Comcast professional named to bank board

Michael Angelakis, Comcast's highly regarded as vice chairman and chief financial officer, continues to be named towards the board of company directors from the influential Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia for any three-year term beginning in The month of january. It will not impact his role in the effective Philadelphia-based entertainment giant, where he added the vice chairman title recently and works as a key agent to topper John Roberts. Angelakis became a member of Comcast in 2007 from the perch as controlling director of Providence Equity Partners, leading to a stir by becoming among the couple of media top professionals to leap from private equity finance -- it always goes another way. He lately reupped with Comcast through 2016. He would be a key player in hashing out Comcast's purchase of NBC Universal from Whirlpool this past year. Comcast and Providence Equity labored together on the high-profile takeover of MGM in 2004 together with The new sony along with other partners. That did not exercise particularly well, and MGM declared personal bankruptcy. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

'Expendables 2' Trailer: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis and Guns

Your favorite action stars of yesteryear have arrived in a gun-toting, plotless teaser for 'The Expendables 2.' Plotless, because there are approximately 20 seconds of footage in this, most of it dedicated to Bruce Willis' character, Mr. Church, speaking in a growly voice to Sylvester Stallone's Barney Ross. There are also several cutaways to the cast shooting assault rifles (including Arnold Schwarzenegger, who hasn't fired a gun onscreen since 2003's 'Terminator 3'). That said, it's not like this film is aiming for Oscar glory -- this is supposed to be a shoot-em-up, badass blockbuster. From the looks of it, it will easily exceed those expectations. 'The Expendables 2,' which stars Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Bruce Willis, Jean-Claude Van Damme (or, as the trailer states, "also Van Damme"), Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Liam Hemsworth, and tennis star Novak Djokovic (seriously), explodes into theaters Aug. 17, 2012. You can check out the teaser below. Head to Apple to see the HD version. [via Apple] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

10 Live Action Short Films Make Oscar Shortlist

When Jon Cryer's publicist called with word of his first SAG Awards nomination, the Two and a Half Men star wasn't expecting the good news.our editor recommendsSAG Awards Nominations: The Nominees' ReactionsSAG Awards TV: 'Modern Family' Leads Nominations, 'Homeland' SnubbedSAG Awards Nominations: The Complete List "Being that it's been a year of very surprising developments, when I get a call from my publicist at 6 a.m. I really don't want to answer it," Cryer told The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday after he picked up his first career SAG Awards nomination for outstanding male actor in a comedy. "But this was a good one." STORY: Jon Cryer: I Thought Charlie Sheen Was Going to Die Cryer, who has been battling a cold the past few days, wasn't expecting to receive the recognition from his peers in the category that doesn't distinguish between lead and supporting roles. "I had no reason whatsoever to expect that I would be included in this company. That I was is astounding." With nominations coming the day after news broke that Two and a Half Men co-creator Chuck Lorrenearly quit the CBS hitcom after public battles with the show's former star Charlie Sheen, Cryer said he learned of the news after doing the interview for the story. PHOTOS: SAG Awards Nominees "[Lorre] went through a lot of pain during that time and it was awful to watch," he said. "It was awful to watch because he really considered himself a friend of Charlie's. I remember the day he came into my dressing room and he was practically in tears and said, 'I don't know what to do, something is very wrong with Charlie' and he was begging me to talk to him. Obviously, I did but I don't know what good it did." Cryer was able to play the role of the messenger later Wednesday, when he told Lorre news of not only his mention for Men but also The Big Bang Theory's first comedy ensemble nomination in a text exchange. STORY: Chuck Lorre Nearly Quit 'Two and a Half Men' Because of Charlie Sheen "Chuck hadn't heard about the nominations at all and he texted me to thank me for having given the interview to TV Guide," said Cryer, who wound up congratulating -- and breaking the news of Big Bang Theory's nom -- to Lorre. "He wrote back, 'NICE!!!' " As for plans to celebrate, Cryer will get into the holiday spirit and spend the evening with his family, taking cold medication, having hot chocolate and decorating their newly purchased Christmas tree. Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit RELATED: SAG Awards Nominations: The Complete List PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery SAG Awards: The Nominees PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Chuck Lorre & His TV Empire Related Topics Chuck Lorre Charlie Sheen Jon Cryer Two and a Half Men SAG Awards 2012

TV Ratings: 'Fear Factor' Stages a Welcome Return, CBS Still on Top

Bloomberg/Getty Images On Thursday, the House Judiciary Committee plans to mark up and vote on the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), an important piece of legislation that's been fostering fervent debate in recent weeks. In advance of the markup, Rep. Lamar Smith, chairman of the committee, has made some tweaks in a so-called manager's amendment, aimed at building support by attempting to clarify the bill's main targets as foreign "rogue" websites, narrowing definitions of bad actors, limiting the private right of action that allow copyright and trademark owners to sue, and addressing concerns that anti-piracy measures could eventually denigrate the security and integrity of the Internet. The changes are in direct reaction to criticism that has transcended political parties, and the modifications were welcomed by the entertainment industry lobby and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. But the new version of SOPA still has not gone nearly far enough in narrowing its definitions and curtailing its service provider obligations to appease leading technology companies and other groups rallying against the bill. One of the main criticisms against SOPA is that it's de facto "censorship," requiring ISPs at times to prevent access to infringing sites by making efforts under order to block web browser requests for flagged domain names. The prospect of domain name system (DNS) blocking and filtering has alarmed some who believe it would be intrusive and undercut the secure structure of the Internet. Among the many changes in Rep. Smith's managers amendment is a "savings clause," which not only explicitly clarifies that SOPA is not meant to be a prior restraint on free speech, but also would remove a duty to monitor activity on a network and restrictcourts from making any order that would "impair the security or integrity" of DNS. On the other hand, service providers will still face obligations to cut off access to pirate sites. Under the new version, it will be measures determined to be "least burdensome, technically feasible, and reasonable means designed to prevent access by its subscribers located within the United States to the foreign infringing site that is subject to the order." The italics illustrate new language in the modified bill, clearly designed to convince the tech community that a weight is being lifted from their shoulders. The provision also removes a five day deadline from implementing such action upon a court order, but since the language is deemed vague by many, and application has yet to be seen, many critics believe that is still adds up to anxiety and liability for leading U.S.-based tech companies. Public Knowledge, one of the groups leading the charge against the bill, doesn't believe there has been much progress in the new SOPA. "The amendment continues to encourage DNS blocking and filtering,which should be concerning for internet security experts and human rights activists alike," saidSherwin Siy, deputy legal director of Public Knowledge. Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt also echoed that sentiment. The bill would "criminalize linking and the fundamental structure of the Internet itself," he said yesterday. That reaction brought strong rebuke from the MPAA, which has been attempting to steer legislation through the home stretch. "Schmidt's comment that the legislation 'criminalizes the intermediaries' is a new weapon in their arsenal of hyperbole," said Michael O'Leary, senior executive vp for global policy at the MPAA. "There is broad recognition that all companies in the Internet ecosystem have a serious responsibility to target criminal activity. This type of rhetoric only serves as a distraction and I hope it is not a delaying tactic." Insiders believe that the bill will inevitably pass the House Judiciary Committee before gathering some resistance among the broader Congressional caucus. In recent weeks, opposition to the bill has unified groups as diverse as the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street, albeit it for different reasons. Some think it is government intrusion. Others see it as an inevitable impingement on free speech. Leading tech acolytes such as Twitter general counselAlex Macgillivray andWikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales are delivering a blow-by-blow account of the mounting concerns orproposing proteststo continue to raise awareness. Other critics see the inevitability of new anti-piracy legislation and have been rallying behind an alternative bill entitled the Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade Act (OPEN),sponsored by SOPA critics Sen. Ron Wyden and Republican Rep. Darrell Issa. That alternative bill would take a more modest copyright infringement approach by allowing rights-holders to file petitions against "rogue" foreign sites with the International Trade Commission, which would then be allowed to attack the financial backbone of these sites by drying up funds from credit card processing companies. Supporters of SOPAdoubt the remedy goes far enough to properly address piracy by enhancing obligations from service providers. The debate is likely to only get louder in the next week or so as Congress makes its moves before winter break. In advance, both sides are attempting to position themselves as being the sensible ones in the room by adopting the other side's language. The critics of SOPA say they want to address piracy -- but in a measured way. The supporters of SOPA love free speech -- but need to protect the vibrancy of art. At a speech this morning at the Center of American Progress, MPAA chairman Chris Dodd continued his call for Congress to act now. "I want to make it clear right at the outset that our fight against content theft is not a fight against technology," he said. "Attacking international content theft is not about restricting speech. Quite the opposite. Just as the Constitution defends an artist's right to create, copyright protections defend the artist's ability to do so." E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner MPAA Chris Dodd

Charlie Sheens New Sitcom Makes First Worldwide Purchase To Canadas CTV

UPDATE 6:20 PM: CTV parent Bell Media just launched a release announcing the pickup in the Charlie Sheen sitcom Anger Management. Release underneath the story: PREVIOUS 6:05 PM: Since the development of Charlie Sheen’s recent comedy tour to Canada shown, the actor is very popular north in the border. So that it’s no surprise the very first worldwide territory to purchase Sheen’s new series, Anger Management, is Canada. I have discovered that, in the competitive situation, Canada’s Bell Media has showed up the rights for the new series due to its CTV network. Sheen is predicted to produce the announcement round the leading Canadian broadcaster tonight. Like Foreign exchange, which acquired the project inside the U.S., CTV also carries Sheen’s previous series, two and a half Males. The license fee for Anger Management is mentioned being within the top finish of anticipation. Anger Management, inspired with the 2003 movie with this title, continues to be produced by Lionsgate TV, with Lionsgate subsidiary Debmar-Mercury handling domestic sales and Lionsgate Worldwide TV accountable for worldwide distribution. The world deals for your series are significant simply because they require systems to purchase 100 episodes outright without getting seen only one frame in the show. Beneath the Debmar-Mercury model, Foreign exchange has devoted to some preliminary order of 10 episodes. When run meets a ratings threshold, it'll trigger a massive 90-episode back order. Worldwide customers are asked for to take a position in most episodes produced within the get-go, if Foreign exchange is applicable to 90 additional episodes, they'll instantly accomplish this too. After Canada, the next buy for Anger Management is predicted to remain in Latin America where you'll find multiple bidders, a rollout in Europe. Authors are actually concentrating on the initial 10 scripts of Anger Management under executive producer/showrunner Bruce Helford, with production slated to begin early next season. Toronto, ON (December 12, 2011) Bell Media confirmed tonight what comedy celebrity Charlie Sheen told numerous Canadians inside an exclusive on-air message earlier today on CTV: his new comedy series ANGER MANAGEMENT is going to Canada. Bell Media has acquired the exclusive Canadian multi-platform rights to Sheens new half-hour program ANGER MANAGEMENT from Lionsgate-possessed distributor Debmar-Mercury. Output of the completely new series begins noisy . 2012. Bell Media will announce its proper multi-platform roll-out and organizing in the series inside a later date. Inside the recording machine, Sheen addressed Canadians directly. You gaze like the best people in the world, he mentioned. However be familiar with truth. Youre holding in lots of anger. Why else are you able to drink a great deal beer, positioned on shoes with sharp rotor rotor blades, and smack each other around with wooden stays? Possibly most likely probably the most-anticipated comeback in television history, the first sort two and a half Males star makes his #winning return to scripted television in the new sitcom loosely using the hit 2003 feature film of the title. Inside the new series, an anger management counselor (Sheen), who may need more counseling than his patients, wreaks harm to the lives of his patients through his unconventional techniques. “I chose ANGER MANAGEMENT because, even though it might be a large stretch will be able to play a guy with serious anger management issues, It's a superb concept,” mentioned Sheen. Charlie Sheens ANGER MANAGEMENT already gets the television industry buzzing plus it hasnt even gone into production yet, mentioned Phil King, Leader, CTV Programming and Sports. While using pedigree behind this production, were confident this program will deliver to both audiences and entrepreneurs alike. Charlie Sheen can be a global brand, and Bell Media is probably the to start many blue nick media companies with whom we're joining up after we launch this show worldwide, mentioned Lionsgate Leader of Worldwide Television and Digital Distribution Jim Packer. Bell Media immediately recognized the shows long-term potential, and were delighted that Charlie will probably be entertaining audiences for any very long time on CTV, Canadas # 1 network. Canada becomes one of the primary areas in the world to license ANGER MANAGEMENT, following the announcement in October the series will air on Foreign exchange inside the U.S. Thelicensing agreement was orchestrated byLionsgate worldwide television professionals Peter Iacono and Lawrence Szabo with Bell Medias Mike Cosentino, Senior Vice-Leader, Programming CTV Systems. From Lionsgate-possessed distributor Debmar-Mercury, introduced by Co-Presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein, Sheen also keeps a considerable possession stake inside the series. Production round the sitcom begins noisy . 2012 with comedy veteran author-producer Bruce Helford (GEORGE LOPEZ, THE Came CAREY SHOW) as executive producer and showrunner. It'll be produced by Lionsgate Television, introduced by Television Group Leader Kevin Beggs and COO Sandra Stern Joe Roth and Revolution Art galleries’ Vince TotinoMark Burg’s production company, Evolution Management and Ramon Estevez and Estevez Sheen Productions.

The new sony Delivering ups Adrian Cruz

Adrian Cruz continues to be upped to professional Vice president and general sales director at The new sony Pictures Delivering. Cruz will are accountable to Jim Amos, prexy of The new sony Pictures Delivering. In the new role, Cruz -- in collaboration with Amos and worldwide distribution prexy Rory Bruer -- will oversee the domestic sales of The new sony Pictures films. He's presently dealing with participants to book such game titles as Columbia Pictures' "The Lady Using the Dragon Tattoo," "Ghost Driver: Spirit of Vengeance," "21 Jump Street," "Males in Black 3," "I Dispise You Father," "The Astonishing Spider-Guy" and "Total Recall," in addition to Screen Gems' "Underworld Awakening," "The Vow" and "Think Just like a Guy." "Adrian is a respected person in our sales and distribution team in excess of two decades,Inch Amos stated. "He's been essential to our success with an abundance of understanding and experience that couple of can match. Once we look forward to 2012 and beyond, our exhibition partners are as excited once we are about our approaching slate of films and that we anticipate depending on Adrian's abilities once we bring this high-profile slate towards the marketplace. We're thrilled to identify his effort with this particular well-deserved promotion and anticipate his leadership within this natural part.Inch "I possibly could 't be more very happy to have Adrian within this new role," added Bruer. "He's helped me look great for a long time at TriStar and The new sony Pictures Western Division, and that he remains the consummate professional who's respected by his peers in exhibition and the co-workers at The new sony Pictures. In my opinion that Adrian and Jim make an amazing team." Cruz is really a veteran of 100s of release campaigns, getting became a member of the studio's TriStar Pictures in 1989 as Western district manager. He later grew to become controlling director -- West for The new sony Pictures Delivering and also, since 2000 has offered as SPR's senior Vice president and Western division manager. Just before joining the studio, Cruz held posts at twentieth century Fox and Cannon Delivering. He started his career at Mann's Westwood theaters, then became a member of U . s . Artists Delivering in 1979, beginning like a booker before becoming the Detroit branch manager. Contact Shaun Sneider at shaun.sneider@variety.com