Rihanna television special hitting airwaves in May
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Fans of Rihanna can get a sample of the singer's 2012 tour when a documentary featuring performances and behind-the-scenes footage will be shown on U.S. television on May 6. "RIHANNA 777," a one-hour special, will air on Fox, the network said on Monday.
Star maker Simon Cowell heads to YouTube to find new talent
LONDON (Reuters) - Talent show guru Simon Cowell is taking his popular television formula to find new stars seeking fast fame to YouTube, joining a growing trend of companies using the Internet to bypass traditional broadcasters. Cowell, the mastermind behind global TV franchises "The X Factor" and "Got Talent", unveiled plans on Monday for the first global audition channel, called The You Generation, that will be launched in 26 countries on March 20.
'The Bible' producers dismiss devil character's resemblance to Obama
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The popular U.S. TV miniseries "The Bible" has plunged into controversy over what some viewers see as a physical resemblance between an actor playing Satan and President Barack Obama, but producers on Monday dismissed any likeness as coincidental. The controversy began after the History Channel aired the latest episode of the popular series on Sunday evening, with Moroccan actor Mohamen Mehdi Ouazanni playing the part of the devil.
British actor Frank Thornton of "Are you Being Served?" dies, 92
LONDON (Reuters) - British actor Frank Thornton, who played the pompous Captain Peacock in the television department store sitcom "Are You Being Served?", has died aged 92, his agent said on Monday. David Daly said Thornton died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Barnes, London, on Saturday.
Amanda Peet to star in Duplass brothers' HBO pilot "Togetherness"
By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Amanda Peet is experiencing some "Togetherness" with HBO and the Duplass brothers.
Oprah named most influential celebrity for second year
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oprah Winfrey was crowned America's most influential celebrity for a second straight year on Friday, despite having dropped off daily television in 2011. Forbes magazine ranked Winfrey, 59, ahead of Hollywood titans Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood and towering over other TV figures such as journalist Barbara Walters and financial guru Suze Orman.
Ang Lee moves into TV after "Life of Pi" Oscar win
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Double Oscar winner Ang Lee is moving over to television after winning the Best Director Academy Award last month for "Life of Pi." Cable channel FX said on Thursday that the Taiwanese filmmaker will direct the pilot episode of its drama "Tyrant," about an unassuming American family drawn into the affairs of a turbulent Middle Eastern nation.
Christopher Meloni joins Fox's "I Suck at Girls" adaptation
By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Fresh off a guest-starring run as vampire Roman Zimojic in HBO's "True Blood," Christopher Meloni is ready to "Suck" again - this time for Fox.
Kristin Davis signs on for CBS's "Bad Teacher" pilot
By Tim Keneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - Kristin Davis is moving on from "Sex and the City" to man-hunting in the school halls.
NBC shifts "Smash" to Saturday nights
By Tim Kenneally LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - NBC is moving its struggling musical series "Smash" to Saturday nights at 9 p.m. starting April 6, the network said Wednesday.
