MBN The Monte Bubbles Network

Mar 12

Academy to Screen Rediscovered Silent Films in Hollywood

Beverly Hills, CA — “The Curse of Quon Gwon,” the first known feature made by Chinese-Americans, and “Her Wild Oat,” starring the quintessential 1920s flapper Colleen Moore, will unspool as part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ “Lost and Found” film series on Thursday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Linwood Dunn Theater at the Academy’s Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study in Hollywood. Both films will be accompanied by live music performed by Michael Mortilla.

“The Curse of Quon Gwon,” directed by Marion Wong, is one of the few American silent feature films directed by a woman. It was thought to be lost until filmmaker Arthur Dong discovered two surviving reels in the possession of the lead actress’s daughters.

Dong brought the nitrate 35mm negative reels, as well as ten minutes of additional 16mm footage, to the Academy Film Archive for preservation. In December 2006 the Library of Congress selected “Quon Gwon” to be added to the National Film Registry.

In “Her Wild Oat,” Moore, with her signature flapper haircut, stars as a woman who owns a small lunch wagon and falls for a duke’s son who is pretending to be his own chauffeur. Many of Moore’s films have been lost to nitrate decomposition. This print newly restored by the Archive provides the public a rare opportunity to rediscover Moore’s work. Her filmography includes both silent and sound films; her final film role was Hester Prynne in the 1934 version of “The Scarlet Letter.”

“Lost and Found” is a periodic screening series designed to showcase archival prints that have been recently rediscovered, or films that have been restored from new materials that improve the presentational quality of previous available versions.

In some instances, the films may be incomplete or damaged, making access unlikely through more traditional venues. The series provides renewed access to “lost” films and brings to light some of film preservation’s more notable success stories.

Tickets to “Lost and Found” are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. All seating is unreserved.

The Linwood Dunn Theater is located at 1313 North Vine Street in Hollywood. Free parking is available behind the building through the entrance on Homewood Avenue. For more information, call (310) 247-3600.

©A.M.P.A.S.®
 

 

Edgar Baitzel
Chief Operating Officer of LA Opera
Dies at Age 51

(Los Angeles, CA) March 12, 2007 – Edgar Baitzel, Chief Operating Officer of LA Opera, passed away on Sunday, March 11, after a brief battle with cancer, it was announced by Plácido Domingo, Eli and Edythe Broad General Director. "I say goodbye to my dear friend Edgar Baitzel with the deepest sadness but also with the most sincere gratitude for helping us raise the Company to the extraordinary level it enjoys today on the international scene," said Mr. Domingo. "My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his wife Christina and children Sarah, Philipp and Sophia, who will continue to remind us always of Edgar and his presence here."

Edgar Baitzel joined the staff of LA Opera in April 2000 as Artistic Administrator, in partnership with then Artistic Director Designate Plácido Domingo, who brought him to the Company. Born in Koblenz, Germany, in 1955, Mr. Baitzel studied musicology, literature and art history at the Johann Wolfgang von Goethe University in Frankfurt. While still a student, he began his stage career working as an assistant stage director under Götz Friedrich and Jean-Pierre Ponnelle.

Following Mr. Baitzel's studies, August Everding, General Manager of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, hired him as Assistant Manager (1978 to 1982). Mr. Everding's successor, Wolfgang Sawallisch, promoted Mr. Baitzel to Head Dramaturg and he oversaw the landmark 1983 and 1984 productions of the complete works of Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss, respectively, the latter for the Munich Opera Festival. At the Karlsruhe Opera, Mr. Baitzel held the posts of both Assistant General Manager and Artistic Director with responsibility for all aspects of planning, casting, budgeting and production, and he also produced a well-received Handel festival. For five years he was Artistic Director at the Bonn Opera, after which he served the Opéra de Nice as Artistic Consultant and also worked as a freelance opera stage director.

In November 2001, Edgar Baitzel became Director of Artistic Operations at LA Opera, and in May 2003 he was named Artistic Director. Most recently, in February 2006 he was appointed Chief Operating Officer. "I remember the day Edgar arrived, with all the promise of achieving greatness for LA Opera," said Marc I. Stern, Chairman and CEO of LA Opera. "He had the uncanny ability to pull rabbits out of hats in order to achieve artistic success, which he accomplished. My wife Eva and I offer our profound condolences to Christina and to their children. Edgar will be sorely missed by all of us."

In only six short years, Edgar Baitzel helped take LA Opera from 66 performances in the 2001/2002 season to 77 performances in the 2006/2007 season. He presided over the creation of four to five new productions in each of those seasons, including two world premieres. He also worked with Mr. Domingo on bridging the path to Hollywood and Broadway, by bringing film directors and composers such as Maximilian Schell (Lohengrin, Der Rosenkavalier), Elliot Goldenthal and Julie Taymor (Grendel), William Friedkin (Duke Bluebeard's Castle / Gianni Schicchi, Ariadne auf Naxos), Garry Marshall (La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein), Vincent Paterson (Manon) and Howard Shore and David Cronenberg (the upcoming production of The Fly); as well as Tony Award-winning stars Audra McDonald, Patti LuPone and John Doyle to LA Opera for the recent Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny. He fostered a long-term artistic relationship with Achim Freyer, whose work for the company includes a staged Bach Mass in B-Minor, La Damnation de Faust and the upcoming Ring cycle. He also invited such diverse artists as Robert Wilson, Lucinda Childs, Anne Bogart and Gottfried Helnwein, who made distinctive contributions to LA Opera's artistic profile.

In addition to his work at LA Opera, Mr. Baitzel served on the Board of Councilors of the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.

Edgar Baitzel is survived by his wife, Christina, and three children, Sarah, Philipp and Sophia. Funeral arrangements will be private. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to a charity which will be announced. Anyone who wishes to make a contribution can contact Kate McCallum of LA Opera, who may be reached at (213) 972-8057 or by email at KMcCallum@laopera.com.

 

'Come and Knock on Our Door ...'

TV Land Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Three's Company with a 24-Hour Marathon Beginning Saturday, March 17

TV Land celebrates the comedic misadventures of the zaniest roommates on television -- Jack, Janet and Chrissy -- with a 24-hour marathon saluting the 30th Anniversary of the Emmy Award-winning series Three's Company beginning Saturday, March 17, at 8:00pm (all times ET/PT). Tune in to relive some of television's most hilarious and madcap episodes including a retrospective show hosted by Lucille Ball, the pilot episode recounting how it all started and the series finale. TV Land will also showcase episodes from the hit series' spin-off, The Ropers and Three's a Crowd.

Fans can log on to tvland.com beginning Friday, March 9 through Friday, March 30 to register to win a Three's Company DVD box set containing all the episodes from season eight, as well as "bloopers" and "featurettes:" "The Best of Jack, Janet, Terri, Larry and Furley," "John Ritter: Working with the Master" and "Usted Habla Three's Company?"

Three's Company aired on ABC and remained a top-ten show through its seven-year run from 1977-1984. It follows the lives of three roommates: Janet Wood (Joyce DeWitt), a young, single woman who works as a florist; Chrissy Snow (Suzanne Somers), a bubbly, blonde typist; and Jack Tripper (John Ritter), a student studying to be a chef. At first, their landlords -- Stanley (Norman Fell) and Helen (Audra Lindley) Roper -- are against the threesome sharing their apartment until Jack tricks them into thinking he's gay. The Ropers would eventually spin-off into their own show in 1979, aptly titled The Ropers, as they adventure out of the apartment complex to a townhouse in an upscale neighborhood of Cheviot Hills. It is then that Mr. Ralph Furley (Don Knotts) takes over as the owner of the not-so-swinging single's apartment. As Crissy leaves, Cindy Snow (Jennille Harrison), her cousin moves in with Jack and Janet and later, Terri Alden (Priscilla Barnes), replaces Cindy as the third roommate. At the end of the series, Jack received his own spin-off, Three's a Crowd, and moves in with girlfriend Vicky Bradford (Mary Cadorette) a flight attendant.

Three's Company's 30th Anniversary block schedule is as follows (all times ET/PT):

Saturday, March 17 through Sunday, March 18

8:00p #129 -- Best Of Three's Company pt. 1 8:00a Test Pilot episode (2)

8:30p #130 -- Best Of Three's Company pt. 2 8:30a #103 -- Jack Bares All

pt. 1

9:00p #1 -- Man About The House 9:00a #104 -- Jack Bares All

pt. 2

9:30p #2 -- And Mother Makes Four 9:30a #1 -- Man About The

House

10:00p #171 -- The Heiress 10:00a #2 -- And Mother Makes

Four

10:30p #172 -- Cupid Works Overtime 10:30a #3 -- Roper's Niece

11:00p #173 -- Friends and Lovers (Part 1) 11:00a #28 -- Days Of Beer &

Weeds

11:30p #174 -- Friends and Lovers (Part 2) 11:30a #50 -- The Bake Off

12:00a #3 -- Roper's Niece 12:00p #58 -- The New

Landlord (Furley)

12:30a #28 -- Days Of Beer & Weeds 12:30p #59 -- Snow Job

1:00a #50 -- The Bake Off 1:00p #67 -- Ralph's Rivals

1:30a #58 -- The New Landlord (Furley) 1:30p #94 -- Furley vs.

Furley

2:00a #59 -- Snow Job 2:00p #103 -- Jack Bares All

pt. 1

2:30a 2:30p #104 -- Jack Bares All

pt. 2

3:00a #67 -- Ralph's Rivals 3:00p #129 -- Best Of Three's

Company pt. 1

3:30a #94 -- Furley vs. Furley 3:30p #130 -- Best Of Three's

Company pt. 2

4:00a #144 -- Going To Pot 4:00p #144 -- Going To Pot

4:30a #163 -- The Charming Stranger 4:30p #163 -- The Charming

Stranger

5:00a #170 -- Forget Me Not 5:00p #170 -- Forget Me Not

5:30a Three's A Crowd #1 -- Family Affair 5:30p #171 -- The Heiress

6:00a The Ropers #1 -- Moving On 6:00p #172 -- Cupid Works

Overtime

6:30a Three's A Crowd #20 -- King For A Day 7:00p #173 -- Friends and

Lovers (Part 1)

7:00a The Ropers #27 -- Four Letter Word 7:30p #174 -- Friends and

Lovers (Part 2)

7:30a Test Pilot episode (1)

About TV Land

Now seen in over 88 million U.S. homes, TV Land is a division of MTV Networks. TV Land's program mix features original programming, popular dramas, sitcoms, westerns, Retromercials and a TV-referential interstitial environment, all programmed to superserve Baby Boomers -- the first generation of Americans to grow up watching television. TV Land Productions was created in 2003 to develop original programming that complements the network's successful acquired programming slate. TV Land Productions has produced The TV Land Awards Show (March 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006) and Chasing Farrah (Spring 2005). In 2006, TV Land premiered several original productions including Generation Boom, I Pity The Fool starring Mr. T and Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg. The network features all-time Classic hits like All in the Family, M*A*S*H, I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffith Show and Bonanza.

MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, mtvU, VHI, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, MTV INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 12 digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Source: TV Land

CONTACT: Elaine Wilcox, +1-212-846-5502, Elaine.Wilcox@tvland.com or
Vanessa Reyes-Smith, +1-310-752-8081, Vanessa.Reyes@tvland.com, both of TV
Land

Web site: http://www.tvland.com/

 

The Producers of SUPERNANNY Searching for Fitness Guru to Star on ABC's New Weight Loss Show

LOS ANGELES, March 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The producers of the hit reality series SUPERNANNY are searching the country to find the new face and body of American fitness to train the heavy set cast of ABC's brand new transformational weight loss show. The new show combines physical and mental challenges with the opportunity for the cast members to win a large cash prize, while the fitness expert inspires them to transform.

The person chosen for this opportunity will have a hand in the biggest weight loss experience in American television history. ABC's new show is different from any other program on TV and takes the viewer along on a journey with an inspirational trainer and a select group of heavy-set participants who triumph and achieve their personal goals while inspiring the lives of millions.

Casting Producers begin their nationwide search this month, casting across the country to find the most relatable and motivating coach, professional trainer or fitness teacher to be featured in every episode of the network show's premiere season.

People interested in learning more about the show and who want to apply for the chance to change people's lives should visit www.getfitontv.com/trainer or call 888/7-CASTING for more details. Potential candidates are urged to send in their application and tape showing them working in their element by March 19th.

Ricochet Television is based in the United Kingdom where the company is one of the leading independent production companies of high quality factual and entertainment television programming. Ricochet's international phenomenon "SUPERNANNY" launched the company in the United States where the company is building an innovative reputation in transformational and critically acclaimed reality based and documentary style television.

HOW TO APPLY...

Step 1: Go to www.getfitontv.com/trainer. Complete your written

application and send 2 recent photos: face and full body.

Step 2: Email your completed application and photos to:

FitnessTVCasting@gmail.com; or fax to (323) 904-4681.

Step 3: Record a 5-minute VHS, DVD, or DV video that shows us WHO YOU

ARE and why you would be a great fitness expert for our show.

Step 4: Label all tapes with your name, address and phone number, then

mail along with a signed copy of your application and any

non-digital photos, to:

Fitness Expert Casting

Ricochet Television

3800 Barham Blvd., Ste. 210

Los Angeles, CA 90068

Source: Ricochet Television

Web site: http://www.getfitontv.com/trainer

 

Viacom's MTV Networks Selects Rapt's Media Monetization Platform for Its Online Properties

Rapt Inc. and MTV Networks (MTVN), a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:and) (NYSE:VIA.B) , today announced an agreement to license Rapt's media monetization platform across MTVN's U.S.- based online properties. Under the agreement, Rapt will deploy its Business Director, Inventory Manager, and Price Director(TM) solutions to deliver pricing and inventory controls, analytic infrastructure, and data-driven decision support capabilities for MTVN. The agreement represents a significant investment by MTVN in its digital operations, designed to help the company capture maximum value for its advertising assets.

"Establishing a strong and streamlined digital ad sales operation is the key to unlocking the full value of our online portfolio," said Nada Stirratt, Executive Vice President, Digital Advertising, MTVN. "We now offer advertisers the ability not only to buy individual sites, but also to buy horizontally across all of MTVN's digital properties, encompassing a variety of targeting criteria. Rapt is an integral piece in effectively building and pricing these products."

"Effective inventory and pricing practices represent a true competitive advantage in today's marketplace," said Tom Chavez, Founder & CEO of Rapt. "Rapt is thrilled to be working with Nada and the market-leading MTV Networks team in redefining their approach to digital media monetization."

In the United States alone, MTV Networks has 44 websites and 10 broadband services in live deployment, including branded sites such as MTV.com, Nickelodeon's Nick.com, and VH1's VSPOT broadband player, and acquired properties such as Neopets.com and GameTrailers.com. From the combination of MTVN's own web sites and its acquired businesses, the company registered more than 37 million unique users in January 2007, and ranked as the number-one online entertainment destination and the 12th most popular overall destination on the Web (comScore Media Metrix January 2007, U.S. only).

Rapt is the leader in media monetization solutions, providing technology and advisory services that drive significant annual revenue uplift by helping media companies price, predict, and provision their advertising assets.

About MTV Networks and Viacom

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with 135 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 200 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Viacom is a leading global entertainment content company, with prominent and respected brands. Engaging its audiences through television, motion pictures and digital platforms, Viacom seeks to reach its audiences however they consume content. Viacom's leading brands include the multiplatform properties of MTV Networks, including MTV: Music Television, VH1, CMT: Country Music Television, Logo, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, and more than 130 networks around the world, as well as digital assets such as MTV.com, comedycentral.com, VSPOT, TurboNick, Neopets, Xfire and iFilm; BET Networks; Paramount Pictures; DreamWorks; and Famous Music. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at www.viacom.com.

About Rapt Inc.

Rapt Inc. is the leading provider of media monetization solutions. These solutions help companies achieve and sustain profit and revenue growth objectives through the deployment of proprietary technology and advisory services. Rapt's software enables companies to price, predict, and provision their advertising assets, while Rapt's advisory services help companies design and implement best-practice revenue management processes across their organization. Rapt's client base includes Yahoo!, Seagate, Microsoft, NBC Universal, Tacoda, Dow Jones & Company, The Weather Channel Interactive and others. More information about Rapt can be found at: www.rapt.com.

Source: MTV Networks

 

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/

 

From Universal Studios Home Entertainment: Five Feature-Length Installments of the Genre-Busting TV Crime Series Starring Primetime Emmy(R) Winner Peter Falk, 'Columbo Mystery Movie Collection 1989'

An All-New Collection Featuring TV's Most Disarming Detective Comes to DVD April 24, 2007

-- Legendary actor Peter Falk returns to don his familiar rumpled trench coat and step into his four-time Primetime Emmy(R)-winning role when "Columbo Mystery Movie Collection 1989" comes to DVD on April 24, 2007 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "Columbo Mystery Movie Collection 1989" includes five all-new, feature-length telefilms from 1989, just waiting to be solved by the LAPD's most ingeniously unassuming detective. Ten hours of content on three discs includes oodles of star power with appearances from a bevy of celebrated actors including Lindsay Crouse ("Buffy, The Vampire Slayer") and Fisher Stevens (Factotum). The collection also includes a half-hour documentary, "America's Top Sleuths," a countdown of the most memorable fictional crime fighters in television and film history.

This landmark series sets the TV crime genre on its ear, opening each movie by revealing the villain behind a meticulously planned murder. Armchair detectives follow along as the seemingly bumbling detective's unorthodox techniques uncover clues that help him zero in on the perpetrator. Falk's portrayal of absentminded Lt. Columbo has been an audience favorite for more than 30 years, ranking seventh on Bravo's list of Top 100 Characters of All Time. Columbo has won a total of thirteen primetime Emmy(R) Awards, including Falk's four Best Actor nods, as well as a Golden Globe(R) Award for Outstanding Drama Series. The three-DVD set is priced at $26.98. Preorder close is March 20, 2007.

SYNOPSIS

With his perpetually disheveled attire and trademark stubby cigar, Lt. Columbo of the LAPD hunts down some of the city's most resourceful criminals in this all-new DVD collection of movies from 1989. A host of terrific guest stars face off with Columbo in five complex games of cat and mouse, as the dogged detective uses his unique mixture of observation, deduction and uncanny intuition to flush out the culprit. After lulling suspects into a false sense of security, the shambling Sherlock closes in with razor sharp insights that prove that appearances can be deceiving. Columbo Mystery Movie Collection 1989 combines quick-witted writing and a slyly funny, tremendously talented star in one of television's most original and beloved detective series. Oh, just one more thing ... No murderer can hide for long with Columbo on the case.

For more information please visit: www.Great-TV-Shows.com

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

DVD

Street Date: April 24, 2007

Pre-Order Close: March 20, 2007

Copyright: 2007 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Price: $26.98 SRP

Selection Number: 61033272

Running Time: Disc 1: 3 Hours 7 Minutes; Disc 2: 3 Hours 7 Minutes;

Disc 3: 1 Hour 33 Minutes

Layers: DVD-9 (Single Sided)

Aspect Ratio: Full Frame (1.33:1)

Rating: NR

Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, English SDH

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.

 

Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Web site: http://www.great-tv-shows.com/

Web site: http://www.universalstudios.com/

 

 

MTV and Yahoo! Working With Mark Burnett Productions Join Forces to Shine the Spotlight on Fans & Aspiring Filmmakers With 'MTV Movie Awards on Yahoo!' Launching April 23rd

New Interactive Experience Will Showcase User Generated Creations throughout the '2007 MTV Movie Awards,' and Culminate With the All-New 'Best Movie Spoof' User Generated Category Live on Stage

'2007 MTV Movie Awards' Will Broadcast Live From Gibson Theatre in Universal City, CA on June 3

 MTV: Music Television and Yahoo! Movies today announced a partnership, working with Mark Burnett Productions, to enhance the "2007 MTV Movie Awards" experience like never before by giving fans the opportunity to participate in the show via a new website on Yahoo! Movies. This year, fans will be given the chance to realize their dreams of standing on stage at the "2007 MTV Movie Awards" to accept the legendary golden bucket of popcorn in front of Hollywood's movers and shakers. Through "MTV Movie Awards on Yahoo!," aspiring filmmakers will be offered the platform to showcase their twisted genius and story-telling talent. The interactive site, launching April 23, will allow them to submit their own original movie shorts parodying films from the past year for consideration in the first ever "BEST MOVIE SPOOF" User Generated Category. The undiscovered talent will be revealed to the world during MTV's live June 3 broadcast from the Gibson Theater in Universal City, Calif.

In addition to the movie spoof award, MTV, Yahoo! Movies and Mark Burnett Productions are developing a section on this new interactive site where viewers can create their own culture of sorts -- whether it's commenting on the user-generated submissions or posting photos and videos. Select content from the site will also take center stage at the awards on a "World Wide Web Wall" that will be integrated into the live broadcast, giving a voice to all the those up-and-coming filmmakers or those who simply like to quarterback from the sidelines.

"How many of us have seen a movie and thought, 'I could produce something better, something funnier, something cooler?'" asked Christina Norman, President of MTV. "MTV and Yahoo! Movies attract the world's most creative minds and we know that somewhere out there is an imaginative filmmaker with a fresh take on today's movies. Together, we're giving them a chance to share their inspiring, weird or hilarious work and reward their personal sacrifices and countless hours of filming and editing with ... a cheesy bucket of gold- plated popcorn."

"This competition breaks new ground in changing the way we discover talent, giving amateur movie makers an opportunity to walk away with the Golden Popcorn, " said Vince Broady, head of Entertainment for Yahoo!. "This is part of Yahoo's continued commitment to give our users the chance to participate in the biggest entertainment events of the year. It's not enough to put them in the front row -- we want them on the stage."

All aspiring content creators are encouraged to upload their submissions via Yahoo! Movies while other visitors to the site can rate and discuss the submissions. The final five nominees will be flown to the "2007 MTV Movie Awards" in Los Angeles. The fans will then vote on which of the five nominees takes home the new "Best Spoof MTV Movie Award."

"One of my first actions, after agreeing to produce the MTV Movie Awards was to set up conversations between Yahoo! and MTV. It was a natural fit considering Yahoo!'s enormous reach and MTV's ultra cool brand," said Mark Burnett, Executive Producer. "The ability to create and interact with User Generated Content is so important to today's audience that this show simply had to include UGC as a major element in the creative experience of the 2007 awards."

On the "MTV Movie Awards on Yahoo!" site, each award category will be featured and fans can then vote on MTV.com for their favorites in MTV's infamously irreverent categories including "Best Kiss" and "Best Villain." Also, as MTV announces nominees and performers fans can look to Yahoo! Movies for the exclusive news.

With the "World Wide Web Wall" and the new "Best Movie Spoof" categories, the audience will get more opportunities to engage with the show, both in the weeks leading up to it and on the actual live telecast.

This year's experience builds on "MTV's 2006 Movie Awards" online success last year which delivered over 2 million streams, up over 50% from the year before.

Mark Burnett serves as Executive Producer for the "2007 MTV Movie Awards." Salli Frattini is Executive Producer for MTV. Audrey Morrisey and Ted Smith are Producers, Joe DeMaio is the Director and Kathy Flynn will serve as Event Producer.

About MTV Networks

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 120 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 95 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

About Yahoo!

Yahoo! Inc. is a leading global Internet brand and one of the most trafficked Internet destinations worldwide. Yahoo!'s mission is to connect people to their passions, their communities, and the world's knowledge. Yahoo! is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.

Yahoo! and the Yahoo! logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Yahoo! Inc. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

About Mark Burnett Productions

Mark Burnett Productions (MBP) is a leading production company in content for both primetime television and the internet. MBP revolutionized television with hits such as Eco-Challenge, Survivor, The Apprentice, The Contender, Rock Star: INXS, Rock Star: Supernova and its upcoming co-production with Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks Television, On The Lot (FOX). Other upcoming MBP projects include: Pirate Master (CBS) and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader (FOX). MBP also partnered with AOL on the highly successful adventure Gold Rush, the first-ever unscripted project to be produced exclusively for the internet. MBP also successfully reintroduced product placement as an integral part of each of its shows and has garnered a total of 42 Emmy nominations since 2001.

Source: MTV

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/

 

 

mtv.com Sets Records for Traffic and Video Streams in January and February, Propelled by Music, On-Air Programming and News

MTV Mobile Also Reaches New Heights with 1 Million Streams Per Month

NEW YORK, March 12 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV: Music Television today announced record traffic and video streams for mtv.com since the beginning of the year, as viewers flocked to the site to go deeper with the on-air programs they love, keep up with all the latest music news and catch their favorite artists, music videos and exclusive performances. MTV Mobile also reached new heights, delivering 1 million streams per month in December and January, a new milestone for the wireless channel.

For mtv.com, January and February were consecutive record-setting months on a number of levels -- the site delivered a record 84 million streams in January, only to shatter that number in February with 85.1 million streams. February also saw mtv.com deliver an average of 3 million streams daily, the first time the site has reached that threshold. The year-to-year comparisons are even more striking: January 2007 streams were up 258 percent over the previous January, while February streams were up 228 percent over the year prior.

Helping fuel the groundbreaking streams were a record number of unique visitors. In January, mtv.com attracted 24.2 million unique visitors, an all- time-high and a 56 percent increase over January 2006. In February, the number of daily unique visitors grew another 10 percent to 1.1 million a day, up from 1 million a day in January. March also is roaring in like a lion. mtv.com earned 7.1 million unique visitors for the week ending March 4, second only to the week ending Aug. 28, 2006, which featured exclusive behind-the-scenes and show content from the Video Music Awards.

"Viewers are constantly telling us they want to dig deeper into the content they see on-air, and they are obsessive about following our programming from one platform to the other -- and back," said Christina Norman, President of MTV. "When the TV show 'The Hills' inspires a community of fans to connect with their favorite cast members and devour exclusive content online and on the handset, the payoff for viewers is a more immersive experience all the way around."

Propelling mtv.com into record territory were: music videos from Justin Timberlake, Fergie, Gym Class Heroes and My Chemical Romance; music programming, including "Spankin' New Music Week" and the recent "MTV Unplugged: KoRn" performance; and original and online-only programming like MTV News' coverage of the Grammy Awards and creative after shows that expanded upon such popular series as "The Hills," "Two-A-Days," "My Super Sweet 16" and "Engaged and Underage." Additionally, the "Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Duel" live reunion show in January was mtv.com's most successful live streaming event ever, and as second season of "The Hills" gained steam, viewers went online in droves, boosting video streams by 50 percent in February over January.

On the handset, music and original-made-for-mobile programming helped MTV Mobile reach 1 million streams per month in December and January. Viewers continued to connect with Sway's Hip Hop Owners Manual to learn the latest in hip-hop terminology. And MTV and Verizon Wireless teamed up for the first-ever "MTV Live," in which Fall Out Boy performed songs from their new album "Infinity On High." While the concert was promoted on all screens, MTV Mobile also featured a first-look at a song not performed on-air, as well as interviews with the band. The success of MTV Live on MTV Mobile and all MTV screens, including MTV2, mtvU and MTV Tr3s, helped Fall Out Boy's new album reach #1 on the Billboard charts in its debut week.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 130 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 15 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Source: MTV

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/

 

New Era Cap Collaborates With Spike Lee on Latest Television Spot

As the official on-field cap of Major League Baseball (MLB), New Era Cap Company hired Spike DDB, a minority- owned, full-service advertising agency founded by world-renowned film director Spike Lee and DDB Worldwide, to produce and direct its latest television commercials, in support of the launch of its new Authentic Collection on-field cap.

(The concept of the commercial is familiar and funny. Filmed outside the New Era flagship store on 4th Street in New York City, customers are "camped" out as if they're waiting to buy the hottest new product on the market. Mixed in the group of customers are actual MLB players waiting to get their new caps for the season. The players include Jose Reyes of the New York Mets; Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees; Justin Morneau and Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins; David Eckstein of the St. Louis Cardinals; Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers; and Jon Paplelbon of the Boston Red Sox.

"When deciding which agency to use, it was pivotal that the end result was one that best represented New Era, Major League Baseball and the product," Gerry Matos, Sr. Vice President of Marketing. "Spike DDB came to the table with the best concept and definitely the most passion."

The agency shot two commercials for the product launch. A :15 and :30 second spot, called "The Line," which features the group of MLB players waiting outside the store for their caps; the other :15 and :30 second spot, dubbed "Game Delay," focuses the spotlight on Cardinals' player and World Series MVP, David Eckstein. Both commercials begin airing on ESPN, Fox Sports and regional sports networks on March 12th.

The final :30 "Line" commercial along with behind-the-scenes footage of the filming of the commercial, can be seen on YouTube -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGFa025691o

The relationship between New Era and Spike Lee dates back more than 10 years. This is the second time Lee has directed and produced a commercial for New Era. The first time was in 1998 with New Era's "Proud to Play" branding campaign

Background

New Era is introducing its new Performance Headwear caps for the 2007 baseball season, engineered with the latest advancements in cap manufacturing. The new batting practice and on-field caps are infused with new fabric containing vapor and moisture management features making them feel and perform better on the field of play.

The 39THIRTY practice cap hit shelves on February 1st, and the 59FIFTY on- field cap will debut on March 30th.

About New Era Cap

Since 1920, New Era Cap, located in Buffalo, New York, has been the world's premier headwear brand with products that transcend time, culture, sport and fashion. Producing more than 30 million caps per year, New Era is the exclusive manufacturer and marketer of the official on-field cap worn by every Major League Baseball team and their Minor League affiliates and maintaining agreements with other licensed entities. Some of the Company's core markets include Action Sports, Children, Fan, Suburban, Women and Fashion/Lifestyle. The Company employs people in New York, Alabama and at its operations in Canada, Europe and Japan. New Era is a 'Category A' affiliate of the Fair Labor Association.

CONTACT:

Dana Marciniak

Corporate Communications Manager

 

Source: New Era Cap Company

 

Web site: http://neweracap.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGFa025691o

 

Getty Images Acquires Scoopt With Vision of Making Citizen Photojournalism More Accessible to the Mainstream Media

Amateur Photographers Who Find Themselves in the Right Place at the Right Time Will Soon Have Exposure to a Worldwide Audience

Getty Images, Inc. (NYSE:GYI) today announced its acquisition of Scoopt, an emerging source for user- generated editorial content. Scoopt is an aggregator and distributor of photographs and videos captured by eyewitnesses who have an accidental front row seat to headline-making moments.

In the coming months, news, sport and entertainment imagery from Scoopt that meets Getty Images' stringent editorial quality standards will be released exclusively at www.gettyimages.com/editorial, where it will benefit from worldwide visibility and promotional support. Additionally, Getty Images will invest in technology upgrades and other enhancements to Scoopt in order to make the site more accessible to customers, and to better position it for future growth.

"New technology has made it easier to capture and distribute imagery, leading to citizen photojournalism that is increasingly relevant to the news cycle," said Jonathan Klein, co-founder and CEO of Getty Images. "While this genre will never replace the award-winning photojournalism for which we're known, it's a highly complementary offering that enables us to meet the evolving imagery needs of a broad customer base."

Since the founding of Scoopt in 2005, the site has supplied the media with arresting imagery from major world events, including:

-- The tragic Manhattan plane crash that killed New York Yankees pitcher

Cory Lidle and his flight instructor in October 2006; digital images

captured by a bystander were emailed to Scoopt and appeared on the

front page of The Times of London

-- Fierce January 2006 storms in the U.K., which brought devastation and

disruption to large parts of the country

"User-generated content is serving a valuable role in today's communication landscape; safeguards to validate its authenticity are critical," said Hugh Pinney, director of Editorial Photography at Getty Images. "By implementing rigorous quality standards, we can deliver powerful imagery captured from a unique perspective while ensuring journalistic integrity."

Citizen photographers who submit imagery to Scoopt retain copyright while granting the agency a 12-month exclusive license that authorizes re-license to one or more publishers. Contributors will benefit from increased visibility and an extensive network of media contacts, earning a significant percentage of the value for each license issued. Both Getty Images and Scoopt encourage contributors to be respectful and follow a code of ethics for image capture. Submission guidelines and additional details about Scoopt's growing photographer community can be found at www.scoopt.com.

Getty Images plans to fully integrate Scoopt into its organization, harnessing the team's knowledge of user-generated editorial content. "We're very much looking forward to taking our business to the next level by collaborating with the world's leading imagery provider," said Kyle MacRae, founder of Scoopt. "This acquisition will exponentially expand our customer base and establish a strong foundation for long-term growth."

The Scoopt team will continue to operate out of the site's base in Glasgow, Scotland, servicing customers under the leadership of Getty Images' Hugh Pinney. Existing relationships with Scoopt partners and affiliates will remain in place until further notice.

About Getty Images, Inc.

Getty Images is the world's leading creator and distributor of visual content and the first place creative professionals turn to discover, purchase and manage imagery. The company's award-winning photographers and imagery help customers create inspiring work which appears every day in the world's most influential newspapers, magazines, advertising campaigns, films, television programs, books and Web sites. Headquartered in Seattle, WA and serving customers in more than 100 countries, Getty Images believes in the power of imagery to drive positive change, educate, inform, and entertain. Visit Getty Images at www.gettyimages.com

 

Source: Getty Images, Inc.

 

 

Web site: http://www.gettyimages.com/

 

 

Mar 11

1. "300," $70 million.

2. "Wild Hogs," $28 million.

3. "Bridge to Terabithia," $6.9 million.

4. "Ghost Rider," $6.8 million.

5. "Zodiac," $6.77 million.

6. "The Number 23," $4.33 million.

7. "Norbit," $4.3 million.

8. "Music and Lyrics," $3.8 million.

9. "Breach, $2.6 million.

10. "Amazing Grace," $2.5 million.

Why Birdwatchers Now Carry iPods and Laser Pointers

Devices Help Spot, Call, Identify and Spread News

. The Wall Street Journal published a front page article on the increasing use of consumer electronic products like digital cameras, iPods (for bird song identification) and Blackberries to help the 46 million American bird watchers, observe, feed and photograph birds.

The Wall Street Journal highlights these key facts:

• 46 million Americans observe, feed and photograph wild birds
• They spend $6.01 billion on binoculars, cameras, film, field guides and other stuff
• New categories of technology products are gaining traction quickly including Rare bird alert websites, iPods that play back bird songs and wireless alerts

One avid birdwatcher, Laura Erickson now heads out with 2 digital cameras, a Palm device with a bird species database and an iPod loaded with bird songs. "I used to be a very low-tech person but it's now become such a high-tech kind of thing with so many people carrying so much equipment now."

Are you looking for an opportunity to capitalize on this growing market opportunity? Apple may have already have lock on the iPod market, but Wildlife Acoustics provides the instant gratification that bird watchers crave by intelligently identifying a birdsong from up to 100 feet away.

If you are looking for a breakthrough, new product for your product line in 2007? A product to grab the attention (and disposable income) of the exploding baby-boomer demographic? Then gives a call at (888) 733-0200 or send an e-mail to our CEO at ian.agranat@wildlifeacoustics.com.

The Original Song Sleuth, the world's first interactive "Digital Birdsong Detective", hit a sweet spot with the fast growing number of consumers that make up the amateur bird watching market. The Song Sleuth is the most exciting birding aid to come along -- ever. It's the only device that lets birders identify birdsongs in the field in real-time. Just aim the Song Sleuth in the direction of a birdsong and in seconds the software analyzes, identifies, rank-orders and then displays the prime suspects.

Market Demand Continues to Expand:

The US bird watching market is comprised of over 45,000,000 enthusiasts and has become one of the fastest growing segments of outdoor sports. "The vast majority of these users are backyard curators or curious novices who want the instant gratification of identifying the birds they are seeing - in real time," states Ian Agranat, president of Wildlife Acoustics.

In 2006, Wildlife Acoustics sponsored a detail market research report that showed stunning results and reinforced a new, aggressive pricing strategy to meet the broad market opportunity.

Key highlights of the report show:

• Wildlife viewing is the #1 outdoor activity in the U.S.
• Baby boomers are changing outdoor pursuits to "softer" activities like bird watching
• Of the nation's 66 million wildlife watchers, 45 million of them are bird-watchers
• In 2001, bird watchers spent $32 billion in retail stores, expected to top $40B in 2006
• Strong correlations between digital camera and binocular buying patterns
• 3.4M Binoculars sold each year with over 700,000 being sold for over $100

The survey shows that outdoor electronics products like the Song Sleuth are successfully creating new categories

• Successful new category products have been GPS, Fishfinder, FRS Radios and Digital Binoculars with built-in camera and Scouting and Trail cameras.
• The market survey has shown that Song Sleuth has significant consumer interest and intent to buy at $149.00
• The Song Sleuth has been compared to the first "Fish Finders" Electronic products help the user get more "instant gratification" from their hobby
• Binoculars provide the key "jumping off point" for additional products like the Song Sleuth for electronic wildlife identification

Original Song Sleuth a Sell Out success:

"In 2006, we launched a small ad campaign to test the market price elasticity and sold out in late November," states Ian Agranat, president of Wildlife Acoustics. "This recent sell-out proves that consumers are willing to actually 'spend' money to buy the product that meets their needs. It's a major milestone in our business."

Ian continues, "Results from our test launch and extensive market research shows tremendous price elasticity -- meaning that sales responded dramatically to minor price reductions... We are currently working with partners for the second generation, mass-market priced product which will be available in time for the 2007 selling season"

The Key: Point and Shoot Simplicity

Birders simply point Song Sleuth in the direction of a singing bird. In seconds, the software analyzes, identifies and rank-orders the three "prime suspects" and displays the results. Song Sleuth uniquely combines the latest advancements in signal processing hardware and software and digital directional microphone technology with authentic birdsong recordings from the world-renowned Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

There's never been a birdsong detective like Song Sleuth. It's not a mere birdsong dictionary or flashcard pack. It's a totally new high-tech tool for birders at all levels.

The Song Sleuth Makes a Great Present

"I received the Song Sleuth for my birthday and love it! What a great idea. It is very helpful for new birders. I discovered three new birds that I did not know were present on our property."

--Sharon M., Far Hills, NJ

About Wildlife Acoustics

Wildlife Acoustics is the leading developer of high-tech products for birdwatchers, naturalists and researchers. The company is the latest in a 15-plus year series of highly successful ventures founded and led by entrepreneur, innovator and technologist, Ian Agranat.

Contact:

Ian Agranat, President & CEO
Wildlife Acoustics, Inc.
www.wildlifeacoustics.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MBN's Natural Products Expo West Highlights

If crowds were an indication of the state of an industry, then the natural and organic products industry is booming. The Natural Products Expo West continues in Anaheim through March 11, 2007.

The Natural Products Expo West while promoting 43,000 attendees for their 2600 exhibits, and 100 hours of education, had a busier attendance than previous trade shows which had a history of over 80,000 attendees.

After aisles and aisles of natural products, MBN’s highlights from the exhibition floor:

- Dragünara’s Sweet Chili Sauce, www.dragunara.com

A sweet chili sauce introduced at the show and sold out through May, will catch your attention at $2.99 retail for 250 ml. The taste is flavorful enough to make you ask, is this really natural?

- EX3 Energy Burst’s Energy Tabs, www.EX3Energy.com

Flavorful energy in tablets in juicy grape, tangy tangerine, cherry tart, and lemony lime. Control your energy with a pack of 4 tablets comparing to one energy drink.

- Hollywood Cookie Diet, www.hollywoodcookiediet.com

Believe it or not, a diet of cookies. Forget the meal replacement bars or protein shakes from breakfast, lunch or snacks, these cookies have vitamins, fiber and protein. Chocolate chip, lemon and oatmeal raisin cookies will have you feel like you’re eating dessert instead of dieting.

- New Tree’s Bite Size Belgian Chocolates, www.newtree.com

Combining the natural benefits of rich Belgian chocolate with natural extracts and unforgettable flavors that will make you rejoice with pleasure, a renewed vigor of sexiness and won’t make you blush or consider forgiveness when you cocoon into tranquility. Mini sizes of only 0.32 oz in a mini-box will keep you carrying them around guilt free.

- Woodstock ’s Water Buffalo Yogurt, www.woodstockwaterbuffalo.com

Thick, smooth yogurt with a unique taste. Lower sodium and less sugar compared to other yogurts and Omega-3 options.

- Reborn Disposable Servingware, www.thinknaturalproducts.com

Disposable plates and bowls that are 100% biodegradable and made of all-natural and unbleached Areca Nut for hot and cold items will add to your next gathering’s ambiance while making you think and realizing that you’re caring for your planet. Reusable as many as ten times and competitive with disposables.

- Durango Pet’s Dog Treats, www.Durangopet.com

Health and nutrition are not just for people. Monte Bubbles sniffed out Durango ’s 95’s which is 95% real chicken, all natural with only six ingredients including sea salt and garlic.

- Body Coffee’s Spa Experience, www.bodycoffee.com

Coffee discovered unexpectededly as a skin healer. Whether an invigorating body polish, moisturizing body lotion, cleansing body wash, or energizing body bar I was happily surprised. Selected as DaySpa 2006 editor’s choice.

- Body Pure’s Detox Pads, www.bodypurenow.com

Detox your body through herbal patches placed on the arch of your feet . I would be skeptical about this if it weren’t for the seeing the visual evidence after testing them. According to their website, it’s the number one selling product in Japan in its class 12 times in a row! I’m not surprised.

- ICU’s Greenwear Reading Glasses, www.icueyewear.com

Promoted as the first “green” reading glasses, ICU’s Greenwear is made out of 100% reclaimed materials. Add to that, the largest and most stylish selection of reading glasses I’ve ever seen. Selected for Oprah Winfrey’s “O” list in February 2006.

- Nurturing Force’s Blotting Paper, www.nurturingforce.com

Hand made facial blotting paper with or without aromatherapy essence in a convenient dispenser. A highlight is there is no color or powder so it won’t leave powder on your face, and it won’t remove make-up, moisturizer or sun block. Redbook Magazine’s MVP beauty award winner.

- Topricin Pain Relief, www.topicalbiomedics.com

An anti-inflammatory pain relief cream people can’t smell coming.

- Wai Lana’s Little Yogis, www.wailana.com

Your little yogis begin early with a kid-sized mat, DVD and poster that will have them doing yoga with you.

- Zenzation’s Yoga Accessories, www.zenzationathletics.com

Hot yoga towels for Ashtanga and hot yoga practices which are anti-bacterial and lint free and a 5 pocket mat bag will make you a happy informed yogi.

 

Mar 10

Barry Manilow, STILETTO New Media and Rhino Entertainment Garner Special Award at Music DVD Awards

-- At the 3rd Annual Music DVD Awards, presented this Tuesday at the Wyndham Bel Age Hotel, Barry Manilow and Rhino Entertainment received a special award for their series of concert video DVDs. From STILETTO New Media and Rhino Entertainment, MANILOW: MUSIC AND PASSION and FIRST & FAREWELL were recognized for their tremendous sales and groundbreaking success.

The special distinction award applauded Barry Manilow for his long standing contributions to the music video and DVD industry as well as his continuous support of great products. In 2006, MUSIC AND PASSION and FIRST & FAREWELL have both gone multi-platinum and Manilow was recognized with an Emmy Award for his MUSIC AND PASSION concert special on which the DVD was based. Throughout his long career, Barry Manilow has had multiple highly successful VHS and DVD releases, and the special award recognized him for those achievements.

Mark C. Grove of STILETTO New Media commented, "It's a great honor to be recognized by our peers. We thoroughly enjoyed working with Barry on both of these projects. We feel that he is the consummate professional. This award celebrates Barry Manilow's career as a musician, songwriter, producer and performer. It was an honor to work with such a talented and terrific individual."

The third annual Music DVD Awards were part of the third annual Music DVD Conference, produced by Home Media Magazine in partnership with The Hollywood Reporter, DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group and the Entertainment Merchants Assn. A panel of entertainment journalists judged the awards, in which music DVDs released in 2006 competed in eight categories. Image Entertainment's "Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll" won top honors as well as best vintage concert and best special features/bonus materials. Other winners included: Compilation: "Kiss Volume 1," VH1 Classic Records; Music Documentary: "New York Doll," Vivendi Visual Entertainment/Palm Pictures; New Concert: "Neil Young: Heart of Gold," Paramount Home Entertainment; TV Concert: "The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder," Shout! Factory.

Barry Manilow's unparalleled career encompasses virtually every arena of music, including performing, composing, arranging, and producing and has triumphed in every medium of entertainment. Industry charts have ranked him the undisputed number one adult contemporary artist of all time with record sales exceeding 75 million worldwide. This musical icon has written hundreds of songs and performed around the globe thrilling millions of fans, winning a Grammy, two Emmys, several Tony Awards, and an Oscar nomination along the way. In 2006 Manilow celebrated one of the most successful years of his career with his The Greatest Songs Of The Fifties becoming not only his first number one debut, but his first number one album since 1977; the PBS-aired Manilow: Music and Passion, in celebration of his 100th performance at the Las Vegas Hilton, garnering Manilow his second Emmy; and his The Greatest Songs Of The Sixties hit the charts at Number Two, allowing Manilow to experience something no other performer ever had -- two albums in the same calendar year hitting the number one and number two spots respectively!

STILETTO New Media was created to maximize the return on investment of the content it produces through distribution over the growing delivery systems including DVD, Video on Demand, Pay Per View, Internet and Mobile. The company's goal is to create a diverse array of programming to take advantage of the digital revolution that is transforming the media world.

Source: STILETTO

 

Kenny Rogers: The Journey Premieres on PBS Nationwide

Janson Media today announced the broadcast television premiere of KENNY ROGERS: THE JOURNEY, a spellbinding journey with the three-time Grammy Award winner, through his life's work and music over a 40-year time span. This new one-hour PBS special is an intimate and entertaining exploration of an unforgettable and multi-talented artist and one of the greatest country music performers of our time. In a career spanning four decades, Rogers has recorded 61 albums and has sold over 105 million units worldwide. His accolades include three Grammy Awards, eleven People's Choice Awards, eighteen American Music Awards, eight Academy of Country Music Awards, and five Country Music Association Awards. Through performances and short interview excerpts, KENNY ROGERS: THE JOURNEY tells the complete Kenny Rogers story -- from his beginnings as a member of The New Christy Minstrels and The First Edition to his superstar status in the 70s and 80s, all the way to his current chart toppers.

The one-hour PBS special includes a new concert filmed in Indiana in April 2006, along with performance footage of complete Kenny Rogers classics taken from the era when they first became hits. This classic footage includes duets with Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Sheena Easton, and Kim Carnes, and is seamlessly mixed with 70s, 80s, 90s and present day concert footage.

This classic concert footage is interwoven with comments from Kenny Rogers himself, and from some of the industry veterans who have worked with him down through the years. These songwriters, producers, musicians, managers, and heads of labels include Lionel Richie, David Foster, Jim Mazza, Mike Curb, Ken Kragen, Don Schlitz, Mickey Jones and Brent Maher.

KENNY ROGERS: THE JOURNEY was produced by Jerry Samuels for Groovpix Entertainment. The program was written and directed by Kelly Junkermann, and edited by Bill Patterson and Keith Wolf. The PBS special was executive- produced by Stephen Janson of Janson Media and Mark Kresser of K2 Communications. Janson Media distributes the special to international markets.

Established in 1989, Janson Media (www.janson.com) is an independent content distribution company with a rights portfolio of over 1,200 hours of exclusive programming available for licensing to worldwide television, DVD/video, and emerging VOD and broadband companies.

Contact your local PBS affiliate for specific broadcast dates and times.

Source: Janson Media

 

Web site: http://www.janson.com/

 

 

Mar 9

 

 

Grammy Award-Winning Rapper/Actor Chris "Ludacris" Bridges Headlines This Weekend's Edition of "Our World with Black Enterprise"

-- March 09, 2007 -- "I think it's a big miscommunication. People feel [hip-hop is] glorifying certain things when we are just talking about what's real in our everyday world," says three-time Grammy Award-winning rapper/actor Chris "Ludacris" Bridges who headlines this weekend's edition of "Our World with Black Enterprise."

One of the world's most popular artists, Bridges has gone from just rapping lyrics to becoming one of today's most bankable entertainers. His socially conscious song, "Runaway Love," has put him at the top of the charts, but the controversial artist recently went head-to-head with critics -- most notably, media titan Oprah Winfrey -- over his lyrical content and use of the "n" word. "We are just telling you where we come from or what's going on in our neighborhoods, and how people speak," he explains. "It's like a coded language. If you don't understand it, you can't be so quick to criticize." Rather than shy away from the controversy, Bridges lauds the benefits of the open dialogue: "Anytime I face adversity, I always grow with it, I always learn from it. It makes me a better person."

 

Make sure you watch this week's show to see host Ed Gordon further delve into hip-hop's negative depiction of women, talk about the education and incarceration crisis concerning young black males, and learn more about Bridges' philanthropic efforts.

Also on this week's edition of "Our World with Black Enterprise":

In recent weeks, presidential candidate Barack Obama took Hollywood by storm causing many to look at the longtime ties between Washington and Tinseltown. Newsweek national correspondent Allison Samuels, "The Hollywood Reporter's" Karl Gibson, actress Taraji Henson, and host Ed Gordon take on the topic "Can Black Hollywood Elect Barack Obama?" in this week's roundtable.

One of today's most popular and collected artists is John Holyfield. His work has been described as visual literature. "Our World" takes a look at his positive depictions of black America in its Slice of Life segment.

"Our World" airs nationwide on cable station TV One on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. EST. Check your local listings for additional time and station information, or visit http://ourworld.blackenterprise.com for more details.

About Our World with Black Enterprise

"Our World with Black Enterprise" is a weekly, half-hour television series that spotlights the contemporary African American experience. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist Ed Gordon, the nationally syndicated program features news, entertainment, roundtable discussions, and special interest stories about African Americans from all walks of life. It debuted in September 2006.

 

TV One Adds Exciting New Transitions to Switchers

TV One has added a plethora of transitions to 9 of the C2-1000
and C2-2000 Switcher/Scalers

MARGATE, KENT, 09th March 2007 – TV One believes that everyone should have great switching transitions for their video production so TV One has added some new and exciting special effect transitions to the C2-1000 Series and C2-2000 Series products. In addition to cuts, a wide variety of fades and transitions are now available.

The new transitions will fade the first video source to reveal black then fade back to the newly selected video source. The default background is black, but the colour may be changed to any colour. If the unit is set to Mix mode (like when keying or using picture-in-picture), the video is revealed during the fade out and fade in. This method provides the illusion of a true cross fade even in single channel units.

The wipe transition has a choice of left to right, right to left, top to bottom, bottom to top, diagonal and diamond. The wipe size may be changed to create repeated versions of the transitions. This will give a “window blind” or diamond checkerboard effect. The first video source wipes off to reveal the background and then the newly selected source wipes on. The default background is black, but the colour may be changed to any colour. If the unit is set to Mix mode (like when keying or using picture-in-picture), the video is revealed during the fade out and fade in.

The units that will have these new transitions available are:

C2-1150 – Down Converter with PiP, Keying, Mixing
C2-1250 – Video Scaler with PiP, Keying, Edgeblending, Mixing
C2-1350 – Universal Scaler with PiP, Keying, Edgeblending, Mixing
C2-2150 – Down Converter with PiP, Keying, Mixing
C2-2155 – Down Converter with PiP, Keying, Mixing, SDI output
C2-2250 – Video Scaler with PiP, Keying, Edgeblending, Mixing
C2-2255 – Video Scaler with PiP, Keying, Edgeblending, Mixing, SDI output
C2-2350 – Universal Scaler with PiP, Keying, Edgeblending, Mixing
C2-2355 – Universal Scaler with PiP, Keying, Edgeblending, Mixing, SDI output

Customers that already have one of the TV One Switcher/Scalers will also have access to these new transitions in March and, if registered, will receive an email once the latest firmware download is available. Existing customers that are not currently registered should register at tvone.crmdesk.com/newaccount.aspx?mode=ask to receive regular firmware updates by email.

These products and many more can be seen on the TV One stand at the up-coming NCSA Exhibition show being held in Orlando, Florida on March 15th – 17th, Stand 1471.

The entire TV One product line can also be viewed on their website www.tvone.co.uk, alternatively you can contact their European Sales and Technical Department on +44 (0) 1843 873311 or at sales.europe@tvone.com.

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FOTONATION “FACETRACKER” NOW AVAILABLE IN SAMSUNG DIGITAL CAMERAS

March 9, 2007, Burlingame, CA – FotoNation http://www.fotonation.com, a world-leading imaging and connectivity solutions company for the digital photography industry, announced today that it was selected by Samsung Techwin to provide its patent-pending “Face Tracker”™ technology for the newly announced Samsung S1050, S850, L73, i70, i7, NV11 and L74 Wide digital cameras.

, a world-leading imaging and connectivity solutions company for the digital photography industry, announced today that it was selected by Samsung Techwin to provide its “

FotoNation FaceTracker Technology automatically detects the presence of a subject’s face and tracks the position of the face as it changes within the viewfinder preview.

“Our company’s focus is to take full advantage of the computing capabilities found in today’s digital cameras to enable consumers to capture better pictures. We are delighted to provide Samsung with our latest face detection and tracking technology as they are one of the most prestigious brands in high technology,” said Eran Steinberg, CEO, FotoNation, Inc.

About FotoNation

FotoNation is a world-leading independent provider of embedded imaging and communication solutions for the digital camera industry. The company’s extensive portfolio of patented innovations includes in-camera red-eye removal technology, wireless connectivity, and face-recognition software. Over 50 million digital cameras have been shipped with licensed FotoNation Red-Eye detection and correction technology. FotoNation develops innovative solutions, patents, and products to enhance, extend, and simplify the picture taking and sharing experience. Clients include AOL, Canon, Hewlett-Packard, Kodak, Microsoft, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Samsung, Sanyo, and Sony, among others.

FotoNation has won numerous awards, including the DIMA 2006 Innovative Product Award and the prestigious 2006 European IST award for its Red-Eye Detection and Correction Technology. The company makes important industry-wide contributions to the advancement of digital imaging. In 2005, FotoNation authored the industry-adopted PTP-IP Specification, which is the basis of the international camera connectivity CIPA-005/2005 standard.

For more information, see http://www.fotonation.com.

About Samsung Techwin

Samsung Techwin co., Ltd. is a global challenger in optics & digital imaging, semiconductor system & material, and machinery industry with 2005 parent company sales of US $2.3 billion and net income of US $84 million. Employing approximately 4,423 people in over 10 offices in 8 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Optics & Digital imaging business, Semiconductor system business, Semiconductor Material business, Power system business and Defense program business. Recognized as one of the most challenging global companies, Samsung Techwin is a leading producer of digital cameras, mobile phone cameras, and semiconductor systems & materials.

Recently, Samsung Techwin has launched the successful premium cameras, i Series and NV Series, offering unique features and groundbreaking new design, in a bid to secure its place as a leading global digital camera brand.

The new i Series, i7 and i70 are equipped with an industry leading, intuitive, Physical User Interface (PUI) designed to make capturing and enjoying special moments an effortless affair while providing attractive multimedia capabilities including Tour Guide (i7) and PMP, MP3 .

The NV 11 represents the latest in intelligent camera design and is the fourth addition to the award winning NV range of digital cameras. Equipped with a world-class feature set the NV11 consistently delivers exceptional image quality for the demanding semi-professional user. For more information, please visit www.samsungcamera.com

FotoNation®, Red by Fotonation® are registered trademarks of FotoNation Inc

Mar 8 

 

Life on the Golden Road with the Grateful Dead

The Ram Rod Shurtliff Collection of Grateful Dead Memorabilia on the Auction Block at

Bonhams & Butterfields in May

Just days after celebrating the Grateful Dead winning a 'Lifetime Achievement' Grammy® Award, Deadheads can now plan for another celebration - the auction of Grateful Dead property belonging to Ram Rod Shurtliff, the band's chief crew manager, president of their corporation, and their longtime trusted confidant.  The sale will take place on Monday, May 8, 2007 in San Francisco -- the city where the Dead was founded, at Bonhams & Butterfields, the West Coast's leading fine arts auctioneers.

Ram Rod, born Lawrence Shurtliff (1945-2006), began an association with the Grateful Dead in 1967.  He worked with the psychedelic era's most beloved music makers for more than 30 years - as a truck driver, a stage manager, and ultimately as an executive within the band's corporate structure after pressure from "The Man" forced the band to incorporate in the 1970s.  Over the many years as friend and coworker, Ram Rod was gifted a multitude of cherished objects associated with the band: stage-played instruments, clothing, equipment, gold records, and original artwork, much of which will be offered to fans and collectors on May 8. 

Interestingly, the auction date of May 8th coincides with an important date associated with The Grateful Dead's history -- it's the 30th anniversary of the May 8, 1977 concert at Cornell University in upstate New York, considered by many to be their best live performance ever.

"There are many important pieces in this sale that relate to the Dead's history," says Bonhams & Butterfields' Entertainment Memorabilia Dept. director, Margaret Barrett, who has conducted numerous auctions of celebrity memorabilia.  "Collectors have great interest in instruments and equipment used on stage and this auction will be filled with such items, and all coming from one of The Dead's beloved inner circle, Ram Rod Shurtliff."

Sale highlights include several guitars personally owned and used by Jerry Garcia including the first electric guitar made for him by noted guitar maker Doug Irwin, in 1971.  The instrument, expected to bring as much as $50,000 at auction, features inlays on the fingerboard which form a Buddhist prayer written in Sanskrit.  A hidden treasure is Jerry's original slide (late '60s - '71) that was hidden inside the electronics compartment and used as a weight.  Garcia gave this guitar to Ram Rod after playing it for a couple of years and it remains strung with the same strings - including the broken High E string that Garcia himself broke when he last played it.  Another Garcia electric guitar, which could bring as much as $250,000, was made by Travis Bean.  His TB1000 was played on stage in numerous concerts and throughout -- arguably -- the Dead's finest period.  It is also the guitar seen being played by Garcia on the JGB Album cover "Don't Let Go."  A Garcia acoustic guitar to be offered was a collaboration between Modulus and Alvarez custom built for and played by Garcia in the 1990s.  This one of a kind guitar features an Alvarez body and Modulus neck (of graphite).  The Headstock sports logos of both companies.  True aficionados are aware that Alvarez is the only acoustic guitar maker that Garcia officially endorsed.

Equipment used on stage by the band will interest fans - several auction lots will feature pieces of the band's legendary Wall of Sound - including tie-dyed speaker covers, amplifiers, and sound mixers; some with hand-written notations above control knobs for Jerry, Phil, Bob and other band members.  Flight cases with Grateful Dead stickers and other annotations will be offered, as well as a massive umbrella and other concert backdrops used on stage, likely memorable to fans who attended their concerts. 

Original artwork by Jerry Garcia continues to attract strong interest in galleries and the Baltimore Sun recently reported on a well-attended February 2007 exhibition of Garcia art on the East Coast.  The May auction will feature a pair of never-before-seen drawings by Garcia, who studied at the San Francisco Art Institute before beginning his music career.  One late 1960s ink drawing, estimated at $4,000 to $6,000, was rendered on Hot Tuna (the band founded by members of Jefferson Airplane) letterhead and another, from the same era, depicts two images of a man who looks like Neal Cassady, the infamous Beat icon who Garcia knew through The Merry Prankster group.  Also in the auction will be several signed and numbered Jerry Garcia limited edition prints.  Concert posters, original Grateful Dead photographs, signed Stanley Mouse artwork, a custom-made leather jacket for Ram Rod, and a framed and mounted ticket stub from the last concert in which Garcia played should also interest fans.

A Jerry Garcia tooled leather guitar strap made by Nudie's Rodeo Tailors and used on stage in 1973 (est. $3/5,000) will be offered, as will Phil Lesh's Nudie suit (est. $4/6,000) from that same concert.  A Boston Celtic jacket signed by team members was gifted to Ram Rod by superstar Bill Walton and could bring $2,000, while another interesting lot offered will be a Halliburton metal attaché case purported to be used for storage of the band's  "inspirational materials."  While touring, Ram Rod was responsible for carrying this x-ray-proof and dog-sniffing-resistant case which contained the band members' passports, their "stash," and other important items (est. $3/5,000).

Known as Ram Rod his entire adult life, Lawrence Shurtliff got his nickname from the 1960s icon Ken Kesey (of The Merry Pranksters fame).  Legend has it that when Kesey met Shurtliff and asked his name, Shurtliff responded, "I am Ramon Rodriguez Rodriguez, the famous Mexican guide."  Kesey accepted the obviously invented name, though promptly shortened it to Ram Rod, a suitable moniker that stuck for life.

The property from the collection of Lawrence "Ram Rod" Shurtliff is being offered at auction by his son Rudson.  The young Mr. Shurtliff remarked that he looks forward to the auction, "So these guitars can go to good homes and start making people dance again."

The Collection of Ram Rod Shurtliff is scheduled for auction on May 8, 2007 at Bonhams & Butterfields in San Francisco.  The auction will be preceded by a free open-to-the-public preview of the collection (May4-6) and the fully illustrated catalog is expected for sale in the weeks leading to the auction. 

 

 

 

From the Golden Gate to Orange Groves

California & American Paintings and Sculpture at Bonhams & Butterfields in May

Works by American artists Franz Bischoff, Maynard Dixon

and Granville Redmond featured

Bonhams & Butterfields, California's oldest and largest fine arts auctioneers, has established a reputation as a preeminent source for California and American works of art at auction.  A May 1, 2007 offering simulcast between salesrooms in Los Angeles and San Francisco comprises yet another series of breath-taking views -- landscapes and seascapes, portraiture and genre scenes -- each sale bringing spirited bidding with a number of record prices routinely being set for artists such as: Xavier Martinez, Peter Baumgras, William Franklin Jackson and John Bond Francisco, among others. 

Vice President and Fine Arts Department Director Scot Levitt sees growth in this market.  "The market continues to steam ahead, and in light of projected or realized volatility in worldwide financial markets, buyers will undoubtedly continue to look to alternative sources of investment.  We see no slowing in the California and American paintings market, particularly for better known artists and A-plus examples," said Levitt.

Expected to attract interest from collectors, connoisseurs, institutions and those with a passion for color, light and the American landscape, Bonhams & Butterfields bring California & American paintings to auction in San Francisco and Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 1, 2007. 

An extensive array of subject matter comes to market, from the untamed West to metropolitan landscapes, featuring American masterworks from Maynard Dixon, Granville Redmond, Selden Connor Gile and a remarkable still-life from Franz Bischoff which is estimated to bring $150,000 to $250,000.

Sale highlights (as of March 1) include:

Franz Bischoff (1864-1929) oil on canvas
A Glass Vase full of Roses
Estimate: $150,000-250,000

Maynard Dixon (1875-1946) oil on canvas on board
Lone Pine, 1919
Estimate: $40,000-60,000

Granville Redmond (1871-1935) oil on canvas
California Poppies
Estimate: $60,000-80,000

       
Sales of California and American Painting and Sculpture are held at Bonhams & Butterfields in the California salesrooms three times annually.  These auctions feature a wide variety of important Western and Hawaiian scenes, plein air, Society of Six, and land and cityscapes by major American artists.

Previews are free and open to the public: April 20-22 in Los Angeles and April 27-29 in San Francisco.  

 

 

DUSSAULT WINS AT MAGIC IN Las Vegas

LAUNCHES IN U.S.

 

Vancouver, BC (March 8, 2007) – Jason Deuce Dussault, designer and owner of DUSSAULT CUSTOM INK, is pleased to announce the launch of his Company in the U.S. at the Magic Show in Las Vegas in February where he was acknowledged with the award for MOST INNOVATIVE BOOTH DESIGN. Jason is now looking forward to opening his Los Angeles flagship store in the late spring at 8010 Melrose .

 

 

Dussault states, “This was our first year of displaying our lines in the U.S. at the MAGIC SHOW in Las Vegas and we strut away with the award for MOST INNOVATIVE BOOTH DESIGN. In the company of thousands of awesome clothing lines that we had the pleasure of sharing the floor with, this is a great honor and a forbearer of what is to come.” At Magic DUSSAULT CUSTOM INK also launched the MONEYBAG street wear line of clothing which is a partnership with Gene Simmons. MONEYBAG will be carried at all DUSSAULT stores and outlets.

http://www.deucejeans.com/magic/index.html

http://praxisblaze.com/movies

 

DUSSAULT CUSTOM INK is a unique and forward thinking, high-end street wear clothing line from Vancouver , Canada . Gritty yet luxurious, dark and yet extremely comforting. From the “worthy-of-royalty” Chinese silk lining and ornately embroidered patchwork of the Hoodies, to the individualized color coded stitching of the denim, DUSSAULT is designed to make wearers red carpet ready. Since its launch in October 2005 in Vancouver , DUSSAULT INK has met with remarkable success. It is the top selling line at Leone's L2 Boutique, a Vancouver fashion institution that caters to those with only the most discerning tastes.

Jason continues, “DUSSAULT CUSTOM INK is my brainchild. Surrounded by a team of fashionistas, rockers, tattoo artists, rappers, and graphic prodigies, DUSSAULT has drawn water from many different pools to create the perfect blend of magic. Inspired by works like S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders, Walter Hill's The Warriors, and Nicholas Ray's Rebel Without A Cause, DUSSAULT has created a line that blends a sense of nostalgia with a promise for the future.

The cavalcade of celebrities adorned in DUSSAULT lines ranges from Gene Simmons of K.I.S.S. to the B.E.P., from Robin Williams to Pam Anderson, and so on. The list is already long enough to make Santa jealous and continues to grow as the clothing evolves. DUSSAULT - Custom Made Stardom.

 

(C) Dussault 2007

WWW.DUSSAULTINK.COM

Numi Organic Teas: Tea Trends and How to Make A Good Cup

Written by Joyce Chow and William Hoehne

Flowering teas are becoming the hottest trend in teas. Flowers unfolding in clear glass teapots are blooming in hotels and restaurants, after being recognized in the movie, Marie Antoinette. "Instead of having an espresso, people are getting into the desert tea experience," according to Anna Wasserman of Numi Organic Teas.

Numi Organic Teas, served at the Sony Dakar Skin Clinic, was available for sampling during the Sonya Dakar Adwil Pre Oscar Gifting Lounge in Beverly Hills the week before the © 79th Annual Academy Awards®.

We were drawn to their display, by the unusualness seeing the floweing tea in the clear glass teapots. A long time fan of teas, it immediately caught our attention. "It started 10 years ago in China" pointed out Wasserman of the hand sewn and handcrafted white, green and black tea leaves. Produced in remote tea gardens, each handsewn flowering tea may take one minute for a simple design or up to ten minutes for an elaborate design.

Tea itself has growing in popularity with the popularity of green tea has an alternative to coffee for caffeine. Even if Oprah and Dr. Nicholas Perricone promote green tea for antioxidants, skin and general health and as an alternative to coffee, don't expect your Starbucks and caffeine and non-caffeine and customized flavors going away anytime soon.

Are there any keys to making a good tea? Wasserman shared the inside track, "The first thing is, people dont always realize, you need good water. Don't use tap water. A good natural spring water which has the right minerals, so it goes into your system better. The tea has to be fresh, good quality and store it right. The best way to store tea, is in a dark and totally air tight so no oxygen gets in there. If you put it next to something that's a space, it will pick up the spice." What type of water does she use? Reverse osmosis.

Similar to fine wine, can you tell a really good tea by it's smell? "Yes, especially with a floral tea like jasmine. Ours get scented 4 times, light, medium. Jasmine blossoms absorb the scent and then they take it off and do it again, then they let it rest and then do it again." proudly shared Wasserman. Numi's Jasmine, their best seller, is scented in 4 sessions over a 4 - 6 day period, and is called Monkey King.

Numi, which is citrus in arabic, strives to create the best quality tea in a tea bag. After running tea houses in Prague and photographing his travels around the world, Ahmed returned to the US and discovered there wasn't a lot of good tea eight years ago. His sister, Reem, created the original artwork a signature of Numi Organic Teas, based on photographs from Ahmed's global travels. Together, they were the first to bring robois (red tea) in a tea bag to America.

Our tea education continued with the well versed Wasserman. Earl Grey, is a black tea black tea with bergamot, a pear shaped orange, an italian citrus. Most tea is sprayed with Bergamot oil or essence and can be a little overpowering and perfumy. Numi instead send the tea to Italy and ages it with the fruit. After sifting out the fruit, you taste a tea that's not overpowering nor perfumy. People who don't like Earl Grey (teas) normally like Numi's, and the Earl Grey fanatics really love it.

Typical ice teas on the market usually have an essence or an oil. Numi's have real freeze dried fruit and everything used is the real leaf, the real herb, the real fruit or flower. The teas and herbs are sourced directly from the gardens of origin.

Our appreciation of a good cup of tea, now enhanced, was there any leaf still unturned? Is there any noticeable difference in how tea tasted based on what it's prepared in? Knowing there probably is, but not realizing the taste difference, we knew we couldn't be connoiseurs of tea, but give us a good cup of tea and we'll

Numi Organic Teas, served at the Sony Dakar Skin Clinic, was available for sampling during the Sonya Dakar Adwil Pre Oscar Gifting Lounge in Beverly Hills the week before the © 79

 

Five Times the Love! Lust! Laughs! Longing! SHOWTIME's THE L WORD(R) Returns for a Fifth Season

Groundbreaking Drama Series to Begin Production This Summer

On the heels of a year highlighted with industry recognition and critical acclaim for its award-winning original programming including WEEDS, DEXTER, and BROTHERHOOD, SHOWTIME has ordered a fifth season of its hit drama series THE L WORD(R), it was announced today by Robert Greenblatt, President of Entertainment, SHOWTIME Networks Inc. Twelve new episodes are set to begin production this summer and premiere on SHOWTIME sometime in early 2008. The series was recently nominated for the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Drama Series.

"THE L WORD(R) is a signature franchise for us and one of our most popular series," says Greenblatt. "This season's guest star Cybill Shepherd and new series regular Marlee Matlin are indicative of the show's great quality. With our launch of OurChart.com (a social networking site that grew directly out of THE L WORD(R)), and the show's growing popularity in Second Life, this series goes well beyond the boundaries of a mere television show. Since its launch in 2004, the zeitgeist has never been the same."

THE L WORD(R), which premiered its fourth season on January 7th, is one of SHOWTIME's most popular series, generating a large and loyal audience, as well as critical praise for its provocative, sexy storylines, the principal cast and for being a magnet for celebrated directors and guest stars. Premiering Sundays at 10 p.m. PT/ET with several multi-plays during the week and available on the ever-growing SHOWTIME ON DEMAND, the groundbreaking series follows a group of Los Angeles-based friends as they navigate careers, families, friendships, inner-struggles and romantic entanglements. Since its debut in January 2004, THE L WORD(R) has become part of American popular culture, spawning dedicated fan websites and blogs, along with ancillary products such as THE L WORD(R)-branded perfume, jewelry and books.

THE L WORD(R) is executive produced by Ilene Chaiken through her production company Little Chicken Inc. The series was created by Chaiken and Kathy Greenberg & Michele Abbott and is being distributed internationally by MGM International Television Distribution, Inc.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL(TM) and FLIX(R), as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME(R) TOO(TM), SHOWTIME(R) SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME(R), SHOWTIME BEYOND(R), SHOWTIME NEXT(R), SHOWTIME WOMEN(R), SHOWTIME FAMILYZONE(R) and TMC XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD(R), THE MOVIE CHANNEL HD(TM), SHOWTIME ON DEMAND(TM) and THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND(TM). All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI is also an owner and manager of SUNDANCE CHANNEL, a venture of NBC Universal, Robert Redford and SNI. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME(R) PPV.

 

Source: Showtime Networks Inc.

Web site: http://www.sho.com/

 

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Are Back! Atlantic Records Readies Release of Original "TMNT" Motion Picture Soundtrack; Features New Tracks From Gym Class Heroes, Cobra Starship, and Big City Rock; All-Star Collection Explodes Into Stores on March 20th

-- Atlantic Records has announced the upcoming release of "TMNT - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Music from the Motion Picture." The album will be released for online purchase on March 13th, followed in stores a week later, March 20th. The Warner Bros. Pictures and The Weinstein Company's all-new CGI action-adventure "TMNT" opens in theatres nationwide on March 23rd.

"TMNT - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Music from the Motion Picture" features contributions from a host of recording artists, including new songs written expressly for the film by three of today's most exciting new rock 'n' roll bands. Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen recording groups Gym Class Heroes and Cobra Starship each contribute TMNT-inspired tracks, while Atlantic's Big City Rock offers up an "animated" rendition of the Lead Belly classic "Black Betty."

Other acts featured on the soundtrack include Jet, Cute Is What We Aim For, Pepper, Meg & Dia, Billy Talent, This Providence, Amber Pacific, and others (track listing attached). The iTunes release of the album will also include an exclusive bonus acoustic version of Amber Pacific's "Save Me From Me," along with video of the band in the studio recording "Fall Back Into My Life." Additionally, "TMNT - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Music from the Motion Picture" includes excerpts from the film's score, composed by Klaus Badelt ("Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," "Constantine").

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles return to the big screen as never before in an all-new CGI action adventure, written and directed by Kevin Munroe.

After the defeat of their old arch nemesis, The Shredder, the Turtles have grown apart as a family. Struggling to keep them together, their rat sensei, Splinter (Mako), becomes worried when strange things begin to brew in New York City. Tech-industrialist Maximillian J. Winters (Patrick Stewart) is raising up an army of ancient monsters, and only one super-ninja fighting team can stop them -- Leonardo (James Arnold Taylor), Michelangelo (Mikey Kelley), Donatello (Mitchell Whitfield) and Raphael (Nolan North)! With the help of old allies April O'Neil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Casey Jones (Chris Evans), the Turtles are in for the fight of their lives as they once again must face the mysterious Foot Clan, who have put their own ninja skills behind Winters's endeavors.

Making this new incarnation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles truly cutting-edge, the film was created entirely with state-of-the-art CG animation, giving them a completely new look for the 21st century.

Warner Bros. Pictures and The Weinstein Company present an Imagi Animation Studios Production, "TMNT," featuring the voices of Chris Evans, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Mako, Kevin Smith, Patrick Stewart, Ziyi Zhang, and narrated by Laurence Fishburne. Kevin Munroe wrote and directed the film, which is produced by Thomas K. Gray, H. Galen Walker and Paul Wang. The executive producers are Francis Kao, Peter Laird, Gary Richardson and Frederick U. Fierst, with Felix Ip serving as co-producer. The music is by Klaus Badelt.

Opening nationwide on March 23rd, "TMNT" will be distributed domestically and in select international territories by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. The Weinstein Company will distribute the film in other international territories.

   "TMNT - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Music from the Motion Picture"                             

(Atlantic Records)                          

Release Date: March 20th  1.  Gym Class Heroes - "Shell Shock" 

2.  Jet - "Rip It Up" 3.  Cute Is What We Aim For - "There's A Class For This" 

4.  Cobra Starship - "Awww Dip" 

5.  Meg & Dia - "Roses" 

6.  Pepper - "Bring Me Along" 

7.  Amber Pacific - "Fall Back Into My Life" 

8.  Billy Talent - "Red Flag" 9.  This Providence - "Walking On Water" 

10. Ever We Fall - "Youth Like Tigers" 

11. P.O.D. - "Lights Out (Chris Vrenna Remix)" 

12. Big City Rock - "Black Betty" 13. "I Love Being A Turtle (score)" 

14. "Nightwatcher (score)"

Spike TV Highlights -- April 2007

ORIGINAL SERIES PREMIERES

* THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER 5

Premieres Thursday, April 5 (10:00 - 11:00 PM), encores Saturday, April

7 (10:00 - 11:00 PM, ET/PT) and Tuesday, April 10 (11:00 PM - Midnight,

ET/PT).

Sixteen of the best up-and-coming mixed martial artists in the

lightweight division (155lbs) from around the world will be featured in

Season 5 of Spike TV's hit original series, THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER.

Former UFC Lightweight Champion Jens Pulver and former UFC Welterweight

Champion B.J. Penn will serve as coaches, and, in a special twist, they

will step into the Octagon themselves and square off on the live Season

Finale.

 

SPECIAL EVENTS / MARATHONS

* THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER MARATHON

Telecasts Sunday, April 1 (9:30 AM - Midnight, ET/PT).

In honor of the premiere of Season 5 of THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER, Spike TV

presents a marathon encore presentation of Season 3.

* CSI CROSSOVER MARATHON

Telecasts Wednesday, April 4 (9:00 PM - Midnight, ET/PT).

Spike TV presents a special CSI Marathon, including the "CSI: NY" and

"CSI: Miami" crossover episodes. The complete schedule is as follows:

-- 9:00 - 10:00 PM, ET/PT

"CSI" -- CROSS JURISDICTIONS

The CSI team goes to Florida to work with their Miami counterparts

in a high profile investigation. Guest stars CSI: Miami's David

Caruso, Khandi Alexander, Emily Proctor.

-- 10:00 - 11:00 PM, ET/PT

"CSI: MIAMI" -- FELONY FLIGHT

A crossover episode that concludes on "CSI NY" begins with a

convicted serial killer who escapes after sabotaging an airplane

that was flying him from New York to Miami, where he allegedly

buried a body. After fleeing the crash site, the man goes on a

killing spree and abducts a college student. Mac Tayor arrives to

help Horatio track the killer since Mac originally arrested the man

in New York. Guest stars CSI: NY's Gary Sinise, Melina

Kanakaredes, Carmine Giovinazzo.

-- 11:00 PM - Midnight, ET/PT

"CSI: NY" -- MANHATTAN MANHUNT

Horatio Caine follows Henry Darius to New York so that he can keep

his promise to a young boy in Miami, but by the time he and Mac are

able to locate Darius he has disappeared again, leaving behind six

more bodies. A link to the younger sister of one of the victims

who was also Darius' hostage turns out to be a dead end, but Mac

and Horatio soon find the connection between Darius and his

hostage, leading them to a psychiatrist who had treated both.

Guest stars CSI: Miami's David Caruso, Khandi Alexander, Emily

Proctor.

* UFC FIGHT NIGHT LIVE

Premieres Thursday, April 5 (8:00 - 10:00 PM, ET/PT), tape delay for

West Coast; encores Saturday, April 7 (8:00 - 10:00 PM, ET/PT).

Spike TV takes it to the Octagon with its ninth LIVE UFC fight card.

 

ORIGINALS

* BULLRUN

New Episodes Premiere Tuesdays (10:00 PM - 11:00 PM, ET/PT); Encores

Thursdays (11:00 PM - Midnight, ET/PT) and Saturdays (11:00 AM - 12:00

PM, ET/PT).

Bullrun, based on the international automotive rally, features 12 teams

of two drivers who use their own cars in a fast-paced rally that takes

them across America in a competition for $200,000 prize money and the

2007 Bullrun Trophy. Hosted by Bill Goldberg.

* UFC UNLEASHED

Telecasts Tuesdays (9:00 - 10:00 PM, ET/PT); New Episode Premieres

Thursday, April 5 (7:00 - 8:00 PM, ET/PT).

UFC Unleashed is the best of the best from the UFC archives. UFC

Unleashed will feature the semifinals and finals of The Ultimate

Fighter, best of the PPV fights, quickest knockouts, legendary fighters

and fights, and many more.

* TNA WRESTLING: iMPACT!

New Episodes Premiere Thursdays (9:00 - 10:00 PM, ET/PT) and encores

Saturdays (11:00 PM - Midnight, ET/PT). Preempted on April 5 for "UFC

Fight Night Live." TNA iMPACT! will telecast at 11:00 PM.

The new wrestling alternative, "TNA: iMPACT!" delivers a distinct brand

of high-risk, athletic entertainment. Viewers are drawn in by TNA's

philosophy of less talk and more action and the technically advanced

six-sided ring. TNA's roster integrates well-known wrestling superstars

like Kurt Angle, Sting, Christian Cage, Jeff Jarrett, and Team 3D with

the world's best up-and-coming talent, such as AJ Styles, Christopher

Daniels, and Samoa Joe.

* MXC

Telecasts Thursday (1:00 - 1:30 AM, ET/PT) and Friday (12:30 - 1:00 AM,

ET/PT); Marathons every Friday (3:00 - 6:00 PM, ET/PT).

Spike TV's acclaimed original comedic series, is described as a wacky

combination of "Fear Factor," "Jackass," "Iron Chef," with a touch of

"Mystery Science Theater 3000." Using the actual footage from one of

the most popular primetime Japanese reality game shows, Takeshi's

Castle, MXC is re-written to create an entirely new comedic storyline.

The series is not dubbed and there is not a single trace of literal

translation from the original show.

* WILD WORLD OF SPIKE

New Episodes Premiere Thursdays (Midnight - 12:30 AM, ET/PT); Encores

Fridays (1:30 AM - 2:00 AM, ET/PT).

Spike TV brings unheralded sports such as mop-jousting and blind-folded

kickboxing into America's living rooms with the new comedic action

series, Wild World of Spike. Focusing more on the agony of defeat than

the thrill of victory, Wild World of Spike is hosted by mixed martial

arts fighter Kit Cope, skateboarding legend Jason Ellis and comedian Sam

Tripoli. In each episode, the hosts screen bizarre sporting events from

around the world then try to recreate them.

* GAME HEAD

Telecasts Fridays (1:00 - 1:30 AM, ET/PT).

Spike TV presents a weekly showcase on the world of video games. From

the latest reviews, cheat codes, the hottest game of week and more, GAME

HEAD offers viewers an uncompromised look at the hardcore culture of

videogames.

* DISORDERLY CONDUCT: VIDEO ON PATROL

Telecasts Fridays (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM & 11:00 - Midnight, ET/PT) and

Saturdays (1:00 - 2:00 AM, ET/PT).

 

MOVIE PREMIERES

* PREDATOR 2 (1990, Action / Science-Fiction)

Premieres Monday, April 2 (9:00 - Midnight, ET/PT).

The invisible creature from another world is back -- but this time

seeking out heat and conflict -- is drawn to the gang-ruled and ravaged

city of Los Angeles, 1997. The detective-lieutenant and his police

force set out to capture this brutal murderer, ignoring the warnings

from a mysterious government agent to stay away. Starring Danny Glover

and Gary Busey.

* FOOLPROOF (2003, Action / Comedy)

Premieres Thursday, April 12 (2:00 - 4:00 AM, ET/PT).

Kevin, Rob, and Sam get their kicks by planning perfect heists without

any intention of actually pulling them off. Leo, a gangster, blackmails

them into pulling off a real multi-million dollar heist. Now it's up to

them to get out alive. Starring Ryan Reynolds, Kristin Booth, and Joris

Jarsky.

* MAD MAX: BEYOND THUNDERDOME (1985, Action / Science-Fiction)

Premieres Saturday, April 14 (7:30 - 10:00 PM, ET/PT).

In a futuristic arena known as Thunderdome, Max prepares for

gladiatorial combat. When he is exiled to the desert, he is rescued by

a group of children. Starring Mel Gibson and Tina Turner. Telecasts as

part of Spike's "Slammin' Saturday Movie."

* THE EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING (2004, Action / Horror)

Premieres Sunday, April 15 (8:00 - 10:30 PM, ET/PT).

Prequel to the Exorcist series, follows the young Father Merrin on his

journeys as a missionary priest in Africa and his first encounters with

demonic forces. Starring Stellan Skarsgard and Izabella Scorupco.

* JOHNNY MNEMONIC (1995, Action / Science-Fiction)

Premieres Saturday, April 21 (9:00 - 11:00 AM, ET/PT).

Set in the future a data courier is implanted with a computer chip that

he must deliver within 24 hours or he will die. Starring Keanu Reeves

and Dolph Lundgren.

* OUT OF TIME (2003, Crime / Drama)

Premieres Sunday, April 22 (8:00 - 10:00 PM, ET/PT).

A police chief must solve the mystery behind a double homicide before he

becomes the suspect. Starring Denzel Washington and Eva Mendes.

 

ACQUIRED SERIES

* STAR TREK: VOYAGER

Telecasts Monday through Thursday (4:00 - 6:00 PM, ET/PT) and Friday

(5:00 - 6:00 PM, ET/PT)

The 3rd installment of the Star Trek television franchise examines the

USS Voyager and her crew, who have become stranded in the Delta

Quadrant, seventy thousand light-years from Earth. Unless they can find

some kind of shortcut, it will take them seventy-five years to return to

the space of the United Federation of Planets. Starring Kirk Mulligan.

* CSI: NY

Telecasts Sundays (11:00 PM - Midnight, ET/PT) and Wednesdays (11:00 PM

- Midnight, ET/PT).

The third edition of the "CSI" franchise sets up shop in the Big Apple,

where taciturn Detective Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) and his partner,

Detective Stella Bonasera (Melina Kanakaredes), lead a crime-solving

team. Like his counterparts in Las Vegas and Miami, Taylor knows that

people may lie, but the evidence rarely does.

* THE SHIELD

Telecasts Monday - Friday (2:00 - 4:00 AM, ET/PT).

The story of in inner-city Los Angeles police precinct where some of the

cops aren't above breaking the rules or working against their associates

to both keep the streets safe and their self-interests intact. Starring

Emmy Award(R) winner Michael Chiklis and Catherine Dent.

* CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (TV-PG)

Telecasts Monday - Friday (6:00 - 9:00 PM, ET/PT), Monday - Wednesday

(Midnight - 1:00 AM, ET/PT) and Wednesdays (10:00 PM - 1:00 AM, ET/PT).

CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION revolves around a team of forensic Crime

Scene Investigators in the Las Vegas police department's Criminalistics

Bureau. By relentlessly analyzing every detail at the scene of a crime,

no matter how seemingly irrelevant or grotesque in nature, the team has

science and experience on their side to solve the case. The series

stars William Petersen, Marg Helgenberger, Gary Dourdan, George Eads,

Jorja Fox and Paul Guilfoyle.

 

WEEKEND PROGRAMMING

* WEEKEND POWERBLOCK

Spike TV puts sexy car enthusiast Courtney Hansen in the driver's seat

as host of the network's "Power Block" lineup, a weekend (Saturdays Noon

- 2:00 PM, ET/PT and Sundays 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, ET/PT) two-hour block

of auto related programming.

Saturdays:

Noon - 12:30 PM, ET/PT

HORSEPOWER TV

Host Joe Elmore and tech expert Mike Galley work out of their to-die-

for performance garage sharing speed secrets on how to transform

everyday cars into road burners and how to get the most out of them on

the street and at the strip. This series captures the performance

lifestyle taking viewers to America's best events, rallies and races.

12:30 - 1:00 PM, ET/PT

MUSCLE CAR

Celebrating America's love affair with these fabled '60's and 70's era

muscle cars, the series focuses on finding, restoring and modifying

iconic Detroit iron like the Pontiac GTO, the Hemi Cuba, the Boss

Mustang and the Chevelle SS.

1:00 - 1:30 PM, ET/PT

XTREME 4X4

Hosted by Ian Johnson and Jessi Combs, this series features hardcore

4x4 build-ups and off-road truck projects, plus extreme action events

-- rock crawling, desert racing, sand drags, mud racing, and trail

riding adventure.

1:30 - 2:00 PM, ET/PT

TRUCKS!

This how-to/new vehicle series addresses the light truck market with

special emphasis on pickups and sport utility vehicles. From the

wildest jet drag trucks and monster trucks to the world's most radical

4x4 rock crawlers and customs, each episode takes viewers step-by-step

modifying, customizing, restoring and testing classic and sport

trucks, off-roaders and race trucks.

Sundays:

11:00 - 11:30 AM, ET/PT

HORSEPOWER TV

11:30 AM - Noon, ET/PT

MUSCLE CAR

Noon - 12:30 PM, ET/PT

XTREME 4X4

12:30 - 1:00 PM, ET/PT

TRUCKS!

Web site: http://www.spiketv.com/

 

American Idol Bucky Covington Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut This Weekend

-- American Idol Season 5 finalist Bucky Covington will make his Grand Ole Opry debut this Friday, March 9th. Covington will perform his debut single, "A Different World," which is already generating huge fan response in its early weeks of release. He will also premiere new material from his self-titled debut CD, set for release April 17th on Lyric Street Records.

"A Different World" is a title descriptive of the young singer's life over the past year. Covington, a North Carolina native who plays guitar, bass, and drums, took time off from his job at his dad's auto-body shop to audition for Idol early last year. He went from fronting a local country/southern rock cover band to performing for an average of 30 million television viewers a week on American Idol. Following his time on Idol, he toured with the other finalists, performing to sold-out crowds in 39 cities across the United States. He has also made numerous national television appearances including the The Tonight Show, Ellen, Fox & Friends, and Larry King Live.

Covington's fan base is growing by the day leading up to next month's release of Bucky Covington. He had the largest friends increase (19%) of any country artist this week on MySpace. The video for "A Different World" debuted in the #1 position atop CMT's fan-voted CMT Pure Country video playlist and at an impressive #36 on Yahoo Music's all-genre video chart, putting Covington in the company of fellow American Idol alum Carrie Underwood as the only two country artists with videos in Yahoo's Top 50.

To listen to music from Bucky Covington, log on to: www.buckycovingtonmusic.com or www.myspace/buckycovington.

Bucky Covington will be released on Lyric Street Records on April 17th, 2007.

Lyric Street Records is a part of the Buena Vista Music Group. The Buena Vista Music Group is the recorded music and music publishing arm of the Walt Disney Studios.

 

Source: Lyric Street Records

 

 

Web site: http://buckycovington.musiccitynetworks.com/
http://www.myspace.com/buckycovington

 

 

Dunkin' Donuts 'Whips Up' Deal With Daytime TV Host Rachael Ray

-- Dunkin' Donuts, the largest coffee and baked goods chain in the world, today announced that it will be working with best-selling author and host of TV's highest-rated new syndicated daytime show, Rachael Ray. As its new brand representative, Ray will appear in a multi-platform marketing campaign for Dunkin' Donuts. Ray will also lend her perspective to the Dunkin' Donuts culinary team in the development of new, "better for you" food and beverage options. In recent years, the company has introduced several new products that provide customers with additional on-the- go options, including Smoothies, Latte Lite and the reduced carb bagel; in addition, the company has been working since 2004 to remove trans-fats from all of its menu offerings.

"We believe there is tremendous synergy between Dunkin' Donuts and Rachael Ray," said Robert Rodriguez, Dunkin' Donuts brand president. "Rachael's philosophy of creating quality meals quickly and without pretense for busy people living busy lives is the same driving force behind the Dunkin' Donuts brand."

Adored by millions for her originality and down-to-earth style, Ray is best known for her "30-Minute Meals," recipes that answer the needs of busy Americans -- great tasting, easy-to-make meals with inexpensive ingredients.

"Everyone always asks me how I manage my schedule, and the answer is coffee," said Ray. "Having grown up in the Northeast, I have a long-standing and deep appreciation for Dunkin' Donuts' coffee. In addition, I am excited to work with Dunkin' Donuts' team of chefs as they expand their menu to include new items for customers looking for more health-conscious options."

As part of the campaign, Ray will be featured in television, print, radio spots, online, in-store marketing and personal appearances. The first television spot is scheduled to air in April. The campaign will run through 2010.

About Dunkin' Donuts

Founded in 1950, today Dunkin' Donuts is the number one retailer of hot regular coffee-by-the-cup in America, selling 2.7 million cups a day, nearly one billion cups a year. Dunkin' Donuts is also the largest coffee and baked goods chain in the world and sells more hot regular coffee, iced coffee, donuts, and bagels than any other quick service restaurant in America. Dunkin' Donuts has more than 7,200 restaurants in 30 countries worldwide. Based in Canton, Massachusetts, Dunkin' Donuts is a subsidiary of Dunkin' Brands, Inc. For more information, visit http://www.dunkindonuts.com/.

About Rachael Ray

Rachael Ray is the author of more than a dozen cookbooks, including "Express Lane Meals" and "Rachael Ray 2-4-6-8: Cooking for Couples or Crowds," and host of the wildly popular "30 Minute Meals" and "Tasty Travels" shows on the Food Network. She is also the Editor-In-Chief of her own food and lifestyle magazine "Every Day With Rachael Ray." Additionally, Ray has a line of knives, cook wear and bedding.

In September 2006, "Rachael Ray," a nationally syndicated daytime show produced by CBS Television Distribution and Harpo Productions, launched as the highest rated syndicated show launch since 2002.

 

Source: Dunkin' Donuts

 

Web site: http://www.dunkindonuts.com/

 

Nick at Nite Adds Two Hit Comedies: George Lopez to Join the Lineup This Fall; YouTube Predecessor America's Funniest Home Videos, Hosted By Bob Saget, to Premiere Monday, April 30

New Series Will Join Previously Announced Home Improvement, as well as Hits Roseanne, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The Cosby Show

Nick at Nite has acquired two new hit comedy series - George Lopez and the show that began the user-generated content phenomenon, America's Funniest Home Videos, it was announced today by Tom Ascheim, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Nickelodeon Television. The network will roll out 111 half-hour episodes and two, one-hour specials of America's Funniest Home Videos beginning Monday, April 30 at 8:30 PM (ET/PT). The reality comedy hosted by Bob Saget (1990-97) features viewers' wacky candid videos, as Saget (Full House) does double-duty on Nick at Nite. In addition, the network has purchased all 120 episodes of George Lopez which will premiere Fall 2007 during Hispanic Heritage Month.

"Both series are huge favorites with families and are perfect for our audience. Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite is a pioneer of sharing 'user-generated content' with viewers, and America's Funniest Home Videos fit the 'UGC' definition before the term existed," said Ascheim. "George Lopez is one of America's funniest comedians, and he and his TV family connect with all ages and ethnicities."

The two new series join the Nick at Nite lineup of comedies, which will include Home Improvement, the recently added Growing Pains, the Emmy(TM) Award-winning series The Cosby Show, Full House, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Roseanne.

George Lopez debuted on ABC in 2002 and is now in its sixth season. Stand-up comedian George Lopez (Bread and Roses, Resurrection Blvd.) stars as the first guy to be promoted from the assembly line to plant manager at a Los Angeles airplane-parts factory. George's life at work and home never gets dull, thanks to his hilariously stubborn mother Benny (Belita Moreno), his pal Ernie (Valente Rodriguez) and his devoted wife Angie (Constance Marie) and kids. Their dyslexic son Max (Luis Armand Garcia) is a ball of energy, while daughter Carmen (Masiela Lusha) struggles to assert her own independence and conquer high school hurdles. George is further tested daily by the arrival of his newly divorced father-in-law Vic (Emiliano Diez). The executive producers of The Drew Carey Show - Bruce Helford, Academy Award(R) winner Deborah Oppenheimer and Robert Borden - team up with superstar actress/producer Sandra Bullock (Miss Congeniality, 28 Days, Speed) for this comedy loosely based on Lopez's own experiences as a Mexican-American native of Los Angeles. George Lopez is produced by Fortis Films, Mohawk Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television. Lopez, David A. Caplan, Paul A. Kaplan and Mark Torgove serve as executive producers.

America's Funniest Home Videos premiered on ABC on January 14, 1990. Bob Saget served as host for eight seasons of the timeless American TV institution (1990-1997). Each episode features hilarious home videos that capture unexpected mishaps, practical jokes, embarrassing moments, animal acts and more. Bob Saget lends his extraordinary charisma and sense of humor, tying clips together in a style all his own. He has a humorous way of interacting with the audience and his voiceovers are truly memorable. Now in its 17th season, America's Funniest Home Videos continues to entertain audiences nationwide. America's Funniest Home Videos is the longest-running entertainment program on ABC. It is produced by Vin Di Bona Productions and is distributed by Disney's Buena Vista Television.

Disney's Buena Vista Television is the domestic distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company, providing motion pictures and television programming to pay cable, basic cable, video-on-demand (VOD), pay-per-view (PPV), mobile, broadband and broadcast television. Disney's Buena Vista Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Warner Bros. Domestic Cable Distribution is one of the leading suppliers of programming to the pay television and basic cable marketplaces. WBDCD is responsible for the sale, marketing and distribution of previously produced content from the vast Warner Bros. Entertainment library-including feature films, television series, miniseries, television movies and specials-to basic cable and pay TV. WBDCD is also a major licensor of feature films to the broadcast networks.

Nick At Nite is Nickelodeon's nighttime programming block that features timeless hit comedies including the Emmy Award-winning series The Cosby Show, the popular family comedies Full House, Growing Pains, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, as well as Roseanne, one of the most talked about and celebrated sitcoms in television history. Nickelodeon, in its 28th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 92 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for almost 12 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) .

Source: Nickelodeon

Web site: http://www.nick.com/

 

More Than 700 New Episodes of Programming for Preschoolers, Kids and Tweens to Air on Number-One Network Nickelodeon in 2007-08

Three New Animated Series to Join Lineup in 2008, Including Making Fiends, Bubble Guppies and The Umizumiz

Freshman Hits The Naked Brothers Band and Just Jordan Picked Up for Second Seasons; Net Picks Up More Episodes of Number-One Kids' Show SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly OddParents, Dora the Explorer and Zoey 101

Joining previously announced new series Tak and the Power of JuJu, Back to the Barnyard and Ni Hao, Kai-lan premiering this fall, Nickelodeon today announced it is adding three new animated series to its 2008 schedule: The Umizumiz, Bubble Guppies and Making Fiends. The number-one network for kids also announced new season pickups of breakout freshman hit The Naked Brothers Band and Just Jordan, as well as new episodes of top-ranked SpongeBob SquarePants, tween favorites Zoey 101 and The Fairly OddParents, and top preschool series Dora the Explorer. In total, Nickelodeon will premiere more than 700 new episodes of new and returning series throughout the 2007-08 season.

"Our goal is always to give preschoolers, kids and tweens the very best programming in television, and to combine fresh new creative ideas with enduring hits that kids love," said Tom Ascheim, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Nickelodeon Television. "SpongeBob is number-one with kids and Dora is tops with preschoolers, so we're going to give them more, as well as new episodes of their favorite live-action and animated shows. And we are very excited about the new shows that will be joining the lineup this year."

"Our goal is always to give preschoolers, kids and tweens the very best programming in television, and to combine fresh new creative ideas with enduring hits that kids love," said Tom Ascheim, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Nickelodeon Television. "SpongeBob is number-one with kids and Dora is tops with preschoolers, so we're going to give them more, as well as new episodes of their favorite live-action and animated shows. And we are very excited about the new shows that will be joining the lineup this year."

For the upcoming 2007-08 season, Nickelodeon Preschool will add to its lineup The Umizumiz, an interactive series set in a global urban city brought to life in a fusion of animation, photography, origami patterns and preschool punk music; and Bubble Guppies, an interactive, animated variety show for preschoolers set in a vibrant 3D, CGI-animated underwater classroom. Nickelodeon will also add Making Fiends to its schedule, an offbeat and outrageous animated tale about two unlikely friends, Vendetta and Charlotte.

The network has also picked up 13 additional episodes each of TEENick freshman hits The Naked Brothers Band, featuring new heartthrobs Nat and Alex Wolf, and Just Jordan starring teen standup Lil' JJ, along with 13 episodes of the TEENick favorite Zoey 101, starring Jamie Lynn Spears.

Joining a 2007-08 animation slate featuring previously announced series Mighty B, Tak and the Power of JuJu, Back to the Barnyard and the newly launched El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, are 13 additional episodes of the number-one kid series SpongeBob SquarePants and 20 episodes of the animated hit The Fairly OddParents. On Nick Jr., preschoolers can look forward to an all-new fifth season of perennial favorite Dora the Explorer, which includes 14 new episodes and three hour-long television movies.

New series for the Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. 2008 season include:

Making Fiends

Developed from Nickelodeon's TurboNick broadband platform, where it appeared as a series of shorts, Making Fiends is an offbeat, flash animated series centering on two girls, Charlotte and Vendetta. Each episode explores the struggle between these two polar opposites. Vendetta makes fiends to instill fear over their dreary town of Clamburg and despises cheerful Charlotte for always foiling her most brilliant and fiendish plans. Meanwhile, Charlotte loves her new town, is oblivious to the danger that Vendetta poses to her and thinks that all of Vendetta's fiends are rather cute. Making Fiends was created by Amy Winfrey and is based on her popular Making Fiends online films. Winfrey won a student academy award in 2000 for her short The Bad Plant. Her other original work includes the films Big Bunny and Muffin Films. Winfrey was also an animator on South Park. Supervising producer Dave Wasson was the creator of the Cartoon Network series Time Squad, executive producer and director of the Disney series The Buzz on Maggie and creator of the Emmy Award-winning Oh Yeah! Cartoons short for Nickelodeon, "Max and his Special Problem."

The Umizumiz

Premiering in 2008 on Noggin, The Umizumiz is a new animated interactive series for preschoolers about a miniature urban repair squad that solves everyday preschool problems in Metro City with help from the viewers at home. The Umizumiz features an adventure math curriculum that includes foundational skills like counting, estimating, patterns and measuring which engages preschoolers by exploring math in real life contexts. Viewers will hop inside the Zipmobile with the Umizumiz and sing along to spirited, catchy, "preschool punk" take-away songs. The Umizumiz was created by Soo Kim and Michael Smith and is co-created and executive produced by Jennifer Twomey.

Bubble Guppies

Bubble Guppies is a new interactive, animated variety show for preschoolers set in a vibrant 3D, CGI-animated underwater classroom. Bubble Guppies has an emergent curriculum: ideas that emerge from preschoolers' own discoveries. Each episode will delve into a preschool topic from a variety of angles as the cast and viewers at home explore the swaying kelp forests, fantastical coral reefs, and undersea gardens of their aquarium-inspired surroundings. Bubble Guppies is created by Robert Scull, who also serves as executive producer on Nick Jr.'s The Backyardigans, and Jonny Belt, supervising art director and co-executive producer of The Backyardigans. Scull and Belt also developed the series along with Janice Burgess, creator of The Backyardigans.

Nickelodeon, in its 28th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in almost 92 million households and has been the number-one- rated basic cable network for almost 12 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) .

 

Source: Nickelodeon

Web site: http://www.nick.com/

 

 

Fall Out Boy Joins Virgin Mobile USA's 'First Dibs' Program With Exclusive Ringtones From Band's Latest Album, Infinity On High

One Lucky Winner to Attend Concert or Win iPod Nano Autographed By Fall Out Boy

Breakthrough American alternative rock/pop-punk/emo act Fall Out Boy is the latest band to join Virgin Mobile USA's exclusive "First Dibs" ringtone program. Virgin Mobile is teaming up with Island Records to offer its more than 4.6 million customers exclusive ringtone tracks from Fall Out Boy's latest album, Infinity on High, including "This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race (I'm A Leading Man)," "The Take Over, The Break's Over (Rather Be A Widow Than A Divorcee)," "Hum Hallelujah (Hallelujah Chant)," and "Don't You Know Who You Think I Am? (Broken Down)." In addition, Virgin Mobile customers can download a variety of Fall Out Boy content including three additional ringtones from Infinity on High and catalog ringtones from their first Island release such as "Dance, Dance" and "Sugar We're Going Down."

This Virgin Mobile First Dibs offer takes things a step further with one lucky grand prize winner who can either attend a Fall Out Boy concert in the city of their choice with a friend or win an iPod Nano autographed by Fall Out Boy. The winner will also receive Virgin Mobile's latest lightweight, clamshell-design camera phone, the Cyclops. Five additional winners will each receive a Fall Out Boy gift pack with an autographed CD, t-shirt and more. No purchase is necessary to enter or win. Official rules are available at www.falloutboy.islandrecords.com/virginmobilefirstdibs.

This Virgin Mobile First Dibs offer takes things a step further with one lucky grand prize winner who can either attend a Fall Out Boy concert in the city of their choice with a friend or win an iPod Nano autographed by Fall Out Boy. The winner will also receive Virgin Mobile's latest lightweight, clamshell-design camera phone, the Cyclops. Five additional winners will each receive a Fall Out Boy gift pack with an autographed CD, t-shirt and more. No purchase is necessary to enter or win. Official rules are available at www.falloutboy.islandrecords.com/virginmobilefirstdibs.

"It's really great to be chosen as a First Dibs artist," the band says of the selection. "We're always looking for ways to give back to our fans."

Virgin Mobile customers can download Fall Out Boy content at www.virginmobileusa.com or from VirginXL or VirginXtras on any Virgin Mobile Superphonic ringtone-capable handset including the Slice and Cyclops.

About Virgin Mobile USA, LLC

The nation's leading wireless youth network, Virgin Mobile USA provides more than 4.6 million customers with the most flexibility and choice in wireless products and services without long-term contracts. Voice pricing plans range from monthly options with unlimited nights and weekends to by-the-minute offers, allowing consumers to adjust how and what they pay according to their needs. Virgin Mobile's full slate of smart, stylish and affordable handsets, including the popular Switch_Back and Slice, are available at more than 35,000 retail locations nationwide and online at www.virginmobileusa.com, with Top-Up cards available at more than 130,000 locations.

Virgin Mobile USA operates on the Sprint Nationwide PCS network, and is a joint venture between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Sprint Nextel. J.D. Power and Associates has ranked Virgin Mobile highest in customer satisfaction among wireless prepaid services, and its own customers report a 94% satisfaction rate. Proud of its charitable and environmental programs, Virgin Mobile donates 5% of profits from downloadable content to The RE*Generation, its pro-social initiative to help millions of at-risk and homeless teens; and provides postage-paid return envelopes in every new package for customers to recycle old phones.

 

Source: Virgin Mobile USA, LLC

Web site: http://www.virginmobileusa.com/

 

Jack Black, My Chemical Romance, Dashboard Confessional, Kelly Slater and Tony Hawk to Rock, Paint, Bid

Celebrities Auction off Personalized Guitar Hero II Controllers for MusiCares(R)

-- Celebrities from the music, film, art and sports worlds will use their creative talents to design and personalize Guitar Hero II(TM) video game controllers for Rock, Paint, Bid -- an online auction by Activision, Inc. and Red Bull Energy Drink to be held April 3rd-13th benefiting MusiCares(R). The pieces will be on public display March 9-18 at Hi-Lo in Austin, Texas, where a surprise performance by a legendary guitarist will also mark the event.

"We are proud to be working with such an amazing list of artists and sports figures in support of this important foundation," said Tim Riley, Worldwide Executive of Music at Activision. "MusiCares provides a much-needed safety net of critical assistance for musicians in times of need. We hope our event is extremely successful and will make a real difference in the lives of people who need it the most."

List of Artists includes:

Armor for Sleep Mister Cartoon

Buckcherry Mototek-Ducati

Danny Masterson My Chemical Romance

Dashboard Confessional New Era Cap

Designer Missy Broome Nickelback

The Films Paul Frank Industries

Hot Hot Heat Quiksilver

Jack Black and Kyle Gass (Tenacious-D) The Rocket Summer

Jack's Mannequin The Spill Canvas

John Lacroix Suicide Girls

Kelly Slater SURESHOT

Martin Bros. Bikes Tony Hawk

Meg & Dia Will Rhoten-Decade Clothing

Metalocalypse

 

About MusiCares

Established in 1989 by The Recording Academy(R), MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. For more information, please visit www.musicares.com.

About Activision

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.47 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006. Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, Scandinavia, Spain, the Netherlands and South Korea. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at www.activision.com.

Guitar Hero II (C) 2007 RedOctane, Inc. Guitar Hero is a trademark and RedOctane is a registered trademark of RedOctane, Inc. and Activision is a registered trademark of Activision Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners.

Source: Activision, Inc.; Red Bull

Web site: http://www.activision.com/

Web site: http://www.musicares.com/

 

 

Mar 7

Jeep(R) Brand Signs on as Presenting Sponsor of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's 'Soul2Soul Tour 2007'

- The North American 'Jeep presents Soul2Soul Tour 2007' kicks off on June 6 in Omaha, Neb.

- Country music's hottest couple first dated in a Jeep

-- One of country music's most celebrated love stories began with a date in a Jeep(R). So when reigning first couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were looking for a sponsor for their Soul2Soul Tour 2007, the Jeep brand was an obvious choice.

During a press conference today at the Country Music Hall of Fame with McGraw and Hill, the Jeep brand announced that it will be the official presenting sponsor of their new North American tour, "Jeep presents Soul2Soul Tour 2007." The 33-concert tour will kick off in Omaha, Neb., on June 6 and will conclude in Anaheim, Calif., on Aug. 10.

McGraw and Hill explained the story of the "date Jeep." "In 1996 in State College, Penn., we were doing a show together. We took a ride in a borrowed Jeep and that's where we decided that we were going to be together and build a life together," said Hill during the press conference.

"Faith tracked down that Jeep and gave it to me for my birthday a couple of years ago," said McGraw.

"Tim and Faith have a story about how the Jeep brand has been part of their lives that's not unlike the thousands of stories we hear every year from Jeep owners all over the world," said John Plecha, Director - Jeep Brand Marketing and Global Communications. "As members of our Jeep family, it made perfect sense to blend our brands into a mutually beneficial partnership. We are very pleased to be associated with these two very talented artists who reach a broad audience much like the seven vehicles in the Jeep lineup."

Soul2Soul II made the history books as country music's highest grossing tour ever and was named Pollstar Magazine's "Major Tour of 2006," beating out nominees Madonna, Roger Waters, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Rolling Stones.

In addition to Jeep signage at every concert venue, McGraw and Hill's "Date Jeep," a red 1978 CJ-6, will travel with the tour along with a special "Soul2Soul" 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. While still in development, the next phases of the partnership will include online activities, special events and product placement.

About the Jeep brand

The Jeep brand's 66-year history of legendary capability has made it synonymous with freedom, adventure, mastery and authenticity. In 2007, the Jeep brand delivers on its promise to provide rugged, versatile, innovative four-wheel drive vehicles with seven vehicles that will "go anywhere and do anything," including the all-new Jeep Patriot, Compass, Liberty, Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited, Grand Cherokee and Commander.

Source: Chrysler Group

Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/

 

Lana Clarkson Biography

Lana Clarkson was born in Long Beach, California, on April 5, 1962.  From an early age, she loved stories and showing off - reciting nursery rhymes to anyone who would listen when just over a year old.  Lana’s mother lovingly recalls styling her daughter’s hair and playing dress up, with Lana clad in bell bottoms and white go-go boots.

One day, hands on hips, Lana proudly proclaimed: "I'm independent!"  When asked what she thought independent meant, she stated, "It means, I want to do it myself!"  This would prove to be Lana’s motto throughout life.

The Clarkson family moved to San Francisco in 1967, then to Cloverdale, California, in the early 70's.  Living out in the country, Lana fell in love with horses and was given a roan mare named Breeze for her 10th birthday. Being naturally athletic and graceful, she quickly became proficient at both English and Western riding.  Riding would be one of a number of activities at which Lana would excel.

Lana attended Cloverdale High School, where she played basketball for the school team. When her family moved from Sonoma County to Napa Valley, Lana attended PUC Prep School.  At age 16, Lana was already one of the tallest in her class, having grown an amazing five inches in one year.  Becoming a fashion model was soon one of Lana’s many aspirations.

During the Christmas season of 1978, the Clarkson family moved to Los Angeles.  Lana hit the ground running, quickly landing bit parts in film and television.  Her modeling career also took off, and Lana found herself traveling around the United States and Europe working on high fashion photo shoots.  Other projects took Lana to Japan, Italy, Argentina, Switzerland, France, and Mexico.  Being a quick study, Lana learned to speak both Spanish and Italian quite well.  Lana fit right into the scene at the Cannes Film Festival, which she attended several times during the 80's and 90’s.

Lana Clarkson’s early television appearances read like a pop culture checklist: “CHiPs,” “Happy Days,” “The Love Boat,” ”Hill Street Blues,” “Laverne and Shirley,” and “Fantasy Island.”  Lana had a recurring part on “Fantasy Island” as one of the girls that placed leis over the heads of each show's featured guests. Her later work on television included guest spots on “Who's the Boss,” “Night Court,” “Wings,” “Knight Rider,” “The Jefferson's,” “Three's Company,” “The A-Team,” “Riptide,” “Silk Stockings,” “Black Scorpion,” and many other popular shows. Lana also found success working on television commercials, with a client list that included Mercedes Benz, Nike, Anheiser Busch, Playtex Bras, KMART, and Mattel. 

At eighteen Lana acquired her SAG card on the movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” – her first speaking role in a feature film.  Her introductory lead role was in the movie “Blind Date,” filmed in Greece in 1982 and starring Kirstie Alley.  Lana then landed a role in Roger Corman's “Deathstalker.”  While not a cinema masterpiece, Lana’s mother recalls that Lana did make an impression on a Los Angeles Times film critic who stated, "one bright spot … a newcomer, Lana Clarkson." 

It was this star-quality that led to Lana being offered the title role in Roger Corman’s next film, the cult classic “Barbarian Queen.”  While filming in Argentina, Lana quickly picked up on complicated sword fighting and became what Roger Corman called “the original Xena.”  Her work on this film, the sequel “Barbarian Queen 2,” and other projects under Roger Corman, was what Lana often described as "the boot camp of filmmaking." Lana’s filmography also includes noted films such as “Scarface” and “My Favorite Year.”

Lana's larger than life personality and striking beauty inspired a large fan following, further cemented by her work in John Landis' “Amazon Women on the Moon.”  She was always a favorite at comic book conventions, where she happily signed autographs and was known to be friendly and accessible.

While physically tall, Lana’s personality could perhaps be described as gigantic.  With a ready smile and quick wit, Lana was friendly, outgoing, spiritual, kind, genuine; in short, Lana was a charming and charismatically captivating woman.  Those who knew her well maintain that her ability to make people laugh was perhaps one of her most endearing traits.

Lana was close to her family and was always there when needed.  She made a point to check in with family and loved ones near and far on a regular basis, “just because.”  Lunching with her mother was always a highlight in Lana’s schedule. 

Lana lived on the canals in Venice, California, for the last several years, where she adopted a stray black cat that she christened “Midnight.”  Lana and her brother took great pride in transforming Lana’s canal front house into a homey cottage.  In the rare times when she was not working, Lana enjoyed the life of a California native, walking along the beach, riding her bike, and going to the gym and the movies with her sister.

Lana was a consistently working actress, which as many know, is no small feat in Hollywood. Those that worked with Lana have said that her work ethic was not only inspirational, but made her a joy to work with.  Not only did Lana take each and every role she played seriously, she also excelled at the art of auditioning.  Lana was well known for throwing herself into any character that she was auditioning for, going so far as to dress the part, capturing even the most minute details. Always the professional, Lana was famous for her prompt follow up with a card or a note that expressed her sincerest appreciation for anything from an audition to an offer for a film role.    

In 2001, she decided to change gears a little and worked very hard to bring her versatility as a performer to the public eye.  During this time, Lana developed, wrote, produced, and directed a showcase reel entitled “Lana Unleashed,” to steer her career in a new direction.  Lana wanted to show the world that she was not just a pretty face, but also a talented actress with the ability to create comedic characters and bring them to life.  Lana took these capabilities and applied them to the stand-up comedy genre, which was a perfectly natural direction for her considering that her stand-up debut had been on “Thicke of the Night” in the early 80’s.  As part of her pro-active approach to this new chapter in her career, Lana also put together a website and began her own production company.  She embraced this work, as she did most everything in her life, with zeal, passion, a studious demeanor, and a tenacity that would seem to ensure her success.

Just over a year ago, Lana suffered a fall while dancing with children at a Christmas party, breaking both of her wrists.  Surgery was performed on both wrists on Christmas Day, 2001.  Much of 2002 was spent in recovery and rehabilitation from these injuries, and though described by some as "hard times," they were quite the opposite.  Lana continued to be optimistic and light-hearted.  She took the time to organize her affairs and plan for the future.  In addition to physical therapy, Lana did her best to keep in shape in both body and mind by frequenting the gym and practicing yoga.  She also took time to study, read, write, and attend classes for acting, producing, and script and play writing.  This time of adversity also strengthened and re-affirmed Lana's commitment to her spiritual beliefs, and true to character, she made a concerted effort to continue to do positive things for others. 

Family, friends, fans, and those who knew her in passing will remember Lana as simply incredible.  Her infectious charm, statuesque beauty, and real-world spirituality cannot be described by words alone.  We will all miss you Lana, may you be at peace.

 

CARVIN INTRODUCES NS1 NYLON SYNTH ACCESS GUITAR 
Nylon string acoustic characteristics with the power of MIDI control

San Diego, CA – March 2007… Carvin, the brand of choice for musicians in search of high quality guitars, basses, instrument amplifiers, recording equipment, and sound reinforcement products, proudly announces a revolutionary breakthrough for today’s guitarist—introducing the new NS1 Nylon Synth Access guitar. Featuring the stunning beauty and impeccable playing characteristics that have made Carvin’s custom guitar shop legendary, the NS1 Nylon Synth Access guitar combines the attributes of a nylon string acoustic with the power of MIDI synthesizer access—opening new doors of creative expression for guitarists everywhere.

The NS1’s world-class workmanship is evident throughout. Featuring gold plated hardware and Carvin’s 4A Flame Maple top, the NS1 exhibits a rich, hand-crafted appearance that endears itself to all who encounter it. And like all Carvin guitars, the NS1 is available in a wide selection of color options. Designed for a lifetime of musical enjoyment, the NS1 incorporates a wood body binding effect on the edge of the flame Maple top—unlike the plastic molded binding found on other guitars.

 

This amazing guitar features a neck that extends the entire length of the instrument, and where the neck meets the body, players will surely appreciate the NS1’s smooth heel—a characteristic that further enhances playability. With its chambered Mahogany body, the NS1 provides a higher level of resonance—giving the instrument the characteristics of a nylon string guitar while making it lighter and, hence, easier to play and more comfortable over the course of a performance.

Further increasing the NS1’s overall level of playability is its Ebony fingerboard featuring a semi-flat 20-inch radius, a characteristic preferred by nylon string players as opposed to a more arched design. Utilizing a 25.5-inch scale with 21 medium-jumbo frets, the new NS1 feels “right at home” in the guitarist’s hands.

As a performance tool, the NS1 excels. By plugging a standard guitar cable into the instrument, guitarists are able to play the NS1 through any acoustic amp or PA. Further, the NS1’s active EQ circuits deliver a full bottom end that accurately conveys the sound of a full sized acoustic body guitar. Featuring stacked mid cut/boost and mid sweep controls for the midrange plus stacked treble and bass cut/boost controls, the incredible NS1 enables guitarists to sculpt the perfect acoustic tone on any amplification system.

Designed to extract the utmost expression from its players, the NS1’s piezo pickup system uses a natural compression that is very similar to an acoustic guitar. Guitarists can play as hard as they want without overloading the input channel, and they’ll never experience that dreaded piezo “quack.” The onboard piezo pickup can be used with or without a MIDI/Synth interface.

With all these features, Carvin’s new NS1 offers today’s cutting-edge guitarist even more. The real magic comes by plugging the NS1 into a guitar synthesizer module using the provided 13-pin cable. Carvin worked closely with Graph Tech Guitar Labs when developing the NS1’s Hexaphonic pickup system and the result is fast, accurate MIDI tracking that guitarists have been demanding.

The NS1’s revolutionary Hexaphonic pickup sends a signal for each individual string as well as a summed signal via the 13-pin cable. The system enables both synthesizer and acoustic sounds to be created using this single cable. The instrument’s Hexaphonic output is MIDI compatible with synthesizer controllers such as Roland’s GR-33 Guitar Synthesizer, VG-88 V-Guitar System, V-Bass System, the Roland GI-20 GK-MIDI Interface, the Axon AX100 Guitar-MIDI converter, and many more. For convenient scrolling through MIDI synth patches, the NS1 provides a mini toggle switch.

Mark Kiesel, Vice President of Carvin Corporation, shared his enthusiasm on the company’s new NS1 Nylon Synth Access guitar. “Our new NS1 was designed to provide a wealth of sonic experiences,” said Kiesel, “enabling guitarists of all musical styles to explore new sonic territory. The NS1 is capable of delivering breathtaking nylon string acoustic performances while providing the opportunity to explore the musical realm of MIDI synthesis. I’m confident players of all musical styles will find the NS1 a most compelling choice for their musical expression.”

Carvin’s new NS1 Nylon Synth Access guitar carries a direct price of $1399.00 and is expected to be available in April 2007.

About Carvin

Since its launch in 1946, Carvin has specialized in building and selling high quality musical instrument products direct to the consumer. The company’s innovative factory-direct approach has grown from a catalog mail order service into a large-scale manufacturing / retail business with a strong Internet presence. Today, Carvin customers can instantly purchase everything from customized, handcrafted instruments to tour-ready professional audio systems. As it approaches 60 years of achievement, Carvin continues to grow its relationship with musicians worldwide by offering an extensive range of guitars, basses, instrument amps, recording, and P.A. products. To order, visit us online at www.carvin.com or call 800-854-2235.

 

May 2007

LA Opera Presents Porgy and Bess

An American Operatic Masterpiece What: Plácido Domingo, Eli and Edythe Broad General Director, announced that LA Opera will present an American masterpiece, Porgy and Bess, directed by Francesca Zambello. Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward and Ira Gershwin, is a classic story of love found and lost, set in Charleston, South Carolina’s Catfish Row, the African-American neighborhood of early 20^th Century. Porgy, a disabled beggar, meets Bess after a card game goes awry. The two fall in love while coping with the struggles of the hard neighborhood. But alas, Bess hopes for an easier life, and follows temptations to New York City. George Gershwin’s unique score, which blends blues, Tin Pan Alley and opera, and includes some of the composer’s most memorable songs: “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So” and “Bess, You Is My Woman.” Captivating audiences for over a century on Broadway and the opera stage, Porgy and Bess is a historical musical treasure.

Plácido Domingo, Eli and Edythe Broad General Director, announced that LA Opera will present an American masterpiece, , directed by . , by , and and , is a classic story of love found and lost, set in Charleston, South Carolina’s Catfish Row, the African-American neighborhood of early 20 Century. Porgy, a disabled beggar, meets Bess after a card game goes awry. The two fall in love while coping with the struggles of the hard neighborhood. But alas, Bess hopes for an easier life, and follows temptations to New York City. George Gershwin’s unique score, which blends blues, Tin Pan Alley and opera, and includes some of the composer’s most memorable songs: “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So” and “Bess, You Is My Woman.” Captivating audiences for over a century on Broadway and the opera stage, is a historical musical treasure.

Who: LA Opera’s presentation of Porgy and Bess will feature a double cast. For performances on May 4, 8, 11, 15, 17, 19, Kevin Short and Morenike Fadayomi are cast in the title roles of Porgy and Bess; Lester Lynch as Crown, Jermaine Smith as Sportin’ Life, and Laquita Mitchell as Clara. For performances on May 5, 10, 13, 16, 18, 20, Alfred Walker and Indira Mahajan will be playing the title roles of Porgy and Bess. Other singers include Terry Cook as Crown, Victor Ryan Robertson as Sportin’ Life, Alyson Cambridge as Clara. The production is conducted by John DeMain and directed by Francesca Zambello. The sets of Porgy and Bess are designed by Peter J. Davison; lighting and costumes are designed by Mark McCullough and Paul Tazewell, respectively; and the original choreography is by Denni Sayers.

LA Opera’s presentation of will feature a double cast. For performances on May 4, 8, 11, 15, 17, 19, and are cast in the title roles of Porgy and Bess; as Crown, as Sportin’ Life, and as Clara. For performances on May 5, 10, 13, 16, 18, 20, and will be playing the title roles of Porgy and Bess. Other singers include as Crown, as Sportin’ Life, as Clara. The production is conducted by and directed by Francesca Zambello. The sets of are designed by ; lighting and costumes are designed by and , respectively; and the original choreography is by .

When: Opening Night Friday May 4, 7:30pm

Evening Performances May 5, 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18 at 7:30pm, and May 19 at 8:00pm

Matinee Performances May 13, 16 at 2:00pm and May 20 at 1:00pm

Where: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center, 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center, 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Tickets: Tickets to Porgy and Bess range from $30 to $220, and are on sale at the LA Opera Box Office, by phone at (213) 972-8001 or online at www.laopera.com.

Tickets to range from $30 to $220, and are on sale at the LA Opera Box Office, by phone at (213) 972-8001 or online at .

For disability access, call (213) 972-0777 or e-mail wehelpyou@laopera.com.

 

VH1 Rocks Sin City!

'VH1 Rock Honors' Returns to Las Vegas and Will Pay Tribute to Genesis, Heart, Ozzy Osbourne and ZZ Top Premiering Thursday, May 24 at 9:00 PM*

The Second Annual Event Will Feature Tributes To Rock Music's Elite From The Mandalay Bay Events Center In Las Vegas

-- VH1 pays homage to the legends who influenced the sound of rock with the second annual "VH1 Rock Honors." This year's celebration will honor the music and influence of Genesis, Heart, Ozzy Osbourne and ZZ Top. Additional performers, presenters, and special guests will be announced as they are confirmed.

Premiering on Thursday, May 24 at 9:00 PM*, "VH1 Rock Honors," will be taped at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 12. The 2-hour tribute will salute the groundbreaking bands of rock, the once in a lifetime events and the influential people who made a lasting mark on the history of rock.

The influence of these honorees will be felt through spoken tributes, filmed packages and performances by some of today's hottest rock acts as well as the legends themselves.

Last year, VH1's inaugural show honored KISS, Queen, Def Leppard and Judas Priest and was hosted by Jaime Pressly with tribute performances by Foo Fighters, Godsmack, The All-American Rejects, Paul Rodgers, Tommy Lee, Slash, Scott Ian, Gilby Clarke, Rob Zombie and surprise guest Ace Frehley. Making special appearances were Kiefer Sutherland, Gina Gershon, Jaime Kennedy, Natasha Henstridge, Brittany Snow, Jim Breuer and Penn Jillette.

Check soon for interactive honoree profiles, exclusive programming, show information and more at http://rock.vh1.com/.

"VH1 Rock Honors" is sponsored by Garnier(R) Fructis(R), Taco Bell(R), Toyota and Dove Deodorant.

"VH1 Rock Honors" is executive produced by Lee Rolontz and Rick Krim for VH1 and Greg Sills and Paul Flattery for Choe Productions.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 90 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul and VSPOT, VH1's broadband channel. Connect with VH1 at http://www.vh1.com/.

VH1 is a registered trademark of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. MTV Networks also operates and offers joint ventures, licensing agreements and syndication deals whereby its programming can be seen worldwide.

Mandalay Bay Events Center continues its tradition as one of the world's premier entertainment venues in the world. The 12,000-seat multi-purpose Events Center has hosted championship boxing events including De La Hoya vs. Trinidad and Vargas vs. Mosley. The Events Center also has been the home to sold-out concert audiences for such performers as Bette Midler, Kenny Chesney, Van Halen, The Eagles, Britney Spears, Andrea Bocelli and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Live televised events have included the Academy of Country Music Awards (ACMA), Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Finals and Brian Boitano's Skating Spectacular.

Source: VH1 

 

Web site: http://www.vh1.com/

 

Multi-Platinum Hard Rock Band P.O.D. Joins the INO/Columbia Records Roster

Classic Line-Up of Groundbreaking SoCal Band Reunite For New Album Slated For Late Summer Release

The multi-platinum hard rock band P.O.D. -- whose pioneering fusion of hip-hop, metal and reggae elements with a spiritually-based worldview helped launch a new American musical movement -- has signed with INO/Columbia Records, it was announced today by Steve Barnett, Chairman, Columbia Records and Jeff Moseley, President, INO Records.

The band's inaugural album for INO/Columbia Records, slated for release in late summer 2007, will be the first to feature the classic original P.O.D. line-up -- Sonny (vocals), Wuv (drums), Traa (bass), and returning member Marcos (guitar) -- since the group's triple platinum masterpiece, "Satellite," was released on September 11, 2001. P.O.D. is currently in Los Angeles working on album pre-production with producer Jay Baumgardner.

"P.O.D. is an exciting and an important band with an expansive musical vision and a powerful message for our times," said Mr. Barnett. "It is a great pleasure to welcome them to Columbia Records."

"I have been a big fan of P.O.D. for years and it's a thrill to be working with them," said Mr. Moseley. "With the original line-up back together, the new album promises to be a landmark achievement for the group and a huge gift to their fans. I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the guys and their new label."

With a 14-year career under their belts, the members of P.O.D. have logged a remarkable array of achievements, including worldwide sales exceeding 8 million, sold-out international concert tours, a series of chart topping radio hits, and an unprecedented four #1 videos on MTV's "TRL." Supported by a passionate fanbase -- known as "the Warriors" -- the band has created what its members describe as "a catalog of music that we want to respect and honor with each step into the future."

   http://www.payableondeath.com/   http://www.myspace.com/payableondeath    http://www.inorecords.com/   http://www.columbiarecords.com/  

Source: INO/Columbia Records

Web site: http://www.columbiarecords.com/
http://www.inorecords.com/
http://www.payableondeath.com/
http://www.myspace.com/payableondeath

 

 

Say Anything's New Video for 'Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too' Premieres on Yahoo Music!

MTV's 'TRL' To Air 'Wow ...' on Monday, March 12th

Fuse Adds Video Into Regular Rotation

MTVU Adds Video Into Heavy Rotation

On Monday, March 5th Yahoo! Music world-premiered Say Anything's video for their new single "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too," directed by MTV Video Music Award winner Shane Drake (Panic! At The Disco). On Monday, March 12th MTV will network-premiere the video on "TRL," spreading the topsy-turvey world of flashy cars, illicit cell phone conversations, and unorthodox dance moves into homes across the nation. Also, Fuse TV has added the video into full rotation and MTVU has added it into heavy rotation, adding even more fuel to the fire. And for the first time ever in a video, fans who view the online version at Yahoo Music! will be able to 'interact' with the band via texting the number displayed in the video on frontman Max Bemis' phone for special behind-the-scenes messages from Max and the video director Shane Drake. (Text "WOW" to "71717".)

The excitement around Say Anything has been growing at an exponential rate. Radio adds across the country paired with sold out consecutive headlining tours prove that Say Anything is at the breaking point, about to explode.

Spin Magazine has lauded singer/songwriter Max Bemis as "one of America's most gifted young songwriters." He has the undeniable authenticity that every emo/punk kid in America aspires to have. Experiencing one of Say Anything's live shows is like witnessing a movement; their audience holds onto every word in a religious way. Watch the magic this coming April as they tour across the country with Saves The Day. Check out http://www.sayanythingmusic.com/ for tour dates and more.

Source: J Records

Web site: http://www.jrecords.com/
http://www.sayanythingmusic.com/

 

Starz Cinema Showcases World Television Premieres of Five Acclaimed Independent Films in March

Films Shown Week of March 19th With an Encore Marathon of All Films on Saturday, March 24th

Starz Cinema, known for showing thought provoking, alternative art house films, presents the world television premieres of five acclaimed independent films in March. In addition to Thumbsucker (winner of the Special Jury Prize at Sundance and the Silver Berlin Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival) starring Tilda Swinton, Vincent D'Onofrio, Keanu Reeves and Vince Vaughn, the other films in the weeklong event include Kinky Boots, Mirrormask, The Child (winner of the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival) and The Memory of a Killer. The films will be shown every night at 10:00 p.m. (ET/PT) throughout the week of March 19, concluding with a marathon of all five films on March 24.

Starz Cinema World Television Premiere Week Shown at 10:00 p.m. during the week of March 19

  *  Kinky Boots 3/19 - After his father's sudden death leaves him in charge      of a struggling shoe factory, a man (Joel Edgerton) finds an unlikely      business ally in a flamboyant drag queen cabaret singer (Chiwetel      Okiofor).  The movie was inspired by the true story of a traditional      English men's footwear factory, which turned to production of kinky      boots for transvestites, in order to save the ailing family business      and safeguard the jobs of the local community.    *  Mirrormask 3/20 - Helena (Stephanie Leonidas), a 15-year-old girl in a      family of circus entertainers, often wishes that she could run away      from the circus and join real life.  Blaming herself for her mother's      illness, Helena falls into a dream, where she's in a strange world with      two warring queens (no, there's no theme here), bizarre creatures and      masked inhabitants.  Order can only be restored by the mystical      Mirrormask and it's up to Helena to find it.  The film co-stars Gina      McKee and Stephen Fry.    *  The Child (L'Enfant) 3/21 - Bruno and Sonia (Jeremie Renier and Deborah      Francois) are a young, immature couple, who find themselves strapped      down with a newborn son.  Bruno, a petty thief, with no interest in      work and no direction in life, decides to sell the baby.  Is there any      chance of redemption for Bruno?    *  The Memory of a Killer (De Zaak Alzheimer) 3/22 - When a key civil      servant is murdered, the Antwerp police force puts its top crime      investigators on the case (Koen De Bouw and Werner De Smedt). The trail      leads to retired assassin Angelo (Jan Decleir). Showing symptoms of      Alzheimer's, Angelo finds it increasingly difficult to carry out      assignments, and when he realizes he's being used in a political power      game, he decides to bite the hand that feeds him.    *  Thumbsucker 3/23 - A Minnesota teenager named Justin (Lou Taylor Pucci)      throws himself and everyone around him into chaos when he attempts to      break free from his abnormal addiction to his thumb.  The film co-stars      Tilda Swinton, Vincent D'Onofrio, Keanu Reeves, Vince Vaughn and      Benjamin Bratt.    Five-Film Marathon on Saturday, March 24   *  Kinky Boots at 5:35 a.m., 2:40 p.m., 10 p.m.   *  Mirrormask at 7:25 a.m., 11:50 p.m.   *  The Child at 9:10 a.m., 4:30 p.m.   *  Thumbsucker at 10:50 a.m., 6:10 p.m.   *  The Memory of a Killer at 12:35 p.m., 7:50 p.m.    Starz Cinema brings the art-house to your house.  

Starz Entertainment, LLC, is a premium movie service provider operating in the United States. It offers 16 movie channels including the flagship Starz(R) and Encore(R) brands with approximately 15.5 million and 27.3 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment airs more than 1,000 movies per month across its pay TV channels and offers advanced services including Starz HD, Starz On Demand and Vongo(SM). Starz Entertainment (www.starz.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation that is attributed to Liberty Capital Group.

Source: Starz Entertainment 

Web site: http://www.starz.com/

 

 

DAUGHTRY Once Again Locks Down #1 Spot on Billboard Top 200

Self-Titled Debut Album Makes Rock History in Multiple Sales, Radio, Video and Digital Formats

 The fastest selling rock debut in Soundscan history, DAUGHTRY, has become the #1 top selling album in the country for the second time this year, in an incredible 15 week run that has seen the debut artist, album and single - "It's Not Over" - shatter so many records that the milestones are becoming too numerous to list. Debuting at #2 on November 21, 2006, the double-platinum album (certified this week by the RIAA) has been in the top 3 of the Billboard Top 200 albums chart for an amazing 9 weeks. It is the first album since the 2006 phenomenon High School Musical soundtrack to accomplish such a feat, and the first rock band to achieve a streak of that magnitude in the first 15 weeks of release since Creed in 2002. DAUGHTRY has remained in the Top 10 every week except one since launch, and is the first rock band release in nearly 20 years - since Bon Jovi's 1988 classic New Jersey - to hit the top spot after debuting below #1 and the first rock band to hit the #1 spot a second time more than 5 weeks after it first topped the chart without debuting there since Santana's "Supernatural" in 2000.

Such amazing accomplishments are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to gauging the impact of DAUGHTRY's indelible lock on virtually every platform of the music scene: The band and album are pulling in superstar-brand page view numbers in the digital domain; drawing over one million views per week to their artist site http://www.daughtryofficial.com/ and remaining a Top 10 staple on iTunes since release. The debut single "Its Not Over," has conquered all digital, mobile, radio and video platforms, parking at the top or near the top of every major music industry metric including: #1 on the Adult Top 40 chart, Hot AC chart, and is destined to score as the #1 heir apparent on the Top 40 singles chart in a couple of weeks as it jumps to #3 this week as one of the biggest airplay and sales gainers with another 2 million new listeners. "It's Not Over" has now sold over 800K tracks and has been in the Top 10 of the Digital Songs Chart for the last 7 weeks.

The riveting video for the smash single has chartered its own amazing course, remaining atop VH1's Top 20 Countdown show for 5 consecutive weeks and is about to crash the #5 spot as one of the most played videos on the network overall. The clip has simultaneously won over MTV fans, crashing the upper echelon on the Big Ten show as it rockets toward the coveted most played status on the music network.

DAUGHTRY has scanned more than one million individual tracks digitally since the album's debut, and continues to rate 4 and a-half stars out of 5 from the growing legion of iTunes fans who have supplied their own rave reviews based on the site's ranking system.

DAUGHTRY's heartfelt "Home," has enjoyed tremendous exposure on Fox's mega-hit 'American Idol,' since it was chosen as the elimination song this season. This week "Home" moved up from #119 to #62 on the Digital Songs Chart with track sales at 17K, up 81% from the prior week. Other significant uses for the stirring ballad are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

DAUGHTRY is also in the midst of a critically acclaimed, sold-out tour which is packing clubs and halls throughout the U.S. Daughtry, charismatic lead singer/songwriter of the band is grateful for the fan support he has received, acknowledging the momentum it has brought to every cylinder of his unparalleled rise to the top of mainstream, contemporary music. "The tremendous radio and video support, the great crowds we get at our shows, the intensity of our online fans - all of it - is everything any artist could ever ask for," says Daughtry. "We see all these new faces everyday at our shows, including great, great rock fans who make each performance an adventure...I want all of our fans to know that every song we play is a thank you right back at each and every one of them for standing by us in such an awesome way."

The Daughtry juggernaut officially hits Chicago, IL on March 7, Indianapolis, IND on March 9, and Cincinnati, OH on March 10. The acclaimed trek will run through April 19 and features special guest Eve to Adam and opening act Cinder Road, among others.

Source: RCA Records

Web site: http://www.rcarecords.com/
http://www.daughtryofficial.com/

 

 

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Ready With 'Strength and Loyalty' to Be Released April 17th

Multi-platinum recording artists Bone Thugs-N-Harmony will release their long-awaited Interscope/Full Surface debut, "Strength and Loyalty," on April 17, 2007. "I Tried," a track that features Akon is the album's lead single. Mariah Carey rejoins Bone on the melodic "Little Love," the album's second single produced by Jermaine Dupri. Another album gem is the track "Order My Steps," which pairs Bone with Grammy award winning gospel artist Yolanda Adams marking her first appearance on a hip hop album.

"Man, I just feel fortunate to be able to put together something of this quality. We've been working on it for some time now, and everyone involved has been focused on making a classic. I think that's what we've done," said Layzie Bone of the new LP. Wish Bone adds, "I'm really excited to be back on a major label and have the opportunity to introduce a new generation to Bone Thugs n Harmony."

This is the major-label return of the Grammy-winning super-group, now a trio (Layzie Bone, Wish Bone, and Krayzie Bone), who have been busy in the studio working with hit makers Akon, Swizz Beats, Will.I.Am, Jermaine Dupri and Neo Da Matrix.

While recording Strength and Loyalty, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony members found time to work on outside projects. Krayzie Bone snagged another Grammy nomination for his appearance on Chamillionaire's 2006 hit single, "Ridin'." "Being a part of Chamillionaire's smash 'Ridin' was incredible, I'm excited to keep the momentum going with the Strength and Loyalty Bone project," states Krayzie Bone.

In addition to Akon, Mariah Carey and Yolanda Adams, "Strength and Loyalty" features The Game, Twista, Bow Wow and an unreleased verse from affiliated Bone member Flesh-N-Bone, who is currently incarcerated. Best known for their mega-hits, including "Thuggish Ruggish Bone," "1st Of Tha Month," and "Tha Crossroads," and chart-topping LPs (E 1999 Eternal and The Art of War), Bone Thugs-N-Harmony has sold over 30 million albums to date. "Strength and Loyalty" will be their seventh original full-length release.

Source: Interscope/Full Surface

 

 

Avon Signs Academy Award Winner Jennifer Hudson as the Face of Imari

-- Avon Products, Inc. today announced it has signed Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson to be the exclusive spokesperson for the Imari fragrance brand, including the newest scent, Imari Seduction. The classic Imari scent has been Avon's best selling fragrance since it launched 20 years ago. Imari Seduction will go on sale in August 2007 in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Hudson, who recently won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her show-stopping performance in "Dreamgirls", will serve as the face of Imari under the new agreement. She will make her first Avon appearance at the unprecedented Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow, presented by the Virtue Foundation in partnership with Avon, happening today at the United Nations in New York City. Held on the eve of International Women's Day, the event will spotlight women's rights issues worldwide, and will mark the creation of the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund to benefit women worldwide who are making a difference in their communities.

The rollout of the new Imari Seduction will be supported by a national print advertising campaign in the United States. Hudson will also appear in the company's brochure for both the classic Imari scent and the new Imari Seduction, which is distributed through Avon Representatives to over 15 million customers bi-weekly.

"We are thrilled to partner with Jennifer Hudson at this very exciting time in her career," said Liz Smith, Executive Vice President, President North America and Global Marketing. "Avon is a company dedicated to empowering women, and we believe that our Avon Representatives and their customers will be truly inspired by Jennifer's dream-come-true success story."

"This is an honor for me and very flattering," said Hudson. "With the success of 'Dreamgirls' and now an Oscar, it's been an incredible few months. And now, to partner with Avon is really a dream come true for me. It's exciting to be representing the Imari brand, which really embodies confidence and femininity."

Imari Seduction, a Fruity Oriental, is a blend of luscious plum and purple orchid with tantalizing hints of warm vanilla, amber and musk. It will be offered by Avon's 650,000 Representatives in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic as well as through the company's web site, avon.com.

About Avon

Avon, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with over $8 billion in annual revenue. As the world's largest direct seller, Avon markets to women in well over 100 countries through over five million independent Avon Sales Representatives. Avon's product line includes beauty products, fashion jewelry and apparel, and features such well-recognized brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Avon Solutions, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals, Mark, and Avon Wellness. Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avon.com.

Source: Avon Products, Inc.

Web site: http://www.avon.com/

 

A download for the new Classik Studio Reverb 1.1 is now available,

providing compatibility for IK registered users with Mac Intel Systems. CSR users may download this software update for free and will no longer require a USB iKey or dongle. In addition to Mac Intel compatibility and dongle-free operation, CSR 1.1 is now fully Pro Tools 7 compliant and compatible with VST 2.4 hosts such as Cubase 4 and Live 6. To download the free Universal update for CSR 1.1, please visit: http://www.ikmultimedia.com/IKRegUsersArea.html You can also download the new free demo of CSR 1.1. The demo is fully functional for a grace period of ten days and does not require a USB iKey or dongle. To download the free CSR 1.1 demo, please visit: http://www.classikstudioreverb.com/CSRDownload.html More updates for IK software will soon be available for download from the IK Web site. For more information regarding the calendar of Mac Intel update releases for IK's music software, please visit the IK General FAQ section and refer to Question 3 or please visit: http://www.ikstore.com/FAQ/faq_ik.cgi?answer=gen3 IK Multimedia. Musicians First.

 

 

The Beach Boys Present a New Career-Spanning Collection, 'The Warmth Of The Sun,' to be Released May 15 on CD and Digitally by Capitol/EMI

Compiled By The Beach Boys, New Compilation's 28 Tracks Complement 2004's Double Platinum The Very Best Of The Beach Boys: Sounds Of Summer

-- The Beach Boys and Capitol/EMI Music Catalog Marketing are proud to announce the May 15 release of "The Warmth Of The Sun," a new collection of 28 career-spanning tracks, hand-selected and sequenced by The Beach Boys themselves. "The Warmth Of The Sun" traces the iconic band's creative arc in a sunup to sundown musical journey that goes beyond the beach, presenting a broad view of the rich musical legacy of America's band.

The perfect complement and companion to 2004's double-platinum certified "Sounds Of Summer: The Very Best Of The Beach Boys," this new collection delves deeper into The Beach Boys' musical legacy with hits like "Sail On, Sailor" "The Little Girl I Once Knew" and "Feel Flows." Within "The Warmth Of The Sun's" three decade-spanning tracklist, much of The Beach Boys' most accomplished work is illuminated. Compiled and sequenced by The Beach Boys' Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, Mike Love, and Brian Wilson, "The Warmth Of The Sun" showcases the broad scope of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers' recorded canon.

From the beauty and depth of the title track to the melody and groove of "Break Away," the journey moves from the surf to the streets, each story narrated with The Beach Boys' unparalleled trademark harmonies. With its full spectrum of themes and ambiance, "The Warmth Of The Sun" is a must-have collection for any fan of The Beach Boys' musical mythos.

For four decades, The Beach Boys, originally comprised of the three Wilson brothers: Brian, Carl and Dennis, their cousin Mike Love, and Hawthorne, California neighbor Al Jardine, have recorded and performed the music that has become the world's favorite soundtrack to summer. In 1965, Bruce Johnston joined the band when Brian Wilson retired from touring. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and winners of NARAS' Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award, The Beach Boys are an American institution that is iconic around the world.

In 1961, The Beach Boys began singing about America's newest craze, surfing. What followed was a wave of hits that vividly expressed the lifestyles, dreams and ambitions of America's youth. Their signature sound, full of sun-drenched harmonies, golden melodies and descriptive lyrics, delivered a taste of the free and easy California lifestyle to listeners around the world. The music of The Beach Boys brings optimism and a beam of Southern California sun wherever it is played.

Last fall, Capitol/EMI Music Catalog Marketing celebrated the 40th anniversaries of The Beach Boys' legendary 1966 album Pet Sounds and the band's #1 smash hit single "Good Vibrations" with commemorative CD, deluxe CD/DVD and limited edition vinyl packages.

More than 100 domestic and international publications and journalists have selected Pet Sounds as one of the greatest albums ever recorded. In 1995, MOJO magazine assembled a panel of leading musicians, songwriters and producers and named "Pet Sounds" "The Greatest Album Ever Made," and in 1997, the U.K. music magazine voted "Good Vibrations" "The Greatest Single of All Time." "Pet Sounds" was ranked second on Rolling Stone magazine's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list (2003), right behind The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Rolling Stone has also awarded Pet Sounds its highest five-star "Classic" rating, and in 2004, the magazine rated "Good Vibrations" sixth in its list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time." The song has also been inducted into NARAS' Grammy Hall of Fame.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH will celebrate The Beach Boys' enduring legacy this year with "Catch a Wave: The Beach Boys, the Early Years," a new exhibit scheduled to run from June 22 to December 31, 2007. More than any other artistic entity, The Beach Boys created an iconic vision of California as the Promised Land for those who would revel in youth, surf, sand, and rock and roll. This exhibit explores their formative years through never-before seen artifacts and tells the story of the band's enduring legacy.

For the latest Beach Boys news and tour dates, please visit the band's official Website: www.thebeachboys.com

"The Warmth Of The Sun" (CD and Digital Album)

1. All Summer Long

2. Catch A Wave

3. Hawaii

4. Little Honda

5. 409

6. It's OK

7. You're So Good To Me

8. Then I Kissed Her

9. Kiss Me, Baby

10. Please Let Me Wonder

11. Let Him Run Wild

12. The Little Girl I Once Knew

13. Wendy

14. Disney Girls (1957)

15. Forever

16. Friends

17. Break Away

18. Why Do Fools Fall In Love

19. Surf's Up

20. Feel Flows

21. All This Is That

22. 'Til I Die

23. Sail On, Sailor

24. Cool, Cool Water

25. Don't Go Near The Water

26. California Saga (On My Way To Sunny Californ-i-a)

27. California Dreamin'

28. The Warmth Of The Sun

Source: Capitol/EMI

 

Star Jones Reynolds Joins Court TV as Executive Editor and Host of New Daytime Talk Show

-- Television personality and former district attorney Star Jones Reynolds, who began her television career at Court TV in 1991 as a legal commentator, has joined Court TV as executive editor and host of a new daytime talk show.

Marlene Dann, executive vice president of Court TV, announced that Reynolds will host a one-hour, live, daily show. The program will offer a fresh perspective to the day's most talked-about crime and justice stories from the news and pop culture arenas. The national program, which is yet to be named, is scheduled to premiere later this year.

"Star Jones Reynolds is an extraordinary TV talent," said Dann. "Her personality, experience as a successful prosecuting attorney and her ability as a talk show host make her a perfect choice for this new program. We are confident that her exceptional ability to both inform and entertain will make her a great addition to the Court TV family."

"The public is fascinated by the intersection of the legal world and the pop-culture world, and we hope to tap into that fascination as part of our overall strategy to broaden the appeal of the network's daytime line-up," added Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks. "Star Jones Reynolds provides an ideal blend of legal brilliance and pop-culture savvy to help us achieve that goal. We are proud to have her on board."

Using her skills as a talk show host and an officer of the court, Reynolds will probe the most compelling angles and daily headlines. She will interview some of the most influential newsmakers involved in high-profile cases while offering a multi-dimensional look at each story. Reynolds will empower viewers by asking the questions everyone wants to ask and get the answers everyone wants to know.

"I am very excited to join the Court TV and Turner Broadcasting family," said Reynolds. "My goal is to inform, empower, educate and entertain viewers.

And Court TV is the perfect place to accomplish that mission."

Star Jones Reynolds earned her law degree from the University of Houston. After three years in general trials with the Brooklyn District Attorney's office, she moved to the Homicide Bureau, where her work earned her a promotion to senior assistant district attorney in 1991, paving the way for 31 out of 33 felony trial convictions. It was at this time that she caught the attention of Court TV and was chosen to serve as a studio commentator during the William Kennedy Smith rape trial.

Reynolds was quickly lined up as a guest on NBC's Today and, a few months later, became the legal correspondent for Today and NBC Nightly News, covering the latest developments in the Mike Tyson rape case and the Rodney King police brutality trial. She landed an exclusive interview with Tyson after the imprisoned ex-heavyweight champion had dodged the press for a year and an exclusive interview with King after the sentencing of the two L.A. cops convicted of violating his civil rights. That success led to her syndicated show, Jones & Jury.

In 1995, Reynolds was named a senior correspondent and chief legal analyst for Inside Edition and assigned the O.J. Simpson criminal and civil trials. She was the only news correspondent to obtain an exclusive interview with Simpson during the civil trial. From August 1997 to June 2006, she co-hosted the Emmy(R)-winning talk show The View on ABC.

Court TV(R), a Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. company, provides a window on the American system of justice through distinctive programming that both informs and entertains. Seen in nearly 88 million U.S. homes, Court TV Networks is comprised of Court TV News(TM), which provides live trial coverage in daytime; Court TV: Seriously Entertaining(TM) in prime time, featuring investigative drama, expert reality and compelling non-fiction series; and Court TV Extra(TM), a subscription Web-based service offering viewers an interactive opportunity to watch multiple live trials on the Internet, while accessing the tremendous resources of Court TV Online(TM). The Court TV Web sites can be accessed via www.courttv.com and www.courttvnews.com.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and a leading provider of programming for the television industry.

 

Source: Court TV

 

 

PBS Announces Line-Up of Science and Environmental Programming for Earth Day and Beyond

New Episodes of Acclaimed Series JOURNEY TO PLANET EARTH, NATURE and NOVA Premiere

PBS will celebrate Earth Day 2007 with new programs about the changing environment, the effects of global warming, vanishing landscapes and creatures from dolphins to dogs airing in late March and April. A new episode of JOURNEY TO PLANET EARTH, the PBS series, hosted by Matt Damon, that explores the fragile relationship between people and their environment, and new episodes of NATURE and NOVA are highlights. From the young to the young at heart, PBS has science and nature programs for spring that celebrate the beauty and diversity of the natural world.

JOURNEY TO PLANET EARTH "The State of the Ocean's Animals" goes underwater to find out why many of our marine animals are in distress and what can be done about it. NATURE looks at sea monsters, dogs, elephants and sea turtles, while new episodes of NOVA examine the bizarre (cuttlefish), the beautiful (flowers) and the beneficial (the sun, which may offer hope for our energy future).

PBS KIDS helps children celebrate Earth Day with a full week of new IT'S A BIG BIG WORLD episodes from April 16-20, as well as "PBS KIDS Share the Earth Day," a special two-hour programming event airing Friday, April 20 (check local listings). The PBS KIDS preschool destination features a recycling theme -- Miss Lori and Hooper will help kids discover ways to protect the planet through recycling -- while CURIOUS GEORGE, CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG, DRAGON TALES and IT'S A BIG BIG WORLD all help celebrate the environment with Earth Day-themed episodes. Kids and parents will also become savvier about simple ways to share the environment through exclusive Earth Day-themed music videos from the award-winning kids' rock band Milkshake, and online activities at http://www.pbskids.org/ and http://www.pbskidsgo.org/.

In addition to the themed preschool block, PBS KIDS GO! celebrates Earth Day with themed programming from ARTHUR, MAYA & MIGUEL, FETCH! WITH RUFF RUFFMAN and CYBERCHASE. Throughout the block, early elementary school kids will pick up fun ways to do their part to take care of the environment by recycling, cleaning up their neighborhoods and more.

The following is a list of programming airing late March and early April devoted to the changing environment, globalization and the natural world. Full program descriptions, press materials and photos are available on PBS PressRoom at http://pressroom.pbs.org/programs/pbs_earth_day_2007. Additional information is also available on pbs.org at http://www.pbs.org/aboutpbs/news/20070306_science.html.

Broadcast Premieres

AMERICA'S LOST LANDSCAPE: THE TALLGRASS PRAIRIE (New; available in HD)

Sunday, April 1, 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET; repeat Friday, April 6,

9:00-10:00 p.m. ET

COWBOYS, INDIANS, & LAWYERS (New)

April 2007 (check local listings)

THE HORSES OF PROUD SPIRIT (New)

April 2007 (check local listings)

JOURNEY TO PLANET EARTH "The State of the Ocean's Animals" (New)

Wednesday, March 28, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET

http://www.pbs.org/journeytoplanetearth

NATURE

http://www.pbs.org/nature

"Unforgettable Elephants" (New)

Sunday, April 1, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET

"Voyage of the Lonely Turtle" (New)

Sunday, April 15, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET

"Dogs That Changed the World" (New; available in HD)

Sundays, April 22-29, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET

NOVA

http://www.pbs.org/nova

"Kings of Camouflage" (New)

Tuesday, April 3, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET

"First Flower" (New; available in HD)

Tuesday, April 17, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET

"Saved by the Sun" (New; available in HD)

Tuesday, April 24, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET

 

Encore presentations

GEORGIA AQUARIUM: KEEPERS OF THE DEEP (Repeat)

Sunday, April 8 10:30-11:00 p.m. ET

THE DEAD SEA: A NAKED PLANET SPECIAL "The Dead Sea" (Repeat)

Friday, April 13, 9:00-10:00 pm ET

NATURE "Encountering Sea Monsters" (Repeat; available in HD)

Sunday, April 8, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/seamonsters

PBS KIDS Earth Day-themed programming

Friday, April 20, 2007 (check local listings); http://pbskids.org/

CURIOUS GEORGE "The All-Animal Recycled Band/The Times of Sand"

CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG "Doggie Garden/Captain Birdwell's Treasure"

DRAGON TALES "Green Thumbs/Hand In Hand"

IT'S A BIG BIG WORLD "Sleepover/The Disappearing Waterhole"

(New; available in HD)

 

PBS KIDS GO! Earth Day-themed programming

Friday, April 20, 2007 (check local listings); http://pbskidsgo.org/

CYBERCHASE "EcoHaven Ooze"

ARTHUR "Buster's Green Thumb/My Fair Tommy"

MAYA & MIGUEL "Every Day Is Earth Day"

FETCH! WITH RUFF RUFFMAN "That Doesn't Float My Boat"

About PBS

PBS is a media enterprise that serves 354 public noncommercial television stations and reaches almost 90 million people each week through on-air and online content. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions. PBS is a leading provider of educational materials for K-12 teachers, and offers a broad array of other educational services. PBS' premier kids' TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online (http://www.pbskids.org/), continue to be parents' and teachers' most trusted learning environments for children. More information about PBS is available at http://www.pbs.org/, one of the leading dot-org Web sites on the Internet.

Source: Public Broadcasting Service

 

Web site: http://www.pbs.org/
http://www.pbskids.org/