EMMY HEADLINES
Inside the Emmy Ballot: Who’s In, Who’s Out, and Who’s Turning Heads?
The Television Academy has officially opened the ballot for the first round of voting for the 68th Emmy Awards. After combing through the list of contenders, here’s a look at the major standouts, missing players, and overall buzzworthy choices. (EW)
The Secret Reason Why Constance Zimmer & Steve Zissis May Have Better Emmy Odds This Year
Emmy prospects are looking up for those with last names beginning with a ‘Z’ because of a change in how the names are ordered. The Academy didn’t come out and say they were worried that some of last year’s potential nominees had been hurt by their position in the alphabet, but they admitted they were aware of the potential problem. (TW)
OTHER HEADLINES
Victory for Consumers as Court Upholds FCC Declaration of Net Neutrality Rules
The court’s decision upholds the F.C.C. on the declaration of broadband as a utility. That has broad-reaching implications for web and telecommunications companies and signals a shift in the government’s view of broadband as a service that should be equally accessible to all Americans, rather than a luxury that does not need close government supervision. (NYT)
11 Shows Snag California Tax Credits Including ‘Rosewood’ at Over $11 Million
The third season of American Crime, Season 2 of Rosewood, Season 6 of Veep, newbies This Is Us and Pitch are today among the latest television recipients of California’s lucrative tax credits. 11 projects will be receiving part of the $65 million available this round through the California Film Commission. (DL)
Robert De Niro Suiting Up for Battle for ‘The War With Grandpa’ Film
Robert De Niro is in final negotiations to star in The War With Grandpa, a comedy that is being financed and produced by Marro Films and distributed by Dimension. Tim Hill will direct the flick based on Robert Kimmel Smith’s bestselling youth title. (DL)
Guilty! Former State Sen. Ron Calderon Pleads Guilty to Taking Bribes Regarding California Film Incentive Program
Ron Calderon pleaded guilty in the case to mail fraud, conceding he accepted tens of thousands of dollars in bribes from undercover FBI agents and a corrupt hospital executive. Calderon said he agreed to push for a tax break for producers of independent films in return for money and a made-up job for his daughter. (LAT)
It’s Moving Time for Action Director Renny Harlin as He Makes His Way to China
Action director Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger) has launched a production company in Beijing, China where he has decided to now base himself permanently with the aim to nurture new Chinese talent. Its remit covers development and production, with output being Chinese titles or Chinese-foreign co-productions. (VAR)
Jeff Daniels & Merritt Wever Head West to Star in Netflix’s ‘Godless’
The Emmy-winning duo have been tapped to star in the streaming giant’s limited Western series Godless. Daniels and Wever join Unbroken alum Jack O’Connell in the Steven Soderbergh and Scott Frank limited series. (THR)
China’s Alibaba Pictures Unveils 17 Film Slate Along with New Partners
Alibaba Pictures has unveiled the development and production pipeline with a production slate that includes 17 features. They also announced a raft of new partnerships as it intends to turn its online dominance into a creative ecosystem for its collaborations to thrive. (DL)
Ratings Gold: How Networks and Cablers are Looting the 2016 Election for New Series
As the election cycle transitions from primary season to a head-to-head Trump-Clinton matchup, networks whose audiences are used to tuning in for a healthy dose of nonfiction have been programming to those viewers with more than just news and comedy. The tricky part is standing out from all the other political chatter. (VAR)