Pilot Season: NBC Accumulates Ryan Murphy Comedy

Ryan Murphy NBC has purchased an airplane pilot for that New Normal, a comedy from Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy, based on the Hollywood Reporter.Together with fellow Glee producers Ali Adler and producer Dante DiLoreto, Murphy will co-write and direct the only-camera project in regards to a gay couple attempting to begin a family with the aid of a surrogate.Photos: The very best and worst Glee performances (to date!)As formerly reported, Book of Mormon actor Andrew Rannells will star among the three lead roles.The project is going to be Murphy's first half-hour show and fifth overall series. His credits likewise incorporate American Horror Story, Popular and Puppy nip/Tuck.

Obama says he'll launch trade unit to fight piracy

In tonight's State of the Union address, President Obama announced the creation of a "trade enforcement unit" that will be tasked with investigating "unfair trade practices" in other countries, including China.Saying "it's not right when another country lets our movies, music and software be pirated," Obama told a joint session of Congress that the unit will be tasked with inspections "to prevent counterfeit or unsafe goods from crossing our borders."Obama's reference to the problem of piracy is also a nod to Hollywood.Last week, studio executives were openly critical of the administration after it criticized long-in-the-works anti-piracy legislation pending in Congress. The bills stalled out last week in the face of widespread protest online, with activists charging that the legislation was an overreach.It was unclear the extent to which the trade enforcement unit would target piracy --- or how it will differ from existing initiatives launched by customs officials. Contact Ted Johnson at ted.johnson@variety.com

Broadway Producers Are Looking to America's Heartland for the Next Megahit

When the producers of "Newsies" announced its Broadway run, it wasn't the first time that fans of the cult-favorite 1992 film on which the stage musical is based had reason to get excited. The show premiered at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse in September, and it's one of several productions transferring to Broadway this season from regional theaters."Regional theaters offer a nurturing environment and an economical alternative that allows a really introspective look on the piece itself," says Mark S. Hoebee, Paper Mill's producing artistic director. "You want to put enough money into it that you can provide the production that the show deserves, but you don't want to overspend to the point where you may be killing the future of the project."Regional theater has always been a breeding ground for Broadway hits, especially in recent years, and this season shows such as "Chinglish" and "Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway" started outside NY. Even a producing behemoth like Disney Theatrical Productions, whose long-running Broadway hits include "The Lion King" and "Mary Poppins," chose to debut "Newsies" away from the glare of the spotlight."The problem with developing and opening cold in NY is the artists don't have a lot of room to breathe," says producer Ken Davenport, whose current Broadway shows are "Chinglish" and "Godspell." "They're under a lot of different economic constraints and time constraints that don't allow them to do their best work. So we put them in places where they can have a little more breathing room."Gettin' Out of Town The tradition of shows opening outside the city goes all the way back to musical theater's beginnings, when an out-of-town tryout would precede the move to Broadway. In recent years, shows such as "Wicked" and "The Addams Family" have used this model, but this path is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive, says Davenport, and leads audiences to make certain assumptions."The moment you're tagged as an out-of-town tryout and don't come right in, people go, 'Oh, they obviously have more work to do,' " Davenport explains. "Musicals are big things, and sometimes it takes them a long time to get where they need to go."Jeff Calhoun, director of the Paper Mill and Broadway productions of "Newsies," agrees that the regional environment is more conducive to creating new work. "The concentration is really on the work and nurturing the artist," says Calhoun, who also directed the regional and Broadway incarnations of "Bonnie & Clyde." "As we know, on Broadway that's not necessarily the case. It's more about putting a star into a vehicle, whether or not they're the best actor for the role."Part of what makes regional theaters nurturing is their long-term relationships with artists, says Michael Rosenberg, managing director of California's La Jolla Playhouse. La Jolla produced the world premiere of "Bonnie & Clyde," and a Broadway-bound revival of "Jesus Christ Superstar" is playing there now. The theater has created 18 works that have transferred to Broadway.Of course, not everything artists produce is going to be great, but letting them try new things is necessary to maintain the relationship. "If you're going to have big rewards, you have to take big risks," Rosenberg says. "And if you take big risks, sometimes you're going to fail in a really big way."Theaters like La Jolla have been tagged "launching pads" for potential Broadway shows, says Davenport, and in the Internet age, anyone can learn all about a production from the moment the curtain falls on opening night. But Rosenberg doesn't feel the pressure."Trying to guess what should be on Broadway is not what we do, especially when you look at how long it takes to develop these projects," he says, adding that "Bonnie & Clyde" played Florida's Asolo Repertory Theatre before moving to Broadway last month. "For some projects, Broadway is not the ultimate goal."Audience Response In fact, the producers of "Newsies" had many options other than Broadway, such as licensing the material to schools or taking it on tour, as Disney has done with shows like "Aladdin" and "High School Musical." What drove "Newsies" to the Great White Way was audience response."It was the reaction of the press and the patrons to 'Newsies' that gave [the producers] the confidence that it was ready to move into NY," says Hoebee.Davenport thinks the audience's response is the most important benefit of a regional run, as it gives information that's crucial to the show's development. An out-of-town audience won't always react to a show the same way a NY audience will, but regional audiences are sometimes a good barometer for how tourists will respond."Sixty-five percent of the Broadway audience is from out of town," Davenport points out. "Sometimes an out-of-town audience can give you a much better idea of what the tourist audience is going to say about your show."Creative Process Once a show is set for Broadway, there will often be cast and other creative changes before it transfers, as commercial producers will frequently seek a marketable star to draw ticket buyers rather than trusting the work itself.Jennifer Lim, now starring in "Chinglish," has been with the project from the beginning and knew she could lose her role at any time. "It's business," she says. "It would be a waste of my energy to take things personally that have nothing to do with me. If they had decided they wanted to cast a star in the role, I'm not a star. I'd rather focus on the things that I can do instead of all the things that I can't."Calhoun says there will be casting changes when "Newsies" comes to Broadway. Jeremy Jordan, who starred in the Paper Mill production, is currently playing Clyde Barrow in "Bonnie & Clyde" and might not be available for the Broadway run of "Newsies," but Calhoun can't confirm casting specifics."It's really just because it's in the best interest of the show," he says of casting changes. "My job is the same no matter who the actor is."As an actor, Lim says, one of the benefits of being with "Chinglish" for its entire development is that she became so familiar with the play, she was an asset to playwright David Henry Hwang and director Leigh Silverman as they worked to improve it. Davenport adds that when a show starts regionally, some of the smaller roles can be filled with local hires, giving them the opportunity to work with a Broadway-caliber creative team.Whether a production is going to a regional theater or to Broadway, says Calhoun, putting it up is the same: "There's nothing you do on Broadway that you didn't do in your high school. You care just as much about a regional show as you do a Broadway show, if not more. In the regional, you're trying to get it to NY."Producing a successful show takes more than careful planning, however. Sometimes the stars really do need to align."It's our version of a kid playing basketball in his driveway and thinking, 'Maybe I'll play for the Boston Celtics someday,' " says Davenport. "I don't think anyone does a show in this country without some dream of it ending up on Broadway." By Suzy Evans December 14, 2011 "Newsies" at Paper Mill Playhouse PHOTO CREDIT T. Charles Erickson When the producers of "Newsies" announced its Broadway run, it wasn't the first time that fans of the cult-favorite 1992 film on which the stage musical is based had reason to get excited. The show premiered at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse in September, and it's one of several productions transferring to Broadway this season from regional theaters."Regional theaters offer a nurturing environment and an economical alternative that allows a really introspective look on the piece itself," says Mark S. Hoebee, Paper Mill's producing artistic director. "You want to put enough money into it that you can provide the production that the show deserves, but you don't want to overspend to the point where you may be killing the future of the project."Regional theater has always been a breeding ground for Broadway hits, especially in recent years, and this season shows such as "Chinglish" and "Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway" started outside NY. Even a producing behemoth like Disney Theatrical Productions, whose long-running Broadway hits include "The Lion King" and "Mary Poppins," chose to debut "Newsies" away from the glare of the spotlight."The problem with developing and opening cold in NY is the artists don't have a lot of room to breathe," says producer Ken Davenport, whose current Broadway shows are "Chinglish" and "Godspell." "They're under a lot of different economic constraints and time constraints that don't allow them to do their best work. So we put them in places where they can have a little more breathing room."Gettin' Out of Town The tradition of shows opening outside the city goes all the way back to musical theater's beginnings, when an out-of-town tryout would precede the move to Broadway. In recent years, shows such as "Wicked" and "The Addams Family" have used this model, but this path is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive, says Davenport, and leads audiences to make certain assumptions."The moment you're tagged as an out-of-town tryout and don't come right in, people go, 'Oh, they obviously have more work to do,' " Davenport explains. "Musicals are big things, and sometimes it takes them a long time to get where they need to go."Jeff Calhoun, director of the Paper Mill and Broadway productions of "Newsies," agrees that the regional environment is more conducive to creating new work. "The concentration is really on the work and nurturing the artist," says Calhoun, who also directed the regional and Broadway incarnations of "Bonnie & Clyde." "As we know, on Broadway that's not necessarily the case. It's more about putting a star into a vehicle, whether or not they're the best actor for the role."Part of what makes regional theaters nurturing is their long-term relationships with artists, says Michael Rosenberg, managing director of California's La Jolla Playhouse. La Jolla produced the world premiere of "Bonnie & Clyde," and a Broadway-bound revival of "Jesus Christ Superstar" is playing there now. The theater has created 18 works that have transferred to Broadway.Of course, not everything artists produce is going to be great, but letting them try new things is necessary to maintain the relationship. "If you're going to have big rewards, you have to take big risks," Rosenberg says. "And if you take big risks, sometimes you're going to fail in a really big way."Theaters like La Jolla have been tagged "launching pads" for potential Broadway shows, says Davenport, and in the Internet age, anyone can learn all about a production from the moment the curtain falls on opening night. But Rosenberg doesn't feel the pressure."Trying to guess what should be on Broadway is not what we do, especially when you look at how long it takes to develop these projects," he says, adding that "Bonnie & Clyde" played Florida's Asolo Repertory Theatre before moving to Broadway last month. "For some projects, Broadway is not the ultimate goal."Audience Response In fact, the producers of "Newsies" had many options other than Broadway, such as licensing the material to schools or taking it on tour, as Disney has done with shows like "Aladdin" and "High School Musical." What drove "Newsies" to the Great White Way was audience response."It was the reaction of the press and the patrons to 'Newsies' that gave [the producers] the confidence that it was ready to move into NY," says Hoebee.Davenport thinks the audience's response is the most important benefit of a regional run, as it gives information that's crucial to the show's development. An out-of-town audience won't always react to a show the same way a NY audience will, but regional audiences are sometimes a good barometer for how tourists will respond."Sixty-five percent of the Broadway audience is from out of town," Davenport points out. "Sometimes an out-of-town audience can give you a much better idea of what the tourist audience is going to say about your show."Creative Process Once a show is set for Broadway, there will often be cast and other creative changes before it transfers, as commercial producers will frequently seek a marketable star to draw ticket buyers rather than trusting the work itself.Jennifer Lim, now starring in "Chinglish," has been with the project from the beginning and knew she could lose her role at any time. "It's business," she says. "It would be a waste of my energy to take things personally that have nothing to do with me. If they had decided they wanted to cast a star in the role, I'm not a star. I'd rather focus on the things that I can do instead of all the things that I can't."Calhoun says there will be casting changes when "Newsies" comes to Broadway. Jeremy Jordan, who starred in the Paper Mill production, is currently playing Clyde Barrow in "Bonnie & Clyde" and might not be available for the Broadway run of "Newsies," but Calhoun can't confirm casting specifics."It's really just because it's in the best interest of the show," he says of casting changes. "My job is the same no matter who the actor is."As an actor, Lim says, one of the benefits of being with "Chinglish" for its entire development is that she became so familiar with the play, she was an asset to playwright David Henry Hwang and director Leigh Silverman as they worked to improve it. Davenport adds that when a show starts regionally, some of the smaller roles can be filled with local hires, giving them the opportunity to work with a Broadway-caliber creative team.Whether a production is going to a regional theater or to Broadway, says Calhoun, putting it up is the same: "There's nothing you do on Broadway that you didn't do in your high school. You care just as much about a regional show as you do a Broadway show, if not more. In the regional, you're trying to get it to NY."Producing a successful show takes more than careful planning, however. Sometimes the stars really do need to align."It's our version of a kid playing basketball in his driveway and thinking, 'Maybe I'll play for the Boston Celtics someday,' " says Davenport. "I don't think anyone does a show in this country without some dream of it ending up on Broadway."

Relativity Enters Distribution Partnership With Germany's Senator Entertainment

NY Times reporter Brian Stelter has something in common with Anthony Weiner. Like the disgraced congressman, Stelter unintentionally broadcast a private direct message -- or "DM" -- on Twitter to his entire Twitter feed. (In Stelter's case, that's 97,000 followers-and-counting).our editor recommendsAlec Baldwin's Twitter Account 'Deactivated' After 'Words With Friends' DebacleChristiane Amanpour to Leave ABC's 'This Week'; Launch CNN Show Demi Moore Explains Why She'll Stay 'Mrs. Kutcher' On TwitterKeith Olbermann Will No Longer Engage With His Twitter Followers Unlike Weiner, Stelter's DM was not salacious. On Tuesday, the journalist -- who covers media and television for the Times -- tried to confirm Christiane Amanpour's exit from ABC's This Week by sending a DM to a source on the social-networking site. Instead, he majorly messed up and made it public. The offending tweet: "I'm hearing that Amanpour is formally out of 'This Week' -- though only from a single source -- are you hearing the same?" In a further display of whoops, he even posted his work phone number. Realizing his mistake, Stelter immediately tweete a response to his flub: "Well, that was embarrassing. That was supposed to be a DM." His network largely supported him, with the Washington Post's Erik Wemple tweeting: "Just good reporting there. Nothing to be ashamed of." In the end, the snafu backfired in a good way: Stelter was able to find more sources through Twitter to match his Amanpour intel and publish an official story. "3 Reasons I didn't delete accidental tweet: people had already read it; some had retweeted it; it needed to be explained," Stelter said in a later post. As media reporter Michael Calderone notes at the Huffington Post, Stelter's mistweet indirectly spread word of Amanpour's exit, confirming months of rumors that she would be leaving the Sunday morning news program -- and prompting ABC to issue a statement from Amanpour hours later. Stelter, who's said he wished he could live in the Twitter feed, was apparently too busy reporting -- and tweeting about it -- to respond to requests for comment. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Hollywood's Twitter Feuds Related Topics Twitter Anthony Weiner

The Astounding Spider-Guy will receive a awesome new poster

[brightcove]1069347403001[/brightcove]All things have been somewhat quiet round the Amazing Spider-Guy front recently (well, unless of course obviously you're an passionate Pez fan).But that's changed today while using unveiling from the awesome new poster, which clearly takes a leaf from Batman's stylish book, and marks a departure within the gaily-coloured promotions of Mike Raimi's era.The poster, featured on Superhero Hype, shows Peter Parker perched nimbly around the wall, along with his shadow creating an legendary arachnid design. That tagline helps to make the film's intentions pretty apparent too...See the poster entirely below:The Astounding Spider-Guy opens on 4 This summer time 2012, which surely means there needs to be considered a completely new trailer not remote.

Annual John Ford Ireland event set

EastwoodThe Irish Film and television Academy as well as the John Ford Estate are creating the John Ford Ireland Symposium, an annual event praising the existence and work in the legendary director and also the ongoing relation to the. The inaugural confab, due to exist in Dublin in June, features the very first people receiving the event's John Ford Award is Clint Eastwood, who recognized very good from Michael Collins, Ireland's ambassador for the U.S., and IFTA chief professional Aine Moriarty, inside a reception in Burbank on 12 ,. 6 attended by people of Ford's family. The planned symposium, which will add a competitive component, may have a retrospective of Ford's films, a spotlight on Eastwood's work, plus tests, shows, discussions, master classes, lectures and public interviews designed to attract public and industry participation from around the world. Requested guest experts will probably be selected according to either Ford's influence on their own work, their connection with filmmaking or utilizing their working relationship while using John Ford Award recipient. In 2013, John Ford Ireland will introduce a scholarship with eight first-time filmmakers from around the world selected to learn the Ford Film School. Ford, an Irish-American whose parents were elevated round the west coast of Ireland, will be a cinema pioneer who made 136 films within the nearly 60-year career. He stressed his heritage such films as "The Quiet Guy," starring John Wayne. Contact Bobbie Whiteman at bobbie.whiteman@variety.com

FCC Lowers the Volume on TV Commercials

FCC Loud commercials will be leaving your TV quietly - thanks to the FCC.On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission passed the 2010 Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act that requires commercials to be kept at the same volume as the programs they're airing around. The rule will become effective a year from now, on Dec. 13, 2012, to allow stations and multichannel video programming distributors to be in full compliance.Get the rest of today's newsIn a statement, the FCC said it "today took a major step towardeliminating one of the most persistent problems of the television age - loud commercials." Though viewer complaints about the volume of commercials have diminished since 2009, the FCC has fielded them for years and the group expects the number of grievances to drop greatly once the rule is implemented.Are you happy you won't have to reach for the remote anymore during commercial breaks?