Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) is urging the Federal Communication Commission to block the imminent corporate merger between Comcast and NBC Universal. The New York Times reports that Sanders has written a letter to each of the five F.C.C. commissioners, saying, “The sale of NBCU to Comcast would create an enormously powerful, vertically integrated media conglomerate, causing irreparable damage to the American media landscape and ultimately to society as a whole.” Sanders believes the merger, which does not have to be approved by Congress, will lead to higher prices for consumers and a decrease in competition and on-air diversity.
Archive: November 2010 (61-70 of 200)
Nov 16
2010
09:01 AM ET
Nov 16
2010
08:44 AM ET
Prince William engaged
Prince William and long-time girlfriend Kate Middleton are engaged to be married. According to People magazine, the couple, who’ve dated each other for most of eight years, became engaged while visiting Kenya in October. The wedding is planned for the spring or summer of 2011.
Nov 15
2010
10:08 PM ET
Carey Mulligan lands lead role in Baz Luhrmann's film of 'The Great Gatsby'
Deadline is reporting that actress Carey Mulligan — who just last year won her first Oscar nomination for her role in An Education — has been cast by director Baz Luhrmann as the lighthearted and superficial Daisy Buchanan in Luhrmann’s long-gestating production of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s seminal novel The Great Gatsby. Leonardo DiCaprio has already been cast in the title role of Jay Gatsby, and Tobey Maguire is rumored to play Gatsby’s friend, Daisy’s second cousin, and the story’s narrator Nick Carraway.
Mulligan beat out practically every young A-list actress in Hollywood for the role: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Amanda Seyfried, Blake Lively, Michelle Williams, Keira Knightley, and Rebecca Hall were all reportedly considered for Daisy.
More on EW’s PopWatch: Great Gatsby: Let’s cast Jordan, Tom, and Myrtle
Nov 15
2010
05:34 PM ET
'Biggest Loser' back in production, but strike continues
The Biggest Loser resumed production today on season 11 after a strike halted filming on the NBC reality series last week, a network spokesperson has confirmed. Striking crew members walked the picket line at the show’s Calabasas, Calif., set early this morning as replacement workers reported for duty. IATSE (The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) released a statement on Nov. 10 that it was striking against the show, seeking a union contract. A spokesperson for Reveille Productions, which produces the show along with 3 Ball Productions and 25/7 Productions, declined to comment. The tenth season of Biggest Loser is currently airing on NBC.
Read more:
‘Biggest Loser’: Union confirms it is on strike
‘The Biggest Loser’ shuts down production due to walkout
Nov 15
2010
05:32 PM ET
TJ Lavin checks out of hospital
Real World Road Rules Challenge host TJ Lavin is home from the hospital, one month after suffering injuries in a bike crash at the Dew Tour Championships in Las Vegas. His mother, Barbara “Bobbi” Lavin, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the MTV personality is “walking, talking, eating on his own and is getting his sense of humor back.” Levin’s injuries included an orbital fracture on his eye and a fractured right wrist. He is set to enroll in a program in an outpatient facility in Las Vegas that helps patients who suffered from brain injuries.
Read more:
Host TJ Lavin in critical condition after accident
TJ Lavin’s condition improving
Nov 15
2010
05:27 PM ET
Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt renew vows
People reports The Hills stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt have renewed their vows, calling the ceremony their first “real” wedding. The couple wed Sunday in Carpenteria, Calif., and claimed the wedding was donated to them. “It’s just me and my bride on a little secret beach with nobody else, and it’s just about her,” Pratt told Entertainment Tonight. “Last time it was about everything else, it was about drama, it was about ratings.”
Nov 15
2010
05:07 PM ET
Katherine Heigl bows out of 'Adaline'
Katherine Heigl’s rep confirms to EW that the actress has dropped out of filming Adaline, Lakeshore/Kimmel Entertainment’s film about a woman struck by lightening who suddenly cannot age past her 20s. Deadline reports that Heigl, who adopted a daughter late last year, simply was not ready to return to work. The role in the Andy Tennant-directed film will be re-cast as soon as possible.
Nov 15
2010
04:35 PM ET
'South Park' sued for ripping off 'What What (In the Butt)' music video; Comedy Central claims fair use
The producers of South Park, along with Comedy Central and parent company Viacom, are being sued for stealing from the viral video sensation “What What (In the Butt).” The suit alleges that in the April 2, 2008 episode “Canada on Strike,” the character of Butters “and his incorrigible cohorts” created a music video that is “a nearly frame-by-frame recreation of the heart of…’What What (In the Butt)’.” The video’s creators, Brownmark Films, are seeking an injunction from the re-broadcast or continued streaming of the South Park episode, and “maximum statutory damages.” Since it was posted in February 2007, the music video in question has been viewed over 33 million times on YouTube.
In a statement to EW, Comedy Central says that “courts have consistently recognized that parody enjoys broad protections under the First Amendment and the Copyright Act.” The network contends the “What What (In the Butt)” parody “is fully protected against any copyright infringement claims under the fair-use doctrine and the First Amendment and we plan to vigorously defend those rights.”
The suit comes just a few weeks after South Park creators and showrunners Trey Parker and Matt Stone publicly apologized for lifting dialogue from a College Humor Inception parody.
Watch the original “What What (In the Butt)” music video: READ FULL STORY »
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