Pilot Season: Friends' Matthew Perry to Star in NBC's Continue Comedy

Jessica Lange Ryan Murphy already states Jessica Lange may have another character on American Horror Story's second season, however everyone knows a little more about the value of her role.Murphy states that this time around around around, Lange, who carried out a supporting character in Season 1, will be the star in the show, according to EW. "We have designed the second season of yank Horror Story completely round her character," Murphy mentioned. Jessica Lange will return to American Horror Story"A year ago Jessica showed up with Connie Britton and Dylan McDermott. This is basically the Jessica Lange show, and so i am very searching toward it," he mentioned. "We are creating this excellent new the complete opposite of the Constance character on her behalf. She which i've talked about something more important. She has many ideas, and offers extensive input into her character. She described a number of things she's always aspired to experience becoming an actress. She's a great collaborator together with an excellent friend."Lange will probably be grew to become part of by three other cast folks the show's first season (who'll also play new roles), but Murphy hasn't indicated which at this time around.Are you currently presently excited for Season 2 of yank Horror Story?

Mueller set being Rome fest topper

ROME -- Rome Film Festival prexy Gian Luigi Rondi resigned on Friday, paving the means by which for former Venice topper Marco Mueller being soon hired Rome's new artistic director.Rondi's resignation follows a protracted political deadlock over whether Mueller -- ousted from Venice in December 2011 in the energy struggle after an positive eight-year stint -- should proceed and take Rome reins. Rondi, a 91-year-old film critic, was adamantly against prospecting Mueller. He wanted former Rome artistic director Piera Detassis, whose mandate expired in December, being reupped. However Rondi's mandate may have exipired in June. Ultimately, that did not give Rondi enough muscle to push Detassis through."I sacrificed myself to be able to save the arrival edition in the festival, which risked not happening," Rondi told journos, after walking lower.There's no immediate comment from Mueller, whose candidacy was backed by Rome mayor Gianni Alemanno and Lazio Region governor Renata Polverini, who both lean right politically.Part of Rome's center-left camping rather opposed Mueller. Nevertheless the fierce fight blurred party lines, with several leftist pols fighting rather the veteran fest meister, with a lot of worldwide contacts and cachet, had the most effective qualifications.Mueller's Rome appointment appeared to become backed by Italy's movie association ANICA. "You are prepared to disarm," stated ANICA prexy Riccardo Tozzi. "Now politics will need to take one step to permit the professionals do their jobs." The following factor is perfect for any new Rome board being installed, with outgoing Warner Bros. Italia topper Paolo Ferrari expected as prexy.Inside a couple of days, the completely new board, consequently, is predicted to appoint Mueller as artistic topper getting a mandate to relaunch and reshape the seven-year-old Eternal City event, now prone to transfer to some late November slot. Contact Nick Vivarelli at nvivarelli@gmail.com

Prescreen Partners With Facebook For VOD

Movie sites and marketers still tout their close ties with Facebook, permitting their prepared to be utilized and shared with the massive social media site. Streaming video when needed site Prescreen revealed intends to make its lengthy form content available via Facebook’s Open Graph Platform. For any 60-day window customers can view trailers from Prescreen’s curated choice of films and rent preferred choices on-demand. Prescreen game titles include 100s of films from film festivals worldwide. The website can also be spotlighting the arrangement with Prescreen because of “real-time statistics and detailed demographic information supplied by content customers,” permitting entrepreneurs to focus on audiences through internet marketing along with other channels. Customers may have a choice to show business social configurations and Prescreen states it'll only share trailer viewing history, not rental or sales records.

Warner Bros. Wants To Adapt Bleach

Peter Segal overseeing the projectWith Akira's engine still idling away in development hell, you might think Warner Bros. would shy away from trying to adapt any more popular manga/anime titles into movies for now. But you would be wrong! The studio has now teamed up with Peter Segal to produce and possibly direct a new take on Bleach.Originally crated by Tite Kubo, Bleach follows teenager Ichigo, a lad with more than a few problems on his plate, including the ability to see ghosts. His family is attacked by a powerful, malevolent lost soul known as a "Hollow" and the incident leaves our hero with the ability to hunt the spiteful spirits. But instead of simply going on a rampage, Ichigo chooses to use his newly extended powers to protect the innocent and help lost souls find peace.Bleach has been wildly successful around the world, not least in Japan, where it has more than 75 million print copies in circulation. The manga title has already been adapted into a long-running anime series, which has 16 seasons under its belt. "I've always been a huge fan of Bleach and have great respect for its creator and the truly original and amazing world he has created in this manga," Segal blabs to Variety.While we're concerned about a man who has mostly spearheaded comedies taking on something like this, it's still at an early stage. So far all the project has is a writer, with Wrath Of The Titans' Dan Mazeau taking the first crack at the script.

Bill DeCinces dies at 84

Bill DeCinces, an art director who ended his 53-year stint at Universal as senior V . p . in the art galleries operation group, died on Feb. 10 from complications of Parkinson's disease in Tarzana, Calif. He was 84. Born in La, William D. DeCinces adopted inside the actions of his father, who labored at Universal's still lab, coping with his first job within the studio -- just like a laborer digging ditches -- at 16. At night just like a grip too as with set lighting, he settled inside the art department, moving from assistant art director to art director and, eventually, in your thoughts in the department. Becoming an assistant art director or art director he done hundreds of television episodes his credits incorporated "Ford Theatre," "Shotgun Slade," "Whispering Cruz," "Thriller," "M Squad," "Alcoa Theatre," "Laramie," "The Virginian," "Wagon Train," "McHale's Navy," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "G.E. True Theatre" and "Ironside." Film credits incorporated "The Plainsman," "Texas Within the River," "Gunfight in Abilene," "The Reluctant Astronaut," "Games" and "Eye in the Cat," which younger crowd done numerous telepics, including "Stranger on the go,Inch "Quiet Evening, Lonely Evening," "You'll Like My Mother" and "That Specific Summer season." Through the sixties he not only increased being mind of Universal's art department but furthermore acquired permission becoming an architect. He designed the Universal Art galleries Florida production facilities in Orlando. Inside the mid-'70s DeCinces was promoted to backlot methods manager after which it to senior V . p . in the art galleries operation group, a scenario through which he ongoing to become until his retirement in 1999. DeCinces was area of the Academy of motion Picture Arts & Sciences as well as the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. DeCinces' wife of 54 years, Lynn Dickey predeceased him in 2004. Children add a daughter, a boy, three grandchildren and a pair of great-grandchildren. Donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Actress Judi Dench States She's Fighting Blindness

LONDON (AP) Actress Judi Dench is fighting to be able to save her sight.The Jason Bourne star mentioned inside an interview launched Saturday that she'd been recognized with macular degeneration, a wrist watch condition that could cause blindness, which her eyesight have been so bad that they couldn't even read her scripts.The 77-year-old told the Daily Mirror they was based on pals and family to keep her current along with her lines."It's frequently my daughter or my agent or possibly a buddy and extremely I love this, because I wallow inside it and think about the storyline in my opinion,In . she told the newspaper throughout the interview inside a London hotel. "Probably the most distressing factor is at a coffee shop or restaurant during the night I am unable to start to see the person I get dinner with."The Mirror didn't say wherever or when the interview needed place. Messages left for Dench's agent were not immediately returned Saturday.Dench made her Shakespearean debut in 1957 at London's Old Vic and it has since adopted an enormous volume of theater, film and television roles.She won an Academy Award on her behalf role as Full Elizabeth I in Shakespeare for one another which is most broadly recognized to worldwide audiences as intelligence boss M inside the Jason Bourne series.Copyright 2012 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Judi Dench PHOTO CREDIT Getty Images LONDON (AP) Actress Judi Dench is fighting to be able to save her sight.The Jason Bourne star mentioned inside an interview launched Saturday they have been recognized with macular degeneration, a wrist watch condition that could cause blindness, which her eyesight have been so bad that they couldn't even read her scripts.The 77-year-old told the Daily Mirror they was based on pals and family to keep her current along with her lines."It's frequently my daughter or my agent or possibly a buddy and extremely I really like that, because I wallow inside it and think about the storyline in my opinion,In . she told the newspaper throughout the interview inside a London hotel. "Most likely probably the most distressing factor is at a coffee shop or restaurant during the night I am unable to start to see the person I get dinner with."The Mirror didn't say wherever or when the interview happened. Messages left for Dench's agent were not immediately returned Saturday.Dench made her Shakespearean debut in 1957 at London's Old Vic and contains since adopted an enormous volume of theater, film and television roles.She won an Academy Award on her behalf role as Full Elizabeth I in Shakespeare for one another which is most broadly recognized to worldwide audiences as intelligence boss M inside the Jason Bourne series.Copyright 2012 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Is The Voice Moving to the Fall?

The Daily Show, Ricky Gervais and Jon Stewart Our top moments of the week: 14. Most Shocking Reveal, Runner-Up: As if it wasn't gross enough that Jess came thisclose to using her super-sized box of condoms to have a one-night stand with Schmidt on New Girl, the camera cuts to the other side of Schmidt's door to show that he's already getting busy... with Cece! The next morning, an embarrassed Jess calls Cece to confess her close call with Schmidt, just as Schmidt rolls over and snuggles Cece's neck. Please, ladies, no catfights. It will just make it all that much more pathetic. 13. Most Cliched: Ivy gets a callback for the role of Marilyn Monroe on Smash and does her best to wow the producers, writers, director and casting agent. It seems that all her years of hard work have paid off when she lands the part! But oh, what's this? She's also sleeping with the director? Complicated! Don't worry, Team Karen. If you're upset that the small-town girl lost out on the part of a lifetime because of her sound Midwestern morals, fear not! We have it on good authority that the competition to play Norma Jean is far from over. 12. Worst Room Service: Amber, 19, and her 28-year-old boss, Bob, take a business trip together on Parenthood, but after their steamy kiss last week, things don't stay professional for long. As the couple is making out on his bed, Amber's aunt Kristina barges in and demands that Bob - who is also Kristina's boss - leave the room while she packs up Amber's stuff and drags her home. Lesson learned: Never pack a suitcase full of high-heels and lingerie in front of your nosy cousin -- especially when you're a Braverman! 11. Best First Kiss: It's been two years since Hotch's ex-wife Haley was murdered, so it's time for Criminal Minds boss Hotch to get back into the dating pool. After weeks of flirting, er, training with Beth for his triathlon, Hotch nervously and clumsily (hey, it's been a while!) asks her out. He shows far more conviction later, when he surprises her with an impromptu date on Valentine's Day. But Hotch isn't the only one with a spontaneous trick up his sleeve: Beth stuns him with a kiss before they even leave her doorstep. "Thought we had to get that out of the way," she says. "Spare us any awkwardness." Now that's another way to get your heart racing! 10. Best Return: Bree's recent turn for the slutty on Desperate Housewives nets her a very persistent admirer, who hits on her at Ye Olde Tavern for Wanton Housewives and then follows her outside when she rebuffs his advances. He takes her keys and forces himself on her in the parking lot - that is, until a good Samaritan rolls (yes, rolls) out of nowhere and tasers the perp before threatening him with pepper spray. It's Orson! Who says a knight and shining armor needs a white horse? Orson's wheels work just fine! 9. Keep Your Eyes on the Road Award: Fearing that Rick may have fallen prey to the walkers while going to town to get Hershel on The Walking Dead, Lori decides to get in a car and go after him - without telling anyone. Of course, the second she takes her eyes off the road to consult a map (she has no idea where she's going, of course), she hits a walker, which mysteriously causes her entire car to roll over. Oh, and she's pregnant! 8. In Too Deep Award: On Castle, the mystery writer and Beckett question Dr. Nelson Blakely, a professor who pioneered the linchpin theory - a small event triggers a larger one, like, say, the end of the world - behind the CIA's back. Complying with Blakely's wishes, they drive him to a pier, where the professor nearly comes clean about everything, including what the linchpin is, But at the sight of a flock of pigeons (seriously), he dashes from the car and is shot. The hitman's next target? Castle and Beckett, duh. A car rams into theirs from behind, pushing them off the pier and into the water. Will they die? Spoiler alert: Of course not! But how many more life-threatening situations can they find themselves in before they finally confess their feelings for each other? 7. Best Bullseye: Justified's Raylan Givens has been pretty much keeping his gun holstered this season, in part because his aim has been off since being shot. But when faced with death at the hands of a group of organ smugglers, Raylan's aim is once again true. Lying in a bath tub groggy from a sedative, Raylan is still able to shoot through one of the kidney-hungry thugs and kill the cute-as-a-button ringleader (Psych's Maggie Lawson). It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "body shot." 6. Seven-Year Itch Award: Lonely, depressed Ted finds a kindred spirit in Robin on their apartment rooftop on How I Met Your Mother. It seem s that after Robin accepted Kevin's proposal earlier in the episode, he broke it off when he learned that she never wants to have kids. "He couldn't look past this," she says. "I mean, who could?" "I could," Ted replies. "I love you, Robin." So are we back to square one? For the love of Barney, who the heck is the mother?! 5. Worst Matchmaker: Since her own love life -or lack thereof - is such a disaster, Gossip Girl's Blair focuses her energy on playing Cupid for others by reuniting exes Serena and Dan on Valentine's Day. It's a fine plan, until Dan instead kisses Blair at Nate's V-Day party, and to her own shock, she kisses him back! Chuck and Serena catch them canoodling, of course. Don't worry, Patti Stanger; your job is safe. 4. Most Romantic Way to Prove a Point: It perhaps makes sense that Jules, Cougar Town's most predictable woman in Florida, craves more spontaneity in her life. Well, boy does Grayson deliver, with an elaborate marriage-proposal plan. He tricks Jules into thinking she's TP'ing a house belonging to neighborhood hoodlums. In fact, the house is her own listing (oops). Grayson shows up, dressed as a cop, to scare her, but then gets on one knee under a surprisingly romantic canopy (made of toilet tissue) and pops the question, with the rest of the Cul de Sac Crew as witnesses. Somebody pass the Charmin - our eyes are getting misty! 3. Best (Unplanned) Tribute: In a case of really eerie timing, Mercedes performs "I Will Always Love You" on Glee just three days after the death of the woman who made it famous, Whitney Houston. The song fits perfectly with the story line - she loves Sam, but can't be with him because she's unsure of herself after cheating on Shane - but Amber Riley's powerful rendition makes the song more than a plot point and a goodbye to Sam, but rather a moving tribute to one of the world's foremost vocalists. 2. Most Shocking Reveal: Revenge finally answers the season's burning question during the final moments of the long awaited Fire & Ice Ball. After Charlotte screams bloody murder - literally - from the beach, Victoria & Co. run to the sand, and she kneels over a lifeless body, begging her son to wake up. She turns over the body to reveal that it is actually Tyler. Daniel, with blood on his shirt, slowly walks toward her. "Don't say a word," Victoria orders her son before embracing him. Are we glad they didn't kill the hot guy? Sure, but did they really have to sacrifice one of this TV season's best villains to save him? RIP Tyler! Oh yeah, who shot him? Daniel? Amanda? Takeda? 1. Best Dirty Talk: The last time Ricky Gervais dropped by The Daily Show, he and Jon Stewart floated the idea of a Stephen Hawking talk show. This time? They talk about panda sex! It all starts when Gervais laments that pandas aren't doing all they can to prevent their own extinction. "We're all rushing around going, 'Let's save the panda' ... but they're not meeting us halfway. They're not having sex," he says, noting that the Chinese are now giving Viagra to pandas. It gets a little racier from there, but trust us when we tell you that you must watch their genius improvisational interplay. Can Gervais come back every day, please? What were your top moments?

Exclusive Motherhood Sneak Look: Will Max's Asperger's Keep Him Sidelined in class Forever?

Max Burkholder and Peter Krause Since first learning their boy has Asperger's, Parenthood's Adam (Peter Krause) and Kristina Braverman (Monica Potter) have fought against against non-stop to supply Max every available chance rather than let it dictate his existence. But how will you safeguard your boy or daughter when the relaxation around the world doesn't notice by doing this? In Tuesday's episode (10/9c, NBC), Adam and Kristina push Max (Max Burkholder) not to abandon the love of basketball and distribute of gym class. However, there's more to Max's sudden decision to back in the sport than what you know already. Watch full cases of Motherhood "I realize I have got a great lay-up, which i tell another kids that, nonetheless they still don't pass me the ball," Max states. "Should i be so excellent at basketball, then how come I buy selected last?" "I am unsure, friend," Adam states. Watch this exclusive (and heart-breaking) clip below: Motherhood airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on NBC.

Soul Train Creator Don Cornelius Dead of Apparent Suicide

Diana Ross, Don Cornelius Soul Train creator and longtime host Don Cornelius was found dead at his home Wednesday morning in Sherman Oaks, Calif., the Los Angeles Times reported. The Los Angeles Police Department discovered Cornelius' body about 4 a.m., and sources said a family member found him with a gunshot wound to the head that apparently was self-inflicted.See other stars we've lostAuthorities have ruled out foul play. Detectives have not found a suicide note.Born in Chicago, Cornelius, who was 75, started his career as a radio personality and later went on to create and host the musical variety show, Soul Train, in 1971. The series aired in syndication until March 2006, and spotlighted R&B, soul and rap performers. It was often called "the black American Bandstand"-an analogy Cornelius himself disdained.The show claimed in its last seasons that it was the "longest-running, first-run, nationally syndicated program in television history." More than 1,100 episodes were produced.The impeccably dressed host was known for ending each show by saying in his distinctive baritone voice: "I'm Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!" He stopped hosting the show in 1993.Check out the rest of today's newsSoul Train also spawned the Soul Train Music Awards in 1987. The 2011 Soul Train Awards aired last November on BET.BET planned to pay tribute to the late TV host with an airing of the documentary Soul Train: Hippest Trip in America Wednesday at 8/7c."We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Don Cornelius. He was a pioneer in the television and music industries and his legacy and influence on American culture will continue to live on for many generations to come. He made Soul Train a destination for lovers of black culture and music and connected the world to our culture and we are forever grateful," said BET Networks Chairman Debra L. Lee.Check out a clip from an episode of Soul Train:

Colin Hanks to experience Themself on Happy Being

Colin Hanks Following his dark turn earlier this season on Dexter, Colin Hanks' next TV role is decidedly more upbeat! The 34-year-old actor will have themself with an approaching episode of Happy Being, Entertainment Weekly reviews. Start looking: Happy Being will get romantic for Valentine's Hanks befriends Dork (Zachary Knighton) when Dave's steak food truck turns into a Chicago hotspot filled with designer drinks. The episode is slated to air sometime later this year. Hanks is better noted for his roles in Oc, Mad Males and also the Good Men. Happy Being airs Wednesdays at 9:30/8:30c on ABC.

John Levy dies at 99

John Levy, the first prominent African-American personal manager in the jazz or pop music field, whose clients included Nancy Wilson and Ramsey Lewis, died Friday in his sleep at his home in Altadena, Calif., less than three months before his 100th birthday.An accomplished bassist, the New Orleans-born Levy performed with such jazz greats as Stuff Smith, Billie Holiday, Erroll Garner and Billy Taylor in the 1940s before joining pianist George Shearing's original quintet. In the early 1950s, he became Shearing's full-time manager and later went on to form his own management agency, John Levy Enterprises.Levy's client roster over the years included more than 85 artists, including Wilson, Lewis, Nat and Cannonball Adderley, Betty Carter, Roberta Flack, Herbie Hancock, Shirley Horn, Freddie Hubbard, Ahmad Jamal and Abbey Lincoln as well as comedian Arsenio Hall.In 2006, the National Endowment for the Arts recognized Levy as a Jazz Master, the nation's highest jazz honor.He is survived by his wife, Devra Hall Levy. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Sundance Brings Out A-List And Indies Stars

With the kickoff of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, almost as many A-listers are heading to Park City, Utah as industry newcomers. The fest has always been a place for established actors and filmmakers to branch out and go indie for a movie or two. We've looked over the scheduled screenings and rounded up a list of some of the celebrity attendees and the projects they're representing at Sundance this year. Peter Jackson "The Hobbit" director Jackson is stepping out of Middle-earth and into Park City to support "West of Memphis," a new documentary he produced about the West Memphis Three. The doc chronicles the convictions of teenagers Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley for the 1993 killings of three boys in Arkansas, unearths new evidence implicating a different suspect in the killings, and follows through to the August 2011 release of the three men after 18 years in prison. Jackson and his producing partner Fran Walsh were actively involved in the effort to prove Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley's innocence. John Krasinski Krasinski is no stranger to the streets of Park City, having taken his directorial debut "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men" to Sundance in 2009. He returns this year as a actor in "Nobody Walks," where he plays a husband and father tempted by the woman staying in his pool house, played by Olivia Thirlby. "The Office" star has always maintained his fair share of indie cred, and with "Nobody Walks," he's becoming a more and more familiar face at the festival. Robert DeNiro One of Hollywood's most legendary actors has lost some his esteemed in recent years. (He was in "New Year's Eve," afterall.) But there's no place like Sundance to earn some of that back. He'll star in "Red Lights," director Rodrigo Cortés' follow-up to his 2010 festival favorite, "Buried." The film follows a psychologist who investigates paranormal activity and a world-renowned psychic. DeNiro leads an all-star cast that includes Sigourney Weaver, Cillian Murphy and Elizabeth Olsen. Bradley Cooper Occasionally, you'll find a Sundance entry with an A-list cast that rivals most major studio releases. Bradley Cooper leads a cast that includes Zoe Saldana, Olivia Wilde and Dennis Quaid in "The Words," a drama about the fallout after a writer claims the work of another as his own. The movie will represent a significant change of pace for Cooper, Wilde and Saldana who have made names for themselves recently with big budget studio pictures. Kirsten Dunst Dunst experienced somewhat of a career boost last year on the festival circuit with "Melancholia," and at Sundance this year, she'll look to start a hot streak with "Bachelorette." The film also stars Isla Fisher and Lizzie Caplan and sounds from most descriptions like a darker version of last year's wedding party hit, "Bridesmaids." Dunst drew some serious awards talk with "Melancholia," so this may be the next step back to the top. Zac Efron The former "High School Musical" star has spent the last few years attempting to re-establish himself as a legitimate leading man with roles in "Charlie St. Cloud" and "The Lucky One." So Sundance seems like the natural place to go for that kind of career move. Efron will star alongside Sundance-breakout Elizabeth Olsen and writer-director Josh Radnor in "Liberal Arts." The movie follows a college professor who falls from one of his much younger students. Spike Lee One of the pioneers of modern-day independent film returns to Sundance with a movie in the vein of the ones that made him famous. "Red Hook Summer" brings Lee back to Brooklyn, the setting of his monumental "Do the Right Thing." But Brooklyn isn't the only character returning from "Do the Right Thing." Lee's character Mookie is making an appearance as well. Stay with MTV Movies for everything you need to know about Sundance 2012.

CES Calendar of events

8:30 AM-12:30 PM Variety Entertainment Summit (see pages 9-10 for complete program) North Hall Room 258, Las Vegas CC 8:30-9:33 AM LookeeTV Press Conference S227, Las Vegas CC 9 AM CES Innovation Power Panel featuring Ursula Burns (Xerox), Lowell McAdam (Verizon) and Alan Mulally (Ford) Las Vegas Hilton Theater 9:20-9:40 AM CoolHotNot Press Conference S228, Las Vegas CC 9-10 AM Bang & Olufsen product unveilings and media briefing (invitation only) Suite 35108, The Venetian 9-11 AM Connect2Car: Connection Automotive and Consumer Electronics Lifestyles panel featuring Jon Bucci (Toyota), Joni Christensen (Chrysler), Chris Cook (Mobile Electronics Retailers Association), Myles Kovacs (DUB Publishing), Nick Pudar (OnStar) and Jake Sigal (Livio Radio), moderated by John Waraniak (SEMA) with presenter Patti Kreh (SAE) North Hall N255-257, Las Vegas CC 10-11 AM Escort presents "Premium automotive products that integrate bluetooth and cloud networking" S227, Las Vegas CC Noon-1 PM Panel: "Argue the Future," with Drew Bamford (HTC), Nilay Patel (The Verge) and Aaron Woodman (Microsoft); moderated by Joshua Topolsky (The Verge) North Hall N255-257, Las Vegas Convention Center Audi press conference S227, Las Vegas CC 1 PM Keynote: Hans Vestberg, president and chief executive officer of Ericsson Palazzo Ballroom, Level 5, Venetian 1:30 PM FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski joins CEA president and CEO Gary Shapiro for a candid conversation about the FCC. North Hall N255-257, Las Vegas CC 2 PM ESPN 3D's SportsNation Central Hall, ESPN 3D Booth #13632, Las Vegas CC 4 PM Brand Keynote: AT&T's David Christopher, General Electric's Beth Comstock, Facebook's Carolyn Everson, Walmart's Stephen Quinn, Hyundai's Steve Shannon and Unilever's Keith Weed Las Vegas Hilton Theater 4-7 PM CES Tweet Up: Twitter followers are invited to meet the CES social media team. Las Vegas Hilton, SpaceQuest Lounge 5-9:30 PM iHollywood LaunchFest Party ($50 tickets; first 500 tickets free for party after 8 PM; go to www.ceslaunchfest.eventbrite.com) Clarion Hotel Theater, 303 Convention Center Way 5 PM What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Stars of CES Awards: Centered on the audio exhibits in the Venetian, Stars of CES will highlight the show's most impressive debuts, from high-tech streaming solutions to traditional hi-fi and AV. Suite 29-326, Venetian 6:30 PM Leaders in Technology Dinner (invitation only) Wynn Las Vegas, Lafite Ballroom 8 PM MashBash Mirage, 10AK Nightclub 10-11 PM The Official EM Party with an appearance by Eliza Dushku (invitation only) The Palazzo, LAVO Nightclub Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Hungarian TV dispute gets worse

The departure of among the top executives at Hungary's Magyar Televizio, and also the pubcaster's refusal to reinstate reporters who continued a hunger strike over alleged political meddling in news coverage, have ratcheted up tension within the country's media sector because the confrontation between your government and opposition parties spills in to the roads.MTV communications director Laszlo Szabo was lower on Wednesday after it had been found that editors had electronically removed a picture of the former top court justice from the news video the judge had fallen from favor with Hungary's ruling Fidesz party. On Thursday, leaders of opposition parties Politics Could Be Different (LMP) and also the socialist MSzP guaranteed more street demos after 1000's of protesters marched in Budapest the 2009 week to protest against a brand new metabolic rate, that they say undermines democracy and freedom of expression.Protests started at MTV on 12 ,. 10, when TV news reporters Balazs Navarro Nagy and Aranka Szavuly continued hunger strikes after being fired for neglecting to obey management orders they considered politically motivated. They've now started again eating and can continue a "moving strike" to highlight press-freedom issues within MTV. Trouble continues to be building in Hungary for any year since Pm Viktor Orban introduced curbs around the media. The most recent protests happen to be amplified by intends to close Klub Radio, a station dramatically critical from the government, and change it in March by having an unknown rival, Autoradio.The furor over this along with other radical moves by Fidesz has arrived at Washington, with U.S. Secretary of Condition Hillary Clinton voicing her concerns in letters to Orban, that has yet to reply, based on Hungarian media reviews.Throughout a trip to Hungary in June, Clinton known as for "a genuine resolve for the independence from the judiciary, free press and governmental transparency."Fidesz, which won a 2-thirds majority in parliamentary elections in April, has unsuccessful to reply to critique, including calls in the Eu the questionable new metabolic rate be scrapped. Experts say it removes constraints set up in 1989 following the collapse of communism. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

American Idol: Back In Tune

American Idol Around this time every year, Fox executives and the American Idol producers start to panic, wondering if the show's huge audience will return en masse for the start of a new season. But this winter is different. Idol defied the odds last January, engineering a successful reboot with the addition of new judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. And more importantly, the show's talent made a comeback as well, thanks in part to the countrified sounds of finalists Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery. Now, as American Idol enters its 11th season, no one's predicting the show's demise. Even with The X Factor and The Voice on the scene, rivals concede that Idol, the granddaddy of them all, remains a ratings monster. For the first time in four seasons, there are no changes at the top, as the team of host Ryan Seacrest and judges Lopez, Tyler and Randy Jackson returns intact. (Mentor Jimmy Iovine is also expected to return.) TV Guide Magazine sat down with the quartet. TV Guide Magazine: How have the auditions gone so far?Jennifer Lopez: Last season our Hollywood week was easy breezy compared to this year, which was brutal. We had kids falling by the wayside.Steven Tyler: Literally falling down.Randy Jackson: Passing out, fainting.Lopez: Kids were forgetting their words. Shaking in their voice. People we thought were going to be in the Top 10 were just crumbling. We were like, "What is going on?" I guess it was the pressure of seeing the previous season and how it was big.Ryan Seacrest: Some crumble and then others rise to the occasion. It was physically intense for a lot of contestants.Jackson: I think it was even more intense for us. TV Guide Magazine: What's causing all this added stress?Jackson: The talent feels different this year. It's a different kind of crop to me.Lopez: They're hungry. We have some from last year who came back who are so improved, I can't even believe it's the same person. I'm like, "Wait, you were the one with the hair like this, right? Wow, your voice has gotten so much better."Seacrest: There's a do or die about it. It mirrors what's going on around the country, because some of these contestants have truly made up their minds that they're going to go for their dreams. They are really passionate. TV Guide Magazine: Anyone they're emulating in particular?Lopez: Adele. You have some people who do their own rendition of her who do it beautifully and then you have the people who fall a bit short.Tyler: There have been about 10 contestants who just nailed it. We're just so tired of hearing it, though. Every three songs it's that same song.Everyone: "Someone Like You."Lopez: That's the one. But you have to let them sing because you never know who will nail it. TV Guide Magazine: Talk about the talent. Anyone to keep an eye on?Tyler: We've got another Casey [Abrams], a drummer who started off playing the drums and singing. We've got a couple of massive talents there.Lopez: And a lot of diverse singers, just like last season. We had our gospel singer, we had our R&B singer, we had our pop, we had our country, and we had our jazz; we have the same thing again this year. Lots of different voices. TV Guide Magazine: A year after the Idol reboot, is the pressure gone?Seacrest: I can't believe it's only been a year. Each night when they walk out from behind the logo and you see this group of judges, it just seems meant to be. We don't look back.Jackson: I don't think there's any facet of recorded music or the music industry that we don't know almost everything about. We've been doing it, and have been really successful at it.Tyler: I came from a really down time [in my career] and jumped into this. It allowed me to keep busy with something that's really relevant. To be on TV [where people] could see the other side of me, where I can be personable and show that I've got a weak, sensitive side, it's just so perfect. TV Guide Magazine: What were your weaknesses last season?Tyler: It wasn't so easy to listen to some 16-year-old sing a song that was just awful. It would have been better TV if I had just said, "Hey, listen, get out of here. Who taught you how to sing?" But I was at a loss for words, which I'm usually never.Lopez: Last year it was hard for me in the beginning to say "no" at all. But as time went on I found my own personality and I just thought, "What if it was me standing there? How would I want someone to speak to me?" TV Guide Magazine: There's talk of you guys being tougher this year.Lopez: I wouldn't say we're tougher. We're just as honest and just as compassionate, but maybe a tiny bit more blunt about it. I think you'll see a little bit of a difference.Jackson: I have no issue with saying it was awful or it sucked or was terrible. All the ridicule I got as a kid growing up is what really helped me to whatever greatness I've achieved in this life.Lopez: You need a little bit of tough love sometimes. But it has to be tough love. Maybe we're a little tougher on the tough-love part this year.Jackson: We don't want to kill anybody's spirit. We're not gods. Maybe just lords. American Idol premieres Wednesday, January 18 at 8/7c on Fox. For more with the Idol judges, pick up this week's issue of TV Guide Magazine, on newsstands Thursday, January 5! Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!