Publicists award to David Stapf

Hollywood publicists have selected David Stapf, leader of CBS Television Art galleries, to find the tv Showman of year award. Kudo is going to be provided within the 49th annual Publicists Honours Lunch within the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Feb. 24. The publicists are part of the Intl. Cinematographers Guild. The Wednesday announcement from ICG leader Steven Poster and honours committee chairman Henri Bollinger noted that Stapf, a classic publicist, was named to his present position in 2004. He runs all of the studio's program development and production for series and television movies for your broadcast, fundamental cable and premium funnel areas. Stapf grew to become part of CBS in 1999 following stints at Warner Bros. Television and Embassy Television. "The fact David Stapf began his career just like a publicist clearly validates his appreciation of the value of publicity inside the ultimate success of entertainment products," Bollinger mentioned. "His background in publicity as well as the inordinate success he's loved as leader of CBS Television Art galleries makes him exclusively able to receive this recognition." 20th Century Fox Television chairs Gary Newman and Dana Walden were the latest visitors in the award. Other recent individuals who win have incorporated Chuck Lorrie, Peter Roth, Nina Tassler, Jerry Bruckheimer and Aaron Sorkin. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Kelly Preston: I've Lost 39 Pounds

Kelly Preston and John Travolta Kelly Preston feels "amazing" after losing 39 pounds, she tells People."I lost 39 pounds, have more energy than I had 20 years ago - and I feel amazing," Preston says. "I'm going to be turning 50 next year - holy sh--! Hey, 50 is the new 30."Check out more dramatic celebrity weight lossThe actress had set out to lose her baby weight from her pregnancy with 1-year-old son Benjamin Travolta, but she has now dropped below her pre-pregnancy weight, thanks to pal Kirstie Alley's Organic Liaison weight-loss program. (Alley lost 100 pounds herself during and after her Dancing with the Stars run this spring.)"When I got pregnant at 48, I didn't know if my body would bounce back," Preston says. "I was so excited when my best friend created [the program's organic supplement system] Rescue Me." According to the program's website, Rescue Me targets cravings and "boosts natural energy." Preston recently signed on as an Organic Liaison spokeswoman. "It's pretty much the most genius thing ever," she says.

American Airlines Files for Bankruptcy Protection

Getty ImagesFelicity Jones The 21st annual Gotham Independent Film Awards took place Monday night at NY's historic Cipriani Wall Street restaurant. As I cautioned when the Independent Filmmaker Project announced this year's nominees, there is little reason to believe that the results at the Gothams have any direct impact on the Oscar race -- sometimes both organizations happen to arrive at the same choice (see: The Hurt Locker), but the reality is that Gotham nods and wins are really a reflection of nothing more than the tastes of the five-person "committees" that are arbitrarily selected and assigned to the various categories by the IFP (some members of which have never worked on a film), whereas Oscar nods and wins are determined by thousands of people (virtually all of whom are filmmakers). Still, studios and talent whose work was recognized Monday night were unanimously exuberant, if only because it can't hurt to get a moment in the spotlight in front of a crowd packed with colleagues and journalists, to say nothing of the free print and online publicity that is afforded to the winners in the form of news coverage.our editor recommendsThe Scene: Inside the 21st Annual Gotham AwardsGotham Awards 2011: The Red Carpet ArrivalsGotham Awards 2011: 'Tree of Life,' 'Beginners' Tie for Best FeatureDo Gotham Awards Nominations Actually Impact Oscar Race? (Analysis)Gotham Awards 2011: Honorees Charlize Theron, Gary Oldman Reveal the Inspiration Behind Their Work PHOTOS: Gotham Awards 2011 Red Carpet Arrivals That being stipulated, what/who was perceived to have gotten a bounce last night? And what/who was perceived to have taken a hit? Here's my take... Focus Features is justifiably feeling over the moon about their night. They went 3-for-3 in competitive categories, none of which they were expected to win: Beginners, which has been regarded as a long-shot contender for best picture and best original screenplay Oscar nods, beat The Descendants, among other high-profile films, to win both of the top two categories, best feature (it tied with The Tree of Life) and best ensemble, and Pariah filmmaker Dee Rees topped several bigger names to win best breakthrough director. Moreover, they got a cherry on their cake, as Gary Oldman, who is on the bubble in the best actor race for his understated performance in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, was the subject of a glowing tribute from Alec Baldwin, a great montage of his life's work and the night's only standing ovation afforded to an individual. STORY: 'Tree of Life,' 'Beginners' Tie for Best Feature at Gotham Awards Paramount is pretty happy right now, as well. They have been campaigning aggressively on behalf of Charlize Theron (Young Adult) and Felicity Jones (Like Crazy), both of whom they'd like to sneak into the competitive best actress race, and their efforts got a big boost last night thanks to Theron's tribute (during which she and her co-star/best supporting actor hopeful Patton Oswalt stole the show) and Jones' somewhat surprising win over two other young women who have been seen as likelier bets for Oscar nods, including one of whom is competing in the same category: Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene). Fox Searchlight likely has mixed emotions. The Descendants and Martha Marcy May Marlene, which led the entire field with three nods each -- including the big two, best feature and best ensemble -- both went home empty-handed. However, their night was somewhat salvaged when The Tree of Life, their tough-sell best picture Oscar hopeful, won best feature (it tied with Beginners). Complete List of Gotham Awards Winners Roadside Attractions has to feel a little disappointed with the way things turned out for their films. IFP first denied Albert Nobbs any nominations, and then denied Margin Call -- a red-hot film at the moment -- a win in the one category in which it was nominated and really fit the bill: best ensemble. As great a film as the category's winner Beginners is, it's primarily a four-person flick (Ewan McGregor, Melanie Laurent, Christopher Plummerand Goran Visnjic), whereas its hard to even keep count of all of the impressive moving pieces in Margin Call (Zachary Quinto, Jeremy Irons, Kevin Spacey, Stanley Tucci, Paul Bettany, Demi Moore, Simon Baker, Penn Badgley, Mary McDonnelland the list goes on). Sony Pictures Classics can't be thrilled about its showing. While David Cronenberg, who directed its film A Dangerous Method, was the subject of a nice tribute, Take Shelter, its stronger Oscar contender -- which is thought to be on-the-bubble for best actor (Michael Shannon) and best original screenplay (Jeff Nichols) -- was shut out after scoring nods in the top two categories, best feature and best ensemble. STORY: The Scene Inside the 2011 Gotham Awards Oscilloscope is a small and young enough studio that it was probably happy just to have a ticket to the party. The fact that Meek's Cutoff came up short for best feature and Evan Glodell (Bellflower) didn't win best breakthrough director can't have knocked anyone's socks off. The Weinstein Co. had its Gotham hopes dashed long before Monday night -- oddly enough, its films weren't rewarded with so much as a single nomination! PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Gotham Awards 2011: The Red Carpet Arrivals Gotham Awards Alec Baldwin Charlize Theron David Cronenberg Patton Oswalt The Tree of Life Like Crazy Martha Marcy May Marlene Elizabeth Olsen Beginners The Descendants Felicity Jones

The Dance of Two Left Foot ((Ang sayaw ng dalawang kaliwang paa))

A Vim Yapan/Alem Chua Prods. relieve a Cinemalaya presentation from the Vim Yapan/Alem Chua Prods. production in cooperation with Bigtop Media Prods., SQ Film Labs, Optima Digital, Asian U. (Worldwide sales: Ignatius Films, Toronto.) Produced by Tonee Acejo. Executive producers, Alvin Yapan, Alemberg Ang. Co-producers, Eriq Agaser, Aza Ang-Co, Tessa Aquino, Andre Banaga, Arnel Castro, Jun Celzo, Noel Contreras, Perry Co, Dennis Corteza, Oj Cruz, Francis Cua, Boom Enriquez, Genevieve Khonghun, Teri Florio, Erok Kaw, Donna Lampa, Patrick Lim, Genie Lorenzo, Tacing Marasigan, Mika Millar, Lloyd Norelia, Joney Pustia, Gerswin Qua, Erich Shih, Ainsley Tai, Paolo Tolentino, Jenny Trinidad, Temmy Tan, Weevens Ty, Garvin Yao, May Valdez, Alec Villmarin. Directed, put together by Alvin Yapan, good poems of Rebecca Anonuevo, Joi Barrios, Merlinda Bobis, Ophelia Dimalanta, Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, Benilda Santos.With: Paulo Avelino, Rocco Nacino, Jean Garcia, Jacqui Jacinto, Sheila Joyce Villanueva, Asian U. Dance Company, Company of Dance Artists. (Tagalog, British dialogue)Dance, poetry and desire commingle in "The Dance of Two Left Foot," an stylishly come up with drama a great unconventional love triangular that springs in the college student's infatuation along with his older teacher. Filipino helmer Alvin Yapan certifies the commitment of his 2009 debut, "The Rapture of Further erectile dysfunction," using this technically sophisticated look for romantic yearning that's both intellectually stimulating and psychologically engaging. Released in your town March. 26, pic can be a natural for fests with dance sidebars and contains offshore potential on specialized tube shops. An atmosphere of restrained eroticism remains within the opening segs through which Marlon (Paulo Avelino), an underperforming student in the wealthy family, gazes longingly at Karen (Jean Garcia), his classy, 40-ant literature professor. Following her after school, Marlon discovers Karen works nights just like a dance teacher and choreographer. Attempting to be viewed by her, Marlon utilizes Dennis (Rocco Nacino), another university student who attends Karen's dance classes, as his private tutor. Marlon expects to sign up just like a newcomer and impress Karen along with his natural ability, after learning moves in advance. Below can be a delicately built dance of desire. A sign of homosexual attraction emerges as Marlon's training with Dennis intensify, creating the wanted-for results of getting in Karen's attention round the oasis. Wise to Marlon's every move also to the potentially explosive dynamics between him and Dennis, Karen casts in her own approaching output of the "Humadapnon," popular poem with parallels for the real-existence drama playing out before her. A university professor and acclaimed author, Yapan has already established the potentially harmful step of infusing his script with large areas of poetry by Filipino feminist authors, also in-depth class discussions on subjects such as the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice as well as the character in the film gaze. His strategy takes proper care of wonderfully well due to outstanding picture and appear editing, safeguarding lovely dance sequences with well-selected poetry bloodstream pressure dimensions and literary discussions that say aspects of the hidden feelings swirling around the primary players. Only very late inside the proceedings is spell slightly broken with a couple of cumbersome moments of exposition. Because you will find with no other speaking roles inside the film, the three central thesps carry your entire day with underplayed perfs of distinction. Avelino and Nacino capture all the curiosity and naivete of teens learning the recommendations and effects of attraction respected TV star Garcia is quietly commanding since the attractive and unmarried older lady whose true feelings remain tantalizingly ambiguous. Well produced around the modest budget, pic sports attractive pictures by lenser Arvin Viola plus an eclectic score by Christine Muyco and Jema Pamintuan that really works harmoniously with poetry and dance elements to lend a metaphysical atmosphere for the proceedings. Other tech credits are professional.Camera (color/B&W, HD), Arvin Viola editor, Mai Dionisio music, Christine Muyco, Jema Pamintuan production designer, Aped Santos art director, Sayton Duque appear (stereo system system), Arnold Reodica choreographer, Eli Jacinto visual effects supervisor, Ramil Plofino connect producers, Martin Lopez, Gay Ace Domingo, Michael Boy, Jesse Lozada, Manny Valera assistant director, Mariel Dionisio second unit camera, Gym Lumbrera, J.P. Papa, Marco Lopez. Examined at Hawaii Film Festival (competing), March. 17, 2011. (Also in Cinemalaya Film Festival.) Running time: 85 MIN. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Natalie Wood Detective States He Never Suspected Robert Wagner Triggered Her Dying (Video)

The situation of actress Natalie Wood's mysterious dying continues to be re-opened up after 3 decades, the La County Sheriff's Department introduced Thursday, November. 17.our editor recommendsNatalie Wood Biopic: Should Michelle Williams, Emma Watson, Carey Mulligan or Emma Stone Take part in the Icon? (Poll)Natalie Wood Dying: Who owns Boat Understood for Days Police Would Reopen CaseRobert Wagner Blamed Self For Natalie Wood's Dying in MemoirNatalie Wood Mystery: File Delivered to Sheriff Revealed Telling Clues (PDF Document)Natalie Wood's Sister Makes First TV Appearance on 'Piers Morgan Tonight' (Video)Police Force Experts Outline Course For Natalie Wood InquiryRelated Subjects•Natalie Wood PHOTOS: 12 of Hollywood's Most Mysterious Deaths Researchers revealed Thursday, that new information was behind the choice to revisit the occasions of November. 19, 1981, once the actress inexplicably disappeared from her yacht, Spendour, that was floating just from the coast of Los Angeles's Catalina Island. She was onboard with husband Robert Wagner, and Brainstorm co-star Christopher Walken. Since that announcement, both Wagner and also the boat's captain Dennis Davern have both spoken out. PHOTOS: Best Pictures of Natalie Wood And today, the situation's detective, Duane Rasure, is joining them. Talking to CBS' 48 Hrs, the upon the market sergeant from the La County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau, stated the throughout the analysis, he "never really got concered about a murder." He stated when he'd had evidence that her husband Wagner have been invloved in foul play, he'd have arrested him personally. VIDEO: 5 of Natalie Wood's Most Memorable Roles "It had been an accidental drowning, she just been a famous superstar. She would be a small lady. She drowned in a nutshell time, I'd say," Rasure relayed. STORY: Christopher Walken Employs Lawyer to deal with Natalie Wood Analysis (Exclusive) Rasure also stated he thought Davern, that has indicated he thinks Wagner performed a component in Wood's drowning, isn't being truthful. "He's just made themself to look great in the book," he stated (Davern released Goodbye Nataile, Goodbye Beauty last year). "And clearly, he's selling a magazine making money from it. And i believe that's the entire purpose behind his penning this book." Younger crowd revealed the whole analysis survived about five days. On Friday, The Hollywood Reporter solely reported Walken had hired a lawer to represent him within the recently-raised from the dead analysis. The L.A. County Sheriff's Department stated they intend to examine the boat Wood, Wagner, and Walken were on, that is now docked in Hawaii. And, while Lt. John Corina stated Wagner isn't a suspect, he did reveal the department received new, credible information that motivated further analysis, saying, "We felt you should be responsible enough to follow-up." Watch Rasure's interview below. Related Subjects Christopher Walken Natalie Wood Robert Wagner

Gay symbols celebrate Center

Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka share the centers recognition.Jordan Jesse Tyler Ferguson didn't attend, but otherwise, nearly all Hollywood's gay symbols were round the Westin Bonaventure Hotel stage Saturday to celebrate the 40th anniversary in the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. Leslie Jordan situated, Jane Lynch presented, and honorees incorporated Chaz Bono, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka.Jordan triggered a little-stir when he mentioned the two "best" folks showbiz were Lynch and George Clooney. (Take that, you "Will & Sophistication" co-stars!) He later showed up in this area in the cone bra and blond hairpiece to exhibit, "The sad part is isn't the least expensive I've gone."Harris, alongside partner Burtka, quipped, "Thanks, Leslie, to be launched because Madonna outfit. It gave us both boners."David Arquette introduced a hetero dollop for the evening. There to supply an award to Bono, he mentioned his presence had less associated with their "DwtsInch stint when compared to a "personal" transgender connection inside the Arquette family."I shared a place with Alexis (born Robert). Patricia got a place to herself because she will be a girl," he appreciated. "And Alexis moved to the closet." Contact Robert Hofler at bob.hofler@variety.com

Justin Bieber Accuser's New Attorney Still Pursuing Paternity Test

Not long after a report surfaced that Mariah Yeater was dropping her paternity lawsuit against Justin Bieber, her new attorney says he's still pursuing a DNA test.our editor recommendsJustin Bieber Paternity Suit Dropped (Report)Justin Bieber Accuser Makes Appearance on 'The Insider''Saturday Night Live': Charlie Day Helps Skewer the Kardashians, Gaddafi and Justin Bieber (Video)Justin Bieber Launches Media Blitz for New Album Amid Paternity Controversy Justin Bieber Accuser Might Be Investigated for Statutory RapeJustin Bieber Denies Ever Meeting Woman Suing Him For Paternity (Video)Related Topics•Justin Bieber Jeffrey Leving told TMZ he's in the midst of working out terms of a DNA test with the singer's legal team. He added that Yeater dismissed the lawsuit to allow for a private settlement. Levin also told TMZ that Bieber's threats of suing Yeater is him trying to intimidate "a 20-year-old woman with no money and no job." PHOTOS: Justin Bieber's Moustaches Leving's interview comes on the heels of a TMZ report earlier Wednesday that Yeater had parted ways with her attorneys Lance Rogers and Matt Pare and that the charge had been withdrawn. Yeater had claimed her 4-month-old son Trystyn was the result of a backstage concert tryst with Bieber last October. She had told The Insider that she had met Bieber after his show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. "He immediately took a liking to me. We just got to talking," Yeater recounted on The Insider. "Eventually he asked me, he said, 'Would you mind if we could go somewhere and be alone?" Yeater claimed that she has "provided evidence" to her lawyers which will prove her allegations true in court. VIDEO: Justin Bieber Denies Ever Meeting Woman Suing Him For Paternity Bieber, who is currently dating Selena Gomez, had denied the claims and reportedly agreed to take paternity test disproving the claims. "I would just like to say basically that none of those allegations are true,"he said on NBC's Today. "I know that I'm going to be a target but I'm never going to be a victim." "I think it's crazy because every night after the show I'm gone, right from the stage to my car so it's crazy that some people want to make up such false allegations but to set the record straight, none of it is true. I've never met the woman," Bieber added. PHOTOS: MTV EMAs 2011 Performers The LAPD has said it may investigate the incident, since the ages of the parties involved (Bieber was 16 and Yeater was 19) means the alleged incident would violate California statutory rape law. Cmdr. Andrew Smith has said that no report was taken about the alleged incident in 2010. Related Topics Justin Bieber

5 Moving Moments From Gabby Giffords' Memoir

Gabby Giffords, the Arizona congresswoman who was shot in the head in January, released her memoir Gabby: A Story ofCourage and Hope (Scribner, 307 pages, $26.99) this week.our editor recommendsTV Ratings: CBS' Lineup Up, Gabrielle Giffords' '20/20' Interview Boosts ABCGabrielle Giffords Tells Diane Sawyer She Feels 'Pretty Good' in ABC News Interview (Video)Gabrielle Giffords, Mark Kelly Recall Shooting in Diane Sawyer Interview, New Book (Video)Diane Sawyer Lands First Interview With Gabrielle GiffordsGabrielle Giffords' Return to Congress Sparks Support From Hollywood (Video) VIDEO: Gabrielle Giffords, Mark Kelly Recall Shooting in Diane Sawyer Interview, New Book While the shooting is the central event of the book, its really a love story about the relationship between Giffords and her astronaut husband,Mark Kelly [pictured below with his wife and ABC'sDiane Sawyer]. Indeed, Kelly is listed as the co-author. Here are five moving revelations about their relationship from the book: 1. They were trying to get pregnant when Giffords was shot. She had an appointment with a fertility specialist for Jan. 10, two days after the shooting. Giffords and Kelly had been debating having kids for several years. Although Giffords had just turned 40, the problem was with Kelly, whose surgery to reverse a vasectomy he had during his previous marriage had failed. The couple was going to use a fertility specialist to artificially inseminate one of Gabby's eggs with Mark's sperm. VIDEO: Gabrielle Giffords' Return to Congress Sparks Support from Hollywood 2. The last e-mail she sent Mark read, "My poor state! The nut jobs have stolen it away from the good people of Arizona!"She was forwarding him a news article about how Jon Stewart on The Daily Show had made fun of Arizona's reactionary politics 13 times in the last year. 3. Giffords found out the whole story about her shooting from a newspaper story. Mark had avoided to telling her the whole story, especially about who died. But on March 12, three months after the shooting, Gabby saw a headline in The NY Times that said "Doctors Detail Giffords's Progress," she insisted Mark read it to her. When she caught him trying to skip the paragraph listing the other victims, she insisted he read it to her. VIDEO:Gabrielle Giffords Tells Diane Sawyer She Feels 'Pretty Good' in ABC News Interview 4. After the shooting, Mark's two daughters from his previous marriage rallied to their stepmother's side. His two daughters were 9 and 12 when Giffords and Kelly married in 2007. Despite her best efforts, they had never really warmed up to their new stepmother, who they saw infrequently because they lived in Houston and Giffords in Tucson. But after the accident the girls spent a lot of time in the rehab hospital with their stepmother. Older daughter Claudia vowed in a letter she kept folded in her purse (but was to embarrassed to show Giffords), "I know we have not been extremely close in the past couple of years and I am really sorry. This is going to change immediately." 5. Mark, an astronaut, wrote a Giffords a "contingency letter" before he flew on the second-to-last space shuttle mission in April 2011. A contingency letter is a NASA euphemism for a farewell letter if something tragic happens on the mission. Mark wrote, "Please try to meet someone else and fall in love again. You deserve that. Please know that I will always love you madly." Related Topics

Julie Taymor Blasts Bono, The Advantage Over 'Spider-Guy: Switch Off the Dark' Suit

Per week after Julie Taymor filed a suit in NY declaring Spider-Guy: Switch off the Dark infringed on her behalf creative input, a job interview using the Broadway director finds her calling out collaborators Bono and also the Edge.our editor recommends'Spider-Guy: Switch Off the Dark' Producers Fire Back at Julie Taymor'Spider-Guy: Switch Off the Dark': Another Cast Member Hurt Esquire reviews Taymor places blame the U2 duo, who known to her "exhausted" and "overwrought," for false characterizations that brought to her removal in the pricey musical, which she directed and co-authored before an changed version formally first showed on Broadway. "There's without doubt through the finish of Feb, after i felt all this stuff happening, which i was exhausted with that, although not through the show and never through the inspiration which i was getting in the stars," she stated of her March departure. "That which was tiring was the truth that the producers were absent... Individuals people weren't there, just how does Bono know? I'm sorry." ANALYSIS: Can Julie Taymor Shut Lower 'Spider-Guy: Switch Off the Dark'? Taymor also tries to clarify the conditions of her dismissal, which she keeps came like a complete shock to her coupled with nothing related to an ultimatum about changing the show. "This factor which i declined to complete the large changes and they also allow me to go? No. There wasn't [an ultimatum]," Taymor stated. "Which was not something which was raised in my experience. " Rather, Taymor poses that creating her go ahead and take be seduced by the unhappy production -- which incorporated six postponed openings and five hurt cast people throughout her tenure -- was the only method for that producers to distance Spider-Guy in the bad press. STORY: Julie Taymor Sues 'Spider-Guy: Switch Off the Dark' for Infringing Her Creative Input "I believe that individuals were vital that you fresh paint an image of the director whom you required to release to be able to get this to large change," she stated. "I needed to be indicated that means by order for something to occur.Inch Taymor initially filed an arbitration claim from the show after her departure, declaring she was owed a lot more than $500,000 in royalties. Of the new suit, her attorney states, "Ms. Taymor regrets the producers' actions have remaining her no choice but to turn to legal option to safeguard her privileges." Related Subjects Julie Taymor Spider-Guy: Switch Off the Dark Bono The Advantage

Who's the reason behind the 'Tower Heist'-Oscar Debacle? (Analysis)

This informative article first came out inside the November. 18 problem in the Hollywood Reporter magazine.our editor recommends'Tower Heist' Director Brett Ratner Issues Apology for Gay SlurBox Office Report: Holdover 'Puss in Boots' Wins in Shocking Upset over Brett Ratner's 'Tower Heist'Tower Heist: Film ReviewEddie Murphy Exits as Oscar HostHow Much Will Eddie Murphy's Oscar Exit Hurt His Career? (Analysis)Brett Ratner Out as Oscar Show Producer (Exclusive)Billy Very to Host the OscarsBrian Grazer Altering Brett Ratner as Oscar Producer (Exclusive)Eddie Murphy's 6 Finest Issues Before Bailing round the OscarsRelated Subjects•Brett Ratner Tower Heist almost seems to own been born within bad sign. Its much much softer-than-expected $24 million opening was tough news for individuals involved: Universal, stars Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy striking-hungry producers Ron Howard and John Grazer of Imagine Entertainment. Then there's the Academy, which lost director Brett Ratner as producer in the Oscar show due to unseemly remarks he gained since the film opened up up November. 4. Murphy departed as host soon after that. COVER STORY: Ben Stiller Unveils 'Zoolander' Follow-up Secrets, What He Considers 'Tower Heist' Co-Star Eddie Murphy Ideas abound why Heist, which Universal had wanted would open north of $Thirty Dollars million, rather gave directly into Puss in Boots within the second weekend: Youthful PEOPLE Loved IT -- BUT Handful of CAME Universal and Imagine hardly needed another dud after Cowboys & Aliens as well as the Dilemma. In line with the studio, the lesson is really a that ought to send chills with the business: Youthful audiences aren't arriving in pressure for movies. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Finest Blunders Despite Stiller's family following at night within the Museum and Fulfill the Parents franchises, 73 percent in the audience for your PG-13 Heist was over age 25. The greatest segment -- 27 percent -- was 50. People under 18 composed only fifteen percent of moviegoers, nonetheless they loved the film most, creating a b -- CinemaScore (overall, the look received a b - -). Heist wasn't really the only victim that weekend: A Very Harold & Kumar 3d Christmas, getting a separate youthful number of fans, indexed up only $13 million within the opening weekend, underneath the prior Harold & Kumar despite heavy 3d premium charges. It Absolutely Was MURPHY This film was created in order to save Murphy within the ghost of Norbit and bad comedies and convey him to the kind of action-caper role that labored so memorably in Beverly Slopes Cop. But a respected agent, stating such flops as Meet Dork and Suppose, postulates roughly, "Eddie forget about matters." PHOTOS: Hollywood's Memorable Mea Culpas "Universal probably should have cast an ingenue inside the part, like Vital did with Eddie in 48 Several hrs.," states a skilled producer. "I realize Eddie is satisfied using the film, as evidenced because when hard he labored to market it," states his publicist, Arnold Robinson. (Murphy did his first print interview inside a very long time for Moving Stone and came out on numerous talk shows.) "Within the verifying that we've read, people visited start to see the movie to find out Eddie, as well as the exit polls, from a few things i understand, counseled me very positive." Murphy might have been an excellent partner in marketing the film, but he shown difficult when the studio wanted a completely new scene to accomplish the ending. The idea wound up being to reunite him with Stiller, inside the vein in the Ocean's Eleven final sequence with Kaira Pitt and George Clooney. But sources say Murphy declined to shoot it unless of course obviously Universal paid out him yet another $500,000 (on top of his $7.5 million payday), the studio selected to prevent. VIDEO: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy in 'Tower Heist' Trailer A producer not connected with Heist states he finds Murphy's demand especially appalling considering Murphy will be a producer round the film. It Absolutely Was STILLER -- No Less Than In This Particular ROLE For Stiller, the heist/caper film represented a avoid his best shtick: playing the brand new victim who rules, just like Museum and Fulfill the Parents. "Some celebs are celebs only inside their genre," states an origin with ties for the production. "Jennifer Aniston without any gun -- not just a celebrity. Adam Sandler in the drama -- not just a celebrity. ... Ben Stiller can be a celebrity in comedies, but is Tower Heist a comedy? The story is substantially more dramatic than Stiller's hits, as well as the title itself signifies a genre that isn't in Stiller's wheelhouse." Heist put Stiller inside a different kind of role, but "it's not just a U-turn," states an origin near the film. "So when you're talking about critiques for Ben in PG-13 or R-rated comedies, this opening is not from left area whatsoever." (Tropic Thunder opened up as much as $26 million, for example, while Along Came Polly bowed to $28 million.) VIDEO: Eddie Murphy States John Grazer Saved 'Tower Heist' What About RATNER? Skillfully developed aren't pointing the finger at Ratner for your film's opening, but he didn't perform the film -- or perhaps the Academy -- any favors throughout marketing looks. On Heist's opening day, Ratner ongoing Howard Stern's radio show, boasting of his skill at dental sex in addition to sleeping getting a then-very-youthful Lindsay Lohan. He supported inside a screening in the film your evening along with his pricey remark, "Rehearsals are for fags." Although Ratner apologized (for your "fag" remark), the comfort is history. He resigned -- unquestionably pressurized -- as Oscar producer November. 8. "Boy, was Brett stupid," states an origin mounted on Heist. "If you're already a questionable choice, try keeping orally shut." Related Subjects Adam Sandler Brett Ratner Eddie Murphy Oscars Ben Stiller Oscars 2012 Tower Heist

VIDEO: Miss Piggy Gets a Pretty Little Liars-Themed Makeover

Miss Piggy Looks like Miss Piggy is the latest target from Pretty Little Liars' A. To promote The Muppets Movie (out Nov. 23), two Pretty Little Liars-themed video clips have been released starring the one and only Miss P. The first is a take on the opening credits of the ABC Family hit drama and even features Piggy doing Aria's signature "Shhh." In the second clip, Miss Piggy tells Kermit that she's been receiving mysterious texts from someone named A. But in this video, A most likely stands for Animal. Do you plan to see The Muppets Movie? Pretty Little Liars returns Monday, Jan. 2 at 8/7c on ABC Family.

VIDEO: How's Modern Family's Sarah Hyland Like Her "Bratty" Geek Charming Character?

Matt Prokop and Sarah Hyland Sarah Hyland's character Dylan within the approaching Disney Funnel original movie Geek Charming may appear a bratty wealthy girl, however the Modern Family star states it is simply an action. "I begin off very diva-esque, bratty, spoiled," Hyland states. "She puts about this persona she thinks individuals will like, however the real Dylan is really nearly the same as me, really wacky and straight-Students.Inch See photos from Geek Charming Within the film (Friday, 8/7c), Hyland stars opposite real-existence boyfriend Matt Prokop, who plays film geek Josh. Dylan concurs being the topic of his documentary about her mission to become crowned Blossom Full - and even though two appear like polar opposites, they eventually realized they have a lot more in keeping compared to what they thought. Watch clips of Sarah Hyland within our Movie Guide Hyland states that what sets Geek Charming aside from the "wealthy girl and nerdy guy fall madly in loveInch mold would be that the two primary figures have to face real issues: Dylan struggles together with her mother's dying and Josh comes with an absentee father. "It's not so 'everything is ideal nowadays,AInch she states. "Bad unexpected things happen to get affordable people - it is simply that which you model of it that actually counts and i believe this is exactly why this really is so different." Watch our interview using the Geek Charming couple: Geek Charming premieres Friday at 8/7c on Disney Funnel.

Liberty sees profit boost, but slips in revenue

John Malone's Liberty Starz Group said its move to exit the theatrical motion pictures biz boosted profit last quarter but meant revenue slipped slightly last quarter -- offset by improved results at Starz Channels. Starz group revenue eased 2% to $389 million for the third quarter as the company cited fewer theatrical films released on home video, a dip in revenue from Animation, and no theatrical films released in 2011 versus 2010 after basically shuttering Overture Films. But the Starz Channels, led by Chris Albrect, took in an additional $7 million from higher rates, and $5 million from increased subscriptions. Liberty Starz operating income jumped 31% to $101 million. Starz subs grew 9%; Encore's were up 3%. The group saved on theatrical marketing and advertising year-on-year. It decided to focus on television.''Starz Entertainment performed well in the third quarter with continued solid financial and operational performance, and momentum in implementing our original programming strategy,'' said CEO Albrecht, noting the slate of 2012 ''Starz Originals'' which include ''Spartacus: Vengeance'' and ''Magic City'' as well a second season of ''Boss.'' A production deal with BBC Worldwide yielded its first original programming commitment, with ''Da Vinci's Demon's'' now in development for 2013. Albrecht said he is ''heartened to see strong demand for our owned originals in the home video, international, and digital businesses.''Englewood, Colo.-based Liberty Media Group has been trying to split up its businesses into separate companies to make it easier for investors, but its structure remains complex. Liberty Starz and Liberty Capital are split off as tracking stocks. Liberty Capital's assets include TruePosition, the Atlanta National League Baseball Club (the owner of the Atlanta Braves), interests in SiriusXM, Live Nation and Barnes and Noble, and minority interests in Time Warner and Viacom.Another separate company, Liberty Interactive has controlling interests in video and e-commerce companies led QVC.And Liberty Global owns cable, broadcast and telephone service outside the U.S. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com