'Saturday Evening Live' With Jason Segel Matches Ratings High

"Saturday Evening Live" A Muppets-filled Saturday Evening Live rose inside the ratings with first-time host Jason Segel and musical guest Florence as well as the Machine.our editor recommends'SNL': 'Live! With Regis and Kelly' Holds Auditions for Regis Philbins Alternative (Video)'Saturday Evening Live': Jason Segel and Cast Member Vanessa Bayer Remember Their 'First Time' (Video)'Saturday Evening Live' Ratings Lower With Emma Stone, Coldplay SNL averaged a 4.6 rating inside the metered-market houses for NBC, up slightly from the other day's season low with second-time emcee Emma Stone and Coldplay (4.6 versus. 4.5). Sketches incorporated trying to find Regis Philbin's alternative on Live!, a Segel-Paul Rudd hug together with a Kemper-pedic bed mattress commercial. Inside the 25 areas with Citizens Meters, SNL came a few.8 rating among grownups 18-49, tying the March. 12 telecast with Charlie Day and Maroon 5 for your top rating since the season finale on May 21 with Justin Timberlake and Rhianna. As compared to the comparable telecast a year ago, that have Hathaway As Catwoman in the lead and funnily enough Florence as well as the Machine, SNL was up four percent (2.8 versus. 2.7) in Citizens Meters. Boardwalk Empire star Steve Buscemi is positioned to host on 12 ,. 3 while using Black Secrets undertaking between sketches. Former SNL regular and current Late Evening host Jimmy Fallon returns to his old haunts 2 days later with Michael Buble. Jason Segel Paul Rudd TV Ratings Saturday Evening Live The Muppets

Dwayne McDuffie and Earl Kress to Receive WGAW Animation Writing Award

Dwayne McDuffie and Earl Kress are set to receive the Writers Guild of America, West Animation Writers Caucus' 14th annual Animation Writing Award posthumously. The honor recognizes their animation writing work and their efforts to organize animation for the guild. "This year, animation lost two talented, hard-working people who have given much of themselves and their talent to our field," said AWC chairCraig Miller. "Dwayne McDuffie was a talented writer and creator of comics and animation who worked hard for others, particularly for minority writers. Earl Kress was a writer whose career included both feature and TV animation and hard work on behalf of all animation writers as a member of the WGA Animation Writers Caucus and the Animation Guild Board of Directors. Both were people I was glad to call friend and colleague, and whose efforts, it can truthfully be said, made all of us the better for them." Kress wrote forTransformers, Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, The Smurfs, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, The Little Rascals, The Berenstain Bears, Ghostbusters, Kim Possible and many more series. On the film side, he worked on Disney's The Fox and the Hound as well as several direct-to-video animated features.In 1995, Kress joined the Animation Guild's executive board and was elected vice president of the Animation Guild (Local 839) in 2004, a position he held until his death in September. McDuffie, who died in February,co-founded Milestone Media, which focused on creating black superheroes such as Hardware and Static and multi-cultural storylines.As a comic book author, McDuffie wrote for Marvel's Fantastic Four and DC's Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight and Justice League of America, among others. For TV, he wrote for Static Shock, Justice League, Ben 10: Alien Force, Teen Titans and many others. The award will be presented to McDuffie's and Kress' widows, Charlotte (Fullerton) McDuffie and Denise Kress, at the AWC's 2011 awards ceremony held Thursday tonight at WGAW headquarters.Post honorees include Mike Scully, Al Jean, Michael Reiss, Brad Bird, Linda Woolverton and Stan Berkowitz.

Legendary names general counsel

WillhiteLegendary Entertainment has attracted on J. Martin Willhite as general counsel. "We are fortunate to own Marty join we at Legendary," mentioned Legendary chairman-Boss Thomas Tull to whom Willhite will report. "His extensive legal understanding about entertainment, capital areas and financial transactions will benefit Legendary around the continuing to move forward basis." Just like a partner at La-based lawyer, Munger, Tolles & Olson, Willhite repped the William Morris Agency inside the merger with Endeavor that produced WME this past year. More youthful crowd advised Spyglass Entertainment's Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum on employment and equity possession matters simply because they increased being co-chairmen and CEOs of MGM Art galleries and repped Reveille in many areas of its $130 million purchase to Shine. Willhite also required part within the representation in the Chandler Trusts, most investor in the Occasions Mirror Corp., inside the $8 billion acquisition of Occasions Mirror for the Tribune Co. Willhite joins Legendary because the organization keeps growing the quantity of tentpoles it produces using a distribution deal with Warner Bros., increases its biz into TV and comicbooks and produces Legendary East in China. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

Tricycle taps Rubasingham

Indhu Rubasingham continues to be hired a.d. from the Tricycle Theater overtaking from Nicolas Kent, who'll leave in May after 28 years in publish. Rubasingham lately commissioned and directed the nine-play cycle "Women, Energy and Politics," and co-directed the specifically commissioned "Afghanistan -- The Truly Amazing Game" in the Tricycle as well as on tour within the U.S., including special perfs in the Government. Various other work there includes "Fabulation" and "Destroyed" by U.S. scribe Lynn Nottage and numerous productions in the Almeida, Royal Court and National theaters. Presently pointing the very first revival of scribe Marie Jones' hit Irish comedy, "Gemstones in the Pockets," in the Tricycle, Rubasingham can also be creating a tuner in the Sundance Theater Lab. In 2012 she'll preem "Belong" by Olivier award-champion Bola Agbaje in the Royal Court. She gets a theater having a worldwide status for that political aspect in its programming. Its show, "Guantanamo: Recognition Certain to Defend Freedom," compiled by Victoria Brittain and Gillian Slovo, moved towards the West Finish and performed special performances within the U.K.'s Houses of Parliament and Washington's Capitol Hill. Contact David Benedict at benedictdavid@mac.com

Navy SEALS Call Controversial New Book About Bin Laden Killing 'Not True'

In a rare public comment, a spokesman for Navy SEAL Admiral Bill McRaven called the account of the killing of Osama Bin Laden in the new book SEAL Target Geronimo by Chuck Pfarrer "not true."our editor recommends'Act of Valor' Trailer Shows Real Navy SEALS on a Fictional Mission (Video)Kathryn Bigelow's Navy Seals Project to Hit Theaters Oct. 12, 2012Second Trailer for Navy SEAL Movie 'Act of Valor' Hits the Web (Video)Kathryn Bigelow's Navy Seal Team 6 Film to Hit Theaters in 2012 The U.S. Special Operations Command is calling the former Navy SEAL's book wrong over its claims to describe the "real" version of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. PHOTOS: Best Presidents in Film and Television The book attracted attention in Hollywood when agents shopped the manuscript to producers in the weeks before publication. SEAL Target Geronimo is the latest in a series of book and film projects about the elite Navy special operations forces generally and the Bin Laden raid specifically. SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper by Howard Wasdin and Stephen Templin, which fortuitously came out just weeks after Bin Laden's death, landed on The NY Times best-seller list. The Hurt Locker team of director Kathryn Bigelow and writer Mark Boal are making a movie about the raid for Sony. STORY: Bin Laden Filmmakers Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal Shoot Back at Republican Congressman Another Navy SEALs movie, Act of Valor, is scheduled to hit theaters in February from Relativity Media. That film, made with the cooperation of the military and featuring actual soldiers, doesn't specifically deal with the Bin Laden killing. In SEAL Target Geronimo:The Inside Story of the Mission to Kill Osama bin Laden, Pfarrer, a former SEAL, offers an alternative version of the raid arguing the SEAL team shot bin Laden within 90 seconds of arriving at the Pakistan compound where the al-Qaida mastermind was holed up. Pfarrer claims the White House issued a fictional and damaging account of the raid that made the SEALs look inept. He says President Barack Obama's speedy acknowledgement of the raid was a political move that rendered much of the intelligence gathered on the raid useless. Pfarrer also called the White House version of bin Laden's shooting - that he was unarmed but trying to evade them - "murder." He said his version, which has bin Laden reaching for a gun, makes the killing legal. "It's just not true," U.S. Special Operations Command spokesman Col. Tim Nye said on behalf of Admiral McRaven. "It's not how it happened." Pfarrer has appeared on Fox News, CNN and in other venues to promote the new book. It broke into Amazon's top 20 book sales list last week and currently sits at no. 49. "I have truth on my side," Pfarrer said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I spoke to the guys on the ground and in the secondary bird," he said, referring to the aircraft full of a second SEAL team that was there to rescue the first if it came under attack so far inside Pakistan's borders. "We have never come forward and gone after an author and say, 'that is a lie,'" Nye said. "That tells you how far off the mark we believe this book is." Nye says Pfarrer had no access to any troops connected to the mission. He said there will be no investigation into whether individual SEALs spoke to Pfarrer. The Associated Press contributed to the report. Related Topics Kathryn Bigelow Mark Boal Osama Bin Laden

SAG Honours: Zooey Deschanel, Emmy Rossum Share Acting Secrets

CLAIRE DANES Barbara Mathison, Homeland (Showtime)our editor recommendsEmmy Rossum on 'Shameless' Sex Moments: 'Okay, Time for you to Take My Top Off'Why Fox is Relying on Zooey Deschanel'Homeland' Star Claire Danes States the Role 'Was Impossible to Ignore' (Video)'Parenthood's' Monica Potter: Kristina's Postpartum Depression is RealRelated Subjects•The Race This isn't a job I possibly could intuit. I just read a great deal around the CIA and bpd and met having a fairly high-ranking lady who works best for the CIA. She required me to Langley, Virginia, and that i prodded her co-workers with questions. These were incredibly responsive and generous with understanding as well as their anecdotes. I additionally met having a lady named Julie Fast, who's bipolar and it has written numerous books around the condition. I labored with my pal who's a psychiatrist, who assisted me identify Barbara and offered me a lesson on medicines accustomed to address it. The heavy research Used to do for Temple Grandin prepared me with this role. There's nothing casual about playing Barbara Mathison. My First SAG Job: Like many NYers, it had been on Law & Order. I had been 12 and performed a teenage killer. Once the episode broadcast, I acquired on the subway thinking, "Do people recognize me?" I came across, Not a chance, it doesn't work like this. PHOTOS: Elle's 18th Annual Women in Hollywood Tribute LAURA DERN Amy Jellicoe, Enlightened (Cinemax) Mike Whitened [the show creator] and that i produced Amy. It originated from my feeling -- along with a feeling that lots of have most likely felt -- there's real cultural apathy within this country but lots of rage. I needed to understand more about this rage and what goes on when it may be your finest flaw but additionally the one thing that drives you to definitely healing and effecting change on the planet. What am i saying? Since the only people taking it towards the roads are those who can't go any longer, and that we're simply because with Occupy Wall Street. I didn't need to look far outdoors myself to think about Amy, despite the fact that I'm completely different than her, since there's a seed in a lot of us that people share that Amy has. I'm a meditator of the different variety, and that i'm certainly thinking about health on all levels. I've attended spiritual training courses but possibly not with similar type of desperation mounted on it -- nothing like, "I've fallen apart, which factor better try to put me together again.Inch My First SAG Job: I had been a teenager in Adrian Lyne's 1980 film Foxes. My grandmother's favorite memory was when my SAG card arrived the mail, and that i stated, "It's time that i can get my very own banking account.Inch Then I received my salary for $9.75. PHOTOS: Behind the curtain of 'New Girl' ZOOEY DESCHANEL Jess Day, New Girl (Fox) Employed in TV means less spare time to organize, but that's good -- which means additional time on set to experiment and extremely become familiar with the figures. Jess is extremely wacky, silly and excitable and finds pleasure in many things. I'm very excitable and emotional too, in order to connect with that. My approach has were rather more intellectual, and that i enjoy doing television because I'm able to explore things each week which i wouldn't have experienced the runway space to complete before, and going through the physical comedy part continues to be really fun. I've always performed figures which are kind of removed and ones you don't really reach explore psychologically New Girl has given me an opportunity to really accept a personality. It's been great." My First SAG Job: A chapter of Veronica's Closet. I had been in senior high school. My parents wouldn't allow me to do auditions until I possibly could drive myself. MONICA POTTER Kristina Braverman, Being a parent (NBC) Kristina is definitely crying due to what's happening in her own existence. And So I do not overthink it -- I attempt to simply whether it is. However I always stay inside the frame of the items's right. We now have amazing authors. I sometimes get swept up around the words and obtain really nervous about saying them exactly as our biological forebears're written because my first show was Boston Legal with David E. Kelley. With him, you are able to't ad-lib anything. Sometimes I add my very own little Monica-isms sometimes they stick, sometimes they don't. Once they do, my loved ones spots them. For me personally, it's about being relaxed and never trying so difficult -- rather, breathing and finding yourself in as soon as. I learned acting on the way -- I didn't study it in class -- and so i do not discuss acting techniques any longer. I don't seem like I understand things i'm doing fully. My First SAG Job: A [the nineteen nineties] Peruvian kids' game show known as Nubeluz. I needed to liven up just like a cloud and fly with the air. VIDEO: 'Shameless' Season Two Sneak Look EMMY ROSSUM Fiona Gallagher, Shameless (Showtime) I have a white board during my office that charts how Fiona's feelings develop from episode to episode. That allows me visualize, inside a large-picture way, how her emotional existence tracks with every character. To experience her, I began from the host to seem: how she spoke rhythmically, how she walked. I never attempted to experience her in ways that's sexy, also it's strange in my experience that males discover the character of Fiona sexy. She doesn't fashion herself up. There's no vanity about her the greater dark circles under my eyes, the greater it's for that show. Personally i think a feeling of connectivity to her it's less difficult to get that devote my body system. My very own father left after i is at utero, also it's been a really painful factor for me personally that Fiona also offers a boy-of-a-bitch father but nonetheless wants his approval and love. There's this horrible sense of digging around something which was completely offer mattress, yet there's a continuing storm brewing underneath. This task has truly helped me pry up. My First SAG Job: On Because the World Turns. I performed Holden and Molly's daughter Abigail. I frantically wanted the part. I had been 11 coupled with been studying X and Y chromosomes, dominant genes and recessive genes. I viewed the show yesterday my audition and recognized the 2 stars who performed the mother and father both had blue eyes. I'd just learned in class that two blue-eyed parents can't possess a brown-eyed child. And So I went in to the audition and stated when they wanted me, I'd go get contact contacts to possess blue eyes. They cast me and stated, "Make certain she brings her contacts." KATEY SAGAL Gemma Teller Morrow, Sons of Anarchy (Forex) Wardrobe, hair and makeup -- it's all essential to Gemma because I don't look anything like her during my regular existence. I placed on the tats and individuals high biker boots, there's another energy. We sometimes'll perform a take, and also the camera guy will say: "We are able to't call at your ft. You don't need to put on your footwear." However they bring an important energy. TV is really fast you need to do your research. It's nothing like in film, in which you're getting 25 takes. I still use an acting coach I've always labored having a coach. It enables me arrive at the set getting attempted various things because after i make it happen, I understand I'm not getting lots of shots in internet marketing. My First SAG Job: The Failing of Raymond, a 1971 TV movie with Dean Stockwell and Jane Wyman. It had been in regards to a teacher who finds out that the student she flunked is to kill her. I had been 17, and i believe I'd one line. My dad [Boris Sagal] was the director, and that he wanted me to possess a union card. I truly just thought about being a music performer, but my father really was wise and that he understood I desired a union card. Related Subjects SAG Honours Emmy Rossum Laura Dern Zooey Deschanel Claire Danes Katey Sagal SAG Honours 2012

Justin Timberlake Moved By Marine Corps Ball

First Published: November 14, 2011 10:18 AM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Justin Timberlake attends the Friends with Benefits premiere at Ziegfeld Theater in NY City on July 18, 2011 / inset: Corporal Kelsey De SantisLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Not only was Saturdays Marine Corps Ball a party for Justin Timberlake and his date, Corporal Kelsey De Santis, it was also a night the star wont forget. After following through with his word to attend the event with the Marine, Justin wrote about his night with the men and women of the Armed Services. [The] event that turned out to be one of the most moving evenings Ive ever had, he wrote in a blog post on his website. I knew I would have an evening that I wouldnt forget Something I could tell my friends about. What I didnt know was how moved I would be by the whole experience, he continued. And what did JT think about his date? She seemed to me to be so humble and honest Very cool. She also simultaneously seemed like she was nervous about the whole evening and if I was going to enjoy myself. Are you ok? she asked 2 or 3 times. I hope you are having fun, Justin wrote. I have to tell you, its not every day that I meet a 23 year old girl and shes more worried about if Im having fun or if Im comfortable! It hit me all of a sudden that these were the type of people that look after us and our freedom Humble, concerned for others before themselves This was the type of person our Marine Corps was building. I was really blown away, he added. Justin went on to write that he loved Kelseys friends, I laughed and laughed with all of them almost immediately and felt very close to them They reminded me of my friends (the ones I like, at least). Cool, un-affected, and real. In the blog post, the singer also described the rest of his evening which included a video about Pearl Harbor, World War II and 9/11, saying he was truly moved. According to Justin, the men and women he met on Saturday in in Richmond, VA, stand in the same league as two of his other favorite people hes ever met. Adding, Ive met so many of my heroes From Michael Jordan to Michael Jackson. And, nothing makes me feel more honor and pride than when I get to meet one of you. Last night changed my life and I will never forget it Thank you Corporal Kelsey DeSantis. Thank you for inviting me. And, thank you for being my hero. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Alcon Entertainment Develops Film Output: Becomes Passive Bankers For Lionsgate

Santa Monica, CA, November 10, 2011 LIONSGATE and Alcon Entertainmenthave made the decision to co-finance the Lionsgate feature What You Should Expect When You're EXPECTING. The Two companies will probably be equally talking about the expansion and marketing costs round the film. The announcement is created with each other by Lionsgates Co-COO and Film Group Leader, Joe Drake, with Andrew Kosove and Broderick Manley, the Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of Alcon Entertainment. What You Should Expect When You're EXPECTING is scheduled for release on May 11, 2012. What You Should Expect When You're EXPECTING will probably be Alcons first investment outdoors of Warner Bros., where Alcon features a extended-standing distribution relationship. Alcons participation as passive bankers in the project signifies the Companys method to generate additional film output, and for that reason Manley and Kosove will not take producer credits Mentioned Drake in the partnership, This co-financing deal is wonderful for us because it lines up our interests there is a genuine talking about of risk capital including P&A on films that individuals both see great value to make. This deal offers a way of Lionsgate to pursue risk minimization while enabling Alcon to own bigger utilization of commercial content beyond the product they develop themselves. Broderick Manley and Andrew Kosove mentioned with each other, We are very excited being buying and selling in this particular terrific project. We've immense respect for your many business accomplishments Lionsgate has received within their history.

Berlusconi set to resign

BerlusconiSilvio Berlusconi promised on Tuesday to resign after a key vote indicated that the Italo media mogul and prime minister no longer has a majority in parliament.The move is seen as the final act in the TV tycoon's 17-year career as the leading man in Italian politics.President Giorgio Napolitano, who met Berlusconi after the vote, issued a statement saying Berlusconi had assured him he will resign after crucial economic reforms are passed in a Senate vote next week.However, opposition leader Pier Luigi Bersani pressed the prime minister to hand in his resignation immediately. Earlier in the day, a key Berlusconi coalition ally, Umberto Bossi, head of the Northern League, urged Berlusconi to step down.On the same day, his Mediaset TV group posted a 31% drop in nine-month operating profit to 368.2 million ($507.8 million), and shares closed down 2.94%.The end of Berlusconi's political cycle may take a long-term toll on Mediaset, which has long leveraged its political clout. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

'The Dark Knight Rises' Score Wants to Use Your Voice

In search of awesome alternative movie art? Look no further than these movie character portraits made entirely out of licorice. Created by Jason Mecier, the collection includes iconic characters such as Harry Potter, Willy Wonka, E.T. and even Freddy Krueger, and will feature as part of the Licorice Flix exhibit, opening Friday in Los Angeles. Other than offering the chance to see your favorite movie characters in edible form, the exhibit -- organized by iam8bit -- will also hand out a whole bunch of free Red Vines. You can check out a collection of Mecier's photos below. And if you're in the Los Angeles area, make sure to see these things in person -- it runs through Nov. 13. Just try not to eat the artwork! [via /Film and iam8bit] [All photos courtesy of Jason Mecier / iam8bit] Movie Characters Made From Licorice Charlie ChaplinE.T.Freddy KruegerHarry PotterThe KiumpsNomi Malone of 'Showgirls'Willy Wonka See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Funny Girl Revival Postponed

Lauren Ambrose The revival of Broadway's Funny Girl remains postponed, the NY Occasions reviews. "We've made the difficult decision now to postpone our output of 'Funny Girl,' producer Bob Boyett mentioned in the statement. "Due to the present economic climate, many Broadway creating traders have found it impossible to have their standard amount of financial commitment." Lauren Ambrose was set to think about inside the role of Fanny Brice, made famous by Barbra Streisand in the film and stage productions. Bobby Canavale wound up being to experience disadvantage guy Nick Arnstein. Lauren Ambrose to star in Broadway's Funny Girl revival The revival was scheduled to start getting a brief term in La from Jan. 15 to Feb. 26 after which it go to NY City in the year. Boyett added the development "needed a $12 million capital, which causes it to be most likely probably the most pricey revivals in Broadway history."

Tribeca increases for 'Sleepless'

Tribeca Film has acquired U.S. rights to "Sleep deprived Evening," french thriller that Warner Bros. has hatched expects to remake. Frederic Jardin's actioner, which preemed within the Toronto Film Festival taken, will get a 2012 U.S. release on VOD and theatrically. Toplined by Tomer Sisley, "Evening" follows a Paris cop whose robbery of the large haul of cocaine produces a extended, dangerous evening that endangers his existence as well as his son's. Jardin composed the script with Nicolas Saada and Olivier Douyere. Marco Cherqui and Lauranne Bourrachot produce. Distrbution deal was pacted by Tribeca Film's Nick Savva with Gilles Sousa and Mathieu Robinet of Bac Films, which handles the pic's worldwide rights. Film may even see release in areas like the U.K., Germany, Canada, Russia and Benelux. "Sleep deprived Evening" joins a Tribeca Film slate including approaching options "Dying from the SuperheroInch and "Detachment." Warner Bros. needed remake rights for the film in September. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com