Warren Beatty keeps the mystique

Warren Beatty will be honored with the Stanley Kubrick Award for Excellence in Film at the Britannia Awards.In recent years, Warren Beatty has joined the company of the entertainment select whose august faces are underlit by the glow of commemorative statuettes. The Stanley Kubrick is only the latest award.These tributes usually draw our hero into definitive relief among the cross-references of film clips, fond reminiscences, testimonials and gentle ribbing. As Jack Nicholson joked at the AFI life achievement tribute to Beatty in 2008 when referring to him as "the pro": "What else do you call a guy who's won more awards than he's made pictures?"Pitted against a slew of major acknowledgments, which include 14 Oscar nominations and one win (for directing "Reds"), Beatty's career has been marked by parsiminous part picking, with the razor-sharp, energetic 73-year-old multi-hyphenate -- known for his reticence in committing to projects, labyrinthine attention to detail and controlling nature -- having made only six films since "Reds" was released in 1981. His last starring role was in 2001's "Town and Country."What no ceremony can capture is his mystique. Beatty was a principal in Hollywood's last golden age -- the '60s and '70s. His best movies are ambitious, artful, intelligent and trenchant. He's still a player, someone whose latest project is always newsworthy.Just don't try and get him to talk about it, or anything else that pertains to him. He's a wonderful raconteur. He's known everyone worth knowing in entertainment and politics. But his favorite line about himself is, as he told Variety, "interviewing Warren Beatty is like asking a hemophiliac for a pint of blood."Britannia Awards 2011Bard barbs inspire teensHonoreesDavid Yates | Helena Bonham Carter | Warren Beatty | Ben Stiller | John Lasseter Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Mega Buzz: Handcuffs on Castle, 2 Broke Hookers, and Marshall's HIMYM Tribute

Nathan Fillion, Kat Dennings, Jason Segel Every week, editors Adam Bryant and Natalie Abrams suit your requirement of TV scoop. Please send all questionsto mega_scoop@tvguide.com. I am so excited for your "Cuffed" episode of Castle. Exactlty what can you tell me? -Erin ADAM: Castle and Beckett, handcuffed around the bed mattress together, with no recollection of techniques these were given there - what might go right wrong? Since you may imagine, the duo finds themselves in lots of awkward - and suggestive -positions simply because they hightail it. Sooner or later, Beckett even asks Castle to lift up her shirt. Rawr! (That sexist appear is yet another hint.) Will Max and Caroline ever hit their goal on 2 Broke Women? - Jen NATALIE: I realize, right? These women try taking some quick cash. What could they're doing, what could they...? No! Much less! They wouldn't possibly consider... prostitution, would they? Yep, in the narrative completely from every 13-year-old boy's imagination, they'd. Got useful The Way In Which I Met Your Mother scoop? - David ADAM: Marshall will recognition the memory of his greatly departed father by ongoing their tradition of tailgating inside a Minnesota Vikings football game. Well, less than at. Rather, he and also the brothers and sisters may decide to watch the sport "with" their father (and several ales and bratwurst, clearly). The truth is their tribute goes from touching to all or any-out creepy when some uninvited site visitors join the party. When will the curse be broken on Not such a long time ago? - James NATALIE: Well, to start with, it won't finish up like - poof! - and without warning everyone knows they are beloved mythic figures. Really, they aren't prone to uncover all concurrently. Just one person will, and very soon. But this understanding might finish off being really a curse when compared to a blessing. "Even if you must do know what you're, that doesn't mean everything immediately returns to simply you receive a happy ending," executive producer Adam Horowitz states. Adds executive producer Edward Kitsis: "In lots of ways, it might just worsen it.Inch I would like apple round the Sons of Anarchy finale. - Jon ADAM: Tara's actions can help help remind you of Gemma in your. Potter will remarkably exceed to help SAMCRO. Through the season's finish, a new person is holding the gavel while someone else is plainly absent within the chapel. Are Pete and Crimson really splitting on Private Practice? - Leo NATALIE: It sure looks by doing this. A completely new paramedic (Stephen Amell) is joining the crew just like a potential love interest for one of the Seaside Wellness documents. By process of elimination - Addison provides extensive males, Amelia just lost her fiancé and Charlotte now now already features a husband - it seems like Crimson will probably be moving onto new prospects soon. Please tell me there's expect Annie and Liam on 90210? - Lacey ADAM: Alas, it seems like there's another guy browsing the wings for Annie, a twentysomething playboy who's the heir to his family fortune and for your reason completely oblivious to the thought of work. Although Annie encourages him to prevent yacht racing and jet-establishing support to do something important along with his existence, he simply becomes a a bit more grounded version of themselves - the type of guy Naomi could be lured by. Hmm, maybe there's expect Annie and Liam ultimately! I am unable to stand thinking about Jason Dohring just like a rapist on Ringer. Please tell me it didn't really happen! - Jessica NATALIE: It didn't really happen... or managed to get happen? You'll uncover certainly following a Year, but let's just say things aren't just what they are between Juliet and her teacher. Really, there's really a third party involved. Can it be just me, or possibly is CSI: Miami pitting Natalia in the new girl inside the lab? - Jesse ADAM: It is not only you. Really, producer Craig O'Brien notifies me unhealthy blood stream brewing between Natalia and Taylor Cole's Samantha will finish up more valuable since the season continues. "We will probably place the set of them inside the area, where they have to rely on each other in the existence-or-dying situation," according to him. "We're obtaining a chuckle with this particular competition, but we're soon prone to drive with a extremely effective, emotional place together.Inch Exist any more Saturday Evening Live stars likely to Up With The Evening? - Louise NATALIE: We will probably immediately start lobbying the Up With The Evening casting peeps to cast Kristen Wiig for your approaching role of Amanda, a glamorous old friend of Ava's who's an over-the-top former girl band singer. They could take advantage of the since the audition tape. So glad Leverage has came back. Exactlty what can you tell me in regards to the new episodes? - Todd ADAM: Look for Hardison to think about really a leadership role. "We now have addressed Hardison's fascination with running their very own team," Aldis Hodge notifies us. "[He's] taking a shot advertising online and... it's a very worthwhile turn for him because he's did not have that kind of responsibility." Don't get worried, Hardison's not departing they. Really, the understanding is really a mindset adjustment. "In my opinion he's still learning," Hodge states. "In my opinion he's ready in manners he still doesn't understand, but he retains a few tactics he or she must get at ease with.In . What do you realize in regards to the year of Pretty Little Liars. - Meg NATALIE: Remember when Pretty Little Liars star Ian Harding told us that Ezra would have a very "tumultuous" interaction getting a particular someone's parents that involved a stunt coordinator? That violent confrontation happens inside the premiere. And when you're anything like us, you'll be quite amazed at who throws the initial punch. Natalie's Mega Rave: Carrying out a slow start to the summer season, Terra Nova finally got a little of great importance and-needed momentum by not only revealing who the mole is, why she's betraying individuals in the colony... inside the same episode! Adam's Small Rant: It's surprising Showtime professionals still made the decision to resume Dexter for just two more seasons getting seen Sunday's shateringly apparent "twist." (Additional verifying by Robyn Ross and Kate Stanhope) Crave scoop inside your favorite Tv shows?In the-mail Adam and Natalie at mega_scoop@tvguide.comor drop us a line atTwitter.com/TVGuide

'Twilight: Breaking Dawn's' Taylor Lautner on His Most Challenging Scene and Jacob's Massive Transformation (Video)

Moviegoers watched Taylor Lautner put his impressive martial arts and stunt skills to work in Lionsgate's action thriller Abduction. And Twihards have been wooed by his ripped physique as uberpopular werewolf Jacob Black during his forest fight scenes in The Twilight Saga series. But it was Breaking Dawn -- Part I's pivotal "imprinting scene" that the actor admitted was one of the most challenging scenes he's tackled.our editor recommends'Breaking Dawn' Premiere: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart Hit the Black Carpet (Photos)Taylor Lautner to Star in Gus Van Sant Indie Film (Exclusive)From 'Abduction' to Art House: Inside Taylor Lautner's Movie Makeover (Analysis)'Breaking Dawn's' Taylor Lautner Draws Affection From Overzealous Male Fan at Film's PremiereTaylor Lautner Interview Question Leads to Apology from GQTaylor Lautner vs. Robert Pattinson Box Office: How Twilight's Leading Men Stack UpVIDEO: 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn- Part I' Robert Pattinson Talks with THRVIDEO: 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part I's Kristen Stewart Talks with THR Related Topics•Twilight "It was tough, it was probably the most challenging for me because first, you have to get a hold of what imprinting is and what it means," Lautner told The Hollywood Reporter ahead of the film's massive $283.5 million worldwide opening over the weekend. "And thankfully, we had [Twilight book series author] Stephenie Meyer on the set all the time, so trust me, we had a lot of conversations with her about that." PHOTOS:'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 1' Black Carpet Premiere Arrivals In the popular book series, Lautner's character Jacob is angry over the near death of his best friend, Bella (Kristen Stewart), during the birth of her and Edward Cullen's (Robert Pattinson) child. Jacob then sets out to kill the infant but upon locking eyes with the baby discovers that she is the woman he will spend the rest of his life loving and imprints on the girl. The final cut of the scene is quite visual, using CGI and a flash-forward montage of the infant as a teenage girl, which actually made what potentially sounds controversial or creepy quite tasteful on the big screen but a bit difficult at first for the actor. PHOTOS: 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn': New Images "Once I grasped that, then it became, 'What does it look like?' and I mean, I was giving a X on the wall and I had to walk in the room and look at this X, make eye contact with it and imprint, whatever that means, whatever that looks like," he said. "So on the day it was tough and required a lot of imagination but I am really happy with the outcome and I need to thank [director]Bill Condon for that one." Lautner added that Jacob goes through a massive transformation inBreaking Dawn -- Part 1. "The whole thing with Jacob in this movie is the journey that he goes on from the beginning to the end," he said. "He starts out the movie as the same Jacob we always known, but throughout the journey, I mean, he is forced to become a man and deal with maturity issues and make choices and he is torn between his own family, the wolf pack and his new family, the Cullen and he has to do the right thing." PHOTOS: Hollywood's A-List Redefined Lautner's interview at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills came on the heels of THR's exclusive report that he would be starring in an independent movie directed by Gus Van Sant. Though he and his team played coy on any further details to the press during rounds that week -- saying "it was still in very, very early stages" -- the actor was a good sport when THR brought up its report about plans for the project. The actor's first effort as a solo leading man, Abduction, underwhelmed at the domestic box office over the summer. The new project would almost certainly take Lautner's career in a new direction. He is said to be determined to work only with top directors and writers from now on as he strives to define himself as an actor. Meanwhile, the final film in Summit Entertainment's five-movie Twilight Saga franchise, Breaking Dawn -- Part 2, opens Nov. 16, 2012. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn': New Images From the Pentultimate Film in the Saga Related Topics Robert Pattinson Taylor Lautner Twilight Saga Kristen Stewart Bill Condon

Longtime Executive Marc Graboff to Exit NBC

Longtime NBC executive Marc Graboff, leader of West Coast business methods, is departing the network.our editor recommendsGolden Globes Trial: Witness List Includes CBS' Ces Moonves, NBC's Marc Graboff, and Dick Clark An NBCUniversal representative confirmed the split and stressed that's was "friendly" and added the "mutually convenient" exit date remains worked out. Graboff had signed a completely new three-year offer August 2010, several several days just before the Comcast-NBCUniversal merger was completed. He is just the latest executive to exit since Bob Greenblatt needed the reigns at NBC Entertainment last The month of the month of january. Well-loved in Hollywood, Graboff was instrumental in shepherding discussions with creative talent one reason former NBCUni chief Rob Zucker in 2007 elevated him to co-chairman with Ben Silverman in the network's entertainment division. Graboff was considered the adult inside the relationship while using peripatetic Silverman, who left NBC this past year after an not effective run. Graboff's exit, which was first reported with the La Occasions, is not unforeseen. His duties grew to become progressively attenuated inside the wake in the merger as well as the ongoing transformation in the fourth-place network. Graboff grew to become an associate of NBC in 2000 after a period controlling business matters at CBS. Right before CBS, he will be a partner within the La lawyer of Troop, Meisinger, Steuber and Pasich and, right before that, he will be a founding partner in the firm of Silverberg, Katz, Thompson and Braun. Related Subjects NBC

'Twilight' to infuse lackluster year at B.O.

Summit's 'Breaking Dawn -- Part 1,' which opens in 4,061 locations Friday, could gross as much as $150 million.'Happy Feet Two' will boost the weekend with expectations in the $32 million-$35 million range.The Descendants opens in 29 locations.Domestic box office is still running 2.5% behind the pace of 2010, which already had its "Twilight" installment on the books by this time. But even if "Breaking Dawn -- Part 1" hits the highest estimates of $150 million -- one of the highest domestic bows of all time -- don't expect 2011 to come any closer to pulling even with last year.That's because Warner Bros.' "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" launched this same weekend last year to a similarly B.O.-shattering $125 million, the seventh-highest domestic bow ever."Breaking Dawn" expands Friday to 4,061 locations after 3,251 Thursday midnight screenings. Though some tracking services say it could hit north of $150 million through Sunday, Summit has far more modest expectations, ranging between $110 million and $125 million.Unlike this weekend last year, which had little else among new entries, this weekend's family-targeted 3D counterprogrammer, "Happy Feet Two," will boost the weekend with expectations in the $32 million-$35 million range. Warners launches the film today at 3,606 Stateside locations, of which approximately 2,800 are in 3D, with 293 Imax locations.Fox Searchlight's "The Descendants," meanwhile, expands today to 29 Stateside locations, after bowing Wednesday at five playdates to a solid opening-day per-screen average just shy of $8,000."Breaking Dawn" already is off to a solid start in overseas territories, including Australia and France, for a total estimated $8.9 million. In Gaul, the film scored $3.8 million, making it the country's third-highest opening day, behind "Deathly Hallows: Part 2" and "The Adventures of Tintin."The second-to-last "Twilight" pic, released internationally via local distribs, opens day-and-date in a total 54 countries outside the U.S.Summit launched the third "Twilight" film, "Eclipse," during summer 2010, with an opening six-day domestic tally of $158 million; the franchise's second pic, "New Moon," opened Nov. 2009 with $143 million.Observers say the 16-month delay between "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn" likely helped build anticipation for the latter pic, as well as decreasing "Twilight" oversaturation. By comparison, the series' second and third installments had only an eight-month release gap.Budgeted at a reported $110 million, "Breaking Dawn" is headed for the fast track toward profitability.The film will play best with females of all ages, which could hurt "Happy Feet 2," as moms may be preoccupied by "Twilight." Toon should have a strong hold among families with tykes, contending only with fourth-frame holdover "Puss in Boots."The opening 3D share for "Puss," at 51%, points to so-so business for "Happy Feet" in 3D. Summer toons like "Cars 2" stalled with the format, with 40%, while similar 3D family pics around this time last year, such as "Tangled" and "Megamind" did better in 3D, with 56% and 66%, respectively.Warners isn't expecting "Happy Feet Two" to match its predecessor, which opened to $41.5 million in 2007.Fizziology, which specializes in monitoring social-media sites, reported that both "Happy Feet Two" and "Breaking Dawn" have a 70% positive rating from all social-media posts. The company also said that "Happy Feet Two" has more online interest than "Puss in Boots" and "Kung Fu Panda 2" did.Now it's just a question as to whether that chatter can translate into tickets sold. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Situation Tossed Against Accused Selena Gomez Stalker

First Launched: November 16, 2011 9:00 PM EST Credit: WireImage La, Calif. -- Caption Selena GomezA judge on Wednesday overlooked a criminal situation against a man charged with stalking Selena Gomez, saying he did not believe prosecutors had proven he designed to result in the actress and singer being afraid. The dismissal will free Thomas Broadnicki, 46, who was simply charged captured with stalking Gomez between This summer time and October. The celebrity wasn't gift for Wednesdays preliminary hearing throughout that the da attempted to exhibit there's probable reason for Brodnicki to manage trial. Brodnicki has past mental illness coupled with been held on $150,000 bail after his arrest on March. 31. Mental health employees had informed government physiques he'd threatened to eliminate the celebrity throughout a mental hold. We strenuously objected for the dismissal, district lawyers speaker Sandi Gibbons mentioned. She mentioned Superior Court Judge Edmund Willcox Clarke Junior. ruled Brodnicki was lacking the intent to lead to fear. Gibbons mentioned jobs are evaluating its options, that may include re-filing the problem afterwards. A civil constraint order requiring Brodnicki to stay 100 yards from Gomez remains in place. A hearing is scheduled for November. 23 to discover when the stay-away order will remain in position for an additional three years. Gomez, 19, written in the sworn declaration they is at extreme nervous about Brodnicki. Brodnicki was represented by Deputy Public Defender Nick Stewart-Oaten, who did not immediately return a mobile phone message seeking comment. Copyright 2011 with the Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

REVIEW: Alexander Payne Provides For Us a Facile Movie About Complex Feelings within the Descendants

Alexander Payne’s The Descendants has nearly all you need for any male middle age-crisis movie, and much more: A large plot of unspoiled family land going to be offered off and away to designers, sullen teens, a wife inside a coma. Payne, in the first full-length feature since his 2004 apologia for spoiled wine snobs Sideways, pulls out all of the stops, including casting George Clooney, an actress who’s aging superbly but who nevertheless, fortunately, has permitted themself to appear his age. In Payne’s vision, many of these elements were most likely designed to equal to an image the most honesty. Rather, The Descendants is definitely an ultra-polished picture by which every emotion we’re designed to feel continues to be cued up well ahead of time. There’s nothing surprising or affecting about this. Not really Clooney, who works miracles using the periodic bit of dialogue, can help to save it. Clooney plays Matt King, a highly-off lawyer residing in Hawaii, where decades of his family have flourished. Within the movie’s early minutes, he lays everything out for all of us in voice-over: He and the cousins are going to possess a bang-wow on the huge stretch of unspoiled land that’s been in the household in excess of a century — it’s time for you to sell, and Matt is moving to shut the offer. That’s plenty for just about any one guy’s plate, but we learn that Matt’s wife, Elizabeth, continues to be laying unconscious for 23 days following a boating accident. In the voice-over, Matt comes clean with the truth that he hasn’t been an excellent husband or father, despite the fact that his actual transgressions remain vague, we are able to think that he’s devoted a lot time for you to his work that wife and family have frequently taken a back burner. Still, Matt’s precocious preteen daughter, Scottie (Amara Burns), appears pretty much-modified: She will get looking forward to eating ice-cream in the casual-classy club her father goes to, like a 10-year-old should. However, her 17-year-old sister Alex (Shailene Woodley) is really a pouty sort with a lot of mother issues. Because it works out, Elizabeth isn’t going to leave that coma. When Matt breaks this news to Alex, she confronts him with a little of insider information she’s been hiding: Elizabeth have been cheating on Matt — another guy works out to become a beaming slimeball of the real-estate agent, performed by Matthew Lillard — and Alex, with teen-daughter petulance and self-righteousness, is furious together with her. Matt seems to become less furious and much more simply hurt, and the attempts arrive at terms both together with his wife’s unfaithfulness and her approaching dying from the majority of The Descendants. Together, together with Alex’s half-obnoxious, half-truth-telling stoner friend (Nick Krause), Matt, Alex and Scottie put down on the journey of reconnection and healing, allegedly ameliorated by Payne-style ironic wisecracks. That’s the one thing about Payne: In pictures like Sideways contributing to Schmidt, he’s become away using the junkiest type of sentimentality by packing deadpan gags around it, like ice around a defunct seafood. Using The Descendants he shows full mastery of this technique, a significant achievement only when you're thinking that’s a positive thing. Payne modified the film, with Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, from Kaui Hart Hemmings’ novel of the identical title. But when he's any real feeling of these figures, he doesn’t allow it to show. We all know they are folks discomfort because we’re told, frequently, sometimes with words and often with the same as acting semaphore: When Matt informs Alex her mother is certainly likely to die — she’s going for a dip in the household pool — she falls underwater and her face crinkles into an overemotive grimace. The image doesn’t tangle with the concept that infidelity is really a complicated factor, and barely concedes that those who commit it aren’t always monsters. Within this story, the adulterers — a minimum of the one that isn’t inside a coma — appear to be as sleazy and untrustworthy as you possibly can, possibly as a means of creating the Clooney character more supportive. But that’s among the issues with these components, one which Payne doesn’t bother to offset: Clooney’s Matt pays lip service that he’s made mistakes — we heard it for the reason that opening voice-over, where it whizzed by inside a sentence or a couple of dialogue. His wife’s mistakes and inappropriate behavior would be the focus here (despite the fact that she will’t speak for herself), and also the construct turns Matt right into a sanctified victim. Which makes Payne’s job simpler — there’s you don't need to see people as unnecessarily complicated or problematic. Why saddle Clooney — an actress who’s able to delicate emotional complexity — having a character like this? It’s proof of Clooney’s gifts he plays Matt as not only a bit of flattened card board. He is doing possess a couple of good moments, and the carriage, particularly, is one thing to look at: His arms dangle awkwardly from his short-sleeved patterned t shirts he walks by having an easy, loping gait that isn’t exactly elegant. Clooney works tough to be credible, actually was, but he’s un-tied at each turn through the self-assured calculation from the film around him. For me personally, the film’s main pleasure was the look of Robert Forster, an actress attracted from obscurity by Quentin Tarantino for his great role in Jackie Brown. Since that time, Forster has made an appearance in movies as well as on TV in some places — he was wonderful within the too-short-resided TV series Karen Sisco — and Payne warrants credit for giving him a relatively sized supporting role here, as Matt’s taciturn father-in-law. (His surprise approach to coping with the bratty stoner Sid may be the movie’s most spontaneous and bracing moment, and it is strict, maybe since you don’t view it coming miles away.) When Forster is grousing on-screen, the film appears momentarily alive. He’s a classic-time grouch, a global from Payne’s hipster misanthrope masquerading like a humanist. Because Payne’s fascination with mankind may be the comfortable sort: He must know well ahead of time who’s good and who’s bad, because which makes everything a lot simpler, doesn’t it? The movie’s lovely, lilting soundtrack of Hawaiian music — supplied by artists including Gabby Pahinui, Ray Kane and Keola Beamer — feels as though a forced make an effort to layer some feeling to the material. The film, shot on location (the cinematographer is Phedon Papamichael), is gorgeous to check out, sun-drenched and golden in most the best ways. Nevertheless its warmth is at first glance. The Descendants on the face handles the finest struggles existence needs to offer: Unfaithfulness, grief, the realization that family members don’t always, or can’t always, fulfill even our most modest anticipation. Payne handles these subjects using the utmost confidence and facility. Which would be to say he doesn’t cope with them whatsoever. [Servings of this review made an appearance earlier, inside a different form, throughout Movieline’s coverage from the 2011 Toronto Film Festival.] Follow Stephanie Zacharek on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Indian Entertainment Power Player Eyes U.S. Growth

Subhash Chandra, chairman of Indian entertainment firm Zee Entertainment Enterprises and the Essel Group of Companies, is one of Forbes' 20 wealthiest media moguls in the world. During a visit to NY, THR NY bureau chief Georg Szalai talked to him about his plans for wellness programming business Veria Living in the U.S., an International Emmy he will receive Monday, competition from entertainment conglomerates in India and the outlook for the media and entertainment business in India. THR: A few years ago, you launched wellness programming network Veria Living, which has a TV network and online component. How is that going and are you working on gaining broader distribution beyond current distributors Dish Network, Verizon FiOS and Frontier Communications? Chandra: Veria Living should be in every home, every bedroom. It's a product that we strongly feel will help the viewers to live well and be healthy. We are talking to all cable and satellite operators. On Dish, we are on a [tier] that just reaches about 4-5 million homes. We would like them to expose this to all 11-12 million homes. DirecTV is still not on, but we are talking to them. People ask me why we are not getting distribution. You can have four pornography channels, but no wellness channel. They say there is scarcity of bandwidth. But I'm sure once word of mouth spreads, they will also carry us. Is there any U.S. network you feel competes with you in terms of wellness and health content? There isn't any network, which does that. But there are networks that carry some health programming 0 half an hour or hour. But there is no full 24/7 wellness and lifestyle channel. You announced today the creation of a $250 million (U.S.) content development, production, co-production and acquisition fund that will benefit Veria over five years. What exactly will you do with it? What we are doing is we will do production here, co-production in other countries. We want the best of programming. Eventually Veria Living will be a global brand. Once it is well distributed here in the U.S., the next stop will be all English-speaking countries and then non-English-speaking countries. In this country, we also plan to do a Spanish version of the network. We want this to reach the maximum number of people. How do you feel about new digital distribution opportunities for Veria? Any interest in getting content on Hulu, Netflix etc? We are committed to growing across television, Internet, mobile and [over-the-top] platforms. Our objective is to reach out to the maximum number of people. We are talking to mobile companies, Internet companies and others...It has to be distributed in a linear way, but we have to compliment it with the Netflixs and Hulus. There are plans for new primetime programming on Veria in 2012. Anything you can tell us about that? And any big names that will be part of this? There will be new programming. And there will be some celebrities involved. Our programming team will deliver. The programming should be entertaining and of utilization to the viewer. Celebrities will be ones that are already into the wellness space. They may not all be big celebrities. [For example, Deion Sanders does reality TV show Sports Dads about fathers who want ether kids to be sports stars. And Jewel will host the new season of The Incurables.] I heard you are focusing on health and fitness as well. What do you do on that front in your private life? I eat vegetarian food. I try to avoid fried food. I try to do my workout every day - a little bit of yoga, a little bit of using the machines. I do about an hour. You will receive the International Emmy Directorate Award here on Monday. How important is that for you and your company? Frankly, I must confess I didn't know too much about this. Then our people said you must accept this, and I did. The take-away for me is instead of feeling personally proud, I feel it is a recognition of India as a television programming country, which was so far only appreciated by South Asians. But now Hollywood and other people are also accepting that India is not only about computer software, but has quality programming for TV and movies. Is there room to bring more content from India to the U.S.? We already brought here six Indian language channels. We haven't done [major distribution deals] yet. My recommendation to my team is that they should try and dub some of the programming into Spanish here and experiment with it how it is received, We are dubbing into local languages in other countries, such as Indonesia and Russia. We are slowly, gradually doing some things. There is already too much content in English. I think dubbing into English might not work. You mentioned that Hollywood has taken note of India. Viacom, CBS, Disney, Time Warner and Sony are all active over there. Do aggressive global media groups provide tough competition for Zee? India in terms of regulatory affairs is very open. Viacom, Sony and anybody else can own 100 percent and don't need Indian partners. The more of them come, the better it is. We should our country, our people, our programming much better than they can do. And competition always makes the industry better. Any thoughts on whether some global entertainment companies have done a better job in India than others? Most of them are there. Some have done better jobs, some have done bad jobs. I would not like to comment on who is [doing] better. Zee has English movie channel Zee Studio and English entertainment channel Zee Cafe in India, among others. How are you doing in the English-language space and are Hollywood conglomerates a tougher competitor there? There is no doubt they are very good at English language programming. The problem is that English programming has niche audiences. Although India has a very large English-speaking population, bear in mind that 70 percent-80 percent of homes are still single television homes. And the remote is in control of the ladies. And they want to watch their own programming. So English programming has more of a niche audience. Today, in a $13 billion-$14 billion industry, the revenue for English language would not be more than, my guess is, $100 million. And there are many channels offering English-language programming, including CBS, News Corp., Sony and more. We have three English networks - one is purely fashion, one is general entertainment, one is movies. We try to buy programming from here and Europe. Shows you are seeing here, you would see over there on our network. I don't think we need to go broader than that. There isn't any market. Hollywood and India have done or explored some collaborations, such as the DreamWorks-Reliance partnership. Do you expect more of this? And which U.S. entertainment companies are you working with? Yes, in terms of production, I see more of it coming in terms of movies. There will not be as much in television programming. We have a partnership with Time Warner and now with News Corp. We are distributing our and their content together in a joint venture company. It's going quite good. Do you expect more cross-over of Indian stars like Anil Kapoor into the U.S. and vice versa? Slowly, it will happen. Monday's International Emmy Award may be the beginning of that. The industry is recognizing that India is producing quality programs. That will open up some discussion and partnerships. Cross-fertilization of talent will happen. What's your outlook or forecast for the fast-growing Indian media market? It used to be 30-35 percent growth over the past 18-20 years. That has slowed down to about 15 percent. The industry, which has grown in an unstructured manner. There are 500 TV stations, 20 news channels in one language and about 75 including other languages. That kind of thing is unsustainable. Growth is slowing down, but there will be a time when it explodes again after some consolidation. How about your outlook for Indian content in the U.S.? The programming from India will continue to grow at the current level of 5-6 percent. But people will slowly start using our formats and want to know about Indian history and biographies [and other formats]. Once that programming starts coming out of India, I am sure it will explode. Any misconceptions you see about India and the Indian entertainment industry? Misconceptions have been created by us Indians. Sometimes some Indians tend to overpromise and deliver less. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics

Twit Wit: The 5 Best Tweets About J. Edgar, Immortals, and the Dreaded Jack and Jill

comments: 0 || add yours Three mockable movies, five prolific Twitter stars: Who most effectively skewered the achronological, bizarrely unlit J. Edgar, the gauzy Immortals, and the downright insulting Jack and Jill? Join us for a rundown of Twitter’s best quips about the weekend box office. 5. Braden Graeber, of the viral meme “Little Hipster Mermaid,” reports that Funny People may not be Adam Sandler’s only cancer-centric comedy. #embedly_twitter_64238973{background:url(http://a2.twimg.com/profile_background_images/313066432/080702plaid.jpg) #94cdff;padding:20px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 p{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 0px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .embedly_tweet_content{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 p span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:0px;height:40px;padding-bottom:12px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 p span.metadata span.author{line-height:15px;color:#999;font-size:14px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 p span.metadata span.author a{line-height:15px;font-size:20px;vertical-align:middle;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 p span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 10px 0 0px;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 p a {color:#4495b3;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 p a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .embedly_timestamp{font-size:13px;display:inline-block;margin-top:5px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .components-above span.embedly_timestamp{font-size:10px;margin-top:1px;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 a {color:#4495b3;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .tweet-screen-name {font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .tweet-full-name {padding-left:4px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .tweet-actions{margin-left:10px;font-size:13px;display:inline-block;width:250px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .components-above span.tweet-actions{font-size:10px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .controls{line-height:12px!important;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .tweet-actions a {margin-left:5px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .tweet-actions a b{font-weight:normal;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .components-above span.tweet-actions a b{vertical-align:baseline;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .components-above .tweet-text{font-size:13px;vertical-align:baseline;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .tweet-image {float:left;width:40px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .tweet-user-block-image {float:left;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .tweet-row {margin-left:40px;margin-top:3px;line-height:17px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .tweet-user-block {}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .stream-item {padding-bottom:0px;margin-left:12px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .simple-tweet-image img {margin-top:4px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .simple-tweet-content {margin:0 0 13px 0px;font-size:14px;min-height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .in-reply-to-border {border-color:#EBEBEB;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 0 0;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .in-reply-to-text {margin-left:4px;padding-left:8px;padding-right:10px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .tweet-actions i {background:transparent url(http://a2.twimg.com/a/1306889658/phoenix/img/sprite-icons.png) no-repeat;width:15px;height:15px;margin:0 4px 3px;outline:none;vertical-align:baseline;display:inline-block;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .tweet-actions a.retweet-action i {background-position:-192px 0;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .tweet-actions a.reply-action i {background-position:0 0;}#embedly_twitter_64238973 .tweet-actions a.favorite-action i {background-position:-32px 0;}@hipstermermaidbraden graeber Really bad news: Turns out the lump my doctor thought was cancer was actually a pair of tickets to see Jack and Jill.Nov 13 via Twitter for iPhoneFavoriteRetweetReply 4. Scrubs/Cougar Town guru Bill Lawrence (who is awesome) can’t hold in his disdain any longer. #embedly_twitter_3980847{background:url(http://a2.twimg.com/profile_background_images/43666166/bl_doozerinc1.jpg) #000000;padding:20px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 p{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 0px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .embedly_tweet_content{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 p span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:0px;height:40px;padding-bottom:12px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 p span.metadata span.author{line-height:15px;color:#999;font-size:14px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 p span.metadata span.author a{line-height:15px;font-size:20px;vertical-align:middle;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 p span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 10px 0 0px;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 p a {color:#0084B4;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 p a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .embedly_timestamp{font-size:13px;display:inline-block;margin-top:5px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .components-above span.embedly_timestamp{font-size:10px;margin-top:1px;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 a {color:#0084B4;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .tweet-screen-name {font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .tweet-full-name {padding-left:4px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .tweet-actions{margin-left:10px;font-size:13px;display:inline-block;width:250px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .components-above span.tweet-actions{font-size:10px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .controls{line-height:12px!important;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .tweet-actions a {margin-left:5px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .tweet-actions a b{font-weight:normal;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .components-above span.tweet-actions a b{vertical-align:baseline;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .components-above .tweet-text{font-size:13px;vertical-align:baseline;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .tweet-image {float:left;width:40px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .tweet-user-block-image {float:left;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .tweet-row {margin-left:40px;margin-top:3px;line-height:17px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .tweet-user-block {}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .stream-item {padding-bottom:0px;margin-left:12px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .simple-tweet-image img {margin-top:4px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .simple-tweet-content {margin:0 0 13px 0px;font-size:14px;min-height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .in-reply-to-border {border-color:#EBEBEB;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 0 0;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .in-reply-to-text {margin-left:4px;padding-left:8px;padding-right:10px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .tweet-actions i {background:transparent url(http://a2.twimg.com/a/1306889658/phoenix/img/sprite-icons.png) no-repeat;width:15px;height:15px;margin:0 4px 3px;outline:none;vertical-align:baseline;display:inline-block;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .tweet-actions a.retweet-action i {background-position:-192px 0;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .tweet-actions a.reply-action i {background-position:0 0;}#embedly_twitter_3980847 .tweet-actions a.favorite-action i {background-position:-32px 0;}@VDOOZERBill Lawrence I write Cougar Town, and yet, even I feel comfortable passing judgement on Jack and Jill.Nov 12 via Twitter for iPadFavoriteRetweetReply 3. Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof accurately traces Jack and Jill back to its horror beginnings. #embedly_twitter_78066485{background:url(http://a2.twimg.com/profile_background_images/67933111/luke-yoda.jpg) #C0DEED;padding:20px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 p{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 0px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .embedly_tweet_content{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 p span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:0px;height:40px;padding-bottom:12px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 p span.metadata span.author{line-height:15px;color:#999;font-size:14px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 p span.metadata span.author a{line-height:15px;font-size:20px;vertical-align:middle;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 p span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 10px 0 0px;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 p a {color:#0084B4;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 p a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .embedly_timestamp{font-size:13px;display:inline-block;margin-top:5px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .components-above span.embedly_timestamp{font-size:10px;margin-top:1px;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 a {color:#0084B4;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .tweet-screen-name {font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .tweet-full-name {padding-left:4px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .tweet-actions{margin-left:10px;font-size:13px;display:inline-block;width:250px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .components-above span.tweet-actions{font-size:10px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .controls{line-height:12px!important;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .tweet-actions a {margin-left:5px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .tweet-actions a b{font-weight:normal;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .components-above span.tweet-actions a b{vertical-align:baseline;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .components-above .tweet-text{font-size:13px;vertical-align:baseline;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .tweet-image {float:left;width:40px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .tweet-user-block-image {float:left;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .tweet-row {margin-left:40px;margin-top:3px;line-height:17px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .tweet-user-block {}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .stream-item {padding-bottom:0px;margin-left:12px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .simple-tweet-image img {margin-top:4px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .simple-tweet-content {margin:0 0 13px 0px;font-size:14px;min-height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .in-reply-to-border {border-color:#EBEBEB;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 0 0;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .in-reply-to-text {margin-left:4px;padding-left:8px;padding-right:10px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .tweet-actions i {background:transparent url(http://a2.twimg.com/a/1306889658/phoenix/img/sprite-icons.png) no-repeat;width:15px;height:15px;margin:0 4px 3px;outline:none;vertical-align:baseline;display:inline-block;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .tweet-actions a.retweet-action i {background-position:-192px 0;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .tweet-actions a.reply-action i {background-position:0 0;}#embedly_twitter_78066485 .tweet-actions a.favorite-action i {background-position:-32px 0;}@DamonLindelofDamon Lindelof I heard a disturbing rumor that Sandler came up with the idea for JACK AND JILL whilst “Buffalo Billing” in front of a mirror.Nov 13 via webFavoriteRetweetReply 2. Conan (O’Brien) vet Todd Levin thinks that J. Edgar won’t age well — because it didn’t do “age” well. #embedly_twitter_32395113{background:url(http://a3.twimg.com/profile_background_images/168857741/016.jpeg) #d46108;padding:20px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 p{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 0px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .embedly_tweet_content{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 p span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:0px;height:40px;padding-bottom:12px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 p span.metadata span.author{line-height:15px;color:#999;font-size:14px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 p span.metadata span.author a{line-height:15px;font-size:20px;vertical-align:middle;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 p span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 10px 0 0px;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 p a {color:#E25E06;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 p a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .embedly_timestamp{font-size:13px;display:inline-block;margin-top:5px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .components-above span.embedly_timestamp{font-size:10px;margin-top:1px;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 a {color:#E25E06;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .tweet-screen-name {font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .tweet-full-name {padding-left:4px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .tweet-actions{margin-left:10px;font-size:13px;display:inline-block;width:250px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .components-above span.tweet-actions{font-size:10px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .controls{line-height:12px!important;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .tweet-actions a {margin-left:5px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .tweet-actions a b{font-weight:normal;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .components-above span.tweet-actions a b{vertical-align:baseline;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .components-above .tweet-text{font-size:13px;vertical-align:baseline;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .tweet-image {float:left;width:40px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .tweet-user-block-image {float:left;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .tweet-row {margin-left:40px;margin-top:3px;line-height:17px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .tweet-user-block {}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .stream-item {padding-bottom:0px;margin-left:12px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .simple-tweet-image img {margin-top:4px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .simple-tweet-content {margin:0 0 13px 0px;font-size:14px;min-height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .in-reply-to-border {border-color:#EBEBEB;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 0 0;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .in-reply-to-text {margin-left:4px;padding-left:8px;padding-right:10px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .tweet-actions i {background:transparent url(http://a2.twimg.com/a/1306889658/phoenix/img/sprite-icons.png) no-repeat;width:15px;height:15px;margin:0 4px 3px;outline:none;vertical-align:baseline;display:inline-block;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .tweet-actions a.retweet-action i {background-position:-192px 0;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .tweet-actions a.reply-action i {background-position:0 0;}#embedly_twitter_32395113 .tweet-actions a.favorite-action i {background-position:-32px 0;}@toddlevintodd levin The closing credits of J. Edgar include this credit: “Old Age Makeup provided by Halloween Headquarters.”Nov 13 via Twitter for iPhoneFavoriteRetweetReply 1. This week’s winner: MTV vet and Twitter star Dave Holmes understands that beneath Kellan Lutz’s muscly exterior, he’s… really muscular. #embedly_twitter_4157769{background:url(http://a2.twimg.com/profile_background_images/53322410/tumblr_ksq819pBYi1qzw3gpo1_500.jpg) #9ae4e8;padding:20px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 p{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 0px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .embedly_tweet_content{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 p span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:0px;height:40px;padding-bottom:12px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 p span.metadata span.author{line-height:15px;color:#999;font-size:14px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 p span.metadata span.author a{line-height:15px;font-size:20px;vertical-align:middle;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 p span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 10px 0 0px;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 p a {color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 p a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .embedly_timestamp{font-size:13px;display:inline-block;margin-top:5px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .components-above span.embedly_timestamp{font-size:10px;margin-top:1px;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 a {color:#0000ff;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .tweet-screen-name {font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .tweet-full-name {padding-left:4px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .tweet-actions{margin-left:10px;font-size:13px;display:inline-block;width:250px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .components-above span.tweet-actions{font-size:10px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .controls{line-height:12px!important;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .tweet-actions a {margin-left:5px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .tweet-actions a b{font-weight:normal;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .components-above span.tweet-actions a b{vertical-align:baseline;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .components-above .tweet-text{font-size:13px;vertical-align:baseline;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .tweet-image {float:left;width:40px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .tweet-user-block-image {float:left;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .tweet-row {margin-left:40px;margin-top:3px;line-height:17px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .tweet-user-block {}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .stream-item {padding-bottom:0px;margin-left:12px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .simple-tweet-image img {margin-top:4px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .simple-tweet-content {margin:0 0 13px 0px;font-size:14px;min-height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .in-reply-to-border {border-color:#EBEBEB;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 0 0;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .in-reply-to-text {margin-left:4px;padding-left:8px;padding-right:10px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .tweet-actions i {background:transparent url(http://a2.twimg.com/a/1306889658/phoenix/img/sprite-icons.png) no-repeat;width:15px;height:15px;margin:0 4px 3px;outline:none;vertical-align:baseline;display:inline-block;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .tweet-actions a.retweet-action i {background-position:-192px 0;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .tweet-actions a.reply-action i {background-position:0 0;}#embedly_twitter_4157769 .tweet-actions a.favorite-action i {background-position:-32px 0;}@DaveHolmesdave holmes You could go see Immortals, or you could flip through a Men’s Fitness while you watch someone play a video game.Nov 13 via Twitter for iPhoneFavoriteRetweetReply Follow Louis Virtel on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter. Tagged: bill lawrence, damon lindelof, dave holmes, hipster mermaid, immortals, j edgar, jack and jill

Depp's 'Diaries' funnel Thompson's demons

Depp tubthumped for Rum Journals, but auds mostly ducked the Thompson tale. Box office results are actually completely flaccid lately, despite the fact that it may be unkind to choose a specific loser, I'm not able to allow "Rum Journals" disappear without comment.Johnny Depp's passion project can be a mess from the movie -Body that we greatly loved. Handful of others did, however, despite Depp's heroic promotion efforts. Because the celebrity was ubiquitous round the interview circuit (although marginally comatose within a Ray King special), "Rum Journals" was eking out a paltry $hundreds of countless by 50 %,292 theaters in week two while another stoner saga, the newest "Harold and Kumar," was coming past.How would you not admire our planet's finest-paid out celebrity for investing time for you to co-produce, co-write and star in the film tribute to Hunter S. Thompson, the prickly creator in the "fear and loathing" diatribes? Would the journalist have returned the favor? When an editor once offered him employment, Thompson responded, "More expensive me to deliver a package of platitudes to drape inside the stinking carcass from the newspaper being an American flag around the coffin full of garbage."The boozy Thompson was always pissed off, which may be the paradox of Depp's biopic. Depp venerated Thompson but wasn't the actor to see him. Inside the film, Depp seems pliant, almost benign -- an excellent soul responding for the madness surrounding him. Be it hard to determine just what the character (or perhaps the movie) is all about, like it's with various novel that Thompson ongoing spinning for four decades, never identifying his "voice," while he states inside the movie.The problem was that Thompson increased to become symbol while not a novelist, and under a journalist either. His likeness ended up on as much T-t t shirts as Kurt Cobain or Mick Jagger but his "gonzo journalism," like his existence, never made an appearance situated the truth is. Thompson mentioned he endorsed William Faulkner's contention that "the most effective fiction is a lot more true than any kind of journalism." Hence, why let particulars get if this involves good writing since "particulars are lies when they're added up."Whether immortalizing the Hells Angels or Las vegas or Richard Nixon's campaign style, Thompson was in this region, boozing up and spewing forth his colorful epiphanies. "I'm out here studying an emergency of arrested development referred to as American Dream," he referred to.Which he wasn't exactly a pleasure to handle. Learning of rejection in a single book editor, he responded, "I'm going to NY to shoot you inside the stomach by getting an growing filth flare, rupturing every bone and organ I am in a position to make contact with.InchPerhaps, Thompson's fits made him more much like Depp's caricature in the loony sailing Capt. Jack Sparrow within the 'Caribbean' megahits. But Depp saw him weight reduction understanding.Hence his Hunter Thompson can be a confused youthful author who endeavors to Puerto Rico inside the '60s searching for employment together with a voice. Within the naivete, he falls in to a pattern of getting drunk, arrested and attracted with the evil forces around him.Depp connected with this particular character enough to weather your brain-mind-numbing Q&A traditions in the interview circuit, with persistence explaining why he gained the film and deftly dodging doubts about his personal existence, his private island in addition to his reading through through habits. Since Depp will not ever win a Pulitzer Prize for lucidity, his fans may have been left wondering why their beloved sailing would devote his forces with this errant mission -- but love him with this anyway.If Thompson themselves were counseling Depp, he probably would create a rant similar to one he shipped to a different author. "I'm too greedy to want you much luck but when you're able to to interrupt through without having to walk in my mind I think you will ensure it is. Ultimately, I've compromised myself frequently that we can't honestly see myself just like a martyr any more.Inch Contact Peter Bart at peter.bart@variety.com

'All My Children' online reboot in holding pattern

Although Susan Lucci will not be part of the All My Children reboot, Cameron Mathison will. Prospect Park's planned 2012 online revival of "All My Children" following its September exit from ABC is expected to be delayed by at least a few months.Sources familiar with Prospect Park, which had announced July 7 that it would bring both "Children" and "One Life to Live" back to life early next year as Internet series, believe they are leaning toward staggering the reboot of the two soaps, with "One Life" returning ahead of its counterpart. ABC aired its final episode of "All My Children" on Sept. 23, replaced by food talkshow "The Chew." "One Life" is scheduled for a January farewell from the Alphabet net, to be succeeded by health-and-lifestyle show "The Revolution."The soaps are scheduled to air on newly created The Online Network (TOLN), which Prospect Park has said will launch in January with entertainment and lifestyle shows that would compliment the soaps.While several cast members have been locked up for "One Life," the same hasn't been true for "Children" -- underscored by series legend Susan Lucci turning down an offer to stay with the series. In September, Cameron Mathison and Lindsay Hartley did sign on for the post-ABC online version of "Children."From the day Prospect Park announced its plans to keep the two soaps alive in an ad-supported online format, questions were raised over how the projects would be funded, with speculation quickly arising that a cable home would necessarily be found for them. Former Disney Studios head Rich Frank co-founded Prospect Park, which co-produces such shows as "Royal Pains" for USA and "Wilfred" for FX, with industry vet Jeff Kwatinetz. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

'Absolutely Fabulous' Movie: Jennifer Saunders Writing Script

Bend back an elbow to celebrate this bit of development news. Jennifer Saunders is writing a script for the feature version of cult British comedy 'Absolutely Fabulous.' Per Deadline, the film will follow Patty (Joanna Lumley) and Edina (Saunders), two boozy best friends who wake-up "hungover in the empty drifting yacht of an oligarch in the middle of the ocean. Even worse, their cellphones can't get a signal." Problems! If this all doesn't get you too excited, you probably don't remember seeing 'AbFab' on Comedy Central in the mid '90s. [via Deadline] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

Exclusive: Jonathan Jackson Quits General Hospital

Jonathan Jackson This is a surprise. TV Guide Magazine finds that four-time Emmy champion Jonathan Jackson has made a decision to go away General Hospital and also the role as Lucky Spencer and may shoot his final moments November 17. A repetition for your ABC cleaning cleaning soap states "we could neither confirm nor deny" that Jackson is going. Word within the set is the beloved and acclaimed actor is exhausted in the heavy time-table and many days from the harrowing story lines that have incorporated the dying of Lucky's child as well as the character's reliance on drugs. Sources say Jackson had attempted to obtain GH professionals to lighten his schedule with no luck. More youthful crowd seriously considered romantically reteamed with Rebecca Herbst (Liz) but struck available, too. The actor has completed his final moments with TV father Tony Geary (Luke). Look for Jackson being in the air by mid-to-late December. Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!