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."