News

2010 Tribeca Film Fest reveals schedule
'Shrek Forever After,' Elliot Spitzer doc, and 'Virtual' program are all part of the Tribeca Film Festival's lineup.

Liberty CEO considers plans for Overture
Movies are "a hard business," and Liberty Media continues to explore options for its Overture Films unit, Liberty president and CEO Greg Maffei said Wednesday.

Corey Haim dies at 38
Corey Haim, a 1980s teen heartthrob for his roles in "Lucas" and "The Lost Boys" whose career was blighted by drug abuse, has died. He was 38.

Deluxe to roll out 3D Blu-ray prod'n services
Following the recent string of 3D Blu-ray Disc player and 3D TV launches, Deluxe Digital Studios is rolling out 3D Blu-ray production services next month, with capacity ramping up to finish four movies a month by the fourth quarter.

Nickelodeon picks up two comedy pilots
Nickelodeon has picked up two comedy pilots: the single-camera "Supah Ninja" and multicamera "Everyday Kid."

Charlie Sheen returning to work Tuesday
Charlie Sheen is expected to return to work on CBS' "Two and a Half Men" on Tuesday, according to his publicist.

Judy Greer joins Fox's 'Tax Man'
Judy Greer has been tapped to star opposite David Krumholtz in Fox's comedy pilot "Tax Man," Jerry O'Connell is set to star opposite Jim Belushi in the CBS pilot "Defenders," and Jason Biggs will lead the cast of CBS' comedy pilot "True Love," with Dan Fogler co-starring.

Deadline set for Miramax bids
One day after March 19 was set as the deadline for binding offers for MGM, the same date has emerged as a deadline in the latest round of bidding for Miramax. Disney hopes to select a winning bidder from offers received by that date and close on a sale of the one-time indie highflyer within 30 days of the deadline.

Keri Russell eyeing 'Wilde Kingdom'
Keri Russell is mulling a return to television. The "Felicity" star is in negotiations to star opposite Will Arnett in Fox's comedy "Wilde Kingdom."

Walter Salles to direct 'Our Wild Life'
Walter Salles is in negotiations to direct "Our Wild Life," an animal drama from New Line being produced by Mandalay Pictures' Peter Guber and Cathy Schulman.

Cable, satellite firms unite for retrans fight
Companies that deliver TV to subscribers are hoping that government intervention will help keep carriage fees low.

Moonves expects ad prices to jump
CBS Corp. president and CEO Leslie Moonves said Tuesday that he is looking for double-digit price increases in this year's upfront advertising season.

ShoWest fetes Zach Galifianakis
Zach Galifianakis, star of Warner Bros.' upcoming laugher "Due Date," will be honored as comedy star of the year at ShoWest 2010.

History's 'Pawn Stars' tops cable shows
According to Nielsen Live+SD data, History had the most-watched program on ad-supported cable for the week ending March 7 as "Pawn Stars" delivered 5.34 million viewers at 10:30 p.m. Monday.

Producer Ellen Rakieten signs with Relativity
Veteran producer Ellen Rakieten ("The Marriage Ref," "The Oprah Winfrey Show") has signed a producing deal with Relativity Media.










Samsung, Panasonic to sell 3D TVs soon
Want to be the first one on your block with a 3-D television? It will cost you about $3,000.

'Spartacus' halts production
Starz's freshman drama "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" has halted series production due to star Andy Whitfield being diagnosed with cancer.

Andy Richter speaks out on Conan drama
Andy Richter, Conan O'Brien's sidekick at "The Tonight Show," is acknowledging some ill will toward NBC and Jay Leno in the wake of the network's late-night upheaval.

CBS orders second season of 'Boss'
CBS is ordering a second season of its surprise success "Undercover Boss."

'Lie to Me' slated for summer return
Fox will bring back "Lie to Me" in the summer as part of its post-season strategy, which includes a scripted series and the return of "Hell's Kitchen" and "So You Think You Can Dance."

Producer pleads guilty in Letterman case
A person familiar with the case says a TV producer is expected to admit trying to shake down David Letterman over the comic's sexual affairs.

KISS, E1 to produce kids TV series
KISS co-founders and frontmen Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are to team up with E1 Television to produce a kids TV series as a merchandising tie-in.

Comcast talks NBCU acquisition plans
Cable giant Comcast Corp. continues to focus on running its core business despite the planned acquisition of NBC Universal, CFO Michael Angelakis said Tuesday.

Murdoch opens Abu Dhabi Media Summit
News Corp. chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch said Tuesday that the Arab world can adhere to traditions and values, while also investing in a thriving creative industry and avoiding over-regulation and hurdles that keep out foreign players.

Brittany Snow joins David E. Kelley pilot
Brittany Snow has landed a lead on David E. Kelley's NBC dramedy pilot "Kindreds," while Sarah Wynter has joined ABC's dramedy pilot "Cutthroat."

Liam Hemsworth to star in 'Arabian Nights'
Liam Hemsworth, who co-stars in Disney's upcoming Miley Cyrus drama "The Last Song," is jumping into action-movie territory with "Arabian Nights."

MGM sets deadline for updated bids
As many as a half-dozen companies are expected to place updated offers for MGM by March 19, the newly set deadline on second-round bidding for the beleaguered Lion.

'Second position' TV casting on the rise
Casting actors in "second position" on pilots is on the rise, with networks even going after already committed actors like Alyssa Milano whose shows have not yet premiered.

Three cable series add cast members
"Heroes" alumna Dania Ramirez has come aboard HBO comedy "Entourage" as a recurring; Lennie James has been added to another HBO comedy, "Hung," as a recurring; and Kenny Johnson has landed a recurring role on FX's "Sons of Anarchy."

Four trying their 'Luck' in HBO pilot
Kevin Dunn has been tapped to co-star on HBO's drama pilot "Luck," with "Rome" alumna Kerry Condon and Tom Payne also set and Nick Nolte in talks for the horse drama starring Dustin Hoffman.