ABC Grounds 'Pan Am' -- For Now

Christopher Plummer in 'Beginners' 1. Beginners beats The Descendants and Martha Marcy May Marlene to win best feature (tying with The Tree of Life) and best ensemble at the Gothams The last two films to win best feature and best ensemble at the Gothams -- The Hurt Locker (2009) and Winter's Bone (2010) -- both went on to score best picture Oscar nods.our editor recommendsGotham Awards 2011: 'Tree of Life,' 'Beginners' Tie for Best FeatureGeorge Clooney and Michelle Williams To Be Honored at the Palm Springs Film FestivalWhat the Gotham Awards Results Mean -- And Don't (Analysis)The Scene: Inside the 21st Annual Gotham Awards PHOTOS: Gotham Awards 2011 2. Presumptive Oscar nominees George Clooney (The Descendants) and Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs) snubbed by Indie Spirits The A-listers were somehow excluded despite the fact that The Descendants was nom'd for feature, director (Alexander Payne), and screenplay (Payne and Nat Faxon), and that Close's co-star Janet McTeer scored a supporting nod. PHOTOS: 'The Descendants' Premiere Red Carpet 3. Felicity Jones (Like Crazy) beats Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene) and Shailene Woodley (The Descendants) to win best breakthrough actor at the Gothams Five of the last seven winners of this honor went on to score Oscar nods: Catalina Sandino Moreno for Maria Full of Grace (2004), Amy Adams for Junebug (2005), Rinko Kikuchi for Babel (2006), Ellen Page for Juno (2007), and Melissa Leo for Frozen River (2008). STORY: The Scene: Inside the 21st Annual Gotham Awards 4. Midnight in Paris was denied major nods at the Indie Spirits Woody Allen's charming little film was snubbed for feature, director, and screenplay, but was nominated for best supporting actor (Corey Stoll for his portrayal of Ernest Hemingway) and best cinematography. PHOTOS: THR's Actress Roundtable 2011 5. The Tree of Life surges back to life at Gothams, with NY Film Critics Circle Terrence Malick's poetic $32 million epic stretches the definition of "an indie," but it scored a win for best feature at the Gothams (tying with Beginners) and the NYFCC named Brad Pitt best actor and Jessica Chastain best supporting actress. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Film Independent Spirit Awards Independent Spirit Awards Gotham Awards George Clooney Glenn Close Shailene Woodley The Tree of Life Like Crazy Martha Marcy May Marlene Elizabeth Olsen Albert Nobbs The Descendants Awards Season Preview

Managers David Lonner & Ray Shuman On Merger Path

EXCLUSIVE: Top literary managers David Lonner and Ray Shuman have been in serious foretells merge their companies, Oasis Media Group and also the Shuman Co, correspondingly. Within the scenario being talked about, Shuman and Lonner and the Oasis partner John Mass would get together underneath the Oasis umbrella, associated with an attempt to secure financing to grow the company. Whether it shuts, the merger will bring underneath the same roof such feature and television heavyweights as Qq Abrams, Kaira Silberling, Jon Turteltaub, Shawn Ryan and David Shoreline. While 2-year-old Oasis has some TV clients — crossover A-lister Abrams and ER and Detroit 1-8-7 showrunner David Zabel — the organization skews heavily towards features having a client list which includes Abrams, Silberling, Turteltaub, Peter Sollett, Michael Tolkin, Audrey Wells and Take advantage of Minkoff. Meanwhile, Shuman, that has run his boutique company for 25 years, includes a TV-heavy roster which includes House creator Shoreline, The Shield creator Ryan, Search Baldwin & John Coveny (co-designers of the&E’s approaching series Longmire) and also the Inside and Drive co-creator Tim Minear. Among Shuman’s number of crossover clients is TV author Carl Ellsworth, who segued into features with Red-colored Eye and Disturbia. But overall, there's little overlap between Oasis and also the Shuman Co’s regions of coverage, creating a merger one in which the pieces fit and gives the combined company heft both in film and tv. Controlling lit talent will stay the organization’s core business, but Lonner, Shuman and Mass will even try to put projects together. They teamed lately to market their first show together, Devious Service personnel, the Marc Cherry-composed adaptation from the Mexican Telenovela The Topsy-turvy Service personnel From The Neighborhood. Cherry, Lonner, Mass and Shuman are executive creating the ABC dramedy together with Cherry’s creating partner Sabrina Wind. The combined clients are envisioned having staff devoted to creating inside a creator-friendly atmosphere. Lonner left WMA to create Oasis Media Group in This summer 2009. At that time, he investigated joining forces using the Dark Dark night producer Chuck Roven, but individuals talks went nowhere. At WMA, Lonner had repped Abrams with John Fogelman, who segued to WME but left captured. Abrams departed the company soon after, and today Lonner is his sole representative.

New John Carter Poster: Red Dawn

The new poster for the long-delayed Disney caper John Carter, based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ old series, is awesome in three ways: 1) It is quite red. 2) It is quite bold. 3) It looks like a Super Nintendo/Playstation video game cover. Maybe an RPG featuring shirtless warriors and choppy computer-animated sequences? And the vocals talents of Dana Gould? Or maybe it just resembles the video for Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy.” Whatever, all of these. Click ahead. You’ll note that this poster is less scary than the freaky screenshot we posted on Friday. Disney wants to be more inviting in some of its promotional materials, I guess. Shirtless Taylor’s silhouette is one way to achieve this. Hopefully Mr. Burroughs slips in some loincloth scenes when the going gets tough. We have an opening for a new Johnny Weissmuller, and Kitsch fits the sole criterion: junk that looks decent in jungle costuming. Weeee! John Carter comes out next March. ‘John Carter’ Gallery [Apple]

'Survivor' Restored for just two More Seasons

Monty Brinton/CBS"Survivor: South Off-shoreline" CBS has due to the eco-friendly light on two more types of reality competition series Survivor.our editor recommends'Survivor's' Rob Probst Ink Deal for Daytime Talk Show With CBS TV Distribution The 25th and 26th models, being situated by Rob Probst, will premiere through the 2012-13 television season. Probst has introduced Survivor since it began airing on CBS in May 2000. In addition, the network has set a premiere date for the next 24th season: Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. "Survivor is certainly a superb franchise,"mentioned Jennifer Bresnan, executive v . p ., alternative programming at CBS Entertainment. "Its format guarantees fresh figures, exotic places and fascinating social dynamics every season. And, the show is backed with a b-plus production team that's as passionate since the die hard Survivor fans. A lot of us at CBS are actually pleased with Survivor's ongoing success." To date this season, Survivor: South Off-shoreline has ranked since the No. 2 reality series among grownups 18-49. The current cycle earnings 12.3 million audiences together with a 3.8 rating. Probst can be a four-time Emmy champion for outstanding reality host. Survivor is produced by SEG, Corporation. Probst, Mark Burnett and David Burris work as executive producers. CBS Survivor

Lohans Father Gets into Plea Deal

First Launched: November 16, 2011 4:12 PM EST Credit: Polk, Fla. -- Caption Michael Lohan following his arrest on October 25, 2011 in Polk, FloridaActress Lindsay Lohans estranged father will begin trading the next four several days in the treatment facility Wednesday and be a part of a domestic violence intervention program incorporated inside a plea offer Polk. Michael Lohan pleaded no contest to domestic violence charges in Florida. He should not contact his ex-girlfriend, Kate Major, a 29-year-old former Star Magazine reporter who he was billed with battering in October. The 51-year-old Lohan told Judge Nick Nazaretian he wanted nothing associated with Major. My hands remains bit lots of occasions, mentioned Lohan, who was simply wearing a red-colored-colored Hillsborough Local Jail outfit. The agreement showed up at between Lohan and Hillsborough County prosecutors means he'll spend four several days of his one-year probation inside a residential type in Fort Myers. Next, she must create a domestic violence batterers intervention program. The elder Lohan was arrested in Polk on March. 25. A judge informed him not to make any contact withMajor. But a couple of days later, he was billed with smashing the regards to his release by considering creating a disturbing mobile call to her just several hours after being released from jail. Major told legal court that Lohan would make the most of cure program and not jail. In my opinion he needs help, she mentioned. Keeping him in jail might be doing harm to him more. Major also spoken briefly about Lohans famous daughter, Lindsay, an actress who also provides had her share of brushes while using law. Its my birthday today, mentioned Major. This past year, i had been worried about Lindsay, she mentioned. Judge Nazaretian responded: I don't know who that's. A few giggles were heard inside the courtroom. Major also mentioned she did not want Lohans family or pals to get hold of her or her family. The judge bought Lohan to own no reference to Major, otherwise he'd be shipped to jail for just two years. No contact is not, mentioned Nazaretian. Zero. Minus Zero. Sooner or later, Lohan developed a face when Major was speaking. Nazaretian punished Lohan significantly. It's not Wally Walt Disney World, so stop, mentioned the judge. The age of are you currently presently? Dont become a youthful child. Copyright 2011 with the Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Magoproduction, RAI team for 'Squirrels'

BARCELONA -- Toon and docus production house Magoproduction is joining with Italian pubcaster RAI to create animated series "The Flying Squirrels." Allocated at 2.5 million ($3.4 million), "Squirrels" can also be backed by Catalan pubcaster TV3, Colombia's Jaguar and Andorra Television. RAI holds all distribution privileges for Italia. The three dimensional toon series, that is composed of 26 13-minute episodes, activates five buddies, descendants of pirates, who attempt a mission for any miracle chest that can make almost all their wishes become a reality. To achieve success, they're going to have to outlive the risks of the underworld beneath Dragon City. Focusing on 11-14 year olds, the series was short-listed for October's Mip Junior Kids' Jury Prize. It will likely be ready for delivery late 2012. Magoproduction has additionally folded out sales on "Dr. W," a brief toon format in regards to a surgeon working underneath the nickname of Dr. W on the kids' Tv series. Arte has acquired "Dr. W" for Germany and France, RTP for Portugal, YLE for Finland and Canal Encuentro for Argentina. Barcelona-based, Magoproduction is going to close co-production with Latin America on the second "Dr. W" season, its creative director, Muyi Neira, told Variety. Peter Keydel founded Magoproduction in 2004. Neira became a member of in 2007. "You want to make B series super productions," Neira joked. We don't wish to suffer pressure of large budgets, although we all do goal to endow a TV product with motion picture feel and artistic vision." Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

'A 1000 Words' Trailer: Eddie Murphy Comeback Formally Over?

.publish-content img We are not likely to request when the funny Eddie Murphy came back. We are really not likely to point out that whole Academy awards situation. We will not even discuss the truth that the comedian's new movie, 'Tower Heist,' deflated in the box office earlier this weekend. All we are likely to have to say is this: The very first trailer for 'A 1000 Words,' Eddie Murphy's next film, is here now, and this is exactly what it comes down to: Murphy's character likes to lie. Regrettably, his laying will get him into trouble, and Murphy soon discovers he only has 1,000 words left to talk before he dies. Hijinks ensue: He can't argue together with his wife! He can't order coffee at Local cafe! He dislike up for themself running a business conferences! Sigh. We are also not likely to discuss the truth that this film kind of resembles 'Liar Liar' which the idea of Eddie's character writing things lower to speak within this, does not exist. If you wish to see 'A 1000 Words,' it opens on March 23, 2012. [via Collider] [Photo: WireImage for Dark And Lovely] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Robin Williams: Won't Host Oscars, Billy Crystal 'May' Be Interested

Robin Williams is known to have impeccable comedic timing. As a former Oscars host himself, Williams also has impeccable timing in calling this reporter mere minutes after Eddie Murphy stepped down as host of the 84th annual Academy Awards. Williams is promoting his voice work in 'Happy Feet Two' (you can read the full, wide ranging interview next week), but he also made his intentions clear on if he'd ever host the Oscars again, this upcoming year or any other. Though, his good friend Billy Crystal might be interested... Eddie Murphy just dropped out as host of the Oscars. I'm going to put you on the spot: Why don't you do it? No... Oh, please, that's a tough gig. I was so looking forward for him to do it. I think he would have just been amazing -- especially if they let him be characters. He could have made a movie. If he did a movie like what Billy [Crystal] did doing multiple characters, he'd be amazing. So you've never even considered hosting again? Never. Oh, no. I've done that gig. Years ago I co-hosted with Alan Alda and Jane Fonda and I pretty much saw my career flash before me, before I started. So, it was like, "No..." It's a tough gig. It's a weird night, man. It's pretty thankless in terms of if you do great, if they say that you're a little edgy, they say, "He's cool." If you're not, they're going to go, "He's timid." And I've had friends do it and really do great at it, but it's a really tough gig. You have to start now for a show that's, I think, in January. Right? In February. February, yes. So people start writing now. And Billy Crystal is so good at it... He's amazing. Do you think he would he want to do it again? I don't know. I mean, he may. Steve [Martin] and Alec [Baldwin] were great [in 2009]. I don't know. You know, it's a tough gig. It's a top heavy show, everything is loaded up in the front. And as it goes on longer and longer, people start to go, "Uh huh." But you hope for things like what Billy had. Just that moment when you really get a chance to break out and do something amazing. That's what people remember. Years ago I presented an award and I said that one of the categories was "Writer, Producer, Director: The only creature capable of blowing smoke up his own ass" -- and I got a lot of shit for that. You can contact Mike Ryan directly on Twitter Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook [Photo: AP] RELATED

Adele Releasing 'Set Fire to the Rain' As Her Next Single Off '21'

While Columbia Records had originally intended to release "Rumour Has It" as the next pop and adult radio single from Adele's album 21, the label will instead promote "Set Fire to the Rain" as the set's next focus track at the formats.our editor recommendsJustin Bieber, Robert Pattinson, Jennifer Aniston Among People's Choice NomineesAdele Undergoes Surgery on Vocal CordsAdele Cancels Remaining 2011 Shows to Undergo Throat Surgery PHOTOS: 2011 MTV VMAs Red Carpet Arrivals "Fire" goes for airplay at adult pop, adult contemporary and triple A Nov. 21, followed by a push to pop radio in December. "Our research found more programmer preference for 'Set Fire to the Rain'," says Columbia Sr. VP/promotion-adult formats Pete Cosenza. "Both 'Rumour' and 'Fire' came back strong, but 'Fire' was a bit stronger." The blues/rock-leaning "Rumour" has built familiarity via its No. 1 chart run on the adult alternative Triple A chart, but pop and adult radio decision-makers have voiced their vote for the more lushly-produced, power chord-driven "Fire." VIDEO: MTV VMAs Video of the Year Nominees Consumers, too. "Fire" has racked 683,000 in digital sales as an album cut, according to Nielsen SoundScan. In contrast, "Rumour" has sold 408,000. Despite not having been previously been formally serviced to radio, "Fire" has gained exposure by appearing in promotional campaigns for the final season of FX's Rescue Me and for The CW's Ringer and ABC's Revenge. "Fire" has helped 21 tally 4.3 million in sales, the year's top album sales sum. The set's "Rolling in the Deep" commanded the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks and has sold 5.5 million downloads. Piano ballad "Someone Like You" followed with a five-week Hot 100 reign and has sold 2.7 million downloads. VIDEO: 2011 MTV VMAs Nominees Citing more than 61 million YouTube views for a mere lyric video of the song, Cosenza is optimistic that "Fire" will heat up radio like its predecessor singles from 21. "It's a better plan to go with 'Fire' over 'Rumour' at pop and adult radio," he says. "Everyone, from radio to the buying public, seems to be on board." Related Topics Adele

Other Desert Metropolitan areas

'Other Desert Cities'A presentation by Lincoln subsequently Center Theater, in colaboration with Bob Boyett, of the play in 2 functions by Jon Robin Baitz. Directed by Joe Mantello.Polly Wyeth - Stockard Channing Brooke Wyeth - Rachel Griffiths Lyman Wyeth - Stacy Keach Trip Wyeth - Thomas Sadoski Silda Grauman - Judith LightHelmer Joe Mantello did a knowledgeable job of recasting "Other Desert Metropolitan areas" because of its Broadway transfer. Once the show preemed at Lincoln subsequently Center captured, it had not been obvious that Jon Robin Baitz's tightly wrapped family drama in regards to a patrician clan of Old Guard California Republicans even were built with a leading character. That ensemble vibe survives within this production, however with the magnetic Rachel Griffiths ("Six Ft Under") now using the lead in negligence the renegade daughter from NY, it's simpler to miss the artifices from the plot and surrender towards the drama. A stalwart Stacy Keach and also the invincible Stockard Channing reprise their particular roles as Lyman Wyeth, an old superstar who continued to become effective GOP bigwig, and the wife, Polly, as socially charming and politically calculating as her dear friend Nancy Reagan. Thomas Sadoski also constitutes a welcome return his or her boy, Trip, a great-natured producer of trashy reality-Television shows and also the type of mindful boy who'd spend Christmas Eve together with his parents. (The whitened-and-gold artificial Christmas tree within the family room is placed designer John Lee Beatty's witty method of taking the arid holiday spirit in Palm Springs, circa 2004.) Poor this bleached-out desert setting, it falls around the figures to provide all of the color. Within the original production, Linda Lavin made a particularly vibrant character of Silda Grauman, Polly's free-thinking, hard-living alcoholic sister, fresh from rehab and are available to reside together with her sister and brother-in-law. That role, which opened up up when Lavin went into Nicky Silvers' new play "The Lyons," visited Judith Light. Light (who performed another straight-shooter in "Lombardi") makes sharp work here of Silda's open sights on politics, religion and her sister's pretensions. But because she is not as vivid as her predecessor, the thesp causes it to be simpler for Griffiths to assert centerstage as Brooke Wyeth, the prodigal daughter who arrives using the manuscript of the memoir that accuses her parents of driving their older boy to suicide. Recently divorced and recuperating from the breakdown which had her put in the hospital for a long time, Brooke is not probably the most stable person on the planet. Elizabeth Marvel's provocative perf originated from that vulnerable condition of mental instability, making Brooke's volatile character appear harmful. In Griffiths' deeply compassionate perf, she results in weight loss rational and the majority more healthy: more thoughtful than brooding, intellectually curious instead of paranoid. Neither of those informative performances, however, can solve the improbabilities from the melodramatic plot, which dangles on the family secret lengthy hidden and implausibly never talked about. Even though Baitz ("The Substance of Fire") gives his articulate figures the wit and intelligence to visit fight on a variety of ideological problems that divide them, he studiously eliminates discussing anything as lively as politics.Sets, John Lee Beatty costumes, David Zinn lighting, Kenneth Posner seem, Jill BC DuBoff original music, Justin Ellington production stage manager, James FitzSimmons. Opened up November. 3, 2011. Examined March. 28. Running time: TWO Hrs, 20 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Craig Diller's IAC Posts More effective Third-Quarter Results

Craig Diller's IAC on Thursday reported much-enhanced third-quarter financials that exceeded Wall Street anticipation and mentioned it could start needing to pay an every three several weeks dividend. The Net company released earnings of $65. million, when compared with $17.5 million around-ago period. Revenue rose 25 percent to $516.9 million. The business mentioned it's showing a 12 cents per share quarterly dividend. "In my opinion it is really an outdated and somewhat inane concept that high-growth companies shouldn't pay returns," mentioned IAC chairman Diller. "We've been growing our earnings consistently, have substantially no debt, and huge reserves of cash.In . IAC's media & other unit, including Ben Silverman's next-generation production outfit Electus, CollegeHumor, Notional, additionally to Vimeo, Pronto, Shoebuy, Proust and Hatch Labs, reported an every three several weeks revenue gain of 4 percent to $56.4 million driven by growth at Electus, CollegeHumor while others. Its loss extended from $2.8 million to $3.7 million reflecting greater operating expenses at Electus together with additional factors. The season-ago operating incorporated deficits connected using the Daily Animal, which, carrying out a formation from the partnership with Harman Newsweek within the month of the month of january, IAC now comprises about becoming an equity investment. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Subjects Craig Diller IAC

Famed Oscar Producer Gil Cates Found Dead at 77

Sad news from Hollywood: Gil Cates, the man who produced the Academy Awards telecast 14 times between 1990 and 2008 was found dead in a UCLA parking lot on Monday. He was 77. TMZ broke the news of Cates's death, which was then confirmed by Deadline and the Director's Guild of America, where Cates served two terms as DGA president between 1983 and 1987. He first produced the Academy Awards telecast in 1990, installing Billy Crystal as host following the disastrous 61st Oscars (Rob Lowe and Snow White). Cates was the producer for all but two of Crystal's eight hosting stints between 1990 and 2003, and was also responsible for two telecasts with Steve Martin. Said Martin on Twitter about Cates's untimely passing: "So sorry to hear Gil Cates has died. He helmed two Oscar shows I hosted. He was delightful, wise, canny and unperturbed. A great fellow." Cates never won an Emmy for his Oscar work, despite being nominated in 13 of the 14 years he produced. His last Oscar telecast was the 2008 edition with host Jon Stewart. He's credited with saving the Oscars, after injecting life into the show by hiring comics like Crystal, Martin, Stewart, Chris Rock, Whoopi Goldberg and David Letterman. "Gil was our colleague, our friend and a former governor of the Academy," said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak in a statement. "He was a consummate professional who gave the Academy and the world some of the most memorable moments in Oscar history. His passing is a tremendous loss to the entertainment industry, and our thoughts go out to his family." No word yet on cause of death, but TMZ reported that Cates had heart surgery earlier this month. Moviefone will update you as events warrant. [via LAT/24 Frames] Oscars 2011 Backstage Photos See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

Blumhouse, Gold Circle Create Angle Films, Sign First-Look Deal With Universal

Gold Circle Films and Blumhouse Productions have teamed up to form a genre-producing banner and have signed a first-look deal distribution deal with Universal Pictures. Named Angle Films, the shingle will produce and finance genre films with budgets ranging in the $15 million to $30 million range. Gold Cirle and Blumhouse, both of which have separate deals with Universal, will continue to operate separately as well. Both companies have made their names in the genre market. Blumhouse, run by Jason Blum, has made a killing with low-budget high-yield found footage movies such as the Paranormal Activity franchise as well as Insidious. Paul Brooks' Gold Circle had produced horror movies such as White Noise and The Haunting in Connecticut. "Jason and Paul are at the top of their game in producing genre films, which is why the teaming of these two talented filmmakers is such an attractive proposition for Universal," said Universal's Adam Fogelson and Donna Langley in a statement. "Building on these relationships to find exciting new projects is a great opportunity for both of our companies." Jason Blum