Laura Lang tapped as CEO of Time Inc.

Time Warner topper Jeff Bewkes Wednesday named digital advertising exec Laura Lang as CEO of the conglom's Time Inc. publishing group, the nation's largest and home to People magazine, InStyle, Time and Sports Illustrated.Lang has served since 2008 as CEO of digital marketing agency Digitas, owned by French ad giant Publicis. Her appointment signals the company's increasing emphasis on digital solutions to counter a challenging print market. She takes the reins of Time Inc. in January from an interim management team of editor-in-chief John Huey, chief financial officer Howard Averill and general counsel Maurice Edelson, who have been leading the company since the resignation of Jack Griffin last February after only six months on the job."Laura's leadership experience, brand management expertise, understanding of digital and marketing and strong relationships with the creative and advertising communities are a great fit for Time Inc. She is the right person to lead the company as it aggressively evolves its businesses during a time of great change and opportunity in publishing," Bewkes said in a statement."Time Inc's premier brands and stellar reputation, along with Time Warner's commitment to lead the digital transformation of all its businesses, will lead to great opportunities to deepen our connections with consumers," Lang said.Before joining Digitas in 1999, Lang was president of Marketing Corp. of America, where she provided strategic consulting services to clients in pharmaceutical, technology, entertainment and financial services. She also led the consulting practice at Yankelovich Clancy Shulman. Earlier in her career, Lang worked in strategic planning at Pfizer and brand management at Quaker Oats and Bristol Myers. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Purchase of Broadway's 'Book of Mormon' Takes Care Of

NY (AP) Nine Tony Honours, critical praise plus some filthy humor makes "It of Mormon" a good Broadway investment.Producers from the hit show stated Tuesday it has recovered its $11.4 million capital after just nine several weeks.The musical may be the creation of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, designers of "South Park," and Robert Lopez, who co-authored "Avenue Q."It had been crowned best musical because of its offensive yet good-natured take a look at two missionaries who get to Uganda and obtain a lot more compared to what they bargained for, including gun-carrying warlords along with a running gag about maggots inside a man's nut sack.The show is among the toughest tickets to attain and, because of premium prices, required in additional than $1.six million in the Eugene O'Neill Theatre a week ago.Copyright laws 2011 Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

T.J. Burns Lands Lead In Foxs Comedy Pilot Little Brother, Lifts Projects Contingency

EXCLUSIVE: Actor-comedian T.J. Burns (ABC’s Carpoolers) has showed up charge in Fox’s comedy pilot Little Brother, lifting the contingency round the project put together by Mike Royce, which will now proceed with production. Little Brother, a multi-camera comedy from 20th TV, 21 Laps/Adelstein Prods. and Hat Trick, is about a man who finds out he features a half-brother (Burns) he never understood about who is also an ex-disadvantage. The project was put together by British scribe Fintan Ryan and folded by Fox in the last 2 seasons until Everybody Loves Raymond alum Royce has been around since in September to produce a completely new script, which netted a cast-contingent pilot order. Royce is executive creating with Adelstein, Michael Thorn, Becky Clements and Jimmy Mulville, while Ryan is co-executive creating. Burns, whose feature credits include Cloverfield, Our Idiot Brother and Yogi Bear, recently released comedy stylish-hop album The Extended Play E.P. His stand-up specialNo Real Reason opened up 10 days ago on Comedy Central, while using connected DVD released the other day. This can be a viral comedy video released online captured together with Burns’s stand-up special. He's with WME and three Arts.

Dancing with the Stars Finale: Who Will Win?

Rob Kardashian, Ricki Lake and J.R. Martinez Is Dancing with the Stars' Mirrorball trophy still J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff's to lose? The frontrunner suffered an ankle injury last week, meaning Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke, and Ricki Lake and Derek Hough are still very much in the running - not that they were ever completely out of it. Kardashian's improbable journey may be the story of the season, and Lake has Hough, the show's first three-time champ, in her corner.The trio will face off Monday and Tuesday with four dances: an unlearned dance, their favorite dance, the Instant samba and, of course, the freestyle.Who's got the edge? Let's size them up!Dancing's Cheryl Burke: Rob Kardashian is not distracted by Kim's divorceROB KARDASHIANFor: The Kardashian fan base and improvement arc. Kardashian might be the weakest of the finalists - he's the only one who hasn't score a perfect 30 yet - but he embodies what the show is supposed to be about: someone with absolutely no performing experience and isn't a natural dancer who buckles down and learns to dance slowly but surely. He's peaking at the right time, winning the cha-cha relay last week, and perhaps best news of all: Sister Kim's divorce doesn't seem to have affected him or viewers' fondness for him.Needs to work on: Confidence. Kardashian is seemingly an aberration in his family being so shy and uncomfortable in front of the camera. He's shown glimpses of self-assurance, but he has to kick it into gear if he wants to take down Lake and Martinez. "He's definitely getting better and better each week," Burke tells TVGuide.com. "He's working really hard and getting into character better, and my job is to help build up that confidence and reassure him." Why he might win: Who doesn't love an underdog? The unlikeliest finalist of the trio, Kardashian, like most people, never pictured himself in the final. "The fact that we're in the position that we're in? I shocked myself," he says. Many pre-season predictions had him going out early, like Kim did, but he's proved them wrong with his ability and commitment, so who's to say he can't top it off with a victory? Keep an eye out for: More booty-shaking. Kardashian's big bum has been both an asset and his own worst enemy, but he used his gluteus maximus to the, uh, max in the samba last week - and look at that! There's going to be an Instant samba in the finals. "He's learned to work with his butt, so we're going to use that to our advantage," Burke says.Dancing's Derek Hough: I don't feel pressure to winRICKI LAKEFor: Consistency. Martinez has two scores of 30s to Lake's one, but when you crunch the numbers, she holds the edge in score average and most weeks on top of the leader board with six. Lake is a very proficient dancer and rarely has had any bad weeks. Excluding her first-week score of 20, her second-lowest score was a 24, which is very good by most competitors' standards. "We've definitely had more ups than downs this season, which is always a plus, so we just have to keep that going," Hough says.Needs to work on: Performance factor. While she gives fans a great bang for their buck, Lake is not as flashy or expressive as Martinez is on the floor. At times, Lake, who's made it clear she's hard on herself, appears more in her head, thinking about the steps, than in the moment. Why she might win: Lake has reclaimed the momentum after relinquishing it midseason to Martinez. After Martinez hurt his ankle last week, Lake emphatically stamped herself as the current one to beat with her first 30 and the highest score of the evening. Plus, she has Hough as her partner, and he obviously knows what it takes to win. Did we mention that he's also been perfect in finals? Lake can make that record 4-0, but don't remind him of that. "I try not to think about it," he says.Keep an eye out for: Another trademark Hough, crowd-pleasing freestyle. Freestyles are Hough's bread and butter, and he says if theirs - an idea he's been kicking around for a bit - goes according to plan, it could be "really cool." And we all know that freestyles are the make-it-or-break-it dance.Read Maks' Dancing blogJ.R. MARTINEZFor: Musicality, personality and a back story for the ages. The All My Children star and vet - who suffered burns after driving over a landmine in Iraq in 2003 - can do it all: put on a showstopper that brings the crowd to its feet and put on a poignant number that reduces the audience to tears. "J.R. is just amazing," Kym Johnson says. "He just draws you in when he dances. I don't think anybody can not enjoy watching him dance."Needs to work on: Not much. But he twisted his ankle in rehearsals and on the floor last week, so here's to a speedy recovery!Why he might win: He's got the complete package: technique, talent, charm and sizzling chemistry with Smirnoff. Cynics might suggest his story will garner sympathy votes, but Martinez has proven week in and week out that he has the goods, and has undoubtedly won over more fans with his performance and fun-loving personality. "I think anybody would be a fool not to root for J.R. given who he represents and how great he is," Maksim Chmerkovskiy writes in his TVGuide.com blog. "Everything about him screams Dancing winner."Keep an eye out for: Not to be a downer, but any effects from his ankle injury. It would be a shame if he can't put his best foot forward (no pun intended) in the finals. "I hope his ankle's all right," Hough says. "He's overcome so much as it is. He's a fighter and a competitor, so I'm sure he will tough this out." Who do you think will win? Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke Ricki Lake and Derek Hough J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff vote view results

IMG Worldwide CEO Ted Forstmann Dies

NY - IMG Worldwide, the talent management and TV production firm that has worked with such sports, fashion and other stars as Justin Timberlake, Tyra Banks, Tiger Woods, Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins and Roger Federer, said Sunday that its chairman and CEO Theodore "Ted" Forstmann has died after a battle against brain cancer.our editor recommendsIMG Worldwide Demands Insurers Pick Up Cost Of Fighting Ex-Athletes In Video Game Litigation Forstmann, a Wall Street legend who invested in several media businesses over the year, was 71. He had led IMG since buying the company in 2004. During that time, former HBO head and now Starz CEO Chris Albrecht joined the agency for a year to head up its global media business. Recently, long-time Forstmann friend Michael Ovitz tried to take over IMG amid Forstmann's battle with cancer, leading to Ovitz's ouster from the company's board. In recent years, former Yahoo and Warner Bros. boss Terry Semel was also reportedly looking at taking over the company. Before IMG, Forstmann had made a name for himself as founder and head of investment firm Forstmann Little & Co. IMG said that his firm made 31 acquisitions and investments under his leadership, including a 1984 leveraged buyout of Dr. Pepper, which at the time was the largest ever, and returned more than $15 billion to its investors. Media investments during that time include sports and entertainment trading cards firm The Topps Co., later acquired by former Walt Disney boss Michael Eisner, publishing and Internet firm Ziff Davis, as well as radio station group Citadel Broadcasting. Forstmann is survived by his two sons Siya and Everest. His relationships over the years included one with Princess Diana. He was also romantically linked to Top Chef's Padma Lakshmi, according to Wikipedia. IMG didn't immediately name a replacement for the CEO and chairman roles. Related Topics Obituaries IMG

Top Moments: Jon Stewart on Penn Condition and Practice's Intervention

Glee Our top moments every week: 15. Silence Is Golden Award: On New Girl, Jess asks Nick why he doesn't like Paul (guest star Justin Extended), her fellow schoolteacher crush who's over for Thanksgiving, which according to him it doesn't matter while he is not the one which will need intercourse with him. Jess replies they wants "to possess intercourse with him hugelyInch and "take him lower to Chinatown and slice him off a little of the pumpkin cake." Hopefully, Paul would like numerous that pumpkin cake otherwise dessert will most likely be really awkward. 14. Worst Cuisine Crime: Low on time and expense, Keith commits a cardinal sin and purchases pre-cooked shrimp for his team on top Chef. (Being fair, teammate Chris states "whatever, have itInch when asked for to weigh in.) Still, anybody who's seen the show and contains half a brain sees that that is not prone to fly (it doesn't he was axed). This is often a cooking show, therefore we are confident the idol idol judges need certainly, you understand, really prepare. 13. Worst Step Lower the Rabbit Hole: On Desperate Regular folks, Bree's ex, Chuck, notifies the ladies that he's thisclose to hooking up those to Alejandro's disappearance. Bree subsequently handles to get rid of her entire support system because Gaby and Susan are mad that they didn't inform them about Chuck's analysis, so she goes home and turns with a dangerous old friend - alcohol - and quickly gulps lower a sizable glass of white-colored wine. Sure, numerous Bree's alcoholic adventures were funny in older times (can remember the dressing room in Season 2?), but this is often a occur. 12. No Happily Ever After Award: Not such a long time ago has already established several protections while using fairytale figures we now have showed up at know and love, but not one of them a great deal similar to the Fairy Godmother, who was simply so close to making all Cinderella's dreams be realized. Rather, inside a couple of moments of her appearance on-screen, Rumpelstiltskin turns her to dust, showing the ABC series will not be shy about trampling throughout Disney tradition. 11. Least expensive Blow: Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog play Password with Martin Short and Michael Stipe, correspondingly, on Late Evening with Jimmy Fallon. Adorable, right? What might fail? Well, things have a unlucky and awkward turn when typically the most popular porcine diva knows just what the clues "eggs," "rasher" and "crisp" reference. "Oh, no!" she cries. "It is not... sausage?! ... Sometimes winning is not fun." (FYI: Kermit is not allowed to convey "sausage.") Not awesome, show, not awesome! Is always that in any manner to cope with your guest - especially an worldwide celebrity like Miss Piggy? But Miss Piggy does get yourself a make-out session with Martin from the sport. Which we know how much she loves to make her Kermie jealous... 10. Worst Slap: The Braverman family loves meddling, however, if grand dad Zeke notifies Julia and Joel that Sydney can be a sore loser on Motherhood, they don't purchase it -- that's, until Joel beats Sydney having a wide margin at Candyland and also the dearest daughter shrieks that her father can be a spouse, up-finishes the board and slaps her father within the face when he tries to pick her up. Princess Lolly and Gloppy the Chocolate Monster wouldn't approve. 9. The Getting-Too-Real Award: Sure, they are classified as The Particular Regular folks of Beverly Slopes, but things inside the 90210 usually stay fairly superficial - except each time a tea party in some manner morphs into an intervention about Taylor's abusive husband, Russell (who committed suicide in August after she declared divorce and accused him of striking her). Taylor tries to increase the risk for argument about Lisa when Camille states they've been trying to guard her "because we don't condition he hits you, because we don't condition he broke your jaw." A minimum of, you would like the cameras weren't moving for the conversation. 8. Worst Response: After he safeguards her from an unforeseen shooting, Cary tries his better to determine precisely what Kalinda is after round the Good Wife (Dana Lodge? Information on another situation?), but she demands he considers her as too tricky. As she accidently baby baby wipes blood stream from his ear showing she means well, he kisses her softly and asks her what they're doing. "I have not a clue,Inch she replies, compelling Cary simply to walk away without any word. 7. Best Press: When Jay unwillingly enables Phil, a classic masseur, massage his bum back on Modern Family, he's so soothed by Phil's miracle touch he blurts the 3 words that Phil has wanted to hear from him: "I like you." Jay immediately regrets it, but Phil was already on your way readily. It calculates, however, that Phil never heard Jay's commitment of love, but rather had received a text from two co-employees asking him to start a completely new property agency together. Knowing he can't deal with large options, Phil demands advice from Jay, who notifies him to make it happen - and utters four equally positive words: "I'd gamble you.Inch 6. Most Bitter: And concepts thought Maksim Chmerkovskiy was the primary one getting a 'tude on Dwts. Annoyed while using idol idol judges for supplying all of them with a 21 for first dance, Hope Solo notifies Maks, "F--- them! I don't even wanna have a look their way,Inch simply because they walk toward the judges' table for second critique. What went lower to obtain affordable sportsmanship, Hope? Or does that only apply in soccer? Positive factor these were given removed - at this point you will never need to think about the idol idol judges again! 5. Most Intriguing Twist: Things couldn't go more swimmingly throughout Brody and Carrie's weekend away on Homeland - they bond and possess sober sex! - until a slip-up forces her to confess they spied on him which she thinks Abu Nazir switched him. Brody notifies her, among other activities, that Abu Nazir told him to kill Tom Master, another soldier who disappeared with him. Peeved that Barbara still thinks he switched, Brody leaves - much like Barbara will receive a telephone call from Saul, who notifies her that Aileen has ID'd the particular Bang who switched: Tom Master, who's greatly alive. Same goes with Brody a genuine good guy? And what's Tom Master around? 4. Cruelest Change of Heart: After sleeping together the way i Met Your Mother, Robin and Barney accept separate with Kevin and Nora, and meet at MacLaren's to start anew. Barney dumps Nora along with her parents over the following room. Cold? Yes. But that's nothing compared to Robin selecting to stay with Kevin after which it getting him to MacLaren's, shocking Barney for the core. (Uh, why not supply him with a heads-up, Robin?!) Barney's puppy-dog face is devastating enough, however we watch while he cleans up her rose pedal-tossed, romantic mattress room he'd placed awaiting the reunion. Everyone knows you suck at love, Robin, in what of Kanye, how can you be so heartless? Weren't the main one pining for Barney? As of this rate, you don't deserve him. 3. Best Slap: Despite her passion for Brittany, Santana visited great measures to keep her homosexuality a secret on Glee (she dated Karofsky, for gosh sakes). But after bullying Finn, he retaliates by striking her where it affects. He calls her a "coward" due to not honest and open. Things vary from bad to worse when someone overhears their conversation and outs Santana in the condition-wide campaign commercial. With tears streaming lower her face, Santana slaps Finn within the face. Don't wreak havoc on Lima Levels-adjacent, Hudson. 2. Rudest Awakening: After her pals work for balance an intervention fail on Private Practice, Amelia and her new fiancé Ryan decide to get clean together - after another drug trip. Ryan overdoses, clearly, delivering Amelia straight into rehab. Let's hope it stays this time around around. 1. Best Evisceration: Jon Stewart criticizes former Penn Condition assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky round the Daily Show for giving an ill-advised interview on Rock Center with John Williams in regards to the sexual abuse charges he's facing. When Bob Costas asks if he's sexually attracted to youthful boys, Sandusky repeats the question too for about 20 second, fumbles his approach to finally saying no thanks thanks. "Everyone knows really the only time you repeat an problem happens when you're guilty!" Stewart states. "You can't even bring yourself to lie unquestionably." Stewart then highlights that Sandusky must have had the chance to coordinate a far greater defense, oh, say 2 decades ago. "You could've referred to as 'prevent me' defense," according to him. "When the ball button button snaps, pull everybody to prevent you motionless 50 yards in the kid!" What were your top moments?

Russell Brand to Star in and convey Comedy 'The Leader Stole My Girlfriend' (Exclusive)

Russell Brand is mounted on star in and convey The Leader Stole My Girlfriend, a comedy project Warner Bros. just acquired from author Matt Portenoy.our editor recommendsRussell Brand Pranks Fans Over Canadian Customs FracasRussell Brand Drawn on as Rosie O'Donnell's First Guest on 'The Rosie Show' Creating with Brand is his Top quality Films partner Nik Linnen, with the organization'sBeau Bauman professional creating. Girlfriend came from inside the organization andmarks the very first project setup by Logo and his lately-created Warners-based banner. PHOTOS: Modern Film and tv Comics "Within this movie, the leader steals the girlfriend of the sexy hippie-me, clearly," Brand informs The Hollywood Reporter. "It had been inspired through the evening I naively asked [Warners leader] Shaun Robinov for lunch.Inch STORY: Russell Brand Accepts Guy of the season Honors From Friendly Group The project may be the initial purchase for Portenoy, who did a highly-received rewrite around the in-development remake of Porky's. Younger crowd authored a segment for Movie 43, a Peter Farrelly-created Relativity comedy anthology his segment stars Emma Stone and was directed by Griffin Dunne. Portenoy is repped by WME, Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment and attorney Take advantage of Szymanski. Brand, who starred for Warners within this year's Arthur remake, will next come in New Line's all-star feature adaptation of Rock of Age range and it is set to star opposite Julianne Hough in Juno author Diablo Cody's untitled directorial debut. Email: Borys.Package@thr.com Twitter: @Borys_Package Related Subjects

Work of Art's Bayet: I Couldn't Pull It Together At All

Bayete Did choosing a headline about Sister Act do him in? Or was it Simon's words of encouragement that led him down the wrong path? Perhaps, as judge Jerry Saltz suspects, exhaustion became a factor. Work of Art's Bayeté Ross Smith says the bottom line is he was sent home because his golden doorway just wasn't very good. TVGuide.com spoke with the 34-year-old multimedia artist, photographer and arts educator about what went wrong during this week's "Ripped from the Headlines" challenge, what the doors were supposed to say, and calling The Sucklord Sucklord: You didn't seem surprised to be eliminated in Wednesday's episode. Why? Bayeté Ross Smith: The piece that I made, I don't think was a very good piece. I was disappointed in myself for not figuring out a better way of conveying the idea, and crafting the idea into a good art piece. I prided myself on using this competition as a means to experiment... but I got myself in a situation where I was working with new materials and an idea I couldn't quite pull together. Well, not "quite" -- I couldn't pull it together at all. Watch full episodes of Work of Art What was the idea you were trying to convey with the doors and the headline you choose ("Different Church, More Sequins"): Smith: I've always been fascinated with the spectacle and the pageantry of organized religion, like how they can suck people in through spectacle. That's what grabbed me [about the headline, which was for a review for Broadway's Sister Act musical]. There's this play about this movie about these nuns and it's another commodification of religion. Unlike with some of your competitors, Simon de Pury seemed to like where you were going with the doors. Do you think that threw you? Smith: Well, no. He did encourage me to go with the idea, but it's a pretty unusual scenario to be creating art in. It's hyper-intense and the timing is short and you're on reality TV. Given more time, what would you have done differently with the doors? Smith: It's a tough question to answer. If we all had more time, everything would be completely different! But if I had more time, I guess I would've been able to figure out the paint drying, printing the crosses bigger, I probably would have done something more creative with the color of the doors and even how I hung them... You'd do so many things differently if you had more time. But not having a ton of time is also the fun and pain of the game. Check out today's news Jerry blogged that you were a "true artist," but suspected you might have been exhausted by that point in the competition. True? Smith: I think it's something that exists in reality TV scenarios. I'm not making excuses, but what you're dealing with is the competition, being in an environment that's unusual, and being in a production and dealing with a production schedule. Fatigue can sneak up on you and you might not even realize it. I think it's a fair assessment. Did anyone but Simone question calling The Sucklord Sucklord? Smith: That's the thing about reality TV -- it's an unusual situation, so you just go with it. Sucklord? OK! I asked him, "Am I supposed to address you as The Sucklord?" He was like, "Nah, when you're talking to me you just call me Sucklord." I thought, this is kind of fun; this is kind of a gas! It's a great character. I mean, Sarah Jessica Parker called him Sucklord! He's a really good guy actually. What was your favorite challenge? I really liked the stop-motion animation you made in Week 4? Smith: That was my favorite. The kids challenge relates to one of my goals as an artist, which is to create work that is a meaningful and compelling and insightful part of everyday life. When I make my work, my goal is to make things that can function from a "high-art" standpoint, but also be the types of things that everyday people can relate to in the context of their everyday lives... I think a lot of times artists wonder, if I'm doing a show for an art gallery or a museum, to what extent is that relevant to the world at large? Who is the strongest competitor? I thought Leon was going to be really hard to beat. He was one of the artists I was most impressed with, not because he was better than the rest of us, but because his style and aesthetic and the way he worked was really captivating. I thought he would go really far in the competition, so you can't really say... I think it's anyone's game. Check out Smith's current art projects Question Bridge and Got the Power. Work of Art airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Bravo.

Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie

A Geffen Playhouse presentation of a play in two acts by Alan Alda. Directed by Daniel Sullivan. Marie Curie Anna Gunn Paul Langevin Dan Donohue Jeanne Langevin Sarah Zimmerman Pierre Curie John de Lancie With: Hugo Armstrong, Leonard Kelly-Young, Natacha Roi.Helmer Daniel Sullivan has assembled a topflight cast and goodlooking Geffen Playhouse production for Alan Alda's "Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie." But the play itself rarely rises above the level of a junior high instructional filmstrip on Great Men & Women of Science. Alda, who captured Richard Feynman's personality quite nicely in Peter Parnell's "QED," can't seem to get a handle on the woman or her work, nor combine them into a viable dramatic construct. For a while we're back with Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon, in the hagiographic 1943 biopic's idyllic marriage of minds of stolid, professional Marie ("Breaking Bad"'s Anna Gunn, in thick Polish accent and chrysanthemum hairdo) and avuncular Pierre (John de Lancie, as lovably cranky as the late Andy Rooney). They exclaim about the glowing potential of pitchblende until the same runaway wagon that mowed down Pidgeon rolls again, relegating the estimable de Lancie to the sidelines to light his cigar whenever Marie remembers him, which is less and less as years go by. Act one's freshest element is the collision of brilliant, wimpish physicist Paul Langevin (Oregon Shakespeare mainstay Dan Donohue) and neurotic, abusive wife Jeanne (Sarah Zimmerman). Their clashes, escalating from needling to outright violence, offer a vision of scientists' personal life distinct from the Curies' warm mutual respect. Donohue is especially effective as his puppydog longing for Marie visibly intensifies his frustration at home. But somehow, while we're out at intermission, Curie discovers she's mad about this nebbish, jumping into some PG-13 canoodling fully clothed. Not only can we not comprehend what she possibly sees in him, but Alda has this tower of self-possession suddenly go into conniptions at the thought of Jeanne's finding a mildly compromising letter. Still, as Marie dithers through her personal life and becomes enfeebled by radiation poisoning, she manages to keep processing enough pitchblende into radium to garner not one but two Nobel Prizes. Things really go to hell, for text and characters alike, once the unlikely lovers' affair becomes public. Alda gets in a few passing slams at fundamentalist Christians trying to rob Marie of her good name and blame her for the Franco-Prussian War; for her part, she turns on a dime to rail at her increasingly spineless lover for caring about what Jeanne might say or publish. The role simply fails to make sense from moment to moment or throughout its arc, notwithstanding Gunn's always sincere intelligence. Nobels in hand, in full command of her righteousness, Marie is never convincing as persecuted protofeminist victim, though her triumph over bigotry is evidently what Alda wants to leave us with. Eventually everything just sort of stops, lacking any kind of elegantly shaped resolution. Fine actors like Hugo Armstrong and Natacha Roi are stuck mouthing exposition in nothing parts, while Zimmerman is too restrained in the juiciest one. With Marie constantly described as meticulous and controlled, letting crazy Jeanne run riot would heighten the contrast while bringing some much-needed anarchy to the proceedings. Thomas Lynch's ingenious back wall, when treated with John Boesche's environmental projections, admirably conveys a variety of textures and moods, a trait unhappily not shared by the drama itself.Sets, Thomas Lynch; costumes, Rita Ryack; lighting, Daniel Ionazzi; sound, Jon Gottlieb; projections, John Boesche. Opened, reviewed Nov. 9, 2011. Runs through Dec. 11. Running time: 1 HOUR, 50 MIN. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Five Reasons To See 'A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas'

"A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas" is, as expected, a perfect "Harold & Kumar" movie. If you've enjoyed this mismatched duo's misadventures to White Castle and from Guantanamo Bay in the past, there's simply no way you'll have anything but an awesome time with their holiday spectacular, hitting theaters today (November 4). I don't think you really need extra convincing either you love these movies, or you don't but just in case you're seeking added incentive, go beyond the break for five reasons you need to see "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas." Time Heals All Wounds I love-love-loved the first trip to "White Castle," but I was left cold by "Guantanamo Bay." I suspect I'm not the only one who feels this way. Never fear: the latest "Harold & Kumar" erases those mediocre memories, largely because we get to see the titular stoners at very different points in their life. Well, very different for Harold, at least it gets different for Kumar. Regardless, these two have seen happier days with each other, and the story of their fragile friendship is actually quite touching in its own disturbing way thanks to the time that's passed within the world of "Harold & Kumar." Holiday Cheer Another reason why the latest "Harold & Kumar" works so well is the Christmas setting. Director Todd Strauss-Schulson and the film's writers did an excellent job at exploiting themes commonly seen throughout the holiday movie genre and giving them an appropriately gag-worthy makeover. Make no mistake, this is decidedly not "It's A Wonderful Life," but the 3-D extravaganza has all of the makings of a holiday classic in its own right. 3-Disgusting Speaking of 3-D extravaganzas, it's that very gimmick that makes this "Harold & Kumar" movie stand out from its predecessors. As is the franchise's wont, there's lots of winking and nodding at the camera, except this time, it's all in your face as eggs, explosions and other assorted unmentionables come flying furiously to invade your personal space. It's the most fun I've had with 3-D all year, second only to "Drive Angry." Santa's Little Helpers Kal Penn and John Cho are perfect as always, but it's their supporting cast that really elevates (and escalates) their latest adventure. Neil Patrick Harris is back, of course, and filthier than ever. Danny Trejo has a memorable turn as someone dangerously close to Harold. There's also the introduction of the Waffle Bot, my new must-have toy of the holiday season, as well as one of the greatest babies ever seen on film. Sadly, no Chris Meloni (as far as I could see), but you'll get the next best thing in the doppelganger department. "A Christmas Story" Yes, the whole movie is a tribute to the holiday season, but there's one very specific homage paid to the comedy classic "A Christmas Story." No, it's not the "you'll shoot your eye out" refrain. It's another equally memorable scene, though this time, it plays out a lot more painfully. Gentlemen, if you're checking out "Harold & Kumar" this weekend, bring some ice with you you're going to need it. Hear more "Harold & Kumar" thoughts in this week's Talk Nerdy to Me! Tell us what you think of "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas" in the comments section and on Twitter!

eOne nabs Vivendi vid biz in Canada

LONDON -- eOne has had over Vivendi Entertainment's home theatre biz in Canada. The purchase, effective from Jan. 1, might find eOne's share of the market within the retail sector considerably elevated by Vivendi's library giving the distrib privileges to some raft of docu and special interest genre game titles. Underneath the deal, eOne will end up the exclusive distributor in Canada for key home theatre distribution labels, including Navarre, Funimation, Shout!, Factory, Classic Media, Mill Creek and National Geographic. Furthermore, Vivendi product will strengthen the distrib's presence in kids and home entertainment. eOne presently distributes WWE, Image, A&E, New Video and Acorn labels amongst others in Canada. Jim Fotheringham, senior veep of home theatre for eOne Films Canada, stated: "We are constantly striving to become the key independent distributor of shot entertainment in Canada and deals such as this provide us the chance to provide our partners top-level service and promote valuable associations." Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com