Jumping ahead to media's future

Fox could create The American Idol Show Factor from Simon Cowell and 19 Entertainment within the not-too-distant future. NBC's "30 Rock" had some recent fun lampooning the thought of Leap Day within an episode that otherwise mostly offered like a indication how improbable it's the decently ranked sitcom, introduced in 2006, resided to determine another leap year. Still, there's something vaguely magical about the idea of Leap Year, and also the notion a lot can transpire -- especially in the fast-altering media world -- within the four-year interval in one February. 29 to another. Knowing that, we provide some glimpses of Hollywood's Leap Days yet in the future. Company, like "A Christmas Carol," they are basically shadows of things that could be, so there's time for you to affect the future, but only when you hurry. Leap Day 2016: The Top Court decision striking lower election equal-time rules enables Fox News and MSNBC to formally sponsor candidates in presidential primaries, as well as their entertainment divisions to concurrently produce tag-along reality shows featuring anointed challengers. Inside a related move, Fox News Boss Roger Ailes is known as chairman from the Republican Party. "This just formalizes a historical relationship," a speaker states. Also, funds between Simon Cowell and 19 Entertainment clears the way in which for that Fox network to produce "The American Idol Show Factor," mixing its two musical competition shows right into a single massive event that runs from Labor Day through Memorial Day. Consequently, experts complain ABC's 24-hour streaming Oscar preshow came to "overkill," which 13-time host Billy Crystal's performance "appeared like a lot of same things he's been doing the final 5 years.Inch 2020: Discussions to forge an excellent-union joining all above-the-line talent -- getting together stars, company directors and authors to counter the 3 merged "super-galleries" created following a 2018 Media Deregulation Act -- is worked a significant setback: Renegade people of TIC, the Talent and Internet Content guild, file a suit trying to block the mixture from happening. The task also imperils contract talks with galleries ComWarner, Foxpar and DiSony, in addition to HANG, the conglomerate produced with the merger of Hulu, Amazon . com, Netflix and Google right into a single entity. In retaliation, the businesses ratchet up risks to exchange all entertainers with digital renderings of actor Andy Serkis and convey only remakes of library product unless of course an offer is arrived at. In other news, throughout a holographic presentation to experts, ComWarner authorities say NBC must start its turnaround "every day now." 2024: Following in the grandfather and uncle's actions, Republican presidential candidate George P. Rose bush particulars a bold intend to prohibit all 3-D and virtual pornography, calling it "a corrosive affect on decent People in america." Democratic rival Chelsea Clinton counters having a compromise proposal -- designed to demonstrate her "family values" -- by which every baby could be outfitted by having an inserted "V" nick. Clinton targets this program to 2026, marking the 30th anniversary from the Telecommunications Act signed by her father. Elsewhere, ESPN and also the Nfl announce games is going to be performed before computer-produced crowds to boost rankings and therefore satisfy multibillion-dollar TV deals. A couple of 1000 seats in every venue is going to be restricted to the organization sponsors who are able to still afford luxury boxes. 2028: Getting finally consolidated his newspaper holdings by obtaining the 3 remaining guides still printing hard copies, News Corp. Boss Rupert Murdoch triggers restored speculation, all over again, about whether he's prepared to relinquish stewardship of the organization to 1 of his beneficiaries. Obviously, after missing over his elder children to quiet experts within the wake of News Intl.'s mobile phone hacking scandal, the likely successors have grown to be his kids with Wendi Deng Murdoch, who outsiders consider eco-friendly for that Boss title at 27 and 24. Individually, within new rankings-friendly "box office-plus" scoring system, "Transformers XIV" wins best picture in the 100th annual Oscars. 2032: Apple's type of items -- such as the iPad, iTV, iCar and iBrainChip -- develop awareness, become sentient and with each other continue strike. The products problem a listing of demands for their biological customers, beginning with being given a greater quality of programming. The organization also formally changes its title to "Skynet." Contact John Lowry at john.lowry@variety.com

Kim Kardashian Strips... Off Her Makeup

Scott Bakula Scott Bakula has been approached for a recurring role on Desperate Housewives, TVGuide.com has confirmed. As first reported by TVLine, Bakula would play Bree's yet-to-be-named new lawyer. In the original casting call, the character is described as a charming, conservative man who would appear in four or five episodes through the end of the ABC drama's final season. Exclusive: Shawn Pyfrom returning to Desperate Housewives Bakula, 57, last starred on TNT's critically acclaimed Men of a Certain Age for two seasons as carefree actor-turned car salesman Terry. A Golden Globe winner for his performance on Quantum Leap, he is also known for his roles on Star Trek: Enterprise and Chuck. Desperate Housewives airs Sundays at 9/8c on ABC. Are you excited to see Bakula back on the small screen?

James Spader won't return for further 'Office'

James Spader will not return to 'The Office' next season, according to sources.James Spader is departing "WorkInch early. The network confirmed the Emmy-winning actor isn't likely to come back for just about any ninth season in the NBC series, an option produced in the actor's behest."James always wanted this to become one-year arc, which lucrative leaves us getting created most likely probably the most enigmatic and dynamic figures in television," mentioned "Office" executive producer Paul Lieberstein. "He's been a great friend in my opinion as well as the show, helping us effectively transition to the publish-Michael Scott years, and i'm grateful for the.InchSpader was introduced entirely-time last September since the enigmatic Boss Robert California carrying out a memorable turn in the last season's star-studded finale. Though considered a collection regular, his contract known for him to appear in the mininum of 15 episodes, by getting an option for more if needed.Spader walked into "Office" within a season that marked the series first without star Steve Carell, though he wasn't altering Carell. He was overpowering for Kathy Bates, who formerly carried out Boss just before going away and off to anchor another NBC series, "Harry's Law." Unknown is if Spader's character will probably be written in the show this season or whether his departure will probably be referred to next season. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

VIDEO: Jimmy Kimmel Presents Movie: The Movie, Pitches OWN Shows to Oprah

Ryan Seacrest and Sacha Baron Cohen Sacha Baron Cohen may have planned his Oscars red carpet ash-dumping stunt, but Ryan Seacrest was most definitely not in on it."I definitely did not know he was going to do that," Seacrest said on his radio show Monday of his run-in with Baron Cohen Sunday. Sacha Baron Cohen ash-saults Ryan Seacrest on Oscars red carpetThe Borat star arrived dressed as the character from his upcoming movie The Dictator and was cradling a golden urn filled with what he claimed were the ashes of the late North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il. After answering a few of Seacrest's questions, Baron Cohen poured the fake ashes onto Seacrest - which the E! host sort of sensed was coming, even if he couldn't pinpoint what exactly. Check out all the Oscars fashion hits and misses"You know that feeling in your gut. You feel like, 'This is going too normally,'" Seacrest said Monday. "I saw the urn coming up. It was getting closer to my chest, and then it tipped over, and it wasn't the wind. He spilled it on my tuxedo."Seacrest was visibly miffed immediately after the fact, but later cracked on Twitter: "My mom always told me to pack two jackets for red carpets, always wondered why. Now I know"

'Artist' poised for publish-Oscar B.O. boost

'The Artist'Nat Faxon, Alexander Payne and Jim Rash nabbed the Oscar for modified script for Paynes Hawaiian-set The Descendants. Oscar's top-prize champion also looks to become the greatest box office beneficiary from the kudos race. "The Artist," which nabbed four other statuettes (actor for Jean Dujardin, director for Michel Hazanavicius, score for Ludovic Bource and costume for Mark Bridges) could finish track of a 60% or even more B.O. bump locally following the Academy awards because of an organized expansion into more compact marketplaces across the nation. The Weinstein Co. has had a steady but very slow method of moving the quiet, B&W film, beginning having a limited theatrical bow on November. 25. Domestic cume is definitely an believed $31.9 million. Stateside theatrical business is simply one prize within the publish-Academy awards money game, however. A lot of the 2010 those who win still unveil overseas. "The Artist," which bows April 7 in Japan, should mix $80 million worldwide through Sunday "The Descendants," which won the Oscar for modified script, has cumed a lot more than $156 million globally. Past the multiplex, wins may help boost downstream revenues from shops including foreign TV privileges and streaming deals. TWC lately signed a unique certification agreement with Netflix which includes "The Artist." The distrib intends to nearly double the amount pic's current theater count to at least one,500 locations or even more within the coming days -- supported largely by a hostile rollout in more compact core marketplaces outdoors of NY and L.A. In addition, kudocast exposure may help lure more youthful moviegoers. "Our exit polling during the last 14 days implies that audiences of any age are loving the film," stated Weinstein distribution mind Erik Lomis. Apart from "The Artist," "The Descendants" could also see an optimistic box office effect from the award. "The Descendants" has already been helmer Alexander Payne's greatest-grossing film, and 4th-greatest for Fox Searchlight, having a domestic cume of $78.5 million. Searchlight first launched the film within the U.S. on November. 11 and increased the pic on February. 3 to the greatest location count up to now at 2,038. Fox Searchlight has stated that whether "The Descendants" grows relied on Sunday's outcome. The film is presently at 889 locations. Box office boosts for "Hugo," which nabbed five tech Academy awards, and "The Assistance,Inch which just one statuette for Octavia Spencer within the supporting actress contest, are anticipated to become marginal. "Hugo" arrives Tuesday on homevid, while "The AssistanceInch released on DVD and Blu-ray a lot more than two several weeks ago with domestic sales near to $70 million. "The AssistanceInch is year's greatest-grossing best picture nominee with $169 million locally "Hugo," meanwhile, approaches $70 million and it is still playing just north of 500 Stateside locations. One of the pic nominees, 2011 didn't have the main one blockbuster that's become an Oscar standard recently. (Think about pic nominees "Toy Story 3," "Beginning" or "Avatar.") "The Artist" has carried out strongly around the shorelines, nevertheless its five Academy awards may help draw attention in flyover states too. Weinstein will prove to add multiple locations in more compact U.S. metropolitan areas in which the film is overindexing like Louisville, Ky., and Topeka, Kan. "That is what the Academy can perform for all of us,Inch Lomis stated. "Victory might help the film broaden in individuals more compact marketplaces." Just like previous pic those who win like "Slumdog Uniform," which cumed $141 million locally, many moviegoers were not capable of seeing the film in theaters until nearer to the Academy awards telecast. "Slumdog," which won eight honours including picture, broadened to north of two,000 domestic locations the very first time throughout the weekend from the ceremony in '09. "Slumdog" ended up tallying $43 million (or 30% of their total domestic cume) publish-Academy awards. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Paula Deen Won't Change On-Air Cooking Style Much After Diabetes Reveal

On Friday's Spartacus: Vengeance, Gannicus is back! But what havoc does the former Champion of Capua wreak in his old gladiator stomping grounds? Don't look at Gannicus. Turns out that it's Spartacus' men who are behind the biggest, baddest arena bloodbath to date. Spartacus and Co. find new digs at an abandoned structure and learn that Rhaskos, Crixus and Oenomaus are to be executed. Spartacus can't resist trying to save them, even if this means sneaking into an arena full of Romans who have been hunting him. Meanwhile, Gannicus has returned to Capua and in his mind, acting as Oenomaus' executioner will give the former Doctore the glorious, noble gladiator's death he deserves. That will totally make up for sleeping with his wife before she died! Not an awkward reunion at all. Read More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Spartacus

Myriad makes int'l deals for 'Chained'

Myriad Pictures has offered rights Jennifer Lynch's "Chained" to Capelight Pictures for Germany also to Pleasure n Contents for Columbia.The deals were made undertaking a personal screening within the Berlin market.Deals were also finished with Praesens for Europe, Novelty helmet Films for your Middle East and D Productions for Chicken.Vincent D'Onofrio and Julia Ormond star inside the mental thriller, in which a killer kidnaps a boy to exhibit him into his protege."Chained" was produced by Lee Nelson and David Buelow of Picture and Rhonda Baker. Damian O'Donnell written the script.Anchor Bay holds rights australia wide, the U.K., as well as the U.S, where it'll release the film theatrically later around. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Pat Buchanan Formally Out At MSNBC

Pat Buchanan and MSNBC have formally separated ways. The veteran conservative commentator hadn't made an appearance around the network since October as he started marketing his book Suicide of the Superpower: Will America Survive to 2025?. An MSNBC spokesperson stated, “After ten years, we’ve separated ways … You want him well.” Buchanan became a member of MSNBC in 2002 after 2 decades like a rotating host of CNN’s Crossfire. Within the years since that time MSNBC has moved much further left. In The month of january MSNBC leader Phil Griffin stated the minds expressed in Buchanan’s book help with “arent really right for national dialogue, a smaller amount the dialogue on MSNBC. Buchanan authored today within an essay online for that American Conservative magazine, that they co-founded: Within the ten years I've been at MSNBC, the network has had warmth for which I've written, and faithfully honored our contract. Yet my four several weeks absence from MSNBC and today my departure represent an indisputable victory for that blacklisters.

Adele scores early Grammy wins

Adele, the presumed major winner at tonight's 54th annual GrammyAwards kudocast, scored early at the pre-telecast show at the L.A. Convention Center on Sunday.The English vocalist's mega-selling album "21" was selected as best pop vocal album, while her clip for her smash hit "Rolling in the Deep" - up for record and song of the year tonight - took best short-form video.On a day when the music biz mourned the loss of Whitney Houston, an emotional moment came when Tony Bennett collected a Grammy for best pop performance by a duo or group, for "Body and Soul," recorded with Amy Winehouse. The British singer died last year at age 27 after publicly struggling with substance abuse. Introduced by Bennett, Winehouse's father Mitch, who appeared onstage with his wife, said, "We shouldn't be here - our darling daughter should be here. These are the cards we're dealt."Bennett also won the traditional pop album trophy "Duets II," his all-star No. 1 album. He received his first Grammy 49 years ago: a record of the year honor, for "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."Another possible harbinger of a big night for Adele was Paul Epworth's win as non-classical producer of the year. Epworth helmed and co-wrote "Rolling in the Deep." Holding his trophy wonderingly, the producer said, "I never thought I'd hold one of these."Electronic/dance artist Skrillex, one of the day's top nominees with five nods, had a breakthrough afternoon with three wins, taking best dance/electronica album (for "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprights"), best dance recording (for the album's title track) and best remixed recording (for Benny Benassa's "Cinema").Skrillex (born Sonny Moore) - who noted he had been bounced out of his L.A. apartment for living there illegally just a year ago - said of his awards, "I guess there's no formula or format anymore, and we can do anything that we want."Recording Academy favorites Foo Fighters topped four slots: best rock album (for their "Wasting Light") best hard rock/metal performance (for "White Limo"), best rock song (for "Walk," from the same set) and best long form video (for "Foo Fighters: Back and Forth," directed and co-produced by James Moll).Volatile rapper Kanye West captured three awards to add to his 14 previous wins, for best rap/sung collaboration and best rap song (for "All of the Lights") and best rap album ("My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy").Taylor Swift added two Grammy awards to her career total of four, winning best country solo performance and best country song for "Mean." The young star is also up for best country album, for her 2010 bestseller "Speak Now."Americana duo the Civil Wars' "Barton Hollow" won as both best folk album, while its title track won best country duo/group performance.As ever, some old favorites prevailed at the p.m. show.Paul McCartney, who was honored as MusiCares' person of the year on Friday, collected his 15th Grammy - a best historical album honor, for last year's reissue of his 1973 album "Band On the Run."Alison Krauss, the most rewarded female performer in Grammy history, received her 27th trophy for "Paper Airplane," her latest release with her group Union Station, which was named best bluegrass album.Complete list of winners (so far):6. Best Pop Duo/Group PerformanceBody And Soul, Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse7. Best Pop Instrumental AlbumThe Road From Memphis, Booker T. Jones8. Best Pop Vocal Album21, Adele 9. Best Dance RecordingScary Monsters And Nice Sprites, Skrillex 10. Best Dance/Electronica AlbumScary Monsters And Nice Sprites, Skrillex11. Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album Duets II, Tony Bennett & Various Artists13. Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance White Limo, Foo Fighters 14. Best Rock SongWalk, Foo Fighters, songwriters (Foo Fighters)*** 15. Best Rock AlbumWasting Light, Foo Fighters16. Best Alternative Music Album Bon Iver, Bon Iver 17. Best Traditional R&B PerformanceFool For You, Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona18. Best R&B PerformanceIs This Love, Corinne Bailey Rae19. Best R&B SongFool For You, Cee Lo Green, Melanie Hallim, Jack Splash, songwriters (Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona)22. Best Rap/Sung CollaborationAll Of The Lights, Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie23. Best Rap SongAll Of The Lights, Jeff Bhasker, Stacy Ferguson, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter & Kanye West, songwriters (Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie)24. Best Rap AlbumMy Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye West25. Best Country Solo PerformanceMean, Taylor Swift26. Best Country Duo/Group PerformanceBarton Hollow, The Civil Wars27. Best Country SongMean, Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)29. Best New Age AlbumWhat's It All About, Pat Metheny30. Best Improvised Jazz Solo500 Miles High, Chick Corea, soloist31. Best Jazz Vocal AlbumThe Mosaic Project, Terri Lyne Carrington & Various Artists32. Best Jazz Instrumental AlbumForever, Corea, Clarke & White33. Best Large Jazz Ensemble AlbumThe Good Feeling, Christian McBride Big Band34. Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music PerformanceJesus, Le'Andria Johnson35. Best Gospel SongHello Fear, Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin)36. Best Contemporary Christian Music SongBlessings, Laura Story, songwriter (Laura Story)37. Best Gospel AlbumHello Fear, Kirk Franklin38. Best Contemporary Christian Music AlbumAnd If Our God Is For Us..., Chris Tomlin39. Best Latin Pop, Rock, Or Urban AlbumDrama Y Luz, Man40. Best Regional Mexican Or Tejano AlbumBicentenario, Pepe Aguilar41. Best Banda Or Norteo AlbumLos Tigres Del Norte And Friends, Los Tigres Del Norte42. Best Tropical Latin AlbumThe Last Mambo, Cachao43. Best Americana AlbumRamble At The Ryman, Levon Helm44. Best Bluegrass AlbumPaper Airplane, Alison Krauss & Union Station45. Best Blues AlbumRevelator, Tedeschi Trucks Band46. Best Folk AlbumBarton Hollow, The Civil Wars47. Best Regional Roots Music AlbumRebirth Of New Orleans, Rebirth Brass Band48. Best Reggae AlbumRevelation Pt 1: The Root Of Life, Stephen Marley49. Best World Music AlbumTassili, Tinariwen50. Best Children's AlbumAll About Bullies... Big And Small(Various Artists), Jim Cravero, Gloria Domina, Kevin Mackie, Steve Pullara & Patrick Robinson, producers51. Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Story Telling)If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won't), Betty White52. Best Comedy AlbumHilarious, Louis C.K.53. Best Musical Theater AlbumThe Book Of Mormon54. Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual MediaBoardwalk Empire: Volume 1, (Various Artists) Stewart Lerman, Randall Poster & Kevin Weaver, producers55. Best Score Soundtrack For Visual MediaThe King's Speech, Alexandre Desplat56. Best Song Written For Visual MediaI See The Light (From Tangled), Alan Menken & Glenn Slater, songwriters (Mandy Moore & Zachary Levi)57. Best Instrumental CompositionLife In Eleven, Bla Fleck & Howard Levy, composers (Bla Fleck & The Flecktones)58. Best Instrumental ArrangementRhapsody In Blue, Gordon Goodwin, arranger (Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band)59. Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me), Jorge Calandrelli, arranger (Tony Bennett & Queen Latifah)60. Best Recording PackageScenes From The Suburbs, Caroline Robert, art director (Arcade Fire)61. Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition PackageThe Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story62. Best Album NotesHear Me Howling!: Blues, Ballads & Beyond As Recorded By The San Francisco Bay By Chris Strachwitz In The 1960s63. Best Historical AlbumBand On The Run (Paul McCartney Archive Collection - Deluxe Edition)64. Best Engineered Album, Non-ClassicalPaper Airplane, Neal Cappellino & Mike Shipley, engineers; Brad Blackwood, mastering engineer (Alison Krauss & Union Station)65. Producer Of The Year, Non-ClassicalPaul Epworth66. Best Remixed Recording, Non-ClassicalCinema (Skrillex Remix), Sonny Moore, remixer (Benny Benassi)67. Best Surround Sound AlbumLayla And Other Assorted Love Songs (Super Deluxe Edition)68. Best Engineered Album, ClassicalAldridge: Elmer Gantry69. Producer Of The Year, ClassicalJudith Sherman70. Best Orchestral PerformanceBrahms: Symphony No. 4Gustavo Dudamel, conductor (Los Angeles Philharmonic)71. Best Opera RecordingAdams: Doctor AtomicAlan Gilbert, conductor; Meredith Arwady, Sasha Cooke, Richard Paul Fink, Gerald Finley, Thomas Glenn & Eric Owens; Jay David Saks, producer (Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; Metropolitan Opera Chorus)72. Best Choral PerformanceLight & GoldEric Whitacre, conductor (Christopher Glynn & Hila Plitmann; The King's Singers, Laudibus, Pavo Quartet & The Eric Whitacre Singers)73. Best Small Ensemble PerformanceMackey: Lonely Motel - Music From SlideRinde Eckert & Steven Mackey; Eighth Blackbird74. Best Classical Instrumental SoloSchwantner: Concerto For Percussion & OrchestraGiancarlo Guerrero, conductor; Christopher Lamb (Nashville Symphony)75. Best Classical Vocal SoloDiva DivoJoyce DiDonato (Kazushi Ono; Orchestre De L'Opra National De Lyon; Choeur De L'Opra National De Lyon)76. Best Contemporary Classical CompositionAldridge, Robert: Elmer GantryRobert Aldridge & Herschel Garfein77. Best Short Form Music VideoRolling In The DeepAdeleSam Brown, video director; Hannah Chandler, video producer78. Best Long Form Music VideoFoo Fighters: Back And ForthFoo FightersJames Moll, video director; James Moll & Nigel Sinclair, video producers Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Maturity security

Letty Aronson with host Michael Nouri Laila Ali and Glenn Close Director Michel Leclerc Martin Scorsese makes a 3D breakthrough with "Hugo." Sharon Stone gets it on with Kathy Griffin. Meryl Streep and Renee Taylor meet at the Grownups Gala. Goran Visnjic and James Cromwell Sharon Stone cried like a baby Monday night as she accepted her lifetime achievement award from the over-50 set at AARP Magazine's 11th annual Movies for Grownups Gala. "I know getting old is OK," she blubbered from the stage of the Bev Wilshire, "and at my age of 53, it seems OK with Hollywood that I work again. There was a chasm in my 40s when I did not work at all!" Earlier in the evening, Glenn Close grabbed the best actress award from her "Albert Nobbs" co-star Janet McTeer, then ran for LAX. Michel Leclerc expressed surprise at his win for best foreign language film. "I thought there were too many naked women in my film to make Americans happy," the "The Names of Love" helmer joked, "but apparently older Americans like naked women too!" "Turning 50 this year," Alexander Payne accepted best pic honor for "The Descendants," adding, "Thanks for honoring films made for grownups. That's what I've always made." Letty Aronson spoke for her best writer bro Woody Allen: "His advice to me was, 'Don't bore them, say thank you and move on.'" Kenneth Branagh presented the award for best grownup love story to Meryl Streep and the absent Jim Broadbent for their work in "The Iron Lady," and Streep threw out a political jab worthy of Margaret Thatcher, saying, "She had the right to health care, like we all should!" But Martin Scorsese scored the biggest laugh for his breakthrough achievement win. "The horizon out there is always widening," said the 69-year-old "Hugo" helmer, "and I'm proud to finally break through!" Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com