Daily Variety articles from June 2005

Daily Variety archives from June 2005

It's a jungle out there for D'Works.(Dreamworks SKG)
June 1, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Hollywood may be happy with "Madagascar," but Wall Street isn't: Despite meeting industry expectations, the pic's $61 million bow sent DreamWorks Animation stock tumbling 9% on Monday. Some investors were also rattled by a...

B'way's big finish: B.O. dips, but tix show kick.
June 1, 2005... Despite several record-setting weeks during the past three months and higher overall attendance figures, Broadway did not set a box office record for the 2004-05 season, which ended Sunday. Most new shows in the season's first nine months...

Rise, shine for ad coin.(advertising)(ABC)
June 1, 2005... ABC hauled in $2.1 billion in advertising commitments for the coming season, a 30% increase from 2004, driven by a spate of hit shows including "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lost." The Disney-owned network's tally, which...

Hillary hits H'wood with an eye on '08.(Hillary Rodham Clinton, hollywood)
June 1, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Hollywood's Democratic donors may be only now recovering from what to them were the disappointing results of the last presidential election, but the next political cycle is already getting under way. Tonight, Sen. Hillary...

Obi-Wan's four play.(Ewan McGregor, movie roles)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... LONDON -- Ewan McGregor has committed to his next four movie roles, all in a single film--an untitled British comedy written and to be directed by fellow Scot Peter Capaldi. In the period film within a period film, McGregor will playa 1930s...

Par puts vet on the 'Job'.(Paramount)
June 1, 2005... David Twohy has set up a trio of writing assignments, one of which will turn his original heist pic premise into "The Brazilian Job," the sequel to Paramount hit remake "The Italian Job." Twohy, whom Par has also tapped to direct his...

A handy guide to Bruckheimer's America: the nation, as imagined by TV's prolific producer, is full of crime and beautiful people.
June 1, 2005... INTERNATIONAL TV BUYERS have been in L.A. in recent weeks deciding which U.S. programs to export home, sifting through a crop of shows that, based on the upfront presentations, are all being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. OK, that's an...

Donmar lineup makes splash.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... LONDON -- Ian McKellen will make his first appearance at the Donmar early next year in a new Mark Ravenhill play, "The Cut," while the fall kicks off with the return of Simon Russell Beale to the popular studio theater in Christopher Hampton's...

Original Turnblad returns.(Marissa Jaret Winokur)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Marissa Jaret Winokur, Broadway's original Tracy Turnblad, returns to "Hairspray" June 13 for a monthlong stint. The actress won the 2003 Tony for her turn as Turnblad and left the show in August of that year. Since then, she has been seen...

UTA signs 'Grudge' star.(United Television Artists, Sarah Michelle Gellar )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Sarah Michelle Gellar has signed with UTA. Thesp, who most recently toplined Sony's horror smash "The Grudge," is looking to move into producing, with a focus on features. UTA will assist in those efforts while also repping...

IATSE unionizes 'Campus'.(Intl. Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- The Intl. Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees has unionized the crew of Oxygen Networks' upcoming "Campus Ladies" from Campus Ladies Prods. The union said the Los Angeles-based television series, with a budget of under...

Weinsteins' 'Pulse' quickens with thrush.(planning for cult movie)
June 1, 2005... Pop songbird-actress Christina Milian has been cast opposite Kristen Bell in "Pulse"--a remake of cult Japanese helmer Kiyoshi Kurosawa's "Kairo"--for Bob and Harvey Weinstein's Weinstein Co. Pic, set to lense this month in Romania, is...

WB out of the kiddie pool.(Warner Bros.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Both off-network and firstrun surfaced bigtime in the TV syndication business on Monday: * The WB will buy off-net series aimed at adults 18-49 to replace its two-hour children's block of shows weekdays at 3 p.m., beginning in January. ...

Arau joins Ofrenda roster.(Sergio Arau)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... MEXICO CITY -- "A Day Without a Mexican" helmer Sergio Arau has signed with Ofrenda, an agency specializing in Latino directors. Pic was the top-grossing Mexican film of 2004, bringing in $5.8 million at the local box office and $4.2...

Weekend to forget: Memorial Day sesh weak at Broadway B.O.(box office)
June 1, 2005... Memorial Day is one holiday weekend Broadway does not love. As in years past, box office for the frame fell $809,687 or 4.32% as 35 shows brought in $17,939,118. Good weather also kept people outdoors and not in theaters. Most shows'...

Fox 'Kitchen' cookin' as reality ramps up.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Fox served up some promising numbers Monday night for "Hell's Kitchen," the first of a flurry of unscripted series to bow on the broadcast nets over the next few weeks. Show, a culinary boot camp that features a group of aspiring...

MSNBC skeds Carlson yakker.(MSNBC Cable Network)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... The bowtie is back. Conservative pundit Tucker Carlson's MSNBC primetime skein, "The Situation With Tucker Carlson," will bow June 13 at 9/10 p.m. PT. The show will dissect the news of the day with in-depth interviews with business,...

Digital Entertainment Group.(Bob Chapek, Peter Staddon, Sandy Friedman appointed)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... * Buena Vista Home Entertainment prexy Bob Chapek has been reelected president of the board of DEG: the Digital Entertainment Group. Peter Staddon, exec VP, marketing, at Fox Home Entertainment, has been elected VP of the nonprofit...

Geneon Entertainment.(Geneon Entertainment USA, Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... * Long Beach, Calif.-based DVD distrib Geneon Entertainment has acquired a series of Japanese anime and live-action properties. Among the Japanese titles heading to DVD this year are "Hellsing Ultimate OVA Series," from animation house...

Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool.
June 1, 2005... (Docu; Turner Classic Movies; Wed., June 1, 8 p.m.) Filmed in various locations by Turner Classic Movies. Executive producer, Leslie Greif; producers, Mimi Friedman, Hillard Elkins, Julie Frankel; director-writer, Friedman; editor, Nathan...

BFE.(Butt-Fuck Egypt)(Theater Review)
June 1, 2005... (Playwrights Horizons; 96 seats; $38) A Playwrights Horizons presentation, in association with Long Wharf Theater, of a play in one act by Julia Cho. Directed by Gordon Edelstein. Sets, Takeshi Kata; costumes, Jayde Chabot; lighting, Paul...

Bruce and Me.(Movie Review)
June 1, 2005... (Docu--Australia-Canada) A Films Transit Intl. presentation of an Outlaw Pictures production in association with the Australian Broadcasting Corp., Life Network, Discovery Health Channel, Independent Film Channel Canada and Finnish...

Showbiz stocks: Tuesday, May 31, 2005.(Illustration)
June 1, 2005... SHOWBIZ STOCKS Tuesday, May 31, 2005 YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AcmeCm ACME ... 3.96 +.10 -43.5 Actvsn ATVI 24 15.80 ...

Weekend stats.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
June 1, 2005... WEEKEND STATS Nielsen EDI A Service of Nielsen Entertainment Domestic Box Office $231.8 million May 27-30, 2005 vs. last year * -6% Daily Breakdown (in millions of $) FRI. $54.4 SAT. $68.0...

Film box office wrap: for the weekend of May 27-30.(Illustration)
June 1, 2005... FILM BOX OFFICE WRAP FOR THE WEEKEND OF MAY 27-30 Ranking Reported This Last Weekend Pct. Week Week Title (Distributor)...

Red Light Winter.(Theater Review)
June 1, 2005... Red Light Winter (Steppenwolf Theater, Chicago; 80 seats, $15 top) A Steppenwolf Theater production of a play in two acts by Adam Rapp. Directed by Rapp. Sets, Todd Rosenthal; costumes, Michele Tesdall; lighting, Keith Parham; sound, Andre...

Public Exposure.(Theater Review)
June 1, 2005... Public Exposure (Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater. Wellfleet Harbor: Mass.: 90 seats: $25 top) A Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater presentation of a play in one act by Robert Reich. Directed by Gip Hoppe. Sets, Dan Joy; costumes, Nathalie...

Beauty and the Geek.(Television Program Review)
June 1, 2005... Beauty and the Geek (Series: WB, Wed. June 1, 8 p.m.) Filmed in Los Angeles by Katalyst Films and 3 Ball Prods. Executive producers, Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg, J.D. Roth, Todd A. Nelson, John Foy, Nick Santora; co-executive producers,...

Hot format for Univision Radio.
June 1, 2005... MIAMI -- Univision Radio, a division of Spanish-lingo media group Univision Communications, on Friday launched La Kalle 105.9/92.7 FM, a youth-targeted Spanish-language radio station. The station targets New York Hispanics in the 18-34...

Getting the word out isn't cheap.
June 1, 2005... An Emmy win can enhance a show, studio, network and a star but, like anything else, comes at a high price. With the Emmy Awards campaign in full swing, that sound you hear in the distance is the cha-ching of cash registers at video...

Memorex moments: pre-recorded speeches make room for snazzier show.
June 1, 2005... Stung by last year's ratings dip, the Academy of TV Arts & Sciences is still searching for the answer to its Emmycast conundrum. Just 14 million viewers caught the 2004 broadcast, the event's second-smallest audience. With other kudo fests...

Rejuvenation station: skeins considered past their prime enjoy creative revivals, critical comebacks.
June 1, 2005... With the Bartlet administration on the way out, there were some industry observers who believed at the beginning of last season that "The West Wing" was nearing its end as well. The handoff from show creator Aaron Sorkin to John Wells in...

Calendar.
June 1, 2005... WEEK OF JUNE 6: Nominating ballots are mailed and posted on the Academy's Web site. JUNE 22: Postmark deadline for returning the nominating ballots to Ernst & Young. JULY 14: Nominations are announced from the Leonard Goldenson...

Forgotten freshmen: a category for first-time shows would give those new series equal footing with vets.
June 1, 2005... The easiest way to get an Emmy nomination is to have already gotten an Emmy nomination, which is why some quarters of the TV Academy have been pushing for a return of the new series award, last seen in the early '70s. This, supporters...

A win's a win ... but is anyone watching?
June 1, 2005... So what exactly does an Emmy win mean? Well, in terms of ratings, maybe not so much. At last year's show at the Shrine Auditorium--to collective gasps, high-fives and backslapping among both Fox execs and the series' cast and...

One last hurrah: 'Raymond' and cop stalwart 'Blue' bow out with quality final seasons.
June 1, 2005... New York's finest and funniest have exited stage right--but not before scoring some of the all-time biggest Emmy hauls. "NYPD Blue," winner of drama in 1995, and "Everybody Loves Raymond," which took home the comedy trophy in 2003, are...

B'cast lineup proves potent.(broadcasting)
June 1, 2005... Television critics are always whining about somebody else's scheduling. But we never step up and write a sked of our own, though that's mostly because networks have the good sense not to hire us. Well, for a change, we're playing a little...

Peacock powerhouse: twenty years ago, 'Cosby' wore the crown as comedy king on a night dominated by NBC.
June 1, 2005... With NBC currently in fourth place, what Jeff Zucker needs--besides a handful of hit shows and a stranglehold on the 18-49 demo--is a potent dose of nostalgia, circa 1985. Twenty years ago, the Emmys were awash in Peacock feathers. Four of...

Three Times.(Movie Review)
June 1, 2005... (ZUIHAODE SHIGUANG) (Taiwan) A Sinomovie.com, Paradis Films, Orly Films presentation of a Sinomovie.com production. (International sales: Celluloid Dreams, Paris.) Produced by Chang Huafu. Executive producer, Hwarng Wernying. ...

Happy Hour.(Theater Review)
June 1, 2005... (12 Miles" West, Bloomfield, N.J.; 99 seats; $25) A 12 Miles West Center for the Arts presentation of a play in two acts by John Wooten. Directed by Lenny Bart. Set, Jessica Parks; costumes, Liz Zazzi; lighting and sound, Sean Hennessy;...

Crazy Eyes.(Theater Review)
June 1, 2005... Provincetown Repertory Theater Provincetown, Mass.; 105 seats; $28 top) A Provincetown Repertory Theater presentation of a play in two acts by John Buffalo Mailer. Directed by Paul Eckstein. Sets, Scott White; costumes, Carol Sherry;...

Ralph Winter Prods.(Susana Zepeda appointed)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Susana Zepeda has been tapped VP of Ralph Winter Prods. ("X-Men" "Fantastic Four"), which has a deal at Fox. She served as VP of development for director Martin Scorsese's and producer Barbara DeFina's Cappa Films.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment.(Jeff Herrera appointed)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Jeff Herrera has been appointed VP, multicultural marketing for Universal Studios Home Entertainment. He was VP, retail marketing.

New Line.(EXEC SHUFFLE)(Lina J.C. promoted in New Line Cinema Corp.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... New Line has upped Lina J.C. Plath to VP of national publicity in charge of PR efforts on the East Coast. She was director, national publicity.

Universal Pictures.(EXEC SHUFFLE)(Austin Barker promoted)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Austin Barker has been promoted to VE broadcast assets, for Universal Pictures. He was executive director, broadcast assets, for Universal.

Bob Gold & Associates.(EXEC SHUFFLE)(Art Maulsby appointed)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Bob Gold & Associates has named Art Maulsby as the firm's executive director. He was director of corporate communications for TVN Entertainment.

Buena Vista Intl. Television.(EXEC SHUFFLE)(Catherine Powell appointed and Laura Galiaote pormoted)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Buena Vista Intl. Television has appointed Catherine Powell as sales director, U.K. and Ireland. She was creative director of the company's portfolio development group. Laura Galiaote has been promoted to VP, finance and accounting.

5.1 Production Services.(EXEC SHUFFLE)(Tom Hutten appointed to new office)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... 5.1 Production Services has opened its first office in New York City and named Tom Hutten to the newly created post of director of services, New York. He worked at a company he launched in 2001, Bionic Mastering.

Univision Communications.(EXEC SHUFFLE)(Peter Lori promoted )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... U.S. Spanish-language media conglom Univision Communications has tapped former KPMG audit partner Peter Lori for the new position of senior VP, corporate controller and chief accounting officer.

Buena Vista Home Entertainment.(EXEC SHUFFLE)(Scott Guthrie appointed)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... Scott Guthrie has been promoted to senior VP, sales and distribution, for Buena Vista Home Entertainment. He was VP, sales and channel development. (To submit executive shuffle items, contact Annie Garcelon at (323)549-4172 of...

Par vet plays a Vital role.(Jack Waterman appointed to VitalStream)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Jack Waterman, the former president of Paramount Worldwide Pay TV, has joined VitalStream, a streaming media solutions and content delivery provider, as its chief executive officer. Waterman will be responsible for the overall...

Top 10 films in Manhattan: for the weekend of May 27-30, 2005.
June 1, 2005... TOP 10 FILMS IN MANHATTAN % change vs. last Rank Wknd. B.O. Film (distributor) wknd. * 1. ...

Broadway top 10: May 23-29, 2005.(theater play market share)(Illustration)
June 1, 2005... BROADWAY TOP 10: May 23-29, 2005 Week's Net Prev Show Receipts Week's $Change (Theater) Potential Net Avg. (Prod. Category) (Seats)...

Exclusives report: for the weekend of May 27-30, 2005.(Illustration)
June 1, 2005... EXCLUSIVES REPORT For the weekend of May 27-30, 2005 NEW YORK Weekend Film Cir- Theater, B.O. (distributor) cuit city gross ...

Coca--The Dove from Chechnya: Europe in Denial of a War.(Coca - Die Taube aus Tschetschenien Europa und sein verleugneter Krieg)(Movie Review)
June 1, 2005... (COCA DIE TAUBE AUS TSCHETSCHENIEN: EUROPA UND SEIN VERLEUGNETER KRIEG) (Docu Switzerland) A Doc Prods., Eric Bergkraut production in association with SF DRS, SRG SSR idee suisee, ARTE, YLE TV1. Producer, Rose-Marie Schneider....

Leiner goes to 'Fetch' pic.(Danny Leiner to direct movie for Columbia Pictures)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Danny Leiner will direct the romantic comedy "Fetch," which Neal Moritz's Original Film is producing for Columbia. Written by Jeff Lowell, pic is described as "Look Who's Talking," but features a dog instead of a baby. ...

TF1 falters as M6 aud share rises.(Societe Nationale Television Francaise 1 has disappointing first-quarter results)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... PARIS -- Shares in Gallic commercial broadcaster M6 rose Tuesday, riding high on a hike in audience figures, while market leader TF1 saw its share price fall on disappointing first-quarter results. TF1 reported lower than expected net...

Kinowelt nabs four Epsilon pix.(Kinowelt Filmverleih gains rights for four movies)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... BERLIN -- Kinowelt has picked up German rights to four pics, including Demi Moore starrer "Hall Light" from Craig Rosenberg and Kevin Reynolds' medieval love story "Tristan & Isolde," starring James Franco and Sophia Myles. The...

'Postman' rings U.S.: Beeb puppet show to debut on HBO Family.(Home box office Inc., ER group)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... LONDON -- The venerable British preschool TV skein "Postman Pat" is set to make its U.S. debut this fall on HBO Family. Entertainment Rights, which owns the character, will support the U.S. launch with consumer products, to be rolled out in...

Italy opts for money man as RAI prexy.(Andrea Monorchio as incharge of administrator)
June 1, 2005... ROME -- Italy has selected the bureaucrat formerly in charge of administering the country's finances as prexy of pubcaster RAI. The choice of Andrea Monorchio is a surprise as appointment to the post, along with all the other top jobs at...

Japan makes Real deal.(Pony Canyon Distributors Inc., Phantom Film gain theaterical rights of Real)(Real Madrid Television)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... MADRID -- Japan's Pony Canyon and Phantom Film have taken Japanese DVD/video and theatrical rights, respectively, to "Real, the Movie." Pic is the official film of Real Madrid, the second richest soccer club in the world. Spanish...

Geldof acts in concert for Live 8.(Bob Geldof, Midge Ure to participate)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2005... LONDON -- Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, the men behind Live Aid 20 years ago, Tuesday confirmed plans for Live 8--a series of free music festivals designed to put pressure on the world's richest nations to eliminate Third World debt. Live 8...

The Warren commission.(Arnold Schwarzenegger)
June 1, 2005... Excerpted from the actor's remark; to UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy on May 21. I've never enjoyed being publicly negative about actors in public office, like Ronald Reagan, whom I really liked, or Sonny Bono or George...

Car trouble.(A VARIETY OF LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... To the Editor: Re: "Dial M for Movies" (Daily Variety, March 30): It's obvious that the cellphone will become the next entertainment device. What concerns me is that the cellphone is also a car phone--and the entertainment community seems...

A global event.(A VARIETY OF LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... To the Editor: I read with interest the recent article and column by Peter Bart suggesting that the Shanghai International Film Festival will become a "local" event. Since its founding in 1993, the Shanghai Film Festival has always...

AMC reels 'em in: pricey pix pump profile amid 'classics' conflict.(AMC Entertainment Inc.'s licensing agreement with Warner Bros.)
June 2, 2005... AMC has engineered one of the biggest programming deals in its history, spending around $80 million for 22 theatrical movies from Warner Bros., including the upcoming "Batman Begins," "Two Weeks Notice," "Million Dollar Baby," "The Last...

Touchstone taps 'Boomtown' boys.(Chris Brancato and Bert Salke's contracts with Touchstone Television Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Former "Boomtown" scribes Chris Brancato and Bert Salke are headed to Touchstone Television, ending a two-year relationship with 20th Century Fox TV. Duo have inked a two-year, seven-figure overall deal to develop and exec...

Duo check in to 'Heartbreak' hotel.(Peter Farrelly and Bobby Farrelly's contracts with Dreamworks SKG)("The Heartbreak Kid")(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Peter and Bobby Farrelly are close to inking a deal to rewrite and direct DreamWorks' "The Heartbreak Kid," which will likely be their next film. The romantic comedy is a loosely inspired remake of the 1972 pic written by Neil...

Rep steps over to ICM.(Greg Lipstone appointed at International Creative Management Inc.)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- Greg Lipstone has joined ICM as senior VP, six weeks after he ankled his post as head of network TV for William Morris. Lipstone will work as an agent in both the scripted and unscripted genres, bringing with him clients such...

Woody ropes 'Dead' man.(works of Ian McShane and Woody Allen)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Ian McShane is going from "Deadwood" to the Woodman. McShane, who plays brothel owner Al Swearengen in the HBO drama, will spend his hiatus back home in England, where he will join the ensemble cast Woody Allen is putting together for his...

Just for variety.
June 2, 2005... GOOD MORNING: While the dollar-donating Demos were driving up to fund-raisers for Hillary Rodham Clinton Wednesday evening in L.A., the most recently outspoken Democrat in these parts, Warren Beatty, was driving to Chavez Ravine with wife...

From the Archerd archive: June 1, 1950.
June 2, 2005... John Wayne, suffering from exhaustion after his p.a. trip for "The Searchers," and his daughter's wedding, is recuping at home. Wayne's film plans for Batjac will be launched with "Timbuktu" in Africa this winter... Joan Crawford's daughter...

BAM festival enlists Huppert, Hall, Zhang.(Isabelle Huppert, Edward hall, Zhang Yimou)(performances of Brooklyn Academy of Music)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Brooklyn Academy of Music's Next Wave Festival this fall will include the U.S. stage debut of French thesp Isabelle Huppert, a Shakespeare production from Brit helmer Edward Hall and a dance piece directed by Zhang Yimou. Huppert will star...

Acad ramps up 78th Oscar run.(records and correspondence of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has kicked off its 78th Oscar season, mailing more than 850 application forms to scientific communities in the U.S. and abroad for its technical achievement awards. Applications...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
June 2, 2005... "This American Life" is distributed by Public Radio Intl.; information was incorrect in Tuesday's editions.

Playwrights Horizons to tend 'Grey Gardens'.(performances)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... The new musical "Grey Gardens" will have its world premiere at Playwrights Horizons. Based on the Maysles brothers' 1975 docu about Jacqueline Onassis' reclusive relatives, the show is Doug Wright's follow-up to his Pulitzer Prize-winning "I Am...

Fox races to the top: 'Idol,' NASCAR pace it to 18-49 victory.("American Idol")(market share of Fox Broadcasting Co.)
June 2, 2005... Fox lapped its rivals in primetime last week behind the final three hours of "American Idol" and a big tune-in for Sunday's NASCAR race. Net rolled during the May 23-29 flame, which included the final three nights of the broadcast season...

Audioslave's 'Out' disc in at No. 1.("Out of Exile")(rankings of sound recordings)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Rock reigned supreme for yet another week atop the nation's sales chart as Audioslave's second album, "Out of Exile" (Interscope/Epic), entered at No. 1, selling 263,000 discs in the week ended Sunday, according to Nielsen SoundScan. ...

'Chappelle's' DVDs bow big.("Chappelle's Show")(sales of Paramount Pictures Corp.)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- As the third season of "Chappelle's Show" remains in limbo, fans are getting their fix by purchasing a record number of DVDs of the skein's second season. Comedy Central and sister distrib Paramount Home Video reported record...

B'cast flag frayed by Congressional report.
June 2, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Hollywood's effort to capture the broadcast flag may have been made more difficult by a recent report prepared for Congress. "Copyright Protection of Digital Television: The Broadcast Flag," prepared by Congress' exclusive...

Herzog puts stamp on Spike.(human resource management of Doug Herzog of Comedy Central/Spike TV)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... HOLLYWOOD -- After five months on the job, Comedy Central/Spike TV prexy Doug Herzog has begun shuffling the exec deck at the men's cabler. Head of marketing Marc Edwards and senior VP of sports and specials Jim Burns are exiting the net,...

'Silver' mines ads for deal.(Vine Entertainment's contract with Chrisanna Northrup and Halle Eavelyn)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Vine Entertainment has picked up the script "Silver" by tyro scribes Chrisanna Northrup and Halle Eavelyn, after the duo took out an ad in the trades plugging the screenplay. Filming is skedded to begin in San Diego and Mexico in November. ...

Henry Czerny.(PLAYERS)(contract with Anagram Pictures)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Henry Czerny ("The Ice Storm") will star opposite Carrie-Anne Moss in "Fido" for Anagram Pictures. Set in a small 1950s town where rotting zombies deliver the mail, the indie horror-thriller also stars Peter Stormare and Tim Blake Nelson....

Bradley Cooper.(PLAYERS)(contract with Paramount and Scott Rudin Prods.)(Brief Article)
June 2, 2005... Bradley Cooper ("Alias") has been tapped for a role in Paramount and Scott Rudin Prods.' "Failure to Launch." Tom Dey-directed romantic comedy stars Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Justin Bartha and Zooey Deschanel. Production is...