Entertaining Posts: March 2011

Thursday, March 31, 2011

"Mad Men" to return for final three seasons

LOS ANGELES | Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:25pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "Mad Men" will return to the air in early 2012 for a final three-season run, the creator of the ad-agency drama said on Thursday after announcing a resolution of tense contract negotiations.

Matt Weiner's lucrative new deal, which a source said was worth about $30 million over three years, was unveiled two days after cable channel AMC said the Emmy-winning show would not return this summer because of the talks impasse.

Even with the settlement, the fifth season will still not premiere until around March, since production has not yet begun and other shows have been slated in its place.

"These will be the last three seasons," Weiner told Hollywood news outlet Deadline.com, adding that he turned down a deal four or five times in the last few days.

Weiner had been at loggerheads with AMC and producer Lionsgate over three key issues: running time, budget and product placement.

Under a compromise, the season opener and finale will clock in at 47 minutes each, just as all the episodes did last season. The other 11 episodes will be 45 minutes each, although Weiner has the option to produce 47-minute versions for other platforms, such as digital downloads and DVDs.

Details on the show's budget were not specified, but the source said no cast cuts would be required unless Weiner wanted to kill off characters to fit in with his storyline. Speculation had run rampant in recent days that Weiner would be forced to reduce the payroll because of a tighter budget.

While Weiner will continue to have full creative control over the show, including the use of commercial products, AMC and Lionsgate will make it easier for advertisers to trumpet their involvement, the source said.

"Mad Men," revolving around the martini-swilling staff at a Madison Avenue agency in the turbulent 1960s, organically incorporates well known consumer products in its episodes.

Despite drawing tiny ratings for AMC, it is one of the most acclaimed shows on television and won the best drama Emmy for three consecutive years. Its fourth season, which ended last October, will be eligible for the Emmy Awards in September.

AMC is a unit of Cablevision Systems Corp. Lionsgate is a unit of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (Reporting by Dean Goodman: Editing by Chris Wilson)

Charlie Sheen tour could be a bust for scalpers

By Mitchell Peters

Thu Mar 31, 2011 5:47pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - "Winning" or "Not Winning"?

That's the latest question surrounding Charlie Sheen's "My Violent Torpedo of Truth" 22-date North American tour, which begins April 2 at the Fox Theater in Detroit.

Over the past several weeks, numerous media outlets have reported that a handful of dates on Sheen's forthcoming trek sold out within minutes. But it turns out that some of those reported sellouts -- including the opening date at the approximately 5,000-capacity Fox Theater -- still have tickets available on Ticketmaster.

CNBC reported on its Web site that so-called "secondary ticketing" companies like StubHub, NoFeesTickets.com and Bargainseatsonline.com snatched up "a lot" of tickets to many of Sheen's forthcoming shows and are now selling them for less than face value, which could suggest that fan demand for the tour is being overestimated by the media reports. (It should be noted that some secondary tickets are on sale across multiple reselling sites, which makes it appear that there are more tickets in the market than there actually are.)

As of Thursday afternoon, StubHub appeared to have about 300 tickets available for the Detroit show alone. But this isn't all that shocking. In today's ticket-buying market, it's typical for secondary sellers to buy tickets in bulk for what they think will be hot-selling shows, whether it's Lady Gaga or U2. In the case of Sheen's tour, however, it seems that resellers may have misjudged the demand.

Nevertheless, this won't impact the money Sheen grosses from the performances -- and that's not to mention merchandise and other ancillary revenue the actor will earn during the tour. Even though fans didn't technically purchase some of the tickets through Ticketmaster, the tickets were still bought by another source, in this case secondary ticketers.

"A ticket sold is a ticket sold, whether it's from Ticketmaster, CharlieSheen.com or the box office," Sheen spokesman Larry Solters tells Billboard. "Where they go after that, frankly we don't know. We all know a re-seller will often post their tickets to multiple sites to promote their product. It might be on multiple sites for the same ticket."

Solters notes that Sheen's tour has sold close to 100,000 tickets with no paid advertising.

Esperanza Spalding brings Grammy-winning jazz to Europe

By Stephanie Nebehay

CULLY, Switzerland | Thu Mar 31, 2011 9:46am EDT

CULLY, Switzerland (Reuters) - American jazz bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding showcased her Grammy-winning talent for enthusiastic Swiss jazz lovers at the start of a European tour that will also take her to Italy, France, Britain and Spain.

Spalding was the surprise winner of the best new artist Grammy in February, beating favored Canadian contenders Drake and teenage sensation Justin Bieber. She was the first jazz artist to clinch the coveted prize.

The 26-year-old and her Chamber Music Society band played a 90-minute set at the annual Cully jazz festival on Wednesday night, where a sold-out crowd was enraptured.

The Wayne Shorter Quartet and Gilberto Gil also performed at the 29th edition this week in the picturesque village that lies among terraced vineyards, along Lake Geneva near Lausanne.

Spalding highlighted tracks from her third and latest album Chamber Music Society (2010), including "Little Fly," the crowd-pleasing ballad "Apple Blossom," and "Really Very Small."

The Portland, Oregon native arrived on stage and sat in the dark to the side in a large armchair, sipping red wine, as her six musicians played an instrumental introduction.

She then took off her jacket and picked up her bass to play "Little Fly." The set was bathed in red light for "Knowledge of Good + Evil."

Spalding, a composer whose phrasing and lyrics are unusual, is part Hispanic, African-American, and Native American. She sang mainly in English, but also Spanish and Brazilian-flavored Portuguese ("Inutil Paisagem" or "Useless Landscape").

"We are the Chamber Music Society. Merci beaucoup," she cooed into the microphone at the end of the program.

As midnight struck -- and with Swiss precision -- she then returned for a solo encore of jazz standard "Midnight Sun," a composition by Lionel Hampton made famous by Ella Fitzgerald.

(Editing by Paul Casciato)

French DJ David Guetta, Coke launch talent contest

By Bob Tourtellotte

LOS ANGELES | Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:31am EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - He launched his own dream career spinning records, and now David Guetta hopes to spin the dreams of aspiring DJs into their own reality through a contest he has cooked up with energy drink, burn.

The Grammy-winning music producer and DJ, who worked with the Black Eyed Peas on their smash hit "I Gotta Feeling," and the Coca-Cola Co, which makes burn, unveiled a promotional partnership on Thursday that includes both the competition and the making of a documentary movie about Guetta and his music.

"I've always wanted to, how can I say, give back the love a little bit to younger producers," the Parisian told Reuters. "I've been very, very blessed with success, and I want to help other people achieve this.

The documentary, which has yet to be titled, covers the 43-year-old's life from spinning records in French nightclubs in the 1980s and 1990s to producing records for top acts such as Akon and creating his own hit albums.

The film also will explore the recent history of the underground dance music scene, electronica, house tunes and the large festivals that are now a routine part of the industry.

"People from my generation and even younger know my history, but a lot of kids don't know the history of this music," he said.

Details of both the movie and the competition were scant at the time of the announcement. An official with Coca-Cola said a director will soon be hired, production will begin in April and the hope is to release the documentary in September.

Rules for the contest are expected to be posted in the near future on the energy drink's website, burn.com. The winner will get his or her big break spinning records at Guetta's dance parties on the tourist island Ibiza, off the coast of Spain.

Emmanuel Seuge, director of worldwide sports and entertainment marketing at Coca-Cola, called Guetta the perfect promotional match for burn, given his high-energy music, creativity and collaboration with other musicians.

"The way we talk about burn is that it is a brand which acts on its ambition, and that is the mode of David's life. That is what he has stood for," said Seuge.

Moreover, the energy drink is now sold in some 83 countries and Guetta has a global fan base.

In the past decade, as CD sales have tanked in the face of rising digital downloads of single records on the Web, musicians have turned to performing and promotional deals like the one between Guetta and burn to fill their bank accounts.

Guetta is not shy about saying that money -- for both he and burn -- is a big part of the collaboration, but he is quick to add it is not all about cash. And he points to the unusual nature of producing the film and the contest as being vastly different from simply creating a new song or jingle to burn.

"Of course there is the money for me. Of course, there is the money for Coca-Cola, but instead of doing just stupid publicity, we are trying to use some of the budget to do something positive and interesting," he said.

(Editing by Dean Goodman)

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Aniston, Moore to direct short films on breast cancer

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"Biebermania" spreads to Belgium

By Eva Dou

ANTWERP | Wed Mar 30, 2011 3:27pm EDT

ANTWERP (Reuters) - Fame has its "ups and downs," even for Canadian teenaged singing sensation Justin Bieber who is enjoying a lot of "ups" these days on his European tour that has now spread "Biebermania" to Belgium.

While the 17-year-old heartthrob appears to have the female pre-teen world at his feet, he faces challenges growing up in the media spotlight and with a grueling tour that causes him to lose track of where in the world his next plane is headed.

"There's ups and downs," he told reporters in Antwerp, Belgium, where he performs on Wednesday, referring to his life as one of the world's biggest pop stars.

"I'm not able to go out myself somewhere, but I'm able to travel, do so many cool things ... I'm blessed."

Bieber said he would not be seeing any of Belgium following his show in Antwerp, which sold out within 30 minutes of tickets being available.

"I leave tonight, actually, so I'm not gonna be here," he said. "I'll be somewhere else. I don't know where I'm going, but I won't be here."

Bieber, dressed head-to-toe in black, said he was gradually gaining his footing in the world of adulthood.

"I'm 17, so my mom is still my mom. She's still there, she still makes decisions, but she's letting go a little in letting me grow up and start to make my own decisions."

As for concerns over how growing up might affect his trademark velvety, high-pitched voice, he shrugged them off.

"All guys, their voices change. My voice is deeper than it was before, but it's gradually changing. It's not like one day my voice is up here and the next day it's down here."

"JUSTIN!, JUSTIN!"

Throngs of girls milled outside shrieking "Justin! Justin!," some weeping, continuing the wave of "Biebermania" that has accompanied the star on his European tour.

As a security guard shooed fans from the back entrance to the building where the press conference was held, girls thrust at reporters -- or anyone else heading inside -- handfuls of love notes addressed to Bieber.

"It's not a problem if I don't touch him or don't kiss him," sobbed Sarah Benouda, 15, through streaming tears. "But just to see him, oh my God!"

Benouda said she skipped class on Wednesday and lied to her mother to take a three-hour train ride from her home in Ottignies to glimpse her idol.

Rihanna says doesn't want to hurt Brown's career

NEW YORK | Wed Mar 30, 2011 12:48pm EDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Singer Rihanna has told Rolling Stone magazine she agreed a judge could ease a stay away order against her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown over a violent altercation two years ago because she didn't want to hurt his career.

The 23-year-old told the music magazine it was "my decision" not to object to a Los Angeles judge's decision in February to downgrade a restraining order keeping Brown, 21, 50 yards away from Rihanna -- 10 yards at music industry events.

"It doesn't mean we're gonna make up or even talk again. It just means I didn't want to object to the judge," she told the magazine in an excerpt published Wednesday.

The singer added she had his music career in mind.

"We don't have to talk ever again in my life," she said. "I just didn't want to make it more difficult for him professionally. What he did was a personal thing -- it had nothing to do with his career. Saying he has to be a hundred feet away from me, he can't perform at awards shows -- that definitely made it difficult for him."

Rihanna's blunt admissions are a stark contrast to Brown, who last week threw an angry tantrum in his dressing from of a U.S. morning chat show after clamming up when an interviewer brought up the topic of his 2009 assault on Rihanna.

Brown, 21, was promoting his new album "F.A.M.E.," while Rihanna talked to Rolling Stone about one of her singles, "S&M," off her fifth studio album, "Loud," that spawned No. 1 hit singles including "Only Girl (In the World)".

Rihanna told Rolling Stone she put up a front in public after the assault.

"I put my guard up so hard. I didn't want people to see me cry. I didn't want people to feel bad for me. It was a very vulnerable time in my life, and I refused to let that be the image. I wanted them to see me as, 'I'm fine, I'm tough.' I put that up until it felt real."

About "S&M," she said that "being submissive in the bedroom is really fun. You get to be a little lady, to have somebody be macho and in charge...that's fun to me. I like to be spanked."

(editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

Robin Williams haunts Broadway in "Bengal Tiger"

By Christine Kearney

NEW YORK | Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:50am EDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Robin Williams made either a risky, or courageous, choice for his Broadway acting debut by depicting the ghost of a Bengal tiger slinking around the bloody streets of Baghdad trying to make sense of humans and war.

"Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo" opens on Thursday and is risky because for years, most tales with the Iraq war as a backdrop have proven unpopular with U.S. audiences. But the actor and comedian believes the role is an obvious choice for him and the play is a worthy drama to challenge theater-goers.

"People say, 'why?' Because it's an extraordinary piece," he told Reuters. "I read it and went, 'This is worth doing.'"

As the curtain rises, Williams' tiger character stands upright in a cage, joking about the absurdities of life before being taunted by a U.S. soldier. The tiger bites off the man's hand and is then shot to death.

"To die in captivity in a Baghdad zoo, what a freakin' life," he muses to a laughing audience.

But the play, a Pulitzer Prize finalist last year, then turns toward the brutality of war, and the tiger's ghost takes to the streets of the war-torn city with surprising, acerbic reflections on the nature of animals, humanity and religion.

"Bengal Tiger" takes place in the early days of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, and key characters including U.S. soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter are haunted by acts they have committed and the gruesome realities of armed conflict.

In trying to explain "Bengal Tiger," the 59-year-old Williams recalled his off-Broadway -- or as he joked, "under Broadway" -- stage work in the Samuel Beckett play, "Waiting For Godot" in 1988.

"It talks about the war, the consequences of war, ghosts dealing with other consequences, there is so much, it is so layered," he said. "It basically makes 'Godot' look Amish, because there is such brutality in there...and a weird spiritual journey too."

THROUGH A TIGER'S EYES

American playwright Rajiv Joseph said the play's plot was inspired by a newspaper article about a real tiger in Baghdad that was killed after biting off a U.S. soldier's hand.

He began writing the play "in earnest" in 2005, and it was first produced two years ago in Los Angeles.

But why the ghost of a tiger as the protagonist?

"To look at Baghdad through the tiger's eyes, to see what he sees, makes him an apolitical narrator, which is interesting," Joseph told Reuters.

While the bengal tiger lives in a world that seems surreal, the play is populated by several real-life figures, including Saddam Hussein's widely-feared eldest son, Uday Hussein, who is seen on stage holding his brother Qusay's severed head.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Lindsay Lohan avoids criminal charge in Betty Ford quarrel

By Alex Dobuzinskis

LOS ANGELES | Tue Mar 29, 2011 9:22pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Prosecutors on Tuesday decided against filing a battery charge against Lindsay Lohan that might have sent the troubled actress to jail over a confrontation at California's Betty Ford Center rehab clinic.

The District Attorney's office in Riverside County, east of Los Angeles, has determined there is insufficient evidence to charge Lohan with a crime, said John Hall, a spokesman for the office.

The "Mean Girls" star is on probation for a 2007 drunk driving and cocaine possession conviction, and a new criminal complaint could have violated her probation, putting her back behind bars.

Lohan, however, remains in legal trouble. The 24-year-old faces a separate charge that she stole a necklace from a Los Angeles jewelry store in January. Lohan has pleaded not guilty, and a preliminary hearing is set for April 22.

A conviction would send her back to jail where she spent around two weeks behind bars for probation violation.

In December when Lohan was staying at the Betty Ford Center in southern California, police were called to the facility and conducted a misdemeanor battery investigation involving Lohan and a Betty Ford Center staff member named Dawn Holland.

Holland initially said Lohan pushed her and snatched a telephone from her hand. But Holland later told investigators she would no longer cooperate and did not want charges filed.

"Our standard is that if we file charges, we believe that we can produce enough evidence to convict someone beyond a reasonable doubt and that was not the case here," Hall said.

Hall said he could not be specific about the findings of his office's review of the case.

Lohan left the Betty Ford Center in January, after checking into the facility in October for failing a random drug test required by her probation for the 2007 drunk conviction.

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis: Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

"Mad Men" air date pushed back to early 2012

LOS ANGELES | Tue Mar 29, 2011 4:11pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The ad agency drama "Mad Men," which was due to begin its fifth season in the summer, will not return until early 2012 because of stalled contract talks with its creator, cable channel AMC said on Tuesday.

The network is reportedly close to signing a deal worth $30 million with Matt Weiner, but he is fighting demands involving product placement, cast changes and a reduced running time, according to news Web site Deadline Hollywood.

A spokeswoman for AMC, a unit of Cablevision Systems Corp, declined to comment beyond the company's statement.

"While we are getting a later start than in years past due to ongoing, key non-cast negotiations, 'Mad Men' will be back for a fifth season in early 2012," AMC said in the statement.

AMC said it triggered an option with the show's producer, the television arm of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp, to begin work on a fifth season, despite the impasse.

The contract talks are expected to be resolved before production resumes for next season, a source with knowledge of the situation said.

Weiner, a former writer for "The Sopranos," is intricately involved with every detail of every episode.

"Mad Men," revolving around the martini-swilling staff at a Madison Avenue agency in the turbulent 1960s, draws tiny ratings for AMC. But it is one of the most acclaimed shows on television, winning the best drama Emmy for three consecutive years. Its fourth season, which ended in October, will be eligible for the Emmy Awards in September.

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis: Editing by Dean Goodman)

Britney Spears to tour with Enrique Iglesias

NEW YORK | Tue Mar 29, 2011 12:00pm EDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Britney Spears will begin a tour with Spanish pop star Enrique Iglesias in June, the 29-year-old singer said on Tuesday in an announcement coinciding with the release of her new album, "Femme Fatale."

Spears told Good Morning America in a segment that aired on Tuesday she will tour with Iglesias in the United States and Canada.

"I'm going on tour with Enrique Iglesias in June," Spears told the morning chat show backstage during a sold out small concert which was filmed on Sunday in San Francisco, performing her singles, "Hold It Against Me" and "Till The World Ends."

"I love music. It's my world," she said during the show. "I'm so happy to be able to share it with everyone."

The tour announcement coincided with the release of Spears' seventh studio album, the electro-pop "Femme Fatale", which has attracted mixed reviews and took two years to make.

Spears' has said little about the album -- which features a host of collaborators such as rapper will.i.am -- although she has called it "my best work yet" on a recent radio appearance when she stressed its dance roots.

The tour with Iglesias, 35, is scheduled to begin June 17 in Sacramento, California and will travel around the United States and Canada until the final show on August 13 in Toronto.

(Reporting by Bernd Debusmann Jr., editing by Christine Kearney)

Monday, March 28, 2011

Justin Bieber headed for rehab: opinion poll

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Oprah dodges $100 million suit over fattest president

By Eriq Gardner

Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:39pm EDT

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - A federal judge in Pennsylvania has tossed out an author's $100 million lawsuit against Oprah Winfrey for violating the copyright in the political booklet, "How America Elects Her Presidents."

Charles Harris claimed in a lawsuit that in 2008, as Winfrey began supporting Barack Obama's presidential campaign, Harris sent 10 copies of his booklet to "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in hopes of gaining publicity. He followed up with several inquiries. Harris got no response, but according to the complaint, on the February 16, 2009 show, Winfrey allegedly read aloud exact questions that were included in the book. Harris wanted more than $100 million for alleged copyright infringement.

Winfrey filed a motion to dismiss, seeking sanctions for a frivolous lawsuit, saying that had the plaintiff obtained a public transcript of the show in question, he would have realized that the talk show host didn't read Harris' "exact same questions" aloud with the arguable exception of one: "Which one of our presidents weighed the most?"

During the episode, titled "Oprah's Search For The Smartest and Most Talented Kids," she brought children on set, including one six-year-old named Graham who she said was a "first grade whiz kid who knows more about American presidents than most adults."

Oprah and Graham joshed about various presidents from George Washington to Barack Obama, before the talk show queen queried the kid about the heaviest president. Graham correctly answered it was William Howard Taft at 327 pounds.

Winfrey's motion to dismiss the lawsuit said Harris' lawyers should have known that facts about American presidents are not copyrightable. A compilation of facts based on the selection and arrangement can be copyrightable, but Winfrey pointed out that Harris didn't register his work as a compilation, and it lacked originality, among other things.

U.S. District Court Judge Jan DuBois agreed that Harris' work is "not original," and that Winfrey's use of the Fat Taft fact, even if she did learn it from Harris' book, was not an infringement.

The judge, however, determined that the plaintiff's claims were made with reasonable good faith under the circumstance, and declined to award sanctions.

Daniel Radcliffe charms critics in Broadway musical

By Christine Kearney

NEW YORK | Mon Mar 28, 2011 1:41pm EDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Actor Daniel Radcliffe received a warm response from critics in reviews posted Monday for his Broadway musical debut, if not for his musical prowess, for his enthusiasm and eager manner evident on stage.

The 21 year-old British "Harry Potter" star chose a revival of the 1962 Pulitzer-Prize winning show "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" to make his musical Broadway debut in the central role of the fresh-faced but ambitious J. Pierrepont Finch climbing the corporate ladder.

The New York Times said "while Mr. Radcliffe is clearly not to the musical manner born, I would give him, oh, a 6 out of 10" who "hits his choreographic marks, speaks his lines quickly and distinctly (with a convincing American accent) and often sings on key."

The review continued "and because you so feel the effort and eagerness with which Mr. Radcliffe responds to that voice, you truly want him to succeed, just as you hope a favorite athlete or hip-hop artist will avoid elimination on "Dancing with the Stars."

Radcliffe made his Broadway debut as a psycho stable boy in the 2008 play, "Equus," but "How to Succeed," which runs at two and half hours, is his first Broadway musical and sees him hoisted into the air in a somersault sequence with the chorus.

"Daniel Radcliffe is so adorable in his Broadway musical debut, you just want to pinch his cheeks," said the New York Post, noting his "endearing amount of dedication and enthusiasm."

The Hollywood Reporter said while Radcliffe "doesn't quite pop as a musical theater performer, the 'Harry Potter' star does a capable job of singing and dancing in the revival."

USA Today said "it was fun to watch an actor, particularly a famous one, rise to an obvious challenge" and worked in "conscientious harmony" with his cast members.

Others were more critical of Radcliffe, who has had many obvious "Harry Potter" fans already flocking to see previews.

The Washington Post said while he was "winningly game and diligent," he was "out of his league" and the latest of many Hollywood stars to be miscast on Broadway, which looks to capitalize on big names to boost ticket sales.

(Reporting by Christine Kearney, editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Reese Witherspoon marries Hollywood agent Jim Toth

LOS ANGELES | Sun Mar 27, 2011 2:02pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon and her talent agent fiance Jim Toth tied the knot over the weekend in Southern California, her spokeswoman told celebrity magazine People.

The 35-year-old actress, who scored box office hits with her "Legally Blonde" movies, and Toth, 40, were married on Saturday at her ranch in Ojai, California, northwest of Los Angeles.

People.com said several Hollywood stars attended, including Sean Penn and Scarlett Johansson, as well as Robert Downey, Jr., Tobey Maguire and Renee Zellweger. Witherspoon's two children with her first husband, Ryan Phillippe, also were there.

Witherspoon, who won the best actress Academy Award playing country singer June Carter in "Walk the Line," and Toth became engaged in December.

(Reporting by Bob Tourtellotte; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Malawi charity workers sue Madonna over payments

LILONGWE | Sun Mar 27, 2011 1:24pm EDT

LILONGWE (Reuters) - Eight workers at Madonna's Malawi charity are suing the pop star for unfair dismissal and non-payment of their benefits, their lawyer said on Sunday.

The board of the charity, Raising Malawi, was sacked after abandoning plans to build a state of the art girls' school just outside the capital Lilongwe due to mismanagement, the New York Times newspaper reported on Saturday.

Madonna, who has adopted two children from Malawi, lent $11 million to the organization and is now on the board.

The workers' lawyer, Mzondi Chirambo, said Madonna had 14 days to respond to their concerns.

"Their employment was terminated by the trustees of Raising Malawi Academy for Girls ostensibly following the change of plan not to build the school as planned," Chirambo said.

"My clients are also being forced to sign a discriminatory termination agreement before they are paid their benefits."

Chirambo said one of the workers he represented was the chief executive of the school, some taught Jewish Kabbalah mysticism while the others were connected to the school project.

The papers were filed with the Industrial Court, which handles labor disputes.

Madonna's U.S. representative was not immediately available for comment.

The New York Times said the plan to build the school had collapsed after $3.8 million was spent with little to show for it. Its executive director left in October amid criticism of his management style and cost overruns. (Reporting by Mabvuto Banda; editing by Elizabeth Piper)

Britney is back, but can she compete with Gaga?

By Mike Collett-White

LONDON | Sun Mar 27, 2011 1:40pm EDT

LONDON (Reuters) - As Britney Spears prepares to launch her seventh studio album "Femme Fatale" on Tuesday, the pop star faces keen competition from Lady Gaga, Katie Perry and Rihanna, who reign atop Billboard's Hot 100 singles ranking.

Her younger rivals' dominance this week may be coincidental -- indeed, Spears also topped the ranking recently with "Hold It Against Me." -- but the chart is a reminder of how crowded the pop diva market has become since Spears rose to fame as a teenager.

There is little doubt her fans will ensure brisk sales -- Spears has sold nearly 70 million albums, according to label Jive Record -- and her music is making headlines again instead of personal meltdowns, a custody battle and rehab stints.

Spears kicked off a string of promotions for the album on Friday with a performance at a Las Vegas nightclub. On Sunday in San Francisco she will record a sold-out mini-concert to be aired on ABC's "Good Morning America" TV show on Tuesday.

Yet after more than 10 years in the music business, Spears, now 29, may have to do more to remain relevant in the era of Gaga, critics say.

"As far as novelty goes, her natural demographic now has an icon as quirky and characterful as Lady Gaga to fascinate and fuss over," said Andy Gill of Britain's Independent newspaper.

"Gaga's music, let's be frank, is not that much better than, or even different to, that on 'Femme Fatale', but she knows the lingering appeal of playing dress up," he added in a two-out-of-five star review of Spears' record.

Adrian Thrills of the Daily Mail added: "The one-time gymslip diva has had to contend with the emergence of Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Rihanna -- a brash new wave of female performers who have made their mark while seemingly exercising far more creative control."

REVIEWS RANGE WIDELY

Reviews of "Femme Fatale" have been mixed.

Among the most positive was Rolling Stone Magazine, which awarded the album four stars. "Femme Fatale may be Britney's best album," wrote Jody Rosen, describing it as "a party record packed with sex and sadness."

Hitmaking producers Dr. Luke and Max Martin were responsible for seven of the 12 tracks, while the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am was behind "Big Fat Bass" and Sweden's Bloodshy worked on "How I Roll" and "Trip To Your Heart."

Critics singled out "Hold It Against Me", with its dubstep influence, and "Inside Out," as well as "Till the World Ends," which Spin magazine called Spears' "first truly synapse-sizzling single since (2004's) 'Toxic.'"

While there was broad agreement that the electro-pop, ballad-light record would be a dance floor hit, critics felt Spears was in danger of disappearing as a voice and personality.

Alexis Petridis of Britain's Guardian newspaper awarded the album three stars, giving much credit to the producers for creating music that was "genuinely exciting."

Friday, March 25, 2011

"Jersey Shore" finale its highest-rated yet

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Harrelson latest to sign on for HBO's "Game Change"

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Warren Beatty prevails in Dick Tracy lawsuit

LOS ANGELES | Fri Mar 25, 2011 5:32pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A California judge has ruled in favor of actor Warren Beatty in a legal dispute with Tribune Media Services over the right to make movies and TV shows using the comic book crime fighter Dick Tracy.

U.S. District Court Judge Dean D. Pregerson granted Beatty's request for a summary judgment on Thursday in the long-running dispute over the character Beatty portrayed in his 1990 film, "Dick Tracy," which earned more than $160 million at global box offices.

Beatty had sued Tribune Media, a unit of Tribune Co., back in 2008, claiming Tribune acted wrongly in trying to retrieve the character's rights, which it had assigned to Beatty.

Under the original 1985 agreement between Beatty and Tribune, the rights would revert to Tribune if "a certain period of time" lapsed without Beatty having produced another Dick Tracy movie, TV series or TV special.

Tribune sent Beatty a letter on November 17, 2006, that gave him two years to begin production on Dick Tracy programing. Beatty said he began a Dick Tracy TV special on November 8, 2008, and gave Tribune written notice.

But Tribune responded by asserting that it still had the right to terminate Beatty's rights, which sparked Beatty's lawsuit. Tribune later filed its own countersuit seeking summary judgment in his favor.

In his written order, Judge Pregerson writes that "Beatty's commencement of principal photography of his television special on November 8, 2008 was sufficient for him to retain the Dick Tracy rights."

(Editing by Jill Serjeant)

"South Park" creators score raves on Broadway

By Christine Kearney

NEW YORK | Fri Mar 25, 2011 1:23pm EDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A satirical Broadway show about Mormons who travel from Utah to Uganda by the creators of "South Park" scored rave reviews on Friday from critics who called it the best musical comedy since "The Producers."

"The Book of Mormon," which was seven years in the making for Trey Parker and Matt Stone, opened on the Great White Way on Thursday night to reviews that said it balanced clever, humorous songs and lyrics with heartfelt reflections on faith.

For Broadway doubters, "the ones who say that heaven on Broadway does not exist, that it's only some myth our ancestors dreamed up, I am here to report that a newborn, old-fashioned, pleasure-giving musical has arrived," the New York Times said.

The Times said it perfectly balanced a sharp, irreverent tone, which is "blasphemous, scurrilous and more foul-mouthed than David Mamet on a blue streak," with themes that test the ideals of faith and has a heart "as pure as that of a Rodgers and Hammerstein show."

The newspaper also highlighted several catchy numbers, including about repressed Mormons, some with gay longings, called "Turn It Off" and "Joseph Smith American Moses" about the church's founder, Joseph Smith Jr.

Showbiz trade publication Variety said "Book of Mormons" surpassed musical comedy Tony winners "Spamalot" and "Avenue Q" and applauded lead actors Andrew Rannells playing an uptight, overachieving Mormon and Josh Gad as his bumbling companion, as well as actress Nikki M. James as an African local.

"Broadway hasn't seen anything like it since Mel Brooks came to town with 'The Producers,' only 'Mormon' has better songs," Variety said. "

While the show sends up the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Mormon leaders have avoided returning fire, saying in a statement: "The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change people's lives forever."

Creators Stone and Parker told Reuters recently that rather than setting out to "bash Mormons," they preferred to make a "very traditional, classic musical."

The New York Post seemed to agree, saying the show "is less about religion than (about) credulity and the need to believe, as well as the singular American gift for dreaming up great stories and enduring symbols -- and selling them to everyone on the planet."

The Wall Street Journal was among the few publications extending a sharp critique, saying while it had cheery songs, it was "slick and smutty" and "flabby, amateurish and very, very safe."

(Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

Just call me Lindsay. Not Lohan

LOS ANGELES | Fri Mar 25, 2011 1:39pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Troubled actress Lindsay Lohan is planning to join the ranks of Madonna, Prince and Bjork -- by dropping her last name, according to her mother.

"Lindsay is dropping the Lohan and just going by Lindsay," Dina Lohan told AOL celebrity news site Popeater.com on Friday.

The decision appears to be motivated by a desire to distance the "Mean Girls" actress from her estranged father Michael Lohan, who was charged earlier this week with assaulting his girlfriend and who has a history of run-ins with the law.

Dina Lohan told Popeater that she and her younger daughter Ali -- also an aspiring singer and actress -- are officially changing their last names to her maiden name, Sullivan.

Dina and Michael Lohan divorced in 2007 -- the year Lindsay was arrested for drunk driving and cocaine possession and starting a downward spiral of trips to rehab, failed drug tests and jail. The former "Parent Trap" child star is currently facing trial on a jewelry theft charge that could send her back behind bars if convicted.

Dina Lohan said her 24 year-old daughter had been thinking about dropping her last name for some time. But it was only after the infamous 2010 TV ad for online brokerage E*Trade, featuring a baby as "that milkaholic Lindsay", that the actress realized she no longer needed it.

Lindsay Lohan filed a $100 million lawsuit against E*Trade last year, saying the commercial violated her privacy, but the two sides later settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.

Lindsay's plans to go single with her name failed to impress many fans on the Popeater website. "Your name is not your problem Lindsay. It's your inflated ego, unwillingness to stay out of trouble that are," read a comment by Stephanie.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

Madonna-backed group ends plans for Malawi school

LOS ANGELES | Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:48am EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A charitable group backed by pop star Madonna has scrapped its plan to build a school for impoverished girls in Malawi due to mismanagement, the New York Times reported on Thursday.

The organization, Raising Malawi, has ousted its board of directors and replaced its members with a new set of officials that includes Madonna and her manager, the Times reported.

"A thoughtful decision has been made to discontinue plans for the Raising Malawi Academy for Girls, as it was originally conceived," Michael Berg, co-founder of Raising Malawi, said Thursday in an e-mail to the center's members who had contributed to the project, according to the Times.

Berg, a co-director of the spiritual and educational organization Kabbalah Center International in Los Angeles, could not be reached for comment on Thursday night.

The Times said the effort to build the Malawi school had collapsed after spending $3.8 million on the project and its executive director left in October amid criticism of his management style and cost overruns.

Madonna lent $11 million of her money to the organization. She has been a frequent visitor to Malawi and has adopted two children from the country.

On Thursday, the singer issued a statement to the Times saying she was still intent on working with Raising Malawi.

"There's a real education crisis in Malawi," she said in the statement given to the Times. "Sixty-seven percent of girls don't go to secondary school, and this is simply unacceptable."

A spokeswoman for Madonna could not be reached on Thursday night.

(Reporting by Bob Tourtellotte, editing by Anthony Boadle)

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Elizabeth Taylor laid to rest at private service

LOS ANGELES | Fri Mar 25, 2011 12:08am EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor was given a small private funeral service attended by family and close friends in the Los Angeles area on Thursday, a day after she died of congestive heart failure.

The Oscar-winning actress, 79, was laid to rest at the Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale, outside Los Angeles -- the same place where her close friend, singer Michael Jackson, was buried in 2009.

Taylor's service was scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., but started 15 minutes later than planned at the actress' request.

Her spokeswoman said in a statement Taylor wanted the service to include the announcement: "She even wanted to be late to her own funeral."

The coffin for Taylor was draped by a blanket of gardenias, violets and lily of the valley, and the actress who was known for her violet eyes was interred at Forest Lawn's Great Mausoleum beneath a marble angel.

The service lasted about one hour and included a reading of Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem "The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo" by actor Colin Farrell, described as a "close friend" of Taylor.

Other poems were read by Taylor's son, Michael Wilding, grandson and daughter Liza Burton Tivey. Her grandson, Rhys Tivey performed "Amazing Grace" on a trumpet.

Taylor, who married eight times (twice to actor Richard Burton), is survived by four children, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Her representatives previously had said that a public memorial would be announced at a later date.

Forest Lawn is also the burial place of many Hollywood celebrities, including Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and Walt Disney.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Royal wedding recording to be online within hours

LONDON | Wed Mar 23, 2011 8:15am EDT

LONDON (Reuters) - The official recording of the royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29 will be available to download within hours of the service finishing.

Decca Records, part of the Universal Music label which also released the recordings of Prince Charles's wedding in 1981 and Princess Diana's funeral in 1997, will have a recording of the royal nuptials for sale on the net within hours and then release the official album of the marriage ceremony on May 5.

The physical album will include a booklet containing the order of service, readings, vows, hymns and blessings, as well as all the music. The format of release will be digital download, CD, vinyl and cassette to cater for all consumers.

The ceremony will be released digitally by Decca on the world's leading download and streaming platforms immediately following the service in London's Westminster Abbey.

"Thanks to digital technology we will be able to deliver it worldwide almost instantly -- it will be the fastest we have ever released an album of this stature," said David Joseph, chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK.

Musicians already confirmed to perform at the ceremony include The Choir of Westminster Abbey, The Chapel Royal Choir, The London Chamber Orchestra and The Fanfare Team from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force.

The Choirs will be under the direction of James O'Donnell and The London Chamber Orchestra conducted by its Music Director and Principal Conductor Christopher Warren-Green.

Hundreds of millions of people are expected to tune in and watch the wedding next month, and Decca is predicting the album will score well in digital charts around the world.

No pop acts have yet been announced for the ceremony.

Elton John performed a revised version of his hit "Candle in the Wind" at Diana's funeral, and it went on to become one of the best selling singles of all time.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

British rock stars to play Japan benefit concert

LONDON | Tue Mar 22, 2011 8:53am EDT

LONDON (Reuters) - British rock stars including Richard Ashcroft, Paul Weller and Liam Gallagher of Oasis fame will play a charity gig next month to raise funds for the British Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal.

The benefit concert will be held at the Brixton O2 Academy in south London on April 3, and the lineup includes Beady Eye, the band which Gallagher formed after Oasis broke up, Primal Scream, The Coral and Graham Coxon of Blur.

"With images beamed worldwide as they occurred, the horrific tragedy that beset Japan in recent days has affected everybody," Beady Eye said in a statement on its website.

"In response, a collection of Britain's finest rock musicians have heeded the rallying call and come together to present a very special one-off event.

"Beady Eye -- who still have fond memories of their concert in Sendai as Oasis in 2002 -- are delighted their idea for a benefit gig has come together so quickly and with such fantastic support."

The concert follows Monday's announcement that Universal Music was putting together a digital-only album featuring tracks from some of its leading artists, including Justin Bieber and U2, to raise money for victims of the Japanese disaster.

More than 9,000 people have been confirmed dead after the March 11 earthquake and resulting tsunami, while more than 13,500 are reported missing.

Tickets to the concert go on sale from Friday morning and can be ordered via www.gigsandtours.com, www.ticketweb.co.uk and www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White; Editing by Steve Addison)

Monday, March 21, 2011

Jeff Daniels eyed for new Sorkin television drama

By Lacey Rose

Mon Mar 21, 2011 4:34pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - In a high-profile plot twist, Aaron Sorkin's TV pilot is close to nabbing actor Jeff Daniels as its star.

The hotly anticipated drama pilot, tentatively titled "More As the Story Develops," is set behind the scenes of a nightly cable news show.

Similarly, Sorkin's "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" was a behind-the-scenes look at a "Saturday Night Live"-type sketch comedy show, and "Sports Night" was a similar take on a "SportsCenter"-like sports news program.

Sorkin spent time with high profile cable newsmen, including Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews, among others, to better understand the world he planned to recreate.

Daniels, 56, is currently negotiating for the lead role, which was originally written for as a character in their 40s.

If the project goes to series, it will mark the actor's first foray into regular series television. Previous TV credits include several telefilms, including 2008's "Sweet Nothing in My Ear" for Hallmark Channel.

Daniels is better known to stage and film audiences for a prolific career that includes "Dumb & Dumber," "The Squid and the Whale" and "State of Play," among others.

For Sorkin, who won an Oscar last month for his screenplay for "The Social Network," the project will be his first in cable. His earlier series, "Sports Night," "The West Wing" and "Studio 60" aired on broadcast networks ABC or NBC.

Scott Rudin, who worked with Sorkin on "Social Network" and will also serve as an executive producer on the HBO project, dabbled in series television only once in the mid-1990s, when ABC adapted "Clueless," which he had produced for the big screen.

U2, Rihanna featured on new album to aid Japan

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Sunday, March 20, 2011

Justin Bieber passes Michael Jackson at box office

By Pamela McClintock

Sun Mar 20, 2011 7:37pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The Biebs hasn't disappointed on the big screen.

Paramount's "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" has now surpassed Michael Jackson This Is It to become the most successful concert-themed movie at the domestic box office.

Through Sunday, Justin Bieber had earned $72.2 million at the domestic box office. Sony's "This Is It" grossed $72.1 million domestically.

However, This Is It still holds the worldwide record, having grossed $189.1 million overseas for a global total of $261.2 million. Usually, concert films don't travel well.

"Never Say Never" has grossed $10.8 million at the international box office, a solid number, considering that the Jonas Brothers' concert film grossed only $4 million internationally, while "Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour" earned $5 million. "Hannah Montana" grossed $65 million domestically.

Paramount insiders believe Justin Bieber could ultimately earn $20 million internationally. So far, the movie has done best in Latin America, where star's fan base is strongest.

Justin Bieber was produced by Paramount's low-budget division Insurge Pictures. The studio has shied way from calling the film a concert movie, since it delves into Bieber's childhood and rise to pop icon status.

Paramount also took the unprecedented step of updating the movie with new footage early in its theatrical release, so as to encourage repeat business. The move worked.

Friday, March 18, 2011

No script. All riff. Sheen tour details trickle out

LOS ANGELES | Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:00pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Charlie Sheen plans to "riff like an artist" from memory rather than use a script on his 21-date "Torpedo of Truth" tour next month, delivering a mostly spoken word performance of about 80 minutes, according to one of the show's producers.

Joey Scoleri told E! News in an interview on Friday that audiences would also get to ask questions of the fired "Two and a Half Men" actor, and he promised a "wild ride of highs and lows and dark and light and laughter and being surprised."

Few details have so far been released of the tour, which sold out quickly in several U.S. cities after the massive publicity enjoyed by Sheen's bizarre rants and his exit from the most-watched comedy on television.

The description on the Ticketmaster website for "Charlie Sheen's Violent Torpedo of Truth Defeat Is Not an Option" show reads merely; ""Will there be surprises? Will there be guests? Will there be mayhem? Will you laugh? Will you scream? Will you know the truth? WILL THERE BE MORE?!?! This IS where you will hear the REAL story from the Warlock. Bring it. I dare you to keep up with me."

Scoleri told E! News that Sheen was not using any writers.

"It's all Charlie. I don't think it's a script, as much as he is going to riff like an artist...He will probably do most of it from memory, he's that talented."

"There will be some multimedia, but largely just him and a microphone and he's going to talk, and having heard some of the stuff he is going to say, people are going to be pleasantly surprised. There will be some things that are shocking and provoking, but you're going to laugh," he added.

Sheen, who has been in and out of drug and alcohol rehab in the past year, was the highest paid actor on U.S. television before he was fired on March 7 because of what executives called his "dangerously self-destructive conduct".

Sheen fired back with a $100 million lawsuit against Warner Bros. Television and the show's producer Chuck Lorre claiming he was wrongfully terminated.

Scoleri said Sheen could make "several hundred thousand" dollars from each of his live shows but declined to give precise figures.

Celebrity website TMZ on Friday estimated he could rake in $7 million from ticket sales, merchandising and after-parties -- the equivalent of his salary for about four episodes for playing a skirt-chasing bachelor on "Two and A Half Men."

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

Jackson dad renews call for new probe of son's death

By Tracy Rucinski

MADRID | Fri Mar 18, 2011 3:19pm EDT

MADRID (Reuters) - A week before jury selection begins in the manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's doctor, the late singer's father renewed calls for a federal probe into his son's death based on his belief a conspiracy was at work.

Joe Jackson, in Madrid to promote a worldwide tour of the hit Spanish musical "Forever King of Pop," said on Friday he believes Dr. Conrad Murray was acting on behalf of other people involved in Michael's career and said Michael had warned his family he would be killed over the publishing rights to hit songs such as "Thriller" and "Billie Jean."

"I want to get the other people that's involved, not just Dr. Murray. That's why I'm trying to get a federal investigation, so they can grab them all," Jackson said.

He characterized Murray as "just the fall guy," in an interview with Reuters, but declined to say who else he thought might be to blame in the death of his superstar son.

"I'm not calling names, but they know who they are," said the patriarch of the family of Jackson singers who helped define the Motown sound of the late 1960s and '70s.

"Michael knew that something was going to happen to him before it happened," said Joe Jackson, who wore his customary black fedora and gold chains.

Michael Jackson, dubbed the King of Pop for his many hits, died in 2009 at age 50 in Los Angeles of a drug overdose only days before he was to begin a series of comeback concerts in London. Murray was hired by concert promoters AEG Live to care for the singer as he rehearsed, and he was giving Jackson the anesthetic propofol to help him sleep at home.

But propofol typically is used in hospitals, not as a sleep aid. Coroners have ruled propofol was the key drug that caused Jackson's death and prosecutors have charged Murray with involuntary manslaughter for improperly administering it.

Murray has pleaded not guilty, and lawyers begin jury selection next week for a trial set to begin in Los Angeles on May 9.

JACKSON'S LEGACY

Joe Jackson was in Madrid to present an agreement between the Jackson Family Foundation and the Summum Music production company for a worldwide tour of the hit Spanish musical "Forever King of Pop," which the Jackson family has chosen "to represent Michael's legacy across the world."

Earlier this week Jermaine Jackson, the brother of Michael and a member of the Jackson Five singers, reached a deal with Crown publishing to release a memoir detailing his brother's life and promising to leave "no subject off limits."

In his life, Michael Jackson had claimed his father was abusive.

On Friday, Joe Jackson declined to comment on Jermaine's book, saying he was working on his own. He did not give details of his memoir, other than saying it would look at his "hard times" early in life, raising a family, working many jobs and molding his sons into the pop stars they eventually became.

Jermaine Jackson's book, titled "You Are Not Alone: Through a Brother's Eyes," is set for release in fall 2011.

A trio of new entries enter crowded box office field

By Pamela McClintock

Fri Mar 18, 2011 1:58pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The weekend box office could see a close battle between three new titles -- Relativity Media's Bradley Cooper starrer "Limitless," Lionsgate's Matthew McConaughey legal thriller "The Lincoln Lawyer" and Universal's raunchy alien comedy "Paul."

All are expected to open in the low to mid teens, give or take.

If that holds true, Sony's holdover "Battle: Los Angeles" has a fighting chance of staying at the top of the chart. "Battle: L.A.," opening to $35.6 million last weekend, had earned $44 million through Wednesday.

Paramount's "Rango," coming in No. 2 last weekend, also is expected to remain a popular choice. The quirky toon's total gross through Wednesday was $75.2 million.

Disney's ill-fated toon "Mars Needs Moms" enters its second frame after opening to just $6.9 million.

"Limitless" could have an edge over the competition, since tracking shows it appealing to the broadest audience. Directed by Neil Burger, the film also stars Abbie Cornish and Robert De Niro.

In the movie, Cooper stars as a down-and-out man whose life is transformed when he takes a drug that optimizes untapped parts of his brain.

"Limitless," costing $27 million to make, was co-produced by Relativity and Virgin Produced. (It's the debut title from Richard Branson's company.)

Relativity said it is already in good shape with "Limitless," since much of the film's budget was financed by foreign presales along with an upfront payment from Netflix for home entertainment rights.

If "Limitless" does well, it will mark a key moment for Relativity's new distribution and marketing division. The company's first few releases have struggled at the box office.

"Limitless" has an advantage in being rated PG-13. Both "Lincoln Lawyer" and "Paul" are rated R.

Lionsgate made "Lincoln Lawyer" in partnership with Lakeshore Entertainment. The mini-major took an equity stake in the film, while Lakeshore paid for marketing and helped coordinate foreign presales.

"Lincoln Lawyer" -- based on Michael Connelly's novel -- is showing the most interest among women over the age of 25, followed by older males. The film has a strong cast, including Ryan Phillippe, Marisa Tomei, William H. Macy and Josh Lucas.

Lionsgate said a big opening for "Lincoln Lawyer" isn't important, since adult-skewing titles tend to build over time.

To promote the film as it opens, Lionsgate teamed with Groupon to offer discounted tickets for this weekend. It's the first time a Hollywood studio has teamed with Groupon, although there have been several movie promotions offered by LivingSocial.

Former Shadows guitarist Jet Harris dies: media

LONDON | Fri Mar 18, 2011 2:23pm EDT

LONDON (Reuters) - British musician Jet Harris, who played bass guitar in Cliff Richard's band The Shadows, has died aged 71, British media reported on Friday.

Terence Harris, nicknamed "Jet" because he was one of the fastest runners in his school, was introduced to Richard in 1958, and his website credits him with coming up with the name The Shadows.

"Jet was exactly what the Shadows and I needed -- a backbone holding our sound together," Richard said in a statement.

"Jet, the bass player, will always be an integral part of British rock'n'roll history. Losing him is sad -- but the great memories will stay with me. Rock on, Jet."

With The Shadows, Harris enjoyed a string of hits in the late 1950s and early 1960s including "High Class Baby," the chart-topping "Apache" and "Guitar Tango." His last recording with the band was "Wonderful Land" in 1962, which also made it to number one in the British charts.

After leaving the group, Harris teamed up with former Shadows bandmate Tony Meehan and again reached number one with "Diamonds" in 1963.

After a serious car crash nearly ended his career he faded from the limelight, although he did tour in Europe and release several albums. As his success as a musician faded, Harris became a professional photographer.

He was made an MBE for his services to music, and died after a two-year battle with cancer. Earlier this month he was forced to cancel all appearances due to ill health.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White; Editng by Jill Serjeant)

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Bullock joins Hollywood pack in aid to Japan

LOS ANGELES | Thu Mar 17, 2011 7:23pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Hollywood has made plenty of disaster movies, but the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan is no fiction and the entertainment industry has responded to the dire situation there with generosity.

Oscar winner Sandra Bullock became the latest to join the cause when the American Red Cross said on Thursday that she had given $1 million to help victims of the disaster in Japan.

Several other celebrities and Hollywood studios have also pledged support to the nation.

Charlie Sheen, the embattled Hollywood bad boy, is donating $1 per ticket for all his upcoming live stage shows to the Red Cross.

Pop star Lady Gaga designed a bracelet for Japan relief and within 48 hours it raised $250,000, with sales ongoing.

Singer Katy Perry is donating sales of glow sticks on her concert tour to Red Cross relief in Japan.

Earlier this week, the Walt Disney Co donated $2.5 million to the American Red Cross for humanitarian efforts in Japan, and it also said it would match employee donations up to a total of $1 million.

The Warner Bros studio has pledged DVD and Blu-ray sales of its movie "Hereafter" to Red Cross efforts in Japan.

The donation by Bullock stands out as one of the biggest donations by a single Hollywood star.

The American Red Cross, which earlier this week announced an initial contribution of $10 million to the Japanese Red Cross Society, said it was "extremely grateful" to Bullock and her family for the gift.

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis: Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)