Monday, October 31, 2011

New NBC Game Show Who's Still Standing? Gets Week-Long Launch

Ben Bailey NBC will launch its new trivia game show Who's Still Standing? as a week-long strip in December, tied to the holidays. The show, hosted by Cash Cab's Ben Bailey, will run at 8 pm Monday through Thursday the week of December 19. The show then moves to its normal Monday night slot starting December 26 at 8 pm and continues through January 30 (when The Voice takes over). The launch of Who's Still Standing? mirrors what NBC did the last two years with The Sing-Off, which succeeded as a week-long holiday event. But The Sing-Off was moved into the fall this year, opening the door for a new show to air as a December strip. Exclusive: Cash Cab Host Ben Bailey Lands New NBC Game Show Gig Based on the hit Israeli game show Still Standing, the series pits one competitor and 10 challengers in head-to-head trivia battles for a chance at winning $1 million. Players who answer questions incorrectly are dropped through trap doors - until just one is left standing. Paul Telegdy, NBC's president of alternative and late night programming, says the show marries classic trivia matches "with the attraction of physical comedy for those who do not succeed... Less fortunate contestants can literally disappear in a moment when they drop through a trap door." Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

'Glee' Star Darren Criss Surprise Serenades Oscar-Winning Composer Alan Menken at Conference

Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken, who written the music activity for your Little Mermaid, Beauty as well as the Animal, Aladdin plus much more, once handed a hundred dollar tip with a college kid doing an acoustic medley of his tunes inside a coffee shop.our editor recommendsMaestro Award Recipient Alan Menken on not able to Movie Musicals (Q&A)VIDEO: Darren Criss, Harry Shum Junior., Jenna Ushkowitz: Glee Official: Chord Overstreet Returns to 'Glee' in December Nowadays that "kid" is way better known to as Darren Criss from Glee, at the Billboard / Hollywood Reporter Film & TV Music Conference on Monday, he gained an unpredicted appearance before participants -- along with his guitar in hands -- and serenaded Menken once again. "Just take a look at tunes / aren't they neat? Wouldn't you think your collection's complete?" Criss sang, reworking the lyrics to Menken's "Part of Your World" within the Little Mermaid. "Wouldn't you think you're the guy, the guy which has everything?" STORY:Is 'Glee' Past Its Prime round the Music Charts? The medley found the final outcome by getting a look and feel within the voice of Jasmine herself, Jum Salonga. "Used to do formerly play for pennies inside a cafe within the College of Michigan," Criss referred to from stage. "I used to be just wrecking 'Part around the globe' when Alan will come in. I used to be just shocked!" "He was playing a number of these tunes really, really fantastically," Menken countered, still recouping from his genuine surprise. "I used to be really impressed along with his talent. Next factor I realize, Darren's on Glee! He's just doing incredible work." Criss later states he spent the $100 "on alcohol." Billboard Editorial Director Bill Werde presented Menken using this year's Billboard / Hollywood Reporter Maestro Award after showing him as "the Babe Ruth of composers." Indeed, to call Menken's own resume "incredible" is a mammoth understatement. "The most popular part about [his] career is always that in the course of the ྌs, Bmi gave [him] a very long time achievement award for his concentrate on Broadway -- after which it he ongoing to win eight Academy awards," Werde marveled within the stage. In the extended chat that was heavy on wisecracks, the pair spoken about Menken's early fascination with songwriting (which eventually incorporated inspiration within the Beatles, the Moving Gems and Bob Dylan), his transition from Broadway to Disney, his non-Disney work (his song in this summer season's Captain America: The Initial Avenger, mentioned Menken, was "deliberately an homage to Irving Berlin") and also the multiple Oscar wins. STORY: Alexandre Desplat Wins Film Composer of year at World Soundtrack Honours Menken spoke fondly about his parents, all of whom are dental professionals, in addition to their reply to Little Shop of Problems particularly. One of the film's villains, clearly, can be a murderous dental office who loves imposing discomfort. "After I always did in people days, I truly gave my parents a cassette tape in the score." His recounting in the reacting to-machine message left because when mother elicited some large laughs. "'Hi honey, it's mother. We heard the tape. OK.'" They eventually got behind it too as lent some pictures of abscesses for the production. Through the wide-different conversation, Menken advised composers inside the audience against getting too installed on their tunes when concentrating on musicals. "It's not in regards to the song. It's in regards to the song in context in the musical. Does it fit the level of smoothness? Does it provide the relaxation in the story? Does it do this with an audience?" He mentioned he's even exchanged better tunes for lesser tunes if the offered the story. He's a inclination to create around the piano or keyboard, and mentioned that whenever writing alone, he's substantially faster. "I've literally had occasions where I've written the dwelling from the song inside the time it needed my fingers to see it." In comparison, "the song 'Beauty as well as the Animal' was several hours at work, that's unusual for just about any simple ballad. We'd a tape running the entire duration of [cowriter] Howard [Ashman] and me concentrating on it. In some manner I saved that tape which i've it." Menken received multiple standing ovations within the audience, but possibly Criss put it best: "The amount of Oscars is one to bastard hold?" Criss sang to have an eruption of laughter around the room. "He's got verses and bridges aplenty / Want a geniune song for that movie? He'll write 20." Give consideration to a lot of the medley below: Related Subjects Glee Alan Menken Darren Criss

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Which Actress is Suing Amazon . com and IMDb for Revealing Her Age?

With Hollywood indefinitely limited to mattress relaxation because of remake fever, it appears like you may expect daily news about planned remakes, reboots, re-imaginings, prequels and reinterpretations. Normally, that's cause of strife, but here's one which really sounds awesome: Director Jason Reitman ('Up in mid-air,A the approaching 'Young Adult') has employed Mindy Kaling, Patton Oswalt and James Van Der Beek to carry out a live table reading through of 'The Breakfast Club' in the La County Museum on Thursday evening. Per THR, the reading through will support Film Independent, "the nonprofit group which produces the Spirit Honours and also the L.A. Film Festival." Reitman will spearhead a number of live blood pressure measurements, using the John Hughes classic going first. For the casting, Kaling is placed to deal with Allison (initially performed by Allie Sheedy), Oswalt will require on John (initially performed by Anthony Michael Hall), and Van Der Beek will have Andy (initially performed by Emilio Estevez). J.K. Simmons can also be within the cast, because the janitor. Not sure yet which stars will fill the footwear of Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald or Paul Gleason. Take a look at Reitman's Twitter page for additional updates because they become available. [via THR/The Live Feed] [Photo: Getty] 16 Approaching Movie Remakes You cannot appear to visit each day without listening to a brand new Hollywood remake. Ahead, a short listing of 16 films headed to theaters, again, soon. FootlooseWarGamesThe Wild BunchTop GunTotal RecallTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesShort CircuitRoboCopJudge DreddHighlanderThe CrowA Star is BornOldboyRed DawnPoint BreakDirty Dancing See All Moviefone Art galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

Monday, October 17, 2011

Kossakovsky's 'Antipodas' to start Argentine fest

BUENOS AIRES - Russian helmer Victor Kossakovsky's "Vivan las Antipodas!" (Extended Live the Antipodes!) will open the 26th Scar del Plata Film Festival, Latin America's only Fiapf category A fest, on November. 5. The docu, playing from competition, explores the earth through antipodal locations -- situated 180-levels opposite from each other worldwide, from Argentina and China towards the country and Nz. Planners of Scar del Plata, which runs November. 5-13, will announce the choice for your worldwide competish inside the future. The initial films revealed have incorporated a ten-pic Argentina competition together with a 16-title works-in-progress sidebar. Both lineups contain films from first-a while and emerging company company directors, an effort seen by experts in the fest for your event to find its own niche concerning the regional pre-eminence in the Buenos Aires Festival of Independent Film, the finest within the u . s . states. Among the photos from tyro company company directors are Veronica Rocha's village docu "Ferroviarios" (Railroad Employees), Sebastian Caulier's black comedy "La inocencia p la arana" (The Innocence in the Spider), Maria Eugenia Sueiro's sister tale "Nosotras sin mama" (Us Without Mother) and Nicolas Gil Lavedra's "Verdades verdaderas. La vida p Estela" (True Details. Estela's Existence), a docu about human-rights activist Estela Carlotto. Other game game titles are Nicanor Loreti's boxing thriller "Diablo," Mariano Galperin's teen romance "Dulce p leche," Dario Doria's dancing docu "Elsa y su ballet" and Baltazar Tokman's nurturing expose "Planetario" (Planetary). The task-in-progress section includes "Mujer conejo," a thriller by Veronica Chen ("Water") and "Mujer Lobo" by Tamae Garateguy, whose gangster movie "Pompeya" won the Argentina competition in the last edition in the event. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Tu seras mon fils

A Universal Pictures Intl. France discharge of a Epithete Films presentation and production, in colaboration with Orange Cinema Series, Manon. (Worldwide sales: Other Position Pictures, Paris.) Created by Frederic Brillion. Directed by Gilles Legrand. Script, Legrand, Delphine p Vigan.With: Niels Arestrup, Lorant Deutsch, Patrick Chesnais, Anne Marivan, Nicolas Bridet, Valerie Mairesse, Jean-Marc Roulot, Urbain Cancellier.Aging dad issues prove a headier concoction than any vintage created in a French chateau in "Tu seras mon fils," an elegant, full-bodied family drama from Gallic scribe-helmer Gilles Legrand ("Malabar Princess"). Grouchy character thesp Niels Arestrup ("A Prophet," the approaching "War Equine") is ideally cast because the coldhearted, excessively practical who owns a Saint-Emilion vineyard who views his milquetoast boy an unacceptable successor -- though not for insufficient trying. In your area, the pic grew to become the very first surprise hit of harvest season and it is glossy and mainstream enough to lure distribs offshore. It is also a shoo-set for a California-set remake. Typically structured and performed, the film immediately creates its primary conflict between widower and father Paul p Marseul (Arestrup) and the grown-up boy, Martin (Lorant Deutsch), who lives inside a separate wing from the family's chateau together with his wife (Anne Marivan). Bookish Martin performs exceptionally well in the administrative aspect, but his demanding old guy has always stored him from the wine making process, employment that needs rigor, creativeness and technical understanding in equal doses. Since Paul required within the family biz from their own father at 17, he's been accountable for creating the chateau's yellows and whites -- the second a rarity in Saint-Emilion -- together with his right-hands guy, Francois (Patrick Chesnais). Usual for Paul's controlling m.o., he really discovers that Francois is crictally ill before even Francois does, forcing the wine maker to think about who'll help him using the approaching vintage. Though he experiences the motions of providing the willing Martin an opportunity -- something Paul does a minimum of just as much for the opportunity to mock him for his every mistake regarding train him something -- the wine maker has additionally privately approached Francois' golden-boy boy, Philippe (Nicolas Bridet), who immediately quits his position at Coppola wines in California to come back home when he listens to about his father's condition. You will find no large surprises available when it comes to where this setup is headed, particularly when thinking about, according to press materials, the Paul-Philippe story was partially inspired by Hal Holbrook's paternal affection for Emile Hirsch in "In to the Wild." However the pic's pleasures are nevertheless numerous, beginning using its gifted cast. Deutsch, his Everyman face hiding a fundamental tenacity, is pitch-perfect because the boy that has the readiness although not always the capability to impress his father the thesp's antagonistic chemistry with Arestrup rings true. Opposite Deutsch, newcomer Bridet constitutes a strong impression as Martin's childhood friend-cum-sudden rival, a gifted prodigal boy who, paradoxically, needs to lose their own father to understand his potential. Chesnais and Arestrup, who've the marketplace on irritated French codgers virtually cornered, also deliver strong turns, with Arestrup precisely embodying another almost-heartless guy. His Paul really has affection just for his work his tragedy is always that he can't make wine without the assistance of others. Legrand and co-scripter Delphine p Vigan cleverly give a soupcon of backstory including Paul's own late father. This, along with Paul's rocky relationship together with his offspring and Francois and Philippe's equally complicated bond, makes "Tu seras mon fils" a movie about complex father-boy associations generally and also the unfair anticipation and burdens they've created on sides. Tech package is smooth smooth, in the glossy widescreen lensing (together with a spectacular helicopter shot of the vehicle crash among the vines) towards the classical score. Title means "You'll Be My Boy."Camera (color, Panavision widescreen), Yves Angelo editor, Andrea Sedlackova music, Armand Amar production designer, Aline Bonetto costume designer, Tess Hammami seem (Dolby Digital/DTS), Pierre Gamet effects, Christian Rivet stunt coordinator, Roland Neunreuther assistant director, Hubert Engammare casting, Constance Demontoy. Examined at Mon Cine, Anglet, France, Sept. 18, 2011. Running time: 101 MIN. Contact Boyd van Hoeij at news@variety.com

Friday, October 14, 2011

Ne-Yo Is A Dad Again

First Published: October 14, 2011 9:59 AM EDT Credit: Getty Images LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Monyetta Shaw and Ne-Yo attend the 2010 Angel Ball to Benefit Gabrielles Angel Foundation at Cipriani Wall Street in NY City on October 21, 2010 Ne-Yo has another hit on his hands with the birth of his second child. According to People, the singer, 31, whose real name is Shaffer Chimere Smith, welcomed his second child on Monday with girlfriend Monyetta Shaw. The gender and name of the baby have yet to be released. The couples second baby comes less than a year after they welcomed daughter Madilyn Grace in November 2010. Following the birth of his daughter, the R&B star expressed the joy of new fatherhood, Tweeting, Feels like Im in luv for the first time welcoming that lil girl to the world last night defined for me what willing to kill and die for truly means. My world, my life, all hers. Ne-Yos next album, The Cracks in Mr. Perfect, is due to drop in 2012. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Will Cinemax Decide If Hollywood Provides Movies To Apples iCloud?

Cinemax plays a bigger role than you might imagine in Apple’s discussions with Hollywood to supply recent movies with the iTunes Store which is new iCloud intend to items such as the apple apple iphone and iPad. Cinemax’s handles art galleries including Warner, Fox, and Universal supply the only at digitally distribute their films through the premium TV window. (Others for instance Starz have similar rights.) That’s been an problem for your new UltraViolet cloud initiative backed by most major art galleries and electronic products companies — except Disney and Apple:UltraViolet is built to reinvigorate home video sales by supplying people who buy certain Digital video disks and Blu-ray dvd disks the legal right to access their movies on the internet cloud. Warner Bros required to restructure its deal with corporate cousin Cinemax to apparent the means by which with this particular week’sfirst UltraViolet release, Horrible Bosses. But Apple’s now talking with art galleries to secure the legal right to offer movies within the iTunes Store that might be utilized via theiCloud service — which was launched on Wednesday –the LA Occasions reported now. That poses two challenges to Time Warner: The business has lot devoted to UltraViolet since it reintroduces its site Flixster just like a user-friendly gateway for films held in people digital lockers. And Cinemax is developing a large push to market its Cinemax Go digital streaming service. So monitor Time Warner and Cinemax: The fate from the initiatives, additionally to iCloud,will probably be created with the positions they take as Apple together with other art galleries talk.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

'The Talk's' Carol Robinson Peete Lands 'Mike & Molly' Role

Jason Merritt/Getty Images After being unceremoniously kicked from the daytime talk show, The Talk, Carol Robinson Peete appears to possess made good using the network as she's coming back inside a scripted role. PHOTOS: 'The Talk's' Memorable Guest Hosts A CBS representative verifies towards the Hollywood Reporter that Peete can look on Mike & Molly inside a multiple episode arc. She'll play an appreciation interest to Mike's (Billy Gardell) partner around the police, Carl (Reno Wilson), who's romantically challenged. Peete was among the original hosts around the Talk's newcomer season, however the network did not renew her (or co-host Leah Remini's) agreement for Season 2 in September. Your decision has sparked ongoing protests in the show's fans. Prior To The Talk, Peete starred in a number of TV series, including Love, Corporation., Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, and 21 Jump Street. She also made an appearance around the third season of Celebrity Apprentice, finishing because the runner-as much as champion Brett Michaels. The actress released he HollyRod Foundation, which supplies support for families with autism. PHOTOS:Emmy Those who win 2011: 'Mad Males,' 'Modern Family,' Julianna Margulies and Kyle Chandler Mike & Molly is presently airing its second season Mondays at 9:30 pm on CBS. Email: Jethro.Nededog@thr.com Twitter:@TheRealJethro RELATED: Melissa McCarthy Is Getting Her Moment More 'Mike & Molly' Coverage on THR More 'The Talk' Coverage on THR Carol Robinson Peete The Talk CBS Mike and Molly

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The Black List Launching Web Site That Tracks Most Popular Scripts In Real Time

EXCLUSIVE: Film executive Franklin Leonard has maintained The Black List for the past six years to champion hundreds of talented screenwriters andunproduced scripts.Well over125screenplays have been made into movies,and they’re responsible for 20 Oscars and roughly $10 billion in worldwide grosses. Today Leonard expands The Black List by launching awebsite that tracks Hollywood’s most popular scripts in real time.Blcklst.combases its info onpolling hundreds of high level studio and production company executives who are directly involved in moviemaking. The subscriber-only web site ($20 a month) will expand the pool of movie professionals to include agents and directors who will identify the scripts they like best.Blcklst.com algorithms will sort them by a number of criteria: most popular, and most popular dramas or comediesof the past week, month or whatever. For example, on Tuesday night, I broke news of the sale to Warner Bros ofThe Imitation Game about math genius Alan Turing. It has been the most popular available new script among several hundred beta-test users of Blcklst.com over the past couple of months. One thing, though,Leonard’s website will not be open to the general public, however. Verified membership will be expanded to include agents, managers, directors, actors, and writers who will rate scripts according to what they like best. Additionally, the verified subscription format is designed to prevent data manipulation. Interestingly, there will be no “worst of” categories. (Gee where’s the fun if there’s no trashing or bashing?) The parameters are strictly based on what members like best and why. Leonardhopes the site will expand on what The Black List has already accomplished and help make the movie market more effective by pinpointing great screenplays with creative and profit potential as well as attract major talent. In addition, The Black List has brought in a pair of bloggers under the blog.blcklst.com umbrella, Scott Myers at gointothestory (now gointothestory.blcklst.com) and Xander Bennett at Screenwriting Tips… You Hack (now screenwritingtips.blcklst.com). Bennett’s book based on his blog of the same name went on sale today from Focal Press. For the uninitiated, The Black List isLeonard’s hot unproduced screenplay pecking order which he began in 2004 and compiled every year from the suggestions of hundreds of film executives, who each contributes the names of up to ten of their favorite scripts that were written in, or are somehow uniquely associated with, that calendar year and will not be released in theatersthat calendar year, either. The Black List catapults dozens of scripts into production and screenwriters out of oblivion. Diablo Cody’s Juno, Nancy Oliver’s Lars And The Real Girl, Scott Neustader’s and Michael Weber’s 500 Days Of Summer, are just some of the screenplays which appeared on The Black List and then were made. I’ve noticed that it’s also a “big dick” measuring contest for the Hollywood agencies and their motion picture lit departments. Problem is, some screenwriters think this list isn’t on the up-and-up and accuse junior studio execs and assistants along with self-interested agents and managers of getting together to push their own clients on projects even if already abandoned.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Oscar rejects Puerto Rico's foreign-lingo film entry

Despite having sent 11 pics for foreign-language film Oscar consideration since 1986, Puerto Rico has been shut out of the race this year because of its status as a U.S. protectorate. However, the Dominican Republican won an appeal to get its pic into consideration. "We wanted to clear up an inconsistency that allowed a U.S. territory to compete in a category meant for countries outside the U.S.," said AMPAS chief operating officer Ric Robertson. "We told them in our letter last year that 2010 would be the last time they could submit an entry." According to Puerto Rico's film commissioner Mariella Perez, the Academy notified her in August 2010 of the rule. "After asking it to reconsider, the Academy replied that its decision was final, but that Puerto Rico could apply for any of the other categories," Perez said. "I notified the filmmakers of this new rule but they sent their film anyway." Naturally, the Academy rejected helmer Sonia Fritz's Spanish-language "America," starring Edward James Olmos, Tony Plana and Lymari Nadal. Puerto Rican pundits allege the Academy bowed to pressure from Hispanic filmmakers in other states who felt that Puerto Rico was being given a favored status. They question why Puerto Rico is recognized as an independent country in sporting events. "Different organizations have different rules," said Robertson. Puerto Rico has been submitting entries since Marcos Zurinaga's 1986 pic "La gran fiesta" (The Big Party) was the hopeful in the 59th Academy Awards in 1987. In 1989, Jacobo Morales' "What Happened to Santiago" became the first local pic to clinch a nom. In 2010, Rafi Mercado's "Miente" (Lie) vied for a foreign-lingo film Oscar nom. Fritz will still have a chance at a foreign-lingo Oscar slot through the Dominican Republic pic she co produced, "La Hija Natural" (Love Child) by Leticia Tonos. This was initially rejected by the Academy over a technicality but was accepted after the Dominican Republic appealed. The country had failed to submit the names of its selection committee members to the org before the Oct. 3 deadline. The 84th Academy Awards will be held Feb. 26 at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

CBS cruises in Week 2

'NCIS'Fox's "New Girl" stood as Tuesday's No. 1 show in 18-49. CBS rode a strong week behind "Two and a Half Men," above, and top-rated drama "NCIS." Nielsen ratings chart, page 14. CBS rode a strong week behind "Two and a Half Men," above, and top-rated drama "NCIS." Nielsen ratings chart, page 14. Riding TV's top-rated drama ("NCIS") and comedy ("Two and a Half Men"), CBS cruised to victory in key demos for the second week of the season.The Eye got good production out of most of its newbies and claimed six of the week's top 10 programs in adults 18-49 -- the most for any network in Week 2 since NBC in 2003. Fox too had another good week, and its new shows are holding up best relative to their premieres.Through two weeks, CBS and Fox were neck and neck among adults 18-49, with the Eye roughly on par with last year and Fox -- aided mostly by "The X Factor" -- up by about 15%. ABC and NBC are in a tight battle for third, with the Alphabet off slightly vs. last year and the Peacock down about 10%.CBS is the clear leader in adults 25-54 and total viewers. Most impressive newcomers after multiple airings are Fox's "New Girl" and CBS' "2 Broke Girls." ABC's "Revenge" and "Pan Am" held up well enough in their second outings to suggest they could be around a while, as did CBS dramas "Person of Interest" and "Unforgettable." And NBC has something of a spark on Wednesday with "Up All Night."Peacock has already pulled the plug on "The Playboy Club," while others not looking so hot are ABC's "Charlie's Angels" and NBC's "Free Agents" and "Prime Suspect." Looking at the Nielsens for the Sept. 26-Oct. 2 frame, CBS led in adults 18-49 with a 3.2 rating/9 share, with Fox a solid second (2.8/8) and NBC (2.4/7) and ABC (2.4/6) tied for third. The Eye won by 3 shares over Fox in adults 25-54 and ran away in total viewers (12.2 million to 8.7 million for ABC).For CBS, the Ashton Kutcher-led "Two and a Half Men" held up well in its second week (7.4/17 in 18-49, 20.52m) -- the frame's No. 1 show in 25-54 (8.7/18) and total viewers -- and still looked strong in its third try. TV's No. 1 comedy block included "How I Met Your Mother" (4.5/12, 10.50m), the timeslot debut of "2 Broke Girls" (4.6/12, 11.75m) and the season opener of "Mike & Molly" (4.8/11, 13.86m)."Hawaii Five-0" (3.2/8, 11.26m) topped its drama competish in demos too, as the Eye won the 10:30 p.m. half-hour leading into the late local news on all five weeknights in adults 25-54.In their second weeks, rookies "Unforgettable" (2.5/7, 12.43m), "Person of Interest" (2.7/7, 12.51m) and "A Gifted Man" (1.2/4, 8.18m) dropped off in the standard 10%-15% range. But one newbie, Thursday half-hour "How to Be a Gentleman" (2.7/8, 8.98m), could be in danger after its preem last week lost a big chunk of its lead-in from "The Big Bang Theory" (4.9/15, 14.74m)."NCIS" was the week's No. 1 drama (4.2/12, 19.51m), beating Fox's "Glee" head-to-head by 2 shares in 18-49. Excluding sports, CBS claimed six of the top eight programs among adults 18-49 and seven of eight in 25-54.Fox has seen impressive second-week holds for its newbies, including "New Girl" (4.5/11, 9.28m), down just 7%. The laffer built on its lead-in from a declining but still potent "Glee" (3.7/10, 8.60m) and stood as Tuesday's No. 1 show in 18-49."X Factor," also down 7% week to week, won its two-hour blocks on Wednesday (4.1/11, 11.86m) and Thursday (5.7/15, 13.45m), losing in 18-49 only to "Modern Family" and "Big Bang Theory." And "Terra Nova" opened with solid but unspectacular numbers (3.1/8, 9.22m) however earned points by holding up well in its second outing.ABC had only three of the top 25 shows in 18-49, with "Modern Family" (5.7/15, 13.45m) up vs. last year while vets "Grey's Anatomy" (3.6/9, 10.20m) and "Dancing With the Stars" (3.3/8, 16.23m) were down.Among rookies, "Charlie's Angels" looks to be in trouble (1.5/4, 7.11m), but "Revenge" (2.7/7, 8.54m) and "Pan Am" (2.6/6, 7.76m) are faring better. And in its debut, Wednesday comedy "Suburgatory" (3.3/9, 9.81m) built on its lead-in from "The Middle" (2.7/8, 8.68m).NBC was again saved by "Sunday Night Football" (7.7/19, 18.90m for Jets-Ravens), the week's No. 1 show in 18-49. Its only otheronly other top-25 show was "The Office" (3.5/9, 6.70m), while the Thursday comedy's 9:30 p.m. leadout "Whitney" (2.5/6, 5.40m) dropped off in its second week but still looked OK. Second-year Wednesday drama "Harry's Law" (1.2/3, 7.63m) was the net's most-watched entertainment series, but is a demo laggard following the even lower-rated new half-hour "Free Agents" (1.0/3, 3.07m). Leading into "Free" was the new "Up All Night" (2.1/6, 5.32m), which dropped 13% week to week but is still a bright spot.Univision was fifth in 18-49 (1.7/5), winning Friday for the fifth straight week.And CW continues to show sizable declines even though newcomers "Hart of Dixie" (0.8/2, 1.88m in its preem) and "Ringer" (0.9/2, 1.98m in its third week) built on their lead-ins, and Thursday's "The Secret Circle" (1.0/2, 2.12m) is a good fit with "The Vampire Diaries" (1.3/4, 2.74m). On Monday of this week, CBS rolled as "Two and a Half Men" (6.2/14, 17.71m) declined by 16% but is still likely to be the No. 1 entertainment series of the week in demos. And "2 Broke Girls" (4.5/11, 11.42m) matched its "How I Met Your Mother" demo lead-in (4.5/12, 10.39m). At Fox, "Terra Nova" (3.1/8, 8.73m) retained its week-ago demo aud, and "House" kicked off its eighth season in a new 9 o'clock timeslot (3.9/9, 9.78m), down just 7% from last year.ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" (3.1/7, 16.56m) declined further, while NBC's "The Sing Off" was up a tick (1.8/4, 4.89m).On the sports side, ESPN's "Monday Night Football" (4.5/11 in 18-49, 10.84m for Colts-Buccaneers) topped TBS' baseball playoff game between the Tigers and Yankees (2.1/5, 6.05m). Contact Rick Kissell at rick.kissell@variety.com

Monday, October 3, 2011

Netflix Adds Lilyhammer To TV Line-Up

MIPCOM: Ted Sarandos, chief content officer of Netflix, announced in Cannes this afternoon that Netflix is adding Norwegian-produced TV show Lilyhammer to its original programming line-up. Stevie Van Zandt who so memorably played mob consigliore Silvio Dante in The Sopranos plays a Mafioso who testified against his former Mafia boss in NY and winds up relocated to the Norwegian countryside as part of the Witness Protection Program. Lilyhammer will premiere on Netflix. Sarandos, who was being interviewed by Miramax CEO Mile Lang, said that 60% of viewing on Netflixs newly-separated streaming business is for TV episodes, with Mad Men and Breaking Bad being most popular. Deadline understands that Netflix, which is on the hunt for original programming, has also had talks about reviving Arrested Development with 20th Century Fox TV. Netflix surprised Hollywood in March by outbidding major TV networks for the rights to the David Fincher/Kevin Spacey drama House Of Cards. Lang, meanwhile, said that Miramax is talking to potential partners around the world about the distributor having its own cable network showing the 700 movies in its archives. Miramax signed a long-term deal for its content with Netflix in May, and is partnering with Facebook to launch Miramax Experience, an app which will allow users worldwide to watch its movies. Lang was keen to talk up how Miramax is reinventing itself as an anytime/anywhere distributor. In a way Id like to believe our company is a bit more Silicon Valley than Hollywood in that respect, he said. Netflix angered consumers in July when the company said it would split its video streaming and DVD rental services increasing prices by 60% for those who wanted to continue to have both. Asked as to the thinking behind the move, Sarandos said: As we become a global brand, and a streaming global brand, the DVD-by-mail business is strictly U.S. and domestic. Sarandos said that Netflix was looking for global rights for movies and TV shows, rather than U.S.-only deals like its Starz agreement. He also talked about promoting TV shows that are popular in one territory to Netflixs global viewers. What kind of shows would he be looking for? If you want to see what people really want, look at what theyre stealing, he said.

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