Daily Variety articles from June 2007

Daily Variety archives from June 2007

H'w'd reaches into pockets for Hillary.(Hillary Clinton campaigns in Hollywood)
June 1, 2007... Hillary Clinton drew a mix of politicos and paparazzi in a series of events through Hollywood circles, showing continuing strength in the entertainment industry for her campaign even as Barack Obama competes aggressively for support. Her...

Ad ratings roil sales talks.(Nielsen Media Research launches commercial ratings)
June 1, 2007... Nielsen Media Research introduced its long-promised commercial ratings system on Thursday, adding another wrinkle to the already chaotic upfront sales negotiations between advertisers and the networks. The system provides the average rating...

Wild about Harry: U, WB conjure 'Potter' theme park.(Universal Studios Inc., Warner Bros., "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter")
June 1, 2007... Universal and Warner Bros. are conjuring a massive Harry Potter attraction to debut before the last installment of J.K. Rowling's monster lit franchise hits the bigscreen. "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" is skedded to open at...

B.O.'s pregnant pause.
June 1, 2007... Hollywood is easing up on the pyrotechnics after a May for the ages, offering a trio of openers with R ratings, modest theater counts and expectations to match. Universal's "Knocked Up" is the most prominent entry. Reteaming helmer Judd...

Miller makes growth move.
June 1, 2007... Manager-producer Jimmy Miller has restructured the Miller Co., naming Julie Darmody president of the management division and hiring Michael Aguilar as president of production. The company, a division of the Mosaic Media Group, restructures...

Still employed?(Only at Variety.com)
June 1, 2007... New NBC U exec Ben Silverman has extended the net's option on "The Apprentice," raising the odds that the show will be back.

Old Vic's 'Mother' lode.("All About My Mother")(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... A stage adaptation of Pedro Almodovar's 1999 pic "All About My Mother" headlines Kevin Spacey's fourth season as artistic director of London's Old Vic. Spacey himself will return to the stage in a revival of David Mamet's "Speed-the-Plow."...

In step for summer: Fox is frisky with 'Dance'.("So You Think You Can Dance")(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... If Wednesday's ratings results are any indication, it's going to be another challenging summer for scripted dramas on the broadcast nets. ABC's "Traveler" and CW's "Hidden Palms" both opened sluggishly on a night that saw auds flock to...

Pic shuffles for Lohan.(Lindsay Lohan)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Lindsay Lohan has asked to remain in the indie project "Poor Things" despite having entered rehab. "Poor Things" producers Shirley MacLaine and Rob Hickman are revamping the shooting schedule to accommodate the thesp's wishes. "In the...

Coen on short path to Off Broadway.(Ethan Coen)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Writer-director Ethan Coen, whose latest film "No Country for Old Men" premiered in Cannes, will make his Off Broadway debut at the Atlantic Theater Company next season in a lineup that includes British playwright Jez Butterworth and Conor...

CW counting 'Eight Days'.(The CW Television Network, "Eight Days a Week")(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The CW is adding to its midseason roster, picking up the Sean Hayes-produced laffer "Eight Days a Week." Pop singer Christina Milian and Mario Lopez star in the comedy, which revolves around four Gothamites in their 20s who work for some of...

Gravy days for Stew tuner.(LEGIT BITS)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Favorable critical nods and healthy audiences have prompted the Public Theater to extend the run of composer-performer Stew's rock musical, "Passing Strange," by four weeks. Written by Stew and Heidi Rodewald and created in collaboration...

Weinsteins to work with Witt.(The Weinstein Co. appoints Renee Witt)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... The Weinstein Co. has tapped Renee Witt senior VP of production. Witt, who will be based in Gotham, will work closely with Harvey Weinstein, co-prexy of production Michael Cole, writers and filmmakers on the development of a variety of film...

Tatum O'Neal.(Tenpercenteries)(contracts with APA)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Tatum O'Neal ("Rescue Me") has inked with APA. Thesp's recent credits include MyNetworkTV's "Wicked, Wicked Games," indie "My Brother" and "Sex and the City." O'Neal is managed by Untitled Entertainment.

Thomas Dekker.(Tenpercenteries)(contract)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Thomas Dekker ("Heroes") has signed with ICM. Thesp stars in "The Sarah Conner Chronicles," which Fox recently picked up to series, He's managed by Untitled Entertainment and was previously repped by Talentworks.

Adam Belanoff.(Tenpercenteries)(contract)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Television writer Adam Belanoff has inked with Endeavor. He co-exec produces TNT's "The Closer" and has written for shows including "Judging Amy," "Titus" and "Cosby." He was previously repped by ICM.

Darin Henry.(Tenpercenteries)(contract)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... WMA has signed producer Darin Henry. Hey was previously co-producer on "Grosse Pointe" supervising producer on "The War at Home" and story editor on "Futurama" He's managed by Lertny Bekerman and was previously repped by Paradigm.

Aardman to get a boost from Joost.(Aardman Animations)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Aardman Animations, the U.K. studio behind "Wallace & Gromit" and CBS' upcoming "Creature Comforts," has become the latest high-profile content owner to launch its own branded channel on new Internet TV service Joost. The web, which joins...

Millennium muscles up.(Millennium Films)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... On the heels of the breakout success of Warner's "300," Avi Lerner's Millennium Films is delving into the live-action sword-and-sandals genre, developing a Hercules feature. Lerner and Millennium's Boaz Davidson, Danny Dimbort and Trevor...

Laying down 'Law': potential candidate Thompson exits show.(Fred Thompson leaving "Law and order" show to persue political career)
June 1, 2007... In the surest sign yet that he will jump into the presidential race, actor and former senator Fred Thompson is taking the initial first steps toward forming a fired-raising apparatus. But another indicator came Wednesday when he officially...

'Nelson' duo back to school for Miramax.(Miramax Films)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Miramax Films and producer Scott Rudin have locked the "Half Nelson" team of Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden to adapt the Marisha Pessl novel "Special Topics in Calamity Physics." Fleck will direct the film; Boden will exec produce. The...

WB hurries up 'Harry'.(Warner Bros., "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix")(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Harry Potter will be back two days earlier than scheduled as Warner Bros. has moved the U.S. opening of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" from July 13 to July 11. The shift places the debut of the fifth Potter pic on a Wednesday....

Peace Arch pockets 'Ace'.(Peace Arch Entertainment Group Inc., "Ace of Hearts")(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Producer-distributor Peace Arch Entertainment, the company behind Showtime limited series "The Tudors," is partnering with Reader's Digest and Fox Home Entertainment to make "Ace of Hearts," a movie based on a story published by Reader's Digest...

YouTube polishes Apple.(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... All those videos of cats playing the piano and Mentos-powered Diet Coke geysers will soon be available on your television. YouTube has brokered a deal with Apple that will see the online video service's entire catalog uptoaded onto the...

Fate's Imagination.(Theater review)
June 1, 2007... (Players Theater; 199 seats; $65 top) A Gotham Stage Company presentation of a play in one act by Randall David Cook. Directed by Hayley Finn. Sets, Robin Vest; costumes, Erin Elizabeth Murphy; lighting, Lucas Benjamin Krech; original music...

Gracie.(Movie review)
June 1, 2007... A Picturehouse release of an Ursa Major Films production in association with Elevation Filmworks. Produced by Andrew Shue, Lemore Syvan, Elisabeth Shue, Davis Guggenheim. Executive producers, Dustin Cohn, Tom Fox, Cindy Alston, Mead Welles,...

Write & Wrong.(Movie review)
June 1, 2007... (Movie; Lifetime, Sun. June 3, 8 p.m.) Filmed in Vancouver by Jaffe/Braunstein Films. Executive producers, Kirstie Alley, Michael Jaffe, Howard Braunstein, Richard C. Fischoff; producer, Ted Bauman; director, Graeme Clifford; writer, George...

Nightingale.(Theater review)
June 1, 2007... (Hartford Stage; 489 seats; $57 top) A Hartford Stage presentation of a play in one act written and performed by Lynn Redgrave. Directed by Joseph Hardy. Sets, Tobin Ost; costumes, Alejo Vietti; lighting, Rui Rita, Jeff Nellis; original...

Treasure Island.(Theater review)
June 1, 2007... (Alley Theater, Houston; 824 seats; $63 top) An Alley Theater presentation of a play in two acts by Ken Ludwig, based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. Directed by Gregory Boyd. Sets, Eugene Lee; costumes, Constance Hoffman; lighting,...

Get a life.(concerts, ballets and plays, etc.)(Calendar)
June 1, 2007... FRI 1 Isaac Mizrahi and his band, the Ben Waltzer Quintet, chat, take questions and sing, Joe's Pub. $25, 7:30 p.m. Ajkun Ballet Theater makes its Manhattan debut for Symphony Space, Peter Jay Sharp Theater. $23, 8 p.m. Through Saturday....

Filming in the future.(Film Production Chart)
June 1, 2007... PRODUCTION CHART KEY Abbreviations: EXP, Executive producer; PROD-Producer; COP-Co-producer; DIR-Director; AD-First assistant director; 2DIR-Second-unit director; SCR-Screenwriter; DP-Cinematographer; ED-Editor; PD-Production designer,...

Filming in the U.S.(Film Production Chart)
June 1, 2007... BEAT THE CLOCK PROD, Jee Tornatore, Frank Russo, Brian Cohen, Katherine Hawkes; DIR, Tomatore; SCR, Hawkes. Beat the Clock. 4/2, Ohio, Philadelphia. THE BETTER MAN Martin Lawrence, Margaret Avery, Joy Bryant, Michael Clarke Duncan,...

Pushy questions ... Adrian Grenier, whose personal documentary, "Shot in the Dark," bows Sunday on HBO.(Interview)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Last book I bought: "White Noise," by Don DeLillo Book I'm reading: "The Easy Way to Stop Smoking," by Allen Carr Three books that mean a lot to me: "Heart of Darkness," by Joseph Conrad "Mediated," by Thomas de Zengotita "Lolita," by...

Finally, a full house at Almas: after no film noms in 2006, awards org returns with three.(MOVIES)
June 1, 2007... The Alma Awards, which began in 1995 as the Bravo Awards, may not have the cachet or name recognition of the NAACP Image or GLAAD Awards, but their purpose is just as important: to celebrate the achievements and concerns of a minority group in...

'Lopez' out, 'Cane' in: TV's Latino presence loses one, gains another and keeps its 'Betty'.(TELEVISION)
June 1, 2007... For anyone tracking the Latino presence on television, May was a zero-sum month. First, ABC canceled long-running sitcom "George Lopez," prompting its titular star to complain, "TV just became really, really white again." Then, not a week...

Filming outside the U.S.(Film Production Chart)
June 1, 2007... AMERICAN SECRETS Gen. Smedley D. Butler, Jules Archer, John Loftus, Charles Higham, Max Wallace, Chris Simpson, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Russ Bellant, Kurt Goldstein, Peter Gingold, Piotr Setkiewicz, Jarek Mensfelt, Vern Friedlander,...

Filming in Gotham.(Film Production Chart)
June 1, 2007... ** BARHOPPERS PROD, John B. Norberto, Arzillor Raihan; SCR, Norberto; COS, Jennifer Anderson. New World Media Prods. (385 83rd St., Brooklyn, NY 11209, 718-844-0568) 6/1, New York City. I WANNA BE ON EXP, Judge Leslie Crocker...

From the Army Archerd archive.
June 1, 2007... JAN. 12, 1967 GOOD MORNING: How about this for a bargain basement? Sammy Davis Jr., guesting in "I Dream of Jeannie" on Columbia's Stage 14, was setting such high wah-wah marks on the sound meter, it prevented "The Monkees" lensing--in the...

Showbiz stocks: Thursday, May 31, 2007.(Statistical table)
June 1, 2007... Showbiz Stocks Thursday, May 31, 2007 YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg %Chg AccessIT AIXD ... 7.17 +.12 -17.8 AcmeCm ...

Pirates to pay, eh? Schwarzenegger influences Canuck gov't.(movie piracy)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... All it took was a visit from California's Governator to get the Canadian government moving to squelch the plague of film piracy that in recent years has strained the patience of the U.S. studios. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wrapped a...

A kick in the kidney.(World News)(ENDEMOL Entertainment Holding N.V.)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... While the storm over Dutch reality program "The Big Donor Show" continued to sPread, Endemol insiders were suggesting that tonight's screening of the program will surprise critics. Officially, Endemol execs are refusing to comment on the...

Plural pacts for shingle.(World News)
June 1, 2007... Plural Entertainment, the production subsid of Spanish media giant Prisa, is teaming with Argentina's Jempsa to create a Buenos Aires-based production house, making upscale, high-end movies and TV targeting especially the Spanish-speaking...

De Mol divesting Talpa.(World News)(John de Mol)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Two weeks after regaining control of Endemol, John de Mol has sold his 75% stake in Swedish production arm Talpa Scandinavia to founder and CEO Anna Carrfors Brakenhielm. Following the management buyout, the Stockholm-based company will be...

Figures loom late at TV-Loonland.(GERMANY)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... TV-Loonland has postponed publication of its 2006 figures and this year's first-quarter results due to ongoing restructuring, a company spokesman said. Company also reported the resignation of two supervisory board members. The news...

Par Int'l taps exec VP.(EUROPE)(Don Hunton appointed at Paramount Home Entertainment )(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Paramount Home Entertainment Intl. has tapped Don Hunton to become exec VP and general manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Hunton was previously senior VP for Asia Pacific, U.K. and Ireland. Par has also tapped Luigi Calabrese, who...

Teaming for streaming.(UNITED KINGDOM)(Warner Music International, Premium TV)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Warner Music Intl. is partnering with Premium TV to make its catalog of musicvideos available free online. The companies believe that the phased launch of destination Web sites will prove popular with consumers, who will be able to search...

Fremantle inks to park DVD in China.(World News)(FremantleMedia Enterprises)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and CAV Warner Entertainment, a joint venture between Warner Home Video and China Audio & Video Publishing House, have inked a DVD deal for series "Prehistoric Park" in China. Pact marks the first time FME...

Crix pick legit winners.(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... New Haven's Long Wharf Theater and Goodspeed Opera House led the legit kudos from the Connecticut Critics Circle. Long Wharf took four awards, including the play nod for "Uncle Vanya," while Goodspeed drew three, including musical for "Singin'...

Vet musical composer Jerry Bock ("Fiddler on the Roof") will world preem "The Princess Who Could Not Be Heard" as the opening event of the 29th Houston Children's Theater Festival.(LEGIT BITS)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Vet musical composer Jerry Bock ("Fiddler on the Roof") will world preem "The Princess Who Could Not Be Heard" as the opening event of the 29th Houston Children's Theater Festival. Bock created the work for the occasion with fest founder...

Ignoring the exhortation of its title, the after-hours Broadway revue.("Don't Quit Your Night Job" to end)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Ignoring the exhortation of its title, the after-hours Broadway revue. "Don't Quit Your Night Job" will end its run June 4 at the Ha! Comedy Club, less than a month after opening. Designed to resurrect the once-popular Gotham nightclub...

Adrian Alonso.(Tenpercenteries)(contract)(Featured Artists Agency)(Festa Entertainment)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Adrian Alonso ("Legend of Zorro") has inked with Featured Artists Agency and Festa Entertainment. Alonso stars in Sundance pic "La misma luna," slated for a fall release from Fox Searchlight and the Weinstein Co.

Ben Bova.(Tenpercenteries)(contract)(Velocity Management)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Sci-fi author Ben Bova has signed with Velocity Management. Velocity will manage Bova's library of more than 100 titles for film, TV and interactive media. He continues to be repped by the Barbara Bova Literary Agency.

Nick into SpongeBob suite biz.
June 1, 2007... Viacom is expanding beyond its core business of movies and cable nets into the hotel industry, announcing Thursday that it will open a series of Nickelodeon-branded hotels around the world. Taking a page from Disney's play book, the kidvid...

Loan helps Paper Mill to pay bills.(Paper Mill Playhouse gets loan from Investors Savings Bank)(Brief article)
June 1, 2007... Financially troubled New Jersey theater the Paper Mill Playhouse has obtained a lifeline in the form of a $3.5 million loan from Investors Savings Bank. "This is the first step in a long-range plan to revitalize the playhouse and ensure...

Weekend box office preview.(Statistical table)
June 1, 2007... RELEASE DATES AND CHANGES As of May 31 Pic New date Old date MAGNOLIA PICTURES Broken English June 22 July Dynamite Warrior July 6 3rd qtr. Cashback * ...

Col leaps to 'Year'.("Year One")(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... Jack Black is starring in "Year One" a comedy Judd Apatow is producing for Columbia. Harold Ramis, who appears in a small role in Apatow's "Knocked Up," will direct and co-produce, and Michael Cera, who stars in "Superbad," another Apatow...

B.O. births bouncy baby: 'Knocked Up' delivers $29 million as sequels slide.
June 4, 2007... "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" easily sailed to No. 1 again but took a big plunge in its second outing, while "Knocked Up" was glowing after a healthy $29.3 million bow for the low-budget comedy. Third installment of Disney's...

Carrey leads prison break.(Jim Carrey)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... Jim Carrey will star in "I Love You Phillip Morris," a dark comedy that was written by and will mark the directing debut of Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, the writing team behind "Bad Santa." Andrew Lazar and Far Shariat will produce. ...

Peacock plugging in program duo.(Katherine Pope joins NBC Universal Television Studio)
June 4, 2007... Ben Silverman is putting his Peacock programming team in place. NBC'S new entertainment cochair has tapped Katherine Pope to serve as day-to-day head of NBC Universal Television Studio, replacing the exiting Angela Bromstad. On the...

Tull jumping for joysticks.(Thomas Tull's Brash Entertainment raises finance for developing video games)
June 4, 2007... Hollywood has its first resident videogame publisher. Brash Entertainment, the private equity-backed game publisher co-founded by Legendary Pictures' Thomas Tull, is coming out of stealth mode today with the news it has raised $400 million...

Biz booked up at confab.
June 4, 2007... Rosie O'Donnell was rushed in and out of a scheduled appearance at BookExpo America over the weekend while fellow celebs like Stephen Colbert brought a touch Quills gores of Hollywood glitz to the annual lit gathering. Insiders said...

WMA toying with Hasbro.(William Morris Agency Inc.)
June 4, 2007... Hasbro is picking up its toys and taking them over to the William Morris Agency. The Pawtucket, R.I.-based company, which has been repped by CAA for the past four years, is switching tenpercenterics just as "Transformers," a movie based on...

Scribes write themselves bigger part.(Writers Guild of America)(Viewpoint essay)
June 4, 2007... AS A MEMBER OF THE WRITERS Guild, I received my ominous-looking green "ballot" the other day requesting a "yes" or "no" vote for its "pattern of demands." The Guild is girding for approaching negotiations with the studios and it clearly wants...

Quills dip into wide range of lit.(Quill Awards)(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... The Quill Awards on Saturday revealed the five nominees in each of 18 categories for which prizes arc handed out. Noms in the fiction category are "Brothers," "American Youth," "The Road," "Special Topics in Calamity Physics" and...

Redstone funds kid relief.
June 4, 2007... After meeting a 13-year-old named kyda, Sumner Redstone has turned an entire country of inneed children into one of his most personal causes. Redstone has made a grant of $500,000 to the Cambodian Children's Fund, a nonprofit program that...

Dutch divided over Endemol's 'Donor' hoax.("The Big Donor Show")(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... Alter prompting a storm of controversy around the world last week, Dutch reality show "'The Big Donor Show" was continuing to divide opinion alter its broadcast on Friday night, despite the fact that it was revealed as an elaborate hoax. ...

B'way 'Affair' lures Kritzer.(LEGIT BITS)(Leslie Kritzer casts in "A Catered Affair")(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... Leslie Kritzer has been cast in the Broadway-bound tuner "A Catered Affair." Harvey Fierstein and John Bucchmo's new adaptation of Paddy Chayefsky's 1955 tale. Currently appearing in "Legally Blonde," rising thesp Kritzer has gained...

U intercepts 'Spy' for pic adaptation.(Universal Studios Inc., "Spy Hunter")(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... "Spy Hunter" is revving up again at Universal. "Resident Evil" and "Alien vs. Predator" director Paul W.S. Anderson will direct the bigbudget adaptation of the popular Midway videogame that revolves around a transforming supercar called...

'Poppins' poops out in U.K.("Mary Poppins")(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... "Mary Poppins" will close in London after a West End run of just over three years. Disney Theatrical Prods. and Cameron Mackintosh's nanny will sail up into the sky for the last time at the West End's Prince Edward Theater on Jan 12....

Journal jockeying: Bancrofts meet today to mull Rupe's bid.
June 4, 2007... A decision on Rupert Murdoch's bid to buy Dow Jones could come as early as this week, as the controlling Bancroft family meets today to determine the company's fate. The family will convene after several members last week pushed for a...

H'w'd syncs in Nashville.(Nashville Screenwriters Conference)
June 4, 2007... The ninth annual Nashville Screenwriters Conference wrapped Sunday after three days and nearly 20 events designed, according to organizers, "to bridge Nashville and Hollywood" via panels, powwows, workshops--and lots of music. Despite the...

ABC locks in early 'Bet'.(American Broadcasting Companies Inc., "Wanna Bet?")(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... ABC is rolling the dice on "Wanna Bet?" Net has ordered the Gurin Co.-produced gameshow to series, greenlighting six episodes. Production will begin in the next few weeks, most likely for broadcast during the 2007-08 season. Order reps...

Surf's Up.(Movie review)
June 4, 2007... (Animated) A Sony Pictures Entertainment release of a Columbia Pictures presentation of a Sony Pictures Animation production. Produced by Christopher Jenkins. Executive producer, Jenny Fulle. Co-producer, Lydia Bonegoni. Directed by...

Creature Comforts.(Television program review)
June 4, 2007... (Series: CBS. Mon. June 4. 8 p.m.) Produced by Aardman Animations, Executive producers. Kit Boss, Miles Bullough, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Nick Park, David Sproxton, Peter Lord; co-executive producer, Peter McHugh; producers, Kenny Micka,...

'Pirate' yo-ho-hum: choppy seas for reality bow.("Pirate Master")
June 4, 2007... Pirates may be all the rage at theaters, but they proved to be a tough sell for Mark Burnett and CBS. Thursday's premiere of "Pirate Master," an unscripted skein from "Survivor" creator Burnett, ran second in its 8 o'clock hour and...

USA's 'Wife' turns heads in key demo.("The Starter Wife")(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... USA's record $20 million marketing campaign for its limited series "The Starter Wife" paid off when the show's first two hours on Thursday scored 2.88 million adults 18-49--the best launch in that demo for an original series on USA in three...

Google aims bulk up with Feed tools.(Google acquires FeedBurner)
June 4, 2007... Google gobbled up another small technology company on Friday, paying an undisclosed amount for FeedBurner, a 30-person Chicago firm that helps bloggers and podcasters deliver content to their audiences. According to FeedBurner, more than...

N.Y. shores for Banks?("The Tyra Banks Show")(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... Tyra Banks could be headed East. Nothing's official yet, but Telepictures is having serious conversations about relocating Banks' eponymous gabber to Gotham. Daytime strip has been based in Los Angeles for its first two seasons. Banks'...

Scott Porter.(Players)(roles in "Speed Racer")(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... Scott Porter ("Friday Night Lights") has landed a role in Warner Bros.' "Speed Racer," which starts lensing this month in Berlin. Porter will play Rex, the older brother to Speed Racer who fakes his death and returns as Racer X (Matthew Fox)....

Denise Richards.(Players)(stars in "A Beautiful Life" )(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... Denise Richards ("Scary Movie 3") will star in "A Beautiful Life," helmed by Argentinian filmmaker Alejandro Chomski. She'll play a stripper in the drama, which lenses in Los Angeles this summer. Jesse Garcia, Debi Mazar and Michael Madsen...

Lorraine Toussaint.(Players)(joins the cast of "Saving Grace" )(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... Lorraine Toussaint ("CSI") has joined the cast of TNT's "Saving Grace," which bows July 18. She'll also have an arc on ABC's "Ugly Betty" as an inmate to whom Claire Meade (Judith Light) becomes attached. Toussaint's credits include...

A&E extends 'Family' run.(A&E Television Networks, "Gene Simmons: Family Jewels" )(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... A&E has said yes to a third season of "Gene Simmons: Family Jewels," upping its order to 24 half-hours from last season's 20. The decision was an easy one: "Jewels" is A&E's second highest rated series ever in adults 18-49 and 25-54,...

'Wind' blows Nunn's way.( "Gone With the Wind")(Brief article)
June 4, 2007... Trevor Nunn will direct a new musical adaptation of "Gone With the Wind" at the West End's New London Theater in April. Produced by Aldo Scrofani of Columbia Artists Theatricals in New York and Colin Ingram in London, the production...

King Lear/The Seagull.(Theater review)
June 4, 2007... (RSC Courtyard Theater: Stratford-Upon-Avon; 1,000 seats, 48 [pounds sterling] ($95) top) A Royal Shakespeare Company presentation of a play in two acts by William Shakespeare and a play in two acts by Anton Chekhov. Directed by Trevor...