MTV Video Music Awards: 5 Things Seen and Heard at Perez Hilton's Pre-Party

On the eve of the MTV Video Music Awards, several stars flocked to Perez Hilton's "One Night in Los Angeles" party, sponsored by Carrera, to mix, mingle and enjoy killer performances by Gavin DeGraw, Michelle Branch, JoJo, The Veronicas and a surprise finale, courtesy of Demi Lovato. PHOTOS: MTV Video Music Awards: All the Nominees The Hollywood Reporter was on the scene for all the action Saturday night (Aug. 27). Below, read five things seen and heard on the red carpet, in the audience and even backstage. PHOTOS: MTV VMAs Greatest Feuds Surprise! It's Demi: Lovato took the stage for the surprise finale, dressed in a tight fitting black mini dress with long curls flowing down her back. She looked happy, healthy and her voice was spot on. Performing a particularly short set, Lovato opened with "Skyscraper" and followed up with -- on special request from Hilton -- "Don't Forget." PHOTOS: VMAs Most Outrageous Red Carpet Fashion After being attacked just a few short weeks ago, Gavin DeGraw appears fully recovered: DeGraw, with not so much as a scratch on his face, hit the red carpet and spoke openly with reporters about his scary New York City attack, revealing that Elton John sent flowers to his hotel room following the incident. After his crowd pleasing performance, DeGraw took a moment backstage to chit-chat with Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick. PHOTOS: MTV VMAs: Amy Winehouse Career in Pictures Perez Hilton Shares Britney Spears Memories: Prior to beginning the festivities, Hilton reminisced with THR about past Video Music Awards ceremonies, specifically when Britney Spears performed in 2000, covered in nearly nothing but crystals. "I remember where I was when I saw her VMA performance with 'Oops!... I Did it Again' and 'Satisfaction.' I was at Weinstein Hall at NYU on Waverly Place watching that and I literally starting squealing," he said. "I was like 'Oh my God! Oh my God, you guys!' and in the middle of it where she like, drops to the floor and then does that look -- and she like looks straight ahead -- I was like 'Oh, this is it.' And at that moment in her career, Britney was it. So it's totally fitting and amazing that she's having a tribute at the VMAs." VIDEO: MTV Video Music Awards: Britney Spears' 5 Most Viewed Videos Cash Money Goes Pop: Newly formed pop group Savvy made an appearance at the party, announcing their recent signing to Cash Money records as the label's first real pop act. THR spoke with Young Money's Lil Twist about what this could mean for the label. "This is new news to me," he said. "That's crazy. Young Money just signed a young R&B artist [as well]. They tryin' to touch everything. We gonna try to shut everything down, touch every station. It's gonna be nice." Savvy, who also plugged their upcoming reality show on Starz Kids & Family, said, "I think [the label is] branching out and wanting to get that younger crowd and get that Justin Bieber type crowd, so it's smart on their part and we're really glad that they picked us up." VIDEOS: MTV VMAs: Video of the Year Nominees Jersey Shore Hearts Lil Wayne: Deena Cortese of MTV's Jersey Shore was also on hand for the party, revealing to THR that she is most looking forward to seeing Lil Wayne at Sunday's awards show. "I think his lyrics are phenomenal and he always has something behind them. He always has a message behind it, and I think he's just amazing," she said of the rapper. The Video Music Awards air live on MTV Sunday, Aug 28. and 9 p.m. ET. Related Topics Demi Lovato Michelle Branch Perez Hilton Lil Wayne Jersey Shore Video Music Awards Gavin DeGraw

Tyro Brit distribs find margins

Crabtree distributed Jesse Eisenberg starrer 'Holy Paint rollers,' above, within the U.K., while G2 launched Toronto buzz title 'Super,' below, in Blighty. London-- It's crowded, competitive and costly -- but that is not preventing small gamers from entering the U.K. film distribution market.Established distribs for example Entertainment Film Marketers, Lionsgate U.K., StudioCanal's Brit arm Optimum Delivering, Momentum Pictures, EOne and Icon, all competing for similar commercial product, have assisted increase acquisition prices, while P&A in Blighty remains high.Yet a slew of recent distribution clothes, for example Crabtree Films (released in September 2010), G2 Pictures (September 2008) and Kaleidoscope Film Distribution (August 2010) have experienced success with U.K. auds regardless of the ongoing worldwide financial crisis, because of theatrical digital distribution, cheaper internet marketing models (for example Facebook), Web-based services like Lovefilm and iTunes (and potential Netflix). Along with a lower-but-not-out DVD market put into low expenses imply that small fry are able to compete, and snap up potential commercial game titles for five figure sums. Based on Mark Batey, leader of Film Distributors' Assn., the very best 12 distribs within the U.K. take into account 96% from the theatrical market. "Which has been pretty consistent during the last decade approximately," he states. "But that also leaves another 4%, and nowadays it's 4% of just one billion ($1.6 billion) of theatrical gross." So there's $sixty five million still up for grabs, and a large number of companies competing for this.You will find nearly 100 marketers within the U.K. market, several which has grown by one-third since 2007, and the amount of films launched has additionally risen, to around 600 each year.InchThe U.K. is an extremely costly market," Batey states. "But it is an extremely open market. Distribution is becoming modern-day and much more competitive, but digital has already established a major impact in to the way films are promoted and promoted. 4 or 5 years back, social networking did not exist, and today social networking is essential for each film campaign."Crabtree launched Jesse Eisenberg starrer "Holy Paint rollers" theatrically in Blighty in This summer, grossing just $117,000 -- but that covered its minimum guarantee.G2 nabbed privileges to 1 of last year's Toronto buzz game titles "Super," toplining Rainn Wilson and Ellen Page, which required $28,400, while Kaleidoscope distributed BBC Earth's "One Existence," read by Difficulties, which minted an extremely modest $22,500 theatrically.Spencer Pollard, Boss at Kaleidoscope, which concentrates on commercial genre films, states there's enough product available for everybody."I believe the U.K. is an extremely competitive market, but there's been lots of product that's marketable and salable for that U.K.," he states. Kaleidoscope is possessed and funded by Pollard. To date it's launched a lot more than 30 photos within the U.K. to numerous amounts of success. The outfit has acquired films for example "Little Ashes," toplining pre-"Twilight" Taylor Lautner, "Michael Flatley: The almighty from the Dance three dimensional" and it is set release a Melissa George starrer "A Lonely Spot to Die" in September on 250 prints, its greatest theatrical release up to now.Pollard appreciates it was tough entering marketplaces like a new buyer. "You are restricted by the quantity of staff you have as well as your budget," he states, adding by using each AFM or Cannes he would go to, his success at obtaining films has enhanced while he has become a known quantity with an optimistic history. Crabtree topper Nick McCaffrey, whose Nottingham-based outfit includes a staff of two, states the competitive U.K. distribution market wasn't an issue when he was beginning out.An old worker at film website BritFilms TV, McCaffrey states he joined the distribution arena from passion along with a recognition of the what he saw like a gap available on the market.InchI understood many people who have been visiting me with pictures that could not get launched," he states. "And a number of them had commercial stability."The very first pic Crabtree distributed was low-budget thriller "Crying With Laughter," which in fact had a restricted theatrical release on 40 screens. It was then another genre pic, "Ten Dead Males," which offered 20,000 models on DVD."There's only a couple of us who work here, therefore if we are able to put a couple of models available, we do not require the films to become as large popular,Inch he states. "We simply need to interact with the best kind of audience."For "Holy Paint rollers," McCaffrey pitched the producers on his vision of the focused advertising campaign, which sealed the distribution deal. "Our pitch was that people were not focusing on other things theatrically for your entire quarter therefore we could provide the interest we felt it deserved."Crabtree lately acquired London-set, low-budget comedy "How you can Stop As being a Loser," toplining Simon Philips, Gemma Atkinson and Richard E. Grant, so it is likely to release later this season.Also it signed an offer and among the larger men -- EOne takes within the company's digital business, that involves obtaining the company's photos onto iTunes along with other digital platforms."A couple of years from now, I would like us to get involved with the particular development of films and use people immediately,Inch states McCaffrey, echoing a concept that lots of indie marketers within the U.K. are making use of. "But for the time being our goals tend to be more temporary -- are we able to cope with this season and may we become so terrible where we are breaking even and our catalog is covering us?"Notes Blair: "Even currently of austerity you cannot stop the business flair." Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

'GMA' Narrows Ratings Gap With 'Today'; Closest in 4 Years

ABC's Good Morning America is closing in on the morning show lead long held by Today.our editor recommends'Today's' Ann Curry Lands Obama as First Big Interview; He Says Anthony Weiner Should Resign'Today Show:' NBC Debuts New Promo Touting Ann Curry (Video)'GMA' Producer Calls Meredith Vieira 'Huge Loss' for 'Today'; Says Robin Roberts Exit Rumors Are 'Garbage' GMA has narrowed its No. 2 standing behind its NBC rival to the lowest it's been in four years, Bloomberg reported. The ABC program, hosted by George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts, trails Today by only about 500,000 total viewers. Today is averaging 5.03 million viewers per day, up 6.7 from a year ago, while GMA is at 4.46 million, up 15%. Both shows also are up in the key adults 25-54 demo, with Today showing a 7.1% increase and GMA up 8.2%. James Goldston, who became senior exec producer of GMA five months ago, attributes the show's gain on Today to its revamped features, including its cooking segments, as well as its daily entertainment segement. "We've got a show that is working very well," Goldston told Bloomberg. "We're heading into the fall and the future with more confidence." Meanwhile, Today recently underwent a talent change, with Ann Curry replacing Meredith Vieira as Matt Lauer's co-host in June. But the show has bounced back from previous times when it saw its lead shrink following on-air staffing switches. And, according to Nielsen data supplied to Bloomberg by Horizon Media head of research Brad Adgate, Today still commands higher advertising rates, with a 30-second Today spot going for an average of $67,900 in May vs. $41,400 for GMA. Today executive producer Jim Bell doesn't seem concerned about the ratings, noting the show has increased its lead over GMA in the demo by 22,000 viewers since June. "The only number that matters is the demo," he said. "Our advantage over our competitors since Ann joined has only grown. I'm not sure what further evidence we'd need. That's a resounding endorsement." Related Topics ABC George Stephanopoulos NBC Matt Lauer Ann Curry Good Morning America Today Robin Roberts

3D Production Technology Market Shifts as 3Ality Acquires Element Technica

Marking a major shift in the 3D production technology arena, Burbank-headquartered 3D technology developer 3Ality Digital has acquired Los Angeles-based Element Technica, which is best known for it 3D camera rigs.our editor recommendsClearlake Capital Group Invests in 3D Developer 3ality Digital3Ality Digital to Show New Tech at NAB That Will Make 3D Productions More Cost-Effective The deal, a combination of cash and equity, is valued at "several million," according to 3ality CEO Steve Schklair. Once competitors in this young market, the combined businesses will now operate as a powerhouse under the moniker 3Ality Technica. 3Ality has provided 3D production gear for such upcoming features asThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Great Gatsby, Jack and the Giant Killer, and The Amazing-Spider Man; and Element Technica's rigs were tapped for movies such as Prometheus and Oz: The Great and Powerful. The companies have also made inroads in 3D broadcasting; 3Ality has been working closely with Sky3D in the UK, while Element Technica rigs were used for such events as the 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2011 Wimbledon tournament. in the 3D arena, 3Ality Technica's most notable competitor is Cameron Pace Group, the 3D production technology developer and supplier founded by James Cameron and Vince Pace. CPG's Fusion 3D rigs have been used on movies including Avatar, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. In broadcasting, its technology has been tapped for projects including the NBA Finals, The Masters golf tournament, and it will be again used on this year's 3D coverage of the US Open tennis championship. Earlier this year, Clearlake Capital Group made a majority investment in 3Ality. At that time, 3ality'sSchklair told The Hollywood Reporter that the investment would allow the company to grow its research & development, expand service, and cover planned acquisitions. With the acquisition, Element Technica's two partners, Hector Ortega and Stephen Pizzo, become senior vps of 3Ality Technica. The Element Technica staff will relocate to 3Ality's Burbank headquarters, which recently took on additional space. Plans are to continue to offer both 3Ality and Element Technica 3D rigs and their additional gear. With the acquisition, the company gains in house manufacturing and design capabilities, and expanded R&D. Element Technica rigs have already been integrated with 3Ality's popular Stereo Image Processor (SIP). Related Topics 3D James Cameron The Hobbit Prometheus The Great Gatsby

Whispering City

A reporter hears that a famous actress is dying in a hospital after being hit by a car. She goes to the hospital to interview the actress, who tells the reporter that her wealthy fiance, who was killed in an accident several years before, was actually murdered. Before long the reporter finds herself in a web of corruption, mental illness and murder.

Time Warner Cable In Talks To Acquire Insight Communications For $3B

Time Warner Cablereportedly is looking to buy Insight Communications, the nation's ninth-largest cable operator, for about $3 billion. Bloomberg says thatthe deal -- which is in the advanced stages of negotiations, according to sources, and could be announced as soon as tomorrow -- would be the cable giant's biggest since the nation's No. 2 cabler (behind Comcast) was spun off from Time Warner in 2009. The acquisition would make sense for TWC, which despite its stellar second quarter financially is losing subscribers in its core pay TV business, dropping 130,000 subs in that service during 2Q. Those numbers would get a boost with Insight and its 679,700 basic cable customers inKentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. Carlyle Group took the lead in taking Insight private in 2005; last year,Crestview Partners and MidOcean Partners took stakes.

Weinstein Co. in talks to buy French 'Gang Story'

EXCLUSIVE: The Weinstein Co. is in talks to acquire the French-lingo pic "A Gang Story" for domestic theatrical distribution.Pic, helmed by Olivier Marchal, centers around a young man who grew up in a gypsy camp and his experiences with the real-life mob the Lyon Gang.Gerard Lanvin stars in the crime thriller, produced by Cyril Colbeau-Justin and Jean-Baptiste Dupont for uFilm and LGM Prods. Pic is due out in France later this year.Marchal's other credits include "36" and "The Last Deadly Mission."TWC's Peter Lawson and Gaumont's Cecile Gaget are handling the deal negotiations. Gaumont also sold TWC the pic "Untouchable" in July.TWC has not yet set a release date for the film. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

Eddie Murphy is Hong Kong Phooey

Eddie Murphy continues to be cast because the voice of Hong Kong Phooey inside a giant screen version of Hanna-Barbera's animated TV series.Directed by Alex Zamm (Dr. Dolittle: Billion Dollar Mutts), the film will mix live action with animation.Already well referred to as voice of Donkey within the Shrek number of films, Murphy will have Penry, a gentle-mannered dog who accidentally gains mystical forces. Changing into Hong Kong Phooey, he fights crime by using a feline partner known as Place."We're able to 't be more happy that Eddie Murphy will star as Phooey. There's no overstating his contributions to cinema, and also to such long lasting stars of family entertainments for example Shrek and Dr. Dolittle," stated producers Andrew Kosove and Broderick Manley.A lot for that go back to Eddie's fast-speaking, smart-cracking days that people wished could be sparked through the approaching Tower Heist.

'Twilight' Star Kiowa Gordon Arrested

E! is confirming that 21-year-old Kiowa Gordon found themself in danger with Johnny Law on Tuesday evening, inside a move totally unbecoming of the teen wolf. As Kiowada sitting within the passenger chair while an un named friend drove, the automobile was stopped in early hrs of Wednesday morning to have an unspecified reason. After local police force went his title, they discovered he'd a superb arrest warrant for neglecting to appear in the court on previous drug-related charges and supplying alcohol to minors. Finally report, he occured in custody of the children, waiting for bail. Yes it's true, folks. Not really heartthrob, boozehound werewolves are over the law nowadays. What's our planet visiting? However in better news, you are able to still anticipate visiting a neat and sober Kiowa Gordon reprising his role as Embry Get in touch with 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Beginning - Part 1' come November 18. Nonetheless, get a act together, Team Jacob. You do too think he'll get time off work to be in 'Twilight?' [via E!]

Sesame Street To Return with a Host of Celebrity Guests, Spoofs

Sesame Street Sesame Street's upcoming 42nd season promises a gaggle of celebrity guests who'll frolic with children and puppets - as well as some skits based on pop-culture references. Does Sesame Street have a liberal bias? Speaking of those, Glee (in a skit called "G"), Deadliest Catch ("The Heaviest Catch"), the Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark ("SpiderMonster the Musical") and cooking competitions ("Cast Iron Cooks") will be among the subjects of Sesame's gentle (and gently educational) skewering. Sesame Street wins TCA Award And as far as the celebs go, here's a full alphabetical list of whom the show announced Monday: Amy Adams Carmelo Anthony Samantha Bee Drew Brees Elvis Costello Gustavo Dudamel Craig Ferguson Jesse Tyler Ferguson Sutton Foster Johnny Galecki The Harlem Globetrotters Ken Jeong Jason Jones Juanes Nicole Kidman Jimmy Kimmel John Krasinski Mila Kunis George Lopez Bruno Mars James Marsden Joel McHale Maria Menounos Michelle Monaghan Conan O'Brien Jerry O'Connell Adam Rodriguez Rico Rodriguez Seth Rogen Mark Ruffalo Andy Samberg Liev Schreiber Jason Schwartzman Jay Sean Emma Stone Amar'e Stoudemire Sofia Vergara Naomi Watts Robin Williams Besides the Hollywood types, musicians and sports stars, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will make an appearance. Season 42 of Seasame Street kicks off Monday, Sept. 26 on PBS.

Planet from the Apes Prequel Increases Beyond The Change-Up in the Box Office

Rise from the Planet from the Apes Rise from the Planet from the Apes trumped The Modification-Up in the weekend box office, Box Office Mojo reviews. The prequel towards the 1969 film, starring James Franco, made an believed $54 million in the first weekend of release. Cowboys & Aliens ties using the Smurfs to find the best place in the box office The Smurfs, last weekend's No. 1 film after final figures were in, came $21 million in the second week. Cowboys & Aliens lassoed $15.7 million in the future in third. The weekend's other era, The Modification-Up, snapped up $13.5 million in the first weekend to accept No. 4 place. Captain America: The Very First Avenger arrived fifth with $13 million, for any three-week total of $143.two million. Harry Potter and also the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 raked in $12.16 million, to position No. 6 (along with a total of $342.8 million). Following in seventh place with $12.a million was Crazy, Stupid, Love. Rounding the top ten: Buddies with Benefits (No. 8, $4.7 million), Horrible Bosses (No. 9, $4.six million) and Transformers: Dark from the Moon (No. 10, $3 million - along with a cumulative domestic gross of $344.two million).

Box Office Report: 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' Tops Friday Box Office With Outstanding $19.8 Mil

Moviegoers went bananas for 20th Century Fox's critically acclaimed Rise of the Planet of the Apes, which grossed a robust $19.8 million at the Friday box office.our editor recommendsRise of the Planet of the Apes: Film ReviewThe Change-Up: Film ReviewCowboys & Aliens: Film ReviewThe Smurfs: Film Review The origins pic now has a shot at a $50 million opening, exceeded all expectations. Heading into the weekend, tracking showed it grossing $30 million to $35 million tops, but word of mouth is changing the forecast. PHOTOS: 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes': The Many Faces of Andy Serkis Moviegoers sided with critics in giving Rise of the Apes an A-. The film appealed to all age groups, and more women than expected turned out, making up 44 percent of the audience. The film - headlining Andy Serkis as the ape Casesar - looks like it is successfully relaunching the classic sci-fi franchise, and is a big win for Peter Chernin and Dylan Clark's Chernin Entertainment, since it's the company's first film. Directed by Rupert Wyatt and also starring James Franco, Freida Pinto and John Lithgow, Apes is especially whipping up buzz for the photo-realistic apes, which were created by Peter Jackson's Weta Digital using advanced performance capture technology. The film, made for $93 million, was co-financed by Fox, Dune Entertainment and Ingenious. VIDEO: 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes': A Film Evolution Rise of the Apes earned $1.3 million in midnight runs, nearly double the $700,000 earned in midnight grosses last week by Cowboys & Aliens. Elsewhere at the domestic box office, Universal's R-rated body switching comedy The Change-Up, starring Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman, underperformed, grossing $4.7 million on Friday. Directed by David Dobkins, the comedy is now forecasted to open to a tepid $13.4 million, a rare miss for an R-rated comedy, a genre which as been booming at the box office. Change-Up all but tied with Universal and DreamWorks' Cowboy & Aliens, which fell 64% on its second Friday. PHOTOS: Summer Movie Guide Both Change-Up and Cowboy were trounced by Sony's surprise hit The Smurfs, which grossed $6 million Friday for a domestic cume of $61.2 million. Smurfs placed No. 2. Sony's holdover The Smurfs remained a strong contender, coming in No. 2 for the day and grossing an estimated $5.7 million. PHOTOS: New Generation of Superheroes Sony's holdover The Smurfs remained a strong contender, coming in No. 2 for the day and grossing an estimated $5.7 million. Universal and DreamWorks' Cowboys & Aliens tumbled more than 60 percent, grossing roughly $4.7 million, although it's possible Change-Up could pull ahead of Cowboys once final Friday numbers are calculated. Related Topics Freida Pinto James Franco Box Office Rise of the Planet of the Apes

'Alien' territory: an financial aspects lesson

The blah opening of "Cowboys & Aliens" provided a suitable metaphor for that condition of Hollywood's tentpole industry. The primary trouble with the film was it wasn't enjoyable -- because of the filmgoers or even the financier.This summer time was designed to mark the triumph of tentpoles, as soon as when superheroes would bury their rivals on screens worldwide. And definitely the established franchises -- the Potters, the Pirates and also the Transformers -- shipped the products. However, the entire process of staking new tentpoles demonstrated hazardous -- witness the flickering "Eco-friendly Lantern." And meanwhile, romantic comedies like "Bridesmaids," or even the anti-romcoms like "The Hangover Part II," stored getting in the manner.Hollywood is definitely worrying about the chance of creating midbudget movies, but the truth is these films shipped the audiences this summer time, even if the tentpoles quivered. Remarkably, filmgoers overseas were adopting raunchy comedy with ever-growing enthusiasm to ensure that a movie like "Bad Teacher" might gross nearly $200 million worldwide.Speak with the studio hierarchs, however, and they're going to complain that both tentpoles and also the romantic comedies cost money to create and also to market. The explanations are dramatically divergent, obviously: The super hero budgets implode due to effects -- the attitude would be to throw everything in the screen and pray for top.The financial aspects from the midbudget films tend to be more difficult to evaluate. Even without effects, in most cases without stars, they have a tendency in the future in at between $$ 30 million and $50 million -- acceptable amounts when in comparison with tentpoles but nonetheless completely tumescent when in comparison using the budgets of history.Putting aside the job from the digital magicians, the various tools of filmmaking have continued to be basically exactly the same -- cast, crew, cameras, etc. -- because the heyday from the studio system. Yet a movie like "The Godfather" in 1972 cost $7 million as the same film today might cost $170 million. I co-created a comedy entitled "Fun With Dick and Jane," which cost $5 million in 1977, then found my title on the remake that arrived at $115 million-plus 3 years ago.You will find many explanations with this escalation, but, as you veteran producer puts it, "Everything comes lower towards the attitude and connection with the filmmaker." The filmmakers who arrived to prominence within the '70s had labored in live television or on Broadway and understood the bustle of decision-making. Steven Spielberg testifies the best aspect in his motion picture education was pointing series television in the beginning at Universal.Present day youthful filmmakers, missing that have, preside over sprawling production agendas. They require additional time to shoot and also to edit, after which frequently return for re-shoots.I had been talking about this phenomenon yesterday with William Friedkin, who introduced in the classic "French Connection" for $1.8 million in 1971 and felt bad while he was $300,000 over budget. Friedkin, obviously, has already established his adventures with megabudget projects, but his gripping new film, "Killer Joe," starring Matthew McConaughey, arrived at $4 million -- it had been asked towards the Venice Film Festival. For Friedkin, "Killer Joe" was a workout in discipline -- and attitude.The prosperity of this summer's midbudget films for example "Horrible Bosses," "Crazy Stupid Love," "Bad Teacher," "Bridesmaids" as well as Woodsy Allen's "Night time in Paris" (OK, we have reached toss in "The Smurfs") works as a indication that Hollywood cannot pin its future about the super hero genre alone. Simultaneously, the midbudget fraternity needs to become as aggressive using its budgets because it is using its raunch to be able to obtain a bigger role within the party. Contact Peter Bart at peter.bart@variety.com

CWs H8R: A Forum for Poor, Poor Celebrities to Try to Convert Their Haters into Fans

H8R Celebrities including Eva Longoria, Barry Bonds, Leah Remini and Kat Von D will go head-to-head with everyday people who don't like them in a new CW reality series called H8R. Episodes featuring Jersey Shore's Snooki and Kim Kardashian have already been shot. The Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss, Extra host Mario Lopez, and Lisa Gregorisch-Dempsey executive-produce the show. Lopez said if the show has a message, it's "Hate is not cool. Celebrities, believe it or not, have feelings too." Critic's notebook: The CW upfront Speaking to reporters Thursday at the CW's fall TV preview, Fleiss also came to the defense of the rich and famous. "For celebrities, it's a chance to rehabilitate their personal image," he said. "They get dragged through the mud when anything goes wrong in their lives." In each episode of H8R, which premieres Wed., Sept. 14 at 8/7c, will pair celebrities with their biggest "haters" in an attempt to win them over and reveal, according to Fleiss, "the real person behind the celebrity." Finding people who were openly hostile toward celebrities was not difficult in the age of Twitter, Lopez said. "Twitter provides a forum for cowards, who are probably sitting at home in the underwear." As such, the show will test whether or not the hater "has the guts to say this stuff to their face," Lopez said. Check out today's news The haters are not told about the show's actual premise when they're recruited; producers tell them a different type of documentary or show is being shot. (Lopez noted that extensive background checks are enforced to ensure the haters are not also stalkers.) Convincing celebrities to participate was also a snap. Some are Lopez's personal friends, while others "like the anti-hate, anti-bullying message," said Gregorisch-Dempsey. In some cases, they've nominated their haters, who they know from the Internet or Twitter. In any case, a conversion from hater to fan does not always take place. "Sometimes it doesn't work," Lopez said, adding that some participants come out of their one-on-one time even more entrenched in their hatred. At one point, one celebrity-hater pairing nearly came to blows during filming. "We're just going to light a fuse and see what happens," Fleiss said. To those that would scoff at giving celebrities this type of a vehicle to confront unsuspecting non-fans, Fleiss said you'd be surprised at how a celebrity bleeds. On the show, "you see how these rich and famous people are really wounded and hurt when they hear someone hating on them," he said. "No matter who you are, when someone is talking that way about you, it hurts."

Louise Mills Accuses Parent Company of Piers Morgan Paper of Hacking Her Phone

New Regency Near To Refreshing Regency TV, Morgan Wandell Leader To Operate It

EXCLUSIVE: Regency Television, the boutique TV production company that created Roswell, Malcolm In the centre and Bernie Mac, is poised for any comeback. I hear former ABC Galleries executive-switched-producer Morgan Wandell has emerged because the leader to operate the raised from the dead production company. The initial Regency TV released in 1998 like a 50-50 partnership between Regency Businesses and Fox TV Galleries and been around for ten years before partners shut it lower in This summer 2008. Hutch Parker and Bob Harper, cake toppers of Regency Enterprises' film division New Regency, suggested concerning the company's intends to explore coming back to television in the The month of january announcement from the renewal of recent Regency's distribution cope with Fox. "We can easily see an chance for any updated approach," Parker stated in those days. Indeed, I hear that Regency TV 2. would operate within new business design. To begin with, the brand new version of the organization will not be considered a co-venture with Fox TV Galleries but a Regency-possessed independent TV production company. But more to the point, unlike the initial company, which deficit funded its series, I hear the brand new Regency TV will not. I hear the organization would emulate DreamWorks TV's model rather, where the production company evolves projects individually but does not deficit them, rather consuming creating costs. Despite Regency's partners with Fox (News Corp. also is the owner of 20% of recent Regency), I hear Regency TV will not be associated with News Corp's TV divisions twentieth century Fox TV or Fox TV Galleries, through it's possibly for 20th TV to possess some distribution duties. Parker was instrumental within the 2008 decision to shut Regency TV, which happened just two several weeks after he became a member of New Regency after he apparently examined the business's business design and determined it no more labored within the altering landscape and harder financial aspects from the TV business. Now Parker continues to be the driving pressure within the resurrection, leading the quest for a professional to operate the organization. After conferences with numerous professionals and producers in the last handful of several weeks, I hear Wandell has emerged because the top choice to do the job. He most lately offered being an executive producer about the ABC drama series No Regular Family. Before that, he went Greg Berlanti's then-ABC Galleries-based production company for 2 years. Wandell formerly labored at ABC Galleries, rising to SVP drama.

'Cowboys' edges 'Smurfs' in final B.O. tallies

After a photofinish race for No. 1, Universal's "Cowboys and Aliens" pulled ahead in domestic box office standing, with revised weekend figures at $36.43 million, while Sony's "The Smurfs" barely trailed with $35.61 million.Both pics were estimated to have made in three days $36.2 million -- relying on a tie-breaking Sunday B.O. tally.That day easily could have tipped the scale in favor of either "Cowboys" or "Smurfs."Making a case for "Smurfs," families accounted for 65% of its aud, of which 40% were parents. "Cowboys," however, skewed mostly toward adult moviegoers, with 63% of its opening aud over 30.Demo breakdowns for both "Cowboys" and "Smurfs" benefited the pair on Sunday, since adults and families typically make up the biggest crowds that day. And while "Smurfs" had a slight edge appealing to both demos, it seems adults shelled out more coin for "Cowboys."Warner Bros.' "Crazy Stupid Love" came in with a revised $19.1 million, down slightly from the pic's estimated weekend debut of $19.3 million.Among the frame's top holdovers ("Captain America," "Harry Potter"), the latter did a hair better than its estimated $21.9 million, with acutal numbers totaling $22 million. Meanwhile, "Captain America" also went up with a revised $25.6 million vs. $24.9 million. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com