Local stations at nexus of storm relief

The Fox affil in Indiana elevated $236,000 for that sufferers and towns in Southern Indiana devastated through the recent tornadoes. Other local stations began similar efforts. Local Tv producers in Indiana and Kentucky have rallied to assist raise relief funds for that sufferers from the violent storms that ravaged the region a week ago, declaring the lives with a minimum of 40 people. The outpouring underscores the primacy of local tv stations in occasions of major crisis. The tornadoes that taken through small cities in southern Indiana and rural Kentucky on Friday bumped out cell-telephone service in a lot of the location and hampered using other wireless products for hrs. Radio and television stations in Indiana, Terre Haute, Ind. and Louisville, Ky. offered because the information lifeline for citizens from the toughest-hit areas. Tribune Broadcasting's Fox affiliate WXIN-TV Indiana introduced in additional than $236,000 in promises on Monday following the station placed multiple pledge breaks every hour, from 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., featuring station talent yet others appealing for donations towards the Salvation Military. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels given his support towards the telethon inside a live shot within the station's 6 p.m. newscast. CBS affil WISH-TV Indiana elevated a lot more than $220,000 in phone promises over the past weekend. Terre Haute's NBC affil WAWV-TV and brother or sister station WTWO-TV and went appeals from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. on Tuesday in the local Red-colored Mix headquarters. CBS affil WKYT in Lexington, Ky. plans a ten a.m.-7 p.m. telethon on Friday. WXIN news director Lee Rosenthal stated probably the most impressive facet of his station's effort was that 85% from the promises arrived modest batches from people instead of corporate or business sources. Rosenthal credited the reaction to "the Hoosier spirit of empathy. We are 90 miles away (in the damage) however, you wouldn't have known it in the response." News coverage from the dramatic tales stemming in the aftermath from the storm also have touched audiences -- like the tragedy of the infant present in a debris-thrown area who later died, or even the lady who lost each of her legs while saving her youthful children. Local news reporters have swarmed the region throughout yesteryear couple of days. Getting pictures from the area towards the station in Indiana was challenging within the hrs following the storm because satellite reception am spotty, Rosenthal stated. A chilly snap that adopted the storm has compounded the misery in certain areas. "Within 48 hrs it had been freezing out," he stated. "I have seen lots of tornadoes, but I have never witnessed the remains and debris from the tornado covered in 2 inches of snow." Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

Breaking In Boss on Adding "Comic Pressure" Megan Mullally and also the Rollercoaster Ride to Renewal

Ginnifer Goodwin There's certainly a chill in mid-air around the Not so long ago set. It's difficult to help keep warm like a cold winter rain falls on the attractive town square an hour or so from Vancouver that's doubling for Storybrooke, Maine. But no weather, even just in Canada, can match the cold contempt that Storybrooke's mayor, Regina (Lana Parrilla), goodies constituent Mary Margaret (Ginnifer Goodwin) in present day scene in a town fair. The sweet-faced youthful lady is just attempting to be charitable, selling candle lights to assist the neighborhood nuns, when Regina and her boy, Henry (Jared Gilmore), visit her booth. The mayor plays compassionate before the 10-year-old walks off, after which she turns to Mary Margaret and hisses, "No quantity of helping nuns will save your valuable soul." Brrr! If words were daggers, Mary Margaret could have been cut to shreds. But this really is Storybrooke, the "real" world, not the ABC hit's alternate realm, the magical Story Book Land, where Regina is called the Evil Full, skilled at malevolent spells and products. And meek grade-school teacher Mary Margaret? She's feisty Snow Whitened. One factor both mobile phone industry's share: The conflict between your Evil Full/Regina and Snow/Mary Margaret "is ground zero," states Adam Horowitz, who produced Once with Edward Kitsis. "Everything spirals from there." Both producers are Lost alums, and they have incorporated some tropes from that legendary show to their latest fantasy series, including flashbacks - using new assumes old tales to show backstories for that figures. But Not so long ago is essentially a far more warmhearted, family-friendly project than Lost. "From the beginning, we desired to write a show about hope," states Horowitz, "Which mission for wish fulfillment is fundamentally of each and every story book we all do.Inch Kitsis seconds the idea. "If Lost involved fathers and sons and redemption, this show is all about moms and kids and hope." That recipe, which mixes in lots of romantic turmoil, is really a champion. Once is easily the most effective new drama this year, calculating just below ten million - mostly female - weekly audiences (12.3 million when 7 days of Digital recording device use are added), and it has the youngest demos on Sunday evening. Renewal is basically certain. Here is a primer for individuals not within the Once family: Fueled by hate of Snow Whitened and her new husband, Prince Charming (Josh Dallas), the Evil Full conjured a curse that grown false reminiscences within the citizens of Story Book Land. She then exiled them "to some place where you will find no happy being": Storybrooke, where time was still. Nobody - having a couple of mysterious exceptions - can enter or leave, and so forth from the Royal Couple, Little Red-colored Riding Hood, Jiminy Cricket and Cinderella live stress lives without any understanding of the fantastic pasts. Enter Sheriff Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison), who had been smuggled from Story Book Land being an infant by her parents, Snow and Charming. She's adopted Henry, the boy she threw in the towel at birth, to Storybrooke, where he's been adopted through the tyrannical Regina. With Emma's arrival, the clocks began moving again. First got it? Playing two sides of the identical character in various mobile phone industry's is really a welcome challenge for that stars. "The various components are extremely complex and layered," states Dallas. "My Storybrooke character, David, may be the complete opposite of the confident Charming, you never know what his values are. Married to some lady he feels disconnected from, David sheds and confused and not able to describe his huge passion for Mary Margaret." While both Goodwin and Parrilla also relish their double roles, Morrison demands she's all right being Storybrooke-bound: "Everybody wants me to state I am annoyed that I am not both in mobile phone industry's, there is however a lot happening with Emma. I can not imagine wanting that away." The March 18 episode, "Heart of Darkness," tunnels deep in to the bitterness between your Full and Snow Whitened while seeking another recurring theme: Evil is created, not born. "The Evil Full did not begin dark," states Kitsis. "Now you ask ,, what required away the sunshine in her own?Inch But this time around, Snow's in the crossroads of excellent and evil. "The concoction she drank within an earlier episode required away her passion for Charming, and today there is a void in her own heart," Kitsis states. Since she's plotting revenge from the Full, it appears darkness has got the upper hands. Meanwhile, in Storybrooke, David's estranged wife, Kathryn (Anastasia Griffith), continues to be missing, and Mary Margaret, David's announced real love and sometime mistress, may be the prime suspect. She's troubled enough to request the town's shady fixer, Mr. Gold (Robert Carlyle), the previous Rumplestiltskin, to represent her. David and Mary Margaret aren't the sole ones who've reason to harm Kathryn, Horowitz teases. "We are going to check out lots of figures with regards to Kathryn and begin to question exactly what the curse did for them,Inch he states. "That mystery will have out with the season." What about searching in the lady who introduced the curse to begin with? Not too fast, Parrilla states. "The curse may well be more effective compared to Full," she hints. "Rumplestiltskin cautioned that they was dealing with something which had consequences beyond her knowing." Someone more dark compared to black widow herself? Who? Well, there is the new guy, a self-announced author named August W. Booth (Eion Bailey), who in some way made his distance to the spellbound town. His first act ended up being to get his on the job Henry's totemic book of favorite anecdotes. Is he an enchanting pressure? Or book's author? Bailey is enigmatic: "Things I can share is the fact that August is the central story from the origin. He's a comprehension that can help him know stuff that others within the story don't. And that he helps Emma see past the tangibl For additional on Not so long ago, get this week's problem of TV Guide Magazine, on newsstands Thursday, March 8!

Time Warner Boss Shaun Bewkes: TV And Movie Industries Have To Fix When Needed

Time Warner chief shipped an abnormally impassioned address today imploring traders to pressure everybody from pay TV marketers to Hollywood galleries to deploy on-demand streaming initiatives including TV Everywhere and UltraViolet home video. “Not enough customers know about these effective improvements and never enough customers ask them to at their tips of the fingers,” Bewkes told the Deutsche Bank Media & Telecom Conference. “We need to move considerably faster…You should absolutely demand the companies that you invest get serious and purchase this chance.” He’s most thinking about television, the company that makes up about about 80% of your time Warner’s profits — and particularly TV Everywhere,which provides pay TV customers a chance to watch shows on mobile products when needed.”The consumer experience today is actually spotty.Some marketers allow it to be simple and easy , others don’t. You realize who they really are and thus will they.”Specifically, Bewkes wants developers to create more content open to TV Everywhere. He wantsprograms to be shown on television sets in addition to pills. He wants Nielsen tofigure out how you can measure the amount of audiences on alldigital platforms. And that he wants marketers to really make it simple to find and access programming. “You shouldn’t have to be knocked upside the mind by an iPad to understand that customers are demanding wealthy, flexible, intuitive user connects,” he states. Customers “think they deserve it, plus they do. Plus they’re voting using their fingers everyday.” Younger crowd wants the film industry to grow its online presence. Although home video revenues are decreasing, Bewkes states that “the encouraging news is we don’t possess a demand problem.” The issue for that galleries is the fact that individuals are purchasing less and leasing more, especially from low-cost companies brought by Redbox and Netflix. He states that Hollywood shares a few of the blame. “It is not simple to purchase a movie electronically to handle your digital collection and also to watch it around the device of the selecting, specially the television,” he states. Consequently, “the industry originates to some crossroads. We all know customers are interested today, however they can’t get it done using the ease and functionality they have arrived at expect. We have to fix might we ought to repair it rapidly. When we don’t, we run the actual chance of habituating customers to rental much more realization they may would rather own and make collections of movies.” That’s also why he really wants to accelerate the rollout of the profession’s UltraViolet initiative, which causes it to be possible for those who buy DVD and Blu-ray dvds also to stream the flicks. Although a few of the early releases happen to be difficult to access, “we don’t possess the luxury of awaiting an ideal solution.” He states that customers are utilized to seeing items improve with time. “We have to start this and obtain everyone including merchants involved with this effort.”

George Lopez To Star In And Convey Comedy Series For Debmar-Mercury

George Lopez is coming back towards the family sitcom genre. I’ve found that Lopez, star, co-creator and executive producer of multi-camera sitcom George Lopez, which went on ABC for six seasons and 120 episodes, has closed an offer in principal with Lionsgate TV subsidiary Debmar-Mercury to co-create and star inside a new multi-camera comedy in regards to a Latino family. Lopez will executive make the series together with his manager, 3 Arts’ Michael Rotenberg. Upon finalizing the offer, Lopez and Debmar-Mercury, who both rejected comment, are anticipated to start a look for a showrunner. The project is going to be developed and created under Debmar-Mercury’s 10-90 model, by which the organization sells sitcoms to cable systems by having an initial 10-episode straight-to-series order, which, if meeting a rankings target, triggers a multi-season order as large as 90 episodes. The aim is perfect for Debmar-Mercury to rapidly generate enough episodes for that sitcom’s launch in broadcast distribution, area where Lopez continues to be effective. While never a significant hit in the original operate on ABC, George Lopez has loved a powerful afterlife in distribution. Ten years after its ABC premiere, the show still does well in primetime on cable, Nick at Nite along with a The spanish language-language version on MTV’s Tr3s, as well as in the mid-day in broadcast distribution. The George Lopez sitcom follows within the actions of Debmar-Mercury’s previous achievements under its model, all minority family sitcoms: Tyler Perry’s House Of Payne and Satisfy The Browns and Ice Cube’s Shall We Be There Yet?. The 3 went past the initial 10-episode orders on The best spinner's, using the first already over the distribution threshold. Debmar-Mercury’s first non-ethnic sitcom, the approaching Charlie Sheen comedy series Anger Management for Forex, is written/executive created by Bruce Helford, who co-produced and went George Lopez. Much like Sheen does on Anger Management, CAA-repped Lopez is envisioned having possession in the show. He most lately located a late-evening talk show on The best spinner's.

John Leguizamo To Star In ABC Comedy Pilot Only Fools And Horses

EXCLUSIVE: Just 10 days after actor-comedian John Leguizamo signed a development deal with ABC and ABC Studios, he has signed on to star in the ABC/ABC Studios multicamera comedy pilot Only Fools And Horses. Based on the British format, the multicamera comedy chronicles the misadventures of two streetwise brothers, Del (Leguizamo) and Rodney, and their aging grandfather as they concoct outrageous, morally questionable get-rich-quick schemes in their quest to become millionaires. Del, the older brother, is the leader of the team. He is an overly confident bon vivant and con artist who trades crap out of the back of his car, cheerful and oblivious to the fact that he is a lowlife scamster. Steven Cragg and Brian Bradley wrote the adaptation and will executive produce with Leguizamo’s longtime manager Jeff Golenberg of the Collective. As part of Leguizamo’s deal with ABC, if Only Fools And Horses doesn’t go to series, the network will develop a single-camera comedy inspired by Leguizamo’s professional, personal and family life in NY City for him to star in and executive produce. UTA-repped Leguizamo is currently touring with his fifth one-man show, Ghetto Klown.

Exclusive: Wild Bill Poster Online

Knives for show, knuckles for any proArriving soon on the tailwind based in london FilmFestival buzz and general goodwill is Dexter Fletcher's directorial debut, Wild Bill, a household crime drama that'll bring a little that old West towards the East Finish based in london. Using its release date hoving into view with spurs clinking, it features a new quad to dazzle a bus stop in your area within the very close to future. The storyline sees ex-disadvantage Bill Hayward (Charlie Creed-Miles), the Wild Bill from the title, get free from jail after eight years to locate his youthful sons Dean (Will Poulter) and Jimmy (Sammy Williams) left to look after themselves by their absent mother. Bill's appetite for raising a child has not sharp throughout his years inside, though. Soon social services are participating and the boy is tipping law enforcement off on his dad's shady dealings.At this time, because of the Hollywood treatment, rough-gemstone Bill would uncover his inner father and treat his adoring sons to many years of freshly-turned pancakes and smart-but-entertaining assistance with women.Happily, Dexter Fletcher's film does not look remotely such as the Hollywood treatment. What develops ought to be as untidy, murky and funny as existence itself - particularly if your existence involves getting a clear, crisp-suited gangster Andy Serkis threatening to kill you every day.Becoming a member of Creed-Miles, Serkis and co. in Fletcher's manor is his old Lock, Stock mucker Jason Flemyng, in addition to Jaime Winstone, Olivia Williams and Kill List's Neil Maskell. It's not far off, so keep eyes peeled for news around the release date.

The Good Wife First Look: Meet Will's Sisters!

Josh Charles Will Gardner (Josh Charles) has been having a rough couple of months on The Good Wife. First, he got dumped by the love of his life, Alicia. Then, he was indicted by a grand jury for judicial bribery. And soon, he will face possibly losing his law license. Luckily, help is on the way in the form of moral - and by the looks of things, musical - support from his sisters, played by Nurse Jackie's Merritt Wever and Nadia Dajani (The Big C). Watch full episodes of The Good Wife In the March 4th episode, titled "After the Fall," Wever steps into the role of Will's younger, irresponsible and fun-loving sister, Audra and Dajani will play his bossy, Type-A older sister Sara. Who knew that Chicago's 16th most eligible bachelor could play guitar? Maybe he's practicing a love song to sing to Alicia? (We kid, we kid. This is The Good Wife, not Glee, after all). The only alarming thing about these pictures? The re-emergence of casual Will. Is his lack of business attire meant to imply that the disbarment proceedings don't go so well? Or is he just finally learning how to enjoy a day off? The title "After the Fall" doesn't give us much comfort. The Good Wife airs Sundays at 9/8c on CBS. Are you excited to meet Will's sisters?

Pilot Season: ABC Orders Mandy Moore Comedy

Mandy Moore Mandy Moore may be returning to ABC soon. The network just bought an untitled comedy headlining the primary one-time Grey's Anatomy guest-star. Pilot Season: Have the scoop! The half-hour project follows wedding couple Annie (Moore) and Ben, who have the chance of your life to function an elegant, new restaurant in Annie's hometown, getting her closer to her desperate and-maintenance family. Wedding Crashers co-author Bob Fisher and Stacy Traub composed the pilot and may executive-produce with Marty Adelstein, Becky Clements, Jon Leshay and Shawn Levy.

'A Better Life' Star Demian Bichir's 30-Year Journey to the Oscars

'A Better Life' Star Demian Bichir's 30-Year Journey to the Oscars By Stacey Wilson February 6, 2012 Photo by Summit Entertainment LLC "A Better Life" It seems Demian Bichir has gotten pretty damn good at turning fantasies into reality. Take his four-year odyssey to bring a Spanish-language stage adaptation of the 1995 Kevin Spacey black comedy "Swimming With Sharks" to a theater in Mexico City. Then there was waking up Jan. 24 to learn his too-good-to-be-true early-morning hallucinations of an Oscar nomination were not induced by the flu fever that had taken over his body the night before. And, most thrilling, was his successful willing of the world's most beautiful couple to his table at the SAG Awards on Jan. 29 for an accolades-laden conversation about his role as beleaguered immigrant gardener Carlos Galindo in "A Better Life.""I saw Brad and Angie walking toward me," says Bichir, 48, who attended the fete in support of his nom for best actor in a motion picture (he lost to Jean Dujardin of "The Artist"). "I told my girlfriend -- as a joke -- 'They're obviously trying to find me.' And they were! They were really, really nice and said how moved they were by the film. If someone had told me a year ago, 'This will be your life,' I would have laughed out loud."Unlike his U.S.-born peers, whose sound bites can be as choreographed as the scripts that pay their bills, Bichir emotes without apology. In even the briefest conversation, he drops the word "beautiful" a dozen times -- he uses it to describe things he loves, from avocados to his 8-month-old daughter, Gala -- and peppers descriptions with "very, very" and "really, really." It's easy to assume he's simply wanting for words; after all, English isn't the Mexico-born actor's first language. But those around Bichir know better: The 30-year acting veteran is simply "sobre la luna."Only the third Latino ever nominated for a best actor Oscar (he follows Puerto Rico's Jose Ferrer and fellow Mexican Anthony Quinn), Bichir, now an American citizen, has infused a low-key Oscar race not only with a potential spoiler ("THR's" June 15 review of "Better Life" predicted "this little gem...may even pick up a nomination") but also with the thrill of surprise -- one that, for Bichir, was a long time coming.He grew up in a family of performers (his father ran a theater; his mother and two brothers are actors) and began acting as a teenager, slogging through auditions in NY and L.A. in the '80s. After a turn in the gritty 1994 drama "Hasta Morir," for which he won an Ariel, Mexico's version of an Oscar, he emerged a movie star back home. During the past decade, Bichir has logged a slew of memorable Hollywood roles, including a scary-suave turn as Tijuana Mayor Esteban Reyes on Showtime's "Weeds," as Fidel Castro in Steven Soderbergh's two-part epic "Che" and as a drug-cartel attorney in Oliver Stone's forthcoming drama "Savages." But Bichir's celebrity in America wasn't cemented until Oscar-nom morning, when he beat out the likes of A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio ("J. Edgar") and art house gods Michael Fassbender ("Shame") and Ryan Gosling ("Drive," "The Ides of March") for a coveted slot among Oscar's leading men.Ask Bichir how it feels, and you get more of the humility those who have worked with him say is his signature. "There is so much more Latino talent, all over the world, that aren't known," he says. "Hopefully someday others will get their chance, too."It was Bichir's earnest journeyman approach to acting that "Better Life" director Chris Weitz says made casting him a no-brainer. "It was ridiculously easy," says Weitz, who noticed Bichir in "Che" when the director was prepping to helm the "Twilight" installment "New Moon." "I got the script for 'Better Life,' then known as 'The Gardener,' and I thought, 'I know the perfect guy for this.' His Oscar nomination made the front page of most of the Spanish-language newspapers. That made me want to cry."The effects of "Better Life" on Bichir's countrymen were profound even during filming around Los Angeles, when the actor rarely removed his gardener's garb. "Some guys recognized me and said: 'Oh no, Demian. Hard times, eh?' I said: 'No, no. I'm just researching a role, I promise!' " he says lightheartedly, while in the same breath recognizing the greater social impact of the film's message. "I have many Anglo friends who've said their whole view on immigration changed from watching this film," says Bichir. "To know I've given a voice to 11 million people it's very, very meaningful."The cascade of kudos following his Indie Spirit, SAG and Oscar noms for the small film (since its June 24 release, "Better Life" has grossed barely $1.8 million) has made at least one of Bichir's dreams-come-true a bit tricky: Opening night in Mexico City for "Sharks," in which he portrays the evil Hollywood executive Spacey immortalized in the film, is Feb. 8, smack in the middle of Oscar festivities.But he welcomes the PR boost. "We gave a preview last week, and there were standing ovations," says Bichir, who now splits his time between Mexico and California. "They shouted, 'Good luck at the Oscars!' That felt great."Between the awards circuit, juggling offers for film and TV -- "a few things are coming in," he says coyly -- and staying in touch via video and photos with his daughter, who lives with his ex in Madrid, Bichir is savoring the moment. Having his parents around for the "thrill" has made the attention that much sweeter. "Not in their wildest dreams could they imagine this kid who could never sit still could become all this," he says.The Oscar Nominees Luncheon on Feb. 6 also has Bichir giddy: "If I have a chance to say hi to Woody Allen and Gary Oldman and tell them I love them, that will be a good day." The Hollywood Reporter 'A Better Life' Star Demian Bichir's 30-Year Journey to the Oscars By Stacey Wilson February 6, 2012 "A Better Life" PHOTO CREDIT Summit Entertainment LLC It seems Demian Bichir has gotten pretty damn good at turning fantasies into reality. Take his four-year odyssey to bring a Spanish-language stage adaptation of the 1995 Kevin Spacey black comedy "Swimming With Sharks" to a theater in Mexico City. Then there was waking up Jan. 24 to learn his too-good-to-be-true early-morning hallucinations of an Oscar nomination were not induced by the flu fever that had taken over his body the night before. And, most thrilling, was his successful willing of the world's most beautiful couple to his table at the SAG Awards on Jan. 29 for an accolades-laden conversation about his role as beleaguered immigrant gardener Carlos Galindo in "A Better Life.""I saw Brad and Angie walking toward me," says Bichir, 48, who attended the fete in support of his nom for best actor in a motion picture (he lost to Jean Dujardin of "The Artist"). "I told my girlfriend -- as a joke -- 'They're obviously trying to find me.' And they were! They were really, really nice and said how moved they were by the film. If someone had told me a year ago, 'This will be your life,' I would have laughed out loud."Unlike his U.S.-born peers, whose sound bites can be as choreographed as the scripts that pay their bills, Bichir emotes without apology. In even the briefest conversation, he drops the word "beautiful" a dozen times -- he uses it to describe things he loves, from avocados to his 8-month-old daughter, Gala -- and peppers descriptions with "very, very" and "really, really." It's easy to assume he's simply wanting for words; after all, English isn't the Mexico-born actor's first language. But those around Bichir know better: The 30-year acting veteran is simply "sobre la luna."Only the third Latino ever nominated for a best actor Oscar (he follows Puerto Rico's Jose Ferrer and fellow Mexican Anthony Quinn), Bichir, now an American citizen, has infused a low-key Oscar race not only with a potential spoiler ("THR's" June 15 review of "Better Life" predicted "this little gem...may even pick up a nomination") but also with the thrill of surprise -- one that, for Bichir, was a long time coming.He grew up in a family of performers (his father ran a theater; his mother and two brothers are actors) and began acting as a teenager, slogging through auditions in NY and L.A. in the '80s. After a turn in the gritty 1994 drama "Hasta Morir," for which he won an Ariel, Mexico's version of an Oscar, he emerged a movie star back home. During the past decade, Bichir has logged a slew of memorable Hollywood roles, including a scary-suave turn as Tijuana Mayor Esteban Reyes on Showtime's "Weeds," as Fidel Castro in Steven Soderbergh's two-part epic "Che" and as a drug-cartel attorney in Oliver Stone's forthcoming drama "Savages." But Bichir's celebrity in America wasn't cemented until Oscar-nom morning, when he beat out the likes of A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio ("J. Edgar") and art house gods Michael Fassbender ("Shame") and Ryan Gosling ("Drive," "The Ides of March") for a coveted slot among Oscar's leading men.Ask Bichir how it feels, and you get more of the humility those who have worked with him say is his signature. "There is so much more Latino talent, all over the world, that aren't known," he says. "Hopefully someday others will get their chance, too."It was Bichir's earnest journeyman approach to acting that "Better Life" director Chris Weitz says made casting him a no-brainer. "It was ridiculously easy," says Weitz, who noticed Bichir in "Che" when the director was prepping to helm the "Twilight" installment "New Moon." "I got the script for 'Better Life,' then known as 'The Gardener,' and I thought, 'I know the perfect guy for this.' His Oscar nomination made the front page of most of the Spanish-language newspapers. That made me want to cry."The effects of "Better Life" on Bichir's countrymen were profound even during filming around Los Angeles, when the actor rarely removed his gardener's garb. "Some guys recognized me and said: 'Oh no, Demian. Hard times, eh?' I said: 'No, no. I'm just researching a role, I promise!' " he says lightheartedly, while in the same breath recognizing the greater social impact of the film's message. "I have many Anglo friends who've said their whole view on immigration changed from watching this film," says Bichir. "To know I've given a voice to 11 million people it's very, very meaningful."The cascade of kudos following his Indie Spirit, SAG and Oscar noms for the small film (since its June 24 release, "Better Life" has grossed barely $1.8 million) has made at least one of Bichir's dreams-come-true a bit tricky: Opening night in Mexico City for "Sharks," in which he portrays the evil Hollywood executive Spacey immortalized in the film, is Feb. 8, smack in the middle of Oscar festivities.But he welcomes the PR boost. "We gave a preview last week, and there were standing ovations," says Bichir, who now splits his time between Mexico and California. "They shouted, 'Good luck at the Oscars!' That felt great."Between the awards circuit, juggling offers for film and TV -- "a few things are coming in," he says coyly -- and staying in touch via video and photos with his daughter, who lives with his ex in Madrid, Bichir is savoring the moment. Having his parents around for the "thrill" has made the attention that much sweeter. "Not in their wildest dreams could they imagine this kid who could never sit still could become all this," he says.The Oscar Nominees Luncheon on Feb. 6 also has Bichir giddy: "If I have a chance to say hi to Woody Allen and Gary Oldman and tell them I love them, that will be a good day." The Hollywood Reporter

Evangeline Lilly Plays 'Warrior' Elf In 'The Hobbit'

From the sound of her new interview with Entertainment Weekly, Evangeline Lilly didn't leave badass roles for good after wrapping "Lost." She will be joining the ranks of the elves of Mirkwood in the both of Peter Jackson's upcoming films, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" and "The Hobbit: There and Back Again." Freckles spoke at length to EW about her character, Tauriel, and give some of the first details about one of the newest additions to Middle-earth. "Yes, she is a warrior. Shes actually the head of the Elven guard. Shes the big shot in the army," Lilly told EW. Read more of about Lilly's character in "The Hobbit" after the jump. Lilly justifiably murdered her way into America's hearts as Kate Austen on "Lost," a woman who knew her way around a gun. For Tauriel, Lilly gets to expand her knowledge of deadly weapons to ones more suited for Middle-earth. "[Tauriel] knows how to wield any weapon, but the primary weapons that she uses are a bow and arrow and two daggers," Lilly said. "And shes lethal and deadly. You definitely wouldnt want to be caught in a dark alley next to Tauriel." As promising as all that sounds, the bigger questions have to do with Tauriel's role in the movies. Since the character doesn't exist outside the films' screenplay, how she factors into the novel's biggest events remains a mystery. Lilly gives subtle hints to what she might be up to, and in doing so, perhaps let slip where the first film ends. "Shes not in the first film very much. She comes into the first film near the end, and has a very small part to play. Her role in the second film is much more involved," Lilly said. While that may not seem very telling, her appearance late into the first film suggests that the two halves will split when the elves in Mirkwood capture Bilbo's company of dwarves. Lilly also went on the say that she doesn't know whether she'll make an appearance at the climatic Battle of Five Armies, but she mentioned that her role had been beefed up since she first read the script. "Although, I have to say, when I first read the scripts and took the job, she had a lot less going on in the second film," Lilly said. "I think the role is becoming a bit more demanding that I had expected it to be. Theres a lot more for me to do now, which is a lot of fun, but its a little more pressure." How do you feel about Evangeline Lilly in "The Hobbit"? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!

Game Of Thrones Actor Peter Dinklages Golden Globes Tribute: Who Is Martin Henderson?

First Published: January 15, 2012 11:05 PM EST Credit: AFP Caption The winner for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television Peter Dinklage poses with the trophy at the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, January 15, 2012BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- When Peter Dinklage picked up his Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a TV series , the Game of Thrones actor ended his speech with a touching tribute to a man who was badly injured after being attacked late last year. I want to mention a gentleman Im thinking about in England, Dinklage said as he wrapped up his speech on Sunday night at the 2012 Golden Globes. His name is Martin Henderson Google him. PHOTOS: Peter Dinklage Henderson, an actor who is a dwarf, was left badly injured on his 37th birthday last October, after being picked up and dumped on the ground after he stepped outside of a pub for a cigarette. I was at the back of the pub outside and the next thing I know Im suddenly in the air and someone has got hold of me, Henderson told The Sun, recently. A man just approached, lifted me up and dropped me. He didnt say anything. According to the newspaper, the incident happened just weeks after Englands rugby team players in New Zealand attended a Mad Midget Weekender, where a dwarf-throwing contest reportedly took place. The England players had been in trouble for going to a dwarf tossing event and this might have given this guy the idea, Henderson told The Sun. As a result of his injuries, Henderson said he cant perform and is unable to get work. Beyond his kind thoughts for Henderson at the Golden Globes, Dinklage also had some sweet words for his first child with wife Erica Schmidt. Thank you to George R.R. Martin. His prolific imagination is such a fun world to be a part of. David Benioff and Dan Weiss, the genius creators of our show, HBO and my wife Erica Schmidt and my lovely new daughter, who has her first babysitter tonight, so Im a little nervous, Dinklage said. PHOTOS: Game of Thrones Season 2 Cast Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Regis Philbin Sells Conn. House For $3M

First Released: The month of january 15, 2012 5:23 PM EST Credit: Getty Images GREENWICH, Conn. -- Caption Regis Philbin attends a press conference on his departure from LIVE! with Regis and Kelly at ABC Galleries in NY City on November 17, 2011Regis Philbin and the wife, Pleasure, have offered among their Connecticut houses for $3 million. The Greenwich Time reviews that town records show the Colonial home in Greenwich was placed available on the market for $3.8 million in This summer and offered for $3 million in September. The customer, Raymond LaChance, told the newspaper that the truth that Philbin may be the former owner is type of neat, but that didn't influence his and the wifes decision to buy the home. The house has nearly 6,000 sq ft of space and sits on six acres near a condition park. Additionally, it features a pool, a tennis court along with a event gazebo. The Philbins own another home under two miles away as well as an apartment in Manhattan. Copyright 2012 through the Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Cirque Du Soleil Casting Ballroom ballroom dancers for Las vegas Shows

Back Stage is becoming controlling a casting notice for ballroom ballroom dancers for Cirque Du Soleils's live and approaching show works of art in Las vegas. This really is really the notice available through Back Stage Casting. (Subscription needed.)CIRQUEDU SOLEIL, Las vegas CirqueDu Soleil is casting ballroom ballroom dancers due to its live performances in current and approaching show works of art. Line Giasson, senior dir.CirqueDu Soleil casting team. Performances are ongoing in Las vegas, Nevada at locations with the U.S.SeekingDancers: males and ladies, 18-39, any ethnicity, contemporary/ballet, jazz, exotic dance, stylish-hop and street dance. Note: All ballroom ballroom dancers ought to be 18+.To audition, create a two-minute dance combination, bring music. Numerous challenging combinations will probably be trained. Bring pix & rsums. Placed on appropriate dance attire. To learn more, visit internet.cirquedusoleil.com.