Oscar Nominations 2012

Oscar Nominations 2012

The nominations for the 2012 84th Annual Academy Awards took place today (January 24) at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

See the full list of nominations for the 2012 Oscars, to be held on February 26 at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre, below:

Best Picture
War Horse
The Artist
Moneyball
The Descendants
The Tree of Life
Midnight in Paris
The Help
Hugo
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Director
Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist)
Alexander Payne (The Descendants)
Martin Scorsese (Hugo)
Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris)
Terrence Malick (The Tree of Life)

Best Actor
Demián Bichir (A Better Life)
George Clooney (The Descendants)
Jean Dujardin (The Artist)
Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)
Brad Pitt (Moneyball)

Best Actress
Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs)
Viola Davis (The Help)
Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)
Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)
Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn)

Best Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branagh (My Week with Marilyn)
Jonah Hill (Moneyball)
Nick Nolte (Warrior)
Christopher Plummer (Beginners)
Max Von Sydow (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close)

Best Supporting Actress
Berenice Bejo (The Artist)
Jessica Chastain (The Help)
Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids)
Janet McTeer (Albert Nobbs)
Octavia Spencer (The Help)

Adapted Screenplay
The Descendants (Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash)
Hugo (John Logan)
The Ides of March (George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon)
Moneyball (Steven Zallian, Aaron Sorkin, Stan Chervin)
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (Bridget O'Conner, Peter Straughan)

Original Screenplay
The Artist (Michel Hazanavicius)
Bridesmaids (Annie Mumolo, Kristin Wiig)
Margin Call (J.C. Chandor)
Midnight in Paris (Woody Allen)
A Separation (Asghar Farhadi)

Animated Feature
A Cat in Paris
Chico & Rita
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango

Best Foreign Language Film
Bullhead
Footnote
In Darkness
Monsieur Lazhar
A Separation

Art Direction
The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
War Horse

Cinematography
The Artist
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
The Tree of Life
War Horse

Costume Design
Anonymous
The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
W.E.

Documentary Feature
Hell And Back Again
If A Tree Falls Short: A Story Of The Earth Liberation Front
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Pina
Undefeated

Documentary Short
The Barber Of Birmingham: Foot Soldier Of The Civil Rights Movement
God Is The Bigger Elvis
Incident In New Baghdad
Saving Face
The Tsunami And The Cherry Blossom

Editing
The Artist
The Descendants
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball

Makeup
Albert Nobbs
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
The Iron Lady

Original Score
The Adventures Of Tintin
The Artist
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse

Original Song
'Man or Muppet' from The Muppets Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
'Real in Rio' from Rio Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown Lyric by Siedah Garrett

Sound Editing
Drive
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Transformers: Dark Of The Moon
War Horse

Sound Mixing
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball
Transformers: Dark Of The Moon
War Horse

Visual Effects
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2
Hugo
Real Steel
Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes
Transformers: Dark Of The Moon

Animated Short
Dimanche/Sunday
The Fantastic Flying Books Of Mr Morris Lessmore
La Luna
A Morning Stroll
Wild Life

Live Action Short
Pentecost
Raju
The Shore
Time Freak
Tuba Atlantic

Next "American Idol": Jim Carrey's daughter, Jane?

Next "American Idol": Jim Carrey's daughter, Jane?

Jim Carrey's 24-year-old waitress daughter, Jane Carrey, had a leg up -- well, at least one -- on her fellow "American Idol" auditioners on Sunday night's show. There's the fact that her father is a Hollywood superstar, and the fact that she already knew "AI" judge Jennifer Lopez.

"I remember you when you were little," Lopez told Jane Carrey, reminding the celebrity offspring that she had been a Fly Girl on "In Living Color" when Jim Carrey starred on the comedy series.

"I think I was like two," Carrey replied.

Ouch. Despite that reminder of the many years that have passed since Lopez's Fly Girl days, Carrey surprised the judges -- in a good way -- with a soulful version of Bonnie Raitt's "Something to Talk About," which earned her a golden ticket to the Hollywood round.

CBS Greenlights Greg Berlanti Cop Drama

CBS Greenlights Greg Berlanti Cop Drama

he top-rated network ordered "Golden Boy," a project that tracks one cop’s meteoric rise from officer to detective to Police Commissioner.

Like its rivals, CBS is getting into the Greg Berlanti business.

The network has ordered his cop drama Golden Boy to pilot. The project is about the making of a man – tracks one cop’s meteoric rise from officer to detective to Police Commissioner.

Some have dubbed the project, which had multiple bidders earlier this development season, The Good Wife with a young cop.

Nicholas Wootton, who got his start as a young writer on NYPD Blue, is attached to write and executive produce, alongside EP Berlanti.

The pilot is set up at Warner Brothers TV, home to Berlanti's new overall deal. Earlier this month, Fox ordered Berlanti's legal drama Guilty to pilot while the CW picked up his DC Comics-inspired Green Arrow project Arrow to pilot.

Wootton, whose other credits include Chuck, Prison Break and Law & Order, and Berlanti are both repped by WME.

Harry Hill: 'TV Burp will end in March with huge finale'

Harry Hill: 'TV Burp will end in March with huge finale'

Harry Hill has indicated that TV Burp will bow out in March.

In a new blog post, the comedian revealed that the new series' last episode will culminate in a "huge finale".

"The New (and it seems last) series of TV Burp starts up on the 4th Feb and finishes 8 shows later at the end of March in a huge finale - SO MAKE THE MOST OF IT !!!," Hill said.

It is Hill's strongest hint that he is quitting the programme, after insisting in October that "no decision" had been made about its future.

The 47-year-old has previously admitted that working on the show, which has aired over 20 episodes a year since 2008, has left him feeling exhausted.

Reports in December suggested that ITV may replace Hill, with Russell Kane, Lee Mack and Al Murray mentioned as possible candidates.

After splitting with his agent and boss of production company Avalon, speculation has arisen over whether Hill will move TV Burp to the BBC or Sky.

Comedies from 'Happy Endings' Writer, 'Weeds' Producer, Jimmy Fallon, 'Office' Creator A Go at NBC

Comedies from 'Happy Endings' Writer, 'Weeds' Producer, Jimmy Fallon, 'Office' Creator A Go at NBC

The pilots join Roseanne Barr's "Downwardly Mobile" at the network.

NBC is continuing to greenlight pilots, moving forward with five additional projects from Jimmy Fallon and the talent behind Happy Endings, Weeds, Friends and The Office.

Daddy's Girl hails from 20th Television and Kapital Entertainment and revolves around a young woman who returns home from overseas to find her father in a serious relationship with the "mean girl" from her high school. Friends producer Dana Klein will write and executive produce the multicamera project alongside Terra Nova's Aaron Kaplan.

Weeds producer Stephen Falk will executive produce Next Caller Please, a single-camera gender comedy revolving around a brash alpha male DJ and his feminist co-host set in the office of a satellite radio station. Like Weeds, the project hails from Lionsgate TV.

Happy Endings scribe Hilary Winston will executive produce and pen an untitled single-camera comedy from Sony Pictures Television focused on a shy and focused woman who leans on her co-workers in a bid to come out of her shell and plot revenge after being dumped by her fiancé. Jamie Tarses will exec produce alongside Winston.

The untitled Jimmy Fallon project revolves around three thirtysomething guys who enjoy the adventures of parenting despite the fact that they haven't grown up themselves. Fallon and Amy Ozols will executive produce the multicamera comedy alongside Charlie Grandy, who will pen the Universal Television/Holiday Road project.

Fifth, the network is moving forward with its adaptation of British series Friday Night Dinner with The Office creator Greg Daniels. NBC has given a pilot order to the single-camera project, which was created by Robert Popper and revolves around the Goodmans, a traditional Jewish family, as they observe Shabbat dinners in which twentysomething brothers Adam and Jonny visit their parents. Daniels will pen the project and executive produce alongside Howard Klein. The project hails from Universal Television and Big Talk Television.

The comedy premiered in February on Channel 4, with a second season commissioned in March. The comedy, from Big Talk Productions, airs stateside on BBC America. The project would be Daniels’ second British adaptation.

The orders come the same day that the fourth-place network greenlighted five other projects, including dramas from Jason Katims and Dick Wolf and Roseanne Barr's Downwardly Mobile comedy, among others.

Ben Stiller, Jonathan Safran Foer Team for Jewish Family Comedy at HBO

Ben Stiller, Jonathan Safran Foer Team for Jewish Family Comedy at HBO

Emmy winner Alan Alda is in talks to star opposite Stiller, who is also attached to direct and executive produce with Scott Rudin.

HBO is getting into the Ben Stiller business.

The actor, who got his big break on a short-lived, eponymous sketch show on MTV/Fox, has signed on to star, direct and executive produce All Talk, a new HBO comedy pilot from novelist Jonathan Safran Foer (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Everything is Illuminated).

The project, which is being billed as “politically, religiously, culturally, intellectually and sexually irreverent,” revolves around the daily and life-altering dramas of a Jewish family in Washington, DC. Emmy winner Alan Alda is currently in negotiations to join Stiller in front of the camera, marking what would be his first series regular role since M*A*S*H.  The pilot is tentatively scheduled to shoot this fall.

Stiller and Foer, along with Scott Rudin and Eli Bush, will serve as executive producers; Foer has penned the pilot script. The project is something of a reunion for Stiller and Rudin, who have collaborated on several projects, including Zoolander and The Royal Tenenbaums as well as theBroadway revival of John Guare’s The House of Blue Leaves

"Ben Stiller continues to be a major, multi-talented star because of his discerning ability to embrace creative and innovative projects - whatever the medium," said HBO’s president of programming Michael Lombardo. "From major blockbuster motion pictures to small independent films; from Broadway to off-Broadway, the common thread is always the excellence of the material.”

In November, Stiller's shingle Red Hour Films inked an overall production and development deal with ABC Studios. The pact, which runs through May 31, 2013, with an option to extend for one year, accompanied the high-profile hire of Deborah Liebling to run Red Hour's new television division.

For his part, Rudin has a string of projects set up at HBO, including Aaron Sorkin's cable news drama series Newsroom and The Corrections, an adaptation of Jonathan Franzen's best-seller with Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper and Dianne Wiest.

Stiller, who recently wrapped production on Neighborhood Watch and is set to star in, direct The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, is repped by WME and Gang, Tyre, Raymer & Brown. Rudin is repped by Ziffren Brittenham; Foer is with RWSH Agency.

Dom Joly for ITV1 'Harry Hill's TV Burp' replacement 'Fool Britannia'

Dom Joly for ITV1 'Harry Hill's TV Burp' replacement 'Fool Britannia'

Dom Joly has announced that he has signed up to front a brand new ITV1 show.

The Trigger Happy TV comedian will star in new hidden-camera prank series Fool Britannia, which will reportedly air on Saturday evenings in October for eight nights.

It will be broadcast before The X Factor, in the slot previously taken by Harry Hill's TV Burp, which is likely to end its run this year.

Joly tweeted: "If you are in the UK you are now a legitimate target. [It] will never be as good as the superb TV Burp but [I] will give it my best."

The comedian was said to be developing a new reality series last year with ex-Big Brother producer Daniel Nettleton.

Katie Couric and Jeff Zucker: New Talk Show Isn't Regis or Oprah

Katie Couric and Jeff Zucker: New Talk Show Isn't Regis or Oprah

Katie Couric’s talk show for ABC/Disney is the most talked about, most anticipated, best positioned (in terms of station carriage) and by all accounts the most expensive of the bumper crop of syndicated talkers hitting the airwaves this September seeking to fill the “Oprah void” in afternoon television.

Couric, bursting with enthusiasm on the day it was announced Katie will be seen in over 93 percent of U.S. TV homes, sees it as her opportunity to reclaim the kind of affectionate cultural connection she enjoyed in her years on NBC’s Today Show, most of which evaporated during her ill-fated tenure on the CBS Evening News.

“I think that in returning to this genre I have a real understanding of where my sweet spot is and what I’m good at -- to thine own self be true,” Couric told The Hollywood Reporter on Monday at NATPE, where she was promoting the program to station executives, advertisers and the media.

She welcomes the challenges that come with a new venture and launching a show. “I’ve learned that getting out of your comfort zone can sometimes be uncomfortable but it’s an incredible opportunity for growth,” says Couric. “I know I sound like I’m in the self help section of Barnes & Noble, but I’ve learned you must have a lot of inner strength and confidence; and I’ve had incredible support and an incredible network of friends and colleagues who have helped me through the years.”

She’s also keenly aware that she has also been a lightning rod for critics. “I think we do live in an age where people do get some perverse pleasure out of cutting you down at times,” says Couric. “In Australia they call it the ‘tall poppy syndrome.’ That means when people grow too high, they need to be chopped down. I have learned to deal with that. Not everybody is going to like you, not everybody is going to celebrate you and that’s OK.”

Still, even after interviews with Couric, Disney executives and her executive producer and business partner Jeff Zucker, who was her producer for eight of the years she was at the Today Show (and later a top executive at NBC Universal), it is easier to say what the show won’t be than what it will be.

It will not be a news show although it will be topical. It won’t be political the way many cable news shows are, although she expects to sometimes feature political newsmaker interviews. It won’t be intensely personal, in the way Regis shared his life with viewers, but she will share her experiences in the course of interviews or as part of telling a story. There won’t be a band and Katie won’t have a permanent co-host or sidekick who laughs at her jokes the way Ed McMahon did for Johnny Carson.

If there is a defining characteristic so far, it is that the show will be the rare syndicated talk program presented live – most of the time.

“For me there is no substitute for live television,” says Couric. “It’s more exciting. It’s more energizing. Its more unexpected and spontaneous.”

It’s also more expensive and puts huge pressure on all involved because mistakes will be out there for everyone to see, while most talk shows can edit them out.  It means boring interviews will be harder to cut down in size and could hurt the show’s ability to repeat episodes due to topicality, even though those repeats are vital to the show’s economic model.

Even Zucker seems wary about the decision although he thinks it plays to Couric’s strengths. “I don’t want to be trapped by live but I don’t want to forgo her unique ability to do live,” says Zucker. “I think our ability to be timely and topical will set us apart. It will help distinguish us in a crowded market. But if we need to tape something we will tape it. The Today Show was live but we often taped segments.”

Asked to describe the show in three tweets or less, Zucker responds: “I would say it’s a timely, topical conversation about what America is talking about, particularly women, that runs the gamut from serious to silly and allow Katie to use her broadcast and life experience to have an elevated conversation that fits into the daytime marketplace.”

The key phrase, when it comes to the show being a success, is “particularly women.”  The show must appeal to the most available audience and the one advertisers are most interested in reaching in the afternoon – women 25 to 54 years of age.

Zucker thinks that’s a no-brainer. “That’s the exact audience that relates to Katie,” he says. “That is the exact audience that is living the life that Katie is living. She is similar to women who are raising their kids, who are looking for love, who are dealing with an aging parent, who have experienced tremendous highs and lows in their life.”

“I don’t want to sound like a missionary but I want to help them get the information they need to improve their lives,” answers Couric, who turned 55 earlier this month.  “I think because I’m just a scotch over that demo, thank you very much. I’m quite relatable. I lost my husband, and my sister I’ve learned a lot about cancer in the course of my life and that’s certainly something a lot of people out there have to deal with at one time or another. I’m a mother of two daughters. A single parent. I’m very interested in health and wellness. I’m very interested in understanding the world. I’m very interested in trends and how people are living. I have dealt with aging parents and I’m aging myself. I think I’m interested in a lot of topics a lot of people out there are dealing with and I’m dealing with them too. So hopefully the kind of things I’m interested in and the things I think are important for us to have a better understanding of are the things the audience cares about as well.”

Both Couric and Zucker go out of their way to say that while Katie will try to attract the audience that made Oprah Winfrey their first choice in the afternoon for a quarter of a century, they don’t in any way think they can replace her.

Couric says nobody can fill Oprah’s shoes. “No,” she says, adding with a smile: “But I’d like to have some of her shoes. She had great shoes and a lot of them.

I have utmost respect for Oprah. She is a remarkable person. She has done so much for the world. It presumptuous to think I could but I do think that Oprah’s show had a certain intelligence, relevance and humanity and she had ability that I certainly hope are qualities that my show will have as well.”

Zucker sees Katie filling more than Oprah’s shoes; he thinks she can be the friend the audience has been missing. “There’s a lot of great television on in this daypart. Ellen [Degeneres] is a great entertainer. Dr. Phil’s a great therapist. Dr. Oz is a great doctor. But there is no one who can be that trusted friend.”

Couric and Zucker insist Katie won’t be a vehicle for every celebrity who has a book to hawk or a movie opening.

“I’m not really interested in being the fifth stop on a junket,” says Couric. “But I’ve found celebrities - I hate that word talent - actors and musicians are often very multi-dimensional individuals and have a lot of things that they are interested in a hawking their latest movies is their least favorite part of the dialogue. A lot of people are very interested in particular causes or are politically active or have personal stories that may resonate with an audience, so I think you can do much more multi layered interview with celebrities than you sometimes see on other shows.”

Couric says she will be involved in every aspect of the show but a lot of the decisions will fall on Zucker, who says that at least in the first year, he will take the role of showrunner and be deeply involved and hands on.

“This is not the only thing I want to do but it’s the only thing I want to do right now,” says Zucker. “This is my total focus right now although there are a lot of other things I think about and look at.”

Zucker eventually wants to build a larger entertainment company but he also wants to get back in the trenches that he worked on Today Show. “I love it all, says Zucker. “I love the whole thing. There was always a piece of me, even when I wasn’t producing, that missed it, missed being in the control room. So look, I want to get this show right.”

Couric talked to other companies before making her deal with Disney, most notably CBS where after intense discussions, they were unable to reach an agreement. CBS Television Distribution instead is launching a talk show with Survivor host Jeff Probst. Couric for her part has no regrets about the way it worked out. “I feel great about where I landed,” says Couric. “I feel really comfortable with everyone at Disney and ABC News. Every aspect of the company was really excited about not only my work on the syndicated show but what I could contribute to ABC News as well. I have absolutely no regrets.”

So Couric and Zucker are happy even as they try to figure out just what Katie will be. What they aren’t as excited about is the huge anticipation and the expectation that due to the cost of the deal and the show, the top tier station line up and Disney stepping up for its first syndie talk show launch in years, expectations are also sky high. Several analysts have said if the show doesn’t quickly achieve a household rating of at least a 2 (roughly 2 percent of available viewers), it will be a costly failure.

Couric and Zucker don’t see it that way or at least don’t worry about it. “There’s no guarantees in anything you do in life,” says Zucker. “All u can do is make an informative, fun, well done show and everything else will fall as it will. It’s an incredibly competitive and crowded market place.”

“A two rating?!” adds Zucker. “That’s ridiculous. “Those are others who are trying to set us up.”

“Big expectations?” muses Couric. “Obviously we all hope the show is successful. But I’ve never been super focused on ratings. I’ve always been focused on content. I know a  lot of my counterparts are really are completely myopic when it comes to ratings.  I just want to do the best show I can. What else can I do?”

“I feel pressured to do well,” adds Couric. “Of course I feel pressure. I don’t want to let people down, most of all the viewers. But I’ve been in high-pressure situations through the  course of my career and I thrive under pressure. All I can do is what my dad has told me my whole life: just do the best that you can. The chips will fall where they may. But I’m going to give it my all.”

Ron Burkle Closes Multiple Investments in Relativity Media

Ron Burkle Closes Multiple Investments in Relativity Media

The billionaire investor has plowed an estimated $800 million into the film and TV entity founded by Ryan Kavanaugh.

Ron Burkle and his Yucaipa Cos. investment firm closed a second investment in Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media, sources said Monday.

News that Yucaipa would be buying out much of Elliot Capital Management’s interest in Relativity leaked a few weeks ago, though insiders say a further investment has been made since then.

A press release issued Monday simply confirmed that Yucaipa is now a Relativity shareholder, though it offered no financial details.

The parties refused to comment Monday on any aspect of the transactions, even to clarify whether Elliot Capital remains a stakeholder or not. Insiders said Jan. 5 that Elliot still held a share of Relativity after Yucaipa’s initial investment.

Sources also said Yucaipa’s multiple investments add up to $800 million or more.

Burkle, a former bag boy at his father’s grocery store, founded Yucaipa in 1986 and the firm has participated in more than $30 billion worth of mergers, acquisitions and investments since then. Burkle's personal fortune is estimated at $3.2 billion.

Relativity represents Burkle’s latest advance into entertainment. He has also helped to finance movies from Harvey and Bob Weinstein and helped finance the launch of Al Gore’s Current TV. He recently bought concert-booking agency Artist Group International and the Soho House Clubs, a chain of private clubs founded in 1995 for people in the creative industries.

Relativity has fallen on difficult financial times of late though it has financed, distributed or produced 200 movies that have accumulated $17 billion in box office receipts since its founding in 2004. Recent successes include Immortals, Bridesmaids, The Social Network and Battle: Los Angeles. Upcoming titles include Act of Valor, The Raven and Mirror Mirror.

Relativity’s television unit, RelativityReal, has 17 series either airing or set to air.

“We’ve spent a lot of time analyzing the media industry, and have looked at virtually every asset out there,” Burkle said in the press release issued Monday. “Relativity makes sense. They run their business like a business, focusing on profitability, internal rates of return and the factors that many Hollywood based businesses don’t focus on.”

Kristin Chenoweth to Visit Hot in Cleveland

Kristin Chenoweth to Visit Hot in Cleveland

Kristin Chenoweth, who stars in ABC’s upcoming primetime sudser GCB, will appear in a Season 3 episode of TV Land’s Hot In Cleveland, executive producer Sean Hayes announced on Twitter Monday morning.

Chenoweth, whose TV credits include Glee and Pushing Daisies, will play a friend of the sitcom’s trio of gal pals who crashes with them after breaking up with her longtime beau, who is an in-demand Beverly Hills dermatologist, reports TVGuide.com.

Hot in Cleveland currently airs Wednesdays at 10/9c.

Glee Project Books Lea Michele as Guest Mentor

Glee Project Books Lea Michele as Guest Mentor

Time to Gleek out — Lea Michele will serve as a guest mentor in The Glee Project‘s Season 2 premiere.

Michele, who is the first of the show’s Season 2 guests to be revealed, broke the good news herself via Twitter over the weekend, but Oxygen officially made the announcement on Monday morning.

Glee stars were a regular fixture during Glee Project‘s first season. Among the McKinley High regulars who guest mentored the contestants were Darren Criss, Harry Shum Jr., Mark Salling, Jenna Ushkowitz and Kevin McHale.

Season 2 of The Glee Project began filming this week in Los Angeles, and will air on Oxygen in Summer 2012.

True Blood's (Kind of) New Stud, Mad Men's Season 5 Premiere Title and More!

True Blood's (Kind of) New Stud, Mad Men's Season 5 Premiere Title and More!

Sexy Brit Giles Matthey has booked a mysterious recurring role on the upcoming fifth season of True Blood.

The newcomer, whose sole acting credit is an episode of The Good Wife, will portray Claude, a fairy who in the Sookie Stackhouse novels is a distant cousin of the leading lady’s father. In the HBO adaptation, however, Claude will quickly set his sights on young vamp Jessica, E! Online reports.

The role of Claude was played last season, albeit briefly, by Lost‘s Neil Hopkins.

Ready for more of today’s TV dish? Well…

• And the title of Mad Men‘s much-anticipated Season 5 premiere is…. “A Little Kiss.” “I like the title to have some kind of synergy with the show so it will pique your interest,” showrunner Matt Weiner tells TV Guide Magazine. Mission accomplished, sir. Mad Men returns to AMC with new episodes on Sunday, March 25.

• Food Network’s Food Network Star will undergo some changes in its upcoming eighth season (premiering May 13), per Variety. Winners will now be chosen by the fans instead of a panel of professionals, with current judges Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis, as well as host Alton Brown, shifting duties to mentor a team of finalists.

• Eve Best has landed a guest spot on Up All Night, TV Guide Magazine reports. The Nurse Jackie vet will play a bigwig who takes ownership of Ava. Also dropping by NBC’s freshman comedy are Nat Faxton (The Cleveland Show) and Ben Falcone (Joey), playing the Brinkley’s gay neighbors.

• SOAPnet will air a four-hour, Robin/Patrick-centric marathon of General Hospital on Sunday, Feb. 12 beginning at 3/2c. And just like that, we’re more worried than ever about Robin and her seemingly doomed fate on ABC’s sole-surviving sudser.

• FOX will re-air last Sunday’s episode of American Idol this Tuesday at 8 pm.

• Bravo’s new Hills-esque docu-series, The Shahs of Sunset, is set to premiere Sunday, March 11.

• Starz’s upcoming series Da Vinci’s Demons, which reimagines the Renaissance era artist as a superhero, has cast British actor Tom Riley (Monroe) in the lead role, per Deadline.

• ABC has given the green light to 666 Park Ave, a supernatural drama pilot from Fringe writer David Wilcox. Based on the novels by the same name, the potential series centers on a haunted New York City apartment complex.

• CMT has renewed The Singing Bee for a fourth season, a fifth overall as the musical competition began its run on NBC.

Vampire Diaries Hot Shots: Elijah Is Back and Kicking Some Serious Salvatore Brother Butt!

Vampire Diaries Hot Shots: Elijah Is Back and Kicking Some Serious Salvatore Brother Butt!

Elijah is finally back on The Vampire Diaries, and in the next new installment of the CW saga (airing Thursday, Feb. 2), he is once again wreaking his special brand of havoc on Mystic Falls.

We’re not entirely sure what his motives are — or if he’s just pretending to be on the side of his misguided baby bro, Klaus — but based on the following first look photos from the episode “Bringing Out the Dead,” Elijah is most certainly causing a ruckus for his former allies, Stefan and Damon.

'Idol' Scotty McCreery heads to 'Hart of Dixie,' Justin Hartley joins him

'Idol' Scotty McCreery heads to 'Hart of Dixie,' Justin Hartley joins him

No, Scotty McCreery won't be playing yet another suitor for Rachel Bilson's Zoe Hart when he hits up "Hart of Dixie" in an April 23 episode. Instead, the "American Idol" winner will play himself, performing his hit "The Trouble With Girls" during a scene that heavily features Zoe and George (Scott Porter).

Hmmm. More love triangle "trouble," perhaps? We'd guess yes, given the scoop we got from the show's creator, Leila Gerstein, last week.

The news of McCreery's appearance was first reported by the Huffington Post.

We must admit, we're a little relieved to hear he's just performing, not stealing hearts, in the episode. Zoe is already swooning over George, Wade (Wilson Bethel), and newcomer Jesse, played by the super-dreamy Justin Hartley.

Yes, "Smallville's" Oliver Queen is hitting up Bluebell, too. TVLine reports that Hartley's character, a war hero, turns up the southern charm in his first return to The CW since Clark Kent took flight.

'Revenge' welcomes James Purefoy, Courtney B. Vance, William Devane to Hamptons hell

'Revenge' welcomes James Purefoy, Courtney B. Vance, William Devane to Hamptons hell

"Revenge" is on hiatus right now, which means we've basically let ourselves go.

We mostly spend long hours sitting in front of the mirror practicing our very best Emily Thorne death glare, and we've run dozens of red sharpies dry as we draw angry X's over the faces of the ABC schedulers who dared deprive us of Victoria Grayson until February 8.

Luckily, while we stew in our misery (we've learned from the best) we do have some fun casting news straight out of the Hamptons.

First of all, Victoria (Madeleine Stowe) who proved herself worthy of Emily's wrath when she added rape to David Thorne's list of false accusations in last week's episode, is getting a love interest. Good luck to him.

Yes, it's time for Mrs. Grayson to have yet another "big, passionate love affair" as Stowe tells The Insider. "Rome" star James Purefoy is set to star as Victoria's suitor. ABC is keeping details under wraps, so we'll just say we'd be shocked if Emily isn't pulling the strings on this one.

Meanwhile, "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" alum Courtney B. Vance will also be making his way to the Hamptons, though in a very different context. He's on board for four episodes, in which he'll play an employee of the Graysons who is called in to assist after a big twist, as reported by EW.

As for that twist -- we know you'll be watching with bated breath at the end of episode 15. That's when we'll revisit the Fire and Ice ball, which we first glimpsed in the initial moments of the pilot episode. Let's just say that dead body on the beach may not be who we expect it to be -- and when you find out who the killer is, you're going to need another glass of wine.

In the meantime, we're also looking forward to the first appearance of Conrad Grayson's father, Edward Grayson ("Knots Landing" star William Devane). Oddly enough, he'll come into play in the Feb. 8 episode to help Victoria in her divorce against his son.

'The Finder' hires George Stults for some brotherly love

'The Finder' hires George Stults for some brotherly love

The casting department at "The Finder" had it easy for their latest guest star. An upcoming episode of the new FOX show will introduce us to a new character -- Langston Sherman, the brother of the titular finder, Walter.

So, what do you do when you're trying to find somebody to play Geoff Stults' brother? Why, call his actual brother, of course! It must make things a lot easier that George Stults is also an actor, and in fact has played the onscreen big brother to his real-life little brother before.

George will appear as Langston in a late March episode of the series. Apparently, he'll come to town to ask Walter to find their estranged mother so their dying father can see her one last time.

This will be the second time the Stults brothers play onscreen siblings -- they starred as the Kincaid siblings Ben and Kevin for several years on "7th Heaven."

Simon Cowell: 'Got Talent will get 20m viewers back in a heartbeat'

Simon Cowell: 'Got Talent will get 20m viewers back in a heartbeat'

Simon Cowell has blamed bad contestants for ratings dips in his reality shows, claiming that record-breaking viewing numbers will return in "a heartbeat" if they can find the right talent.

Cowell will be back as a full-time judge for the 2012 series of Britain's Got Talent. Speaking to Digital Spy at the ITV1 show's launch last week, the Syco boss insisted that the British public hadn't fallen out of love with his talent series.

"You know what, I think if you get great contestants everyone comes back," he told DS. "I think it's all about talent. I mean that great year we had with Susan Boyle and Diversity, I think if you had that same lineup, you'd get that 20 million back in a heartbeat."

'Call The Midwife' renewed for second series on BBC One

'Call The Midwife' renewed for second series on BBC One

The BBC has announced that new drama Call The Midwife will return for a second series.

The show - which has only aired two episodes - stars Miranda Hart as one of a community of nursing nuns.

The first episode pulled in a total of 9.8m viewers on January 15, making it BBC One's highest launch episode of a new drama on record.

Last night's episode also drew impressive figures, with overnight figures averaging 8.6 million.

"Call The Midwife has had a huge impact with audiences," said BBC One controller Danny Cohen. "It's a very high-quality drama series from a brilliant team.

"It manages to be both hard-hitting and emotional, gritty and warm. I am already looking forward to the second series."

Ben Stephenson, controller of BBC Drama Commissioning, added: "Call The Midwife is a totally original mix of comedy, tears, babies and nuns and it is fantastic to see this distinctive piece of British drama win such high praise and ratings.

"We can't wait for the team to return next year and are very grateful to the vision of [original author] Jennifer Worth and [adaptation writer] Heidi Thomas."

Call The Midwife, which is made by Neal Street Productions, continues this Sunday at 8pm on BBC One.

'Supernatural' future uncertain, says show exec

'Supernatural' future uncertain, says show exec

Supernatural boss Sera Gamble has confirmed that the show's future is currently unclear.

The showrunner told Entertainment Weekly that it is too early to tell if the CW drama will return for an eighth season.

"We're planning for the worst and hoping for the best," she admitted.

Back in August, The CW president Mark Pedowitz revealed that he is keen to continue Supernatural beyond its current seventh season.

"It's not intended to be the last season," he said. "We'll see where the ratings go. We hope the show keeps going."

The Vampire Diaries star Sara Canning recently filmed a guest role on Supernatural.

The actress will play Lydia, a love interest for Dean (Jensen Ackles), in February 3 episode 'The Slice Girls'.

Supernatural airs on Fridays at 9/8c on The CW.

Tracy Morgan Collapses at Sundance, Rushed to Hospital

Tracy Morgan Collapses at Sundance, Rushed to Hospital

Tracy Morgan was rushed to a Park City hospital on Sunday night after collapsing outside a charity event, TheWrap has confirmed.

The “30 Rock” star, who media reports said was acting inebriated at the Creative Coalition Spotlight Awards, collapsed just after the  ceremony and was taken to Park City Medical Center.

But Morgan's publicist Lewis Kay told TheWrap: "From a combination of exhaustion and altitude, Tracy is seeking medical attention," adding, "He is with his fiance and grateful to the Park City Medical Center for their care. Any reports of Tracy consuming alcohol are 100% false."

A spokeswoman for the hospital would not release any further information about the comedian but told other outlets that no drugs or alcohol were found in his system.

Morgan was being honored for best actor and comedian.

'Mad Men' Shocker: Don and Betty, Reunited?

'Mad Men' Shocker: Don and Betty, Reunited?

Don and Betty Draper … together again?

That's the hint "Mad Men" series creator Matt Weiner is dropping about the show's upcoming fifth season, which premieres on AMC on March 25.

"It's called 'A Little Kiss,'" Weiner tells TV Guide of the two-hour season premiere. "I like the title to have some kind of synergy with the show so it will pique your interest."

And when asked if Jon Hamm's Don Draper is one half of the titular kiss, perhaps with secretary-turned-fiancée Megan (Jessica Paré), Weiner answered with a cryptic comment that could mean a surprise reunion for exes Don and Betty (January Jones).

"Who says Megan's even going to be part of Don's life?" Weiner told the magazine. "He may be back with Betty. One of my favorite scenes from (the season four finale) was when Betty offered herself to him again. And let's face it -- those two look really good together."

TV Tonight 24th of January 2012

TV Tonight 24th of January 2012

The daily list in alphabetical order, of all the new episodes airing.

    112 - på liv och död S05E05: "Del 5 av 36"
    15 Kids and Counting S01E02: "Series 1, Episode 2"
    90210 S04E14: "Mama Can You Hear Me?"
    American Experience S24E03: "Geronimo"
    Ano Natsu de Matteru S01E03: "You Will Say It..."
    Another S01E03: "Bone work"
    Arctic Air S01E03: "Hijacked"
    Bargain Hunt S31E17: "Series 31, Episode 17"
    Bleach (JP) S16E15: "Creeping Menace...Tsukishima's Ability!"
    Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures S01E16: "Epic Cheer"
    Campus PD S04E04
    Celebrity Big Brother S09E21: "Series 9, Episode 21"
    Celebrity Coach Trip S03E07: "Series 3, Day 7"
    Chopped S10E05: "Redemption Competition"
    Come Dine With Me S18E08: "Series 18, Episode 7"
    Conan S02E38
    Countdown with Keith Olbermann S10E15: "Season 10, Episode 15"
    Cowboy Builders S06E04: "Solihull"
    Dance Moms S02E03: "Brooke's Turning Point"
    Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou S01E03: "Episode 3"
    Days of our Lives S47E53: "Ep. #11763"
    Deal Or No Deal (UK) S07E141: "Episode 1821"
    Dickinson's Real Deal S08E36: "Series 8, Episode 36"
    Dirty Jobs S08E07: "Dirty Little Bits"
    Doctors S13E183: "Baby Steps"
    EastEnders S28E15: "January 24, 2012"
    Eat St. S02E12: "'Gator Time"
    Emmerdale S41E20: "January 24, 2012"
    Escape To The Country S12E16: "Suffolk"
    Extreme Couponing S03E07: "All-Stars Finale"
    Fort Boyard - Ultimate Challenge S02E07: "Season 2, Episode 7"
    General Hospital (US) S49E206: "#12480"
    Got to Dance S03E27: "Series 3, Episode 27"
    Great British Railway Journeys S03E17: "Bardon Mill to Wigton"
    Halv åtta hos mig S08E02: "Göteborg - Mårten"
    Hardcore Pawn S05E10: "Only in Detroit"
    Hidden City S01E08: "Florida Keys"
    Holby City S14E15: "Butterflies"
    Hollyoaks S18E17: "January 24, 2012"
    Home and Away (AU) S25E02: "Episode 5437"
    Homes Under the Hammer S14E176: "Series 14, Show 176"
    Hotel cæsar S28E139: "Season 28, Episode 139"
    House of Anubis S02E24: "House of Deceit"
    House of Anubis S02E23: "House of Hoods"
    Ich bin ein Star - Holt mich hier raus! S06E12: "Folge 12"
    Ink Master S01E02: "Season 1, Episode 2"
    Jane By Design S01E04: "The Finger Bowl"
    Jeopardy! S28E92: "Show #6297"
    Jimmy Kimmel Live S09E193
    Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? S02E01: "Skintervention"
    Junior Doctors – Your Life In Their Hands S02E01
    Justified S03E02: "Cut Ties"
    Let's Stay Together S02E04: "U Say He's Just a Friend"
    Level Up S01E02: "Barbarian"
    Live with Regis and Kelly S29E106
    Masterchef (UK) S16E04: "Series 16, Episode 4"
    Match of The Day S47E31: "Cardiff v Crystal Palace Live"
    Natsume Yūjin-Chō S04E04: "Episode 4"
    Nederland van boven S01E08: "Waar is het gevaar"
    Neighbours S28E12: "Episode 6322"
    NFL Films Presents S45E21: "Sounds of the Season"
    Pointless S05E101: "Series 5, Episode 101"
    Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is S05E17: "Series 5, Episode 17"
    Re-Modeled (2012) S01E02: "Modeling Agency or Modeling School?"
    River City S10E20: "Episode 764"
    Saints and Scroungers S03E17: "Series 3, Episode 17"
    Shameless S09E04: "Series 9, Episode 4"
    Shipping Wars S01E06: "Camel in Tow"
    Shipping Wars S01E05: "Pain in the Caboose"
    Southland S04E02: "Underwater"
    Storage Hunters S01E18: "Buyer Beware"
    Storage Wars S02E32: "TBA"
    Storage Wars S02E31: "TBA"
    Stromberg S05E09: "Der Rodach-Bonus"
    Switched at Birth S01E14: "Les Soeurs D'estrees"
    Tabatha Takes Over S04E03
    Taboo S08E04: "Freaky Remedies"
    Teen Mom 2 S02E09: "Season 2, Episode 9"
    The Academy Awards S84E00
    The Amazing World of Gumball S01E29: "The Wand"
    The Biggest Loser S13E04: "Season 13, Episode 4"
    The Biggest Loser (2009) S03E04: "Series 3, Episode 4"
    The Bold and the Beautiful S25E216: "Ep. #6245"
    The Chase (2009) S05E16: "Series 5, Episode 16"
    The Colbert Report S08E13: "Placido Domingo"
    The Daily Show S17E49: "Elizabeth Warren"
    The Ellen DeGeneres Show S09E85
    The Exit List S01E03: "Episode 3"
    The Game S05E03: "The Black People Episode"
    The Jeremy Kyle Show S07E92: "January 24, 2012"
    The L.A. Complex S01E03: "Who You Know"
    The Looney Tunes Show (2011) S01E24: "The Shelf"
    The Revolution (2012) S01E07: "Season 1, Episode 7"
    The Rosie Show S01E56
    The View S15E90: "Joan & Melissa Rivers, Dylan Ratigan"
    The Young and the Restless S39E213: "Ep. #9828"
    Thuis S17E107: "Season 17, Episode 107"
    Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood S06E08: "Brother and Sisters"
    UFC Tonight S01E04: "Season 1, Episode 4"
    Veckans brott S04E02: "Mordet på Osman i Fittja"
    Wanted Down Under S06E17: "Series 6, Episode 17"
    Watch What Happens: Live S06E13: "Mary J. Blige"
    Wereld draait door, De S07E98: "Season 7, Episode 98"
    White Collar S03E12: "Upper West Side Story"

Russell T Davies returns to children's TV with 'Aliens Vs Wizards'

Russell T Davies returns to children's TV with 'Aliens Vs Wizards'

Ex-Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies is returning to children's television with new adventure drama Aliens Vs Wizards.

Davies and Phil Ford (Sarah Jane Adventures, Doctor Who) have teamed up for the BBC Cymru Wales production, which will follow the story of two 16-year-old schoolboys, who are all that stands in the way of Earth's destruction at the hands of moon aliens.

Tom Clarke and his friend Benny must use science and magic to battle Nekross aliens or face being eaten by the villains.

"Writing for children is the biggest challenge of all and I think CBBC stands right at the heart of broadcasting," said Davies.

"So I'm delighted to launch this show, a true nationwide collaboration - a Salford commission from a BBC Wales team. We're joining genres too - the show's a wild, funny, thrilling and sometimes scary collision of magic and science fiction.

"Wizards have never met aliens before, and when they do, the result is spectacular! The mysterious Nekross know exactly what to do with magicians. Eat them! Let battle be joined!"

CBBC controller Damian Kavanagh commented: "This is going to be an incredible rollercoaster ride of an adventure. We believe children deserve the best and we're delighted to be working again with Russell and the talented teams at BBC Wales and FME to bring the story to life."

Davies started his career in children's television with shows such as Children's Ward and Dark Season. He went on to have award-winning success with shows such as Queer As Folk, a revived Doctor Who and Torchwood.

Aliens Vs Wizards will air in the autumn on CBBC.

Starz Casts Tom Riley as Leonardo Da Vinci

Starz Casts Tom Riley as Leonardo Da Vinci

Starz has found its Leonardo Da Vinci.

The cable network and BBC Worldwide Productions have tapped British actor Tom Riley to play the Italian Renaissance man in Starz's upcoming series "Da Vinci's Demons." Riley will play the artist and inventor "during his turbulent youth" in Florence, Italy.

The historical fantasy -- penned by "The Dark Knight Rises"' writer David S. Goyer -- will envision Leonardo as a super-talented misfit who "struggles to live within the confines of his own reality and time" and "begins to not only see the future, but invent it."

In his native England, Riley has established himself as an actor capable of switching between stage, film and television. In addition to such films as "I Want Candy," the actor has appeared in productions of "The Vertical Hour" and "The Woman Before," and stars on the ITV medical drama "Monroe."

Kiefer Sutherland Drama 'Touch' Gets Expansive Global Launch

Kiefer Sutherland Drama 'Touch' Gets Expansive Global Launch

Kiefer Sutherland is going global with his latest project -- and in a manner befitting his former terrorist-clobbering "24" character Jack Bauer, he's doing it in a hurry.

Sutherland's new Fox drama "Touch" will launch globally next month, in a collaboration that will see the series premiere nearly simultaneously in more than 100 countries worldwide.

The global launch will be preceded by an international promotional tour by Sutherland, culminating in a "global media event" in New York on March 18 -- a date that "figures prominently in 'Touch'’s pilot episode," according to Fox.

The U.S. debut of "Touch" will occur on Wed., March 19,on Fox at 9 p.m., with the international launches taking place throughou that week. (Those who can't wait until then can check a preview of "Touch" on Fox at 9 p.m. ET this Wednesday.)

The global launch is in keeping with the premise of the series, which will "follow seemingly unrelated people all over the world whose lives affect each other in ways seen and unseen."

The series, which is written and executive-produced by former "Heroes" honcho Tim Kring, stars Sutherland as widower Martin Bohm, whose emotionally challenged 11-year-old son Jake (played by "Amish Grace" actor David Mazouz) possesses " the ability to perceive the seemingly hidden patterns that connect every life on the planet."

Consumer-goods company Unilever will serve as the series' worldwide advertising partner.

Denise Welch's husband Tim Healy promises to 'sort out' Michael Madsen

Denise Welch's husband Tim Healy promises to 'sort out' Michael Madsen

Denise Welch's husband Tim Healy has threatened to "sort out" her Celebrity Big Brother co-star Michael Madsen.

Madsen and Welch have had numerous spats inside the Big Brother house and Welch has been shown in tears on the Channel 5 reality show.

Actor Healy, 54, has told the Daily Star that he won't stand for any more arguments between the Reservoir Dogs actor and his partner.

"If he keeps making her cry I shall be seeing him, know what I mean? I'm sure Denise will sort him out but if he goes too far I'll sort him out," said Healy.

Healy famously confronted Dancing on Ice judge Jason Gardiner on live TV after the ITV1 reality TV star blasted his wife's skating performance.

Welch found herself in a new Celebrity Big Brother bust-up last night, rowing with Nicola McLean and the Shannon twins after she jokingly attempted to pull Karissa Shannon's pyjama bottoms down.

Celebrity Big Brother continues every night this week on Channel 5.

Ryan Seacrest's 'Shahs of Sunset' Will Debut March 11

Ryan Seacrest's 'Shahs of Sunset' Will Debut March 11

The latest venture from the busiest man in showbiz will debut March 11.

Reality show "Shahs of Sunset" will premiere at 10 p.m. on Bravo. This marks the first pair-up between the network and Ryan Seacrest Productions, which brought the world the Kardashians' reality-TV empire.

"Shahs of Sunset" will deliver a "never-before-seen look inside the captivating lives of six young Persian-American friends in Los Angeles."

The series also promises to chronicle the group's efforts to balance their places in the Los Angeles glitterati and pressure from their families.

"These passionate socialites are fervent on the dating and party scene, but seeking approval from their families they face pressures to settle down and marry within the community," the network said in a statement. "From outings on Rodeo Drive to traditional Persian feasts at home, this series celebrates the unique lifestyle of a group of friends who have worked hard for what they have and are not afraid to flaunt it."

'Real Housewives': Even the Airport Turns Out to be a Trip

'Real Housewives': Even the Airport Turns Out to be a Trip

It was the talls vs. the smalls in the latest installment of "Real Housewives of Africa."

In one corner, we had Kandi, Phaedra, and Sheree hoping for a lovely vacation. On the other, we had the amazons NeNe and Marlo looming, plotting, and itching for a brawl.

Nene visited Marlo’s house that was outfitted with surveillance cameras so she can catch the cops before they catch her. The police will never bang on her front door again. She won’t have it. The next time they come, she’ll be standing in front of her bedroom door, a little powder on her nose, a M16 rifle in her right hand, and the willingness to fall headfirst into a fountain at the bottom her staircase, in front of a statue reading, "The World is Yours."

While at Marlo’s home, NeNe toured her designer shoe/handbag closet, declined a stolen Chanel bag that still had the sensor on it, and was served a nice meal from Marlo’s staff. During this ostentatious display, the kind the nouveau riche are prone to, Marlo agreed to accompany NeNe on the trip to Africa. At this declaration, NeNe stroked her hairless cat as she laughed maniacally about the drama about to unfold as the result of her deviousness.

Babies are beautiful bundles of joy. You give them life. They give you a potbelly and big thighs. Kim is intent on losing these little gifts, but she’s never been one to lose fat the old-fashioned way -- working out. She’s all about pretending to lose weight and inches without really exerting herself.

Given the choice between lifting tires and a tire around her mid-section, Kim chose the latter with a swath of bandages wrapped around it. After being wrapped up like a mummy for 45 minutes, she supposedly lost 10 ½ inches, but I’m sure the fat popped back in its respective places by the next day.

Kandi needed to shape up too, and chose the former. She lifted tires, dragged weights, ran and obstacle course and generally killed herself in the name of beauty. She was happy to be going to Africa in the winter so she can cover up the pounds not lost with a dashiki.

NeNe and Marlo prepared for the trip by shopping and trash talking. Marlo doesn’t really care for Kandi, but plans on being cordial. NeNe isn’t bringing her on this excursion to be cordial.

Meanwhile, Kim was dealing with Kroy going back to Atlanta Falcons training camp. They would only be away from each other for a month, but it was a melodramatic farewell with even the dog whimpering. But before he could leave Kim treated him to a sexy night “alone” with Mom laying rose petals at their feet and Dad drawing them a bath. Awww, family time.

All the loved ones left behind escorted their ladies to the airport.

Apollo wanted one last tryst in the limo before Phaedra departed. Peter didn’t seem genuinely pleased with Cynthia’s holiday from him. Mama Joyce wanted Kandi to have a good time and gave her a packed lunch with a “Mommy loves you” note.

Sheree arrived by herself and NeNe’s no show had everyone wondering if she bailed at the last minute.

But wait! NeNe appeared toting a criminal.

Criminal, the latest in resort bags from Prada, or just Marlo.The ladies were shocked to see Marlo, but Phaedra was also offended. As the organizer of the expedition to the motherland, why wasn’t she told?

Forced pleasantries were exchanged as the skycaps milled in the background. The talls dressed to kill, the smalls dressed to chill, and the three-part journey is set to start next week.

Looks like Marlo finally lets the crazy out on this jaunt. And the ladies better watch out just in case there is no extradition treaty between wherever-they-are-going Africa and Atlanta.

'Britain's Got Talent': David Walliams deemed 'too rude' for show

'Britain's Got Talent': David Walliams deemed 'too rude' for show

Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams has reportedly concerned bosses with his risque behaviour at auditions.

The Little Britain star is believed to have directed comments peppered with sexual references to contestants and his fellow panelists at the Manchester try-outs this week.

"A lot of Walliams's comments need editing out. It certainly can't go on for the rest of filming," a source told The Sun. "If we don't get clean comments, that act won't get a big showing.

"It's a learning curve. He was very funny but we need him to be more family-friendly. But we're still confident we made the right choice. Simon Cowell loves the banter and thinks the new panel has great chemistry."

Another insider told The Mirror that bosses are expected to "have a word" with Walliams before the next set of auditions.

Other reports this weekend suggested that the comedian "stole the show" from Cowell with his quick wit.

"Simon picked David because he likes his sense of humour and knew he'd be a success," an audition onlooker claimed. "But in doing so he may just have put himself in the shade - and that's somewhere he doesn't enjoy being."

Alec Baldwin Tapped as Ambassador -- Yes, Ambassador -- of SAG Foundation

Alec Baldwin Tapped as Ambassador -- Yes, Ambassador -- of SAG Foundation

Alec Baldwin hasn't exactly come across as the most diplomatic personality in show biz lately, but the Screen Actors Guild is hoping that he can do his part to spread some good will for the organization.

The famously cantankerous "30 Rock" star has been tapped as the newest ambassador for the SAG Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the guild. In his new position, Baldwin will be tasked with promoting the Foundation's charitable programs to the acting community, as well as to seek donations from the general public.

To that end, a public service announcement featuring Baldwin will premiere at the Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony on Sunday.

“It is personally important to me that SAG members support the SAG Foundation," said Baldwin, whose series, "30 Rock," is nominated for two SAG Awards this year. "Through my involvement, I hope to bring greater recognition to its philanthropic and educational efforts.”

The 53-year-old Baldwin, of course, has generated at least as many headlines with his personal life as he has with his acting career lately. In early December, the actor was removed from an American Airlines flight at Los Angeles International Airport after ignoring requests from flight personnel to turn off his phone as it sat at the gate. Baldwin, who according to crew on the flight then became belligerent, slamming the door of the airplane lavatory with such force that the pilot was forced to investigate.

Baldwin then went on to pen a sarcastic "apology" to American Airlines that managed to insult the entire airline industry. Shortly thereafter, Baldwin -- in the guise of the flight's pilot -- appeared on "Saturday Night Live" to apologize to himself.

NBC Picks Up Roseanne Barr Comedy, Two Other Pilots

NBC Picks Up Roseanne Barr Comedy, Two Other Pilots

NBC moved to bolster its comedy lineup Monday, picking up three humor-oriented projects including the the new project from Roseanne Barr, an individual familiar with the pickups confirms to TheWrap.

"Downwardly Mobile," which sees Barr coming back to the small screen after the cancellation of her Lifetime reality show "Roseanne's Nuts," is a multi-camera comedy that stars Barr as the operator of a mobile-home park who acts as a surrogate mother to the financially-strapped tenants of the park. Eric Gilliland, from Barr's previous blue-collar sitcom "Roseanne," will write and executive-produce, as will Barr. (The comedienne's companion, John Argent, is all on board to executive-produce. Twentieth Century Fox Television is producing.

"Go On," meanwhile, is a single-camera comedy from former "Friends" executive producer Scott Silveri, who'll write and executive-produce the project. The pilot, which follows a sportscaster who's attempting to get over a loss and finds unexpected comfort from the other members of his group-therapy sessions. Universal Television is producing.

The third comedy, "Animal Kingdom," comes from "The Hangover Part II" writer Scot Armstrong, among others, and follows "a 'House'-like veterinarian, who loves animals but usually hates their owners." Armstrong is executive-producing, along with Ravi Nandan. Brian Gatewood and Alex Tanaka (both of "The Sitter") will write as well as executive-produce.

Ben Stiller Signs for HBO Comedy Pilot; Alan Alda in Talks to Co-Star

Ben Stiller Signs for HBO Comedy Pilot; Alan Alda in Talks to Co-Star

Ben Stiller has signed on for the HBO pilot "All Talk," and "M*A*S*H" star Alan Alda is in talks to co-star with him, an individual familiar with the project confirms to TheWrap.

The pilot, written by "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" author Jonathan Safran Foer, will focus on a Jewish family living in Washington, D.C. The tone is described as "politically, religiously, culturally, intellectually and sexually irreverent."

In addition to starring in the pilot, Stiller is on board to direct and executive-produce. "The Dictator" producer Scott Rudin will also executive-produce, along with Foer and Eli Bush.

Stiller has also been tapped to star in the comedy "Rentaghost," based on a BBC children's series. The big-screen comedy, about a ghost who was a loser in life and tries to find simpatico souls, is being made by Fox.

Battle Over Golden Globes TV Rights Heads to Court

Battle Over Golden Globes TV Rights Heads to Court

The Golden Globes are heading to the Hall of Justice.

Dick Clark Productions (DCP) and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) go head-to-head Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles over who controls the television broadcast of the Golden Globes.

Dick Clark Productions has produced the broadcast for nearly 30 years, while HFPA is the non-profit organization that originated the entertainment awards.

Their heated conflict kicked off nearly a year ago, when HFPA, slapped DCP and its parent company Red Zone Capital with a lawsuit claiming its longtime producer “surreptitiously” renegotiated its television contract with NBC without its consent.

"DCP acts as though it has unilateral right to license the broadcast rights for the Golden Globe Awards on whatever terms it pleases, without HFPA's knowledge or authorization," the HFPA suit said.

For its part, DCP contends that its agreement with HFPA allows it to negotiate the TV rights. Further, the company says that under an "extensions clause," its contract to produce the show renews every time NBC extends its licensing pact.

HFPA counters that the clause is being grossly misinterpreted and does not give the production company the rights to produce the show in perpetuity.

The trial is expected to last from two to four weeks, according to individuals with knowledge of the litigation.

Daniel Petrocelli, an attorney for HFPA, declined to comment. Ronald Olson, an attorney for DCP, did not respond to requests for comment.

DCP Chief Executive Officer Mark Shapiro and former President of NBC's West Coast Business Operations Marc Graboff are among the people who will testify this week, according to an individual with knowledge of the litigation.

HFPA Chairman Philip Berk and CBS chief Leslie Moonves are also expected to testify during the trial.

Though HFPA will argue it is invalid, the contract in question was signed in October 2010 and extends the Globes' broadcasting rights by seven years. In it, NBC agrees to pay an average of $21.5 million a year for the rights, up from the $11 million it had previously shelled out. That fee would be split evenly between DCP and HFPA.

Seen by roughly 17 million viewers, the Golden Globes represents 15 percent of DCP’s business and brings in millions of dollars every year for the HFPA, which it uses to fund most of its activities -- so the stakes for both sides are high.

HFPA is expected to argue that it could have received a bigger licensing fee from another network had the bidding for rights been competitive.

The "extensions clause," which forms the spine of DCP's case, was included in a 1993 amendment to the production company's agreement with the awards organization. DCP claims the clause was agreed to after the production company hammered out a deal with NBC that would bring the show from the cable news network TBS to broadcast television, substantially increasing its exposure.

DCP maintains it gives them the right to renegotiate a contract with NBC without the HFPA's consent, but attorneys for the awards group maintain that the "extensions clause" was never intended to be indefinite. To bolster that claim, they plan to refer to the transcript of a Sept. 22, 1993 presentation by Dick Clark and his top executives to HFPA's membership that outlined the show' original contract with NBC.

In the transcript, former DCP executive Fran La Maina tells members that a deal with NBC would last between three to 10 years.

DCP's lawyers plan to counter that La Maina was merely discussing how long the original pact with NBC might last. He was not, they argue, discussing what extensions on DCP's deal would be activated if the production company signed new deals with the network. 

La Maina also will be called as a witness during the first week of the trial.

The latest pact with NBC was signed in October 2010. After it was finalized, Shapiro sent Berk a note informing him that NBC had renewed its broadcasting license, which he said automatically extended DCP’s production deal.

Berk’s response to the news was a breach of contract suit.

Over 30 years ago, HFPA turned to DCP to help reburnish its image in the wake of allegations that Pia Zadora’s husband had bought his wife an award by giving the group’s members gifts.

Next week, when the two sides meet, they do so in the shadow of a show that remains controversial within the movie industry for its off-beat awards choices, but has nonetheless grown to become one of the most watched television events of any year.