Reconstructed biz is much more resilient

After 'Avatar' gossed $1 billion, traders requested an encore. Biz digs digital dollars The stock exchange has swooned and Wall Street fears a double-dip recession, but Hollywood has handled to remain over the doomsday fray -- a minimum of for now.And despite signs in some places of gathering storm clouds, the majors are producing profits, their brother or sister fundamental cable systems remain proven moneyspinners inside a weak economy as well as their parent media congloms have mostly divested their low-growth companies.The sustainability of Hollywood inside a sour economy isn't any accident. Through the years, company after company makes proper choices -- sometimes painful ones including shutdowns and lay offs -- to boost the underside lineFor the galleries, among the pathways to sustained profitability continues to be the losing of the niche film models, a stride that in the last couple of years has assisted reduce overhead. Because the recession of 2008, they have been more tight-fisted if this involves star salaries and having to pay talent -- an action that's prone to stick. "These businesses will not revert for their old cost overhead due to the fact the economy could get better," states Tuna Amobi, media/entertainment analyst at Standard & Poors. "That old methods for conducting business are out of the door.Inch Offloaded niche models include Miramax, the indie arm Disney offered at the end of 2010 to some private equity finance buyer, thinning parents company's focus to large mainstream films, Amobi states. Because the major galleries started this type of restructuring nearly 3 years ago, they have elevated their operating income from the meager 3%-7% to 10%-20%. As the congloms could find that satisfying, Amobi notes that they'll take increased pleasure within the performance of the fundamental cable systems, which routinely publish income within the high 30% to low 40% range.The media congloms also sleek themselves by unloading poorly carrying out or low-growth companies. For instance, Time Warner spun off battling America online, and News Corp. offered a number of its possessed-and-operated broadcast Tv producers. This is a giant change in the boom times of past decades when media companies were transporting high values, compelling the congloms to purchase magazines and Tv producers -- qualities simply to be shed later, in some instances.Present day purchases are more compact and much more proper. Media companies tend to purchase high-growth digital media clothes. Some also have jacked up quarterly cash returns compensated to traders, a path went after by CBS and NBCUniversal majority owner Comcast.For quite some time they have been doing other kinds of major corporate re-engineering. In 2006, Viacom elevated eye brows by splitting itself into two companies -- Viacom and CBS. In June, Cablevision Systems spun off its cable systems into AMC Systems.Wall Street has a tendency to value every $tens of millions of in income from multichannel TV platforms for example cable systems at $40 million to $70 million. The worthiness increases to $80 million to $100 million when the income is produced by high-growth fundamental cable systems, based on market multiples for media assets put together by investment house Gabelli & Co. Value are available in other areas too, such as the above-pointed out structural changes. "We have seen Cablevision achieve improvement in surface value by separating into various parts,Inch states Brett Harriss, research analyst at Gabelli & Co. "Surface value" describes Wall Street setting a greater cost due to a general change in the dwelling of the company despite the fact that the actual financials are unchanged.But despite each one of these positive measures, the outlook for media companies isn't entirely rosy. The advertising business, which supplies a sizable share on most media congloms' revenues, could be hurt through the other half of the double-dip recession, just like it experienced throughout the steep dip of 2008-2009. Furthermore, DVD sales still slump. The phenom is not likely to show around because customers are abandoning physical media for digital downloads and streaming, and also the development in online revenue for shot entertainment is to date not sufficiently strong to consider the slack. Another worry: After driving values for media conglomerates for a long time, fundamental cable systems for example CNN, Forex and MTV are ageing within the U.S. Opinions vary whether fundamental cable's robust income is in a immediate danger."The cable systems got hammered within the recession together with everybody else," states Derek Baine, senior analyst at investigator SNL Kagan. "But when you checked out the particular financials, their ad revenue was just flat to lower maybe 1%, and license costs were really up 8%-10% at lots of systems. I believe that fully distributed fundamental cable systems it's still able grow income 5% to eightPercent (despite the fact that they are ageing). It'll still quite a decent business," particularly since they are tapping worldwide.Hal Vogel, leader of Vogel Capital Management, is much more careful. "My take is the fact that growth will slow significantly within the next couple of years," he states. "Which will often lessen the multiples (on earnings) from the media conglomerates. The fundamental cable systems happen to be the motor for valuation expansion recently.InchWhilst the main movie galleries have enhanced their business through cost cutting by paring medium and small film releases, traders are still careful about setting them high values because profitability is volatile. Unlike advertising demand, the adapt from the film business doesn't stick to the general economic cycle. Rather, it's mainly associated with hit films and also to new media technologies breeding additional purchasers." 'Avatar' is easily the most visible illustration of a film that designed a billion dollars, that traders request, what else does a business have that may do too the coming year?Inch states Shaun Logsdon, controlling director at BMO Capital Marketplaces. "The reply is most likely nothing, although something comparable will come along inside a five or ten years. Success almost works against film companies with traders who're always searching to year-to-year evaluations." Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

'The Glee Project' Runners-Up: Two Episodes Is not a 'Consolation Prize'

Oxygen's "The Glee Project" runners up Lindsay Pearce and Alex Newell might not have won a seven-episode arc on "Glee," but Ryan Murphy could not split up using the duo, offering both two-episode guest activates the Fox hit.Throughout "The Glee Project's" 10-episode run, Pearce have been seen like a potential mean girl and rival to Jum Michele's Rachel Berry, and when the excitement the 19-year-old from Modesto, Calif., is hearing, that would likely happen. For Newell, meanwhile, impressed Ian Brennan together with his second drag performance from the competition, using the "Glee" co-creator proclaiming the 18-year-old Lynn, Mass., native's routine "brave.""The Hollywood Reporter" swept up with Pearce and Newell to go over as being a runner-up in addition to their visions for his or her time on Glee.THR: That which was dealing with the mind whenever you heard Ryan eliminate you, then moments later introduced both of you out after naming Samuel and Damian those who win?Pearce: In the beginning I had been disappointed at not winning, however i was OK. You can observe it on my small face I understood I did not win. When you are aware, you realize. I had been just pleased which i had finally first got it all done, which i did my job and all sorts of I desired from Ryan would be a thumbs up and that he provided one. I felt like I'd redeemed myself in the eyes which was all I desired. Him saying which i did not win, I did not have to win at that time any longer that wasn't what it really involved. He told Alex he did not win which would be a large shock for me personally. Then Damian and Samuel won, that was incredible. When he drawn Alex and that i as much as the leading and stated, 'You men actually are special here's something two episodes.' In the beginning, it had been like, I seem like this may well be a consolation prize, however it wasn't he wasn't consoling us, he was giving us an opportunity.Newell: The main one factor that people all learned is the fact that when Ryan begins to praise and compliment you, that isn't good whatsoever. However when he's finding all of your defects and everything wrong along with you, that's the optimum time because this means that he is able to help you on his show. For me personally, the moment he began adoring me, I understood I did not win. [I figured], 'The door isn't closing, the doorway is half open now. Regardless of what happens, somebody will check this out and you are likely to be effective inside your existence.' Simultaneously, I truly wanted it, and so i wasn't upset. But the moment he drawn me back on stage and stated, 'You're likely to have two episodes on my small baby,' the very first time during my existence I could not say anything I had been without words. It is a moment during my existence that I'll most likely always remember since it was the only real moment during my existence which i was quiet for. (Laughs.)THR: You arrived on the scene within the finals in drag for that second amount of time in your competition and "Glee" co-creator Ian Brennan known as you "brave." What am i saying for you?Newell: It meant the planet in my experience also it demonstrated he understood me and things i was representing, who I had been representing and everything about me. To call me brave was the very best compliment that anybody might have given me in those days or perhaps in general. It simply demonstrated that a person available will get me and knows things i are a symbol of.THR: Have you check this out coming whatsoever? Have you ever believe that maybe there can be an opportunity that four individuals could wind on "Glee" following the semifinals unsuccessful to transmit anybody home?Pearce: We spoken about this among ourselves however it never was like this would certainly happen because it absolutely was drilled into our minds that there is just one champion and merely one individual would finish on "Glee." Then there works out to become two those who win and 2 semi-those who win. There is a shot of me within the finale saying, 'Did all of us just win a bit?A Be it two episodes or seven, all of us obtain a small opportunity to live our dreams. THR: Are there any discussions about who you'll experience "Glee"?Pearce: I have heard gossips in regards to a Sheila character. In the beginning I figured everyone was getting my title wrong. People keep calling me Sheila. Now I hear Pendelton, and I'm not sure what or who that's. I'm not sure anything yet.THR: Alex, you clearly impressed the "Glee" men together with your drag performances. Any chance we'll observe that incorporated on the program?Newell: I really hope so. It's fun but painful my ft always cry! but it is really fun and shows will be able to play men and women. It implies that I am that underdog chameleon.THR: An amount you believe if Ryan and company scripted a mix-dressing or transgendered character for you personally?Newell: I'd be perfectly fine with this because you will find a wide variety of angles to that particular. Time passes to various schools to go to buddies and that i see transgendered kids and it is hard. Very few tv shows reveal that, it's that hidden factor that does not everyone really wants to discuss. But it's there and you will find people who wish to have the ability to turn the tv on and find out someone else who is like them. I seem like basically could that, I'd be beside myself and happy.THR: "The Glee Project" men noted throughout the series they could help you, Lindsay, like a rival to Rachel or perhaps a bad girl. I possibly could almost help you as Rachel's kid sister.Pearce: A youngster sister to Rachel could be amusing. It might be an aspiration. Jum has probably the most valued voices within the entertainment industry today. She's a giant and incredibly gifted. She uses her gift to the very best of her ability and is excellent at what she does. Sometimes the Rachel character is not one you usually love however, you always like to watch her sing. I have always loved her character. My very own personal story is greatly like hers, and that's why It could be funny that i can play a Rachel character because I kind of am one already. Simultaneously, it might be nice to behave different. Really something that Ryan pulls from his bag of miracle I'd be fine playing.THR: Alex, who does you most wish to share moments with?Newell: Amber Riley (Mercedes). I would like to use her because I understand any song that people sang together we'd just absolutely murder the song. That song could be ripped to each different shred. I'd like to talk about moments with Max Adler's Karofsky. I'd like to be his new love interest, I seem like that might be very fun.THR: Alex, you have been referred to on "Glee Project" because the lovechild of Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Mercedes. That which was the first reaction whenever you heard that?Newell: I died! I wish to do this so bad! My fans call me "Kurtcedes" already. I'd like to do that. The Hollywood Reporter

Hanji

Low-ranking civil servant Pil Yong (Park Joong Hoon) has things hard looking after his disabled wife(Ye Ji Won). He takes charge of a hanji project in hopes it will bring him a promotion. His wife comes from a family of hanji masters. One of his tasks include working with quarrelsome filmmaker Ji Won (Kang Su Yeon), who is shooting a documentary about hanji. Though he knows little about the subject to begin with, the more he learns about hanji, the more it takes on a new significance for him and the world around him.

Comedy Project From Ryan Reynolds Lands Put Pilot Deal At Fox, Tyler Labine To Star

Ryan Reynolds and Allan Loeb's lately released TV company DarkFire makes its first purchase, also it would be a quick one. The comedy project Guidance, from feature author Tim Dowling (Go By Using It, Heroines), only agreed to be removed by 20th TV where DarkFire includes a first-look deal. Within their first visit Fox, the network required the showcase the marketplace and also the relaxation from the pitch conferences were canceled. Tyler Labine (Reaper, Mad Love) is mounted on star in and produceGuidance, that is referred to being an adult buddy comedy occur senior high school. Reynolds continues to be very active in the project, that has received a put pilot commitment from Fox, including attending pitch conferences. He's executive creating using the relaxation from the DarkFire principals, Loeb, Steven Gem and Jonathon Komack Martin. Dowling has ties to both Loeb and Reynolds. He co-authored comedy feature Go By Using It with Loeb and, being an actor, he did a guest just right Reynolds' ABC sitcom Two Men along with a Girl 13 years back. Guidance brings Labine to Fox where he toplined the short-resided comedy series Sons of Tucson. The actor, lately observed in Rise from the Planets from the Apes, has been around-demand in TV, toplining 3 series within the last 24 months: Reaper, Sons of Tucson and Mad Love. Labine and Dowling are with CAA.

House: Odette Annable Won't Be Playing Cuddy 2.0, Talks Breaking In's Future

Odette Annable As any House fan knows, Dr. Gregory House is not the easiest person to get along with. Well, actually, he's probably one of the most loathed characters on television. But the cynical, self-absorbed, isolated doctor is about to find a kindred spirit -- in the form of a new female doctor played by Odette Annable. "They have a great connection," Annable tells TVGuide.com about her character. "Much like House, she loves the puzzle, the clues and the discovery of the diagnosis. I think they can really relate to each other." Is House on your Watchlist? Add it and your other favorites now and never miss an episode Annable, as well as fellow new series regular Charlyne Yi, are entering the picture in the wake of Lisa Edelstein's unexpected exit. Although Annable is still learning about her character, she knows one thing for sure: she's not Cuddy 2.0. "She's a completely different character. She's not coming in to replace anybody," Annable says. "She's a prison doctor who meets House at the prison so that's a little bada--. She's very friendly, she's very enthusiastic." Her character's enthusiasm is only matched by that of the actress herself. "It's so exciting to be a fan of House and to now be talking about being a character on the show. I'm so grateful and I hope that the fans will accept me." House Season 8 scoop: Cuddy fallout, new blood and a return to the show's roots She may have to worry about winning over House fans, but behind-the-scenes, Annable says she's had no such issues joining the cast and crew in the medical drama's eighth season. "It's so nerve-wracking to be able to come in and work with these great actors and feel like you actually have a place," she says. "Hugh Laurie is a dream to work with. He's very generous and very funny and immediately calmed my nerves." Unfortunately, Annable's days playing doctor may be numbered. Many have speculated that this could be the last season of House, after the down-to-the-minute negotiations between Fox network and Universal Studios and in the wake of Season 7's decline in viewership (from an average of 12.6 million viewers in Season 6 to 10.3 million). "This is going to be a very exciting season. We don't know if it's going to be the final season, but if it is, I'm so happy to be a part of it," Annable says. "We'll see how it unfolds." Breaking In creator on Season 2 hopes: Fox recognizes there is something there Aside from the future of House, the other burning question is the chance of survival for Breaking In. Annable starred on the Fox comedy last season, which ran for seven episodes in the post-Idol spot. The show performed well, but then was canceled last May before the network decided to pick up the cast members' options. Although Annable now has a new gig, she remains optimistic about a Season 2 of Breaking In. "It's a possibility that it still will come back and I will be able to - hopefully - do both shows," Annable says. "Unfortunately, we know nothing. The options have been held. So now I think it's seeing if it has a place in their comedy block and if it does, then they'll pick up that option." The new season of House premieres on Monday, Oct. 3 at 9/8c on Fox.

'Midnight in Paris' Opens Wide Again on August 26

'Midnight in Paris' has already been Woodsy Allen's greatest-grossing film and today it's set to earn much more dollars in the box office. The new sony Pictures Classics is really high in hit -- and it is Oscar buzz -- they are delivering it to more theaters for any glory lap on August 26. The studio states the romantic comedy, which stars Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams, will exceed $50 million in the domestic box office a few days ago. The film was launched on May 20 to glowing reviews. Deadline's Pete Hammond went to date regarding state that when the Academy awards were held today, 'Midnight' would win Best Picture. Our very own Gary Susman lately examined all why the film is becoming this type of runaway hit. Perhaps you have seen the film? Do you consider it's Woody's best? [via Deadline]

Facebook Says Contract Cited in Ownership Claims Multi-Billion Lawsuit Is 'Fabrication'

NEW YORK - Facebook said it has discovered an "authentic contract" between its CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Paul Ceglia that shows that the latter's claims to an ownership stake in the social networking company are phony, Bloomberg News reported. In his suit filed last year, Ceglia claimed that an agreement with Zuckerberg for $1,000 in start-up money entitles him to half his stake in Facebook, now valued in the billions of dollars. The newly found contract document, which doesn't mention Facebook, was discovered on Ceglia's computer as part of court-ordered forensic testing, the networking giant said in papers filed Monday in federal court in Buffalo, New York, according to Bloomberg. The filed court papers include a blurry image of the contract, which is dated 2003 and includes signatures from Zuckerberg and Ceglia, it said. "This smoking-gun evidence confirms what defendants have said all along: the purported contract attached to the complaint is an outright fabrication," Facebook said in its filing. The company also said it found evidence that Ceglia is concealing six removable storage devices containing documents with names that include "Zuckerberg Contract page1.tif." "It is very likely that Ceglia used these removable devices to manipulate and store documents, including the purported 'Facebook contract,' in the belief that this evidence would not be discovered - or that the devices could easily be discarded if necessary, as Ceglia has now apparently done," Facebook said. A hearing in the case is scheduled for Wednesday. Facebook is currently valued at $69.2 billion, according to Sharespost.com, an online market for the shares of privately held companies. Related Topics Mark Zuckerberg Facebook

Win Free Tickets to an Early Screening of Cancer Comedy '50/50'

While '50/50' may not be Seth Rogen's first dark comedy about coming to grips with cancer (2009's 'Funny People' holds that distinction), it may prove to be his best. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anna Kendrick and Anjelica Houston, is reason for optimism. Inspired by the personal experiences of screenwriter (and 'Da Ali G' show veteran) Will Reiser, '50/50' stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Adam, a 27-year-old whose carefree prime gets rather rudely interrupted when doctors discover a malignant tumor. His best friend, Kyle (played by Rogen), helps Adam break the news to his mom (Anjelica Houston) and girlfriend (Bryce Dallas Howard), and come to terms with being sick. '50/50' doesn't open until September 30, but Moviefone and gofobo are offering FREE sneak previews for audiences in 10 cities. The first 100 people in each city to sign up will receive free tickets for themselves and a guest. Click through to enter and win free tickets to a sneak preview of '50/50' near you. SCREENING MAIN PAGE Austin Boston Chicago Houston Los Angeles New York Philadelphia San Francisco Seattle Washington DC

TLC Cancels Kate Gosselins Kate Plus 8

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- TLC has pulled the plug on Kate Plus 8. The cable network announced it has canceled Kate Gosselins reality series, featuring the adventures of the mom and her large brood. TLC has decided not to renew another season of Kate Plus 8, a network rep said in a statement to Access Hollywood on Monday. By the end of this season, Kate Plus 8 will have hit the 150 episode mark (including Jon & Kate Plus 8); an exceptional milestone. However, this may not be the end of Kates days as a reality star. TLC hopes to check in with Kate and the family periodically with specials in the future, the networks statement continued. The series finale will air on September 12. Kate sat down with Access Hollywood in April, where she talked about how her kids sextuplets and twins felt about having their lives captured by the cameras. The kids love it and every weekend that theyre home, we have something planned. Every vacation, they look forward to it, and we still love it, she told Access at the time. I certainly would not be needing to coerce them into this. If they didnt love it, we wouldnt do it anymore, but theyre loving it, were having the most amazing experiences. ACCESS POLL: Will You Miss The Gosselin Family? Click here to vote! Kate Plus 8 was a spin-off from the original series, Jon & Kate Plus 8, which featured Kate, and her now-ex-husband Jon, along with their kids. The first season of Jon & Kate Plus 8 debuted in April 2007. It ran for five seasons until Jon was removed from the show. Kate Plus 8 debuted without Jon in August 2010. Ratings for the franchise hit an all-time high on June 22, 2009, when the shows fifth season premiere (which featured the couple announcing they were separating) scored 10.6 million viewers the most-watched program in TLC history. By contrast, the most recent episode (airing August 8) was viewed by 1.09 million viewers. Following the couples bitter divorce battle, Jon was removed from the show and Kate Plus 8 was born. The couples divorce was finalized in December 2009. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Gavin DeGraw in Stable Condition After Vicious NYC Assault

Gavin DeGraw is in stable condition after being viciously assaulted in New York City and hit by a taxi early Monday morning, People.com reports. He is still undergoing treatment at Bellevue Hospital as of Tuesday morning.our editor recommendsGavin DeGraw Hospitalized After Attack in New York The "I Don't Want to Be" singer was out with friends with he was attacked by "marauding goons" around 4:30 a.m. Monday in on 6th Street and First Avenue, the New York Post reports. Fazed, he kept walking north, and was hit by a taxi on 19th Street and First Avenue. He was not seriously injured by the cab. "Gavin DeGraw was assaulted ... and was taken to the emergency room at Bellevue Hospital by ambulance. He is currently under observation. We have no additional information at this time," says his rep in a statement. He was admitted to Bellevue Hospital with a broken nose and cuts on his face. DeGraw is currently on tour with Maroon 5 and Train, His next show was scheduled for Tuesday in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. His next album, Sweeter, is due in stores on Sept. 20. Related Topics

Empathy artists

Compelled to action by issues as diverse as Third World crises and inner-city empowerment, celebs use their influence to make a positive impact. EASTERN CONGO INITIATIVEBen AffleckTour of African conflict zones empowers healing effortsFive years ago, Ben Affleck, in pursuit of research for his recently launched Eastern Congo Initiative, trekked to Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda, Uganda and the Republic of Congo."I wanted to cover all the bases, figure it out," he recalls. "I wanted to get a sense of the politics, the culture, the whole conflict matrix. There was still a lot of conflict going on. It was kind of a scary time. The worst holocaust in the last 100 years in Africa is the millions of people who have died in the Congo. I was stunned about how little was being done about this. So I decided to dedicate myself to that particular effort."Affleck's Eastern Congo Initiative is the first U.S. advocacy and grant-making org focused on working with and for the people in the region. "We started fundraising about 15 months ago and we've raised millions. We fundraise in the U.S. and the money goes directly to the grass-roots organization. I'm really excited because it was important for me to demonstrate tangible results quickly."Thesp has also testified before Congress and has teamed up with Cindy McCain, whom he describes as a "huge asset who has been working in the Congo since 1996."The nonprofit addresses crucial issues such as child soldiers, economic development, health, rape and sexual violence.Especially important to Affleck are women who have suffered abuse from soldiers."They decided to fight back," he says. "They started up this radio station of women talking about women's issues, like sexually based violence. They try to educate people so they start to see women as human beings. Then to take it another step, they hand out tape recorders to women in the bush. Then those women tape their stories. They then play the segments on the radio. It's very empowering."J.K. LIVINMatthew McConaugheyActive org curbs dropout rateCatching Title 1 high school kids before they drop out of school and hit life's mean streets is the goal of Matthew McConaughey's nonprofit j.k.livin."If you're screwing up, skipping school and into gangs, high school is your last chance to get your shit straight," says thesp. "As soon as you turn 18 you're considered an adult, so (the idea is to) catch 'em, and if they're makin' the right choices, keep 'em on track, and if they're not on track, give 'em a chance. "Founded in 2008, the org -- which takes its name from McConaughey's "Dazed and Confused" character -- is an after-school program where kids of "every color, shape, size and sex" come to break a sweat and feel better about themselves."The j's for just. The k's for keep. No g on the end of livin because life is a verb," the actor says. "That's that bumper sticker."Partnered with Communities in Schools (the nation's largest drop-out prevention body), j.k.livin's fitness and wellness programs are now in 10 inner-city schools.After kicking off at Hamilton High in Venice, Calif., with 80 underprivileged kids, the two-day-a-week program now has an annual running cost of $25,000 to $30,000 per school.McConaughey's test results are good. "The dropout ratio of the kids coming through the curriculum is very low," he points out. "Teachers say that attendance and attention and is better. The kids' behavior grades are much better and the (academic) grades are rising."TAIA PEACE FOUNDATIONJeffrey WrightOrg seeks economic solution to Sierra Leone situationSays Jeffrey Wright: "We have this idea that Africa is a basket case just littered with trouble. In fact, if we look at it through a brighter lens, then one becomes aware not only of the challenges, but also the potential of the place. In terms of natural resources, it's the wealthiest continent on the planet."Wright's Taia Peace Foundation addresses some of the significant challenges facing rural communities in Sierra Leone. It aims to help those areas to overcome the so-called "resource curse" by zeroing in on economic development. How it works: "The organization raises funds that allow the foundation to act as a proxy for the local communities to invest in the commercial entity like any other investor," Wright says. "The idea is that natural resource potential can be redirected to play a role in curing some of the social ills that the continent faces."Such projects always include long-term job creation, education, health care and clean drinking water. But one isolated village wanted a road."We just completed the rehabilitation of an 18-mile feeder road that serves one of the remotest communities in Sierra Leone," thesp concludes. "It's projects like that that we're particularly fond of. It's a local community desire and everyone will benefit from that road."JASON DEBUS HEIGL FOUNDATIONKatherine HeiglThesp makes critter care a priorityRomeo, Stella, Weezer, Oscar, Piper and Mojo get top billing in Katherine Heigl's home.These six canine characters, from young schnauzers to "an old man" collie make up the still-growing Heigl menagerie.This animal-advocate actress passionately recalls shocking stories that her mother, Nancy, (who is looking after 14 rescue dogs) would tell her about abandoned and at-risk shelter animals. "Any time she would tell me one of those stories it would break my heart," says Heigl.Two years ago, thesp launched the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation in memory of her brother, killed in a 1985 car accident. Working alongside various rescue groups and vets, the nonprofit org fights against animal cruelty and pet overpopulation in the Los Angeles area.The foundation has pledged $1 million to spay and neuter animals, and through its Compassion Revolution sponsors adoption days and other placement initiatives."People lined up around the block," Heigl says of one event. "This one kid walked 6 miles with his dog to get him neutered. But we've already run through that million and another $500,000 on top of that. We don't want to stop the spay/neuter days. They're helping."Annually, between 6 million and 8 million dogs and cats are abandoned at shelters in the U.S. The ASPCA estimates that five out of 10 shelter dogs and seven out of 10 shelter cats are euthanized every year. In 2009, Los Angeles City shelters took in over 50,000 cats and dogs. Of that number, nearly 20,000 were euthanized."My mother has a much more hopeful spirit than I do," Heigl says. "I tend to get more cynical when the stories get harder and harder. There was this beautiful little pit puppy that had been used as bait in dogfights. He had a broken neck and had to have a cast from about mid neck to mid back. Today, Bucket is six months old. He's happy and joyful. He's just this crazy, wacky guy."J/P HAITIAN RELIEF ORGANIZATIONRainn WilsonArts workshops lift disaster victims' spiritsRainn Wilson hooked up with Sean Penn's Haitian Relief org through the Girls United program."We taught the arts to adolescent girls at a tent camp for internally displaced person in Boulos, one of two tent cities that Sean's origination administers," says Wilson. "It's a jaw-dropping experience to walk in there to teach the arts. I've taught the arts all over the place before I started working in film and TV. I did a lot of teaching in schools but I've never taught any place like this -- a tent city with 50,000 people."Wilson gave classes in theater and drama to girls ages 13 to 23 for about two weeks. "It was in this big, muddy, hot stinky tent," says the "Office" star. "I felt a little weird when we first showed up. Here are these people living in tents. Obviously they need houses, jobs and food. And here we are teaching the arts."But Wilson found the girls' transition to be astonishing."It reaffirmed my belief in the power of the arts to affect and change the human heart," he says. "Over the course of our time working with the girls they had a new found confidence and self-expression." WATERDEFENSE.ORGMark RuffaloActor takes fracking to taskAround three years ago, Mark Ruffalo first heard about hydrofracking. He was curious about the process, so he started tooling around on the Internet to learn more about this high-volume fracturing, which injects millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals into shale rock to retrieve trapped natural gas reserves."I read some really damning first-person accounts of what this was doing to people," he recalls. "And it seemed to be in direct conflict to what the gas industry's main selling points were."Ruffalo visited the town of Dimock, Pa., where he witnessed firsthand what he fervently believes to be the after-effects of fracking."Homes were filling with natural gas and exploding. Well heads were exploding," he recalls. "People couldn't drink the water. They couldn't shower. The filtrations systems in their basements were completely useless. Cattle that had drunk the well water were dying."The people of Dimock reached out to the thesp. They needed an advocate.Ruffalo's WaterDefense.org calls on today's generation to protect water against the effects of fossil fuels. His efforts have taken him before the New York State Legislature (New York is debating whether to permit fracking) and U.S. Congress. "There are some advocates and supporters of regulating this and some people believe that it can't be regulated and can't be done safely," he says. "There are those senators and Congress people who believe those things."While the Oscar-nommed doc "Gasland" has helped to educate and rally the public, there haven't been enough studies to quell Ruffalo's concern."The studies show that there is methane gas well contamination near these drilling sites," he says. "But the gas industry's arrogance is grand and far-reaching. I've made some attempts to reach out to them. But when you don't have any scientific basis for what you're doing, they just turn to ridicule. We're just very far away from where we need to be."COMMON GROUND FOUNDATIONCommonHelping kids in the baddest part of townIn Chicago, on the hard South Side, the boy who would grow up to become known as Common first learned compassion from his mother."She really looked out for my friends who didn't have parents," Common says. "That influenced me. Once I got an opportunity to become an artist and fulfill some of my dreams, I said, 'Man I want to give to those kids that didn't have some of those opportunities.' "Located on the South Side, the Common Ground Foundation launched in 2000, offers annual after- school courses to 40 urban kids with its courses in holistic leadership, fitness, creative writing, social responsibility and survival in today's society."Our mission is to encourage youth to have healthy programs and healthy minds," Common says.The hip-hop artist and actor once asked some kids what they wanted in life. "We want jobs," was their response. "We just don't want to hang out and get in trouble.""With the foundation, I feel we are able to directly find programs that would be helpful for them," Common says. "In school, they get the support. After school, the foundation gives them added support."He recalls one of the foundation's many success stories."One young lady's grandmother told me that her granddaughter had been molested by her father and she didn't feel good about herself. This grandmother's like, 'Man my granddaughter's so excited to be a part of this program. She feels like she's starting to see a new person.' "BROADWAY CARESSutton FosterTony winner takes center stage in fight against AIDSThey strip. They dance. They find homes for puppies.Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS raises loads of cash in the fight against AIDS in some pretty unique, fun ways.From such special events as "Broadway Bares" to Broadway Barks to Gypsy of the Year (last year, Carol Channing made a star appearance) to the Easter Bonnet Competition, the nonprofit supports orgs that provide treatment for people afflicted with HIV/AIDS. Founded in 1988, BC/EFA has raised $195 million to date and supports food banks, meal-delivery programs, emergency financial assistance and the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative."We try to get creative," Tony winner Sutton Foster says of the org's vividly themed fundraisers.Twice a year, for six weeks of intensive fundraising, 52 Broadway and Off Broadway shows, offer up unique goodies and one-of-a-kind memorabilia in their Easter Bonnet and Gypsy sell-a-thons.Daniel Radcliffe auctioned off the bow tie that he wears every night in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.""People bid thousands of dollars right there on the spot -- just for his bow tie," Foster says. "And for the musical 'Urinetown,' we sold rolls of autographed toilet paper that had 'Urinetown' written all over it. We had a lot of buyers."Foster has been a supporter of the nonprofit since 1995, hawking stuffed toy bears dressed as her "Drowsy Chaperone" character. The actress has also performed in "Broadway Bares," but said, "I haven't stripped, but I did wear a fabulous outfit." BRING CHANGE 2 MINDGlenn CloseActress alters public's perception of mental illnessOne summer day, Glenn Close's younger sister, Jessie, came up to thesp and their mother and said, "I'm really frightened. I can't get thoughts of killing myself out of my head. I need help."The "Damages" star recalls, "Jessie wasn't diagnosed with bipolar disorder until she was 49 and had three kids, one of whom was diagnosed with schizophrenia, before she came to my mom and me that day."The family, we had no vocabulary for that. We didn't have a clue. How could she not have been diagnosed? It was like she was the wild one, 'OK. Jessie. What has she done now? Get a job.' " Close adds, "It's not something that I'm proud of."Her nephew also suffers from mental illness, and he fits into the category of those people she is trying to reach with her nonprofit, Bring Change 2 Mind. The org, with its cutting-edge PSAs, is fighting the stigma associated with mental illness. That stigma can sometimes prevent the sufferer from seeking help.One in six adults has diagnosable brain-related illnesses including depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD and schizophrenia."Stigma is a big thing to tackle," Close points out. "There's a perception that people with mental illness are out of control, frightening and violent. People think you are your illness. But you're not. My sister is not her illness. Neither is my nephew. They are people dealing with an illness. But it's frightening. That's where we need to change peoples' minds."As an actor, Close understands the power of words."On the simplest level, to be able to say words like schizophrenia, bipolar, borderline personality, post-traumatic stress disorder out loud is a big first step," she says.RYAN SEACREST FOUNDATION, THE VOICERyan SeacrestHost lets ill kids run their own radio stationChildren stuck in a hospital are bored. They would love to have something fun to do.Ryan Seacrest had the answer: Build a state-of-the-art radio studio in the lobby of a hospital, and let the little patients play interviewer, use the equipment and then broadcast those interviews to all the rooms in the hospital, so even those kids who can't come down can be part of the action."They're got their own radio station as a toy in the hospital," says the KIIS-FM radio personality. "And everybody, no matter what they're going through, can participate."Celebs like the Backstreet Boys, Jordin Sparks, the New Kids on the Block, Big Time Rush, Selena Gomez and Joe Jonas come to be interviewed by the young radio hosts whose questions run from, "How did you get to be so good at what you do?" to "What do you like to eat that your mom doesn't let you."The Voice is now in Children's Hospital of Atlanta, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and there are plans to build radio stations "in as many children's hospitals as we can across the country," Seacrest says."The kids' response is fantastic. The doctors actually noticed they get less calls for medicine when we've got something going on because the kids are in such good spirits," he adds. "Just because these kids are in the hospital and they're sick doesn't mean that they're not creative, doesn't mean that they're not ambitious, doesn't mean that they don't want to be a part of something."HOPE VILLAGESela WardGiving shelter to children in the foster-home systemOn Christmas Day 1999, Sela Ward visited an emergency shelter in Mississippi."There were four children -- two boys and two girls. The parents' rights had been terminated. The mother was in jail for drugs and the father was in jail for having prostituted the daughters," Ward says."The daughters already had been sent to two different homes. The brothers, Jimmy and Michael, were going to be split up as there was not a home that had the space to take the both of them. I couldn't get them out of my head. When I left the shelter, I said to my husband, 'We have to do something.' "That something is Hope Village. Founded in 2000, the Meridian, Miss.-based org is a therapeutic group home for children in the foster system. Those who come to Hope Village have been removed from their primary caretaker's custody by the Mississippi Department of Human Services. One 16-year-old girl, now living at the village, has stayed in 34 homes in eight years.The village has five cottages; two are emergency shelters and the other three serve as long-term residential facilities for those older children, ages 12 to 18.Each teen "graduates" with a driver's license and enough work experience to give them a head start.Today, Hope Village can boast that 90% of the children in its program complete high school and over 50% then go off to college.ALZHEIMER'S ASSN.David Hyde PiercePushing for more research funding dollarsDavid Hyde Pierce's first encounter with Alzheimer's disease was watching his grandfather progressively worsen and suffer from the illness."After he passed, they discovered that he had Alzheimer's," Hyde Pierce says. "We had noticed that something was wrong when he was in his mid-80s. We went through his losing his ability to function and reason. He stopped knowing who my grandmother was after 50 years of marriage. He wandered and they'd have to call the emergency squad to try to find him."Pierce says it was the Alzheimer's Assn. that finally located his grandfather. The actor had only a season or two of "Frasier" under his belt when the org approached him to sign autographs for one of its annual walks."The people in the association have lived through or are going through losing someone to the disease," says Hyde Pierce. "Just to connect with them was a blessing."Pierce has appeared before Congress to testify for more federal funding for research. Most recently, Congress passed the National Alzheimer's Project. The Emmy-honored actor says, "It was a huge deal because it elevates Alzheimer's as a national priority, which it has never been. The government is now going to put together an advisory council of researchers and advocates to come together and prepare a plan for the federal government so they can act on this priority."SHOWBIZ PHILANTHROPY LEADER REPORT 2011:Cause & effect | HFPA's showbiz gifts | Empathy artists Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Exclusive: Chandra Wilson to Direct Another Episode of Grey's Anatomy

Chandra Wilson Chandra Wilson takes another spin within the director's chair, TVGuide.com has learned solely. Wilson, who plays Dr. Miranda Bailey on Grey's Anatomy, will direct the 3rd episode of the season, which features some of the fifth-year citizens doing their first solo surgical procedures.Grey's Anatomy: Shonda Rhimes talks Mer-Der's struggle, Cristina's pregnancyThis may be the fifth time Wilson has directed. Her co-star Kevin McKidd, who plays hunky trauma surgeon Owen Search, is slated to direct his second episode this year.Grey's Anatomy premieres Thursday, Sept. 22 at 9/8c.

CBS Corp. Beats Estimates With Higher Second-Quarter Profit

NEW YORK - CBS Corp. on Tuesday reported a higher second-quarter profit that exceeded Wall Street expectations as TV advertising and other revenue streams continued to grow. After the market close, the media and entertainment giant reported quarterly net earnings of $395 million, compared with $150 million in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 8 percent to $3.6 billion, slightly ahead of analysts' consensus estimate. Advertising revenue edged up 3 percent despite a tough year-ago comparison. The year-ago period had featured higher political advertising and higher revenue from the NCAA men's basketball tournament, which the company this year split with Time Warner networks. CBS Corp. also recorded a 21 percent gain in content licensing and distribution revenue, which benefited from a new licensing agreement with Netflix for the digital streaming of select library titles. Affiliate and subscription fee revenue climbed 12 percent driven by rate increases and subscription growth, as well as higher retransmission revenue from TV distributors, which has been a key focus for broadcasters. "CBS's second quarter performance built on our tremendous first quarter, posting strong results throughout each of our businesses," said executive chairman Sumner Redstone. "The company continues to operate at an exceptionally high level as we remain focused on creating the absolute best content and distributing that content in strategic and profitable ways." CBS president and CEO Leslie Moonves called the latest results "extraordinary" and said they "demonstrate the power of the strategic actions we've taken to strengthen our business model." He added: "We delivered stellar growth across every single key financial metric, nearing record levels in all profit measures. These remarkable results reflect our increasing ability to monetize our content, while at the same time, diversifying and de-risking our company for the future, including recent new licensing deals with leading online video distributors." Moonves in a statement also said that the strong upfront selling season will set the company up for strong advertising growth next year. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics Leslie Moonves Sumner Redstone CBS Corporation

Cowboys & Smurfs Top The US Box Office

Dead heat alert!Now here's something you don't see every weekend - a near total dead heat between two brand new films of hugely varying genres. And while the final figures could tell a very different story from the studio estimates that arrive across the weekend, it looks like genre mash-up Cowboys & Aliens has arrived neck and neck with kiddie pic The Smurfs. Yes, the Jon Favreau-directed, Harrison Ford/Daniel Craig-starring pic that finds Western tropes blended with sci-fi action arrived with $36. 2 million this weekend, with The Smurfs launching to the same figure. Wonder which one will win out in the end - or whether the final result will have them staying in place?Captain America: The First Avenger naturally dropped to third, with a 67% loss of business but still a decent $24. 9 million in its second week. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 took fourth with $21. 9 million and new Steve Carell comedy drama Crazy, Stupid, Love launched in fifth, making a decent $19. 3 million. Friends with Benefits sank to sixth with $9. 3 million, while Horrible Bosses was down to seventh on $7. 1 million. Transformers: Dark of the Moon dropped four places to eighth and earned $5. 9 million, with Zookeeper ninth ($4. 2 million) and Cars 2 in 10th position ($2. 3 million). To battle invading blue creatures with facts and figures, head on over to Box Office Mojo.