Showbiz Sandbox

When NBC removed the quirky sitcom "Community" from their mid-season schedule the show's cult following went berserk. Fans launched petitions via Twitter and Facebook and in an ironic twist, got the show selected as TV Guide Magazine's second annual Fan Favorites winner. In a desperate effort to find success with their primetime programming, NBC has given the "Community" time slot to another acclaimed comedy with mediocre ratings, "Up All Night". Is anyone minding the store at the struggling network, or are all these calculated strategic moves? Maybe "Community" can be saved by Netflix. That's not such a far fetched idea now that the video rental cum streaming service is resuscitating the long-canceled "Arrested Development" by producing another 10 episodes. Yet, as Netflix moves into original content, it stock price continues to decline as some of the companies cash flow problems are made public. Meanwhile, 30 years after it occurred, the Los Angeles Sheriff's department has decided to reopen the case of Natalie Wood's death. The legendary actress drowned under mysterious circumstances in 1981 while boating with her husband Robert Wagner. Could investigators actually find new evidence so long after the fact, or are they following tips from sources who might have ulterior motives. We also cover the top entertainment news stories from the past two weeks including, Ricky Gervais reprising his role as host of the Golden Globes, Google's new music business and Sylvester Stallone's plans to adapt "Rocky" into a Broadway musical. 'Breaking Dawn' Feasts On Ticket Sales Over Holiday http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/11/box-office-breaking-dawn-hugo-muppets-arthur.html (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/11/box-office-breaking-dawn-hugo-muppets-arthur.html) Ricky Gervais Will Return As Host of the 2012 Golden Globes http://theenvelope.latimes.com/news/la-et-gervais-globes-20111117,0,5346227.story (http://theenvelope.latimes.com/news/la-et-gervais-globes-20111117,0,5346227.story) Sheriff's Department Reopens Natalie Wood Case http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-me-natalie-wood-20111118,0,6344410.story (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-me-natalie-wood-20111118,0,6344410.story) 'Arrested Development' To Be Resurrected By Netflix http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/arrested-development-be-resurrected-by-263790 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/arrested-development-be-resurrected-by-263790) Has Netflix Overextended Itself? http://gigaom.com/video/netflix-400m-stock-bond-sale/ (http://gigaom.com/video/netflix-400m-stock-bond-sale/) NBC Unveils Midseason Schedule, 'Community' and 'Prime Suspect' On Bench http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/11/nbc-unveils-midseason-schedule-community-and-prime-suspect-on-bench.html (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/11/nbc-unveils-midseason-schedule-community-and-prime-suspect-on-bench.html) Plan to Revive Two ABC Soap Operas Collapses http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/23/plan-collapses-for-reviving-all-my-children-and-one-life-to-live/ (http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/23/plan-collapses-for-reviving-all-my-children-and-one-life-to-live/) Google Music Launches: Free Cloud Storage, 320kps Downloads & D.I.Y. Artist Hub http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2011/11/google-music-launches-free-cloud-storage-320kps-downloads-diy-artist-hub.html (http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2011/11/google-music-launches-free-cloud-storage-320kps-downloads-diy-artist-hub.html) Sony Proposes Over-The-Top TV Service http://gigaom.com/video/sony-ott-tv/ (http://gigaom.com/video/sony-ott-tv/) Randy Jackson Closes Deal To Manage Mariah Carey http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/randy-jackson-close-deal-manage-258345 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/randy-jackson-close-deal-manage-258345)

Getting publicity in Hollywood can be a very difficult task. If you are an A-list director like Brett Ratner or a hot actor like Ashton Kutcher however, all you need to do is make a bigoted statement or fire off an ignorant Twitter post and you'll get more ink than you ever wanted. Ratner's homophobic slur forced him to resign as producer of next year's Oscars, while Kutcher's uninformed opinion on current events caused him to rethink his social media participation. Has the entertainment industry become overly sensitive or do its inhabitants just have no class? We try to figure out what all the fuss is about. The other big news of the week was the sale of record label EMI to Universal Music Group and Sony. EMI's owner, Citibank, decided to split the record label from its publishing arm in an effort to get the deal passed antitrust regulators. As the music industry contracts from four major record companies to three, what will it mean for indie artists and their fans? Broadway may also be undergoing some changes soon. Long running musicals such as "Mamma Mia!", "Chicago" and "Mary Poppins" seem to be fading fast and may need to make way for new productions such as a revival of "Porgy & Bess", "Evita" featuring Ricky Martin and a stage version of "Bonnie & Clyde". We also cover the week's top entertainment headlines including, but not limited to, the introduction of Amazon's lending library, Jay-Z's new T-shirt business and film critic Roger Ebert's quest to find a sponsor for his weekly television show. A Scorched Earth Debut For Call Of Duty http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/11/a-scorched-earth-debut-for-call-of-duty/ (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/11/a-scorched-earth-debut-for-call-of-duty/) Relativity Media Is At A Crossroads http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-fi-ct-relativity-20111112,0,5416601.story (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-fi-ct-relativity-20111112,0,5416601.story) Brett Ratner's 10 Offensive Quotes That Ended In Oscar Trouble http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/brett-ratner-fired-oscars-olivia-munn-258883 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/brett-ratner-fired-oscars-olivia-munn-258883) How Much Will Eddie Murphy's Oscar Exit Effect His Career? http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/eddie-murphy-oscars-career-brett-ratner-259479 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/eddie-murphy-oscars-career-brett-ratner-259479) Billy Crystal To Host The Oscars http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/billy-crystal-oscars-host-eddie-murphy-brett-ratner-259475 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/billy-crystal-oscars-host-eddie-murphy-brett-ratner-259475) Ricky Gervais Offers To Host Oscars Following Eddie Murphy, Brett Ratner Exits http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/brett-ratner-eddie-murphy-oscars-ricky-gervais-260153 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/brett-ratner-eddie-murphy-oscars-ricky-gervais-260153) Ashton Kutcher No Longer Trusts Himself To Tweet http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/11/ashton-kutcher-no-longer-trusts-himself-to-tweet.html (http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/11/ashton-kutcher-no-longer-trusts-himself-to-tweet.html) Ashton Kutcher's Twitter Management http://aplusk.posterous.com/twitter-management (http://aplusk.posterous.com/twitter-management) Theater Mania's Broadway Grosses http://www.theatermania.com/extras/broadwayGrosses/ (http://www.theatermania.com/extras/broadwayGrosses/) Could Amazon's Lending Library End In Court http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/49430-could-amazon--s-lending-library-end-in-court-.html (http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/49430-could-amazon--s-lending-library-end-in-court-.html) Jay-Z’s Occupy Wall Street T-Shirts Removed After Criticism http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jay-z-occupy-wall-street-shirts-removed-260830

Radio listenership has eroded over the past several years as consumers have adopted streaming music services such as Spotify and Pandora.  To stay competitive and survive, Clear Channel, the nation's largest radio station operator, shocked the industry this past week by firing dozens of local D.J.'s and replacing them with a national programming team.  Indie-label artists and music fans are sure to suffer as radio playlists become more homogenized and less relevant. Google has no plans to get into radio, however rumors have surfaced that they might be trying to add a cable television operation to their broadband project in Kansas.  Launching and maintaining a cable television service is not exactly like running a search engine; it can be expensive, take years and ultimately lead to a lot of red ink. Comedian Louis C.K. has shunned traditional cable altogether.  He's decided to broadcast his upcoming comedy concert directly to fans via the Internet, bypassing traditional television distribution. Social media maven Karen Woodward (http://www.karenwoodwardonline.com/) returns to help us cover the week's top entertainment news including an "X-Factor" lip synching controversy, a new talk show for Queen Latifah and Hugh Jackman's latest success on Broadway. Scorsese Rousingly Endorses 3-D, Says Holograms Next http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/11/martin-scorsese-hugo-3d-hugo-release-reviews-butterfield-moretz-movie.html (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/11/martin-scorsese-hugo-3d-hugo-release-reviews-butterfield-moretz-movie.html) Gil Cates Dies At 77; Producer, Director and Showman http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-gil-cates-20111102,0,1665997.story  (http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-gil-cates-20111102,0,1665997.story ) 18 Qualify For Best Animated Feature http://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/18-qualify-for-best-animated-feature.html (http://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/18-qualify-for-best-animated-feature.html) Google Ponders Pay-TV Business http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405297020462190457701635267.... (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204621904577016352676478994.html) Louis C. K. Plans Online Broadcast of Comedy Concert http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/04/louis-c-k-plans-online-broadcast-of-comedy-concert/ (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/04/louis-c-k-plans-online-broadcast-of-comedy-concert/) Clear Channel Cutting More On-Air Talent Across The Country http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/10/31/clear-channel-radio-layoffs/ (http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/10/31/clear-channel-radio-layoffs/) Producer Explains Scrapping Funny Girl http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/05/theater/producer-explains-the-scrapping-of-funny-girl.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/05/theater/producer-explains-the-scrapping-of-funny-girl.html) Hugh Jackman Benefits From Broadway Box-office Inflation http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/11/hugh-jackman-back-on-broadway.html (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/11/hugh-jackman-back-on-broadway.html) Queen Latifah To Host Daytime Talk Show In 2013 http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/queen-latifah-to-host-daytime-talk-show-eyed-for-2013-from-sony-tv-overbrook/ (http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/queen-latifah-to-host-daytime-talk-show-eyed-for-2013-from-sony-tv-overbrook/) Newspapers See Uptick In Digital Subscriptions http://www.adweek.com/news/press/newspapers-see-uptick-digital-subscriptions-weekend-circulation-136238 (http://www.adweek.com/news/press/newspapers-see-uptick-digital-subscriptions-weekend-circulation-136238) EMI & EchoNest Create First Major Label "Open Sandbox" For Music Apps http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2011/11/emi-echonest-create-first-major-label-open-sandbox-for-music-apps.html (http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2011/11/emi-echonest-create-first-major-label-open-sandbox-for-music-apps.html)

More than 75 companies have teamed up to form UltraViolet, a new service that promises to give consumers the freedom to watch movies and television shows wherever and whenever they want. However, early adopters have discovered that untethering content from physical media such as DVDs can be a tedious and confusing process. As the entertainment industry experiments with rapidly evolving technologies, viewers seem hard pressed to find any benefits in moving to the cloud. When it comes to music though, fans have already migrated to online services such as Pandora, iTunes and Amazon. Now Google is preparing to launch its own music offering which is rumored to allow users to share music with their friends and family. And if you thought digital technology was a tough racket, so is trying to copy the success of the hit television series "Mad Men". NBC failed with it's 1960s drama "The Playboy Club" and ABC isn't fairing much better with "Pan Am", a similar knock-off. They could have picked up Charlie Sheen's new sitcom, "Anger Management" as a replacement, but FX scooped it up before anyone had a chance. We also cover the week's top entertainment news including new legislation aimed at curbing piracy, Netflix's continuing struggles and why Adele had to cancel the rest of her world tour. Spielberg's 'Tintin' Off To A Solid Start At European Box Office http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/10/box-office.... (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/10/box-office-tintin-overseas-europe.html) Pro Football Dominates Fall TV Ratings http://www.adweek.com/news/television/nfl-only-game-town-135951 (http://www.adweek.com/news/television/nfl-only-game-town-135951) Slow Start For TV's X-Factor http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204485304576641454.... (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204485304576641454081534380.html) Charlie Sheen's 'Anger Management' Lands at FX http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/charlie-sheen-anger-management-FX-252834 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/charlie-sheen-anger-management-FX-252834) Amazon Becomes A Book Publisher - Is Music Next? http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/digital-and-mobile/business-matters-amazon-becomes-a-book-publisher-1005417162.story (http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/digital-and-mobile/business-matters-amazon-becomes-a-book-publisher-1005417162.story) Pandora Prepares To Do Battle With Local Broadcast Radio http://venturebeat.com/2011/10/18/pandora-prepares-to-do-battle-with-local-broadcast-radio/ (http://venturebeat.com/2011/10/18/pandora-prepares-to-do-battle-with-local-broadcast-radio/) Google Music Will Let Users Share Songs After Purchase http://www.businessinsider.com/google-music-will-let-users-share-songs-after-purchase-2011-10?op=1 (http://www.businessinsider.com/google-music-will-let-users-share-songs-after-purchase-2011-10?op=1) At Broadway Box Office This Fall The Plays The Thing http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/24/at-broadway-box-office-this-fall-the-plays-the-thing/ (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/24/at-broadway-box-office-this-fall-the-plays-the-thing/) UltraViolet Adds Streaming Access To DVD And Blu-Ray http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/ultraviolet-adds-streaming-access-dvd-and-blu-ray-135704 (http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/ultraviolet-adds-streaming-access-dvd-and-blu-ray-135704) Doris Day to Receive Career Achievement Award From Los Angeles Film Critics Association http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/doris-day-los-angeles-film-critics-association-awards-254981 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/doris-day-los-angeles-film-critics-association-awards-254981) YouTube Announces TV Initiative With 100 Niche Channels http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/youtube-tv-channels-kutcher-poehler-254370 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/youtube-tv-channels-kutcher-poehler-254370)

It turns out your DVR can be helpful beyond just recording your favorite television shows. Examining which commercials you skip past might be able to help predict box office flops and monitoring which shows you watch can save a borderline series from being canceled. We'll debate whether television networks and movie studios can benefit from the data being collected from your DVR. Apple however may be trying to make your DVR obsolete. The long standing rumors that Apple might be working on a next generation television set have heated up once again. Would you welcome Apple into your living room? Dozens of entries make up this year's Best Foreign Language Oscar list, though all of them will ultimately be nominated. We'll explain how the list ultimately gets whittled down to just five movies. We also cover the week's top entertainment headlines including why Hulu is no longer for sale, why Jonny Depp's "Lone Ranger" is back in production and how Amazon plans to make publishers unnecessary. Scorsese's Unfinished 3-D "Hugo" Gets Strong Reception http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/11/us-hugo-idUSTRE79A6NU20111011 (http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/11/us-hugo-idUSTRE79A6NU20111011) Academy Unveils Entrants For Best Foreign Language Film http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/academy-unveils-entrants-for-best.... (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/academy-unveils-entrants-for-best-foreign-language-film/) Are DVR Ad-Zappers Signaling Trouble For ‘Three Musketeers’? http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/are-dvr-ad-zappers-signalling-trouble-for.... (http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/are-dvr-ad-zappers-signalling-trouble-for-three-musketeers/) DVRs Bring Some Shows A Ratings Boost http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/10/dvrs-bring-some-shows.... (http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/10/dvrs-bring-some-shows-a-ratings-boost/) CBS Masters Viewers Universe With Big Bang Theory http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/14/cbs-masters-viewers-universe.... (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/14/cbs-masters-viewers-universe-with-big-bang-theory/) Early Report: Facebook Music Isn't Helping Artists Gain Fans http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/stories/101211facebook (http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/stories/101211facebook) Pandora Slow To Lure Mobile Ad Dollars Even As iPad Listeners Flock http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-11/pandora-slow-to-lure-mobile.... (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-11/pandora-slow-to-lure-mobile-ad-dollars-even-as-ipad-listeners-flock-tech.html) Billy Elliott To Close In January http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/03/billy-elliot-to-close-in-january/ (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/03/billy-elliot-to-close-in-january/) Funny Girl Finds A Home On Broadway http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/05/funny-girl-finds-a-home-on-broadway/ (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/05/funny-girl-finds-a-home-on-broadway/) A Detour On Road To Broadway For ‘The King’s Speech’ http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/07/a-detour-on-road-to.... (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/07/a-detour-on-road-to-broadway-for-the-kings-speech/) Susan Boyle Musical Coming To America? http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/susan-boyle-musical-coming-to-america/ (http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/susan-boyle-musical-coming-to-america/) Samuel L. Jackson In 'The Mountaintop': What Did The Critics Think? http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/10/samuel-l-jackson.... (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/10/samuel-l-jackson-in-the-mountaintop-what-did-the-critics-think.html) The Mountaintop (Sort Of) Scales The Heights http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/theater-the-mountaintop.... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/theater-the-mountaintop-s_b_1011556.html) Apple, Hollywood in Talks to Allow Movies On iPhones, iPads http://online.wsj.

Millions mourned the loss of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs this past week when the innovator behind the Macintosh computer,  the iPod and others died at the age of 56. Though the endless eulogies of Jobs always mention Jobs Pixar tenure, they rarely provided any real detail. Truth is Jobs lost money with Pixar for ten years trying to turn the company into a successful computer hardware business. We'll dive into the story of how Jobs came to own Pixar and how the company stumbled upon success in computer animation. Of course, there has never been a Pixar film that didn't make money. However, we often blithely dismiss one movie as being a box office loser and another as a hit even though they might seem similar in budgets and box office. When we consider a film a hit or a flop, we're making numerous assumptions on various factors. It's always a judgment call, but to try and explain what sort of judgments we're making, we've decided to look at several different movies and explain why we consider them a hit or miss. It's not as hard to tell when a new television series is a flop, especially after the network cancels it. A number of new shows ("Playboy Club") got axed this past week, while others ("New Girl") were picked up for an entire season. One series which nearly didn't make the cut was "The Simpsons". After its 23rd season the animated show was nearly canceled over a contract dispute with the cast providing voices for its lovable characters. We also cover the week's top entertainment headlines including yet another change of plans at Netflix, getting cable programming through the X-Box, and why theater owners are upset over Universal Pictures new home video strategy. Disney Plans To Rerelease More 3D Classics After Lion King Success http://3dradar.techradar.com/3d-tech/disney-plans-more-3d-classics-after.... (http://3dradar.techradar.com/3d-tech/disney-plans-more-3d-classics-after-lion-king-success-05-10-2011) Analyst: 3D Re-Releases Could Boost Annual U.S. Box Office by $200 Million-$300 Million http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/analyst-3d-releases-could-boost-244500 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/analyst-3d-releases-could-boost-244500) Hollywood Profits Demystified http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/the_hollywood_economist/2005/08/.... (http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/the_hollywood_economist/2005/08/hollywoods_profits_demystified.html) The Pixar Touch by David A. Price http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307278298/ (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307278298/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=showbsandb-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0307278298) How Pixar Gave Steve Jobs His Mojo Back http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2011/10/09/how-pixar-gave.... (http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2011/10/09/how-pixar-gave-steve-jobs-his-mojo-back.html) Steve Jobs Bio Tops Amazon Bestseller List http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2011/10/steve-jobs-bio-tops-amazon-bestseller-list.html (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/jacketcopy/2011/10/steve-jobs-bio-tops-amazon-bestseller-list.html) Sony Is Said To Buy Film Rights To Jobs Biography http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/08/sony-is-said-to-buy-film-rights-to-jobs-biography/ (http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/08/sony-is-said-to-buy-film-rights-to-jobs-biography/) Will Apple Lose It's Magic? http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/10/06/steve-jobs-passing-will-apple-lose-its-magic-with-creative-spark-gone.html (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/10/06/steve-jobs-passing-will-apple-lose-its-magic-with-creative-spark-gone.html) Apple Innovations Include Start of Big-Budget Super Bowl Ads http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/07/business/media/recalling-apples-influence-and-innovations-advertising.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/07/business/media/recalling-apples-influence-and-innovations-advertising.html) Money Dispute May End Simpsons http://www.

As moviegoers grow more skeptical over paying premiums to see 3D movies you would think now would be a bad time to raise ticket prices yet again. However, if Sony Pictures has their way that's just what may happen. Last week the studio told exhibitors they would no longer pay for 3D glasses after May 2012 triggering the start of a war between studios and cinemas that may wind up hitting movie audiences right in the wallet. We take a deeper look at the history and reasons behind this ongoing dispute. Maybe movie buffs should forego the multiplex altogether and choose to stay home with a hot new independent film. Prescreen (http://www.prescreen.com/) is an innovative new movie marketing and distribution platform for filmmakers and distributors that can help you find just the right one. Shawn Bercuson (http://twitter.com/#!/sbercuson), the company's CEO, joins us to explain what Prescreen is all about. Facebook has also gotten into the discovery game with Open Graph, a new features which allows users to share experiences with friends in realtime. Now whenever a Facebook user is listening to music on Pandora or watching a movie on Netflix it will broadcast to everyone they are connected with on Facebook. What does Facebook's entry into media recommendation mean for existing players such as Last.fm, Spotify and Pandora? We also cover all the week's top entertainment news including the potential return of "Arrested Development", Lady Gaga's trip to Harvard and a big prize for comedian-turned-banjo player Steve Martin. 'Lion King' Shoots To List of Top 10 Grossing Films Of All-Time Domestically http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lion-king-shoots-up-no-242945 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lion-king-shoots-up-no-242945) A Deeper Look At Sony's Battle With Exhibitors Over 3D Glasses http://celluloidjunkie.com/2011/09/30/a-deeper-look-at-sonys-battle-with-exhibitors-over-3d-glasses/ (http://celluloidjunkie.com/2011/09/30/a-deeper-look-at-sonys-battle-with-exhibitors-over-3d-glasses/) RealD Shares Drop 15% After Sony Decides To Stop Paying For 3D Glasses http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/reald-shares-drop-15-percent-sony-3d-glasses-241718 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/reald-shares-drop-15-percent-sony-3d-glasses-241718) '3D Movies A Gimmick' Says YouGov Survey http://3dradar.techradar.com/3d-tech/3d-movies-gimmick-says-yougov-survey-26-09-2011 (http://3dradar.techradar.com/3d-tech/3d-movies-gimmick-says-yougov-survey-26-09-2011) NBC’s Bob Greenblatt Not Rushing To Cancel Low-Rated ‘Playboy Club’ Or ‘Free Agents’ http://www.deadline.com/2011/09/nbcs-bob-greenblatt-not-rushing-to-wield-cancellation-axe/ (http://www.deadline.com/2011/09/nbcs-bob-greenblatt-not-rushing-to-wield-cancellation-axe/) The Sad Ballad of the Sinking Social Engagement (and Ratings) of 'Glee' http://adage.com/article/trending-topics/sad-ballad-sinking-social-engagement-glee/230094/ (http://adage.com/article/trending-topics/sad-ballad-sinking-social-engagement-glee/230094/) Facebook Account Now Required For Spotify Signup, And Users Aren't Happy http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2011/09/facebook-account-now-required-for-spotify-signup-and-users-arent-happy.html (http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2011/09/facebook-account-now-required-for-spotify-signup-and-users-arent-happy.html) Spotify Shifts Gears On Facebook Privacy http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2011/09/spotify-shifts-gears-on-facebook-privacy-.html (http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2011/09/spotify-shifts-gears-on-facebook-privacy-.html) Spotify Users Jump 3.4 Million to 5.3 Million In 1 Week Thanks To Facebook http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2011/09/spotify-users-jump-34-million-to-53-million-in-1-week-thanks-to-facebook.html (http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2011/09/spotify-users-jump-34-million-to-53-million-in-1-week-thanks-to-facebook.html) Will Facebook Music Kill Last.fm http://www.hypebot.

Ryan Lawler (http://twitter.com/ryanlawler) has spent the last two years writing about online video and digital media trends for GigaOm (http://gigaom.com/video/), a beat he's covered for a number of publications. Who better to help us sort out what's been going on with Netflix over the past two weeks? Despite a plunging stock price, slower subscriber growth and increased competition from the likes of Dish Network, Lawler says we shouldn't be too worried about Netflix. He discusses what the future holds for the company during an in-depth interview. Meanwhile, the fall television season was jumpstarted by "Two and a Half Men" as more than 28 million viewers tuned in to see Ashton Kutcher replace Charlie Sheen. Don't feel too bad for Sheen though; he had 6.4 million people watching him get roasted over on Comedy Central and it appears he's settling his lawsuit with Warner Bros. for a cool $25 million. "The Lion King 3D" continues to dominate the worldwide box office, despite the fact that it's a 17 year old movie that most have already seen. "Titanic" and "Top Gun" are already getting 3D makeovers, and it's likely we'll see studios reaching back into their archives to find even more titles. We cover all the week's top entertainment news including the break up of the rock band R.E.M. after 30 years, Disney's plans for "Avatar" theme park attractions and the premiere of Simon Cowell's highly anticipated "X-Factor" singing competition. Inside Amazon's Lehigh Valley Warehouse http://articles.mcall.com/2011-09-17/news/mc-allentown-amazon-complaints-20110917_1_warehouse-workers-heat-stress-brutal-heat (http://articles.mcall.com/2011-09-17/news/mc-allentown-amazon-complaints-20110917_1_warehouse-workers-heat-stress-brutal-heat) "Star Wars: The Complete Saga" Blu-Ray Breaks Global Sales Records http://www.hitfix.com/articles/star-wars-the-complete-saga-blu-ray-breaks-global-sales-records (http://www.hitfix.com/articles/star-wars-the-complete-saga-blu-ray-breaks-global-sales-records) 3D Makeovers Coming To Aging Hollywood Blockbusters http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-3d-rereleases-20110925,0,2063864.story (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-3d-rereleases-20110925,0,2063864.story) Sony Plans Ghostbusters Screenings; Is This 'The Lion King' Effect? http://www.deadline.com/2011/09/sony-plans-ghostbusters-screenings-is-this-the-lion-king-effect/ (http://www.deadline.com/2011/09/sony-plans-ghostbusters-screenings-is-this-the-lion-king-effect/) 'Two and a Half Men' Gets Record Ratings http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-cbs-ratings-20110921,0,4384071.story (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-cbs-ratings-20110921,0,4384071.story) Charlie Sheen Roast Delivers 6.4 Million Viewers http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/charlie-sheen-roast-delivers-64-237742 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/charlie-sheen-roast-delivers-64-237742) Charlie Sheen and Warner Bros. Near Settlement http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/09/charlie-sheen-and-warner-bros-near-settlement.html (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/09/charlie-sheen-and-warner-bros-near-settlement.html) R.E.M. Breaks Up After Three Decades http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/r-e-m-break-up-after-three-decades-20110921 (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/r-e-m-break-up-after-three-decades-20110921) Live Nation, Universal Music Group Launch Partnership: Management, Ticketing, More http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/legal-and-management/live-nation-universal-music-group-launch-1005359742.story (http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/legal-and-management/live-nation-universal-music-group-launch-1005359742.story) Will January 1, 2013 Be Doomsday For Publishers http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/48416-will-january-1-2013-be-doomsday-for-publishers-.html

The Toronto International Film Festival has become a mandatory stop for studios opening awards contenders in the fall. The last four best picture winners at the Academy Awards, including The King's Speech, all played in Toronto. Along with the smaller, cozier Telluride Film Festival, Toronto is where some films first start picking up awards buzz. Anne Thompson, editor of IndieWire's Thompson on Hollywood, just returned from both festivals and provides a few details to those of us who weren't lucky enough to go. The Emmy Awards were held on Sunday evening and once again "Mad Men" and "Modern Family" won top honors. Though many of the award winners were predictable, there were still a few surprises, such as Melissa McCarthy from the sitcom "Mike & Molly" walking off with lead actress in a comedy. The Emmy telecast itself however was a bit of a "train wreck". Netflix continued to top headlines this past week after their stock price plunged 19 percent upon lowering their subscriber projections. Apparently their higher prices have scared off potential customers and caused a few to abandon the video rental service. Now Netflix has announced they will split their business in two, renaming the DVD-by-mail service Qwikster. We also cover the top entertainment news stories of the week including a poll that says consumers prefer to own rather than rent their music, Hugh Jackman's return to Broadway and Roman Polanski's return to Switzerland. 3-D 'Lion King' Roars To $30.2M opening http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ipyIu6Fzjq6kgbBY0gh3oHZ.... (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ipyIu6Fzjq6kgbBY0gh3oHZXNBcA?docId=5d000c08e27e437691cbb29eb9664d85) Box Office Shocker: 'Captain America' Earns More Overseas Than In U.S. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-shocker-captain-america.... (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-shocker-captain-america-235464) Anne Thompson's Toronto Film Festival Coverage http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/category/toronto/ (http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/category/toronto/) Anne Thompson's Telluride Film Festival Coverage http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/category/telluride/ (http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/category/telluride/) Emmys 2011: Complete Winners List http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/09/18/emmys-2011-winners-list/ (http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/09/18/emmys-2011-winners-list/) Guinness World Record For 'Downton Abbey' http://www.deadline.com/2011/09/guinesss-world-record-for-downton-abbey/ (http://www.deadline.com/2011/09/guinesss-world-record-for-downton-abbey/) Ricky Gervais to Remotely Fake-Host The Golden Globes? http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/09/ricky_gervais_to_remotel.... (http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/09/ricky_gervais_to_remotely_fake.html) New DGA Survey Highlights TV's Continuing Struggle With Diversity http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/09/new-dga-survey-highlights-tvs-continuing-struggle-with-diversity.html (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/09/new-dga-survey-highlights-tvs-continuing-struggle-with-diversity.html) Study: Music Fans Prefer Ownership vs. Streaming http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2011/09/study-ownership-remains-preferred-method-of-music-consumption-.html (http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2011/09/study-ownership-remains-preferred-method-of-music-consumption-.html) Mog, The Streaming Music Service, Will Offer A Free Version http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/14/mog-the-music-streaming-service-will-offer-a-free-version/ (http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/14/mog-the-music-streaming-service-will-offer-a-free-version/) New Rabbit Tale To Be Written By Emma Thompson http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/48708-new-peter-rabbit-tale-to-be-written-by-emma-thompson.html

There's a good reason Marc Berman (http://twitter.com/#!/Marcberman) is known as Mr. Television. As the man behind MediaWeek's daily television newsletter The Programming Insider his commentary on the medium reached more than 50,000 readers per day. Berman recently launched TV Media Insights, a new online destination for television and media with its own newsletter, forum and podcast. Berman handicaps this year's Emmy Awards and also tells us which new shows are worth watching in the upcoming season. We also continue our discussion on the publishing industry, which due to the dramatic changes in how they do business, is becoming one of the more fascinating parts of the entertainment industry. As e-book sales increase, popular authors are beginning to announce plans to release new work directly to readers and Amazon plans on creating a Netflix fof books. Meanwhile, a The Hollywood Reporter served a cease and desist order on Deadline.com which sparked a war of words between the two trade outlets. Is the Reporter in financial trouble, and if so, should Deadline staff be spreading the word to potential advertisers? We also cover the week's top entertainment news including the controversy over Mel Gibson's next directorial effort, P.J. Harvey's second Mercury Prize and Ryan Seacrest's bid for his very own cable network. Marc Berman's TV Media Insights http://www.tvmediainsights.com/ (http://www.tvmediainsights.com/) Gwyneth Paltrow, Justin Timberlake, Boardwalk Empire Win Creative Arts Emmys http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/09/gwyneth-paltrow-justin.... (http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/09/gwyneth-paltrow-justin-timberlake-emmys.html) P.J. Harvey Wins 2011 Mercury Prize http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=104.... (http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=1046502&c=1) Omar Tyree Self-Pubs New Serialized E-Novel http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-.... (http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/48626-omar-tyree-self-pubs-new-serialized-e-novel.html) E-book Sales Jump In June, Print Plunges http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial.... (http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/48646-e-book-sales-jump-in-june-print-plunges.html) Amazon In Talks To Launch Digital Book Library http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100014240531119042655045765650.... (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904265504576565040210224696.html) NFL Sunday Night Football Ratings Best Season Opening In 15 Years http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nfl-sunday-night-.... (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/nfl-sunday-night-football-ratings-best-season-opening-15-years-234089) NBC Nabs Record $35 Million In Super Bowl Spots http://www.adweek.com/news/television/nbc-nabs-record-35.... (http://www.adweek.com/news/television/nbc-nabs-record-35-million-super-bowl-spots-134600) ESPN Re-Ups Monday Night Football Pact Through 2021 http://www.adweek.com/news/television/espn-re-ups-monday.... (http://www.adweek.com/news/television/espn-re-ups-monday-night-football-pact-through-2021-134689) Mel Gibson To Direct Film About Jewish Folk Hero Judah Maccabee! http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jewish-leaders-slam-mel-gibson-233113 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jewish-leaders-slam-mel-gibson-233113) Meryl Streep, Neil Diamond and Yo-Yo Ma Among Kennedy Center Honorees http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/07/meryl-streep-neil.... (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/07/meryl-streep-neil-diamond-and-yo-yo-ma-among-kennedy-center-honorees/) Russell Crowe In Negotiations To Star In 'Les Miserables' http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/russell-crowe-negotiations-star-les-233060 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/russell-crowe-negotiations-star-les-233060) U.S.

Big budget sequels and super hero movies helped push the bar on summer box office records slightly higher. North American grosses rose to $4.4 billion as overseas markets improved to $8.2 billion in receipts. But how much did all those blockbusters actually cost to produce and market? After all the money is counted, how profitable will the latest installments of "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Transformers" truly be? We sharpen our pencils and do the math to answer all these questions and more. One future blockbuster that was recently axed by Disney may actually get made after all. The studios is lowering the budget on "The Lone Ranger" by asking star Johnny Depp and filmmaker Gore Verbinski to take a pay cut. The publishing world also seems to be doing quite well lately thanks to strong sales of digital titles. Even though the e-books may be getting all the love in mainstream media stories, Random House wants everyone to know that print books aren't dead. In fact, the sale of hardcover and paperback books still outpaces their digital counterparts. We also cover all the week's top entertainment news including the "controversial" selection of Chaz Bono to appear on "Dancing With The Stars", why Starz is breaking up with Netflix, Sinead O'Connor's dating problems, and whether reality television needs to be reformed. Hollywood Scores A Record Summer Worldwide http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-update-hollywood-scores-231220 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-update-hollywood-scores-231220) Record Summer Box Office Looms as 'The Smurfs' Takes No. 1 Spot Again http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/foreign-box-office-report-record-231124 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/foreign-box-office-report-record-231124) Neither Smurf Nor Wizard Could Save Summer Movie Attendance http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/05/business/media/summer-movie-attendance-continues-to-erode.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/05/business/media/summer-movie-attendance-continues-to-erode.html) China Headed for $2 Billion Box Office Record In 2011 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-headed-2-billion-box-223854 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-headed-2-billion-box-223854) Why Disney Might Make 'Lone Ranger' - Reluctantly http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/why-disney-might-make-lone-230271 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/why-disney-might-make-lone-230271) Telluride 2011: Festival Gives Promising Look Into The Fall http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/telluride-2011-festival-gives-promising-231284 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/telluride-2011-festival-gives-promising-231284) Revamping Reality http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/28/revamping-reality/ (http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/28/revamping-reality/) ABC Attacked By 'DWTS' Fans Over Chaz Bono Casting http://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/abc-hit-attacks-chaz-bono-after-dwts-casting-30586 (http://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/abc-hit-attacks-chaz-bono-after-dwts-casting-30586) Unbroken Tops One Million Sold In Hardcover http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/48562-unbroken-tops-one-million-sold-in-hardcover.html (http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/48562-unbroken-tops-one-million-sold-in-hardcover.html) Profits Surge At Random House http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/48530-profits-surge-at-random-house.html (http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/48530-profits-surge-at-random-house.html) Sony Tablets Coming In September http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/devices/article/48536-sony-tablets-coming-in-september.html (http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/devices/article/48536-sony-tablets-coming-in-september.html)

Last week's news that Steve Jobs was stepping down as the CEO of Apple caused headline writers all over the world to work overtime. Sure Jobs became a household name by helping revolutionize personal computing, but he also helped shape the modern entertainment industry with products such as iTunes, the iPod and the iPad. And we shouldn't forget his role in founding a little animation company called Pixar. We discuss what Jobs departure from Apple means to Hollywood and why some entertainment execs may be secretly relieved to see him exit the stage. On the other hand, news that filmmaker Ridley Scott was working on a sequel to his sci-fi masterpiece "Blade Runner" didn't seem to please anyone. Some showbiz pundits went so far as to call the idea "catastrophically bad". We'll explain why. Over in the world of television, one of the husbands on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" committed suicide causing Bravo to re-edit episodes for the upcoming season. Will the death of Russell Armstrong cause networks to rethink how they handle reality television? Of course, we also cover the week's top entertainment news, including what Katy Perry and Michael Jackson have in common, why China sees Lady Gaga as a cultural threat and some of the oddball requests that can be found in the performance contracts of some musicians. Why Ridley Scott Returning To Blade Runner Really Is The Beginning Of The End http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/motion-captured/posts/why-ridley-scott-returning-to-blade-runner-really-is-the-beginning-of-the-end (http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/motion-captured/posts/why-ridley-scott-returning-to-blade-runner-really-is-the-beginning-of-the-end) How Steve Jobs Changed The Way We Listen http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2011/08/24/139929797/how-steve-jobs-changed-the-way-we-listen (http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2011/08/24/139929797/how-steve-jobs-changed-the-way-we-listen) Apple's Steve Jobs Revolutionized TV Too http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/08/apples-jobs-revolutionized-tv-too.html (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2011/08/apples-jobs-revolutionized-tv-too.html) MTV VMA: Katy Perry Tops Award Winners http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/video-music-award-winners-228667 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/video-music-award-winners-228667) Katy Perry Responds To Making Hot 100 History http://www.billboard.com/#/news/exclusive-katy-perry-responds-to-making-1005319602.story (http://www.billboard.com/#/news/exclusive-katy-perry-responds-to-making-1005319602.story) Jerry Leiber, Prolific Writer Of 1950s Hits, Dies At 78 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/23/arts/music/jerry-leiber-rock-n-roll-lyricist-dies-at-78.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/23/arts/music/jerry-leiber-rock-n-roll-lyricist-dies-at-78.html) Bravo Will Delay Premiere of 'Real Housewives' In Wake of Armstrong Death http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/source-bravo-will-delay-premiere-225041 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/source-bravo-will-delay-premiere-225041) Addams Family Broadway Musical Will Close At Years End http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/24/oh-snap-addams-family-broadway-musical-will-close-at-years-end/ (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/24/oh-snap-addams-family-broadway-musical-will-close-at-years-end/) Reeve Carney To Play Jeff Buckley In Biographical Film http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/reeve-carney-to-play-jeff-buckley-in-biographical-film/ (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/reeve-carney-to-play-jeff-buckley-in-biographical-film/) Apple Ends Its TV Episode Rental Service http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/27/technology/apple-ends-its-tv-episode-rental-service.html (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/27/technology/apple-ends-its-tv-episode-rental-service.html) RIM Unveils New Cloud-Based Music Service http://ca.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idCATRE77O1CK20110825

When the United States copyright law was revised in the mid-1970's a little-known provision was included that lets musicians and songwriters reclaim ownership of their recordings after 35 years. Artists such as Bryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Loretta Lynn, Tom Petty and Tom Waits are set to regain control of their recordings starting in 2013 thanks to these "termination rights". Rather than lose control of works worth millions of dollars, New York Times culture reporter Larry Rohter discusses how record labels plan to fight the provision in court. Also picking a fight is Disney, which halted production of "The Lone Ranger" which was to star Johnny Depp and be directed by Gore Verbinski. Does pulling the plug on Jerry Bruckheimer's latest blockbuster mean that Depp will refuse participate in another "Pirates of the Caribbean" sequel? AMC has had its fair share of scuffles lately. After numerous disputes with the creators of their hit shows, AMC has become not only one of the most acclaimed cable networks in recent memory, but also one of the most troubled. We also provide analysis of all the week's major entertainment headlines including Tyler Perry's new cable network, the potential return of Mike Myers as Austin Powers, and the truly odd choice of who will be producing next year's Oscar telecast. Johnny Depp's "The Lone Ranger" Shut Down By Disney http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/johnny-depps-lone-ranger-shut-222777 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/johnny-depps-lone-ranger-shut-222777) Could Things Break Any Worse For AMC http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/could-things-break-any-worse.... (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/could-things-break-any-worse-for-amc/) 'The Walking Dead': What Really Happened To Fired Showrunner Frank Darabont http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/walking-dead-what-happened-fired.... (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/walking-dead-what-happened-fired-221449) AMC Renews Breaking Bad http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/amc-renews-breaking-bad-16-222364 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/amc-renews-breaking-bad-16-222364) Syfy, In Reversal, Pulls Plug On ‘Eureka’ http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/syfy-in-reversal-pulls-plug-on-eureka/ (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/syfy-in-reversal-pulls-plug-on-eureka/) CBS Orders Script For New TV Take On "Bewitched" http://www.hitfix.com/articles/cbs-orders-script-for-new-tv-take-on-bewitched (http://www.hitfix.com/articles/cbs-orders-script-for-new-tv-take-on-bewitched) 'The Lincoln Lawyer,' 'Nanny Diaries' May Be Headed To ABC http://www.hitfix.com/articles/the-lincoln-lawyer-nanny-diaries-headed-to-abc (http://www.hitfix.com/articles/the-lincoln-lawyer-nanny-diaries-headed-to-abc) Ex-porn Stars Show Off Their Musical Talents http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/porn+stars+show+their+musical.... (http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/porn+stars+show+their+musical+talents/5203535/story.html) Jerry Lewis Will Retire From Labor Day Telethon http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/17/jerry-lewis-will-retire-from-labor.... (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/17/jerry-lewis-will-retire-from-labor-day-telethon/) Bert and Ernie: Just Friends, Not Gay, Will Not Get Married http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/08/bert-and-ernie-just-friends.... (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/08/bert-and-ernie-just-friends-not-gay-will-not-get-married.html) Weinsteins Eye Their Own Broadway Productions http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/weinsteins-eye-own-broadway.... (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/weinsteins-eye-own-broadway-productions-223048) Bill Paxton To Duel With Kevin Costner In History's 'Hatfields and McCoys' http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/08/16/kevin-costner-bill-paxton-hatfield-mccoys/ (http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/08/16/kevin-costner-bill-paxton-hatfield-mccoys/) TBS Cancels "George Lopez Tonight"

Digital distribution of television shows, movies and music has become quite trendy in Hollywood. Not a week goes by that companies such as Netflix, Spotify, Hulu and others aren't in the news cutting some sort of deal with a big studio, television network or record label. This past week retail giant Amazon and online video portal YouTube made big additions to their streaming content libraries while Fox decided to limit those who could view their shows online. We provide a rundown of all the recent announcements and what they might mean for you, the consumer. We are also joined by Roger Goff (http://twitter.com/#!/rogergoff), an entertainment attorney with Wolf, Rifkin, Shapiro, Schulman & Rabkin. He helps us understand a few recent lawsuits filed by television producers, especially one in which the producer of "American Idol" is suing Fox over not being made an executive producer on the upcoming reality series "X-Factor". Speaking of legal issues, it turns out the NBCUniversal Comcast merger wasn't as much of a done deal as everyone thought. A federal judge is threatening to hold up approving the union claiming it may not be in the "public interest". Of course we cover all the week's top entertainment news stories as well, including filmmaker Kevin Smith's new talk show, yet another reason filmmaker Lars Von Trier is having an awful year and why the United Kingdom won't let you download pirated content but will let you sell "Star Wars" costumes. Box Office Shocker: R-Rated Comedies Pass $1 Bil in Summer Grosses http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-shocker-r-rated-215730 (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-shocker-r-rated-215730) Judge Threatens NBCU, Comcast Merger Delay http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405311190488830457647265221911.... (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904888304576472652219116660.html) In Deal With NBC, Amazon Seeks To Widen Its Video Streaming Service http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/29/business/media/in-deal-with-nbc-amazon.... (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/29/business/media/in-deal-with-nbc-amazon-seeks-to-widen-its-video-streaming-service.html) Fox To Limit Next Day Streaming On Hulu http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/27/business/media/fox-to-limit-next-day.... (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/27/business/media/fox-to-limit-next-day-streaming-on-hulu.html) YouTube Finalizing Plans To Push Movie-Rental Business Into Mainstream http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/youtube_pay_plan_n5cTuUzIyoq.... (http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/youtube_pay_plan_n5cTuUzIyoq4kSTyby3mLL) Sundance Institute To Begin Distributing Independent Films Online http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-fi-ct-sundance-20110728.... (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-fi-ct-sundance-20110728,0,6293804.story) AMC Launches Digital Studio, Sets Web Series http://www.deadline.com/2011/07/tca-amc-launches-digital-studio-launches.... (http://www.deadline.com/2011/07/tca-amc-launches-digital-studio-launches-first-web-series/) 'The Walking Dead': Glen Mazzara Takes Over As Showrunner http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/the-walking-dead.... (http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/the-walking-dead-glen-mazzara-takes-over-as-showrunner) PBS Revisits Mister Rogers' Neighborhood With New Spin-Off http://www.tvguide.com/news/mister-rogers-neighborhood-spin-off-1.... (http://www.tvguide.com/news/mister-rogers-neighborhood-spin-off-1035880.aspx) Von Trier Talks Dogville Influence On Norway Massacre http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2011/07/30/von_trier_talks.... (http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/2011/07/30/von_trier_talks_dogville_influence_on_norway_massacre/) Kevin Smith Is Hosting A Talk Show Pilot http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/07/director_kevin_smith.... (http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/07/director_kevin_smith_may_becom.html)

Attendance at this year's Comic-Con was higher than ever. Geoff Boucher of the Los Angeles Times and Alex Billington of First Showing were in San Diego last weekend sitting in on, if not moderating, panel discussions with the likes of Steven Spielberg...