Exclusive: Elfie Hopkins Poster

Winstones Assemble!When the new Elfie Hopkins quad poster is almost anything to apply, all is assuredly not within the Winstone household. Father Ray and daughter Jaime obtain hands full dealing with the film's sinister woodland goings-on. The ultimate time Winston Sr. looked this focused he'd been attracted to the space between spaces inside the Kingdom In The Very Skull. No less than this time around around he's armed, that's greater than it seems like Elfie herself (Jaime Winstone) is boasting. The 22 year-old wildlife-loving amateur sleuth must manage on wits wet having a spliff or two as she reaches work finding bloody work afoot in their dormant hunting village. Well, wits and many likely some shotguns. Written and directed by Ryan Andrews, an early on collaborator with Jaime Winstone, Elfie Hopkins purports to showcase the greater youthful Winstone's capabilities. Her character is inspired in their crime-fixing mission by noirs like Chinatown as well as the Maltese Falcon and aided by nerdy friend Dylan (Aneurin Barnard).Together, they outdoors, be quick considering the suspicious Gammon family, fresh within the large city and - we'd wager - not especially friendly.Elfie Hopkins makes her large-screen bow on April 20.

People from other countries Ruling 2012 Pilot Lead Casting

The 2012 pilot months are illustrating an increasing trend during the last decade in Hollywood: foreign stars are booking the leads that used to visit American entertainers. This can be a not really a new development. U.K stars Andrew Garfield, Henry Cavill, and Christian Bale are playing legendary American superheroes Spider-Guy, Superman, and Batman correspondingly in movies.You will find two aircraft pilots in line with the Beauty and also the Animal story book in development, one at ABC and also the other in the CW. No leads roles either in visited People in america. Irish actor Ruth Bradley was cast as Sophistication (Beauty) and Scottish actor-singer Darius Campell will have Shiro (Animal) within the ABC project. Canadian actor Kristin Kreuk and Nz-born Australian Jay Ryan are playing the leads within the CW pilot. Deadline.com stated those of these four stars, Kreuk may be the only identifiable title in the usa because of her stint on "Smallville," however the other three are virtually unknown stateside. Additionally to those two aircraft pilots, other projects this year are favoring stars from abroad. British actor Jesse Montgomery continues to be cast because the lead within the CBS drama pilot "Baby Large Shot," while Oscar-nominee and fellow U.K. actor Minnie Driver will star among two leads in NBC's Kari Lizer comedy. Canadian Stephen Amell continues to be selected to headline "Arrow," the CW pilot in line with the American comic character Eco-friendly Arrow. Colin Ferguson, another Canadian, will star in Bill Lawrence's Fox comedy pilot "Like Father." Irish actor Amy Huberman would be the female lead within the NBC comedy "Animal Kingdom." Based on Deadline, she got the task consequently of her first-ever U.S. audition.Pilot months are still under way, but it is already that home area advantage no more matters if this involves casting in the usa.

Cheers & Jeers: Katy Perry Can't Keep Hope Alive

and Mike & Molly's Billy Gardell don't exactly seem like siblings - however they share exactly the same father! Actor Francis Guinan, who made an appearance on That '70s Show because the father of Ashton's Kelso, just been cast to experience Mike's papa. With Mike and Molly's wedding around the corner, the guy who abandoned his family years back reenters the image, which "will weigh heavily on Mike's large day," executive producer Chuck Lorre informs me. Find Out More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Francis GuinanMike & Molly

Weekend Receipts: The Lorax Sends a Very, Very Green Message

What a weekend for Dr. Seuss's The Lorax: The environmentally tinged adaptation became the latest of the beloved author's film spinoffs to capture the top box-office perch. Meanwhile, the raunchy Project X settled in quietly behind it, earning roughly a dollar per topless scene en route to second place. Your Weekend Receipts are here. 1. Dr. Seuss's The Lorax Gross: $70,700,000 (new) Screens: 3,729 (PSA $18,960) Weeks: 1 What can I say? A generation is indoctrinated to the left! Lou Dobbs will be outraged! Malia Obama for president in 2036! 2. Project X Gross: $20,775,000 (new) Screens: 3,055 (PSA $6,800) Weeks: 1 Not so bad an opening for the critically reviled bit of mayhem from the mind of Todd Phillips - but good enough for a sequel? Project Y, coming to DVD and Blu-ray by the holidays? Hell, the way these things are shot, maybe by Memorial Day. 3. Act of Valor Gross: $13,700,000 ($45,239,000) Screens: 3,053 (PSA: $4,487) Weeks: 2 (Change: -44%) The Navy SEALs-against-the-world propaganda exercise held up reasonably well in its second week, setting up next weekend's crucial Lorax vs. Valor ideology face-off for fourth place - or maybe even third place, considering the smallish release for Eddie Murphy's A Thousand Words. Place your bets. Or I can just wake you when it's April, your call. 4. Safe House Gross: $7,200,000 ($108,200,000) Screens: 2,533 (PSA $2,820) Weeks: 4 (Change: -34.1%) I can only imagine the back-and-forth between Denzel Washington's WME team and Ryan Reynolds's CAA crew this morning as they struggle to take primary credit for their stars' stunning collaborative success. If I didn't know any better, I'd just attribute the whole phenomenon to Harvey Weinstein, because what triumphs hasn't he wrought in the last seven days? 5. Tyler Perry's Good Deeds Gross: $7,000,000 ($25,745,000) Screens: 2,132 (PSA $3,283) Weeks: 2 (Change: -55.1%) Tyler Perry is nothing if not consistent, on track for another mid-$30 million performer sans the Madea muumuu. He'd argue that a wider release would sweeten the box office, and for this one in particular I'd agree - though I'd rather simply see him split the franchise difference and attempt Why Did I Get Married 3-D. They've got The Rock in the series now! Seriously, blockbuster city. [Figures via Box Office Mojo] Follow S.T. VanAirsdale on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Mike Grossman joins CollegeHumor

CollegeHumor Media has drawn on Mike Grossman for that recently-produced position of senior Vice president of development.Grossman is going to be responsible to add mass to original longform content for TV an internet-based. He'll report straight to CollegeHumor Media Boss Paul Greenberg.Grossman formerly offered as director of development at both MTV and Comedy Central. At MTV, he oversaw the creation and manufacture of series including "Human Giant" and "Quiet Library." Grossman has additionally developed and created programming for that Onion, the late Patrice O'Neal and web video masterminds The Gregory Siblings. "We're extremely pleased to possess Mike Grossman joining the CollegeHumor Media team," stated Greenberg. "His experience, extensive understanding and innovative approach is going to be necessary to ongoing our effective foray into quality longform content.""This is actually the most enjoyable factor I have tried ever since then I had been briefly mistaken for among the Barenaked Ladies," joked Grossman. CollegeHumor Media, which just began production on its first feature film, "Coffee Town," is definitely an operating business of IAC. Contact Shaun Sneider at shaun.sneider@variety.com

The CW Casts AnnaSophia Robb as Young Carrie Bradshaw

The CW has cast its young Carrie Bradshaw.AnnaSophia Robb, best known for playing Violet in the 2005 Tim Burton feature "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," will star in the network's pilot "The Carrie Diaries," "The Hollywood Reporter" has learned. The project is a prequel to HBO's "Sex and the City."Based on the novel by Candace Bushnell, "Carrie Diaries" revolves around a young Carrie Bradshaw as she comes of age in the 1980s, asking her first questions about love, sex, friendship and family while exploring the worlds of high school and Manhattan.Fake Empire'sJosh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage and Len Goldstein ("Gossip Girl," "Hart of Dixie") will executive produce alongside Warner Bros. Television. Former "Sex and the City" scribe/co-producer Amy B. Harris will adapt the book and serve as showrunner. Miguel Arteta will direct the pilot.The first book in Bushnell's origin story was published last year and, like "Sex and the City," is told from Carrie's point of view. It follows the aspiring writer through her relationship with Sebastian Kydd and rivalry with popular girl Donna LaDonna.HBO owns the rights to "Sex and the City," with corporate cousin the CW hearing the pitch in September and immediately committing to the project. Robb's reps can only hope that this project will have the same impact on her career as "SATC" which ran from 1998-2004 on HBO and spurred a pair of feature films did for Sarah Jessica Parker's.The young actress joins the previously cast Stefania Owen ("Running Wilde"), who will play Carrie's 14-year-old sister in the project.In addition to "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," Robb's credits include features "Because of Winn-Dixie," "Bridge to Terabithia" as well as "Jumper." The 18-year-old actress is repped by CAA, Untitled Entertainment and Schreck Rose. The Hollywood Reporter

Exclusive: Starz Discloses Sexy Miracle City Poster

Cuba Gooding Junior. is Guilty. The Oscar-winning actor has arrived charge role in Greg Berlanti's legal pilot Guilty. After being wrongly charged of fraud and removed of his legal license... Find Out More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Jerry MaguireAs Good Because It GetsMen Of HonorPearl HarborGreg BerlantiMcGCuba Gooding Junior.Marc GuggenheimBrothers & Siblings

Franklin to Shine USA programmer post

FranklinPaul Franklin is relocating from Australia to Los Angeles for a newly created position as Shine USA's exec VP of programming.Franklin will report to president Eden Gaha. Among the series Shine USA produces are "The Biggest Loser" for NBC, "MasterChef" for Fox and "Tabatha Takes Over" on Bravo.Franklin most recently oversaw the Australian version of "The Biggest Loser," "Junior MasterChef" and "The Renovators." Previously, as head of factual entertainment for FremantleMedia Australia, he was a production partner on "MasterChef Australia," the country's highest-rated series.Gaha said: "Paul's established knowledge of our existing slate of unscripted programs will be invaluable as we focus on the continued growth of those shows and the development of new projects." Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Will NBCs Community Obtain A Boost From Co-Star Jim Rashs Oscar Win?

Three decently ranked NBC Thursday comedy series got much-needed high-profile exposure in the Oscars tonight. Tina Fey of 30 Rock and Maya Rudolph of Up Through The Night were presenters. But Community co-star Jim Rash did one better, winning an Oscar. Together with director Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon, Rash won the modified script award for co-writing The Descendants. He displayed his comedy chops by mocking category presenter Julia Roberts’s awkward, model-like stance while accepting the award. The timing of Rash’s win couldn’t be superior as NBC just introduced that MIA Community will go back to the schedule on March 15. The network will without doubt use Rash’s Academy Award in the promo campaign for that show’s relaunch. Tied to low rankings and prolonged midseason hiatus, cult fave Community is facing lengthy odds for renewal. Backstage, Rash quipped he’s likely to use his Oscar as leverage to get NBC brass to get the show for any 4th season. “I’m likely to take this to their offices,” he stated. “Perhaps this helps with Season 4.” In 1998, Helen Search’s Oscar win assisted her NBC comedy series Mad In Regards To You, which in fact had been decreasing within the rankings, obtain a renewal for just one more season. Additionally, it assisted Helen and her co-star Paul Reiser land body fat income: $a million per episode, a $750,000 raise for. 14 years later, the financial aspects from the broadcast business will vary much like NBC’s primetime fortunes, as well as an Oscar is not likely to provide salary boosts on the softly-ranked show like Community. But assistance it clinch an oh-so-important 4th season renewal for creating studio The new sony TV.

Oscars: AwardsLine Nominees Profiles

This 2011-2012 honours season introduced inside the permanent print publication AwardsLine. There has been seven models covering producers, company company directors, authors, stars, stars together with the animation, language, music, effects, cinematography, together with other groups. (Follow the link to download E-books in the print issues.) Listed here are links to AwardsLine’s tales relating to this year’s Oscar nominees that continued Deadline while watching Academy of motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 5 PM Tuesday deadline to obtain Oscar ballots. Producers Q&As Thomas Langmann — The Artist Jim Burke & Jim Taylor — The Descendants Scott Rudin — ‘Extremely Noisy And Very Close’ Chris Columbus & Brunson Eco-friendly — The Help Letty Aronson — Evening amount of time in Paris Rachael Horovitz & Michael P Luca — Moneyball Kathleen Kennedy — War Equine The Weinstein Co’s Harvey Weinstein Fox Searchlight’s Steve Gilula & Nancy Utley Actor Demian Bichir — ‘A Better Existence’ George Clooney — The Descendants Jean Dujardin — The Artist Kaira Pitt — Moneyball Gary Oldman — ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ Actress Glenn Close — Albert Nobbs Viola Davis — The Help Rooney Mara — ‘The Girl While Using Dragon Tattoo’ Michelle Williams — ‘My Week With Marilyn’ Supporting Actress Brnice Bejo The Artist Jessica Chastain The Help Melissa McCarthy Bridesmaids Jesse McTeer Albert Nobbs Octavia Spencer The Help Best Supporting Actor Kenneth Branagh My Week With Marilyn Jonah Hill Moneyball Christopher Plummer Beginners Director Michel Hazanavicius — The Artist Alexander Payne — The Descendants Martin Scorsese — ‘Hugo’ Steven Spielberg — War Equine Scripts Bridesmaids Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig Margin Call J.C. Chandor Mess Tailor Soldier Spy Peter Straughan Animated Film Puss In Boots Chris Burns Rango Gore Verbinski Documentary Pina Wim Wenders Production Designers Laurence Bennett The Artist Stuart Craig Harry Potter Dante Ferretti Hugo Ron Carter War Equine ALSO Bullock, Von Sydow & Horn On Very Noisy And Very Close Tough Economic Occasions Make Nostalgic Films Most widely used Bets For Oscar

How 'Ringer' Struck a Chord For Ioan Gruffudd

Within the CW drama, "Ringer," Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd stars as Andrew Martin, a self-made uniform who struggles to balance his work and family existence together with his wife and daughter. In tangible existence, Gruffudd is satisfied to possess put lower roots in La together with his wife, British actor Alice Evans (who he met around the group of "102 Dalmatians"), as well as their three-year-old daughter. Gruffudd, who is renowned for playing figures like Hortatio Hornblower within the "Hornblower" TV movie series, Mr. Fantastic in "The Great Four" and "Fantastic Four 2," Tony Blair in "W," and Lancelot in "King Arthur," confesses that whenever traveling all over the world to shoot various films, it had been very attractive to pay a role inside a series that shot in La. "I loved the smoothness of Andrew and that i loved the whole concept - all of the scrumptious elements," he states. "Also the truth that it had been Sarah Michelle Gellar's comeback to television, which was incredibly attractive." The now-official Angelino sitting lower with Back Stage to go over acting, character, and why you need to persevere. Back Stage: Just how much did the designers of "Ringer" let you know about the arc of the character before you decide to shot the pilot? Ioan Gruffudd: They explained Andrew Martin would considerably more interesting than he was around the page within the pilot, but no specifics. It's still incredibly exciting. I've my heart during my throat and my give my mouth after i browse the scripts. It's surprising what is happening next. It is a real proof of how strong the writing is on the program.Back again Stage: Where do you want to see Andrew go? Gruffudd: The actor within me would like to check this out guy visit a very dark place, however i think with many great villains we have to love them, you realize? We have to realise why they grew to become how they grew to become. Right now, we are exploring a few of the dark facets of his psyche, forcing him to create choices pressurized, that is exciting. But ultimately, I am among the primary figures, therefore we do not want him to become hated. Back Stage: What made you need to be an actress? Gruffudd: After I was nine, [casting people] found my junior school searching for somebody to experience the boy inside a Welsh language drama on BBC2 in Wales and that i got the part. I did not fully realize things i was doing, however i understood which i loved it. I wasn't excellent, however I continued to perform a cleaning soap opera in Wales after i was 12. And So I fell deeply in love with acting through physically doing the work in a high end from the very youthful age. It had been a part of my upbringing making up, really. I have been doing the work for twenty five years.Back again Stage: Have you got a specific acting method? Gruffudd: Technique is only there if you are battling to interrupt into or look for a character. In television, especially, you do not frequently reach punch above unwanted weight. You are basically playing not far from what you are. I'd say a little of Stanislavski relies during my method, but it is nothing I purposely sit lower and make preparations religiously for. Back Stage: Perhaps you have were built with a favorite role? Gruffudd: All you need to love. This is where we live this is where we exist as stars. Basically needed to choose, it's most likely a toss up between "Amazing Sophistication," directed by Michael Apted and compiled by Steven Dark night, which took it's origin from the smoothness of William Wilberforce who eliminated the slave trade, along with a project known as "Peacekeepers" that was a 2-part drama Used to do with director Peter Kosminsky for that BBC years back. Matthew Macfadyen, Damian Lewis, plus some other great stars were inside it. Basically, it had been concerning the conflict in Bosnia and also the British troops that went in like a peacekeeping pressure. Back Stage: Any words of knowledge for stars who're just beginning out? Gruffudd: Persevere. When you are beginning out, who knows, you might win over somebody after which they'll remember you in seven years time. Me, I have met producers and company directors and several years later they have known as me for any project that I am suitable for in those days. I understand you frantically would like to get all you decide to go up for, however it just is probably not always best for you. Simply do the very best that you can do. It is away from control. And never think you've learned everything. Your day you stop learning may be the day which i think you quit acting. New challenges help you stay going. That is what keeps me going. I really learn so much from watching myself, what I am attempting to do. Most probably and become aware and do not think you realize everything.

Cabin Fever: Patient Zero Has A Director

Kaare Andrews is infectedIt's spreading... You might remember that, late last year we brought news of not one but two new Cabin Fever follow-ups set to kick off shooting. Well, now at least the first one, Cabin Fever: Patient Zero has a director, with comic book artist Kaare Andrews in talks to tackle the job.As you might surmise from that subtitle, Patient Zero is a prequel that will unspool the origin of the flesh-eating virus originally loosed upon the world by Eli Roth back in 2003. The plot finds the passengers of a Caribbean cruise ship in serious trouble when their vessel runs aground on a research island. Where, not so shockingly, the nasty disease is lurking and ready to slaughter them all.Andrews, who made his name in comics as a writer and artist on the likes of The Incredible Hulk, and Spider-Man: Reign, has form as a director. He made supernatural scare-fest Altitude in 2010 and has contributed to anthology flick The ABCs Of Death, which should be terrorising us all this year.For Patient Zero, he'll work from a script by Hitcher remake writer Jake Wade Wall, with filming set to start in the Dominican Republic later this year. The plan is to segue straight into the next sequel, Cabin Fever: Outbreak, though it's not yet known if Andrews will direct that one or hand the reins over to someone else...

'2 Guns' fires sales

Mark Damon's Experience Unlimited has seen its most widely used market ever in Berlin, clocking up greater than $60 5 million in pre-sales due to projects like "2 Guns" and "Rule #1."The $84 million actioner "2 Guns," toplining Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington and helmed by "Contraband" director Baltasar Kormakur, has shown being one of the most popular game game titles on the market.Picture, which has offered between $45 million-$50 million in pre-sales, locked a multi-territory deal with The brand new the new sony Pictures Worldwide Purchases on Feb. 9 together with a $10.6 000 0000 deal with eOne for U.K. and Canadian rights.Reese Witherspoon starrer "Rule #1" has provided to Benelux (DFW), Canada (eOne), Iceland (Myndform), Israel (United states . King), Portugal (Lusomundo), Scandinavia (Mis Label), Russia (Zao West), China (HGC), Eastern Europe (Revolutionary Delivering), India (Tanweer), Thailand (M Pictures) and South Usa (Imagem), while Italia Films needed rights for Middle East, Chicken along with a vacation in a holiday in greece.Speaking with Variety, Damon and Experience prexy Tamara Stuparich P La Barra stated the 2011 EFM, which marks the first time the outfit has already established on third-party projects for sales, remains "the only real finest market" from the careers.Prior to the marketplace opened up up, distrib Swen clicked on up Latin American rights for "2 Guns," which Universal is disseminating in your area.Also it doesn't hang on a minute: Foresight's Jim Carrey starrer "Pierre Pierre" has provided to Germany (Warner Bros.), Russia (Zao West), China (HGC) and South Usa (Imagem & Gussi) furthermore with other areas."We've been seeing deals leave China and Germany, that's very positive," mentioned Damon. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

B.O.: 'The Vow' looks to wow Valentine auds

'The Vow''Safe House'Couples getting a jump on Valentine's Day should boost weekend totals for Sony-Screen Gems' weeper "The Vow," which leads a pack of four new entries along with Universal's "Safe House," Fox's 3D reboot of "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace " and Warner Bros.-New Line's "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.""The Vow," toplining Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams, is dominating first-choice interest among young females at 40%, though over-25 femmes are projected to display strong turnout for the pic as well.Pre-weekend tracking suggests that "The Vow" could earn enough through Sunday to match its reported $30 million pricetag for a B.O. tally that would rival Screen Gems' biggest Stateside opener, 2010's "Dear John," which debuted to $30.5 million.Jockeying for second place, "Safe House" and 3D "Star Wars" both are projected to land somewherenorth of $20 million. Warner's "Journey to the Center of the Earth" sequel, opening at 3,470 locations (including 2,750 in 3D and 282 in Imax), is more of a wildcard, with expectations starting in the mid-teens and extending to a possible $20 million opening. Pic's predecessor opened in July 2008 to $21 million and cumed nearly $102 million domestically.Budgeted at $79 million, "Journey 2" has the potential to overperform, given that families with young kids have been relatively underserved by B.O. offerings lately. But the 3D pic likely will compete with "Star Wars" for young male interest.Either way, Warners has positioned the kidpic nicely, as it's already cumed a strong $49 million by midweek overseas.Fox, meanwhile, is giving "Star Wars" a major international push this weekend, debuting the 3D retrofit in 61 territories day-and-date, including Australia, Brazil, France, Mexico, Russia and the U.K. Pic could make a play for top overseas placement, dislodging current champ "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol," which has collected $420.8 million internationally as of Feb. 12.Domestically, the weekend's new entries face a high bar competing against last year's top trio, all of which debuted at north of $25 million."The Vow," from helmer Michael Sucsy (TV's "Grey Gardens"), is most sluggish with men under 25, though that doesn't necessarily account for date crowds. By comparison, "Dear John" played best on Friday of its opening weekend, before dipping a minimal 9% the following day.U's R-rated "Safe House" should attract mostly over-25 moviegoers, added to a strong contingency of ethnic auds based on appeal for star Denzel Washington. Twenty-six percent of African-Americans listed "Safe House" as their first choice, and the pic has attracted 14% first-choice votes among Latinos."Safe House," which cost a reported $85 million, also launches this weekend in 25 overseas markets. It will begin rolling out through the rest of the world on Feb. 17.Among the weekend's holdovers, soph-sesh titles "Chronicle" and "The Woman in Black" look to hold well after their solid openings. "Woman," which has grossed $24.3 million through Wednesday, could see a steeper drop-off -- typical of most horror pics. "Chronicle" reached $26.6 million in its first six days.U's family repeat player, "Big Miracle," will face stiff competition this weekend, looking to cross $10 million domestically.Hitting an important B.O. mark earlier this week, Sony's "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" surpassed $200 million in worldwide grosses, evenly split between domestic and abroad tallies.In limited release, Millennium Entertainment's crime drama "Rampart," starring Woody Harrelson, launches at five U.S. locations, while an Oscar-nominated pair, Sony Pictures Classics' "In Darkness" (for foreign-language film) and GKids' "Chico and Rita" (animated feature), also bow. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Rankings: Super Bowl Draws 111.3 Million Audiences being Most-Viewed Tv Series ever

Eli Manning Did the Super Bowl set a viewership record for any third year consecutively? Just.Video clip: Gisele Bundchen defends husband Tom Brady, rips receiversSuper Bowl XLVI - where the NY Titans defeated the Gambling - came 111.3 million audiences, narrowly edging the 111 million audiences who updated in to the large game last year. The overall game also published a 47.8 overnight rating along with a 71 share - the 3rd-greatest ever, based on Nielsen overnight data launched early Monday. Within the grown ups-18-to-49 demographic, it obtained a 40.5 rating, its very best in 16 years. It had been also up 14 % versus the Titans-Patriots Super Bowl in 2008.Super Bowl XLV is most-viewed Tv series in U.S. historyThis was the seventh straight year the Super Bowl audience increased. This past year, Super Bowl XLV was seen by 111 million audiences, which makes it probably the most-viewed prime-time telecast in U.S. history. And the prior year that, the Super Bowl set the record for that biggest U.S. TV viewing audience at 106.5 million, which capped the lengthy-standing 106 million audiences who viewed the 1983 M*A*S*H finale.NBC apologizes for M.I.A.'s middle finger at Super Bowl halftime showThe postgame festivities and interviews struck some audiences as abbreviated, and perhaps these were, as NBC desired to provide a large springboard towards the Voice's return.Read our recap from the Voice's Season 2 premiereNBC's singing-talent show obtained a 16.3 rating and came 37.six million audiences, which makes it the greatest-ranked entertainment enter in 18-49 in six years. The show also did 47 percent much better than the publish-Super Bowl airing of Glee this past year.

Shows go out with a B.O. bang

'The Mountaintop'Broadway continued to sled down the slopes of January doldrums in week 34 (Jan. 16-22), as sales at most productions declined, and two shows ended their runs.Each of those shuttering productions, "Follies" ($878,880) and "The Mountaintop" ($693,128), took advantage of the week's lowered sales bar to claim a spot in the top 10. In a rare turn, "Mountaintop" became one of two plays on the tuner-dominated chart, alongside "War Horse" ($960,191).Also in the top 10, the recently opened "Porgy and Bess" ($878,884) continued to log encouraging sales, with the revival upticking even in the midst of the winter slowdown.Meanwhile, although "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" ($1,319,824) didn't close, the frame was the last for star Darren Criss, who pulled in weekly sales of more than $1.3 million three frames in a row.Almost every production logged a decline. The Broadway cume fell approximately $1.6 million to $19.3 million for the 28 shows on the boards, with overall attendance coming in at 78%. The week's tally is well ahead of the same frame's receipts in 2011, but last year's $12.3 million was for only 19 total shows.The past week's 19 musicals grossed $15,597,013 for 80.6% of the Broadway total, with attendance of 169,104 and an average paid admission of 92.23The nine plays grossed $3,748,300 for 19.4% of the Broadway total, with attendance of 50,641 and an average paid admission of 74.02. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Fox's 'War' receives PG-13 rating after edits

Fox's 'This Means War,' starring Chris Pine, Reese Witherspoon and Tom Sturdy, remains rated PG-13 with the MPAA.A following day of denying Fox's appeal for just about any lower rating, the MPAA has given an extremely edited version of "This Means War" a PG-13 rating. Studio eliminate a few sex jokes from actress Chelsea Handler, with different resource near the project, and resubmitted the film for the Classification and Rating Appeals Board.Pic, directed by Micrograms, stars Chris Pine, Tom Sturdy and Reese Witherspoon. Pine and Sturdy play nearest friend CIA agents who fall for a similar lady. Timothy Dowling and Simon Kinberg written the script.Fox had recently be a huge hit an R-rating presented to the film, the CARA board declined Thursday (Daily Variety, Jan. 27).The other day, the studio knocked up "War" to start Feb. 14 to coincide with Valentine's.

'The Help' Leads NAACP Image Award Nominees

La (AP) "The AssistanceInch remains offered eight Image Award nominations.The variation of Kathryn Stockett's best-selling novel about black service personnel speaking out regarding white-colored companies through the civil rights movement introduced the 43rd annual NAACP Image Honours nominations Thursday. It's competing for outstanding film against "Jumping the Broom," ''Pariah," ''The First Grader" and "Tower Heist."The medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" and football sitcom "The SportInch ruled the tv groups with six nominations each.Beyonce and Jill Scott both received four nominations inside the music groups. They'll vie against Jennifer Hudson, Ledisi and Mary J. Blige for your outstanding female artist trophy.The Country's Association for your Development of Colored People Image Honours recognition diversity inside the arts and you'll be presented Feb. 17 on NBC.Copyright 2012 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

'Les Miserables' Movie Casts Aaron Tveit as Rebellion Leader

It's official: Aaron Tveit has signed a deal to participate the cast of "Ces Miserables," Universal and dealing Title's large-screen adaptation in the classic musical.Oscar champion Tom Hooper ("The King's Speech") is pointing the film, whose cast includes Hugh Jackman as billed bread stealer Jean Valjean and Russell Crowe as his enemy Inspector Javert.Due to the brilliant recognition in the musical, the film has created lots of speculation about which stars will join the expansion. Hathaway As Catwoman, Amanda Seyfried and Eddie Redmayne are confirmed. Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter, whose names have made an appearance concerning the the expansion, aren't formally in at this time around.Tveit, who may be most broadly known in the work on the CW's "Gossip Girl," may have Enjolras, who leads students rebellion inside the streets of Paris and orders Javert's execution.William Nicholson ("Gladiator"), Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schnberg written the script, basing it round the Victor Hugo novel as well as the musical. The film features a release date of December 7, 2012, so Universal must move quickly.Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title are coming up with with Debra Hayward and Cameron Mackintosh.Tveit, repped by CAA and Elin Flack, will next be seen with Ernest Gordon-Levitt in "Premium Hurry," which opens in August. The Hollywood Reporter

ABC orders Kari Lizer pilot

Lizer ABC has picked up the pilot for a comedy from Kari Lizer and Warner Bros. TV.The untitled half-hour multicamera project concerns a high-powered female executive who has dominated corporate America for years, facing the biggest challenge of her life: finding herself unemployed and acting as a full-time mom to her two teenagers.Last week, Lizer landed a pilot order from NBC for a project about two femme friends, also from Warner Bros. TV.Lizer was creator and exec producer of the CBS laffer "The New Adventures of Old Christine." Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

'Contraband' steals top spot at Friday B.O.

'Contraband'With three new hopefuls entering the domestic marketplace, auds sided with Universal's "Contraband," earning it $8.7 million yesterday.The Relativity/Working Title co-production reportedly cost $25 million to make, and should slightly exceed that in gross over the four-day weekend.In an effort to capitalize on Monday's school holiday and the massive success of its "Lion King" 3D re-release, Disney opened its 3D post-converted "Beauty and the Beast" Friday to $5.6 million. Mouse distribution prexy Dave Hollis said the "Lion King" conversion to 3D cost the studio in the low single digits, which means even a relatively low open for "Beauty" (insiders are saying close to $22 million through Monday) will mean solid returns for the company.Third place Friday saw a dead tie between Warner Bros.' opener "Joyful Noise" and Paramount's holdover "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol." Both grossed $3.3 million yesterday. The latter, in its fifth week in release, has reached $178.5 million Stateside, while the former is looking at a four-day take in the mid- to high-teens.Par Insurge's "The Devil Inside" added another $2.7 million yesterday for a domestic cume of $41 million. The scarer reportedly cost only $1 million to acquire, so even its astounding 87% week-to-week drop won't have execs worried. The significant drop is likely due to poor word-of-mouth, with 66% of auds giving the pic a Cinemascore of C or lower. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com