RATINGS RAT RACE: CBS Tops Another Night Of Football Preemptions

Once again, the fast nationals for last night have to be taken with a grain of salt as some ABC, CBS, and NBC stations preempted network programming for NFL coverage, leading to possible ratings inflation. With that in mind, CBS’ Big Brother, which featured double elimination, posted its largest audience (8.5 million) and matched its best 18-49 rating (3.2/9) this season, up 10% in the demo from last week. CBS easily won the night with the three highest-rated programs –Big Brother and two repeats, comedies The Big Bang Theory (2.1/7) and Rules of Engagement (1.8/6), which beat ABC’s original Wipeout (1.9/6, flat vs. last week) in the 8 PM hour. At 9 PM, the finale of ABC’s Expedition: Impossible (1.5/4) was up 15%, while Rookie Blue (1.3/4) at 10 PM was up 8%. NBC and Fox aired reruns.

Happy 53rd Birthday, Tim Burton! Who Is Your Favorite Tim Burton Character?

On this day, 53 years ago, Timothy Walter Burton was born in Burbank, California to parents Bill and Jean. Over the course of the next five decades, the boy from Burbank would go on to direct fifteen feature films in his signature dark, quirky style, seven of which featured his long-time collaborator Johnny Depp. To celebrate Burton’s birthday, let’s look back at the director’s most wonderfully eccentric characters before choosing a favorite. There are so many eligibly amazing characters to choose from that it’s difficult to pick a forerunner. Here are some of the best ladies and gentleman imagined (or in some cases, re-imagined) by the ghoulish director: · Pee-wee Herman, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (Paul Reubens) · Betelgeuse, Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) · The Joker, Batman (Jack Nicholson) · Edward Scissorhands, Edward Scissorhands (Johnny Depp) · Catwoman, Batman Returns (Michelle Pfeiffer) · Jack Skellington, The Nightmare Before Christmas (voiced by Chris Sarandon) · Ed Wood, Ed Wood (Johnny Depp) · Ichabod Crane, Sleepy Hollow (Johnny Depp) · Edward Bloom, Big Fish (Ewan McGregor) · Willy Wonka, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Johnny Depp) · Victor, Corpse Bride (voiced by Johnny Depp) · Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Helena Bonham Carter) · Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland (Johnny Depp) To further jog your memory, here’s a montage of Burton’s films (up until 2005) that features his many lovable personalities. After viewing, go ahead and name your favorite in the comment section below.

Oz screen academy bows

RushSYDNEY -- The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts bowed Thursday in Sydney. The new body, which was set up by the Australian Film Institute, aims to lift the international profile of Oz's screen professionals. Thesp Geoffrey Rush, who is AACTA's founding prexy, said the org would "establish a stamp of success" for local talent. Over half a century ago, the AFI was founded, and since that time our film and television industries have developed beyond our wildest imaginings," Rush said. "Through the timely creation of AACTA, we have a unique opportunity to galvanize the craft and talent this country endlessly produces." Also unveiled at the launch at Sydney's overseas passenger terminal on Sydney Harbour were the new gold-cast AACTA Award statuettes designed by sculptor Ron Gomboc. The inaugural Samsung AACTA Awards will be held in Sydney in January 2012 at the Sydney Opera House. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

DGA Taps Trio For Connect National Professional Director Roles

The DGA will require extra room in the National Executive Director office following the guild introduced today that it's giving executives Russ Hollander, David Korduner and Bryan Ungerthe title of Connect National Executive Director, each with various duties. The moves come included in an attempt to "provide greater clearness about leadership roles and duties for each one of the guilds core functions whilst more clearly determining the role from the National Office and also the regional offices," the DGA stated. Hollanders full title is going to be Connect National Executive Director/Eastern Executive Director. He'll have responsibility for administration and enforcement from the Freelance Live and Tape Television Agreement the nation's Commercial Agreement all non-dramatic programming (including fundamental cable) new media all network news, sports and procedures and native stations.Unger is going to be Connect National Executive Director/Western Executive Director, billed with managing administration and enforcement from the Fundamental Agreement, Low Quality Agreement, all dramatic programming (including fundamental cable), creative privileges, diversity and agency relations.Korduner is going to be Connect National Executive Director/Senior General Counsel, with oversight and control over residuals, subscriptions, credits, reviews compliance, signatories, human assets and legal. Unger will also beresponsible for local service and representation associated with the guild's Western offices Hollander will result in local service and representation for that Eastern offices.

Time Warner Cable to get Insight for $3 Billion

NEW You are able to Time Warner Cable, the 2nd-biggest U.S. cable operator, stated Monday it's decided to acquire small cable firm Insight Communications for $3 billion in cash. The offer with Insight's current private equity finance proprietors brought by Carlyle Group may be the company's biggest since its separation from Time Warner. It'll increase the than 750,000 clients in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio to TW Cable.The organization serves roughly 537,000 high-speed data customers, 679,000 video customers and 297,000 voice customers, has committed to substantial infrastructure enhancements. Insight continues to be on the market and was initially thought to become searching for a $4 billion deal. "We feel within our business and it is lengthy-term prospects and also have lengthy believed that Insight's well-run, technologically advanced systems would fit well with this Area procedures," stated Glenn Britt, Chairman and Boss of your time Warner Cable. "Using the deal introduced today, we could acquire individuals systems in an attractive cost that's in line with both our disciplined method of M&A and our capital allocation strategy," "Considering Insight's recent performance, $300 million in NOL value, the anticipated internet cost synergies minimizing capital intensity, this acquisition presents a stylish chance to improve TWC investor value," stated Irene Esteves, CFO of your time Warner Cable. "With one of these benefits, the cost multiple is favorable to current TWC and peer average buying and selling multiples." She vowed to carry on to come back excess cash to investors as the organization has been doing via returns and stock buybacks. Time Warner Cable stated it thinks that, after taking on onetime costs and capital costs, it'll create annual cost efficiencies of roughly $100 million through programming expense savings along with other cost cutbacks. The organization needs to understand the majority of the savings within 2 yrs of closing. Wall Street responses towards the deal were neutral to positive with TW Cable's stock lower under 1 % by 10am ET. "The marketplace may view this purchase adversely as TW Cable is a ''capital return'' story," stated Wells Fargo analyst Marci Ryvicker. "However, TWC has lately been ''punished'' because of its ''lack of investment.'' Insight is an excellent method for TWC to enhance procedures and show growth, that has lagged its peers." And Credit Suisse's Stefan Anninger stated inside a report: "Our initial view would be that the deal is neutral to decently positive - expensive, although not terribky costly either." Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Subjects Time Warner Cable

ESPN presses on in 3D

For ESPN's X Games in Los Angeles, the sports network delivered its 2D coverage by using one half of the stereoscopic 3D feed, effectively cutting production costs for both.These haven't been the best of days for 3D TV. On a conference call with analysts earlier this month, Discovery Communications prexy-CEO David Zaslav said that 3D TV growth has been slower than expected. His statement came only days after AT&T's U-Verse TV service dropped ESPN 3D from its channel lineup, citing low subscriber numbers and high costs. A few days later, television set-makers Panasonic, Samsung and Sony announced they are working to develop a single technological standard for 3D glasses in hopes that specs that work with a greater number of sets will remove an impediment to consumers taking the 3D plunge. Clearly, a critical mass has not yet been reached. "The consumer ramp-up is what really matters in getting real numbers of people watching, and obviously that has not moved," concedes ESPN's Phil Orlins, coordinating producer for ESPN 3D. "We'd love it to move at an incredibly rapid pace, because that would (get) the most viewers for us." Despite the setback at AT&T, ESPN is pressing ahead with its 3D network, focusing on improving coverage and bringing down costs. (The channel continues to be carried by Comcast and DirecTV.) One key step forward: ESPN's 3D and 2D production now come off the same production trucks and cameras, a cost-effective solution some at ESPN have nicknamed "5D" (for 2D plus 3D). "When we were doing the NBA Finals, there were two very large sets of trucks there, the HD fleet and the 3D trucks," says Jed Drake, senior veep and exec producer for ESPN 3D. "That's a very expensive proposition." But with "5D" production, says Drake, "We're going to be able to produce more 3D because it's less expensive than it used to be. Ultimately there has to be more content up in 3D. We've got a 24-hour network. It wants new original content." The dual approach was in place for the net's X Games coverage in Los Angeles, and will be used for the Little League World Series coverage starting Aug. 18. Combined 2D/3D telecasts were a big part of James Cameron's pitch to broadcasters in April at the NAB Show in Las Vegas. At the same event, Cameron announced his new camera gear company, the Cameron Pace Group, which is ESPN's exclusive 3D camera rig provider. Drake says the combo of 2D/3D broadcasting will require "potentially some modest compromises" in the 2D telecast, such as slowing the pace of cutting. Nonetheless, he feels no one watching a 2D gamecast that is actually one eye of a 3D feed would be able to tell the telecast started in 3D. While viewers haven't yet been flocking to the format, 3D sportscasts have been growing more polished and sophisticated. Robotic cameras have made it possible to gain more camera positions without gulping up more seats -- a big issue at any major sporting event. Cameron Pace Group continues making smaller, lighter, more flexible rigs to meet ESPN's needs. Doug Holmes, lead director for ESPN 3D, says that in the first days of 3D, equipment was an issue. Wide-angle and handheld shots were compromised, as were the kind of telescopic shots available in a regular HD show. "But as we progressed," he says, "we realized it's pretty easy to work around some of this stuff." Some innovations created for 3D have even made it over to the 2D side. For example, 3D cameras need to be closer to the action than 2D cameras, so the high 50-yard-line shots that are a staple of football coverage are problematic. To get closer, ESPN put a 3D camera on a 22-foot mast on a small vehicle that goes up and down the sideline. "Once everyone saw it, they're like, 'Why haven't we been doing this for years?'?" says Holmes. "Monday Night Football" is adopting it as a reverse-angle shot, even without 3D. Baseball is still something of a new frontier for 3D coverage, but ESPN will be experimenting at the Little League World Series. "We don't look at it like every single camera has to be a 3D camera to create an exceptional 3D experience," says Orlins. Some telephoto lenses with a lot of magnification don't work well in 3D, he adds, but sometimes those shots are essential. "If a kid makes an error in right field and is out there crying at a Little League game, seeing his face is a big part of that story." But Holmes will be getting shots that are especially impactful in 3D, such as the "mid-home" shot coming from a robotic camera mounted on the backstop above and behind the catcher. "In 3D, especially in a Little League environment, it's going to be incredible." According to Orlins, some play-by-play announcers, once having seen their sports in 3D, have said they don't want to go back to watching 2D coverage. Plus, viewer feedback on Twitter has been overwhelmingly positive. "And a significant amount of it is extravagant," he says. "People feel like it's a game-changer. You feel great about the response, but we'd sure love to have more scale in terms of the number of households that are ready to see it." Contact David S. Cohen at david.cohen@variety.com

Angry Bird's Creator Rovio Set to Join Billionaire's Club

COLOGNE, Germany - Rovio, the company behind mobile phone gaming phenom Angry Birds is negotiating a funding deal that would value the company at around $1.2 billion, Bloomberg reports. Bloomberg quotes unnamed sources that claim Rovio is in talks with a "company in the entertainment business" interested in becoming a strategic investor in the Finnish firm. Bloomberg speculates that possible investors include Hollywood giants News Corp. and Walt Disney as well as gaming firms Electronic Arts or online giant Zynga, creator of FarmVille. All declined to comment.our editor recommends'Angry Birds' Developer Raises $42 millionAngry Birds to Be Turned Into TV, Web Show In it's first round of funding in March, Rovio raised $42 million, with Atomico Ventures, run by Skype founders Niklas Zennstromand Janus Friisand venture capital groups Accel Partners and Felicis Ventures its primary backers. Rovio has made no secret of its desire to expand its Angry Birds brand, which had a cameo appearance in R-rated comedy Horrible Bosses, beyond iPads and smartphones. Plans include an Angry Birds feature film and a major merchandising push. The company aims to put Angry Birds plush toys in some 200 retail stores in China, for example. The Angry Birds game became an instant global hit after its launch in December 2009 and has been downloaded by more than 300 million users worldwide. Related Topics International The Walt Disney Company News Corp. Zynga Horrible Bosses Rovio

A Thing From Daniel Radcliffe

On Giant Screen and Lady In BlackAfternoon all! If everyone are searching toward Empire Presents.... Giant Screen a few days ago, you are not by yourself. And that we have a little of excellent news and not so good news concerning the event. The good thing is that Lady In Black will probably be there, with director James Watkins and novelist Susan Hill along to discuss the footage. Unhealthy news (for all of us within Blighty a minimum of) is the fact that star Daniel Radcliffe continues to be busy jumping about on Broadway and will not be attending. Consider the erstwhile Harry Potter is among the best males in show business, he sent all of the participants just a little message to apologise for his absence - and here is a sneak look below. Lady In Black has gone out on Feb 10, 2012 within the United kingdom, and when you need to see much before that, arrive to London's O2 a few days ago.

Fox Orders Seth MacFarlane's 'Cosmos: An Area-Time Odyssey'

TCA: CBS Discloses Ashton Kutcher's 'Men' Character's Title & Background

At CBS' executive session, entertainment leader Nina Tassler revealed the title of Ashton Kutcher's character on 2 . 5 Males - Walden Schmidt. He's an "Internet billionaire having a damaged heart." She also confirmed our are convinced that indeed the growing season premiere is a two-parter which will air over 2 days. She wouldn't "confirm or deny" our story that Charlie Sheen's character has been wiped out off, using the season premiere featuring his funeral. Tassler was requested about training the network has learned in the Sheen debacle that culminated in the public firing. "Oh, where will i begin," she stated. "What we should learned is the fact that we now have an remarkable cast -- I had been while dining red-colored on Monday -- we now have remarkable authors and stars, and there's an excellent value in employing an actress like Ashton Kutcher, a gifted, funny, gifted actor arriving with tremendous commitment and enthusiasm. That which you learn would be that the show is superbly written, remarkable created and you've got the chance to maneuver toward create this exciting new character and perform a great show." She later added that Males is going to be as "wise, irreverent and risque" as it is have you been. "Standards and Practices has already been on high alert." Following the session, Tassler was requested to elaborate on her behalf line in the Q&A that "you can cut the environment having a knife" in the Monday table read. "The anticipation was great," she stated. "Hearing an actress utter the very first line would be a relief." She also says Males co-creator/executive producer Chuck Lorre opened up the table read using what she referred to as "touching speech." Tassler was requested whether, within the wake of Sheen's meltdown and subsequent dismissal, the network intends to implement an insurance policy to prevent employing stars with erratic behavior. "Thats most likely every actor in the commercial,Inch quipped Tassler, an old actress herself, adding, "I dont think we'd alter the practice that we hire stars now." For Sheen, Tassler stated that CBS is not contacted about his new comedy series project, an adaptation of movie Anger Management, observing the actor "has gone to live in eco-friendly pastures." Tessler also was requested to deal with CBS' other large lead guy change, the casting of Ted Danson on CSI. "We checked out a variety of options," she stated. "(Danson) has become a TV star, hes got a significant quantity of charisma, its exactly what the show needs at this time.Inch Age (Danson is 63, about the older side for any series lead) wasn't an issue. "We went for top actor." His character, "DB Russell, can definitely reunite using the team but still assert his authority." The failure of Criminal Minds' spinoff, Suspect Behavior, isn't the consequence of systems over-spinning procedurals. "It had been specific towards the express, I simply dont think it found its rhythm," Tassler stated. "It did not click, it had nothing related to spinoffs... It may depend about the mothership to produce it, however it needs to stand by itself.Inch Tassler also blown off recent jokes by Community star Joel McHale and ABC late-evening host Due To Jimmy Kimmel, poking fun at CBS' older audience. "They ought to stay with comedy and appearance their details just a little better," she stated. "We now have more 18-49 audiences than NBC and ABC. Maybe they ought to stick with comedy and never be worried about demos and rankings a lot.Inch

Bradley Cooper And Robert P Niro Getting back For David O. Russell

Bradley Cooper ought to be searching at his silver textures because he and the "Unlimited" costar Robert P Niro have been in foretells synergy with director David O Russell for "The Silver Textures Playbook." Deadline has got the news that Cooper and P Niro have been in discussions for that flick. Cooper could be changing Mark Wahlberg, who departed because of other obligations. Jennifer Lawrence continues to be committed because the movie's leading lady. Browse the relaxation of present day casting news following the jump! Leonardo DiCaprio To Mind West Jumping about the Western bandwagon, Leonardo DiCaprio is stated to want to consider the lengthy in development project "The Creed of Violence," The La Occasions is confirming. The casting is not even close to certain, however the source who spoke towards the Occasions stated DiCaprio is searching to experience among the movie's two lead roles. The flick is occur the 1910s and follows a criminal who's caught with a government agent that shares a secret past with him. Reese Witherspoon Will get A "Wish List" Deadline is confirming that Reese Witherspoon originates aboard Disney's latest comedy, "Wish List." The film follows a woman who makes 10 wishes inside a wanting well, however they never become a reality because her gold coin will get lodged and not reaches the underside. Twenty-5 years later, the gold coin reaches the underside and she or he needs to cope with the implications from the wishes she made when she was ten years old. Alden Ehrenreich Joins "Stoker" The most recent bit of the "Stoker" casting puzzle would go to Coppola family regular Alden Ehrenreich, The Playlist is confirming that he'll be joining the already cast Nicole Kidman, Matthew Goode, Mia Wasikowska, Jacki Weaver and Lucas Till as Whip Taylor, a jock jerk switched nice guy switched jerk again. Shooting about the flick should really begin soon having a planned 2012 release date. Ethan Hawke And Scott Derrickson Synergy For Brand New Thriller Summit Entertainment just bought the privileges to Scott Derrickson's latest jaunt into thriller territory. Deadline is confirming the "Exorcism of Emily Rose" director is going to be pointing a "found footage" thriller which will star Ethan Hawke. Hawke will have a journalist moving his family round the country to research nasty killings he then becomes books. He moves right into a house and finds out footage that provides him clues at the way the family formerly living there is gruesomely killed. Inform us your ideas on present day Casting Get in touch with your comments ought to section below or on Twitter!