FlashForward will be taking an extended hiatus until March 4 following Thursday's new episode, TVGuide.com has confirmed.
An ABC spokesperson tells TVGuide.com that the later date will allow the serial drama to air new episodes back-to-back without repeats. The Wrap, which first reported the news, also says ABC does not want the show to have to compete with the 2010 Winter Olympics, airing in February on NBC.
FlashForward was originally scheduled to return with new episodes in January 2010. However, a preview at the end of the latest episode revealed new episodes would not air until March 2010. Among the many revelations made in the preview was an indication that there will be another blackout.
FlashForward debuted strong in October to 12.4 million viewers and a 4.1 rating among adults ages 18-49 but has dropped off significantly since. The Nov. 19 episode attracted 7.97 million viewers and a 2.4 rating in the 18-49 demo.
No word yet on which show will take over FlashForward's Thursday time slot at 8/7c.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Comcast, NBC Unveil $30 Billion Merger
Comcast will acquire NBC Universal from General Electric in a $30 billion deal announced Thursday that is poised to create a new entertainment powerhouse and reshape the TV landscape.
Comcast — the country's largest cable and Internet provider — will own 51 percent of the entity, while GE will retain the remaining 49 percent.
The merger, which has been in talks for months, would give Comcast control over some of NBCU's hottest TV properties as GE will contribute NBCU's portfolio, valued at $30 billion, which includes television and film entertainment, and theme parks. Comcast will pay $6.5 billion upfront and will contribute its trove of cable channels — including E!, Versus and the Golf Channel — along with its 10 regional sports networks and several digital media properties valued at $7.25 billion.
"This deal is a perfect fit for Comcast and will allow us to become a leader in the development and distribution of multiplatform 'anytime, anywhere' media that American consumers are demanding," Comcast Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian Roberts said. "In particular, NBCU's fast-growing, highly profitable cable networks are a great complement to our industry-leading distribution business."
Jeff Zucker, president of NBCU, will become CEO of the joint venture and will report to Comcast Chief Operating Officer Steve Burke. Business headquarters will remain in New York.
"This marks the start of a new era for NBCU, and I'm genuinely excited that I will be leading this wonderful organization, along with the Comcast team, at this important time in our history," Zucker said.
Comcast — the country's largest cable and Internet provider — will own 51 percent of the entity, while GE will retain the remaining 49 percent.
The merger, which has been in talks for months, would give Comcast control over some of NBCU's hottest TV properties as GE will contribute NBCU's portfolio, valued at $30 billion, which includes television and film entertainment, and theme parks. Comcast will pay $6.5 billion upfront and will contribute its trove of cable channels — including E!, Versus and the Golf Channel — along with its 10 regional sports networks and several digital media properties valued at $7.25 billion.
"This deal is a perfect fit for Comcast and will allow us to become a leader in the development and distribution of multiplatform 'anytime, anywhere' media that American consumers are demanding," Comcast Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian Roberts said. "In particular, NBCU's fast-growing, highly profitable cable networks are a great complement to our industry-leading distribution business."
Jeff Zucker, president of NBCU, will become CEO of the joint venture and will report to Comcast Chief Operating Officer Steve Burke. Business headquarters will remain in New York.
"This marks the start of a new era for NBCU, and I'm genuinely excited that I will be leading this wonderful organization, along with the Comcast team, at this important time in our history," Zucker said.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Zombieland 2 and Jackass 3D Confirmed
Last month, Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer mentioned that not only is Sony interested in a sequel, but if they can “crack” the story for a sequel, it will probably be shot in 3D. A few days later, a list of Paramount’s 2010 slate listed another Jackass sequel, Jackass 3D. Variety has now confirmed that both projects are in development. Who is signed? Who isn’t? When will the films go into production?
According to the story, Sony has already closed deals with helmer Ruben Fleischer and producer Gavin Polone to return for the 3D sequel, and screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are already working on the sequel’s screenplay. Of course, the stars of the original, Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg, are not yet signed, but the studio is in talks with the pair to reprise their roles. Harrelson has expressed interest in making another film, so I’m betting it will probably happen, eventually. I’m really glad the original creative team is signed on for the sequel, because it is their contributions that made the first film greater than the concept.
As for Jackass 3D, filming is scheduled to begin on January 25th 2010, with a release tentatively scheduled for later in the year. The first Jackass film was released in October, and the sequel hit in September, so I would expect the third installment to hit around the same time — fourth quarter 2010.
According to the story, Sony has already closed deals with helmer Ruben Fleischer and producer Gavin Polone to return for the 3D sequel, and screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are already working on the sequel’s screenplay. Of course, the stars of the original, Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg, are not yet signed, but the studio is in talks with the pair to reprise their roles. Harrelson has expressed interest in making another film, so I’m betting it will probably happen, eventually. I’m really glad the original creative team is signed on for the sequel, because it is their contributions that made the first film greater than the concept.
As for Jackass 3D, filming is scheduled to begin on January 25th 2010, with a release tentatively scheduled for later in the year. The first Jackass film was released in October, and the sequel hit in September, so I would expect the third installment to hit around the same time — fourth quarter 2010.
Philly-bound again: Iverson agrees to deal with Sixers
Dust off the No. 3 jersey. Allen Iverson is with the 76ers again.
Team president Ed Stefanski announced the signing Wednesday on the team's Web site. Iverson is expected to make his debut Monday at home against the Denver Nuggets.
"In light of the recent injury to Lou Williams, which will sideline him for close to eight weeks, we felt that Allen was the best available free agent guard to help us at this time," Stefanski said in a release.
Williams, who averaged 17.4 points and 5.1 assists, broke his jaw in Philadelphia's loss to Washington on Nov. 24.
Iverson, his agent and business manager met with Stefanski, coach Eddie Jordan and two other members of the organization Monday.
The 34-year-old Iverson announced his retirement last week after an ill-fated stint with the Memphis Grizzlies. The 10-time All-Star was NBA MVP in 2001 when he led the Sixers to the NBA finals.
"We had, at times, a rocky road with Allen Iverson, but we also had a fantastic run with Allen," Peter Luukko, COO of Comcast-Spectacor, which owns the 76ers and Flyers, told The Associated Press. "The expectations with Allen have changed dramatically. We're not looking for Allen to individually lead this team the way he has in the past."
Iverson was offered a one-year, non-guaranteed contract Tuesday, according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the talks were private.
The Sixers would owe just under $650,000 if they guarantee his contract for the remainder of the season on Jan. 10. Stefanski plans to talk about Iverson's return in a noon teleconference.
"The whole situation wasn't about the contract and the money," Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, told The AP. "It was about the opportunity and the chance to come to Philadelphia."
In 10 seasons with the Sixers, Iverson posted the highest scoring average in team history (28.1), was second on the points list (19,583) and holds the record for 3-pointers (877). He was a seven-time All-Star, won four scoring titles and two All-Star game MVPs.
The Sixers (5-13) have lost seven straight entering Wednesday night's game at Oklahoma City and need Iverson to spark sagging ticket sales and their playoff chances.
Luukko said Iverson's deal was "absolutely, strictly a basketball decision."
This reconciliation was once thought foolish after their acrimonious split three years ago. Iverson's last game with Philadelphia was Dec. 6, 2006 in Chicago. He refused to play the fourth quarter and was banished from the team two days later. He was eventually traded to Denver as part of the Andre Miller deal, and bounced to Detroit before landing in Memphis.
"Certainly, the way it left off, it's surprising," Luukko said.
Rose said he wasn't surprised both sides put their bitter parting behind them.
"It was a good situation that made sense for them," Rose said. "Allen has always had an affinity for the city of Philadelphia, the fans, the memories of playing here. He's always talked about the opportunity to come back. Now is the time where it really makes sense for everybody."
The 6-foot Iverson played three games this season with Memphis before taking a leave of absence to attend to personal matters. He was waived after the two sides agreed to part ways.
The New York Knicks considered signing Iverson after he cleared waivers, before deciding he would take too much playing time from younger players they are trying to develop.
He will likely start for the Sixers with Williams out. Iverson's refusal to come off the bench ended his time in Detroit and Memphis on a sour note.
Iverson would get another look at his former teams after playing Denver. The Sixers, who have not won a playoff series since 2003, play at home Dec. 9 against Detroit.
Iverson was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft, but his 10 turbulent seasons in Philadelphia were marred by his rants about practice, run-ins with former coach Larry Brown, arrests and a failed rap career.
Iverson often arrived late for practices or missed them entirely. In one infamous blowup at the end of the 2002 season, he repeated the word "practice" nearly 20 times during a rambling monologue.
"Times change, situations change," Luukko said. "The best way was to make this a basketball decision. Don't get personal with it."
Iverson has a career average of 27 points in 889 games over 14 seasons. He is tied for the fifth-highest scoring average in NBA history and ranks third among active players.
Iverson has played in 71 playoff games and has the second-highest postseason scoring average (29.7 ppg) in NBA history, trailing only Michael Jordan (33.4 ppg).
Team president Ed Stefanski announced the signing Wednesday on the team's Web site. Iverson is expected to make his debut Monday at home against the Denver Nuggets.
"In light of the recent injury to Lou Williams, which will sideline him for close to eight weeks, we felt that Allen was the best available free agent guard to help us at this time," Stefanski said in a release.
Williams, who averaged 17.4 points and 5.1 assists, broke his jaw in Philadelphia's loss to Washington on Nov. 24.
Iverson, his agent and business manager met with Stefanski, coach Eddie Jordan and two other members of the organization Monday.
The 34-year-old Iverson announced his retirement last week after an ill-fated stint with the Memphis Grizzlies. The 10-time All-Star was NBA MVP in 2001 when he led the Sixers to the NBA finals.
"We had, at times, a rocky road with Allen Iverson, but we also had a fantastic run with Allen," Peter Luukko, COO of Comcast-Spectacor, which owns the 76ers and Flyers, told The Associated Press. "The expectations with Allen have changed dramatically. We're not looking for Allen to individually lead this team the way he has in the past."
Iverson was offered a one-year, non-guaranteed contract Tuesday, according to a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the talks were private.
The Sixers would owe just under $650,000 if they guarantee his contract for the remainder of the season on Jan. 10. Stefanski plans to talk about Iverson's return in a noon teleconference.
"The whole situation wasn't about the contract and the money," Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, told The AP. "It was about the opportunity and the chance to come to Philadelphia."
In 10 seasons with the Sixers, Iverson posted the highest scoring average in team history (28.1), was second on the points list (19,583) and holds the record for 3-pointers (877). He was a seven-time All-Star, won four scoring titles and two All-Star game MVPs.
The Sixers (5-13) have lost seven straight entering Wednesday night's game at Oklahoma City and need Iverson to spark sagging ticket sales and their playoff chances.
Luukko said Iverson's deal was "absolutely, strictly a basketball decision."
This reconciliation was once thought foolish after their acrimonious split three years ago. Iverson's last game with Philadelphia was Dec. 6, 2006 in Chicago. He refused to play the fourth quarter and was banished from the team two days later. He was eventually traded to Denver as part of the Andre Miller deal, and bounced to Detroit before landing in Memphis.
"Certainly, the way it left off, it's surprising," Luukko said.
Rose said he wasn't surprised both sides put their bitter parting behind them.
"It was a good situation that made sense for them," Rose said. "Allen has always had an affinity for the city of Philadelphia, the fans, the memories of playing here. He's always talked about the opportunity to come back. Now is the time where it really makes sense for everybody."
The 6-foot Iverson played three games this season with Memphis before taking a leave of absence to attend to personal matters. He was waived after the two sides agreed to part ways.
The New York Knicks considered signing Iverson after he cleared waivers, before deciding he would take too much playing time from younger players they are trying to develop.
He will likely start for the Sixers with Williams out. Iverson's refusal to come off the bench ended his time in Detroit and Memphis on a sour note.
Iverson would get another look at his former teams after playing Denver. The Sixers, who have not won a playoff series since 2003, play at home Dec. 9 against Detroit.
Iverson was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft, but his 10 turbulent seasons in Philadelphia were marred by his rants about practice, run-ins with former coach Larry Brown, arrests and a failed rap career.
Iverson often arrived late for practices or missed them entirely. In one infamous blowup at the end of the 2002 season, he repeated the word "practice" nearly 20 times during a rambling monologue.
"Times change, situations change," Luukko said. "The best way was to make this a basketball decision. Don't get personal with it."
Iverson has a career average of 27 points in 889 games over 14 seasons. He is tied for the fifth-highest scoring average in NBA history and ranks third among active players.
Iverson has played in 71 playoff games and has the second-highest postseason scoring average (29.7 ppg) in NBA history, trailing only Michael Jordan (33.4 ppg).
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
New Moon & Blind Side Dominate Turkey Weekend
The ComingSoon.net Box Office Report has been updated with studio estimates for the weekend.
Thanksgiving weekend saw a healthy increase in business from last year but most of that business was divided between the same two movies that dominated last weekend as The Twilight Saga: New Moon (Summit) and Sandra Bullock's football drama The Blind Side (Warner Bros.) remained on top with $82 million between them over the three days after the holiday on Thursday.
The "Twilight" sequel dropped 70% from its record-setting opening weekend to earn an estimated $42.5 million over the three days and $66 million since Wednesday. It has earned $230.7 million in total since opening last week, 22% more than the previous installment grossed in its entire theatrical run. The popular supernatural romance also continues to do well internationally, having grossed roughly $85 million in other regions this weekend, adding up to a total worldwide gross of $473.7 million in just ten days.
The Blind Side (Warner Bros.) is already the surprise hit of the fall and holiday movie season, but it did even better in its second weekend than its first, grossing $40.1 million over the three-day weekend, up 17% from last week. Produced for less than $30 million, the sports-based drama has grossed an astounding $100.3 million in just ten days.
Roland Emmerich's disaster movie 2012 (Sony Pictures) took third place over the weekend with an estimated $18 million and a total gross of roughly $139 million after three weeks in theaters.
Disney's PG comedy Old Dogs, starring Robin Williams and John Travolta, settled for third place, opening with an estimated $16.8 million over the three-day weekend and $24.1 million since opening on Wednesday. With a moderate budget of $35 million, it's not a terrible opening but it's somewhat disappointing compared to how other PG Disney comedies have fared over the Thanksgiving weekend in the past. One presumes that the awful reviews and other choices kept audiences away.
On the other hand, helped by the official start of the holiday shopping season, Disney's A Christmas Carol received a nice 30% bump from last weekend, bringing in $16 million over the three-day weekend to bring its total to $105 million.
The martial arts action flick Ninja Assassin (Warner Bros.), starring Korean pop singer Rain, grossed $21 million in its first five days in 2,503 theaters, $13.1 million of that over the weekend, to take sixth place.
Sony's second animated comedy of the fall movie season, Planet 51, dropped to seventh place with $10.2 million, down 17% from its opening weekend, to boost its total to $28.4 million.
Eighth and ninth place were movies that have been doing solid business in limited release and hoped to bring in more audiences over the holiday. Lee Daniels' inspirational drama Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire (Lionsgate) didn't add many theaters on Wednesday, but it did come out slightly ahead of Wes Anderson's stop-motion animation version of Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox, which expanded into 2,033 theaters. Both movies grossed roughly $7 million over the three-day weekend. Precious has grossed $32.5 million to date and should roll out into more locations with awards nominations being announced in the coming weeks, while Anderson's movie has grossed just over $10 million all-inclusive.
Grant Heslov's political comedy The Men Who Stare at Goats (Overture Films) rounded out the Top 10 with $1.5 million and a $30 million gross to date.
The top 10 grossed $172 million over the three-day weekend up 13% from the holiday weekend last year when the holiday comedy Four Christmases
Opening in 111 theaters on Wednesday, John Hillcoat's adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's The Road (Dimension Films) starring Viggo Mortensen performed strongly, taking in $2 million to claim 11th place, just ahead of Troy Duffy's The Boondock Saints II: All Saint's Day, which added 169 theaters on Wednesday and added $1.2 million to its total take of $5.7 million.
Disney's first 2D animated movie in many years, The Princess and the Frog, opened in exclusive engagements in New York and L.A., where it grossed $712 thousand over the three-day weekend and $1.1 million since Wednesday. Its theater average of $356k per venue, boosted by higher ticket prices for the special engagement's enhanced experience, helped put the animated movie amongst the top 3 highest averages, amongst previous Disney movies such as The Lion King and Pocahontas.
Thanksgiving weekend saw a healthy increase in business from last year but most of that business was divided between the same two movies that dominated last weekend as The Twilight Saga: New Moon (Summit) and Sandra Bullock's football drama The Blind Side (Warner Bros.) remained on top with $82 million between them over the three days after the holiday on Thursday.
The "Twilight" sequel dropped 70% from its record-setting opening weekend to earn an estimated $42.5 million over the three days and $66 million since Wednesday. It has earned $230.7 million in total since opening last week, 22% more than the previous installment grossed in its entire theatrical run. The popular supernatural romance also continues to do well internationally, having grossed roughly $85 million in other regions this weekend, adding up to a total worldwide gross of $473.7 million in just ten days.
The Blind Side (Warner Bros.) is already the surprise hit of the fall and holiday movie season, but it did even better in its second weekend than its first, grossing $40.1 million over the three-day weekend, up 17% from last week. Produced for less than $30 million, the sports-based drama has grossed an astounding $100.3 million in just ten days.
Roland Emmerich's disaster movie 2012 (Sony Pictures) took third place over the weekend with an estimated $18 million and a total gross of roughly $139 million after three weeks in theaters.
Disney's PG comedy Old Dogs, starring Robin Williams and John Travolta, settled for third place, opening with an estimated $16.8 million over the three-day weekend and $24.1 million since opening on Wednesday. With a moderate budget of $35 million, it's not a terrible opening but it's somewhat disappointing compared to how other PG Disney comedies have fared over the Thanksgiving weekend in the past. One presumes that the awful reviews and other choices kept audiences away.
On the other hand, helped by the official start of the holiday shopping season, Disney's A Christmas Carol received a nice 30% bump from last weekend, bringing in $16 million over the three-day weekend to bring its total to $105 million.
The martial arts action flick Ninja Assassin (Warner Bros.), starring Korean pop singer Rain, grossed $21 million in its first five days in 2,503 theaters, $13.1 million of that over the weekend, to take sixth place.
Sony's second animated comedy of the fall movie season, Planet 51, dropped to seventh place with $10.2 million, down 17% from its opening weekend, to boost its total to $28.4 million.
Eighth and ninth place were movies that have been doing solid business in limited release and hoped to bring in more audiences over the holiday. Lee Daniels' inspirational drama Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire (Lionsgate) didn't add many theaters on Wednesday, but it did come out slightly ahead of Wes Anderson's stop-motion animation version of Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox, which expanded into 2,033 theaters. Both movies grossed roughly $7 million over the three-day weekend. Precious has grossed $32.5 million to date and should roll out into more locations with awards nominations being announced in the coming weeks, while Anderson's movie has grossed just over $10 million all-inclusive.
Grant Heslov's political comedy The Men Who Stare at Goats (Overture Films) rounded out the Top 10 with $1.5 million and a $30 million gross to date.
The top 10 grossed $172 million over the three-day weekend up 13% from the holiday weekend last year when the holiday comedy Four Christmases
Opening in 111 theaters on Wednesday, John Hillcoat's adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's The Road (Dimension Films) starring Viggo Mortensen performed strongly, taking in $2 million to claim 11th place, just ahead of Troy Duffy's The Boondock Saints II: All Saint's Day, which added 169 theaters on Wednesday and added $1.2 million to its total take of $5.7 million.
Disney's first 2D animated movie in many years, The Princess and the Frog, opened in exclusive engagements in New York and L.A., where it grossed $712 thousand over the three-day weekend and $1.1 million since Wednesday. Its theater average of $356k per venue, boosted by higher ticket prices for the special engagement's enhanced experience, helped put the animated movie amongst the top 3 highest averages, amongst previous Disney movies such as The Lion King and Pocahontas.
Hangover 2 Script Half-Finished, Moving Out of Vegas Read more: Hangover 2 Script Half-Finished, Moving Out of Vegas
Talking to EW, The Hangover director Todd Phillips gave the low down on the status of a sequel. He’s currently midway through the script, although no plot details are known yet. Phillips mentioned that he was thinking of ideas for a sequel while they were filming, and that Warner Brothers asked for a sequel as soon as they saw how well the film tested. He also promises that Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis will definitely be returning for another adventure.
Phillips went on to confirm that Hangover 2 won’t reuse the plot of the first film (don’t be surprised if an alcohol-induced headache remains a key component), and it will have an entirely new setting.
What people loved about The Hangover was not Las Vegas or the bachelor party but these three characters. I think you can take those characters and put them in other situations, and you don’t need the sell of Vegas and a bachelor party and all that other stuff.
Changing locations was definitely the first thought that popped into my head when we first started hearing talk of a sequel, and I won’t be surprised if they end up focusing on another party-capital location. Hangover in the Big City? Big Hangover in Little China (with a Kurt Russell cameo, of course)? Something Something Hangover Miami? Surely, the possibilities are endless.
We can most likely expect yet another random celebrity cameo, and I’m also hoping that Ken Jeong returns, because he was one of my favorite elements of the first film. I’m not too concerned that Phillips is scripting the sequel instead of original writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore—the man gave us Road Trip and Old School after all.
Phillips is currently working on his next project, Due Date, starring Robert Downey Jr., Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan, and Jaime Foxx, which reunites him with the college-slacker genre.
Phillips went on to confirm that Hangover 2 won’t reuse the plot of the first film (don’t be surprised if an alcohol-induced headache remains a key component), and it will have an entirely new setting.
What people loved about The Hangover was not Las Vegas or the bachelor party but these three characters. I think you can take those characters and put them in other situations, and you don’t need the sell of Vegas and a bachelor party and all that other stuff.
Changing locations was definitely the first thought that popped into my head when we first started hearing talk of a sequel, and I won’t be surprised if they end up focusing on another party-capital location. Hangover in the Big City? Big Hangover in Little China (with a Kurt Russell cameo, of course)? Something Something Hangover Miami? Surely, the possibilities are endless.
We can most likely expect yet another random celebrity cameo, and I’m also hoping that Ken Jeong returns, because he was one of my favorite elements of the first film. I’m not too concerned that Phillips is scripting the sequel instead of original writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore—the man gave us Road Trip and Old School after all.
Phillips is currently working on his next project, Due Date, starring Robert Downey Jr., Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan, and Jaime Foxx, which reunites him with the college-slacker genre.
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