Any Filmmakers Available Need $50,000? Try Louisiana

Whether it's adequate for Werner Herzog, Tony Scott and also the reigning Sundance Grand Jury Prize champion, then by God, it is good enough for you personally: "Executive Director Gregory Kallenberg introduced today the inaugural Louisiana Film Prize, having a grand prize of $50,000. The Louisiana Film Prize contest and festival invites filmmakers from around the globe to produce and offer a brief film under one condition it should be shot within the Shreveport-Bossier area." Best of luck! Write when you get work! [LAfilmprize.com]

Jim Henson to create BBC puppet show

LONDON -- The BBC is working with the Jim Henson Company to create a weekend U.K. TV show fronted by a new puppet who will interview celebs in a chat show-style format. A pilot episode of the show, whose working title is "No Strings Attached," is being prepared in cahoots with the shingle best known for the Muppets. If greenlit show will be produced in-house by the BBC's entertainment department in the U.K. with puppets supplied by Henson. The BBC's executive editor for entertainment, Karl Warner, told local media he had "high hopes" for the project. He added: "The idea is that it would be very firmly anchored in the world of the chat show, but based around a new character created by the Henson Company. "The Muppets were a massive phenomenon and nobody seems to have been developing anything in this area for a long time. "The Henson Company has shown us some puppets, and their versatility is very exciting, but we are still only in talks at the moment." A series could bow next year on the corp.'s U.K. flagship web, BBC1. Meanwhile Disney, which bought the rights to the Muppets' characters in 2004, is working on a sequel to "The Muppets" after the return of Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and friends went on to earn more than $154.8 million at the worldwide box office. James Bobin, who helmed "The Muppets," and co-writer Nicholas Stoller, will write the script for the sequel. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Vacation series to be rebooted

New Line Cinema are planning to reboot the iconic Vacation film that originally starred Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo.The Horrible Bosses sequel could be on hold as writing duo John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein will make their directorial debut on a new version of Vacation, based on a script that they first pitched in 2009.The 1983 original saw the Griswold family's holiday road trip spiral out of control from camel riding to S.W.A.T teams. Vacation went on to spawn three sequels: European Vacation, Christmas Vacation and Vegas Vacation.Daley and Goldstein's script is rumoured to bring back the Griswolds, only with a new generation led by Rusty Griswold, the son of Chevy Chase's Clark from the original film.There's no news yet on whether Chase or D'Angelo will reprise their roles in cameo form to pass the Vacation torch over to their son.

Nikki Finke: Live-Snarking The Oscars Welcome To Harveywood!

Oscar Winners List 2012 Backstage At The Academy Awards OSCARS: Who Wore What On The Red Carpet OSCARS: Wins By Studio OSCARS: Wins By Film Sacha Baron Cohen Punks Ryan Seacrest: The Dictator Spills Kim Jong Ils Ashes All Over Red Carpet Host! (Ryan Unamused) I’mlive-snarking the 84th Annual Academy Awards for the outstanding film achievements of 2011 starting at 5:30 PM PT tonight. Comments will openwhen the show starts inside the Kodak Theatre.Come for the cynicism. Stay for the subversion. Add your comment. WARNING: Not for the easily offended or ridiculously naive. This 84th Academy Awards show is supposed to be televised to more than 225 countries worldwide. So I’mtippingall you foreigners to something that Americans already know: The Oscars suck every year! And this year the Oscars are gonna suck worse than ever! Because we all know who’s going to win the marquee categories without a single envelope being ripped open. So welcome to THE MOST BORING OSCARS EVER! No one in Hollywood wanted to attend the Oscars this year. For the first time ever, instead of execs fighting for tickets, studio heads had to beg their spouses to accompany them. Why? Because the moguls and their lackeys couldn’t tolerate the prospect at sitting through the interminable telecast only to watch Harvey Weinstein gloat because he’ll win Best Picture et alfor the second straight year. Everybody agrees that The Artist is a fun pic buthardly Best Picture Oscar worthy. And yet almost everybody voted for it anyway. I can’t even blame Harvey’s usual Oscar tactics(payingAcademy members to fill out their ballots, redoing voters’ kitchens and bathrooms…).Hollywood only has itself to blame for Harveywood and bringing Harv back from the brink of extinction. So when he turns into a monster again, just remember that I said, “TOLDJA!” The anti-Artist protest began as early as the Red Carpet tonight. It was summed upby Kaui Hart Hemmings, author of the book TheDecendants on which the pic of the same name is based. Shetweeted: The Artist people were in line in front of me, and now Ismell like cigarettes and entitlement.”Bitter much? Morgan Freeman welcomes everyone to the 84th Academy Awards. Billy Crystal stars in a silent black and white movie. Like DUH! Billy Crystal as Coma Woman! Full-on kiss with George Clooney. ABC just lost every Red State viewer and probably won the GOP presidential race for Rick Santorum. Seriously, Academy, you clearly don’t want families to watch, do you? Nice touch that shtick with Billy Crystal as Sammy Davis Jr. (I forgot he did that impression.) But Crystal’splastic surgeryis so off-putting. His face looks like it was ironed — and I swear I can still see the scorch smarks. Since only 3 people saw most of the Best Picture Oscar contenders, of course Crystal’s movie reel had to include one popular pic — Mission: Impossible 4. My guess is Tom Cruise paid for the product placement of himself. (Not even M:I4‘s ads showed the actor!) It’s Billy’s 9th time hosting the Oscars, and he’s already bombing with his jokes. “We’re here at the beautiful Chapter 11 theatre” — reference to the fact that the Kodak Theatre is bankrupt. Two home viewers got that. Best line: “Enjoy yourselves. Because nothing can take the sting out the world’s problems than watching millionaires present each other with golden statues.” You won’t hear a truer statement all night. Oh god, Billy’s mincing (i.e. singing and dancing) onstage. Make it stop! He’s 63 (some say he’s really 65) and could break a hip. Did you notice why you can’t understand the lyrics to the songs he’s singing? Because of all the Botox, he can’t move his mouth. Billy Crystal tweeted before the show, “Opening number changed. War Horse broke his leg, had to put him down.”Funnier line than anything onstage now. Presenter Tom Hanks loves to pretend he’s The Mayor Of Hollywood. Onstage with that beard, he looks like the boat captainon a box of frozen fishsticks. (Isn’t he in a movie about a skipper vs the Somali pirates?) Cinematography Hugo(Paramount) – Robert Richardson Art Direction Hugo (Paramount) – Production Design: Dante Ferretti, Set Decoration: Francesca Lo Schiavo So about an hour before the Oscars began, show producer Brian Grazer phoned me. I think he was worried what I would say about him during my live-snarking. I assured himthat Iwouldn’t make him the scapegoat for the inevitably bad show. Instead, I told him that I’ll keep reminding you readers thatit would have been far worse under Brett Ratner! Grazer told me that theshow’s theme tonight is to celebrate watching movies in theaters “as we rapidly ascend into VOD”. (That’s video-on-demand forcivilians.) “Too many peopleare seeingmovies alone or at home with 2-3 people. We want to celebratethe collective community experience which is my indelible memory of movies, magnified by seeing it with hundreds of people. Otherwise, it doesnt have the same emotional impact,” Grazer told me. Exactly what about this show illusrates that? Who wants to be in the middle of a J-Lo-Cameron Diaz sandwich? Too bad it’s wasted on the zillion men watching the Oscars. All gay, they’d rather fix both actresses’ awful hair. Costume Design The Artist (The Weinstein Company) – Mark Bridges First mention of Harvey Weinstein so far — many more to follow. Ad nauseum. Makeup The Iron Lady (The Weinstein Company) – Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland Uh-oh, the men didn’t mention Harvey. They’ll never work again for The Weinstein Co. But no worries: everyone else in Hollywood willreward them! These filmed vignettes were directed by Moneyball‘s Bennett Miller. With all her money, Barbra Streisand couldn’t afford shampoo? Hey, Adam Sandler won the most Razzies today for the worst movies of 2011 with 11 nominations for that abomination Jack & Kill. I mean, Jack & Jill. Just remember, I’m not nasty. My fingerswhich do the typing are the meanies. Blame them, not me. Sandra Bullock is great no matter what lame material she’s given. (From my peanut gallery: “Did Sandy Bullock get that outfit from the old Star Trek wardrobe? She looks like an alien ambassador.”) Foreign Language Film A Separation (Sony Pictures Classics) A Dreamlab Films Production, Iran First movie from Iran to win the Foreign Language Oscar. This guy went through hell and back. A shoo-in because of that. Reminds us that good movies can have great cultural impact. As long as Hollywood isn’t making them. Christian Bale is even hunkier as he ages. Go ahead and make my day and scream at me, Christian. Let me be your whipping gal. Actress in a Supporting Role Octavia Spencer in The Help (Touchstone) Foregone conclusion and well-deserved. Spencer reveals genuine emotion which is rare for this show. “Thank you, Academy, for putting me with the hottest guy in the room… Thank you Steven Spielberg for changing my life. Thank you Stacey Snider for changing my life,” she says as tears stream down her face. She also thanked The Help‘s writer/director Tate Taylor who changed agencies last week (from WME to CAA). I heard from a good sourcethat he told CAA he doesn’t care what he does next “as long as it’s not a movieabout pussies in pain” Focus group on The Wizard Of Oz? Genius concept,poor writing. But I Love the Second City/SCTV reunion. Of course, no one under the age of 55 has even heard of it… Way notto attract a younger audience, Acad. Justin Bieber was in the opening film? I missed him. I must have thought he was one of the Disney dwarves… Film Editing The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Sony Pictures Releasing) Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall This pair won last year for The Social Network. Obviously, the Academy gives Oscars to people who survive working with that pain-in-the-ass David Fincher. Sound Editing Hugo (Paramount) – Philip Stockton and Eugene Gearty Sound Mixing Hugo (Paramount) – Tom Fleischman and John Midgley Surprising that Hugo is winning so many technical awards. On the other hand, with a cost of $200+M, it probably employed every member of every craft guild in Hollywood and beyond, and they all voted for it. The Graham King Films/Paramount 3D pic has only madedomestic$69.3M and foreign $46.4M for a worldwide total box office of $115.8M. In other words, it’ll never earn out. Was that Miss Piggy or Penelope Ann Miller? They both looked like pork sausage stuffed into their dresses. And Kermit looked as green as everymovie executive during the last half of 2011 when the box office was slumping badly and their bonuses werevanishing. Why the Cirque Du Soleil segment? Was this some sweetheart deal between the Academy andthe Kodak Theatre which houses the Cirque show the rest of the year?What a stretch to make this have anything to do with the movie biz. It would have been more entertaining towatch the writer’s room. If I see one more close-up of George Clooney, I’m gonna hurl. My god, Billy Crystal’s forehead is as big asHarvey’s ego. Crystal’s writers must have gotten their starts with Henny Youngman.It’s from the Bad Borscht Belt school of humor. I remember that nanosecond when Robert Downey Jr used to be funny. Gwyneth Paltrow, unfortunately, never was and still isn’t. Documentary (Feature) Undefeated (The Weinstein Company) A Spitfire Pictures Production, TJ Martin, Dan Lindsay and Richard Middlemas The delay button caught that winner’s swear word. Disney chief Bob Iger can put his heart back in his chest now that he won’t have to payany gazillion-dollar FCC fine. Another Harvey win. He’sgetting Oscars for movies hardly anyoneknew he was distributing, like this one. I remember that year or two when Chris Rock used to be funny. Animated Feature Film Rango (Paramount) – Gore Verbinski Another shoo-in. Johnny Depp deserves this as much as Verbinski since this film represents a different way of making these toons and Johnny acted out every movement of his toon character.That said, it was another Graham King/Paramount budget buster. It eked out a box office opening and may never earn out. (That grinding sound you hear is Brad Grey and Rob Moore sharpeningknives to cut me down to size tomorrow for picking on Paramount…) Somewhere along the way, Billy Crystal made a political joke dissing theGOP presidential candidates. Those few remainingRed State viewers turned off their TV sets, muttering epithets about how the Hollywood liberals didn’t dare poke fun atPresident Obama. Nice going, Acad: you lost 50% of America. I hear there was a Nipplegate controversyon the Red Carpet. (“Did anyone mention Jennifer Lopez’ nipple hanging out?” asks one of my peanut gallery gals watching the Oscars with 13 gay guys.) So that backstage bit by Melissa McCarthy with Billy Crystal was just embarrassing. Then again, I thought Bridesmaids was going to flop at the box office so what do I know. I’m not even smarter than the bigwigs who are running Universal into the ground right now. (“Is Emma Stone high? Or just channelling James Franco?,” my peanut gallery asks.) Shemadeeven Ben Stiller unfunny tonight. Visual Effects Hugo (Paramount) – Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossman and Alex Henning New Oscar strategy: employ everyone in filmmaking artistry and you’ll winmultiple Academy Awardswhen they vote for you. Actor in a Supporting Role Christopher Plummer in Beginners (Focus Features) At age 82, the oldest actor ever to win an Oscar. “You’re only 2 years older than me, my darling. Where have you been all my life,” Plummer said to his Oscar. Manager Lou Pitt gets a shout-out.Nice guy who really deserves it. (From my peanut gallery: “There should be a spacial shout-out to whoever invented bronzer.”) When did Nick Nolte turn intoJolly St Nick? Isn’t Tom Sherakthe single worst Academy president, and the most uncharismatic (“Mr. Excitement,” as Crystal swiped)? Meanwhile, he thanks Brian Grazer and Billy Crystal. What he should have said was, “Thank you, Brian and Billy, for saving the Academy’s sorry asses and coming to the rescue when Dawn Hudson’s and my lousy idea to hire Brett Ratner and Eddie Murphy blew up in our faces.” Music (Original Score) The Artist (The Weinstein Company) – Ludovic Bource Tired of the frogs and their French accents yet?Another Oscar for Harvey Weinstein. Will Ferrell demonstrates yet again why he can’t get arrested in films anymore. Is Zach Galifianakis far behind? (I’ve now officiallylagging the live broadcast because I had to check the Internet for the spelling of Zach’s last name… I have to do it every time I mention Jim Gianopulos, too.) Music (Original Song) Man or Muppet from The Muppets (Walt Disney) Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie Fox’s Tom Rothman just lost what was a 50-50 chance at an Oscar. (He had the Rio song.) Note to that studio’s execs: Don’t come into work Monday morning. You know what a day at the beach Tom is even when he’s not feeling robbed by Hollywood… Save yourselves. It’s astonishing how lame Billy Crystal’s mid-show jokes have been. Especially when you consider how many comedians work in and around Hollywood. Hell, I think the show couldjust go down to LA’s Mission District and pick up some homeless and do better. Or wander into any Starbucks in West Hollywood and get more laughs. Angelina Jolie is channelling her innervixen tonight. Love it! That pose she’s struck is saying: “Jennifer Aniston, just give up already. You can’t possibly have won that Stephen Huvane-orchestrated Sexiest Woman Of the Decade poll with me around.” Writing (Adapted Screenplay) The Descendants (Fox Searchlight) Screenplay by Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash Writing (Original Screenplay) Midnight in Paris (Sony Pictures Classics) Written by Woody Allen If the Academy didn’t devalue comedy so much, this movie should win the Best Picture Oscar. But it won’t. And while I’m at it, the Academy has its head up its ass for not nominating the final Harry Potter movie. Think about it: there were 8 movies in this franchise and not a rotten one among the bunch. How rare is that for Hollywood? I do believe that if all those acting roles had been filled with American thesps instead of British, and more production and post jobs done in this country rather than across the Atlantic, then more Academy members would have voted for the pic out of sheer self-interest. Anyway, Harry Potter waseffing robbed. Short Film (Live Action) The Shore An All Ashore Production, Terry George and Oorlagh George Documentary (Short Subject) Saving Face A Milkhaus/Jungefilm Production, Daniel Junge and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy A movie portraying heroicplastic surgery? Of course Hollywood voted it an Oscar. Short Film (Animated) The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore A Moonbot Studios LA Production, William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg I’d like to be in the middle of a sandwich with these two self-described ‘swamp rats from Lousiana”.Toons of fun… Is the show over yet? It’s dragged on almost 2 1/2-hours. Kill me now. Hmm, I heard Steven Spielberg wasn’t going to attend the Oscars this year because he was snubbed for Best Director. But there he is at the Kodak. Michael Douglas looks great. Sorry, but I don’t make fun of cancer. Directing The Artist (The Weinstein Company) – Michel Hazanavicius Any Hollywood hopes for an upset in these final marquee categories just went out the window. Another win for Harvey, who didn’t get a thank-you from the director. Um, seriously? Meryl Streep gets a longer introduction than anyone or anything tonight? Yes, she’s a national treasure. But she or her career isn’t dead or dying. That was a eulogy, not an intro. Barf to Oprah Winfrey, the most insufferable hypocrite in Hollywood — and that’s saying a LOT. OK, In Memoriam coming up. Don’t forget tolet me know how many movie R.I.P.s the incompetent Academy forgot to mention this year. (UPDATE: First omission:Andrew Laszlo, noted cinematographer. Next,Erland Josephson, who was Ingmar Bergmans everyman.) I just heard from someone that the telecast’s sound was screwed up for the East Coast feed. Aren’t you jealous? Don’t you wish you weren’t hearing this snorefest, either? This excruciatingly boring Oscars show is why no heterosexual man should ever be hired to produce it. Don’t know about you, but may I please have these hours of my life back? Those actor/filmmaker vignettes are becoming so annoying after the 58th one that I keep wanting to hit the ‘mute’ button to make them shut the fuck up. What kind of facelift was it that made Billy Crystal lose his neck? Ten minutes spent just to blow smoke up the ass of every Best Actor nominee? Like the Oscars aren’t fawning enough? And to have these cringe-worthy speeches read by Natalie Portman as Queen Amidala?(At least Jar Jar Binks would have been comic relief…) Actor in a Leading Role JeanDujardin in The Artist (The Weinstein Company) “I love your country,” Dujardin deadpans.He sounds exactly like Pepe Le Pew (“My leetle cabbage…”). He kinda channelled Howard Dean at the end of his speech there. (“And we’re taking this campaign to NY, and Pennsylvania… Yee-haw!”) Another Oscar for Weinstein. Another winner who didn’t thank him. At the Golden Globes everyone was comparing him to God.Nowthey’re not even mentioning him. What’d you do to them, Harv? Not again: this timeembarrassing tributes to each Lead Actress contender. Even Colin Firth looks pained by the kudos he’s reading. The Academy could have shaved30 minutes off the telecast without this nonsense. No wonder America hates Hollywood. Actress in a Leading Role MerylStreep in The Iron Lady (The Weinstein Company) Viola Davis was robbed. ROBBED! I couldn’t agree more with what Meryl said: “When they called my name had this feeling I could hear half of America going, ‘Oh no. Oh, come on. Why her? Again?’” Then Streep added, “But… Whatever.” Chalk up another win for Harvey. (Did Meryl thank him? I’m pretty sure not…) That’s 7 so far if my arithmetic is correct.Will there be an 8th? Tom Cruise is given the honor of handing out the Best Picture Oscar. Well, he did save his career with M:I4. Best Picture The Artist (The Weinstein Company) A La Petite Reine/Studio 37/La Classe Amricaine/JD Prod/France3 Cinma/Jouror Productions/uFilm Production, Thomas Langmann, Producer So the French schooled Hollywood by going back to the future with a black-and-white silent movie. The Weinstein Co took home 8 Oscars total. This last time Harvey wasn’t thanked, either. Thank god for small favors. UPDATE: I’m now toldLangmann did thank Harvey. “Its actually the first person he thanked,” someone named Frenchie tells me. “But the lousy sound might have swallowed that.” Hollywood thinks Weinstein instructed the winners not to kudo him out of fear that the film community will hate him more thanit already does. (“It’s Harvey’s world, and we must live in it,” movie mogul Tom Rothman was overhead saying from his seat inside the Kodak. How trafically true.) Goodbye, and I leave you with one last thought: What would Brett Ratner have done better/worse producing the Oscars show? At least there would have been porn.

MPAA Responds After Weinstein Threatens Leave Of Absence From Ratings System

MPAA Upholds R Rating On Bully UPDATE, 5:33 PM: The MPAA has issued this response from Joan Graves, chair of the association’s Classification and Rating Administration, which doles out movie ratings. Here it is: Bullying is a serious issue and is a subject that parents should discuss with their children. The MPAA agrees with the Weinstein Company that Bully can serve as a vehicle for such important discussions. The MPAA also has the responsibility, however, to acknowledge and represent the strong feedback from parents throughout the country who want to be informed about content in movies, including language. The rating and rating descriptor of some language, indicate to parents that this movie contains certain language. With that, some parents may choose to take their kids to this movie and others may not, but it is their choice and not ours to make for them. The R rating is not a judgment on the value of any movie. The rating simply conveys to parents that a film has elements strong enough to require careful consideration before allowing their children to view it. Once advised, many parents may take their kids to see an R-rated film. School districts, similarly, handle the determination of showing movies on a case-by-case basis and have their own guidelines for parental approval. Privately, an MPAA insider told Deadline’s Nikki Finke that Harvey Weinstein is threatening a “leave of absence” from the MPAA ratings system for “Pure publicity. He is not a member so he can’t take a leave. He might choose not to have his films rated, which is his right. It is up to theaters if they want to show unrated films. Some do. Others don’t.” PREVIOUS, BREAKING…Harvey Weinstein today sayshis company is considering “a leave of absence from the MPAA for the foreseeable future”. It’s not a member of the movie studio lobbying and ratings group. But this follows the association upholding its R-rating on the indie distributor’s documentary Bully. The ruling puts a dent inHarvey Weinstein’splan for the studio and filmmakers to show the film as a teaching tool in middle schools and high schools (a screening of the film is planned for tomorrow at LA’s Fairfax High).The ratings board originally gave the documentary about school bullying the rating based on language, and Weinstein personally attended the appeals hearing today; the board requires a two-thirds vote, and Weinstein says the Lee Hirsch-directed film fell one vote short of becoming PG-13. It’s unclear how Weinstein Co would show its films without an MPAA rating; although not required, an unrated film rarely is screened in theaters per a longstanding though nonbinding agreement between exhibitors and the MPAA. The current ratings system has been in place since 1968. Here’s Weinstein’s statement: As of today, The Weinstein Company is considering a leave of absence from the MPAA for the foreseeable future. We respect the MPAA and their process but feel this time it has just been a bridge too far. I have been through many of these appeals, but this one vote loss is a huge blow to me personally. Alex Libby gave an impassioned plea and eloquently defended the need for kids to be able to see this movie on their own, not with their parents, because that is the only way to truly make a change. With school-age children of my own, I know this is a crucial issue and school districts across the U.S. have responded in kind. The Cincinnati school district signed on to bus 40,000 of their students to the movie but because the appeals board retained the R rating, the school district will have to cancel those plans. I personally am going to ask celebrities and personalities worldwide, from Lady Gaga (who has a foundation of her own) to the Duchess of Cambridge (who was a victim of bullying and donated wedding proceeds) to First Lady Michelle Obama (whose foundation has reached out to us as well), to take a stand with me in eradicating bullying and getting the youth into see this movie without restriction.

CBS Looks for Love This Summer With Dating Series 3

Jenny McCarthy Jenny McCarthy is having a good week. On the heels of her talk-show announcement, the former Singled Out star has landed the hosting gig for NBC's reality series Love in the Wild. "It's a huge advantage to have the versatile Jenny McCarthy return to host an alternative series on our network in a genre that she first helped to make popular on television," NBC executive Paul Telegdy told The Hollywood Reporter. "She brings a measure of unpredictability to the show's unique format and we are thrilled to feature her charisma, enthusiasm and magnetism in this adventure series." Jenny McCarthy lands a talk show on VH1 The dating show, filmed in the Dominican Republic, puts contestants through rigorous tasks and challenges while trying to find love. Season 2 will begin shooting later this month. "Everyone knows I've looked just about everywhere except the jungle for love," McCarthy joked. "I wanted to apply as a contestant and ended up with a job." Will you watch either of McCarthy's shows?

Bureau volley Tennis Funnel to FCC

The FCC's enforcement bureau is suggesting the commission reject an attempt by Comcast to remain a purchase it place Tennis Funnel on a single tier because the sport shows it is the owner of or that comes with an investment interest. An administrative law judge ruled in December that Comcast was discriminating against individually-possessed Tennis Funnel by declining to use it exactly the same region from the funnel selection as Golf Funnel and Versus (the NBC Sports Network), Comcast has asked for a stay from the decision pending attract the FCC's commissioners in order to the government appellate court. But P. Michele Ellison, chief from the enforcement bureau, authored inside a filing together with two FCC authorities that, in line with the mandate from Congress and also the FCC, "Contrary will be attracted using their collective voice, it's that in which a cable company has been discovered to possess involved in affiliation-based discrimination, the general public interest manifestly requires an instantaneous remedy notwithstanding Comcast's claim on the contrary.Inch Comcast contended that it is constitutional privileges were violated, which a stay would prevent confusion among clients if it is funnel selection were changed to support Tennis Funnel. However, the enforcement bureau noted that "cable companies modify their funnel lineups with relative frequency." Comcast didn't have discuss the bureau's filing, but during the time of the ruling it stated it "has got the contractual to distribute Tennis Funnel because it does presently, and Comcast firmly thinks the exercise of this to minimize costs to customers isn't discrimination." Tennis Funnel stated inside a statement, "Despite being purchased to deal with Tennis Funnel just like its very own similarly situated Golf Funnel and NBC Sports Network (Versus), Comcast's filings and it is ongoing discrimination demonstrate it's not challenging whether it violated Section 616 it's challenging the statute itself and also the Commission's authority to enforce it. Whether it really wants to begin to see the rules transformed does not matter towards the finish consequence of the hearing. Tennis Funnel won, and Comcast must follow the FCC rules in position today." Contact Ted Manley at ted.manley@variety.com

LeVar Burton Bringing Back Reading Rainbow With an App

LeVar Burton LeVar Burton is resurrecting Reading Rainbow for yet another generation - by releasing an app. Burton, executive producer and host of the program that ran on PBS for 26 years until 2009, is creating a mobile application through his site RRKidz, which he started in September. "There is a brand new generation of kids who could definitely use the kind of spark and inspiration Reading Rainbow provided where actually becoming a reader is concerned," Burton told Mashable. "As far as I can tell, reading will never go out of style, and neither will good old-fashioned storytelling." Yvette Nicole Brown: LeVar Burton will have some of the funniest scenes in Community history While the site already sells episodes of the program, which won a Peabody and 26 Emmys, Burton recognizes the way kids today consume media - digitally. "The center point of the app is books," Burton said. "Wonderful, lightly enhanced digital books for children. However, we're also very interested in delivering an enriching experience to kids, much like classic Reading Rainbow did on TV." Burton added that the app is just the first step in a long-term plan that will included DVDs and streaming of classic episodes. "Every day of my life someone comes up to me and tells me about the impact the show had on them growing up," Burton said. "It's no secret that our educational system is no longer the platinum standard on the world stage that it once was. This is simply my way of continuing to do what I've always done, just in a different medium." And just for fun, watch the show's opening theme song:

New shows, optimism enliven NATPE confab

Couric LakeProbst HarveyThe move of the NATPE confab last year to Miami Beach was a hit with station managers and syndie distribs. The sunny new setting allows industryites to get a break from colder climes, rub shoulders with friends and clients and generally take the temperature of the marketplace for their wares. As the National Assn. of Television Program Executives conference returns today to the Fontainebleau Hotel, there's a sense among distribs that the syndie biz has come out of the dark period of the last few years, and station buyers fiare ready to embrace new firstrun shows -- especially those fronted by familiar faces like Katie Couric, Ricki Lake, Jeff Probst and Steve Harvey. Part of the optimism is fueled by the fact that voids and weaknesses have emerged in the daytime lineups of many top stations that had been relatively stable for years, even for decades in some cases. And station managers and distribs are still sorting out the opportunities spurred by Oprah Winfrey's exit from first-run syndication last year. "Oprah definitely left a void when her show went off the air, which we see as an opportunity," said CBS TV Distribution prexy John Nogawski. "There were a lot of good timeslots up for grabs, and stations are enthusiastically embracing (talkshows)." Paul Franklin, Twentieth Television's exec veep and general sales manager, points to openings in daytime beyond the Oprah factor. "Regis (Philbin), who was on for 25 years, is gone," he said, "and the soaps are going off the air one by one." Both Franklin and Nogawski are flogging new yakkers for the fall: CBS TV Distribution's "Jeff Probst," fronted by the longtime host of the Eye's "Survivor"; and an all-new "Ricki Lake Show" from Twentieth. NBCUniversal Domestic has "Steve Harvey," and Disney-ABC Domestic has its high-profile Katie Couric talker "Katie" (cleared at 93% of U.S. TV households). As those shows near their airdates, it's vital for syndication firms to make friendly connections with the stations buying their skeins, whether it's a meal with Lake or coffee with "Katie" exec producer Jeff Zucker. Disney-ABC Domestic TV prexy Janice Marinelli said that the face-to-face contact with buyers offered by NATPE is invaluable. "It's really important, because these stations have made a big investment in Katie and Jeff," she said. "They'll have a chance to ask questions and start to form a relationship with Katie." Twentieth will be departing somewhat from its competitors -- it's looking not just to showcase Lake and fish for interest in upcoming offnet properties like Fox's hot frosh sitcom "New Girl," but to launch its gossip newsmag "Dish Nation," as well. The fall show is cleared in 55% of the country to date. Franklin calls the series a big priority for Twentieth at NATPE. It's the first time in a while that a major distrib has sought to use the confab as a springboard for a new show. The bottom line is that there is money out there in Miami Beach this week, or at least the perception of it. With the syndie upfronts on the horizon and the market largely recovered from the ad slump that followed the financial crisis, many expect to do more business at NATPE 2012, which runs through Wednesday, than in previous years. Contact Sam Thielman at sam.thielman@variety.com

Liv Tyler Evolves Along Side It Effect

She'll star in Ti West's latestPharmaceutical thrillers appear to become becoming something of the trend right now, between Steven Soderbergh prospecting the kind of Jude Law and Blake Lively for that Unwanted Effects and today Cabin Fever 2 / Innkeepers director Ti West finding funding for their own project, known as (a minimum of for the time being), Along Side It Effect. Now there's some additional news as West just nabbed Liv Tyler to star.She'll play Catherine Rigby, a lady who volunteers to invest several several weeks alone in space included in an experiment with a massive pharmaceutical company. Eventually, she energizes to locate herself strangely pregnant and it is soon suffering a significant paranoia attack as her tries to discover the reality behind her apparently immaculate conception result in increasingly more elusive solutions.Tyler appears excited to utilize West, calling him "an excellent-gifted exciting youthful filmmaker" inside a statement acquired by Deadline. "The role of Rigby is an excellent character inside a great thriller and i'm searching toward sinking my teeth in to the part," she adds.Even though West continues to be largely noted for his horror output, he's shifting slightly for that one. Only slightly... "Although it's still a bit of a horror film, it is a lot more mental than any one of these efforts. It had been necessary that I've found an actress who could portray an array of emotion and try to generate the audience's sympathy regardless of what the problem. The moment I sitting lower with Liv, it had been apparent she was the main one.InchNow he's found his star, West hopes to start filming in Feb. Before that's he's been working hard making his admission to anthology pic The Basic steps Of Horror and will also be in Sundance to aid his segment of V/H/S.Considering that both Soderbergh and West's projects have much the same game titles, we'd expect someone to blink. The Soderbergh film also went underneath the title The Bitter Pill, so almost always there is an opportunity it might change again...

Exclusive Video: Harry Connick Junior. Unveils Particulars About Law & Order: SVU Arc

Mariska Hargitay and Harry Connick Junior. It's been a difficult year for Det. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) on Law & Order: Special Sufferers Unit. First, her team's squad room was bathed with bullets having a troubled victim inside the Season 12 finale. After which it her longtime partner, Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) all of a sudden left pressure in the start of the year. Fortunately, situations are trying to find for Benson - specifically if this involves her sex existence. In Wednesday's episode, airing at 10/9c on NBC, Benson will dsicover sparks when she's designated to make use of Executive Assistant Da David Haden (guest star Harry Connick Junior. within the to start four episodes). Law & Order: SVU scoop: Harry Connick Junior. to see Benson's new love interest "A Few Things I do like about him is he seems to become guy who's taking into consideration the reality,Inch Connick Junior. states of Haden. "He seems to become good guy who's truly considering maintaining regulations ... together with a man who's searching to accomplish the very best factor." Get yourself a start searching at Connick Junior.'s first episode here: Are you currently presently excited to find out Connick Junior. on Law & Order: SVU?

TV beginners dominate Globes

Numerous newcomer individuals who win from cable flooded the 69th annual Golden Globe Honours, who have disregard the Large Four entirely were it not for ABC's "Modern Family" inside the best comedy category.The victors recognized mainly from Cinemax and Showtime, the 2nd getting really the only series being recognized more frequently than once: "Homeland" acquired to find the best drama series which is star, Claire Danes, acquired best actress in the drama.But Showtime's third win may have been the night's finest upset: Matt LeBlanc needed home best comedy actor honors for your relatively unheralded series "Episodes."The prior "Pals" star acknowledged the show's executive producers, Jeffrey Klarik and David Crane, within the acceptance speech for writing a imaginary version of his actual self for your series."They write a Matt LeBlanc that's much more fun and interesting in comparison to real factor," joked LeBlanc. "If perhaps i used to be him."Cinemax saw some faves collect expected wins inside their particular groups: Kate Winslet ongoing her sweep of honours shows for movie/miniseries actress kudos in "Mildred Pierce" while Peter Dinklage was given best supporting actor for rookie drama "Wager on Thrones." Both stars won similar honors within the Emmy Honours a year ago.Cinemax also got a rookie win for Laura Dern, star of "Enlightened," who pressed off last year's champion, Laura Linney of Showtime's "The Big C." Dern also was one of many individuals who win who have experienced new projects but became Globes love earlier inside their career, she getting acquired her third career statuette within the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn.Danes also acquired on her behalf account third win in three career nominations, one just a year ago for your Cinemax miniseries "Temple Grandin" then one on her behalf breakout role on ABC's "My So-Referred to as Existence" over about 10 years ago.Cinemax and Showtime got a little of recent company inside the individuals who win circle among premium cablers: Starz acquired its first-ever Golden Globes win with Kelsey Grammer for lead actor in drama series "Boss."Grammer was virtually no lock given stiff competition round the drama side including last year's champion, "Boardwalk Empire" lead Steve Buscemi.Within the acceptance speech, Grammer gave Starz topper Chris Albrecht to get the "insight and balls and funds really to produce all eight episodes without ordering an plane pilot. It designed a large difference.InchThe win was Grammer's third ever, the last two coming for his NBC sitcom "Frasier," he was last recognized in 2002.A lot of the evening reduced NBC to just as one industrial for individuals who win from pay TV. To incorporate insult to injuries, no non-broadcast individuals who win came from in the myriad cable channels possessed by NBCUniversal.Besides "Modern Family," really the only non-cable win showed up the filmOrminiseries category from PBS for "Downton Abbey."The relaxation from the TV Globes visited Idris Elba of BBC America's "Luther" for lead actor inside the movie/miniseries category and Jessica Lange, who won to find the best supporting actress in another rookie series, FX's "American Horror Story."Like Danes, Grammer and Dern, Lange can be a multiple Globes champion previously. She's acquired five film wins over her storied career, including "Tootsie," "King Kong" and "A Streetcar Named Desire."Related: 'The Artist' and Weinstein Co. dominate Globes 69th Golden Globes: Complete report on individuals who win Review: Lively intro, lifeless kudocast Spencer recalls girls that inspired 'The Help' Large Globes footprint for TWC Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

ABC Pulls Work It From Schedule, Replaces with Last Man Standing Repeats

Work It Well, that didn't take long. After only two airings, ABC has pulled Work It from its schedule, TVGuide.com has confirmed. The poorly reviewed series, which starred Ben Koldyke and Amaury Nolasco as two out-of-work men who dress in drag to get jobs as pharmaceutical reps, debuted Jan. 3 to 6.16 million viewers, with 4.9 million viewers turning in for the second week. ABC boss: Still no premiere date for Cougar Town; Grey's looks strong Work It - which had already been criticized by GLAAD and deemed "an instant early candidate for Worst Show of 2012" - posted a 2.0 rating among 18-to-49-year-olds in its debut. That's 17 percent below the opening demo of the time slot's previous occupant, Man Up!, which managed to attract 7.7 million viewers for its debut. (The series sank to 4.8 million viewers by its final outing.) Still, ABC President Paul Lee stood behind the show at the network's winter TV previews Tuesday. "I looked at our portfolio of shows, and certainly, I wanted to bring some new types of shows," Lee said. "We certainly thought there was room for some ambitious shows, some really sexy, sticky shows like Revenge and Scandal, and some sophisticated, smart shows like Suburgatory. I thought there was room, personally, for a very, very, very silly show, and I tried it. We'll see where it goes." Ratings: Work It premiere worse than Man Up! For the remainder of January, ABC will air repeats of Last Man Standing in Work It's Tuesday night 8:30/7:30c timeslot. No word on whether the network plans to air the remaining episodes of the series. Sadly, there's also still no premiere date for the third season of Cougar Town. Will you miss Work It?

Exclusive 'LUV' Clip: Cracking Crabs With Common

The MTV Movie Brawl 2012 is formally on! Following the initial play-in, wild card and Sweet 16 models, only eight movies still compete in a number of mind-to-mind single elimination matches within our March Madness-style bracket. Ultimately, only one of these simple movies could be crowned the can't-miss movie of the season, and also the option is entirely your decision. Which movie will win the brawl for this all? Election at MTV Movies Blog making your decision known! After ruling the play-in round, "The Hunger Games" ignited and left "Prometheus" in the wake. The maybe most likely "Alien" prequel could not handle the fury of Katniss and Peeta, but nobody can? Car tournament to date, "The Hunger Games" continues to be the film to conquer, however it faces some stiff competition in the large-budget sci-fi flick, "John Carter." The energy of the shirtless Taylor Kitsch will not be undervalued. It might have been the important thing element in the take lower of "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" throughout the Sweet 16. However comes the actual test, because it battles "The Hunger Games" for any place within the Final 4. Can "John Carter" take out the upset from the apparently easy "Hunger Games"? Can anything stop Katniss on her behalf way up? The choice is yours to determine!

'Loosies' Star Peter Facinelli Could Swipe Your Wallet, But He Will not

Your investment Volturi. In "Twilight" star Peter Facinelli's screenwriting debut, "Loosies," the actor's exchanged in villainous vamps for any more real (although, less toothy) foe: NYPD's finest. Facinelli plays Bobby, a charming pickpocket who roams the NY City subway searching for new marks while alluding the cop whose badge he pilfered. The script required Facinelli only three days to create, but seven years to create towards the large-screen, giving him sufficient time to organize—including learning his character's career abilities. "I labored having a magician. I attempted to help keep everything around the up or more,Inch Facinelli told MTV News when requested if he consulted any real-existence bodybuilders for authenticity. "His forte was pickpocketing, so he trained me how you can swipe watches. It's greatly a distraction. You draw attention away from them in a single area and choose another area. After which I simply practiced on crew people." Facinelli's training clearly compensated off knowing in the romantic caper's many blick-and-you'll-miss-it snatching moments. Try not to fret an excessive amount of should you ever end up in person using the actor on the crowded train: he stated his new-found talent has not left the rear lot. "I have been enticed," Facinelli stated about practicing on bystanders. "People around the subway, they've their handbags available. They wallow in it using their purses and mobile phones chilling out. It would be very easy to visit and also have a second job like a pick-pocket quietly. But it is illegal and frowned upon by most communities." "Loosies" is within theaters now. Are you looking at Peter Facinelli's "Loosies"? Inform us within the comments as well as on Twitter!

George Lucas sees 'Red'

Spike Lee, Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding Jr. party at Gotham Hall. George Lucas and Samuel L. Jackson Coming off a year when few films featured black casts, George Lucas is confident that things are about to change. "The studios say it can't work, that there's no international audience for black films," said the "Red Tails" exec producer after the film's preem Tuesday at the Ziegfeld in NY. "But that's nonsense. If we can get into the $20 (millions) next weekend and maybe beat 'Underworld,' we'll be in great shape. And others will take note."Lucas fully financed the Fox-distributed pic about African-American airmen, and while he's hopeful that similar stories will emerge in the wake of "Red Tails," he was quick to dismiss "The Help" as such an effort."'The Help' is not a black film," scoffed Lucas at the after-party held at Gotham Hall. "There's a big difference between a movie with black actors and a black film."