Oscar award show unlikely to be moved up much in 2012 - Reuters

LOS ANGELES | Wed Oct 13, 2010 10:41pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters Life!) - Oscar organizers said on Wednesday they are unlikely to "significantly" advance the telecast for the world's top film honors in 2012, though an earlier date could still be possible after that.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said in June it was considering advancing the Oscar telecast, a move that could speed Hollywood's awards season and create challenges for other programs and film studios.

"The Academy's Board of Directors has determined that the date of the 84th Academy Awards in 2012 is unlikely to be significantly earlier than the traditional last Sunday in February," the Academy said in a statement.

"A different date still remains a possibility in subsequent years, and the Academy's staff and Board will continue to evaluate the advantages and challenges associated with such a date."

Typically in recent years, the Academy has held the Oscars on the final Sunday in February, although some years it has lapsed into March. The 2011 Oscars are set for February 27.

The Academy Awards show is annually the second most-watched show on U.S. television and seen by tens of millions around the world. But viewership has eroded in recent years as other industry groups, such as the Screen Actors Guild, began televising their own ceremonies.

Advancing the Oscars would give the telecast an earlier chance to be the first major awards show, but a change could throw Hollywood's award season into turmoil.

It could also affect the box office of some low-budget films, such as past Oscar winner "Slumdog Millionaire," which rely on acclaim to lure audiences into theatres.

(Writing by Elaine Lies; editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

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David Arquette Apologizes for Dishing on Courteney Cox - People Magazine

David Arquette and Courteney Cox

Michael Kovac/FilmMagic

Too much information – and way too soon.

So says David Arquette who's now apologizing for going public about his crumbling marriage and lack of sex with now-estranged wife Courteney Cox.

"I went on Howard Stern yesterday to provide clarity and honesty about what I'm experiencing," Arquette, 39, explains on his Twitter page Wednesday. "But while doing that I shared too much. … It's alright for me to be honest about my own feelings but in retrospect some of the information I provided involved others and for that I am sorry and humbled."

In the lengthy interview on Stern's Sirius radio show the morning after announcing the trial separation, Arquette revealed he hadn't had sex with Cox for four months and speculated she didn't want to be his "mother" anymore.

But despite his regrets over his statements, he now says he believes this rough patch in his life will only make him stronger.

"I'm sure Courteney and myself will emerge from this painful time better people from what we've learned," he wrote. "Thank you for all your Love and support at this time. I'm trying figuring out how to be the best person I can be."

A source, who says Cox was not at all shocked that Arquette went public about their private life, told PEOPLE, "Does she wish she could edit what comes out of his mouth? Sure. But nothing surprises her at this point. What's amazing about Courteney is that she doesn't get caught up in all the ridiculousness."

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'Glee': At last! A really good episode! - OregonLive.com

FoxMercedes and Santana get their "Glee" on. This week, in the "Glee" Quality Watch: Tuesday night's episode was a welcome return to a plot focusing on the kids and their relationships, and the songs were an eccentric collection of unpredictable gems, not a playlist seemingly plucked to boost iTunes downloads.

And it managed to do all that even without Sue Sylvester!

Ian Brennan's script had a typical "Glee" setup: Mr. Schue (who's been so far in the back seat this season, he might as well be on vacation) tells the gang that Puck is in juvie for crashing his mom's car into a convenience store and driving away with the ATM. Hmmm. What's up with that? Did Fox put Mark Salling in detention? Anyway, new kid Sam will be stepping up for this week's assignment, pairing everybody off to sing duets.

It's not the most rock-solid foundation for an episode, but things take off nicely. What Brennan does so well is keep things in perspective: the kids are competing for a gift certificate to dinner at Breadsticks, the show's spin on an Olive Garden-style restaurant. The complete down-to-earthness of the prize is refreshing, and so are the little grace notes the characters all get. And yes, it's utterly ridiculous that these kids are able to mount ambitious production numbers in mere moments, but hey, "Glee" has apparently decided to embrace the logic of musicals -- i.e., anybody can burst into full-throated song at any time.

In fact, there's more to chew on in this episode than in the bottomless breadstick baskets at their restaurant of choice. Kurt wrangles in a realistic, sensitively portrayed way with being the only openly gay student at McKinley High; Rachel and Finn scheme to boost Sam's chances and do a jaw-droppingly terrible duet of their own to hide their normal awesomeness; Sam turns out to be likably nerdy, prone to speaking in N'avi, the Pandora language from "Avatar"; and Brittany and Artie have an unlikely hookup that leaves them both feeling sad.

And the numbers include that great barn-burner, "River Deep, Mountain High," the Phil Spector-produced (back when he was the great "Wall of Sound" guy, not the insane murderer) number originally done by Ike and Tina Turner. You can never hear this song enough, in my opinion, and Santana and Mercedes gave it a rousing rendition.

There were other highlights (Mike Chang sings! Kurt and Rachel do Barbra and Judy!) too numerous to mention. Maybe the much-touted Oct. 26 "Rocky Horror Picture Show" episode will be as much fun as it sounds.  And maybe, after the not-too-great early episodes, this second season of "Glee" is finding its groove.

-- Kristi Turnquist

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Nuggets from the Chilean mine - msnbc.com

The rescue of 33 miners trapped a half-mile underground has grabbed worldwide attention in a variety of ways, from marketing opportunities for Elvis Presley to the naming of babies.

The spirit of Elvis lives
Chilean miner Edison Peña, 34, asked for Elvis Presley music to be sent into the mine so the trapped workers could have sing-alongs and keep their spirits up. So the people who run Graceland, along with the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, extended a special invitation for Peña and a loved one to visit Elvis' home in Memphis.

Celebs a-Twitter about miners
TheHollywoodgossip.com captured a few celebrity Tweets:

Kim Kardashian: Wow seriously in tears watching this Chilean miners getting released on CNN! What a tough struggle they made it through!!!

Justin Bieber: Just found out the miners of chile are being rescued!!! happy for the families being brought back together. miracles do happen.

Missy Elliott: The Chileans Miners will be a Testimony of how Real God is! Such a Blessing to see them healthy and n Great Spirits!

Derek Hough: Bless those miners…Pray pray pray…!!!!

Joel McHale: In Japan this whole mine rescue thing is known as a “Game Show".

Carrie Ann Inaba: SO HAPPY about the rescue efforts going on for the Chilean miners. God bless them all and those who are helping them get home! AMEN!!!

I wear my sunglasses at night
If the miners' looks fashionable when they surface, it's probably the eyewear, the only commercial brand seen on them.

Orange County, Calif.-based Oakley donated the $180-a-pair glasses needed to protect the miners from ultraviolet light day or night, reports CNBC, calling the famous Oakley “O” on the side of each miner's glasses as an incredible branding coup.

In worldwide television impact alone, Oakley garnered $41 million in equivalent advertising time, according to research done for CNBC from Front Row Analytics, a sponsorship evaluation firm.

But it wasn't Oakley's idea, CNBC said. A Chilean journalist recommended the glasses to the miners' health insurer. Oakley donated 35 pairs of Radar with Black Iridium lenses in Path and Range lens shapes for the miners. The glasses have Oakley Plutonite lens material that filters out the UV rays.

They knew the drill
A small Berlin, Pa., company took particular pride in the Chile miners' rescue on Wednesday.

The 2,000-foot rescue hole was bored by a drill made by Center Rock Inc. of Berlin, Pa., where workers paused occasioonally in their daily routines to follow computer news feeds. Lunch was brought in to help them celebrate.

"We still have customers who still need products today, so we're working and we're celebrating," inside sales manager Becky Dorcon told The Associated Press.

Center Rock was founded in 1998. The company's profile rose appreciably in July 2002, when it pitched in during a similar rescue to free nine miners trapped underground for more than three days in the flooded Quecreek Mine a few miles away.

Owner Brandon Fisher, 38, and Richard Soppe, 58, his director of construction and mining tools, spent 37 days with scant sleep drilling the rescue shaft. Fisher's wife and sales director, Julie Fisher, joined them about two weeks ago.

But they were back home by Tuesday night and watching the rescue on television.

"When I saw the first guy looking healthy, that's what it's all about," Fisher told the Daily American newspaper of Somerset. "But the mission is not over until the last guy is out."

Baby, you got it
Hope had special meaning when the baby daughter of miner Ariel Ticona and his wife, Elizabeth Segovia, was born Sept. 14. The couple planned to name her Carolina, The Associated Press reported.

But during a video chat from the mine, that changed. Ticona told a relative to take a message to his wife: "Tell her to change the name of our daughter ... and give her a long-distance kiss!" Ticona said as the other miners shouted, "We're going to name her Hope!"

That's Esperanza in Spanish. Her name is Esperanza Elizabeth.

The ordeal has also inspired weddings, said Carolyn Cadtiglia on her Strollerderby blog:

"Father of two Claudio Yanez and his long term partner, Cristina Nunez – who “proposed to him in a letter sent down to the miners,” per the BBC, plan to wed now that he’s been rescued. Esteban Rojas has promised his long-time partner, Jessica Ganiez, whom he married in a civil ceremony, the big Catholic wedding she always wanted. The couple have “raised three children and even have two grandchildren together.”

From outer space to inner earth
Early in the Chilean mine crisis, NASA sent an envoy of two doctors, a psychologist and an engineer to help assist in planning efforts to maintain the miners' health, nutrition and psychological well-being during their prolonged ordeal, Space.com reported. On Wednesday, NASA hailed the rescue.

"For decades, the people of this agency have learned to live, work, and survive in the hostile environment of space," NASA chief Charles Bolden said in a statement. "Our expertise in maintaining physiological and psychological health, and our technical and engineering experience in spacecraft design all proved to be valuable in a situation that is far from our traditional scope of work."

Japan's space agency also contributed space underwear for the Chile miners, Space.com said. Five sets of the space undergarments, which were developed for use on the space station, were given to each miner to help improve their living conditions while underground. The space clothing is designed for comfort and to reduce odors while worn over extended periods.

© 2010 msnbc.com Reprints

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'Private Practice' confronts rape

Image Credit: Adam Larkey/ABCSo…you know that dark, tragic tale I told you was coming down the pike on Private Practice? The top secret plot you’ve been begging me to give you more info on? Well, be careful what you wish for: At the end of the ABC drama’s Oct. 28 episode, Charlotte King—the tightly wound doctor played by KaDee Strickland—will be attacked and raped by a deranged patient (Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s Nicholas Brendon). The incident kicks off a major season-long story line that will touch every character on the show. “A lot of violence against women on television is from the point of view of law enforcement,” points out executive producer Shonda Rhimes, “as opposed to standing in the shoes of the actual victim and seeing how it is for them and the people around them.” To that end, the Nov. 4 episode will be unlike any previous hour of Private in that it will revolve solely around the immediate aftermath of the attack. “It takes place all in one night, and it’s [set] almost entirely in the hospital,” reveals Rhimes, who penned the episode. “And there’s almost no music. It’s a fairly silent episode. It’s a compelling, painful episode. The work KaDee did in it was amazing.” Speaking of Strickland, what does she think about all of this? In the following interview, the actress reveals her surprising reaction upon first learning of the story line, explains why she didn’t use a stunt double while shooting the assault, and assesses the long-term fallout for Charlotte and Cooper.

What went through your mind when Shonda presented the story to you?
KADEE STRICKLAND: I was thrilled. I was so on board. It’s funny, we were at a table read and I gave Shonda my usual hug and “What’s up?” and she said, “I’m going to do something with your character this season, and it’s huge and you’ll know soon.” And I’m like, “Are you kidding me?” Once she saw the look on my face, she said, “We are going to have Charlotte be raped this season. Are you okay with that?” And my response was “Hell, yes. Let’s do it. Let’s go. I’m in.”

Why were you so enthusiastic about it?
STRICKLAND: There’s something wonderful about playing a character for four years and then having her completely turned on her head. Creatively, it’s a real gift for an actor. I also knew that this would reach so many people who have either experienced it or have been close to people who have experienced it. The only thing I said was that we have to get it right. And Shonda was totally on board with that.

Talk to me about the Nov. 4 episode.
STRICKLAND: It was amazing. It’s a page-turner. It doesn’t feel like our show—and I don’t say that with any negativity toward our show. It almost feels like a movie in some ways, because it takes place in one night.

Rape stories are a dime a dozen on TV these days. How will this one be different?
STRICKLAND: I think what you’ll find different about this is that Shonda poured her heart and soul into getting it as accurate as possible. And it is. I mean, it’s legitimately very accurate. We worked very closely with RAINN [Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network] on this. Also, we in no way are going to let this thing go away in four episodes. Charlotte will live with this for as long as she’s a character on Private Practice.

Over the past three seasons, Charlotte has been slowly tearing down the walls she built up around her. She’s less closed off than she was in the beginning. Is she going to revert to old Charlotte now?
STRICKLAND: It’s a shifting thing. And that’s the other thing that’s so great about this; no one responds to rape in the typical fashion. And that’s the one thing that I learned in doing my homework. I spoke to survivors on [nearly] a daily basis. Also, this is a very violent rape. It’s a very brutal attack. So yes, you will see those walls go up. She’s in denial at first. She is not accepting of what has happened, and she is trying very hard to act as if it didn’t.

Did you use a stunt double while shooting the assault?
STRICKLAND: No way. I wasn’t letting anybody else step into those shoes. I would’ve been heartbroken if anyone suggested it. We had a great stunt coordinator, and we gave [Nicholas Brendon] full permission to go for it. I didn’t want to act around it and play around with it. I wanted to make it as realistic as possible.

Did you get injured?
STRICKLAND: Yeah, a little bit. It was really safe, but I definitely wasn’t unscathed. And I don’t think [Nicholas] was either. Let’s just say that the day after, the makeup artists had a few legitimate bruises to cover up.

I’m assuming this will derail Charlotte and Cooper’s wedding plans.
STRICKLAND: Well, it is Shonda-land. But I think derailing things with something like this is a lot more interesting than [one of us having] an affair or [getting] cold feet. This is very real. Do I think the wedding is off? I don’t. I think that you’re going to see Charlotte and Cooper as you’ve never seen them before. And you will see sides of Cooper you’ve never seen before. I love working with Paul [Adelstein]. Charlotte leans into Cooper in a way that I don’t think she ever has in the history of the show.

I understand Addison is the only person Charlotte confides in about the actual rape. I’m guessing that will bring those two characters closer together.
STRICKLAND: I love what it does to my dynamic with Addison. She is our hero, and it’s really fascinating what they’ve given us here. It’s a different dynamic than we have gotten to play together.

For more on this sure-to-be-groundbreaking story, check out Ask Ausiello tomorrow. And to learn more about RAINN, call 800.656.HOPE.

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