AWARDS HEADLINES
Oscar Ratings Dip as Chris Rock’s Hosting Return Draws 34 Million Viewers
The statuettes were all given out last night at the 88th Academy Awards but despite one of the most anticipated opening monologues in years due to the diversity controversy, it turns out there is no gold, nor silver or bronze for ABC. With 34.3 million total viewers watching the Rock hosted shindig from the Hollywood and Highland on Sunday, the Oscars took a tumble this year to hit an 8-year low. (DH)
Oscar Aftermath: How ‘Spotlight’ Pulled Off a Best Picture Win, and How Sylvester Stallone Couldn’t Snag a Statuette
It was a twist-filled awards season right up until the last category was called on Oscar night, but in the end, did we twist around so much that we ended up right back where we started? Two of the most-talked-about wins happened when Spotlight took Best Picture over the surging The Revenant and Bridge of Spies star Mark Rylance triumphed in the Best Supporting Actor race over heavy favorite Sylvester Stallone. Still, the signs were there. We just got distracted. (VUL)
Looking Ahead Already, Here Are Some Predictions For the 2017 Oscars
The whirlwind ride that was the 2016 Academy Awards has been completed, and with the winners resting and their fellow nominees drafting their next move, we can put the cinematic awards season to rest. Now, turning a crystal ball to next year’s ceremony and with a varying degree of certainty and a good heap of salt, here are some very early picks for 2017’s Academy Award nominees in six major categories. (CB)
OTHER HEADLINES
Exec Shuffle For 2/29/16: Wanda Group Invests $3.3B in EuropaCity, Gaming Startup Fifth Journey & Film Studios Team-Up, Multiple Shifts at StudioCanal
Another busy week in Hollywoodland sees a major purchase for Warner Bros., a new launch by Maker Studios, a new VP of sales at StudioCanal, and lots of other hirings, promotions, and other executive movements. For more info, click on the provided link. (SSN)
Judge Rules Against Dismissing Sumner Redstone Health Lawsuit
A fight over Sumner Redstone’s health condition is moving forward. Today, Los Angeles Superior Court judge David Cowan denied a motion to dismiss Redstone ex-companion Manuela Herzer’s petition to be reappointed his healthcare agent. What’s more, the judge has set a trial date for all day on May 6th and May 9th and the afternoons of May 10th through May 12th. (HESQ)
CBS Finds Its Brand New Nancy Drew, In the Form Of Sarah Shahi
Person of Interest vet will play the titular role in Drew, the network’s spin on the classic detective character. The pilot will center around a 30-something who is a more mature version of Nancy than the one in the popular novels, and is now detective for the NYPD, where she investigates and solves crimes using her uncanny observational skills, all while navigating the complexities of life in a modern world. (VAR)
Channing Tatum’s X-Men Spinoff ‘Gambit’ Is Pulled From Fox’s Release Schedule
Anew slot for the superhero vehicle hasn’t yet been announced. With original director Rupert Wyatt departing the project last September, and his replacement Doug Liman only coming aboard in November, October 2016 was never looking realistic. It turns out that 11-month turnaround really was too tight. (EMP)
There’s Lots More ‘NCIS’ On Its Way, as Mark Harmon Signs On For Two More Seasons
CBS announced today that it has renewed the show, the number one television drama series in the U.S. and worldwide, for two more seasons, and that series star and executive producer Harmon has signed a new two-year deal. Currently in its 13th season, NCIS is a member of the exclusive 20 million viewer club. (CS)
USA Network Is No Longer Satisfied With ‘Satisfaction’, Cancels the Drama After Two Seasons
The NBCUniversal-owned cable network has canceled the escort drama. The news comes after the Matt Passmore-led drama was quietly moved to Fridays for its second season, which bowed in October and wrapped in December. The series hailed from former Suits executive producer Sean Jablonski and coincides with his new Netflix deal, which will see him see join the streaming service’s original drama Gypsy as an executive producer and co-showrunner. (LF)
Trailer Buzz: ‘Louder Than Bombs’
The Orchard has released the first look at the new film from acclaimed director Joachim Trier. Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Gabriel Byrne, Isabelle Huppert, Rachel Brosnahan, Amy Ryan and David Strathairn, the film will get a limited theatrical release on April 8th and a VOD release on July 12th. (TP)