Signs of the Apocalypse Roundup – September 2009 – Week 1
A&E confirms Jackson family series
Planning to launch ‘Jackson Family Dynasty’ this year
A&E is moving forward with a Jackson family reality series. The network confirms it will produce a new series with the Jackson brothers in the wake of Michael Jackson’s death. The series’ working title is “Jackson Family Dynasty.” A&E’s original one-hour documentary — shot before the singer died — will serve as the show’s first episode.
Steven Seagal: Lawman Trailer (New TV Show is Like The Foot Fist Way Meets “Sabotage”?)
“Until now, Seagal has never sought publicity for his work with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. However, over a span of almost two decades, he has regularly gone out on patrol and worked major cases. The series will allow fans to ride shotgun with Seagal as he and his hand-selected elite team of deputies respond to crimes-in-progress. Then, when Seagal goes off-duty, the cameras will continue following him as he pursues his many ventures – including musical performances and philanthropic efforts – in Jefferson Parish and New Orleans.”
Season two for ‘Giuliana’
Style picks up nonscripted show ‘Bill’
Style has picked up “Giuliana and Bill” for a second season, three weeks after it premiered on the network. “Giuliana and Bill” depicts the long-distance marriage of E! correspondent Giuliana Rancic in Los Angeles and her Chicago-based husband, an author and professional speaker.
MTV uncertain about fate of ‘Far’
Reality show was to star the late DJ AM
“Gone Too Far,” was set to bow on Oct. 5. Execs from MTV and Ish Entertainment, which produces the show with Gigantic Prods., were scrambling late Friday to get more information on what happened. “Gone Too Far” features the star, whose real name is Adam Goldstein, as he helps a group of young adults struggling with addictions. Goldstein was found dead Friday evening in New York; investigators reportedly suspect a drug overdose.
‘King’ enters TLC’s realm
Cabler orders 12 episodes of reality show
TLC has ordered 12 episodes of the reality skein that looks behind the scenes of the ultra-competitive beauty pageant biz. Series revolves around Cy Frakes, who has been coaching aspiring beauty queens for more than 20 years. Frakes’ business, Gowns and Crowns, teaches clients how to perfect their walk, style hair and smile on cue.
Business of the Business
Dollar nights gain traction in DVD trade
Kiosks to make up 30% of rental market by the end of 2010
Redbox and other DVD-kiosk chains have grown to 19% of the DVD rental market but are projected to comprise an impressive 30% by the end of 2010, according to an industry study released Tuesday. NPD Group said the current market share of kiosk companies, which collectively form the controversial dollar-rentals portion of the DVD marketplace, compares with a 36% share for Netflix and other subscription services and a 45% piece of the rental market for Blockbuster and other traditional video stores. Just a few years ago, DVD kiosks represented less than 2% of the rental market. Redbox, co-founded by McDonald’s but now 100%-owned by Coinstar, changed all that after it began aggressively rolling out its network of rental kiosks in retail locations nationwide in 2005.
U.K. may cut Web access to file sharers
Government to speed up process of tackling file sharing
Repeat offenders who persist in illegally downloading music from file-sharing sites such as Limewire could be blocked from accessing the Web under British government proposals issued on Tuesday. The government said it was publishing new ideas to speed up the process of tackling unlawful peer-to-peer file sharing to prevent damage to the content industries. Proposals include requiring Internet Service Providers to take action against individual repeat infringers, including blocking access to download sites, reducing broadband speeds or by temporarily suspending an individual’s Internet account.
Flixster unveils iPhone app
‘Movies’ 3.0 gives digital platform for consumers
Online movie site Flixster has launched version 3.0 of “Movies,” its free iPhone app. The newest version of “Movies” offers movie ticketing via Movietickets.com; digital-download integration with iTunes; movie rental queue management with Netflix; and local restaurant listings through Yelp.
Film Fresh, DivX sign DVD agreement
Deal allows users to back up their downloads
Film Fresh struck a deal with DivX, and the two have pacts to sell movies from Paramount, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros. and Lionsgate. There are about 200 million devices worldwide that can play DivX media, including DVD and Blu-ray players and PlayStation 3 consoles. Once purchased, movies can be burned to as many DVDs as the customer wishes, but the DVDs can only be played on the device that is registered to the proper user.
Beijing cinemas to issue coupons
Program to encourage propaganda movies
Beijing cinemas are planning to issue 900,000 coupons to moviegoers to encourage them to watch patriotic and propaganda movies in the run-up to the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Chinese state. From Sept.1 to Sept. 20, after buying a full price ticket for a domestic film at any cinema in Beijing, moviegoers will receive one of the coupons, said Wang Jian, an official with the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Radio and Television, told local media.
Planet of the Odd
Jessica Biel named ‘most dangerous celebrity’
Web searches for the actress likely to lead to viruses
Security technology company McAfee Inc. on Tuesday reported that searches for the 27-year-old actress are more likely to lead to online threats such as spyware and viruses than searches for any other celebrity. McAfee said fans searching for the actress have a one-in-five chance of ending up at a Web site designed to damage one’s computer. Its the third annual report on the subject from McAfee, which last year found that Brad Pitt was the “most dangerous” celeb online.
Madonna booed for defending Gypsies
Romanian audience scoffs at singer’s plea for tolerance
At first, fans politely applauded the Roma performers sharing a stage with Madonna. Then the pop star condemned widespread discrimination against Roma, or Gypsies — and the cheers gave way to jeers. The sharp mood change that swept the crowd of 60,000, who had packed a park for Wednesday night’s concert, underscores how prejudice against Gypsies remains deeply entrenched across Eastern Europe.
‘Law & Order’ fan helps nab robbery suspect
Justine Faeth offered possible walk-on role on ‘SVU’
Justine Faeth’s favorite show is “Law & Order Special Victims Unit.” The Manhattan office assistant recently used sleuthing skills she picked up from the show to help police catch a man accused of a string of robberies. The suspect walked into the production company where Faeth works. Police say he stole an employee’s purse, an iPod and a wallet. Before leaving, he drank water and blew his nose. Faeth saved the cup and tissue. Investigators used DNA samples from the items to track down and arrest a suspect.
Kirsten Dunst Cosplays in Tokyo for a McG Music Video
Images of Kirsten Dunst in Tokyo’s Akihabara shopping district in a sailor-suit costume and a blue wigfor a video being shot directed by McG (”Terminator Salvation”), who has expressed his love for “Sailor Moon” in the past. According to reports, the video is going to be displayed at the Tate Modern in London later this year. No other info is known yet save or a few images of Kirsten Dunst in costume.
Swinton and Cousins hit Highlands
Pilgrimage through Scotland brings film to public
All the best revolutions start with a couple of people in a room who share a crazy idea that couldn’t possibly work. Tilda Swinton and Mark Cousins are two such idealists. The Oscar-winning actress and the film writer dreamed of pulling a cinema by hand across the Scottish Highlands, showing some of their favorite movies along the way. In August, they did just that.
The Fine Print
This is by no means meant to be a comprehensive roundup of the entire weeks’ news. All stories are chosen by me for no other reason than that they got my attention and might capture yours. If something you think is more important chime in on the feedback; we’d love to hear comments and have a conversation about it.
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