Mike Markowitz Tapped To Write Tradition Studios Animated Brad Lewis Project

Horrible Bosses writer Mike Markowitz will write the second animated feature for Tradition Studios. Former Pixar and PDI/Dreamworks filmmaker-producer-actor Brad Lewis (Cars 2, Ratatouille) will direct the film, which is being kept under wraps in development at the studios San Francisco facility and will be produced at Tradition in Florida. The feature will be the follow-up to the company’s first animated title The Legend Of Tembo, directed by Aaron Blaise and Chuck Williams (Brother Bear) and written by William Schneider. Markowitz is repped by CAA, Heroes and Villains Entertainment and attorney Michael Gendler.

Actuary: No requirement of SAG-AFTRA Study

Screen Stars Guild is striking inside a suit designed to place the brakes round the potential SAGAmerican Federation of Television and Radio Artists merger. On March 5, SAG filed a declaration stating the previous chief actuary for your speaking to firm Mercer, which completed research on pension and health plans that ended just before the not successful 2003 merger attempt, thinks that information in the new actuarial study wouldn't be beneficial to individuals. Several stars towards merger, lots of whom are former SAG leadership, filed a suit against SAG which is leaders lately demanding new information. The crowd questions the assertion by merger advocates that the introduction of SAG-AFTRA increases leverage rather than harm benefits."I had been result in the position to carry out the suit because we exhausted other internal remedies we tried to achieve without such as the courts," mentioned Anne-Marie Manley, a complaintant inside the suit together with a SAG board member. (Manley and several other litigants mixed up in unique circumstances have formerly punished the guild.)However, in line with the declaration, a completely new report completed now would produce only an very large listing of the choices for your pension and health trustees to consider once they start their unique merger plans. SAG has filed a counter motion to dismiss the suit. Manley mentioned she thinks research would show the merger to own an adverse impact on benefits which individuals should have all the details to decide. SAG and AFTRA completed a feasibility review through which seven lawyers with abilities in worker benefit-plan labor law found the final outcome the merger in the health insurance pension plans can be achieved and legal. The report includes no particulars about how precisely this kind of merger for SAG-AFTRA will probably be handled. However, it'll condition, "The plans' trustees have a very legal obligation to make certain that no participants' developed benefits will probably be less following a merger laptop or computer was just before the merger." It is not likely the trustees will begin exploring their options of merging plans until following a unions merge. An actuary study will probably exist in individuals days.A hearing connected using the suit remains searching for March 26, without any decision is predicted for now. Once the court rules for the litigants, the member election to approve the mergerballots were mailed the other day and really should be returned by March 30will be suspended. "This suit is completely without merit," mentioned Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, deputy national executive director and general counsel for SAG. "The merger should and you'll be made a decision using the democratic process as well as the votes within our people. Law suits similar to this serve only to waste member dues and guild assets that might be far better spent. The guild fully needs legal court to state no the plaintiffs' request an injunction, enabling the members' voices to find out this issue.InchAs soon as the suit was filed lately, SAG released an argument saying, "Any suggestion the folks weren't fully and fairly informed is crazy."In 2003, an inside memoone whose precision was recently cast in doubtrelated for the Mercer report was regarded as as getting an adverse impact on to conclude in the SAG member ratification election. Despite not effective attempts to merge in 1998 and 2003, the leadership of SAG and AFTRA condition that since the industry changes which is impacted by technology and ever-growing media conglomerates, the requirements in the people might be better offered having a bigger union with increased settling energy. "Levels of competition are an issue of history because SAG-AFTRA will probably be really the only game around,Inch mentioned Mike Hodge, SAG NY division leader. "It'll give usmore energy to barter the most effective pay, residuals, and benefits with elevated work under union contracts."No less than sixty percent of both unions' membership must election yes for that referendum to feed. Dual card individuals have the chance to election two occasions, once for SAG so when for AFTRA. With AFTRA typically supporting a merger and SAG voting it lower both previous occasions, the idea appears to own acquired more traction with SAG's membership this time around around around. Professional-merger leadership continues to be selected into office in the last two election cycles, signalingat least based on people electedthat the membership is behind the idea. By Laura Lee March 7, 2012 Screen Stars Guild is striking inside a suit designed to put the brakes round the potential SAGAmerican Federation of Television and Radio Artists merger. On March 5, SAG filed a declaration stating the previous chief actuary for your speaking to firm Mercer, which completed research on pension and health plans that was done just before the not successful 2003 merger attempt, thinks that information in the new actuarial study wouldn't be beneficial to individuals. Several stars towards merger, lots of whom are former SAG leadership, filed a suit against SAG which is leaders lately demanding new information. The crowd questions the assertion by merger advocates that the introduction of SAG-AFTRA increases leverage rather than harm benefits."I had been result in the position to carry out the suit because we exhausted other internal remedies we tried to achieve without such as the courts," mentioned Anne-Marie Manley, a complaintant inside the suit together with a SAG board member. (Manley and several other litigants mixed up in unique circumstances have formerly punished the guild.)However, in line with the declaration, a completely new report completed now would produce only an very large listing of the choices for your pension and health trustees to consider after they begin their unique merger plans. SAG has filed a counter motion to dismiss the suit. Manley mentioned she thinks research would show the merger to own a bad impact on benefits which individuals should have all the details to decide. SAG and AFTRA completed a feasibility review through which seven lawyers with abilities in worker benefit-plan labor law found the final outcome the merger in the health insurance pension plans can be achieved and legal. The report includes no particulars about how precisely this kind of merger for SAG-AFTRA will probably be handled. However, it'll condition, "The plans' trustees have a very legal obligation to make certain that no participants' developed benefits will probably be less following a merger laptop or computer was just before the merger." It is not likely the trustees will begin exploring their options of merging plans until following a unions merge. An actuary study is predicted to occur in individuals days.A hearing connected using the suit remains searching for March 26, without any decision is predicted for now. Once the court rules for the litigants, the member election to approve the mergerballots were mailed the other day and really should be returned by March 30will be suspended. "This suit is completely without merit," mentioned Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, deputy national executive director and general counsel for SAG. "The merger should and you'll be made a decision using the democratic process as well as the votes within our people. Law suits similar to this serve only to waste member dues and guild assets that might be far better spent. The guild fully needs legal court to state no the plaintiffs' request an injunction, enabling the members' voices to find out this issue.InchAs soon as the suit was filed lately, SAG released a disagreement saying, "Any suggestion the folks weren't fully and fairly informed is crazy."In 2003, an inside memoone whose precision was recently cast in doubtrelated for the Mercer report was regarded as as getting a bad impact on to conclude in the SAG member ratification election. Despite not effective attempts to merge in 1998 and 2003, the leadership of SAG and AFTRA condition that since the industry changes which is impacted by technology and ever-growing media conglomerates, the needs of those might be better offered having a bigger union with elevated settling energy. "Levels of competition are an issue of history because SAG-AFTRA will be the only game around,Inch mentioned Mike Hodge, SAG NY division leader. "It'll give usmore energy to barter the most effective pay, residuals, and benefits with elevated work under union contracts."No less than sixty percent of both unions' membership must election yes for your referendum to feed. Dual card individuals have the chance to election two occasions, once for SAG so when for AFTRA. With AFTRA typically supporting a merger and SAG voting it lower both previous occasions, the idea appears to own acquired more traction with SAG's membership this time around around around. Professional-merger leadership remains selected into office in the last two election cycles, signalingat least based on people electedthat the membership is behind the idea.

Cherry: 'Housewives' dying came before mind 'tap'

Cherry"Desperate Average women" creator Marc Cherry claimed on Monday he got approval in May 2008 from Touchstone and ABC to get rid of Nicollette Sheridan's character in the show, several weeks before he and Sheridan experienced a confrontation on the script. Cherry's testimony in Sheridan's wrongful termination suit is exactly what his legal team has stated proves he planned to decrease her in the series before their dispute, and never in retaliation on her complaints concerning the incident. Sheridan states Cherry hit her around the mind in September of this year, after she queried him on why certainly one of her lines was cut. She sued in La Superior Court this year. Cherry stated that inside a short ending up in Touchstone's Mark Pedowitz on May 22, 2008, he got the greenlight to kill Edie Britt off in the finish from the 2008-09 season, the show's fifth, which ABC's Steve McPherson also gave the proceed, using the extra benefit they could heavily promote the episode. At that time, Cherry stated, the network have been worried about costs, which was a method to trim show salaries. Sheridan made $175,000 per episode in her own final year using the series. Sheridan's attorney, Mark Baute, frequently requested Cherry whether there is any written evidence for example e-mails or any other documents that demonstrated he'd lengthy planned to get rid of the smoothness, but Cherry stated there is not. He did state that because the show's authors returned together following a 2008 hiatus, he informed them he planned to do this, but requested these to ensure that it stays a secret. Cherry stated creative issues and charges were causes of cutting Sheridan from the show, as well as the actress's own "professional behavior." He reported punctuality, failing to remember lines, being "nasty" to some propman, and being critical of scripts as well as a costar. "It had not been the main reason for my decision" to create Sheridan out, but "it had been something I had been conscious of,Inch Cherry stated. Pressed whether Cherry stored everything written down of Sheridan's professional behavior, he stated he didn't, but it was "on my small mind" when cutting her in the cast. Despite the fact that Cherry made the decision to kill her off in May 2009, Touchstone in June 2008 acquired a choice to increase her contract on the program with the fifth season, costing about $4 million. The savings, Cherry stated, will come within the sixth season. "Because the series went lower in rankings," he stated there is "pressure to lessen costs." Cherry disputes what went down within the September 2008 dispute. She stated he "hit" her, but Cherry stated on Monday, "I drawn on her around the mind." Earlier within the day, as she ended her testimony, Sheridan stated she was informed in Feb 2009 inside a ending up in Cherry that her character could be wiped out off. The next day of, she met among the show's producers, Shaun Greenstein, for lunch and that he informed her he'd "just discovered your decisionInch which he was "shocked and could not believe your decision have been made." She got tearful around the stand as she read instructions that another producer, George Perkins, delivered to her after she did a table read on her final episode. "Your sophistication, dignity and sophistication shined because the cleverest light within the room,Inch she read in the letter. Contact Ted Manley at ted.manley@variety.com

Paula Abdul Plans Her Next Move

Smash Fox's rain-postponed coverage from the Daytona 500 drove lower amounts for many shows Monday evening, but NBC still offers quite a bit to sing about.Despite drops both in viewership and also the grown ups 18-to-49 demo, The Voice (14.8 million audiences, 5.4) was the very best show from the evening, while Smash ended its two-week skid by rising to six.9 million along with a 2.4 (up 6 and 4 %).Take a look at our recap from the VoiceFox won the evening overall, calculating 14.24 million along with a 4.5 for that two-hour Daytona broadcast.CBS was the toughest hit by Dale earnhardt jr ., since it's entire selection experienced 35mm slides. Particularly, 2 . 5 Males (11.8 million, 3.6), Mike & Molly (10.a million, 2.9) and Hawaii Five- (9.4 million, 2.5) all dipped nearly 15 % within the demo, which makes it a brand new series low for Males.8 p.m.CBS: The Way I Met Your Mother 9.a million audiences (3.6 demo rating) 2 Broke Women 10.14 million (3.7)ABC: The Bachelor 8 million (2.6) [8-10 p.m.]Fox: Daytona 500 14.24 million (4.5) [8-10 p.m.]NBC: The Voice 14.8 million (5.4) [8-10 p.m.]CW: Gossip Girl 1.16 million (.5)9 p.m.CBS: 2 . 5 Males 11.8 million (3.6) Mike & Molly 10.a million (2.9)CW: Hart of Dixie 1.4 million (.5)10 p.m.CBS: Hawaii Five- 9.4 million (2.5)ABC: Castle 9.a million (2.2)NBC: Smash 6.9 million (2.4)

Sundance Selects nabs 'Hills'

Sundance Selects has acquired North American rights to Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu's religious drama "Beyond the Hills." Mungi wrote the script and produced along with Pascal Cauchteaux and Jean-Pierre Dardenne. The film stars Cosmina Stratan, Cristina Flutur, Dana Tapalaga, and Catalina Harabagiu. Mungiu's "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" won the Palme d'Or and Fipresci International Critics Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007.Story in "Beyond the Hills" centers on two young women who have supported and loved each other since meeting as children in an orphanage. One has found refuge at an isolated convent in Romania and refuses to leave with her friend, who has been living in Germany.The deal for the film was negotiated by Arianna Bocco, Senior VP of Acquisitions & Productions for Sundance Selects/IFC Films with Carole Baraton at Wild Bunch on behalf of the filmmakers. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Exclusive: Discovery Funnel Revs Up New Series Machines of Glory

Machines of Glory Discovery Funnel will the expansion site due to its next testosterone-fueled series. The cable network just acquired Machines of Glory, a completely new competition demonstrate that begins three deckie's of machine operators against each other in many hardhat battles.Deckie's will compete in a number of challenges while operating heavy machinery for instance excavators, backhoes and skid steers. They'll be examined in three parts of ability: speed, skill and. After three models, one team will probably be removed as well as the two runners up goes mind-to-mind in the challenge that involves the three machines. Individuals who win will receive a cash prize and boasting rights.Johnny Littlefield (Extreme Transformation: Home Edition) is host. Discovery has bought three cases of Machines of Glory, which will bow in March (the network hasn't determined a powerful airdate)."This Discovery show can be a dream be realized for people and anyone who carried out utilizing their trucks inside the sandbox after they were little," states executive producer Scott Hallock. Hallock Healey Entertainment (Scare Tactics) might be the development company behind the show.Discovery still does perfectly with gritty, macho shows. The network of yank Chopper, World's Hardest Trucker and many dangerous Catch is presently ruling Friday nights having its hit series Gold Hurry and Bering Sea Gold.Last Friday, episode 14 of Gold Hurry wasn't any. 1 show in many of TV in primetime, beating every broadcast and cable type in grownups 18-49. The show also shipped 4.9 million audiences and ended a couple of days since the top-rated cable type in audiences and grownups 18-49. Bering Sea Gold wasn't any. 2 show in audiences and grownups 18-49. Both shows are up double amounts in key demos verse a year ago at this time around around. Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Spartacus' Peter Mensah Joins True Bloodstream

Peter Mensah Spartacus star Peter Mensah is certainly going from lowly slave to effective vampire. True Bloodstream Trailer: Nothing stays hidden forever Mensah has became a member of the cast of True Bloodstream for any recurring role in Season 5, Deadline reviews. The 52-year-old actor will have Kibwe, the chancellor for that Vampire Authority. True Bloodstream is slated to come back this summer time on Cinemax. Search for a teaser for that year: Season 5 - Hidden Tease

Glee's Promising Route to Graduation Starts

Glee On Tuesday's episode of Glee, Mr. Schue's white board lesson of the day was WWMJD, or "An amount Michael Jackson do?" Even though there is an abundance of attention compensated towards the King of Pop - the gang sang believe it or not than 9 amounts, which appears just like a record -- the episode's real theme was about what is coming up next for Glee's graduation class. The G-word is a frightening one for most of the show's fans since series boss Ryan Murphy first revealed - after which retracted - the concept that McKinley High senior citizens may not take part in next season. (Since that time, Jum Michele, Cory Monteith and Chris Colfer have stated they are certainly coming back within the fall.) And happily, we've got greater than a glimpse by what that future might seem like for some of the show choir kids. The episode, compiled by Murphy themself, left us impressed by your way each one of the kids is going to take: The Glee cast informs us the way they sense about sleazy Sebastian Rachel gave Finn a solution, and we are really totally awesome by using it. Around we like Finchel, Finn's sudden marriage proposal in the finish from the last episode was concurrently understandable (he's lost!) and virtually the worst idea ever (well, that which time when Glee thought hair is needed them win sectionals). Rachel's a star! She needs to visit NY and follow her dreams without such emotional baggage! But Tuesday's episode assisted us understand a couple of things : why Finn suggested (he's Comfortable with them moving to NY together) and why Rachel would not be crazy to simply accept (he's the romance of her existence, demonstrated over and over through song, this time around a moving duet of "I Simply Can't Stop Loving You.") On top of that, there's still lots of credible suspense ahead: the way Rachel tell Finn she did reach the NYADA finals? What's going to Burt and Carol say? Or Rachel's fathers? Or New Directions? Will Rachel say yes? Glee's Cory Monteith talks about Finchel's future Quinn finally will get her signal. When's the final time Dianna Agron were built with a bonafide solo? (Nobody would remember it had been Fleetwood Mac's "I'd rather not Know" in, wait for this, Season 2. Also, which was technically a duet.) Fortunately, her sweet and reflective performance of "Never Know Goodbye," by which she reached dance with Puck, Finn and Mike, made waiting for (almost) worthwhile. More to the point, it had been an excellent start of the finish for Quinn, whose departure is searching increasingly more imminent since she has been recognized to Yale. (New Haven, CT is 667 miles from Lima, OH just in case anybody is wondering). Quinn's had her great amount of emotional complete breakdowns (as well as crazy cleaning soap opera plotlines - she used to be ugly and unpopular, she seemed to be once an ambitious baby snatcher), but her advice for Rachel and her thanks towards the glee club would be a nice jerk to her McKinley past. If this sounds like her sign-off, it had been a high quality one. Take a look at photos from Glee New Directions can survive with no senior citizens. A Brand New Directions without Rachel, Finn and Kurt (Chris Colfer)? Have no fear, Gleeks. A stand-out episode for McKinley's resident rapper Artie (Kevin McHale) (sorry, Mr. Schue) demonstrated that New Directions is going to be left in very capable hands the coming year (again, apologies, Mr. Schue). Whether or not this was his capability to take control when Kurt completely wussed out or his killer performances (it almost appears unfair he can't dance more about the series after revealing his moves in "Scream"), Artie shown that there's existence after three from the McKinley Class of 2012 move ahead in the hallways. If they might just be more conscious of Rory... What have you think about tonight's episode? Would you understand Rachel's decision? Are you currently sad Dianna Agron might not return next season? (This is an educated guess!) Is not it time Brittany was permitted to express funny things again? Who should step-up within the choir room with Rachel, Finn, Quinn and Kurt firmly around the graduation track? (Seriously, cure is really a junior anyway?) Seem served by your ideas and critiques within the comments below!

Casting Child Stars for Next Jason Reitman Film, 'Labor Day'

Casting Child Stars for Next Jason Reitman Film, 'Labor Day' By Daniel Lehman The month of january 24, 2012 Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images Kate Winslet Chrystie Street Casting is casting three major child roles for the approaching film "Labor Day," starring Kate Winslet as Adele, a depressed single mom who helps an steered clear of convict (Josh Brolin) find shelter on the Labor Day weekend. The film is going to be directed by Golden Globe-champion Jason Reitman ("Youthful Adult," "Up in mid-airInch), who modified the script from Joyce Maynard's novel of the identical title. Production is scheduled to do this summer time in Massachusetts.Casting company directors Suzanne Cruz Crowley and Jessica Kelly are casting a ten- to 14-year-old boy to experience charge role of Adele's boy Henry, and are generally searching for a youthful girl along with a youthful boy to play his buddies Eleanor and Craig. They're seeking distribution from union and nonunion stars of these roles. For additional details about the project and just how to submit, see the full casting notice on BackStage.com. (Subscription needed.)Chrystie Street Casting has cast the flicks "Youthful Adult," "Precious," "Shakespeare for each other,Inch "Good Will Hunting," "Cider Your Laws," "Pineapple Express," "The Wrestler," and 200 other major films, along with the TV series "Pan Am." Casting Child Stars for Next Jason Reitman Film, 'Labor Day' By Daniel Lehman The month of january 24, 2012 Kate Winslet PHOTO CREDIT Ian Gavan/Getty Images Chrystie Street Casting is casting three major child roles for that approaching film "Labor Day," starring Kate Winslet as Adele, a depressed single mom who helps an steered clear of convict (Josh Brolin) find shelter on the Labor Day weekend. The film is going to be directed by Golden Globe-champion Jason Reitman ("Youthful Adult," "Up in mid-airInch), who modified the script from Joyce Maynard's novel of the identical title. Production is scheduled to do this summer time in Massachusetts.Casting company directors Suzanne Cruz Crowley and Jessica Kelly are casting a ten- to 14-year-old boy to experience charge role of Adele's boy Henry, and are generally searching for a youthful girl along with a youthful boy to experience his buddies Eleanor and Craig. They're seeking distribution from union and nonunion stars of these roles. To learn more concerning the project and just how to submit, see the full casting notice on BackStage.com. (Subscription needed.)Chrystie Street Casting has cast the flicks "Youthful Adult," "Precious," "Shakespeare for each other,Inch "Good Will Hunting," "Cider Your Laws," "Pineapple Express," "The Wrestler," and 200 other major films, along with the TV series "Pan Am."

Actor James Farentino dies

Actor James Farentino has died at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in La. He was 72. A mainstay of television for several years, Farentino guested on a lot of shows, different from "Route 66," "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" and "Ironside" inside the sixties with a role as Simon Peter in 1977's "Jesus of Nazareth," a recurring stint inside the eighties on "Empire" as Dr. Nick Toscanni together with a tale arc since the father of George Clooney's character on "ER" in 1996. Farentino was married to four stars: Elizabeth Ashley, Michele Lee, Debrah Farentino and Stella Farentino. He's managed to get by Stella together with a boy by Lee. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Raising 'Kane'

It took 71 years, but "Citizen Kane" is finally coming to Hearst Castle. The San Luis Obispo film fest has skedded a Hollywood to Hearst Castle event for March 9 including two screenings of Orson Welles' landmark pic inspired by the erstwhile owner of San Simeon. Harrison Ford and photog Timothy White will start off the festivities by flying into Hearst Ranch's private airfield, just as William Randolph Hearst's Hollywood friends once did. Wendy Eidson, fest exec director, said: "We'd been trying to do an event with them for years and when I suggested showing 'Citizen Kane' as kind of a joke, they didn't laugh. Then we reached out to Harrison Ford, because he flies his own plane, and he thought it was a great way to honor Timothy White." Great-grandson Steve Hearst, a veep of Hearst Corp., says the screenings will help place "Kane" in its proper context. " 'Citizen Kane' is a classic American film but is in no way a historically accurate depiction of William Randolph Hearst or his favorite place in the world, his ranch." Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

LL Cool J Tapped As Grammy Host

First Published: January 18, 2012 10:34 AM EST Credit: Getty Images LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption LL Cool J attends the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Monte Carlo TV Festival at Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel on June 9, 2010The 2012 Grammy Awards are about to get a little bit more Cool. Two-time Grammy winner LL Cool J has been selected as the host of musics biggest night, making him the first host the awards ceremony has had in seven years, Access Hollywood has confirmed. Im thrilled to be part of Musics Biggest Night, he said in a statement. I will always have fond memories of my first Grammy Awards and to now be hosting the Grammy show, in the company of so many other incredible artists, is a dream come true. The 44-year-old star is a Grammy favorite and has hosted the Grammy Nominations Concert Live show since 2008. Previous hosts include Queen Latifah who was the shows last host in 2005 Rosie ODonnell, Billy Crystal, Jon Stewart and Ellen DeGeneres. Confirmed acts performing at the 54th Grammy Awards on February 12 on CBS at 8 PM ET/PT include Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Aldean, The Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Kelsey Grammer & Wife Expecting

First Released: The month of january 15, 2012 5:22 PM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Kelsey Grammer and Kayte Walsh get through to the W Magazine Best Performances Problem and also the Golden Globes celebration located by Dom Perignon and W Magazine held at Chateau Marmont in La on The month of january 13, 2012LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Kelsey Grammer has baby # 5 in route! Based on People, in charge star who's nominated tonight for any Golden Globe and wife Kayte Walsh Grammer, 32, expect a brand new accessory for their loved ones. This marks the stars fifth child and Katyes first. She formerly experienced a miscarriage this year. Kelsey, 56, is father to boy Jude, 7, and daughter Mason, 10, using the Real Average women of Beverly Hillsides star Camille Grammer. He's also father to Greer, 19, with Barrie Buckner, and Spencer, 28, with Doreen Alderman. The longtime TV, film and stage veteran is another grandfather to Spencers boy Emmett, who's 3 several weeks old. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

On The Set: Glee's Michael Jackson Tribute Episode

Glee The thunder's just stopped rumbling, but a storm's still a-brewin' in a chilly parking garage just outside the Paramount Studio gates on a gusty Hollywood night. Inside, oblivious drivers exiting for the evening pass choreographer Zach Woodlee putting the warmly bundled-up Glee kids through a rigorous routine. Having only just been introduced to their complicated dance moves, the physically drained troupe will be in costume and before cameras in less than an hour shooting their big "Bad" production number - the crown jewel in a tribute episode to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, that airs on Tuesday, January 31. As the deafening prerecorded track plays "I'm bad, I'm bad/Come on/You know it," Woodlee, a recognizable face himself as one of the judges on Oxygen's The Glee Project, shouts his marching orders: "Walk, walk. Swipe, swipe, punch. Now swing! Ladies, you have to start backing up against the wall like you're scared." Woodlee separates Lea Michele (Rachel), Naya Rivera (Santana), Dianna Agron (Quinn), Heather Morris (Brittany) and Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina) from the boys in a dance-off pitting the New Directions against the Warblers. "I promise you this will work. Well... maybe." This ambitious homage - which includes 10 of Jackson's hits, such as "Rock With You," "Smooth Criminal" and "Black or White" - is an enormous undertaking pulled together in platinum-record speed after receiving the blessing of the überprotective Jackson estate. "It's a different thing to do a posthumous [tribute] episode as opposed to dealing directly with Madonna, Britney [Spears] or Lady Gaga," explains exec producer Ryan Murphy. "Michael's kids are somewhat fans of the show, so the estate was lovely. In fact, they liked the writing so much that halfway through the planning they asked us to do another one about him next year." (Murphy has not yet confirmed a follow-up.) When Woodlee gives the gang a quick breather, Michele cuddles with Darren Criss (Blaine) to keep warm, while Kevin McHale gets up out of Artie's wheelchair for a stretch and Mark Salling (Puck) lightens the mood by parading around in a red Cheerios skirt. While the skirt will never actually be seen on Puck, Glee's costumers stretched their budget considerably, just as they did for their first-season Madonna and Lady Gaga tributes, decking out the cast in flashy fedoras, red leather jackets, sparkly rhinestone socks and gloves and other Jackophernalia. One standout is Chris Colfer, who as Kurt is rocking a black leather jumpsuit. "This is the closest I'll ever get to playing Catwoman," cracks Colfer, who has been entertaining his cohorts with his imitation of Meryl Streep as Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher. But who was Michael Jackson to this cast of twentysomethings? Many were far too young (or even yet to be born) during Jackson's 1980s firestorm when Thriller became the top-selling album of all time. Like many of his cast mates, Colfer remembers his first "conscious awareness" of Jackson was "seeing him going from hospitals to courtrooms, which overshadowed all the amazing music." Echoes Criss, "Unfortunately for our generation, it was a dark time in his life." "When I was in high school, there was definitely a lot of controversial stuff going on," adds Michele, doing her best to remain upbeat despite the gnawing pain of wisdom teeth soon to be extracted. "That's what I remember. But his best friends were Liz Taylor and Liza Minnelli, so he was always good in my book." For more with the Glee cast, pick up this week's issue of TV Guide Magazine, on newsstands Thursday, January 12! Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Katee Sackhoff Joins Riddick

She'll play the female leadWe've become so used to getting all the news about the currently untitled Chronicles Of Riddick sequel from Vin Diesel's Facebook page that it's almost a surprise to see something crop up elsewhere. But Deadline is the site reporting that former Battlestar Galactica star Katee Sackhoff is now in final negotiations to take the female lead.Sackhoff, who cemented herself into sci-fi history as the cigar-chomping, bar-brawling, viper-flying Starbuck, is locking in a deal to play Dahl, a Nordic mercenary on the hunt for Richard B. Riddick.The actress was rumoured as being involved as far back as November last year, along with Bokeem Woodbine and Dave Bautista, but the casting process was put on hold when the finances looked a little wobbly and production on the new film was briefly shut down. Things seem to be fully back on track now, and we expect the others to sign on shortly, assuming they haven't had to move on to other projects.They'll all join Diesel and Karl Urban, who is reprising his role as Necromonger Vaako. With David Twohy back on writing and directing duties, Riddick (or whatever it ends up being called) should be out either later this year or mid 2013.Sackhoff, meanwhile, has The Haunting In Georgia, Lockdown and Sexy Evil Genius set to arrive over the next year or so, and has also scored a role in TV cop drama Longmire.

Crisis jams Hollywood in Southern Europe

Hollywood may be buoyant in Germany and solid in France -- but it's doing harm to in southern Europe. Drawing an absolute north-south divide, twelve month 2011 figures for a lot of of Europe's Large Five nations raise a apparent question: Are U.S. 3d films, whose premium ticket pricing is driving box office hikes in northern the location, too pricey for the money-careful families inside the south? German B.O. elevated 3.8% this season to $1.17 billion, thanks largely to 3 dimensional perfs of "Harry Potter as well as the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" ($74.millions of) and "Pirates in the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides"($57 million), plus German comedy hit "Kokowaah" ($39.3 million). Eight from Germany's top films were Hollywood fare. France smashed all-time records this season. Tix sales rose 4.2% to 216 million, repping around $1.9 billion. Goosed having a 2.5% rise in vat, 2011 U.K. B.O. is nearly 4% on 2010 around 1.1 billion ($1.7 billion). In France and U.K., local fare -- French comedies "Intouchables" ($138.7 million) and "Nothing to Declare" ($67 million) in Blighty "The Inbetweeners" ($73.4 million), "The King's Speech" ($71.7 million) and U.K.-U.S. hybrid "Hallows, Part 2" ($118.6 000 0000) -- largely explain B.O. spikes. "U.K. cinema has received a really buoyant year," mentioned Film Distributors' Assn. Boss Mark Batey. "Local product a year ago just completed from the skin. U.K. cinemagoing has shown being facing the current recession.Inch Italia and also the country hardly invite such optimism, with Hollywood losing significant traction. Italia is monitoring for just about any 10% drop on 2010's $947 million B.O. -- U.S. movie business has dropped from 60% to 48% while local photos showed up in an astonishing 40%. Clunkers in Italia this season incorporated 3d movies "Tintin" ($4.7 million) and "The Lion King" release ($5.millions of). Total The the spanish language language B.O. fell 2.7% a year ago as Hollywood perf walked. Three U.S. blockbusters made north of $26 million this season, none this season. Driven by 3d prices, average The the spanish language language tix prices have risen 35% since 2004 to $8.70. This attempts family film attendance, mentioned an origin at Spain's Acec cinema circuit. During Germany, Cinemaxx's Arne Schmidt mentioned, "Industry was already partly flooded with 3d. We'd 'The Smurfs,' 'Kung Fu Panda 2,' 'Cars 2' and 'Rio' very close together. It absolutely was an excessive amount of.Inch The lesson for 2012? 3d hasn't morphed from B.O. remedy to poison however it may be showing too pricey for a number of cash-strapped Males and ladies. Nick Vivarelli in Rome and Erection dysfunction Meza in Berlin brought with this article. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

New Girl's Zooey Deschanel Files for Divorce

Ben Gibbard and Zooey Deschanel Zooey Deschanel has filed for divorce from Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard after two years of marriage, People reports. The New Girl star, 31, filed the paperwork on Dec. 27. Court documents list their date of separation as Oct. 31 and Deschanel cited irreconcilable differences. Zooey Deschanel and husband Ben Gibbard separate The couple married in September 2009. Deschanel, who recently earned a Golden Globe nomination for best actress in a TV comedy, also released a Christmas album with She & Him bandmate M. Ward in October.

Michael Caine: Other Films 'More Interesting' Than Batman

Michael Caine is an integral part of Christopher Nolan's Batman films as fatherly butler Alfred, but the Oscar-winning actor says -- gasp! -- that those movies aren't really all that interesting to make. On a set visit to his new film, 'Mr. Morgan's Last Love,' Caine told THR, "Batman has very good actors in it, but it's all about the special effects. A film like this is about the people. It's more interesting as an actor." That's a markedly different attitude than, say, Gary Oldman, who happily chatted up the series to Moviefone, even while promoting the more actor-driven 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.' One of the advantages Caine's new film has over working with Nolan, apparently, is a trip to Paris, where the film is being made. (Those Paris-set scenes in 'Inception?' Actually filmed in a studio.) "Choosing films is like real estate. It's all about location, location, location. I've filmed in Paris, but I've never done a movie that took place in Paris entirely," the actor said. His new film is based on the French novel 'La Douceur Assassine,' by Françoise Dorner's novel but was adapted with Caine in mind. "I wrote the second script entirely for him," said writer/director Sandra Nettelback. "I said If he turns me down, I'm really screwed. I couldn't stop seeing him in my mind when I was writing the script... It's a match made in heaven to see Michael Caine playing Matt." The film, about a widower living in Paris, co-stars Clemence Poesy of the 'Harry Potter' films, Gillian Anderson and Jane Alexander, as Caine's late wife. [via THR] [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook