Friday, March 2, 2012

Schaech, Dorsey cast in Showtime's 'Donovan'

Showtime has cast Johnathon Schaech, Kerris Dorsey and Ambyr Childers in drama pilot "Ray Donovan," starring Liev Schreiber. Schaech ("That Thing You Do") will a movie star with a mysterious connection to Schreiber's Donovan, a professional Los Angeles trouble-shooter. Dorsey, who played the daughter of Brad Pitt's Billy Beane in "Moneyball," will play Donovan's daughter. Childers ("All My Children"), will play a young starlet under Donovan's protection. Also previously cast are Jon Voight, Elliott Gould, Dash Mihok, Paula Malcomson, Peter Jacobson, Pooch Hall and Kate Moennig. Ann Biderman ("Southland") created "Ray Donovan" and is exec producing with Mark Gordon and Bryan Zuriff. Production will begin in Los Angeles later this month. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

Monday, February 27, 2012

Insiders: Events

TODAY: The Broadcasters Foundation of America fetes Fox's Dennis Swanson with its Golden Mike Award. Plaza Hotel. BroadcastersFoundation.org Ben Vereen discusses his career as part of City College of NY's Black History Month program. CCNY's Aaron Davis Hall. Cuny.edu TUESDAY: Pixar's Andrew Stanton and "The Daily Show's" John Hodgman are among the speakers at the Ted 2012 Full Spectrum confab. Through Friday at Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Conferences.ted.com/TED2012 The Beverly Hills Bar Assn. hosts the seminar Get My Client's Content Off Your Website focusing on Internet takedown notices. BHBA's office on Beverly Drive. Bhba.org THURSDAY: Chuck Lorre and Michael Eisner are among the inductees to the Television Academy Hall of Fame. Beverly Hills Hotel. Emmys.tv A screening of Dervis Zaim's "Shadows and Faces" kicks off the inaugural Los Angeles Turkish Film Festival. Through Sunday at the Egyptian Theater. Latff.org Film Independent at LACMA spotlights French helmer Robert Bresson with a double bill featuring 1956's "A Man Escaped" and 1971's "Four Nights of a Dreamer." Bing Theater. Lacma.org FRIDAY: Producer Suzanne de Passe is among the honorees at the Mayor's Masked Ball benefitting the United Negro College Fund. Biltmore Hotel. Uncf.org SUNDAY: Bill Cosby and Rita Moreno will be feted at the Jackie Robinson Foundation's annual awards dinner. Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. JackieRobinson.org MARCH 7: Turner's Michael Wright, AMC's Joel Stillerman, MTV's David Janollari, ABC Family's Kate Juergens and Starz's Carmi Zlotnik take part in the Hollywood Radio & Television Society's cable programmers luncheon. Beverly Hilton. HRTS.org Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Friday, February 24, 2012

Pilot Season: Mena Suvari and Kyle Howard Cast in NBC Comedy From Happy Being Scribe

Rob Grain A producer who labored just like a local freelance writer for your Amazing Race is discovered dead Friday in Uganda from an apparent cocaine overdose, E! Online reviews. An autopsy completed on Rob Grain, who tried Race's presently airing season just like a freelance company, shown cocaine within the system. Rice's assistant, Kathryn Bigger, also examined positive for cocaine. She's presently recouping in the hospital. Amazing Race's Phil Keoghan: You'd be crazy not to watch because of Government duo Grain and Bigger come up with Friday by themselves hotel balcony. Grain was apparently found face lower up for grabs, with blood stream coming initially from from his nose and mouth. Bigger was unconscious on the floor alongside him. Police also found a bag of white-colored powder inside their room that examined positive for opiates. Both were arrived at a health care facility where Grain was pronounced dead. Initial reviews that Grain and Bigger happen to be poisoned by "thugs" were shot lower by Ugandan Police. "The resort he continued to be at will be a 5-star hotel," mentioned Uganda Media Center representative Fred Opolot. "The rooms is only able to be applied by hotel employees or site visitors. No-it's possible to easily walk inside and out. There's good peace of mind in your accommodation. People accusations are misguided."3 "Our Amazing Race team is shocked and deeply saddened to know of Jeff's untimely dying," mentioned Race co-creator and executive producer Bertram van Munster."The show is not being created at this time around, but we have utilized Jeff's company on several occasions throughout the time from the series to help with advance work when the Race visited Africa.He was well loved and also the work was highly respected." Grain is managed to get by his wife Sally Blackman and a pair of youthful children.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

New Cold Light Of Day Poster Online

Henry Cavill & Bruce Willis vs. SpainHere's some eye candy for your Thursday afternoon: it's a fresh poster for The Cold Light Of Day, with HenryCavill, Bruce Willis and (sadly not pictured)Sigourney Weaver. Now sure, this is similar to some of the one-sheets already out there, but on the other hand he it is terribly handsome well-designed.{The Cold Light Of Day Exclusive Quad Poster}The story sees Cavill play son to Willis and Weaver, who have been kidnapped while on holiday in Spain. We can't help but think that it's very unwise to kidnap two such formidable characters, but in any case Cavill sets out to find Mom and Pops, and uncovers an international conspiracy en route. Expect action. The Cold Light Of Day hits the UKon April 6.[[Poll630]]

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Weinsteins Issue Statement On Fahrenheit 9/11 Lawsuit Settlement With Michael Moore

A lawsuit between filmmaker Michael Moore and the Weinsteins over a revenue dispute related to the 2004 documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, which shattered nonfiction box office records, has been settled out of court. In a statement issued by The Weinstein Company, the brothers acknowledged they have settled with Moore and held out the possibility of working with the controversial director in the future: “Bob and Harvey Weinstein’s Fellowship Adventure Group and Michael Moore have amicably settled the lawsuit involving an accounting dispute on Fahrenheit 9/11, and they look forward to the prospect of working together on future projects.” No further details were provided. The Weinsteins formed the Fellowship Adventure Group when their former then-parent Disney barred Miramax from releasing Fahrenheit 9/11, which won the Palme d’Or at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. The lawsuit filed last year in Los Angeles Superior Court alleged that at least $2.7 million in revenues had been “rerouted.” Moore’s attorney Larry Stein said at the time that an independent auditor found the discrepancy. Deadline reported last year Moore received $19.8 million in backend profit for the film which takes a critical look at then President Bush’s reaction to 9/11. Domestically, Fahrenheit 9/11 took in nearly $120 million at the box office.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Paramount Remaking Suspicion

Veena Sud will write & directIt's clearly open season on remakes of Hitchcock movies, as Paramount has announced that it is aiming to pump out a new take on the director's 1941 film Suspicion, with Veena Sud hired to write the script.Much like the Rebecca adaptation announced late last week, there's a healthy chance this won't be a direct redrafting of Hitch's work. Because, as with the other movie, Suspicion was based on a book, in this case Francis IIles' 1932 novel Before The Fact.Joan Fontaine starred in the original film version, which saw a dowdy young woman hitched to a smooth playboy charmer (Cary Grant) over the objections of her rich father. She soon starts to suspect that he's plotting to kill her so he can swipe her fortune. The performance nabbed Fontaine an Oscar for her role, so no doubt actresses will be queuing up to try their hand at the role.Sud is best known as the executive producer behind the US remake of Forbrydelsen, The Killing. She's also worked on the likes of Cold Case. We're hoping that she manages to find a solid ending for Suspicion as The Killing tailed off rather badly (though it has a chance to redeem itself when it returns to American screens on April 1.)

Thursday, February 2, 2012

RoboCop remake gets a screenwriter

Work on the forthcoming RoboCop reboot continues to move forward, with MGM announcing that Gran Torino screenwriter Nick Schenk has signed on to write the script.One of a raft of classic properties that MGM is seeking to revive (see this week's news story about Joe Carnahan's Death Wish revamp), RoboCop will be directed by Jose Padilha, who has outlined his plan to delve deeper into how Alex Murphy became a cyborg."I have my take on it," Padilha told Superhero Hype, "And I can tell you this: In the first RoboCop, Alex Murphy is shot, gunned down, then you see some hospitals and stuff and then you cut to him as RoboCop. My movie is between those two cuts.""How do you make RoboCop?" he continues. " How do you slowly bring a guy to be a robot? How do you actually take humanity out of someone and how do you program a brain, so to speak, and how does that affect an individual?"No further casting news has been released as yet, but rumours linking Michael Fassbender to the project refuse to go away. We're yet to be convinced by the need to reboot RoboCop, but if Fassbender were attached, we'd admit to having our interest piqued.Production is set to begin later this year, with RoboCop is expected to open at some point in 2013.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

NBC gives LaBella Vice president stripes

LaBella NBC has tabbed Chuck LaBella since it's new Vice president off talent development for alternative programming.NBC has high wants the 2nd season of "The Voice," that is set to debut February. 5 following the Super Bowl.Dealing with reality topper Paul Teledgy, LaBella will result in mining talent and wrangling celebs on such skeins as "The Voice" and "The Celebrity Apprentice."Outdoors of his Peacock-related work, his previous credits include "Top Gear USA" on Background and former ABC series "Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher." Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Joe Paterno dies at 85

By Genaro C. Armas, AP Sports WriterJoe Paterno, the longtime Penn Condition coach who won more games than anybody in primary national football league and nfl and college football but was fired among a youthful child sex abuse scandal that broken his status for winning with integrity, died Sunday. He was 85.His family released a disagreement Sunday morning to announce his dying."He died while he were living," the statement mentioned. "He fought against against hard prior to the finish, continued to be positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of techniques fortunate his existence happen to be. His ambitions were significant, but he i never thought he required to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He will be a guy devoted to his family, his college, his players and also the community."Paterno built his program round the credo "Success with Recognition," which he found both. The man known to as "JoePa" won 409 games and needed the Nittany Lions to 37 bowl games and a pair of national game titles. Greater than 250 in the players he trained ongoing for the Nfl.InchHe will come down since the finest football coach inside the good status for the sport,Inch Ohio Condition coach Urban Meyer mentioned after his former team, the Florida Gators, beat Penn Condition 37-24 inside the 2011 Outback Bowl.Paterno's boy Scott mentioned on November. 18 that his father have been treated for carcinoma of the lung. Cancer was recognized within a follow-up visit for just about any bronchial illness. A few days next thought, Paterno also broke his pelvis carrying out a fall but did not need surgery.Paterno happen to be inside the hospital since Jan. 13 for observation that his family had referred to as minor complications from his cancer remedies. Not extended before that, he completed his only interview since losing his job, while using Washington Publish. Paterno was known to as frail then, speaking mostly in the whisper and wearing a hairpiece. Another 1 / 2 of both of these-day interview was completed at his bed room."Since the last 61 years have shown, Joe made an incredible impact," mentioned the statement in the household. "That impact remains felt and appreciated by us as thousands of letters and well wishes along with numerous functions of kindness from people whose lives he touched. It's apparent also inside the thousands of effective student sports sports athletes who've gone onto multiply that impact simply because they disseminate nationwide.InchThe ultimate occasions of Paterno's Penn Condition career were easily probably the most difficult within the 61 years while using college and 46 seasons as mind football coach.It absolutely was because Paterno will be a this kind of sainted figure -- more memorable than any kind of his players and one of the better-known coaches in many of sports -- that his downfall am startling. Throughout one breathtaking week noisy . November, Paterno was engulfed having a scandal and forced from his job, as they not successful to go to police force in 2002 when told a young boy was molested inside the football complex."I didn't know which strategy to use ... and rather than enter there creating a mistake," he mentioned inside the Publish interview.Jerry Sandusky, the prior defensive coordinator prone to succeed Paterno before retiring in 1999, was charged with sexually attacking 10 boys over 15 years. Two college government bodies walked lower after they were charged with perjury undertaking a great jury analysis of Sandusky. But attention quickly dedicated to an alleged rape that happened in the shower inside the football building, observed by Mike McQueary, a graduate assistant in those days.McQueary stated he saw Sandusky attacking the little one which he'd told Paterno, who anxiously anxiously waited every day before notifying school government physiques. Police were never referred to as as well as the state's top cop later mentioned Paterno not successful to accomplish his moral responsibility by not getting in contact with police."You understand, (McQueary) didn't need to get specific," Paterno mentioned inside the Publish interview. "Also to be frank together with you I am unsure it could did useful, because I never learned about, of, rape together with a man. Therefore I just did a few things i thought was best. I spoken to people that we thought might be, if there's an problem, that could be following onto it.InchAbout the morning of November. 9, Paterno mentioned he'd retire carrying out a 2011 season. More youthful crowd mentioned he was "absolutely devastated" with the abuse situation."This is often a tragedy," the coach mentioned. "It is probably the great sorrows of my existence. With the benefit of hindsight, If perhaps I'd done more."Nevertheless the college trustees faced an urgent situation, and to pull up quickly meeting your evening, they fired Paterno, effective immediately. Graham Spanier, one of the longest-serving college presidents inside the nation, also was overlooked.According to Lanny Davis, an attorney maintained with the trustees becoming an agent, board vice chairman John Surma regretted requiring to inform Paterno your choice on the phone.The school handed the football team to at least one of Paterno's assistants, Tom Bradley, who mentioned Paterno "goes lower ever the most effective males, who maybe creating called being an excellent football coach."Thick, smoky-lens glasses, folded away khakis, jet-black sports footwear, blue windbreaker -- Paterno was easy to perfect the sidelines. His teams were much like easy to perfect the region their white-colored headgear and classic blue and white-colored uniforms had exactly the same type of-school look since the coach.Paterno thought success wasn't measured situated around the area. From his idealistic beginning, he'd implemented what he referred to as a "grand experiment" -- to graduate more players and keep success round the area.He will be a frequent speaker on ethics in sports, a conscience for just about any world frequently treated by scandal and shady figures.His teams consistently ranked among the finest inside the Large Ten for graduation players. By 2011, it had 49 academic All-Us citizens, the next-finest among schools inside the Football Bowl Subdivision. Essentially two carried out under Paterno."He shows us about really just maturing and like a guy," former linebacker Paul Posluszny, using the NFL's The town of the city of jacksonville Jaguars, once mentioned. "Besides the football, he's planning us being good males around."Paterno certainly had detractors, too. One former Penn Condition professor referred to as his high-minded words on academics a farce. He was belittled to create broad critiques in regards to the wrongs attending school football without delivering specifics. A classic administrator mentioned his players frequently got special therapy compared to non-sports sports athletes. His training style frequently was considered too conservative. Some thought he held onto his job too extended. There's a push to move him in 2004 nevertheless it not successful.Nevertheless the experts were inside the minority, and also the program was not ever reported for major NCAA violations. However, the little one sexual abuse scandal motivated separate research with the U.S. Department of the practice as well as the NCAA to the school's handling.Paterno carried out quarterback and cornerback for Brown College and hang up a defensive record with 14 career interceptions, a distinction he boasted likely to his teams completely into his 80s. He graduated in 1950 with intends to visit law school. He mentioned his father wanted he'd sooner or later be leader.Because he was 23, a classic coach at Brown was moving to Penn Condition being your brain coach and convinced Paterno to incorporate him becoming an assistant."I'd no intention to train once i got from Brown," Paterno mentioned in 2007 at Beaver Stadium inside an interview just before being granted having a Hall of Fame. "Showed up only at that hick town? From Brooklyn?"In 1963, he was offered employment with the late Al Davis -- $18,000, triple his salary at Penn Condition, together with an automobile being gm and coach in the AFL's Concord Raiders. He mentioned no. Rip Engle outdated as Penn Condition mind coach three years later, and Paterno needed over.In those days, the Lions were considered "Eastern football" -- inferior -- and Paterno courted newspaper coverage to enhance the team's profile. In 1967, PSU began a 30--1 streak.But Penn Condition couldn't achieve the very best polls. The Lions finished second in 1968 and 1969 despite perfect records. They went 12- in 1973 and take care of fifth. Texas edged them in 1969 after Leader Richard Nixon, impressed while using Longhorns' bowl performance, declared them No. 1."Tell me,Inch Paterno mentioned later, "how's the best choice know so little about Watergate in 1973, and therefore much about national football league and nfl and college football in 1969?"A national title finally showed up 1982, in the 27-23 conquer Georgia within the Sugar Bowl. Penn Condition won another in 1986 following a Lions selected off Vinny Testaverde five occasions and beat Miami 14-10 inside the Fiesta Bowl.They have made several title runs ever since then, plus a 2005 visit the Orange Bowl plus an 11-1 campaign in 2008 that acquired them a berth inside the Rose Bowl, where they lost 37-23 to La.Within the senior years, physical conditions used the old coach lower. Paterno was exceed round the sideline throughout a game title title at Wisconsin in November 2006 and experienced knee surgery. He hurt his stylish in 2008 showing an onside kick.An intestinal illness together with a poor reaction to anti-biotics suggested for dental work slowed down lower him for almost all this years season. Paterno began scaling back his speaking engagements that year, ending his summer season caravan of speeches to alumni within the condition.A receiver bowled over Paterno at practice in August, delivering him for the hospital with shoulder and pelvis injuries and consigning him to train a lot of year within the press box."The fact we've won plenty of games is the good Master saved me healthy, not because I'm a lot better than anybody else," Paterno mentioned a couple of days before he won his 409th game and passed Eddie Robinson of Grambling Condition for in Division I. "For the reason that I've been around substantially more than anybody else."Paterno may be conservative round the area, specifically in large games, depending round the attempted-and-true formula of defense, the running game and area position."They've been playing great defense for 45 years," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz mentioned in November.Paterno and also the wife, Sue, elevated five children in Condition College. Anybody could telephone him at his modest ranch home -- the identical one he came out before round the evening he was fired -- by trying to find "Paterno, Ernest V." inside the phonebook.He strolled past games and was welcomed and wanted all the best by fans all the time. Former players paraded through his living room for that chance to express hello. But typically, he continued to be in the spotlight.Paterno did have a very knack for joke. He recognized to Twitter, the social media, as "Twittle-do, Twittle-dee."More youthful crowd may be abrasive and persistent, combined together with his share of run-inches along with his bosses or managers. To ensure that as his legend elevated, so did the eye to his on-area options, as well as the queries about because he would retire.Requires his retirement showed up in a crescendo in 2004. The year after, Penn Condition went 11-1 and won the big Ten. Inside the Orange Bowl, PSU beat Florida Condition, whose coach, Bobby Bowden, left the Seminoles following a 2009 season after 34 many 389 wins.Like a lot more, he was outlasted by "JoePa." Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Sundance Today: Joshua Jackson, Alison Brie, Neil Youthful

You will find two words that may best describe Sundance: pizza tacos. Okay, maybe individuals are simply the 2 words best fit to explain how a MTV Movies team continues to be chowing lower within Park City in the last 2 days. You will find better words to explain the film festival experience in general, but we'll just select one and repeat it three occasions: movies, movies, movies! We have been processing tests and moving out interviews like there is no tomorrow (which, obviously, there's, also jam-full of tests and interviews). Highlights of history 24 hrs include dealing with talk to "West of Memphis" producer Healing For Peter Jackson, director Amy Berg, West Memphis Three defendant Damien Echols and the wife Lorri Davis rapping with both Jackson and Elijah Wood regarding their returns to Middle-earth in "The Hobbit," which continues to have about 100 times of filming left benefiting from "maybe" amount of time in with once and future "Arrested Development" star Alia Shawkat and, obviously, catching an exciting-too-brief peek at the fetching Taylor Quick around the "Ethel" red-colored carpet. See who's at Sundance! Movie-smart, we have seen a lot. "Celeste and Jesse Forever," the romantic dramedy starring Wood, Rashida Johnson, Andy Samberg and Emma Roberts. "Red-colored Lights," featuring an exciting-star cast brought by Cillian Murphy, Robert P Niro and Sigourney Weaver. "We Belong Together" with rising celebrity Joel Edgerton and also the astonishingly beautiful (as with-our-jaws-are-still-on-the-ground amounts of beautiful) Teresa Palmer, each of whom we spoke to. Excellent films worth seeing, these. The film madness doesn't finish there. Today we are seeing movies like "Lay the favouriteInch and "For Ellen." We are speaking for an eclectic roster of stars including Alison Brie, Joshua Jackson, Michael Cera, Neil Youthful (Neil Youthful?!), and also the big celebrities Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim. When we have enough time, we are extending its love to swing through the Sugar Festival At Night tonight, with visitors including the kind of Mary J Blige and Estelle. Oh, and much more pizza tacos. At this time, pizza tacos really are a given. The 2012 Sundance Film Festival is formally going ahead, and also the MTV Movies team is on the floor confirming around the most popular stars and also the movies everybody is going to be speaking about around in the future. Ensure that it stays locked to MTV Movies for everything there's to understand about Sundance.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Very Noisy & Incredibly Close Photos

Behind-the-moments have a look at dramaFancy some behind-the-moments images from the standard approaching drama?Considering seeing Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock fitted as the folks?Nicely it's your lucky day, because listed here are a couple of new photos from Very Noisy And Very Close, the completely new film out here on February 17.Noisy Close ExclusivesTo condition this film gets the odds within the favour might be fair. Ultimately, best-guy-ever Tom Hanks and finest-lady-ever Sandra Bullock star just like a couple, it's directed with the Oscar-friendly Stephen Daldry and using the book of the title by Situations Are Illuminated author Jonathan Safran Foer.However, it truly focuses on a young boy referred to as Oskar, carried out by complete newcomer Thomas Horn, and handles the 9/11 tragedy, which causes it to be just a little different then your usual affectionate family drama. Oskar can be a sensitive, intelligent sort who becomes obsessive about identifying just what a key possessed by his father opens, after his father is destroyed inside the attack all over the world Trade Center. His search brings him into reference to others across the city, carried out through the type of MaxVonSydow, Viola Davis and Jeffrey Wright. The film's on February 17, so keep eyes peeled with this around then.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Lea Michele Celebrates Peoples Choice Award Win With Pasta & Pajamas

First Published: January 12, 2012 10:13 AM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Lea Michele poses with Favorite TV Comedy Actress Award for Glee in the press room during the 2012 Peoples Choice Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles on January 11, 2012LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Lea Michele took home the Peoples Choice Award for Favorite TV Comedy Actress, beating out Courteney Cox, Kaley Cuoco, Tina Fey and co-star Jane Lynch, something she was very surprised about. Prior to her big win, AccessHollywood.coms Laura Saltman chatted with the Glee star on the red carpet, where she dazzled in a white Marchesa gown. Listen, Im in the same category as Jane Lynch so I got no chance but Im just really happy to be here, a humble Lea said. During her speech she thanked her co-stars, saying, I want to dedicate this to my amazing cast, my Glee club. You are my family and my best friends. Im an only child and now I have 11 other siblings. And how did she celebrate her new Peoples Choice Award? Such an incredible night! Im so so grateful and happy:) Back at home now celebrating in PJs eating pasta with my cousin watching movies!, the actress Tweeted following the ceremony. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Rob Schneider Hoping To Tackle Racial Stereotypes In Respectful Way On Rob

First Published: January 11, 2012 6:56 PM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Rob Schneider attends People en Epanols Las Estrellas del Ano 2011 at Rubell Family Collection, Pasadena, on December 8, 2011 in MiamiLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Saturday Night Live veteran Rob Schneider marries into a Latino family on the upcoming CBS comedy inspired by his own life, Rob, and the cast said they hope to deal with stereotypes in a respectful, but funny, way. I dont think you want to stay away from the stereotypes, I think you want to confront them and deal with them, Cheech Marin, who plays Fernando, the father of Robs new TV wife, Maggie, said on Wednesday at the Television Critics Association Winter Session in Pasadena. As long as you deal with it in a way thats respectful, and deal with real problems in America there are still race problems in America, Rob, who is the co-creator and executive producer of the show, chimed in. This isnt a drama, but I think you have to deal with [it] No ones heres going to do anything disrespectful I think we wanna do things that are funny and I think if we can shed some light on it, and in a way that could be fun and people can relate to, its fun, but were not going out of our way to do anything disrespectful. Unless theres a laugh in it, Cheech said. Rob said he looks to examples like a legendary television comedy that dealt with racism, among other topics, as an example of how to make controversial topics work right in comedy. I think All In the Family was a great show on CBS and I think you know, I would like to be able to tackle things and do some fun, interesting stuff for laughs and make people laugh, he said. I think the closer you can get to reality, the more fun it can be. Rob was partially inspired by the actors own life he recently met and married a television producer who is from Mexico City, and he said his wife will help keep the show in check. My wife is not going to let me do anything overly offensive, he said. Ive gotta go home to my wife and shell let me know and I think you have to able to laugh at yourself. She said in Mexico, theyre laughing [at] everything They just laugh at it and they find a way to make humor with it and you make the most of it. Rob premieres January 12 at 8:30/7:30c on CBS. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

No relaxation for ABC comedy showrunners

The Middles Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline, Suburgatorys Emily Kapnek, Modern Familys Steve Levitan and Happy Being? David Caspe and Jonathan Groff spoken comedy in a TCA panel. As the accolades "Modern Family" has gotten is satisfying, professional producer Steve Levitan states maintaining the skein's high standards could be taxing. "The task for all of us is the fact that you want to keep the standard up and don't wish to be charged with sitting on our laurels. That keeps all of us on our toes and awake during the night," Levitan stated in a Television Experts Assn. panel of ABC comedy showrunners. "The Ten individuals the cast and 12 authors are very devoted to the show. All of us realize pressure we are under, the amount of excellence of the show, and we must deliver." Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline of "The CenterInch agreed using their Alphabet co-workers that none of the shows works as multi-cams, a format ABC cut back this year with Tim Allen's "Last Guy Standing." While CBS has already established incredible success with multi-cams for example "2 . 5 Males" and "The Large Bang Theory," Heisler stated that format would not be functional for that story of "The Center.Inch "We wanted the Area to become a character, and when i was a multi-cam, it will be a couch (around the set) that could've originate from anywhere," Heisler stated. Added Emily Kapnek of newcomer hit "Suburgatory": "We wanted the and surrounding suburbs to seem like a personality and single-cam provides you with the liberty to obtain the jokes." Levitan stated a multi-cam laugh track seems like "coyotes eating felines. I'd tried it for 16 many could not take another minute from it.Inch "Happy Being" professional producer Jonathan Groff stated he was especially grateful for the Alphabet giving his series time for you to grow a crowd after early poor rankings might have meant a fast hook. "We've got lucky," Groff stated. "Systems need to give shows time (to flourish)." Levitan joked, however, it's frequently OK to provide a set that ax at some point if the standard is poor. "Sometimes I only say, 'Why don't you think cut the cord sooner?' Basically would be a network professional, I'd cancel it (a poor show) faster compared to what they do." Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Jessica Chastain to create Broadway Debut in 'The Heiress'

Jessica Chastain -- the "It" actress who's prone to have an Oscar nomination for just one of her many-diddly movies of 2011, including 'The Help' and 'The Tree of Life' -- has become preparing to overcome Broadway. She'll make her Broadway debut this fall in 'The Heiress.' It is a role that won an Oscar for Olivia p Havilland in 1950. Since she'll be playing an unattractive 19th-century heiress, she'll be "uglified" with heavy eye brows, as was p Havilland. This may also be the very first Broadway venture for Paula Wagner, who'll co-produce. "I had been immediately struck by Jessica's talent and skill after i saw her on stage opposite Al Pacino in Salome," Wagner told THR. "She's an actress with this rare capability to transition very easily between your stage and screen." 'The Heiress' opened in 1947 and it has had four previous Broadway productions. The final, in 1995, won Tony Honours for the best Revival and Lead Actress for Cherry Johnson. Chastain, a graduate from the Juilliard School of Drama, is nominated for any Golden Globe on her role in 'The Help' as well as an Independent Spirit Award for 'Take Shelter.' Her 2011 credits include 'The Tree of Existence,' 'Coriolanus' and 'The Debt.' [via THR] [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Christopher Lee's Saruman Is 'Good And Noble' In 'The Hobbit'

In the video message to his fans, Congressman Congressman Christopher Lee sounds while he ever does. "We are going to the conclusion of 2011," he intones within the trademark baritone. "I think you will had a great Christmas, a cheerful Christmas, as well as the family's collected together." Proceeding next, he begins to go over the problem around the world, and the way the health of the situation is in bad shape. It's heavy talk in the extended-time actor, though his 90th birthday approaching, it may be weirder if he was without ideas of mortality on his mind. Lee stays many of the recording speaking about "The Hobbit," the two-part prequel to "Master in the Rings" that sees the actor returning for the role of Saruman the White-colored. According to Lee, he's finished filming his moments for movies, moments he hopes to reside in extended enough to find out again. That may appear macabre, but at his age, Lee states he takes smaller sized roles that don't require as much time on set. "What's extremely important is always that throughout both of these films, which clearly are extended before 'Lord in the Rings,'" according to him. "Saruman, who I play again, is certainly still Saruman the White-colored, but he is a superb and noble guy, as well as the mind in the Council of Masters of magic, while he always was." When "The Hobbit" drops, it will likely be a pleasure to find out Lee on-screen, since it always is. Lee also spoke about his other movie projects, for instance "Hugo," "The Wicker Tree," and "The Hobbit." After lauding Martin Scorsese's directorial capabilities with "Hugo," he stresses that "Wicker Tree" is not a follow-up to "The Wicker Guy" -- it's really a spiritual successor. Lee was the villain inside the original "Wicker Guy" -- not the Nic Cage remake, sadly -- but his role inside the new film, listed as "Some Guy,Inch would seem less involved. Reveal everything you consider Lee's "Hobbit" update inside the comments and also on Twitter!