Tag Archives: TheWrap
Sofia Vergara gets a reality show on YouTube
Sofia Vergara and Wilmer Valderrama are among the talent contributing to Electus’ new YouTube channel NuevOn, the company said Monday.
NuevOn (Spanish for “New On,” more or less), which launched yesterday, will offer “high-impact, buzz-worthy programming almost entirely in Spanish,” according to Electus. The channel was conceptualized with Electus in partnership with Latin World Entertainment CEO Luis Balaguer, and will target “young, multi-cultural Latinos.”
Vergara’s contribution to the channel is “Mi Vida Con Toty,” a “loud, in-your-face reality series” that features the “Modern Family” star and her 20-year-old son, Manolo Gonzalez Vergara, as he chronicles his mother’s “Hollywood Latino life.” New episodes will premiere every Thursday.
“Awake” star Valderrama, meanwhile, created and will executive-produce “King of the Floor,” a reality competition series that will grant viewers “a rarely seen glimpse into the elusive world of underground break dancing.” The series will premiere sometime in the coming months.
Also on the NuevOn slate: “Archivos Mortales,” a scripted thriller in the “Paranormal Activity” vein that will follow two journalism students as they attempt to complete a research project on a San Juan tradition where “the devil comes to take some souls.” The project goes awry when “a terrible past comes back to haunt” the student journalists. The series will air Fridays.
The channel’s current roster is fleshed out by the entertainment news/gossip show “Feim Fix,” with host Felipe Viel; “Yes You Can With Chaban,” which features formerly overweight soap-opera star Alejandro Chaban sharing weight-loss tips; and “Turn It On,” which will present weekly highlights from the channel’s programming.
NuevOn’s full talent and programming slate will be announced in the coming weeks.
MTV revives ‘Yo! MTV Raps’ for special
For one night only, MTV is bringing back “Yo! MTV Raps,” the show that turned on a generation of MTV viewers to a mysterious new musical form called hip-hop.
The show, which originally aired from August 1988 through 1995, helped bring once little-known acts like Ice-T, N.W.A, A Tribe Called Quest and Public Enemy to households across America as hip-hop exploded in popularity. The return comes after the revival of such MTV shows as “Beavis and Butt Head” and “120 Minutes.”
The show will return as a 30-minute retrospective called “Yo! MTV Raps Classic Cuts,” and will air on MTV2 immediately after the first-ever Sucker Free Awards on Sunday, Dec. 4. The awards will air at 11 p.m., followed by the “Yo!” special at midnight. The special will feature the artists behind three hip-hop classics: A Tribe Called Quest’s “Scenario,” Geto Boys’ “My Mind’s Playing Tricks on Me” and Ice Cube’s “It Was a Good Day.” (“It Was a Good Day” just happens to mention “Yo! MTV Raps” by name.)
The special will feature former hosts Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover and Dr. Dre, and hip-hop stars from the past and present. They include A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip, Geto Boys’ Scarface, and Ice Cube, in addition to Wiz Khalifa, DJ Khaled, Questlove, Busta Rhymes, Mac Miller, Machine Gun Kelly, Young Jeezy, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Phife, Fat Joe, Common, Mike Epps, Ice T, Meek Mill, Tyga and Naughty by Nature.
DJ Premier will remix the iconic “Yo! MTV Raps” theme song for the special.
“It’s a great moment to be reconnected with ‘Yo!’ and examine the music that had a role in introducing hip-hop to music lovers globally,” Ed Lover said. “By looking back at these classic songs in hip-hop, it becomes clear that hip-hop would inevitably transcend distance and generations.”
“In this ‘Classic Cuts’ special, people will go back to a seminal time in hip-hop which many have called the ‘Golden Era’ resulting in records that are as meaningful today as they were back then, ” said Fab 5 Freddy, the original host of the show. “In order to appreciate how far hip-hop has come, you have to pay respect to the songs and artists that helped catapult the genre from a small community of fans to world domination.”
Orlando Bloom rejoins Peter Jackson in ‘The Hobbit’
Orlando Bloom will return to Middle Earth in “The Hobbit,” director Peter Jackson revealed on his Facebook page Friday.
“Ten years ago, Orlando Bloom created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas,” the director wrote. “I’m excited to announce today that we’ll be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more. I’m thrilled to be working with Orlando again. Funny thing is, I look older — and he doesn’t! I guess that’s why he makes such a wonderful elf.”
It was widely rumored that Bloom, who originally gained fame playing Legolas in Jackson’s 2001 film “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” would reprise the role in the new movie.
In addition to the 2001 film, Bloom played the role in 2002′s “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” and in 2003′s “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”
Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellan, Andy Serkis and Ian Holm also are back from the 2001 film, which is now filming in New Zealand.
It’s actually a two-part movie based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. The first of the two movies is scheduled for a December 2012 release. The second is expected to come out a year later.
Kitten Blood! Ashton Kutcher joins ‘Two and a Half Men’
By Brent Lang & Tim Kenneally
TheWrap
Ashton Kutcher will officially step in for Charlie Sheen on “Two and a Half Men,” CBS announced on Friday. It marks a prime-time homecoming for Kutcher, who first got his start as a member of “That ’70s Show,” before leaving that FOX series to focus on a big-screen career.
Kutcher expressed his excitement about joining the cast of the long-running sitcom and even had kind words for the man he is ostensibly replacing.
“I can’t replace Charlie Sheen but I’m going to work my ass off to entertain the hell out of people,” Kutcher said in a statement.
Chuck Lorre, the show’s creator who has feuded with the troubled Sheen prior to his firing last spring, expressed relief that the series would not fall victim to the former star’s public meltdown.
Chuck Lorre, the show’s creator and executive producer, said in a statement, “We are so lucky to have someone as talented, joyful and just plain remarkable as Ashton joining our family. … Added to that is the deep sigh of relief knowing that our family stays together. If I was any happier, it’d be illegal.”
Sheen was fired from the series in March after engaging in increasingly bizarre behavior and reportedly struggling with substance abuse. He is currently suing Lorre and Warner Bros. TV for $100 million over the termination.
A number of names had been tossed around as possible replacements since Sheen’s ouster. Most recently, “About a Boy” actor Hugh Grant was offered the part. Grant reportedly dropped out due to creative differences, though the fact that he was offered well under $1 million an episode — far less than Sheen — might also have had something to do with his reluctance.
Moving to “Two and a Half Men” could be a wise career move for Kutcher. Though he has scored a few modest hits with “Dude, Where’s My Car?” and as a member of the ensemble film “Valentine’s Day,” many of his most recent movies, such as “Killers,” have stumbled at the box office.
He has also kept a hand in the television world, as co-creator and producer of MTV’s hit series “Punk’d,” and The CW’s reality series “Beauty and the Geek” and “True Beauty.”
Production on the ninth season of the hit show will resume this summer for broadcast in the fall.
On Thursday, Kutcher hinted he was joining “Two and a Half Men” after The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that he would take Charlie Sheen’s place.
“What’s the square root of 6.25?” he tweeted. The answer is 2.5.
THR quoted an individual close to the negotiations as saying the agreement will result in a “huge payday” for Kutcher. (Sheen made $1.8 million per episode.)
Paula Abdul Joins Simon Cowell’s ‘The X Factor’
Paula Abdul finally joined Simon Cowell’s new singing competition, “The X Factor,” on Sunday, but it’s safe to say she’s got healthy misgivings.
In the news release on Sunday announcing her joining the judges’ panel, she said, “We’re going to have a blast.” Then she added: “I’m also delighted and grateful to be sitting next to Simon again…but you might want to check back with me in a week or two!”
Abdul left ‘American Idol’ in the summer of 2009 after reports raged of her unhappiness at being treated disrespectfully by Fox, and demanding as much as $20 million to sign a new contract.
Behind the scenes, executives allowed it to be known that Abdul had turned into some kind of diva.
But that is all apparently in the past. Abdul’s playful – and sometimes not that playful – bickering with Cowell became a signature of “American Idol.” But Cowell is smart enough to know that it was a big part of the show’s appeal.
He’s been wooing Abdul in public statements for months, and on Sunday said: “This show would never have been the same without Paula and I can’t believe I am saying this — I have missed her a lot, and I am thrilled she’s on the show.”
Abdul is the only real household name on the show besides Cowell himself. Just after the news release went out, Abdul giddily tweeted to her 1.9 million followers: “I wanted so much to give you a confirmation sooner… Well here it is right now! 
) xoxoP”
Fox also announced Sunday that Steve Jones (um, who?) and Nicole Scherzinger, a former Pussycat Doll, will also co-host the U.S. version of the British show.
Jones is a British TV personality little known in the U.S., and Scherzinger is a former Pussycat Dolls lead singer and solo artist.
“These two are going to be great together,” Cowell said. “I have always wanted Steve to work with us; I think he is a real star. Nicole is fantastic. I loved working with her on the U.K. ‘X Factor’ last year. She is gorgeous and super-talented.”
Jones and Scherzinger join previously announced judges Cowell, Cheryl Cole, and Antonio “L.A.” Reid. The show debuts in September.
Auditions are ongoing in Dallas and will continue on Thursday.
‘The Office’ hires James Spader, Ray Romano and Catherine Tate
Three more names have emerged as possible replacements for Steve Carell on “The Office” — and one of them is not like the others.
According to TV Line, James Spader and Ray Romano will appear on the May 19 season finale of the popular NBC comedy, as will British actress Catherine Tate.
Tate isn’t yet a household name in the U.S. but is well-know to fans of British television for her critically-acclaimed self-titled sketch comedy series.
Along with the previously confirmed casting of Ricky Gervais and Will Arnett, this news swells the list of actors lined up for the finale to five. There’s no guarantee, of course, that any of these outsiders will end up joining the series for its eighth season, as one of the show’s current cast members — vote Team Andy! — could simply step into Michael Scott’s managerial role.
But of the five — and don’t forget Will Ferrell, who will appear in four episodes starting April 14 as an incompetent sub for Michael Scott — we suspect Arnett would fit best with the show’s established vibe. And while he recently signed on for Emily Spivey’s untitled NBC pilot, he could find himself back in the mix if the Lorne Michaels-produced offering doesn’t make it to series.
But something tells us that a major surprise awaits us on May 19. If you have any clue about what will happen, for the love of Schrute, please let us know!
Lily Collins Is Relativity’s Snow White
“The Blind Side’s” Lily Collins will play the lead role in Relativity Media’s “Snow White” movie, the studio announced Friday night.
She’ll join “The Social Network’s” Armie Hammer and Academy Award winner Julia Roberts in Tarsem Singh’s still-untitled version of the Brothers Grimm tale.
Collins, a 22-year-old from England, is the daughter of musician Phil Collins. She played Collins Tuohy — the Sandra Bullock character’s daughter — in 2009′s “The Blind Side” and Lucy in 2011′s “Priest.” She also appeared in two episodes of “90210″ in 2009.
On March 26, Relativity announced that Hammer had joined the cast as Prince Andrew Alcott. Roberts is the evil queen.
Still to be cast: the queen’s henchman and a character who takes care of Snow White.
According to the studio, the movie is “a retelling of one of the most beloved fables of all-time, will eschew the traditional story in favor of a more modern tale full of comedy and adventure. After her evil stepmother kills her father and destroys the kingdom, Snow White bands together with a gang of seven quarrelsome dwarfs to reclaim what is rightly hers.”
Ryan Kavanaugh (“The Fighter”), Bernie Goldman (“300″) and Brett Ratner (“Rush Hour” franchise) are producing. Melisa Wallack (“Meet Bill”) and Jason Keller (“Machine Gun Preacher”) wrote the script.
The movie is set to be released June 29, 2012. Production is to begin in Montreal in May.
Relativity’s film is one of two “Snow White” projects currently under way.
Universal Pictures is making “Snow White and the Huntsman,” which has a release date of Dec. 21, 2012. Charlize Theron plays the evil queen in that version, and Kristen Stewart is in negotiations for the role of Snow White.
That film was written by Evan Daugherty. Rupert Sanders will direct.
Depp will appear on Gervais’ new sitcom
It sounds like Johnny Depp can take a joke: The actor will shrug off a few Golden Globes jokes to appear in Ricky Gervais’ new series, “Life’s Too Short,” Gervais says.
Gervais said on his blog that he could confirm Depp’s appearance on the series, which will be for BBC2 but is expected to air on HBO2.
Gervais joked at the Golden Globes that everything seemed to be animated in 2010, “except the characters in ‘The Tourist,’” in which Depp and Angelina Jolie starred. Later, he added that he was kidding: “I haven’t even seen ‘The Tourist’… who has?”
A rep for Depp did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
‘Real Houswives of D.C.’ canceled
At some point, TV was bound to reach its saturation point on the number of “real housewives” that viewers could possibly care about.
That moment may be upon us, as RadarOnline.com is reporting that Bravo will not renew “The Real Housewives of D.C.” after one, low-rated season.
A network rep would not confirm the cancellation, which could be made official at next week’s annual presentation to advertisers.
During its 11-episode run last year, “Real Housewives of D.C.” never tapped into the popularity of the franchise’s existing installments, which were set in New York, New Jersey, Atlanta and Orange County, Calif. This despite controversy surrounding cast members Michaele and Tariq Salahi, who crashed a White House dinner without an official invitation.
Two more installments, set in Miami and Beverly Hills, Calif., were introduced more recently and are currently airing new episodes.
The Mighty Kardashian Empire, Strikes Back!
Will Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick expand the Kardashian empire with yet another spin-off? Probably not, says E!
PopEater reports that the couple are in talks with E!, home of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” and other tales of the family, for a series that would revolve around their nuptials.
The couple have not confirmed an engagement, but the site said the final episode of “Kourtney & Kim Take New York” will include Disick’s proposal.
But E! spokeswoman Sarah Goldstein tells TheWrap that she’s “99 percent certain” that the couple won’t get a spin-off.
For those keeping track at home — and there are many, judging from the ratings — another spin-off would make five Kardashian-related series in all, including “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” “Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami,” “Kourtney & Kim Take New York” and the upcoming “Khloe & Lamar.”
