All Interesting and Funny

FOX

THR analyzes which series are likely to return in the fall, the new pilots generating heat and what the ad buyers are whispering.

As the upfronts loom ever closer (starting Monday in New York) and the broadcast networks salivate in anticipation of an improved ad market, THR is running a network-by-network breakdown — updating the news as it breaks. As always, nothing is set until the networks unveil their schedules and really, not even then. We begin with a network with relatively few holes to fill.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Fox entertainment chief Kevin Reilly has some big shows to launch: the pricey time-travel epic Terra Nova and Simon Cowell’s return to U.S. TV with The X Factor. Expect Cowell to engage in a major charm offensive, with Paula Abdul by his side, and to pretend he’s not obsessed with the ratings of American Idol and/or The Voice. With few hours open on the fall schedule (the News Corp. net doesn’t program at 10 p.m.), Reilly likely will tout the success of the rebooted Idol and stress the network’s No. 1 status among advertiser-beloved younger viewers. Expect Fox to trot out stars including Cowell, So You Think You Can Dance’s Cat Deeley and some Idol names.

WHERE THEY STAND
Although Fox continues to print money with its animated offerings on Sundays, the net is still looking to build its live-action comedy lineup (Raising Hope and Breaking In have fans, and the network believes they can build an audience if given time). The season’s new drama offerings proved disappointing, with critically acclaimed Lone Star yanked after two low-rated episodes and midseason entry The Chicago Code just muddling along. Fringe, Bones and recently renewed House will be back, but the fates of Code, Human Target and Lie to Me are in question. Luckily, Idol, Glee and Seth MacFarlane keep Fox young; it’s down 5 percent in the coveted demo, but the other nets have fallen more.

WHAT THEY NEED
“I think they would be a lot happier right now if a couple of those shows from last year had developed a little better,” says Todd Gordon, an ad buyer at Initiative. Still, if the costly Terra Nova works, Fox execs will have bet huge and won. And if X Factor retains a good chunk of the Idol audience, all the better.

LIKELY ON THE SCHEDULE
The net is short on scripted openings, but Reilly is expected to pick up Ethan Hawke’s Exit Strategy, and a source says Kiefer Sutherland’s midseason entry Touch is already hiring writers. Weekends at Bellevue could get a pickup as a House complement — and potential successor. On the comedy side, Liz Meriwether’s New Girl with Zooey Deschanel is considered a sure thing, with I Hate My Teenage Daughter still in play. The animated series Allen Gregory and Napoleon Dynamite are likely to roll out in the fall and winter, respectively.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-what-expect-at-upfront-187192

.NBC: What to Expect at the Upfront,

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NBC

THR analyzes which series are likely to return in the fall, the new pilots generating heat, and what the ad buyers are whispering.

As the upfronts loom ever closer (starting Monday in New York) and the broadcast networks salivate in anticipation of an improved ad market, THR is running a network-by-network breakdown--updating the news as it breaks. As always, nothing is set until the networks unveil their schedules and really, not even then.

ABC: What to Expect at the Upfront

NBC
May 16
11 A.M.
Hilton NEW YORK

WHAT TO EXPECT
The upfront will mark NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt’s debut as the face of the troubled network. Look for him to acknowledge the Peacock’s ratings struggles (might we suggest a Paul Reiser Show joke?) and push a “rebuilding” theme while stars including Community’s Joel McHale and Parks and Recreation’s Amy Poehler provide comic relief.

WHERE THEY STAND
NBC can be forgiven for singing the praises of The Voice — without the red-hot competition series, Greenblatt wouldn’t have much to tout as he takes the Hilton stage to kick off the week. Despite high-profile attempts from Jerry Bruckheimer (Chase) and J.J. Abrams (Undercovers) to reboot a network that has spent half a decade in the ratings basement, NBC is poised to finish another season in fourth place. Similarly troubling, comedy staples 30 Rock and The Office are aging, and the latter lost its star (Steve Carell). (Both shows, along with Parks and Recreation and Community, already have been renewed.) Also not getting any younger are the Biggest Loser, Apprentice and Law & Order franchises. (L&O: Los Angeles is probably doomed.) Without the Olympics to lift its ratings, NBC is down 15 percent in the 18 to 49 demo this season.

WHAT THEY NEED
Greenblatt gets a free pass this year: If there’s a big hit among his offerings, he’ll get credit; if nothing works, he can blame the previous regime. He’s been pushing the rebuilding theme in his meetings with Madison Avenue, and buyers seem to have confidence in him. Ted Harbert, former Comcast Entertainment Group head and current chairman of NBC Broadcasting, also has cultivated deep relationships in the ad community. Still, the duo has little to push outside of The Voice. “It only takes one hit sometimes to get a network back on track,” notes an ad buyer. But while most of the broadcasters can claim success in unscripted fare, the priority is the higher ad rates that scripted shows deliver. And fortunately for the bean counters at NBC, the latter is Greenblatt’s forte (he’s said to be leaving unscripted to reality chief Paul Telegdy).

LIKELY ON THE SCHEDULE
Working in NBC’s favor is a new boss who is alluring to talent and producers, which hasn’t been the case since Kevin Reilly left four years ago. Greenblatt is expected to add to the schedule the Steven Spielberg-produced musical Smash, which he developed while at Showtime, as well as Maria Bello’s Prime Suspect reboot, the Inception-style thriller Awake (formerly REM) and the internationally financed TV adaptation of John Grisham’s The Firm. Safe bets on the comedy side are the Whitney Cummings project, Chelsea Handler’s Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea and Emily Spivey’s Alpha Mom, starring Will Arnett and Christina Applegate. Meanwhile, Bent and the dramas Reconstruction, The Playboy Club and Stephen Gaghan’s Metro (formerly S.I.L.A.) — which a source described as potentially “too smart” — are all still in play. Parenthood and Harry’s Law will likely stay while The Event and Outsourced fall off. But the biggest question mark is the NFL lockout, which could strip the net of its Sunday Night Football juggernaut as well as its Super Bowl boost.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbc-what-expect-at-upfront-187195

Broadway Musical 'Wonderland' Closing After a Month,

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The show, an update of Lewis Carroll's classic fairy tale that was panned by critics, shuts down Sunday.

Wonderland, a new Broadway musical based on Lewis Carroll's classic fairy tale, is shutting down production less than a month after its opening.

Its reps told the New York Times on Tuesday night that the show will close Sunday after 31 previews and 33 regular performances.

Wonderland, which had a reported budget of $14 million, was panned by critics. THR's David Rooney called it a "clumsy Lewis Carroll update [that] shuffles bland ‘80s pop imitations and third-rate show tunes to minimal effect."

"Fun-free and charm-challenged, this misfire goes down a path where too many revisionist fairy-tales have gone before, with far more humor and inventiveness," he added.

The cast includes Janet Dacal as an adult Alice who travels to Wonderland through the service-elevator shaft of her Queens apartment building.

The show, at the Marquis Theater, received no Tony nominations, which were announced last week.

This marks the latest short-lived production for Wonderland's creative team, whose credits include Dracula, the Musical and The Civil War.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/broadway-musical-wonderland-closing-a-187268

James Franco Casts Lead in Sal Mineo Biopic (Exclusive),

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James Franco, left, and Val Lauren

Val Lauren joins the tentatively titled "Sal," which tells the story of the enigmatic actor best known for his appearance opposite James Dean in "Rebel Without a Cause."

James Franco's forthcoming Sal Mineo biopic has cast Val Lauren in the titular role.

The film, tentatively titled Sal, tells the story of the enigmatic actor best known for his appearance opposite James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause.

Produced by Franco's Rabbit Bandini shingle, the film will begin shooting in Los Angeles in early summer. It has been adapted for the screen by Franco from a recently released biography of Mineo by Michael Gregg Michaud.

Lauren's credits include the independent film Dallas 362 (2003) and Help, a short film he wrote, directed and produced.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/james-franco-casts-lead-sal-187196

Mineo, who was nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar twice -- in 1955 for Rebel and in 1960 for Exodus -- was murdered in West Hollywood in 1976 at the age of 37. The actor, who was gay, played the part of John "Plato" Crawford in Rebel; Mineo broke ground for his subtle portrayal of a homosexual character.

"Sal Mineo himself was an extraordinary and super complex guy," Lauren tells The Hollywood Reporter. "People know him for Rebel Without a Cause, but he was technically the first actor who came out of the closet. He was very brave."

Last year, Franco, who won a Golden Globe for playing James Dean in a 2001 TV movie, optioned the film rights to Michaud's Sal Mineo: A Biography. The CAA-repped Franco will also direct the movie, though he will not appear in it, as some have speculated, says Michaud.

Lauren will next appear as a guest star on the season finale of CBS's Hawaii Five-0, which airs May 16. Also, the actor is slated to adapt Help into a feature for Openfilm, an Internet-based film distribution company. The project came after the actor won Openfilm's Get It Made competition for short filmmakers.

He is represented by Todd Maginn of Peter Strain & Associates

Vishal Bradwaj wants seven different looking husbands for Priyanka Chopra,

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Priyanka Chopra

Vishal Bradwaj is putting in all the time and effort for seven different looking husbands for Priyanka’s role in his film Ek Bataa Saath’ . Vishal wants all the seven husbands to look as different as possible. Priyanka Chopra plays the protagonist in the movie and kills all her husbands. A close source revealed, “Vishal wants each actor to look different from the other. So far, he has finalized Mohanlal, Naseeruddin Shah, John Abraham and Arshad Warsi. As is evident from the casting till now, each actor has a distinctive look from skin color, body structure, height, and personality. The script of the film is unconventional.”

The source also said, “Irrfan Khan might be signed to play the fifth husband. During his recent visit to the US, Vishal had zeroed in on a foreigner, who will play one of Priyanka’s husbands.” Vishal Bradwaj wrote Ek Bataa Saath. Vishal liked Ruskin Bondâ€™s Susannaâ€™s Seven Husbands, which the writer developed into his film script.
http://www.bollywoodhott.com

Jiah Khan bullied the most on the set of ‘Houseful’,

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Jiah Khan

Jiah Khan is the youngest actor on the sets of Sajid Khan’s upcoming movie Houseful and she is bullied the most. The actress was genuinely trying to help the cast with her knowledge of London city, but she was not spared. Almost the entire movie is shot in London, where Jiah has grown up. A close source revealed, “It was the first week in London, and the cast and crew were assembling below the hotel to head for the location. In the lobby, director Sajid Khan was waiting with Jiah for the rest of the crew. Just then, Jiah started chatting with Sajid and giving him some information about London, like details of buses, trains, cabs. She was basically trying to play local guide. Sajid heard her for a few minutes, but started to lose interest soon enough.”

Sajid is very fond of Jiah and was listening to her, but Arjun arrived after sometime and saw her chatting about London, he just took out a scarf and tied it around her mouth. A source said, “Jiah was stunned. She looked at Arjun who burst out laughing. Even Sajid could not control his laughter, but he played the gentleman, helping an embarrassed Jiah, untie the scarf. Every time anyone said anything that concerned London, they would suddenly turn to ask Jiah whether they were right or not.”

Sajid confirmed by saying, “We were one mad family and did a lot of fun stuff on the sets. Jiah was explaining things about London very innocently but Arjun just gagged her mouth. She took it very sportingly though.
http://www.bollywoodhott.com/page/6/

Frieda in talks to be the next Bond Girl,

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Freida Pinto

Frieda Pinto may be playing the next bond girl. Earlier, there were rumors that the makers of the movie Quantum of Solace had approached Frieda to star opposite Daniel Craig. However, things did not work out, and the plan was scrapped. Now, the makers of the next Bond movie have again short listed Frieda’s name. If she agrees to do the film, she will be the first Bollywood actress to be a Bond girl.

Frieda, who suddenly shot to fame with the international movie Slumdog Millionaire, is one of the most famous and sought after Indian actors in Hollywood. Recently, she bagged a movie by Woody Allen, You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger, and she will be paid USD 3 million for the same. Till now, Frieda has appeared on every chat show from Oprah Winfrey, Tyra Banks, Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Show with David Letterman.
http://www.bollywoodhott.com

Delhi Belly waiting for Aamir’s Approval,

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Aamir Khan

It has been months now that Abhinay Deo’s movie Delhi Belly is ready and is waiting for Aamir Khan’s approval. However, the films release is going to take a long time. Sources reveal that, “Aamir was unhappy with the final version of the film and has sent it to a studio in Los Angeles for editing. With this new development, it does not look like the film will release till early next year.”

The English cast of this movie has an ensemble of Vir Das, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Shenaz Treasurywala, Poorna Jaganathan and Imran Khan. A close source involved with this film says, “It is tragic that despite being made in record time of a few months, the film has been stuck on the edit table for so long.” Initially, Aamir was to spearhead the editing but he got busy with his own films. However, when he did see it, he was not thrilled about it. Moreover, he made it known. Since the film has adult jokes and has been made in English, he wants it to be edited like an international project. Aamir already had international distribution plans for Delhi Belly and he thought the film did not match his expectations.
http://www.bollywoodhott.com/page/6/

Why Saif lost the bid for Pune IPL team,

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Saif Ali Khan

Apart from Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor too made a bid for the new Pune IPL team but they lost to the Sahara group. However, Saif is not at all disappointed that he lost the bid. Saif says, “It is a business proposition that made sense to us at a certain price, but certainly not at 370 million! And it does not make economic sense to us anymore.” He was only bidding because he belongs to a cricket family. Saif said, “I was bidding because we love cricket. And glamour and IPL go well together but as I said at a certain price only.”

Earlier this month, Saif Ali Khan and Kareeena Kapoor were planning to bid for the IPL team along with Karisma and Sanjay Kapur. A sudden change in the rules ruined the entire plan

CANNES: THR Chief Critic Todd McCarthy on Festival History and 2011 Buzz Films (Q&A),

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McCarthy, who has been attending the fest since 1970, also reflects on Robert De Niro as this year's jury president and the importance of Cannes.

When did you first go to Cannes?

My first festival was in 1970, when I was a student at Stanford. Ralph Gleason at Rolling Stone gave me authentic credentials, although I wasn't really covering the festival for them. I did end up writing for the student newspaper. It was a real counter-culture year. Among others, I met Robert Altman, who was there with MASH, which won the Palme d'Or.

What are some of the most memorable moments of your Cannes career?

In the old days, back in the 1970s, the Le Petit Carlton used to be the favorite hangout of mercenaries and journalists. It was this backstreet, dicey bar that no longer exists. The mercenaries would work on yachts when they weren't fighting in Africa. One night, a bunch of rowdy Brits started singing British naval songs, and then the French guys started singing French naval songs. It was like the scene out of Casablanca. It got a little rough, and there was some shoving, but it didn't turn into a melee.

What movie do you remember seeing at Cannes that you fell in love with and championed?

Last year, Carlos was the one that stood out for me. Another big discovery was Stranger Than Paradise, which played in 1984. And the screening of E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (in 1982) was extraordinary. It was the closing-night film. And going back to the 1970s, there was an overwhelming reaction to Wim Wenders' The American Friend.

What are the buzz titles heading into this year's festival?

Everyone is curious about Terrence Malick's film, The Tree of Life, which has been on the runway for a long, long time. I've heard very good things about The Artist, with John Goodman. It's a French, silent film. And Drive intrigues me. And you never know what Lars von Trier, who has Melancholia, will stir up. One region in particular that seems to be very active this year is Denmark and the Scandinavian countries.

What kind of jury president will Robert De Niro make?

The makeup of the jury is always the subject of speculation, in terms of how domineering the president will be. Some presidents have been extremely so, like Roman Polanski with Barton Fink. I hear Altman was domineering as well. I don't know what De Niro will be like, but he's got friends on the jury, like Uma Thurman. With an actor as the president, the jury could have more of an acting orientation. It's unusual to have an actor, rather than a filmmaker.

How important is Cannes? How does it stand up this year, compared to the Berlin Film Festival or the upcoming Venice Film Festival?

It's absolutely the top film festival. Also, Berlin had a rough year and Venice is in for some choppy waters since the Palazzo del Cinema is still under renovation. Despite certain factors that everyone talks about, such as the major specialty companies holding back films until fall, like Alexander Payne's next movie film, The Descendants, or Jason Reitman's Young Adult, Cannes is still the place.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-thr-chief-critic-todd-187238

CBS: What to Expect at the Upfront,

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CBS

THR analyzes which series are likely to return in the fall, the new pilots generating heat, and what the ad buyers are whispering.

NBC: What to Expect at the Upfront

ABC: What to Expect at the Upfront

CBS
May 18
4 P.M.
Carnegie Hall

WHAT TO EXPECT
Heard any good Charlie Sheen jokes? Don’t be surprised if Nina Tassler doesn’t tell any as she introduces a Sheen-free Two and a Half Men. Otherwise, stability is again the CBS watchword. The net may skew older than its rivals, but it knows how to deliver to its viewers.

WHERE THEY STAND
CBS has a collection of top performers, including NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, The Mentalistand Criminal Minds, along with Chuck Lorre’s other laughers The Big Bang Theoryand Mike & Molly. Freshman drama Hawaii Five-O also has snagged viewers and a syndication deal worth $2 million-plus per episode. CBS is ranked No. 2 in the 18 to 49 demo (down 9 percent), but it will finish the season at No. 1 in total viewers.

WHAT THEY NEED
Despite the Two and a Half Men drama, CBS remains stable and successful, if not particularly sexy. And buyers expect the network to have no trouble selling the retooled Men to advertisers. “No one is going in thinking it has a negative connotation now,” says one buyer. “I don’t think anybody’s pulling out of it.”

LIKELY ON THE SCHEDULE
Rumblings of disappointing comedy development, a surfeit of strong dramas and Tassler’s desire for a medical series have leaked out the net’s famous “cone of silence.” Sources say that cop drama The 2-2 (formerly Rookies) is a favorite, with the recently recut Susannah Grant doctor drama looking strong. J.J. Abrams’ Person of Interest, Minnie Driver’s Hail Mary and Sarah Michelle Gellar’s The Ringer are similarly in play. To make room, prepare to bid farewell to buddy law drama The Defenders. With $#*! My Dad Says, Mad Love and Rules of Engagement on the bubble, there are potential openings for Two Broke Girls, David Hornsby’s How to Be a Gentleman and Peter Knight’s very-much-alive Worked Up. Julianna Margulies, from the sure-to-be-renewed The Good Wife, is among the talent expected to show.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cbs-what-expect-at-upfront-187198

CANNES: Kiefer Sutherland, Gerard Depardieu Join Hannibal's Action-Comedy 'Sleight of Hand',

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Getty Images

Kiefer Sutherland, left, and Gerard Depardieu

Til Schweiger, Thomas Jane, Johnny Hallyday, Jon Lovitz and Eric Cantona also star in the movie; Hannibal additionally announces production on "Amityville: The Legacy 3D."

Kiefer Sutherland, Gerard Depardieu, Til Schweiger, Thomas Jane, Johnny Hallyday, Jon Lovitz and Eric Cantona are set to star in Sleight of Hand, which Richard Rionda del Castro's Hannibal Classics is taking to Cannes.

French actors Jean Luc Couchard, Nora Arnezeder and Patrice Cols also star in the action-comedy, which centers on a crew of small-time crooks in Paris who inadvertently end up possessing a rare gold coin belonging to a notorious French gangster.

Brad Mirman (Resurrection) is directing the movie, set to begin filming in July.

Rionda del Castro is producing with Gilles Thompson from Acteurs, Auteurs, Associes. Patricia Eberle is executive producing.

Meanwhile, Hannibal announced Amityville: The Legacy 3D, a supernatural film that delves deeper into the tragedy that took place in Amityville, N.Y., in the 1970s.

Rionda del Castro, Paul Mason and Steve B. Harris are producing the movie, written by Harris and Andrew Helm based on the book Amityville: The Evil Escapes by John G. Jones.

A director and casting will be announced after Cannes. The movie is set for a September start date.

Hannibal Classics represents worldwide sales for both films.

The company's Cannes slate also includes Touchback, starring Kurt Russell and Brian Presley; and Set Up, with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Bruce Willis, Ryan Phillippe and Randy Couture. Hannibal Pictures will has Things Fall Apart with Curtis Jackson, Ray Liotta and Mario Van Peebles, who also directs.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-kiefer-sutherland-gerard-depardieu-187236

Fox Pulls the Trigger on Its Upfront Pickups: What's In and Out.

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Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Zooey Deschanel

The network adds new series, including J.J. Abrams' drama "Alcatraz," starring Jorge Garcia; Zooey Deschanel (pictured) comedy "The New Girl"; and "Bones" spinoff "The Finder." Among the dead: "Human Target," "The Chicago Code," "Traffic Light" and "Breaking In."

Fox is getting a jump on its upfront pickups with a string of orders. THR will update as the news comes in.  

WHAT'S IN:

Alcatraz, from J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Prods. and Warner Bros. TV. The crime drama revolving around Alcatraz and the team investigating the mysterious reappearance of its 1960s inhabitants in the present stars Lost's Jorge Garcia. The drama gained early buzz and a fan in Fox's Peter Rice, according to sources, though some questioned whether the net had room for another mystery drama with Abrams' Fringe already on the schedule.  

The Finder, a Bones spinoff from sister studio 20th TV. The drama, which centers on a military-trained "finder" (Geoff Stults) who helps locate lost items or persons in the Florida Keys, recently rolled out to solid ratings as a back-door pilot. The project won high marks internally, particularly by those who wanted to find a way to continue the recently renewed Bones franchise once the long-running -- and thus pricey -- original ends.  

The New Girl, a Zooey Deschanel comedy from 20th, will appear on Fox's fall schedule. The single-camera series, which is believed to be a Kevin Reilly favorite, centers on a quirky female teacher who becomes roommates with three guys: a man-child, a player and a cynic.

I Hate My Teenage Daughter, a Jaime Pressly/Katie Finneran comedy from Warner Bros., is a go. The multicamera laugher centers on two women who have daughters like the girls who once picked on them in high school.

WHAT'S OUT:

Pilot Weekends at Bellevue, starring Lauren Ambrose, is said to be dead. In recent days, there had been talk about Fox brass looking at the series, set in a psych unit at Bellevue hospital, as a potential complement -- and eventual successor -- to the recently renewed House.  

Pilot Iceland, a romantic comedy from Sony, is said to be dead. The Zach Gilford starrer had been low on buzz -- positive or negative -- in recent weeks.

WHAT COULD BE RETOOLED:

Little in Common, a Rob Corrdry single-camera comedy from Warner Bros. TV, has the potential to be retooled for a pickup later.

Family Album, another single-camera comedy starring Glee's Mike O'Malley and Rachael Harris, might be retooled as well.

WHAT'S DEAD:

Freshman comedy Breaking In, starring Christian Slater, is believed to be dead. This marks Slater's third first-year series in a row to get the ax -- NBC's My Own Worst Enemy in 2008-09 and ABC's The Forgotten in 2009-10.

Shawn Ryan's freshman police drama The Chicago Code with Jason Clarke, Jennifer Beals and Matt Lauria is done. This is The Shield creator's second cancellation this season; the first came with FX's Terriers, which was not renewed for a second season. The showrunner reacted on Twitter, "Fox suits loved the show, but have a business to run."

Freshman buddy comedy Traffic Light, based on an Israeli format, has also been canceled, sources say.

Sophomore drama Human Target, starring Mark Valley, Chi McBride and Jackie Earle Haley has been canceled, sources say.    

Lie to Me, the Tim Roth drama now in its third season, is also dead, according to a source.

Refresh for the latest ...

Send tips to Lacey.Rose@THR.com

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fox-pulls-trigger-upfront-pickups-187256

The CW: What to Expect at the Upfront,

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Getty Images

THR analyzes which series are likely to return in the fall, the new pilots generating heat, and what the ad buyers are whispering.

NBC: What to Expect at the Upfront

ABC: What to Expect at the Upfront

CBS: What to Expect at the Upfront

THE CW
May 19
11 A.M.
Time Warner Center

WHAT TO EXPECT
This will mark Dawn Ostroff’s swan song as the longest-serving network chief of the current broadcast crop as she passes the baton to her successor, Mark Pedowitz. Both are expected to present.

WHERE THEY STAND
Another trying season for the younger-skewing net, with such modestly rated series as The Vampire Diaries and America’s Next Top Model propping it up. While there were no instant flameouts like the previous year’s The Beautiful Life, freshman entries Nikita and Hellcats failed to reach hit status. In recent years, the CW has been criticized for lining its schedule with too much of the same (see serialized dramas like 90210). While relatively steady in total viewers, the net is rounding out the season down 10 percent among the 18 to 49 set.

WHAT THEY NEED
The network’s survival is perpetually the subject of debate. But for advertisers, the CW offers something its broadcast competition does not: younger, female-skewing viewers. “If you’re representing a fashion-conscious brand, there aren’t that many shows out there that feel right,” Initiative’s Gordon says. The network also gets props from buyers for its multiplatform sales approach that includes putting the same ad load in online episodes and TV counterparts. In development meetings with buyers, Ostroff stressed the net’s desire for diversification and more repeatable franchise fare.

LIKELY ON THE SCHEDULE
With Gossip Girl, Vampire Diaries and 90210 already renewed, the CW doesn’t have much space for experimentation. That said, expect to see both Kevin Williamson’s Secret Circle and Hart of Dixie (from Gossip Girl’s Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage) on the schedule. Heavenly and Cooper & Stone could make it as well. Nikita s expected to return (among other things, its star Maggie Q offers international appeal), with perennial bubble show One Tree Hill likely to join it, according to sources. Rather than rely almost exclusively on serialized dramas set in tony worlds, the CW will attempt more stand-alone offerings. Hence a development season filled with doctors, detectives and lawyers

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cw-what-expect-at-upfront-187200

More Paula Abdul Drama: Star Refusing to Pay Agents on 'X Factor' Deal (Exclusive),

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paula abdul simon cowell x factor arrivals USC

Kevin Winter / Getty

By all accounts, Paula Abdul is riding high these days. The singer-turned-reality-TV personality just closed a multimillion-dollar deal to reunite with her former American Idol cohort Simon Cowell on Fox's The X Factor. But not sharing in Abdul's excitement are her agents at United Talent Agency, which is locked in a heated dispute with the star over commissions from her new gig judging the high-profile singing competition.

According to sources close to the situation, Abdul is refusing to pay the standard 10% agency commission on her X Factor deal, which closed May 7 and allowed Abdul to join Cowell on stage in Los Angeles for the start of the show's judging rounds this past weekend. Abdul is said to believe she should not owe commissions on the X Factor deal because it arose from her relationship with Cowell, which predates the UTA representation. That position has led to a nasty standoff between the star and one of Hollywood's top talent agencies.

UTA declined to comment on the dispute, and Abdul's reps did not respond to a request for comment.

UTA began representing Abdul after she abruptly quit American Idol in 2009 during negotiations for the show's eighth season. At the time, Abdul was demanding a hefty raise from the reported $3.5 million she made in compensation and perks from the country's top-rated show.

The agency later arranged for Abdul to topline the dance competition series Live to Dance, which aired this winter on CBS. Abdul is said to have paid commissions on that deal.

When Cowell began assembling the judges for the U.S. version of his mega-hit U.K. show X Factor, he made it clear he was aiming to include Abdul. That's when she is said to have informed her agents that they would need to forgo commissions on that deal if they wanted to continue to represent her. According to sources, UTA was later presented with a "take it or leave it" situation, meaning the agency must agree it won't commission X Factor or terminate the relationship entirely.

As discussions between Abdul and UTA were ongoing, her X Factor deal started to come together. Because the relationship was in flux, Abdul's manager Marty Tudor and attorney Erik Hyman are said to have taken the lead on those negotiations, which went down to the wire. Two sources tell THR that Abdul will make between $2 million and $3 million for her services this season, though Fox and producers Fremantle and Syco Television declined to comment on the number.

Should one of reality TV's top stars have to pay her agents on the deal if she believes they didn't help her find or land the job? Hollywood custom says probably yes, unless there was some kind of arrangement before she signed with the agency (it's not clear whether Abdul has a signed representation agreement with UTA). This issue is not unfamiliar to agents and managers, who often squabble with clients to collect commissions, especially on deals that might arise out of a pre-existing relationship. Separately on Tuesday, UTA sued screenwriter-producer client Adam Herz over commissions from American Pie 4, though the issues in that case are somewhat different.

Abdul, whose sometimes-erratic behavior is well documented, tends to hire and fire representatives frequently. She's had scores of publicists, managers, agents and lawyers over the years and has a reputation for being difficult, which of course is part of the charm that made her a star. Cowell referenced Abdul's reputation at a press conference Sunday, saying of her prolonged deal negotiations, "She's Paula Abdul. Nothing's ever easy, but I'm used to it."

Abdul is said to have scheduled a meeting with UTA for later this week to determine whether she will remain a client. It will be interesting to see if a deal can be worked out or if this ends up in court

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