Box Office: The Top 10 Reasons Why ‘The Jungle Book’ Felled ‘The Huntsman: Winter’s War’
The Jungle Book held strong this weekend at $60 million, while The Huntsman faltered at $20 million. As the successes are boosting other strong want-to-see films, audiences also seem to be a bit more cautious about checking out those that fall below that elevated level. (IW)
Spoilers Ahead: The 7 Most Important Moments of Game of Thrones Episode 601
The question now on Game of Thrones is whether the various story lines will now start moving toward their respective dramatic conclusions, or if the show’s writers—without the blueprint of the books to guide them—will end up floundering. Based on the Season 6 premiere, it’s hard to say. Spoilers Ahead. (VF)
Black And White And Green All Over: USA Today Publisher Offers To Buy LA Times and Chicago Tribune for $815 Million
Gannett, publisher of USA Today and dozens of other regional newspapers, is offering to buy Tribune Publishing, owner of the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune, in an effort to consolidate brands and drive cost savings that can improve the financial standing of print and digital newsrooms nationwide. (FB)
Deconstructing the ‘Live’ Shake-Up and ABC’s Miscalculation of Kelly Ripa
ABC News is having an Ann Curry moment. ABC was left doing damage control over reports Good Morning America is about to gobble up Live’s time slot, leaving its “heart and soul” Kelly Ripa a damsel in distress. Here’s a look inside ABC’s mishandling of the change in guards. (DL)
Inside Gary Shandling’s Star-Studded Memorial Which Included Buddhist Monks and a Johnny Depp Cameo
More than a dozen of them took the stage to help paint a 360-degree portrait of a man who was at times lauded for his comedic genius, roasted for his neuroses (associated largely with intimacy issues), admired for his spirituality and above all, applauded for his ability to be the best friend, mentor and comedy writer around. (THR)
SNL to Reduce Ads by 30% and Increase Original Branded Content
NBC’s Saturday Night Live is paring down its commercial load, with plans to cut about 30% of ads out of the sketch comedy show next season. It will do this by removing two commercial breaks per episode, giving viewers more content. And for advertisers, NBC will also be offering a limited opportunity to partner with SNL to create original branded content. (AA)
Tribeca Filmmaker Jungermann to Adapt Web Series ‘F To 7th’ As Comedy For Showtime
Ingrid Jungermann, whose first feature, Women Who Kill, just premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and won a best screenplay juried award, is heading to television. Showtime has put in development F To 7th, a half-hour comedy based on Jungermann’s popular web series of the same name. (DL)
‘Once Upon a Time’s’ Jennifer Morrison Moving on Up with Launch of Apartment 3C Productions
Once Upon A Time star Jennifer Morrison has launched her own production banner, Apartment 3C Productions, and will kick things off with her feature film directorial debut in Sun Dogs, a comedy penned by Warrior scribe Anthony Tambakis. (DL)
George Clooney Awards New $1 Million Humanitarian Prize in Yerevan and Remembers Armenian Genocide
Speaking in Yerevan where Clooney awarded a new $1 million humanitarian prize funded by prominent Armenians he commented, “I’ve seen what mankind is capable of at its worst. But I’ve also seen something else, something much stronger than hate. I’ve seen bravery and kindness and incredible acts of love.” (THR)
Screenwriters: The Lingo and Basics of Writing Deals and Negotiations
Writers may think that they will never have to sully their hands with actual negotiations – that’s what agents, managers and lawyers are for, right? Well, it’s going to be up to you to when it comes to “advise and consent.” Hopefully, these real-life examples can help you grasp the lingo and the basics of writing deals and negotiations. (SM)