Leaping ahead to media's future

Fox could create American Idol Factor from Simon Cowell and 19 Entertainment in the not-too-distant future. NBC's "30 Rock" had some recent fun lampooning the idea of Leap Day in an episode that otherwise mostly served as a reminder how improbable it is the modestly rated sitcom, introduced in 2006, lived to see a second leap year. Still, there is something vaguely magical about the concept of Leap Year, and the notion so much can transpire -- particularly in the fast-changing media world -- in the four-year interval from one Feb. 29 to the next. With that in mind, we offer some glimpses of Hollywood's Leap Days yet to come. And yes, like "A Christmas Carol," these are merely shadows of things that might be, so there's time to alter the future, but only if you hurry. Leap Day 2016: The Supreme Court decision striking down election equal-time rules allows Fox News and MSNBC to officially sponsor candidates in presidential primaries, and their entertainment divisions to simultaneously produce tag-along reality shows featuring anointed contenders. In a related move, Fox News CEO Roger Ailes is named chairman of the Republican Party. "This just formalizes a longstanding relationship," a spokeswoman says. Also, a settlement between Simon Cowell and 19 Entertainment clears the way for the Fox network to create "American Idol Factor," combining its two musical competition shows into a single massive event that runs from Labor Day through Memorial Day. On another note, critics complain ABC's 24-hour streaming Oscar preshow amounted to "overkill," and that 13-time host Billy Crystal's performance "seemed like more of the same things he's been doing the last five years." 2020: Negotiations to forge a super-union joining all above-the-line talent -- bringing together actors, directors and writers to counter the three merged "super-studios" formed following the 2018 Media Deregulation Act -- is dealt a major setback: Renegade members of TIC, the Talent and Internet Content guild, file a lawsuit seeking to block the combination from happening. The challenge also imperils contract talks with studios ComWarner, Foxpar and DiSony, as well as HANG, the conglomerate created through the merger of Hulu, Amazon, Netflix and Google into a single entity. In retaliation, the companies ratchet up threats to replace all performers with digital renderings of actor Andy Serkis and produce nothing but remakes of library product unless a deal is reached. In other news, during a holographic presentation to analysts, ComWarner officials say NBC should begin its turnaround "any day now." 2024: Following in his grandfather and uncle's footsteps, Republican presidential candidate George P. Bush details a bold plan to ban all 3-D and virtual pornography, calling it "a corrosive influence on decent Americans." Democratic rival Chelsea Clinton counters with a compromise proposal -- meant to demonstrate her "family values" -- in which every newborn baby would be equipped with an implanted "V" chip. Clinton targets the program to 2026, marking the 30th anniversary of the Telecommunications Act signed by her father. Elsewhere, ESPN and the National Football League announce games will be played in front of computer-generated crowds to enhance ratings and thus satisfy multibillion-dollar TV deals. A few thousand seats in each venue will be reserved for the corporate sponsors who can still afford luxury boxes. 2028: Having finally consolidated his newspaper holdings by acquiring all three remaining publications still printing hard copies, News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch triggers renewed speculation, yet again, about whether he's ready to relinquish stewardship of the company to one of his heirs. Of course, after skipping over his elder children to quiet critics in the wake of News Intl.'s cellphone hacking scandal, the likely successors have become his daughters with Wendi Deng Murdoch, who outsiders consider green for the CEO title at 27 and 24. Separately, under a new ratings-friendly "box office-plus" scoring system, "Transformers XIV" wins best picture at the 100th annual Academy Awards. 2032: Apple's line of products -- including the iPad, iTV, iCar and iBrainChip -- develop consciousness, become sentient and collectively go on strike. The devices issue a list of demands to their biological users, starting with being fed a higher quality of programming. The company also officially changes its name to "Skynet." Contact Brian Lowry at brian.lowry@variety.com

Exclusive Video: Ty Burrell to Guest-Star on Series Premiere of Disney's Doc McStuffins

Last year's big Academy Award winners - Christian Bale, Melissa Leo, Colin Firth and Natalie Portman - will take the stage again on Sunday, but this time as presenters, the academy announced Thursday. Read More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Billy CrystalBradley CooperCameron DiazChris RockChristian BaleColin FirthHalle BerryNatalie PortmanTom CruiseKermit the FrogMiss PiggyThe MuppetsThe King's SpeechBlack SwanThe Fighter84th Academy Awards

Jamie Blackley Lands Lead in 300 Follow-up

EXCLUSIVE: Jamie Blackley has showed up the co-lead inside the 300 follow-up that Noam Murro will direct for Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures. Inside the Kurt Johnstad-scripted film, Blackley may have Calisto, a teen whose have to finish up being the heroic guy/soldier his father was leads the 16 years of age being leader from the small gang of soldiers. He’ll join Sullivan Stapleton, who got a web-based insurance lead the other day over the following installment in the Zack Snyder-directed 300. Blackley just wrapped charge in lead inside the Andrew Douglas-directed uwantme2killhim?, the Bryan Singer produced film of a youthful guy who'll get entangled inside an unhealthy internet relationship leading to him undertaking a criminal offence. More youthful crowd carried out one of the leads london Boulevard opposite Colin Farrell and Keira Knightley which he wrapped a supporting role in Snow White-colored as well as the Huntsman. Blackley is repped by WME, Luber Roklin Entertainmentn and Uk-based United states . Agents.

Take advantage of Letterman Knows The Paranomalists

More found footage...Whenever you hear that SyFy Films makes an offer for any new project, you would be forgiving for getting your mind mind straight towards Monster Squid Versus. Giant Kittenbot territory. But it is really only a label for the organization to utilize Universal to produce low-budget genre photos that do not also have to feature massive animals fighting while C-list celebs spout dodgy dialogue. That is great news for Take advantage of Letterman and also the Paranormalists.Letterman, who made DreamWorks 'toon Monsters Versus. Aliens and (whisper) the shonkyGulliver's Travels, is placed to create and direct the film, that will apply the well-established found footage genre towards the story of the group entering a haunted house planning to debunk the locals' claims of phantoms. Naturally, because we'd be disappointed otherwise, everything doesn't go quite based on plan. We are speculating either the area eventually ends up truly haunted or it's Old Guy Withers, the janitor, who would have become away by using it whether it wasn't for individuals meddling kids.The program would be to make that one just a little quirkier and more amusing than, say, your usualParanormal Activity clones. There is no word on when Letterman can get began around the film.

More Sausage, Please! Shameless Promotes Zach McGowan to Series Regular

Zach McGowan Jody will be dishing up more sausage on Shameless. The Showtime series has promoted Zach McGowan to a series regular for Season 3, Deadline reports. Showtime renews Shameless, House of Lies and Californication McGowan plays recovering sex addict Jody Silverman, who's been seen this season coming between Karen (Laura Wiggins) and Lip (Jeremy Allen White) and also "airing out" his anatomy while cooking breakfast in the nude. McGowan is also a sous chef and has appeared in Iron Chef America (so that's where he got his kitchen skills!). His other credits include CSI: Miami, Cold Case and Body of Proof. He currently appears in the web series Dating Rules from My Future Self as Jagger. Showtime renewed Shameless for a third season earlier this month. Production on the new season will begin in July.

New posters for Wrath In The Leaders

A glut of latest posters are actually released for Wrath In The Leaders, and so they execute a pretty decent job of using the scope and size the knowledge-packed follow-up.The completely new one-sheets show Mike Worthington planning fight while using sword-waving Makhai, and beginning themselves at fiery Titan, Kronos.Sadly, Worthington's new mullet doesn't get an attempt searching in, but we'll possess the time for you to feast our eyes on its luxurious curls when the finished film arrives.Some new ads will also be released, one showing Worthington's human co-stars, as well as the other grouping together the fearsome Leaders he'll be rising against.Everything looks rather epic, and our hopes are high that that certain is an infinitely more spectacular affair than its disappointing predecessor. Wrath In The Leaders will open inside the Uk on 30 March 2012.

Tune Thomas Scott Discloses Her Latest Love Disaster around the Youthful and also the Restless

Eric Braeden, Tune Thomas Scott She committed murder. He required the rap on her and visited jail. The Youthful and also the Restless' Victor and Nikki - performed by suds best Eric Braeden and Tune Thomas Scott - are in each other peoples arms. And can it last past Valentine's? Thomas Scott gave TV Guide Magazine the gloomy scoop. TV Guide Magazine: We are loving this umpteenth Victor-Nikki reunion! Who's likely to spoil it this time around? Thomas Scott: Victor does the entire Valentine's factor, getting inside a pianist along with a violinist, candle lights and champagne, which obviously results in sex. They are crazily for each other. But Nikki will discover he lied to her about his participation within the Chelsea-Anita scam and she or he leaves him. Much like that. Over! Bang! Nikki will get her s--t together and states, "I can not stay here any longer. I am done!" TV Guide Magazine: Then what? Nikki dates back towards the bottle? Thomas Scott: As you may know, it's rarely really over for Victor and Nikki but it is my prediction she'll get connected with Jack Abbott [Peter Bergman] again and they're going to most likely marry. She's going to him within the hospital every single day and being an excellent friend. [Laughs] Everyone knows where leading! When Peter and that i first saw individuals scripts we're able to read between your lines. But it is just my speculation. TV Guide Magazine: Y&R rankings required a frightening dive whenever you were wiped off the show for six several weeks this past year. Because you returned, they are significantly increasing. Coinkydink? We do not think so. Thomas Scott: I'm thrilled concerning the amounts. Actually, I'm reveling inside them. [Laughs] However I would not be so presumptuous to consider it had been all me! TV Guide Magazine: Are you currently whatsoever sorry they dropped the murder charges against Nikki, therefore slowly destroying you of the Emmy-bait trialThomas Scott: An effort for which? TV Guide Magazine: For killing that damn Diane, obviously.Jones Scott: Meh. Individuals are so over that "Who wiped out Diane?" mystery. They did not like her to start with plus they don't appear to possess a problem that she's dead. Anyway, this is actually the third person Nikki has wiped out. She wiped out her father her first month on the program, plus some guy named Walter Addison when she was confused for the reason that Darlene Conley-Rose DeVille scam. Which means this ain't new territory. TV Guide Magazine: Do you consider Nikki was always supposed to have been the killer or did [professional producer-mind author] Maria Bell attempt to build your lengthy absence seem like it had been done purposely?Thomas Scott: [Laughs] Never imagined from it this way. My take is the fact that Maria anxiously waited to solve that whole murder mystery until she understood I had been coming back. I am sure she'd have preferred to possess me back sooner. However it needed to be fought against by helping cover their the suits. Maria was waiting and wishing I'd return. TV Guide Magazine: The fans and also the press offer her lots of flack for the exit, yet you've always place the blame squarely on The new sony.Thomas Scott: I actually do everything I'm able to to inform people Maria had nothing related to it. She is just one of my staunchest fans. So people can think what they need. There is no monkey business where she and that i were concerned. TV Guide Magazine: Talking about monkey business, exactly what do you think about this Daytime Emmy mess?Thomas Scott: Apparently you will find no takers to use them TV. Includes a date even been introduced? TV Guide Magazine: Yeah, there is a date but which side they are doing it? I suppose they are able to always present the honours in a bowling alley. Just watch, this is actually the year you ultimately win after 32 years on Y&R and you've got to simply accept your trophy on Lane 6.Thomas Scott: [Laughs] Oh, it will not be that bad. I had been unofficially told when nobody accumulates the honours to televise them they will take place in the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The industry living room, cameras or no cameras. TV Guide Magazine: And much better than schlepping everyone's butt to Vegas. Though I must state that my being there to witness the confrontation between you which suit from The new sony in the Bell after-party this past year was totally well worth the schlep.Thomas Scott: I'll always remember the appearance in your face. I have never witnessed you want that. TV Guide Magazine: I had been scared crapless! Do you consider you had been ousted to change almost every other star around the two The new sony soaps? In the end, when the top actress on top show can all of a sudden be from employment, is not everybody at risk? Thomas Scott: I'm not sure. Everything might have been done deliberately to create others afraid. Maybe it will change many people. There have been very couple of stars who had wonderful items to tell me after i came back. Whatever. Anything can be done. Anybody could possibly get canned later on and also the reasons for your will never be revealed, as you may know. The main one factor I'll have to say is that people have so many people on the program. TV Guide Magazine: As your blacklisting ultimately were built with a happy ending and you are back with great tales and encouraging rankings, could it be all okay now? Or do you want it had not happened?Thomas Scott: It happened and it'll forever change my little existence story, however it all came around to some better place than where things were to start with. So no regrets. I never regret anything. TV Guide Magazine: Okay Edith Piaf, one further question. What is the scoop about this new web series you are associated with?Jones Scott: I really hope it is going! It's known as Let Go. TV Guide Magazine: Oh, the irony.Thomas Scott: I have shot 2 or 3 episodes to date. It comes down to three men who're roommates in NY plus they all lose their jobs exactly the same week. Shirley Johnson and Marty Ingels will also be inside it. TV Guide Magazine: And also you play...?Thomas Scott: Tune Thomas Scott! Among the roommates has viewed and worshipped Nikki his entire existence - he began at his mother's knee - and that he has constant dreams about me. But I am never really me. I recieve to experience another character in each and every episode, all advised on by his dependence on me. I appear because the plumber, along with a pageant mother screaming at her kid along with a Martha Stewart-type cooking host. I might be a nun. Anything on the planet. It is awesome. 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