Steven Soderbergh: Every Studio Rejected Liberace Film as 'Too Gay'
January, 04, 2013 5:17 pm | Comments On #Behind the Candelabra, Liberace, Matt Damon, Michael Douglas, Steven Soderbergh, TelevisionOscar winner Steven Soderbergh says his upcoming film about Liberace is airing on HBO instead of getting a theatrical release because studios thought it was "too gay."
The upcoming "Behind the Candelabra" has Michael Douglas in a compulsively watchable performance as the celebrated pianist, Matt Damon as his young lover and Soderbergh directing. It comes, in other words, from a trio of A-listers. So why isn't it a theatrical release?
"Nobody would make it. We went to everybody in town," the "Traffic" and "Ocean's 11" director told TheWrap on Friday, at the Television Critics Association winter press tour. "We needed $5...
Read MoreRyan Murphy's 'Normal Heart' Coming to HBO in 2014
January, 04, 2013 2:07 pm | Comments On #culture, Julia Roberts, larry kramer, Mark Ruffalo, Normal Heart, Ryan Murphy, TelevisionHBO will air Ryan Murphy's adaptation of Larry Kramer's play "The Normal Heart" in 2014, the network announced.
The project will star Julia Roberts and Mark Ruffalo, who were also attached to the project when it was previously planned for a theatrical release. Murphy also directed Roberts in "Eat Pray Love." Matt Bomer will co-star.
Kramer is adapting his own Tony Award-winning play, which chronicles the early days of the AIDS crisis in New York City. The film will go into production later this year.
"We are so proud to be involved with this monumental project,” said Michael Lombardo, president of HBO programming. "Ryan has...
Read More'Killing Lincoln' Producer: John Wilkes Booth Could Be 'Poster Child for the Tea Party'
January, 04, 2013 12:40 pm | Comments On #Bill O'Reilly, John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln, Tea Party, TelevisionErik Jendresen, writer and executive producer of the upcoming Nat Geo film "Killing Lincoln," says presidential assassin John Wilkes Booth could have been a modern-day "poster child for the Tea Party."
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endresen spoke about the film, which stars Billy Campbell (left) as Lincoln, at the Television Critics Association winter press tour. The film is based on the book co-written by "O'Reilly Factor" host Bill O'Reilly, a noted supporter of many Tea Party ideals.
Also read: Tom Hanks Joins 'Killing Lincoln,...
Read MoreWhat Arnold Schwarzenegger is Most Proud Of
August, 03, 2012 5:22 pm | Comments On #30 For 30, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Arnold's Blueprint, TelevisionAsked about what in his life and career he's most proud of -- and what if anything he would do differently -- Arnold Schwarzenegger said Friday that he was most proud of his time as California's governor.
"Even though it was the most difficult period, it was to me the most satisfying period and the period I'm most proud of," he told TheWrap.
He didn't answer the second half of the question.
Also read: Maria Shriver Files for Divorce From Arnold Schwarzegger
Schwarzenegger took a few questions...
Read MoreCesar Millan's Life Story Coming to Nat Geo Wild
August, 03, 2012 2:02 pm | Comments On #Beth Stern, Cesar Millan, nat geo wild, Spoiled Rotten Pets, Television, Wicked TunaNat Geo Wild announced plans Friday for a one-hour biopic about dog trainer Cesar Millan and the new series "Spoiled Rotten Pets," hosted by Beth Stern. National Geographic Channels, meanwhile, announced that the network is renewing "Wicked Tuna" for a second season.
"Cesar Millan: Pack Leader" will tell Millan's life story, from his early days in Mexico to his illegal entry into the United States to his job as a dog trainer to the stars. Nat Geo Wild is airing the final season of his show "The Dog Whisperer" after 150 episodes. His next series, "Leader of the Pack," will premiere next...
Jamie Foxx: 'I've Been Booed at the Apollo'
August, 03, 2012 11:14 am | Comments On #Apollo, Gladys Knight, Jamie Foxx, Television, Tony RockJamie Foxx, executive producer of the new series "Apollo Live," has a little history with the venue.
"I've been booed at the Apollo," the Oscar-winning actor and "Django Unchained" star said Friday. The new series featuring amateurs performing at the Harlem theater will air on Centric beginning Dec. 1.
Speaking at a Television Critics Association panel Friday, Foxx recalled appearing at the Apollo as a young comedian. He said Sinbad, the host, introduced him as a "West Coast" comedian, which predisposed the crowd against him.
The new series will give a fresh crop of comedians, singers and dancers the chance...
Read MoreVH1 Brings Back 'Best Week Ever,' Greenlights 2 Series
August, 03, 2012 10:59 am | Comments On #Best Week Ever, Black Ink, Grand River Singers Project, Miss You Much, TelevisionVH1 plans a Friday-night humor lineup starting in January that will be led by the return of "Best Week Ever," the network announced Friday. It will air alongside new shows including the nostalgia series "Miss You Much," hosted by actress-comedian Catherine Reitman.
VH1 has also greenlit the new series "Grand River Singers Project," about a show choir of young adults reaching for glory in Wisconsin, and "Black Ink," about a Harlem tattoo shop that draws rappers, athletes and celebrities.
VH1 has also acquired Ice-T’s feature-length documentary "Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap" for its Emmy-winning "Rock Doc" franchise.
"Miss You Much" host Reitman will also host VH1's "100 Greatest Kid Stars" countdown in November. "Miss You Much" features Reitman...
Read More'Jersey Shore' Gets Season 6 Premiere Date
August, 03, 2012 10:21 am | Comments On #Jersey Shore, JWOWW, Snooki, TelevisionMTV announced Friday that "Jersey Shore" will return for its sixth season Oct. 4, and that its spinoff, "Snooki & JWOWW" will be back for a second season.
The new scripted comedic drama “Underemployed,” meanwhile, will premiere Oct. 16, and the new docu-series “Catfish: The TV Show” debuts Nov. 12. It will air at 10 p.m. and be followed at 11 by the new season of "World of Jenks."
"Money From Seasons" was also renewed for a second season.
MTV made the announcements at the Television Critics Association summer press tour.
The network also announced that Kris Polaha ("Life Unexpected," "Ringer") will guest on two episodes of "Awkward" beginning next Thursday.
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OWN Gives LaToya Jackson a Reality Show
August, 02, 2012 10:14 am | Comments On #LaToya Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, OWN, TelevisionOWN is giving LaToya Jackson a reality show.
The network, which has struggled with a lineup that features mainly inspirational programming, is borrowing a page from other cable networks that have turned to following the day-to-day exploits of the famous and those famous for being related to the famous.
Also read: Jackson Family Meltdown: Who's Who in The Whole Mess
"Life With LaToya" is one of three new series OWN announced Thursday. The others are "The Customer Is Always Right," in which customers get to be the boss, and...
Read MoreHow the Networks Did at TCA: Palins and Monkeys and Aliens, Oh My!
August, 01, 2012 6:11 pm | Comments On #Animal Kingdom, CBS, guys with kids, Kevin Reilly, Nashville, NBC, TCA, Television, the followingTV networks try to keep their twice-annual presentations to TV critics as on-message as possible, and the critics tend to make that pretty easy.
The Television Critics Association press tours each winter and summer find the networks rolling out slick presentations and sizzle reels, as well as actors who sit anxiously on stage, hoping the assembled critics don't ask too many awkward questions. The critics are softened up with endless free food, booze, and souvenir trinkets, which of course do nothing to dull our edges.
Once in a while, a network executive has the misfortune of having something resembling news coincide with the TCAs -- like Charlie Sheen's meltdown during winter TCA last year. In those cases, executives find themselves forced to stand on stage fielding questions from a couple hundred reporters.
Also read:...
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Description
TheWrap at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Beverly Hills, Calif.
