Scenes we'd like to see play out in '12

Looking back on my formative years, it's hard to overstate how much of my world view, my sense of humor and taste for twisted satire was shaped by Mad magazine.One of my favorite features in the mag I waited eagerly for every month was the "Scenes We'd Like to See" panels. With apologies to, and great affection for, Mad's usual gang of idiots, I'm borrowing the "Scenes" conceit to shape some thoughts on things that may be on the horizon for the biz in 2012.'Gate fate: For several years now, headline writers have been pulling for a merger between Lionsgate and MGM, if only because their shared lion motif is neat and clean, and lion is a short, headline-friendly word. Alas, at this writing the buzz is that Lionsgate's courtship of fellow minimajor Summit Entertainment could be consummated in the new year. Fine, but let's keep Carl Icahn out of it, OK?Put up or shut up: There was endless talk this year about the majors experimenting with a premium VOD release window for new feature releases. But for all the hubbub, it was still only baby steps. The offerings that are out there don't seem to have made a big impression with consumers, probably because the marketing has been so minimal and the titles have been so ho-hum. "Tower Heist" isn't going to move the needle. It's time to take that 30-day window gamble with a tentpole that auds are anticipating. How about "The Dark Knight Rises," "The Amazing Spider-Man" or "The Hobbit"?Showtime at the Apollo: Leon Black's well-heeled Apollo Global Management has recruited Marc Graboff, late of NBC, to help steer the private equity giant's stepped-up investments in media and showbiz through its CKX holdings banner. (You gotta appreciate a company that describes itself as "contrarian, value-oriented investors" in its "About us" boilerplate.) This should be a good thing for the industry as Graboff is savvy, well-connected and battle-tested over his nearly dozen years at the Peacock. But he'll be challenged to make any sense of CKX's disparate existing holdings. What's the throughline between 19 Entertainment, which owns a piece of "American Idol," Elvis Presley's Graceland estate and name and likeness rights to Presley and Muhammad Ali?Put up or shut up, part II: Microsoft has quietly been shopping in Hollywood for an entertainment exec, ostensibly to oversee new programming for its Xbox platform. Considering that the software behemoth could probably fund the combined annual development budgets of the Big Four networks out of petty cash, here's hoping Microsoft has finally developed an interest in Hollywood's core film and TV production business.Scaling the walls: Warner Bros., Disney and other majors have been investing more and more in ventures in China, but some are wondering whether the flow of funds will become a two-way street. Sources who are doing business in China say that some Sino players are starting to poke around on possible media and entertainment investments in the U.S.Hearst's castle: Speaking of NBC alums, it's been three years since Scott Sassa joined Hearst Corp. as prexy of entertainment. He's been minding the company's cable assets and helped orchestrate the 2009 merger of A&E Networks and Lifetime. But bizzers are expecting bigger moves from Hearst, especially after it bought a 50% stake in Mark Burnett's production company in April with the promise of developing multi-platform content and live event extravaganzas. As Burnett is hardly the shy and retiring type, look for Hearst to make more noise next year.Dolans' destiny: Is 2012 the year the Dolan clan puts its crown cable jewels on the auction block? Speculation has mounted since the surprise exit of Tom Rutledge, Cablevision's well-regarded chief operating officer, to join cable rival Charter Communications. Cablevision has streamlined its holdings to be attractive to another MSO through the 2010 spinoff of its Madison Square Garden unit and this year's spinoff of the AMC Networks wing. Time Warner Cable would surely try to pounce on Cablevision's 3.2 million subs on Long Island and environs.Cable label: Speaking of Time Warner Cable, it's been nearly three years since it was spun off from Time Warner proper. It's time the cable operator came up with a new name, one that doesn't conflict with the acronym of another showbiz entity, e.g. the Weinstein Co. Emmy entreaty: 2012 marks my 20th consecutive year of covering the Primetime Emmy Awards. I've never asked for much, but I think by now I've earned a coupon for one free nom. Please, voters, honor the thin blue line and bestow a lead drama actor mention on Michael Cudlitz for TNT's "Southland." It's the right thing to do. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

Digital Domain Media Group eyes Chinese market

Digital Domain Media Group, parent company of visual effects studio Digital Domain, has struck a partnership with Beijing Galloping Equine Film Co. to create a completely new vfx studio in China, specific especially in the Chinese market.The Two companies will each own fifty percent in the new Digital Domain-Galloping Equine studio, which will provide visual effects, animation and production services.DDMG provides you with technology and understanding of vfx and digital production. Galloping Equine will handle land, construction making-out costs, additionally to leading funding in China's capital areas.DDMG topper John Textor mentioned government grants or loans or financial loans and partner contributions have mitigated his company's risk round the project.Textor told Variety that although eventually the completely new facility may finish up a part of DD's global pipeline, DD already has facilities in La, Vancouver and Florida, together with a deal with Reliance, which has facilities london and Mumbai."We're trying to upgrade the expansion values in the local (China) market that's huge and growing and may sooner or later be bigger than our personal,In . he mentioned.Textor mentioned it may need years to teach up local artists to Western standards. "Developing a Western film because studio," he mentioned, "might be minimal within our concerns. Contact David S. Cohen at david.cohen@variety.com

SAG Honours: The Nominees

George Clooney has signed to star in the western world Coast premiere of 8, a stage play chronicling the historic federal court trial knocking over Proposition 8, the ballot measure that refused lgbt Californians the authority to marry.our editor recommendsStar-Studded Cast Debuts Dustin Lance Black's Prop. 8 Play AFM 2011: Take advantage of Reiner Planning Film on Proposition 8 Legal CaseCalifornia's Prop. 8 Moves Nearer to a Showdown in U.S. Top Court. Related Subjects•Politics The development -- directed by Take advantage of Reiner and compiled by Dustin Lance Black -- will run one evening limited to Los Angeles' Wilshire Ebell Theatre on March 3. Proceeds may benefit the American Foundation for Equal Privileges in the national fight for marriage equality. PHOTOS: George Clooney's Career in Pictures "It's astonishing that lgbt People in america continue to be treated as second-class people," Clooney stated. "I'm certain that, soon, the laws and regulations of the nation will reflect the fundamental truth that lgbt people -- like several people -- are born equal in dignity and privileges." Competitors of Proposition 8 have known as in the game to unseal the recording from the federal trial for that public to determine. A ruling is anticipated soon. Meanwhile, the limited showing of 8 will need to suffice. "Young people need to witness what went down within the Proposition 8 trial," states Black, the Oscar-winning author from the Harvey Milk biopic Milk in addition to the 2011 J. Edgar, "if for not one other reason rather than see inequality and discrimination positively declined inside a court where truth and details matter." STORY: Dustin Lance Black Debuts Prop. 8 Play in NY The move west follows a effective performance from the play in NY in September having a cast including Morgan Freeman, Ellen Barkin, John Lithgow and Bradley Whitford. Within the L.A. version, Clooney is going to be became a member of by another all-star cast who'll take part in the roles from the legal teams, litigants and witnesses for sides from the situation, that is now on appeal. Additional cast people is going to be introduced soon. "This play continues to exhibit People in america -- 1 by 1 -- that prejudice and fear cannot endure truth and justice," stated AFER Board leader Chad Griffin. "Our Metabolic rate neither knows nor tolerates treating gays and lesbians as second-class people." PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery George Clooney: Career in Pictures Related Subjects Dustin Lance Black George Clooney Politics

Judge: Beyonc Video Game Lawsuit Can Move Forward

This article appeared in the Dec. 16 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.our editor recommends10 TV Shows Canceled Faster Than 'The Playboy Club'Viacom CEO Talks Nickelodeon Ratings Issues, Ads, 'Paranormal Activity,' Shareholder ReturnsWall Street Weighs Viacom's Outlook Amid Ad, Nickelodeon Ratings Challenges A schoolyard brawl has broken out between kids TV powerhouse Nickelodeon and Nielsen, the company whose ratings determine advertising rates. Nick, long the leader in the space, has disputed what Nielsen says are double-digit ratings declines since September. Nielsen adjusted its audience sample in August, but it says it has conducted an internal review of the Nick data and found no errors. Still, Nick insiders hardly are satisfied with these assurances. During a November call with analysts, Philippe Dauman, CEO of parent Viacom, called the drop an "anomaly." PHOTOS: Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Red Carpet At stake for Nickelodeon are millions of dollars from such popular shows as SpongeBob SquarePants and iCarly. Nick accounted for about 25 percent of Viacom's $1.39 billion in ad revenue in fourth-quarter 2010. Already the ratings shortfall has caused Nick to dole out so-called make-goods to advertisers. And the network is on track to surrender its ratings crown to rival Disney Channel for the year among the coveted demo of kids ages 6 to 11 for the first time since Disney Channel launched in 1983. "We're going to work with [Nielsen's] sample and program aggressively," says Nick spokesman Dan Martinsen. "We've had tough quarters before, and we always respond strongly." But network insiders hope an independent review by auditing agency the Media Rating Council, due in December, will correct the record. Nielsen didn't help its credibility when it admitted Dec. 5 that an earlier report claiming overall kids viewership was up -- which made the Nick decline seem even more ominous -- was wrong. STORY: Viacom CEO Talks Nickelodeon Ratings Issues, Ads, 'Paranormal Activity,' Shareholder Returns Still, no one is disputing Disney Channel's ascendant ratings. The Nick nemesis is up 8 percent in total day and 11 percent in primetime viewers among kids 6 to 11, though Nick still will win the year in kids 2 to 11. In addition, Disney Channel, home of Kim Possible and Wizards of Waverly Place, is now the leading network among girls, 40 percent of whom cite it as the "first channel I go to," according to Disney research. "The days of Nickelodeon being the only kids network are over," says Paul DeBenedittis, senior vp programming strategy at Disney Channels Worldwide, citing its diverse roster of series. "It's not one hit show, it's eight shows." WHAT THE KIDS ARE WATCHING: According to Nielsen's latest data, Disney has edged Nick for the first time in decades, with the other kids networks farther back. Disney Channel Target Demo: 6-14 Top-Rated Show/Viewers: A.N.T. Farm (2.4 million) Nickelodeon Target Demo: 2-11 Top-Rated Show/Viewers: SpongeBob, iCarly (2.3 million each) STORY: Viacom, Nielsen Investigating 'Inexplicable' Nickelodeon Ratings Drop Cartoon Network Target Demo: 6-11 Top-Rated Show/Viewers: Regular Show (631,000) Disney XD Target Demo: 6-14 Top-Rated Show/Viewers: Kickin'It (583,000) PHOTOS: 10 TV Shows Canceled Faster Than 'The Playboy Club' Sprout Target Demo: 2-11 Top-Rated Show/Viewers: Caillou (171,000) The Hub Target Demo: 2-11 Top-Rated Show/Viewers: Goosebumps (88,000) Top-rated show is in the channel's target demo. Source: Nielsen; season to date through Nov. 27 PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 10 TV Shows Canceled Faster Than 'The Playboy Club' Related Topics TV Ratings Viacom Nickelodeon

How 'Sitter' Star Jonah Hill Would Babysit Attacking Youthful Boys

We've been talking to Jonah Hill for some time about "The Sitter," but tend to you blame us? The completely new movie, which arrives Friday (December 9), seems like a significant fun romp using the attempted-and-true babysitter comedy genre. It's just a tad dirtier when in comparison to some "Mr. Nanny" or "The Pacifier" fare, suitable for Hill's decidedly NSFW comedy sensibilities. Throughout last month's MTV First while using "Sitter" star, we asked for Hill why he needed the role. "The whole idea of this movie is, you understand people crappy movies when they're like 'Oh, you wouldn't like this individual watching your kids,A and they're the lamest movie ever?" he mentioned. "This really is really the film where, you really don't want this individual watching your kids since they might, like, die or some crazy stuff." There's nothing quite like the threat of dying to make sure a kid eats his vegetables, right? Only then do we asked for how he'd handle babysitting celebrity children, that are probably just a little they exist when in comparison to some spawn. Fogged headlights he required to say... On Attacking Youthful Boys: "I'd just respect him. I'd just help him achieve bed mattress quickly. In my opinion he's a trusted guy." On Willow Cruz: "I'd whip my authority forward and backward.In . On Suri Cruise: "Well... I am unsure who that's, might be the issue. That's Cruise daughter? Uh, I am unsure. I'm just going to step away from that certain." Are you currently presently as pumped for "The Sitter" after we are? Inform us inside the comments section and also on Twitter!

'The Iron Lady' Live Q&A with Meryl Streep: Watch Here! (VIDEO)

It's hard to believe that Meryl Streep hasn't won an Academy Award since the 1984 ceremonies, when she was rewarded for her seminal work in 'Sophie's Choice.' Not that Streep hasn't been invited to the Oscars over the last 27 years. Since 'Sophie's Choice,' Streep has earned 12 nominations, (most recently for 'Julie & Julia') to give her a record 16 total -- a number she'll likely add to in 2012 thanks to 'The Iron Lady.' In the new film, Streep plays former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, and she's already on the shortlist of Best Actress contenders. (Over one-third of the experts at GoldDerby.com have her winning the award.) As the push for 'The Iron Lady' continues in the lead-up to its Dec. 30 limited release date, Streep and director Phyllida Lloyd ('Mamma Mia') will take part in a special Q&A following the NY screening of the film at the DGA Theater in Manhattan on Tuesday night, and you can watch it right here! Moviefone is happy to bring you a live-stream of the event, which will feature your own questions. Those interested in asking the great Meryl something can head over to IronLadyMovie.com or Facebook.com/IronLadyMovie. Check back here at 8:30 p.m. EDT to see the special Q&A! Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Creative England opens two film funds

Promo org Creative England opened up in the expansion Fund and Film Systems Fund, backed by 400,000 ($625,600) in National Lottery gold gold coin, for programs on Monday. Meant for people or categories of authors, helmers and producers, the development Fund will aid with costs including script development and presentations to bankers. The Film Network Fund will allocate money to systems and orgs dedicated to filmmaking in British regions. Individual honours will be different from $4,000 to $40,000. The talent team of designers may even provide brokerage and practical help filmmakers for projects. The deadline for Film Network Fund programs is Jan. 30. Launched on March. 1, Creative England can be a British Film Institute-designated body that distributes Lottery funds for films produced in British regions. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Gwyneth Paltrow, Mowry Brothers and sisters Among GQ's Least Influential People of year

Gwyneth Paltrow Gwyneth Paltrow and Tia and Tamera Mowry are among GQ Magazine's Least Influential People of year. Paltrow, who showed up at No. 16 available that "salutes the fantastic artists of utter uselessness," was selected for trading nearly all 2011 undertaking on honours shows, marketing her blog Goop, and delivering an "awful cookbook." See photos of Gwyneth Paltrow The Mowrys, who've their particular Style Network reality series, showed up at No. 4 pick to become a less popular version in the Kardashians. Others making the cut range from the month of the month of january Manley, Tila Tequila, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Pitbull, Harrison Ford and Leader Obama. You can examine the entire list here. Can you accept the picks?

Miramax Owner Colony Eyes Deal With Summit Entertainment

NY - In the latest hit to Blackberry maker Research In Motion, the company said Friday that it would take a $485 million charge in its fiscal third quarter after marking down the value of its inventory of its PlayBook tablets.our editor recommendsBlackberry Service Glitches Hit North AmericaApple iPhone 4S Sells Out in U.S. Pre-Orders The technology company, hit by competition from Apple and Google devices that have overtaken it in U.S. market share, also cut its revenue and earnings expectations amid disappointing sales of the tablets, which have led it to cut its price. The stock dropped sharply in early Friday trading. As of 10:05am ET, it was down 8.8 percent to $16.95. Late last month, the stock had hit a 52-week low of $15.98. "The company now believes that an increase in promotional activity is required to drive sell-through to end customers," RIM said about the PlayBook tablets, which have been met with weak reviews and buzz. "This is due to several factors, including recent shifts in the competitive dynamics of the tablet market and a delay in the release of the PlayBook OS 2.0 software." The Blackberry maker said it wants to "expand upon the aggressive level of promotional activity recently employed by the company in order to drive PlayBook adoption around the world." Co-CEO Mike Lazaridis said in a statement: "RIM is committed to the BlackBerry PlayBook and believes the tablet market is still in its infancy. Although a number of factors have led to the need for an inventory provision in the third quarter, we believe the PlayBook, which will be further enhanced with the upcoming PlayBook OS 2.0 software, is a compelling tablet for consumers that also offers unique security and manageability features for the enterprise." Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics Google Apple