Showbiz Sandbox 152: Rupert Murdoch Shows Off His Split Personality
July 3, 2012
Last week, in-between sending Twitter posts about the break-up of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, News Crop. chairman Rupert Murdoch announced he would be splitting one of the world’s biggest media conglomerates into two different companies; one for the publishing entities, the other for the much more profitable film and television operations. Could the tycoon be trying to focus attention on something other than the ongoing phone hacking scandal he is embroiled in?
Speaking of scandals, Charlie Sheen returned to television with a bang (no pun intended). His new series, “Anger Management” set viewership records for a scripted comedy series. If the first 10 episodes prove to be a ratings hit, FX has promised to produce another 90 episodes.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited 176 professionals to become members and it looks like they’re becoming more of an equal opportunity group. In fact, they have finally included hair dressers in the makeup category at the Oscars, renaming it Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
We also cover the week’s top entertainment news, the “Today” show’s continuing troubles, Arsenio Hall’s return to late night television and the record breaking ratings for Eurocup 2012.
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Euro 2012 Final Continues Soccer Tournament’s Ratings Reign
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/euro-2012-soccer-final-ratings-51323
‘Ice Age: Continental Drift’ Opens Wide Overseas, Seizing the No. 1 Spot
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/foreign-box-office-ice-age-continental-drift-spiderman-ted-343963
‘Brave’ Hits Bull’s-eye With $66.7 Mil; ‘Abraham Lincoln’ Soft With $16.5 Mil
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-report-brave-abraham-lincoln-madagascar-341328
Motion Picture Academy Invites 176 New Members
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-motion-picture-academy-invites-176-new-members-20120629,0,3607296.story
And the Oscar Goes to…the Bouffant!
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/29/and-the-oscar-goes-to-the-bouffant/
‘Anger Management’ Sets Cable Comedy Record With 5.74 Million Viewers
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/anger-management-premiere-ratings-charlie-sheen-fx-343584
Ann Curry’s Tearful Goodbye From Today
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/29/arts/television/ann-currys-tearful-goodbye-from-today.html
Ann Curry Set to Leave NBC’s ‘Today’; Savannah Guthrie Likely Replacement
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ann-curry-replacement-today-savannah-guthrie-340247
Spotify Targets Pandora With Its Own Mobile ‘Radio’ Service
http://paidcontent.org/2012/06/19/spotify-targets-pandora-with-its-own-mobile-radio-service/
Spotify Is Now The Second Biggest Source Of Revenue For Labels
http://www.businessinsider.com/spotify-revenue-labels-2012-6
Microsoft Said To Plan Xbox Music Rivaling Apple, Spotify
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-28/microsoft-said-to-plan-xbox-music-rivaling-apple-spotify.html
Apple Said To Prepare ITunes Changes To Improve Sharing
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-27/apple-said-to-prepare-itunes-overhaul-improving-storage-sharing.html
We Get a Peek at the Pump Up the Volume Musical
http://www.vulture.com/2012/06/pump-up-the-volume-musical-broadway.html
‘Mamma Mia!’ Creator To Bring Spice Girls Musical To London Stage
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-spice-girls-musical-20120626,0,5135898.story
600 Employees Will Be Laid Off at ‘Times-Picayune’
http://www.adweek.com/news/press/600-employees-will-be-laid-times-picayune-alabama-newspapers-141102
Arsenio Hall Returning to TV With Late-Night Talk Show
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/arsenio-hall-late-night-talk-show-338783
Cars Land to Boost Disney Theme Parks Unit
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cars-land-disney-land-california-338272
Louis C.K. Gets Into The Ticket-Selling Business
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/26/louis-c-k-gets-into-the-ticket-selling-business/
HC Launches Program To Publish English Language Titles Globally
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/52530-hc-launches-program-to-publish-english-language-titles-globally.html
Time Warner Cable Patents Method For Disabling Fast-Forward Function On DVRs
http://www.fiercecable.com/story/time-warner-cable-patents-method-disabling-fast-forward-function-dvrs/2012-06-19
‘Mad Men’ Ends Season With Best-Ever Finale Ratings
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/mad-men-season-5-finale-ratings-335871
‘Game of Thrones’ Showrunners, HBO Apologize for Bush’s Head on Spike
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/game-thrones-george-w-bush-hbo-apology-337270
Netflix May Have To Provide Closed Captions Online
http://www.sfgate.com/technology/article/Netflix-may-have-to-provide-closed-captions-online-3652999.php
Hayden Christensen Wins Big Victory Against USA Network in ‘Royal Pains’ Appeal
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/hayden-christensen-royal-pains-usa-lawsuit-342497
News Corp Confirms Plans To Split Company
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120628-711871.html
Murdoch Sees Strengths In New Print Division
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/29/business/media/murdoch-praises-news-corporations-newspapers.html
‘The Star Wars That I Used To Know’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJlbPXZEpRE
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