Community Stars Celebrate Their TV Guide Magazine Fan Faves Victory

Community It's scarcely been the very best week on Community's set. On November 14, NBC introduced its The month of january schedule, and also the acclaimed cult comedy concerning the eccentric people of the community-college study group whose outsize, genre-bending adventures frequently boggle your brain didn't have for action. It's likely to return and finished out its season later in 2012, but gallows humor has occur: Once the cast shot a scene within the show's study room, a note around the blackboard read, "The Television thingy did not exercise.Inch The following Friday, however, midway through their third season, the cast collected for any photo shoot, where they found that their Little Reveal That Could but still Might have been named, via online voting, TV Guide Magazine's second annual Fan Faves champion, generating the magazine's cover. Fists were pumped. Yelps were yelped. Alison Brie, who plays the semi-innocent Annie, improvised a rap ("We've got a trophy, years old!"). Chevrolet Chase (also known as the unaware, wealthy reprobate Pierce) was impressed the trophy really were built with a nice inscription onto it. "Because we do not get nominated for honours, this will be our fans' outlet," states Gillian Jacobs, who plays digital rebel-with-too-many-causes Britta. "They might avoid seeing us win Emmys or SAG Honours, however they will have the energy within this, and also you see many people care. It's satisfying to possess a devoted military." Some cast people, like Joel McHale (who stars because the snarkily charming Shaun) and Yvette Nicole Brown (passive-strongly religious Shirley), implored fans to election for that show on the Twitter feeds. "We simply got benched, which isn't liberating, and also to discover exactly the same week we are the fans' favorite? That's amazing," Brown exults. "I'd say it's bittersweet, but it is not - it is simply sweet." It had been news to Chase this competition even been around. "I am impressed there's this kind of award which we first got it, and when I am this is not on the coverage, I'm going to be deeply upset," he deadpans. (Never fear, Chevrolet - you are on our three collectible covers.) Jim Rash, who plays the school's überquirky Dean Pelton, jokes, "I believe we won because all of us privately chosen." Adds Danny Pudi (pop-culture conduit Abed), "That's the way we all broke our laptops, the multiple voting." Possibly no cast member was more touched through the victory than Ken Jeong, who plays the deeply strange Chang. "This really is something we do not ignore,Inch Jeong states. "I had been your physician, and also the only reason I gave that up happens because I needed to follow along with what I enjoy do. This proves in my experience that should you choose the very best you are able to, good stuff sometimes happens.Inch McHale - who taken care of immediately the win having a hearty "Holy garbage!" - thinks the show's group of followers does not follow the usual notions of TV audiences. "Our fans don't watch television the way in which others do," he states. "Used to do a stand-up show in the College of Arizona and there have been 30 kids who went the big event. I stated, 'How a lot of you watch Community?' plus they all elevated their hands, that was great. I requested, 'How many watch it Thursdays at 8pm?' Zero hands. I requested, 'How a lot of you've Televisions?' Four hands. I requested, 'How a lot of you watch on computer systems?' All hands increased. That might be a reason, but our audience skews youthful. However with something similar to this, they election. That's how rabid they're, so that's great." For additional using the cast of Community, get this week's problem of TV Guide Magazine, on newsstands Thursday, December 1! Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!

Steven Soderbergh's New Project Is Thriller 'The Bitter Pill' (Exclusive)

NY -- Beginners and The Tree of Lifetied for best feature at the 21st annual Gotham Independent Awards on Monday night in NY.our editor recommends24 Hours of Awards Season MadnessGotham Awards 2011: Honorees Charlize Theron, Gary Oldman Reveal the Inspiration Behind Their WorkGotham Independent Film Awards Tap Edie Falco and Oliver Platt as Co-HostsGotham Award Noms Go to 'The Descendants' and 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'Do Gotham Awards Nominations Actually Impact Oscar Race? (Analysis)Tom Rothman to Receive Lifetime Achievement Honor at Gotham AwardsGary Oldman, Charlize Theron and David Cronenberg to Be Feted at the Gotham AwardsTHR's Actress Roundtable: Six A-Listers Sound Off on Bad Reviews, Nudity and Playing Hitler Beginners starsChristopher Plummer and Ewan McGregor in a comedy/drama about a young man rocked by news that his elderly father has terminal cancer and a young male lover. Mike Mills directed, with Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech, Miranda de Pencier, Jay Van Hoy and Lars Knudsen serving as producers of the Focus Features movie. PHOTOS: Gotham Awards 2011 Red Carpet Arrivals Beginners,whose cast also includesMelanie Laurent, Goran Visnjic, KaiLennox, Mary Page KellerandKeegan Boos,also won the best ensemble performance award. Tree of Life isa Terrence Malick-directed family drama set in the 1950s and starring Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Jessica Chastain. The film from Fox Searchlight Pictures had Sarah Green, Bill Pohlad, Pitt, DedeGardner and Grant Hill as producers. Of the joint win, Mills told The Hollywood Reporter: "I'm really glad it's a tie. That is so nice. I wish it could be a five-way tie. You know, the competition thing is weird." Pohlad and Green echoed that sentiment after the ceremony. "It's stunning," Pohlad told THR of the joint win. "I know it sounds kind of disingenuous, but you don't come into something like this thinking we're going to get it or we're not going to get it.And the way they announced it was really special." PHOTOS: THR's Actress Roundtable 2011 The two films were vying with The Descendants, Meek's Cutoff and Take Shelter in the best feature category. Meanwhile,Felicity Jones won breakthrough actorfor her role in Paramount Vantage's Like Crazy, a film about a British college student who falls for an American student (Anton Yelchin) only to be separated from him when she's banned from the U.S. after overstaying her visa. She beat out the likes of Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene), Harmony Santana (Gun Hill Road), Shailene Woodley (The Descendants) and Jacob Wysocki (Terri) to take home the award. Also competing in the ensemble category were the casts ofThe Descendants, Margin Call, Martha Marcy May MarleneandTake Shelter. Also during the ceremony, Pariah helmer Dee Rees was named breakthrough director for the Focus Features drama, which centers on a gay African-American teenager living in Brooklyn who struggles with coming out. Rees faced competition fromAnother Earth's Mike Cahill, Martha Marcy May Marlene's Sean Durkin, Higher Ground's Vera Farmiga and Bellflower's Evan Glodell in the category. Complete List of Gotham Awards Winners The best documentary award went to Better This World, about a pair of childhood friends from Texas who set out to prove themselves in the post-9/11 world. Katie Galloway and Kelly Duane de la Vega are the directors of the film, which was up against Bill Cunningham NY, Hell and Back Again, The Interrupters and The Woodmans. Meanwhile, Girlfriend won thefirst prize of the evening, the second annual Gotham Independent Film Audience Award. The movie, about a young man with Down's syndrome who romantically pursues a small-town single mom,beat outBuck, Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey, The First Grader and Wild Horse, Wild Ride to win the award, which is voted upon online by moviegoers. THR's Directors Roundtable: How to Fire People, Who to Steal From, and Amy Pascal's Secret Advice Girlfriend is from director-producer Justin Lerner and producers Jerad Anderson, Kristina Lauren Anderson and Shaun O'Banion. Following a special tribute to Fox Filmed Entertainment co-chairman and co-CEOTom Rothman, the honor for best film not playing at a theater near you went to Scenes of a Crime, a true-crime documentary about a nearly 10-hour interrogation that culminated in a disputed confession. Blue Hadaegh and Grover Babcock accepted as the movie's directors and producers. New this year, the Independent Filmmaker Project also presented the inaugural Euphoria Calvin Klein Spotlight on Women Filmmakers "Live the Dream" grant, a $25,000 cash award for an alumnus of IFP's Independent Filmmaker Labs. The grant aims to further the careers of emerging women directors by supporting the completion, distribution and audience engagement strategies of their first feature film. THR's Writer Roundtable: 6 Top Scribes Talk Standing Up to Clint Eastwood, Dealing with Rewrites and Being Fired by Your Wife The award went to Lucy Mulloy, director of Una Noche. Presented by the IFP, the Gothams shine a spotlight on indie filmmakers and their work. Awards are to be given out in six competitive categories at the ceremony, held at Cipriani Wall Street. In addition to Rothman, career tributes also were presented toactors Charlize Theron and Gary Oldmanand director David Cronenberg. STORY:Gotham Awards Honorees Charlize Theron, Gary Oldman Reveal the Inspiration Behind Their Work Oliver Platt and Edie Falco hosted the ceremony. A complete list of winners can be found on the next page. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Gotham Awards 2011: The Red Carpet Arrivals Related Topics Gotham Awards Charlize Theron David Cronenberg Gary Oldman The Tree of Life Terrence Malick Take Shelter Meek's Cutoff Alexander Payne Young Adult The Descendants Tom Rothman 1 2 next last

BAFTA to Honor Ralph Fiennes with Tribute

During Lady Gaga's 90-minute Thanksgiving special, A Very Gaga Thanksgiving, which the singer conceived and directed, she revealed some unexpected news.our editor recommendsLady Gaga Signs Books After Playing Santa With 'Gossip Girl's' Blake Lively (Video)Lady Gaga Unveils Barneys Pop-Up Store Lady Gaga's Behind-the-Scenes Photo Book ReleasedABC Announces Lady Gaga Thanksgiving Special She stripped down so that Tony Bennett could sketch pictures of her for an upcoming issue of Vanity Fair magazine that would be released next year. The idea was thought up by photographer Annie Leibovitz. "I walked in and said, 'Well Tony, here we are' and I dropped my robe and I got into position," the singer explained. "I felt shy and thought, 'It's Tony Bennett, why am I naked?' " PHOTOS: Lady Gaga's MTV Evolution It wasn't a random occurrence. Gaga, 25, and Bennett, 85, recorded "The Lady Is a Tramp" together for Bennett's Duets II album. The special opened with the duo's performance of that same track. Gaga later praised Bennett, saying, "He's so handsome. I feel terrible whenever his wife is around because he's so charming and such a gentleman." PHOTOS: Top 10 Highest Paid Music Artists Bennett had similarly positive words to say. "She is the most beautiful person I ever met but there is something special about her." Gaga was also interviewed by Katie Couric, touching on her personal life, romances and why she doesn't talk about her love life. She performed a slew of her hits, including "Born This Way" and "Edge of Glory." It's been a busy week for Gaga, who unveiled Gaga's Workshop at Barneys earlier this week and released a new book. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Lady Gaga's MTV Evolution Related Topics Lady Gaga Tony Bennett

'Dancing Using the Stars' Champion J.R. Martinez: Proud to become Karina Smirnoff's First Win

ABC It had been quite a large love-fest around the Dwts ballroom floor after J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff's season 13 victory -- even through the show's high standards for flattery and group hugs.our editor recommends'Dancing Using the Stars': J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff Pull it Together in the Last Second (Video)'Dancing Using the Stars' Finals: J.R. Martinez Envies the Kardashian Sisters' Twitter Campaign'Dancing Using the Stars': J.R. Martinez Offers to Behave at Testing (Video) After weathering the barrage of love using their fallen rivals, the duo met with reporters, where J.R. made one factor obvious: the win isn't just his. PHOTOS: 'Dancing Using the Stars' Season 13: Rehearsals "It's not a secret. She's an incredible dancer, and she or he's clearly very beautiful," he stated, trophy in a single arm, Karina within the other. "However I'm here to express she's a hundred million occasions as beautiful inside. She's is really an incredible person. I'm so grateful which i could participate your way to assist get her first mirrorball trophy. She warrants it. She ought to be within the elite category of people that've won about this show." And Karina appears just like pleased to get her first win in 10 seasons with J.R.. She states she wasn't expecting victory, but she comes with a place to showcase the trophy in her own studio. "There's another trophy there from [my] competitive era," she stated, "however i'm just likely to remove that certain and set that one up since it's a lot better." PHOTOS: 'Dancing Using the Stars' Season 13: Cast Portraits The win hardly implies that Karina is able to give on the show, though. Despite many pros apparently prepared to consider their next move and four new gamers put into the roster in season 13, Karina states she wouldn't hesitate to enroll in another round. "When they'll have me, I'd like to return,Inch she stated. "It's three several weeks of effort and feelings, but in the finish during the day, you create something you'll always return to and don't forget and cherish forever." For recalling their time together, Karina and J.R. won't possess a difficult time. The 2 are really neighbors, and J.R. states he's still likely to hit her up for that periodic dance break. Karina Smirnoff Dwts

Mila Kunis Marine Corps Ball Date: Actress Was Lower To Earth

First Launched: November 21, 2011 3:49 PM EST Credit: Cpl. Johnny Merkley Caption Mila Kunis attends the Marine Corps Ball in Greenville, N.C. with Sgt. Scott MooreLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Like her Pals with Benefits leading guy Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis your look together with the males and girls within the Marine Corps Ball in Greenville, New You are able to the 2009 weekend. Following JTs appearance inside a Ball in Washington D.C. the other day, Mila adopted through along with her promise to Sgt. Scott Moore as well as the lucky Marine came out on Access Hollywood Survive Monday to discuss particulars from his exciting evening while using actress. She looked excellent, he told Billy Rose rose bush and Package Hoover. In my opinion all the gentlemen and women there has been fitted to please and he or she was certainly right along with that crowd. She looked excellent. According to Sgt. Moore, the 28-year-old actress came out being quite at ease with he and also the fellow Marine corps. [I used to be surprised] exactly how lower to earth she was. Shes merely a normal person, he mentioned. She was very thinking about what the ball involved. Sgt. Moore, who mentioned there's some dancing and a lot of introductions with the evening, wasnt certain that hed be capable of take Mila out again. Shes really busy shooting a movie at this time around. Im pretty busy doing the Marine stuff, they keep me pretty busy, he told Billy and Package. I understand well stay in touch. The Marine, who started the request-a-celebrity-to-the-Marine-Corps-Ball craze within this summer time, has his pals by means of saying thanks to simply for landing Mila as his date. I kind of spoken to my pals about transporting this out for a while then one day we'd one more couple of minutes and so they referred to as by bluff, they mentioned, Setup for shut up! he appreciated. So, I setup. See more from Sgt. Moore & Milas balancing, HERE! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

'Paranormal Activity' and 'Paranormal State' Producers Option Supernatural Mag (Exclusive)

This story originally appeared in the Nov. 25 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.our editor recommendsIconic Horror Movies'Paranormal Activity 3' Only Survivor in Hollywood Horror Film Bloodbath The red-hot producer oftheParanormal Activityfilm franchise and the team behind A&E's unscripted seriesParanormal Stateare about to become strange bedfellows. Jason Blum's Blumhouse Productions and Picture Shack Entertainment'sGeorge PlamondonandBetsy Schechterhave optioned rights toFatemagazine, a long-running chronicler of the odd and unexplained, with an eye toward mining its library of thousands of stories for television and film. PHOTOS: Top 15 Grossing Threequels of All Time Fate, founded in 1948, tells tales of flying saucers, close encounters, poltergeists and more. The cult magazine, based in Lakeville, Minn., has served as a well of inspiration for Plamondon and Schechter in creating various series, including Animal Planet's paranormal docuseriesThe Haunted. Launched byAmazing StorieseditorRaymond A. PalmerandCurtis Fuller,Fatehas published first-person accounts of the macabre as well as investigative features and the occasional story debunking dubious claims. PHOTOS: Iconic Horror Movies "Whether you believe or not, if you watch someone who believes, it's fascinating," says Plamondon. CAAintroduced the Picture Shack duo to Blum, whoseParanormal Activity 3has topped $100 million at the domestic box office (he's also prepping ABC's mystery thrillerThe Riverfor midseason), and the three decided to team. Adds Plamondon, "There's a level of fear we explore that Jason explores as well with the scripted projects he's done." Related Topics A&E Television Networks Paranormal Activity Paranormal Activity 3

TV Academy Decides Bruce Rosenblum as Chairman and Boss

The very first time in 14 years, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has chosen a high industry executive since it's chairman and Boss. Bruce Rosenblum assumes our prime-profile but delinquent position additionally to his job as leader from the Warner Bros. Television Group and person in work from the Leader of Warner Bros.our editor recommendsWhy It's Known as an Emmy9 Emmy Misconceptions DebunkedAcademy of Television Arts & Sciences Decides 2011 OfficersTV Academy Hall of Fame Honors Diahann Caroll, Peter Jennings He's the very first high-level TV executive to guide the business most widely known for supplying the Primetime Emmy Honours since Wealthy Frank ended his terms at work in 1997. In those days, Frank seemed to be leader of Wally Disney's television procedures. PHOTOS: The Very Best and Worst Moments In the 2011 Emmy Honours Rosenblum replaces John Shaffner, who had been called out after two terms and never qualified to operate for re-election. Shaffner is really a production designer that has done the majority of his work on Warner Bros., on such shows as Buddies, The Large Bang Theory and 2 . 5 Males. The concept that certain of TV's top professionals would lead the academy was an problem within the election, by which Rosenblum faced a heated contest with Nancy Bradley Wiard, an independent TV producer and consultant. She's done projects for TV One and formerly would be a producer around the TV cleaning soap opera The Youthful & the Restless, from 1973-2003. The problem was whether Rosenblum, who had been employed by some ATAS board people to reinvigorate the nonprofit group's leadership, ought to be selected over Wiard, who had labored her in place with the organization, serving on numerous committees. She most lately continues to be the ATAS vice chair and co-chairs the academy's anomalies committee and is owned by those activities by-laws and regulations committees. She also was area of the group that captured discussed a brand new eight-year agreement for the 4 major broadcast systems to carry on transporting the Emmy Honours. PHOTOS: Best and Worst Emmy Moments It's what's unspoken for the reason that new contract with ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox which makes this election particularly important. Within the next seven years, you will see possibilities to create alterations in the show, for example shedding certain groups to quicken things making room for additional pure entertainment. Wiard was recognized to happen to be instrumental within the decision by ATAS to fold together the television movie and miniseries category. Some board people believe Rosenblum, who's on a single level because the top network professionals, will improve capable of making the best deal. Others think that he's too near to the network heads which he may be prone to going together with their wishes. There's also concern that some ATAS board people might not wish to confront Rosenblum simply because they will fear he may then not hire these to work on Warner Bros., the top supplier towards the major TV and cable systems and it has been for 18 of history two decades. PHOTOS: Professionals Hit the Emmy Red-colored Carpet Within ATAS, everybody is really a peer. Which means a production designer or author or publicist or director may be the equal of the top executive like Rosenblum, a minimum of theoretically. The election of recent officials isn't a election by all 6,000 ATAS people. Rather the election is as simple as reps of each one of the peer groups inside the academy and also the executive committee. Which means about 80 people election after each candidate is permitted to create a brief statement regarding their intentions. Rosenblum has stated that he's dealing with this time around consuming task while he really wants to help guide to an essential industry organization at any given time of great change in the industry of television. He is actually a guy of great integrity and it has a great business status. PHOTOS: Emmys Red-colored Carpet Fashion Rosenblum has additionally stated in recent days that his agenda is always to expand the diversity from the ATAS membership, promote anti-piracy efforts, encourage local production and help create employment possibilities for everybody in the market. Rosenblum, who's 53 years of age, has headed the Warner TV group since 2005 and before which was executive vice president for six years. He performed a central role within the deal that produced the CW, a partnership of Warner and CBS. Rosenblum became a member of Warner in 1989 if this acquired Lorimar Telepictures, where he was vice president business matters. He started his career in entertainment law in 1982. He's a graduate of USC and it has his law degree from UCLA. Related Subjects Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 1 2 next last

Contender: 'My Week with Marilyn'

'My Week with Marilyn' See the Variety reviewArguably most likely probably the most worshipful biopics a great actor so far, "My Week With Marilyn" recalls time in Marilyn Monroe's career when she shot "The Prince as well as the Showgirl" at Pinewood Art galleries outdoors located in london, with co-star Laurence Olivier doubling as director.With techniques, the film can be as much in regards to the contrast involving the American-styled Method acting, as fitfully practiced by Monroe, as well as the typically trained British people who recognized within the London stage, since it is a romantic remembrance of things past with various memoir by Colin Clark (carried out by Eddie Redmayne).Two-time Oscar nominee Michelle Williams plays Monroe while using requisite combination of fragility, insecurity and sexual self-awareness. She adds credibility for the harmful task of representing a screen icon by singing her own musical amounts, even if die-hard Monroe fans would take problem along with her capacity to approximate the particular Marilyn's luminous screen presence, that's indisputable inside the 1957 film.Kenneth Branagh, themselves a four-time Oscar finalist, physically and vocally transforms themselves to the imperious Olivier -- much in the way that Christian McKay resided around the bigger-than-existence title character in "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) -- even lower to Olivier's thin-lipped scowl. Oscar champion Judi Dench also comprises a vivid impression because the second revered Dame, the actress Sybil Thorndike.Release date: November. 23 The Weinstein Co.See the Variety review Contact Steve Chagollan at steve.chagollan@variety.com

Contender: 'War Horse'

'War Horse'Steven Spielberg and war certainly are a potent honours combination ("Schindler's List," "Saving Private Ryan"), similar to the 2-time Best Director champion and tales of youthful friendship ("ET"). Why not mention his history with creatures ("Jaws") too? Simply, this storied filmmaker's eagerly anticipated realization of author Michael Morpurgo's children's novel a great British farm lad's deep link to a equine shipped for everyone inside the Great War is decided to excite the Academy's adoration for spectacle, history, emotion and Spielberg, and increase the risk for director's seventh nomination. (Just like previous years when he's had two releases, it's doubtful he'll be splitting votes in this particular category while using more popcorn-centric entry, in this particular situation his "Tintin" movie.) Expect the normal nom onslaught, too, for his regulars: cinematographer Janusz Kaminski (two wins), editor Michael Kahn (three-time champion) and composer John Williams (five-time champion), and also the chance of tech recognition overall. Previous scribe nominees Richard Curtis ("Four Wedding events together with a Funeral") and Lee Hall ("Billy Elliot") look obvious on getting an adaptation nom. Acting nods are iffier: outdoors of unknown Jeremy Irvine inside the lead - as well as, it's an not-nominatable equine nobody stars - the narrative sprawl signifies a raft of supporting possibles, introduced by two-time nominee Emily Watson since the boy's mother.Release date: 12 ,. 25 Disney Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Rister: Casting an exact internet

Laura Rister"Build the cast and they'll come," states Laura Rister, mind of production at Untitled Entertainment and principal of Waterfall Media, the partnership between Untitled and Cassian Elwes.It's difficult to question Rister's philosophy. She understood she needed to start getting a cast after reading through J.C. Chandor's script "Margin Call," which she'd become from Zachary Quinto's Prior to the Door Pictures in May 2009.Annually later, Kevin Spacey, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci and Paul Bettany were aboard and principal photography on Chandor's directorial debut had begun. Pic continued to shut numerous key foreign territory deals throughout the American Film Market last November and would be a hit at Sundance in The month of january. (Lionsgate and Kerbside Points of interest acquired and launched pic March. 21.)" 'Margin Call' may be the type of film which i stated I needed to take part in after i left CNN to operate within the film business," states Rister, former Miramax Films mind of casting along with a production/development professional. "It's strong material which has something to express, with terrific roles along with a gifted filmmaker who just needed a go.InchRister describes herself like a "hybrid" producer, who are able to package, cast, trobleshoot and fix, help find financing then sell.Throughout her 8 1/2-year tenure at Miramax, Rister states she used many hats employed in production. "I believe that prepared me to be adaptive to the given project's needs."Nowadays, Rister is moving nonstop. She's in publish-production on John Klugman and Lee Sternthal's directorial debut, "What,Inch starring Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Irons and Olivia Wilde."I just read the script 10 approximately years back at Miramax and that i wanted to really make it, but galleries possess a difficult time supporting first-time filmmakers," she states. "Now I recieve to choose my stomach instincts making individuals choices because I work on a business where I'm able to chose when I wish to make something and that i possess the assets and associations to get it done.InchOther projects within the works include Take advantage of Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman's "Lovelace," Ariel Vromen's "The Iceman" with Michael Shannon and "Scarring,Inch based simply on Anthony Kiedis' autobiography for Forex.10 PRODUCERS To Look At 2011Jason Michael Berman Borderline Films Tyler Davidson & Sophia Lin James Gay-Rees Lawrence Inglee Red-colored Granite Pictures Laura Rister Jonathan Schwartz Diarmid Scrimshaw Kevin Walsh Contact Addie Morfoot at news@variety.com

Ebert Presents Within The Movies May Finish Its Run The Next Month Over Funding Issues

On his blog, film critic Roger Ebert informed last evening that “unless we uncover an angel, our television program ranges from the environment at the conclusion of the current season… We could’t have the ability to finance it any longer.” Ebert relaunched his weekly syndicated movie review show, that have been cancelled by Buena Vista TV this season, in the start of the season on PBS Tv producers and is now offering distribution in than 90% of the united states. But Ebert notes he and also the wife Chaz Ebert, who executive produces Ebert Presents Within the Movies, don’t have any money from PBS or its stations, to ensure that they've required to finance the show themselves and could’t keep doing so. They need to tell American Public Television whether Ebert Presents Within the Movies will probably be back next season. “Unless we uncover underwriting, I’m afraid our answer will have to be “no”,” Ebert produces but finishes around the better note, “Chaz states she retains a few more days to keep making calls.”

Andy Williams Suffering From Bladder Cancer

Andy Williams Andy Williams revealed to concertgoers in at his Branson, Mo., theater he has bladder cancer, the Branson Tri-Lakes News reports. "I do have cancer of the bladder," the 83-year-old "Moon River" singer and long-ago TV variety show host said. "But that is no longer a death sentence. People with cancer are getting through this thing. They're kicking it, and they're winning more and more every year. And I'm going to be one of them." Williams made the announcement at the Moon River Theatre in Branson, which he opened in 1992. Williams thanked the crowd for being there during his "time of need" and promised he would return to the stage next year - his 75th year in the entertainment industry. Watch videos of Andy Williams "I'll be coming back here next year, in September and October," he said. "I'm going to do the shows I've planned to do." He had a weekly TV show, which won three Emmys for Best Variety Show and ran through most of the 1960s until 1971; among his regulars were the Osmond Brothers, and he's credited to boosting the career of Jonathan Winters. In the 1960s, he was one of the most popular singers in the nation, and he has more gold albums than any solo act than Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and Elvis Presley. His earliest TV exposure came on that became the Tonight show with Steve Allen.

AFM opens with plenty of appetite

The American Film Market opens today at Loews Santa Monica with buyer registration up 10% and general attendance tracking higher. Robert De Niro in "Red Lights" Ron Howard will be meeting with buyers today to discuss his Formula 1 racing project "Rush," starring Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruh. Cautious optimism is the prevailing sentiment at the Loews in Santa Monica as the 32nd edition of the American Film Market opens today. Buyer registration is up 10% with more than 90 new buying companies and general attendance is tracking higher, according to AFM managing director Jonathan Wolf. A total of 415 films will screen over eight days -- 69 world premieres, 310 market premieres and 29 in 3D. "We're getting a lot of calls about our titles like 'The Gray' and 'Broken City' and it's good that the international marketplace has bounced back," noted Inferno Entertainment partner Bill Johnson. "But my expectation is that AFM won't be as crazy as Cannes." Inferno's hoping to echo its experience at last year's AFM in November, when pre-sales on Brad Pitt and Richard Jenkins' starrer "Cogan's Trade" drew a flurry of deals with international distribs before the Weinstein Co. snapped it up for the U.S. in January. As usual, titles with recognizable casts that can play well across the globe are key at AFM. And with more buyers in the mix, activity's been fairly robust in the past two weeks with pre-sales to key territories getting locked down. Still, there's nothing like face to face contact -- such as Ron Howard meeting with buyers to to discuss production on "Rush," with Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruh starring in the true story of the rivalry between 1970s Formula 1 champs James Hunt and Niki Lauda. Exclusive Media Group is handling sales. Studiocanal is reported to be bringing Joel and Ethan Coen to AFM to discuss their new film "Inside Llewyn Davis" and meet with potential buyers. Should that come to pass, it would mirror what happened last year when Exclusive brought George Clooney to Loews to shop "Ides of March." Sellers have more to sell -- but are also taking a measured approach. Focus Features Intl. will be screening "Another Bullshit Night in Suck City" to select buyers at the market this year. But Focus will not be showing footage of the Wachowski siblings' "Cloud Atlas" to buyers this year. The bullishness in the market comes five months after a better-than-expected activity at the Cannes Film Festival and a solid -- but hardly spectacular -- showing in Toronto, where the biggest sale turned out to be the $5 million that CBS Films paid for "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen." "With buyers up and screenings on par with last year, we expect a very healthy and active market," said the AFM's Wolf. The indie side of the business was hammered between late 2008 and early 2010 before beginning to recover in time for last year's AFM. Obtaining financing became tougher, while studios decided to focus on tentpoles and cede much of the mid-budget arena to indie producers. Andrew Ruf, head of Paradigm's motion picture financing group, believes that the financial crisis has resulted in industry players becoming much sharper in what they're bringing to AFM. "I think people are being a lot smarter about budgets and casts," Ruf said. "The margin for error is much smaller. If you come in fast and loose, you're going to have a very tough time." Ruf said that it's particularly crucial to come in to AFM with the right budget -- particularly in the $3 million to $15 million range, if the cast isn't highly recognizable. "In that range, you're going to have a hard time recouping," he added. Still, plenty of independently-sold pics -- "Black Swan," "The King's Speech," "Limitless," "Insidious," "Source Code," "The Lincoln Lawyer" -- show that filmgoers will turn out for the right mix of indie elements. Julie Sultan, president of international sales at W2, said that the positive vibes from those successes remains very much in the minds of those attending AFM. "The film business is full of optimistic people," she adds. "People have budgets left at the end of the year and although they may have a full slate, they will always have room for more." Sultan also believes that AFM activity will stay strong throughout next week. "We will be taking a lot of meetings toward the end of the market," she notes. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com