Alexandre Aja Sinks Teeth Into Vampire Saga Undying Love

EXCLUSIVE: Piranha helmer Alexandre Aja is negotiating to direct Undying Love, an adaptation of the Image Comics title for Warner Bros. The film revolves around an ex-solider who falls for a vampire, though in order to be with her, he must take on her creator, who is protected by an army of monsters in the Hong Kong underworld. The pic is being produced by Michael De Luca, Stephen L’Heureux and Benderspink. The comic was created by Tomm Coker and Daniel Freedman, who’ve written the script. WME-repped Aja also directed The Hills Have Eyes.

Durkin joins Activision as CFO

DurkinActivision has attracted a extended-term senior Microsoft executive from Redmond being its new chief financial officer.Dennis Durkin, a classic corporate v . p . and chief operating and financial officer at Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business, has grew to become part of the developer of "CodInch and "WowInch -- departing Microsoft carrying out a 12-year stint.Thomas Tippl, Activision's COO remains filling the CFO role by having an interim cause for couple of years. (He formerly was CFO, but was promoted this season.)Durkin would be a hollywood face for Microsoft's Xbox 360 360 division, not only controlling finances, but becoming an evangelist in press conferences and conferences. He's also part of the team credited with turning the Xbox 360 360 division in to a moneymaking operation (with profits topping $1 billion every year), after a period of red-colored-colored ink."While using development of digital entertainment, it becomes an exciting time to partner while using company's senior leaders to continue to operate a vehicle future growth and increase investor value," mentioned Durkin.Mitchell Koch, the business v . p . of Microsoft's worldwide retail advertising and marketing group for your Entertainment and Items Division, will need over for Durkin becasue it is CFO for your Interactive Entertainment Business unit, beginning March 19. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Ellen DeGeneres' J.C. Penney Advertisements to Debut Throughout Academy awards

David Morrissey David Morrissey just arrived the plum role from the Governor around the Walking Dead, AMC introduced Friday. The Governor, a personality from Robert Kirkman's graphic books, may be the vicious leader of Woodbury, a little settlement of children. The Governor becomes certainly one of Rick's finest enemies within the comic series. Exclusive: Observe How The Walking Dead's Most Nasty Moments Arrived at Existence Morrissey, who'll make his Walking Dead debut in Season 3, is well-noted for his roles in British series Condition of Play, Meadowlands and also the Deal. His film credits range from the Other Boleyn Girl, Water Equine and Nowhere Boy. The Walking Dead, that was lately restored for any 16-episode third season, dates back into production this spring.

Pierre Juneau dies at 89

Pierre Juneau, who brought in key regulations supporting homegrown TV and music production in Canada, died on Tuesday. He was 89.The Montreal-born Juneau began his career at the National Film Board of Canada, where he played a significant role in the development of French-language production at the publicly funded film studio. While at the NFB from 1949-66, he held a number of management posts in the distribution and production sectors, including developing co-productions with France and Italy.When a separate French-language production unit was set up at the NFB in 1964, he was named the first head of the studio.In 1960, he co-founded Quebec's first film festival, the Montreal International Film Festival.In 1966, Juneau left the NFB and was named vice chairman of the Bureau of Broadcast Governors. Two years later that body became the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, the country's broadcast regulator. He became the first-ever chairman of the CRTC in 1968 and it was during his tenure as CRTC topper that the regulator created the first-ever Canadian-content regulations for both television and radio. These rules are considered by many to be significant factors in the subsequent development of a healthy TV and music industries in the Great White North. The rules stipulated that the TV networks had to air 60% Canadian fare, and radio stations had to air 30% Canadian music.In recognition of his defining role in the music world in Canada, the Canadian music awards were named the Juno Awards in his honor. He also received a Juno Award as Canadian music industry man of the year in 1971.An old friend of Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Juneau ankled the CRTC in 1975 to take the position as Minister of Communications in Trudeau's government. But he had to resign from the cabinet after he lost a by-election.Juneau became president of pubcaster CBC in 1982 and, while head of the network, he helped create the country's first all-news network, Newsworld. But while heading CBC, he had to grapple with major budget cuts brought in by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's Progressive Conservative government."He was a great defender of Canadian content, a great defender of the public service and a great defender of the political independence of CBC vis-a-vis the government," said Sylvain Lafrance, the former senior VP of French-language services at CBC, in an interview with the Radio-Canada website.During his years as president of the CBC, he pushed to bring the Canadian content on the network up to 95%. He retired from CBC just as Newsworld was going to air.Following his time at CBC, he founded the World Radio and Television Council, a UNESCO-supported non-government organization. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Safe House tops the united states box office

Safe House has hit the top US box office through the narrowest of margins, compressing The Vow into second place with a mere $300,000 based on the latest estimations.The Denzel Washington starring thriller tallied up $23.9 million throughout President's Day weekend, edging the Vow on $23.six million. Both individuals films have been likely to be threatened by Ghost Driver: Spirit Of Vengeance, but even Nic Cage at his most unhinged could not put enough bums on seats, having a $22 million take departing it in third.Affable adventure follow up Journey 2 ongoing to do steadily having a $20 million weekend, although What This Means Is War made $17.5 million in fifth. The drop-off and away to sixth place was fairly severe using the re-launched The Exorcist: Episode One adding just $7.86 million towards the pot. Apparently even Jar-Jar's appeal wears off eventually...Chronicle arrived at the $50 million mark having a $7.5 million weekend, although Daniel Radcliffe chiller The Lady In Black required $6.six million in eighth place. The Key Realm Of Arrietty and also the Gray complete the very best ten with $6.3 and $3 million correspondingly.In a few days sees Amanda Seyfried's missing persons thriller Gone go face to face with Paul Rudd comedy Wanderlust. Can Safe House hold on for an additional week? We'll discover next Monday...

Latino Market Trailer: El Lrax

Universal changes itsEl Lraxcampaign for that Latino market into high geartonight on Univision’s Premio Lo Nuestro Latin Music Honours. The animated Lorax character voiced in The spanish language by Danny DeVito will introduce a band and also the specifically produced 90-second preview below. It’s in British, with subtitles and voice-over announcement in The spanish language. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax opens March 2.

Internet VOD challenges pay TV

The video-on-demand market for paid rentals is currently ruled by pay TV services, but the Internet-on-demand market is growing in strength, according to the NPD Group. Pay TV VOD services hit $1.3 billion in revenue for 2011, according to the market research company, while the iVOD market reached $204 million. The report found that 4 million fewer pay TV users paid additional fees to watch movies in August 2011 vs. a year earlier. Including the services of iTunes, Amazon, Vudu and others, iVOD reached 7 million users compared to 40 million for pay TV VOD. Internet VOD also poses a possible challenge for pay TV's non-movie services. "IVOD users reduced their time spent watching TV shows, news and sports via pay TV companies by 12% between August 2010 and August 2011," said Russ Crupnick, senior veep of industry analysis for the NPD Group. "Pay TV operators now must not only defend their movie VOD revenues but also counter an emerging threat to basic programming." According to NPD, users perceive iVOD as offering a better value and better movie title selection than pay TV. All findings are based on NPD's VideoWatch tracking service, which does not consider free or paid viewings of TV shows, subscription services such as Netflix streaming or free movies included in pay TV subscriptions. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Glee's Vanessa Lengies on Sugar's Large Breadstix Party and McKinley's New Love Triangular

Glee Make room, Mike and Shane. There is a new romantic competition warming up the hallways of McKinley At the top of Glee before Valentine's. "Sugar will probably be in the center of an appreciation triangular," Vanessa Lengies informs TVGuide.com. "Rory and Artie fight backwards and forwards the whole time for Sugar's hands." In Tuesday's episode (8/7c, Fox), Sugar's father throws her an enormous party at Breadstix - potential re-named Sugar Shack - in recognition of her favorite holiday. All New Directions is asked towards the party - although not with out them stern marching order using their hostess: No singles permitted! Glee sneak look: Samuel Larson make his debut! Plus: Rachel's father arrive! The warning is odd thinking about Sugar herself continues to be riding solo since she first put their hands up in September. However, her sudden desire to have to start dating ? brings out both Rory and Artie's A-games once they each attempt to win her heart - in true Glee style - with song. "Kevin McHale's serenade was among the most popular stuff that I have seen on the program,Inch Lengies states. "He was once inside a boy band and that i was raised completely obsessive about boy bands. He just drawn out every move which was fully engrained during my childhood and teen years." The reality is, there is a obvious champion from the Sugar showdown in Lengies' eyes. "Damian [McGinty]'s this type of great guy. Yesterday, I'd a very hard day on set due to family issues and that he totally encouraged me," Lengies states. "But Sugar, i believe, was certainly won over more by Artie." Glee Spoiler Photos! Rachel's two fathers, Mercedes' choice Regardless of who will get the final dance, New Directions' latest energy couple will not last lengthy. "My take is the fact that Sugar does not even worry about finding yourself in rapport. She just can't be seen single only at that party," Lengies states. "However I really don't know exactly what the producers have planned." Glee producers happen to be keeping Lengies on her behalf toes all season. Since showing up within the Season 3 premiere with what was said to be a 1-time role, producers have stored asking her back one episode at any given time. (She's now made an appearance in nine of 13). Consequently, Sugar has gradually developed from the tone-hard of hearing point right into a recurring character infamous for separating the glee club. However, Lengies demands Sugar's diva antics are behind her. "When she became a member of the glee club, she just recognized that's that what she likes to do. Sugar signifies the folks available who maybe can't sing, but like it,Inch Lengies states. "I am only recognizing this now because I did not know she would hang in there this lengthy. This character just brings together what Glee is, because it is all about acceptance." Watch full instances of Glee Even though ongoing gig is a enjoyable surprise, the arrangement is not with no couple of hitches. For example, Lengies reserved a household vacation not aware that Sugar have been written in to the Michael Jackson tribute episode and subsequently needed to miss the large episode. "It's like generating a brand new job each week,Inch she states thirstily. "Did I allow it to be? Did I not? I'm not sure!" Lengies' last series role, on TNT's now-canceled HawthoRNe, would be a one-episode appearance that converted into a 3-season job, so she's delighted to set up the additional work. "I practiced all weekend for regionals," she states from the extensive choreography. "I am not really a dancer, but I wish to make certain which i don't allow anybody lower." Her Glee future remains unclear, but Lengies is adopting as soon as nevertheless. "Throughout HawthoRNe, I had been constantly trying to not be too crazy and it serious. It has been so refreshing for me personally since it is this type of good outlet for that inner me to simply be," she states. "This is the whole idea of Glee anyways - to simply be what you are and that is enough. I truly believe that way on set." Who do you consider Sugar should pick? Artie or Rory? Seem off below!

'Sunshine' working in london forecast

GriffithsDeVito A brand new manufacture of Neil Simon comedy "The Sun's Rays Boys," toplined by Danny DeVito and Richard Griffiths, has kept in a 12-week operate on free airline Finish starting in April.Thea Sharrock ("Equus") will helm the development from London-based Sonia Friedman Prods. and American producer Richard Willis ("Priscilla Full from the Desert," "Next Fall"). Because of the frequent trans-Atlantic transfers that Friedman is involved, the show appears apt to be considered for any potential change to Broadway.Production, which in fact had formerly been rumored for any West Finish slot (Variety, Jan. 30-February. 5), moves in to the Savoy Theater, the venue potential vacated by Friedman's manufacture of "Legally Blonde."DeVito makes his West Finish debut in "Sunshine" opposite Griffiths, the Brit thesp last on Broadway in Sharrock's manufacture of "Equus."Story of Simon's 1972 play focuses on an estranged vaudeville duo who're convinced by CBS to reunite for just one last show. Title also created a 1975 movie version that starred George Burns and Walter Matthau, in addition to a TV version toplined by Woodsy Allen and Peter Falk.Show starts previews April 17 in front of a May 17 opening in the Savoy Theater, in which the production will have through This summer 28. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Exclusive: 'Phantom Menace' 3d Preview From 'Star Wars' Insider

Since the "AlienInch saga joins the 3 dimensional revolution while using coming theatrical relieve "Alien: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" onFebruary tenth, our good pals in the Exorcist Insider magazine are marking the occasion getting a unique celebratory problem. And that we are marking that occasion with this personal preview of the approaching problem, the next on MTV Movies Blog! There's a unique preview within the approaching "Phantom Menace" designed problem, featuring the interview with IndustrialLight & Magics John Knoll. The interview offers the lowdown round the creativeprocess behind the completely new 3d format that "AlienInch fans are likely to enjoy. Take a look beyond the break. Alien Insider: What measures back does the idea of Alien in 3d go? John Knoll: Toward the conclusion of concentrating on Episode III, Ron McCallum, George Lucas, which i started seeing 3d samples. From the going to a reel where lots of moments happen to be ripped from DVD from various films, such as the Exorcist. From the feeling that lots of the region as well as the dimensions werent quite on it, however i thought it had been pretty neat and therefore awesome to find out it in 3d. From the George saying in those days, Yeah, In my opinion I actually do. So when you start a conversion, can you start immediately or perhaps the middle or perhaps the finish? We labored inside an odd order, owing to Episode I, i had been also undertaking a restoration. One of the primary questions that my Connect VFX Supervisor, Dorne Huebler, which i started asking, was whenever we would take this movie and build up into 2,000 separate pieces, we'd an opportunity to upgrade what people 2,000 separate pieces are. It made an appearance like we'd a perfect opportunity to return and make a cleaner, sharper and purer version in the movie. Really, of the question was closing on these archive tapes dont last forever and so they havent been completely catalogued and aged because nobody thought that actually was online assets the film, so that it wasnt apparent that individuals would be capable of find these. Where perhaps you have see them? They were in many places. It absolutely was some attempt to see them which we found about 98 percent of those. And then we came back for the original material, so when you gaze, youre really seeing 8 % more movie in comparison towards the initial release. Inside the original, there's some popping, and that means you lost some good info. We have a bit more from the image now. So did George start to see the whole movie since it was enhanced? Yes. We werent doing the reels in order, so he saw individual reelsbut not in story orderuntil we'd become a contract from him on all people reels. Then he saw a later iteration where got married done one last polish on all people, and then we first seen it entirely through, in order, and then we frequently see the actual way it went just like a full two-and-a-half-hour movie. Are there some moments that labored perfectly or that you just were particularly happy with? Its interesting that exactly why is good stereo system system options is often very counter-intuitive. Lots of people think that the big stereo system system moments is going to be large space fight shots and, for instance, the Podrace. But more often than not youre searching at wide shots, which are where all the spectacle happens--though nothing particularly close to camera, there arent a whole lot stereo system system options. There is really depth, nonetheless it is not eye-popping depth. The most effective stereo system system will come in the higher quiet character moments, because youre in close along with your figures and there are plenty of depth options there. Exactly what are your wants the film? It absolutely was no objective by having an in-your-face, Wow, have a look at how stereo system system this can be experience. The idea ended up being to ensure it is was as naturalistic as you can, as though we hadnt really shot it with stereo system system cameras. So, theres really no gimmicky stuff poking out to the camera its really really an immersive factor. To determine more, obtain the completely new problem of StarWarsInsidermagazine, which hits stores inthe US and Canada around the month of the month of january 31stand inside the Uk and Ireland onFebruary ninth.

New posters for What You Should Expect When you're Expecting

Lionsgate have released a quintet of latest posters for motherhood comedy What You Should Expect When you're Expecting, showing its five leading ladies simply because they appears once they were pregnant.Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick and Brooklyn Decker will be the ladies in mind, all searching radiant simply because they clutch their inflamed stomachs.And although conceiving a child comedy might attract female audiences to begin with, Lionsgate make certain they fight and snag a few male audiences in route, by placing Brooklyn Decker close to the tag-line: "I have all this extra energy, plus I'm constantly horny."The film depends on the very best-selling guide of the title, and may follow five different couples using the pros and cons of impending motherhood. The ladies will probably be grew to become part of having a male cast including Chace Crawford, Dennis Quaid, Rodrigo Santoro, Joe Magniello and Chris Rock.What You Should Expect When you're Expecting will probably be released in Uk cinemas on 18 May 2012. Meanwhile, you can examine out 5 new posters below...

Banff to bow co-production mart

TORONTO -- The Banff World Media Festival will launch an worldwide TV co-production market this year, the company introduced Wednesday. The mart will facilitate face-to-face meets between worldwide content producers, tv producers, funders and entrepreneurs who would like to make or commission scripted TV, youth and animated programming, non-fiction and digital content. It aims for hooking up professionals from around the world with content producers to hone using what TV publication rack trying to find and check out the particular procedure for financing, deal structures and selecting the very best co-production and distribution partners for projects. The Banff fest mart advisory board includes producer Fred Fuchs, Disney Channel's Jonas Agin, Canada Media Fund Boss Valerie Creighton, CAA agent Kevin Cooper, Canadian Media Production Assn. prexy Norm Bolen, Shaw Media prexy Christine Shipton and Breakthrough Entertainment co-founder Ira Levy. The Banff World Media Festival runs June 10 to 13. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Jackson, Berg preem 'West of Memphis'

West of Memphis premieres at Sundance after producer Healing For Peter Jackson grew to become engrossed using the West Memphis 3 situation . Amy Berg's "West of Memphis" bows today in Sundance's Doc Premieres -- by having an audience that's likely acquainted with the topic. The Healing For Peter Jackson-created docu concerning the West Memphis 3, who have been jailed for murder and lately freed underneath the Alford Plea, occurs the heels of "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory," the final outcome from the 18-years-in-the-making trilogy around the situation docu bowed on Cinemax this month. Also within the Sundance section is "Under African Skies" from Joe Berlinger, who, together with Bruce Sinofsky, directed "Paradise Lost 3," that is shortlisted for that Oscar documentary feature category. All of the filmmakers would really like Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Junior. completely removed. However the two teams have experienced arguments over accessibility films' subjects. Jackson made the decision to get involved with 2004 after watching the very first Cinemax pic, "Paradise Lost: The Kid Killings at Robin Hood Hillsides." He and Fran Walsh assisted reinvigorate the situation in 2005 once they funded a brand new probe in to the conviction of Echols, Baldwin and Misskelley. In September 2008, following a judge declined a motion for any new trial, Jackson made the decision to create a doc, and Berg was hired that year Jackson didn't directly contact Cinemax, Berlinger or Sinofsky. "When Judge Burnett switched lower all of the evidence in 2008, we'd become buddies with Damien and (his wife) Lorri Davis," Jackson stated. (Echols and Davis function as producers on "West of Memphis.") "I was attempting to save his existence, and that's why we went into this film. His prospects were harsh, and all sorts of that new evidence wasn't likely to count for any factor. Therefore we felt that people were creating a movie which was attempting to save him, and that we weren't likely to trust that job to other people," he added. There is a dispute regarding use of Pam Hobbs, mom of victim Steve Branch. (Reese Witherspoon is mounted on star as Hobbs in Atom Egoyan's West Memphis Three drama "Devil's Knot.") Hobbs, who had been featured within the first "Paradise Lost" film, signed a documentary privileges agreement with Berg's camping that avoided her from showing up in "Paradise Lost 3," getting a weekly talking to fee. Berg states she signed Hobbs only after hearing that Berlinger and Sinofsky had signed a unique cope with Pam's ex-husband, Terry Hobbs -- the only real person near to the situation who are able to be attached to the crime scene via DNA. Berlinger, that has been unwilling to discuss any variations using the "West of Memphis" production team, felt he'd no choice but to sign Terry Hobbs in August 2010 after getting a letter from the "West of Memphis" lawyer denying him use of Pam Hobbs. "I signed Terry Hobbs only after recognizing the 'West of Memphis' production was not really mutually cooperative having a character who was simply a part of our story for 17 years," Berlinger contended. Younger crowd disputes the "West of Memphis" teams' claims that no film deck hands were on the floor garnering interviews and looking into the situation in 2008. He cites receipts, emails and footage from 2004 though 2011. Berg countered that Berlinger and Sinofsky had compensatedcertain people for his or her participation within the first couple of payments of "Paradise Lost," saying, "Individuals first couple of films setup a precedent in Arkansas by having to pay people for interviews, that we had not been uncovered to." Berlinger disputes that portrayal. "Three several weeks into filming 'Paradise Lost' in 1993, we had that a few of these families could not afford fundamental essentials. We felt bad that a few of these everyone was getting trouble balancing the budget, therefore we gave each one of the six families who had lost a young child or who was simply charged with the crime a 1-time honorarium like a fundamental humanitarian gesture." He ongoing, "Paying people for his or her time is extremely diverse from obstructing access. Within the 18 years we've been associated with this situation, we have assisted every other media outlet that desired to tell this story by providing footage or use of people or information, including CNN, '48 Hours' and also the Discovery Funnel. I do not have confidence in monopolizing access when three individuals lives were at risk. It was frustrating that people were avoided from filming certain figures who we brought to ("West of Memphis" producers) through our films and whom we'd been covering for nearly 2 decades.Inch But getting another film concerning the Memphis 3 situation at Sundance, fifteen years after "Paradise Lost: The Childhood Killings at Robin Hood Hillsides" first opened, may ultimately keep your public's attention around the situation. "There can not be enough films relating to this miscarriage of justice," Berlinger stated. "In my opinion that they the very best of intentions and Damien's needs in mind, and that i admire the things they did regarding pushing the analysis forward." Contact Addie Morfoot at news@variety.com

UPDATED: Kelsey Grammer & Wife Expecting Twins

First Published: January 15, 2012 11:15 PM EST Credit: Getty Images LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Kelsey Grammer and Kayte Walsh arrive at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. on January 15, 2012 Kelsey Grammer has baby number five and six on the way! The Boss star who won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a TV Drama series and wife Kayte Walsh Grammer, 32, are expecting twins. Im really looking forward to meeting these new arrivals, the actor told reporters backstage at the Golden Globe Awards after his win. Fatherhoods always different, based upon the character that comes into your life. They arrive and tell you what you have to do, he continued. [Kayte is] extraordinary. Shes one of the most loving, amazing, warm human beings Ive ever met. Shes funny and serious all at the same time. Shes an amazing person and I think shell blow [the kids] away. The twins will be Kaytes first little ones. She previously suffered a miscarriage in 2010. Kelsey, 56, is dad to son Jude, 7, and daughter Mason, 10, with The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Camille Grammer. He is also dad to Greer, 19, with Barrie Buckner, and Spencer, 28, with Doreen Alderman. The longtime TV, film and stage veteran is also a grandfather to Spencers son Emmett, who is 3 months old. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Khloe Slams Claims She Isn't Biological Daughter of Robert Kardashian

Khloe Kardashian Khloe Kardashian - notorious for speaking her mind - isn't holding back when it comes to her late father Robert Kardashian's other wives and their claims that she isn't really a Kardashian.Jan Ashley, the woman who married Robert Kardashian after he split from Kris Jenner, recently told Star Magazine that Khloe was not Robert's biological daughter.Kardashian sisters will be Barbies - real Barbies"Khloe is not his kid -- he told me that after we got married," said Ashley, 63. "He just kind of looked at me and said [it] like it was a matter of fact. He said, 'Well, you know that Khloe's not really a Kardashian, don't you?' And I said...'OK,' and that was it."Ellen Kardashian, 63, who was married to Robert at the time of his death in 2003, backed up Ashley's claims. "Khloe brought it up all the time," she says. "She looked nothing like the rest. She was tall, had a different shape, light hair, curly hair. Didn't look anything like the other three children."Check out photos of Khloe KardashianKhloe fired back at the women on Twitter Wednesday, writing, "The audacity you have to mention my father's name like this! Should be ashamed of urself! I let a lot of things slide but this one is really low. YOU ARE DISGUSTING! (yes you know who YOU are)."Khloe's mother, Kris Jenner, slammed the rumors on Thursday's Good Morning America, calling the claims "crap." She what Jenner had to say here: video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo playerWhat do you think about Jan Ashley and Ellen Kardashian's claims?

Will Smith to Host Kids' Choice Awards

Will Smith Will Smith will host the 25th annual Kids' Choice Awards, Nickelodeon announced on Wednesday. "The Kids' Choice Awards are always the year's liveliest, slimiest and most outrageous party for kids and teens," Smith said. "I'm honored they wanted me to host this year so I can have a front-row seat to take part in the fun." See videos from the Kids' Choice Awards orange carpetThe Kids' Choice Awards will air Saturday, March 31 at 8/7c on Nickelodeon.

Spoleto sets Egoyan opera

'The Agony and also the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs' A Chinese opera helmed by Atom Egoyan in addition to stints from Off Broadway alums including Mike Daisey and troupe 7 Doigts are some of the choices on tap in the 2012 Spoleto Festival USA.Also around the docket for that 36th annual carrying out arts fest -- designed by Nigel Redden, who also manages NY's Lincoln subsequently Center Festival -- really are a staging of Noel Coward's "Hay Fever" from Dublin's Gate Theater in addition to "The Creatures and kids Required towards the Roads," a multidisciplinary show from U.K. troupe 1927.Egoyan helms composer Guo Wenjing's "Feng Yi Teng," in regards to a meeting that changes Chinese history, having a design team which includes Broadway vet Derek McLane ("Bengal Tiger in the Baghdad Zoo"). Like a co-manufacture of Spoleto and also the Lincoln subsequently Center Fest, "Feng Yi Teng" looks poised to look around the 2012 slate in the Gotham arts festival too.Daisey will work his monologue "The Agony and also the Ecstasy of Jobs,Inch which demonstrated popular enough at Off Broadway's Public Theater the 2009 season to warrant an approaching return run, in addition to a piece known as "Teching in India." Canuck company 7 Doigts will stage acrobatics showcase "Traces," also current playing Off Broadway inside a lengthy-term run.One of the other productions around the Spoleto slate are another monologue, "Creating the realityInch from journo Jack Hitt, in addition to dance excursions from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Cedar plank Lake Contemporary Ballet. Selection includes the U.S. preem of Philip Glass opera "Kepler."The 2012 edition of Spoleto Festival USA runs May 25-June 10 in Charleston, S.C. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com