Putin gets some direction

MOSCOW -- Politics and film are never far apart in Russia. And while, unlike the U.S., the country has not yet had a former actor as president, prime minister Vladimir Putin is putting a film director at the center of his third presidential bid.Stanislav Govorukhin, a 75-year-old film veteran, has been named head of Putin's presidential campaign.The Putin loyalist -- whose career highlights include making the 1979 TV detective series "Mesto vstrechi izmenit nelzya" (The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed) starring anti-establishment singer-songwriter-actor Vladimir Vysotsky -- turned to politics after the collapse of the Soviet Union.Although the involvement of an elderly filmmaker in a re-election campaign may appear strange to Western eyes, Govorukhin's credentials in Russia are well established.The self-declared democrat, who flirted with nationalist Communism in the 1990s, lost a son in the first Chechen war, and once opposed Putin, is a member of Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, for Putin's United Russia party.Govorukhin isn't the only director to take to politics. Nikita Mikhalkov, another well-known Russian director (1995's Stalin-era fable "Burnt by the Sun") stumped for Boris Yeltsin in the 1996 presidential race, appearing in a TV commercial as an astronaut for the candidate. He, like Govorukhin, has since shifted to the right-wing nationalists.As a director, Govorukhin had a populist touch with detective or adventure films championing strong male characters who seek to right wrongs while operating outside social norms. His support of Putin seems to be consistent with his earlier artistic inclinations.But there's now a question as to whether he's also consistent with today's Russian zeitgeist. Fifty thousand people in Moscow took to the streets Dec. 10 to demand a re-vote of recent parliamentary elections denounced as rigged by independent observers. More demonstrations occurred Christmas eve, when as many as an estimated 120,000 people braved sub-zero temperatures in Moscow to demand that he step down -- an occurrence that has clearly shaken the Kremlin.Putin -- who plans to run for his third term as president in March -- said Dec. 27 that measures needed to be taken to make that election free, fair and transparent. That is unlikely to satisfy protesters, although their influence is largely confined to Moscow and other large cities.Nevertheless, even a filmmaker as experienced as Govorukhin clearly has his work cut out for him. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Netflix inks U.K. deal with BBC

LONDON -- Netflix has concluded a deal with BBC Worldwide to license such high-profile fare as "Doctor Who," "Top Gear," "Fawlty Towers" and "Little Britain" for its new U.K. and Ireland service, due to bow early next year. Around 1,000 hours of BBC shows are covered by the arrangement, which will allow Netflix subscribers to watch the programs six months after their first U.K. transmission. Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said: "BBC programs are a big favorite of our over 20 million streaming members in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. Members love watching back-to-back episodes of BBC series where and when they want, at the click of a button." Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Netflix announced in October that it would launch its service in the U.K. and Ireland early in 2012, but will face competition from such companies as Lovefilm, which have been operating in the market for several years. However, the Amazon-owned Lovefilm, which also operates in Germany and Scandinavia, does not have a deal with BBC Worldwide, which increasingly is looking to expand its business by concluding digital deals with global operators like Netflix. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Harcourt's eclectic vibe infuses new endeavors

HarcourtWhen Nic Harcourt, among the last remaining large-title tastemakers left on terrestrial radio, ankled as musical director of L.A.'s KCRW and host of their "Morning Becomes Eclectic" enter in 2008, it came towards the finish of the era -- ten years by which he grew to become perhaps probably the most influential DJ in the united states. Using the KCRW show still thriving underneath the auspices of recent host Jason Bentley, Harcourt has nevertheless stored plenty busy, helming an invisible show on KCSN while running his SamLuna Media company. But it's with two new endeavors the music curator is starting on which he calls the "next phase" of his career. Last spring, Harcourt became a member of MTV because the network's first music supervisor in residence. He'll function as song selector for approaching scripted shows for example "Among The Finest My Pants Back," in addition to talking to for that MTV-Extreme Music joint project Hype Production Music, which seeks to put unsigned artists' music in MTV Systems programming. Meanwhile, he's becoming host for DirecTV's "Guitar Center Periods," which broadcasts from the music chain's Hollywood store, mixing musical performances from the kind of Peter Gabriel, Blondie and Bad Religion alongside frequently-revealing interviews between Harcourt and also the music artists. "I am in a roundabout way active in the booking. What I've been able to perform is make suggestions," Harcourt stated of his "Guitar Center" role, observing with particular pride the part he performed in ushering SoCal indie bands Delta Spirit and Saint Motel to the platform. For the time being, Harcourt appears to savor his more laidback role using the program, that has seen him branch into music far outdoors what could have been his safe place throughout his "Morning Becomes Eclectic" tenure. "It's exciting to sit down lower with Peter Frampton, who I'd never performed during my entire career in radio," Harcourt stated. "I'd not have imagined myself meeting with (Social Distortion's) Mike Ness, but which was this type of good interview. It is the unpredicted stuff that result in the show, like when Darlene Harry begins speaking about smoking weed in mattress, and you just need to be ready for this." For his position with MTV, Harcourt noted that his overall role continues to be entering shape. Although the network has endured some withering critique previously over its surrender of the music-based format in support of reality skeins, MTV's recent endeavors in to the worldwide music sphere using its Iggy platform, along with the Hype Production venture, appear to mirror a concerted effort to create more eclectic music back to its programming -- a trend Harcourt hopes to take part in. "I am sure they'll continue dragging 'Jersey Shore' in to the ground, but they are really attempting to bring a diploma of music back with these scripted shows," he stated. "This is an chance to place unsigned indie bands available in to the world." Music bites Despite some under passionate responses to the trailer, Relativity Media's Tarsem Singh-directed "Mirror Mirror" arrived a coup using its employing of composer Alan Menken to attain. The pic would be the eight-time Oscar winner's first film-scoring assignment since penning Disney's "Twisted" this past year. Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood continues to be drawn on to attain Paul Thomas Anderson's "The Actual.Inch Greenwood gained kudos for his feature film-scoring debut with Anderson's previous feature, "You Will See Bloodstream," that was controversially ruled ineligible for Oscar consideration within the music category. On the web radio front, Obvious Funnel introduced the appointment of Bob Stohrer to chief marketing officer of their Obvious Funnel Digital branch, in which the former Sprint Nextel professional will build up marketing efforts for that broadcaster's iHeartRadio online platform. Meanwhile, The planet pandora hired on former Bebo professional Michael Chuthakieo as executive director for national entertainment sales. Zynga, whose social-media videogames "FarmVille" and "FrontiervilleInch have formerly solicited mix-marketing endeavors from Rhianna and Dr. Dre, correspondingly, has introduced another, pairing Michael Buble with "CityVille." The neo-crooner, whose "Christmas" compilation presently sits atop the album chart, will debut exclusive material and lend his avatar to the overall game in a few days. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Madrid, 1987

A Buenavida Producciones production. (International sales: 6 Sales, Madrid.) Produced by Jessica Huppert Berman. Directed, written by David Trueba.With: Jose Sacristan, Maria Valverde, Ramon Fontsere."The passing of time is the only theme," declares the hard-bitten protag of "Madrid, 1987," and considering that the film consists almost entirely of a monologue in a grimy bathroom, the time passes remarkably quickly. A perceptive, ultra-wordy stab at catching the zeitgeist at a time of change in Spain, David Trueba's two-hander nonetheless feels like a working-out of social and personal themes that hasn't quite achieved the full leap from page to film. Result teems with ideas that will make most sense to Spanish arthouse auds, suggesting that offshore interest beyond fests will be limited. Per title, the pic is set at a time when Spain was still in the hands of the political class who saw through the transition to democracy following the death of Franco. Chain-smoking, whiskey-drinking lecher Miguel (Jose Sacristan), deeply in love with the sound of his own voice, is an aging political journo who's agreed to meet university student Angela (Maria Valverde) to offer advice. But it quickly becomes clear what he really wants, and they head for the apartment of Miguel's artist friend Luis (Ramon Fontsere). No sooner has the unfailingly pretentious Miguel expressed the wish that he'd like to have "smelled" Velazquez's painting "Las Meninas" than he's daubing Angela's back with blue paint. Disgusted, Angela heads to the bathroom with Miguel in pursuit, and his stated wish to spend two hours alone with her comes unexpectedly true when the door jams shut, trapping them. It is in this absurd situation, naked in the summer heat (at a time that predates cell phones in Spain), that they spend the rest of the film. The locked-bathroom setting suggests that this is a study of two generations that would never communicate with one another unless absolutely forced to, while giving Trueba the chance, metaphorically as well as physically, to strip them bare. The stage is set for a power struggle that will leave the old man feeling more vulnerable than he's used to. At 74, Sacristan delivers one of his finest performances and is singlehandedly responsible for making the pic watchable. The frankly tiresome Miguel is, to use the Spanish phrase, very pleased to have met himself: Reflections on youth, age, life, death and art pour from him almost incessantly, delivered so as to suggest that Miguel is quoting from stuff he's written, in a mixture of wit -- "the photograph on an ID card is there to remind us what idiots we are" -- and cliche. Instantly recognizable as a type within Spain, and tragically unaware of his increasing irrelevance, Miguel reps an old-soldier generation that lived through the turbulent post-Franco years and mistakenly feels there's nothing the younger generation can teach him. Mostly silent, Valverde is a superb foil, supplying a range of reactions as the torrent of Miguel's words washes over her, and nicely limning the struggle of a youngster trying to free herself from the authority Miguel believes he has by right, playing up the pic's metaphor of Spain's struggle to free itself from the turmoil of its 20th-century past. The crew uses mostly female talent. Leonor Rodriguez's camera does what it can to make the cramped conditions of the green-hued bathroom interesting. The only music is an attractive piece from singer-songwriter Irene Temblay over the final scene.Camera (color), Leonor Rodriguez; editor, Marta Velasco; music, Irene Temblay; production designer, costume designer, Laura Renau; sound (Dolby Digital), Alvaro Silva, Eduardo G. Castro, Nacho Royo-Villanueva. Reviewed online, Madrid, Nov. 23, 2011. (In 2012 Sundance Film Festival -- World Cinema, competing; San Sebastian Film Festival.) Running time: 104 MIN. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

ROLL CALL: Pregnant Jessica Simpson: An Excellent Souffl Makes Me Cry!

First Released: December 8, 2011 2:52 PM EST Credit: WireImage La, Calif. -- Caption Jessica Simpson showcases her baby bump in the 25th Annual Shoes News Achievement Honours in the Museum of contemporary Art in NY City on November 29, 2011Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans Keep Your Souffls From Jessica!: Mother-to-be Jessica Simpson is going through an entire selection of feelings throughout being pregnant, which includes lots of tears! The 31-year-old Fashion Star mentor revealed with an approaching episode of Rachael Ray that transporting her first child had made her a lot more emotional. Ill cry in the drop of the hat, a great souffl will make me cry, Jessica stated within the episode airing December 12. For pregnancy urges, Jessica is taking pleasure in a classic classic with a little of the twist. Now its peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, toasted, she stated. After which, Ill put some salt on my small hands like Im going for a tequila shot after which have a bite from the sandwich. Kris Constitutes A Cave: Since Kim Kardashian has run out of his existence, Kris Humphries is making room for his macho side. The National basketball association star got the aid of ex-Baltimore Ravens player Tony Siragusa within an approaching episode from the DIY network show, Guy Caves. Based on TMZ, the star is developing a chill lounge at his Minnesota home, including multiple bars along with a 120-inch screen. Take a look at his guy cave, HERE! Which Senior High School Musical Star Gets Naked In 3-D?: No, it is not Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens as well as Ashley Tisdale! Based on former HSM star Corbin Bleu, hes revealing his assets within the coming movie, Nurse and it is not really just any type of naked! [I]is going to be naked in three dimensional, the actor told Us Weekly. The thing is my rear finish its stylish. Its done well. Courtney Stodden Declines A Real Possibility Show: In news from your favorite teen bride, Courtney Stodden, it seems the 17-year-old and her 51-year-old husband actor husband Doug Hutchison will not be visiting the field of reality TV at this time. Based on Radar Online, the happy couple was offered a just right the approaching Relationship Rehab. Though Doug and Courtney considered the sale, ultimately they believed this wasnt an ideal fit for that type of show they desired to do, a resource told Radar. There's been lots of speculation regarding their marriage and lots of individuals are just awaiting the inevitable train wreck to occur, but Doug and Courtney come with an incredibly strong relationship and appear happy together. So carrying out a show about starting rehab just does not seem sensible on their behalf. Maybe Style Rehab can come knocking on Courtneys door!? -By Jesse Spero Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Charlize Theron Discusses the Fear of Playing Adolf Hitler

Sharon Stone and Juno Temple ('The Three Musketeers,' 'The Dark Knight Rises') have just joined 'Lovelace,' the new biopic about porn star Linda Lovelace. They'll play the mother and best friend, respectively, of Amanda Seyfried's main character. Wes Bentley has also just been cast as Lovelace's second husband, Larry Marchiano. Lovelace, whose real name was Linda Boreman, became famous as the star of the '70s porn film 'Deep Throat'; she claimed that her first husband, Chuck Traynor (to be played by Peter Sarsgaard), forced her into the adult film industry. Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman ('HOWL,' 'The Celluloid Closet') will direct. The production will shoot on location in Los Angeles beginning later this month. A rival production about Lovelace, called 'Inferno,' will star 'Watchmen's Malin Akerman, who replaced Lindsay Lohan. [Photos: AP/Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

EA sets loose pressure

'Star Wars: The Old Republic'As Ea starts producing more earnings from digital sales, the videogame author thinks "Alien: The Old Republic" assists because the kind of title that will put more gold gold coin within the coffers afterwards.InchAged Republic," which bows 12 ,. 20, marks an abnormally large expenditure for that organization. "It's the finest investment EA's available in the title," mentioned EA chief financial officer Eric Brown while leading a candid sesh at UBS' Global Media and Communications confab Monday.Because they wouldn't cite a specific figure, Brown clarified nudging within the aud by proclaiming that a preliminary-tier game's budget might achieve $25 million, which "Republic" exceeded that number.Brown also stressed very good in the beta test for "Republic," for the reason that 2 million clients signed onto help EA test the sport totally free. Over Thanksgiving weekend alone, "Republic" attracted 750,000 unique clients for typically four several hours every day over 72 hrs -- stats that bode well for your subscription-based game. Brown suggested that EA hopes "Republic" will unseat reigning massively-multiplayer online champion "Wow,Inch which first demonstrated in November 2004 -- the very first Cretaceous period, in vidgame terms. "We're feeling industry is ready for just about any new MMO," he mentioned.Though EA's profits carry on growing, its mobile sector needed a substantial nosedive this season, while using company's mobile gaming revenue falling from $234 million to $113 million this year. Brown blamed consumers' rapid adoption of cell phones for your shortfall mobile gaming is carried out almost exclusively on iOS and Android phones, departing little space left for games on other phones.Aiding to amortize that dip will be a marked uptick in downloadable content sales, through which players buy extra levels, virtual items for use in-game, and playable figures -- "microtransactions" worth hundreds of vast amounts in aggregate for that organization. EA's "Battleground" franchise, that's stored competing while using "CodInch series at rival Activision, drives many of the biz.Brown also eliminate digital sales for "Battleground: Bad Company 2" as well as the company's latest installment within the "FIFA" franchise (popular worldwide). Including forecasted sales for December, the prior attracted in $82 million, the 2nd $64 million, in digital sales alone. "Battleground 3" was released in November, selling greater than 5 million copies within the first week.Brown also spoken concerning the growing stability of download sales, proclaiming that the margins on that sector in the business were spectacular. "We view probably 90% gross profit before advertising," he mentioned. Overall, their digital revenue for 2011 involves $904 million so far. Contact Mike Thielman at mike.thielman@variety.com

'The Cabin in the Woods' Trailer: Joss Whedon's Non-Superhero Movie

The moment 'Avengers' Joss Whedon fans have been waiting for. For quite some time. The first trailer for 'The Cabin in the Woods' has arrived! Starring Chris Hemsworth, Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford, 'Cabin' was written and produced by geek god Whedon in 2009 and set for release in 2010 -- long before Hemsworth even appeared in 'Thor.' Unfortunately, studio finance issues caused the film to sit on the shelf for two years. Here's what you've been missing. 'The Cabin in the Woods' features a group of college students, who spend a weekend at a cabin in the middle of nowhere. However, at first glance this film appears to be far from your typical kids-in-distress slasher flick. Apparently, the cabin is inside some type of forcefield, where unsavory characters attempt to capture and terrorize the group. 'The Cabin in the Woods' is slated to hit theaters April 13, 2012 -- one month before the Whedon-directed 'Avengers' drops. [via Yahoo!] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

David Guetta Becomes First DJ to be Handprinted at Graumans Chinese Theatre

DJ and producer David Guetta became the first music industry artist to have his handprints put into cement at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood over the weekend, but don't look for his imprint in the famous courtyard in front of the iconic theater.our editor recommendsAMAs 2011: Nicki Minaj Gives Electric Performance with David GuettaHow Electronic Music Moved the Masses in 2011 A native of France, Guetta is the first to be tapped for Handprints Homage, a new program in which music stars, and some DJ's, are immortalized in cement. The resulting imprint is then mounted on the wall of the renovated Grauman's Ballroom, which is the new name of the completely renovated lobby of the Chinese 6 theater complex on the third floor of the theater adjacent to Hollywood-Highland. PHOTOS: 54th Annual Grammy Nominees That lobby, which leads to the six multi-plex theaters, is now a venue for events and parties, complete with a new kitchen. Over the weekend the Chinese Theater kicked off a new program of events in the space with Guetta performing in front of about 800 people who paid to party and dance to his music. The theater plans to do various events about once a month going forward. Guetta, according to a source, is one of the rare DJ's to be so honored. Most of the artists the Chinese will immortalize in cement will be music stars who perform there, or are chosen to be honored there. PHOTOS: The Best (and Worst) Moments of AMAs 2011 Guetta is a hot artist right now with his single "Without You," which has been number one on the top 40-airplay chart for two weeks. He also was nominated for two Grammy awards last week. One is for Best Dance/Electronica Album for Nothing But The Beat, his fifth studio album. The other nomination is for Best Dance Recording for the electronic track "Sunshine," produced with Swedish DJ Avicii. Guetta won Grammys in 2010 and 2011 for Best Remixed Recording. Guetta has also recently partnered with the website Vevo for a sweepstakes that runs through Dec. 26. The prizes include a trip to the Grammys, a trip to Disneyworld and equipment including an Ipad 2 and headphones. Guetta recently was the opening act on the American Music Awards as part of a performance by Nicki Minaj. There are also screenings this month of Guetta's documentary film Nothing But The Beat, about his career and rise from underground house DJ to being a star in his own right. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery The Best (and Worst) Moments of AMAs 2011 Related Topics David Guetta Nicki Minaj

TV biz buys into back burner Globes role

Because the red-colored carpet is folded out for that Golden Globes, it is a rare chance for audiences to determine a common television stars and celebrities rubbing shoulders because they recognition each other peoples achievements over dinner and champagne. But when the who's who of Hollywood gathers in one place, TV requires a supporting role, not really a lead one.Throughout the broadcast itself, film is honored in 15 groups, including script, director and original score, while television only receives 11, all for onscreen talent except drama, comedy and miniseries or film designed for TV."It's like nobody creates or directs television," TV Guide Magazine critic Matt Roush states. "(The Golden Globes) does not go very deep if this involves TV. It will appear in my experience -- from the critical perspective -- that TV may be the poor cousin towards the celebrities. Television's type of lucky to become asked."However the attitude inside the TV galleries and systems is the fact that instead of competing against film, they're running their very own race, and exactly what the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. lacks in praising the craft, it constitute with enthusiasm for that finished product."This group loves television," states Richard Licata, professional veep of communications at NBC Universal. "They're voracious television viewers and like to champion new shows."Just to illustrate: Recently, such shows as "Mad Males," "Glee" and "Boardwalk Empire" all have obtained honours to find the best Television show within their newbie, and frequently Emmys have adopted -- eventually."(The nominations) are predicting the Emmy those who win 3 or 4 years later," states French journalist Herve Tropea, a four-year HFPA member. " 'The Sopranos,' for example, won the Golden Globe for drama the very first year. The Emmys anxiously waited before the sixth season to identify the show. For me personally, that states everything."Despite overlapping wins, Roush states a Golden Globe isn't considered a precursor for that Emmy.Still, the need for a Golden Globe nomination or win shouldn't be reduced."It's considerable exposure for the show to become in the Golden Globes since the (honours) reveal is becoming this type of hit," Roush adds. "And i believe the show is really a hit since it is so not the Academy awards. It isn't stuffy. It's not necessary to view several things about authors and company directors you won't ever heard about, because it truly is by pointing out stars from both movies and tv.InchAnother most noticeable distinction between the 2 types of entertainment may be the TV industry's method of campaigning. Rather than extensive print campaigns, typical for that Emmys, the systems and publicists rather offer use of talent through year-round press conferences and make contact with interviews."The press conferences I have always seen more like a newspaper exercise simply because they need material for that marketplaces they write for," states Licata. "However it serves two reasons: It's for that tales as well as for consideration for that honours."Cristina Mancini, senior veep of worldwide marketing at twentieth century Fox, who works together with the HFPA year-round, laughs in the perception of costly campaigns so frequently learned about around the film side."We do not have individuals kinds of budgets," she states. "I do not believe we lose out by not doing the work. We obtain nominations for which we are monitoring and ultimately wins where we anticipate them. I do not believe basically began tossing the soiree each week, it might tip the dial either in direction."Exactly what a Golden Globe method for a show and it is network ultimately comes lower to exposure -- which hopefully means rankings -- and recognition."I do not think the significance of a nomination could be overstated, specifically for an initial-year show," states "Homeland" professional producer Alex Gansa, that has formerly been nominated for his focus on "Beauty and also the Animal," "The X-Files" and "24." "It states, 'Even though you are the brand new kid on the market, you belong in the organization from the other elite shows on tv.A Which translates quickly right into a bigger audience."So when you are your perceived vacuum, there is no trophy -- especially one passed out while watching world -- that will not function as validation."(The World and also the Emmy) almost are synonymous when it comes to their meaning and value," states creator and professional producer Terence Winter of "Boardwalk Empire," which pocketed last year's drama Globe. "Winning the world was just as thrilling and somewhat much more since it means your show is working, not only here, but it is working everywhere."GOLDEN GLOBE UPDATE Nixing the hijinx jinx Contemporary company directors: Stylists or shape-shifters? Stateside sitcoms mixed overseas Honours aren't goal of HFPA giving TV biz buys into back burner Globes role Memorable moments in the Globes Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

YouTube Pacts To Rent hundreds of Disney Films Including Pixar & DreamWorks

This statement only agreed to be published on the internet’s YouTube blog: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 Welcoming your preferred Disney movies to rent online Today, the very first of 100s from the Wally Disney Galleries movies from Disney, DisneyPixar and DreamWorks Galleries are visiting YouTube. These game titles join 1000's of full-length movies from major Hollywood galleries that already are for sale to rent at YouTube.com/movies. Fans of animated movies? We have the beloved animated classic, Alice's adventures in wonderland and also the recently imagined Winnie the Pooh. Love DisneyPixar? We now have hits like Cars and Cars 2 on this page. Up for some adventure? Well get you in the pitch-dark deep oceans with all of four from the Pirates from the Caribbean movies, including the newest blockbuster within the franchise Pirates from the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. So gather the household and buddies to look at your preferred Disney movies at YouTube.com/movies. Check in because even a lot of great Disney classics and new releases will be included days in the future, including our YouTube Movie Extra supplies with behind-the-moments clips, interviews, and much more.

AMAs 2011: Winners and Nominees Complete List

The 39th annual AMAs were broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Sunday, Nov. 20 on ABC.our editor recommendsAMAs 2011: Taylor Swift Wins Entertainer of the Year; Adele Scores Favorite Album; Bruno Mars Upsets Justin BieberAMAs 2011: The Red Carpet ArrivalsAMAs 2011: Katy Perry Surprised With Special Achievement AwardAMAs 2011: Justin Bieber Brings Christmas Spirit (Video)AMAs 2011: Inside Hot Chelle Rae's Red Carpet Style MeetingAMAs 2011: Nicki Minaj Gives Electric Performance with David GuettaThe Best (and Worst) Moments of AMAs 2011American Music Awards 2011: The NomineesRelated Topics•American Music Awards Nicki Minaj opened up the show, which was executive produced by Dick Clark Productions' Orly Adelson and Larry Klein, AMA producer. Justin Bieber followed with "Mistletoe" off his just-released Christmas album, and The Band Perry came on next, performing their hit, "If I Die Young." A total of 17 acts performed throughout the night, includingKelly Clarkson, Chris Brown, Pitbull and Katy Perry. PHOTOS: AMAs Red Carpet Arrivals Leading the pack of nominated artists for the 2011 American Music Awards were British chanteuseAdele, with four nominations including artist of the year and favorite album for her latest,21. Katy Perry,Lady Gaga,Lil Wayne,Rihanna,The Band PerryandTaylor Swifteach saw three nods whileBeyonce,Bruno Mars,Chris Brown,Jason Aldean,Kanye West,LMFAO,Nicki MinajandPitbullcollected two nominations. PHOTOS: 2011 American Music Awards Nominees Winners were determined by online voting, and fans could vote at the Coca-Cola AMA website, amavote.com, as well as AMA.abc.com. PHOTOS: The Best and Worst Moments at the AMAs See the full list of nominees and winners below: POP or ROCK MUSIC Favorite Male Artist Justin Bieber Bruno Mars (Winner) Pitbull Favorite Female Artist Adele (Winner) Lady Gaga Katy Perry Favorite Band, Duo or Group LMFAO Maroon 5 (Winner) OneRepublic Favorite Album Adele/21 (Winner) Lady Gaga/Born This Way Rihanna/Loud COUNTRY MUSIC Favorite Male Artist Jason Aldean Brad Paisley Blake Shelton (Winner) Favorite Female Artist Sara Evans Miranda Lambert Taylor Swift (Winner) Favorite Band, Duo or Group The Band Perry Zac Brown Band Lady Antebellum (Winner) Favorite Album Jason Aldean/My Kinda Party The Band Perry/The Band Perry Taylor Swift/Speak Now (Winner) RAP/HIP-HOP MUSIC Favorite Artist Lil Wayne Nicki Minaj (Winner) Kanye West Favorite Album Jay-Z & Kanye West/Watch The Throne Lil Wayne/Tha Carter IV Nicki Minaj/Pink Friday (Winner) SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES MUSIC Favorite Male Artist Chris Brown Trey Songz Usher (Winner) Favorite Female Artist Beyonce (Winner) Rihanna Kelly Rowland Favorite Album Beyonce/4 Chris Brown/F.A.M.E. Rihanna/Loud (Winner) ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC Favorite Artist The Black Keys Foo Fighters (Winner) Mumford & Sons ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC Favorite Artist Adele (Winner) Bruno Mars Katy Perry LATIN MUSIC Favorite Artist Enrique Iglesias Jennifer Lopez (Winner) Pitbull CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL Favorite Artist Casting Crowns (Winner) Tobymac Third Day ARTIST OF THE YEAR Adele Lady Gaga Lil Wayne Katy Perry Taylor Swift (Winner) SPRINT NEWARTIST OF THE YEAR POP/ROCK Foster The People Hot Chelle Rae (Overall Winner - Sprint New Artist of the Year) COUNTRY The Band Perry Thompson Square SOUL/R&B Marsha Ambrosius Miguel RAP/HIP-HOP LMFAO Wiz Khalifa Related Topics ABC American Music Awards AMAs 2011

Netflix Coming back Arrested Development

First Launched: November 19, 2011 2:41 PM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Michael Cera, Alia Shawkat, Tony Hale, Will Arnett, Jeffrey Tambor, Jason Bateman, Jessica Walter and Portia p Rossi inside a script reading through through for Foxs Arrested Increase in 2004NY, N.Y. -- Arrested Development is coming back to existence round the Netflix video streaming service. The awesome TV comedy series is coming back to production and you'll be designed for instant viewing by Netflix clients in 2013, the business introduced late Friday. Arrested Development broadcast on Fox for 3 seasons from 2003 to 2006. The Emmy-winning show dedicated to the formerly wealthy Bluth family and featured Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Portia p Rossi, Michael Cera and Jeffrey Tambor within the cast. Netflix didnt specify which original cast people might be returning or say the amount of new episodes were planned. 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine Television will produce these new episodes for your online subscription service, refreshing the series five years following a Fox broadcast network attracted the plug. Imagine Entertainment co-founders Ron Howard and John Grazer noted that obtaining a challenge fromcancellation rarely happens. However, Arrested always involved as unconventional simply because they get, so that it seems totally appropriate this demonstrate that broke the mold is smashing it to pieces once again, they mentioned. Taken, Netflix introduced that House of Cards, a completely new political drama starring Kevin Spacey, will probably be produced for viewing round the service in 2012. Copyright 2011 with the Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Amy Adams Has Trouble With The Curve

She may join Clint Eastwood in the dramaFirst-time director Robert Lorenz has a bit more clout than most freshman filmmakers, given that he's Clint Eastwood's long-time business partner in their Malpaso production company and secured the legendary thesp's services for his drama Trouble With The Curve. But he's had less luck finding a leading lady to play Clint's estranged daughter in the film. The latest possibility? Amy Adams.Curve finds Eastwood as an aging baseball scout struggling with the onset of blindness who decides to take a trip to Atlanta to check out a possible young star in the making. His daughter begrudgingly goes along in the hopes of rebuilding their relationship.Lorenz and Eastwood had originally approached Sandra Bullock for the female lead, who seemed game and entered talks to take the role. But scheduling difficulties have made it impossible for her to sign on. Still, Adams is a solid second choice and was apparently already on Lorenz' wish list of possible stars.Adams is also fairly busy, so we'll see if she makes a deal. But if she does, she'll be adding Eastwood to the list of icons she's worked with recently, including Kermit (in The Muppets) and Superman (in Man Of Steel, which she's currently shooting).

Johnson On For Warren Beatty's new pic

The untitled Howard Hughes dramaLast June, word started to leak out about Warren Beatty's next planned project, a movie concerning the live and loves of reclusive magnate Howard Hughes. Little continues to be learned about the film since that time, but Beatty continues to be busy searching for a cast, with Felicity Johnson now in line to experience the feminine lead.The film, which still does not come with an official title (or indeed, all its financing in position), will chronicle a part of Hughes existence story, with Beatty pointing and playing charge. Johnson, last observed in The Tempest, is a youthful lady who falls for that businessman's driver and assistant, however evolves a factor for that guy themself. Knowing by Beatty's casting, this really is set just a little later in the existence than, say, The Aviator.For the motive force, Beatty continues to be thinning his options lower, though Justin Timberlake and Somewhere's Alden Ehrenreich are apparently among individuals in mind. Gleam chance that the kind of Jack Nicholson, Alec Baldwin and Annette Bening (Also known as Mrs Beatty) could show on screen.Beatty's been focusing on that one for age range and it is searching to have it shooting the coming year. It'll mark his first pointing gig since 1998's Bulworth.

10 Controversial Gay Gaffes That Shook Hollywood

Last Friday night at a special screening of Brett Ratner's new movie Tower Heist, the Oscar producer said, "rehearsal's for fags" during a post-show question-and-answer session. The ensuing firestorm-fueled by other provocative comments Ratner made boasting about his sex life-led him to step down as producer of the Oscars on Tuesday (with Eddie Murphy bailing as the host on Wednesday). But Ratner is not the first celebrity to get into trouble for using a gay slur.our editor recommendsBrett Ratner's 10 Offensive Quotes That Ended in Oscar Trouble Hollywood's Biggest BlundersHoward Stern Defends Brett Ratner, Slams Hollywood As 'Loony' (Video) Hollywood's Memorable Mea CulpasMeet the Man Whose Tweet Brought Down Brett RatnerRicky Gervais Offers to Host Oscars Following Eddie Murphy, Brett Ratner Exits PHOTOS: Hollywood's Memorable Mea Culpas From Bob Hope to Mel Gibson to Tracy Morgan anti-gay gaffes and outright slurs have landed many celebrities in hot water. Some have managed to apologize gracefully, others have suffered lasting career damage, and a few have defended their remarks. Here are ten of the most well-known incidents and their fallout: The offender: Bob Hope, 1988 The comment: During an appearance onThe Tonight Show, Hope called someone a "fag" for wearing a colorful tie. The fallout: This was the first time GLAAD (the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination), founded in 1985, successfully pressured a celebrity to apologize for using a gay slur. At a time when public support for gay rights was still small, Hope agreed to record a public service announcement condemning anti-gay bigotry, graciously paying for it himself. The offender: Mel Gibson, 1991 The comment: In an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Pais, Gibson said, "Homosexuals take it up the ass. This is only for taking a s**t." He added, "I became an actor despite that. But with this look, who's going to think I'm gay? It would be hard to take me for someone like that. Do I sound like a homosexual? Do I talk like them? Do I move like them?" The fallout: The comments set in motion the long-term erosion of Gibson's public image, compounded by other incidents over the years. In 2006, Gibson reportedly made sexist and anti-Semitic comments to the police officer who arrested him suspicion of drunk driving. In 2010, recordings surfaced of Gibson verbally abusing former girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva and in 2011 he was sentenced to three years probation for domestic battery for hitting her. The offender: Dr. Laura Schlesinger, 2000 The comment: The radio show host had a long history of anti-gay comments, including calling homosexuality a "biological error," before getting her own syndicated TV talk show in September 2000. The fallout: GLAAD criticized Paramount's decision to give her a show and a website StopDrLaura.com catalogued her anti-gay comments. The controversy contributed to weak ratings for Dr. Laura. Schlesinger, a Jew, tried to apologize with a full-page ad in a Hollywood paper on Yom Kippur: "On the Day of Atonement, Jews are commanded to seek forgiveness from people we have hurt. I deeply regret the hurt this situation has caused the gay and lesbian community." But many gay activists called the ad too little, too late. The ratings for Schlesinger's TV show never picked up and in March 2001 Paramount decided not to renew it for a second season. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Biggest Blunders The offender: 50 Cent, 2004 The comment: In an interview in Playboy, rapper 50 Cent said, "I ain't into faggots." Adding, "I'm not prejudiced. I just don't go with gay people and kick it-we don't have that much in common. ... But women who like women, that's cool." The fallout: 50 Cent shrugged off calls from gay rights groups to apologize. In 2010, after an argument with openly gay blogger Perez Hilton, 50 Cent tweeted, "Perez Hilton called me douche bag so I had my homie shoot up a gay wedding. wasn't his but still made me feel better." Again, the rapper ignored demands from GLAAD and other gay rights groups to apologize. The offender: IsaiahWashington, 2006 The comment: During an argument on the set of Grey's Anatomy, Washington allegedly told Patrick Dempsey "I'm not your little faggot like [co-star T. R. Knight]. The fallout: Washington's comments prompted Knight to openly acknowledge his homosexuality a few days later. He told Ellen DeGeneres, "I've never been called that to my face. So I think when that happened, something shifted, and it became bigger than myself."Washington apologized, calling his words "beneath my own personal standards," but the slur against the popular Knight seemed to alienate Washington from many of his Grey's castmates. The controversy resurfaced at the Golden Globes in January 2007 when Washington joked about it and denied referring to Knight as a "faggot." In June 2007, Washington was dropped from Grey's Anatomy when his contract was not renewed for the next season. The offender: Jay Leno, 2008 The comment: On The Tonight Show he asked Ryan Philippe, who played a gay teen on the Soap One Life to Live, "Can you give me your gayest look?" The fallout: After being condemned by GLAAD, Leno quickly apologized. "In talking about Ryan's first role, I realize that what I said came out wrong. I certainly didn't mean any malice. I agree it was a dumb thing to say, and I apologize." The offender: Kobe Bryant, 2010 The comment: During a game against the San Antonio Spurs, the Lakers star appeared to call a referee a "f***ing faggot." Although courtside microphones did not pick up the audio of Bryant's words, the videotape made it possible to read his lips. The fallout: The Human Rights Campaign immediately criticized Bryant, who tried to excuse his comment as a result of the passion of the game. "My actions were out of frustration during the heat of the game, period. The words expressed do not reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities and were not meant to offend anyone.'' Still, NBA Commissioner David Stern fined Bryant $100,000 and criticism of Bryant continued. Bryant then agreed to appear in a PSA condemning anti-gay slang for GLAAD. Bryant's comments generated a wide debate among NBA players and officials about the prevalence of gay slurs during in game "trash talking. Phoenix Suns star Grant Hill recorded his own PSA urging players not to use gay slurs as on-court insults and Phoenix CEO Rick Welts announced he was gay, becoming the highest profile sports executive to openly acknowledge his homosexuality. The offender: Ron Howard, 2010 The comment: The trailer for the Universal Pictures movie the Dilemma, directed by Howard and produced by Ratner's Oscar replacement Brian Grazer, featured Vince Vaughn's character, an advertising executive telling auto company executives, "Electric cars are gay. I mean, not homosexual, but my-parents-are-chaperoning-the-dance gay." The fallout: GLAAD called the use of the word "gay" in that context pejorative and asked Universal to remove it. After Anderson Cooper also criticized the line on CNN, Universal cut it from the trailer. But Howard opted to keep it in the movie, saying, "I believe in sensitivity but not censorship." The offender, Patti Stanger, 2011 The comment: Appearing on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live, the Millionaire Matchmaker host told a gay caller who worried about remaining faithful in a long distance relationship, "There is no curbing the gay man." Stanger than told openly gay host Andy Cohen, "I have tried to curb 'you people.'" The fallout: After a flurry of tweets criticizing her, Stanger herself tweeted an explanation, arguing she was speaking about Los Angeles-area gay men only. "It's true LA gays toughest nuts to crack to monogamy!" Followed by: "Attn male Gays: I support you & my comment on WWHL was to a LA guy who can't find commitment." After a similar equivocal apology on The Joy Behar Show failed to quell the outcry, Stanger issued a more direct apology, "I am so sorry. I did not mean to offend anyone with my comments." Bravo also apologized in a statement. '"Her comments are not representative of the network's beliefs and opinions. We apologize for the offense it caused." But despite calls from some viewers for Stanger to be fired, she remains the host of the network's Millionaire Matchmaker show. The offender: Tracy Morgan, 2011 The comment: During a performance of his stand-up act in Nashville, Morgan went on an anti-gay riff, saying among other things he would stab his son if he told Morgan he was gay. The fallout: Morgan's comments went viral when a gay fan in attendance criticized his remarks on Facebook. After GLAAD criticized Morgan, he apologized. 30 Rock star Tina Fey and NBC head Ben Greenblatt also apologized for Morgan's comments, but defended Morgan personally, despite his history of homophobic jokes. Morgan remains a member of the 30 Rock cast. Related Topics

Morgan Freeman to get Cecil B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement at Golden Globes

Chris Pizzello/AP Photo The Hollywood Foreign Press Association introduced Wednesday that actor Morgan Freeman will get the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in the 69th annual Golden Globe Honours on Sunday, The month of january 15. Actress Can Be (The Muppets) and author/director Pedro Almodovar (Your Skin My Home Is) revelaed this news throughout a press conference.our editor recommendsMorgan Freeman's AFI Tribute: Betty Whitened, Helen Mirren and Clint Eastwood Recognition the ActorMorgan Freeman Sparks Outcry After Calling Tea Party RacistMorgan Freeman Ponders Aliens and also the Afterlife for 'Through the Wormhole' PHOTOS: Morgan Freeman in 'Deep Impact' and 21 Other Movie Presidents The 74-year-old, whose flourishing voice continues to be compared to God's, made his film debut in 1964. Within the years since, he's given memorable performances in a large number of significantly and/or in a commercial sense effective films. One of the better known: Jerry Schatzberg's Street Wise (1987), Bruce Beresford's Driving Miss Daisy (1989), Edward Zwick's Glory (1989), Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven (1992), Frank Darabont's The Shawshank Redemption (1994), David Fincher's Se7en (1995), Steven Spielberg's Amistad (1997), Eastwood's Billion Dollar Baby (2004), Film Clip's Gone Baby Gone (2007), Christopher Nolan's The Dark Dark night (2008), and Eastwood's Invictus (2009). PHOTOS: Box Office Politics: The Films and Stars Dems versus. GOPers Love (And Like to Hate) Freeman has gotten five Academy Award nominations and five Golden Globe nominations, winning the very best supporting actor Oscar for Billion Dollar Baby and also the best actor (musical or comedy) Globe for Driving Miss Daisy. Previous readers from the recognition, which is dependent upon the HFPA's board of company directors, include Alfred Hitchcock, Lucille Ball, Sidney Poitier, Sophia Loren, Sean Connery, Barbra Streisand, Martin Scorsese, and, at this past year's ceremony, Robert P Niro.

Exclusive: Not so long ago Casts Lost's Emilie p Ravin As Belle

Emily p Ravin Not so long ago has arrived another Lost alum. Emilie p Ravin, who performed Australian castaway Claire around the ABC island mystery series, continues to be cast as Belle, as with Beauty and also the Beast's Belle, TVGuide.com has learned solely. ABC's Not so long ago turns favorite anecdotes into reality Particulars of her role are scarce, but we hear Once's Belle may have an association to Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle). Not sure on if the titular Animal can look, but Gaston is slated to appear too. The 29-year-old Roswell alum has starred such films as Remember Me, Public Opponents and Brick. She'll first come in Episode 12, slated to air early the coming year.

'The Dark Knight Rises' Hits Wall Street [PHOTOS]

As it turns out, 'Magnus Rex' 'The Dark Knight Rises' did occupy Wall Street. On Saturday, the Christopher Nolan-directed film descended on Lower Manhattan and filmed a scene similar to the one the paparazzi snapped photos of in Pittsburgh earlier this summer. Reshoots? Did Nolan just decide he wanted his riot to occur in NY instead of Pennsylvania? Good questions! Check out some new photos from the set ahead, as well as video of what looks like a pretty intense standoff between the Gotham Police Department and Bane's minions. Also: Nolan wearing a hard hat! 'The Dark Knight Rises' Hits NY See All Moviefone Galleries » [via Huffington Post] [Top Photo: FilmMagic] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

The Very Best Movies of 2011

Using the finish of the season around the corner, Moviefone made the decision to provide good Movies of 2011 list just a little update. You will find still a lot of potentially great films that are not out yet ('The Muppets,' 'Girl Using the Dragon Tattoo,' 'Extremely Noisy & Incredibly Close'), but let us remember the great features in the last 10 several weeks. Ahead, Moviefone's Up-to-date Best Movies of 2011 list. Make certain to return in the finish of the season for that complete top 50. [Top Photo: Universal] The Very Best Movies of 2011 25. 'Captain America: The Very First Avengerཔ. 'Beginnersན. 'Warriorདྷ. 'The Interruptersད. 'Hannaཐ. 'Take Shelterཏ. 'Ides of Marchཎ. 'Horrible Bossesཌྷ. 'Win Winཌ. 'Margin Callཋ. 'Crazy, Stupid, Loveཊ. 'Martha Marcy May Marleneཉ. 'Tree of Existence཈. 'Attack the Blockཇ. 'X-Males: Top Classཆ. 'The HelpƏ. 'RangoƎ. 'Super 8ƍ. 'Rise from the Planet from the Apesƌ. 'Midnight in ParisƋ. 'MoneyballƊ. ཮/50Ɖ. 'Driveƈ. 'Deathly Hallows, Part IIƇ. 'Bridesmaids' See All Moviefone Art galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

The Biz: The Battle for the Big Interviews

TV news divisions are giving their all for the next big "get." After seeing the courtroom sagas of Casey Anthony and Amanda Knox play out over the last two years, the networks sense a huge audience will tune in to see what they have to say. Also high on the interview wish list are Dr. Conrad Murray, the physician on trial for the involuntary manslaughter of pop legend Michael Jackson, and incarcerated Ponzi scheme artist Bernie Madoff. So who will they talk to? Casey Anthony The Florida mother exonerated for the murder of her daughter is the trickiest booking, as her reps are looking for a big payday. In the past, networks have shelled out dollars for video or photos to get interview access. But no one wants to appear to be in business with Anthony, who is reviled by the public. One veteran of the morning-show wars says Anthony's lawyers have agents trying to tie a book deal to a TV interview and have approached NBC News about helping make it happen. NBC's status as the network news leader would help them weather any criticism of a deal, which, according to the producer, is largely hypocritical: "Everybody wants to hear from Casey Anthony even though they say they don't." Amanda Knox The American student imprisoned for four years in Italy before her murder conviction was vacated is being courted by ABC, CBS and NBC. But Knox doesn't need to seek payment from a network. "The family is going to make money," says one producer who has worked on the story. "They are going to sell a book and movie rights." Where she goes to talk depends on relationships and star power. ABC News correspondent Elizabeth Vargas has covered the story vigorously and one of the bookers for Good Morning America has become a family friend. NBC sent a strong message by dispatching Today coanchor Matt Lauer to cover Knox's last court hearing. While ABC or NBC are considered the favorites, CBS has offered Knox a platform on 60 Minutes, which can deliver a huge audience and give the salacious story some stature. "It will get an amazing rating," the producer notes. Conrad Murray The demonized doctor already has a deal with British documentary filmmakers who, industry sources say, are shopping their film, plus a live interview with Murray, for $1 million. "I don't know if he's worth that much money," says one morning-show vet. "Not that many people want to hear from him." Bernie Madoff His wife and kids have spoken out on 60 Minutes, Today and 20/20. But there's still a demand to get Madoff, which would require getting around the ban on cameras in federal prison. He has spoken with journalists off camera, including a recent two-hour chat with Barbara Walters. That won't stop him from talking again, says one producer: "He would love to have a camera in there." Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

How About Brett Ratner Just Makes Beverly Hills Witch and Calls it Even?

We established long ago, well before Tower Heist was greenlit, that sorting out the many irons in Brett Ratner’s directorial fire is something of a fool’s errand. New projects seem to come and go from the filmmaker’s slate every day, with a few priority projects like Beverly Hills Cop IV hang on for dear life (their stars’ disinterest notwithstanding). And now you can add another “dream project” to the list. Per the NYT: Though he is committed to the Oscars and next plans to direct The 39 Clues, which [Jeff] Nathanson is adapting from the popular Scholastic adventure-book series, Mr. Ratner was busily conjuring up other future endeavors, including what he called his “dream project”: a film version of the Broadway musical Wicked. In response, perhaps, to the cocked brow of a reporter sitting opposite him, Mr. Ratner made the passionate case that he was ready to take on films that no one expected from him. “People who played it safe, they weren’t really going anywhere,” he said. “They did the same thing over and over again. I’ve always challenged myself, and whether I failed or not, I didn’t fail in my mind. I went through the experience, and it prepared me for the next time I’m going to do it.” Listen, I don’t experience the same kneejerk sourness a lot of people seem to suffer upon hearing or reading Brett Ratner’s name. The guy’s nice, he works hard, he’s ambitious, he’s enthusiastic, he employs people, and I really couldn’t care less how his X-Men movie stands up to those of Bryan Singer. I’d just like to offer a modest proposal for Ratner to not only scale down a bit, but actually combine his latest “dream project” with the old one — Beverly Hills Cop IV — to make something original and new: Beverly Hills Witch. This would basically take two exhausted concepts that nobody really wants onscreen and roll them into the perfect PG-13 starring vehicle for a Reese Witherspoon or Sandra Bullock, while leaving the barely breathing legacy of Eddie Murphy’s trilogy of diminishing returns and the stagebound grace of the hit Wizard of Oz spinoff to maintain their own finite cultural niches. There is more money and more audience and maybe even more franchise reckoning to be wrung from the tale of a upper-crust glambot who, upon mistreating a lowly Jamba Juice employee who secretly happens to be training for wizardry, is served one of the young conjurer’s experimental Hex smoothies. She and her appalled family soon find her developing warts that no cosmetic procedure can cure, and demonstrating class-contorting powers that not even the highest-society movers and shakers can withstand. Shunned by her status-conscious husband, her smug teenagers and an insufferable social circle, the woman reconnects with the young smoothie wizard for an antidote, only for both of them to find their powers are unbeatable when paired for good. It’s basically a recession-era morality tale with some sweet visual-effects opportunities and the chance for an A-list leading lady to showcase some comic chops in a possible franchise launch. And it avoids having to pretend patronizingly that there’s a market for the rehashes Ratner has in mind. Move on, son! Anyway, your mileage may vary! Other plot suggestions are more than welcome. Just make it worthy of Brett Ratner’s “dream project,” and you’re in! · Forget the Art House; He’s Making Blockbusters [NYT] Follow S.T. VanAirsdale on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Power of Comedy to honor Poehler

PoehlerAmy Poehler will receive the 2011 Power of Comedy award at Variety's second annual Power of Comedy confab Nov. 19. Peformers and presenters for the event, taking place at the Hollywood Palladium, include Will Ferrell, Sarah Silverman, Nick Kroll, Casey Wilson, the Upright Citizens Brigade, Million Dollar Strong and the Dan Band.The evening of stand-up and sketch perf will again benefit the Noreen Fraser Foundation, which focuses on prevention and treatment of women's cancer.Poehler, a founding member of the Upright Citizens Brigade comedy troupe, "Saturday Night Live" alum and star of NBC's "Parks and Recreation," will be presented the award by fellow "SNL" vet Ferrell."Last year's event was an incredible success, raising a quarter of a million dollars for women's cancer research, and we're excited to once again gather some of our industry's finest comedians to honor the very funny Amy Poehler and surpass that goal," said Michelle Sobrino, associate publisher of Variety. Some 1,500 guests, encompassing Hollywood VIPs and comedy fans, are expected to attend. Event is presented by Electronic Arts' "Sims 3" vidgame. Supporting partners include Skype.Ticket prices range from $55-$350; VIP packages range from $5,000 to $15,000. Go to Variety.com/poc or call Lauran at 310-201-5033 for tix. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Grey's Anatomy Exclusive: True Blood stream Star Signs on as Alex's Competition

Grey's Anatomy's Alex will involve some competition. True Blood's Vedette Lim has signed on as Dr. Polly Preston, who reaches Dallas Sophistication getting a young child fellowship, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively. Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) will need a liking to Polly, a great deal to make sure that she'll boot Alex (Justin Chambers) from her cases. Become popular cases of Grey's Anatomy by reading through through our recaps Lim, who referred to Tara's lesbian lover round the fourth season in the Cinemax series, will first are available in Episode 8. Grey's Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.

Sean Bean Teases 'Game Of Thrones' Flashbacks

[Editor's Note: you will discover some large spoilers ahead for your first season of "Wager on Thrones." Proceed in the own risk in the event you haven't seen the series yet -- but, exactly what are you waiting for? Watch it already, it's awesome! -JW] Sean Bean has the capacity to mind towards the number of "Wager on Thrones," without or together with his mind. His character Ned Stark got an very tragic send-off in last season's penultimate episode, "Baelor." But due to author George R.R. Martin's non-linear storytelling, there might be some room for Bean to appear around the enter in flashbacks through the approaching season. MTV News taken track of him round the red-colored-colored carpet for your Spike Scream Honours, which he recognized he wouldn't be averse for the idea. "In my opinion there's inside the books," mentioned Bean of the potential for flashbacks. "You will discover apparently some flashbacks, and it is good to find out everybody again and be involved." Bean shared that he's however reading through through "A Clash of Nobleman," the second book in Martin's "A Sound Lesson of Ice and Fire" series, and for that reason doesn't know how Ned suits the comfort in the saga's story. (Spoiler: You will discover some pretty important Ned flashbacks completely up with the latest novel, "A Dance with Dragons.") But even lacking the knowledge of whether Ned remains relevant in Westeros or else, Bean thinks there's an opportunity they're headed to create. "They type of removed me. I'd my thoughts chopped off. But when you're able to to come back from that, you'll be able to return from everything, can't you," Bean joked. Maybe he and Jason Momoa could have a tea party to organize their triumphant returns to "Wager on Thrones." Would you like to see Sean Bean return for later looks in "Wager on Thrones"? Inform us inside the comments section below or on Twitter!

EXCLUSIVE: First Photo of Ridley Scott's 'Labyrinth' Miniseries

our editor recommendsGame of Thrones' Emun Elliott, John Hurt to Star in Labyrinth MiniseriesMIPCOM to explore 'Pillars of the Earth'Germany's Tandem Communications and Ridley and Tony Scott's Scott Free have released the first cast photo from their upcoming miniseries Labyrinth. Tandem and Scott Free are the team behind the multi-Emmy nominated The Pillars of the Earth The grip-and-grin shot shows Oscar-winner John Hurt alongside executive producers Ridley Scott and Tandem's Tim Halkin, together with Kate Mosse, author of the best-selling thriller on which the 4-hour miniseries is based. Mosse's tale is an adventures story set in modern and medieval France which centres on two women's search for the holy grail. Delivery is set for late summer 2012. Germany's Sat.1, Channel Four in the U.K., France's M6, Spain's Quatro and ORF in Austria have pre-bought the show. NBC Universal Home Entertainment and Koch Media have certain U.S. home entertainment rights. So far, there is no U.S. broadcaster attached to the series. Other talent on location at the Labyrinth set in the Carcassonne countryside in the south of France includes director Christopher Smith; actress Vanessa Kirby, who plays Alice Tanner; Captain America's Sebastian Stan, who plays Will and Jessica Brown-Findlay of Downton Abbey who plays Alais Pelletier du Mas. Among the behind-the-scenes talent squeezing into the shot is screenwriter Adrian Hodges, casting director Priscilla John, Sat.1 television executive Thomas von Hennet, executive producer Liza Marshall and producer Moritz Polter. Also on the Labyrinth cast, though not in the photo, are Harry Potter alumnus Tom Felton, Game of Thrones actor Emun Elliott and Merlin actress Katie McGrath. Related Topics John Hurt Tom Felton International Tony Scott Ridley Scott

Suit: Hangover II Stole Grooms Story

The Hangover Part II is beginning to look as being a suit magnet. The newest suit was filed the other day in federal court in La according to Entertainment Weekly. It alleges that filmmakers was similar to a script that ambitious scribe Michael Alan Rubin based by themself marital misadventures in Asia. Complaintant Rubin claims The Hangover II is duplicated within the treatment too as with the actual existence incident in the Complaintant, because the protagonist … travels within the United states . States to have an Asian country to marry his Asian girlfriend. How did they get his script, you might question? Rubin claims his ex-wife gave the filmmakers his story, and additionally accuses them of defaming him with explanations of Erection dysfunction Helms’ character’s drug-fueled antics including sex getting a transsexual prostitute. Rubin is representing themselves. An early on suit filed with the tattoo artist who designed a variety of it designing Mike Tyson was settled, and also the other filed having a stunt guy hurt through the building from the film is pending.

Which Lostie Will Take His Revenge on ABC?

Hiroyuki Sanada Hiroyuki Sanada, who appeared in the final season of Lost, has booked a recurring role on ABC's Revenge, Entertainment Weekly reports. Sanada, who portrayed one of the Others, Dogen, will play Kioshi Takeda, a Japanese businessman with ties to Emily Thorne (Emily Van Camp). Also known for his starring role in The Last Samurai opposite Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe, the actor will first appear in Episode 9. ABC orders more Happy Endings scripts; Revenge, Suburgatory get full seasons Executive-produced by Mike Kelley, the contemporary take on The Count of Monte Cristo debuted to 10.15 million viewers. Its latest outing on Wednesday drew 7.9 million viewers, prompting ABC to pick up the freshman series for a full season. Revenge airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.

'Top Gun 2' Can get Screenwriters

Perfect news for just about any Friday when remakes of 'Footloose' and 'The Thing' are unspooling in the local multiplex: Variety looks at the follow-up for 'Top Gun' you don't always want finds two screenwriters. Ashley Burns and Zack Stentz, a few the six credited authors on 'X-Males: Top Quality,A will handle scripting duties for 'Top Gun 2,' which Jerry Bruckheimer and David Ellison are coming up with. Unsure yet whether Tony Scott and Tom Cruise will participate in the follow-up, but without or together, it seems like Vital is keep using the project. The first 'Top Gun' made over $350 million worldwide if the was released in May of 1986. [via Variety] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

CineEurope heads to Barcelona

BERLIN -- CineEurope, Europe's leading theatrical exhibitor trade fair, is moving from Amsterdam to Barcelona the coming year. Formerly referred to as Cinema Expo, CineEurope 2012 will occur June 18-21 at El Centro p Convenciones Internacional p Barcelona within the city's Diagonal Marly area. The Worldwide Union of Movie theaters (UNIC) confab continues to be locked in Amsterdam within the last fifteen years. "The proceed to Barcelona signifies CineEurope's dedication to higher serving the ecu cinema exhibition and distribution towns," stated CineEurope controlling director Robert Sunshine. "CineEurope management and UNIC consulted with ingredients and also the overwhelming feedback received was that the proceed to The country will be a advantageous change." Contact Erectile dysfunction Meza at staff@variety.com

Jennifer Aniston and Demi Moore Bring Awareness to Cancer Of The Breast in Lives FIVE

Jeanne Tripplehorn and Patricia Clarkson For Jeanne Tripplehorn, her role in FIVE offered like a indication. "A couple of several weeks ago I acquired a telephone call stating that Jennifer [Aniston] and Marta [Kauffman, co-creator of Buddies] used to do the project and that i immediately stated yes," states Tripplehorn. "Whenever we began filming, I recognized which i had not were built with a mammogram in 2 years. And So I rushed to acquire one immediately. My wish is the fact that when individuals check this out film, it'll help remind these to perform the same." Doing its part for Cancer Of The Breast Awareness Month, Lifetime is giving us FIVE (Monday, 9/8c) . The quintet of 5 short films was directed by Aniston, Demi Moore, Alicia Secrets, Patty Jenkins and Penelope Spheeris. About twenty minutes each, the tales - with stars including Tripplehorn, Rosario Dawson, Ginnifer Goodwin and Patricia Clarkson - cope with the emotional ride that cancer of the breast patients as well as their families endure. The women's tales vary wildly included in this: Cheyanne (Lyndsy Fonseca), a very beautiful dancer who can't bear the idea of a mastectomy, and Mia (Clarkson), who decides to host a funeral for herself before her dying. Photo gallery: Jennifer Aniston over time Tripplehorn plays Gem, the main one character tying 5 tales together. She read books concerning the disease and spoke with several oncologists who focus on cancer of the breast treatment. However the actress thinks it had been Clarkson who had probably the most difficult task, playing the role of Mia (within the short directed by Aniston). "She wasn't eating. She needed to range from searching healthy to actually sick within 4 or 5 days. But she really stored her spirits up." For Clarkson, whose character is facing Stage 4 cancer of the breast, the task was what inspired her to take part in it. "It had been brutal," she states. "There have been moments where my chest was bound so tightly I possibly could barely breathe. But I must preface that by saying, I am an actress playing someone with cancer. I am a very lucky person. I am not really studying the disease. And That I have observed it firsthand with family people and buddies." Who're Hollywood's greatest compensated stars? Clarkson credits Aniston (also the film's executive-producer) for evoking her performance. "I possibly could not have carried this out without Jennifer. She's a very gifted director," Clarkson states. "She introduced her energy into it, and that i introduced my energy ... It had been superbly written and funny as hell." Fonseca, whose Cheyanne is married to Tommy (The Vampire Diaries' Taylor Kinney), describes that her stripper character "thinks that her self-worth is exactly what she constitutes a living from, that her body is the reason why her beautiful. And also the relationship she's together with her husband is an extremely sexualized relationship, type of a youthful, passionate couple. She will get identified with cancer of the breast and needs to obtain a double mastectomy also it type of shatters her world completely. It is a journey of her needing to search much deeper and understand that she's not her body which the love that they has together with her husband is real." The actress hopes that the more youthful audience is going to be interested in her character and stay tuned to become touched through the story and her co-star's effective performance. "It is simply this type of moving story, and Taylor is really good," she states. "There's one scene he has with David Eigenberg and that he just stops working crying within the vehicle parking area. I had been watching it being shot and that i began crying too. I walked to him and was like, 'It's OK!'" Photo gallery: Demi Moore over time About one inch every eight women is going to be identified with cancer of the breast at some stage in their existence, and also the film aims to boost understanding of that statistic. "Too many women are dying of the,Inch states Clarkson. "They have made a number of advances, although not enough, honestly. We must move forward. We have reached ensure that it stays within the daily conversation. There isn't somebody who is not touched with this disease. It's personal to everybody, and it is touched most of us.Inch Watch a clip for FIVE: Five airs Monday at 9/8c on Lifetime. Additional confirming by Hanh Nguyen

David Cronenbergs The Fly follow-up has the capacity to go

David Cronenberg has written a follow-up for the Fly which is waiting for Fox to find out whether they wish to ensure it is.Pressed about whispers from the Fly remake inside a recent Dangerous Method junket, Cronenberg mentioned."The Fly is not exactly a remake, it's type of a follow-up, kinda."Yeah, that was an issue. I've written a script of the, and I am unsure in the event that will truly happen, but that has associated with Fox."We're unsure so what can stop Fox trying to greenlight a follow-up for the Fly written and possibly directed by Cronenberg. Possibly they're really installed on Chris Walas' The Fly II.Or even they were so traumatised with the bit while using dog because film that any script marked 'The Fly II' goes into the bin.Either in situation, it is really an exciting prospect. We presently live in a worldwide where Ridley Scott is installed on a prequel to Alien together with a follow-up to Edge Runner, and David Cronenberg is searching in a Fly 2 script.That's pretty strange if you contemplate it.

Melissa McCarthy Is Having Her Moment

Melissa McCarthy Is Having Her Moment By Lacey Rose September 30, 2011 Photo by Mary Rozzi It's been five days since Melissa McCarthy won her first Emmy on Sept. 18, and she is still visibly overwhelmed by emotion when she arrives at a photo shoot for "The Hollywood Reporter" at a Los Angeles studio.Variations on "I can't believe all of this is happening to me" are uttered often by the "Mike & Molly" star, who greets a photographer, hairstylist and reporter without makeup or Hollywood pretense. If her career-making character in this past spring's surprise box-office smash "Bridesmaids" was forceful, masculine and raunchy (propositioning an air marshal midflight), then McCarthy, 41, in person is precisely the opposite: gentle, feminine and exceedingly polite.Mention the statuette she has housed between family pictures on the mantel in her L.A. house, and you can see tears form. Push McCarthy on its significance, and you get the feeling she's doing all she can to keep them from streaming down her face.Still, she's more than willing to share details of her win -- by all accounts an upset of "The Big C's" Laura Linney, "Nurse Jackie's" Edie Falco and "Parks and Recreation's" Amy Poehler, all considered stronger favorites -- but confesses her memory is spotty from shock and genuine disbelief."I remember my knees went first, and I thought, 'Oh God, please don't fall down,' " she says of her thought process in that moment. "Just keep it upright. You're in a dress. Your mom and dad are watching."She was standing beside fellow nominees Tina Fey, Martha Plimpton, Linney, Falco and Poehler, having rushed the stage when their names were announced, part of an unrehearsed comedy routine conceived days earlier by Poehler. By the time presenters Rob Lowe and Sofia Vergara began placing a tiara on McCarthy's head and a bouquet of roses and Emmy in her arms, McCarthy recalls registering a second thought: "Is this still the bit? Oh, this is going to be so awkward if this is part of the bit."But bear hugs followed from the women, and McCarthy was pushed toward the microphone. She let out a "Holy smokes," the broadcast-appropriate version of another phrase she'd mouthed seconds earlier. Then she apologized to a U.S. TV audience of 12.5 million for being a crier, with tears in her eyes as she uttered such lines as, "I'm from Plainfield, Ill., and I'm standing here, and it's kind of amazing."For McCarthy, the leapfrog over better-known nominees marked the official Hollywood coronation of an actress so outside the realm of convention that it gave the broadcast one of its few genuine surprises. Indeed, it would seem McCarthy has plenty working against her, a plus-size fortysomething in an industry that traditionally favors sample-size females two decades younger. But what she lacks in dewy ingenue sex appeal, she makes up for with depth, comedic timing and sheer likability.In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find a working actress more successful than -- or certainly as busy as -- McCarthy right now. Not only does she have a starring role on CBS' hit sitcom "Mike & Molly" -- the second season bowed Sept. 26 to a series-high 4.8 rating in the adults 18-to-49 demographic and 13.9 million viewers -- and an Oct. 1 gig as "Saturday Night Live host," but also she recently sold a road-trip comedy pitch to Paramount (with "Bridesmaids" writer Annie Mumolo) and a TV comedy project to CBS (with her actor-producer husband, Ben Falcone). All of it comes on the heels of McCarthy's scene-stealing turn as Megan, the unfiltered, unconventional and undeniable standout of the May release "Bridesmaids," a role so well-received it has Universal positioning her as awards-season bait on the film side."It's truly her moment," says CBS Entertainment chief Nina Tassler. Adds Peter Roth, president of "Mike & Molly" studio Warner Bros. TV, "This is the year of the McCarthy." It's a label he claims is richly deserved, adding: "Everything about her is relatable. You root for her; you want her to win."So what's it like to be at the white-hot center of Hollywood's attention, after nearly two decades working on the fringes? Overwhelming, exhilarating and utterly surreal are among the descriptors McCarthy uses. Earlier this summer, she was out rug shopping with Mumolo -- the longtime friends shop often for their homes, with Mumolo insisting McCarthy could be an interior designer if she weren't an actress -- when McCarthy's "team" called to see if she was up to do episode two of "SNL's" 37th season."I went into such an embarrassing, weird, inappropriately loud cry," says McCarthy of her response, laughing about a story she shares often. "Annie was running in circles. She thinks something horrible is happening because I'm bent over, literally, in the rug section of Living Spaces wailing." Mumolo cracks up at the story's retelling, adding, "I thought someone had died."If you believe the actress, the crying stopped only recently. On this day, McCarthy -- set to leave for "SNL" rehearsals in two days -- is focused on preparing for the gig and calming her nerves for the show she calls the Holy Grail of comedy. She claims she'll fly to Manhattan with a trunk filled with sketches and characters from her decade-plus tenure with L.A. improv group the Groundlings. Among them: Marbles, a cross-eyed, eccentric genius she'd love to work into a skit on "SNL." "If I get Marbles on 'SNL,' you can hit me with a bus right after that and I'll be OK," jokes McCarthy.It was this Groundlings character that won over "Mike & Molly" creator Mark Roberts during the series' casting process in early 2010. "When I saw Marbles [on McCarthy's reel], all I could think was this woman was an absolute genius," he says. "There's an off-handedness and unpredictability to her comedy that just makes it engaging." (It's worth noting that Marbles is also among the characters that won over Falcone, a fellow Groundlings alum. "She'll do anything for a laugh," he says, recalling his wife falling into splits onstage without stretching.)To hear McCarthy tell it, Marbles is precisely the type of character she's drawn to: those who are notably different but still confident and comfortable in their skin. "Bridesmaids'" Megan, in particular, fits into that category, though only after McCarthy got to put her stamp on the hard-to-cast character. What was initially conceived as a nervous oddball McCarthy reimagined as an uber-confident misfit.McCarthy went into her audition for "Bridesmaids" with Dockers, no makeup and a force-of-nature attitude. In her mind, she was channeling past Groundlings characters with the physical appearance of the Food Network's Guy Fieri, from one of her favorite shows "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" (other favorites include "Top Chef" and "Chopped"). She remembers leaving the audition horrified by her performance: "The whole ride home, I was like, 'God, you get one shot, and you go in and you act weird,' " she says. "I was like, 'You idiot, you idiot.' "Fortunately, producer Judd Apatow and director Paul Feig, along with writers and former Groundlings members Kristen Wiig and Mumolo, appreciated her take on weird. "My jaw hit the ground," recalls Feig of McCarthy's audition. "I remember watching the first time, and we almost couldn't laugh because we were like: 'Oh my God. What is she doing? This is amazing.'"That her improv skills were similarly top-notch -- Feig is fond of telling the story of a scene that didn't make the cut where McCarthy's Megan starts ad-libbing about a squirrel infestation in her house, revealing there's "a squirrel burrowing its way into her vagina and living inside her" -- made her casting a no-brainer.For Mumolo and Wiig, who had recommended her for the role, "Bridesmaids" was an opportunity to share the side of McCarthy that fans of her TV work did not know. "She'd just get on the stage [at Groundlings] and grab the crowd by the balls," says Mumolo, who acknowledges she was initially thrown when McCarthy was cast as the "nice little chef" on "Gilmore Girls." Her husband, who played Air Marshal Jon in "Bridesmaids," agrees, arguing, "'Bridesmaids' was really the first chance for Melissa to show what exactly she can do."So where does McCarthy's gut-busting humor come from? As noted in her Emmy speech, she was raised in Plainfield, some 45 minutes southwest of Chicago, on a working corn and soybean farm. (Her parents remain there, though they've since moved off the farm.) Without neighborhood kids to play with, she and her older sister spent much of their childhood creating characters and an imaginary world -- a skill that would clearly serve her well later in life.By the time she hit her teens, a social McCarthy had joined the cheerleading squad and student council. But by her sophomore year, boredom had set in. "I turned intensely gothic," she laughs, reflecting on her attention-grabbing uniform of kabuki makeup, combat boots and shaved patches of her head. "I think I just loved all of the pageantry of it."At that time, McCarthy had her heart set on a career in fashion. She and close friend and fellow goth Brian Atwood, now a well-known women's shoe designer, would tear out pages of Vogue and fantasize about their own lines. Her parents beat down the idea of her attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in NY, so she settled on Southern Illinois University, where she briefly studied clothing and textiles before dropping out.With boredom having seeped in again, McCarthy decided to follow her sister Margie to Boulder, Colo., where she found a gig making costumes for a dance company. But a visit from Atwood, who had already moved to NY, convinced a then 20-year-old McCarthy to pack her bags and join him in Manhattan. Once there, it was he who suggested she try her hand at stand-up, a genre with which she'd had no previous experience."It was terrible," she says, describing the wig and gold leather jacket Atwood squeezed her into for her first open-mic night at Stand Up NY. She hadn't realized most comics come with material and that the light that blinks after an allotted period is a signal to wrap it up. "I just told these long, bizarre stories," she chuckles. "I had no idea what the light meant, so I was winking and nodding at it like: 'Thanks, guys. I appreciate the help.' I kept going and going." Perhaps surprisingly, she was invited back.At first, a young McCarthy loved it. "This idea of really being able to pace an audience and make strangers laugh, I just thought it was the greatest thing," she says. But she grew tired of the hecklers fairly quickly and turned her attention to theater, studying and performing in off-off-Broadway productions for several years.The inability to make a living finally caught up to her, and she packed her bags again and moved to Los Angeles, where she moved into a friend's kitchen to save money. Her sister had sent her a newspaper clip about The Groundlings, so she boarded a city bus, auditioned and got in. "It changed my life," she insists. "It taught me to write and how to do a character rather than just play crazy." (McCarthy is set to return to the Groundlings with a special performance in October.)After a string of lower-level production gigs (the first on her cousin Jenny McCarthy's eponymous MTV sketch-comedy show) and small roles in film ("Go", "Charlie's Angels"), she landed a supporting role on "Gilmore Girls," a coming-of-age drama on the now-defunct WB (and later on spinoff the CW). The series, starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel as mother and daughter, ran from 2000 to 2007. Within months of wrapping, McCarthy was hitched to another friend role in ABC's short-lived Christina Applegate vehicle "Samantha Who?"Then came "Mike & Molly," in which executive producer Chuck Lorre decided the longtime supporting actress "was more than ready to step into the lead role." The first time McCarthy read with co-star Billy Gardell, says Lorre, "was one of those moments you dream about. They were perfect together. I like to imagine that Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows were smiling down on us." (She was eight months pregnant with her second child at the time.)When "Mike & Molly" premiered in fall 2010, critics were struck by its premise. Rather than feature impossibly thin characters living upper-class existences, as many primetime offerings do, the CBS series centered on a blue-collar cop and schoolteacher couple who meet at Overeaters Anonymous. The plotline stirred early controversy when a Marie Claire writer claimed on the magazine's website that she would be "grossed out if [she] had to watch two characters with rolls and rolls of fat kiss each other."But Roberts believes the realness of the series' characters -- and their waistlines -- has helped make "Mike & Molly" a success, regularly garnering 10 million viewers during its first season. "I had gotten very tired of watching people on television that were just sort of improbable," says Roberts of his thought process while penning the pilot. "They were too perfect, they made too much money, and their apartments were way outside of their economic abilities."For Gardell, a long-time stand-up comic, that authenticity was part of the characters' appeal. "We're not the norm on TV, and I think we take great pride in representing down-to-earth people who are just trying to get better," says McCarthy's co-star. "I think you have to have a deep soul to do that, and Melissa definitely has one."McCarthy agrees, claiming she was drawn to the idea that the show features real people with real jobs. "I don't know any neighborhoods where everyone's walking around in seven-inch heels and perfect makeup," she says, arguing she has been less bothered by criticism of her physical appearance since becoming a mother to daughters Vivian, 4 -- who has been parading around for days with her mother's Emmy tiara -- and Georgette, 1 ."The stupid stuff like what I wear or how I look I can't control, so I just try not to give too much energy to it," she continues, noting later that after having her second child, her body is a work in progress. "At 20, I would have been like: 'Don't they like me? Was it my hair?' At 41, I think the things that define me, I hope, are a lot more than those kinds of petty things."With her raised profile, McCarthy is getting ready to launch a retail line for other plus-size women. "Trying to find stuff that's still fashion-forward in my size is damn near impossible. It's either for like a 98-year-old woman or a 14-year-old hooker, and there is nothing in the middle," she laughs, recalling her recent struggles to find a dress for the Emmys. After combing through "9 million dresses with taffeta or shiny bows," she opted to channel that teenage passion and design her own (with couture dressmaker Daniella Pearl).She could need more of her own creations as the awards circuit heats up. McCarthy is likely to garner attention for her role in "Bridesmaids," a rare female-lead comedy hit with both critics and viewers. The movie earned nearly $170 million at the domestic box office, making it the No. 2-grossing comedy of the year behind "The Hangover Part II." (By comparison, Apatow's earlier hits "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "Knocked Up" and "Superbad" banked $109 million, $149 million and $121 million, respectively.)What's more, it solidified something so rare it's almost unheard of in Hollywood circles: a posse of female comedians, including Groundlings alumna McCarthy, Wiig, Mumolo, Maya Rudolph and Wendi McLendon-Covey. For the genre's males, there has been the Adam Sandler crew, the Will Ferrell clan and even the Jason Segel-Seth Rogen gang. But outside of Fey and Poehler's East Coast tribe, there has never been a network of female comedians as powerful as this one. "We all keep texting and calling each other, going: 'Are you freaking out right now? I don't know what's happening,' " says Mumolo of the troupe. "I think we're all still spinning from the summer. And Melissa, Melissa is in outer space."Now, McCarthy and Falcone, currently in Atlanta filming "What to Expect When You're Expecting," are busy prepping a production company. The pair is leaning toward naming it On the Day, a phrase McCarthy utters often. "Whenever someone wants to really rehearse a part, I always say, 'Oh, on the day, on the day it will be fine," she says, referencing her distaste for over-rehearsing.It's a fitting next step given how many projects McCarthy has in the works, a byproduct of her recent success. "To have the opportunity to start developing and being on the creating side of stuff, for me, is one of the most amazing and exciting things that's happened," she says, back in gush mode. "I've been writing for 15 years, and now, suddenly, people are like, 'Oh, what's in that drawer?' It's like, 'Well, I'll show what's in the drawer.' "In addition to being in negotiations to star opposite Jason Bateman in "Identity Thief," McCarthy and Mumolo are co-writing another McCarthy star vehicle. The project, set up at Paramount, will feature McCarthy as the mastermind of a plan to hijack the Stanley Cup in order to cheer up her sick husband.Then there's the multicamera comedy concept about a woman having a midlife crisis that was recently sold to CBS, which she and Falcone will co-write and co-executive produce. "When you hear a pitch and the writer knows every aspect of that character's life, you feel the reality," says CBS' Tassler of McCarthy's animated sell. "There was crying in the pitch, and then there was laughter and outrage. She painted the full picture."McCarthy's drawer also houses a dark comedy feature script that's about halfway complete from McCarthy and "The Help" writer-director Tate Taylor, another fellow Groundlings alum. But it's a project titled "Tammy" that McCarthy claims has her heart."It's so funny, and it also kind of breaks my heart," she says of a film script of hers centering on a woman who is leading an exceptionally unfulfilled life. The character wakes up one morning as things are crumbling around her and decides she has to get out of town -- and the only way to do so is in her grandmother's car. When her heavy-drinking grandmother insists on going along, they end up on a wild road trip to Mount Rushmore. "It's these two women who are not where they thought they'd be, and they kind of band together," she says, her excitement on display.The "Bridesmaids" team is not through with her, either. Apatow already has locked her into his still-untitled "Knocked Up" spinoff, and Feig says his "Dumb Jock" project at Universal has been set up for her to star in. "She's really one of my new heroes," says Feig of McCarthy. "I'll do anything to keep working with her. When you find someone like her, you don't let them go." The Hollywood Reporter Melissa McCarthy Is Having Her Moment By Lacey Rose September 30, 2011 PHOTO CREDIT Mary Rozzi It's been five days since Melissa McCarthy won her first Emmy on Sept. 18, and she is still visibly overwhelmed by emotion when she arrives at a photo shoot for "The Hollywood Reporter" at a Los Angeles studio.Variations on "I can't believe all of this is happening to me" are uttered often by the "Mike & Molly" star, who greets a photographer, hairstylist and reporter without makeup or Hollywood pretense. If her career-making character in this past spring's surprise box-office smash "Bridesmaids" was forceful, masculine and raunchy (propositioning an air marshal midflight), then McCarthy, 41, in person is precisely the opposite: gentle, feminine and exceedingly polite.Mention the statuette she has housed between family pictures on the mantel in her L.A. house, and you can see tears form. Push McCarthy on its significance, and you get the feeling she's doing all she can to keep them from streaming down her face.Still, she's more than willing to share details of her win -- by all accounts an upset of "The Big C's" Laura Linney, "Nurse Jackie's" Edie Falco and "Parks and Recreation's" Amy Poehler, all considered stronger favorites -- but confesses her memory is spotty from shock and genuine disbelief."I remember my knees went first, and I thought, 'Oh God, please don't fall down,' " she says of her thought process in that moment. "Just keep it upright. You're in a dress. Your mom and dad are watching."She was standing beside fellow nominees Tina Fey, Martha Plimpton, Linney, Falco and Poehler, having rushed the stage when their names were announced, part of an unrehearsed comedy routine conceived days earlier by Poehler. By the time presenters Rob Lowe and Sofia Vergara began placing a tiara on McCarthy's head and a bouquet of roses and Emmy in her arms, McCarthy recalls registering a second thought: "Is this still the bit? Oh, this is going to be so awkward if this is part of the bit."But bear hugs followed from the women, and McCarthy was pushed toward the microphone. She let out a "Holy smokes," the broadcast-appropriate version of another phrase she'd mouthed seconds earlier. Then she apologized to a U.S. TV audience of 12.5 million for being a crier, with tears in her eyes as she uttered such lines as, "I'm from Plainfield, Ill., and I'm standing here, and it's kind of amazing."For McCarthy, the leapfrog over better-known nominees marked the official Hollywood coronation of an actress so outside the realm of convention that it gave the broadcast one of its few genuine surprises. Indeed, it would seem McCarthy has plenty working against her, a plus-size fortysomething in an industry that traditionally favors sample-size females two decades younger. But what she lacks in dewy ingenue sex appeal, she makes up for with depth, comedic timing and sheer likability.In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find a working actress more successful than -- or certainly as busy as -- McCarthy right now. Not only does she have a starring role on CBS' hit sitcom "Mike & Molly" -- the second season bowed Sept. 26 to a series-high 4.8 rating in the adults 18-to-49 demographic and 13.9 million viewers -- and an Oct. 1 gig as "Saturday Night Live host," but also she recently sold a road-trip comedy pitch to Paramount (with "Bridesmaids" writer Annie Mumolo) and a TV comedy project to CBS (with her actor-producer husband, Ben Falcone). All of it comes on the heels of McCarthy's scene-stealing turn as Megan, the unfiltered, unconventional and undeniable standout of the May release "Bridesmaids," a role so well-received it has Universal positioning her as awards-season bait on the film side."It's truly her moment," says CBS Entertainment chief Nina Tassler. Adds Peter Roth, president of "Mike & Molly" studio Warner Bros. TV, "This is the year of the McCarthy." It's a label he claims is richly deserved, adding: "Everything about her is relatable. You root for her; you want her to win."So what's it like to be at the white-hot center of Hollywood's attention, after nearly two decades working on the fringes? Overwhelming, exhilarating and utterly surreal are among the descriptors McCarthy uses. Earlier this summer, she was out rug shopping with Mumolo -- the longtime friends shop often for their homes, with Mumolo insisting McCarthy could be an interior designer if she weren't an actress -- when McCarthy's "team" called to see if she was up to do episode two of "SNL's" 37th season."I went into such an embarrassing, weird, inappropriately loud cry," says McCarthy of her response, laughing about a story she shares often. "Annie was running in circles. She thinks something horrible is happening because I'm bent over, literally, in the rug section of Living Spaces wailing." Mumolo cracks up at the story's retelling, adding, "I thought someone had died."If you believe the actress, the crying stopped only recently. On this day, McCarthy -- set to leave for "SNL" rehearsals in two days -- is focused on preparing for the gig and calming her nerves for the show she calls the Holy Grail of comedy. She claims she'll fly to Manhattan with a trunk filled with sketches and characters from her decade-plus tenure with L.A. improv group the Groundlings. Among them: Marbles, a cross-eyed, eccentric genius she'd love to work into a skit on "SNL." "If I get Marbles on 'SNL,' you can hit me with a bus right after that and I'll be OK," jokes McCarthy.It was this Groundlings character that won over "Mike & Molly" creator Mark Roberts during the series' casting process in early 2010. "When I saw Marbles [on McCarthy's reel], all I could think was this woman was an absolute genius," he says. "There's an off-handedness and unpredictability to her comedy that just makes it engaging." (It's worth noting that Marbles is also among the characters that won over Falcone, a fellow Groundlings alum. "She'll do anything for a laugh," he says, recalling his wife falling into splits onstage without stretching.)To hear McCarthy tell it, Marbles is precisely the type of character she's drawn to: those who are notably different but still confident and comfortable in their skin. "Bridesmaids'" Megan, in particular, fits into that category, though only after McCarthy got to put her stamp on the hard-to-cast character. What was initially conceived as a nervous oddball McCarthy reimagined as an uber-confident misfit.McCarthy went into her audition for "Bridesmaids" with Dockers, no makeup and a force-of-nature attitude. In her mind, she was channeling past Groundlings characters with the physical appearance of the Food Network's Guy Fieri, from one of her favorite shows "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" (other favorites include "Top Chef" and "Chopped"). She remembers leaving the audition horrified by her performance: "The whole ride home, I was like, 'God, you get one shot, and you go in and you act weird,' " she says. "I was like, 'You idiot, you idiot.' "Fortunately, producer Judd Apatow and director Paul Feig, along with writers and former Groundlings members Kristen Wiig and Mumolo, appreciated her take on weird. "My jaw hit the ground," recalls Feig of McCarthy's audition. "I remember watching the first time, and we almost couldn't laugh because we were like: 'Oh my God. What is she doing? This is amazing.'"That her improv skills were similarly top-notch -- Feig is fond of telling the story of a scene that didn't make the cut where McCarthy's Megan starts ad-libbing about a squirrel infestation in her house, revealing there's "a squirrel burrowing its way into her vagina and living inside her" -- made her casting a no-brainer.For Mumolo and Wiig, who had recommended her for the role, "Bridesmaids" was an opportunity to share the side of McCarthy that fans of her TV work did not know. "She'd just get on the stage [at Groundlings] and grab the crowd by the balls," says Mumolo, who acknowledges she was initially thrown when McCarthy was cast as the "nice little chef" on "Gilmore Girls." Her husband, who played Air Marshal Jon in "Bridesmaids," agrees, arguing, "'Bridesmaids' was really the first chance for Melissa to show what exactly she can do."So where does McCarthy's gut-busting humor come from? As noted in her Emmy speech, she was raised in Plainfield, some 45 minutes southwest of Chicago, on a working corn and soybean farm. (Her parents remain there, though they've since moved off the farm.) Without neighborhood kids to play with, she and her older sister spent much of their childhood creating characters and an imaginary world -- a skill that would clearly serve her well later in life.By the time she hit her teens, a social McCarthy had joined the cheerleading squad and student council. But by her sophomore year, boredom had set in. "I turned intensely gothic," she laughs, reflecting on her attention-grabbing uniform of kabuki makeup, combat boots and shaved patches of her head. "I think I just loved all of the pageantry of it."At that time, McCarthy had her heart set on a career in fashion. She and close friend and fellow goth Brian Atwood, now a well-known women's shoe designer, would tear out pages of Vogue and fantasize about their own lines. Her parents beat down the idea of her attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in NY, so she settled on Southern Illinois University, where she briefly studied clothing and textiles before dropping out.With boredom having seeped in again, McCarthy decided to follow her sister Margie to Boulder, Colo., where she found a gig making costumes for a dance company. But a visit from Atwood, who had already moved to NY, convinced a then 20-year-old McCarthy to pack her bags and join him in Manhattan. Once there, it was he who suggested she try her hand at stand-up, a genre with which she'd had no previous experience."It was terrible," she says, describing the wig and gold leather jacket Atwood squeezed her into for her first open-mic night at Stand Up NY. She hadn't realized most comics come with material and that the light that blinks after an allotted period is a signal to wrap it up. "I just told these long, bizarre stories," she chuckles. "I had no idea what the light meant, so I was winking and nodding at it like: 'Thanks, guys. I appreciate the help.' I kept going and going." Perhaps surprisingly, she was invited back.At first, a young McCarthy loved it. "This idea of really being able to pace an audience and make strangers laugh, I just thought it was the greatest thing," she says. But she grew tired of the hecklers fairly quickly and turned her attention to theater, studying and performing in off-off-Broadway productions for several years.The inability to make a living finally caught up to her, and she packed her bags again and moved to Los Angeles, where she moved into a friend's kitchen to save money. Her sister had sent her a newspaper clip about The Groundlings, so she boarded a city bus, auditioned and got in. "It changed my life," she insists. "It taught me to write and how to do a character rather than just play crazy." (McCarthy is set to return to the Groundlings with a special performance in October.)After a string of lower-level production gigs (the first on her cousin Jenny McCarthy's eponymous MTV sketch-comedy show) and small roles in film ("Go", "Charlie's Angels"), she landed a supporting role on "Gilmore Girls," a coming-of-age drama on the now-defunct WB (and later on spinoff the CW). The series, starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel as mother and daughter, ran from 2000 to 2007. Within months of wrapping, McCarthy was hitched to another friend role in ABC's short-lived Christina Applegate vehicle "Samantha Who?"Then came "Mike & Molly," in which executive producer Chuck Lorre decided the longtime supporting actress "was more than ready to step into the lead role." The first time McCarthy read with co-star Billy Gardell, says Lorre, "was one of those moments you dream about. They were perfect together. I like to imagine that Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows were smiling down on us." (She was eight months pregnant with her second child at the time.)When "Mike & Molly" premiered in fall 2010, critics were struck by its premise. Rather than feature impossibly thin characters living upper-class existences, as many primetime offerings do, the CBS series centered on a blue-collar cop and schoolteacher couple who meet at Overeaters Anonymous. The plotline stirred early controversy when a Marie Claire writer claimed on the magazine's website that she would be "grossed out if [she] had to watch two characters with rolls and rolls of fat kiss each other."But Roberts believes the realness of the series' characters -- and their waistlines -- has helped make "Mike & Molly" a success, regularly garnering 10 million viewers during its first season. "I had gotten very tired of watching people on television that were just sort of improbable," says Roberts of his thought process while penning the pilot. "They were too perfect, they made too much money, and their apartments were way outside of their economic abilities."For Gardell, a long-time stand-up comic, that authenticity was part of the characters' appeal. "We're not the norm on TV, and I think we take great pride in representing down-to-earth people who are just trying to get better," says McCarthy's co-star. "I think you have to have a deep soul to do that, and Melissa definitely has one."McCarthy agrees, claiming she was drawn to the idea that the show features real people with real jobs. "I don't know any neighborhoods where everyone's walking around in seven-inch heels and perfect makeup," she says, arguing she has been less bothered by criticism of her physical appearance since becoming a mother to daughters Vivian, 4 -- who has been parading around for days with her mother's Emmy tiara -- and Georgette, 1 ."The stupid stuff like what I wear or how I look I can't control, so I just try not to give too much energy to it," she continues, noting later that after having her second child, her body is a work in progress. "At 20, I would have been like: 'Don't they like me? Was it my hair?' At 41, I think the things that define me, I hope, are a lot more than those kinds of petty things."With her raised profile, McCarthy is getting ready to launch a retail line for other plus-size women. "Trying to find stuff that's still fashion-forward in my size is damn near impossible. It's either for like a 98-year-old woman or a 14-year-old hooker, and there is nothing in the middle," she laughs, recalling her recent struggles to find a dress for the Emmys. After combing through "9 million dresses with taffeta or shiny bows," she opted to channel that teenage passion and design her own (with couture dressmaker Daniella Pearl).She could need more of her own creations as the awards circuit heats up. McCarthy is likely to garner attention for her role in "Bridesmaids," a rare female-lead comedy hit with both critics and viewers. The movie earned nearly $170 million at the domestic box office, making it the No. 2-grossing comedy of the year behind "The Hangover Part II." (By comparison, Apatow's earlier hits "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "Knocked Up" and "Superbad" banked $109 million, $149 million and $121 million, respectively.)What's more, it solidified something so rare it's almost unheard of in Hollywood circles: a posse of female comedians, including Groundlings alumna McCarthy, Wiig, Mumolo, Maya Rudolph and Wendi McLendon-Covey. For the genre's males, there has been the Adam Sandler crew, the Will Ferrell clan and even the Jason Segel-Seth Rogen gang. But outside of Fey and Poehler's East Coast tribe, there has never been a network of female comedians as powerful as this one. "We all keep texting and calling each other, going: 'Are you freaking out right now? I don't know what's happening,' " says Mumolo of the troupe. "I think we're all still spinning from the summer. And Melissa, Melissa is in outer space."Now, McCarthy and Falcone, currently in Atlanta filming "What to Expect When You're Expecting," are busy prepping a production company. The pair is leaning toward naming it On the Day, a phrase McCarthy utters often. "Whenever someone wants to really rehearse a part, I always say, 'Oh, on the day, on the day it will be fine," she says, referencing her distaste for over-rehearsing.It's a fitting next step given how many projects McCarthy has in the works, a byproduct of her recent success. "To have the opportunity to start developing and being on the creating side of stuff, for me, is one of the most amazing and exciting things that's happened," she says, back in gush mode. "I've been writing for 15 years, and now, suddenly, people are like, 'Oh, what's in that drawer?' It's like, 'Well, I'll show what's in the drawer.' "In addition to being in negotiations to star opposite Jason Bateman in "Identity Thief," McCarthy and Mumolo are co-writing another McCarthy star vehicle. The project, set up at Paramount, will feature McCarthy as the mastermind of a plan to hijack the Stanley Cup in order to cheer up her sick husband.Then there's the multicamera comedy concept about a woman having a midlife crisis that was recently sold to CBS, which she and Falcone will co-write and co-executive produce. "When you hear a pitch and the writer knows every aspect of that character's life, you feel the reality," says CBS' Tassler of McCarthy's animated sell. "There was crying in the pitch, and then there was laughter and outrage. She painted the full picture."McCarthy's drawer also houses a dark comedy feature script that's about halfway complete from McCarthy and "The Help" writer-director Tate Taylor, another fellow Groundlings alum. But it's a project titled "Tammy" that McCarthy claims has her heart."It's so funny, and it also kind of breaks my heart," she says of a film script of hers centering on a woman who is leading an exceptionally unfulfilled life. The character wakes up one morning as things are crumbling around her and decides she has to get out of town -- and the only way to do so is in her grandmother's car. When her heavy-drinking grandmother insists on going along, they end up on a wild road trip to Mount Rushmore. "It's these two women who are not where they thought they'd be, and they kind of band together," she says, her excitement on display.The "Bridesmaids" team is not through with her, either. Apatow already has locked her into his still-untitled "Knocked Up" spinoff, and Feig says his "Dumb Jock" project at Universal has been set up for her to star in. "She's really one of my new heroes," says Feig of McCarthy. "I'll do anything to keep working with her. When you find someone like her, you don't let them go." The Hollywood Reporter

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