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