'Magic Mike' Start Searching: Channing Tatum Hits Happens

If you ever wondered this type of Steven Soderbergh stripper movie might appear like (are available on, I realize I'm only a few of the one available who's wondered relating to this) well, question ignore. The Academy Award-winning director's approaching film about hot dudes taking their clothes off your money can buy "Miracle Mike," possibly better known to as "Channing Tatum together with other shirtless Hollywood hunks" movie has released its first still, showing stars Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Joe Manganiello and Matthew McConaughey revealing their, ah, patriotism on stage. Our pals at Hollywood Crush are very naturally drooling inside the new photo, so mind there for further round the movie.

Fremaux set to take full control at Cannes

PARIS -- Thierry Fremaux, the Cannes Film Festival's delegate general, looks set to take full control at the world's premier film fest. Approved by Cannes' board of directors Monday, the new balance of power at Cannes also see Gilles Jacob's mandate as festival president extended to cover fest editions in 2013 and 2014. Serving as Cannes delegate general from 2007, Fremaux was already fully responsible for programming Cannes' Official Selection, which includes the Competition, out-of-competition slots, Special Screenings and Un Certain Regard. With Jacob -- Cannes delegate general from 1978, president from 2000 -- now serving as president in a non-executive capacity, Fremaux's new brief will extend his powers to the whole Cannes festival organization, including key issues such as sponsorship and new projects. Cannes presidential mandates normally run three years. Jacob, now 81, has effectively accepted to serve for three more editions since his current tenure lapses after Cannes next year. The new arrangement is the latest inflexion -- and a thumbs-up by the Cannes board -- for a delicate step-by-step transfer of power between Jacob and Fremaux begun when the latter became artistic director in 2001. Over the past 10 years that partnership has seen Cannes open up to new technologies, genre pics and a far more fluid relationship with Hollywood studios, whose pics -- often mixing auteurist vision with stars or new technology -- have supplied recent Cannes Gala Openers. Cannes has also initiated new projects, such as the Cannes Marche du Film's co-organization of Latin American film market Ventana Sur in Buenos Aires. Although Fremaux's decisions will still be taken in consultation with his board and Jacob, innovation can now be expected to continue, and may be accelerated. "I am proud about my new responsibilities and very happy to have Gilles Jacob at my side for a further mandate as president. This new situation could not be more perfect for me," Fremaux told Variety. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Franco to cameo in 'Lovelace'

FrancoNothAfter he was eyed to experience a mans lead of Chuck Traynor in "Lovelace," James Franco is within foretells cameo as Playboy founder Hugh Hefner within the indie drama which will reunite him together with his "Howl" helmers Take advantage of Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman. Should an offer close, Franco would join recently cast supporting gamers Hank Azaria, Bobby Cannavale, Chris Noth and Robert Patrick, in addition to stars Amanda Seyfried and Peter Sarsgaard.Set between your birth from the sexual revolution and also the culmination from the feminist movement, "Lovelace" represents the existence of Linda Boreman, who as Linda Lovelace grew to become the earth's first erotic celebrity because of the prosperity of "Deep Throat."Azaria will have "Deep Throat" author-director Jerry Damiano, who prides themself on getting designed a porn movie having a story, figures and humor. Cannavale and Noth will have "Deep Throat" bankers Butchie Peraino and Anthony Romano, who get into business with Linda's pornographer husband Traynor (Sarsgaard) after he shows them a house movie of her special skill. Patrick will have Linda's father John Boreman, who initially falls for Chuck's charm when Linda brings him home but later finds themself embarrassed with his daughter's newly found celebrity.Franco is anticipated to become on looking for just one day his screentime as Hefner is going to be restricted to moments where the magazine mogul welcomes Linda and Chuck towards the Playboy Mansion for any screening of "Deep Throat" and it has a heart-to-heart with Linda about her future.Sharon Stone, Juno Temple and Wes Bentley co-star as Linda's mother, closest friend and 2nd husband, correspondingly, while other notable supporting roles that haven't yet been cast include Linda's "Deep Throat" co-star Harry Reems, Gloria Steinem and Sammy Davis Junior.Production around the Andy Bellin-scripted pic started today in La, and also the film has been created using the cooperation of Linda Lovelace's estate. "Lovelace" is really a Millennium Films production that'll be created by Heidi Jo Markel for Eclectic Pictures, Laura Rister and Jason Weinberg for Untitled Entertainment and Jim Youthful for Animus Films. Professional producers include Boaz Davidson, Danny Dimbort, Mark Gill, W. Merritt Manley, Avi Lerner, Trevor Short and John Thompson for Nu Image/Millennium Films. Franco, who most lately toplined "Rise from the Planet from the Apes" and can soon wrap the title role in Mike Raimi's "Oz: The Truly Amazing and Effective," is repped by CAA and manager Miles Levy of James/Levy Management. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Bill Hader Ruined 'Titanic' for Some Sorority Girls

You love Bill Hader because of Stefon and all the other amazing things he does on 'Saturday Night Live' -- Herb Welch! -- but did you know he was once Public Enemy No. 1 for a group of sorority girls hoping to enjoy a night out with 'Titanic'? Back in 1997, Hader was working at a movie theater, and when a group of women who had rented out the theater were mean to him, the 'SNL' stalwart took action. "A sorority group rented out the movie theater. They were rude to me so I told them the end of 'Titanic,'" Hader told Us Weekly. "I said, 'The boat sinks, Leo dies, the old lady -- that's Kate Winslet -- she has a jewel and she throws in the water at the end, so that's where that goes!'" Needless to say, Hader was fired for his spoiling. No truth to the rumor that he later returned to the theater to ruin the ending of 'The Sixth Sense.' (Bruce Willis is dead the entire time, one person who hasn't seen 'The Sixth Sense.') [via Us] [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Kim Jong-il's Tasteless Cinematic Legacy: In Memoriam

Kim Jong-il, the reclusive North Korean leader who died Sunday at age 69, was a tyrant, a thug, a meddler, a menace, a fanatic, a spendthrift, a dilettante, and a dangerous visionary responsible for some of the worst abuses witnessed by world civilization in the last half century. But enough about his movies. The awfulness of Kim’s regime — its human-rights transgressions, its warmongering, its political ruthlessness — obviously cannot be overstated, and anyone who’s seen such bracing nonfiction fare as Yodok Stories (about DPRK concentration camp refugees who stage a musical about their lives), Kimjongilia (about surviving under the Dear Leader’s oppressive thumb) or The Red Chapel (about Kim’s sociocultural stranglehold on Pyongyang) knows full well about the nightmare that is life above the 38th Parallel. His horrors and quirks made him an easy target for such infamous parodies as those filling Team America: World Police, yet it’s also worth substituting millions of men, women and children for “Arec Bardwin” in this clip for some leavening historical perspective: And once you’ve got that out of the way, let’s reflect on that time when Kim — a notorious cinephile who had put an international assortment of filmmakers and other “cultural consultants” (read: political prisoners) to work as DPRK propagandists (several of whom wound up committing suicide) — kidnapped South Korean filmmaker Shin Sang-ok and his ex-wife Choi Eun-hee. Their mission: Help Kim establish North Korea as a force in world cinema. They did exactly that with Pulgasari, quite possibly the worst monster movie in the history of a genre absolutely choked with awful films. Though, as with so many of the country’s most memorable cultural contributions over the years (Mass Games and magic shows come to mind) it’s a little more complicated than that: Despite Shin’s internal turmoil (or perhaps because of it), the director does have a few standouts from this phase in his career. Among them is Pulgasari, a Godzilla-esque film some suspect was meant as a slam to the cult of personality surrounding Kim Jong Il’s father as well as a veiled depiction of Shin’s feelings about his egomaniacal taskmaster. Fortunately, Kim loved it, largely because he interpreted the flick as an outright critique of capitalism. Even from beneath a pile of accolades and money, Shin and Choi couldn’t stop dreaming of escape. In fact, their “Dear Leader” was building them a mansion and a Hollywood-worthy movie set when the couple went to Vienna to negotiate film distribution rights in 1986. There, Shin and Choi eluded their bodyguards, fled to the American embassy, and pled for asylum. Discussions they’d secretly taped with their executive producer were used as proof that they hadn’t gone to North Korea for fame and fortune (as they’d been forced to claim during press conferences), and they were allowed to return home to South Korea. Shin passed away in 2006, at the age of 79. Kim Jong Il had to go back to relying on homegrown talent to crank out roughly 60 movies a year, but he never achieved his dream of winning an international audience. Regardless, as of 2006, a sign outside the country’s Ministry of Culture read, “Make More Cartoons”—proof that Kim Jong Il continued to impart his wisdom, and influence, on North Korean filmmakers. Here’s a glimpse at Pulgasari, for which I apologize in advance: And then there was Kim’s utterly vapid On the Art of Cinema, a 1973 book that served as both a motivational text for North Korea’s stillborn movie industry and a film-theory curio that no doubt just got a lot harder to find on Amazon. Among the “insights” therein: The cinema is now one of the main objects on which efforts should be concentrated in order to conduct the revolution in art and literature. The cinema occupies an important place in the overall development of art and literature. As such it is a powerful ideological weapon for the revolution and construction. Therefore, concentrating efforts on the cinema, making breakthroughs and following up success in all areas of art and literature is the basic principle that we must adhere to in revolutionizing art and literature. I mean, sure? I still prefer Sidney Lumet’s Making Movies 10 times out of 10, but maybe I’m missing something. In any case, we are left now with Kim’s son, Kim Jong-un, whose first economic policy effort as the DPRK’s new leader will no doubt be to find a buyer for his dad’s rumored collection of 20,000 DVDs. After all, the country needs all the GDP boost it can get, and to hear experts tell it, the kid’s more of “Watch Instantly” guy anyway. Good riddance to one and all.

'Sherlock' wins sluggish weekend B.O.

'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'A pair of hefty holiday pics, Warner Bros.' "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" and Fox's "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked," weren't enough to cure the domestic B.O.'s moviegoing malaise, as overall totals came in roughly 10%-15% behind the same frame last year. Paramount's "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol," which also helped fuel Stateside biz with its limited week-early launch, boosted overseas box office, tallying a projected $68.2 million. "Sherlock Holmes" easily won the weekend with an estimated $40 million domestically, while "Alvin" came in at No. 2, grossing through Sunday a projected $23.5 million. Neither film managed to match opening totals of their predecessor pics, though the first "Sherlock" pic and Fox's "Alvin" sequel both launched over Christmas weekend in 2009. The inaugural "Alvin," however, bowed at $44 million during this same weekend in 2007 - a much livelier marketplace. Appealing to the same crowd as "Sherlock," Par's exclusive large-format bow of "Ghost Protocol" saw terrific results, totaling an estimated $13 million - the majority of which (nearly $11 million) came from Imax - at a total 425 locations. Pic's cume is $13.6 million, including additional revenues from late-night Thursday screenings. Par vice chairman Rob Moore said the early Imax-dominated launch was meant to encourage word-of-mouth among fanboys, who tend to be first-responders. "No matter what's going on, if you're someone who likes to see movies in Imax, you also like to see them first," Moore said. "Ghost Protocol," which expands nationwide Dec. 21, posted a $32,000 per-screen average. That's a stellar start for the film, even with the average premium ticket upcharge from large-format houses, ranging between $3.50 and $5. Specialty B.O. mostly continued to counteract sluggish commercial biz. Focus Features' "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" was the clear indie winner on an individual theater basis, beating even "Sherlock" and "Ghost Protocol" in a few of its total 16 engagements. "Tinker," which launched solidly last weekend, scored a soph-sesh per-screen average of $28,267 for an estimated weekend gross of $452,278. Pic's cume is slightly more than $850,000. Five-times Golden Globes nominee "The Descendants" also displayed sturdy legs, grossing an estimated $3.4 million from 878 playdates. "Descendants" dropped a scant 24% in its fifth week, with a Stateside cume of $28.7 million. Underperforming in limited release, Sony Pictures Classics' "Carnage" tallied an average of just $17,139 from five locations - a less-than-desirable start, especially during the competitive holiday time frame. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

J.R. Martinez Is Going To Be A Father!

First Published: December 17, 2011 12:50 PM EST Credit: Getty Premium Caption J.R. Martinez and Diana Gonzalez-Jones arrive at 2011 CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on December 11, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- J.R. Martinez danced his way to the top on Dancing with the Stars Season 13, claiming the coveted mirrorball trophy alongside professional partner Karina Smirnoff. Now, the Iraq war vet is about to receive an even more precious prize a baby! The 28-year-old actor and girlfriend Diana Gonzalez-Jones are expecting their first child come spring, according to People. We found out just last week its a girl and we are over the moon, J.R. told the mag. Diana has a little baby bump now and its the cutest thing ever. With the holidays coming up, this is the biggest and best gift we could get. J.R., who won the hearts of millions of DWTS fans this year with his seemingly unending optimism and triumphant story (he survived an IED explosion in Iraq and subsequently underwent 33 surgeries), said the excitement of becoming a father is sinking in, but admitted hes overwhelmed by the tremendous joy this year has brought to him and his family. 2011 has been full of a lot of surprises and opportunities and ultimately, a lot of blessings, he said. Diana and I were just asking ourselves, How is 2012 going to top 2011? Well, we have our answer! In addition to becoming a new daddy, the lovable veteran-turned-actor will serve as Grand Marshal of the 2012 Tournament of Roses Parade on January 2. As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, J.R. first met Diana when he joined the cast of All My Children in 2008, where she was working as the assistant to the soaps executive producer. We were friends, and, you know, it was a workplace, so you dont want to cross the line. I was respectful of that, and for about two years we were great friends, J.R. told Access Hollywood Lives Billy Bush and Kit Hoover during a visit to the show last month. Finally, something happened, something clicked, and I just said, [Do] you ever look at me differently than just a friend? he continued, with a shy smile. And she kind of paid attention to it, and here we are! Its great. Though the relationship was slow to blossom, J.R. is glad he and Diana who was frequently seen in the Dancing audience proudly supporting her man built their romance on a time-tested foundation. I think we did it a great way to have a friendship first, and then build on that, he said. A rep for J.R. was not immediately available for comment on the happy news when contacted by Access Hollywood on Saturday. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AFTRA, record labels achieve deal

The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists has showed up in a tentative three-year deal with the record labels, 2 days just before the expiration in the current contract.AFTRA made the announcement Thursday and mentioned it had accomplished an increase in base rates of twoPercent yearly, additionally to the key objective of accelerating employer contributions for the AFTRA Medical health insurance and Retirement Funds.Discussions involving the union as well as the record labels began again now -- greater than two several days after people talks eliminate.The Appear Tracks Code produces greater than $140 million in annual earnings for AFTRA people. It covers entertainers, royalty and non-royalty artists, additionally to announcers, stars, comics, narrators and appear effects artists who concentrate on tracks in many new and traditional media and many types of music formats, furthermore to audiobooks, comedy albums and cast albums.The current contract was talked about in 2007 getting a June 2010 expiration nevertheless the pact was subsequently extended by 18 several days for the 12 ,. 31 expiration.AFTRA National Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth, who offered as chief negotiator, mentioned in the statement, "The functional people from the settling committee faced unique challenges in this particular settlement due to the structural changes, risks from content robbery and sharp economic declines it business has experienced throughout yesteryear decade, which are beyond anything gone through by our people used in other entertainment and media industries.""The AFTRA people round the settling committee nonetheless been effective in achieving considerably needed increases in minimums and H&R contributions, and extra bargained payment structures for digital revenue and new kinds of certification that will enable artists to greater be a part of altering business structures since the recorded music business attempts to sit in change," she added.The tentative agreement will probably be published for the national board for approval in addition to ratification by people. AFTRA mentioned particulars round the ratification process will probably be introduced right after the completely new year.AFTRA mentioned highlights in the contract, which will run retroactively from Jan. 1, 2012 to 12 ,. 31, 2014, include:-- Increase in base rates of twoPercent each year in the contract-- Rise in the industry medical health insurance and retirement contribution rate on royalty earnings by 1% inside the existence in the agreement-- maintained needed special employer contributions which guarantee medical insurance benefits for royalty artists round the current "roster" from the label, by growing the most on employer contributions from $5,000 to $6,500 every year-- enhanced and extended performers' base of participation in revenue from acquisition of digital downloads-- established a completely new structure of revenue-based obligations for completely new parts of poor licenses and licenses for non-traditional usages, for instance re-usage of tracks in novelty consumer products.AFTRA mentioned a thrilling-day session in NY went late Wednesday, then tentative agreement being showed up at Thursday morning. Discussions between AFTRA and reps from UMG, The brand new the new sony, Warner, EMI and Disney labels began August. 15, by getting one more round of settling kept in La a couple of times of Sept. 12-16 too as with NY on March. 5. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

KK&P lands pic rights to 'Eden'

Independent financier and production company Kerry, Kimmel and Pollack has acquired rights to Keary Taylor's novel "Eden," a dystopian thriller described as a cross between "The Hunger Games" and "The Terminator." Story follows Eve, a teenage girl living in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity is on the brink of extinction and robots that were created to serve humans have turned against them. As Eve struggles to fight the Fallen and help her friends find safety, she must choose between a boy she has always trusted and one who holds the secrets to her past. "Eden" will be produced by Mark Morgan ("The Twilight Saga"), Kami Garcia (the "Beautiful Creatures" series), Brett Hudson ("Fast Flash to Bang Time") and Michael Pollack ("Black Forest"). KK&P, which recently acquired feature film and TV rights to pop culture guru Caprice Crane's novel "How to Be a Hater," is in pre-production on the W. Peter Illif-scripted psychological thriller "Fast Flash to Bang Time." Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com

'Jerry Maguire' 15th Anniversary: Then-and-Now Cast Photos

'Jerry Maguire,' the sports drama/rom-com/inspirational story of one agent's quest for love and success is 15 years old. Fifteen! Yes, it's hard to believe more than a decade has passed since 'You complete me,' 'Show me the money' and a variety of other schmatlzy-yet-totally-memorable Cameron Crowe-written lines entered the zeitgeist. So, what do the stars of 'Jerry Maguire' look like in 2011? Luckily, the folks at Snakkle have posted a gallery featuring then-and-now photos of the entire 'Maguire' cast, including Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Renee Zellweger, Bonnie Hunt, Jay Mohr and, of course, Jonathan Lipnicki (a.k.a. the cute kid). A few Moviefone favorites are below; make sure to head to Snakkle to see all the stars' then-and-now photos. [via Snakkle] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Dick Van Dyke Reuniting With TV Wife Mary Tyler Moore at SAG Awards

Chuck Lorre says he was prepared to leave Two and a Half Men, the mega-hit sitcom he created for CBS, during Charlie Sheen's manic media meltdown.our editor recommendsChuck Lorre, Michael Eisner New ATAS Hall of Fame InducteesChuck Lorre Talks Charlie Sheen Lawsuit, Tell-All Book in New Vanity Card'Two and a Half Men's' Chuck Lorre, Ashton Kutcher Meet (Photo)Chuck Lorre Hatches 'Two and a Half Men' Reboot Without Charlie Sheen (Exclusive)Related Topics•Charlie Sheen "I offered to quit the show last winter," Lorre told TV Guide in his first interview since Sheen seemingly went off the deep end, publicly trashing the producer at every opportunity. "I said, 'Listen, if for some reason I'm now the Antichrist I'm happy to leave. It's not in my interest to stop the show, and I certainly don't want to put all these people out of work. Keep going. Get another guy. Don't stop on my account.'" PHOTOS: Chuck Lorre & His TV Empire Sheen had blasted Lorre as a "little maggot," among other unprintable names, prompting an exasperated Lorre to tell the network: "I can't work with a guy who has decided that he hates my guts." In the end, of course, Lorre stayed and Sheen continued his downward spiral. "(CBS and Warner Bros.) chose to make a moral decision as opposed to a financial one," Lorre said. "But people were really frightened that they were signing off on what could have had devastating consequences. This was not a game. This was drug addiction writ large. This was big-time cocaine and in his own words, an 'epic drug run' that could have ended with either his death or someone else's." PHOTOS: Hollywood's Twitter Feuds Sheen, who will soon return to TV in his comeback comedy Anger Management, scheduled to air on FX this summer, became a headache for Lorre on and off the set. In fact, Lorre nearly threw in the towel in 2009, when his controversial star made headlines for pulling a knife on wife, Brooke Mueller, during a holiday trip in Aspen. "When he started attacking people with knives, that's it," Lorre recalled. "That should have been it. I should have walked. That's unthinkable. No more. I'm done. But for some reason I thought that because she was willing to forgive him ... we could emerge from this fiasco and be stronger and healthier." Then came the Plaza hotel-room-trashing incident nearly a year later. "Last January and February it was not working anymore. You couldn't do that much cocaine and work. It was heartbreaking to be around here last year. ... It was a painful year. I'll be sorting it out for a long time." PHOTOS: Charlie Sheen's Wildest TV Interviews The studio and network fired Sheen months later, and Sheen retaliated with verbal grenades and a lawsuit accusing his former boss of breaching his contract. The suit was settled. With Sheen out of the picture, Lorre recruited Ashton Kutcher to replace him as Jon Cryer's foil with the added bonus of further expanding the show's audience to include Kutcher's youthful Twitter fanbase. In a vanity card that aired following a September episode of Men, Lorre said: "Live and learn. Moving on. Game over." Not so fast, the creator continued: "There's just one problem. The thing inside me that died? It walks at night. It's angry. It's hungry. And worst of all ... It's writing a tell-all book." PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Chuck Lorre & His TV Empire Related Topics Chuck Lorre TV Casting Charlie Sheen CBS Warner Bros. Two and a Half Men

'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3' Crosses $1 Billion Sales Mark

NY - The Walt Disney Co. is adding to its popular princesses with a girl princess called Sofia who is aimed at pre-schoolers, or kids ages 2 to 7, and is the company's first princess who is not an adult, the NY Times reported.our editor recommends'Cars 2' Toys, Disney Princesses Help Drive Mattel's Third-Quarter Results'Winnie the Pooh': How the Disney Classic Became New Again Featured in a movie and coming TV series Sofia the First on the Disney Channel and Disney Junior, she joins the line of Disney princesses that have included Cinderella, Snow White and more. The Disney Princess toy line generates about $4 billion in annual retail sales, the Times highlighted. Aware of the potential for criticism, Disney emphasizes that Sofia will focus on teaching viewers age-appropriate themes, such as getting along with siblings and how to be kind and generous, the Times said. Sofia will have "plenty of pretty dresses and sparkly shoes," said Nancy Kanter, general manager for Disney Junior Worldwide, but episodes will teach children that "what makes a real princess is what's inside, not what's outside." Focus group reactions were full of "uniform positivity," she told the Times. "We saw girls have an instant relatability to this character. If kids relate to what they watch - if they can put themselves in that world - that's where real learning can start." Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics The Walt Disney Company

Hollywood's Real Estate Deals of the Week: Beyonce and Jay-Z, Ryan Phillippe, Blake Lively and Gerald Levin

NBC"Chuck" With the Christmas just two weeks away, programming on the broadcast networks are reflecting the holiday lull. Running Christmas programming and a Blue Bloods repeat, CBS still managed to top the night among the 18-49 demographic averaging a 1.4 rating, steady from last week when it aired originals. But NBC took advantage, bringing back Chuck and Grimm to boost its demo average to tie for first. It's been several weeks since NBC aired its regular Friday schedule, but last night's ratings performance proved that viewers would follow -- at least where Chuck was concerned. The Zachary Levi-directed episode of Chuck drew 3.7 million total viewers at 8 p.m., that's 500,000 more viewers than its last original in November. Among adults 18-49, the series improved slightly to a 1.0 rating. Following a trial run on Thursday night at 10 p.m. (in place of Prime Suspect), Grimm (5.4 million, 1.6)continued its steady run in its usual time slot following Chuck at 9 p.m. posting similar numbers to its last original. ABC placed third with an average rating of 1.3. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (5.1 million, 1.3) grew just a tad and 20/20 (4.7 million, 1.3) was flat. Fox and the CW aired reruns. Refresh for the latest ... PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Preview NBC's Fall Key Art for 'Playboy Club,' 'Grimm,' 'Whitney,' More TV Ratings Grimm Chuck

The Roots Must Now Apparent Late Evening Music with NBC

Ahmir Khalib Thompson also called "Questlove" Following an accidents with GOP presidential candidate Michelle Bachman lately, Jimmy Fallon's house band The Roots will have to apparent their Late Evening song options with NBC, in line with the Connected Press. NBC received fire in November when the Roots carried out the 1985 Fishbone song "Lyin' A-- B---" as Bachmann walked onto stage. The network later apologized for your incident and mentioned this rock band happen to be punished. NBC apologizes to Bachmann Wanted for Fallon intro music NBC is becoming while using extra key to make sure it doesn't happen again. Roots front guy ?uestlove mentioned they know your final decision that the network won't stand in the way humor. "It absolutely was kind of wrong will be able to throw (NBC) beneath the bus without allowing them to know exactly what it was, therefore i understand in the business perspective," he told the AP."It's still a comedy show, to ensure that they promise not to board my toes or that type of factor, nonetheless they certainly have to know the title in the song, the subject couple of the song, [and] could it be viewed as insult?"Can you accept NBC?

Ken Russell Was Hoping to Remake 1976 X-Rated Alice Musical... with Lady Gaga

When the late filmmaker Ken Russell passed away last week at the age of 84, he’d been planning to remake the infamous 1976 X-rated Alice in Wonderland musical in which Alice is taken on a tour of Wonderland by a randy White Rabbit. Ahem. And who had Russell hoped to bring along on his naughty trip down the rabbit hole? Lady Gaga, of course! Well, kinda; The Guardian reports that Russell, according to producers who are still moving forward with the project, had hoped to bring Gaga and Rihanna aboard to contribute songs to the musical, penned by composer Simon Boswell. Roger Daltry, who starred in Russell’s film adaptation of The Who’s Tommy, had been asked to play the Mad Hatter; is it much of a stretch to envision Lady Gaga as the White Rabbit, guiding young Alice along in an erotic romp through Wonderland? The producers are currently seeking a new director to take over from Russell, who left behind a near-complete script. More details over at The Guardian, but in the meantime, check out a peek at the infamous 1976 Alice (Sample ditty: “What’s a nice girl like you doing/on a knight like me?”) for a taste of the raunchy fantasy that inspired the project: Raunchy Alice musical could be Ken Russell’s final legacy [Guardian]

'Laugh-In' Comic Actor Alan Sues Dies at 85

LOS ANGELES (AP) Alan Sues, who brought his flamboyant and over-the-top comic persona to the hit television show "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" in the 1960s and 1970s, has died, a close friend said Sunday night.Sues died of cardiac arrest on Thursday at his home in West Hollywood, Michael Gregg Michaud, a friend since 1975, told The Associated Press."He was sitting in a recliner watching TV with his dachshund Doris who he loved in his lap," Michaud said.Sues had various health problems in the last several years, but the death came as a shock to friends, Michaud said. He was 85.A native Californian who moved to NY in 1952, Sues began his career as a serious actor and in 1953 appeared in director Elia Kazan's "Tea and Sympathy" on Broadway.But he would be remembered for his wild comic characters.They included "Big Al," an effeminate sportscaster, and "Uncle Al the Kiddies Pal," a hung-over children's show host, on "Laugh-In," the TV phenomenon that both reflected and mocked the era's counterculture and made stars of Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin and many others.Sues also donned tights as the commercial spokesman for Peter Pan peanut butter, and appeared in the popular 1964 "Twilight Zone" episode "The Masks."Fellow cast members and crew from "Laugh-In" remembered him as even more entertaining behind the scenes."Alan Sues was one of those guys even funnier in person than on camera," Ruth Buzzi, a co-star who appeared in many skits with Sues, said on her Twitter account. "Across a dinner table, over the phone ... hysterical. We'll miss him."Executive producer George Schlatter, who would eventually bring Sues to "Laugh-In" after seeing him alongside future co-star Jo Anne Worley in the Off-Broadway comedy "The Mad Show," said Sues was "a free spirit," an "outrageous human being" and "a love child.""He was a delight; he was an upper," Schlatter told the Los Angeles Times, which first reported the death. "He walked on the stage and everybody just felt happy."Sues would always be best known for "Laugh-In," which he left in 1972 before its final season.But Michaud said the Peter Pan spots brought Sues nearly as much recognition in later years.And he said the "Twilight Zone" episode brought him appearances at sci-fi and autograph conventions for decades."Fans of 'The Twilight Zone' are cuckoo," Michaud said.Michaud said that while Sues was always cast as the stereotypically gay character, he believed he needed to hide his own gay identity during his years on television."He felt like he couldn't publicly come out," Michaud said. "He felt like people wouldn't accept him."Sues was grateful for "Laugh-In," but wasn't happy he was typecast in his comic persona as he sought to return to more serious acting.He got one chance that he cherished in 1975, the serious role of Moriarty with the Royal Shakespeare Company in "Sherlock Holmes" on Broadway.He stayed with the show until it closed the following year, then went out to perform it with the touring company.In later years he would make many more theater appearances, do voiceover work for television, and appear in guest spots on TV series like "Punky Brewster" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch."Sues is survived by a sister-in-law, two nieces and a nephew.There were no immediate plans for a memorial.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Andrew Dalton December 5, 2011 LOS ANGELES (AP) Alan Sues, who brought his flamboyant and over-the-top comic persona to the hit television show "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" in the 1960s and 1970s, has died, a close friend said Sunday night.Sues died of cardiac arrest on Thursday at his home in West Hollywood, Michael Gregg Michaud, a friend since 1975, told The Associated Press."He was sitting in a recliner watching TV with his dachshund Doris who he loved in his lap," Michaud said.Sues had various health problems in the last several years, but the death came as a shock to friends, Michaud said. He was 85.A native Californian who moved to NY in 1952, Sues began his career as a serious actor and in 1953 appeared in director Elia Kazan's "Tea and Sympathy" on Broadway.But he would be remembered for his wild comic characters.They included "Big Al," an effeminate sportscaster, and "Uncle Al the Kiddies Pal," a hung-over children's show host, on "Laugh-In," the TV phenomenon that both reflected and mocked the era's counterculture and made stars of Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin and many others.Sues also donned tights as the commercial spokesman for Peter Pan peanut butter, and appeared in the popular 1964 "Twilight Zone" episode "The Masks."Fellow cast members and crew from "Laugh-In" remembered him as even more entertaining behind the scenes."Alan Sues was one of those guys even funnier in person than on camera," Ruth Buzzi, a co-star who appeared in many skits with Sues, said on her Twitter account. "Across a dinner table, over the phone ... hysterical. We'll miss him."Executive producer George Schlatter, who would eventually bring Sues to "Laugh-In" after seeing him alongside future co-star Jo Anne Worley in the Off-Broadway comedy "The Mad Show," said Sues was "a free spirit," an "outrageous human being" and "a love child.""He was a delight; he was an upper," Schlatter told the Los Angeles Times, which first reported the death. "He walked on the stage and everybody just felt happy."Sues would always be best known for "Laugh-In," which he left in 1972 before its final season.But Michaud said the Peter Pan spots brought Sues nearly as much recognition in later years.And he said the "Twilight Zone" episode brought him appearances at sci-fi and autograph conventions for decades."Fans of 'The Twilight Zone' are cuckoo," Michaud said.Michaud said that while Sues was always cast as the stereotypically gay character, he believed he needed to hide his own gay identity during his years on television."He felt like he couldn't publicly come out," Michaud said. "He felt like people wouldn't accept him."Sues was grateful for "Laugh-In," but wasn't happy he was typecast in his comic persona as he sought to return to more serious acting.He got one chance that he cherished in 1975, the serious role of Moriarty with the Royal Shakespeare Company in "Sherlock Holmes" on Broadway.He stayed with the show until it closed the following year, then went out to perform it with the touring company.In later years he would make many more theater appearances, do voiceover work for television, and appear in guest spots on TV series like "Punky Brewster" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch."Sues is survived by a sister-in-law, two nieces and a nephew.There were no immediate plans for a memorial.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Rankings Corporate Jungle: CBS CSI: NY Hits Low, NBCs Family Pic Tanks Wheres Grimm?

Before we checked on Grimm a few days prior to the Christmas, the rookie NBC drama appeared to become bottoming out, holding steady week-to-week to prevent its publish-premiere slide. However the fairytale procedural was benched once for that holiday, that is understandable, and on the other hand last evening for original movie Bet On Your Existence, which isn't a lot. Last evening, the most recent from the Procter & Gamble/Walmart-funded family movies that air on NBC as time buys came a meager .5/2 in grown ups 18-49 from 8-10 PM and a pair of.two million audiences. It's tied because the cheapest-ranked such movie to air on NBC on Friday or Saturday, in- or off-season. The first, Strategies Of The Mountain, averaged a decent 1.3/5 in 18-49 and 7.8 million audiences in April 2010. The Jensen Project published a .9 and three.9 million in summer time 2010. Both broadcast on Friday. Area Of Vision (.5/2, 2.7 million) along with a Walk During My Footwear (1.3/4, 4.9 million) broadcast on Saturday earlier this summer time. To help keep airing individuals movies, NBC without doubt is earning money around the time buys (and let’s face the facts, it’s not too NBC has cabinets stacked with originals following a brutal fall full of cancellations). However I’d question the arranging option for Bet On Your Existence, which stretches unnecessarily the hiatus of the newcomer series so early into its run. With Dateline (1./3, 4 million) at 10 PM, NBC finished 4th for that evening in 18-49. CBS’ dramas published wall-to-wall declines airing against Fox’s coverage from the Pac-12 Championship Game. A Gifted Guy (1.2/4, 8 million) was lower a tenth in 18-49, CSI: NY (1.4/4, 9.8 million) was lower 18% to some series low, and Blue Bloods (1.6/5, 11 million) was lower 20%. Within the fast excellent, CBS (1.4/4, 9.six million) is tied for No. 1 around the evening in 18-49 with Fox and Univision, but Fox’s amounts are approximate since the rankings for the overall game aren't time-modified. ABC broadcast Extreme Transformation: Home Edition at 8 PM (1.1/4, flat) and also at 9 PM (1.3/4), lower 13%, and 20/20 (1.3/4) at 10 PM. The CW’s Supernatural (.7/2, 1.9 million) was steady, while Nikita (.5/2, 1.7 million) was lower a tenth within the demo.

Blackberry Maker Hit With Charge on Weak Tablet Sales

NY - Cable giants Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Cable along with smaller cable firm Bright House Networks have agreed to sell wireless spectrum to telecom company Verizon Wireless for $3.6 billion. The companies also struck agreements that will see the cable firms and the telecom giant sell each other's products. SpectrumCo, a joint venture of the cable companies, said Friday that Comcast will receive approximately $2.3 billion from the sale. Time Warner Cable about $1.1 billion and Bright House $189 million. "The agreement comes at a time when consumer demand for wireless services and bandwidth is increasing rapidly," the firms said. "This sale of spectrum is an important step toward ensuring that the needs and desires of consumers for additional mobile services will not be thwarted by the current spectrum shortage." Government action to free up more spectrum is expected, but the deal partners said their transaction that available spectrum is used effectively for the benefit of customers. The deal partners said Friday that they have also formed an "innovation technology joint venture" for the development of technology to better integrate wireline and wireless products and services. "We're excited to be able to offer the nation's best wireless services to our customers and to have Verizon Wireless as a sales channel for our superb wireline services," said TW Cable president and COO Rob Marcus. "We're also pleased to have obtained an attractive price for the spectrum we're selling." "These agreements, together with our Wi-Fi plans, enable us to execute a comprehensive, long-term wireless strategy and expand our focus on providing mobility to our Xfinity services," said Neil Smit, president of Comcast Cable. Dan Mead, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless, added: "Spectrum is the raw material on which wireless networks are built, and buying the...spectrum now solidifies our network leadership into the future, and will enable us to bring even better 4G LTE products and services to our customers." Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics

Fox Announces Midseason Schedule

American Idol Fox has unveiled its midseason schedule, and not surprisingly, American Idol will fill the X Factor-sized hole on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, and of course Ryan Seacrest will kick off the show's 11th season on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 8/7c. The Bones spin-off The Finder bows on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 9/8c. The animated Napoleon Dynamite series will premiere on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 8:30/7:30c. J.J. Abrams' Alcatraz gets underway on Monday, Jan. 16 at 8/7c before moving to 9/8c the following week. Kiefer Sutherland's anticipated new drama Touch premieres Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 9/8c, immediately following Idol. Check out the full schedule: MONDAY Monday, Jan. 16: 8:00-10:00 PM ALCATRAZ (Series Premiere) Monday, beginning Jan. 23: 8:00-9:00 PM HOUSE (Time Period Premiere) 9:00-10:00 PM ALCATRAZ (Time Period Premiere) Monday, March 19: 9:00-10:00 PM TOUCH (Series Premiere) **************************** TUESDAY Tuesday, Jan. 17: 8:00-9:00 PM GLEE 9:00-9:30 PM NEW GIRL 9:30-10:00 PM RAISING HOPE Tuesday, March 6: 8:30-9:00 PM BREAKING IN (Season Premiere) **************************** WEDNESDAY Wednesday, Jan. 4: 9:00-10:00 PM MOBBED Wednesday, Jan. 18: 8:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part One) Wednesday, Jan. 25: 9:00-10:00 PM TOUCH (Special Preview) *************************** THURSDAY Thursday, Jan. 12: 9:00-10:00 PM THE FINDER (Series Premiere) Thursday, Jan. 19: 8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part Two) *************************** FRIDAY Friday, Jan. 13: 8:00-9:00 PM KITCHEN NIGHTMARES 9:00-10:00 PM FRINGE *************************** SUNDAY Sunday, Jan. 8: 8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS 8:30-9:00 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW 9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY 9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD Sunday, Jan. 15: 8:30-9:00 PM NAPOLEON DYNAMITE (Series Premiere) Sunday, March 11: 8:30-9:00 PM BOB'S BURGERS (Season Premiere)