Energy minister will hold summit to calm rising fears over peak oil

A report last month warned of complacency over the huge dislocation from a terminal decline in global oil production.

Lord Hunt, the energy minister, is to meet industrialists in London tomorrow in a bid to calm mounting fears about the disruption that could follow a sudden shortage of oil supplies.

In a significant policy shift, the government has agreed to undertake more work on whether the UK needs to take action to avoid the massive dislocation that could be caused by the early onset of "peak oil" – the point that marks the start of terminal decline in global oil production.

Jeremy Leggett, the executive chairman of the renewable power company Solar Century and a leading figure in the UK industry taskforce on peak oil and energy security, said the meeting, to be held at the Energy Institute, showed a welcome new sense of urgency.

"Government has gone from the BP position – '40 years of supply left, the price mechanism works, no need to worry' – to 'crikey'," he said. "BP and others are telling us that, but you lot, Virgin, Scottish and Southern, and others are telling us something completely different. We do not know who to believe. Let's do a proper risk assessment with industry," he said.

The meeting is expected to include executives from the taskforce members including Virgin, Arup, Stagecoach, Scottish and Southern Energy, and Solar Century as well as other industrialists.

The decision to hold the talks came after the UK industry taskforce on peak oil and energy security last month issued a provocative report, The Oil Crunch: a Wake-up Call for the UK Economy, in which it warned of the dangers of complacency.

Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, whose rail, airline and travel companies are sensitive to energy prices, warned then that the coming crisis could surpass the credit crunch. "The next five years will see us face another crunch: the oil crunch. This time, we do have the chance to prepare. The challenge is to use that time well," he said.

The government had previously played down the risks arising from peak oil after the Wicks review in the summer in effect dismissed the idea that global demand for oil could soon outstrip supply.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Energy and Climate Change confirmed last night that Hunt and a range of energy-policy civil servants would be holding "private and behind-doors" talks at the Energy Institute. But she played down the significance of the session, saying the government had always taken supply issues seriously and met different parts of industry on a regular basis. "We do this all the time; it is just a normal stakeholder meeting," she insisted, adding that there was no "marked" change in ministerial policy.

The issue of peak oil arose last November when whistleblowers inside the International Energy Agency alleged the problem had been deliberately downplayed over a long period. BP and other oil companies insist that there is little danger of the world running out of oil because new areas such as Brazil, and more recently Uganda, are always opening up to development. BP chief executive, Tony Hayward, believes demand will fall as prices move up., pushing back any major peak-oil dislocation.

But booming demand in China, India and the Middle East has pushed up the price of crude to more than $80 a barrel and UK petrol prices are close to record levels.

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Google triumphs in Louis Vuitton trademark case

Google has won its five-year legal battle with Louis Vuitton over trademark use.

Google has won a crucial victory in a five-year-long legal battle with Louis Vuitton, which means the internet search engine is not liable when people use the luxury goods maker's trademarks, such as Dior and Moet & Chandon, in online advertising campaigns.

But the judgment also reverses the earlier opinion of one of the court's own advisers, meaning that advertisers may still find themselves being sued by the owner of the trademark they are using in their campaign.

It could force Google to reverse its controversial decision to allow any advertiser to bid for trademarks in its AdWords system, which creates the sponsored links that appear above and alongside the blue search results on its website.

Google allows rival firms to bid for each other's trademarks. So if a web searcher looks for "Barclays", the sponsored links could include adverts from Lloyds TSB or Nationwide as they would also be allowed to bid to have their adverts triggered by the word "Barclays". Google claims that this leads to better search results for users, but when it opened up trademarks to all bidders in the UK and Ireland two years ago it invoked a storm of protest. While it has made similar moves in dozens of other countries it has held back from opening up AdWords in any other European jurisdictions.

Louis Vuitton was furious that Google's search engine was being used by sellers of counterfeit or fake designer goods to advertise their wares and went after the highly profitable search engine itself. Google stressed during the case, however, that it has strict policies that forbid the advertising of counterfeit goods.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has made it plain that Google should not be held liable for trademark misuse, adding that its AdWords system is an "information society service" under the terms of EU law. Crucially, this means Google does not have to monitor everything that goes on in AdWords, it must merely react swiftly when a trademark owner notifies it of any infringement.

But the ECJ added that advertisers who do not make it plain that they do not have any commercial link with the brand owner can still be sued by the trademark's rightful owner.

The decision of the European Court of Justice may force Google to stop selling trademarks this side of the Channel unless advertisers can reach their own industry agreement about their use online. A Google spokesman said it was reviewing the situation and recommended that advertisers who are already using trademarks in their advertising campaigns should take legal advice.

"Google have dodged the bullet on this one," said Michael Gardner, partner at Wedlake Bell. "AdWords is a key money earner for them so this is a big legal victory for them. But advertisers who do use other people's brand names as part of their search engine strategy are still potentially in the firing line."

He added that the situation could worsen as the ECJ is currently hearing a case by Interflora against Marks & Spencer, which could extend the scope for advertisers to be sued where the trademarks concerned are well known or have a reputation.

"For the time being, if an advertiser wants to use other people's trademarks as Adwords they will have to make clear that there is no link between themselves and the brand owner whose trademark is used in the AdWord service. If the advertiser gets it wrong they may open themselves to an expensive legal claim," he added. "Google, however, will be able to sit on the sidelines as a spectator and keep the money rolling in."

In a blog post, Google's senior litigation counsel Dr Harjinder S. Obhi said the fact the ECJ ruled that the European law which protects internet-hosting services also applies to Google's AdWords advertising system "is important because it is a fundamental principle behind the free flow of information over the internet".

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Official: 'Sarah Palin's Alaska' gets network deal

Kate Gosselin, "Cake Boss" and now ... Sarah Palin.

Discovery Communications has finished its deal with the former Alaska governor for her reality show, with the company planning to air the series on its TLC channel.

“Discovery Communications is so excited to help Sarah Palin tell the story of Alaska, and to have a great documentary filmmaker in Mark Burnett helping to reveal Alaska’s powerful beauty as it has never been filmed, and as told by one of the state’s proudest daughters,” said Peter Liguori, COO, Discovery Communications.

Eight episodes of "Sarah Palin's Alaska" have been ordered from producer Burnett, with a price tag of just under $1 million per episode.

“Our family enjoys Discovery’s networks,” Palin said. “I look forward to working with Mark to bring the wonder and majesty of Alaska to all Americans.”

As first reported in THR, Discovery Communications edged out rival A&E Networks for the show, with the remaining question being which of its suite of channels would air the program. Discovery Channel is considered the flagship brand, and certainly a home for travelogues, though the company felt Palin's appeal was better suited toward mom-friendly TLC. The network is best known for "Jon & Kate Plus Eight," and also airs "Cake Boss," "Little People, Big World" and "American Chopper."

“TLC is grounded in great storytelling, strong characters, and passionate audiences drawn to extraordinary people doing extraordinary things," said Eileen O’Neill, president and general manager, TLC. "We are confident 'Sarah Palin’s Alaska' will be another compelling television event."

The deal reunites the company with Mark Burnett Productions, which co-produced "Survivor" precursor "Eco-Challenge" for Discovery Channel in the 1990s.

“With a dynamic personality that has captivated millions, I can’t think of anyone more compelling than Sarah Palin to tell the story of Alaska,” said Burnett. “I’m thrilled to reunite with Discovery on this project, which brings together one of the most fascinating figures of our time with one of the most wondrous places on earth.”

Read more...

Official: 'Sarah Palin's Alaska' gets network deal

Kate Gosselin, "Cake Boss" and now ... Sarah Palin.

Discovery Communications has finished its deal with the former Alaska governor for her reality show, with the company planning to air the series on its TLC channel.

“Discovery Communications is so excited to help Sarah Palin tell the story of Alaska, and to have a great documentary filmmaker in Mark Burnett helping to reveal Alaska’s powerful beauty as it has never been filmed, and as told by one of the state’s proudest daughters,” said Peter Liguori, COO, Discovery Communications.

Eight episodes of "Sarah Palin's Alaska" have been ordered from producer Burnett, with a price tag of just under $1 million per episode.

“Our family enjoys Discovery’s networks,” Palin said. “I look forward to working with Mark to bring the wonder and majesty of Alaska to all Americans.”

As first reported in THR, Discovery Communications edged out rival A&E Networks for the show, with the remaining question being which of its suite of channels would air the program. Discovery Channel is considered the flagship brand, and certainly a home for travelogues, though the company felt Palin's appeal was better suited toward mom-friendly TLC. The network is best known for "Jon & Kate Plus Eight," and also airs "Cake Boss," "Little People, Big World" and "American Chopper."

“TLC is grounded in great storytelling, strong characters, and passionate audiences drawn to extraordinary people doing extraordinary things," said Eileen O’Neill, president and general manager, TLC. "We are confident 'Sarah Palin’s Alaska' will be another compelling television event."

The deal reunites the company with Mark Burnett Productions, which co-produced "Survivor" precursor "Eco-Challenge" for Discovery Channel in the 1990s.

“With a dynamic personality that has captivated millions, I can’t think of anyone more compelling than Sarah Palin to tell the story of Alaska,” said Burnett. “I’m thrilled to reunite with Discovery on this project, which brings together one of the most fascinating figures of our time with one of the most wondrous places on earth.”

Read more...

Trailer: 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World'

Scott_pilgrimBy Karen Nicoletti

The trailer is out for "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World." I admit I was skeptical that Michael Cera could break out of his milquetoast demeanor and do battle, even Scott-esque battle, against anyone -- but it appears Edgar Wright is hitting the right tone overall. "Arrested Development" fans will love Cera's showdown with Mae Whitman (yes, her) as one of Scott's foes -- the seven exes of his new girlfriend, Ramona Flowers. But even with the trailer's "Batman" TV series-style SMAKs and KPOKs, I'm not convinced all the humor of Bryan Lee O'Malley's books will be there. Let us know what you think.


Read more...

Trailer: 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World'

Scott_pilgrimBy Karen Nicoletti

The trailer is out for "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World." I admit I was skeptical that Michael Cera could break out of his milquetoast demeanor and do battle, even Scott-esque battle, against anyone -- but it appears Edgar Wright is hitting the right tone overall. "Arrested Development" fans will love Cera's showdown with Mae Whitman (yes, her) as one of Scott's foes -- the seven exes of his new girlfriend, Ramona Flowers. But even with the trailer's "Batman" TV series-style SMAKs and KPOKs, I'm not convinced all the humor of Bryan Lee O'Malley's books will be there. Let us know what you think.


Read more...

MTV cancels 'The Hills'

MTV is putting an end to "The Hills" after six seasons.

The pop culture stable that launched about Lauren Conrad and her circle of friends finding work and romance in Hollywood evolved into an increasingly convoluted attempt to fabricate a reality that was entirely unlike the B-list celebrity lives of its participants as documented in the tabloid press.

Also, the show took a hit in the ratings last season after Conrad left the show, dropping from 3 million viewers to 2.6 million after a summer hiatus.

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt will be front and center in the final 12 episodes, which air starting April 27, with Conrad likely to make an appearance.

The-hills

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MTV cancels 'The Hills'

MTV is putting an end to "The Hills" after six seasons.

The pop culture stable that launched about Lauren Conrad and her circle of friends finding work and romance in Hollywood evolved into an increasingly convoluted attempt to fabricate a reality that was entirely unlike the B-list celebrity lives of its participants as documented in the tabloid press.

Also, the show took a hit in the ratings last season after Conrad left the show, dropping from 3 million viewers to 2.6 million after a summer hiatus.

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt will be front and center in the final 12 episodes, which air starting April 27, with Conrad likely to make an appearance.

The-hills

Read more...

'Sarah Palin's Alaska' gets network deal

Kate Gosselin, "Cake Boss" and now ... Sarah Palin.

Discovery Communications has finished its deal with the former Alaska governor for her reality show, with the company planning to air the series on its TLC channel.

"Discovery Communications is so excited to help Sarah Palin tell the story of Alaska, and to have a great documentary filmmaker in Mark Burnett helping to reveal Alaska's powerful beauty as it has never been filmed, and as told by one of the state's proudest daughters," said Peter Liguori, COO, Discovery Communications.

Eight episodes of "Sarah Palin's Alaska" have been ordered from producer Burnett, with a price tag of just under $1 million per episode.

"Our family enjoys Discovery's networks," Palin said. "I look forward to working with Mark to bring the wonder and majesty of Alaska to all Americans."

As first reported in THR, Discovery Communications edged out rival A&E Networks for the show, with the remaining question being which of its suite of channels would air the program. Discovery Channel is considered the flagship brand, and certainly a home for travelogues, though the company felt Palin's appeal was better suited toward mom-friendly TLC. The network is best known for "Jon & Kate Plus Eight," and also airs "Cake Boss," "Little People, Big World" and "American Chopper."

"TLC is grounded in great storytelling, strong characters, and passionate audiences drawn to extraordinary people doing extraordinary things," said Eileen O'Neill, president and general manager, TLC. "We are confident 'Sarah Palin's Alaska' will be another compelling television event."

The deal reunites the company with Mark Burnett Productions, which co-produced "Survivor" precursor "Eco-Challenge" for Discovery Channel in the 1990s.

"With a dynamic personality that has captivated millions, I can't think of anyone more compelling than Sarah Palin to tell the story of Alaska," said Burnett. "I'm thrilled to reunite with Discovery on this project, which brings together one of the most fascinating figures of our time with one of the most wondrous places on earth."

Read more...

'Sarah Palin's Alaska' gets network deal

Kate Gosselin, "Cake Boss" and now ... Sarah Palin.

Discovery Communications has finished its deal with the former Alaska governor for her reality show, with the company planning to air the series on its TLC channel.

"Discovery Communications is so excited to help Sarah Palin tell the story of Alaska, and to have a great documentary filmmaker in Mark Burnett helping to reveal Alaska's powerful beauty as it has never been filmed, and as told by one of the state's proudest daughters," said Peter Liguori, COO, Discovery Communications.

Eight episodes of "Sarah Palin's Alaska" have been ordered from producer Burnett, with a price tag of just under $1 million per episode.

"Our family enjoys Discovery's networks," Palin said. "I look forward to working with Mark to bring the wonder and majesty of Alaska to all Americans."

As first reported in THR, Discovery Communications edged out rival A&E Networks for the show, with the remaining question being which of its suite of channels would air the program. Discovery Channel is considered the flagship brand, and certainly a home for travelogues, though the company felt Palin's appeal was better suited toward mom-friendly TLC. The network is best known for "Jon & Kate Plus Eight," and also airs "Cake Boss," "Little People, Big World" and "American Chopper."

"TLC is grounded in great storytelling, strong characters, and passionate audiences drawn to extraordinary people doing extraordinary things," said Eileen O'Neill, president and general manager, TLC. "We are confident 'Sarah Palin's Alaska' will be another compelling television event."

The deal reunites the company with Mark Burnett Productions, which co-produced "Survivor" precursor "Eco-Challenge" for Discovery Channel in the 1990s.

"With a dynamic personality that has captivated millions, I can't think of anyone more compelling than Sarah Palin to tell the story of Alaska," said Burnett. "I'm thrilled to reunite with Discovery on this project, which brings together one of the most fascinating figures of our time with one of the most wondrous places on earth."

Read more...

Infinity Media taps director for 'Adult World'

Character actor Scott Coffey has been tapped to direct the coming-of-age comedy "Adult World" for Infinity Media.

"World" centers on a college grad who believes she is destined to be the next great American poet and stumbles upon a job at an adult-video store. Andy Cochran wrote the script, and Coffey will oversee a rewrite.

"World" is out to actors.

Michael Ohoven and Kevin Turen are producing via Infinity, whose credits include "Saved!" and "Push." Joel Michaely also is producing.

Coffey's credits as an actor range from appearances in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "Some Kind of Wonderful" to David Lynch's "Lost Highway" and "Mulholland Drive."

In 2005, Anonymous Content-repped Coffey jumped into feature directing with the indie comedy "Ellie Parker," starring Naomi Watts, which was based on a short he did a few years earlier.

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Patrice Oneal gets gigs at Comedy Central

Comedy Central is teaming with comedian Patrice Oneal for a pilot presentation and stand-up special.

The semi-scripted comedy/reality presentation, titled "Patrice Oneal's Guide to White People," will star Oneal as a professor of whiteness teaching a Whitey 101 class at an adult school that is designed for foreigners as well as Americans who want to learn "what white people are about and how to get along with them," Oneal said.

He said he got the initial idea after interjecting into a conversation between two white guys about guitar riffs. The men were stunned when Oneal's commented about how great he thought the riff in Eagles' "Hotel California" is.

"I thought it would be a great idea if we just did the show from that angle: I'm a guy who tries to learn about white folks," he said. To do that, in the reality portion of the show, Oneal will get on the street to learn about things white people love, like vintage clothing.

Ish Entertainment is producing the presentation, with the company's Michael Hirschorn executive producing along with Oneal, Gino Tomac and Oneal's manager, Jonathan Brandstein.

Oneal's stand-up special for Comedy Central will shoot this year.


Paradigm-repped Oneal is a familiar face on Comedy Central. He was one of five regular guests on the network's "Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn" and appeared on "Premium Blend," "Chappelle's Show" and the animated stand-up series "Shorties Watchin' Shorties." He also fronted his own comedy special.

Oneal also had a recurring role on NBC's "The Office."

Read more...

Infinity Media taps director for 'Adult World'

Character actor Scott Coffey has been tapped to direct the coming-of-age comedy "Adult World" for Infinity Media.

"World" centers on a college grad who believes she is destined to be the next great American poet and stumbles upon a job at an adult-video store. Andy Cochran wrote the script, and Coffey will oversee a rewrite.

"World" is out to actors.

Michael Ohoven and Kevin Turen are producing via Infinity, whose credits include "Saved!" and "Push." Joel Michaely also is producing.

Coffey's credits as an actor range from appearances in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "Some Kind of Wonderful" to David Lynch's "Lost Highway" and "Mulholland Drive."

In 2005, Anonymous Content-repped Coffey jumped into feature directing with the indie comedy "Ellie Parker," starring Naomi Watts, which was based on a short he did a few years earlier.

Read more...

Patrice Oneal gets gigs at Comedy Central

Comedy Central is teaming with comedian Patrice Oneal for a pilot presentation and stand-up special.

The semi-scripted comedy/reality presentation, titled "Patrice Oneal's Guide to White People," will star Oneal as a professor of whiteness teaching a Whitey 101 class at an adult school that is designed for foreigners as well as Americans who want to learn "what white people are about and how to get along with them," Oneal said.

He said he got the initial idea after interjecting into a conversation between two white guys about guitar riffs. The men were stunned when Oneal's commented about how great he thought the riff in Eagles' "Hotel California" is.

"I thought it would be a great idea if we just did the show from that angle: I'm a guy who tries to learn about white folks," he said. To do that, in the reality portion of the show, Oneal will get on the street to learn about things white people love, like vintage clothing.

Ish Entertainment is producing the presentation, with the company's Michael Hirschorn executive producing along with Oneal, Gino Tomac and Oneal's manager, Jonathan Brandstein.

Oneal's stand-up special for Comedy Central will shoot this year.


Paradigm-repped Oneal is a familiar face on Comedy Central. He was one of five regular guests on the network's "Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn" and appeared on "Premium Blend," "Chappelle's Show" and the animated stand-up series "Shorties Watchin' Shorties." He also fronted his own comedy special.

Oneal also had a recurring role on NBC's "The Office."

Read more...

Simon Cowell to receive Int'l Emmy

NEW YORK -- Simon Cowell will receive this year's International Emmy Founders Award.

"Simon Cowell is an entrepreneur and performer in equal measure," said International Academy president and CEO Bruce Paisner. "He has built an international empire and in so doing has changed the face of television around the world."

Cowell will accept the honor at the 38th International Emmy Awards gala on Nov. 22 in New York.

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Jennifer Love Hewitt to star in Lifetime movie

Lifetime is gearing up for production on an original movie headlined by "Ghost Whisperer" star Jennifer Love Hewitt.

The film, tentatively titled "The List," was penned by "Frasier" alumna Suzanne Martin. maker
Set in a small Texas town, it centers on a former beauty queen (Hewitt), now a married mother of three, who faces certain foreclosure on her home after an injury sidelines her husband from working.

Convinced that no one as pretty as her deserves to be poor, she takes a job at a massage parlor, only to learn that the clients expect more than a rubdown.

Eric Laneuville, who has directed more than a dozen episodes of CBS' "Ghost," is set to helm "List," which is being produced by Jaffe/Braunstein.

Hewitt will executive produce with Dannielle Thomas, Michael Jaffe and Howard Braunstein.
Production is slated to begin in the spring in Vancouver for a premiere this year.

Hewitt stars in and executive produces "Ghost," now in its fifth season. She is also set to make a cameo in NBC's romantic dramedy anthology pilot "Love Bites."

Martin's comedy pilot "Hot in Cleveland" recently was picked up to series by TV Land.

Hewitt and Martin are repped by WME. Hewitt is managed by Untitled.

Read more...

Simon Cowell to receive Int'l Emmy

NEW YORK -- Simon Cowell will receive this year's International Emmy Founders Award.

"Simon Cowell is an entrepreneur and performer in equal measure," said International Academy president and CEO Bruce Paisner. "He has built an international empire and in so doing has changed the face of television around the world."

Cowell will accept the honor at the 38th International Emmy Awards gala on Nov. 22 in New York.

Read more...

Jennifer Love Hewitt to star in Lifetime movie

Lifetime is gearing up for production on an original movie headlined by "Ghost Whisperer" star Jennifer Love Hewitt.

The film, tentatively titled "The List," was penned by "Frasier" alumna Suzanne Martin. maker
Set in a small Texas town, it centers on a former beauty queen (Hewitt), now a married mother of three, who faces certain foreclosure on her home after an injury sidelines her husband from working.

Convinced that no one as pretty as her deserves to be poor, she takes a job at a massage parlor, only to learn that the clients expect more than a rubdown.

Eric Laneuville, who has directed more than a dozen episodes of CBS' "Ghost," is set to helm "List," which is being produced by Jaffe/Braunstein.

Hewitt will executive produce with Dannielle Thomas, Michael Jaffe and Howard Braunstein.
Production is slated to begin in the spring in Vancouver for a premiere this year.

Hewitt stars in and executive produces "Ghost," now in its fifth season. She is also set to make a cameo in NBC's romantic dramedy anthology pilot "Love Bites."

Martin's comedy pilot "Hot in Cleveland" recently was picked up to series by TV Land.

Hewitt and Martin are repped by WME. Hewitt is managed by Untitled.

Read more...

Two CBS comedy pilots cast female leads


Two high-profile CBS comedy pilots have found their female leads.


Lindsay Sloane has been tapped to star opposite Kyle Bornheimer on the untitled Bays/Thomas project, and Melissa McCarthy has landed the Molly role on the Chuck Lorre-produced "Mike and Molly."

Elsewhere, Marisol Nichols and Rhona Mitra have boarded ABC's series "The Gates" as leads, with Victoria Platt, Justin Miles and Skyler Samuels also cast in the project.

The Bays/Thomas multicamera comedy revolves around an unmarried couple, Tommy (Bornheimer) and Gina (Sloane), who are in love, but Tommy has commitment issues. Gina is a waitress who fantasizes about running her own business.

Sloane, repped by Gersh and Thruline, is onscreen with Bornheimer in "She's Out of My League."

"Molly" is a multicamera romantic comedy about Mike (Billy Gardell), an overweight, charming police officer, and Molly (McCarthy), a pretty and plump woman, who meet at Overeaters Anonymous.

"Gilmore Girls" and "Samantha Who?" alumna McCarthy was an early favorite for the role. She is repped by TalentWorks and Benderspink.

The supernatural crime drama "Gates," eyed for a summer launch, centers on a big-city cop (Frank Grillo) who becomes chief of police in a seemingly sleepy planned community, the Gates, where he discovers there's more to the residents than meets the eye.

Nichols, repped by Paradigm and Impression, will play a woman who relocates to the community looking for a fresh start. Mitra will play a housewife who is a vampire.

Samuels, repped by Osbrink and Mosaic, will play a teenager with a dark secret.

Platt and Miles also will play residents.

Read more...

Two CBS comedy pilots cast female leads


Two high-profile CBS comedy pilots have found their female leads.


Lindsay Sloane has been tapped to star opposite Kyle Bornheimer on the untitled Bays/Thomas project, and Melissa McCarthy has landed the Molly role on the Chuck Lorre-produced "Mike and Molly."

Elsewhere, Marisol Nichols and Rhona Mitra have boarded ABC's series "The Gates" as leads, with Victoria Platt, Justin Miles and Skyler Samuels also cast in the project.

The Bays/Thomas multicamera comedy revolves around an unmarried couple, Tommy (Bornheimer) and Gina (Sloane), who are in love, but Tommy has commitment issues. Gina is a waitress who fantasizes about running her own business.

Sloane, repped by Gersh and Thruline, is onscreen with Bornheimer in "She's Out of My League."

"Molly" is a multicamera romantic comedy about Mike (Billy Gardell), an overweight, charming police officer, and Molly (McCarthy), a pretty and plump woman, who meet at Overeaters Anonymous.

"Gilmore Girls" and "Samantha Who?" alumna McCarthy was an early favorite for the role. She is repped by TalentWorks and Benderspink.

The supernatural crime drama "Gates," eyed for a summer launch, centers on a big-city cop (Frank Grillo) who becomes chief of police in a seemingly sleepy planned community, the Gates, where he discovers there's more to the residents than meets the eye.

Nichols, repped by Paradigm and Impression, will play a woman who relocates to the community looking for a fresh start. Mitra will play a housewife who is a vampire.

Samuels, repped by Osbrink and Mosaic, will play a teenager with a dark secret.

Platt and Miles also will play residents.

Read more...

'Private Practice' showrunners exit series


Robert Rovner and Jon Cowan have stepped down as executive producers/showrunners on ABC's drama "Private Practice."


Rovner and Cowan took the reins of the "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff after the first season and steered the series the past two seasons, which saw Kate Walsh and company excel in the ratings after moving to Thursdays behind "Grey's Anatomy" midway through Season 2.

There will be no immediate replacement for Rovner and Cowan this season as the two are departing with all episode stories for the rest of the season already developed.

"Grey's" and "Practice" creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes will continue to supervise all creative and production aspects of the spinoff as she has done throughout the show's run.

While ABC has not handed out renewals to its returning series, "Practice" is expected to be back in the fall.

Meanwhile, ABC Studios confirmed Wednesday that Katherine Heigl's final appearance on "Grey's" aired Jan. 21, four months before the show's season finale in May. The studio said Heigl was ending her run as Dr. Izzie Stevens by "mutual agreement"; the actress recently adopted a daughter.

Her departure was first reported by EW.com.

Read more...

'Private Practice' showrunners exit series


Robert Rovner and Jon Cowan have stepped down as executive producers/showrunners on ABC's drama "Private Practice."


Rovner and Cowan took the reins of the "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff after the first season and steered the series the past two seasons, which saw Kate Walsh and company excel in the ratings after moving to Thursdays behind "Grey's Anatomy" midway through Season 2.

There will be no immediate replacement for Rovner and Cowan this season as the two are departing with all episode stories for the rest of the season already developed.

"Grey's" and "Practice" creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes will continue to supervise all creative and production aspects of the spinoff as she has done throughout the show's run.

While ABC has not handed out renewals to its returning series, "Practice" is expected to be back in the fall.

Meanwhile, ABC Studios confirmed Wednesday that Katherine Heigl's final appearance on "Grey's" aired Jan. 21, four months before the show's season finale in May. The studio said Heigl was ending her run as Dr. Izzie Stevens by "mutual agreement"; the actress recently adopted a daughter.

Her departure was first reported by EW.com.

Read more...

Six arrested over City insider dealing

Three senior City figures were among six men arrested in dawn raids yesterday as part of the biggest ever crackdown on insider dealing.

One employee of Deutsche Bank, another from BNP Paribas and a City professional at the hedge fund Moore Capital, were among those arrested in what is being described as an unprecedented attempt by the City regulator to close down a "sophisticated and long-running insider dealing ring".

As part of its battle to clean up the City, the Financial Services Authority swooped in London, the south-east and Oxfordshire in its first joint operation with the Serious Organised Crime Agency. Around 143 police officers and FSA staff were required to conduct the raids, which the authority described as its "largest-ever operation against insider dealing".

Those arrested were being held at police stations in London, Kent and Oxford and are suspected of passing inside information to traders – either directly or via middlemen – who traded based on this information and have made significant profits.

Insider dealing takes place when individuals trade on price-sensitive information not widely known in the market – such as a takeover bid – and often obtained illicitly. It is a criminal offence but has been notoriously difficult to prosecute despite the FSA's own calculations that there are "suspicious price movements" in 29% of takeovers.

Lawyers said that the FSA was now employing a new, tough approach in its attempt to end such abuses under which ordinary shareholders lose out because they are not able to make quick profits in the same way as the "insiders".

"This isn't quite a US-style dragging people off the trading floor but it's going that way," said Simon Morris of law firm CMS Cameron McKenna. "The FSA is striking to maintain the good name of the City. But the proof of the striking is in the gaoling, and we will have to wait several years before we know whether FSA has found a smoking gun or a damp squib."

In the past the FSA has relied on whistleblowers rather than use methods deployed in the US to tap phones and covert surveillance and wants firms to start recording employees' mobile phones, not just those made from their desk phones.

Hector Sants, the FSA chief executive, has warned the City to be "afraid" of the regulator and last week set out plans for a hiring spree to help bolster its investigations of insider dealing.

As he launched the FSA's business plan, Sants said this was the "key year" to demonstrate the FSA was serious on cracking down on such City crimes. There would be a "significant" increase in criminal cases and enforcement actions, he said, reiterating his view that the amount of insider dealing in the City was "unacceptable".

The FSA has been focusing on this area since 2008, with this the fifth set of arrests. Four people have been jailed – and another person received a suspended sentence – while three other insider-dealing cases are set for trial.

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British Airways 'trying to break Unite union' in cabin crew dispute

A group of leading academics has accused the BA chief executive, Willie Walsh, of trying to break the Unite union.


British Airways is attempting to "break" the Unite trade union in a battle with cabin crew that could erode workers' rights across the UK, according to a joint declaration by 95 leading industrial relations academics.

In a letter to the Guardian, professors from the London School of Economics and other universities accused BA of having a radical agenda in a dispute that is set to enter its second weekend of strikes.

Unite has pledged to suspend the strikes if the BA chief executive, Willie Walsh, reinstates a peace offer that was withdrawn a fortnight ago. His failure to put the document on the table was highlighted by the academics.

"It is clear to us that the actions of the chief executive of British Airways, notwithstanding his protestations to the contrary, are explicable only by the desire to break the union which represents the cabin crew," they wrote. "What other possible interpretation can there be for Willie Walsh rejecting Unite's acceptance of BA's previous offer or indeed of his marshalling of resources, including those of bitter industry rival Ryanair, to undermine the action of his staff?"

BA mustered an effective auxiliary schedule during a three-day strike last weekend, including 1,000 cabin crew and 22 chartered jets from carriers including Ryanair. This weekend, BA claims it will do even better by running seven out of 10 long-haul services from Heathrow.

A BA official said: "We have been in negotiations since February 2009. We had been talking in the TUC for three days solid before the strikes happened. Why would we do that if we wanted to break the unions? Willie Walsh is one of the few chief executives to have given out his mobile number to union officials so they can contact him day or night."

However, time is running out for both sides to reach a deal before tomorrow afternoon. According to sources close to the talks, BA would need to secure a compromise agreement by around 2pm tomorrow in order to have a chance of reinstating its normal flight schedule. The general secretary of the TUC, Brendan Barber, has been attempting to find common ground between both sides this week but so far there is no sign of a renewal of talks.

BA's confirmation this week that it will strip all striking cabin crew of discounted travel perks has caused further friction between the airline and Unite, which now wants the move reversed as part of any deal. The academics warned about wider consequences if BA faced down Unite.

The statement read: "The wider significance of a triumph of unilateral management prerogative would be a widening of the representation gap in UK employment relations, and a further erosion of worker rights and of that most precious of commodities – democracy."

Trade union sources have said the massive publicity afforded the strike, including the intervention of Gordon Brown, has obscured the fact that both sides were close to a peace deal over cuts to staffing levels on flights. BA has stated that the three-day walkout last weekend cost the airline at least £21m, and Walsh has already asked for Unite to find further savings among BA cabin crew to compensate for that loss.

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Osama bin Laden threatens US soldiers over Khalid Sheikh Mohammed trial

Osama Bin Laden has issued a threat to US troops.
Osama bin Laden has threatened to kill American soldiers if the US executes Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the Pakistani alleged to have masterminded the 9/11 attacks.

An audio tape, purportedly by the al-Qaida leader, was broadcast on the al-Jazeera news channel today.

"The day America will take such decision [to execute Mohammed and any others] it would have taken a decision to execute whoever we capture," the speaker said.

A US counterterrorism official dismissed the sentiments expressed in the 74-second tape as "the height of absurdity" this afternoon.

The country is understood to be seeking the death penalty against Mohammed and four other men accused of planning the 9/11 attacks. President Barack Obama announced in November last year that the five would be tried in a civilian court in New York.

The speaker in the tape criticised Obama for "following the footsteps of his predecessor".

"The politicians in the White House were practising injustice against us and still they are. Especially by supporting Israel in its continuous occupation of Palestine."

The recording continued: "They used to think that America across the oceans is protected from the rage of the oppressed until our reaction was loudly heard at your home on the 9/11, with God's help."

The official, who wished to remain anonymous, responded to al-Qaida's threat to execute detained Americans by drawing attention to the organisation's previous treatment of captives.

"It's the height of absurdity for anyone associated with al-Qaida to even suggest that now, at long last, they're going to start treating captives badly," the official told Reuters.

"They may have forgotten Danny Pearl and all the others they've slaughtered, but we haven't."

Pearl, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was kidnapped and held hostage in Pakistan in 2002. His kidnappers made demands for the release of al-Qaida prisoners before setting a deadline for his killing.

After Pearl had been held for a month, the US state department received a videotape showing the journalist being murdered.

The US president has already faced criticism over the treatment of Mohammed, although so far it has come from closer to home. His decision to put the alleged 9/11 organiser on trial in central New York has seen the president come under pressure, with Republicans saying al-Qaida will use the trial for propaganda.

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CBS orders dance-competition series


CBS is getting its own dance show.


The network is partnering with Reveille to bring U.K. hit "Got to Dance" to the States.

The competition series is billed as the first all-ages all-genres dance series. A wide variety of acts will compete for a panel of judges, with viewers getting to vote during the semifinals and finals.

CBS has greenlit the project for an unspecified number of episodes. This marks the third major network to have a dance-competition series, joining ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," with NBC's "Got Talent" also having a foot in the genre.

Sources say CBS alternative topper Jennifer Bresnan liked the relatability of expanding the genre beyond professionals to include amateurs with undiscovered talent and high aspirations.

Elisabeth Murdoch, Howard T. Owens, Mark Koops and Robin Ashbrook will executive produce the Shine Group format created by Princess Prods. and Shine TV. The British version of "Dance" debuted this year on Sky 1 and became one of the country's top-rated premium network series.

The network has yet to select "Got to Dance" judges, but CBS has expressed some interest in a certain choreographer-turned-reality TV star for the gig -- Paula Abdul. The former "American Idol" judge continues to be courted for a range of TV projects, recently ruling out a return to TV on ABC's "Star Search" reboot.

Bresnan took the reality reins at CBS two years ago and has since maintained a quiet profile in the media despite launching the season's biggest new unscripted hit, "Undercover Boss."

Though some in the industry were initial skeptical about "Boss" being a long-distance runner for the network, the series has maintained strong and consistent numbers on Sundays.

Read more...

CBS orders dance-competition series


CBS is getting its own dance show.


The network is partnering with Reveille to bring U.K. hit "Got to Dance" to the States.

The competition series is billed as the first all-ages all-genres dance series. A wide variety of acts will compete for a panel of judges, with viewers getting to vote during the semifinals and finals.

CBS has greenlit the project for an unspecified number of episodes. This marks the third major network to have a dance-competition series, joining ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," with NBC's "Got Talent" also having a foot in the genre.

Sources say CBS alternative topper Jennifer Bresnan liked the relatability of expanding the genre beyond professionals to include amateurs with undiscovered talent and high aspirations.

Elisabeth Murdoch, Howard T. Owens, Mark Koops and Robin Ashbrook will executive produce the Shine Group format created by Princess Prods. and Shine TV. The British version of "Dance" debuted this year on Sky 1 and became one of the country's top-rated premium network series.

The network has yet to select "Got to Dance" judges, but CBS has expressed some interest in a certain choreographer-turned-reality TV star for the gig -- Paula Abdul. The former "American Idol" judge continues to be courted for a range of TV projects, recently ruling out a return to TV on ABC's "Star Search" reboot.

Bresnan took the reality reins at CBS two years ago and has since maintained a quiet profile in the media despite launching the season's biggest new unscripted hit, "Undercover Boss."

Though some in the industry were initial skeptical about "Boss" being a long-distance runner for the network, the series has maintained strong and consistent numbers on Sundays.

Read more...

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