Ricky Gervais Says NBC Wants Him To Host The Globes

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Could Ricky Gervais be returning to host the Golden Globes? The British actor and comedian who shocked the star-studded audience earlier this year with jokes about Charlie Sheen, Robert Downey Jr., and Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depps The Tourist suggested again that NBC wants him to come back for the award show when the Globes return in 2012. NBC have offered it they think they can persuade the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, he said at the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International TV Festival on Friday, per The Hollywood Reporter. But I dont think they will go for it. I love NBC and I love the fact that they have stuck with me through it all, he added. The Office co-creator said he is, however, considering it sort of. I am, but I shouldnt do it. Its a second encore. Dont do a second encore. I dont think I should do it. What am I going back as? he said, according to Britains The Guardian newspaper. Gervais also said hed been approached about the Oscars hosting job. They said to my agent would he like to be on our list, he recounted, per The Guardian. I couldnt do the Oscars. Its a thankless task for a comedian. They dont want to hear jokes, they want to hear if they have won the most important award of their career, he said. A rep for NBC was not immediately available for comment when contacted by Access Hollywood. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Pete Berg, Liz Heldens Sell Western to NBC

NBC has purchased a script for any western from Friday Evening Lights' Pete Berg and Liz Heldens.our editor recommends'Friday Evening Lights' Finale: Fans Will Ultimately Obtain Closure (TV Review)Cinemax Accumulates Boxing Docuseries from Peter Berg While particulars are now being stored under systems, it's charged like a western story told from the female perspective. The project, which originates from Universal Media Galleries and Berg's Film 44, counts Berg (Wonderland) andSarah Aubrey (Friday Evening Lights, Trauma) as executive producers. Heldens (Love Bites, Whim) is mounted on write and Air. The project joins a cadre of small screen western efforts, including AMC's approaching series Hell On Wheels, set throughout your building from the Union Off-shore Railroad within the 1860s, along with a&E pilot Longmire, in regards to a widowed sheriff in Absaroka County, Wyoming. More lately, TNT purchased Gateway, while ABC and CBS nabbedDavid Zabel's Gunslinger and James Mangold's Rob Lamb, correspondingly. Heldens is repped by ICM Berg and Aubrey are repped by WME. Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com Twitter: @LaceyVRose Related Subjects NBC Friday Evening Lights

Shane Brennan sets CBS dramas, taps prod'n prexy

BrennanAnderson Shane Brennan is firing up his development for that 2012-13 season with two drama projects setup at CBS, one of these is really a detective agency vehicle in line with the "King and Maxwell" novel series by David Baldacci.Brennan, the professional producer of CBS' sturdy "NCIS: LaInch and "NCIS" franchises, has additionally employed former CBS TV Galleries current programming professional Grant Anderson for everyone as prexy of his Shane Brennan Prods., which inked a megabucks overall cope with CBS TV Galleries in April (Daily Variety, April 21).The "King and Maxwell" project continues to be developed with Baldacci and the creating partner,Karen Spiegel. Brennan will pen the pilot which is all about two former Secret Service agents-switched-private detectives. Brennan stated he's keen on Baldacci's many books and thinks the male and femme sleuths of "King and Maxwell" are "absolutely television figures -- they are the kind of figures I'd develop myself."The idea of the series is extremely contemporary because it involves "associates who get involved with cases when discretion is required,Inch he stated. "It's greatly a number of our time whenever we have a lot frustration and suspicion of government and intelligence agencies."Another project Brennan is shepherding is really a medical procedural from scribe Jordan Hawley ("Smallville"), who'll write the pilot script. Concept for "Cure" involves a team of doctors who travel the nation dealing with unusual medical cases with the hope of finding relief from a reclusive billionaire's crictally ill child.Brennan stated he sparked immediately to Hawley's pitch."It simply screams to be produced like a Television show,Inch he stated. "I have never imagined a TV series so clearly as when Jordan walked in and pitched us his idea."Brennan made a decision early in the year to pay attention to development for that 2012-13 season. For that coming season, he's surrended the showrunner reins on "NCIS" to professional producer Gary Glasberg. He remains in the helm of "NCIS: LA."Anderson moved to Brennan's shop about six days ago to assist hone the expansion projects. He's spent yesteryear six years at CBS TV Galleries, most lately becoming veep of current programming. He's labored carefully with Brennan on "NCIS" shows along with the "CSI" skeins and "Criminal Minds." Before being employed as an professional, he would be a producer on NBC's "Third Watch." "Grant is especially good with giving incisive notes due to his production experience," Brennan stated. "It's rare to locate someone with this type of detailed knowledge of a production's needs."Brennan and Baldacci are repped by Paradigm. Brennan's also repped by attorney Kevin Kelly of Gendler and Kelly. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

Former Scrubs Star Jesse Faison Engaged To Cacee Cobb

La, Calif. -- Jesse Faison is engaged! The first kind Scrubs star, 37, has requested his longtime girlfriend, Cacee Cobb, to marry him. Jesse suggested in the news on his Twitter page on Friday while using lyrics to Beyonces mega-hit, Single Ladies, Tweeting, If you want it then you've got to put a diamond ring onto it. Beyonce. Cacee, 33, re-Tweeted her fiances message, together with an indication of her very own. If she wants it then she better say YES!! Cacee authored. Donalds friend and former Scrubs co-star, Zach Braff, became a member of in, Tweeting his congratulations towards the couple. Champion to @jesse_faison and @caceecobb on the engagement, Zach authored. Just wish I had been there to operate who are around you both with sparklers. Jessica Simpson, Cacees good friend, also got in about the celebration. Champion @caceecobb! I really like u and ur guy! Jessica Tweeted to her longtime friend and former assistant, together with a photograph of herself with Cacee revealing her new gemstone. The imminent marriage is going to be Cacees first and Donalds second. Jesse also offers a boy from the previous relationship. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved.These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Lane Venardos of CBS dies at 67

MAUI, Hawaii-- Former CBS News v . p . Lane Venardos has died at age 67. A spokesperson for CBS states Venardos died Friday after having suffered cardiac arrest in the home in Maui, Hawaii. Throughout his 30-year career using the network Venardos labored as executive producer from the "CBS Evening News" so that as a v . p . for hard news. His work gained him 13 Emmy Honours for his role within the coverage of live news, special occasions and documentaries. Venardos created the majority of CBS News' live coverage from the Persian Gulf War, along with the coverage of political campaigns from 1986 through 1998. CBS spokesperson Kevin Tedesco states Venardos upon the market in the network in The month of january of 2000, but continued to be a consultant through election evening that year. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Ray Bradbury, Mike Medavoy Adapting 'Dandelion Wine' Into Feature Film

Ray Bradbury is joining forces with Phoenix Pictures' Mike Medavoy to produce a film version of the author's semi-autobiographical 1957 novel Dandelion Wine.our editor recommendsProducer Mike Medavoy Says He's Now Drawn to Stories Related to His YouthRay Bradbury's 'The Martian Chronicles' to Be Made Into Film By Paramount (Exclusive) The book is set in 1928 and centers on a 12-year-old boy as he experiences small-town, summer life. RGI Prods.' Rodion Nahapetov is writing the screenplay. Medavoy and Phoenix vp of production Doug McKay will produce along with Bradbury, Nahapetov and Natasha Shliapnikoff. Bradbury, who turns 91 on Monday, said, "This is the best birthday gift I could ask for. Today, I have been reborn! Dandelion Wine is my most deeply personal work and brings back memories of sheer joy as well as terror. This is the story of me as a young boy and the magic of an unforgettable summer which still holds a mystical power over me." Medavoy, whose most recent films include Shutter Island and Black Swan, is currently producing What to Expect When You're Expecting, which Lionsgate will release in May. Related Topics Mike Medavoy

Friday Box Office: 'Apes' Still Rising To #1, 'The Help' Strong #2, 'Final Destination' #3, '30 Minutes Or Less' #4, 'Glee 3D' Weak #6

FRIDAY PM: Here's the North American box office. Full analysis and refined numbers coming: 1.Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (Fox) Week 2 [3,691 Theaters] Friday $7.8M (-60%), Estimated Weekend$26M, Estimated Cume$104M 2. The Help (DreamWorks/Disney) NEW (Wed opening) [2,534 Theaters] Friday$7.5M, Estimated Weekend $22M, EstimatedCume $32M 3.Final Destination 5 - 3D (New Line/Warner Bros) NEW [3,155 Theaters] Friday $7.3M, Estimated Weekend $18M 4.30 Minutes Or Less (Sony) NEW [2,888 Theaters] Friday $4.5M, Estimated Weekend $13M 5. The Smurfs (Sony) Week 3 [3,427 Theaters] Friday$3.7M, Estimated Weekend $13M, Estimated Cume $101M 6.Glee - 3D (Fox) NEW [2,040 Theaters] Friday $2.8M, Estimated Weekend $7M 7. Cowboys & Aliens (DreamWorks/Universal) Week 3 [3,310 Theaters] Friday #7 $2.1M, Estimated Weekend $7M, Estimated Cume $80.8M 8. Crazy, Stupid, Love (Warner Bros) Week 3 [2,635 Theaters] Friday $2.1M, Estimated Weekend$7M, Estimated Cume $55.3M 9. Captain America (Marvel/Disney/Paramount)Week 4 [2,835 Theaters] Friday $1.9M, Estimated Weekend $6.5M,Estimated Cume $156.2M 10. The Change-Up (Universal) Week2 [2,913 Theaters] Friday $1.9M (-60%), Estimated Weekend $6M, EstimatedCume $25.5M

'Rise of the Planet of the Apes': A Film Evolution

With Friday's release of the newest Planet of the Apes movie, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Hollywood Reporter looks back at the origins of the successful franchise. Through its 30-plus-year run, the Apes movies managed to attract talent such as Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Sal Mineo, Ricardo Montalban and more recently, Mark Wahlberg and Helena Bonham Carter. Besides the feature films, there were also a number of made-for-television projects that spawned from the series,our editor recommendsRise of the Planet of the Apes: Film Review'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' First Look: The Many Faces of Andy Serkis'Rise of the Planet of the Apes': Meet the Cast PLANET OF THE APES The first Planet of the Apes movie was released on February 8, 1968. It was directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starred Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Linda Harrisonand Kim Hunter. In the film, Colonel George Taylor (played by Heston) and his crew come out of hibernation in the future to find they have crash landed on a planet where apes are dominant. They have learned how to speak and how to use technology whereas men are an uncivilized species with no language. The Fox-distributed film grossed more than $32 million domestically. BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES Beneath the Planet of the Apesdebuted two years later on May 27, 1970 and had a domestic total gross of just under $19 million dollars. Hunter and Harrison reprise their roles as Zira and Nova in this sequel. The film also featured James Franciscus and Maurice Evans. It was directed by Ted Post. The movie focuses on a rescue mission for Colonel Taylor (Heston) led by Brent (Franciscus) who discovers a group of telepathic mutated humans who live below the city and worship a "doomsday" bomb. An epic battle between the apes and humans take place at the end of the film and the bomb is set off by a dying Taylor. ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF THE APES The third movie in the series, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, was released on May 21, 1971. Directed by Don Taylor, the film again starred McDowall and Hunter as well as Bradford Dillman and Sal Mineo. After the destruction of their planet in the last film, Zira, Cornelius and Dr. Milo (Mineo) return to the 20th century in Taylor's spaceship. They are soon fearful for their lives when suspicions arise from the President's scientific advisor after Zira is found to be pregnant. Though Zira and Cornelius die at the end of the film, their baby Milo (later named Caesar) is born and lives on. The film grossed a little more than $12 million dollars domestically. C CONQUEST OF THE PLANET OF THE APES Conquest of the Planet of the Apes came out on June 14, 1972 and made considerably less money than the previous films, taking in a gross of around $9 million dollars. McDowall who previously played Cornelius in both the 1st and 3rd Apes movies is now back playing Caesar. The film also stars Don Murray and Ricardo Montalban and was directed by J. Lee Thompson. With cats and dogs having gone extinct in 1983 due to a disease, humans have begun to take apes as pets. Soon, the apes are seen as slaves. Zira and Cornelius' son Caesar leads the apes in a revolution against the humans. On BATTLE FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES May 23, 1973, the fifth movie of the series,Battle for the Planet of the Apes was released. J. Lee Thompson returned for directing duties on the project. McDowall reprised his role as Caesar and Claude Akins and Natalie Trundy also starred. Caesar, leader of the apes would like there to be peace between the apes and the enslaved humans. However, not all the apes think this way. Gorilla General Aldo (Akins) and warring human factions want war and as the title suggest a battle ensues. In the end, hundreds of years later, the humans and apes have learned to coexist. in 2 PLANET OF THE APES (2001) Tim Burtonput his spin onPlanet of the Apesin 2001. While not a critical success, the film grossed approximately $180 million domestically. Helena Bonham Carter, Mark Wahlberg, Paul Giamatti, Tim Roth and Michael Clarke Duncan starred in the film. Like Taylor in the first film, Astronaut Leo Davidson (Wahlberg) is taken through the space time continium and finds himself on a planet where apes rule over the humans. With help from the rebels and Ari, a sympathetic chimpanzee, they race to a sacred temple where the secrets of mankind reside in the Forbidden Zone. RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES The most recent addition to the Planet of the Apesbrand, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, is directed by Rupert Wyattand starsJames Franco, Andy Serkis and Freida Pinto. The story is set in present day San Francisco and is by far the most technologically advanced, realistic film of the franchise.Franco plays Will Rodman, a scientist using apes to look for a cure to Alzheimer's Disease. However, the tests he conducts gives the apes the intelligence to fight the humans for power. The film is expected to top the box office this weekend as it's already off to a strong start. FILM REVIEW: Rise of the Planet of the Apes You're watching Rise of the Planet of the Apes - Clip No. 1. See the Web's top videos on AOL Video Related Topics Planet of the Apes Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Samuel L Jackson chews scenery in Arena trailer

A trailer for fantasy fight-flick Arena, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Twilight: Breaking Dawn's Kellan Lutz, has been released online.Some films are pure Oscar-bait, packed with heartfelt, tragic performances that are bound to wow the Academy. Arena looks like it was made to sweep the board at The Razzies.The film was originally titled 'Deathgames' and the plot sees David Lord (Lutz) taken prisoner and forced to battle to the death in a virtual gladiatorial arena.Jackson is on his best scenery-gnawing form, playing the baddie who organises the fights. Shame the digital battleground appears to have been created for the original Sony PlayStation.The absolute best moment in the trailer? The part where S-Jack gets his groove on - dancing with two female 'friends'. As Mastercard would say, priceless.There's no UK release date yet for Arena.