'Smash': A TV Drama Mashed Up With Original Songs

NY (AP) As TV series go, "Smash" does a smashing job of abstaining from the usual: no courtrooms, no operating rooms, no interrogation rooms.Meanwhile, this new NBC musical drama puts a bright, sexy sheen on one of filmdom's most timeless tropes: Hey, kids, let's put on a show! Which "Smash" does, embedding original songs and dance into the TV drama's narrative.Premiering Monday, "Smash" tracks the genesis of a Broadway musical from multiple perspectives, including those of composer and lyricist, producer and director-choreographer, and the two rival actresses competing for its title role: Marilyn Monroe.Ah, Marilyn!"There was something about her how much she wanted to love and be loved," says Debra Messing, who plays the lyricist, getting all dreamy-eyed as she imagines the project's possibilities.Her early vision of Marilyn is soon turned into a number called "Let Me Be Your Star" ("To do what she can/ For the love of one man/ And for millions who love from afar"), with both would-be Marilyns performing it in an explosive finale to the first episode.But "Smash" is no more single-minded about charting a Broadway show's long journey from raw concept to opening night than "The West Wing" was about obsessing over how a bill wends its way from Congress to the president's desk."Their day job happens to be putting together a show, but their lives aren't really about that," says Craig Zadan, who, with partner Neil Meron, is among the many "Smash" executive producers. "We also have adoption, divorce, infidelity and disapproving parents from the Midwest in our story lines. We've put in as many human, universal qualities as we can: It's a story about wish fulfillment."Rest assured, no one solves a crime or diagnoses a disease. Even so, Meron suggests that "Smash" could still be called a procedural."The goal would be to have a Broadway show created every season, and have our characters involved with creating each of them," he says.What "Smash" won't be, he quickly adds, is a sort of "Glee"-for-adults, as some viewers may have assumed."We don't think that it's anything like 'Glee,'" Meron declares. "But we thank God for 'Glee,' because it got viewers used to watching people sing on TV dramas."One big difference: While "Glee" does covers of popular songs, "Smash" will introduce and compile original songs (splendidly conceived by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman of "Hairspray") for the "Marilyn the Musical" show-within-a-show. Then, possibly, that pretend musical might be mounted for real."By season's end, we're going to have at least 15 songs," Meron says, "and if we really like how the 'Marilyn' musical is turning out, we might actually put it on Broadway. Why not?"Presumably, this attempt would go better than the first shot, "Marilyn: An American Fable," which opened in 1983 and ran for 17 performances. "A huge flop!" composer Tom Levitt (Christian Borle) and his collaborator Julia Houston (Messing) say in unison.And yet they can't resist giving Marilyn another chance.In the large "Smash" ensemble, Messing plays perhaps the series' central character in Julia, who is torn between her happy domestic life with a loving husband and son, and the addictive, all-consuming demands of the musical."I hate the theater, I really do," says Julia's schoolteacher husband (Brian d'Arcy James) when he learns she has broken her promise to take some time off for the family, and instead has plunged into the Marilyn project.As a youngster, Messing, best known for the long-running comedy "Will & Grace," had her own dreams of being a Broadway musical star. She remembers seeing "Annie" when she was 8 "and wanting to jump on stage and be in 'It's the Hard-Knock Life' with all the other girls." Then she sang in high school musicals.On "Smash," she finally has a taste of that professional world: "I got to sing a song my character wrote, and it was thrilling and terrifying, especially considering the company I'm keeping with this cast."The rest of the time, I get to watch the really talented singers, and enjoy."Initially proposed a couple of years ago by Steven Spielberg (another "Smash" executive producer along with his DreamWorks colleagues Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank), the show quickly became a passion project of Robert Greenblatt, then head of pay-cable network Showtime, for which it was being developed. But when he jumped to NBC as its chairman last January, he wasn't about to leave "Smash" behind.Greenblatt unveiled the finished product at a gala premiere party last week at NY's Metropolitan Museum of Art. There, in a refreshingly unguarded moment, he told the gathered what "Smash" means to him and the rest of the team: "You work hard on every single show, but your heart isn't always in it. Well, with 'Smash,' everyone's heart is in it."Of course, it's Greenblatt's best shot at redeeming his first year at NBC, which remains in the ratings cellar after a slate of lackluster fall premieres. There's no mystery why NBC is hyping "Smash" like mad.Greenblatt's arrival with "Smash" at NBC pleased Zadan."Sometimes you have a series that you wish to be on cable, because you want the edge," he says. "But this is a universal-appeal show, and really works better on a network than on cable."Zadan (whose many credits with Meron include the musical films "Hairspray" and "Chicago" and the Lifetime series "Drop Dead Diva") is talking with a reporter at "Smash" production headquarters in a converted factory in Brooklyn's Greenpoint neighborhood. He is in the rehearsal studio, which is both a set for the show and the actual rehearsal space where "Smash" dance numbers are created by the series' choreographer, Josh Bergasse. (As often happens with "Smash," reality and make-believe are intertwined.)"This," says Zadan, "is a Cinderella story." But just who will be crowned, launched from unknown status to Broadway royalty, remains in flux the first season, as the characters Ivy (played by Megan Hilty) and Karen (played by Katharine McPhee) go head-to-head for the Marilyn role, their prospects alternately rising and falling. Week after week, viewers will surely be rooting for their favorite, as if this were a scripted version of "American Idol" (on which McPhee, of course, was runner-up in 2006)."The show gives viewers a chance to see the behind-the-scenes deal when producers and writers have to choose between two people they think are both great," says McPhee.She has been on the receiving end of such torturous choices."Karen is more naive than I am," McPhee says, "but her struggle trying to get attention, better representation, a casting person to see you, callbacks I know what that's like. I've lived it."While Karen is talented but green, Ivy is experienced maybe a little too experienced but has never been able to escape the chorus line."I think a lot of people can relate to her, simply because everybody knows what it's like to be stuck in their career and desperate to make that next step," Hilty says. "Ivy is at the point where she's willing to do just about anything" a knowing laugh "to get there. The stakes are that high for her."Like Ivy, Hilty grew up in the theater, and she starred on Broadway in "9 to 5: The Musical" in the Dolly Parton role. "I think we're both ambitious that way. I think Ivy's willing to do a little bit more than I am" another laugh "but I admire her for her aspirations.""Smash" has radiant moments as a feel-good fantasy. But it boasts savvy footing. It's populated by Broadway pros on both sides of the camera (for example, creator-executive producer Theresa Rebeck, who wrote a number of the episodes, is currently represented on Broadway as writer of the new comedy "Seminar").Observes Christian Borle (whose Broadway credits include "Legally Blonde: The Musical" and "Spamalot"), "There's a real theater pedigree among everyone on the 'Smash' creative team. You have a sense they're trying to get all the details right for all the people who live in NY and work on Broadway, who will be watching to see if we get it right.""Smash" gets it just right, according to show-biz veteran Anjelica Huston, who plays the Broadway producer spearheading "Marilyn The Musical.""I think it's kind of right on the money," Huston says. "It's not without a certain gloss, but at the same time, I think it's very reflective of what goes on in show business, and in life. It captures how people move up and how people are moved out."That's the drama of "Smash" honest, but dazzling and magic, with brand-new songs and dance. For the viewer, it borders on the miraculous. Who wouldn't want to get into this act?Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Frazier Moore January 30, 2012 PHOTO CREDIT NBC NY (AP) As TV series go, "Smash" does a smashing job of abstaining from the usual: no courtrooms, no operating rooms, no interrogation rooms.Meanwhile, this new NBC musical drama puts a bright, sexy sheen on one of filmdom's most timeless tropes: Hey, kids, let's put on a show! Which "Smash" does, embedding original songs and dance into the TV drama's narrative.Premiering Monday, "Smash" tracks the genesis of a Broadway musical from multiple perspectives, including those of composer and lyricist, producer and director-choreographer, and the two rival actresses competing for its title role: Marilyn Monroe.Ah, Marilyn!"There was something about her how much she wanted to love and be loved," says Debra Messing, who plays the lyricist, getting all dreamy-eyed as she imagines the project's possibilities.Her early vision of Marilyn is soon turned into a number called "Let Me Be Your Star" ("To do what she can/ For the love of one man/ And for millions who love from afar"), with both would-be Marilyns performing it in an explosive finale to the first episode.But "Smash" is no more single-minded about charting a Broadway show's long journey from raw concept to opening night than "The West Wing" was about obsessing over how a bill wends its way from Congress to the president's desk."Their day job happens to be putting together a show, but their lives aren't really about that," says Craig Zadan, who, with partner Neil Meron, is among the many "Smash" executive producers. "We also have adoption, divorce, infidelity and disapproving parents from the Midwest in our story lines. We've put in as many human, universal qualities as we can: It's a story about wish fulfillment."Rest assured, no one solves a crime or diagnoses a disease. Even so, Meron suggests that "Smash" could still be called a procedural."The goal would be to have a Broadway show created every season, and have our characters involved with creating each of them," he says.What "Smash" won't be, he quickly adds, is a sort of "Glee"-for-adults, as some viewers may have assumed."We don't think that it's anything like 'Glee,'" Meron declares. "But we thank God for 'Glee,' because it got viewers used to watching people sing on TV dramas."One big difference: While "Glee" does covers of popular songs, "Smash" will introduce and compile original songs (splendidly conceived by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman of "Hairspray") for the "Marilyn the Musical" show-within-a-show. Then, possibly, that pretend musical might be mounted for real."By season's end, we're going to have at least 15 songs," Meron says, "and if we really like how the 'Marilyn' musical is turning out, we might actually put it on Broadway. Why not?"Presumably, this attempt would go better than the first shot, "Marilyn: An American Fable," which opened in 1983 and ran for 17 performances. "A huge flop!" composer Tom Levitt (Christian Borle) and his collaborator Julia Houston (Messing) say in unison.And yet they can't resist giving Marilyn another chance.In the large "Smash" ensemble, Messing plays perhaps the series' central character in Julia, who is torn between her happy domestic life with a loving husband and son, and the addictive, all-consuming demands of the musical."I hate the theater, I really do," says Julia's schoolteacher husband (Brian d'Arcy James) when he learns she has broken her promise to take some time off for the family, and instead has plunged into the Marilyn project.As a youngster, Messing, best known for the long-running comedy "Will & Grace," had her own dreams of being a Broadway musical star. She remembers seeing "Annie" when she was 8 "and wanting to jump on stage and be in 'It's the Hard-Knock Life' with all the other girls." Then she sang in high school musicals.On "Smash," she finally has a taste of that professional world: "I got to sing a song my character wrote, and it was thrilling and terrifying, especially considering the company I'm keeping with this cast."The rest of the time, I get to watch the really talented singers, and enjoy."Initially proposed a couple of years ago by Steven Spielberg (another "Smash" executive producer along with his DreamWorks colleagues Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank), the show quickly became a passion project of Robert Greenblatt, then head of pay-cable network Showtime, for which it was being developed. But when he jumped to NBC as its chairman last January, he wasn't about to leave "Smash" behind.Greenblatt unveiled the finished product at a gala premiere party last week at NY's Metropolitan Museum of Art. There, in a refreshingly unguarded moment, he told the gathered what "Smash" means to him and the rest of the team: "You work hard on every single show, but your heart isn't always in it. Well, with 'Smash,' everyone's heart is in it."Of course, it's Greenblatt's best shot at redeeming his first year at NBC, which remains in the ratings cellar after a slate of lackluster fall premieres. There's no mystery why NBC is hyping "Smash" like mad.Greenblatt's arrival with "Smash" at NBC pleased Zadan."Sometimes you have a series that you wish to be on cable, because you want the edge," he says. "But this is a universal-appeal show, and really works better on a network than on cable."Zadan (whose many credits with Meron include the musical films "Hairspray" and "Chicago" and the Lifetime series "Drop Dead Diva") is talking with a reporter at "Smash" production headquarters in a converted factory in Brooklyn's Greenpoint neighborhood. He is in the rehearsal studio, which is both a set for the show and the actual rehearsal space where "Smash" dance numbers are created by the series' choreographer, Josh Bergasse. (As often happens with "Smash," reality and make-believe are intertwined.)"This," says Zadan, "is a Cinderella story." But just who will be crowned, launched from unknown status to Broadway royalty, remains in flux the first season, as the characters Ivy (played by Megan Hilty) and Karen (played by Katharine McPhee) go head-to-head for the Marilyn role, their prospects alternately rising and falling. Week after week, viewers will surely be rooting for their favorite, as if this were a scripted version of "American Idol" (on which McPhee, of course, was runner-up in 2006)."The show gives viewers a chance to see the behind-the-scenes deal when producers and writers have to choose between two people they think are both great," says McPhee.She has been on the receiving end of such torturous choices."Karen is more naive than I am," McPhee says, "but her struggle trying to get attention, better representation, a casting person to see you, callbacks I know what that's like. I've lived it."While Karen is talented but green, Ivy is experienced maybe a little too experienced but has never been able to escape the chorus line."I think a lot of people can relate to her, simply because everybody knows what it's like to be stuck in their career and desperate to make that next step," Hilty says. "Ivy is at the point where she's willing to do just about anything" a knowing laugh "to get there. The stakes are that high for her."Like Ivy, Hilty grew up in the theater, and she starred on Broadway in "9 to 5: The Musical" in the Dolly Parton role. "I think we're both ambitious that way. I think Ivy's willing to do a little bit more than I am" another laugh "but I admire her for her aspirations.""Smash" has radiant moments as a feel-good fantasy. But it boasts savvy footing. It's populated by Broadway pros on both sides of the camera (for example, creator-executive producer Theresa Rebeck, who wrote a number of the episodes, is currently represented on Broadway as writer of the new comedy "Seminar").Observes Christian Borle (whose Broadway credits include "Legally Blonde: The Musical" and "Spamalot"), "There's a real theater pedigree among everyone on the 'Smash' creative team. You have a sense they're trying to get all the details right for all the people who live in NY and work on Broadway, who will be watching to see if we get it right.""Smash" gets it just right, according to show-biz veteran Anjelica Huston, who plays the Broadway producer spearheading "Marilyn The Musical.""I think it's kind of right on the money," Huston says. "It's not without a certain gloss, but at the same time, I think it's very reflective of what goes on in show business, and in life. It captures how people move up and how people are moved out."That's the drama of "Smash" honest, but dazzling and magic, with brand-new songs and dance. For the viewer, it borders on the miraculous. Who wouldn't want to get into this act?Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Casting Directors Named for 10 Pilots

Kari Lizer has had two pilots picked up, one from ABC and one from NBC. It's not pilot season without at least one "Untitled Kari Lizer Project"!She'll be casting the comedy "Lady Friends" for NBC about a friendship between two women that endures despite their respective lots in life. The project shoots in mid March. This season's "Untitled Kari Lizer Project" is an ABC comedy about a no-nonsense career woman who meets her greatest challenge when she's laid off and forced to be a full-time mom to her two teenagers. The project shoots in early April.Dramas with supernatural elements are only slightly less hot this year, but we still have a few weeks to go. However, it is looking like the vampire trend is mercifully drawing to a close.Patrick J. Rush will cast "666 Park Avenue," a drama for ABC about the managers of a historic apartment building in NY who begin to experience supernatural phenomena. The project shoots in mid March in NY. Junie Lowry-Johnson and Libby Goldstein will cast the NBC drama "Midnight Sun" about FBI agents who are sent to investigate the disappearance of the inhabitants of a remote Alaskan village. A shoot date hasn't been set.Vampires may not be in but lady spies certainly are. Fox's drama "The Asset" will be cast by Lisa Beach and Sarah Katzman. The project shoots in March and is about a female CIA agent working out of the NY office who engages in covert operations. Rick Milikan is casting the "Untitled Karyn Usher Project," a drama for Fox about the teenage daughter of a murdered CIA operative who is recruited to the agency. Here's another period drama that sounds intriguing. Anything involving NY in the late 19th century should be hard to mess up. Linda Lowy is casting "Gilded Lillys" for ABC about the grand opening of a luxury hotel in NY in the late 1800s, written by K.J. Steinberg. The project shoots in mid March. Julie Tucker and Ross Meyerson are casting the CBS drama "Baby Big Shot" about a lawyer with a blue-collar background who uses her street smarts to flourish at her white-shoe law firm. A shoot date hasn't been set.And then there are some more comedies, such as the "Untitled Nick Stoller Project " for CBS about a guy who winds up having to work in the cubicle next to the girl who recently dumped him. Jeanne McCarthy will cast the project, which hasn't set a shoot date.Dava Waite Peaslee is casting "Friday Night Dinner" for NBC, a comedy about a Jewish family that gets together to kvetch over Shabbat. No shoot date has been set.

Nick eyes telenovela at Nite

Nickelodeon and Televisa are joining forces to have an 80-episode adaptation of Mexican telenovela "Achieve for any Star," to air on Nick at Nite. Jill Farren Phelps ("General Hospital") and Hisham Abed ("The Hillsides" ) will professional produce "Achieve," just one-camera, daily series in regards to a teenage girl whose existence is switched upside lower when finds success like a songwriter and wins the passion for her favorite singer. Josh Griffith ("The Youthful and also the Restless") assists as mind author. "Achieve" is going to be created in colaboration with The new sony Pictures TV, with production set to start in La in March. "We've experienced first-hands the recognition from the daily scripted format with this kid audience through the prosperity of 'House of Anubis' and our teen audience with 'DeGrassi: Generation X,A " stated Cyma Zarghami, prexy of Viacom's Nickelodeon Group, "and our Nick Latin American funnel has had positive results in creating telenovelas with Televisa." "Achieve" is definitely an adaptation of "Alcanzar una Estrella," first broadcast on Canal p las Estrellas and Univision in 1990. That series created a movie and follow up telenovela starring Ough Martin and Sasha Sokol. "Included in the steps towards creating a strong presence within the Anglo TV market, Televisa is excited to coproduce with Nickelodeon one of the numerous effective scripts from your library inside a daily series format," Televisa television and content prexy Jose Baston stated. "We think that the daily series is going to be well accepted by Nicks family audiences and can capture their attention daily because it has happened in various marketplaces on the planet where Televisa has released its production abilities. ... We picture Achieve for any Star because the to begin many joint projects." Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

Richard Gere On 'Arbitrage': 'All Adrenaline, Cocaine Rush'

You may think Arbitrage is really a staid affair, yet another film about financial shenanigans inside a lengthy type of them each one of these about males with costly suits and bankrupt morals, about purchasing low and selling high, concerning the money, money, money. Well, it's about all individuals things. But as Richard Gere place it to MTV News prior to the movies premiere in the Sundance Film Festival, it is also concerning the cocaine hurry of success. Hes not kidding. Gere plays Robert Burns, a billionaire hedge fund manager who apparently has got the perfect existence, an ideal family, the perfect mistress. That's, until he turns 60 cheap hes been managing a massively fraudulent empire is going to be uncovered. If the all sounds a little familiar, thats no mistake. You need to simply know Bernie Madoff and Teddy Kennedy, Gere stated. That's about that to understand. He's didn't have any failures, he added. It's all regulated success. It's all regulated adrenaline, cocaine hurry of success. Should you let them know, Mr. Gere. That leads us to question, did the actor go way of the role, participating in a few of these drug-fueled escapades to portray Burns? "My whole existence continues to be that, so it is easy for me personally [to experience], he cracked. I did not need to consider that! Did we point out that Richard Gere rocks !? While were in internet marketing, equally well . point out that Arbitrage opened on the snowy Saturday in Park City, UT to reviews that are positive and suggestions the film has strong commercial potential. For Gere, whos making his maiden Sundance voyage, its nearly as if, within the mountain tops of Utah, hes didn't have failing. The 2012 Sundance Film Festival is formally arrived, and also the MTV Movies team is on the floor confirming around the most popular stars and also the movies everybody is going to be speaking about around in the future. Ensure that it stays locked with MTV Movies for everything there's to understand about Sundance.

Len Wiseman talks Total Recall

Last week we brought you the first official synopsis for Len Wiseman's Total Recall reboot, the gist of which seemed to be that it will be pretty much the same as the last one, minus the Martian setting.Now Wiseman has come out and had his say on the project, which he insists will delve deeper into the themes addressed by the Philip K Dick story We Can Remember It For You Wholesale, upon which the first film was based."I'm very close to handing over my cut," Wiseman told Comingsoon.net. " It's going really well. The combination of mystery and emotion and action, it's coming together. Colin [Farrell] is a large part of that and I'm really happy with him.""I think the complexity of the dual stories was the most surprising and challenging thing," he continues. "When you see Total Recall, the [Paul] Verhoeven film, you experience it, it's finished. When you're involved in diving into the material again and going back into the Philip K. Dick story, you realize there is so much to be discussed about the dual stories. There's the reality story and there's the fantasy element. They're running parallel together, so you always have to keep those two alive. That's the inherent nature of the concept and what makes the concept so cool."And according to Wiseman, that dual-concept meant his cast had to be on their toes throughout filming."I will say, at the same time, this made all of the conversation I had with my cast fun," Wiseman added. "Every little detail has to apply to both scenarios. My actors would ask, 'So, in this scene, am I - because I know that I'm lying, because I'm the double agent - how well do I act?'" "It sounds like a silly question, but do you want the other character to see through that or am I so good as a double agent that you would never suspect I'm the best buddy or the wife.' It's all of those little things. So, that's my long way of saying the dual nature of the story was the best thing about this."Total Recall will be released in the UK on 22 August 2012.

SnagFilms nabs 16 documents

16 notable documentaries are going to SnagFilms' free, ad-supported online platform, since the on-demand distributor has guaranteed digital rights to game game titles including "Super Size Me," "Jesus Camping," "Enron: The Best Males inside the room,In . and former Sundance grand jury prize champion "We Live in Public."SnagFilms is working out release home home windows for your films, which will begin unspooling the next month. Photos enhance the distrib's 3000-strong catalog of films designed for free streaming, including documentaries and films.Other pact photos include "Operation Homecoming," "Manda Bala" and "Casino Jack as well as the united states . States of money.InchInchSnagFilms is thrilled to add these outstanding award individuals who win -- beloved by experts and film fans alike -- towards the library more than 3,000 acclaimed independent films," mentioned Ron Allen, SnagFilms Boss. "We anticipate getting those to new audiences through special releases inside the days later on.Inch The purchases -- including 12 game game titles from Magnolia Pictures, plus game game titles from Samuel Goldwyn Films, The Documentary Group, Interloper Films and City Lights Pictures -- seriously the heels of SnagFilms' recent pickup of latest game game titles including 2011 South By Southwest grand jury prize champion "Dragonslayer," 2011 multi-festival champion "Splinters." (opening theatrically in February), 2010 DOC New you are able to city grand prize champion Windfall (also opening theatrically in February), new festival individuals who win All Me: The Existence and Occasions of Winfred Rembert, and Push: Madison versus. Madison, plus award-winning library game game titles, including Sundance Grand Jury Prize champion and Academy Award Nominee Using the Friedmans and Sundance Grand Jury Prize champion and Emmy nominee Southern Comfort.Other game game titles within the latest acquisition are: "Crazy Love," "Surfwise," "Control Room," "No Finish nearby,Inch "Bukowski: Born into This," "Mr. Untouchable," "Bigger, More effective, Faster," "Terror's Advocate," and "A League of standard Gentlemen." Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Joan August Kucinski dies

Actress and opera singer Joan August Kucinski died of natural causes on Jan. 7. She was 83. Kucinski was a geniune Broadway cast part of "Camelot" (1961), starring Richard Burton, Julie Andrews and Robert Goulet, in addition to came out round the original Broadway cast recording. She also came out inside the Broadway musical "Destry Rides Again" (1959) and was Kate Pinkerton in the 1965 output of "Madame Butterfly" while using NY City Opera Company, where she completed for two-and-a-half decades. Throughout today she met and married her husband Arthur Kucinski, also area of the NY City Opera. After they left the brand new you are able to city Opera, the happy couple opened up up Glorianna Prods., where they completed Gilbert and Sullivan with the U.S. Joan August was produced in Chicago, graduated from Northwestern U. School of Music and examined music four years in Italia. Her husband died in 1999. Kucinski is managed to get by her brother-in-law, Fritz Kucinski, and several nieces and nephews. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

5 Music Stars Who Grew to become Celebrities

5 Music Stars Who Grew to become Celebrities By Christy Lemire The month of january 13, 2012 Photo by Screen Gems Cher in "Burlesque" La (AP) Everybody wants to become a multi-hyphenate. Nobody really wants to be pigeonholed. And thus basketball gamers play the role of emcees and emcees play the role of basketball gamers. Jessica Simpson sells footwear and Jennifer Lopez sells perfume.But while stars frequently play the role of performers Eddie Murphy's "Party Constantly,Inch anybody? performers also frequently head to acting. Sometimes they create impressive second careers for themselves sometimes, they are Britney Warrior spears in "Crossroads."Now, we have seen several music artists who've made the transition from it studio towards the giant screen. Full Latifah and Dolly Parton co-star within the gospel comedy "Pleased Noise," while Mark Wahlberg plays an expert smuggler in "Contraband." So here is a look at five great music stars who grew to become great stars. For sake of argument, entertainers like Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli as well as these J.Lo, who had their roots both in artistic representations concurrently, don't count. We are speaking about individuals who were mainly referred to as performers (or emcees, etc.) making the leap: Frank Sinatra: The Chairman from the Board was, obviously, a significant pop star who triggered a craze among screaming bobbysoxers within the nineteen forties before crafting a significant movie career for themself. Sinatra won an Academy Award for the best supporting actor in 1953's "Came From Here to Eternity" and gained a best-actor nomination for 1955's "The Guy Using the Golden Arm." Early film roles naturally were in musicals, including "Anchors Aweigh" (1945) and "Around town" (1949) with Gene Kelly. The initial "Ocean's Eleven" (1960) permitted him to listen to it smooth as master crook Danny Sea, as the political thriller "The Manchurian Candidate" (1962) most likely provided him together with his finest performance. Will Cruz: The previous Fresh Prince of Bel-Air changed themself right into a two-time Oscar nominee, going from appealing rap tunes and sitcom laughs to heavyweight roles in "Ali" and "The Quest for Happyness." Cruz may be the epitome of the superstar, with talent and charm for the days. He's proven he will do it all, from comedy (the "Males in Black" movies) to action (the "Bad Boys" movies) to romance ("Hitch") to sci-fi ("I'm Legend") to serious dramas ("Seven Pounds"). But his initial role, in 1993's "Six Levels of Separation," demonstrated he was confident enough to juggle multiple genres inside the same film. At this time, I'd say he's entered over so completely, he's known more for his acting compared to his music. Bette Midler: The Divine Miss M forged her career belting out tunes on Broadway, at nightclubs as well as in bathhouses (having a then-unknown Craig Manilow as her accompanist) a petite lady having a bigger-than-existence stage presence. But she impressed the planet together with her acting capabilities in her own initial film role in 1979's "The Rose," playing a self-destructive, drug-addicted rock star inspired by Janis Joplin. The performance gained her an Oscar nomination for the best actress another nomination will come for 1991's "For that Boys." Standout comic roles include "A bit low in Beverly Hillsides," ''Outrageous Fortune" and "The Very First Spouses Club." And merely attempt to watch "Beaches" without crying. Cher: She's a diva who's had levels and lows and existed forever. But Cher would be a singer and variety television star (with then-husband Sonny Bono) noted for her large, flamboyant personality before assembling a string of strong, eclectic film performances within the 1980s and 1990's, including "Mask," ''The Ghouls of Eastwick" and "Tea With Mussolini." She won a best-actress Oscar because the hard-headed Loretta in 1987's "Moonstruck" (and before that was nominated for the best supporting actress for 1983's "Silkwood"). Her last film role was ... well, it had been supplying the voice of the lioness under Kevin James' care in 2011's "Zookeeper." But Cher is always filled with surprises, so as her "Burlesque" ballad goes we haven't seen all of the her. Justin Timberlake: I had been very enticed to place Dwight Yoakam in this place. Or Mos Def, as well as Ice Cube. But JT is simply too effective. He's lengthy since transcended his "Donald Duck Club" and boy-band roots being not only a formidable solo artist but also an actress of surprising range. Following dramatic supporting roles in "Alpha Dog" and "Black Lizard Moan," he was charming as hell because the ambitious Sean Parker in "The Social Networking." This year, he demonstrated he is able to be both an intimate lead ("Buddies With Benefits") as well as an action star ("Over TimeInch), while reinforcing his talents like a comedian ("Bad Teacher"). After which you will find his "Saturday Evening Live" looks, which granted spoof his pop-star youth, they also permit him to showcase that sharp comic timing.Copyright 2012 Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 5 Music Stars Who Grew to become Celebrities By Christy Lemire The month of january 13, 2012 Cher in "Burlesque" PHOTO CREDIT Screen Gems La (AP) Everybody wants to become a multi-hyphenate. Nobody wants to become pigeonholed. And thus basketball gamers play the role of emcees and emcees play the role of basketball gamers. Jessica Simpson sells footwear and Jennifer Lopez sells perfume.But while stars frequently play the role of performers Eddie Murphy's "Party Constantly,Inch anybody? performers also frequently head to acting. Sometimes they create impressive second careers on their own sometimes, they are Britney Warrior spears in "Crossroads."Now, we have seen several music artists who've made the transition in the recording studio towards the giant screen. Full Latifah and Dolly Parton co-star within the gospel comedy "Pleased Noise," while Mark Wahlberg plays an expert smuggler in "Contraband." So here's a glance at five great music stars who grew to become great stars. For sake of argument, entertainers like Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli as well as these J.Lo, who had their roots both in artistic representations concurrently, don't count. We are speaking about individuals who were mainly referred to as performers (or emcees, etc.) making the leap: Frank Sinatra: The Chairman from the Board was, obviously, a significant pop star who triggered a craze among screaming bobbysoxers within the nineteen forties before crafting a significant movie career for themself. Sinatra won an Academy Award for the best supporting actor in 1953's "Came From Here to Eternity" and gained a best-actor nomination for 1955's "The Guy Using the Golden Arm." Early film roles naturally were in musicals, including "Anchors Aweigh" (1945) and "Around town" (1949) with Gene Kelly. The initial "Ocean's Eleven" (1960) permitted him to experience it smooth as master crook Danny Sea, as the political thriller "The Manchurian Candidate" (1962) most likely provided him together with his finest performance. Will Cruz: The previous Fresh Prince of Bel-Air changed themself right into a two-time Oscar nominee, going from appealing rap tunes and sitcom laughs to heavyweight roles in "Ali" and "The Quest for Happyness." Cruz may be the epitome of the superstar, with talent and charm for the days. He's proven he will do it all, from comedy (the "Males in Black" movies) to action (the "Bad Boys" movies) to romance ("Hitch") to sci-fi ("I'm Legend") to serious dramas ("Seven Pounds"). But his initial role, in 1993's "Six Levels of Separation," demonstrated he was confident enough to juggle multiple genres inside the same film. At this time, I'd say he's entered over so completely, he's known more for his acting compared to his music. Bette Midler: The Divine Miss M forged her career belting out tunes on Broadway, at nightclubs as well as in bathhouses (having a then-unknown Craig Manilow as her accompanist) a petite lady having a bigger-than-existence stage presence. But she impressed the planet together with her acting capabilities in her own initial film role in 1979's "The Rose," playing a self-destructive, drug-addicted rock star inspired by Janis Joplin. The performance gained her an Oscar nomination for the best actress another nomination will come for 1991's "For that Boys." Standout comic roles include "A bit low in Beverly Hillsides," ''Outrageous Fortune" and "The Very First Spouses Club." And merely attempt to watch "Beaches" without crying. Cher: She's a diva who's had levels and lows and existed forever. But Cher would be a singer and variety television star (with then-husband Sonny Bono) noted for her large, flamboyant personality before assembling a string of strong, eclectic film performances within the 1980s and 1990's, including "Mask," ''The Ghouls of Eastwick" and "Tea With Mussolini." She won a best-actress Oscar because the hard-headed Loretta in 1987's "Moonstruck" (and before which was nominated for the best supporting actress for 1983's "Silkwood"). Her last film role was ... well, it had been supplying the voice of the lioness under Kevin James' care in 2011's "Zookeeper." But Cher is definitely filled with surprises, so as her "Burlesque" ballad goes we've not seen all of the her. Justin Timberlake: I had been very enticed to place Dwight Yoakam within this place. Or Mos Def, as well as Ice Cube. But JT is simply too effective. He's lengthy since transcended his "Donald Duck Club" and boy-band roots being not only a formidable solo artist but additionally an actress of surprising range. Following dramatic supporting roles in "Alpha Dog" and "Black Lizard Moan," he was charming as hell because the ambitious Sean Parker in "The Social Networking." This season, he demonstrated he is able to be both an intimate lead ("Buddies With Benefits") as well as an action star ("Over TimeInch), while reinforcing his talents like a comedian ("Bad Teacher"). After which you will find his "Saturday Evening Live" looks, which granted spoof his pop-star youth, they also permit him to showcase that sharp comic timing.Copyright 2012 Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

'Artist' wins Lumiere best pic

PARIS -- Gaul's kudos season started Friday with Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist" winning best film and actress for Berenice Bejo within the Lumieres Honours, french comparable to the Golden Globes. The pic, that's been by having an award-winning spree since bowing at Cannes, which is nommed for six Golden Globes, outshine other Cannes game game titles competing for your Lumieres best film jerk: Pierre Schoeller's "The Minister," Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache's hit comedy "Intouchables," Bertrand Bonello's "Apolonide" and Aki Kaurismaki's "Le Havre," champion in the Louis Delluc prize, that's given out by French experts. "The Artist," which was produced by Thomas Langmann's La Petite Reine, was released Stateside in November with the Weinstein Co. Competing against Hazanavicius, Bonello and Kaurismaki, Maiwenn acquired helmer on her behalf third feature, "Polisse," a gritty ensemble drama concentrating on cops your son or daughter protection unit. Omar Sy, who stars opposite Francois Cluzet in "Intouchables," won actor, beating out "The Artist's" Jean Dujardin, among other strong competitors. Before his breakthrough performance in "Intouchables," Sy was most broadly known in France just like a smallscreen comic on "SAV," a normal comedy demonstrate that airs on Canal Plus. Sy also starred in Nakache and Toledano's previous two films, "People Happy Days" and "So Happy Together." "Intouchables," Gaul's second finest B.O. hit ever, was produced by Quad Films and co-produced by Gaumont. Weinstein Co. has acquired the film for multiple areas, including U.S. distribution and remake rights. Denis Menochet nabbed newcomer for his part in "Ces Adoptes," a family group dramedy that marks the directorial debut of thesp Melanie Laurent ("Inglourious Basterds") while three of "Apollonide's" thesps, Alice Barnole, Adele Haenel and Celine Sallette, shared the feminine newcomer prize. Quebec helmer Denis Villeneuve's heart-wrenching drama "Incendies," with various follow Wajdi Mouawad, won for foreign film inside the French language. An important success, "Incendies" repped Canada in last year's foreign-language film Oscar race. Happening through the Unifrance's small-market, Rendez-Vous, the Lumieres Honours are selected on by foreign correspondents situated in Paris. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

New images from Mad Max: Fury Road

Approaching Mad Max reboot Fury Road continues to be languishing in development hell for a while now, but finally, it's searching as if George Miller's work of affection is ready to go in serious.Getting initially been scheduled to start filming within the Australian outback this year, the project was postponed when adverse climate conditions destroyed the dusty, desert-like conditions Burns was searching for.To not be placed off, Burns has moved the project to Africa, with cameras set to start moving in Namibia in April. Tom Sturdy and Charlize continue to be regarded as in position because the two leads, but possibly more excitingly, the very first images from the film's automobiles have showed up online.Pleasingly, they appear just as badass because the souped-up fight-wagons from the original movie series. We particularly such as the skull impact on the leading grill from the vehicle using the snow-plough attachment...Burns continues to be planning Mad Max: Fury Road because the first movie inside a trilogy, so allows hope he is able to get that one within the can without any further disruptions. Otherwise he'll be six ft under prior to the third one ever sees the sunshine of day...

Darnell Williams to Reunite With Debbi Morgan on The Young and the Restless

Debbi Morgan, Darnell Williams Darnell Williams will reunite with his longtime All My Children co-star Debbi Morgan in his new role on The Young and the Restless, Soap Opera Digest reports.Check out the rest of today's newsAside from All My Children, the two have co-starred in Loving and its spin-off, The City. Details about Williams' role on the CBS soap are scarce, but with All My Children's future in limbo, its good news for the 56-year-old actor.Do you think Williams will play Morgan's love interest in his new role?