NEW 'IRON MAN' TRAILER

Gotta say, every time I see something new for the forthcoming "Iron Man" film, it just gets better and better. While I've been underwhelmed by Marvel's comic book films of late, this flick, starring Robert Downey, Jr. as billionaire industrialist Tony Stark seems to hit it out of the park. Downey was BORN to play the snarky drunk who becomes a superhero.

Here's the new trailer:

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RICIN FOUND IN VEGAS HOTEL

Okay, so small traces of the deadly poison Ricin was recently found in a Sin City hotel but authorities claim it wasn't terrorist-related. Ha!! Here's the scenario: A terrorist cell holes away at some obscure Vegas hotel - not a dump, but not a strip resort either. In this case, the Extended Stay America. The group takes in the town, visits strip clubs and enjoy all the fruits of our freedom and democracy all the while mocking us. They videotape certain patterns, learn how things operate and the when the least expects it, hits hard with something unbelievable like a Ricin attack somewhere contained and confined perhaps on something like the Las Vegas monorail. It would kill the gaming and tourism industry single-handedly and bring the town back to its shit-kicking, tumbleweed roots. not terrorism-related... HA!

Here's the story via Reuters:

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Ricin, a deadly poison, was discovered in a hotel room in Las Vegas but is not thought to be terrorism related, police and FBI officials said on Friday.

A Las Vegas police spokeswoman said officers were called to an Extended Stay America Hotel on Thursday after a suspicious substance was reported in one of the rooms.

Preliminary tests indicated the substance was ricin, which can be deadly even in small quantities. Results from further tests were expected later on Friday.

Homeland Security and the FBI are investigating along with the Las Vegas police. "This event does not appear to be terrorism related," FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said in a statement.

Three police officers, three hotel employees and another person were taken to the hospital for testing and observation on Thursday but were released on Friday in good health, police said.

Ricin is made from castor beans and in proper doses can be used for cancer treatments. It attacks cells, preventing them from making necessary proteins, and an amount the size of a grain of salt can be deadly.

To read the rest of the story, click HERE.

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DRUDGE: THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL JOURNALIST

Wonder what Papa H would've thought of this interesting little article which came from The Telegraph in London. Whether you love him or hate him, Matt Drudge is the preeminent force of online news, reporting and posting and quite frankly, a trailblazer.

Matt Drudge: world's most powerful journalist

By Toby Harnden in Washington

Ten years ago, he was a reclusive, pasty-faced 31-year-old who, bashing away on his laptop in his grungy Hollywood apartment, shot to prominence when he threatened to bring down Bill Clinton's presidency by breaking news of the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

Now, Matt Drudge owns a luxurious Mediterranean-style stucco house on Rivo Alto Island in Florida's Biscayne Bay, a condominium at the Four Seasons in Miami and is said to drive a black Mustang. He remains an elusive, mysterious figure but the internet pioneer is arguably the single most powerful journalist – though his detractors even deny that is his occupation - in the world.

Drudge is still an outsider, contemptuous of the cosy relationships and closed-door deals that keep the ordinary person from being privy to the secrets of the Establishment. He is the reason why people across the globe are now reading about Prince Harry serving in Afghanistan after he shattered a blackout agreed between Fleet Street and Buckingham Palace.

This week, he posted a photograph of Barack Obama dressed in the tribal garb of a Somali elder during a 2006 trip to Africa, claiming it had been emailed by a member of Hillary Clinton's campaign. It appeared to be a brazen attempt to fuel rumours that her rival was a dangerous Muslim.

Within minutes, the photograph was the talk of Washington news rooms and New York television studios. BlackBerry messages flew back and forth between reporters and political operatives. The story spread across the worldwide web as bloggers weighed in on a juicy item that was suddenly topping the news agenda.

To read the rest of the story, click HERE.

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SEXMAN REVIEWS 'JUMPER'

This kid - codenamed "sexman" - has been making the rounds online lately as a movie critic. Odd as it is, I can't look away. Last time, he reviewed "Rambo." This time out, he gives us his take on the new sci-fi Doug Liman-directed "Jumper." He's hilarious without trying to be.

Enjoy ...

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JIMMY KIMMEL F*CKING BEN AFFLECK

Even though this will be all over the place by dinner, it's just too too funny not to post. Enjoy!

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OOPS ... I DID IT AGAIN (OSCAR PICKS & WINNERS)

... as in I won my Oscar pool at work. I figure if this newspaper thing doesn't work out, I can go to Vegas and become a handicapper.

In any case, I'll repost my predictions and bold the winner which are usually one in the same.

ACTOR -- LEADING

2 -George Clooney - MICHAEL CLAYTON

1 -Daniel Day-Lewis - THERE WILL BE BLOOD

4 - Johnny Depp - SWEENEY TODD THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

3 -Tommy Lee Jones - IN THE VALLEYOF ELAH

5 Viggo Mortensen - EASTERN PROMISES

ACTOR -- SUPPORTING

2 Casey Affleck - THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD

1 Javier Bardem - NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

5 Philip Seymour Hoffman -CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR

3 Hal Holbrook - INTO THE WILD

4 Tom Wilkinson - MICHAEL CLAYTON

ACTRESS -- LEADING

5 Cate Blanchett - ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE

1 Julie Christie - AWAY FROM HER

2 Marion Cotillard - LA VIE EN ROSE

4 Laura Linney - THE SAVAGES

3 Ellen Page - JUNO

* I picked Julie Christie. Cotillard was my second choice, which helped me in the end.

ACTRESS -- SUPPORTING

2 Cate Blanchett - I’M NOT THERE

3 Ruby Dee - AMERICAN GANGSTER

5 Saoirse Ronan - ATONEMENT

4 Amy Ryan - GONE BABY GONE

1 Tilda Swinton - MICHAEL CLAYTON

I went out on a limb. I figured the Academy votes would be split by the Sag-winner Dee, the Golden Globe-winning Blanchett and the buzzworthy Amy Ryan, that something had to go to "Michael Clayton" as a consolation.

ANIMATED FEATURE

2 PERSEPOLIS

1 RATATOUILLE

3 SURF’S UP


CINEMATOGRAPHY

4 THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD ATONEMENT

2 THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

3 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

1 THERE WILL BE BLOOD


COSTUME DESIGN

5 ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

2 ATONEMENT

4 ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE

3 LA VIE EN ROSE

1 SWEENEY TODD THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

Yeah, this one almost screwed me up...

DIRECTING

2 THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

5 JUNO

4 MICHAEL CLAYTON

1 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

3 THERE WILL BE BLOOD

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

1 NO END IN SIGHT

4 OPERATION HOMECOMING: WRITING THE WARTIME EXPERIENCE

2 SICKO

3 TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE

5 WAR/DANCE

I thought "No End in Sight" was a shoe-in. I'm still scratching my head.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

2 BEAUFORT

1 THE COUNTERFEITERS

4 KATYŃ

3 MONGOL

5 12


ORIGINAL SCORE

1 ATONEMENT

5 THE KITE RUNNER

3 MICHAEL CLAYTON

2 RATATOUILLE

4 3:10 TO YUMA

ORIGINAL SONG

1 "Falling Slowly" - ONCE

3 "Happy Working Song" - ENCHANTED

4 "Raise It Up" - AUGUST RUSH

2 "So Close" - ENCHANTED

5 "That’s How You Know" - ENCHANTED

DOCUMENTARY SHORT

1 FREEHELD

4 LA CORONA (THE CROWN)

2 SALIM BABA

3 SARI’S MOTHER


ART DIRECTION

5 AMERICAN GANGSTER

2 ATONEMENT

4 THE GOLDEN COMPASS

3 SWEENEY TODD THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

1 THERE WILL BE BLOOD

Man, I flubbed that one...

MAKEUP

1 LA VIE EN ROSE

2 NORBIT

3 PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN:AT WORLD’S END


FILM EDITING

1 THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM

5 THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

4 INTO THE WILD

2 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

3 THERE WILL BE BLOOD


VISUAL EFFECTS

3 THE GOLDEN COMPASS

2 PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END

1 TRANSFORMERS

Coulda sworn Optimus Prime would take the price ...


SOUND EDITING

1 THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM

3 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

5 RATATOUILLE

4 THERE WILL BE BLOOD

2 TRANSFORMERS


SCREENPLAY -- ADAPTED

4 ATONEMENT

5 AWAY FROM HER

3 THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

1 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

2 THERE WILL BE BLOOD


SCREENPLAY -- ORIGINAL

1 JUNO

3 LARS AND THE REAL GIRL

2 MICHAEL CLAYTON

5 RATATOUILLE

4 THE SAVAGES

SOUND MIXING

2 THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM

4 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

5 RATATOUILLE

3 3:10 TO YUMA

1 TRANSFORMERS

Shoulda went with my gut and went with Jason Bourne.


SHORT FILM -- LIVE ACTION

3 AT NIGHT

4 IL SUPPLENTE (THE SUBSTITUTE)

1 LE MOZART DES PICKPOCKETS (THE MOZART OF PICKPOCKETS)

2 TANGHI ARGENTINI

5 THE TONTO WOMAN

SHORT FILM -- ANIMATED

3 I MET THE WALRUS

5 MADAME TUTLI-PUTLI

2 MÊME LES PIGEONS VONT AU PARADIS (EVEN PIGEONS GO TO HEAVEN)

4 MY LOVE (MOYA LYUBOV)

1 PETER & THE WOLF


BEST PICTURE

5 ATONEMENT

2 JUNO

3 MICHAEL CLAYTON

1 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

4 THERE WILL BE BLOOD

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REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER 'NEW RULES' 2/22

That WGA strike has done the "Real Time with Bill Maher" writers some good. Never underestimate the value of REST. They've been on their game ever since they got back a couple of weeks ago. Check out last night's hilarious "New Rules" segment of the show.

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HEMINGWAY'S LOUNGE OSCAR PREDICTIONS

I'm not gonna toot my own horn here -- screw it -- OK, I will, but I once swept EVERY category in my office Oscar pool. Every silly category. I couldn't believe it. I've also been a pretty good Oscar handicapper. I guess I'll always have a job in vegas if I want one, right?

This year, I'm very under the weather and battling a cold so I may not be on my game but here are my 2008 Oscar Predictions in the order and preference as to who I think may win.

A month or so back, I think I did pretty well predicting the categories so if you have an office pool, check out my pics.

ACTOR -- LEADING

2 -George Clooney - MICHAEL CLAYTON

1 -Daniel Day-Lewis - THERE WILL BE BLOOD

4 - Johnny Depp - SWEENEY TODD THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

3 -Tommy Lee Jones - IN THE VALLEYOF ELAH

5 Viggo Mortensen - EASTERN PROMISES


ACTOR -- SUPPORTING

2 Casey Affleck - THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD

1 Javier Bardem - NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

5 Philip Seymour Hoffman -CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR

3 Hal Holbrook - INTO THE WILD

4 Tom Wilkinson - MICHAEL CLAYTON


ACTRESS -- LEADING

5 Cate Blanchett - ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE

1 Julie Christie - AWAY FROM HER

2 Marion Cotillard - LA VIE EN ROSE

4 Laura Linney - THE SAVAGES

3 Ellen Page - JUNO


ACTRESS -- SUPPORTING

2 Cate Blanchett - I’M NOT THERE

3 Ruby Dee - AMERICAN GANGSTER

5 Saoirse Ronan - ATONEMENT

4 Amy Ryan - GONE BABY GONE

1 Tilda Swinton - MICHAEL CLAYTON

ANIMATED FEATURE

2 PERSEPOLIS

1 RATATOUILLE

3 SURF’S UP

CINEMATOGRAPHY

4 THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD ATONEMENT

2 THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

3 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

1 THERE WILL BE BLOOD


COSTUME DESIGN

5 ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

2 ATONEMENT

4 ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE

3 LA VIE EN ROSE

1 SWEENEY TODD THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET


DIRECTING

2 THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

5 JUNO

4 MICHAEL CLAYTON

1 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

3 THERE WILL BE BLOOD


DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

1 NO END IN SIGHT

4 OPERATION HOMECOMING: WRITING THE WARTIME EXPERIENCE

2 SICKO

3 TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE

5 WAR/DANCE


FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

2 BEAUFORT

1 THE COUNTERFEITERS

4 KATYŃ

3 MONGOL

5 12


ORIGINAL SCORE

1 ATONEMENT

5 THE KITE RUNNER

3 MICHAEL CLAYTON

2 RATATOUILLE

4 3:10 TO YUMA


ORIGINAL SONG

1 "Falling Slowly" - ONCE

3 "Happy Working Song" - ENCHANTED

4 "Raise It Up" - AUGUST RUSH

2 "So Close" - ENCHANTED

5 "That’s How You Know" - ENCHANTED


DOCUMENTARY SHORT

1 FREEHELD

4 LA CORONA (THE CROWN)

2 SALIM BABA

3 SARI’S MOTHER


ART DIRECTION

5 AMERICAN GANGSTER

2 ATONEMENT

4 THE GOLDEN COMPASS

3 SWEENEY TODD THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

1 THERE WILL BE BLOOD


MAKEUP

1 LA VIE EN ROSE

2 NORBIT

3 PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN:AT WORLD’S END


FILM EDITING

1 THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM

5 THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

4 INTO THE WILD

2 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

3 THERE WILL BE BLOOD


VISUAL EFFECTS

3 THE GOLDEN COMPASS

2 PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END

1 TRANSFORMERS


SOUND EDITING

1 THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM

3 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

5 RATATOUILLE

4 THERE WILL BE BLOOD

2 TRANSFORMERS


SCREENPLAY -- ADAPTED

4 ATONEMENT

5 AWAY FROM HER

3 THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY

1 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

2 THERE WILL BE BLOOD


SCREENPLAY -- ORIGINAL

1 JUNO

3 LARS AND THE REAL GIRL

2 MICHAEL CLAYTON

5 RATATOUILLE

4 THE SAVAGES


SOUND MIXING

2 THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM

4 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

5 RATATOUILLE

3 3:10 TO YUMA

1 TRANSFORMERS


SHORT FILM -- LIVE ACTION

3 AT NIGHT

4 IL SUPPLENTE (THE SUBSTITUTE)

1 LE MOZART DES PICKPOCKETS (THE MOZART OF PICKPOCKETS)

2 TANGHI ARGENTINI

5 THE TONTO WOMAN


SHORT FILM -- ANIMATED

3 I MET THE WALRUS

5 MADAME TUTLI-PUTLI

2 MÊME LES PIGEONS VONT AU PARADIS (EVEN PIGEONS GO TO HEAVEN)

4 MY LOVE (MOYA LYUBOV)

1 PETER & THE WOLF


BEST PICTURE

5 ATONEMENT

2 JUNO

3 MICHAEL CLAYTON

1 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

4 THERE WILL BE BLOOD

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VEGAS WEDDINGS - TONIGHT ON 'NIGHTLINE'

The Marriage Pit: In Las Vegas — the wedding capitol of the world — the business of "I do" is quite the moneymaker. Second only to gambling, tying the knot rakes in an estimated $900 million per year for Sin City. With so much at stake, and so many competing chapels, the business of luring in love birds can be cutthroat. Outside the county courthouse, handbillers representing different chapels, wait in the so called "marriage pit," bombarding newlyweds, handing out flyers, and making a pitch for couples to get married at their chapel. It can all be a lot to handle as Chris Bury reports tonight on "Nightline."

Check it out and then check out my own experience getting hitched in Sin City back on 777.

Also check out this expose the LA TIMES ran a short while back.

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HI DEF DVD WAR OVER

Wal-Mart sells the most DVDs in the country and this past week decided to go with the Blu-ray hi-def format, dumping HD DVD altogether. The nail is pretty much in the HD DVD coffin at this point.

By Franklin Paul, Reuters

NEW YORK - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has decided to exclusively sell high-definition DVDs in the Blu-ray format, dealing what could be a crippling blow to the rival HD DVD technology backed by Toshiba Corp.

The move by the world's largest retailer, announced on Friday, caps a disappointing week for HD DVD supporters, who also saw consumer electronics chain Best Buy and online video rental company Netflix defect to the Blu-ray camp.

In a statement on its Web site, Wal-Mart said that over the next few months it will phase out sales of HD DVD systems and discs. By June, it will sell only products in the Blu-ray format which was developed by Sony Corp.

To read the rest of the story, click HERE.

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THE RETURN OF NEW RULES!!

The WGA strike is over and Bill Maher's writers came up with a hilarious "New Rules" segment last night on his HBO gabfest "Real Time with Bill Maher." Check it out ...

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JANE FONDA DROPS THE C WORD

Damn. First Diane Keaton a few weeks back on GMA droppin' the F-Bomb and now this. Don't these old broads (spunky as they may be) have an internal TV filter?

Just saying ...

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LA TIMES GETS ONLINE ED AS CHIEF

Hmmm ... Is this a sign of things to come?

L.A. Times Editor Post Goes to Web Site Chief

By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, February 15, 2008

The Los Angeles Times named its fourth editor in three years yesterday, asking Russ Stanton, who holds the title of innovation editor, to lead a staff rocked by budget cutbacks and management shake-ups.

The appointment of Stanton, who beat out another in-house candidate, comes less than a month after the paper dismissed Jim O'Shea from the post in a battle over budget reductions. O'Shea replaced Dean Baquet, who was fired during a similar fight 16 months ago.

Stanton, 49, will have to make do with less. Sam Zell, the Chicago real estate mogul who recently took control of the parent Tribune Co., announced Wednesday that he would cut 400 to 500 jobs throughout the media company. Times Publisher David Hiller said that would mean eliminating 100 to 150 jobs at his paper -- by layoffs if necessary -- including 40 to 50 in the newsroom.

To read the rest of the story, click HERE.

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DIRE 'TIMES' INDEED ...

Another hit for print journalism ...

The Times to Cut 100 News Jobs
By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA

After years of resisting the newsroom cuts that have hit most of the industry, The New York Times will bow to growing financial strain and eliminate about 100 newsroom jobs this year, the executive editor said Thursday.

The cuts will be achieved “by not filling jobs that go vacant, by offering buyouts, and if necessary by layoffs,” the executive editor, Bill Keller, said. The more people who accept buyouts, he said, “the smaller the prospect of layoffs, but we should brace ourselves for the likelihood that there will be some layoffs.”

He said, “We intend to move quickly, to get any cuts past us so that we do not spend a year bleeding slowly.”

The Times has 1,332 newsroom employees, the largest number in its history; no other American newspaper has more than about 900. There were scattered buyouts and job eliminations in the newsroom in recent years, but the overall number continued to rise, largely from the growth of its Internet operations.

To read the rest of the story, click HERE

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SNEAK PEAK:" BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHT" ANIME

Being that later this year, we'll be getting "The Dark Knight," the sequel to "Batman Begins," Warner Bros plans for a anime-style six-part anthology that bridges the gaps between the two films. "Batman: Gotham Knight" is an "Animatrix"-style toon directed by Bruce W. Timm, co-creator and producer of the stupendous "Batman: The Animated Series."

The film’s six segments are written by comic heavyweights Josh Olson, David Goyer, Brian Azzarello, Greg Rucka, Jordan Goldberg, and Alan Burnett. Each segment has its own writing and artistic style.

Check out this 9-minute sneak peak.

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NEW INDY TRAILER!

Dunt da dunt da -- dunt da da ...

Thanks to our friends at Good Morning America, here's a sneak peak at the trailer for "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

Really, though, is there anything more Hemingwayesque than 'ol Indy?

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WHICH SHOWS WILL BE BACK?

Thanks to our buddies at Slashfilm, here's the scoop on whioch shows will be back on the boob tube and when ...

FOX

* House - Done until next fall
* Prison Break - 1 more episode then done until the fall
* 24 - Done until January 2009
* Bones - Returns April 28th with 4 new unaired episodes then done until the fall
* Til Death - Should return this season with a handful of new episodes.
* Back to You - Should return this season with a handful of new episodes.
* KVille Done.
* Sarah Connor Chronicles - 4 unaired episodes. Highly unlikely to be picked up.

ABC

* Lost - 8 episodes complete, 2 aired. 5 more to be produced for a total of 13 this season.
* Grey’s Anatomy - Attempting to return with 4 to 7 episodes. Some for this season and some for the fall.
* Desperate Housewives - Attempting to return with 6 new episodes.
* Boston Legal - Could go back into production but unknown at this time.
* Ugly Betty - 4-6 more episodes this season.
* Samantha Who? - 3 unaired, 3-4 more this season.
* Brothers and Sisters - 4 more episodes this season.
* Private Practice - Done until the fall.
* Pushing Daises - Done until the fall.
* Dirty Sexy Money - Done until the fall.
* Women’s Murder Club - Status unknown.
* Cashmere Mafia - Several unaired episodes. Status unknown.
* Big Shots - Status unknown.
* Notes From the Underbelly - Status unknown.
* Carpoolers - Dead.
* Cavemen - Dead.

NBC

* Office 6 to 10 new episodes this season.
* 30 Rock 5 to 9 new episodes this season.
* Law & Order New episodes expected. Number unknown.
* Law & Order: SVU New episodes expected. Number unknown.
* Heroes Done until the fall.
* My Name is Earl Attempting to return with 9 new episodes this season.
* Medium New episodes expected. Number unknown.
* ER New episodes expected. Number unknown.
* Chuck Done until the fall.
* Friday Night Lights Unfortunately, this show is probably dead.
* Bionic Woman VERY DEAD!
* Life Back in Fall.
* Las Vegas Unknown.
* Scrubs Remaining 6 episodes will be filmed. No word on where they will air. Could go straight to DVD.
* Lipstick Jungle Several unaired episodes. No word on being picked up.
* Journeyman Dead.

CBS

* CSI 6 more episodes this season?
* CSI: Miami 6 more episodes this season?
* CSI: NY 6 more episodes this season?
* Two and a Half Men Unknown.
* Big Bang Theory 8 or 9 more episodes this season.
* How I Met Your Mother 8 more episodes this season.
* NCIS 6 more episodes this season.
* Without A Trace New episodes expected. Number unknown.
* Criminal Minds New episodes expected. Number unknown.
* Cold Case New episodes expected. Number unknown.
* Ghost Whisperer New episodes expected. Number unknown.
* Numb3rs New episodes expected. Number unknown.
* Moonlight Unknown.
* Cane Dead.
* New Adventures of Old Christine New episodes expected. Number unknown.
* Welcome to the Captain Unknown.
* The Unit Unknown.
* Shark Unknown.
* Rules of Engagement Unknown.
* Jericho 6 unaired episodes. Would likely take an act of God to bring it back again.

CW

* Gossip Girl 4 more episodes this season.
* Smallville 5 more episodes this season.
* Supernatural 4 more episodes this season.
* The Game New episodes expected. Number unknown.
* Reaper 5 new episodes this season.
* One Tree Hill 5 or 6 unaired, 5 or six new episodes this season.
* Aliens in America Several unaired episodes. No news on more for this season.
* Everybody Hates Chris Several unaired episodes. No news on more for this season.
* Girlfriends Done until next fall.

HBO

* Entourage Back late 2008/Early 2009
* Big Love Back late 2008/Early 2009
* Flight of the Conchords Back late 2008/Early 2009
* Tell Me You Love Me Back late 2008/Early 2009

Showtime

* Weeds In production now. Scheduled for July premiere.
* Californication No return date as of yet.
* Dexter No return date as of yet.
* Brotherhood No return date as of yet.

FX

* Dirt 7 Episode season begins in March.
* The Riches Season beings in March.
* The Shield All 13 episodes complete. Will air sometime after the summer.
* Damages Back in late 2008/early 2009.
* Rescue Me Back in late 2008/early 2009.
* Nip/Tuck Handful of unaired episodes. Then back in late 2008/early 2009.

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WGA STRIKE OFFICIALLY OVER

Lights, camera, action - but first, here come the writers. Members of the Writers Guild of America were planning a return to work today after voting to end their strike on its 100th day, thus allowing Hollywood to jump-start stalled production of numerous TV sitcoms and dramas.

"It will be all hands on deck for the writing staff," said Chris Mundy, co-executive producer of the CBS drama "Criminal Minds." Actual production won't begin, however, until scripts have been completed, which could take days or even weeks.

Here's the official WGA announcement to striking writers:

On Tuesday, members of the Writers Guilds East and West voted by a 92.5% margin to lift the restraining order that was invoked on November 5th. The strike is over.

Writing can resume immediately. If you were employed when the strike began, you should plan to report to work on Wednesday. If you're not employed at an office or other work site, call or e-mail your employer that you are resuming work. If you have been told not to report to work or resume your services, we recommend that you still notify your employer in writing of your availability to do so. Questions concerning return-to-work issues should be directed to the WGAW legal department or the WGAE’s assistant executive director.

The decision to begin this strike was not taken lightly and was only made after no other reasonable alternative was possible. We are profoundly aware of the economic loss these fourteen weeks have created not only for our members but so many other colleagues who work in the television and motion picture industries. Nonetheless, with the establishment of the WGA jurisdiction over new media and residual formulas based on distributor’s gross revenue (among other gains) we are confident that the results are a significant achievement not only for ourselves but the entire creative community, now and in the future.

We hope to build upon the extraordinary energy, ingenuity, and solidarity that were generated by your hard work during the strike.

Over the next weeks and months, we will be in touch with you to discuss and develop ways we can use our unprecedented unity to make our two guilds stronger and more effective than ever.

Now that the strike has ended, there remains the vote to ratify the new contract. Ballots and information on the new deal, both pro and con, will be mailed to you shortly. You will be able to return those ballots via mail or at a membership meeting to be held Monday, February 25th, 2008, at times and locations to be determined.

Thank you for making it possible. As ever, we are all in this together.

Best,

Patric M. Verrone
President, WGAW

Michael Winship
President, WGAE

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SINATRA AT THE GRAMMY'S

While the latter part of Sunday night into Monday was a whirlwind life-changing day/night, I have to quickly post this personal highlight of Sunday's Grammy's. Its opening paired songstress Alicia Keys with the one and only Chairman of the Board 9ala Nat King Cole and daughter Natalie).

It was the perfect opening and Keys proved herself not a bad jazz singer. And as for Frank... Well, just watch. His late '50s, early '60s rendition of "Learnin' the Blues" is right on the money.

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ALMOST THERE ...

Via the Associated Press:

LOS ANGELES - Hollywood writers got their first look Saturday at details of a tentative agreement with studios that could put the strike-crippled entertainment industry back to work, an offer the union's East Coast president said he was endorsing.

A summary of the proposed deal crafted this week was posted on the Writers Guild of America's Web site hours before members attended meetings in New York and Los Angeles.

Compensation for projects delivered via digital media was the central issue in the 3-month-old walkout, which idled thousands of workers, disrupted the TV season and moviemaking and took the shine off Hollywood's awards season.

To read the rest, click HERE.

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