Disney buys out India producer UTV

Disney has completed its acquisition of a controlling stake in Indian producer UTV via a subsidiary, making it the leading film studio in the subcontinent, producing UTV and Mouse House pics. The acquisition will be completed through a successful delisting offer on National and Mumbai stock exchanges and will enable Disney to integrate UTV's current operations. UTV chief exec Ronnie Screwvala has been named managing director of the Walt Disney Co. India, reporting to Disney Intl. chair Andy Bird. Last summer, the Mouse House, which was UTV's majority shareholder with a 50.44% stake, offered 1,000 rupees ($23) per share for the company (Variety, July 26). The final deal was valued at $450 million. In May, Disney and UTV Motion Pictures announced a pact to co-produce a slate of pics that would be released under the Disney label. Disney and UTV will co-develop the movies, with UTV handling the production, marketing and distribution of the projects in the region. The leading TV producer in India, UTV has distribution in 20 countries in seven languages and 27 channels. The acquisition helps Disney reach more than 100 million viewers weekly in India. The Mouse already owns India networks Disney Channel, Disney XD and Hungama. It also gives the company a footprint in digital media with the addition of Indiagames, UTV's mobile gaming company. "In combining the creative capabilities of each company, we will integrate a large stable of vibrant brands and franchises in the branded entertainment space," Screwvala said. "With the middle class expected to grow from 50 million to more than 500 million people by 2025, this market offers huge potential for us to deliver quality branded entertainment to consumers." Contact Shalini Dore at shali.dore@variety.com

Seidelman assembles team for basketball laffer

Brooke Shields, Daryl Hannah, Melanie Griffith, Wanda Sykes and Camryn Manheim have signed to star in Susan Seidelman's basketball comedy "The Menopausal Flashes." Shooting begins February. 13 in New Orleans. The film has been created by Nina Henderson Moore, Kaira Hennig and Seidelman with Laurie Lacob professional creating. The film is individually funded by private equity finance traders, a lot of it from ladies and in the Plastic Valley. Lightning Entertainment is handling foreign sales and can introduce the film to purchasers in the European Film Market in Berlin. "The Menopausal Flashes," composed by Hennig, focuses on an unlikely basketball team of unappreciated middle-aged Texas women, all former senior high school champs, who challenge the present arrogant senior high school girls' condition champs to boost money for cancer of the breast prevention. Sparks fly because the women visit comic extremes to prove themselves off and on a legal court, be a national media sensation, and obtain a new lease on existence. "I had been attracted for this script due to its comedy approach in addressing the negative stereotypes of aging," Seidelman stated. "Now it's time women of the certain age were described on the watch's screen in vibrant ways, and I am convinced there's a large audience available who'll readily recognize this effective story." 5 stars will attend a basketball camping together in New Orleans just before filming. Former WNBA leader Donna Orender will lead the camping and function the sports consultant for that film. Seidelman's pointing credits include "Frantically Seeking Susan," "She Demon" "Boynton Beach Club" and also the pilot for that TV series "Sex and also the City." Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Disney Buys Max Landis' Latest

Chronicle writer sells adventure picIt must feel pretty good to be Max Landis right about now. Not only does he have buzzed-about script Chronicle set to hit cinemas next month, but he's been winning one high profile writing job after another and selling pitches like they come with coupons for world domination attached. Now Disney is the latest studio to snap up one of his ideas, nabbing a new adventure pic.While the title remains a mystery (or has yet to be decided, at least), what we know of the basic plot finds a brother and sister setting out on an epic adventure.Landis has script pitches sitting at several studios, including a Frankenstein tale and a new take on the Pied Piper at Fox (which is releasing Chronicle) and adventure thriller Amnesty at Universal, which Ron Howard is attached to direct once he's finished working on Rush. Then there's action comedy Good Time Gang, which has Mark Wahlberg and Jonah Hill on board to play mercenaries.As we mentioned above, he's been drawing plenty of acclaim for super-powered teen drama Chronicle, which will touch down here on February 1.

The spanish language Trailer For Red-colored Lights Online

Weaver! P Niro! Murphy! Excelente!We are large fans of Hidden around here, so there's some anticipation for Rodrigo Cortes' next film. It's were built with a mixed reception from individuals who've seen it to date, as well as the relaxation people, there's this worldwide trailer for that dark thriller Red-colored Lights to clue us in on what to anticipate.At the minimum, it's amusing to determine Sigourney Weaver, Robert P Niro and Cillian Murphy named into The spanish language.What's happening? Well, P Niro is really a world-famous celebrity medium who's inexplicably emerge from retirement, 3 decades after apparently abandoning seances. Weaver and Murphy are researchers looking into the paranormal. Their inquiries cause them to P Niro, whose supernatural qualifications they feel to become dubious. And Elizabeth Olsen can also be on-hands as Weaver's assistant.Shades of previous spooky thrillers get this to appear a little familiar - we are sure we have seen that vehicle-abruptly-preventing-for-creepy-lady-with-trolly shot lots of occasions before - but oddly, it appears to achieve the distinct look of Hidden about its colour pattern, despite the fact that Hidden happened entirely in the coffin.Millennium have just selected this up for distribution at Sundance, so expect British-language trailers plus some release dates before too lengthy.

TV newbies dominate Globes

A fleet of freshman winners from cable flooded the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards, which would have shut out the Big Four entirely were it not for ABC's "Modern Family" in the best comedy category.The victors hailed mainly from HBO and Showtime, the latter having the only series to be recognized more than once: "Homeland" scored for best drama series and its star, Claire Danes, picked up best actress in a drama.But Showtime's third win may have been the night's biggest upset: Matt LeBlanc took home best comedy actor honors for the relatively unheralded series "Episodes."The former "Friends" star acknowledged the show's executive producers, Jeffrey Klarik and David Crane, in his acceptance speech for writing a fictional version of his actual self for the series."They write a Matt LeBlanc that is way more fun and interesting than the real thing," joked LeBlanc. "I wish i was him."HBO saw a pair of favorites take home expected wins in their respective categories: Kate Winslet continued her sweep of all awards shows by taking movie/miniseries actress kudos in "Mildred Pierce" while Peter Dinklage was handed best supporting actor for rookie drama "Game of Thrones." Both actors won similar honors at the Emmy Awards last year.HBO also got a rookie win for Laura Dern, star of "Enlightened," who knocked off last year's winner, Laura Linney of Showtime's "The Big C." Dern also was one of many winners who may have been in new projects but had gotten Globes love earlier in their career, she having picked up her third career statuette from the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn.Danes also scored on her third win in three career nominations, one just last year for the HBO miniseries "Temple Grandin" and one for her breakout role on ABC's "My So-Called Life" over a decade ago.HBO and Showtime got some new company in the winners circle among premium cablers: Starz scored its first-ever Golden Globes win with Kelsey Grammer for lead actor in drama series "Boss."Grammer was hardly a lock given stiff competition on the drama side including last year's winner, "Boardwalk Empire" lead Steve Buscemi.In his acceptance speech, Grammer gave Starz topper Chris Albrecht for having the "insight and balls and money actually to produce all eight episodes without ordering a pilot. It made all the difference."The win was Grammer's third ever, the previous two coming for his NBC sitcom "Frasier," for which he was last recognized in 2002.Most of the evening reduced NBC to serving as a commercial for winners from pay TV. To add insult to injury, none of the non-broadcast winners came from the myriad cable channels owned by NBCUniversal.Besides "Modern Family," the only non-cable win came in the movie/miniseries category from PBS for "Downton Abbey."The remaining TV Globes went to Idris Elba of BBC America's "Luther" for lead actor in the movie/miniseries category and Jessica Lange, who won for best supporting actress in another rookie series, FX's "American Horror Story."Like Danes, Grammer and Dern, Lange is a multiple Globes winner historically. She's scored five film wins over her storied career, including "Tootsie," "King Kong" and "A Streetcar Named Desire."Related: 'The Artist' and Weinstein Co. dominate Globes 69th Golden Globes: Complete list of winners Review: Lively intro, lifeless kudocast Spencer remembers women who inspired 'The Help' Big Globes footprint for TWC Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

10 Large Shockers Approaching on Glee: It's Proposal-O-Rama on "Yes/No"

Glee Valentine's comes early to McKinley Full of Tuesday's new episode of Glee (8/9c, Fox). TVGuide.com got an earlier consider the love-drenched hour (entitled "Yes/No") - which is love-drenched. You will find a couple of plans, a shotgun wedding, damaged hearts, an Oscar champion along with a Real Average women star at their bitchiest, an excellent encouraging Coach Sue... wait, what?! Large shockers ahead. Take a look at 10 teases: Start Looking: Glee's Michael Jackson tribute 1. The number of occasions may be the question sprang? A minimum of three people result in the grand gesture. THREE! Just one will get a solution. Which, kids, is when you spell high cliff-hanger. 2. Oh, and someone returns to college already betrothed. Surprise! The epiphany happened at Wendy's and also the knot was tied within the holiday getaway, elopement-style. 3. Why, it may be Grease lightnin'! No, the glee club is not mounting a spring manufacture of the enchantingly raunchy musical (darn!) but this week's episode does start having a special, shot-by-shot remake from the oh-so-swoony "Summer time Lovin'" - and also you get just one guess regarding which couple may be reminiscing by what happened over individuals several weeks. Obviously, Kurt and Santana split the role of Rizzo. 4. The week's white board assignment? Romance Emma. Mr. Schue will enlist the children to assist him romance the socks off Emma. (It's Glee - overcome it, people.) Fortunately, these kids perform the most awesome job ever. (If you have the searched the web for that playlist, you know it is going to seem good, head to feet.) Ultimately though, only among the ideas - Sam's wet and wild one - will complete the job. The very best and worst performances on Glee (to date!) 5. Mercedes kinda sorta totally makes her mind up about Mike and Shane. How? She'll be singing among the best love tunes and also the winning man's face just jumps into her mind - not too she's ready to do anything whatsoever about this immediately. 6. Here's something Helen Mirren reaches say because the inner voice of [SPOILER!]: "Laid off, haters. OK, get realz." Right?! OK, OK, here's yet another: "No Chang do - I am no grain full." Oh, to become a fly around the wall when Mirren hit it studio... 7. Talking about Chang: Artie + Mike = Gold. First, they gave us "PYT," and today they reach move like Jagger. Swoon. We can not wait to determine them reunited again within the Michael Jackson episode. A particular Warbler will provide them with something to, ahem, scream about. 8. Coach Sue stays the whole episode being encouraging. That is correct. It's like she's still got the Christmas spirit running through her veins or something like that. And obtain this: All her advice is concerning how to handle associations. Just call her McKinley's new guidance counselor! Now you ask ,: How lengthy will it last? Helen Mirren to pay for a royal trip to Glee 9. Finn will get some deeply troubling information from his mother. It is going to turn his world upside lower and propel him to create a existence-altering decision. What's promising? Finn and the mother will break your heart right into a million pieces and that is always welcome. 10. Someone's got a nipple that's less than another. And it is likely to strange out guest-star NeNe Leakes Coach Roz. Additionally a no-no? Pee within the pool. Excited to determine what's going to happen next? Who do you consider has already been married? Who's got nipple issues? Give me an idea to determine happen next on Glee? Seem off within the comments below.

Ratings: Are You There,Chelsea? Gets Off to a So-So Start

Laura Prepon Chelsea Handler has three shows... for now. The sitcom based on her life premiered to so-so numbers Wednesday, though they were good for NBC, which crowed that the program attracted the best viewership in the Wednesday-at-8:30/7:30 time slot in more than a year.According to Nielsen overnight data, the new show's audience improved by 6 percent upon its lead-in, Whitney, which itself scored an 11 percent increase over the sitcom's last original episode in early December, when it aired on Thursday after The Office. Nonetheless, Suburgatory far outpaced Are You There, Chelsea? More perspective: The premiere of American Idol is just around the corner.CBS' 38th annual People's Choice Awards posted a rating that was down 7 percent from a year ago. And ABC enjoyed its usual strong Wednesday prime time, led by Modern Family, while the debut of One Tree Hill's ninth and final season gave The CW its best showing in the time slot in nearly a year.Check out the rest of the day's news on TVGuide.com8 p.m.CBS: Criminal Minds [rerun] 8.87 million viewers (2.0 demo rating)ABC: The Middle 9.59 million (3.0); Suburgatory 8.96 million (2.9)Fox: Mobbed [rerun] 2.73 million (0.9)NBC: Whitney 6.06 million (2.1); Are You There, Chelsea? 6.43 million (2.3)CW: One Tree Hill 1.75 million (0.9)9 p.m.CBS: People's Choice Awards 8.88 million viewers (2.5 demo rating) {9-11 p.m.}ABC: Modern Family 12.33 million (5.1); Happy Endings 7.07 million (3.1)Fox: Mobbed 3.34 million (1.2)NBC: Harry's Law 8.65 million (1.4)CW: One Tree Hill [rerun] 824,000 (0.3)10 p.m.ABC: Revenge 7.51 million (2.4)NBC: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit [rerun] 8.36 million (1.1)

ABC orders pilot for Shawn Ryan's 'Resort'

ABC has bought the pilot ''Last Resort'' from authors Shawn Ryan and Karl Gajdusek. Hourlong drama particulars the establishment a completely new society in the world held hostage with the crew from the ballistic missile submarine. Project continues to be produced through the new the new sony with Ryan set to professional produce. Ryan is coming initially from off Fox's ''The Chicago Code,'' which went for starters season. Gajdusek written for 2004 Showtime series ''Dead Like Me'' in addition to composed the present bigscreen pic ''Trespass,'' starring Nicole Kidman and Nicolas Cage. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Keck's Exclusives: Springfield Plays Cleveland

Rick Springfield Rick Springfield is coming to Cleveland, but concert tickets are not available. The '80s Jesse's Girl icon, who appeared as Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital, will pop up this summer on an episode of TV Land's Hot in Cleveland. Rather than going after Jesse's girl, Rick will have his eye on Joy (Jane Leeves). In the storyline, Rick has relocated to Cleveland to live a quieter life (where he, too, is considered hotter!) and tells people his name is Tom. But while on a date with Joy he reveals his true identity, which makes her the most joyful girl in the world. That is until she discovers he has some very unsettling habits. Nail biting? Nose picking? Singing? We'll have to wait and see. It was also revealed that Liza Minnelli will appear on an upcoming episode as a talent agent to Wendie Malick's Victoria Chase. Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Christopher Lee's Saruman Is 'Good And Noble' In 'The Hobbit'

Inside a video message to his fans, Congressman Christopher Lee sounds because he ever does. "We're visiting the finish of 2011," he intones in the trademark baritone. "I think you'll had an excellent Christmas, a contented Christmas, and also the family's collected together." Proceeding after that, he starts to discuss the condition around the globe, and just how the condition of situations are in bad shape. It's heavy talk from the lengthy-time actor, however with his 90th birthday approaching, it might be weirder if he did not have ideas of mortality on his mind. Lee stays a lot of the recording talking about "The Hobbit," the 2-part prequel to "The almighty from the Rings" that sees the actor coming back towards the role of Saruman the Whitened. Based on Lee, he's finished filming his moments for movies, moments he hopes to reside lengthy enough to determine again. That could seem macabre, but at his age, Lee states he takes more compact roles that do not require just as much time on set. "What's very important is the fact that during these two films, which obviously are lengthy before 'Lord from the Rings,'" he states. "Saruman, who I play again, is definitely still Saruman the Whitened, but he is a great and noble guy, and also the mind from the Council of Magicians, because he always was." When "The Hobbit" drops, it will be a pleasure to determine Lee on the watch's screen, because it always is. Lee also spoke about his other movie projects, for example "Hugo," "The Wicker Tree," and "The Hobbit." After lauding Martin Scorsese's directorial abilities with "Hugo," he stresses that "Wicker Tree" isn't a follow up to "The Wicker Guy" -- it's much more of a spiritual successor. Lee was the villain within the original "Wicker Guy" -- not the Nic Cage remake, regrettably -- but his role within the new film, listed as "Old Guy," would appear less involved. Inform us that which you think about Lee's "Hobbit" update within the comments as well as on Twitter!

Yaffa Yarkoni dies at 86

By Connected PRESS Yaffa Yarkoni, a singer who anchored out war time tunes only to become critic from the Israeli military late in existence, died Sunday following a fight with Alzheimer's. She was 86. Yarkoni went from entertaining soldiers like a war time songbird to demeaning the Israeli military's management of Palestinians throughout their uprising last decade. After chiding the military in 2002, Yarkoni was top quality a traitor by soldiers' families, received dying risks coupled with a gala tribute to her career canceled. Several artists held an alternate event to aid her freedom of expression. The furor came about when she made evaluations between an Israeli military operation in the western world Bank and also the Holocaust. "We're a nation that experienced the Holocaust. Exactly how should we do such things as this to a different nation?" she told Israel's Military Radio. Within an interview she gave towards the Connected Press following individuals remarks, Yarkoni stated she was fed up with war, of dead teenagers and heartbroken moms. "I'm tired. For 51 years I'm singing about Israel around the globe, telling tales about how exactly it had been before -- the very first war, the 2nd war, every war. War, war, war. They call me the singer of wars. I do not such as this title. I wish to function as the singer of Israel," she stated. Yarkoni's tunes talk about Israel's pioneering days following a 1948 war that brought to the creation, a war by which she offered like a radio operator. For a long time, the khaki-clad Yarkoni would be a fixture at Israeli military bases as she entertained soldiers, and several of her tunes grew to become classics that also resonate with Israelis and therefore are carried out at remembrance day events. In 1998, she received the exclusive Israel Prize for Hebrew song. Ultimately, her effective music hidden her contentious claims. Upon word of her dying, tributes from Israeli political figures over the spectrum put in, and her music filled radio airwaves. Yarkoni is made it by three kids, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com