Lifetime, 'Army Wives' Producer Developing Affair Drama (Exclusive)

ABC Family"Pretty Little Liars" The mystery of "A" continues.our editor recommendsABC Family Schedules 'Jane By Design'; Sets 'Pretty Little Liars' Return Date'Pretty Little Liars' Halloween Special Performs in Ratings'Pretty Little Liars' Casts 'Glee' Actor in 'Significant Role' (Exclusive) ABC Family has given the go-ahead on a third season of Pretty Little Liars. The cable network has ordered 24 episodes for the new season. The hourlong drama, led by Lucy Hale, Ashley Benson, Troian Bellisario and Shay Mitchell, will return for the second half of its sophomore season Monday, Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. PHOTOS: Hollywood's New Leading Ladies Pretty Little Liars, developed by Marlene King and based on the popular Sara Shepard novels, has been a solid ratings draw for ABC Family, recently airing a special Halloween episode with ties to the main mystery. Its summer finale, "Over My Dead Body," airing at the end of August lured 3 million viewers. Pretty Little Liars returns one month after the events of the summer finale and will serve as a lead-in to rookie drama The Lying Game, based on another Shepard property. Holly Marie Combs, Ian Harding, Chad Lowe, Laura Leighton and Sasha Pieterse co-star in Pretty Little Liars, executive produced by King, Oliver Goldstick and Leslie Morgenstein. RELATED: 'Pretty Little Liars': 10 Spoilers on the Game-Changing Midseason Finale EXCLUSIVE: 'Pretty Little Liars': Special Halloween Episode to Air Later This Year 'Pretty Little Liars' EP on Why the Series Won't Last 10 Seasons ABC Family Pretty Little Liars

Filmmaker Jehane Noujaim Speaks After 36 Hours in Egyptian Prison

Paramount CEO Brad Grey has purchased a four-bedroom condominium at the Carlyle Hotel in NY for $15.5 million. The off-market transaction closed Nov. 17.our editor recommendsParamount's Brad Grey Lists Former Frank Sinatra Home for SaleParamounts Brad Grey Buys Frank Sinatras Home for $18.5 Million The 35-story tower at 35 East 76th St. includes hotel rooms and about 60 residential units. It is owned by Dallas-based Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Biggest Real Estate Deals of the Week Grey purchased the 3,000-square-foot unit, which takes up the Carlyle's entire 26th floor, from asset manager Peter M. Schoenfeld, who had bought the condominium in 2007 for just under $6.5 million. Schoenfeld runs NY-based P. Schoenfeld Asset Management. Grey's new residence also includes a library and was recently renovated. Owners of the Carlyle's residential units have access to the hotel's amenities, include maid- and room-service. In the last decade of his life, President John F. Kennedy owned a residence in the hotel, earning it the "NY White House" nickname. The hotel opened in 1930. The Paramount topper, whose main residence is in Bel-Air, has been busy on the real estate front: In September he listed for sale the Holmby Hills estate he purchased in November 2010. The North Carolwood Drive property was once owned by Frank Sinatra; Grey purchased the seven-bedroom house for $18.5 million and has listed it for $23.5 million. The Carolwood residence is situated on 2.3 acres in a prime neighborhood that is also home toDanny DeVitoandRhea Perlman, philanthropistSuzanne Saperstein, and television producerBradley Bell, son ofThe Young and the RestlessandThe Bold and the BeautifulcreatorWilliam Bell. Schoenfeld was represented by Kathy Sloane of residential real estate brokerage Brown Harris Stevens. Grey did not use a real estate agent for the transaction. Sloane did not immediately respond to e-mails seeking comment. Email: Daniel.Miller@THR.com Twitter: @DanielNMiller PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Hollywood's Biggest Real Estate Deals of the Week: Hilary Swank, Chris Brown, Ronni Chasen Related Topics Brad Grey Paramount Pictures

Endemol Puts Time Warners $1.4B Offer On Hold Pending Debt-For-Equity Swap

The creditors of Endemol — the Dutch reality TV company whose series include Big Brother – are hoping that they can elicit a higher bid following a restructuring. They’ve set a December 13 deadline for a planned debt-for-equity swap designed to reduce the company’s debt to $670M from $3.7B, Italy’s La Repubblica says.Apollo Management, Centerbridge, and Providence Equity Partners and banks including Barclays and RBS are among Endemol’sbiggest creditors.Company officials made no secret of their disdain for the Time Warner offer, which one insider referred to as “rock bottom.” It values the company at seven times its expected $192M earnings this year before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) — far less than the 12 times EBITDA multiple that Rupert Murdoch paid for his daughter Elisabeth’s Shine Group. Endemol founder John De Mols investment vehicle Cyrte is said to have wooed Ronald Goes, head of international TV production at Warner Bros, into making the bid; the Dutch Time Warner executive used to be COO of Endemol.Cyrte and the other leading shareholders — former prime minister Silvio Berlusconis Mediaset andGoldman Sachs Capital Partners — are exploring several options for the company.For example, Mediaset has tried to persuade UK broadcaster ITV to buy it.

TV Ratings: 'Fringe' Matches Series Low, 'Grimm' Steady

Fox"Fringe" Inside the latest round in the see-sawing ratings on Fridays, several programs held steady although some enhanced -- together with a few didn't. CBS won the evening, calculating single.6 rating inside the grownups 18-49 demographic in primetime together with a Friday best 10.millions of audiences. A Gifted Guy (8.2 million, 1.3) started off a tenth a lot better than it did the other day inside the demo, but CSI: NY (9.9 million, 1.6) held steady. At 10 p.m. Blue Bloods (12.2 million, 2.) rose substantially in the last original (2. versus. 1.7). ABC and NBC handled to tie for second place, calculating single.3 rating. Chuck (3.2 million, .9) continued to be flat for NBC since it continues through its final season and mythic procedural Grimm (5.4 million, 1.6) -- which NBC just bought numerous additional scripts of -- maintained the other day's rating. Dateline (5.7 million, 1.5) adopted. ABC's Extreme Transformation: Home Edition (5.3 million, 1.3) rose over half a rating adn came greater than millions of audiences compared to the other day. 20/20 (5 million, 1.4) rose. Fox placed third round the evening, getting single.2 average. Kitchen Bad dreams or nightmares (3.5 million, 1.4) sank, which did not help Fringe grow from the other day's low. Really, Fringe (2.9 million, 1.1) tied the other day's demo performance striking beneath the 3 million audiences mark. The CW's Nikita (1.8 million, .6) ongoing to become steady while Supernatural (1.5 million, .7) dipped slightly. 8 p.m. Fox: Kitchen Bad dreams or nightmares (3.5 million audiences, 1.4 rating in grownups 18-49) CBS: A Gifted Guy (8.2 million, 1.3) ABC: Extreme Transformation: Home Edition (5.3 million, 1.3) NBC: Chuck (3.2 million, .9) The CW: Nikita (1.8 million, .6) 9 p.m. NBC: Grimm (5.4 million, 1.6) CBS: CSI: NY (9.9 million, 1.6) Fox: Fringe (2.9 million, 1.1) The CW: Supernatural (1.5 million, .7) 10 p.m. CBS: Blue Bloods (12.2 million, 2.) NBC: Dateline (5.7 million, 1.5) ABC: 20/20 (5 million, 1.4) TV Ratings

SAG Foundation Present L.A. Events with 'Tyrannosaur,' 'Castle,' and More

SAG Foundation Present L.A. Events with 'Tyrannosaur,' 'Castle,' and More November 17, 2011 "Tyrannosaur" Screening followed by a Q&A with Olivia ColemanFriday, November 18th6pmSAG Foundation Actors Center, 5757 Wilshire Blvd, MezzanineOlivia Coleman has been nominated for a British Independent Film Award for her role in TYRANNOSAUR and the film also received a nomination. Don't miss her amazing performance that's already receiving Oscar buzz.Conversations with Gabriel Macht Saturday, November 19th1-3pmSAG Foundation Actors Center, 5757 Wilshire Blvd, MezzanineGabriel Macht stars as Harvey Specter in "Suits, "USA's new drama series. "Suits" will return for a second season on USA next summer. Macht received critical acclaim for his performance starring opposite John Travolta and Scarlett Johannson in the feature film "A Love Song for Bobby Long." Other films include "Middle Men," "Love and Other Drugs," "The Spirit," "Whiteout," "The Good Shepherd" "Because I Said So," "The Recruit," "Bad Company," and "Behind Enemy Lines.""Castle" Screening followed by a Q&A with Stana KaticSaturday, November 19th5pmSAG Foundation Actors Center, 5757 Wilshire Blvd, Mezzanine"Castle" stars Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Tamala Jones, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Molly Quinn, and Susan Sullivan."A Better Life" Screening followed by a Q&A with Demin Bichir and Academy Award-nominated Writer/Director Chris WeitzSunday, November 20th2pmWGA Theatre, 135 S Doheny DrStarring Demian Bichir and Jos Julin, directed by Chris Weitz (American Pie, About a Boy, Twilight New Moon). Q&A moderated by Academy Award nominee Susan Kohner (Imitation of Life)."Suburgatory" Screening followed by a Q&A with Jeremy Sisto, Alan Tudyk, Ana Gasteyer, Carly Chaikin, Rex Lee and Executive Producer/Creator Emily KapnekSunday, November 20th7pmSAG Foundation Actors Center, 5757 Wilshire Blvd, MezzanineThe show stars Jeremy Sisto ("Law & Order"), Jane Levy ("Shameless"), Carly Chaikin ("The Last Song"), Rex Lee ("Entourage"), Allie Grant ("Weeds"), Alan Tudyk ("V"), Cheryl Hines ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") and Ana Gasteyer ("Saturday Night Live"). Emily Kapnek ("Hung") writes and executive-produces this bitingly ironic single-camera comedy.To RSVP please send an email to: Conversations@sagfoundation.org. Please include your name, which event(s) you would like to attend and how many guests you would like to bring. SAG Foundation Present L.A. Events with 'Tyrannosaur,' 'Castle,' and More November 17, 2011 "Tyrannosaur" Screening followed by a Q&A with Olivia ColemanFriday, November 18th6pmSAG Foundation Actors Center, 5757 Wilshire Blvd, MezzanineOlivia Coleman has been nominated for a British Independent Film Award for her role in TYRANNOSAUR and the film also received a nomination. Don't miss her amazing performance that's already receiving Oscar buzz.Conversations with Gabriel Macht Saturday, November 19th1-3pmSAG Foundation Actors Center, 5757 Wilshire Blvd, MezzanineGabriel Macht stars as Harvey Specter in "Suits, "USA's new drama series. "Suits" will return for a second season on USA next summer. Macht received critical acclaim for his performance starring opposite John Travolta and Scarlett Johannson in the feature film "A Love Song for Bobby Long." Other films include "Middle Men," "Love and Other Drugs," "The Spirit," "Whiteout," "The Good Shepherd" "Because I Said So," "The Recruit," "Bad Company," and "Behind Enemy Lines.""Castle" Screening followed by a Q&A with Stana KaticSaturday, November 19th5pmSAG Foundation Actors Center, 5757 Wilshire Blvd, Mezzanine"Castle" stars Nathan Fillion, Stana Katic, Tamala Jones, Jon Huertas, Seamus Dever, Molly Quinn, and Susan Sullivan."A Better Life" Screening followed by a Q&A with Demin Bichir and Academy Award-nominated Writer/Director Chris WeitzSunday, November 20th2pmWGA Theatre, 135 S Doheny DrStarring Demian Bichir and Jos Julin, directed by Chris Weitz (American Pie, About a Boy, Twilight New Moon). Q&A moderated by Academy Award nominee Susan Kohner (Imitation of Life)."Suburgatory" Screening followed by a Q&A with Jeremy Sisto, Alan Tudyk, Ana Gasteyer, Carly Chaikin, Rex Lee and Executive Producer/Creator Emily KapnekSunday, November 20th7pmSAG Foundation Actors Center, 5757 Wilshire Blvd, MezzanineThe show stars Jeremy Sisto ("Law & Order"), Jane Levy ("Shameless"), Carly Chaikin ("The Last Song"), Rex Lee ("Entourage"), Allie Grant ("Weeds"), Alan Tudyk ("V"), Cheryl Hines ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") and Ana Gasteyer ("Saturday Night Live"). Emily Kapnek ("Hung") writes and executive-produces this bitingly ironic single-camera comedy.To RSVP please send an email to: Conversations@sagfoundation.org. Please include your name, which event(s) you would like to attend and how many guests you would like to bring.

Arthur Christmas

'Arthur Christmas'A Sony Pictures Entertainment release of a Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation presentation of an Aardman production. Produced by Peter Lord, David Sproxton, Carla Shelley, Steve Pegram. Co-producer, Chris Juen. Co-executive producer, Peter Baynham, Cheryl Abood. Directed by Sarah Smith. Co-director, Barry Cook. Screenplay, Peter Baynham, Smith.Voices: Arthur - James McAvoy Steve - Hugh Laurie Grandsanta - Bill Nighy Santa - Jim Broadbent Mrs. Santa - Imelda Staunton Bryony - Ashley Jensen Gwen - Ramona MarquezThe more one thinks about Santa, the less sense it makes that children would buy into the legend of a benevolent home invader capable of delivering presents to 600 million kids in one night. They accept because they want to believe. "Arthur Christmas" embraces this unconditional faith and rewards it with creative explanations and a brisk computer-animated adventure clever enough to become essential yuletide viewing. But it will have to do so with little help from an unclear marketing campaign, relying on affection for Aardman -- trading stop-motion for equally eccentric-looking CG -- to attract fans amid a dauntingly crowded family-film season. Opening with a letter written in the same spirit of skepticism as the NY Sun's famous "Yes, Virginia " column, "Arthur Christmas" counters such questions as, "If you really live at the North Pole, how come I can't see your house when I look on Google Earth?" with an explanation that, while not exactly plausible, significantly upgrades the iconography of the season. That famous sleigh Santa uses to criss-cross the world on Christmas Eve? Here, it's really more of a super-sonic UFO, equipped with advanced camouflage technology and engines that run on milk and cookies. These days, the fat guy doesn't go anywhere near chimneys, since he has an elite platoon of trained elves to do his delivery work. This creative overhaul of the logistics of Christmas, dreamt up by British comedy scribes Peter Baynham and Sarah Smith (who honed their craft writing for the likes of Sacha Baron Cohen, Steve Coogan and Armando Iannucci), serves as an amusing prologue to a story that has less in common with traditional Santa-oriented holiday pics than it does with that other perennial holiday staple, the dysfunctional-family comedy, where characters who can barely abide one another must find a way to be civil around the dinner table. Played by a delightfully British voice cast, the Christmas clan is overseen by Mr. and Mrs. Santa (Jim Broadbent and Imelda Staunton), who've been at the helm for the past 70 years. Wide-eyed Arthur (James McAvoy) sits in awe of his father's work, the very picture of Aardmanian awkwardness with his gangly physique and misty love for everything about the season, right down to unspeakably tacky knit holiday sweaters. Then there's the slightly senile Grandsanta (Bill Nighy), taking wicked pleasure in undermining his son's streamlined new system with tales of the good old days, when reindeer, rather than GPS, steered his sleigh. But the real tension comes from Arthur's big brother, Steve (Hugh Laurie), who's impatient to inherit the job. Between his tree-shaped goatee and military uniform, Steve takes Christmas a little too seriously, running things like he would a military operation, which calls to mind the mismatched Zevo brothers of Barry Levinson's "Toys" (a holiday turkey perhaps only the folks at Aardman are generous enough to love). Back at the North Pole, the family's celebrations grind to a halt when the cleanup crew discovers a present left undelivered -- a present addressed to none other than Gwen, the same letter-writing lass heard from in the opening scene. Santa can't be bothered, while Steve chalks it up as an acceptable margin of error, vowing to messenger the present so that it arrives within "the window of Christmas." Only Arthur sees the urgency in delivering Gwen's gift that night, enlisting Grandsanta and an overeager elf named Bryony (Ashley Jensen) to take the old sleigh for a spin. Baynham and Smith's script is ruthlessly efficient in the telling, so dense as to ensure that even the sharpest auds will pick up only a fraction of its many jokes the first time around (a situation compounded somewhat by all those British accents). But dense can be delightful, so long as it resists the frenzied attention-deficit style found in so much contemporary animation for kids, and Smith, who also directs, takes care to let the emotional bits register, even as she hustles the story forward at a rapid clip, goosed along by Harry Gregson-Williams' zippy score. As endearing as Aardman's stop-motion efforts have been before, only computer animation could do the scope of this pic justice, with Sony Pictures Animation supplying the pipeline to create this globe-trotting lark. True to the Aardman aesthetic, the hilariously ill-proportioned character designs are neither cute not entirely polished, though the team's perfectionism shows in the attention paid to Arthur's pimples and other minute flaws. Never have such ugly people been more beautifully lit, demonstrating how far Sony's technique has evolved since its work on Warner Bros.' "The Polar Express." The inclusion of a 3D musicvideo for Justin Bieber's "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" might draw a few more young American eyes to this endangered release, which will depend heavily on overseas auds to make up for any shortfall in the States. Luckily, "Arthur Christmas" feels less insularly British than previous Aardman releases; there's plenty here for all ages and nationalities, including the sly but entirely welcome suggestion that female characters have been under-credited in previous yuletide tales. Just imagine the fun Smith might have had with a daughter in line to succeed Santa. There's always room for a sequel. (Deluxe color, 3D); editors, James Cooper, John Carnochan; music, Harry Gregson-Williams; production designer, Evgeni Tomov; art directors, Olivier Adam, Alexei Nechytaylo; supervising sound editors (Dolby Digital/SDDS/Datasat), Julian Slater, Jimmy Boyle; re-recording mixers, Mike Prestwood Smith, Doug Cooper; visual effects supervisor, Doug Ikeler; senior animation supervisor, Alan Short; head of story, Donnie Long; character design, Peter de Seve, Tim Watts; 3D stereoscopic supervisor; casting, Sarah Crowe. Reviewed at the Grove, Los Angeles, Nov. 8, 2011. MPAA Rating: PG. Running time: 100 MIN.With: Marc Wootton, Laura Linney, Eva Longoria, Michael Palin, Joan Cusack, Andy Serkis. (English, Spanish dialogue) Contact Peter Debruge at peter.debruge@variety.com

24's Carlos Bernard Joins TNT's Dallas

Carlos Bernard Carlos Bernard is heading to TNT's new Dallas reboot, Vulture reports. The 24 alum, who's currently appearing on CSI: Miami, has joined the cast in the recurring role of a Venezuelan businessman trying to make a deal with J.R. (Larry Hagman). He'll first appear early in the season, which recently went into production. VIDEO: Watch a sneak peek of TNT's Dallas reboot Set to premiere next summer, the series stars originals Hagman, Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray, as well as Jesse Metcalfe and Josh Henderson as the new generation rivals Christopher, son of Bobby, and John Ross, son of J.R., respectively. Jordana Brewster, Julie Gonzalo (Veronica Mars) and Brenda Strong (Desperate Housewives) also star.

Back Stage College Guide

Duncan Stewart, director of casting at National Artists Management Company, discusses opening every submission and what he really wants to see inside a headshot. casting Duncan Stewart headshot NY city open distribution Duncan Steward, director of casting, discusses what he wants from an actress inside a general meeting, mainly truth, likability, and insufficient ego. advice casting Duncan Stewart NY city tips Duncan Stewart, director of casting, discusses what he needs from an audition and common mistakes stars make. advice auditions casting Duncan Stewart NY city Alaine Alldaffer stops working the actual role of the casting direcor. Alaine Alldaffer casting casting director Gray Gardens play stage theater Casting director Alaine Alldaffer discusses casting "Saved" and all sorts of the myths about becoming an actor in NY City. Alaine Alldaffer casting director New york city theatre play saved NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes what stars have to know before walking into an audition. (Part a couple of) Bernie Telsey casting director We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about focusing on cleaning soap operas. (Part 1 of three) General Hospital Mark Teschner cleaning soap opera NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes how you can give your very best audition. (Part 2 of two) Bernie Telsey casting director We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about focusing on cleaning soap operas. Only need beautiful people apply? (Part 2 of three) General Hospital Mark Teshner cleaning soap opera We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about who audition for cleaning soap operas. (Part 3 of three) General Hospital Mark Teschner cleaning soap opera Videos for that Back Stage News & Features section.

Parlay pacts on 'Words,' 'Arbitrage'

Lisa Wilson's Parlay Films is seeing solid sales for its titles "The Words" and "Arbitrage" at the American Film Market. "The Words" stars Bradley Cooper as a writer at the peak of his literary success who discovers the price he must pay for stealing another's work. Key markets sold include Australia/Fiji to Becker; Canada to Alliance; China to DDDream; CIS/Baltic States to West; France to FIP; Germany to Wild Bunch; Italy to Eagle; and Spain to Planeta. "Words" is the directorial debut of "Tron Legacy" scribes Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal. "Arbitrage," directed by Nicholas Jarecki, centers on a troubled hedge-fund magnate, played by Richard Gere, who turns to an unlikely person for help after a crucial mistake involving a sale in his trading empire. Major territories sold are China to DDDream; CIS/Baltic States to MGN; France to Metropolitan; Germany to Wild Bunch; Italy to M2; Latin America to Swen; Scandinavia to Svensk and Spain to Tripics. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

'Wanderlust' Trailer: Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd Stumble Into a Hippie Community (Video)

Gemma Lamana/Universal Studios"Wanderlust" The first trailer for the Jennifer Aniston-Paul Rudd comedy Wanderlust has hit the web. In the David Wain-directed feature, Aniston and Rudd -- who first appeared together in 1998's The Object of My Affection -- play a married couple, Linda and George, who are forced to go to plan B after George loses his job. "Why are you not at work George?," Linda inquires when she notices her husband drinking on the couch. "Oh, I got to- .. I uh got fired," George responds. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Highest-Paid Actresses With little to no options, they decide to make the move in with relatives living in Georgia -- and attempt to get back on their feet. In desperate need to get out of their situation, the pair takes a detour of sorts, landing at a quirky bed and breakfast (aka hippie commune) called Elysium. "I believe I can fly!," Linda declares after taking a sip of something that's not tea. "If you're going to get literal with an R. Kelly song, do 'Trapped in the Closet!,' " George suggests. Justin Theroux, Malin Akerman, Ken Marino, Lauren Ambrose and Alan Alda co-star in the R-rated film helmed by the Role Models and Wet Hot American Summer director. Universal's Wanderlust lands in theaters Feb. 24, 2012. Watch the trailer below: Jennifer Aniston Paul Rudd

'Two . 5 Men': Gary Busey to Guest Star (Exclusive)

Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty ImagesGary Busey Gary Busey goes in the counselor on Celebrity Rehab with a mental facility on two and a half Males. Busey will guest star as themselves inside the November. 14 episode in the CBS comedy, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively, playing someone who Alan (Jon Cryer) eventually ends up talking about a place within a mental facility. PHOTOS: Fall TV Preview 2011: The Returning Shows Gallery After Walden (Ashton Kutcher) provides the late Charlie's piano to under-fortunate kids in inside a couple of days's episode, Alan will begin to solve. Alan, fighting to be ready for his brother's dying, will finish off thinking he's Charlie Harper and ultimately check themselves in to a Malibu mental institution where he'll share a place with Busey inside the November. 14 installment. STORY: Charlie Sheen-Less 'Two . 5 Males': Just what the Experts Say Busey in March addressed former Males star Sheen's "tailspin," offering his longtime friend advice for him to "have a look at themselves as well as the truth within the heart, because what he's doing is not consistent with his heart." The guest turn for Busey comes a few years following a veteran actor -- and former addict who's 13 years sober -- came out on VH1's Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Came being an component mentor and, ultimately, part patient. STORY: How Charlie Sheen's Character Dies on 'Two . 5 Males' Busey, a classic Celebrity Apprentice contestant, can also be among the talent purchasing and selling houses on ABC's approaching Celebrity Wife Swap. Busey is repped by Global Artists Agency and Windsor Artist Management. Males airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on CBS. Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com Twitter: @Snoodit Gary Busey Jon Cryer two and a half Males

Longtime News Corp. Human Resources Exec Stepping Down

At a time News Corp is under pressure from the mounting phone hacking scandal in London, the company's head of human resources since 2007 is stepping down and being replaced in a corporate restructuring.our editor recommendsEx-WSJ Publisher Will Testify Again on Phone Hacking ScandalDow Jones CEO Likely Faces Tough Questions in News of the World ScandalConfessions of a 'News of the World' Reporter (Exclusive)Analyst Compares News Corp. Phone Hacking Scandal to Oliver Stone Movie and 'Very Bad Things' PHOTOS: News of the World's Top 10 Scandals Beryl Cook, who has been in top positions at News Corp and subsidiaries for 22 years, is leaving, but will remain a strategic advisor focusing on organizational and talent initiatives across the company, according to an announcement Thursday. In what it called a related move, News Corp named Jeff Mook, currently senior vice president of global compensation, to assume the position of Executive vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. Mook, who is 50 years old, joined News Corp in March 2010 after 25 years as a consultant and HR expert, including working at AC Nielsen, Readers' Digest and The Interpublic Mook will report to News Corp Deputy Chairman Chase Carey. STORY: Rupert Murdoch Ally Les Hinton Resigns as CEO of News Corp.'s Dow Jones Unit Amid Phone Hacking Scandal Cook, who was originally a journalist, worked in various divisions and related entities over the years including BSkyB in the U.K. At both STAR TV in Hong Kong and at BSkyB in London, she worked very closely with James Murdoch. At BSkyB her title was Director of People. While James Murdoch was CEO of the European satellite service. In 2005, she was credited with creating what was called a Forum, to encourage two-way communications between employees and management. She was also a key player in the many pro-environmental campaign run by BSkyB, although she stopped short of implementing the CEO's ambition of erecting a wind turbine above the company's headquarters. Under her leadership BSkyB, however, did achieve the status of one of the first media companies in the UK to become carbon-neutral. James Murdoch has become a central figure in the hacking scandal, and is expected to testify Nov. 10 once again before a committee of members of the British Parliament. In 2007, Cook moved from London to NY to become head of HR for the entire corporation. At that time she was also named a member of the office of the chairman. The chairman, of course, is Rupert Murdoch, who is also CEO of the company. The restructuring means the head of HR no longer is part of the office of the chairman, but rather reports now to the deputy chairman. On Thursday, Murdoch issued a statement praising Cook: "Beryl has brought curiosity, creativity and endless energy to her work. I have valued her good counsel and the progress she has made strengthening our ability to develop and connect colleagues, and provide dedicated people with great opportunities around the world. I understand her decision to leave NY and am delighted she has agreed to continue playing an important role within the company." Cook, per the announcement is returning to "the Asia Pacific region to be closer to her family." During her tenure, Cook also held positions or worked with News Ltd. In Australia, the Fiji Times in Fiji and STAR TV in Asia. "Making the decision to step back has been difficult," said Cook in a statement, "but, after more than 20 years on the road, I would like to be closer to my family, and to roll up my sleeves again to work directly with some of the talented teams in the international businesses." Mimi Turner in London contributed to this report. Related Topics News Corp. News of the World

Italy: Admissions down, but market for local pics up

'What a Beautiful Day'Admissions in Italy are down about 10% to 55 million for the first half of 2011, while the market for local pics is up about 10% to a whopping roughly 40% share. This spells tougher times for international indie pics, especially classic arthouse titles, but even arty genre fare. Take Nicolas Winding Refn indie darling "Drive," which recently pulled $2.2 million via 01 Distribuzione at the Italo B.O., substantially less than in Gaul or the U.K.There are exceptions, of course. Medusa has done respectable biz with Roman Polanski's "Carnage," which drew $4.3 million after its Venice bow. By contrast, Italians cold-shouldered Steven Soderbergh's biohazard thriller "Contagion," which made a mere $2 million via Warner Bros. after its Lido bow.Theatrical, these days, is ever more crucial. "TV buys fewer movies; homevideo is in a crisis and alternative platforms aren't taking off," Filippo Roviglioni, prexy of Italy's distribs said at a recent confab dedicated to specialty distribution.For classic arthouse titles difficulties are compounded by dominance of two multiplex chains, the Space and UCI, each with roughly 300 screens. Neither loop shows films in its original language. Meanwhile, smaller-city screen facilities are shrinking in numbers with strictly arthouse screens now accounting for 16% of the Italo market.That said, Italy has a nationwide arthouse exhibition loop of 80 theaters and about 200 screens, called Circuito Cinema, which ensures an outlet for commercially viable specialty imports.Besides indie imports, Circuito Cinema is also a godsend for non-mainstream local pics that have been performing better than in the past. Case in point is Paolo Sorrentino's "This Must Be the Place," which launched Oct. 14 in both arthouses and plexes bowing at No. 2, after Paul W.S. Anderson's 3D "The Three Musketeers," pulling a strong $1.9 million in its first frame via Medusa. Italian product is really going strong these days. Seven out of the top 10 box office draws for the 2011 cinema season are Italian comedies, led by Medusa's "Che bella giornata" (What a Beautiful Day), a mildly politically incorrect Islamic-terrorism-themed laffer starring TV comic Checco Zalone as a Milan security guard with the hots for a sexy Arab who's an aspiring terrorist. In January, "Day" scored more than $60 million in Italy, beating "Life Is Beautiful" as the country's all-time local hit.Number of screens: 3,200 Number of 3D screens: 800 Top indie distribs and B.O.: Medusa ($167 million); RAI Cinema/01 Distribution ($88.2 million); Eagle Pictures ($67.6 million) Top exhibition chain for indie films: Circuito Cinema Typical minimum guarantee paid: $82,000 Typical gross split for theatrical: 52% for the distributor, 48% for the exhibitor the first weekend Top five indie titles: "The King's Speech" ($11.8 millon); "Limitless" ($5 million); "Love and Other Drugs" ($4.8 million); "Carnage," $4.4 million; "The Tree of Life" ($3.7 million) Upcoming indie pickups: "Pina" (BIM Distribuzione); "One Day" (BIM Distribuzione); "The Ides of March" (01 Distribuzione); "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 1" (Eagle Pictures) Contact Nick Vivarelli at nvivarelli@gmail.com