past Groundlings figures using the looks from the Food Network's Guy Fieri, in one of her favorite shows Diners, Drive-Inches and Dives. She takes note of departing the audition horrified by her performance: "The entire ride home, I had been like, 'God, you receive one shot, and also you use and also you act strange,'" she states. "I had been like, 'You idiot, you idiot.'" Fortunately, Judd Apatow and Paul Feig, together with authors and former Groundlings people Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, appreciated her undertake strange. "My jaw hit the floor,Inch recalls Feig of McCarthy's audition. "I recall watching the very first time, and that we almost couldn't laugh because i was like: 'Oh my God. What's she doing? This really is amazing.'" That her improv abilities were similarly top-notch - Feig is keen on telling the storyline of the scene that did not result in the cut where McCarthy's Megan begins ad-libbing in regards to a squirrel pests in her own house, revealing there's "a squirrel burrowing its distance to her vagina and living inside her" - made her casting a no-brainer. PHOTOS: Emmys 2011: Best and Worst Moments SHE CRIED AFTER 'SATURDAY Evening LIVE' Requested HER TO HOST The 2009 summer time, McCarthy was out rug shopping with Bridesmaids' Annie Mumolo when McCarthy's "team" known as to ascertain if she was as much as do episode a couple of SNL's 37th season this Saturday. "I went into this kind of embarrassing, strange, wrongly noisy cry," states McCarthy of her response, laughing in regards to a story she shares frequently. "Annie was running in circles. She thinks something horrible is going on because I'm bent over, literally, within the rug portion of Areas wailing." Mumolo cracks up in the story's retelling, adding, "I figured someone passed away.Inch She claims she'll fly to Manhattan having a trunk full of sketches and figures from her decade-plus tenure with L.A. improv group the Groundlings. Included in this: Marbles, a mix-eyed, eccentric genius she'd like to work right into a skit on SNL. "Basically get Marbles on SNL, you are able to struck me having a bus immediately after might I'm going to be OK," jokes McCarthy. Being A MOTHER MADE HER LESS INSECURE ABOUT HER LOOKS She's been less bothered by critique of her looks since being a mother to kids Vivian, 4 -- that has been parading around for the days together with her mother's Emmy tiara -- and Georgette, 1 1/2. "The stupid things like things i put on or generate an income look I can not control, and so i just do not give an excessive amount of energy into it,Inch she continues, observing later that whenever getting her second child, her is a piece happening. "At 20, I could have been like: 'Don't that like me? Could it have been my hair?' At 41, I believe things that define me, I really hope, are greater than individuals types of petty things." Browse the full THR cover story here. Related Subjects Melissa McCarthy Mike and Molly Bridesmaids

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Mike Hodge Re-elected SAG New York President

Mike Hodge has been re-elected president of the Screen Actors Guild's NY division, according to United Screen Actors Nationwide, the group of actors that has long held a majority on the division's board of directors and of which Hodge is a member. Hodge defeated Sam Robards, a former USAN member who broke away from the group to join a new political faction, One.Strong.Union.Related Topics•Labor The story was first reported in The Hollywood Reporter's sister publication Back Stage. Both Hodge and Robards were re-elected to seats on SAG's national board of directors. Other NY candidate to win national board seats were Rebecca Damon, Lewis Black, Ezra Knightand Jay Potter. All four are members of USAN, meaning that USAN captured all of the N.Y. national board seats in play. On the divisional level, USAN candidates won 11 of the 14 seats that were up. "NY members had a clear choice, and they overwhelmingly chose USAN because we're the team that delivers results," Hodge said in a written statement. "We've led the way on merger, and it's clear that members are ready and eager for it to happen. We're excited to continue that work and look forward to delivering a detailed plan to the SAG and AFTRA boards in January." Full results from SAG's national elections -- including national officers and Hollywood board members -- will be announced later Thursday night in an official statement from the guild. Related Topics SAG Labor

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Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Hugh Hefner: 10 Facts Behind the Playboy Legend

Couple of males happen to be as mythologized in their own individual time as Hugh Hefner. But, just like any flesh and bloodstream person, there's a noticeable difference between the fantasy and also the reality so that as THR's executive features editor Stephen Galloway discovered throughout his time in the Playboy Mansion, sometimes the dissonance could be shocking.our editor recommendsHugh Hefner: The Playboy InterviewHugh Hefner Takes Playboy Private'Playboy Club': Gloria Steinem Advocates Boycott of NBC SeriesHugh Hefner Announces Engagement to 24-Year-Old Playmate Via Twitter Hugh Hefner Discloses Age He Lost Virginity in NY Occasions 'The Playboy Club' Showrunner: 'There's a concept of the Show That's False'The Playboy Club: TV Review Galloway stayed with Hefner at his weekly movie evening as well as in his legendary bed room and came away with a few totally unpredicted experience. Listed here are 10 surprising facts out of this week's THR cover story: 1. EVEN At 85, HEFNER Can Continue To Possess A (VERY) ACTIVE SEX Existence "We'd sex once per week,Inch Hefner states of his ex-girlfriend, 25-year-old Very Harris. "We'd sex together with her along with a girlfriend. We'd sex the very first evening that people met, with another girl, also it was this type of nice relationship which i stored both of them over for any weekend." 2. HEFNER AND GLORIA STEINEM ALMOST DATED Nowadays, the feminist activist is more prone to be demeaning the Playboy founder (actually she known as the NBC series The Playboy Club a "internet minus") but in older days, Hefner states they'd a significantly warmer relationship. "Gloria and that i return a lengthy ways," he notes wryly from the lady who went undercover like a bunny then authored about her experience, "however it's more personal than you most likely know. She labored as Girl Friday for Harvey Kurtzman, who produced Mad magazine, and that he stated, 'You gotta meet this girl, she's exactly like you: She can produce a guy jump through hoops.' We really exchanged telephone calls and came not far from dating." PHOTOS: Hollywood Haunts: Then and today 3. THE PLAYBOY EDITOR Prefer To SCRAPBOOK THAN Talk About Themself Hefner spent greater than a decade focusing on his memoirs before abandoning them altogether. However, he's ongoing to scrapbook his existence. Today he's an accumulation of 2,485 volumes of scrapbooks. It is a stunning archive detailing almost every factor of his existence, completed with a deliberateness that signifies Hefner understood in early stages he wanted a legacy. It consists of the great, unhealthy and also the ugly: photos of Hefner at the outset of Playboy, that they began in Chicago in 1953 after scraping together a couple of 1000 dollars for any magazine that could have been known as Stag Party when the title had not been taken a duplicate from the famous nude Marilyn Monroe photo that adorned the very first problem, which offered 54,000 copies critical articles concerning the dying of Dorothy Stratten, a Playmate of the season who had been shot to dying in August 1980 by her estranged husband, Paul Snider and, somewhat strangely, a psychologist's assessment of her lover, director Peter Bogdanovich - a scathing Hefner critic - whose roots not really the archivist can explain. PHOTOS: The Hollywood Reporter Cover Tales Gallery 4. HEFNER'S Bed room Is Really A MESS Old magazines and papers litter the ground throughout his giant, king-size mattress, using its kilim-style bed comforter. You will find notes with an approaching movie he'll screen at among his famous movie nights pages from his magazine a NY Occasions the review and wads of documents only Hefner might identify. This is an intimate window into one man's unvarnished id, and also at odds together with his empire's sexual theme: Two couches are engrossed in 100s of stuffed toys there is a mantelpiece highlighting Frankenstein heads along with a presented replica of the toy gun he'd growing up the entire place is packed with artefacts from his past. "I'm able to attend my most creative such as this,Inch Hefner describes. PHOTOS: Lost Houses of Hollywood 5. THE Guy WHO DATED 'THE Women Nearby' MAY PREFER BLONDES, BUT HIS HEART LIES Having A BRUNETTE His tastes then and today veer toward ladies who help remind him from the celebrities he loved becoming an adult, for example Alice Faye, though he presently favors blondes. "Picasso had his pink period and the blue period I am during my blonde period," he quips, although the lady who got nearest to him, Barbi Benton, would be a brunette. Not one of them was his intellectual match. "I'm not searching for a competitor," he states. "I'm searching for someone -- an intimate partner." 6. WHILE PLAYBOY'S DOMESTIC FORTUNES SHRINK, Playboy FLOURISHES WORLDWIDE Playboy Businesses Corporation. lost $51.3 million last year. Ad pages have reduced by over half within the last decade and it is circulation has dropped from the a lot of 7 million to at least one.5 million. However in only the past year, Playboy has added three worldwide models to its previous 28. Playboy Businesses Boss Scott Flanders states the American version from the magazine "manages to lose a little amount," but that Playboy makes money from the worldwide print procedures. STORY: Hugh Hefner: Past Romance 7. PLAYMATE AND EX-Girlfriend Very HARRIS CRIED TO HEFNER AFTER Speaking Regarding Their SEX Existence ON HOWARD STERN'S SHOW "I had been very surprised," he confesses. "She was speaking in regards to a third person I didn't recognize. She felt very badly about this later on. She came over and wept. You realize, she's the one which desired to got married, not me. However I believe that Very is several people she's type of lost in the center and was overcome through the relationship, and also got swept up within an affair in the end were going together which i understood nothing about." Regarding the way they separated: "There is no disappointment when it comes to not receiving married -- it's the disappointment from the relationship going south," he states. "It wasn't which i thought about being married things i wanted was continuity. However I misinterpret the twelve signs.Inch VIDEO: Hugh Hefner's Ex, Very Harris, Spoofs How Old They Are Difference 8. HEFNER DOESN'T Discuss Dying He seldom discusses dying, a detailed friend states: "Even if [a longtime assistant] died, following the memorial, he never pointed out her again." Is he scared of the chance? "No," demands Hefner, an agnostic who professes no belief in a afterlife. "My mother resided to 101." 9. PLAYBOY Doesn't Have SUCCESSION PLAN SHOULD HEFNER Perish When requested concerning the succession plan, Flanders gives an agonizing pause. Finally he states: "That's tough to imagine. [There's] no succession plan." Hefner's own hopes that certain of his two more youthful sons -- Marston, 21, and Cooper, 20 (with Conrad he's a mature boy in addition to Christie, 58, together with his first wife) -- usually takes over appear unproven. "At some point, I was expecting that it is a family factor," he confesses, "but that is been thrown away." He rephrases the wording. "I don't think that's within the cards any longer." Both boys continue to be attending college nor has yet had Hefner's daughter Christie's connection with joining PEI like a junior executive before climbing up. 10. HE Will get LETTERS FROM WOMEN All Over The World Attempting To BE HIS GIRLFRIEND When women apply, Hefner inspections out their pictures and invites some to go to. Individuals he likes remain. "I'm clearly a visible person, and appears and search are essential, however it's pretty apparent additionally that I've got a particular type," he appreciates. Does he not think they may partially be attracted by his money and energy? "Obviously,Inch he states. "But what's anybody really drawn to?Inch For additional, browse the full cover story now and browse about all of the facets of the Playboy empire here. Related Subjects Hugh Hefner

Bayless stars on Chicago stage

Chicago's Lookingglass Theater looks to create an trendy event from dinner theater, joining with chef and TV host Ron Bayless for any production that mixes circus functions, a romance narrative along with a meal. Show, heftily entitled "Ron Bayless in Cascabel: Dinner -- Daring -- Desire," is produced by Bayless, Tony Hernandez and Heidi Stillman. Hernandez and Stillman formerly worked with with Lookingglass on "Hephaestus," a similarly cirque-esque offering that preemed in 2008 and came back for any 2010 run. Bayless, a champion of Bravo skein Top Chef Masters, has located PBS series "Mexico: One Plate at any given timeInch for eight seasons and counting. He's also the founding father of the Windy City restaurant chain whose flagship is Frontera Grill. Bayless will even star in "Cascabel," occur a Mexican boarding house within the nineteen forties. Plot focuses on a chef who falls deeply in love with a lady who does not eat. Hernandez, an connect artist with Lookingglass, is topper of Silverguy Entertainment, which produces "Cascabel" with Lookingglass and Frontera Grill. Stillman is really a person in the theater troupe's ensemble of standard collaborators. Having a full meal offered to every patron, tickets top out $205 for many weekend perfs. Cascabel" emerges outdoors of Lookingglass' primary 2011-12 slate, composed of recent tuners "The Truly Amazing Fire" and "Eastland" in addition to play "Mr. Ough Calls a conference.Inch Cascabel" runs March 23-April 22 in the company's venue in downtown Chi. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Real Steel cast and crew talk Sugar Ray Leonard's touch

When you are shooting a movie in regards to a former boxer teaching a robot fighting machine his secrets of the pros, how can you add the best degree of rock Them and sock Them to both star and the bot?If you are Real Steel director Shawn Levy you use a professional to make individuals moves authentic."Shawn stated in my experience, 'I actually want to bring someone set for you that's going to assist you. How can you experience Sugar Ray Leonard?' And That I was like, 'Sure, let us go for top?AInch Jackman states having a grin.What did Leonard think about Jackman? "He's a great student," states the first kind boxing champion.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Solid start for CW's 'Circle'

The CW's new drama "The Secret Circle" opened to pretty good numbers Thursday, looking to be a good pairing with the net's top-rated show, "The Vampire Diaries."Preliminary Nielsen estimates show "Secret Circle" averaging a 1.3 rating/3 share in adults 18-49 and 3 million viewers overall in the 9 o'clock hour, airing after "The Vampire Diaries" (1.4/4 in 18-49, 3.0 million viewers overall). "Circle," about a group of young witches, was written by Kevin Williamson and, like "Vampire," is an Alloy Entertainment adaption."Circle" was down a tick in 18-49 from the bow of "Nikita" in the Thursday 9 p.m. hour a year ago, but lead-in "Vampire Diaries" came in down two ticks itself (from a 1.6 last year) -- though it still led its hour among women 18-34 (2.2/7). The new drama was an especially good fit among females 12-34, with "Circle" (1.9/6) retaining 90% of "Vampire" (2.1/7).In women 18-34, "Secret Circle" averaged a 1.9/5, second to ABC among the broadcasters in the 9 o'clock hour and matching the CW's all-time high. Last year's "Nikita" opened to a 1.8. As it did a year ago, CW was looking to get a jump on the Thursday field with its early premieres. Its dramas will face tough firstrun competition in the coming weeks from the likes of Fox's "The X-Factor" and "Bones," CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" and ABC's "Grey's Anatomy." Also promising Thursday was NBC's repeat airing of "Up All Night" (1.0/3 in 18-49, 2.6 million viewers overall), which built on its lead-in from a repeat of "Community" (0.6/2 in 18-49, 2.2 million viewers overall); the show had drawn good numbers for its special preview airing behind "America's Got Talent" on Wednesday before moving to its regular leadoff slot on the night. And at 9:30 p.m., viewers got a second chance to sample "Free Agents" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 2.4 million viewers overall), which aired behind "The Office" (1.4/4 in 18-49, 3.1 million viewers overall).Elsewhere, ABC had its best Thursday in a while with the final two original episodes of the summer for "Wipeout" (2.0/6 in 18-49, 6.5 million viewers overall at 8 p.m. and 2.4/6 in 18-49, 6.9 million viewers overall at 9 p.m.), followed by a repeat of "Grey's Anatomy" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.2 million viewers overall). CBS aired a repeat hour of "The Big Bang Theory" (2.2/7 in 18-49, 8.1 million viewers overall at 8 p.m. and 2.6/8 in 18-49, 8.7 million viewers overall at 8:30 p.m.) and an encore of May's two-hour season finale of "The Mentalist" (1.5/4 in 18-49, 7.9 million viewers overall).Fox, which figures to be a strong Thursday player this fall with "The X Factor," didn't do much last night with repeat of "Bones" at 8 (0.9/3 in 18-49, 3.7 million viewers overall) and its regular time period of 9 (1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall).Preliminary 18-49 averages for the night: ABC and CBS, 1.8/5; Univision, 1.5/4; CW, 1.4/4; Fox, 1.0/3; NBC, 0.9/3.In total viewers: CBS, 8.1 million; ABC, 5.6 million; Fox, 3.8 million; Univision, 3.7 million; CW, 3.0 million; NBC, 2.7 million. Contact Rick Kissell at rick.kissell@variety.com

Current taps programmer

Lewis Current TV has hired Air America co-creator Shelley Lewis in your thoughts up programming within the fledgling cabler. Lewis will account to Current prexy David Bohrman.The hire can be a strong indicator in the next steps for Current, which aspires to retool itself just like a 24-hour news-and-commentary internet inside the vein from the less corporately connected MSNBC. Professionals as well as the net's new star, Keith Olbermann, have mentioned their independence keeps them from being beholden for the interests of huge business, despite the fact that it will place these questions vulnerable place if this involves distribution unlike other small cablers possessed by bigger companies, Current TV isn't agreed to cable companies in the suite with elevated effective systems. If News Corp, for example, desires to boost Fox Business Network's distribution, it might sell FBN in the package with ratings celebrity Fox News. Current does not have such back-up. The network states its solution will probably be multiplatform vieweing. Lewis is "advisable person and team leader and contains a perfect combination of associations, experience and business drive to help us establish Current just like a new kind of multiscreen news experience for just about any new kind of news viewer," Bohrman mentioned.As well as the cabler's audience remains growing thanks largely to Olbermann's following. Olbermannites aided to improve Current's ratings to historic levels when the commentator's program -- entitled "Countdown," as was his MSNBC show -- opened up taken.Lewis' connection with television includes stints at CNN and ABC News, where she professional produced "American Morning With Paula Zahn" and "Hello America" from 1997 to 1998, correspondingly. Bohrman and Lewis aren't others -- the two labored together within the Alphabet on "World News Now." Contact Mike Thielman at mike.thielman@variety.com

Thursday, September 8, 2011

James Cameron, Vince Pace Team With BBC Earth, Evergreen on 'Walking With Dinosaurs 3D' Film

AMSTERDAM -- James CameronandVince Pace's Cameron Pace Group is bringingits expertise toWalking With Dinosaurs3D, a CGI and live-action three dimensional theatrical feature being created by BBC Earth Films, Evergreen Films and Reliance Pictures.our editor recommendsFox Sets 'Walking With Dinosaurs' for Christmas 2013 ReleaseJames Cameron, Vince Pace Announce New three dimensional Venture Reliance is financing the film, and worldwide privileges are now being handled by its subsidiary IM Global. Fox holds U.S. privileges and it has scheduled the film for any late 2013 release. STORY: 'Glee' Movie Goes three dimensional with Cameron-Pace The Cameron Pace Fusion three dimensional camera system, utilized on features includingAvatarandTransformers: Dark from the Moonand forlive three dimensional broadcasts of sports such as the U.S. Open Tennis Championship for ESPN3D, is going to be employed onWalking With Dinosaurs. Using the agreement, Evergreen becomes the very first "CPG licensed" company, meaning that it's solely implementing CPG technology because of its three dimensional productions. Also on Evergreen's plate is yet another three dimensional production,Enchanted Kingdom. STORY James Cameron Wows CineEurope With First Footage of 'Titanic three dimensional' "Our goal was to produce a brand which was connected with quality in three dimensional," Cameron toldThe Hollywood Reporter. "To achieve that, we needed to possess the best technology we're able to develop in-house and operate that technology within the area, and more importantly we needed to form alliances and close ties with individuals who should also do high-quality three dimensional. Evergreen and also the BBC are perfect good examples of the.Inch Walking With Dinosaursis in production in Alaska, where Evergreen is based. The feature has a $sixty five million budget and can take advantage of production incentives offered within the condition. The film is dependant on the hit Television show and also the extremely effective arena reveal that it created. STORY: Because He Converts "Titanic" to three dimensional, James Cameron Boosts Bar on Film Corrections Red-colored Epic cameras will also supply within the live-action shooting, which is coupled with animation by Sydney-based Animal Logic (Happy Ft). Related Subjects three dimensional Avatar James Cameron BBC

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Gwyneth Paltrow Will Fall for Mark Ruffalo in 'Thanks for Sharing'

Gwyneth Paltrow is known for over-sharing on her Twitter account, so this casting feels appropriate. According to Variety, the doomed 'Contagion' star and Joely Richardson have joined Mark Ruffalo and Tim Robbins in 'Thanks for Sharing,' an indie dramedy about how sex addiction brings four friends together. Paltrow will play Phoebe, a businesswoman who falls for Ruffalo; Richardson is set for role of Robbins's onscreen wife. That's all well and good, but what should really get you excited is the man behind the scenes: Stuart Blumberg, the Oscar-nominated co-screenwriter for 'The Kids Are All Right,' makes his directorial debut with 'Thanks for Sharing,' which he co-wrote with Matt Winston. [Variety/Showblitz]

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Bachchan joins Luhrmann's 'Gatsby'

LONDON -- Indian thesp Amitabh Bachchan ("Aarakshan"), and Australian actors Jason Clarke ("Swerve") and Isla Fisher ("Rango') have been added to the cast of Baz Luhrmann's "The Great Gatsby," the latest version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel. Bachchan, who has appeared in more than 180 Indian films, will play the role of Meyer Wolfsheim, a shadowy gambler.The film toplines Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby and also stars Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton and newcomer Elizabeth Debicki.The A$120 million ($127 million) budgeted film commenced principal photography this week at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney. Pic is a Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures production in association with Luhrmann's Bazmark Films shingle. Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute the film in 2D and 3D, with Village Roadshow Pictures distributing in select territories. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com