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| Publicis says to make major corporate announcement Saturday, Jul 27, 2013 11:30 AM PDT  PARIS (Reuters) - French advertising group Publicis said it plans to make a "major corporate announcement" on Sunday, after a media report on Friday said it was in merger talks with larger rival Omnicom. A media briefing will be held at 8.00 a.m. ET on Sunday at Publicis headquarters in Paris, the company said in an email on Saturday. Bloomberg reported late on Friday that Publicis and Omnicom were in late-stage merger talks to create what would be the world's largest advertising group. Publicis spokeswoman Peggy Nahmany was not reachable for comment. ... Full Story | Top |
| Singer-songwriter JJ Cale dead at 74 after heart attack Saturday, Jul 27, 2013 08:30 AM PDT (Reuters) - Grammy award winning singer and songwriter JJ Cale, one of the most versatile musicians of his era who played everything from rock and roll to blues and jazz, has died after suffering a heart attack, his official website said on Saturday. Cale, who was 74, won a Grammy award in 2008 for "The Road to Escondido," which he recorded with singer-songwriter Eric Clapton. Born in Oklahoma City, Cale migrated to Los Angeles in the 1960s and flourished. Rock legend Neil Young once described Cale as the best electric guitar player he had ever seen other than the late Jimmy Hendrix. ... Full Story | Top |
| Axel Springer sheds some French magazines: report Saturday, Jul 27, 2013 08:20 AM PDT BERLIN (Reuters) - Publisher Axel Springer has sold a set of French magazines after disposing of some of Germany's best-known titles earlier this week, magazine New Business reported on Saturday, citing a company spokesman. Axel Springer sold French publisher PGP, which hosts a range of female, cooking and TV magazines, to Reworld Media, based in Paris and Barcelona, New Business said on its website. No-one at Axel Springer could immediately be reached for comment. With print readerships generally in decline, media groups are increasingly moving online for growth. ... Full Story | Top |
| Liberty Global ups stake in Dutch cable group Ziggo Saturday, Jul 27, 2013 03:03 AM PDT BRUSSELS (Reuters) - U.S. cable group Liberty Global has increased its stake in Dutch cable operator Ziggo to 28.5 percent, the Dutch company said on Saturday. Liberty, which also holds a controlling stake in Belgian cable operator Telenet and Ziggo's Dutch rival UPC, acquired its first 12.65 percent of Ziggo when Barclays was left with shares it failed to place for previous owners Cinven and Warburg Pincus. Liberty had subsequently increased its stake to 15 percent. ... Full Story | Top |
| Rapper DMX arrested for drunken driving in South Carolina Friday, Jul 26, 2013 06:09 PM PDT By Harriet McLeod CHARLESTON, South Carolina (Reuters) - Rapper DMX was arrested on Friday on suspicion of driving under the influence and failing to have a valid driver's license, Greenville County jail officials told Reuters. The rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, paid $1,235 in bail and left Greenville County Detention Center after being booked on the charges, jail officials said. But a representative for the 42-year-old New York-born rapper, who lives in South Carolina, said the DUI charge was never filed officially because Simmons passed a breath test in the jail. ... Full Story | Top |
| TCA: James Gandolfini remembered by Starz's Chris Albrecht Friday, Jul 26, 2013 05:39 PM PDT  By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Starz CEO and former HBO chairman and CEO Chris Albrecht remembered "Sopranos" star James Gandolfini, who died last month, saying that "The Sopranos" had "changed my life" and calling the actor "extraordinarily talented." Saying that the Sopranos "changed my life and changed everybody's lives that was intimately involved with it," Albrecht added, "I remember the first time I saw him and I'll never forget it." Gandolfini died of a heart attack in June at age 51 while in Italy. ... Full Story | Top |
| Andrew Garfield dodges Emma Stone question, talks more gay Peter Parker Friday, Jul 26, 2013 05:36 PM PDT  By Greg Gilman LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Andrew Garfield is very open to talking about Spider-Man's personal life - just don't ask him about his own. The "Amazing Spider-Man" star's lips were sealed when a reporter inquired about his relationship with co-star Emma Stone during an AP interview. "How do you like working with Emma Stone, and is there a danger of taking work home?" Sandy Cohen asked Garfield at Comic-Con. "Well, you're assuming something there, which I will not be commenting about," Garfield said. ... Full Story | Top |
| Syfy orders pilot based on supernatural film 'Legion' Friday, Jul 26, 2013 05:33 PM PDT By Jethro Nededog LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Syfy has given a pilot greenlight to "Dominion," a series based on the 2010 supernatural movie "Legion," a network spokesman told TheWrap. Executive produced by the film's director, Scott Stewart, "Dominion" takes place 25 years in the future after a war between humans and angels changes the world. It focuses on an unruly young soldier who finds out he is the world's savior. Stewart will write and direct the pilot and reunites with "Legion" producers Michael Litvak and David Lancaster, who will serve as executive producers. ... Full Story | Top |
| TCA: Whoopi Goldberg's 'Lounge' among four new Nick Jr. shows for moms Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:45 PM PDT  By Tony Maglio LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. channel announced four new projects during its presentation at TCA on Friday, including "Lounge," produced by Whoopi Goldberg. "Lounge" is a talk/variety series between real, everyday moms who are given an opportunity to be pampered, celebrated and have their dreams come true, the network said. It will be produced through Goldberg's WHOOP Inc. Other new projects for NickMom - a block of TV for moms that airs nightly from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Nick Jr. ... Full Story | Top |
| TCA: Starz renews 'Black Sails,' spikes 'Boss' movie Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:43 PM PDT By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Starz has renewed its upcoming pirate drama "Black Sails," from Michael Bay, for a second season, and will air the five-part miniseries "Dancing on the Edge," which originally aired at BBC, Starz CEO Chris Albrecht announced at the Television Critics Assn. gathering in Beverly Hills on Friday. The 10-episode second season of "Black Sails" - which premieres its first season in January - will begin production in Cape Town, South Africa in November. ... Full Story | Top |
| Peter Jackson celebrates the end of 'The Hobbit' filming with his cat, Mr. Smudge Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:42 PM PDT By Greg Gilman LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - After spending 15 years bringing J.R.R. Tolkien's vision to the big screen in New Zealand, "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson celebrated the last shot of the final film in "The Hobbit" trilogy, "There and Back Again," by cuddling with his cat, Mr. Smudge. "1.14am. Back with Mr. Smudge," Jackson wrote on his Facebook page on Friday morning. "A long day. A great day. ... Full Story | Top |
| 'Mistresses' star Shannyn Sossamon joins Fox's 'WayWard Pines' Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:41 PM PDT  By Jethro Nededog LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "Mistresses" star Shannyn Sossamon has signed on to "Wayward Pines," M. Night Shyamalan's limited series for Fox, a network representative told TheWrap. The actress will play Theresa Burke, who's married to star Matt Dillon's character, Secret Service agent Ethan. Formerly an agent herself, Theresa left to stay home with their son, Ben. She's described as an intelligent, independent and charismatic person. While her relationship to Ethan has been strong, his flaws are beginning to test her patience. ... Full Story | Top |
| TCA: MTV orders two comedies, renews 'Kesha' Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:39 PM PDT By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - MTV has ordered two new comedy pilots, as well as greenlighting a second season of "Kesha: My Crazy Beautiful Life," MTV president of programming Suzanne Daniels said Friday at the Television Critics Association press tour in Beverly Hills. The first new comedy pilot, "Faking It," comes from Carter Covington ("10 Things I Hate About You") and follows two best friends who'll do anything to be popular in high school, including pretending to be something they're not. ... Full Story | Top |
| Exclusive: Jason Schwartzman, Elisabeth Moss to star in next movie from 'Saints' team Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:37 PM PDT  By Jeff Sneider LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - The team behind award-winning Sundance film "Ain't Them Bodies Saints" has set its next project, tapping Jason Schwartzman and Elisabeth Moss to star in writer-director Alex Ross Perry's indie drama "Listen Up Philip," TheWrap has learned. The New York-set indie follows newly accomplished writer Philip (Schwartzman) and those affected by his poor decisions - in particular his successful art-photographer girlfriend Ashley (Moss). The project comes from Sailor Bear Films principals and longtime collaborators James M. ... Full Story | Top |
| 'SNL' alum Fred Armisen to direct Kings of Leon concert livestream Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:36 PM PDT By Sara Morrison LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Fred Armisen, who left his longtime "SNL" gig last season, will direct a livestream concert by Kings of Leon on August 9. The concert, performed in London, will be livestreamed on Vevo and YouTube as part of American Express's "Unstaged" series, which pairs bands with notable directors. Wernor Herzog directed a Killers performance, for example; Gary Oldman directed Jack White. This won't be Armisen's first foray into music directing - he's an accomplished drummer and directed the video for The Helio Sequence's "Don't Look Away. ... Full Story | Top |
| Syfy's 'Sharknado' coming to theaters for one night only Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:34 PM PDT By Tony Maglio LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Unless you've been living under a rock you most likely have heard about Syfy's social media hit "Sharknado" at this point. But since the movie only drew 1.5 million viewers for its premiere and 1.9 million for its encore broadcast, chances are you haven't watched it yet. Well, now moviegoers have a chance to see the cable film on the big screen. Yes, "Sharknado" will be in a real movie theater. "Sharknado" is coming to select Regal, Edwards and UA Cinemas for one night only, the company announced. ... Full Story | Top |
| Antonio Mora to host Al Jazeera America's 'Consider This' Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:33 PM PDT By Sara Morrison LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Al Jazeera America's lineup continues to fill out with Antonio Mora joining the news channel as the host of its nightly talk show, "Consider This." "I am thrilled to be a part of an organization that's committed to in-depth coverage of stories important to all Americans," Mora said in a statement. The show, which just launched its own Twitter account, will feature interviews and panel discussions. ... Full Story | Top |
| 'Harry Potter' star Rupert Grint to make stage debut in 'Mojo' Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:33 PM PDT  By Brent Lang LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Rupert Grint is shaking up his image as the sweet and lovable sidekick to a certain boy wizard. The "Harry Potter" star will make his stage debut, playing a drug-addicted gangster in a West End revival of Jez Butterworth's "Mojo." He will co-star with Ben Whishaw, the intense star of BBC's "The Hour" and Jane Campion's "Bright Star," and Brendan Coyle, better known as the loyal valet Mr. Bates on "Downton Abbey." First produced to great acclaim in 1995, "Mojo" is a darkly comic tale set in Soho during 1958. ... Full Story | Top |
| Fox to open first theme park in Malaysia in 2016 Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:31 PM PDT By Sharon Waxman LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Fox will open its first-ever theme park in Malaysia, in a partnership with Resorts World Genting that will feature Fox films such as "Ice Age," "Rio," "Alien," and "Night at the Museum," the company announced on Friday. Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products president Jeffrey Godsick announced the partnership with Dato Lee Choong Yan, president and chief operating officer of Genting Malaysia Berhad, after a signing ceremony that took place on Friday in Kuala Lumpur. The theme park will be built across 25 acres of land. ... Full Story | Top |
| Superhero career boost or bust? rating Hollywood's moves from Hugh Jackman to Ryan Reynolds Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:30 PM PDT  By Brent Lang LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Hugh Jackman, who returns to the bigscreen as Wolverine this weekend, was little known in the U.S. before he donned the claws for the first "X-Men" 13 years ago. The superhero role propelled the Australian actor A-list stardom and an Oscar nomination for "Les Miserables." But for every Jackman, there is a Brandon Routh or Ryan Reynolds - up-and-coming talents whose careers faltered after they put on tights. With Warner Bros. ... Full Story | Top |
| Can 'Saturday Night Live' survive Its cast exodus? Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:29 PM PDT By Tony Maglio LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Live! From New York! It's a casting crisis for Lorne Michaels! When Jason Sudeikis announced his departure this week, "Saturday Night Live" was suddenly bereft of any established crossover talent - its longest-tenured surviving castmember is now Kenan Thompson - and in terms of name-recognition, it drops off steeply from there. But "SNL" has been here before. The upcoming 2013-2014 season will not be the first time the long-running sketch comedy series has been forced to prop up its B-team and go headhunting on the fly. ... Full Story | Top |
| 'SNL's' recent grads: what's next for Jason Sudeikis, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader and Gang? Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:28 PM PDT  By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Jason Sudeikis confirmed on Wednesday that he too has left "Saturday Night Live," becoming the latest long-time cast member to try and make it outside the nurturing shadow of Lorne Michaels. There have been a number of departures from the long-running late-night series this year, including Bill Hader, Seth Meyers (who'll leave to replace former "SNL" cast member Jimmy Fallon on "Late Night" when Fallon moves over to "Tonight") and Fred Armisen. ... Full Story | Top |
| TCA: Larry David doesn't know about more 'Curb,' but does know his Alans Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:27 PM PDT  By Tim Molloy NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - Larry David doesn't know if he'll bring back "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Ask him later. But the man knows his Alans. David spoke at a Television Critics Association panel Thursday, where he discussed his new HBO film "Clear History." David opted to make the film instead of a season of "Curb," and he and director Greg Mottola discussed the story about a disgraced executive who finds a new life in Martha's Vineyard. But critics being critics, and "Curb" being a critical darling, what many wanted to know was whether "Curb" would be back. ... Full Story | Top |
| TCA: director James Toback says 'home entertainment will obliterate theatrical entertainment' Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:25 PM PDT By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - James Toback was ostensibly on hand at the Television Critics Association press tour in Beverly Hills on Thursday to discuss "Seduced and Abandoned," his film with Alec Baldwin about the world of film financing. But he had plenty to say about other films too. During an impassioned segment of his panel on the HBO film, Toback opined that franchise films are "idiocy" and predicted doom for the theater-going experience, saying that home entertainment will "obliterate" it. ... Full Story | Top |
| Amanda Bynes' parents seek Britney Spears-style conservatorship Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:24 PM PDT  By Sara Morrison LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - The parents of troubled former actress Amanda Bynes have filed documents seeking a conservatorship following her confinement to a psychiatric hospital by California Sheriff's deputies. TMZ reported that Lynn Organ and Rick Bynes will be in court on Friday to try to obtain a temporary conservatorship allowing them to control their 27-year-old daughter's affairs - much like the one Britney Spears' father obtained in 2008. ... Full Story | Top |
| 'The Wolverine' sinks Claws into $4 million at Thursday night box office Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:23 PM PDT By Brent Lang LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "The Wolverine" showed its steel at the box office on Thursday, racking up a strong $4 million. That's slightly less than the roughly $5 million the comic-book movie's predecessor, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" took in from its midnight shows when it debuted in 2009. That film went on to make $85 million over its premiere weekend. Hollywood is counting on the hotly anticipated superhero sequel to lift its box office fortunes after suffering through four straight weeks of big-budget flops like "R.I.P.D. ... Full Story | Top |
| Judge delays conservatorship ruling for actress Amanda Bynes Friday, Jul 26, 2013 04:13 PM PDT  LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A judge in Southern California on Friday has postponed ruling on whether the parents of troubled actress Amanda Bynes should be granted legal control over the former teenage star's affairs. Ventura County Superior Court Judge Glen Reiser pushed back the hearing to August 9 because Bynes, 27, is under court-ordered psychiatric care for the next two weeks, according to a court official. Her parents have asked the court to grant them conservatorship after Bynes allegedly started a small fire in the driveway of a home in the Los Angeles suburb of Thousand Oaks on Monday. ... Full Story | Top |
| Father of fracking George P. Mitchell dies at 94 Friday, Jul 26, 2013 02:51 PM PDT By Anna Driver HOUSTON (Reuters) - George Phydias Mitchell, a petroleum engineer who transformed the natural gas industry by using hydraulic fracturing to pull the fuel out of shale formations, died of natural causes at the age of 94 on Friday. A native of Galveston, Texas, who rose from modest means to become a billionaire philanthropist, he was the chairman and chief executive officer of Mitchell Energy & Development Corp, which was sold to Devon Energy Corp for $3.5 billion in 2002. His death was announced on the website of his foundation. ... Full Story | Top |
| Wagner "Ring" in birthday year at Bayreuth channels U.S. South Friday, Jul 26, 2013 02:19 PM PDT  By Michael Roddy BAYREUTH, Germany (Reuters) - A new production of Richard Wagner's "Rheingold" kicking off the "Ring" cycle on Friday for his 200th birthday year in the opera house he built in Bavaria moved the action from the Rhine to a sleazy motel in Texas where just about everyone was a crook. In his staging, Berlin director Frank Castorf channeled Wagner's 19th-century opera through the television series "The Sopranos" and the Texas oilman J.R. Ewing from "Dallas", with elements of Hitchcock's "Psycho" and playwright Tennessee William's seedy American South thrown in for good measure. ... Full Story | Top |
| Turkey's Erdogan threatens to sue Times for publishing critical letter Friday, Jul 26, 2013 02:07 PM PDT  ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on Friday threatened to sue the Times of London for publishing an open letter by a group of celebrities, academics and others criticizing his handling of anti-government protests. Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon and Ben Kingsley were among those who signed the letter that accused Erdogan's government this week of "dictatorial rule" and of causing the deaths of five protesters who died after clashes with police. "The press wants to throw mud to see if it sticks. ... Full Story | Top |
| Rapper's force-feeding video riles U.S. medics at Guantanamo Bay Friday, Jul 26, 2013 01:17 PM PDT  By Jane Sutton GUANTANAMO BAY U.S. NAVAL BASE, Cuba (Reuters) - A video protesting force-feeding at Guantanamo Bay detention camp in which rapper Mos Def is seen struggling and weeping while undergoing the procedure has done the rounds at the Navy base. U.S. medics who perform the real thing on hunger-striking prisoners say they're not impressed. "It's ridiculous. It's 100 percent false," said a Navy nurse known as "Ensign Lodowick" at the detainee hospital where real names are protected for security reasons. ... Full Story | Top |
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