AMC Renews 'The Walking Dead' for 7th Season

A still from AMC's "The Walking Dead," with Andrew Lincoln in the foreground and Chandler Riggs (Photo by AMC Film Holdings LLC)

LOS ANGELES -  AMC has greenlit a seventh season to its hit zombie series “The Walking Dead” and a sixth season to the show's postmortem talk show, “Talking Dead.”

Based on Robert Kirkman’s Image Comics graphic novel of the same name, the show has been the network's proverbial 600-pound gorilla with a solid following that has steadily grown over the years. Sunday’s episode, which featured the demise of another series regular, was seen by 18.2 million viewers, with ab12 million adults 18-49 demographic and 11.5 million adults 25-54 in live+3 ratings, according to Nielsen.

Its spinoff series “Fear the Walking Dead,” followed in its footsteps when it set a cable record for the highest rated first season ever by scripted series.

 The show tells the story of Sheriff Deputy Rick Grimes, played by British actor Andrew Lincoln, who leads a group of survivors in a world overrun by zombies. It stars Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Chandler Riggs, Lauren Cohan, Steven Yeun, Danai Gurira, Sonequa Martin-Green, Michael Cudlitz, Josh McDermitt, Christian Serratos and Lennie James.

Celebrities Join Christy Buss to Celebrate Dance Studio's 20th Anniversary

Actor Galen Gering, of NBC's "Days of Our Lives" and his wife Jenna Gering, join actress/choreographer Christy Curtis Buss at the 20th anniversary celebration of her iconic dance studio The Studio Art of Dance (Event Photo)

LOS ANGELES - It was a celebratory evening for actors Galen Gering (“Days of Our Lives”), Jennifer Hamilton (“Little Miss Sunshine”) and Los Angeles Lakers play-by-play announcer Bill MacDonald and many others who joined choreographer/actress and entrepreneur Christy Curtis Buss at Staples Center recently. The event celebrated the 20th anniversary celebration of her famed dance studio, Studio Art of Dance.

Gering, who is otherwise known as Rafe Herendez on the "Days," was joined by his wife, actress Jenna Gering, champion figure skater Luis Hernandez, award-winning choreographers Chucky Kaplow (“High School Musical”) Marguerite Derricks (“Showgirls”) and many other VIPs at the event.

Although Buss's longtime friends, actress Alison Sweeney (“The Biggest Loser”), singer LeAnn Rimes and actress Christian Alfonso (“Falcon Crest”) were unable to attend, they sent their well wishes to the acclaimed choreographer/entrepreneur.

Buss, whose name is recognizable to Los Angeles Lakers fans, is the daughter in-law of late team owner Jerry Buss. She  also serves as choreographer for "Days of Our Lives," and is owner and instructor at her iconic dance studio which she marked the anniversary with a VIP gathering at Staples Center’s Chairman’s Room on Oct. 11. The event featured food, drinks, music and was capped with a game between the Lakers and Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Basketball Premier League as VIPs moved courtside to watch the Lakers win the game 126-83.

“It was amazing to celebrate the 20th year of the Studio Art of Dance and without the support of friends, family, colleagues and supporters, this celebration would not have been possible,” Christy Curtis Buss said. “It was 25 years ago that I decided to embark on a mission to create a facility that would allow me to share my passion for dance with children, their families and those who love dance.”

Having established the Studio Art of Dance two decades ago in Los Angeles, Buss has grown a small school into one of the largest private dance facilities in the country, with an enrollment of more than 400 students per year. The studio has helped teach students about dance, poise, perseverance, as well as about self esteem and confidence in one’s self.

Supergirl Debuts to Super Ratings on CBS

Melissa Benoist stars in "Supergirl" on CBS, which made its debut Monday to strong ratings, coming in tied for second with NBC's "The Voice" for the night (Photo by CBS).

LOS ANGELES - CBS's "Supergirl" debuted to super ratings Monday night with 12.9 million total viewers and a 3.2 demo rating with make Supergirl this fall’s number 1 series premiere.

Airing in the 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., it retained 70 percent of the young-adult audience for “The Big Bang Theory” in the 8 p.m. half-hour. The show, starring Melissa Benoist was tied with NBC’s “The Voice” as No. 2, just behind “Big Bang” among Monday’s entertainment series. But next week, it won't have "Big Bang" as a lead-in when it takes the 8 p.m. Monday slot opposite Monday powerhouse, "The Voice."

Supergirl tells the story of Superman's cousin, office assistant Kara Danvers, who must often battle her overbearing boss, Cat Grant, played by Calista Flockhart.

The show was developed by Ali Adler ("Chuck"), Greg Berlanti ("The Flash") and Andrew Kreisberg ("The Flash") for Berlanti Productions and CBS.

Ricky Gervais to Return as Host of the Golden Globes Awards

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – He's back! And none too soon! Returning to the same stage where he brought his acerbic sense of humor to Hollywood, Ricky Gervais has been named host of the “73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards,” set for Jan. 10, 2016 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
 
The three-hour ceremony serves as the official kick-off to awards season and will be aired live coast to coast from 8-11 p.m. ET on NBC.

“We’re excited to have Ricky Gervais back to host the most enjoyable awards show of the season in his own inimitable way,” said NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt. ”Disarming and surprising, Ricky is ready to honor — and send up — the best work of the year in film and television. Fasten your seats belts.” 

“Ricky Gervais left us with a lasting impression and we are thrilled to have him back in our show as we honor the best in film and television,” said Lorenzo Soria, President of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association®. “His off-the-cuff wit and quirky charm will surely have the room and audiences around the world at the edge of their seats.”

“What will he say? What will he do? We can’t wait to find out, and we are so happy that he’s back!,” said Barry Adelman, EVP, Television for dick clark productions and executive producer of the “73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards.”

Gervais hosted the Globes for three consecutive years (2010-12) when the network registered ratings gains from the previous two telecasts. Over that 2010-12 span, the Golden Globes averaged a 5.2 rating in the 18-49 demo and 17 million viewers overall, which was a 6% increase from the 2009 telecast in the demo and 14% or 2.1 million persons in total viewers (17.0 million vs. 14.9 million).

A winner of seven BAFTA Awards, three Golden Globes and two Emmys, Gervais remains one of the most talented and respected comedian-actors working today. He created and currently stars in the Netflix series “Derek,” for which he has been Emmy nominated for two consecutive years.

Gervais first introduced himself to global audiences with his 2001 British TV hit “The Office,” in which he starred as his tragic creation, David Brent. “The Office” would soon become a wildly successful global format, including an Emmy-winning nine-season run on NBC. Gervais is about to continue “The Office” saga by directing his fourth Hollywood movie, “David Brent: Life on the Road. “

Following “The Office,” Gervais starred and created a string of HBO projects: “Extras,” “Life’s Too Short” and “The Ricky Gervais Show,” which was based on his record-breaking podcast that has been downloaded more than 500 million times. He has also guest-starred on many popular TV series, including “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Louie,” “Sesame Street,” “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy.”

On the film side, Gervais has co-starred in several features, including the “Night at the Museum” franchise, “Muppets Most Wanted,” “Ghost Town” and “The Invention of Lying,” and is currently putting final touches to “Special Correspondents,” which he wrote and co-directed.

  As a stand-up comedian, Gervais has sold over 2 million tickets in arenas around the world. He is also the author of the popular children’s book series “Flanimals.”

  Nominations for the Golden Globes will be announced Thursday, Dec. 10. Winners in 25 categories — 14 in film and 11 in television — are voted on by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

'The Martian' Takes Top Slot in Weekend Box Office as 'Paranormal' & 'Kasbah' Tank

Universal's "Jem and the Holograms" opened with whimper this weekend, finishing in 13th place in the weekend box office race. Pictured are, from left, Aurora Perrineau, Hayley Kiyoko, Aubrey Peeples and Stefanie Scott (Photo by Universal Pictures).

LOS ANGELES - Fox's "The Martian" rebounded from second place last week to return to the weekend box office top spot it held its first two weeks as a slew of new releases like "Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension," "Rock the Kasbah" and "Jem and the Holograms" opened with a whimper.

The Martian blasted back to No. 1 with an estimated $15.90 million and $166.35 million over four weeks. Sony’s "Goosebumps" came in second with $15.50 million, or down 34 percent at 3,501 theaters and a two-week total of $43.71 million. Disney's cold war drama "Bridge of Spies" followed in third place with $11.36 million  for a two-week total of $32.58 million.

"The Last Witch Hunter" starring Vin Diesel from Lionsgate was fourth, earning $10.82 million on its opening weekend. "Hotel Transylvania 2" came in fifth with a solid $9.0 million for a five-week total of $148.29 million. "Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension" was sixth with the worst opening in the franchises's history with $8.20 million in limited release of 1,626 theaters, compared to the 3,082  screening "The Last Witch Hunter."

The Bill Murray starrer, Open Roads' "Rock the Kasbah" opened in 13th place with $1.51 million while Universal's "Jem and the Holograms" based upon the children's animated series took 15th place with $1.32 million.

The rest stacked up this way:

7. "Steve Jobs" (Universal) $7.27 million for a three-week total of $9.98 million

8. "Crimson Peak" (Universal) $5.56 million for a two-week total of $22.45 million

9. "The Intern" (Warner Bros.) $3.85 million for a five-week total of $64.70 million

10. "Sicario" (Lionsgate) $2.95 million for a six-week total of $39.38 million

Michael Moore's New Comedy Set for December Release

LOS ANGELES - Academy Award-winner Michael Moore’s new comedy "Where to Invade Next" is officially scheduled to be released in New York and Los Angeles on December 23‪, followed by a nationwide opening on January 15 according their new, clandestine and as-yet-unnamed distribution label.

"Where to Invade Next" premiered to raves and standing ovations at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival and New York Film Festival. It most recently won the prestigious audience award at the Hamptons International Film Festival. The film will next screen as the Chicago Film Festival Centerpiece selection tonight, the Philadelphia Film Festival Closing Night Film on October 30, and the AFI Fest Gala Premiere in Los Angeles on November 7.

"Where to Invade Next" is an expansive, rib-tickling, and subversive comedy in which Moore, playing the role of “invader,” visits a host of nations to learn how the U.S. could improve its own prospects. The creator of “Fahrenheit 9/11″ and “Bowling for Columbine” is back with this hilarious and eye-opening call to arms. Turns out the solutions to America’s most entrenched problems already existed in the world – they’re just waiting to be co-opted. “'Where to Invade Next' is Michael Moore’s most dangerous and subversive film yet. It’s the perfect crowd pleaser for what’s shaping up to be a historic and exciting holiday season at the movies,” said the team of Quinn, Janego and League.

For more information: http://wheretoinvadenext.com/.

New 'Peanuts Movie' Website to turn Fans into Peanuts Characters

Charlie Brown and Snoopy are back on Nov. 6 when 20th Century Fox's "The Peanuts Movie" releases nationwide (Photo by 20th Century Fox Film Corp.).

LOS ANGELES - A new website from the creators 20th Century Fox's upcoming "The Peanuts Movie" (in theaters Nov. 6) allows fans to turn themselves into Charles M. Schulz iconic characters and share the results on Facebook and Twitter.

"Charles Schulz always said there's a little bit of him in all the characters he created," says Peanuts Movie director Steve Martino. "Now we've built this website in a way that everyone can have the experience of finding themselves as a Peanuts character. This is so much fun."

Fans who visit peanutizeme.com can chose a Peanut-inspired avatar and specify their own hairstyle, skin color, eyes, nose, mouth, outfits and accessories. They can also select which Peanuts setting they want to be placed in, whether at school, the ball diamond or even at the iconic frozen pond for ice skating.