Daily Variety articles from April 2009

Daily Variety archives from April 2009

Mr. Fix-it: HBO, Par set Korshak mini.
April 2, 2009... HBO, Paramount Pictures and Robert Evans are teaming to tell the epic story of Sidney Korshak. Chicago attorney gorshak came to Hollywood and leveraged relationships with politicians, labor leaders, showbiz and the underworld to become the...

Fox finds fanboy allies on pic leak.
April 2, 2009... The fanboys have come to the aid of their heroes, as website Ain't-It-Cool-News on Wednesday lamented the pirated Web upload of 20th Century Fox's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," vowing not to run any reviews or comments on the pic. In addition,...

Lifetime sews up rights to 'Runway'.
April 2, 2009... After a yearlong legal battle, "Project Runway" is cleared to move to Lifetime, where it will bow in the summer. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NBC Universal, the Weinstein Co. and Lifetime jointly announced Wednesday that they've settled the...

Cannes berth for 'Basterds'.
April 2, 2009... Quentin Tarantino's WWII epic "Inglourious Basterds" is headed to the French Riviera. The Brad Pitt starrer, set in Nazi-occupied France, has been invited to play in competition at the Cannes Film Festival. Insiders said Tarantino, a longtime...

Trio there at 'Inception'.
April 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Warner Bros. is in talks with Marion Cotillard, Cillian Murphy and Ellen Page to join the east of "Inception" which Christopher Nolan wrote and will direct as his next film. Leonardo DiCaprio has already been set to...

Blurbs done; majors next?(Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists)
April 2, 2009... SAG and AFTRA have come to terms with Madison Avenue--so will that pave the way for SAG to settle its long-running contract impasse with Hollywood's majors? The commercials contract talks went down to the wee hours of Wednesday morning, as...

Colbert vs. Beck.(VARIETY.COM)
April 2, 2009... Stephen Colbert takes on Fox News' Glenn Beck. Variety.com/ wilshireandwashington. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Peacock parting.
April 2, 2009... "ER" shuts the hospital doors after 15 years of traumas, tragedies and triumphs. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

PBS leads Peabodys: HBO, 'Lost,' 'SNL' political satire feted.
April 2, 2009... "Breaking Bad," "Entourage," "Lost" and "Saturday Night Live's" political satire are among the George Foster Peabody Award honorees for 2008. PBS programs earned a total of six Peabody nods, while HBO garnered five. In all, there were 36...

Documaker in RDF pact.
April 2, 2009... RDF USA has sealed a deal with documentarian Nanette Burstein ("The Kid Stays in the Picture") to develop and produce nonscripted projects. Deal reunites Burstein with RDF Media USA chief exec Chris Coelen, who once served as one of her...

TLC locks pilot doc.(Brief article)
April 2, 2009... TLC has secured what it said are the exclusive authorized documentary rights to the story of U.S. Airways pilot Chesley Sullenberger, who became a national hero when he successfully landed a crippled passenger jet in the Hudson River in January,...

B'buster wants better deals.
April 2, 2009... Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes stepped up his efforts to get movie studios and vidgame publishers to improve revenue-sharing terms with the chain, saying Wednesday that since the vidtailer spends $1 billion annually with the studios, it ought to get...

MySpace atop exec's priority list.
April 2, 2009... Jonathan Miller was officially named News Corp.'s digital honcho Wednesday, taking on many of the duties of the soon-to-exit Peter Chernin. The announcement confirmed widespread reports about Miller coming aboard and Peter Levinsohn shifting...

Anchor Moyer will ankle.
April 2, 2009... Longtime Los Angeles anchorman Paul Moyer is set to retire from the news desk. Moyer informed the KNBC newsroom Wednesday afternoon that he intended to anchor his last broadcast in the near future. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Moyer, who...

Correction.(Correction notice)
April 2, 2009... Mikael Hafstrom will direct "The Rite" for New Line. Title was incorrect and studio information was omitted in Wednesday's paper.

Helmer will spear 'Spellman' for Par.
April 2, 2009... Barry Sonnenfeld has become attached to direct "The Spellman Files," the Paramount Pictures adaptation of Lisa Lutz's novel. Laura Ziskin is producing. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Story revolves around a single private eye who has to juggle...

Cosby takes Twain nod.(Bill Cosby will receive the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor)(Brief article)
April 2, 2009... Bill Cosby will receive the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The presentation of the award and accompanying festivities will he staged Oct. 26 at the center's Concert Hall. Cosby will be...

Snafu snags 'Slumdog' DVDs.
April 2, 2009... Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment's new initiative to distribute two classes of discs for the sell-through and rental markets has stumbled out of the gate, with Amazon.com and other retailers receiving the wrong versions of Tuesday's...

Geffen gets 'Equivocation'.(Geffen Playhouse)(Brief article)
April 2, 2009... The Geffen Playhouse has added Bill Cain's new play "Equivocation" to its 2009-10 lineup and confirmed two helmers for previously announced shows. Bowing in the second slot of the season, "Equivocation" mixes history and fiction as it centers...

Claps for film clips: Sony's sneak peeks excite exhibitors.
April 2, 2009... It was Sony's turn at ShoWest on Wednesday, as worldwide distribution president Rory Bruer unveiled extended footage of the studio's summer slate, Bruer also told the crowd that the studio is bringing back two popular franchises: "Men in...

Little love for newbies.(Cupid and Osbournes: Reloaded)
April 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Big Four nets are still hunting for anything resembling a midseason hit after ABC's "Cupid" and Fox's "Osbournes: Reloaded" opened to lackluster results Tuesday The Osbournes' variety show spec, which was...

Long-running 'Light' goes dark at CBS.
April 2, 2009... After 72 years on the air (with more than 15,700 episodes on radio and TV combined), "Guiding Light" will shine no more--at least on CBS. The Eye net informed the show's cast and crew Wednesday that the long-running serial will be broadcast...

China tightens net: state acts to control Webcast content.(World News)
April 2, 2009... China's powerful State Administration of Radio, Film and TV has tightened its grip on the biz by ordering all online content providers to apply for a license before broadcasting material on the Internet. The new rules are a blow to foreign...

Rome rewards 'Lost'.(World News)(Rome Fiction Fest)(Brief article)
April 2, 2009... "Lost" stewards Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse will be feted by the Rome Fiction Fest, dedicated to international TV skeins. The co-creators and exec producers of ABC's hit series will receive the shindig's top nod in recognition of "Lost"...

Russian helmer regains union control.(World News)
April 2, 2009... Russian film director Nikita Mikhalkov has won a hitter struggle for control of the country's cinematography union. Mikhalkov, who directed the 1994 Academy Award winner "Burnt by the Sun," won an overwhelming endorsement from members at a...

'Tahoe' triumphs at Mexican kudos.(World News)
April 2, 2009... MEXICO CITY -- Helmer Fernando Eimbcke's "Lake Tahoe" garnered Ariels for film, director and male supporting actor (Hector Herrera) at Mexico's Academy of Film. Arts and Sciences awards on Tuesday evening. It was beaten in the tally by...

Televisa in 'Heaven'.(mip tv)(Dumb Gifts Don't Go to Heaven)(Brief article)
April 2, 2009... Following the success of the Chinese version of telenovela "Ugly Betty," the Shanghai Media Group has started production on a local version of Mexican TV giant Televisa's "Dumb Gifts Don't Go to Heaven." SMG, China's biggest entertainment...

MGM net bows in Slovenia.(mip tv)(Brief article)
April 2, 2009... MGM Networks has completed its rollout of the MGM Channel in Central and Eastern Europe by, launching a local version in Slovenia. Launched by MGM Channel Central and Eastern Europe, a 50/50 venture between MGM Networks and Liberty Global's...

Dutch to get Disney on demand.(mip tv)
April 2, 2009... CANNES -- Walt Disney-ABC-ESPN TV has inked a video-on-demand agreement with Dutch tablet Ziggo. Deal covers ABC's "Lost" and "Grey's Anatomy," Jetix Europe toons, and new and library, movies from Disney including "Wall-E." VOD represents...

Osbournes Reloaded.
April 2, 2009... (Series: Fox. Tue March 31, 9:25 p.m.) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Produced by JOKS Prods. and FremantleMedia North America Executive producers, James Sunderland, Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne, Jack Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne; co-executive...

We're always talking up Doris Day here.
April 2, 2009... WE'RE ALWAYS talking up Doris Day here. She's the singing movie sweetheart of the '50s and '60s and like we keep saying, she deserves an Oscar Lifetime Achievement award more than most who get one. Come April 7, Warner Hot Video and Turner...

Back when teen heartthrob Zac Efron was announced to do the remake of "Footloose," I admitted Zac was indeed a cutie, but no Kevin Bacon.
April 2, 2009... BACK WHEN teen heartthrob Zac Efron was announced to do the remake of "Footloose," I admitted Zac was indeed a cutie, but no Kevin Bacon. The original movie was perfect, anyway, why mess around with it? Well, even though the director of the new...

CMT 'Wild' for Nugent.
April 2, 2009... CMT has ordered eight episodes of "Runnin' Wild... From Ted Nugent," a reality-competition series that will feature the right-wing rock star and hunting advocate teaching contestants how to survive in the wild, then chasing after them along...

Panavision picks prexy-CEO.
April 2, 2009... Panavision has named William (Billy) M. Campbell president ,and CEO. Campbell was most recently proxy of Discovery Networks. He has done stints at ABC, CBS and Warner Bros. TV and has been president of Miramax Television. He will report to...

Core clocks 'Murder' in new thriller.
April 2, 2009... The Film Department and Anonymous Content are locked and loaded for "Murder, inc." signing Ericson Core ('Invincible") to direct the crime thriller. The Film Department is financing, with Steve Golin, Mark Gill and Robert Kart as producers....

Radio host gets MSNBC gig.
April 2, 2009... Talkradio host Ed Schultz has landed his own show' on MSNBC, after much speculation that the cabler was looking for another liberal voice to complement its combination of Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow. "The Ed Show" will debut Monday in...

TV production chart.
April 2, 2009... PRODUCTION CHART KEY Abbeviations: SUPR EXP-supervising executive producer(s); EXP-Executive producer(s); CO-EXP-Co-executive producer(s); SUPR PROD-Supervising producer(s); PROD-Producer(s); CO-PROD-Co-producer(s) Co-producers(s);...

Today's schedule.(V PLUS: SHOWEST: TALENT)(Brief article)
April 2, 2009... 8:30 A.M. Creative Concession Management (Las Vegas Ballroom #1, South Tower, Bally's Hotel) 9 A.M. 3-D Events Go Live In Movie Theaters Across America (Le Theatre Des Arts, Paris Hotel) 10:30 A.M. Screening of "The Cove" and...

Left-field hits yield gold: franchises may grab the spotlight, but studios salivate that an unknown pic could score big.(SUMMER SURPRISE: WHAT'S THE NEXT 'PRADA'?)
April 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Even with the nation's economy expected to remain in recession, this summer promises a healthy counterpoint. Franchises bulk up the season, with appealing titles such as the 11th "Star Trek," the sixth Harry Potter, the...

Independent Award for Excellence in Acting: Patricia Clarkson.(V PLUS: SHOWEST: TALENT)
April 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Actors always lament the lack of good scripts in Hollywood, but then how do you explain Patricia Clarkson? The New Orleans native, who will receive the ShoWest Independent Award for Excellence in Acting, finds...

Breakthrough Performer of the Year: Zac Efron.(V PLUS: SHOWEST: TALENT)
April 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For Zac Efron, real-life high school wasn't always so musical. "There were countless days when I can remember making a fool of myself," admits the shaggy-haired heartthrob. "You know. all those awkward encounters....

Male Star of Tomorrow: Chris Pine.(V PLUS: SHOWEST: TALENT)(Brief article)
April 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Now that he's Captain James T. Kirk in the rebooted "Star Trek." Chris Pine has seen his previously low-key career undergo the kind of dramatic breakthrough possible only in Hollywood. ShoWest exhibitors are...

Lifetime Achievement Award: Michael Caine.(V PLUS: SHOWEST: TALENT)
April 2, 2009... Michael Caine has won two Oscars and a raft of Golden Globes and BAFTAs. but he's far from jaded when it comes to awards. "I think any recognition of your work is great, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from ShoWest means you must have done...

Supporting Actress of the Year: Sienna Miller.(V PLUS: SHOWEST: TALENT)
April 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After bubbling on the cusp of stardom for several years, Sienna Miller may finally be poised to boil over into the mainstream with a host of new films, targeted at both arthouses and multiplexes. Those upcoming...

Female Star of the Year: Rachel McAdams.(V PLUS: SHOWEST: TALENT)(Brief article)
April 2, 2009... Four years ago, Rachel McAdams was ShoWest's Supporting Actress of the Year: This year, she has moved on up to Female Star of the Year, an ascent McAdams appreciates, but only with a grain of salt. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "They're really...

Career Achievement in Film Journalism: Roger Ebert.(V PLUS: SHOWEST: TALENT)
April 2, 2009... As the number off full-time film critics hovers just above the century mark, Roger Ebert's prominence in the embattled profession can't be overstated. He's not the last man standing--not yet, anyway. But he is the one critic both known and,...

Male Star of the Year: Dennis Quaid.(V PLUS: SHOWEST: TALENT)
April 2, 2009... Over a 30-year career that has seen its fair share of ups and downs, Derails Quaid has always managed to keep a sense of perspective about his achievements--and a sense of humor: 'I'm pretty excited about the award," he says about receiving...

Comedy Star of the Year: Bradley Cooper.(V PLUS: SHOWEST: TALENT)
April 2, 2009... Like many people--at least those who aren't compulsive gamblers--Bradley Cooper can take about 48 hours of Las Vegas before feeling the itch to leave. But Vegas is a big reason Cooper can lay claim to ShoWest's 2009 Comedy Star of the Year...

Female Stars of Tomorrow: The cast of 'Sorority Row'.(V PLUS: SHOWEST: TALENT)
April 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "It was an amazing experience," gushes Adrian Partridge of the "Sorority Row" film shoot, brimming with the ebullience of a college girl rushing the coolest Greek house on campus. "The cast is so talented, and everybody...

Docs rock one last time: exec producer examines the DNA of County General as 'ER' ends its 15-year run.('ER' SERIES FINALE)
April 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In 1994, "ER" reinvented the medical drama. It was real, raw and so compelling that within a few months, a ridiculously large swath of American television viewers made an appointment to experience the chaos at County...

First-season ratings bonanza recalls a bygone era.(THURSDAY STALWART)
April 2, 2009... If anything ever happened to me, I would want to go to County General," says Warner Bros. TV topper Peter Roth, in what could be construed as the highest praise for "ER," the series that set up residence on Soundstage 11 at the Burbank lot 15...

What we said back then: Variety's review recalls the pilot was a 'spectacular start' and makes comparisons to 'Chicago Hope".
April 2, 2009... ER (Sept. 19, 1994) Filmed by Constant C Prods, and Amblin Television Prods. in association with Warner Bros. Television. Executive producers, Michael Crichton. John Wells: producer. Dennis Murphy; director, Rod Holcomb; writer, Michael...

'ER' by the numbers.(V PLUS: 'ER' SERIES FINALE)
April 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 400 X-rays ordered 23 Resident doctors 1,200 Trauma patients treated 31 Nurses 700 Patients who have arrived by ambulance 200 Gallons of face blood [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 10 Desk clerks 8 Chief's...

Insiders' view: crew member, trauma nurse recollect favorite moments: in the most dramatic scenes, there was room for laughter, frivolity.(V PLUS: 'ER' SERIES FINALE)
April 2, 2009... In 1995 we filmed "Love's Labor Lost" about a couple--Scan and Jodi O'Brien--who were expecting their first baby. Dr. Mark Greene (Anthony Edwards) was the attending physician on call during some very tense and surreal moments when a very...

Blood-curdling realism would've been too much, but the bond was spot-on.(V PLUS: 'ER' SERIES FINALE)
April 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I've been an ER nurse for more than half my life. During those years, television has gone from the irascible and lovable Marcus Welbys and Trapper Johns to "ER." Of course, all ER nurses watch, more to critique the...

Swept up by 'Hair'.(V)(Brief article)
April 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The raucous crowd at Tuesday's opening night of the "Hair" Broadway revival put on almost as much of a show as the cast. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Helmer Diane Paulus dressed in a brightly...

William H. Macy and helmer Brian Hecker at a screening of "Bart Got a Room".(V)
April 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] William H. Macy and helmer Brian Hecker at a screening of "Bart Got a Room" at the W Hotel in Westwood Monday

Mike Myers and Sean Connery at Monday's Dressed to Kilt charity event in N.Y.(V)
April 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mike Myers and Sean Connery at Monday's Dressed to Kilt charity event in N.Y. benefiting the Friends of Scotland org

"The Tudors" stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Annabelle Wallis at Showtime's season three launch party.(V)
April 2, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "The Tudors" stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Annabelle Wallis at Showtime's season three launch party in Gotham