Alan Ball To Step Down As True Blood Showrunner

If HBO’s hit vampire drama True Blood goes to a sixth season, it will be without its mastermind Alan Ball at the helm. HBO and Ball just confirmed ongoing speculation that Ball would leave the series full-time after the upcoming fifth season. He is under an overall deal with HBO and, in addition to True Blood, also executive produces new series Banshee for sibling Cinemax. Here are statements from HBO and Ball: HBO: “When we extended our multi-year overall deal with Alan Ball in July 2011, we always intended that if we proceeded to True Bloods sixth season that Alan would take a supervisory role on the series and not be the day-to-day showrunner. If we proceed to season six, the show will remain in the very capable hands of the talented team of writers and producers who have been with the show for a number of years. This is the best possible world for both HBO and Alan Ball. Alan will remain available as executive producer to consult and advise on True Blood and he will be free to develop new shows for both HBO and Cinemax. Banshee, on which Alan serves as executive producer, is the first in house series for Cinemax and is expected to begin production this spring.” Alan Ball: “True Blood has been, and will continue to be, a highlight of not only my career but my life. Because of the fantastic cast, writers, producers and crew, with whom I have been lucky enough to work these past five years, I know I could step back and the show will continue to thrive as I look forward to new and exciting ventures.”

West End slate grows

The West End's dance card for later this year is filling up with the announcement of three incoming productions, including a transfer of a Shakespeare double bill toplined by Mark Rylance. Also on tap is a London move for the Royal Shakespeare Company staging of a new play by David Edgar ("Nicholas Nickleby"), as well as a revival of Joe Orton's 1967 farce "What the Butler Saw." As previously tipped in Variety, frequent trans-Atlantic producer Sonia Friedman will move twinned Shakespeare's Globe stagings of "Richard III" and "Twelfth Night," both starring Rylance, to the West End in the fall. Initially opening at Shakespeare's Globe (July 14-Oct. 14), the period-style productions featuring all-male casts will play a 13-week season at the West End's Apollo Theater beginning Nov. 2. Stephen Fry has been added to the cast, playing Malvolio in "Twelfth Night" opposite Rylance as Olivia. The productions, helmed by Tim Carroll, continue the working relationship between Friedman and Rylance that has includes "Boeing-Boeing," "La Bete" and "Jerusalem." All three were London hits that went on to Gotham stints, with Rylance picking up a Tony each for his perfs in "Boeing-Boeing" and "Jerusalem." Also joining the West End's upcoming slate is the RSC production of Edgar's "Written on the Heart," transferring from the RSC's Stratford-upon-Avon home to the West End's Duchess Theater for a limited run beginning April 19. Producers Bill Kenwright ("Blood Brothers") and Thelma Holt will move the show, which played the RSC in the fall. Set 400 years ago, Edgar's play examines the religious and political divisions that arose over the controversial first English translation of the King James Bible. Helmed by Gregory Doran, the play will be the second RSC show on the boards in the West End, joining the hit transfer of tuner "Matilda," currently eyeing a Broadway berth. Also set for this year is a new production of "What the Butler Saw" at the West End's Vaudeville Theater, starting a limited run May 16. Produced by MJE Prods., co-producers of the West End and Gotham-bound tuner "Ghost," the show is headlined by British-Iranian thesp-standup Omid Djalili ("Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," "The Love Guru"). The production is helmed by Sean Foley, who also directed the hit legit version of "The Ladykillers" currently running at the West End's Gielgud Theater. Further casting for "Butler," running May 4-Aug. 25, has yet to be announced. Contact David Benedict at benedictdavid@mac.com

Will Sacha Baron Cohen Be Banned from the Oscars?

Downton Abbey, Maggie Smith and Hugh Boneville The Season 2 finale of Downton Abbey on PBS drew a whopping 5.4 million viewers in its first airing to post the network's biggest audience in nearly three years. The two-hour closer was PBS' most-watched program since the 2009 premiere of Ken Burns' National Parks and was also more than double the average prime-time PBS viewership. Shirley MacLaine joins Downton Abbey"PBS and our member stations are so pleased that such a large audience is enjoying this great work from Masterpiece," PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger said in a statement. "From viewing parties to Twitter mentions, Downton Abbey is riding a wave of public enthusiasm, and it's been wonderful to see so many people discovering public television as a destination for programming that's smart, distinctive and entertaining."Overall, Season 2 was up by 25 percent over the first season.Season 3, which will feature new cast member Shirley MacLaine, is currently in production in England and is scheduled to hit stateside early next year.

Oscars 2012: Why 'Shame' Deserved A Best Picture Jerk

Nine films are nominated to find the best Picture within the Academy awards this year, pleading the question: who deserved a tenth perfect that list? Oscars 2012: 10 Place solutions that question, since the MTV Movies team highlights numerous 2011's finest films and argues why they deserved a jerk since the tenth Best Picture nominee. Enables appreciate this taken proper care of at this time around: Yes, Shame is certainly The Primary One While Using Penis Michael Fassbenders, more particularly. Nonetheless, it may be unfortunate (no pun intended) if thats all this amazing film is appreciated for. For a lot of knowledge of why Shame wasnt nominated for just about any Best Picture Oscar, we have to discuss what this movie is not: It's not a family group film (see above re: The Primary One While Using Penis). This movie is one hundred percent adult-oriented. You'll find no brave horses, charming young puppies or precocious kids in Shame. You'll find only grown-ups doing very grown-up things. It's not populated by likeable figures. The siblings and siblings carried out by Fassbender and Carey Mulligan are two seriously damaged, dysfunctional people who sometimes behave horribly to each other. No heroes or heroines, no hearts of gold just folks discomfort who're trying to handle your entire day. It's not some time piece. Shame happens inside the here (NY City) now. The city is not romanticized or disinfected its described just like a real place where real people live nowadays, dealing with real issues. It's not an easy film to check out. Sure, theres plenty of flesh displayed, nevertheless the sex moments aren't what youd call sexy. Fassbenders Brandon can be a sex addict. There's no love or affection given or attracted during these moments. And theres several pretty nasty, heartbreaking stuff because of Mulligans Sissy. Fascinating and fascinating, yes. Sweet and advantageous? Definitely not. The bottom line is, "Shame" is not Oscar bait. Steve McQueens drama is unconventional, raw, harmful and current. Inside a perfect movie world these qualities might be recognized and paid out. Alas, Oscar doesn't live because world quite yet. Maybe eventually theyll comprehend it correctly. The MTV Movies team gets the 2012 Oscars covered! Stay with us for all that you should know just before the honours show, and also on Sunday, February 25, tune into MTV.com at 5:30 p.m. ET for that three-hour red-colored-colored-carpet live stream and updates round the night's large individuals who win.

Pilgrim ramps up exec ranks

GouldPiligianCraig Piligian's reality shingle Pilgrim Studios is ramping up its exec ranks with a slew of hires and promotions. The ultra-busy Pilgrim, which produces such as series as "Dirty Jobs" and "American Chopper" on Discovery, as well "Top Shot" and the upcoming "Full Metal Jousting" for History, has hired three VP's to bolster its original programming and development teams. Nicholas Caprio joins Pilgrim as VP of original programming. He arrives from Gay Rosenthal Prods., where he served as exec VP of the shingle and helped oversee such skeins as "Behind the Music" for VH1 and TLC's "Little People, Big World." Arriving from the U.K.-based shingle Optomen, Rob Hill will be the new VP of development for unscripted. On the scripted side, Beth Miller will join as a VP. Previously, she worked at Disney Channel and ABC Family. Coming aboard is Jon Unger as manager of development. He previously worked at ABC in current programming, and alternative and specials department. Being promoted at Pilgrim is seven-year vet Johnny Gould, who will now be senior VP of original programming and development. He'll continue to oversee both upcoming and current unscripted series. Also being upped as managers in development are Jamie Fleischman and Jake Shelton. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

'Game Of Thrones' Star Joins Jeff Bridges In 'The Seventh Son'

"Game of Thrones" leading man Kit Harington seems to finally be landing his big screen breakout role. Meanwhile, Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson reunite in an upcoming comedy, Amy Adams is set to star in the big screen adaptation of one of Steve Martin's novels and Philip Seymour Hoffman is in negotiations for "A Most Wanted Man." It's February 8, and you're tuning in for today's casting news. Kit Harington Joins Cast Of "The Seventh Son" Kit Harington is ready to make his big screen debut. After Warner Bros took his break-out, "Arthur & Lancelot," off their release schedule, it looks like he was quick to snap up on a new role. Variety reports that Harrington will join the cast of the fantasy flick "The Seventh Son," which stars Jeff Bridges as a witch hunter and Ben Barnes as his new apprentice. Harington will play a former apprentice. Owen Wilson And Vince Vaughn To Reunite In New Comedy Still consider "Wedding Crashers" to be one of the best comedies of the '00s? Well, you're in luck, because Vulture is reporting that Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson are reteaming to star in the Vaughn-written comedy, "Interns." "Real Steel" helmer Shawn Levy will direct. The flick will follow Wilson and Vaughn as two fortysomethings who lose their jobs and decide to become interns at a Google-like dotcom and "start anew." Amy Adams To Star In Adaptation Of Steve Martin Novel The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Amy Adams will star in and produce the upcoming adaptation of Steve Martin's novel "Object of Beauty." The novel follows an entrepreneur in her travels and love affairs over 15 years of her life. Philip Seymour Hoffman In Talks For "A Most Wanted Man" Things are looking good for Anton Corbjin's modern day thriller, "A Most Wanted Man." Variety is reporting that Philip Seymour Hoffman is in final negotiations for the lead role in the movie, which is an adaptation of John Le Carre's best-selling novel of the same name. He would play the character Bachmann. Two More Join Viola Davis In "Beautiful Creatures" Alcon Entertainment has some big news to share about their upcoming supernatural love story "Beautiful Creatures." Hot off the news that Viola Davis is joining the cast, the company announced that Jack O'Connell and Alice Englert are in final negotiations to star as the movie's two leads. Filming will begin in April around New Orleans. Tell us your thoughts on today's Casting Call in the comments section below or on Twitter!

Popular Character Actor Ben Gazzara Dies in NY

NY (AP) Ben Gazzara, whose effective dramatic performances introduced an intensity to numerous roles making them an memorable presence such legendary productions inside the decades since the original "Cat around the Hot Container Roof" on Broadway as well as the film "The Big Lebowski," has died at 81.Longtime family friend Suzanne Mados mentioned Gazzara died Friday in Manhattan. Mados, who possessed the Wyndham Hotel, where stars for instance Peter Falk and Martin Sheen continued to be, mentioned he died after being put in hospice take proper care of cancer. She and her husband aided marry Gazzara and also the wife, German-born Elke Krivat, at their hotel.Gazzara will be a proponent of method acting, in which the artist attempts to battle the minds and feelings in the character he's playing, plus it aided him achieve fame at the beginning of his career with two stirring Broadway performances.In 1955, he originated from the role of Brick Pollitt, the disturbed alcoholic boy and not successful football star in "Cat around the Hot Container Roof." He left the show for just seven several days to battle a likewise challenging role, Johnny Pope, the drug abuser in "A Hatful of Rain." It acquired him his to start three Tony Award nominations.In 1965, he moved onto TV fame in "Run for that Existence," a drama of a workaholic lawyer who, recognized getting a terminal illness, quits his job and embarks worldwide-trotting try to squeeze a amount of adventures to the a few years he's left. He was two occasions nominated for Emmys through the show's three-year run.Gazzara made his movie debut in 1957 in "The Strange One," Calder Willingham's bitter drama about brutality inside a Southern military school. He'd formerly carried out charge role in the psychopathic cadet, Jocko p Paris, on Broadway in Willingham's stage version from the story, "Finish of Guy."He adopted that film with "Anatomy from the Murder," through which he carried out a man on trial for killing a tavern keeper who had previously been billed with raping his wife.After "Run for that Existence" brought to 1968, Gazzara spent the comfort of his career alternating between movies as well as the stage, although rarely while using critical acclaim he'd loved throughout his early years.Inside the seventies, he teamed along with his friend director John Cassavetes for 3 films, "The Killing from the Chinese Bookie" and "Opening Evening." In another Cassavetes film, he came out with Falk, as well as the two increased being pals (it absolutely was Cassavetes who introduced those to the Wyndham Hotel, with different 1982 article in NY magazine).Gena Rowlands came out with Gazzara in "Opening Evening," which starred Cassavetes. Cassavetes and Rowlands were married he died in 1989. Falk died a year ago.InchIt breaks my heart to own today ended. Ben meant a lot to a lot of us. Towards the families. To John. To Peter. To own them gone now's devastating in my opinion,In . she mentioned in the statement.She mentioned her hopes and concepts visited "all his loyal and beautiful fans all over the world.InchRita Moreno, who carried out Gazzara's wife inside the 2000 film "Blue Moon," mentioned, "He will be a wonderful guy, which i so loved coping with him. If perhaps I really could have observed the pleasure more often.InchOther Gazzara films incorporated "The Bridge at Remagen," ''The Youthful Doctors," ''They All Jeered," ''The Thomas Crown Affair," ''If It's Tuesday, It Ought To Be Belgium," ''The The the spanish language language Prisoner," ''Stag" and "Road House." More youthful crowd made several films in Italia.He came out on Broadway in revivals of "Who's Frightened of Virginia Woolf?," ''Awake and Sing!" ''Strange Interlude" and several other plays.Gazzara began acting in television in 1952 with roles round the series "Danger" and "Kraft Television Theater." Before landing "Run for the Existence," he carried out a police detective inside the series "Arrest and Trial," which made it two seasons.Born Biagio Anthony Gazzara in NY on August. 28, 1930, he elevated around the low East Side of Manhattan in the cold-water flat getting a tub with the cooking. His parents were immigrants from Sicily who met and married in NY, and also the first language was Italian. Although he was baptized under his birth title, his parents always referred to as him Ben or Benny.Becoming an adult he increased being attracted to movies, and after giving his first performance, in the Boys Club play, he understood he'd found his life's work."I resented secondary school,In . he once mentioned, "and after couple of years from this I left without telling anybody in your house.InchRather he spent his days in movie theaters.He became a member of Erwin Piscator's Dramatic Workshop in 1948. 18 several days later he auditioned for your Stars Studio run by Lee Strasberg and was recognized.The school will be a beehive of activity in people days, turning out such fans of method becoming Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, James Dean, Barbara Bel Geddes, Shelley Winters, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Fly fishing rod Steiger and Julie Harris."There are many voodoo in regards to the Stars Studio," Gazzara told The Connected Press in 1966. "Inside the best sense it absolutely was a place for professionals to stay in contact utilizing their craft, where beginners and professionals mingled, to build up, to check parts they'd never go into the professional theater also to even fall by themselves face."Gazzara's initial few close ties, to stars Louise Erikson and Janice Rule, brought to divorce.While filming "Inchon" in Korea three decades ago, he met Krivat. They married one year afterwards, as well as the union experienced."Elke saved my existence," Gazzara mentioned in 1999. "Once I met her, I used to be consuming a lot of, kidding around a lot of, killing myself. She put romance and hope during my existence."He adopted Krivat's daughter, Danja, his or her own. She appreciated on Friday he will be a "complex soul" which his role just like a father to her and also the own daughter was challenging."I respected Ben, and therefore did his daughter," she mentioned. "But the two of us struggled with him ... In my opinion the issue lay within the complexity to become an actress and people layers you've, that you simply bring together with you.InchApart from Danja, Gazzara is managed to get by his wife, daughter Elizabeth together with a brother.Copyright 2012 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. By Cristian Salazar February 6, 2012 PHOTO CREDIT AFP Photo/Kaira Barket NY (AP) Ben Gazzara, whose effective dramatic performances introduced an intensity to numerous roles making them an memorable presence such legendary productions inside the decades since the original "Cat around the Hot Container Roof" on Broadway as well as the film "The Big Lebowski," has died at 81.Longtime family friend Suzanne Mados mentioned Gazzara died Friday in Manhattan. Mados, who possessed the Wyndham Hotel, where stars for instance Peter Falk and Martin Sheen continued to be, mentioned he died after being put in hospice take proper care of cancer. She and her husband aided marry Gazzara and also the wife, German-born Elke Krivat, at their hotel.Gazzara will be a proponent of method acting, in which the artist attempts to battle the minds and feelings in the character he's playing, plus it aided him achieve fame at the beginning of his career with two stirring Broadway performances.In 1955, he originated from the role of Brick Pollitt, the disturbed alcoholic boy and not successful football star in "Cat around the Hot Container Roof." He left the show for just seven several days to battle a likewise challenging role, Johnny Pope, the drug abuser in "A Hatful of Rain." It acquired him his to start three Tony Award nominations.In 1965, he moved onto TV fame in "Run for that Existence," a drama of a workaholic lawyer who, recognized getting a terminal illness, quits his job and embarks worldwide-trotting try to squeeze a very long time of adventures to the a few years he's left. He was two occasions nominated for Emmys through the show's three-year run.Gazzara made his movie debut in 1957 in "The Strange One," Calder Willingham's bitter drama about brutality inside a Southern military school. He'd formerly carried out charge role in the psychopathic cadet, Jocko p Paris, on Broadway in Willingham's stage version in the story, "Finish of Guy."He adopted that film with "Anatomy from the Murder," through which he carried out a man on trial for killing a tavern keeper who had previously been billed with raping his wife.After "Run for that Existence" brought to 1968, Gazzara spent the comfort of his career alternating between movies as well as the stage, although rarely while using critical acclaim he'd loved throughout his early years.Inside the seventies, he teamed along with his friend director John Cassavetes for 3 films, "The Killing from the Chinese Bookie" and "Opening Evening." In another Cassavetes film, he came out with Falk, as well as the two increased being pals (it absolutely was Cassavetes who introduced those to the Wyndham Hotel, with different 1982 article in NY magazine).Gena Rowlands came out with Gazzara in "Opening Evening," which starred Cassavetes. Cassavetes and Rowlands were married he died in 1989. Falk died a year ago.InchIt breaks my heart to own today ended. Ben meant a great deal to a lot of us. Towards the families. To John. To Peter. To own them gone now's devastating in my opinion,In . she mentioned in the statement.She mentioned her hopes and concepts visited "all his loyal and delightful fans all over the world.InchRita Moreno, who carried out Gazzara's wife inside the 2000 film "Blue Moon," mentioned, "He will be a wonderful guy, which i so loved coping with him. If perhaps I really could have observed the pleasure more often.InchOther Gazzara films incorporated "The Bridge at Remagen," ''The Youthful Doctors," ''They All Jeered," ''The Thomas Crown Affair," ''If It's Tuesday, It Ought To Be Belgium," ''The The the spanish language language Prisoner," ''Stag" and "Road House." More youthful crowd made several films in Italia.He came out on Broadway in revivals of "Who's Frightened of Virginia Woolf?," ''Awake and Sing!" ''Strange Interlude" and several other plays.Gazzara began acting in television in 1952 with roles round the series "Danger" and "Kraft Television Theater." Before landing "Run for that Existence," he carried out a police detective inside the series "Arrest and Trial," which made it two seasons.Born Biagio Anthony Gazzara in NY on August. 28, 1930, he was elevated round the Lower East Side of Manhattan in the cold-water flat getting a tub with the cooking. His parents were immigrants from Sicily who met and married in NY, and also the first language was Italian. Although he was baptized under his birth title, his parents always referred to as him Ben or Benny.Becoming an adult he increased being attracted to movies, and after giving his first performance, in the Boys Club play, he understood he'd found his life's work."I resented secondary school,In . he once mentioned, "and after couple of years from this I left without telling anybody in your house.InchRather he spent his days in movie theaters.He became a member of Erwin Piscator's Dramatic Workshop in 1948. 18 several days later he auditioned for your Stars Studio run by Lee Strasberg and was recognized.The school will be a beehive of activity in people days, turning out such fans of method becoming Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, James Dean, Barbara Bel Geddes, Shelley Winters, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Fly fishing rod Steiger and Julie Harris."There are many voodoo in regards to the Stars Studio," Gazzara told The Connected Press in 1966. "Inside the best sense it absolutely was a place for professionals to stay in contact utilizing their craft, where beginners and professionals mingled, to build up, to check parts they'd never go into the professional theater also to even fall by themselves face."Gazzara's initial few close ties, to stars Louise Erikson and Janice Rule, brought to divorce.While filming "Inchon" in Korea three decades ago, he met Krivat. They married one year afterwards, as well as the union experienced."Elke saved my existence," Gazzara mentioned in 1999. "Once I met her, I used to be consuming a lot of, kidding around a lot of, killing myself. She put romance and hope during my existence."He adopted Krivat's daughter, Danja, his or her own. She appreciated on Friday he will be a "complex soul" which his role just like a father to her and also the own daughter was challenging."I respected Ben, and therefore did his daughter," she mentioned. "But the two of us battled with him ... In my opinion the issue lay within the complexity to become an actress and people layers you've, that you just bring together with you.InchApart from Danja, Gazzara is managed to get by his wife, daughter Elizabeth together with a brother.Copyright 2012 Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.