J.K. Rowling Almost Killed Ron Weasley

In other 'Harry Potter'-death-related news, J.K. Rowling has revealed that she almost killed one your favorite characters from the beloved franchise. In an interview with The Guardian, the author admits how close she came to axing Ron Weasley at the end of the seventh and final 'Potter' book. So, what stopped her? "Funnily enough, I planned from the start that none of them would die. Then midway through, which I think is a reflection of the fact that I wasn't in a very happy place, I started thinking I might polish one of them off. Out of sheer spite," Rowling told the paper. "But I think in my absolute heart of heart of hearts, although I did seriously consider killing Ron, [I wouldn't have done it]." You have to love that Rowling refers to killing one of her characters as "polishing them off." At least Weasley fans everywhere can now sleep well knowing that their "king" is living the good life with Hermione and their two children, Rose and Hugo. You can see Ron, and his other mates, when 'The Deathly Hallows Part II' hits shelves on Nov. 11. [via Guardian] [Photo: Warner Bros.] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Schweiger to star in killer pic

SchweigerBERLIN -- German star Til Schweiger is taking a break from his trademark screwball comedies and getting deadly serious for his next pic, an action thriller about a professional hitman.Schweiger is writing, directing and producing "The Guardian," which has so far picked up Euros600,000 ($850,434) from the German Federal Film Fund (FFA).The multi-hyphenate will produce via his Berlin-based Barefoot Films. Paul Maurice is co-writing the script.Schweiger's last film, "Kokowaah," about a skirt-chasing writer whose life is turned upside down when a little girl shows up on his doorstep, earned some $43 million at the German box office this year, making it the most successful domestic pic of the year and a major hit for Warner Bros. Contact Ed Meza at staff@variety.com

Matraga (A hora e a vez p Augusto Matraga)

A Prodigo Films presentation and production, in colaboration with Orkestra Filmes, using the participation of TeleImage, Studio Quanta. Created by Adriano Civita, Beto Gauss. Exective producer, Elisa Tolomelli. Directed by Vinicius Coimbra. Script, Manuela Dias, Coimbra, in line with the short story by Joao Guimaraes Rosa.With: Joao Miguel, Vanessa Gerbelli, Jose Wilker, Chico Anysio, Antonio Petrin, Ze Dumont, Teca Pereira, Ivan p Almeida, Irandhir Santos, Gorete Milagres, Werner Schunemann, Claudio Jaborandi, Vinicius p Oliveira, Odilon Esteves, Romulo Braga, Julio Andrade, Alexandre Zachia, Evil Reboucas, Geraldo Peninha, Glicerio Rosario Dias, Joao Dinico, Iami Lobato Silva, Melissa Isabelli, Carolina Franca.A Brazilian bandit player sees the sunshine, simply to be confronted with more violent opponents in "Matraga," the type of film where you'd half-be prepared to visit a miniature angel and demon do fight while perched around the protag's shoulders. But newcomer Vinicius Coimbra's suave but simplistic adaptation from the 1946 short story by literary giant Joao Guimaraes Rosa is simply too committed to as being a feijoada Western, seasoned with regionalist touches, to actually plumb the depths of Matraga's opposing interior forces. Quadruple wins in the Rio fest should help local odds, while curio factor inspires some sprocket-opera shootouts. Within an unspecified time, courageous rural troublemaker Augusto Matraga (Joao Miguel, sufficient) is drawn in by two religious outcasts (Ivan p Almeida, Teca Pereira) after being left for dead by his adversaries. He subsequently turns into a God-fearing citizen, until a effective landowner (Jose Wilker) crosses his path. Lensing and art direction are specifically elegant, although the tanned, leatherlike faces and whiskey-colored firelight imbue a nostalgic, yellowed-paper quality that romanticizes the violence, towards the hindrance of mental insight. Helmer Roberto Santos' earlier "Matraga" adaptation performed Cannes in 1966.Camera (color), Lula Carvalho editor, Alexandre Boechat music, Sasha Amback production designer, Moa Batsow costume designer, Janet Filipecki. Examined at Rio Film Festival (competing), March. 14, 2011. Running time: 106 MIN. Contact Boyd van Hoeij at news@variety.com

Cable Pilot Castings: Dan Lauria To Star In Sullivan & Son, Austin Butler In Intercept

EXCLUSIVE: Dan Lauria is set to star opposite Steve Byrne in TBS half-hour comedy pilot Sullivan And Son, starring comedian Byrne and executive produced by Vince Vaughn and Peter Billingsley. Written by Byrne and Cheers alum Rob Long, Sullivan And Son is in the vein of the classic NBC comedy and takes place in a popular and legendary neighborhood bar in a working-class neighborhood in Pittsburgh. It centers on Steve Sullivan (Byrne), the son of the bars current owner (Lauria) and the grandson of its founder, who surprises his Irish-American father and Korean-American mother (Jodi Long) when he decides to leave his job as a successful corporate attorney in New York and return to the neighborhood to take over Sullivan & Son. Lauria is with Talent Works, Marshak/Zachary & Jeff Berger. Austin Butler, who has been recurring on ABC Family’s Switched At Birth, is set to star in a potential new series for the network. Butler has joined ABC Family’s hourlong pilot Intercept, a technology- and action-driven drama about four college students who get roped into solving crimes when one of them (Butler) creates a high-tech communication device that intercepts conversations throughout the West Coast. Butler joins recently cast Danielle Panabaker and Chloe Wang.

Fringe Scoop: 5 Items to Know Since Peter Has Came back

Joshua Jackson [Warning: This story consists of spoilers from Friday's episode of Fringe.] Fringe's Peter has came back! After Olivia (Anna Torv) and Walter (John Noble) both recognized these were getting visions of the identical strange guy, they set to uncover his identity. Thinking about that Peter (Joshua Jackson) required the type of a vibrant blue blob of one's -- an unwanted effect of attempting to mix in to the timeline -- he found them first. After watching The Power Blob absorbing everything metal, they incorrectly assumed it was really a rogue cortexiphan patient Olivia had formerly experienced who had a chance to project themself . Even though they hunted lower the topic under consideration, works out he wasn't accountable for The Blob, but tend to destroy it. Fringe Scoop: Peter returns... but nobody takes note of him! Fortunately, recognizing it had been literally the guy of her dreams, Olivia stopped the individual over time, though he still apparently provided enough juice for Peter to come back in corporeal form at Reiden Lake, the website well over-there Peter's dying when he would be a boy. So, Peter has returned - but nobody takes note of him, as displayed when Olivia stated, "Who're you?" Who's he indeed? As this is the convoluted realm of Fringe, we have to become familiar with this particular new Peter, so we have put together 5 things to understand about him and also the reality he's facing since he's came back: 1. Peter 2. is certainly upgrading: Peter is technically exactly the same guy we have arrived at know and love, but he is not the guy we first met. "Since the guy that people met at first of Fringe didn't have wish to be there, and gradually got warped into this, as John and that i referred to it, fanboy," Jackson formerly told us. "Throughout doing that, he type of went from being the impetuous teen from the show to type of sulking within the corner, to really as being a guy. And also the guy who does return towards the show after getting sacrificed themself for that passion for his household is another guy. I believe he's developed a great deal. I believe another guy returns compared to guy that left." 2. You will see trust issues: They might not know him, but Peter still maintains all his reminiscences of these, that will make the Fringe Division to place him on lockdown. "When he turns up declaring all these points and knowing all these points, it is freaky," Lance Reddick states. "Broyles' attitude is the fact that it is possible what he's saying holds true, however the last place I am likely to do would be to believe him... a minimum of in the beginning. It needs to achieve a place where there's a lot validity towards the information he has and exactly how he helps, that with time, he's given increasingly more trust and increasingly more freedom to use, work and help." Fringe Bosses: Peter never been around, however the last three seasons still did 3. Peter and Walter will not be playing catch in the near future: Poor Peter, he most likely expected a warm welcome from his father, but all Walter sees may be the guy that has been haunting his visions. "'Oh hello there, I am your son' -- It will not be, 'Oh thank heavens for your,'" Noble told us on set. "Around Walter may would like it to be [like this] - and we'll see some that, but we can not resolve this too soon, so we have reached build that factor through. You will see some resolution within the first half of year.Inch 4. Peter and Olivia aren't relaxing in a tree: Oh, the way we wish it were really like old occasions and they'd just fall under each other peoples arms, but Torv states, "Within this timeline, Olivia does not know who he's, as well as in Peter's timeline, it required them a very long time to obtain together, so..." 5. Baby Henry is not a gleam in Peter's eye: Simply because Peter has returned, does not mean his baby with Bolivia instantly is going to be, too. "It isn't possible if they have never met," Torv states. "Unless of course we finish up returning towards the other timeline, which might happen." Are you currently excited that Peter has returned? Seem off within the comments!

'The Lady in Black' Trailer: Daniel Radcliffe Freaks Out

&amplta href='http://video.uk.msn.com/?mkt=en-gb&ampampfrom=null&ampampvid=46fcf972-d1fc-4739-91c9-e5830a3a5ca9&ampampsrc=FLPl:embed::uuids' target='_new' title='MSN World Exclusive: Lady In Black - Uk trailer' &ampgtVideo: MSN World Exclusive: Lady In Black - Uk trailer&amplt/a&ampgt .publish-content img There wouldn't be just as much fanfare surrounding 'The Lady in Black' whether or not this wasn't Daniel Radcliffe's first publish-'Harry Potter' film. On paper, the film appears much like your standard horror flick: a young lawyer travels towards the and surrounding suburbs and discovers a ghost losing it the neighborhood people. However, when the short but terrifying teaser opened up in August, many amazed at -- well, how good the film looked. Does the initial full trailer for your movie keep so great will going? Yep! While it's tough to judge an entire film having a two-minute clip, 'The Lady in Black' trailer indicates a project that should be quite entertaining. Your friendly Moviefone editors are rooting for Daniel to become launched on top with that certain. Ultimately, we wouldn't want Potter fans on Quiddich brooms chasing after after us across the relaxation within our lives, either. [via MSN] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Whitney Houston Faces Offered by Airline travel Personnel

Whitney Houston Whitney Houston rejected to buckle her vehicle car seatbelt onboard a Delta flight from Atlanta on Wednesday, People has confirmed.Photo gallery: Whitney Houston using the yearsThe 48-year-old Grammy champion "had words" getting a crew member who asked for the singer to lock her vehicle car seatbelt. After she was informed that they may be started the Detroit-bound flight if she didn't comply, Houston eventually allowed your flight attendant to buckle her in.Have a look at really current day news"She wasn't drunk, consuming or on drugs she only decided to be exhausted," an origin told People.Houston has saved a small-profile lately, after apparently stretching her stay at a rehab facility in June.

Holly Robinson Peete Books First Gig Since Leaving The Talk: Arc On CBS Comedy Mike & Molly

EXCLUSIVE: No hard feelings? Two months after her surprising ouster from CBS’ daytime show The Talk, Holly Robinson Peete is returning to the network for her first major post-Talk gig: a multiple-episode arc on CBS’ sophomore comedy Mike & Molly. Robinson Peete has been enjoying an outpouring of support from fans of The Talk following CBS’ August decision not to pick up her and fellow co-host Leah Remini’s options for Season 2, and there has been a lot of curiosity about what the actress would do next. Joining a CBS series was probably not high on anybody’s guess list. Mike & Molly, from creator Mark Roberts, executive producer Chuck Lorre and Warner Bros TV, stars Billy Gardell as overweight police officer Mike and Melissa McCarthy as his plus-size schoolteacher girlfriend Molly. Robinson Peete will play a love interest for Mike’s partner Carl (Reno Wilson), who lives with grandmother and has been struggling with women. This marks Robinson Peete’s return to multi-camera comedy genre where she she has starred in a number of series, including the Warner Bros TV-produced Like Family. The actress, repped by Innovative and manager John Ferriter, also has a cameo in the upcoming 21 Jump Street movie, reprising her role from the Fox series.

Ask Matt: Homeland, Revenge, Dancing, Prime Suspect, and More!

Damien Lewis, Claire Danes Send questions to askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com and follow me on Twitter!Question: Homeland is excellent! Absolutely loved the first episode! I love the drama, storyline and just how it was set up for the entire season. My question to you is if this show is supposed to be only one season or depending on the ratings may extend to another season? ­- MikeMatt Roush: Isn't it great! Let's hope Homeland runs for as many seasons as the story allows. You always have to figure shows like these are intended to run beyond a single season. (If not, we'd be calling it a miniseries.) But I do understand the question, because the initial premise of the show - is Brody a sleeper agent, or is Carrie crazier than she seems? - makes you wonder where the story will go once we get to the root of what happened during Brody's captivity and whether that figures into a larger terrorist conspiracy. Preferring to go on the ride without knowing where it's heading (no spoilers here, obviously), I'm basically looking on this season as the first chapter in what is promising to be an emotionally compelling thrill ride.Question: For the first time in years, I am finding myself really enjoying many new fall shows. What are your thoughts on Revenge? I have really enjoyed the episodes so far. The cast is stellar and the story leaves enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. But I am concerned about the sustainability and longevity of the show. I know producers have promised to run a couple of "revenge" stories per year, but so far it seems like everything is leading up to an "end." What do you think about its chances for long-term success? - RobMatt Roush: Hard to say. I wasn't sold on this one initially, though I do understand its appeal as a melodramatic guilty pleasure with a healthy dose - maybe overdose - of class warfare wish fulfillment. (A pox on those hateful rich-bitch Hamptonites!) My problem as I've watched the successive episodes so far is that it keeps hitting the same beats rather slavishly - Emily certainly makes her payback schemes look ridiculously easy - and even the overripe showdowns between Emily and queen bee Victoria feel repetitive to me. (Plus, when the focus shifts to blah subplots like the Romeo and Juliet relationship of Declan and Charlotte, I feel I'm trapped in ABC Family hell.) But if the producers stick to their guns and move the story forward in presumably surprising ways after this initial arc of Emily's cross-off-the-next-victim game plan, that could make for a more interesting show. Revenge opened strong but has lost ground a bit, though it's still doing considerably better than any other drama ABC has tried in that tough time period in recent seasons. So I can't imagine we won't get a full season of this show, and what happens in the back half will determine whether this really is worth watching for the long haul.Want more Matt Roush? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!Question: I enjoy reading critical opinion about TV, especially yours, but sometimes I feel like TV critics get stuck on an idea and echo-chamber something into the ground. I definitely feel that way about critical response to Free Agents, but I'm writing particularly about Prime Suspect. I know critics watched, and loved, the Helen Mirren version, but I feel like it's blinded you to how good the Bello show is, just because it's called the same thing. Critics appear to have gotten stuck on the Prime Suspect title and decided that the show could only be a pale imitation. I've seen some of the Mirren Prime Suspect and found it excellent, but I can divorce that from what Maria Bello and co. are quietly and competently (dare I say more than competently) doing over on NBC. I think that thanks to critical drubbing, this show is on the cancellation track when the elements are all there for success. I definitely disagreed with critics about what they considered to be the weaknesses of the pilot. I think it's telling that most of the critics complaining about the "cartoonish" sexism were men, because I'm a woman in a heavily male work environment and I can tell you they didn't go far enough and obvious enough. I acknowledge the hat and Jane's rough edges are a stylistic choice that may not be to everyone's taste (though I like them), but nobody can deny that you can look at this character and tell exactly who she is. I just feel like this show was judged and found wanting without a fair trial, and I'm sorry that it's probably going to be canceled, because it's a great show, with some amazing talent doing better-than-solid work in front and behind the camera. - NikaMatt Roush: Don't give up on this one yet. I haven't. Although I'm also not going to apologize for comparing it unfavorably to the British series - they asked for it, after all, by naming it Prime Suspect (a title that doesn't really even apply to this more generic series) - or for criticizing the over-the-top portrayal of the "beef trust" in the pilot episode. Which seems to have been scaled back since, as promised. I liked Bello's portrayal from the start, but wish they'd toughened the character even more. (Case in point: Substituting Jane Tennison's self-destructive alcoholism for the new Jane's nicotine habit, played for laughs, feels like such a "network" sort of compromise.) NBC is probably going to be patient with this one as best it can - giving it some additional exposure the next few Mondays (in the Playboy Club slot) is a good start - but if it fails, it won't be a result of critical derision but because it didn't stand out enough from the oversaturated field of police dramas. And with this pedigree, it should have.Question: I am looking for a positive spin on CW's Nikita ratings. Do you have one to offer? The show is phenomenally good and I hate that all the press right now is coming down to ratings. - SabrinaMatt Roush: The best way to spin those numbers is to put them in context. We're talking the CW here, and Friday night TV, so figure that expectations are low. I can't imagine the CW expected Nikita to do much better than it's doing in this lousy Friday time period, where it has to be a self-starter. In the bigger picture, Nikita is the kind of slick action thriller that can sell well internationally, so it may be in the best corporate interest (of Warner Bros., the "W" in the "CW" equation) to keep the show going regardless of its ratings. I'm enjoying the rogue nature of Nikita this season, but its dense mythology probably doesn't help when it comes to attracting new viewers, even if the show hadn't switched nights.Question: I am watching Dancing with the Stars for the first time this season. I read in TV Guide Magazine this week that ratings have dropped 18 percent mainly due to the "lackluster cast." Well, it's the cast that drew me to watch the first week and to continue watching. It's a mix of people I have liked for years (Ricki, Chynna, David, Carson), people that I wanted to see a different side of (Nancy, Chaz), and people I only vaguely recognized but was curious about (Hope, Rob, J.R.). It's the first time in ages that I knew who most of the "stars" were. Approaching week 4, I'm running into two obstacles to enjoyment: two-hour episodes plus an hourlong results show, and fans voting off superior performers. Although I wasn't crying in my beer when Ron/Metta, Elisabetta and Kristen were eliminated, it didn't seem right for them to be sent off when they had done so well by the judges' scores. Still, someone must go every week and the heavy weighting of the fan votes keeps the competition interesting for them.The long episodes in the early weeks are justified because we see the hard work in rehearsals and the developing chemistry (or not) of the stars with their pro partners. I have watched episodes both live and recorded and can't get through the recordings in less than 95 minutes because I like to run a couple of the dance routines back and watch them again. I only watched one of the results shows all the way through and liked it OK, but a whole hour seems unnecessary. As much as I am enjoying this season so far, I can't justify devoting three hours a week to it, so I'm not. This is a beautifully produced show, so should I feel guilty about enjoying it on my own terms? Is there any realistic solution to the time problem? - FrankMatt Roush: I'm always interested in someone's first-time take on a long-running phenom. Your learning curve is, I'm betting, not that much different than how the rest of us have adjusted to watching Dancing over time. In other words, NEVER IN REAL TIME. The padding of these two-hour performance shows and especially the hourlong results shows are excruciating to watch in anything but fast-forward mode. Like you, I have replayed some of my favorite (or most indelibly train-wreck) performances along the way, and I figure there are many fans who regard the results show, with the guest performers and dancers, as a throwback of sorts to the old-fashioned variety show. But three hours of this, and four hours of The X Factor some weeks, is just too much. I certainly don't have the time or inclination in a brand-new season to spend infinite hours with these shows, but at the same time, if you enjoy the rehearsal footage and production values, there's nothing to be guilty about, however you choose to indulge. As we recently reported in the same issue you referred to, these super-sized reality shows aren't going to shrink anytime soon, even as their ratings have gone down noticeably this fall. Regarding Dancing's numbers and the current cast, I'll be curious if the ratings start improving, now that they've shed most of the "who-are-these-people" contestants. But in analyzing the Dancing numbers, it's not just about the show but about the environment, and Mondays are much more competitive this fall, with bigger-than-usual numbers for the CBS comedies plus fresh meat like Terra Nova.Question: If Whitney is supposed to be "taped before a live audience," then why the annoying laugh track?? Oh yeah, I know - because it is NOT funny. - RJMatt Roush: Whitney is a very grating show, which makes the pumped-up laughter that much more irritating, but as I've said before, I don't buy into the snobbery concerning the classic sitcom format. My advice is to get used to it. And not just because Whitney got a full-season pickup. (Sigh.) Especially with the mega-ratings for CBS' traditionally filmed comedies (Two and a Half Men, Big Bang Theory and even the resurgent How I Met Your Mother, which employs a laugh track without benefit of a studio audience), I'm betting you'll see a higher percentage of shows in the pipeline embracing the old format, which includes actual laughter from the studio audience, though often sweetened in the final mix. If the show is funny, like Big Bang, I don't mind it. And the brilliance and success of Modern Family aside, many of TV's most enduring and successful comedy hits have come accompanied with the sound of unseen people's laughter.Question: While I enjoyed the previous season of Harry's Law, the new season is even better. Gone is the fluffy romance of Jenna and Malcolm from the first season (In fact, Aml Ameen is nowhere to be seen). In contrast, the new season has a tougher edge, with Jean Smart's bitchy DA Remmick as the perfect foil for Harry. Also, Alfred Molina has been superb as the dangerously disturbed murder suspect Eric Sanders. If this first three-episode arc is any indication of what we will be treated to this year, Harry's Law may become something NBC hasn't seen since their Law & Order heyday: a hit drama. Your thoughts? - CarlMatt Roush: I wasn't shy about sharing my feelings about Harry's Law last season, so it's probably not a surprise that in my estimation, the show had only one way to go, and that's up. So yes, I'm on board with the changes, including the addition of the always-welcome Mark Valley, and even when I'm not a fan, I can appreciate that David E. Kelley shows have always been strong in the guest-casting department, and that's been the case in the first arc this season, especially watching Jean Smart go head-to-head against Kathy Bates. Even so, classifying this show as a hit is a stretch. It skews very old (which isn't a negative in my eyes, but I'm not an advertiser) and is in a terrible time period, where it's being outpaced by bigger hits like Modern Family, Criminal Minds and The X Factor. It's lucky to be on NBC, where so much of the schedule is in tatters that it's likely to be left alone for a while.Question: I know it's a bit early to be thinking about this, but given the larger-than-usual number of strong pilots for midseason and obviously limited shelf space on the networks, what do you think the chances are of fall series being picked up for a full season this year? Fox has already said that Terra Nova won't have a back-nine order due to its long turnaround time, but what about other shows? I know ABC has to be looking for a new hit to replace Desperate Housewives next year, and if the subsequent episodes stay as fun as the pilot was, I'd be pretty okay with Pan Am moving up an hour to do that. But will they even give it a full season to grow, with shows like Good Christian Belles and The River waiting in the wings? Is it possible that some of the fall shows could be expected to return next fall, without back-nine orders? Such a long hiatus (albeit for strike-induced reasons) ultimately doomed Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money, which started off strong pre-strike, and obviously Terra Nova will have the same problem if it launches again next fall. I just hope that all the good stuff this fall gets to stick around long enough to stay visible. - JakeMatt Roush: I'm sorry to say that it's not looking as if Pan Am has the lift to fill Desperate Housewives' pumps after all. Although I'll be surprised if it doesn't get a full-season pickup to prove its case. Maybe GCB will have better luck at midseason. And don't rule out Once Upon a Time as a sleeper contender. I just watched a second (actually the third) episode, and I'm now on board with this fanciful series in a way I wasn't after my first look at the overstuffed pilot. To answer your actual question, I don't think any successful first-year show except Terra Nova (which has a limited first season for logistical reason) will be denied a full-season pickup because of midseason replacement needs. There's ample time to rest shows in the spring to give midseason hopefuls a tryout and then bring them back (when warranted) to finish the season. You're right that benching shows too early makes it more difficult to relaunch them the next year. But I don't see that affecting any of the breakout shows this season.Question: Maybe I'm a huge dork, but I love the show Parenthood. There never seems to be any buzz about it at all. Don't get me wrong. I'm in love with The Good Wife, one of the absolute best shows on TV now and maybe ever. I've adored Julianna Margulies since ER, ditto with Josh Charles since Sports Night. The writing, the acting, everything is impeccable. Desperate Housewives needs to go from Sundays immediately. So stupid and badly written and acted at this point. But Parenthood is an extremely moving show. Is it only on the air because NBC has crap programming? Does it get any ratings at all since it's up against Body of Proof? Can't tell you how tired I am of shows about a medical examiner who goes everywhere when the real ones do post-mortems in the lab and visit crime scenes. Only. Parenthood is the only "family" show that I'm interested in. Are there any others at this point? I hate how they just stop story lines, although many shows seem to do this. The Lauren Graham character was becoming a successful playwright and it was cool. Now she's back to having no direction and her only activities are bugging her daughter and dating the teacher. It's all pathetic and ridiculous. This is the star of Gilmore Girls, after all. She's a phenomenon, for goodness sake. But I love the new venture with Colby and Adam and the Julia thing with the coffee girl and her baby. Yes, the parents are meddlesome. This is not uncommon. The Asperger's thing is done really well, I think, having known a few people with this condition. I'm just curious if it has any future and if I'm the only one watching it. - TeddyMatt Roush: Parenthood is a rarity on TV, dealing with multigenerational family issues in a more-or-less realistic manner, with humor and warmth (and at times maybe a bit too much hysteria). I'm kind of glad they dialed back on Sarah-as-budding-playwright, because I like that the Bravermans for the most part aren't living a heightened-for-TV lifestyle. And the Asperger's storyline for Max has always been the most moving and successful aspect of this series. The fact that NBC recently increased the show's order this season from 16 to 18 episodes is a welcome sign of support on behalf of a network that has very few bright spots. Parenthood isn't what you'd call a hit, but its concentration of younger viewers makes it more competitive than most dramas on the NBC schedule. I've always been struck by how people say they want to see shows like this on TV, and then tend to ignore them when they're on, in favor of the kind of formula TV (like Body of Proof and, even worse, Unforgettable) you can watch virtually any hour of the week. Parenthood's future is directly tied to NBC's fortunes - if the network starts doing better, it will begin to shed its more marginal players - but I sense NBC really believes in this show and isn't looking to dump it.That's all for now. Keep sending your comments and questions to askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com, and in the meantime, follow me on Twitter!Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

'Breaking Bad' Season 4 Finale Earns Record Ratings

AMC AMC scored a win with the season four finale of their hit series Breaking Bad. Across three airings on Sunday, Oct. 9 (10 pm, 11 pm, Midnight), the show nabbed 2.9 million viewers, with 1.8 million in the 18-49 demographic. PHOTOS: THR's Emmy Icon Covers With Bryan Cranston, Mary Tyler Moore The show was also ranked as the most engaging series on television according to Nielsen's IAG, which measures program engagement and ad effectiveness. THR COVER STORY: Hollywood's Emmy Icons Overall, season four is Breaking Bad's highest rated season to date. The series grew 24% over season three among adults 18-49, which is the largest jump for any drama series in the history of basic cable. Season four averaged 1.9 million viewers. In August, AMC announced a 16-episode final season to air in 2012. AMC TV Ratings Breaking Bad

Box Office Preview: Hugh Jackman's 'Real Steel' Set to Win Weekend

Shawn Levy's father-boy boxing tale Real Steel features a apparent shot within the weekend box office crown on the potency of families and fans, because the George Clooney-directed political drama Ides of Marchwill rely on older grownups.our editor recommendsReal Steel: Film ReviewThe Ides of March: Film Review'The Ides of March': George Clooney, Ryan Gosling Play Politics in New Trailer (Video)'Real Steel': Hugh Jackman Talks Robot Boxing, Possible Follow-up (Video) Conservative estimations show Real Steel -- starring Hugh Jackman -- opening inside the $22 million-$25 million range. Disney is disseminating the film. PHOTOS: 'Real Steel' Start Searching: Hugh Jackman in DreamWorks' Robot Boxing Film From DreamWorks, the $110 million pic introduces the game of robot boxing which is occur the long term. Jackman's character, a washed-up fighter, discovers he's an 11-year-old boy, as well as the two bond around the junkyard robot they uncover. The finest question for you is whether males under 25 might have up (they've been AWOL within the multiplex in recent several days). Real Steel, rated PG-13, examined best among families in prereleasing tests. Disney thinks Sunday business may be strong, since Monday might be the Columbus Day holiday, when 36% of babies come from school. VIDEO: Hugh Jackman Describes Robot Boxing in 'Real Steel' Featurette Overseas, the DreamWorks pic opens in many major areas, including Mexico, Russia and Australia (Jackman's home country). Within The U . s . States, Real Steelopens in 3,440 locations, including Imax theaters. Ides of Marchgoes by 50 percent,199. The brand new the new sony is disseminating Ides of March -- starring Clooney, Ryan Gosling and Philip Seymour Hoffman -- for Mix Creek pictures, which fully funded the $12.5 million political thriller. VIDEO: George Clooney States He's Still 'Upset' About Losing 'Thelma & Louise' Role to Kaira Pitt The well-examined Ides of March, set within a presidential campaign, should make the most of its topical written content. The film is monitoring best among as well as males over the age of 25, however the new the new sony needs more youthful moviegoers to exhibit out too. Within the niche box office, Emilio Estevez's The Means By Which, starring the director's father,Martin Sheen, opens in 33 locations. The film continues to be disseminating the Producers Distribution Agency. VIDEO: George Clooney States 'ER' Made His Existence 'More Complicated' The Weinstein Co. opens Dirty Girl, starring Juno Temple, in nine locations, while IFC opens follow-up Human Centipede 2: Full Sequencein 18. Related Subjects George Clooney Hugh Jackman Philip Seymour Hoffman Ryan Gosling Real Steel Martin Sheen Emilio Estevez The Ides of March An Individuals Centipede 2

Fox taps Godsick in your thoughts consumer products

GodsickJeffrey Godsick, a longtime marketing vet at last century Fox, remains named leader of Fox Consumer Products. Lucrative runs worldwide certification of Fox's film and TV characteristics across all consumer products groups, including traditional merchandise, interactive gaming, posting and TV promotions. He'll manage both La and London offices, with Robert Marick, professional V . p . of Fox Consumer Products, verifying to him. Godsick reviews to last century Fox Television chairs Gary Newman and Dana Walden, since last century Fox Consumer Products can be a unit of last century Fox TV. "Jeffrey can be a most likely probably the most respected marketing professionals in this industry, which we leaped in the chance to create him onboard to steer our consumer products division," Newman mentioned. "His history over side remains amazing, which they know brand stewardship a lot better than anybody in the region. With this particular defacto standard characteristics like 'The Simpsons,' 'Glee,' 'Ice Age,' 'Family Guy' and 'Avatar' to title a couple of, you will discover fantastic options to build up our business." Fox might be the most recent studio to recently reorganize its consumer products division -- Disney and Vital offer attracted on new chiefs within the last several several days. The moves come since the models are becoming more valuable reasons for revenue for your majors, especially as art galleries produce more merchandise-friendly films and tv shows with broad appeal. "We are during the time of the development inside the points of consumer consumption, which amplifies the eye in creativity," mentioned Godsick of the necessity to reinvent how a studio approaches merchandise connected using its characteristics. While Godsick mentioned it absolutely was "too early to go over strategy," he did acknowledge the studio will especially focus on foreign areas. "It's a global business ... they're areas that are also growing in the products perspective." He added that digital platforms like Facebook could influence marketing techniques continue. "I really do think that there's really an opportunity for products being developed and released intended for the launch from the tv series or perhaps the launch from the movie," Godsick mentioned. Fox has frequently anxiously anxiously waited before opening from the film to make the most of its selling options, just like August's "Rise in the Planet in the Apes" as well as the first "Alvin as well as the Chipmunks." But, Godsick mentioned the world success in the Rupert Wyatt-helmed reboot of "Apes" augurs well for possible future obligations. "In my opinion 'Planet in the Apes' has totally opened up up up options overall in the selling and certification perspective. A home needs something to thrust itself to popular culture. Because the home posseses an awareness among a really selection of people, it's broad exposure around the worldwide basis." Since joining Fox in 1995, Godsick has held marketing posts including senior V . p . of publicity, professional V . p . of promoting and senior professional V . p ., concentrating on such campaigns as "Rise in the Planet in the Apes," "X-Males: Top Quality,In . "Rio," "Avatar," the "Ice Age" franchise, the "AlienInch films, the first "X-Males" film trilogy, "Moulin Rouge" and "Independence Day." He left the studio in 2006 being prexy of Fox-Walden for just two years before rejoining Fox. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

Paul Master Starring in Publish-Hurricane Katrina Thriller 'Hours'

Getty Images Paul Master has signed onto star in Hrs, a publish-Hurricane Katrina thriller that's making the directorial debut of film writer Eric Heisserer. Hrs constitutes a change of pace for Heisserer, who is among the town's go-to horror men he authored The One Thing, which opens October 14, along with the recent three dimensional pic, Final Destination. Younger crowd co-authored 2010's A Nightmare on Elm Street. PHOTOS: Premiere Photos: 'Fast Five' and 'Water for Tigers' Hrs informs the storyplot around a youthful father (Master) and the battle to keep his newborn daughter alive within an abandoned New Orleans hospital as a direct consequence of Hurricane Katrina. Peter Safran (Hidden) will produce the film though his Safran Company, also is financing the project, that is thinking of getting a March 2012 start. The film will shoot on location around New Orleans. For Master, coming from the massive success of Fast Five, Hrs reteams with Safran, to whom he just completed principal photography on indie thriller Vehicle 19. The actor also professional created the film. STORY: Paul Master to Executive Produce, Star in 'Vehicle 19' Master and Heisserer are repped by UTA. Master is furthermore repped by Luber Roklin while Heisserer can also be repped by Artwork Entertainment. UTA Independent Film Group packed Hrs together with Safran and can represent worldwide privileges towards the film. Paul Master UTA

Olivia Wilde, Russell Crowe 'Rush' To Ron Howard

Ron Howard can be a hot commodity in Hollywood at this time around after his ambitious approach to both "Arrested Development" film and tv series as well as the not successful "The Dark Tower" adaptation. His next movie might be the F1 racing drama "Hurry," plus it just showed up its latest top quality talent. Deadline is verifying that Olivia Wilde might be the most recent actress to participate Howard's latest film. She'll play seventies supermodel Suzy Burns, who eventually eventually ends up falling deeply deeply in love with and becoming married to primary character James Search. "Thor" star Chris Hemsworth plays Search, and Deadline finds that Howard hopes to recruit Russell Crowe for the film too. See the relaxation of current day casting news following a jump! More Stars Join Schwarzenegger's "The Ultimate Stand" The celebs of "The Ultimate Stand" continue relocating. The newest to participate the project are Rodrigo Santoro and Jaimie Alexander. Santoro may have a celebration-loving officer under Schwarzenegger's command, in line with the Hollywood Reporter. CinemaBlend discovered that Alexander could have a "playful romance" with Santoro's fellow officer. Billy Crudup Heads For The "Neighborhood Watch" "Watchmen" star Billy Crudup might be the most recent actor being signed aboard Ben Stiller's flick, "Neighborhood Watch." In line with the Hollywood Reporter, Crudup may have a neighbor known to as "creepy and strange." The film also stars Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, Will Forte and Rosemarie DeWitt. "Neighborhood Watch" continues to be directed by Akiva Schaffer. 50 Cent Joins "The Pursuit" Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson wants a effective acting career, which explains why he'll headline and produce his next action thriller, "The Pursuit," in line with the Hollywood Reporter. Jackson may have "the cop" inside the film who must synergy getting a criminal to locate an steered obvious of bank crook. Director Jessy Terrero is helming the project. Ensemble Comics Join Untitled Comedy Director Adam Shankman is attempting to reteam Oscar hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin once again. Deadline is verifying they haven't closed a deal getting a studio or hired a author, nevertheless the three principal players inside the film have expressed fascination with cooperating around the comedy. According to Deadline, the untitled movie is known to as "Purchasing and selling Places" meets "Inflammed Old Males." Reveal everything you considered current day Casting Make contact with should be genuine section below or on Twitter!

Watch Ellen Barkin Strangle Demi Moore, Battle Ellen Burstyn in Emotionally-Charged Another Happy Day Trailer

Imagine Rachel Getting Married, but instead of one emotionally unpredictable family member silently threatening to upset a family wedding, there are multiple. Enter Another Happy Day, the directorial debut of Sam Levinson (son of Barry) which features Ellen Barkin in a juicy comeback role as the volatile mother of the groom, Ellen Burstyn as her mother, Thomas Haden Church as her ex, Demi Moore as her ex’s new wife, recent Verge designee Ezra Miller as her drug addict son and Kate Bosworth as her cutter daughter. If your head’s not yet spinning, click ahead to see the family member-on-family member emotional crimes on display in the trailer for the messy matrimonial movie event of the year. To be more specific, Barkin plays a troubled matriarch, who, following years of mothering missteps, attends the wedding of an estranged son (Michael Nardelli) after springing her other son (Ezra Miller) from rehab. During the course of the wedding weekend, Barkin’s character clashes with her own resentful mother (Burstyn), strangles her ex’s former stripper wife (Moore), hits her son (Miller) and unleashes her own complicated, pent-up emotions on anyone within crying or screaming range. After the film ignited a Sundance bidding war earlier this year, Mandalay Vision snapped up the angsty indie, written and directed by Levinson. Look for Another Happy Day in theaters November 4. VERDICT: Bring on the crazy. [via ComingSoon.net]

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