Soul Surfer's AnnaSophia Robb Is The New Barbara Bradshaw

This just in: The manufacturers from the forthcoming CW spin-off series The Barbara Journals (a prequel to Candace Bushnell's franchise-starting Sex and also the City novel) have discovered their new Barbara Bradshaw in Soul Surfer/Race to Witch Mountain/Bridge to Terabithia star AnnaSophia Robb. The series "stories Carries transitional phase within the eighties when she asks her first questions regarding love, sex, friendship and family while seeking the mobile phone industry's of senior high school and Manhattan." Therefore it is essentially Gossip Girl having a Barbara Bradshaw who looks nothing beats the near future Barbara Bradshaw. Oh, fine. Why don't you? [Deadline]

Amended suit versus. merger seeks trial, damages

With ballots starting to hit members' mail boxes, competitors from the SAG-AFTRA merger have amended their suit against SAG to request for any jury trial and financial damages. Move comes per week following the four-count civil complaint was filed in La. Litigants allege the Screen Stars Guild and it is leaders are trying to merge using the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists "without performing the required research." SAG has labeled the suit "a obvious attempt for circumventing the desire from the membership" and "a pr stunt" and it has gone to live in write it off.Plaintiffs' attorney David Casselman of Wasserman, Comden, Casselman & Esensten told Variety that SAG is investing a lot more than $2.5 million around the merger. Ballots are now being mailed to 120,000 SAG people and 70,000 AFTRA people, offering the combo as giving entertainers more negotiating clout. To become approved, the merger must receive a minimum of 60% from the votes from each union.The suit is targeted at stopping SAG from counting the votes on March 30. The amended complaint alleges the litigants had asked for a delay in investing until SAG satisfied its very own fiduciary rules."The person accused deliberately and knowingly declined to follow the SAG constitutional needs, board resolutions as well as their fiduciary obligations towards the people," the complaint stated. "They ought to certainly be obligated to pay SAG for those funds consumed, whether by staff or otherwise, for time and money connected with this particular unnecessary and improper merger effort."The suit, filed by a lot more than 60 SAG people including Martin Sheen and Erectile dysfunction Harris, also suggests that SAG is breaking its very own rules by not performing an extensive analysis of mixing the SAG and AFTRA pension and health plans -- that are operated individually in the unions and overseen by union-industry boards. The unions' review of the feasibility study, that contains opinions of seven lawyers with experience of the area, noted that hundreds of multi-employer pensions have merged in the last twenty five years which there's no legal obstacle to merging the SAG and AFTRA pension and health plans.Monday's filings through the competitors incorporated a declaration by Alex H. Brucker, a lawyer with 30 years of expertise in worker pension and health plans, that blasted SAG for saying that merging the unions and also the plans would "only benefit" participants which "merger is the easiest method to safeguard our benefits.""These aren't supportable claims of fact," Brucker stated.Merger backers contend that mixing SAG and AFTRA can make it simpler to mix the plans like a foundation solving the issue that entertainers face for making contributions towards the separate plans after which not meeting the income qualifications. Brucker stated in the declaration the question of merging SAG and AFTRA is "indistinguishable" in the question of merging the plans and should not be looked at individually."I believe, according to my consideration of the problem, that the plan merger boosts complex issues, could create serious problems and conflicts and could cause lack of benefits for SAG and AFTRA people," Brucker stated. "The actual effect on plan benefits (or needed member and co-sponsor contributions) can't be correctly evaluated with no ERISA (Worker Retirement Earnings Security Act) Impact Report."SAG people switched lower merger plans in 1999 and 2003 while AFTRA people supported both combinations.Casselman also filed a declaration by Patrick Byrnes, leader of Actuarial Consultants, who stated that the present SAG type of pension is "relatively more potent and much more advantageous" to SAG people, compared to existing AFTRA plan. "In most cases, according to my experience, it's not easy to merge an agenda with greater benefits along with a plan with lower benefits and (without additional funding) create a joint plan supplying the same as the greater benefit formula for those participants," Byrnes stated. Younger crowd stated that with no study to find out the way the pension plans could be merged, there is no method to predict the actual outcome. "But, in my opinion, chances are the mixture of the present SAG and AFTRA plans will either require additional funding or SAG benefits would need to be reduced," Byrnes added.SAG didn't have comment Monday concerning the amended complaint. Each side requested U.S. District Court Judge James Otero for any hearing on March 26.The guild filed pleadings Monday to dismiss the suit a pleading fighting the competitors lack standing to file for as well as an anti-SLAPP (proper suit against public participation) motion. Additionally, it filed a declaration by SAG national professional director David Whitened, including his assertion the merger continues to be talked about on numerous websites, webpages on well-known social networking sites, blogs, along with other online communication automobiles dedicated to internal SAG issues a few of which are member driven, most of which are maintained through the Guild and AFTRA, some by professional-merger groups, some by anti-merger groups, plus some that take no official position."Thus, the people of SAG and AFTRA have countless shops to think about the sights and knowledge of others around the merger question, and contributetheir own towards the debate," he stated. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Fox Business' Lou Dobbs Blasts The Lorax for Pushing Left Wing Agenda and Creating 'Occu-Toddlers'

With Universal's colorful animated tale The Lorax, "the President's liberal buddies in Hollywood [are] focusing on a more youthful demographic using animated movies to market their agenda to children," stated an annoyed Lou Dobbs now on Fox Business Network. Animated movies! A liberal agenda! HOW DARE THEY. What's the reason for permitting this "insidious nonsense" in to the vulnerable minds in our nation's youth? Bad raising a child, obviously. As conservative radio host Matt Patrick bellowed in the commentator pit, "We're creating Occu-small children!" Within the classic Seuss story -- modified right into a 3-D animated adventure which hits screens in a few days -- an enchanting creature known as The Lorax tries to intervene being an industrialist, driven by avarice, ravages a whole ecosystem. This could appear to create The Lorax much more "harmful" than previous Fox News concentrate on the Muppets, which required since it's villain a significantly larger and clearly unlikeable capitalist The Lorax is made to show audiences just how much they potentially share using the unwitting forest-killer The Once-ler, and that's why it is so effective to start with. My personal favorite thing about this madness happens when Patrick advocates intentional littering in cinemas as a way of protest from the Obama-brought agenda espoused through the Lorax (and also the Studio Ghibli animated pic The Key Realm of Arriety, that could lead youngsters lower the slippery slope of discussing things). Tossing popcorn containers on the floor would fly when confronted with everything Dr. Seuss's anti-deforestation, professional-atmosphere tale means, however it would also cause you to look absurd before your personal children. I believe the Lorax's face above states everything. Cause the Occu-small children! The Lorax hits theaters on March 2. [Media Matters through the Film Stage]

Ratings: The The American Idol Show Show Falls, But Nevertheless Wins Survivor Hits Series Low

When does frozen mousse trump perfectly cooked halibut? When you're on top Chef! Despite her nearly inedible, ice-hard confection, Sarah - having a couple of major backing from Tom Colicchio - handled to obtain for the finale with Paul over her friend Lindsay Autry, whose error-free, although less creative, dish sent her packing. "In my opinion they were really nitpicking in those days plus it came lower to doing something harmful like what she did against me being great, while not harmful enough," Lindsay notifies TVGuide.com. "I realize I didn't make any mistakes, however guess they preferred to determine more." Was she surprised that her well-made dish lost to such shoddy execution? Uncover below. Discover More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Tom ColicchioTop ChefGail SimmonsPadma LakshmiBeverly KimEdward LeeGrayson SchmitzLindsay AutryNyesha ArringtonPaul QuiSarah Grueneberg

Golden Globes Trial: No Decision Likely Before Late March Or Early April

HFPA: Our Rights Are Increasingly Being Held Hostage Freelance journalist Dominic Patten is because the trial for Deadline. It seems like its apt to be a while before there's a choice inside the trial involving the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and Dick Clark Productions over TV rights for the Golden Globes. Inside an order launched late Friday mid-day, Judge A. Howard Matz has totally totally reset the start clock low of February 28. To ensure that like a resource near the situation told Deadline, This may take 30 or two several weeks, so anticipate visiting a choice by no earlier than late March or early April. 7 days after closing arguments ended, the judge inside the two-week extended non-jury situation launched single-page order asking the litigants as well as the accused for just about any modified Recommended Findings of Fact. The judge bought the parties to supplement their formerly lodged Recommended Findings of Fact by delivering specific, concrete support within the trial record. Following closing arguments on February 10, Matz told the lawyers as well as the court that it'll be considered a while before I am in a position to reverse with this. Still understandably on this kind of situation with hundreds of vast amounts at risk the judge, who may have asked for supplements to every side’ formerly published evidence and documents through the trial itself, was very specific in what he wanted for that foundation for his decision inside the situation. Complaintant shall provide this support for sentences 25 through 96 of the Recommended Findings of Fact. Accused shall provide this support for sentences 15 through 151 from the Recommended Findings of Fact. These compounded Recommended Findings of Fact and will also be lodged by no after Tuesday, February 28, 2012. On February 7, the ultimate day's testimony inside the situation, Matz had advised lawyers Daniel Petrocelli for your HFPA and Marty Katz for DCP to talk to your unique clients get to their senses are available with a settlement. The Judge informed by using no settlement, which never materialized, and the choice for one for yellows inside the other, appeals frequently check this out still inside the courts once the 2013 Golden Globes seems. Whichever way he goes, an origin mentioned, he will wish to be bulletproof.

Michael Bay to direct 'Transfomers 4'

Bay Paramount's signed director Michael Bay to a two-picture deal for "Pain and Gain" and "Tranformers 4."Studio, which announced the pact Monday night, said Bay will commence shooting this spring on "Pain and Gain," then follow with the next installment in the "Transformers" franchise, to be released in the summer of 2014.Based on a true story, "Pain and Gain" follows a group of bodybuilders who engaged in a campaign of kidnapping, extortion and murder in Florida. Mark Wahlberg, long attached to topline, will be joined by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.Producers include Bay, Donald De Line and Ian Bryce.Par gave no details as to the plot of "Transformers 4," based on the Hasbro toyline. The third installment, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon," took in $1.12 billion.Producers are Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Don Murphy, Tom DeSanto and Ian Bryce; and executive producers are Steven Spielberg, Bay, Brian Goldner and Mark Vahradian. Paramount Pictures will release the film on June 29th, 2014."Michael has been working on 'Paid and Gain' for a number of years but has patiently waited for the perfect casting to trigger a start," said Adam Goodman, President of Paramount's Film Group. "Clearly his patience has paid off as we couldn't be more excited about this combo." Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

'Trailer' trio reunites for vehicle comedy

TORONTO -- Stars from the Canuck cult comedy TV series "A Clip Park Boys" and it is two feature spin-offs are getting back for feature comedy "Race Dicks," it had been introduced Wednesday. "Trailer" trio Robb Wells, John Paul Tremblay and Mike Cruz co-authored "Dicks," and can co-star as buddies competing inside a world-famous Newfoundland vehicle race and fundraiser for any TV funnel known as SwearNet. "Dicks" is created by Gary Howsam and Bill Marks, who'll also direct the Rollercoaster Entertainment and Vortex Words Plus Pictures production. Principal photography begins this season in Toronto, Halifax and Newfoundland, with 2013 the conclusion-line target for release. A 2-month online sponsorship campaign for "Dicks" was released recently. Howsam and Marks have producer credits on Damian Lee-helmed "The Reality,Inch starring Andy Garcia and Forest Whitaker, that is in publish. The happy couple were also producers on George Hickenlooper's "Casino Jack," starring Kevin Spacey. Wells, Tremblay and Cruz were stars, co-authors and professional producers on "The Drunk as well as on Drugs Happy Fun Time Hour," a cameo-packed comedy six-parter that broadcast on Shaw Media's Action funnel last summer time. The trio lately broadened its "Drunk, High and Unemployed" live theater tour, which went this year and 2011, to incorporate Aussie and Kiwi dates this season. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Celebrate Neil Patrick Harris Appreciation Day With 'A Very Harold And Kumar' Exclusive!

Neil Patrick Harris, we salute you. Both the real you, and the filthy, seemingly immortal version of yourself you portray in the "Harold and Kumar" movies. Few other humans can take a shotgun blast to the back and live to tell the tale. I know of no other to get kicked out of Heaven for making the son of God look like a game-less nobody. Plain and simple, straight up: you are awesome, NPH. So today, we're proud to be a part of Neil Patrick Harris Appreciation Day, celebrating the Blu-ray and DVD release of "A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas." We even have an exclusive clip from the home video release for your viewing pleasure, but a warning: this is not safe for work by any means. Of course, the alternate universe NPH would have it no other way. Spread your Neil-worship on Twitter using the hash-tag #ILOVENPH today! "A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas" is available on Blu-ray and DVD today (February 7).