McManus to host Publicists Awards

Australian talkshow host Rove McManus has been tapped to host the Publicists Awards Luncheon on Feb. 24 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. McManus recently wrapped the first season of his show "Rove L.A." out of Los Angeles. The publicists, who are part of the Intl. Cinematograpehrs Guild, have also announced that Julie Andrews will dedicate the 2012 ICG Publicist Directory to veteran Disney publicist Arlene Ludwig. The dedication will commemorate Ludwig's 50th anniversary with the Walt Disney Co. The new Publicists Directory will be introduced at the event. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

'Speed' prexy makes pit stop

Speed prexy Hunter Nickell has resigned his post at the network, effective at the end of the year. Nickell has topped Speed since 2005, coming there after 12 years as FSN South g.m. He plans to consult on a number remaining key Speed projects over the next few months while exploring new opportunities in Fox Sports Media Group. A Speed spokesman said an interim replacement should be named by week's end for Nickell, whose decision to depart appears to have come relatively suddenly. "It's unfortunate that Hunter is stepping away after all that he's done for Speed," Fox Sports Media Group chairman David Hill said. "He's a man of great character, a true gentleman and he's served Fox tirelessly for many years." Speed's reach grew by nearly 25% to 84 million homes under Nickell's tenure, thanks in part to new high-profile events including the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies and all three of the NASCAR post-season awards banquets. Nickell has also been credited with better marketing Speed at NASCAR events and building relationships with other major race orgs. "I worked with great people and awesome partners," Nickell said. "I am grateful, and I have had a blast." Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

New Year's Eve Attracts Few Partygoers at the Box Office

Jon Bon Jovi and Lea Michele New Year's Eve rang in at No. 1 but with a weak start at the box office, Box Office Mojo reports. The Garry Marshall film, starring Lea Michele, Ashton Kutcher and Zac Efron among others, grossed an estimated $13.7 million in its opening weekend. That's a far cry from its predecessor, Valentine's Day, which opened to $52.4 million in 2010. The weekend's other new wide release, The Sitter, grabbed $10 million to take No. 2. Box office: Breaking Dawn takes top spot for third straight week After three weeks atop the box office, Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 fell to third place with $7.9 million, although its total now stands at $259.5 million. At No. 4, The Muppets drew $7.07 million. Arthur Christmas completed the top five with $6.6 million. Hugo attracted $6.1 million to take sixth place. At No. 7, The Descendants nabbed $4.8 million. Rounding out the top 10: Happy Feet Two (No. 8, $3.7 million), Jack and Jill (No. 9, $3.2 million) and Immortals (No. 10, $2.4 million).

Scripps Networks Focused on Growing Niche Channels

New outings from Glee, New Girl and Raising Hope helped Fox top the competition for the key adults 18-49 demographic on Tuesday, though all three programs were down from last week. The network averaged a 2.9 rating for the night, with an audience of 6.4 million, kicking things off with a 9 percent dip for Glee. Its 2.9 score among adults 18-49 marked a season low. New Girl also hit a series low, dropping 6 percent to a 3.4 rating. Raising Hope was also down to a 2.2 in the demo, dropping 8 percent from last week. PHOTOS: Behind the Scenes of Fox's 'New Girl' CBS and NBC tied for second in the demo, with the former offering a block of reruns. Encores of NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles and Unforgettable gave the network a 2.0 rating among adults 18-49 for the night, with the night's strongest showing in viewers, 10.8 million. NBC pushed its two-hour The Biggest Loser until 9 p.m. to accommodate A Michael Bublé Christmas. The singer's holiday special posted a 1.5 rating in the 18-49 set for the hour. The Biggest Loser averaged 2.2, giving the network its 2.0 average and a total audience of 6.9 million. PHOTOS: Fall TV Death Pool: Which New Shows Will Be Axed? Other series posting season lows were ABC's Last Man Standing, Man Up! and Body of Proof. Tim Allen's freshman comedy grabbed a 2.6 rating among adults 18-49, while it's struggling neighbor at 8:30 pulled a 1.6. Dana Delany's sophomore drama also dropped to a 1.5. Adding in a block of repeats from The Middle and Suburgatory at 9:00, the net averaged a 1.6 rating among adults 18-49 for the night and 5.9 million viewers. Over on the CW, a new episode of 90210 rose a tenth of a point for a 0.8 with 18-49-ers. A Ringer repeat grabbed just a 0.4. Tuesday, Dec. 6, Overnight Ratings: 8 p.m. Fox: Glee (7.1 million, 2.9 rating in adults 18-49) ABC: Last Man Standing (8.7 million, 2.6) CBS: NCIS (R) (12.7 million viewers, 2.1) NBC: A Michael Bublé Christmas (7.2 million, 1.5) The CW: 90210 (1.5 million, 0.8) 8:30 p.m. ABC: Man Up! (4.8 million, 1.6) 9 p.m. Fox: New Girl (6.8 million, 3.4) NBC: The Biggest Loser (6.8 million, 2.2) CBS: NCIS: Los Angeles (R) (12.1 million, 2.1) ABC: The Middle (R) (3.8 million, 1.1) The CW: Ringer (R) (841,000, 0.4) 9:30 p.m. Fox: Raising Hope (4.6 million, 2.2) ABC: Suburgatory (R) (4.0 million, 1.3) 10 p.m. NBC: The Biggest Loser (6.7 million, 2.3) CBS: Unforgettable (R) (7.8 million, 1.6) ABC: Body of Proof (7.2 million, 1.5) TV Ratings

Anne Sweeney Tops THR's 2011 Women in Entertainment Energy 100 List

Within an aggressive bid for content, Comedy Central has lined its development slate with sketch artists, stick figures, robots and also the revival of the eighties-style public matters show.our editor recommendsComedy Central Bets on 'Gajillionaires,' Two More Comedies (Exclusive)Comedy Central Announces Return of 'The Comedy Awards' in NYComedy Central Developing Comedy From 'Tosh.0' Air PHOTOS: Modern Film & TV Comics "We hired a really costly independent research firm that recommended that to become proper, we ought to enter business using the funniest people we all know,Inch jokes Kent Alterman, the network's mind of original programming and production. With this particular collection - a mixture of stand-up, animation and scripted fare - Alterman and the team are searching to fill the already-popular 10 p.m. hour in addition to expand the network's late-evening block past night time. VIDEOS: THR's Red-colored Carpet Interviews in the Charlie Sheen Roast Additionally to formerly introduced records starring The Gregory Siblings and Anthony Jeselnik,in addition to approaching series Key & Peele, The Nick Show Kroll and Brickleberry, here's a unique start looking at Comedy Central's 2011-12 development slate: *The Burn: The "Roast Master General" Shaun Ross and the comedian buddies roast the week's hot subjects. Ross, Mike Gibbons and Tagline Television assists as executive producers around the project. *Braunger: Just one-camera scripted comedy in line with the existence of comedian guy-child Matt Braunger. The project is going to be executive created and produced by Braunger and Brent Forrester (King from the Hill, Work), who'll also direct. Avalon Entertainment's David Martin will Air, using the firm's Serta Lubetkin co-executive creating. *Robots: An animated reveal that starts several household electronics against their slacker owner. Kumail Nanjiani (Comedy Central's Hot List, John Oliver's NY Stand-Up Show) together with Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky (Work, Bad Teacher) will write and executive produce. *Nathan for you personally: Canadian author-comedian Nathan Fielder (Essential Things With Demetri Martin) uses his finance degree and existence experience to assist ailing companies. The issue within this reality-scripted hybrid: Fielder's advice usually does more damage than good. The project is going to be executive created by Fielder, Michael Koman and David Kneebone. *TripTank: An accumulation of animated shorts featuring comedy's cleverest, with plots that vary from an enchanting alcoholic motorized wheel chair helping sick children to several aliens staring at the world's most average guy. The project is really a collaboration between executive producers Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico of ShadowMachine (Robot Chicken, Moral Orel) and Tom Gianas (Pretend Time with Nick Swardson, Saturday Evening Live) combines a number of animated formats having a wide range of gifted authors and designers including Tommy Blacha, Tom Gammill, Jon Glaser, Laura Kightlinger, Joe Mande, Bob Odenkirk and Duncan Trussell. *@RobDelaney: A range show starring comedian and Twitter mastermind Delaney, who'll present videos, interview visitors and discuss Twitter trends. Delaney will executive produce alongside Avalon Entertainment's David Martin, Jon Thoday, Richard Allen-Turner and Kara Baker. Avalon's Serta Lubetkin will co-Air. *Eugene!: A sketch show in the absurd perspective of comedian Eugene Mirman (Flight from the Conchords). Mirman, Jon W and Chris Ford will executive produce. *Overloaded: A shortform take a look at social networking, with comedian Michael Kosta wearing down what individuals are speaking about on Twitter, Facebook and blogs every week. The project is going to be executive created by Kosta together with Infomania's David Nickoll, Will Ward and Roar Entertainment's Jordan Tilzer. *Untitled Amy Schumer: After her star-making turn in the Charlie Sheen roast, Amy Schumer will executive produce and create a pilot along with a stand-up special. *Untitled Cyanide and Happiness: An animated show featuring the twisted humor of the world populated by glorified stick figures, in the designers from the Cyanide and Happinessweb-comics. Kristipher Matthew Wilson, Robert Andrew DenBleyker, David McElfatrick and Matthew Melvin assists as designers and executive producers around the project. *Untitled Wyatt Cenac: A sketch narrative idea according to eighties public matters shows, located, written and executive created by Wyatt Cenac (The Daily Show With Jon Stewart). Joining him like a producer is Generate's David Rath. The formerly introduced choices: *Gregory Siblings: The audience behind the car-Tune the Newsand theBed Burglar Songwill star within an ensemble comedy that has an up-and-coming group attempting to make it on the planet of viral videos. The Gregory Bros., including Evan, Andrew, Michael and Sarah Gregory,will executive produce alongsideTom Scharpling, David Becky at 3Arts and Peyton Reed (The Split Up), who directed the pilot. *My Guys: The comedyfollows the adventures of two close friends, one that is continually engaging in trouble and also the other who's always bailing him out. The weekly narrative weaves interior and exterior stand-alone sketches, and it is executive created by Naomi Odenkirk and Mark Provissiero. The project is written, carried out and directed by Second City Chicago people Tim Robinson, Mark Raterman and Andy Miara, with Bob Odenkirk (Mr. Show, Breaking Bad) can serve as creative consultant. *Reviewwith Forrest MacNeil:The half-hour comedy stars Andrew Daly (as Forrest), who reviews not films, food or art but instead probably the most difficult encounters of existence itself... by living them. Within this situation, he reviews something that his TV audience throws at him on the zero-to-5 star scale, from theadrenaline hurry of stealing towards the trauma of divorce towards the harrowing results of murder towards the pleasure of anonymous sex. Daly will even pen the script and executive produce with Charlie Siskel. *Time Trumpet:The satirical take a look at popular culture and current occasions, set 3 decades later on, is going to be executive created by Armando Iannucci (Informed, Cinemax's Veep), Chris Godsick and Laura Krafft. *Untitled Anthony Jeselnik Project:Comedian Anthony Jeselnik brings bothhis sharp spontaneity and the dark, twisted point-of-view to his comedy project. Additionally to starring, Jeselnikwill executive produce, alongside Tom Manley and Variety Media Group's Christie Cruz. Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com Twitter: @LaceyVRose PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Modern Film & Television Comics Related Subjects Jeffrey Ross Comedy Central The Daily Show with Jon Stewart TV Development

Restraining Order Granted Against Terrence Howard

First Published: December 6, 2011 11:37 PM EST Credit: Getty Images LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Terrence Howard attends a screening of Precious in NYC, Nov. 5, 2009Terrence Howard was ordered Tuesday to stay 100 yards (90 meters) away from his estranged wife after she claimed the Oscar-nominated actor repeatedly threatened and hit her during their marriage. The star denies the allegations. Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon granted the stay-away order sought by Michelle Howard after she filed a lengthy declaration alleging abuse began within a week of the couples January 2010 marriage. Michelle Howard filed for divorce a year later. The restraining order remains in effect until a Jan. 17 court hearing. In a text message last week, she claims Howard, 42, has repeatedly hit her and threatened her. She stated in a sworn declaration that she is in constant fear of Howard and has chronic health issues caused by the actors treatment. Howard in his own sworn declaration wrote that he has never threatened his wife and that she has repeatedly vowed to ruin his reputation and release private details. I live in constant fear of Michelles endeavors to ruin my reputation; even providing this declaration may well lead to my being subjected to a paparazzi blitz which would not be good for my career, Howard wrote. Michelle Howard wrote that Howardhas hit her several times and threatened to throw her from a hotel balcony in South Africa last year. She included a text message she said he sent to her on Thursday in which he begged her not to pursue the divorce and threaten his career, ending the missive, I cant promise how I will respond. Howard wrote in his filing that he immediately followed up the message with another text stating that he wasnt threatening her. Despite my efforts to remove myself physically from (Howards) life, his periodic mood swings from anger, threats and violence to statements of love and requests for reconciliation continue and have not subsided, she wrote. Howard appeared in the first Iron Man film and received an Oscar nomination in 2005 for his role in Hustle and Flow. His attorney Christian Markey III did not immediately return an email message seeking comment. Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Zac Efron Talks New Years Eve Hug Wants On Glee

First Released: December 6, 2011 11:06 AM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Zac Efron and Michelle Pfeiffer get through to the premiere New Years Eve at Graumans Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. on December 5, 2011 La, Calif. -- When Zac Efron got the phone call about co-starring with Michelle Pfeiffer within the approaching ensemble movie, New Years Eve, he states he'd a near-dying connection with excitement. Michelle Pfeiffer created a voicemail message on my cell phone and stated, I wish to get it done, if you wish to get it done, Zac told Access Hollywoods Billy Rose bush in the movies premiere on Monday evening in La. My heart skyrocketed, and that i was like, Im in! Im doing the work! I really like her. She made my year. (*Spoiler Alert!*) However, if this found the pairs kissing scene, the actor stated securing lips together with his giant screen leading lady didnt go like a easily because he wished. Individuals situations are better to do spontaneous. Have some fun and become within the moment. I certainly considered the way it would go lower. I believe, the way in which I pictured it, it would be perfect, very romantic, very leading guy, he described. Then obviously, once we visited film it, right after i visited dip her, an enormous bit of confetti went directly into my mouth. I did not wish to finish the hug like this, and so i spit and went for this. Thats really within the movie. Michelle told Billy the confetti moment wasnt Zacs most popular giant screen moment, however it wound up working. It was not very sexy, however it was cute, the actress stated. Initially, our figures didn't finish up together. Its kind of an unlikely pairing, really. However it was sweet. But we thought allows spice up a bit and allows make a move unpredicted. Zac, who walked the films red-colored carpet solo, told Billy that hed like to appear together with his New Years Eve co-star Jum Michelle on Glee. Im an enormous fan of Glee along with a huge fan of her work, Zac stated. It appears so fun. I would like to [appear on the program. And what might the 24-year-old actor experience the FOX series? They have were built with a murderer yet? Zac recommended. Itd be fun to sing about. New Years Eve hits theaters on December 9. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.