James Murdoch Out As News International Chief

NY, NY February 29, 2012 News Corporation today announced that, following hisrelocation to the Companys headquarters in NY, James Murdoch, Deputy ChiefOperating Officer, has relinquished his position as Executive Chairman of NewsInternational, its UK publishing unit. Tom Mockridge, Chief Executive Officer of News International, will continue in his post and will report to News Corporation President andCOO Chase Carey. We are all grateful for James’ leadership at News International and across Europe and Asia,where he has made lasting contributions to the group’s strategy in paid digital content and itsefforts to improve and enhance governance programs, said Rupert Murdoch, Chairman andChief Executive Officer, News Corporation. He has demonstrated leadership and continuesto create great value at Star TV, Sky Deutschland, Sky Italia, and BSkyB. Now that he hasmoved to NY, James will continue to assume a variety of essential corporateleadership mandates, with particular focus on important pay-TV businesses and broaderinternational operations. I deeply appreciate the dedication of my many talented colleagues at News Internationalwho work tirelessly to inform the public and am confident about the tremendous momentumwe have achieved under the leadership of my father and Tom Mockridge, said JamesMurdoch. “With the successful launch of The Sun on Sunday and new business practices inplace across all titles, News International is now in a strong position to build on its successesin the future. As Deputy Chief Operating Officer, I look forward to expanding my commitmentto News Corporations international television businesses and other key initiatives across theCompany.

The Artist rules 2012 Academy awards

The Artist loved a triumphant evening in the 2012 Oscars, gathering five statuettes including Best Picture, Best Director and finest Actor, in addition to Best Costume Design and finest Score.The film tied with Martin Scorsese's Hugo, that also won five honours, although within the less glamorous technical groups.Elsewhere, Meryl Streep netted her third Oscar on her performance within the Iron Lady, beating as well as-expected Viola Davis towards the award. The Assistance didn't go completely unrecognised, however, with Octavia Spencer winning Best Supporting Actress.Best Supporting Actor went based on anticipation, with Christopher Plummer lifting the award for his submit Beginners. A little more surprising was Woodsy Allen's Best Original Script gong for Night time In Paris, although Best Modified Script visited Alexander Payne's The Descendants.Very little when it comes to upsets then, but a fascinating evening nevertheless. You are able to have a look in the full listing of those who win below, you should also inform us in which you think the Academy went wrong...&bull Best Picture: The Artist&bull Best Director: Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist&bull Best Actor: Jean Dujardin - The Artist&bull Best Actress: Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady&bull Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer - Beginners&bull Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer - The Assistance&bull Best Writing - Original Script: Night time in Paris - Woodsy Allen&bull Best Writing - Modified Script: The Descendants - Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, and Jim Rash&bull Best Animated Feature: Rango&bull Best Language Film: A Separation&bull Best Documentary - Feature: Undefeated&bull Best Documentary - Short Subject: Saving Face&bull Best Live Action Video Clip: The Shoreline&bull Best Animated Video Clip: The Great Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore&bull Best Original Score: The Artist - Ludovic Bource&bull Best Original Song: The Muppets - Guy or Muppet by Bret McKenzie&bull Best Seem Editing: Hugo - Philip Stockton and Eugene Gearty&bull Best Seem Mixing: Hugo - Tom Fleischman and John Midgley&bull Best Art Direction: Hugo - Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schiavo&bull Best Cinematography: Hugo - Robert Richardson&bull Best Makeup: The Iron Lady - Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland&bull Best Costume Design: The Artist&bull Best Film Editing: The Lady using the Dragon Tattoo - Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter&bull Best Visual Effects: Hugo - Take advantage of Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossmann and Alex Henning

Rankings: Large Bang Beats Idol Overall the very first time

Viola Davis, Jean Dujardin Fun fact: No movie about movie-making has won Best Picture in the Academy awards. Will The Artist break that tradition in the 84th Oscars? We'll have to hang about until Sunday (8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT, ABC) to discover, but meanwhile, let us have forecasts. Browse the nominees here, print your ballot, build your picks and do a comparison to ours below.Hugo, The Artist lead Oscar nominationsPictureWho will win: The ArtistDone deal. After sweeping nearly every major precursor, the black-and-whitened valentine towards the quiet film era is poised being the very first quiet film to win Best Picture since Wings triumphed in the first Oscars in 1929. Stylish, warm along with a feel-good delight, it's performed so masterfully that you simply forget there's no dialogue. Plus, it's the very best ace in the hole of: Uggie.Be careful for: The DescendantsAlexander Payne's tale of human imperfection, which required home the Golden Globe for the best Picture around the drama side, acquired some last-minute steam with a few industry trophies over the past weekend, such as the Authors Guild Award. But it is most likely not enough past too far.Are you aware? The Artist, that has 10 nominations (Hugo leads with 11), will be the first entirely black-and-whitened film to win Best Picture since 1960's The Apartment. Schindler's List, which won 18 years back, wasn't completely in black and whitened.DirectorWho will win: Michel Hazanavicius, The ArtistHe's the only real first-time nominee within the group, however the Frenchman, who's also nominated for the best Original Script and finest Editing, must cruise for an easy victory here. No matter if the Artist is to your liking, you cannot deny it's a massive gamble that could've appear like a disingenuous gimmick. Hazanavicius pays homage to Hollywood's past whilst imbuing the film together with his own artistic vision. He's stated virtually every large precursor to date, such as the most dependable predictor, the Company directors Guild Award, that has mismatched using the Academy awards only six occasions since its beginning in 1949.Be careful for: Martin Scorsese, HugoOne of Hazavanicius' couple of deficits came as a result of Scorsese in the Globes, which is not that huge of the shock because the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is large around the star factor. Had Scorsese, nominated for their own love letter to movie-making, not finally won his first Oscar 5 years ago for that Departed, he may stand at an improved chance to have an upset. Are you aware? In Oscars' 83-year history, there is a Best Picture and finest Director split 21 occasions, most lately six years back when Crash won the very best prize, while Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain) stated the second.Oscar Surprises and Snubs: Gary Oldman will get his due, but Leo sits that one outActorWho will win: Jean Dujardin, The ArtistFor some time, this appeared to become a race between best buds George Clooney (The Descendants) and Kaira Pitt (Moneyball) until Dujardin moved into pole position together with his mild Screen Stars Guild Award upset. (The SAGs are chosen by stars, who represent the biggest voting bloc within the academy.) Dujardin, who also snagged the comedy Globe and also the BAFTA, is peaking in the proper time, charming the pants off everybody together with his talk show looks and Funny or Die video, and you will result in the argument that his role is easily the most difficult. Without any dialogue, he carries The Artist and intrigues as George Valentin, making the 20's star a completely recognized character with exclusively his facial expressions and the body movement that put scenery-eating performances to shame.Be careful for: George Clooney, The DescendantsThe academy loves Clooney - nominating him, a minimum of. He obtained two nods this season (he's also up in Best Modified Script for that Ides of March) for a maximum of seven in six years, with one win (Best Supporting Actor for 2005's Syriana). His subtle, nuanced performance is worth another statuette, but this narrative sounds just a little familiar. 2 yrs ago, Clooney appeared primed to win for Up in mid-air at the start of the growing season, but he was eventually overtaken by someone with increased momentum: an past due Shaun Bridges. But in the rate he's accumulating these nominations, another win can not be that remote, right? Are you aware? Jane Wyman was the very first person to win an Oscar for any quiet performance within the seem era for 1948's Johnny Belinda.ActressWho will win: Viola Davis, The HelpDavis' poignant, supportive turn like a put-upon maid tugs at the heart lengthy following the credits roll. Performance aside, should you saw the overwhelming crowd - also known as her peers - response to her SAG victory recently, you are able to clearly observe that all of them want this on her. Even Meryl Streep wants it on her, espousing plaudits on her behalf Doubt co-star and friend nearly every chance she will get. Davis, who had been nominated within the supporting category for 2008's Doubt, is really a respected, longtime character actress who's getting her day under the sun. With a movie about racial inequality, there'd be history associated with a Davis win: Just the second black actress to get multiple Oscar nominations (Whoopi Goldberg to be the other), she'd be also just the second to win Best Actress - ten years after Halle Berry grew to become the very first. Be careful for: Meryl Streep, The Iron LadyThe 17-time nominee and 2-time champion continues to be seeking her third trophy, which is her best chance to increase her collection in nearly ten years. Streep's technically proficient transformation into Margaret Thatcher - spanning decades - may be the stuff which Academy awards are created and stands for the idea that there's nothing she can't do. She's already acquired the world and (predictably) the BAFTA, with producer/honours shark Harvey Weinstein in her own corner this season, her campaign has ratcheted up too.Are you aware? If Streep wins, her 29-year drought between victories will be the third longest, behind Helen Hayes (39 years) and Katharine Hepburn (34 years). Think back finally year's Oscar fashion hits and missesSupporting ActorWho will win: Christopher Plummer, BeginnersHeartbreakingly funny, sad and moving, Plummer provides a career-best performance like a late-blooming gay guy. His title continues to be engraved around the trophy for several weeks, along with a win would also recognize Plummer's six-decade film career, that was overlooked through the Academy awards until his first nomination 2 yrs ago during the last Station. At 82, Plummer will be the earliest acting Oscar champion ever, dethroning Jessica Tandy, who had been 80 when she struck gold for Driving Miss Daisy. Be careful for: Max Von Sydow, Very Noisy & Incredibly CloseVon Sydow, who had been formerly nominated 23 years back for Pelle the Conqueror, continues to be untested against Plummer around the bigger honours stages, but he shouldn't be undervalued. Equipped with a stirring, first-class mute performance, Von Sydow also offers the advantage of finding yourself in a Best Picture-nominated film. Both his and also the film's nods were somewhat surprising, which indicate strong support inside the academy. Von Sydow can also be 82 (he's eight several weeks over the age of Plummer), so he'd end up being the earliest acting champion too.Are you aware? Plummer and Von Sydow would be the earliest nominees around the male side, however they still trail the earliest artist ever to become nominated, Titanic's Gloria Stuart, who had been 87.Supporting ActressWho will win: Octavia Spencer, The HelpSpencer has centered all honours season and it has proven no signs and symptoms of vulnerability. Her feisty Minny has you grabbing the Kleenex and doubling over and done with laughter, which is a classic breakthrough performance for that 41-year-old, whose lengthy, hard-working years within the biz have gained her lots of goodwill and admiration - not to mention pals. (Remember her date towards the SAGs?)Be careful for: Berenice Bejo, The ArtistIf voters are actually gaga for that Artist, Bejo - and her radiant and peppy overnight sensation Peppy - could ride the momentum to some win. Helping her cause: Bejo, who's married to Hazanavicius, is perhaps an online insurance lead within the film, and additional screen time isn't a poor factor.Are you aware? If Davis and Spencer win, it might be the very first time in 13 years that certain film has won both actress honours. The sweep has happened 10 occasions: Jezebel, Gone using the Wind, Mrs. Miniver, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Miracle Worker, Who's Scared of Virginia Woolf?, Network, Moonstruck, The Piano and Shakespeare for each other.Who do you consider will win?

The CW Renews America's Next Top Model for Cycle 19: Co-Erection dysfunction Edition!

Richard's stood a rough year on Grey's Anatomy already getting taken the fall for Meredith and walked lower as Chief of Dallas Sophistication. Now Adele's illness may pull him within the hospital altogether. "Adele's Alzheimer's is progressively getting worse," James Pickens Junior. notifies TVGuide.com. "It's apparent because the Alzheimer's is making her a hazard to... Discover More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Darlene AllenKate BurtonLoretta DevineJames Pickens Junior.Grey's AnatomyEllen Pompeo

'Star Wars' Special: Six Underrated 'Phantom Menace' Figures

by Ryan Rigley You will find a lot of good reasons to see "The Exorcist: Episode I" in three dimensional a few days ago. First of all being the range of memorable figures the movie introduces. Sure, Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul are awesome. But what from the film's unsung heroes? I am speaking about figures which have maybe ten or fifteen minutes of screen time in the absolute most. "Phantom Menace" does a fantastic job of acquainting us with several interesting figures that people rarely when see or listen to again most of the subsequent prequel movies. Here are the more memorable ones. » Boss Nass: This Ankura Gungan is leader from the Gungan High Council. He's also body fat, eco-friendly, and adorable. Boss Nass's catchphrase is really a "HURBLBLBLBLBLBLBLBLBLA" seem he produces by trembling his jowels as quickly as he is able to, getting saliva all around the process. Type of just like a sneezing puppy. Type of. » Sebulba: Most widely known very little Annie Skywalker's arch-enemy, Sebulba may be the Dick Dastardly of podracing. What i mean is, he'll visit absolutely nothing to win. He's wiped out and hurt a lot of fellow podracers through the years together with his reckless driving and flat-out cheating. Also, he uses his hands and eats space frogs together with his ft. » Ben Quadinaros: Many people wouldn't even recognize this person by title. But his huge, gemstone-formed face and paper-thin braches are difficult to forget. Quadinaros did not possess a single line within the movie, but he did possess a major energy coupling malfunction in a crucial time throughout the Boonta Eve Classic podrace. Now he'll forever be appreciated as "that guy whose engines skyrocketed." » Roos Tarpals: Captain from the Security Forces of Otoh Gunga, this Gungan military leader shown his expert level military prowess throughout the Fight of Grassy Flatlands. Under Tarpals' leadership, the Gungans could defeat 100s of fight droids without a penny but a couple of giant water bubbles. Younger crowd includes a sweet mustache. » Watto: Probably the only living being to be uneffected through the Jedi Mind Trick, Watto likes you one factor and something factor alone: money. This junk-dealing Toydarian is rude, cheap along with a slaveowner. And most importantly off, he appears like the romance child of Luis Guzman along with a flying elephant. » Captain Panaka: It's really no easy task protecting the Full of Naboo from waves of fight droids sent through the Trade Federation. But Panaka handles to complete the unthinkable, remaining very calm and collected the whole time. Captain Panaka is really a indigenous to Naboo and mind from the Royal Naboo Security Forces. Whether it were not for him, Padme surely could have been wiped out and Luke and Leia would not happen to be born! » Not Jar Jar Binks: Seriously, he's the worst. "Phantom Menace" talked about now in Talk Nerdy! Who're your preferred "Phantom Menace" supporting figures? Inform us within the comments or hit us on Twitter!

Cheers & Jeers: Curtin Increases on Memorable

Jane Curtin Cheers to Jane Curtin for showing she's still Memorable. Want more Cheers & Jeers? Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now! The onetime Not prepared for Primetime Player - who's already got two hit sitcoms under her belt (CBS' Kate & Allie and NBC's 3rd Rock In the Sun) - brings a significantly-needed spontaneity towards the Eye network's rookie procedural. Star Poppy Montgomery can use a powerful female foil, and Curtin is what the physician purchased as Joanne Webster, a mouthy medical examiner who's been exiled to Queens. In her own first situation, Dr. Webster assisted Montgomery's Barbara Wells make an effort to capture a murderer whose crimes hit a little too near to home. Having a examined veteran like Curtin aboard, odds are Memorable will not slip CBS' mind come renewal time. Exactly what do you think about Jane Curtin on Memorable? Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!

Global 'Boss' involves TLC, OWN

TLC and OWN are becoming global types of "Undercover Boss" for his or her particular nets. The reality skein which has been successful for CBS will probably be moving for the cable side just like a spinoff series titled "Undercover Boss: Abroad," using footage within the U.K. and Australia. Canadian obligations in the show can also be incorporated afterwards in the year. Skein is positioned to premiere on TLC Feb. 13 since the internet will air back-to-back episodes for fourteen days at 9 p.m. Mondays. Show will launch on OWN March 13. Among the companies being featured are Domino's Pizza, Best Western Hotels and Isuzu. Premise in the show is always that top-ranking professionals from selected companies match the functional class and understand the required steps to complete the job. The first Eye version of "Undercover Boss" presently airs on OWN becoming an periodic special or just like a marathon. At TLC, "Boss" began just like a regularly scheduled series last fall and both Discovery-possessed cablers will air it again this fall. Show is produced by Studio Lambert and professional produced by Stephen Lambert and Eli Holzman. TLC has furthermore introduced they are moving forward with "Southie Pride," from "Jersey Shoreline" producer SallyAnn Salsano. Series will think about the provincial figures who live in the South Boston neighbhorhood that was referred to inside the Film Clip film "Gone Baby Gone." Casting is presently on-going. Cabler has bought eight episodes. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

AFTRA fund trustees say merger difficult

Trustees of the AFTRA Health & Retirement Funds have entered into the debate over merging the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists. The trustees, in a statement issued Thursday, have poured cold water on a recently announced "feasibility review" about merging the AFTRA plan with the SAG pension and health plans. SAG and AFTRA had disclosed the feasibility review -- a collection of attorneys' opinions that there's no legal impediment to merging the independently operated plans -- as part of this week's unveiling of the details of a proposed SAG and AFTRA merger. Merger backers are contending that combining SAG and AFTRA will make it easier to combine the plans as a first step toward resolving the problem that performers face in making contributions to the separate plans and then not meeting the earnings qualifications. But AFTRA plan trustees said they have nothing to do with the feasibility review -- while acknowledging that the review's legal opinions included one from co-counsel to the AFTRA Health & Retirement Funds, Jani Rachelson. "The board of trustees of the AFTRA Health & Retirement Funds wishes to make it absolutely clear that the opinions expressed in this 'Feasibility Review' in no way represent the opinion of AFTRA H&R's board of trustees," the trustees said. "The board of trustees did not request or authorize this opinion of Fund co-counsel and had no prior knowledge of this letter before reading the posting on the websites." The AFTRA plan trustees also warned that combining the SAG and AFTRA plans would be a major challenge. "Although there is no doubt that plan mergers are legally permissible in appropriate circumstances, the merger of pension and health funds as large and divergent as the AFTRA and SAG plans raises complex and unique financial, legal and benefit issues which can only be addressed through a comprehensive analysis performed by the funds," the AFTRA trustees said. "No position has been, or will be, taken by the AFTRA Health & Retirement Funds Trustees or its co-counsel until such time as a comprehensive feasibility study is performed." SAG and AFTRA will mail out ballots Feb. 27 to 120,000 SAG members and 70,000 AFTRA members, with a tabulation date of March 30. To be approved, the merger must receive at least 60% of the votes from each union. The unions' summary of the "feasibility study" noted that several hundred multiemployer pensions have merged over the last 25 years, and there is no legal obstacle to merging the SAG and AFTRA pension and health plans. It also said multiemployer plan mergers do not pose any increased risk of loss of benefits. The summary also said, "Mergers are common and beneficial because they strengthen the financial base of the surviving plan, reduce administrative expenses and permit employees to concentrate their covered work under one benefit structure." The debate over whether SAG's and AFTRA's pension and health plans should be merged became a major issue in 2003. In that contest, 58% of SAG voters backed the proposal -- less than 2,000 votes short of meeting the 60% requirement. In that contest, the SAG management trustees on a merger study committee said they could not support merger. "While we take no position on the internal union issue of consolidating memberships, we do serve as fiduciaries of the SAG-Producer Pension and Health Plans and, as such, have a legal responsibility to SAG plans participants," the management trustees said in 2003. "These legal responsibilities, which are borne equally by both Producer and Union Trustees, prevent us from supporting a merger of the SAG and AFTRA plans if the merger is not in the best interests of SAG participants." At the time, SAG president Melissa Gilbert and AFTRA president John Connolly attacked the trustees as meddling in union politics and declared, "We know we can't rely on employers to look out for our best interests." The management trustees denied the accusations that their comments were motivated by a desire to derail the proposed SAG-AFTRA consolidation. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Auditions Introduced for Shakespeare around the block Productions

Casting company directors Jordan Thaler and Heidi Griffiths are holding auditions for that approaching 50th anniversary from the Public Theater's Shakespeare around the block series. This year's productions in the Delacorte Theater in Central Park are "As You Desire It" and "In to the Forest." Equity principal auditions for shows is going to be locked in Feb.Shakespeare's "As You Desire It" is going to be directed by Daniel Sullivan, with performances scheduled for June. Lily Rabe, who formerly worked with with Sullivan on her Tony-nominated role in "The Merchant of Venice" around the block as well as on Broadway this year, will star as Rosalind. Other roles can be found. Equity principal auditions is going to be held Monday, Feb 13 in NY City.Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel will direct "In to the Forest," that will premiere in This summer. This version of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Broadway musical is dependant on the directors' Olivier Award-winning Regent's Park Outside Theatre London production from 2010. All roles within the show can be found, including some familiar figures for example Cinderella, Little Red-colored Riding Hood, Rapunzel, the Witch, yet others. Equity principal auditions is going to be held Thursday, Feb 2 in NY City."I am delighted that people are adding Stephen Sondheim towards the Delacorte's roster," Oskar Eustis, artistic director from the Public Theater, stated inside a statement. "Our finest artist of musical theater will sit very easily alongside Shakespeare. Sondheim around the block includes a good ring into it.InchEach shows is going to be carried out free of charge this summer time in Central Park. These auditions are mainly for Actors' Equity people, however the casting company directors could also see nonunion stars, if time permits. To learn more about these projects and audition particulars, see the full casting notices on BackStage.com. (Subscription needed.)Thaler and Griffiths have worked with in the Public Theater/NY Shakespeare Festival for pretty much 2 decades, casting a lot more than 200 productions Off-Broadway and also at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Broadway credits include "Chinglish," "The Tempest," "The Wild Party," "Take Me Out," "Caroline, or Change," "Passing Strange," "Hair," "The Merchant of Venice," and "The Motherf**ker using the Hat."

Anna Faris signs with CAA

Anna Faris has signed with CAA. "The House Bunny" actress had last year including "What's Your Number" and "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Shipwrecked." Best known for her work in the "Scary Movie" franchise, Faris recently landed the female lead in Paramount's "The Dictator" and has several pics in development including "TMI" at Universal. Faris was most recently repped by Gersh. She continues to be repped by Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

How Did 30 Rocks Alec Baldwin Drop 30 Pounds In Four Months?

First Published: January 21, 2012 2:58 PM EST Credit: WireImage LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Alec Baldwin attends the 2011 National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in NYC on January 10, 2012 Alec Baldwin has appeared noticeably trimmer during appearances of late and the 30 Rock star says the key to dropping the excess pounds is a bit bittersweet. I gave up sugar. I lost 30 pounds in four months, he told Access Hollywood correspondent Jill Martin during an interview in NY City on Friday. Its amazing. In addition to cutting out sweets, Alec who is currently dating yoga instructor Hilaria Thomas infused his daily routine with a variety of exercises. Pilates, spin, not as much yoga as Id like, the 53-year-old told Jill of his fitness methods. When were shooting [30 Rock] its tough When were shooting and I cant work out, I just have to eat less. So, Im very conscious of that. But sugar was the real killer for me that was the problem, he added. As for 30 Rock, despite persistent rumors claiming Alec may soon hang up Jack Donaghys designer suits for good, the actor said he fully plans to return for yet another season of the NBC hit. I think were going to do some kind of season next year theyre not sure whether were going to do a full season or maybe a piece of a season, [but] theres going to be something next year, I believe, he told Jill. See Alec in action alongside Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan and Jane Krakowski on 30 Rock, airing Thursdays at 8 PM on NBC. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Biz: Person of great interest Lara Logan

Lara Logan Request CBS News chief foreign matters correspondent Lara Logan how she's doing and her one-word response is "Busy." She's finishing an account of Aerosmith for an hour. She's focusing on a tale about drug-money washing in Colombia and also the Off-shore Rim. She's an approaching piece on the Botswana couple residing in the African Rose bush during the last 3 decades. She has been to Afghanistan. Go ahead and take list as an expression that they has cured in the brutal sexual assault with a mob after nov the Mubarak regime in Egypt last Feb. Logan, who thinks the attack was started by secret police set on discrediting the revolution, thought she would die in Tahrir Square that evening. However the outpouring of support she received upon her go back home compelled her to return to work under three several weeks later. "I've very large duties to meet,Inch she states. "That could seem as an odd factor, however when you are sitting in your own home after something similar to Egypt and everybody's supporting you - it had been this type of large a part of putting me together again. I did not expect such kindness and generosity from a lot of people. That not to mention the romance of family and buddies." Logan is particularly grateful to CBS News chairman Shaun Fager, who supported her decision to instantly go public by what happened. "The critical factor is the fact that Shaun and CBS stated inside a statement which i was strongly sexually attacked," she states. "When they just stated I had been assaulted, it might have hidden the reality and managed to get my dirty secret to hold in shame." The storyline reveal the problem of sexual violence and harassment of journalists all over the world. It grew to become an underlying cause for that Committee to Safeguard Journalists. Quite a few the 1000's of letters Logan has gotten originated from sufferers outdoors of her profession. "One lady stated in my experience that they was raped two decades ago and she or he never told anybody," Logan states. "And after my story arrived on the scene, she informed her mother first after which her husband." On Feb 8, Logan will join Charlie Rose as cohost of Individual to individual, a revival of the classic CBS News program that profiled newsmakers within their houses. Like a globe-trotting correspondent, Logan has frequently forecasted an action-hero image on the watch's screen. After her harrowing experience, she thinks interview subjects will see her like a more understanding figure. "They've seen me lower during my cheapest moment, and they're going to get their own feeling of the way i worked with this,Inch she states. "Hopefully that provides people a much better feeling of who they are seated with. Because I believe you are always much more comfortable whenever you feel you realize someone. Hopefully helps. I truly want this [show] to not be superficial, because I personally don't like superficial. I truly do hate it." Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!

Skechers Replaces Kim Kardashian With a Dog for Super Bowl Commercial

French bulldog in new Skechers ad; Kim Kardashian Kim Kardashian's reign as the face of Skechers has come to an end - and she's being replaced by a dog.The 30-year-old reality TV star was featured in a sexy ad for the sneaker manufacturer during last year's Super Bowl (you can check out the spot here), but now the company has decided to go another way.Check out photos of Kim KardashianThis year, a French bulldog will be wearing a pair (actually, two pairs) of Skechers' new running shoes while racing against a pack of greyhounds, USA Today reports."Kim got us more attention than we ever dreamed. We have to establish Skechers as more than a lifestyle company," Skechers Fitness President Leonard Armato says.The company says the decision was by no means a snub - and has nothing to do with her infamously short-lived marriage to Kris Humphries. Armato said Kardashian helped the company raise its profile considerably, quadrupling the number of its Facebook from 100,000 to 400,000

Ashton Kutcher, Jimmy Fallon To Present at Golden Globes

Jimmy Fallon, Ashton Kutcher Ashton Kutcher, Jimmy Fallon and Michelle Pfeiffer and are among a second set of presenters announced Wednesday by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for the upcoming Golden Globe Awards.The organization additionally revealed that Robert Downey Jr., Jessica Biel and Mile Kunis will also present at the ceremony.Homeland, New Girl and new shows lead Golden Globe NominationsPreviously announced presenters include Jake Gyllenhaal, Nicole Kidman and Natalie Portman.The 69th Golden Globes ceremony, hosted by Ricky Gervais,will air live Sunday at 8/7c on NBC.

Cougar Town Co-Creator Talks Grass Roots Campaign & Raising Awareness For Season 3

First Published: January 10, 2012 9:56 AM EST Credit: ABC Caption Bill Lawrence with Christa Miller and Courteney Cox on the set of Cougar TownLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The cast and creators of Cougar Town want the world to know their show is still alive and coming back for Season 3 on ABC, even if they dont have an airdate or time slot just yet. Continuing their self-financed publicity campaign, the shows creators Bill Lawrence and Kevin Biegel and cast members, including Courteney Cox, Busy Philipps and Christa Miller, took over a hotel bar in Pasadena, Calif. on Monday night, as they met with journalists in town for the Television Critics Association Press Tour to promote the comedy. To find out what spoilers Courteney and Christa shared about the show, CLICK HERE. Were just doing it because, part of the fun its not philanthropic, because you guys know as well as I do that news stories generate out of Courteney over there talking about whatever the hell Courteney talks about, co-creator Bill said in response to a question from AccessHollywood.com at the event. A small cult show this is how you hopefully raise awareness that youre gonna be back on. With 12 episodes of Season 3 already in the can (out of 15), Cougar Town is ready to come back to ABC, but as yet, the show about a group of eccentric friends living in sunny Florida, has no set return date. While they wait for word on a premiere date, to promote the upcoming Season 3, and aim to get more fans on board, Lawrence and members of the cast have been traveling across the U.S., hosting screening parties in locales including Chicago, Atlanta, and San Diego, offering a first look at some of the new episodes. Lawrence said he hopes their grass roots effort at creating a buzz will help lead to a bump up in viewers. They also hope the faithful Cougar Town fans convince the yet-unconverted to watch the quirky comedy centering around family, love and friendship. I dont think a network can turn out a number for you anymore, Lawrence told reporters. I think the days of them running commercials that say, Hey, make sure you check out this show next Wednesday. I dont think that works So Im actually trying to do some of this grass roots stuff and see if it works. Cougar Towns Season 2 finale which was set in Hawaii, and saw Courteneys Jules chasing after her son Travis (Dan Byrd) aired in May 2011 and Lawrence said all the months that have passed are a hurdle to retaining viewers and bringing in new ones. The biggest mountain to climb is the sheer amount of time that its been off of television, Lawrence said. The only way to beat that system at all, because I dont think networks can turn out [an] audience the same way, is to have fan and public awareness when the show does come back on that it still exists and the only way to do that is to still talk to and give access to the people that have championed us and been really nice to us. On Tuesday, ABC, Cougar Towns network will be rolling out TCA panels for its upcoming shows, and some of its current roster like the exiting Desperate Housewives but Lawrence and Co.s pop up session was to allow the co-creator to stay true to himself. Im respectful and I think if I was on an ABC panel, I would feel disingenuous when I was pretending about how happy I was, he said. I didnt want to sit up there clapping and handshaking like Im a fun part of the family, because Im not, he added later. During the event, Lawrence also revealed that despite renewed banter, there will not be a Cougar Town name change. I cant. We screwed up, he told reporters. We had it changed the second year. It was gonna be titled Sunshine State. They picked up a show called Mr. Sunshine and we backtracked, and by now, you know, if Im gonna go down, Im going down in flames. I make one giant mistake on every show One of the cool things about this process, is you realize your mistakes and they never stop. Its like parenting. Its like now I got it. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Piracy bill low priority in Iowa

As today's Iowa caucus stands to clarify the contours of the 2012 presidential race, one issue of utmost concern to the Hollywood lobby has earned only passing mention on the trail: pending anti-piracy legislation before Congress.Hollywood studios and most showbiz guilds are gung-ho on passage of the House's Stop Online Piracy Act and a companion bill in the Senate. However, opponents are determined that these bills become nothing short of a litmus test.As with much copyright legislation (which is often technical and complicated), the issue hasn't raised enough concern to be brought up in any meaningful way at candidate townhall meetups, if it has been asked about at all.But the partisans, both from the right and left, are passionate. A chorus of digital-rights groups and bloggers are working to stall the legislation. Conservative blogger Erick Erickson of Red State has vowed to "do everything in my power" to defeat Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), a co-sponsor of the legislation."This battle is so important -- and is one of those rare fights where the left and right are united against Congress -- that I suggest the left and right unite and pledge to defeat in primaries every person named as a sponsor on H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act," Erickson wrote.Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) has said she has "serious concerns" about the Senate legislation, and in Des Moines last Wednesday, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) blasted the bill as another example of Washington run amok, or, as he put it, "government taking over the Internet."Mitt Romney, the front-runner, has issued only general statements that as president he would "take aggressive action to confront nations that do not protect American ideas and creations," a campaign spokeswoman said recently.Lawmakers who will cast votes are being singled out via online campaigns. Users of social news website Reddit targeted Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) for his support, but it his office quickly denied that he was a co-sponsor, although they said he was watching the debate "carefully."The Stop Online Piracy Act has 31 co-sponsors in the House, and a much more significant 40 co-sponsors in the Senate, spanning the ideological and geographic spectrum.From a pure numbers point of view, immediate prospects actually look good for the legislation. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has scheduled a cloture vote on the Senate's Protect IP Act on Jan. 24, in the face of a vow by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) to filibuster. The House Judiciary Committee is expected to resume deliberations on the bill when Congress returns, but votes on a series of amendments make it clear that there's probably enough support for passage out of committee.Studios, labor and no less than the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are casting the legislation as a jobs issue, as a way of ensuring support. However, they face the ever-growing strength of the Internet lobby in mounting its own campaign. The chieftains of Google, Facebook and Yahoo, among many others, are opposed to the legislation, and Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales is weighing whether to stage a "blackout" of the online encyclopedia as a kind of boycott to a measure he views as a threat to free speech.That is proving to be a potent way to get the word out about legislation that many may otherwise not even be aware is pending."I don't think anyone in the entertainment business was thinking that this (legislation) would be facing this much opposition," said Robert Levine, author of the recently published "Free Ride: How Digital Parasites Are Destroying the Culture Business, and How the Culture Business Can Fight Back." "I think they underestimated the extent to which technology companies could get people upset about a bill that, whether or not you think it is a good idea, is changing pretty quickly."He was referring to recent amendments to the legislation -- with the expectation of more -- to address free speech and other concerns over SOPA. Levine added, "Even though the bill is getting hammered into shape, the rhetoric really isn't getting toned down."Supporters complain that the legislation has been unfairly demonized, driven by tech firms with a distinct advantage, particularly with users who have a much more personal connection to say, Twitter, than they may have a movie or TV show. As much as Hollywood has tried to campaign for the legislation with commercials featuring average workers hit by piracy, it doesn't seem to have the same emotional pull as the way that the issue has been cast from the array of bloggers and commentators who see it as a threat.In a recent appearance at the Center for American Progress, MPAA chairman Chris Dodd has compared the debate over the legislation to that of health-care and Wall Street reform, which he said fell prey to "misinformation -- spread both knowingly by those who have a financial interest in the status quo and by those who are well-intentioned but misled."Just how significant an impact the opposition will have remains to be seen. Last week, a planned boycott of domain name registrar GoDaddy fizzled, but the company had said several days before that it was withdrawing its support for the legislation.Typically, when it comes to public attention, such legislation has little resonance beyond industries. As one studio anti-piracy official recently explained it, the more noise that is made around it, and the more controversial it seems, the more apt that lawmakers are to perceive their vote as a risk with little upside if it is viewed as a "Hollywood" bill.House Judiciary Committee chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) told The Hill recently that he expects Obama to sign the bill. But opponents are trying their best to stop it, even to make it an election year liability for a president challenged to boost enthusiasm from the Netroots in 2012. More than 45,000 names have been gathered on a petition posted at the White House's We the People site, urging a veto -- surpassing the 25,000 needed for the administration to post an official response. As of yet, none has been posted. Contact Ted Johnson at ted.johnson@variety.com

Fox Axes Which Means You Think You Are Able To Dance Results Show

Which Means You Think You Are Able To Dance Fox has drawn the plug on Which Means You Think You Are Able To Dance's results show after eight seasons, based on executive producer and select Nigel Lythgoe. "Fox have cancelled the outcomes show and so i will need to alter the format of [Which Means You Think You Are Able To Dance]," Lythgoe, 62, tweeted Sunday. "A minimum of we've another season in the finish of May." Fox renews Which Means You Think You Are Able To Dance and MasterChef The move would apparently condense Dance from two new episodes per week to simply one. It's unclear what motivated the modification this far in to the show's run. A set repetition couldn't be immediately arrived at for comment. "Don't be concerned [Which Means You Think You Are Able To Dance] fans. I am thrilled you will find there's new series," Lythgoe added. "We'll do good to locate some good talent beginning in a few days in Atlanta." Which Means You Think You Are Able To Dance, which gained its first Emmy nomination for the best reality competition this past year, was restored for any ninth season in October. Last summer time, 6.two million audiences updated directly into see Melanie Moore be named the champion of Season 8. How can you think the show should adjust its format?