Ask Matt: Homeland, The Middle, Raising Hope, Community

Claire Danes Send questions to askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com and follow me on Twitter!Question: So thrilled that Homeland has been picked up for Season Two! I'm absolutely riveted week after week. I've seen some premature discussion here and there about whether or not Damian Lewis will still be on the show next season given his storyline, and I sincerely hope he is. Granted, I'm a big fan and would watch him in Reading the Phone Book: The Series, but I think Brody and his clan are integral to the show's success. If it became just about Carrie hunting a new threat each season, I'm not sure I would be as invested. Don't get me wrong, Claire Danes is doing excellent work and Carrie is a great character, but the Brody family's interactions have me on the edge of my seat just as much as the terrorism plot, if not more so. (How lovely to see Morena Baccarin shine with such a meaty role.) Obviously we'll see what happens as Season One continues, but just wanted to note my admiration for Homeland's deft mix of political/espionage intrigue and family drama. - KeiraMatt Roush: As great as Claire Danes is as the unstable Carrie - and I expect both she and Lewis will get some serious awards attention this season - I agree that Homeland won't be nearly as compelling if it merely morphs into The Adventures of Carrie the Bipolar CIA Analyst, constantly butting heads with authority ever time a new threat comes along that only she can see. (Unless, I suppose, we're meant to question her paranoia to the point that she becomes the true menace to society, which may not be that far-fetched.) Not having any real idea where Season One is heading, I'll save the speculation about Season Two until later. But wherever the Brody character ends up, Lewis and Baccarin have definitely raised the bar when it comes to our emotional investment.Question: Just a quick comment on two shows that I have enjoyed until this year, The Middle and Raising Hope. Both have fallen into what I like to call "the scream syndrome." Seems like some shows that run out of good writing and good ideas have their actors resort to screaming their lines, as if that would make them funnier. I think both shows suffered from that in the first few episodes of the season, with The Middle seeming to be a little better in the Halloween episode. But Raising Hope, which started out as a story about a quirky lower-middle-class family adapting to a new baby, has now dumbed its characters down to where it is almost unwatchable. Martha Plimpton's character especially seems more dense than in the first season. This is the same thing that went wrong with My Name Is Earl. Being poor doesn't equate to being stupid! What is your opinion, am I off base altogether? - TerryMatt Roush: These are very broad comedies, and I have no problem with that as long as they're funny, and for me, both shows are doing just fine in that regard. Especially The Middle this season, which I think has been a scream in the best sense of the word. Just a few isolated moments: Frankie freaking out when she realized Axl had clipped his toenails into the potato chip bag, or Sue frantically waiting by the phone for the cheerleading call and throwing herself across the room when it rang. These scenes are played at a hysterical pitch, but they're going for big laughs here, and what's the shame in that? While you're probably right that on Raising Hope some of Virginia's (Plimpton) malapropisms are a little too on the nose, the crudeness of the humor has always been part of the point, like it or not. I don't think it's become noticeably worse in the second season, but maybe I'm just more at peace with it. Both shows exult in the messiness of their home life, though Hope is much more cartoonishly stylized. (But are the Hecks' ancient aunts any less wacky than Maw Maw, really?) Of course I agree with your contention that poor doesn't equal stupid, but I don't feel these shows (even Hope) view its characters with such contempt. The exact opposite, actually.Want more Matt Roush? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!Question: OMG, I have just been indoctrinated into the awesomeness of Community! Having already been a Thursday-night NBC watcher, I somehow didn't really catch on to Community until this season, and now I'm completely blown away by it! How do people not know about this show? Okay, I know some people do, but apparently not enough, as it seems to be in trouble. It's even better - yes, I dare say it! - than The Office and 30 Rock. But now that I'm hooked, I'm also worried that it will be unfairly and shortsightedly dropped before I've had my fill. What can I do to let NBC know that Community is a show that must remain on the air? - JeanMatt Roush: Well, I hope you participated in voting for Community in TV Guide Magazine's "choose the cover" Fan Favorites poll on Facebook. (The voting closes tonight at midnight, so there's still time.) Social media like Twitter and Facebook and official show fan sites may be among the most effective and immediate ways for everyday fans to intensify the buzz around low-rated shows like this gem. The old-fashioned methods of actually writing to the network and encouraging the show's advertisers may have more impact than you think. Reaching out to your friends in the media (thanks for writing!) and just spreading the word may not always help the bottom line, but doesn't it make you feel better? I feel it's a small miracle that Community is still getting to do its joyously peculiar thing for a third season, and I'll cheer it on for as long as NBC finds a way to justify keeping it on the air. The good news is that all of the networks are prioritizing comedy these days, and while this one should be doing better in the ratings (and the Emmys should be ashamed of themselves for ignoring it), it enjoys a fair amount of critical buzz, which never hurts.Question: Why does Two and a Half Men have to be so dirty? The language is all about sex. I am really getting tired of it and may stop watching. If it has to be this bad, then they should put it on at 10 pm. - MamieMatt Roush: Did you just start watching this season? The show has always been all about sex. Those getting action (Charlie and now Walden), those who aren't (Alan) and those who can't stop thinking about it (Jake and everyone else). If anything, 2 Broke Girls which comes on just before Men is even filthier - or maybe it just seems that way when Kat Dennings delivers one of her gamy punch lines. None of this explanation is meant to be a defense of how low the show stoops for many of its jokes, which we have often criticized in the past. But when you see how powerful an anchor this has been for CBS' comedy lineup for years (and now in syndication), it's clear many people think it's funny.On the same topic (the show, anyway), Rozmarie writes: "I really miss Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen). They really blew it with that silly character to take Charlie's place played by Ashton Kutcher. After watching three episodes, I will not watch it or even DVR it. Even Alan isn't the same anymore. I guess you can't replace perfection."Perfection? Oh Rozmarie, how I would love to get you in a room with Mamie and see you battle it out.Question: Why do people expect new shows to be spectacular right out of the gate? Is it the curse of Lost, The West Wing and Battlestar Galactica that viewers are more willing to dump shows that don't wow them within two episodes? I've added Pan Am, Ringer and Terra Nova to my viewing schedule this year. All started slow but are improving each week. Being new shows, I expect them to have growing pains. Have your opinions of these three changed, Matt? I'm pleased that Ringer has been extended for a full season. But I can't tell which way the wind is blowing for the other two. Any ideas? - SuzanneMatt Roush: To answer your big-picture question, it is getting harder for shows to break through immediately because there are so many choices and so many options in terms of the way we even sample the shows anymore. The networks are, for the most part, exercising more patience toward shows they think will trend upward when all the various data are compiled (which is definitely the case for Terra Nova, competing for viewers on a very busy Monday schedule). But first impressions count for a lot in this business, and it's very hard to win people back if their first impressions of a flawed pilot keep them from returning. Of your three examples, Terra Nova is the show that has grown on me the most. It's very enjoyable (and pretty) to watch, and it's living up to its promise as an escapist adventure the whole family can enjoy - and those who think that isn't a compliment have my sympathy. Given Fox's investment in the show, I'll be surprised if it doesn't get renewed for a second, longer season. I liked the trashy pleasures of Ringer's pilot episode but felt the next new chapters were painfully dull. Things have picked up lately, but it does seem to be taking itself awfully seriously. Getting a full season to figure itself out is a good thing. Beyond that, who knows? And I was high on Pan Am from the start, again for purely escapist reasons. It's still a show that I find pleasurable to watch, but it evaporates from memory almost immediately. They really need to juice up the story on that one, raising the emotional stakes for what is turning out to be a rather bland group of characters. It has become a rather flavorless soufflé, and given that its ratings keep dropping, I'm worried it may not make it to the end of the season. It's a sure bet it won't stay on Sundays come midseason.Question: Over the past couple of years, ABC has struggled a bit as a network (although always overshadowed by NBC's woes), especially when it comes to finding new drama hits. I've thought about what their problem could be, and there's a thought I had. When I was a child, ABC was the main network my family watched, primarily because they had a good collection of family-oriented shows. At last May's upfronts, they seemed to place an emphasis on female-skewing shows, as demonstrated by new shows such as Revenge, Charlie's Angels (now canceled), Pan Am and the upcoming GCB. I know that there are many exceptions to this, but it does seem like ABC is trying to become a network targeted towards more female audiences. I think it would be a good idea for ABC to go back to its more family-oriented roots, centered around some already established successful shows like Modern Family and The Middle, and perhaps even its premiere success with Once Upon a Time (I know ABC can have lots of success in premieres but struggles at maintaining audiences, but it seems that it has positive buzz going into its second week). I even have to wonder if past attempts at family shows such as No Ordinary Family and V would have been more successful had they been surrounded by other similar shows. I would love to hear your thoughts. - BrandonMatt Roush: First off, I don't really think of V as a family show (it wasn't especially good at sci-fi, either). But generally, I'm not a fan of trying to pigeonhole (or strait-jacket, as the case may be) any network by locking it into a specific demographic or genre - although CBS' successful reliance on the formula procedural makes it the easiest target in this game. ABC's emphasis on female-friendly (though not gender-exclusive) programming is hardly new, and became much more focused in that direction after the breakthroughs of Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy. But even when ABC dominated in family comedy with Roseanne, Home Improvement, Grace Under Fire and the "TGIF" lineup, it was testing dramatic boundaries with shows like China Beach, Twin Peaks and most successfully with NYPD Blue, so it's hard to generalize about such things. The success of Modern Family has spurred ABC and its competitors to ramp up comedy development of all sorts, but you're right that the appetite for family-oriented comedy is there, and Paul Lee may yet capitalize on that, and I also never lose hope that a family drama may again achieve traction (Parenthood is hanging in there on NBC, but would probably have been scrapped by now on any other network). I'm very curious to see if Once Upon a Time thrives and grows, because that kind of big high-concept swing for a big-tent audience is exactly what ABC and the other networks should be trying.Question: I'm sure you get this question a lot, but I'm wondering with seemingly a zillion channels to choose from, why some of my favorite shows in syndication don't seem to be on TV anymore. Where's West Wing, Murphy Brown, Dynasty, Sports Night, Anything But Love, etc.? All of these shows at some point were in syndication but now are nowhere to be found. For a while SoapNet was playing old Falcon Crest episodes, but that was a long time ago, and they need to play 10 hours of One Tree Hill per day so there's no room. I get that networks want the "newer-ish" stuff, so if ever there's a moment of the day I can't find a Seinfeld, Friends, The Big Bang Theory and The Nanny (all of which I love!), I'd be shocked. I'm finding more and more random channels with The A Team, Starsky & Hutch, and other "old" TV. I don't get it. And I'll never understand how Murphy Brown isn't treated like the other iconic sitcoms. They used to show one episode at 3 a.m. and that's it, but even that's been gone for years now. What's up? - LizMatt Roush: As with nearly everything in TV, even syndication has its cyclical nature, and some shows simply run their course. After enough time has passed, some make comebacks on the nostalgia circuit, but soaps aren't as likely as vintage sitcoms and crime dramas to be revived. There are very few series (I Love Lucy, M*A*S*H, The Andy Griffith Show) that seem to be timeless enough that they may never disappear entirely from some sort of off-network run - which brings me to Murphy Brown in particular. This is a show very much of its time - and I loved it for most of its run, reporting on it and reviewing it regularly - but its humor is often very topical, and while we may still be able to relate to its satire of the news business and the universality of its characters, it already seems more dated than something like The Mary Tyler Moore Show. (I was reminded of this watching the first episode of PBS' Primetime in America series, which premiered Sunday; the look of the show, from the clips they screened, screamed late '80s - which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it helps explain why it may not be as ubiquitous as such peers as Roseanne, Seinfeld and Home Improvement.Question: I am a huge fan and long-time follower of your column. I really enjoy your day-to-day guides on TV. They were especially helpful when trying to prioritize which fall shows to sample and give a second look. Anyway, after sampling the fall's new TV shows, I have to say I am disappointed with this year's network TV options. I am completely addicted to BBC America's "Dramaville" and the various Masterpiece series. I don't understand why British procedural shows are so much more compelling than their American counterparts. I know that there is plenty of high-quality drama on cable and premium channels, but it really seems like network TV has dropped the ball a bit. When it comes to genre and high-concept shows, a la Fringe, there are plenty of juicy stories and characters to enjoy. What really baffles me, though, is how Law & Order: UK can be so much more compelling than Law & Order: SVU. Yes, SVU has higher shock value and is handicapped this year by the loss of Christopher Meloni, but UK uses simple stories and just feels fresher, even with recycled scripts from the original series. I'll admit that there is something sexier about a British accent, but it doesn't explain the sheer number of truly amazing British series: Inspector Lewis, Luther, The Hour, Case Histories, etc. What's your take on the situation? It is my understanding that the BBC is the British equivalent to ABC, NBC, CBS or FOX, so why does the BBC seem to produce a steadier stream of higher caliber product? I would assume that American networks tied to huge media conglomerates with in-house movie studios have a larger pool of actors and writers to pull from and much larger budgets to throw at their shows. I am hoping that your expertise can correct my analysis or possibly provide some insight into my perceived discrepancy in quality. - PallasMatt Roush: One thing to keep in mind in making these comparisons is that we tend to see only the best of the British TV marketplace, so the more fair comparison might be to the cream of the crop of our cable programmers: FX, AMC, USA (for more broad-based hits) and the premium channels. I would put Breaking Bad, Boardwalk Empire, Justified, etc., up against many of these British shows, which can afford to be darker, edgier and more niche that what the American broadcast networks tend to do, being more risk-averse because their fortunes are still more directly and solely tied to ratings and advertising. (Regarding Law & Order: UK, that's just another reminder of NBC's short-sightedness in canceling the mothership, which was always the best of the franchise, especially whenever the cast clicked the way it was doing toward the end.)Question: I have a question regarding on-demand viewing. I am one of the few (so it seems) to not have a DVR, but do take advantage of On Demand to see shows that I cannot watch when they air. How do the networks decide what goes On Demand and does on-demand watching count towards the ratings of a show? Specifically, I watched most of the first season of Harry's Law on demand, but Season Two is not available, so I haven't seen one episode (along with everyone else by looking at the ratings). Also, what I find that happens a lot is they put the whole season on-demand of a show, except the final episode (season finale). This is infuriating because you invest time into a show all season, but then are unable to watch the season finale. Why do they do this? By the time the show comes back, sometimes as long as 8-10 months later, we as viewers have lost interest (but that is a different topic). - ShaneMatt Roush: This question of shows being available (or not) online or On Demand comes up a lot, and it's just a fact that not every show on every network is being offered on these platforms. It's all about what deals are made for each show, and the decision is generally made by the studio, most often in cases where the show is produced by an entity other than the network's corporate parent. Harry's Law is distributed by Warner Bros., not NBC/Universal, and the reason some shows like this are held back seems to be a belief that giving it away for free lessens its value. (Your assumption about Harry's ratings are a bit off. It's actually one of NBC's most-watched shows, which isn't saying much, but where it really falls short is in the younger demos.) As for your complaint about final episodes not being put On Demand, I wasn't aware that was a problem. Just last week, in anticipation for Tuesday's return of Covert Affairs, I went online to watch the summer finale, which I'd missed. (It was on USA Network's site and On Demand.) I'm sure there are exceptions and glitches, but I can't imagine why a show that's otherwise available this way wouldn't post their finale for all to see.Question: I was wondering why NBC was so quick to give Whitney a full-season pick-up. It's not like the show's initial ratings were through the roof. Plus the show isn't very funny and is getting killed by just about everyone. If the ratings were really good, but it was getting killed by critics, I could understand the pick-up. Or if the ratings were bad, but it was well-liked (like Community), I could understand that, too. But I'm scratching my head over how a show that's unpopular (ratings-wise and critically) would get picked up after a pair of airings. Also, in your career as a TV critic, have you come across many shows that had as big an imbalance of great talent and poor material as CBS' How to Be a Gentleman? - JoeMatt Roush: I'm no fan of Whitney, but NBC is trying to send a message to the industry that it's serious about standing behind all kinds of comedy during this period of rebuilding, from the cult-ish single camera sitcom (which includes fellow freshman Up All Night) to something this broad and loud, which seems more like something you'd see on CBS (although usually done better). It may seem like a premature and poorly thought out renewal, but NBC can't kill everything. Regarding your question about Gentleman, which is an already forgotten footnote to the season, it's simply a reminder that TV history is littered with so many corpses of shows involving high-profile talent trapped in quick-fading mediocrity, I wouldn't even know where to start. (Rule of thumb: TV has a lot better track record at creating new stars than repackaging old favorites. Think Mr. Sunshine: Matthew Perry, Allison Janney, Andrea Anders. 'Nuff said.)That's all for now. Keep sending your comments and questions to askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com, and in the meantime, follow me on Twitter!Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Olivia Wilde, Steve Buscemi in Talks for Steve Carell's 'Burt Wonderstone' (Exclusive)

Olivia Wilde and Steve Buscemi will be in predicts join Burt Wonderstone, New Line's magician comedy starring Steve Carell. Jim Carrey and James Gandolfini are actually in discussions to participate the cast. The project is occur the area of rival Las vegas masters of miracle. Carell is really a classical miracle guy who's dethroned having a hipper illusionist doing dangerous techniques and breaks tabs on his partner then must try to look for the love for miracle. STORY: Steve Carell's Surprise Script Physician: Jason Reitman (Exclusive) Carrey is playing the magician who signifies the completely new face of miracle while Gandolfini will probably be who owns the casino. Wilde may have Carell's love interest, who at first is his assistant but later works well with Carrey. Buscemi may have Carell's longtime friend and partner who quits the act. STORY: Dramas Like Steve Buscemi's 'Boardwalk Empire' Still King in the Small Screen The film is scheduled to go to before cameras within the month of the month of january. Veteran TV director Don Scardino is making his feature debut round the project, that's being produced by Chris Bender and J.C. Spink of Benderspink, Tyler Mitchell, and Carell. Benderspink's Mike Weiner may also be creating. Wilde, repped by WME and Untitled, was last noticed in Cowboys & Aliens. Buscemi, repped by WME as well as the Gotham Group, stars in HBO's Boardwalk Empire. Related Subjects Olivia Wilde Steve Buscemi Steve Carell

'We Need to Discuss Kevin' Named Best Film at BFI London Film Festival

Lynne Ramsay's We Must Discuss Kevin scared in the opposition, taking home the most effective film jerk presented throughout this year's BFI London Film Festival standalone honours party Wednesday evening.our editor recommends'We Need To Discuss Kevin' Cast Talks about 'Kevin' (Cannes)Telluride 2011: 'We Need to Discuss Kevin' Shakes Up Audiences The jerk, dished out within a trendy black tie honours dinner, was presented by LFF planners just for the next year inside the festival's history after its introduction throughout 2009's shindig. Ramsay's movie outshine stiff competition in the slew of other movies which incorporated Alexander Payne's The Descendants, really the only U.S. title round the candidate. Fernando Meirelles' 360, which opened up in the festival, Michel Hazanavicius' The Artist, Terence Davies' festival closer The Dark Blue Sea, Aleksandr Sukurov's Faust, Luc & Jean-Pierre Dardenne's The Child Getting A Bicycle, Shame, directed by Steve McQueen and Michael Winterbottom's Trishna also fell within the jury's fence. PHOTOS: Telluride Film Festival: 12 Movies to know The nominees list is attracted up by planners using this year's LFF selection. Chaired by filmmaker John Madden, best film jury people incorporated Emmy and Golden Globe champion Gillian Anderson and BAFTA-winning author and director Asif Kapadia. Madden mentioned he and also the fellow jury people, despite being "an worldwide group," were "united states . having a sense of unflinching human enquiry," after watching Ramsay's film. "I had been struck with the sheer panache displayed by these great storytellers. Ultimately, i had been simply bowled over by one film, a sublime, uncompromising tale in the torment that could stand rather than love," Madden mentioned. Ramsay acquired her award from Madden and Anderson getting a large grin. She thanked star Tilda Swinton getting a wow. Debutant actress Candese Reid waltzed away while using evening's best British newcomer award on her behalf eye-catching submit Junkhearts, directed by Tinge Krishnan. Reid beat her director for the jerk who was simply nominated. Presented by Edgar Wright, Reid was beside herself readily. She dropped the two part trophy before jumping in the stage. Best British newcomer Jury leader, film producer Andy Harries mentioned every moment the actress allotted to screen inside the film "was compelling, explaining her just like a "fresh, brilliant and exciting new talent." The festival's extended standing Sutherland Award, typically provided to the director of the extremely original and imaginative feature debut inside the LFF, went this year to Pablo Giorgelli, for his film Las Acacias. Billed just like a "slow-burning, advantageous and enchanting story from the truck driver and also the people," Argentinian born director Giorgelli got his award from director Terry Gilliam. Werner Herzog's documentary Into The Abyss: A Merchant Account of Dying, A Merchant Account of Existence, the filmmaker's coruscating study on the senselessness of violence which is effects needed home the evening's Grierson Award for top documentary unspooling inside the festival. Herzog gave thanks via VT. Canadian auteur David Cronenberg whose film A Dangerous Method unspooled earlier inside the festival acquired the British Film Institute's finest accolade, the BFI Fellowship. Provided to him by Oscar-winning producer Jeremy Thomas and actor and Michael Fassbender, Cronenberg mentioned he was happy obtain this type of recognition. Available too to obtain his Fellowship from friend and fellow thespian Liam Neeson was Take advantage of Fiennes. Situated by comedian and broadcaster Marcus Brigstocke, the large event saw the fantastic as well as the good in the market gather for your invite-only black tie ceremony Wednesday evening inside the capital. Individuals who win received a particularly commissioned "Star located in londonInch award produced by artist Almuth Tebbenhoff. Earlier during the night, BFI's Greg Dyke told the collected luminaries he'd hope satcaster BSkyB would develop its movie output by delivering "much greater access for British and specialized films round the Sky platform, and increase audience choice." Dyke mentioned "it's about time for Sky to step-up for the plate and begin a dialogue the way we reach that goal.In . Mentioned Dyke: "Following a traumas it's experienced throughout the past few several days, there is a genuine opportunity for Sky to produce more recent and much more effective pals - and boy does News Worldwide need them ­ through the use of its corporate and financial muscle to partner around in aiding the British film industry to build up after which it participate the resulting rewards. We welcome the opportunity to increase your substantial and close partnership together.Inch Dyke also needed the opportunity to poke the pubcasters to accomplish a lot more to assist British film industry endeavors. "I'd should also begin to see the BBC and Funnel 4, as our key public service tv producers, do a lot more to help British film and film culture to the benefit of British audiences - both through their core channels in addition to their online platforms such as the iPlayer and 4oD," Dyke mentioned. "One of the designers of Freeview, Freesat as well as the iPlayer before I left the BBC, I of individuals be familiar with major energy of digital innovation and exactly what it is capable of doing for consumer choice." We must Discuss Kevin

Kaira Pitt To Star In 'Twelve Years A Slave'

Additionally to creating "Twelve Years A Slave," Kaira Pitt may also be starring within the approaching Steve McQueen-directed flick. He'll join Michael Fassbender and Chiwetel Ejiofor within the cast, The Playlist verifies. The film follows a totally free black guy who had been fooled into many years of slavery under various proprietors until a whitened Canadian contractor assisted launch a court situation and lastly set him free. It's unclear which role Pitt is going to be playing, however it likely is going to be from the contractor. Browse the relaxation of present day film news following the jump! See Tobey Maguire As Nick Carraway The 2009 summer time, set photos of Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby in Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of "The Truly Amazing Gatsby" hit the net, and today the very first take a look at Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway makes its way online. Celebuzz has got the photos which show Maguire travelling inside a top hat along with a bow tie around the New York set. The film is placed for release on December 25, 2012. The Alien Full Has Run Out Of The Bag It works out that "Prometheus" is an element of the "Alien" franchise in the end. Within an interview with Nerd Bastards, actor Rafe Spall accepted the movie does occur within the field of Ridley Scott's "Alien." "I have been sent an e-mail by what I am permitted to express and what I am not permitted to express and that i haven't browse the e-mail," he stated having a laugh. "It's out next June, and it is area of the 'Alien' franchise... I believe fans from the franchise will like it. 'Alien' is among the best films available, and it is a genuine buzz to stay in an area suit with an 'Alien' set with Ridley Scott coming and talking with you." Ken Jeong Explaining "The Chung Factor" TheWrap has found that Ken Jeong is placed to both star in and convey the film "The Chung Factor" for Lionsgate. The script was around the 2005 Black List, and it is compiled by first-timer Andy Selsor. "The Chung Factor" follows Jeong like a relationship coach who sabotages among his clients' associations since the client is looking to get with Jeong's ex-girlfriend. H&M Inspired By "The Lady Using The Dragon Tattoo" Fashion store H&M introduced that it'll be beginning a clothing collection in line with the character Lisbeth Salander from "The Lady using the Dragon Tattoo," Fox News reviews. Created by Trish Summerville (who made the garments in David Fincher's approaching adaptation), the 30-piece collection may have a "dark urban feel" replete with leather jackets, pants, torn jeans and slouchy hoodies. It will likely be obtainable in stores on December 14, per week prior to the movie hits theaters. Karl Urban, Ben Barnes And Perhaps Emilia Clarke Get Into "Overdrive" The Hollywood Reporter has found that Karl Urban and Ben Barnes happen to be cast as vehicle-crook siblings in Antonio Negret's approaching action film "Overdrive." The entertainment site reviews that "Bet on Thrones" star Emilia Clarke is presently in discussions to experience the feminine lead. "Taken" scribe Pierre Morel authored the script. Not sure yet on once the film will use front from the camera. Inform us your ideas on present day film news within the comments section below or on Twitter!

'Bake Off' cooks up large rankings for BBC2

'The Great British Bake Off'LONDON -- It has been named probably the most unlikely reality show ever, but an english baking contest may be the surprise breakout hit from the U.K. TV fall season."The Truly Amazing British Bake Off," created by Love Prods., bowed this past year on BBC2 by having an average audience of two.3 million.This figure a lot more than bending because the second season of "Bake Off" hit its stride in September and grew to become BBC2's greatest show. When the series wrapped March. 4, typically 4.56 million audiences (a 20 share) were tuning in, and also the last fifteen minutes from the final episode was viewed by a crowd of 5.a million.The show starts 12 amateur bakers against one another inside a weekly elimination contest to bake a cake, quiche or tart.Unlike more conventional reality fare like "The X Factor," there's little focus on the protagonists' emotional back tales.Quite simply, cooking instead of crying occupies stage center.The finished items are judged by septuagenarian U.K. food author Mary Berry, who at 76 has released a lot more than 70 books on cooking.Her homespun knowledge and warmth is all about as not even close to Simon Cowell as you can get."Whether it's baking a scone or some bread, 'Bake Off' is greatly involved in the thought of homeliness and cocooning," observes Janice Hadlow, mind of BBC2, who sees the show as tapping directly into cultural mores within the U.K. Casting for that third months are arrived.Hadlow notes that auds are tuning directly into improve on the baking abilities. "?'Bake Off' is certainly not related to lavish dinner get-togethers or making an ideal bit of patisserie. It's about the pleasure you could have in difficult occasions. Baking in your own home is an excellent method of getting fun without investing lots of money.Inch The Independent's TV critic Tom Sutcliffe echoes Hadlow's assessment: "Yes, it is all about the strategy that adopts an ideal biscotti and tense stand-off over ginger root nut orthodoxy. But it is also about domestic affections: about quality recipes learned from much-loved grandmas and family faves lovingly cooked for kids.InchSo could "The Truly Amazing British Bake Off" emulate "MasterChef" and be an worldwide hit with local versions folded out globally? "The Truly Amazing Barcelona Bake Off" anybody?Hadlow is skeptical. "I'm not sure whether it would have a similar cultural purchase in landmass Europe or even the U.S." she states. "It taps into what baking means within the U.K. I don't know baking has got the same associations outdoors Britain." Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Fox Cable Systems Might Have To Go Dark On DirecTV On November. 1 Over Carriage Dispute

Another major carriage dispute intends to drag Fox’s cable systems from DirecTV systems on November.1. The affected systems include Forex, including its hit Sons Of Anarchy and hot newcomer American Horror Story, National Geographic Funnel, Speed, Fuel TV, Fox Soccer, Fox Movie Funnel, FOX Deportes, and also the 19 Fox regional sports systems. Fox Systems’ previous carriage agreement with DirecTV expired on Sept. 30. After stretching the talks, no progress is made, resulting in a standoff between your two sides that can lead to the blackout from the cable systems on DirecTV on November. 1. Exactly last year, exactly the same systems went dark on DirecTV’s rival satcaster Dish Network prior to the two sides finally arrived at a brand new carriage agreement. As with previous carriage fights, each side launched dueling claims and released competing websites, KeepMyNets.com (Fox) and OurPromiseToYou.com (DirecTV). In the statement, DirecTV claims that Fox is seeking a 40% license fee increase. Listed here are the 2 claims: FOX Systems: Despite Fox Systems offer of the extension throughout our ongoing discussions, DirecTV has informed us as well as their clients that unless of course we accept their demands, they'll suspend our systems on November 1. DirecTV sent us a proposal on Tuesday mid-day. They've provided us with absolutely no way to reply before you take an unnecessarily aggressive posture on and on public. It's disappointing they have selected bad belief tactics over significant settlement. We now have suggested to keep your Fox Systems on DirecTV for the similar cost, and on a single terms because they are presently transported in the end attempt to sort out a reasonable agreement. Regrettably, DirecTV has made the decision that unless of course they obtain way, they will close the lid on on their clients November 1. DIRECTV Boss MIKE Whitened: DirecTV’s agreement with News Cor./Fox for a number of them national cable systems and regional Fox Sports systems has expired. News Corp. has required that DirecTV clients pay nearly 40% more for the similar channels they previously receive. If your new deal isn't arrived at, we are instructed to suspend the channels as soon as November.1.

Kino Lorber takes three

Kino Lorber has picked up U.S. rights to a trio of Toronto alums, including "Alps," Greek helmer Yorgos Lanthimos' follow-up to "Dogtooth." Distributor also snagged two docs, Michael Glawogger's "Whores' Glory" and Corinna Belz's "Gerhard Richter Painting." All three pics were repped by Cologne-based film sales agent Match Factory. "Alps," which preemed at Venice this year just prior to a Toronto stint, centers on a group of people who offer to impersonate dead loved ones for a fee. Pic will next play AFI Fest in L.A. ahead of a Gotham bow and national release in the spring. Last year Kino Lorber released "Dogtooth," which was nommed for an Oscar. "Whores' Glory," another pic seen at both Venice and Toronto, follows sex workers in Thailand, Bangladesh and Mexico. That one will be released starting in March at Gotham's Lincoln Plaza Cinemas. "Gerhard Richter Painting," about the life and work of the prominent visual artist, also ramps up for a March release, launching at Film Forum in NY. Distribution deal was pacted by Kino Lorber's Richard Lorber with Match Factory's Michael Weber. The three films join a slate of upcoming Kino Lorber releases that also includes "Giorgio Moroder Presents Metropolis," "Khodorkovsky" and "Charlotte Rampling: The Look," among others. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Edie Wasserman appreciated as 'powerhouse'

Edie Wasserman was appreciated as ''a giant for good'' Friday evening throughout a memorial service at UCLA's Royce Hall. The diverse selection of loudspeakers, varying from her grandchildren to former Leader Bill Clinton and Secretary of Condition Hillary Clinton, reflected the breadth of her roles because the Wasserman family matriarch, like a prime mover in showbiz philanthropy as well as in nation-wide politics. Loudspeakers colored an image of Wasserman, who died in August at 95, like a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother who had been never shy about discussing her blunt opinions on a subject. Until her last days, she was involved in her many passions: family, politics, fundraiser for that Film and tv Fund and meeting the readers of Wasserman Foundation scholarship grants at UCLA along with other schools. ''My grandmother was the frickin' Energizer Bunny,'' daughter Carol Ann Leif told the aud as she reeled off a listing of a number of Edie's favorite things (included in this Haagen-Dazs, ''Murder, She Wrote'' reruns, Vin Scully, Nate 'n Al's, ''It Happened One Night''). Longtime family friend Uri Herscher, founding father of the Skirball Cultural Center, noted that her dedication to giving and repair guarantees that her legacy will endure far beyond her very own family. ''Edie would be a giant permanently, and the like energy doesn't vanish,'' Herscher stated. Jamie Lee Curtis remembered the unyielding love and support and she or he and her sister Kelly received from godparents Lew and Edie. Being an adult, Curtis marveled in the influence they exerted, from Lew Wasserman's role as MCA/Universal mogul to Edie's work like a fundraising event. ''They transformed the path of e-commerce and also the lives of those who relied onto it,'' Curtis stated. ''She trained me the energy of energy.'' House minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) remembered how Edie could leave her brief phone messages a la: ''You go, girl.'' Hillary Clinton referred to the petite dynamo as ''spunky and gritty and elegant and gracious all simultaneously.'' And she or he got the greatest laugh from the evening in revealing the special bond she distributed to the lady who had been a hefty supporter from the Clinton family's political campaigns. ''She were built with a fascination in speaking beside me about how exactly both of us married males that nobody thought would go anywhere,'' she stated, as Bill Clinton was alongside her on stage. ''She'd say, 'He was an usher in a cinema after i found him. And yours was from the place nobody'd ever encountered.A '' Bill Clinton also noted Edie's wry spontaneity, remembering time she brought him to his table in a fundraising event she put for his 1996 reelection campaign. After seating him alongside Rupert Murdoch, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, Edie joked: '' 'I'm subjecting you to definitely Australia, and think about this your summary of Judeo-Scientology culture' ,'' he remembered. ''She didn't want me to consider being Leader too seriously.'' Other loudspeakers incorporated grand son Casey Wasserman, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and DreamWorks Animation's Jeffrey Katzenberg. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

Warner Bros. Buys Alan Turing Script for Leonardo DiCaprio

You do not know who Alan Turing is appropriate now, however when this project all fits in place, it's expected you'll with the 2014 Academy awards occasions. Probably. Deadline reviews that Warner Bros. outbid six other indie film companies for first-time film author Graham Moore's 'The Imitation Game,' a spec script that Leonardo DiCaprio gets the "inside track" to increase the risk for silver screen with Ron Howard "interested" in pointing. Don't know biopic on Turing so interesting having a of Hollywood's finest talents? Oscars! Also, it's juicy: Turing was an "British math wizzard, logician, cryptanalyst, computer investigator" who was simply punished to become homosexual in 1952, when England still had laws and regulations and rules against same-sex relations. He's also called the dad computer system science and artificial intelligence. Tragically, he needed their very own existence by consuming a cyanide laced apple -- a celebration which apparently spurred Jobs to title his then-new computer company Apple just like a tribute to Turing). Mentioned an origin to Deadline, the script is similar to '"The King's Speech' without any huge advantageous ending." No kidding. Right now, there is no timetable for your film or anybody really formally attached. Still, possibilities are the next short while daydreaming in regards to the options of 'The Imitation Game' with Howard and DiCaprio since the driving creative forces. If Leo doesn't have an Oscar for 'J. Edgar,' possibly that is his next best shot... [via Deadline] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook RELATED

Netflix's Decision to Cancel DVD-Streaming Split: What the Industry, Consumers Are Saying

Netflix's announcement Monday that it was nixing its recently announced plan to separate its DVD-by-mail from its Web streaming business prompted instant reaction from the industry and consumers.our editor recommendsNetflix Shares Sink Again as Analysts Dig Into Qwikster and Blockbuster Sets Press EventNetflix's Qwikster Offshoot Unpopular on Wall Street and Main StreetHollywood Docket: Did Netflix Register the Qwikster Trademark? The company said it had made its decision not to create Qwikster.com for DVD rentals in the wake of negative feedback from customers and Wall Street. After trading higher during the first half of the day, shares of Netflix on Monday hit a new 52-week low and closed down 4.8 percent as initial excitement over a strategy reversal waned. PHOTOS: Netflix's 10 Most Rented Movies of All Time Upon the announcement, several in the entertainment industry took to Twitter to share their reactions, with many -- including Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof -- likening Qwikster to Coca-Cola's failed New Coke in the mid-'80s. "Somewhere in the world, Qwikster is huddled in a dark, neglected corner crying into his New Coke," Lindelof tweeted. Meanwhile, Weird Al Yankovic quipped: "Next time Netflix wants to make a rash, impulsive decision, maybe they should just buy a puppy or get a tattoo. #RIPQwikster" PHOTOS: Hollywood's Biggest Blunders Movie critic Roger Ebert also weighed in: "So...Netflix has changed nothing, except now has everything under the Netflix name on one website?" Fellow movie critic Scott Weinberg(Twitch, FEARnet, Movies.com) mocked the company in a series of tweets that included: -- "Hey Netflix, can you get my parents back together? They separated in 1989." -- "New sign in the Netflix break room: 'Wanna get fired? Just mouth the word Qwikster.'" -- "I do believe that Qwikster has just supplanted New Coke on some upcoming Trivial Pursuit cards." -- "(Psst, everyone. Listen. Let's start demanding that Netflix deliver cakes too. They do whatever we say!)" STORY: Netflix Yanks Plan to Separate DVD-By-Mail From Streaming Service Also chiming in was Jason Snell, editorial director of Macworld: "I'll say this for Netflix: It sticks to its guns. And then shoots itself in the feet with them. And then changes guns. And shoots again." Mashable.com's Pete Cashmore sent this tweet: "Dear Netflix CEO: We Accept Your Apology. Love, DVDs." And they weren't the only ones with an opinion. Several consumers also weighed in on Netflix's decision reversal. Among them: Monique Hall Why didn't Netflix market research their 2-company idea before trying to do it?! Now they look twice as foolish reversing course. STORY:Netflix Stock Rises 7% Early Monday After Company Ditches Qwikster Plan Aaron Bender Netflix is making an a--hat of itself. It's actually getting funny now Brent Okuley The REAL problem with #Netflix isn't their lack of business direction. It's their lack of Magnum PI streaming online. Kait McDaniel Looks like Netflix got the right idea and killed Qwickster. I'm glad they figured out that you don't try to fix something that's not broken. STORY:Netflix Stock Hits 52-Week Low After It Cancels DVD-Streaming Split Cheryl Smithem As Netflix clearly has shown, brands are defined by the consumer. Not the other way around. Bala Iyer Netflix and Its New Coke Moment. ... Coke had a stronger brand. Zizwe Wow. Netflix is really confused. May I suggest consumer testing before springing major changes on people. Regardless I'm still a HUGE fan Related Topics Damon Lindelof Roger Ebert Netflix Weird Al Yankovic

Box Office Report: Hugh Jackman's 'Real Steel' Wins Friday With $8.6 000 0000

Shawn Levy's robot boxing drama Real Steel assigned the Friday box office race with $8.6 000 0000, nevertheless the fate in the Hugh Jackman pic depends upon strong family business in the last weekend.our editor recommendsBox Office Preview: Hugh Jackman's 'Real Steel' Set to Win WeekendBox Office Report: Hugh Jackman's 'Real Steel' Searching to start North of $25 Mil'Ides of March': George Clooney, Ryan Gosling's Energy Player StyleRyan Gosling: 'I Fanned Out' in 'Ides of March' (Video)George Clooney's 'The Ides Of March': Early ReviewsGeorge Clooney's 'The Ides of March': Just what the Experts The Ides of March, directed by George Clooney, placed second, grossing an thought $3.5 million on the potency of adult moviegoers intrigued with the political drama. Ides stars Clooney, Ryan Gosling and Philip Seymour Hoffman. PHOTOS: 'Real Steel' Premiere Since it stands now, Real Steel is headed for just about any $24 million to $26 million debut, missing the wanted-for $Thirty Dollars million or better opening. However, if families emerge in pressure in the last weekend, the DreamWorks movie will make up some ground and finished up north of $27 million. Real Steel cost $110 million to produce, too out of the box opening a couple of days ago in lots of key foreign areas. Ides of March, compiled by The brand new the new sony and fully funded by Cold Creek Pictures, is forecasted to earn $10.5 million or better for your weekend, many taking into consideration the film cost $12.5 million to produce. The brand new the new sony is wanting to best the $10.4 million acquired by Clooney starrer Michael Clayton on its first weekend in country wide release. PHOTOS: 'Real Steel' Start Searching CinemaScores won't be released until Saturday evening for either film. Warner Bros. and Alcon Entertainment's Dolphin Tale placed No. 3 on its third Friday, grossing $2.4 million for just about any domestic cume of $42.3 million, then your new the new sony's Kaira Pitt baseball drama Moneyball by getting an thought $2.3 million for just about any cume of $44 million. Summit Entertainment and Mandate Pictures' Seth Rogen-Ernest Gordon-Levitt film 50/50 paced No. 5, grossing an thought $1.8 million for just about any cume of $13.6 000 0000 within the first eight days in release. Belief-based pic Courageous, from Sherwood Pictures and TriStar, showed up No. 6, grossing $1.4 million on its second Friday for just about any total $12.7 million. Difficulties-Rachel Weisz horror movie Dream House adopted with $1.36 million for just about any cume of $11.4 million within the first eight days. Disney 3d re-relieve The Lion King fell to No. 8, grossing an thought $1.2 million for domestic total of $82.6 000 0000. The re-release has converted into a box office blockbuster, which is still playing in than 2,260 theaters, even thought the Gem Blu-Ray edition in the film was released on March. 4. What's Your Number? showed up No. 9 on its second Friday, grossing an thought $millions of for just about any disappointing cume of $8.3 million. Fox is disseminating the Anna Faris-Chris Evans R-rated comedy, which was produced and fully funded by New Regency. Rachelle Lefervre action pic Abduction, from Lionsgate, rounded the very best ten, grossing an thought $865K for just about any cume of $21.3 million. Related Subjects George Clooney Hugh Jackman Ryan Gosling Box Office Real Steel The Ides of March

A Modest Proposal to Turn Lady Gaga's Fame Monster Into a Movie

Since news broke that a Lady Gaga biopic may be in the works, I’ve fretted. The 25-year-old superstar is ripe for a big-screen toasting, but she’s only been a phenomenon since the latter half of 2008. Would you want to watch a Madonna biopic that stopped after the release of True Blue? Of course not. Lady Gaga has a gnarly, couture-bedecked arc ahead of her, and I say if she’s destined to be a cineplex draw, why not adapt her eight-track mini-album The Fame Monster into a full-fledged film? Even the title of the biopic’s source material, Maureen Callahan’s 2010 biography Poker Face: The Rise and Rise of Lady Gaga, indicates that the singer hasn’t existed long enough for plot complications. Her life story isn’t engrossing: Moving from NYU to clubland to the pop charts is not a revelatory trajectory. Meanwhile, Gaga herself has produced a captivating visual feast with the imagery-laden EP (which is long enough to be considered a sophomore album) The Fame Monster. From “Bad Romance” to “Alejandro” to “Telephone” to “Teeth,” it’s a jarring, danceably Gothic medley of sideshows. If the rock opera ever went out of style, surely The Fame Monster is the best incentive to revive the genre’s unholy grandeur. Picture if you will a Spike Jonze-directed musical blitz of monster schlock, Laurieann Gibson choreography, and the torrid throes of clubland romance. It’s Queen of the Damned meets 54 (!), with the spirits of Mamma Mia and Dr. Frankenfurter added liberally. A leotard-loving ingenue (Gaga) falls into a bad romance with a hulking, primitive, mythological beast (muffled voice of Ron Perlman and/or Madonna) who happens to spin records in Manhattan. They engage in a hokey, but haunting freestyle dance that ensures their destiny together. But wait: Gaga’s hot, blue-collar ex-paramour Alejandro nags her by telephone and woos her to her old life of comfortable domesticity. He leaves her speechless! She’s so happy she could die. Ultimately, she chooses between the two by forcing them to dance in the dark and show their teeth — which is a Rocky Horror tribute all its own. Already this is better than a by-the-books biopic. And it’s a logical extension of Gaga’s intrigue as opposed to a stilted, elementary retelling of her life. Would you see a Fame Monster movie? More importantly: Can you envision schlock lovers and “little monsters” seeing a Fame Monster movie? I’m in, teeth bared.

SAG honors Marlee Matlin

Released: Thu., March. 6, 2011, 6:13pm PTBy Marlee Matlin has introduced the Screen Stars Guild Harold Russell Award, which honors artists with disabilities.The kudo -- which came just like a surprise to Matlin -- was presented Thursday in media Access Honours within the Beverly Hilton Hotel while Matlin was hosting the breakfast event.Matlin mentioned in their acceptance speech that that her co-employees need to seek more recognition of stars with disabilities."We're dirty yet and that we will probably keep noise, to produce unpredicted unexpected things happen, and making it equal for every in our midst,Inch Matlin mentioned.Matlin, who's hard of hearing, won the most effective Actress Oscar for "Kids of the more compact God." Other credits include "The L Word," "CSI: Crime Scene Analysis," "Law & Order: SVU," "Seinfeld," "Free Air travel Wing" and "Dwts.InchJohn David Hall ("CSI: Crime Scene Analysis") presented the award to Matlin. Other individuals who win in media Access Honours include:AFTRA Disability Awareness Award Geri Jewell ("The Particulars of Existence")Casting Society of America Award Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas ("Breaking Bad")Producers Guild of America George Sunga Award Paul Stupin ("Switched at Birth")Authors Guild of America West Evan Somers Memorial Award Jason Katims ("MotherhoodInch)Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Scholarship Teal Sherer ("Warm Springs")RJ Mitte Diversity Award Abbey Umali ("Lucky") Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com