CBS has "high concern" about Charlie Sheen

LOS ANGELES | Fri Jan 14, 2011 1:07pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - CBS entertainment chief Nina Tassler said on Friday the TV network has "high concern" over the personal life of its "Two and a Half Men" star Charlie Sheen, and she called his situation "very complicated."

But Tassler stopped short of saying the network might take any action because Sheen shows up for work, does his job well and his show is a hit.

"We have a high level of concern. How could we not?" Tassler told television journalists, responding to questions about persistent reports of drinking and partying by Sheen.

"On a basic human level, there is concern that this man is a father, he has children, he has a family. But you can't look at it simplistically. Charlie is a professional, he comes to work, he does his job extremely well. It is very complicated," Tassler said.

"He does his job, he does it well, the show is a hit, and that's all I have to say," Tassler added.

"Two and a Half Men" is the top-rated comedy on U.S. television with an average weekly audience of some 15 million viewers, and Sheen is the industry's highest-paid star with a reported salary of $1.8 million an episode.

But the actor has barely been out of news headlines this year after a conviction last year for attacking his wife, followed by reports of an incident in New York in which he smashed up a hotel suite while partying with a porn star.

This weekend, celebrity website TMZ.com reported that Sheen was in Las Vegas and again partying hard.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

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Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg teaming on "Dad" film

By Borys Kit

Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:32pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg are in talks with Columbia Pictures to star in "I Hate You Dad," a comedy that Sandler's Happy Madison banner is producing.

The story centers on a father who moves in on the eve of his son's wedding and promptly begins feuding with the bride-to-be.

Sandler would play the dad, with Samberg as the son, even though less than 12 years separate the two in real life.

"Dad" is still in the development stages, and no director is on board, but the two actors are attached. The project is one of several in development at Happy Madison as possible starring vehicles for Sandler. Columbia initially picked up the project in August 2008.

Sandler is a "Saturday Night Live," alum while Samberg is among the current cast's stars. He has made ventures into film, starring in 2007's "Hot Rod" and playing supporting characters in such comedies as "I Love You, Man." Co-toplining a Sandler pic would give Samberg his biggest movie break yet.

Sandler, one of Hollywood's few reliable hitmakers, will next be seen in "Just Go With It," which opens February 11. Samberg will next be seen in "Friends With Benefits," Screen Gems' take on the sex-with-buddies genre that stars Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis.

(Editing by Zorianna Kit)

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Jude Law returns to London stage in "Anna Christie"

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Not yet divorced Kelsey Grammer plans Feb wedding

LOS ANGELES | Thu Jan 13, 2011 9:26pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor Kelsey Grammer said on Thursday he hopes to marry for the fourth time in February.

But his estranged wife Camille isn't so sure, and she has filed court papers opposing a quickie divorce to their 13-year marriage.

The former "Frasier" star, said in July that he was divorcing his wife, a former Playboy model and dancer who at the time was filming reality TV show "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills".

Grammer, 55, was soon seen with new girlfriend, flight attendant Kayte Walsh, 29, who in October suffered a miscarriage and lost their baby.

In an appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman", Grammer described Kayte as "my new girl."

"We're planning to get married soon," he said, then added "Sometime in February."

But Camille Grammer, 42, asked a Los Angeles judge to reject her husband's request to get a quick divorce and work out a financial settlement later.

In court papers obtained on Thursday by celebrity website TMZ.com, she claimed that Grammer wanted a fast decision "solely for the reason that he intends to remarry as soon as possible."

"I don't believe this is a sufficient reason to prejudice my rights to the community estate," Camille Grammer said. She estimated the value of the couple's various homes and property at more than $120 million.

Grammer made his Broadway debut last year in a revival of musical "La Cage aux Folles" but is best known as the egotistical therapist Frasier Crane in the TV comedies "Frasier" and "Cheers".

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

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"Spider-Man" musical delayed again

NEW YORK | Thu Jan 13, 2011 10:17pm EST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Broadway's costly "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" has been delayed again to March 15 to "fine-tune" the high-tech production and work on a new ending even as it proves a hit at box offices in previews.

Producers made the announcement late on Thursday following a series of accidents during preview performances of the $65 million show -- Broadway's most expensive ever -- that has injured four actors, as well as reports of new staging and music from director Julie Taymor and U2's Bono and The Edge.

But even in previews, fans have turned out in droves for the production that is based on the crime-fighting comic book hero who has the powers of a spider.

Separately on Thursday, The Broadway League said "Spider-Man" was the best-selling production of the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve, raking in $1.588 million at its box office.

"We are so grateful for the enthusiastic audiences who have been coming to see 'Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark' and we are dedicated to giving them the very best show we can," Taymor said in a statement.

Producers Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris said the new delay, which pushes back the opening from a previous date of February 7, was done to "fine-tune aspects of the show, including the new ending." Cohl said the date should give the creative team plenty of time to ensure a good show and added this new delay will be "the final postponement."

"We are looking for the extraordinary here, we are nearly there," Bono and The Edge added in a joint statement.

The show features massive sets and numerous stunts in which cast members soar through the air above the audience. But all the high-tech wizardry has not been without problems.

Four actors have been injured. Most recently, actor Christopher Tierney, 32, fell 30 feet from a platform and broke his ribs. He was hospitalized and had to have surgery. Following Tierney's injury, producers canceled two performances while checking safety measures.

The show had been delayed four times. Before the February 7 date, it had been set to open on January 11. Preview performances began on November 28.

Taymor and the producers have noted that many shows work out kinks and problems during previews, and "Spider-Man" is no exception. So far, audiences haven't seemed to mind.

The show's recent best-selling box office tally just beat the ticket sales of long-running musical "Wicked," which also took in $1.588 million, when numbers are rounded up, but it was $58 shy of the "Spider-Man" figure, according to the Broadway League.

"Wicked," still holds the box office record for the highest grossing show in a single week, $2.22 million in the most recent week between Christmas and New Year's Eve.

(Reporting by Basil Katz in New York and Bob Tourtellotte in Los Angeles; Editing by Jill Serjeant)

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