Daily Variety back issues from June 2005:
It's a jungle out there for D'Works.(Dreamworks SKG)
Jun 01, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Hollywood may be happy with "Madagascar," but Wall Street isn't: Despite meeting industry expectations, the pic's $61 million bow sent DreamWorks Animation stock tumbling 9% on Monday. Some investors were also rattled by a front-page Wall Street Journal story ...
B'way's big finish: B.O. dips, but tix show kick.
Jun 01, 2005; ... Despite several record-setting weeks during the past three months and higher overall attendance figures, Broadway did not set a box office record for the 2004-05 season, which ended Sunday. Most new shows in the season's first nine months generated lackluster B.O., and boffo ...
Rise, shine for ad coin.(advertising)(ABC)
Jun 01, 2005; ... ABC hauled in $2.1 billion in advertising commitments for the coming season, a 30% increase from 2004, driven by a spate of hit shows including "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lost." The Disney-owned network's tally, which included cost-per-thousand (CPM) rate ...
Hillary hits H'wood with an eye on '08.(Hillary Rodham Clinton, hollywood)
Jun 01, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Hollywood's Democratic donors may be only now recovering from what to them were the disappointing results of the last presidential election, but the next political cycle is already getting under way. Tonight, Sen. Hillary Clinton will swing through Hollywood for two ...
Obi-Wan's four play.(Ewan McGregor, movie roles)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005; ... LONDON -- Ewan McGregor has committed to his next four movie roles, all in a single film--an untitled British comedy written and to be directed by fellow Scot Peter Capaldi. In the period film within a period film, McGregor will playa 1930s Hollywood star, his stand-in and both ...
Par puts vet on the 'Job'.(Paramount)
Jun 01, 2005; ... David Twohy has set up a trio of writing assignments, one of which will turn his original heist pic premise into "The Brazilian Job," the sequel to Paramount hit remake "The Italian Job." Twohy, whom Par has also tapped to direct his script "The Would-Be Warrior" for ...
A handy guide to Bruckheimer's America: the nation, as imagined by TV's prolific producer, is full of crime and beautiful people.
Jun 01, 2005; ... INTERNATIONAL TV BUYERS have been in L.A. in recent weeks deciding which U.S. programs to export home, sifting through a crop of shows that, based on the upfront presentations, are all being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. OK, that's an exaggeration, but Bruckheimer's shingle has ...
Donmar lineup makes splash.(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005; ... LONDON -- Ian McKellen will make his first appearance at the Donmar early next year in a new Mark Ravenhill play, "The Cut," while the fall kicks off with the return of Simon Russell Beale to the popular studio theater in Christopher Hampton's "The Philanthropist." The two ...
Original Turnblad returns.(Marissa Jaret Winokur)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005; ... Marissa Jaret Winokur, Broadway's original Tracy Turnblad, returns to "Hairspray" June 13 for a monthlong stint. The actress won the 2003 Tony for her turn as Turnblad and left the show in August of that year. Since then, she has been seen in the movie "Fever Pitch" and sitcom ...
UTA signs 'Grudge' star.(United Television Artists, Sarah Michelle Gellar )(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Sarah Michelle Gellar has signed with UTA. Thesp, who most recently toplined Sony's horror smash "The Grudge," is looking to move into producing, with a focus on features. UTA will assist in those efforts while also repping Gellar in all other areas. ...
IATSE unionizes 'Campus'.(Intl. Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- The Intl. Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees has unionized the crew of Oxygen Networks' upcoming "Campus Ladies" from Campus Ladies Prods. The union said the Los Angeles-based television series, with a budget of under $400,000, has an order of 10 episodes and is ...
Weinsteins' 'Pulse' quickens with thrush.(planning for cult movie)
Jun 01, 2005; ... Pop songbird-actress Christina Milian has been cast opposite Kristen Bell in "Pulse"--a remake of cult Japanese helmer Kiyoshi Kurosawa's "Kairo"--for Bob and Harvey Weinstein's Weinstein Co. Pic, set to lense this month in Romania, is based on an adaptation by Wes Craven and ...
WB out of the kiddie pool.(Warner Bros.)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005; ... Both off-network and firstrun surfaced bigtime in the TV syndication business on Monday: * The WB will buy off-net series aimed at adults 18-49 to replace its two-hour children's block of shows weekdays at 3 p.m., beginning in January. * NBC Universal TV filled in ...
Arau joins Ofrenda roster.(Sergio Arau)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005; ... MEXICO CITY -- "A Day Without a Mexican" helmer Sergio Arau has signed with Ofrenda, an agency specializing in Latino directors. Pic was the top-grossing Mexican film of 2004, bringing in $5.8 million at the local box office and $4.2 million in a limited Stateside release. ...
Weekend to forget: Memorial Day sesh weak at Broadway B.O.(box office)
Jun 01, 2005; ... Memorial Day is one holiday weekend Broadway does not love. As in years past, box office for the frame fell $809,687 or 4.32% as 35 shows brought in $17,939,118. Good weather also kept people outdoors and not in theaters. Most shows' receipts slipped, but none took drastic dips ....
Fox 'Kitchen' cookin' as reality ramps up.(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005; ... Fox served up some promising numbers Monday night for "Hell's Kitchen," the first of a flurry of unscripted series to bow on the broadcast nets over the next few weeks. Show, a culinary boot camp that features a group of aspiring restaurateurs opening a top-class eatery overseen ...
MSNBC skeds Carlson yakker.(MSNBC Cable Network)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005; ... The bowtie is back. Conservative pundit Tucker Carlson's MSNBC primetime skein, "The Situation With Tucker Carlson," will bow June 13 at 9/10 p.m. PT. The show will dissect the news of the day with in-depth interviews with business, cultural and political leaders ....
Digital Entertainment Group.(Bob Chapek, Peter Staddon, Sandy Friedman appointed)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005 ... * Buena Vista Home Entertainment prexy Bob Chapek has been reelected president of the board of DEG: the Digital Entertainment Group. Peter Staddon, exec VP, marketing, at Fox Home Entertainment, has been elected VP of the nonprofit promotional trade org for the first time, ...
Geneon Entertainment.(Geneon Entertainment USA, Inc.)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005 ... * Long Beach, Calif.-based DVD distrib Geneon Entertainment has acquired a series of Japanese anime and live-action properties. Among the Japanese titles heading to DVD this year are "Hellsing Ultimate OVA Series," from animation house ...
Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool.
Jun 01, 2005; ... (Docu; Turner Classic Movies; Wed., June 1, 8 p.m.) Filmed in various locations by Turner Classic Movies. Executive producer, Leslie Greif; producers, Mimi Friedman, Hillard Elkins, Julie Frankel; director-writer, Friedman; editor, Nathan Erickson. 90 MIN. Lawrence ...
BFE.(Butt-Fuck Egypt)(Theater Review)
Jun 01, 2005; ... (Playwrights Horizons; 96 seats; $38) A Playwrights Horizons presentation, in association with Long Wharf Theater, of a play in one act by Julia Cho. Directed by Gordon Edelstein. Sets, Takeshi Kata; costumes, Jayde Chabot; lighting, Paul Whitaker; sound, Andre J. Pluess, Ben ...
Bruce and Me.(Movie Review)
Jun 01, 2005; ... (Docu--Australia-Canada) A Films Transit Intl. presentation of an Outlaw Pictures production in association with the Australian Broadcasting Corp., Life Network, Discovery Health Channel, Independent Film Channel Canada and Finnish Broadcasting Co. Produced by Oren Siedler, Ed ...
Showbiz stocks: Tuesday, May 31, 2005.(Illustration)
Jun 01, 2005 ... <Pre> SHOWBIZ STOCKS Tuesday, May 31, 2005YTD Name Tkr PE Last Chg%Chg AcmeCmACME ... 3.96+.10 -43.5 ActvsnATVI 2415.80+.42+4.4 AllAtlAACB ......
Weekend stats.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
Jun 01, 2005 ... <Pre> WEEKEND STATS Nielsen EDI A Service of Nielsen Entertainment Domestic Box Office $231.8 million May 27-30, 2005 vs. last year * -6% Daily Breakdown (in millions of $) FRI. $54.4 SAT. $68.0 SUN. $60.0 MON. $49.4 Note: Table ...
Film box office wrap: for the weekend of May 27-30.(Illustration)
Jun 01, 2005 ... <Pre> FILM BOX OFFICE WRAP FOR THE WEEKEND OF MAY 27-30 Ranking Reported This Last Weekend Pct. Week Week Title (Distributor) BoxofficeChange *1 1 ...
Red Light Winter.(Theater Review)
Jun 01, 2005; ... Red Light Winter (Steppenwolf Theater, Chicago; 80 seats, $15 top) A Steppenwolf Theater production of a play in two acts by Adam Rapp. Directed by Rapp. Sets, Todd Rosenthal; costumes, Michele Tesdall; lighting, Keith Parham; sound, Andre Pluess, Ben Sussman; production stage ...
Public Exposure.(Theater Review)
Jun 01, 2005; ... Public Exposure (Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater. Wellfleet Harbor: Mass.: 90 seats: $25 top) A Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater presentation of a play in one act by Robert Reich. Directed by Gip Hoppe. Sets, Dan Joy; costumes, Nathalie Ferrier; lighting, Christopher Ostrom; ...
Beauty and the Geek.(Television Program Review)
Jun 01, 2005; ... Beauty and the Geek (Series: WB, Wed. June 1, 8 p.m.) Filmed in Los Angeles by Katalyst Films and 3 Ball Prods. Executive producers, Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg, J.D. Roth, Todd A. Nelson, John Foy, Nick Santora; co-executive producers, Brian Richardson, Eli Holzman, Troy ...
Hot format for Univision Radio.
Jun 01, 2005; ... MIAMI -- Univision Radio, a division of Spanish-lingo media group Univision Communications, on Friday launched La Kalle 105.9/92.7 FM, a youth-targeted Spanish-language radio station. The station targets New York ...
Getting the word out isn't cheap.
Jun 01, 2005; ... An Emmy win can enhance a show, studio, network and a star but, like anything else, comes at a high price. With the Emmy Awards campaign in full swing, that sound you hear in the distance is the cha-ching of cash registers at video production facilities, design companies, ...
Memorex moments: pre-recorded speeches make room for snazzier show.
Jun 01, 2005; ... Stung by last year's ratings dip, the Academy of TV Arts & Sciences is still searching for the answer to its Emmycast conundrum. Just 14 million viewers caught the 2004 broadcast, the event's second-smallest audience. With other kudo fests such as the Golden Globes battling ...
Rejuvenation station: skeins considered past their prime enjoy creative revivals, critical comebacks.
Jun 01, 2005; ... With the Bartlet administration on the way out, there were some industry observers who believed at the beginning of last season that "The West Wing" was nearing its end as well. The handoff from show creator Aaron Sorkin to John Wells in 2003 made many hard-core viewers nervous ....
Calendar.
Jun 01, 2005 ... WEEK OF JUNE 6: Nominating ballots are mailed and posted on the Academy's Web site. JUNE 22: Postmark deadline for returning the nominating ballots to Ernst & Young. JULY 14: Nominations are announced from the Leonard Goldenson Theater at 5:35 a.m. WEEK ...
Forgotten freshmen: a category for first-time shows would give those new series equal footing with vets.
Jun 01, 2005; ... The easiest way to get an Emmy nomination is to have already gotten an Emmy nomination, which is why some quarters of the TV Academy have been pushing for a return of the new series award, last seen in the early '70s. This, supporters reason, would help alleviate one of the ...
A win's a win ... but is anyone watching?
Jun 01, 2005; ... So what exactly does an Emmy win mean? Well, in terms of ratings, maybe not so much. At last year's show at the Shrine Auditorium--to collective gasps, high-fives and backslapping among both Fox execs and the series' cast and crew--"Arrested Development" won for ...
One last hurrah: 'Raymond' and cop stalwart 'Blue' bow out with quality final seasons.
Jun 01, 2005; ... New York's finest and funniest have exited stage right--but not before scoring some of the all-time biggest Emmy hauls. "NYPD Blue," winner of drama in 1995, and "Everybody Loves Raymond," which took home the comedy trophy in 2003, are coming off strong final seasons. This ...
B'cast lineup proves potent.(broadcasting)
Jun 01, 2005; ... Television critics are always whining about somebody else's scheduling. But we never step up and write a sked of our own, though that's mostly because networks have the good sense not to hire us. Well, for a change, we're playing a little "what if" here. What if a critic could ...
Peacock powerhouse: twenty years ago, 'Cosby' wore the crown as comedy king on a night dominated by NBC.
Jun 01, 2005; ... With NBC currently in fourth place, what Jeff Zucker needs--besides a handful of hit shows and a stranglehold on the 18-49 demo--is a potent dose of nostalgia, circa 1985. Twenty years ago, the Emmys were awash in Peacock feathers. Four of the five nominees in the comedy series ...
Three Times.(Movie Review)
Jun 01, 2005; ... (ZUIHAODE SHIGUANG) (Taiwan) A Sinomovie.com, Paradis Films, Orly Films presentation of a Sinomovie.com production. (International sales: Celluloid Dreams, Paris.) Produced by Chang Huafu. Executive producer, Hwarng Wernying. Directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien ....
Happy Hour.(Theater Review)
Jun 01, 2005; ... (12 Miles" West, Bloomfield, N.J.; 99 seats; $25) A 12 Miles West Center for the Arts presentation of a play in two acts by John Wooten. Directed by Lenny Bart. Set, Jessica Parks; costumes, Liz Zazzi; lighting and sound, Sean Hennessy; production stage manager, Dawn M ....
Crazy Eyes.(Theater Review)
Jun 01, 2005; ... Provincetown Repertory Theater Provincetown, Mass.; 105 seats; $28 top) A Provincetown Repertory Theater presentation of a play in two acts by John Buffalo Mailer. Directed by Paul Eckstein. Sets, Scott White; costumes, Carol Sherry; lighting, Mark Lanks; sound, Bruce Maclean; ...
Ralph Winter Prods.(Susana Zepeda appointed)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005 ... Susana Zepeda has been tapped VP of Ralph Winter Prods. ("X-Men" "Fantastic Four"), which has a deal at ...
Universal Studios Home Entertainment.(Jeff Herrera appointed)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005 ... Jeff Herrera has been appointed VP, multicultural marketing for ...
New Line.(EXEC SHUFFLE)(Lina J.C. promoted in New Line Cinema Corp.)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005 ... New Line has upped Lina J.C. Plath to VP of national publicity in ...
Universal Pictures.(EXEC SHUFFLE)(Austin Barker promoted)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005 ... Austin Barker has been promoted to VE broadcast assets, for Universal ...
Bob Gold & Associates.(EXEC SHUFFLE)(Art Maulsby appointed)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005 ... Bob Gold & Associates has named Art Maulsby as the firm's executive ...
Buena Vista Intl. Television.(EXEC SHUFFLE)(Catherine Powell appointed and Laura Galiaote pormoted)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005 ... Buena Vista Intl. Television has appointed Catherine Powell as sales director, U.K. and Ireland. She was creative ...
5.1 Production Services.(EXEC SHUFFLE)(Tom Hutten appointed to new office)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005 ... 5.1 Production Services has opened its first office in New York City and named Tom Hutten to the newly ...
Univision Communications.(EXEC SHUFFLE)(Peter Lori promoted )(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005 ... U.S. Spanish-language media conglom Univision Communications has tapped former KPMG audit ...
Buena Vista Home Entertainment.(EXEC SHUFFLE)(Scott Guthrie appointed)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005 ... Scott Guthrie has been promoted to senior VP, sales and distribution, for Buena Vista Home Entertainment. He was VP, sales and ...
Par vet plays a Vital role.(Jack Waterman appointed to VitalStream)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Jack Waterman, the former president of Paramount Worldwide Pay TV, has joined VitalStream, a streaming media solutions and content delivery provider, as its chief executive officer. Waterman will be responsible for the overall direction and management of publicly ...
Top 10 films in Manhattan: for the weekend of May 27-30, 2005.
Jun 01, 2005 ... <Pre> TOP 10 FILMS IN MANHATTAN % changevs. last Rank Wknd. B.O. Film (distributor) wknd. *1.$799,044Star Wars: Episode III ... (Fox) -46 ...
Broadway top 10: May 23-29, 2005.(theater play market share)(Illustration)
Jun 01, 2005 ... <Pre> BROADWAY TOP 10: May 23-29, 2005 Week's Net Prev Show Receipts Week's $Change (Theater)PotentialNet Avg. (Prod. Category) (Seats)Net ReceiptsReceipts Tick ...
Exclusives report: for the weekend of May 27-30, 2005.(Illustration)
Jun 01, 2005 ... <Pre> EXCLUSIVES REPORT For the weekend of May 27-30, 2005 NEW YORK Weekend Film Cir- Theater, B.O. (distributor) cuit city gross Bunty Aur Babli Local Engmnts.: 2 Wknd. Total ...
Coca--The Dove from Chechnya: Europe in Denial of a War.(Coca - Die Taube aus Tschetschenien Europa und sein verleugneter Krieg)(Movie Review)
Jun 01, 2005; ... (COCA DIE TAUBE AUS TSCHETSCHENIEN: EUROPA UND SEIN VERLEUGNETER KRIEG) (Docu Switzerland) A Doc Prods., Eric Bergkraut production in association with SF DRS, SRG SSR idee suisee, ARTE, YLE TV1. Producer, Rose-Marie Schneider. Executive producer, Schneider ....
Leiner goes to 'Fetch' pic.(Danny Leiner to direct movie for Columbia Pictures)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005; ... HOLLYWOOD -- Danny Leiner will direct the romantic comedy "Fetch," which Neal Moritz's Original Film is producing for Columbia. Written by Jeff Lowell, pic is described as "Look Who's Talking," but features a dog instead of a baby. Original's Moritz and Ori Marmur ...
TF1 falters as M6 aud share rises.(Societe Nationale Television Francaise 1 has disappointing first-quarter results)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005; ... PARIS -- Shares in Gallic commercial broadcaster M6 rose Tuesday, riding high on a hike in audience figures, while market leader TF1 saw its share price fall on disappointing first-quarter results. TF1 reported lower than expected net profit of $76.55 million, down 14.1% on the ...
Kinowelt nabs four Epsilon pix.(Kinowelt Filmverleih gains rights for four movies)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005; ... BERLIN -- Kinowelt has picked up German rights to four pics, including Demi Moore starrer "Hall Light" from Craig Rosenberg and Kevin Reynolds' medieval love story "Tristan & Isolde," starring James Franco and Sophia Myles. The producer-distrib acquired the pies from Epsilon, ...
'Postman' rings U.S.: Beeb puppet show to debut on HBO Family.(Home box office Inc., ER group)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005; ... LONDON -- The venerable British preschool TV skein "Postman Pat" is set to make its U.S. debut this fall on HBO Family. Entertainment Rights, which owns the character, will support the U.S. launch with consumer products, to be rolled out in 2006. Postman Par, a ...
Italy opts for money man as RAI prexy.(Andrea Monorchio as incharge of administrator)
Jun 01, 2005; ... ROME -- Italy has selected the bureaucrat formerly in charge of administering the country's finances as prexy of pubcaster RAI. The choice of Andrea Monorchio is a surprise as appointment to the post, along with all the other top jobs at the three-channel, state-run web, is ...
Japan makes Real deal.(Pony Canyon Distributors Inc., Phantom Film gain theaterical rights of Real)(Real Madrid Television)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005; ... MADRID -- Japan's Pony Canyon and Phantom Film have taken Japanese DVD/video and theatrical rights, respectively, to "Real, the Movie." Pic is the official film of Real Madrid, the second richest soccer club in the world. Spanish distribution and sales house Sogepaq has also ...
Geldof acts in concert for Live 8.(Bob Geldof, Midge Ure to participate)(Brief Article)
Jun 01, 2005; ... LONDON -- Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, the men behind Live Aid 20 years ago, Tuesday confirmed plans for Live 8--a series of free music festivals designed to put pressure on the world's richest nations to eliminate Third World debt. Live 8 will coincide with the July 6-8 meeting of ...
The Warren commission.(Arnold Schwarzenegger)
Jun 01, 2005; ... Excerpted from the actor's remark; to UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy on May 21. I've never enjoyed being publicly negative about actors in public office, like Ronald Reagan, whom I really liked, or Sonny Bono or George Murphy, because I've always had a real soft ...
Car trouble.(A VARIETY OF LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
Jun 01, 2005; ... To the Editor: Re: "Dial M for Movies" (Daily Variety, March 30): It's obvious that the cellphone will become the next entertainment device. What concerns me is that the cellphone is also a car phone--and the entertainment community seems to have no problem introducing show ...
A global event.(A VARIETY OF LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
Jun 01, 2005; ... To the Editor: I read with interest the recent article and column by Peter Bart suggesting that the Shanghai International Film Festival will become a "local" event. Since its founding in 1993, the Shanghai Film Festival has always been organized strictly according ...