Monday, October 31, 2011

Jessica Simpson (Finally) Confirms Pregnancy: I'm Going to Be a Mummy

Jessica Simpson Jessica Simpson Bump Watch 2011 finally came to an end Monday when the singer and fashion designer confirmed she is expecting. "It's true - I'm going to be a mummy!" Simpson, 31, wrote on her website along with a picture of herself dressed in a mummy (get it?) costume for Halloween. Check out 9 failed reality TV marriages Speculation has been rampant for weeks about Simpson's impending motherhood after she was photographed with a growing belly several times. This will be the first child for Simpson and her fiancé, Eric Johnson. The two started dating in May 2010 and became engaged in November of that year. Simpson will next appear on the upcoming NBC reality series, Fashion Star. Simpson was previously married to Nick Lachey for three years before the Newlyweds stars split in 2005. Lachey started dating Kim Kardashian, who is newly single, shortly after his divorce from Simpson.

New rules redraw Oscar's picture, doc, toon races

'Toy Story 3'Going into this season's Oscar race, a number of rule changes produced by the Academy of Movies Arts and Sciences could considerably alter the number of groups pan out.Most particularly, the amount of nominated films within the best picture category will no more always be 10. 2 yrs after raising that category's nomination area from five to 10 films, the Academy chosen to alter it again in June. This time around, they'll be permitting between five and 10 nominees according to another system.In the last ten years, an analysis through the Academy discovered that the very best election-getting movie received 20.5% from the first-place votes, normally. Thus, the Academy determined that to be able to be nominated, a movie should receive, at least, 5% of first-place votes.Academy voters -- and you will find roughly 6,000 of these -- will rank their finest picture options on the ballot in statistical order. If every member chosen, that will mean a movie would want 300 to begin with votes to become assured a nomination.That standard produces a slate of a maximum of 10 movies. Had the machine experienced effect from 2001 to 2008 (prior to the expansion to some slate of 10), the Academy discovered that there could have been years that produced five, six, seven, eight and nine nominees, but never 10.Past the best picture shakeup, you will find additional changes over the rulebook.Within the animated feature category, there might be between two and five nominees, based on the number of toon movies are launched that year. In a year that eight to 12 are launched, the branch may nominate the 2 or 3 finest. When 13 to fifteen films are launched, no more than four might get nominated, while when 16 or even more animated features are launched, no more than five might make the cut.Furthermore, the qualifications period within the documentary feature and short groups changes this year, putting it good twelve months (formerly it absolutely was September to August). Consequently, this season's qualifications period will really be 16 several weeks: Sept. 1, 2010, to 12 ,. 31, 2011.And lastly, within the visual effects category, the amount of films selected to become runners up has risen from seven to 10, which five is going to be nominated in line with the traditional "bakeoff" voting event.Honours SEASON LAUNCH:Acad muzzles the clink and guzzle scene New rules redraw Oscar's picture, doc, toon races Tricky photos spend years on the way Fest test weeds out basically Oscar's best Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Keck's Exclusives: The Story Behind Law & Order: SVU's Mystery Necklace

Mariska Hargitay I've observed Benson sporting a completely new necklace on Law & Order: SVU. Any significance? - Leslie, Saratoga, N.Y. Plenty! The building blocks in the necklace - having a Semper Fi Marine medallion (alongside two pendants representing Mariska Hargitay's Pleased Heart Foundation) - was referred to in the scene cut within the October 12 episode. Olivia opens an envelope from ex-partner Elliot Stabler, featuring its the medallion together with a little badge with Stabler's badge number about it (the badge is becoming clipped to her gun). Why the edit? "We'd already seen Olivia break lower and be off her game. How extended can your protagonist moon around the colliege?" states professional producer Warren Leight. Later this season, Olivia will most likely obtain a visit from half brother Simon (Michael Weston), not seen round the series since 2007. Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Martin Scorsese circles 'The Snowman'

ScorseseMartin Scorsese is looking to return to the sort of films that have defined his career, but with a chilly, Nordic twist: The helmer is in early talks to direct Working Title's adaptation of Jo Nesbo's bestselling mystery novel "The Snowman." While no formal offer has been made, Scorsese has been circling the project for the last month while putting the finishing touches on Paramount's "Hugo." He recently began engaging with Working Title and is now seriously considering helming the project. Matthew Michael Carnahan is in talks to adapt the Norwegian novel, the seventh entry in Nesbo's series about detective Harry Hole. Set in Oslo, "The Snowman" concerns a missing woman whose pink scarf is found wrapped around an ominous-looking snowman. Hole discovers that the crime may be the work of a serial killer. Working Title's Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner will produce the pic, while Nesbo and Niclas Salomonsson will exec produce. Nesbo's Harry Hole series has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide and offers franchise potential similar to that of Sony's "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," helmed by David Fincher. Elsewhere, Ridley Scott is attached to direct Sony's American adaptation of the British "Red Riding" serial killer trilogy. Carnahan, whose past films include Peter Berg's "The Kingdom," Robert Redford's "Lions for Lambs" and Kevin Macdonald's "State of Play," is one of two scribes credited on Paramount's upcoming Brad Pitt starrer "World War Z." Paramount will release Scorsese's "Hugo" on Nov. 23. Pic, which stars Asa Butterfield and Chloe Moretz, is aimed at a decidedly younger audience than "The Snowman." Scorsese and Carnahan are repped by WME. Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com

New 'Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' Poster Isn't Nude, But Noirish

by Rachel Molino The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo has adapted Swedish author Stieg Larssons crime thriller novel of the same name in a perfect cacophony of white hot director David Fincher, newly most-sought-after score master Trent Reznor and fan-approved leads Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara. The film, which features Mara as a tormented computer hacker, probably doesnt need a real hand in the hype department, but it certainly is appropriate that a Tumblr site helms its viral marketing campaign. MouthTapedShut.com, the as of yet unofficial viral marketing hub for the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, has posted a new poster just as striking as the first one we saw, albeit for different, less naked reasons. Distinctly infused with notes of 40s-era noir, projected on a bleak snowy landscape and topped with a sharp-edged font, the poster has as much style as the ultra stylish film deserves. Updates, in both picture and video form, already come at a rate of about one per day at the Tumblr, and are likely to speed up the closer we come to the thrillers December 21 release. Ironically, those who have remained unexposed to Larssons novels and Swedish film adaptations will have to wait until the snowy season for the mysteries of Girl With The Dragon Tattoo to come forth in the thaw. Which Girl With The Dragon Tattoo poster do you prefer? Have you seen any of the Swedish film versions? Let us know what you think in the comment section or on Twitter!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

U.S. Version Of Jo Nesbos TV Series Occupied Being Eyed

An American version of Norwegian bestselling crime author Jo Nesbos new TV series Occupied is being talked about, Swedish producer Marianne Gray tells me. American actors and a U.S. director are also being considered for the eight-episode Norwegian TV series, which is awaiting a green light from state broadcaster NRK. Nesbo, whose novel Headhunters is being adapted by Summit Entertainment as a $30-40 million movie, has co-written three scripts for the show with local writer Havald Rosen Loew Eeg. Working Title is separately developing a feature film version of The Snowman, another bestseller by Nesbo, whose books featuring detective Harry Hole have sold nine million copies worldwide. Occupied is set in the near future, when Russia has invaded Norways oil fields and the country is under occupation. Gray, who has just come back from the States meeting with LA-based studios and producers, says: People are saying Occupied has the potential to be a U.S. series. There are parallels with the German occupation of Norway during the Second World War. The question is, how far do you collaborate when everything on the surface is pretty much the same? Yellow Bird produced the original feature-film version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, which David Fincher has remade. The Swedish version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo has grossed $104 million worldwide — $10 million of that in the U.S. alone, which is almost unheard of for a subtitled film. The Stockholm-based company also made TV versions of the other two books in Steig Larssons series, launching Noomi Rapace as an international star. It also created the original Swedish TV version of local detective Wallander, which again the BBC has remade starring Kenneth Branagh. Yellow Bird co-produced the UK version with Left Bank Pictures too. Its own $5 million feature-film adaptation of Headhunters, which tells the story of a thieving corporate headhunter who gets in over his head when he steals a clients valuable painting, played at the BFI London Film Festival last night. Magnolia has picked up the Norwegian version for U.S. release later this year. Summits U.S. remake of Headhunters is now out to writers, and Gray revealed that Nesbo may write a sequel to his original Headhunters novel. Gray, who gave the keynote speech at the Film London Production Finance Market this morning, said that she is also developing a TV version of a series of books by an American crime author. She wouldn’t say who. Many American crime authors have had one-off movies of their books made, but not entire series, she says. Gray, who started her career in LA at studios including Disney, Warner Bros. and Fox, says there is greater desire for American companies to work with European production companies such as Yellow Bird. Its strategy is to identify bestselling crime novel series, and then convert them into high-end television drama, often giving them a theatrical outing first. We are getting a lot of approaches from companies in the States. One American executive said to me, International is the new DVD. Everybody wants a piece of Europe, but sometimes they dont understand that Europe is not just a single territory.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Occupy Wall Street: Hollywood Weighs in at In on Protesters' Refusal to Vacate Park

NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg has told the Occupy Wall Street protesters that they need to vacate the low Manhattan park where they've been camped out for pretty much per month.our editor recommendsEntertainment Unions Increase Support for Occupy Wall StreetHollywood Chefs Join Occupy Wall Street ProtestsKanye West Visits Occupy Wall Street ProtestsMichael Moore, Susan Sarandon Make Looks at Wall Street ProtestsOccupy Wall Street: Hollywood Is constantly on the Weigh In around the ProtestsRelated Subjects•Occupy Wall Street The main reason? Bloomberg wants a sanitation crew in the future into Zuccotti Park to wash in the site, which is stuffed with a lot more than 1,000 demonstrators. He's purchased them from the area by 7 a.m. Friday. However the protesters have stated they aren't departing. PHOTOS: Box Office Politics: The Films and Stars Dems versus. GOPers Love (and Like to Hate) "Come tomorrow morning, we'll passively resist making it as being difficult a procedure to get rid of us as you possibly can,Inch Occupy Wall Street spokesperson Tyler Combelic told CNN. "It's no occupation if you're able to't occupy the park." It appears he and the fellow protesters possess some support from the couple of people in Hollywood. Russell Simmons tweeted he's likely to attend the park at 7 a.m. and urged his a lot more than 987,000 fans to complete exactly the same. "Meet me at Zuccotti Park tmw at 7AM. There's Not a way the brave, loyal yng ppl are now being started out," he authored. PHOTOS: The Scene at Occupy L.A. Younger crowd designed a plea to Bloomberg through the social media site: "Dear @MikeBloomberg please don't get rid of protesters at Zuccotti Park. I covers clean-as much as avoid confrontation." He added: "The yogi within me wants 2 pay 2 clean park & the threat disappears. The activist thinks it might be easier to let government bodies fu+k themselves." Meanwhile, Mark Ruffalo, who has been a vocal supporter from the protesters, also chimed in, asking Bloomberg to alter his mind. "Since Liberty Square continues to be washed through the Occupiers what's Bloomberg's reason behind Clearing the park other then Provocation? Stop," he tweeted. STORY:Occupy Wall Street Protests Pose Unique Risk for Stars Who Become Involved Younger crowd came out in the park Thursday, writing the demos are not even close to over: "There's without doubt i believe it does not matter what goes on tomorrow this factor is just beginning." He later added he spoken to some policeman who supported the protestors. "Just spoken with a in our NYPD siblings," he authored. "After I requested one what he considers #OWS. Stated if he wasn't putting on his blues he'd maintain here." Roseanne Barr also required problem using the mayor, tweeting: "Bloomberg no!!!" STORY:Occupy Wall Street: What Hollywood Says Concerning the Protests Michael Moore, who also offers made looks in the occasions, chimed in too by having an update around the ongoings. "People in Zuccotti Park cleaning the park so police don't possess a reason 2 close park lower," he tweeted. The protests, which began Sept. 17 in NY, have since spread to La along with other metropolitan areas as demonstrators protest corporate avarice and corruption. Related Subjects Mark Ruffalo Michael Bloomberg Russell Simmons Roseanne Barr Michael Moore Occupy Politics

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Chris Tucker's Million-Dollar Florida Mansion Faces Foreclosures

Last summer time, it had been says Chris Tucker owed the government over $11 million at the spine taxes. Now it seems the reclusive actor-comic has encounter more financial troubles. The Orlando Sentinel reviews that Tucker allegedly owes a lot more than $4 million to SunTrust Bank, that has filed foreclosures papers around the 10,000 square-feet Florida mansion. Per the Sentinal, Tucker's mansion includes "five sleeping rooms, three fire places, an individual health spa within the master bedroom, an outside kitchen looking over a swimming pool, as well as an unusual basement designed just like a sailing ship having a wooden deck, mast and sail." Ironically, the Irs put an $11.5 million lein around the waterfront home within the pricey Bella Collina of Monteverde, Fla. last summer time to gather delinquent taxes in the 'Rush Hour' star. Tucker has yet to discuss the foreclosures. He was lately talked about just as one co-star for 'The Silver Textures Playbook' with Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. His Florida house is presently priced at just $1.six million. [via Orlando Sentinel] [Photo: WireImage] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

What you should expect From John Williams' 'Rock Center'

This story first came out inside the March. 21 problem in the Hollywood Reporter.our editor recommendsBrian Williams' Newsmagazine being Referred to as 'Rock Center'Brian Williams Talks Politics, Occupy Wall Street on 'Late Show' (Video)John Williams' NBC Nightly News Causes Brawl In May, when NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt spoke in regards to the network's new newsmagazine introduced by John Williams -- the Nightly News anchor, wry talk show customer and repeat guest star on Tina Fey's 30 Rock -- he recommended that Williams' comedy side would participate the show. However, if Rock Center premieres March. 31 inside the 10 p.m. Monday slot vacated by quickly canceled drama The Playboy Club, executive producer Rome Hartman cautions that Williams will not be pointing Jon Stewart. "John comes with an excellent wit together with a spontaneity," Hartman notifies THR, "but this is not a comedy show." PHOTOS: Most likely Probably The Most Spoken-About TV News Faces Rock Center covers news and human-interest tales while remaining from sister show Dateline's true crime genre. NBC News personnel including medical editor Nancy Snyderman and chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel will lead their agendas allow, but Kate Snow and Harry Cruz could possibly get top billing alongside Williams. (Former Today co-host Meredith Vieira will not show up on this program through the initial couple of several days because of previous obligations.) NBC News has produced an assortment that affiliates call an elegant guy cave getting phone Manhattan skyline and multiple anchor stations -- including one getting a settee. Rock Centeris the initial broadcast newsmagazine launch in recent memory and extended past the heyday in the format when such programs made news with major "can getInch and commanded prime primetime property from network entertainment divisions. Nowadays, most regularly scheduled newsmagazines are shunted to weekend several hours and many of them are employed to fill holes inside the schedule. PHOTOS:10 Tv Shows Canceled Faster Than 'The Playboy Club' But Hartman notes that Rock Center has introduced a "tremendous commitment" from network professionals."From [NBC Universal Boss] Steve Burke to [NBC News leader] Steve Capus to John Williams and also on lower, there's dedication the program will most likely get every chance to be successful.In . Certainly the price for Rock Center is substantially within scripted hour newsmagazines typically cost $250,000 to $300,000 to produce (excluding anchor salaries), compared to $3 million per episode for just about any drama series. But you will discover no expects to grow Rock Center to plug additional future programming holes or put it to use just like a money-saving gambit such as the network's aborted 10 p.m. Jay Leno experiment. "One evening each week is enough for people at this time around,Inch states Hartman. "We neither wish to be considered filler nor can we have plans for world domination." Related Subjects John Williams NBC Robert Greenblatt The Playboy Club

Supernatural Star Jared Padalecki & Wife Expecting

First Published: October 13, 2011 10:28 AM EDT Credit: Getty Premium Caption Supernatural star Jared Padalecki and wife Genevieve Cortese arrive at Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, Calif. on March 13, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Its only natural that actor Jared Padalecki is super excited, he and his wife have a baby on the way! The 29-year-old actor announced that wife Genevieve Cortese is pregnant. OK yall Id rather you officially hear it from me So, yes. Genevieve is pregnant, the CW star wrote on Twitter. Well be welcoming a new member to our family in 2012. It appears his legions of Supernatural fans flooded his Twitter account with well-wishes and questions about where to send baby gifts. PLEASE PLEASE send gifts not to us, but to St. Judes Childrens Hospital! Lets make the world a brighter place for those not as fortunate, the actor wrote in another Tweet. The former Gilmore Girls star, who played Dean on the series, married Genevieve, who also once starred on Supernatural, in February 2010. Supernatural airs Fridays at 9 PM on The CW. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

'Thing' preems at Universal

Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Ulrich Thomsen Eli Roth and Marilyn MansonThe U team includes Ron Meyer, left, Adam Fogelson, pic's producer Marc Abraham and Josh Goldstine. Selena Gomez Exec producer J. Miles Dale hands the night to Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. Halloween got an early start Monday night as horror fans came out for Universal's premiere of "The Thing" at Universal City Walk. Before the screening, helmer Eli Roth and rocker Marilyn Manson were seen talking shop with Platinum Dunes execs Brad Fuller and Andrew Form. After the premiere, guests relived the film at Universal Studio's haunted maze, a replica from the pic, before heading to Jillian's Arcade for the afterparty, where the scary preamble didn't put the film's star, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, off enjoying a slice of pizza. "Thing" director Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. said he wanted his version to be different from the Howard Hawks-produced 1951 pic, but liked the original's sense of claustrophobia. "I have always been a fan of isolated thrillers, and in a film like this, you are searching with the characters, and that really allows the audience to feel like they are a part of the film," he said. Also seen making the rounds were "Breaking Bad's" Aaron Paul and director Peter Berg. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Steve Jobs' Dying: Hollywood Honors the Visionary

Apple co-founder and former Boss Jobs omitted a effective legacy in the world of technology and computing, but knowing through the quantity of Hollywood personas that felt the necessity to share their condolencs on Twitter, his influence went far beyond that.our editor recommendsSteve Jobs Dies at 56Steve Jobs 'Died Silently,' His Family SaysApple Honors Jobs With Webpage Takeover of Official SiteSteve Jobs Appreciated By Disney, Pixar ExecsRemembering Jobs (Video)Jobs: 10 Memorable Key occasions in the Apple Co-Founder's CareerSteve Jobs' Dying: Obama States 'World Has Lost a Visionary' Reality stars, stars, company company directors and comics all shared their ideas -- these apparently sincere. A few of the extremely notable Tweets: Actor and comedian Albert Brooks Had the pleasure of utilized by him and knowing him. He was our Edison. R.I.P. Jobs. Cowboys & Aliens director Jon Favreau We lost a man of true vision today. Condolences for the whole Apple family. Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof Jobs. Regarding every dreamer using their garage who's crazy enough to affect the world, you will be missed. Generate An Earnings Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris Relaxation in peace, Jobs. Your genius can survive for many years later on... PHOTOS: Hollywood's Notable Deaths Community star Jesse Glover R.I.P. Jobs. I am in a position to honestly say you changed my existence as well as the world many occasions over. Internet personality Wil Wheaton iRIP, Jobs. Appreciate making incredible things, and then we can live afterwards. Model and talk show host Tyra Banks After I type in my apple apple iphone, tears spring2 my eyes4an amazingMan I never met. His genius has touched most of us. Jobs, you'll b/around 4ever Jay Manuel of America's Next Top Model May he RIP... Steve will be a groundbreaking genius who changed the facial skin of computing! -( Actress Rose McGowan I am beyond sad about Jobs' passing. Beyond. Author-director-actor Harry Shearer Steve, appreciate changing our life-style for your better. Scott Pilgrim Versus. the earth director Edgar Wright Farewell and R.I.P. Jobs. Written in the Mac laptop. Work author-actress Mindy Kaling Tough to not think simply how much Jobs could've finished with more years. So sad. You're the most effective, Steve. Star Trek star LeVar Burton Even though I never met him, I'm feeling losing Jobs around the very personal level. Skateboard star Tony Hawk Jobs was the man. Give Up Boy member Pete Wentz RIP jobs. true legend. Comedian Patton Oswalt RIP Jobs. Nearest factor we required to Tony Stark. Actor Steven Weber "Dying...is existence's change agent..." Jobs Bachelorette Host Chris Harrison RIP genius Jobs. Incredibly sad. Thx for that gifts he left us TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington Damn. People like jobs should live forever Technology pundit Robert Scoble Jobs has died, Apple has reported. We've lost a great one. TV host Suze Orman So sad that Jobs has died. This type of brilliant and kind guy. We'll miss you Steve. Model and talk show host Tyra Banks After I type in my apple apple iphone, tears spring2 my eyes4an amazingMan I never met. His genius has touched most of us. Jobs, you'll b/around 4ever two and a half Males star Ashton Kutcher Avatar in memory of#stevejobs [Kutcher changed his profile photo to have an Apple logo design design featured Jobs in silhouette] Comedian Jeffrey Ross Sad day. Apple's Jobs bytes the dust. However the positive thing is he backed themselves up. #roastinpeace Actress Busy Phillipps RIP Jobs. Just how much of the incredible guy. He'll leave a legacy that will go far beyond his inventions... Chuck star Zachary Levi May most of us need to affect the world the means by which Jobs has. We've only one existence. Appreciate it. #ripstevejobs Comedian Joe Rogan Jobs has died and omitted the best computer company stuck seen. A picture showed up at, an aspiration satisfied John Hodgman, the "PC" within the Mac ads Everything good I have done, I have done around the Mac. Related Subjects Jobs

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

CBS In Talks For Half-Hour Comedy Spec By Jon Favreau

EXCLUSIVE: Author-director-actor Jon Favreau is certainly going into scripted series with Tweaked, half-hour spec script that has showed up at CBS. The network is at early discussions for your single-camera project, which Iron Guy director Favreau written which is set to direct and executive produce. When all is mentioned and done, I hear Tweaked is predicted to obtain an plane pilot order from CBS and acquire release at sister CBS TV Art galleries. Favreau has labored for a while round the script, which tales existence and dating among single parents in Santa Monica. It marks his first foray into TV series writing. On Tv, Favreau formerly directed and executive produced the pilot for ABC’s well-received but short-were living single-camera comedy series Just Just In Case Of Emergency. More youthful crowd created, executive produced and situated the IFC talk show Dinner For Five. Round the feature side, CAA-repped Favreau, who rose to prominence becoming an actor while using 1996 indie Swingers, they written, most recently helmed Cowboys & Aliens. He's now concentrating on the script for your 2013 Disney tentpole Miracle Kingdom, they is installed on direct. CBS stood a success getting a comedy spec by another feature author-director last season. Last December, the network bought Michael Patrick King’s spec 2 Broke Women, they co-written with Whitney Cummings. The project handled to get at series and ranks since the finest-rated new show this season among grownups 18-49.

Mad Fashion: TV Review

After nine seasons of Project Runway's tried and true weekly elimination formula, viewers may be excused for occasionally craving a change of pace from the fashion brand that has championed a "one day you're out" competition format. But while the wildly popular show has made bona fide television stars out of mentor Tim Gunn and judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, few of the many contestants whose designs have graced the runway -- save for season four winner, Christian Siriano-- have seemed worthy of spin-off experimentation. One other exception to that rule, however, is Chris March, the flamboyant, amiable season four also-ran whose creations routinely ignored Kors' obsession with more conservative sportswear and separates, and Garcia's tasteful, editorial rebukes. Unlike so many of Runway's forgettable contestants who promise new beginnings upon elimination from the show, March parlayed his third-runner-up finish into Chris March Designs, a no-holds-barred embrace of his Beach Blanket Babylon-inspired aesthetic that sometimes proved too over-the-top for the adventurous Heidi Klum. On Mad Fashion, Bravo's new series constructed around March's new business venture, the fan favorite is given creative license by his female clients to produce clothing that is perhaps better suited for the drag queens of Coney Island's Mermaid Parade than for the women who regularly shop at Saks Fifth Avenue. In the premiere episode, that means creating a show-stopping ensemble for NY shoe designer Ruthie Davis to wear at a preview of her new line. Meeting with his new client at her apartment to discuss the concept for the get up, March immediately seizes on a design idea. "Would you like the idea of having some shoes on your outfit?" March asks. "Some actual shoes?" Davis fears that such a literal motif "could look cliché," but gives March the green light to see what he can come up with. "I don't want to design something that everybody else would do," March says before heading back to his studio in the old Lord & Taylor building in Manhattan's Flatiron District. "I want to design something that's bigger or better or funnier or more beautiful." In the absence of a whole lot of actual dramatic tension, executive producers Matt Westmore (Beauty and the Geek, The Biggest Loser) and Noah Scheinmann (Hired) rightly bet March's fertile imagination and snide sense of humor will keep viewers entertained. When one of March's assistants complains about developing a blister on his finger while cutting strips of tough fabric, March quips, "Do you know how many homeless gay people would be happy to cut up glitter canvass?" And in a hilarious aside squeezed in during a commercial break, March pulls out a blue Sharpie for a solemn moment. "I've been fascinated with Stevie Nicks for a long, long time," he explains with his staff assembled behind him. "I've written 'Stevie Nicks' inside everything I've made for the past 20 years. It blesses everything we make." In other words, if you're looking for fashion's quirky flipside of Project Runway's "go, go, go" cutthroat ambition, Mad Fashion is your show. March is completely at ease with himself and his aesthetic, and the worst that can happen here would be to deliver an outfit that misses the mark for his eccentric clientele. As March gleefully orders one of his team to drill and saw through thousands of dollars worth of Davis' stiletto heels, even that prospect doesn't seem all that troubling. "She might think it's too crazy," March says. "If she does, she's wrong." Bravo Project Runway

Monday, October 3, 2011

ABC's 'Missing' finds buyers

CANNES -- Disney Media Distribution has unveiled a raft of sales on ABC Studios' thriller series "Missing," which has its world preem Monday at Mipcom. The series, which toplines Ashley Judd, has been sold to more than 80 territories, including Fox Channels in Italy, Russia and Ukraine, AXN in Spain, Portugal, and Central and Eastern Europe, Mediaset in Spain, RTE in Ireland, Digiturk in Turkey, SBS's Kanal 5 in Sweden, TVNorge in Norway, SBS in Denmark, OSN for the Middle East, and Fox International Channels across Asia. Further Asian deals were inked with Chinese websites' Youku.com and Tudou.com, Taiwan's NextTV and Singapore's MioTV."Missing" turns on a former CIA agent tracking down her son, who has disappeared while on a summer internship in Europe. Show lensed this summer in Prague, Dubrovnik and Istanbul, and will bow on ABC in the U.S. midseason in 2012. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

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Sunday, October 2, 2011

Phaedra

A Shotgun Gamers presentation of the play in 2 functions by Adam Bock. Directed by Rose Riordan. Set, Nina Ball lighting/forecasts, Lucas Krech costumes, Valera Coble props, Chelsea Pegram stage manager/seem, Hannah Birch Carl. Opened up Sept. 24, 2011, examined Sept. 29. Running time: 100 MIN.Paulie Patrick Alparone Antonio Keith Burkland Catherine Catherine Castellanos Taylor Cindy Im Olibia Trish MulhollandProbably probably the most conventional play Adam Bock has opened within the San Francisco Bay Area before or since his proceed to NY City, "Phaedra" spells its source noisy and obvious within the title. But what's on stage is really a noticeably contemporary spin that diverges substantially in the blueprints supplied by Euripedes, Racine yet others. Rose Riordan's Shotgun production provides a compelling work that may still stand fleshing out at the moment, Bock boosts more issues than he truly explores, making for a night that's tersely including but does not cash emotional resonance because of the eventual extremity of functions committed. It's certainly far in the vibrantly absurdist constructs this playwright established themself ("Five Plane tickets," "The Thugs," "The Typographer's Dream"), or perhaps the compressed semi-realism of "The Shaker Chair." Here things are as straight readable because the stylish beige decor of Nina Ball's classy two-floor suburban home interior: Initially we grasp it is a stage looking for people role-playing (and/or fighting) some stilted, inorganic perception of fortunate propriety. Climbing down the steps from sleeping rooms to livingroom just like a California-moderne Bette Davis circa 1972 is Catherine (Catherine Castellanos), who controls everything of the sterile environ even while she appears strangled because of it. The love has lengthy gone from her marriage to conservative judge Antonio (Keith Burkland), a pompous windbag offering some semblance of busy everyday existence is gabby British housekeeper Olibia (Trish Mulholland, directing Hermione Gingold). However the dead air within this domestic mausoleum is stirred by prodigal boy Paulie (Patrick Alparone), a troubled youth on probation from the alcohol and drugs detox program. He's going to start anew this time around but father is condescendingly doubtful, Catherine imperially disapproving. (Olibia aside, Paulie's sole ally is really a jaded recovery buddy performed with terrific comic disdain by Cindy Im.) Why his stepmom has been so hostile is revealed right before intermission, when she constitutes a late-evening confession certain to screw together with his mind and produce disaster upon all. Frequently cast in raucous working-class parts, Castellanos gives her central figure a glacial, analyzed elegance that's its gilded cage. Yet vivid as she and also the other gamers are, we do not quite purchase the grotesque passion Catherine hides for Paulie, or its catastrophic effects, weight loss than tragic contrivance. This "Phaedra" may portend that key thought at greater leisure, develop Paulie's new character further, and expand upon the political commentary implicit in Antonio's boorish arbiter of "justice." The show does not feel rushed (oddly, the one thing that actually works least in Riordan's assured staging really are a couple of mannered "slo-mo" movement passages), however it plays a tad thinner of computer should. Design contributions are astute, with particularly evocative input from Lucas Krech's subtle lighting and forecasts. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com