FILM/ FIRST "SPIDER-MAN" PHOTO RELEASED: Sony Pictures has released the 1st photo of Andrew Garfield as "Spider-Man". The film, a reboot of the franchise, is currently in production.
FILM/ EDDIE NOMS ANNOUNCED: The editors of "Black Swan," "The Fighter," "Inception," "The King’s Speech" and "The Social Network" will compete for the ACE Eddie Award for best edited dramatic feature at the 61st Annual ACE Eddie Awards. The event takes place on February 19 at the Beverly Hilton. In the feature category for musical or comedy, the nominees are the editors of "Alice in Wonderland," "Easy A," "The Kids Are All Right," "Made in Dagenham" and "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World". And the editors of "Despicable Me," "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Toy Story 3" will compete in the category of best edited animated feature film, which is a new category that was launched last year. These categories are ones to watch, as no film has won best picture at the Oscars without also having received at least a best editing nomination at the Eddies since "Ordinary People" in 1981. Last year, "The Hurt Locker" won the Eddie in the drama category before it went on to win Oscars including best picture and best editing. In total, American Cinema Editors recognizes editing in 9 categories of film, television and documentaries. Full details on all the noms can be found on the organizations website.
: UK urban artist Tinie Tempah leads the acts at this year's Brit awards with 4 nominations. The 22 year old is up for best British male, best breakthrough act, best single for "Pass Out" and album of the year for "Disc-Overy". The best breakthrough act honour is the award BBC Radio 1 listeners vote for. Rapper Plan B, folk band Mumford and Sons and The XX all have 3 nominations, while band Take That are up for 2 prizes. Tempah's debut album, "Disc-Overy," went straight to #1 last October. He has also had 2 #1 singles. In the prestigious album category he will compete against Plan B, Take That, Mumford and Sons and The XX. Veteran rock star Robert Plant picks up his first ever Brit award nomination. The former Led Zeppelin front man will compete for the best male prize against Tempah, Mark Ronson and Paul Weller. "The X Factor" dominates the best single shortlist, with judge Cheryl Cole vying against winning acts Matt Cardle and Alexandra Burke. Olly Murs, who came 2nd in the 2009 series, has also been nominated, along with Florence and the Machine, Scouting for Girls, Taio Cruz and The Wanted. Last year's Critics' Choice award winner, Ellie Goulding, will take on Cole, Laura Marling, Paloma Faith and Rumer in the best female artist category. As well as best album, Mumford and Sons are also up for best breakthrough act and best British band. The prize of best international album will go to either Arcade Fire, Cee Lo Green, Eminem, Kings of Leon or Katy Perry. This year's Brits, which will take place on February 15, will take place at London's O2 arena for the 1st time in the awards' 30-year history.
Singer Etta James, known best for her iconic recording of "At Last," is gravely ill, diagnosed with dementia and undergoing treatment for leukemia, according to court documents. The 72 year old's illness came to light as part of a civil case in California's Riverside County Superior Court in which Artis Mills, her husband of 41 years, is seeking control of more than $1 million of James' money. Her son Donto James wrote in a court declaration that he does not object to money being released for her health care. But he is asking that it be overseen by a third party, "to avoid present and future family conflict and discrepancies." The singer gave power of attorney to Donto, her other son Sametto James and Donto's wife, Christy James, in February 2008, according to court documents. Mills has challenged the power of attorney in court documents. Mills filed for divorce in April 2008, but the petition was dismissed a few months later. James, who merges blues, rock 'n' roll, gospel and jazz in her music, had an impressive string of hits throughout the 1960s, including the soulful "Tell Mama," "All I Could Do Was Cry," and "I'd Rather Go Blind." In 1995, James penned an autobiography, "Rage to Survive," which detailed her life, including her drug addiction and rehabilitation. James continued releasing music and toured the world, playing high-profile events such as the Playboy Jazz Festival, until she reportedly fell ill.
TV/ JOHN DYE DIES AT 47: John Dye, 47, an actor best known for his role as Andrew in the long-running CBS-TV series "Touched by an Angel," was found dead Monday at his home in San Francisco, the San Francisco medical examiner's office said yesterday. His brother said that Dye died of a heart attack. Dye became a regular on "Touched by an Angel" in 1995 for its 2nd season and starred opposite Roma Downey and Della Reese as heavenly messengers sent to help humans through difficult times. Dye's character functioned primarily as an angel of death at first. "When you see me in my white suit and I start glowing, you know somebody's toast," Dye said in a 1999 interview. Dye also appeared in the spinoff "Promised Land" and had regular roles in the prime-time TV series "Hotel Malibu," "Jack's Place" and "Tour of Duty." He is survived by his family.
TV/ THE "HOUSEWIVES" WANT A RAISE: According to media reports, "Desperate Housewives" stars Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross and Eva Longoria are demanding pay raises. All of their contracts expire at the end of the season. Teri Hatcher has already signed a new contract according to the reports. Earlier this week, ABC announced the renewals of 6 of its shows, "Housewives" wasn't among them, but it is expected to be picked up. The show is one of ABC’s most-watched scripted show, averaging 13.1 million viewers a night and 5.75 million among the 18-to-49 demo. Huffman, Cross, Longoria and Hatcher have been on the show since its 2004 debut.
Bravo announced yesterday that it will increase its output of original programming by 20% this year. Bravo made the announcment along with premiere dates and renewals for several series. The network confirmed new season orders for "The Rachel Zoe Project," "The Millionaire Matchmaker," "Flipping Out" and Sarah Jessica Parker’s "Work of Art". The network announced the premiere for the 4th season's of "Million Dollar Listing" will be February 3 and "Real Housewives of New York City" on February 15. The 6th season of Real Housewives of Orange County bows March 6. Bravo will also do another series with Bethenny Frankel of "Real Housewives of New York City". After "Getting Married" last season, Frankel will be back in "Bethenny Ever After "starting on February 28.
TV/ "SURVIVOR" RETURNING PAIR ANNOUNCED: The 16 new contestants of the upcoming "Survivor: Redemption Island" will have to battle more than the elements and each other. They’ll also have 2 familiar faces to deal with as Boston Rob Mariano and Russell Hantz will be renewing their heated rivalry from "Heroes vs Villains" and returning to play the game once again. For Russell, at right in picture, it will be his 3rd appearance in the past 4 seasons, while Boston Rob becomes the 1st person to ever compete 4 times on the show. Rob and Russell’s feud in last spring’s "Heroes vs Villains" helped make the season one of the franchise’s highest rated. Series host Jeff Probst said: “Rob may have an easier time initially, but Rob’s gong to have a tougher time long term because Rob could win. Rob is likable enough. He could win. Russell’s not going to win. Russell doesn’t get that. He’s not gonna win. Even if he was nice this season, the payoff for past seasons won’t let him win. Rob is going to have a tough time if he makes it to the merge".
(SK COMMENT: Its going to be a challenge in itself to even watch one more episode of "Survivor" with Russell Hantz in it. CBS must be intent on turning off as many fans as they possibly can). 
The Broadway revival of Oscar Wilde’s greatest comedy, “The Importance of Being Earnest," opened last night to rave reviews. "Earnest" is about a man named John going by the name Ernest to win over Gwendolyn, a man named Algernon posing as Ernest to win over Cecily, and an old battle-ax, Lady Bracknell, who's standing in everyone's way. The play is directed by Brian Beckford who also takes on the role of Lady Bracknell. The New York Times said: "Within seconds of sweeping onstage, and with a wordless gesture as funny as it is subtle, the great actor Brian Bedford proves beyond question that gender is of no importance whatsoever in portraying the imposing Lady Bracknell". They went on to say: "Bedford’s production is not entirely effortless, Wilde’s rococo style can be daunting even to experienced classicists — but it is more buoyant and consistently funny than any I’ve seen". The Hollywood Reporter said: "Bottom Line-"Oscar Wilde’s wittiest comedy sparkles in this Broadway production, and when its director is onstage, it delivers pure bliss". New York Magazine said: "Each jewel of wit is polished apple-bright, and every performer is playing in the same key". Entertainment Weekly gave the show an A- rating. "The Importance of Being Earnest" runs 150 minutes and is playing at the American Airlines Theater on Broadway thru March 6.
"Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark", the $65 million Broadway musical that began previews in late November 2010, has delayed its opening night for a third time to March 15 in order to allow director Julie Taymor and company time to address the needs of the technically complex production. Producers said in a statement that it will be the final postponement in the production schedule. The musical is the record holder for the longest preview period of any Broadway production. It was also the top-grossing Broadway production for the Janurary 3-9 week. The additional preview time will allow Taymor to fine-tune the production and instate a new ending. Representatives for the production also confirmed that Grammy Award-winning U2 producer Steve Lillywhite has joined the producing team and has been working with the cast on the score. "Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark" features a book by Taymor and Glen Berger, and new music and lyrics by Bono and The Edge.
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