The Book Of Mormon Nominated For Grammy For Best Musical Theater Album

After getting their show to Broadway, winning nine Tony Awards including Best New Musical, what else is there for Bobby Lopez, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, composers/lyricists for The Book of Mormon? Well, just a day after Deadline reported the musical went into the black and investors will turn a profit on their $11.4 million investment, The Book of Mormon original Broadway cast recording was nominated for a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. We connected with Lopez and Parker (his South Park co-creator Stone was either mum, elsewhere or both) in the middle of a conference call Wednesday night after nominations were announced, and the guys sounded pretty jazzed. Who wouldn’t? They have a genuine affection for musicals — Parker mentioned that he and Stone grew up in Colorado “listening to cast recordings and local performances” and Lopez chimed in that he had similar experiences. Because they’re up against a Cole Porter musical, Anything Goes, we asked what was their favorite Porter song? Parker: “Anything Goes.” Lopez: “Kiss Me Kate.” The other musical revival they’re up against for Best Musical Theater Album is How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. Favorite Frank Loesser song? Both: “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” Ummm, not Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 or 2? “Oh yes, both of them.” On that note it seemed best to let Lopez and Parker get on with celebrating, but we did ask if they had plans for another musical. Parker allowed they “would have time to think about that” when preparing for the upcoming productions of Mormon in Denver and in Chicago. “It took us seven years to pull this one together, and we have a great respect for the effort that goes into these things” so they wouldn’t want to speak prematurely about any specific idea “and then have it fall apart.”

Elmo heads for Afghanistan

Sesame Workshop is bowing educational tyke show "Baghch-e-simsim" (Sesame Garden) in Afghanistan along with local stations Tolo TV and Lemar TV on 12 ,. 1. With merely a small proportion of Afghan children offered with the country's kindergarten system, "Baghch-e-simsim" is built to fill that void by educating youngsters with two-to-three minute small-documentaries, 13 that might be in your town produced. The series will stress literacy, math, existence capabilities and school readiness, and may place one more concentrate on girls' education, cultural awareness and diversity. Sesame Street people Elmo, Large Bird and Grover, and puppets from nations including Egypt, Bangladesh, Mexico and Russia will probably be available. "Baghch-e-simsim," produced in consultation with Afghanistan's Secretary of condition for Education, will air in Dari and Pashto languages. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

James Murdoch Steps Back From Senior U.K. Newspaper Positions

LONDON - James Murdochstepped lower from a number of senior positions managing the group's British newspapers in September without creating a public announcement, it emerged Wednesday.our editor recommends'James Murdoch Arrested' Tweet Taken Lower by Sky NewsJames Murdoch Confesses News Corp. Put British MPs Under Covert SurveillanceNews Corp.: 35% of Investor Votes Opposed James Murdoch Rupert Murdoch Was Requested by Parents of Killed Schoolgirl to 'Put Things Right' at News Corp. Over Phone-HackingRelated Subjects•Rupert Murdoch Per documents filed at Companies House on Sept. 16, it seems that Murdoch walked lower two several weeks ago from his position as director of News Group Newspapers, which manages The Sunand This News around the globe, so that as director of Occasions Newspapers, which runs The Timesand The Sunday Occasions. He's also walked lower as director of Director of News Worldwide Holdings. PHOTOS: News around the globe's Top Ten Scams News Group Newspapers remains involved in many criminal and judicial research into alleged criminal activities in the posting group. However, he'll remain in many much talked about positions that advise a ongoing relationship using the newspaper operation that's been so broken through the phone-hacking facts that eventually forced the closure from the News around the globe. Murdoch remains executive chairman of News Worldwide - the division that puts out The Sun's Rays, The Occasions, The Sunday Timesand formerly This News from the Worldand he remains director from the Timesnewspaper board. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Memorable Mea Culpas News Worldwide reps haven't given a reason for that failure to announce such key changes once they happened but stated they just reflected Tom Mockridge's appointment as leader of News Worldwide. "Following a appointment of Tom Mockridge as Boss of News Worldwide, in September James Murdoch walked lower in the boards of numerous News Worldwide subsidiary companies including News Group Newspapers (NGN) and Occasions Newspapers Ltd (TNL). He remains Chairman of NI Group Ltd (News Worldwide) along with a director of Occasions Newspapers Holdings Ltd (TNHL), the holding company of Occasions Newspapers," the organization stated inside a statement. Mockridge, the first kind Boss of Sky Italia, was hired to operate the newspaper operation after his predecessor Rebekah Waderesigned, and was shortly after that arrested in This summer. James Murdoch also remains non-executive chairman of BSkyB, that is 39 percent-possessed by BSkyB. Meanwhile, News Ltd Australia has unconditionally refused claims it attempted to bribe an old Australian senator, Bill O'Chee. "News Limited chairman and leader John Hartigan unconditionally refused accusations of improper conduct by the organization that have been released within the Fairfax press today," the organization stated inside a statement reported through the Wall Street Journal, a part of News Corporation. Australia's Federal Police has confirmed towards the newspaper that it's looking into claims the former Queensland senator have been offered favorable news coverage in return for supporting specific digital television legislation. Related Subjects Worldwide News Worldwide News Group Newspapers James Murdoch Phone Hacking Scandal

Asa Butterfield, 'Hugo' Star, Offered 'Ender's Game'

You might not know Asa Butterfield just yet, but the young star is about to blow up. Not only is he playing the titular Hugo Cabret in Martin Scorsese's upcoming film 'Hugo,' but Deadline reports that he's been offered the lead role in Summit Entertainment's adaptation of 'Ender's Game.' Based on the popular book by Orson Scott Card, 'Game' focuses on the aftermath of an alien invasion, when the government recruits "gifted" children to fight back against the extra-terrestrial oppressors. 'Ender's Game,' from director Gavin Hood ('X-Men Origins: Wolverine'), will hit theaters on March 15, 2013. Butterfield can be seen in 'Hugo' when its released next week. [via Deadline] [Photo: WireImage] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

'Suburgatory': Jeremy Sisto Teases a 'Sticky' Situation With Cheryl Hines, Guys' Trip and What's Ahead (Video)

Suburgatory could have a full season to build up its cool number of figures, but suburbia has already been fraught using its own type of drama.our editor recommends'Jersey Shore's' The Problem Guest Starring on 'Suburgatory''Suburgatory's' Alan Tudyk on His Many Faces for MTV's 'Good Vibes'ABC Gives Full Seasons to 'Revenge,' 'Suburgatory' Orders More 'Happy Endings''Suburgatory' Star Jane Levy Is not Afraid the Show Will Offend Suburbanites Jeremy Sisto (also known as Elton on Unaware or Billy on Six Ft Under, your pick) lately came by The Hollywood Reporter offices to talk about ABC's newcomer comedy and where his character George, just one parent who moves his teenage daughter Tessa (Jane Levy) towards the and surrounding suburbs, is headed. "The connection with Dallas (Cheryl Hines) and George will get sticky," Sisto states. "There's some items that happens that's not what buddies do together." In Wednesday's episode, George finds themself underneath the proper care of nosy neighbor Sheila (the lately marketed series regular Ana Gasteyer), which begs the question: If he was tied to Dallas or Sheila for that finish of your time, who'd he prefer? "Dallas, obviously,Inch Sisto replies having a laugh. "I'm not really a large fan of Sheila, George isn't. Funny character, though. I can tell [Dallas and George] together. I can tell them being an old couple. So far as I understand, they haven't dated. They've kissed. Shh." He adds: "It's not something which either people would like to confess, that people have feelings for one another, however they're certainly there." (Further complicating matters is the presence of Dallas' husband Steven, performed by Jay Mohr.) But Sisto adds that Suburgatory, produced by Emily Kapnek, continues to pay attention to George and Tessa's unique father-daughter dynamic. "More central is he type of finds themself inside a similar situation together with his daughter he is at once they left Manhattan, so around he attempted to prevent that stage of existence, of his daughter getting men, it's something he's not able to complete,Inch he states. "Whenever you push something away, you're going to need to cope with it in a much more intense form." The wedding scene Sisto has shot so far? "We visit Atlantic City using the boys, that is me, Alan Tudyk (Noah), Chris Parnell (Fred) and Jay Mohr," he shares. "Remember individuals two men who might appear like they could be gay, however they were really married with females. They are available along too." Suburgatory airs Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. on ABC. ABC Suburgatory Jeremy Sisto

Winfrey eyes return to acting

Oprah Winfrey's movie credits include her Oscar-nominated performance in 1985's 'The Color Purple.'1998's 'Beloved.'When Oprah Winfrey received the call from the Academy about being tapped with the Hersholt Award, she simply said, "Huh?""I love acting, but I don't have a strong repertoire of films, so I was surprised and understood the criticism from people about me getting it," explains Winfrey, who presented the same award to Quincy Jones years ago. "There are many other actresses who are or would be deserving. I am pleased to get it and really honored for the opportunity to be able to stand with my peers and accept it in the name of trying to do something good for people."Winfrey has packed punch in the handful of projects she's boarded, even receiving an Oscar nomination for her supporting turn in "The Color Purple." But nearly 15 years have elapsed since Winfrey the actress last performed in front of the camera in Jonathan Demme's "Beloved."Now that her 25-year run as host of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" is over, she says she is toying with the idea of returning to acting."For years, I couldn't do it," says Winfrey, because the taping schedule of her talkshow wouldn't permit. With the show over, she has more flexibility. "If a film comes along that I feel really speaks to me, I would do it."She says she is talking to helmers Tyler Perry, Lee Daniels and Demme about potential roles."I am the most relaxed I have ever been in my life doing a film because it's the only real vacation I get (and) I no longer have to be myself," she says. "I just love the opportunity to submerge into somebody else's life and not to have to deal with my own for a while."Eye on the Oscars: Governors AwardAfter 50 years, Jones is still the Man | Smith remade makeup field | Winfrey wages quiet war on shame | Winfrey eyes return to acting Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Benicio Del Toro: J.J. Abrams' New 'Star Trek' Villain?

Here's a good sign that development is moving forward quickly on "Star Trek 2": J.J. Abrams reportedly wants Benicio Del Toro as his villain in the upcoming sci-fi sequel. Variety reports that an offer is in Del Toro's hands, though there's no word on who the Oscar winner might be playing. Indeed, even Del Toro supposedly doesn't know what the role is in an effort to keep it secret. Needless to say, the baddie will probably be someone even more evil than Eric Bana's Nero, and maybe even a familiar face. Check out some possibilities for Del Toro's character beyond the jump! Khan Noonien Singh Khan is easily the most beloved of all the "Star Trek" villains, and the 1982 movie "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" is arguably the best of the series. It would make sense for Abrams to bring Khan in for his "Star Trek" sequel the same way Christopher Nolan brought in The Joker for "The Dark Knight Rises." A Klingon If there's one thing that the first "Star Trek" film was lacking, it's Klingons. Though they were often portrayed as allies in the original series, we could see Abrams pulling some strings and turning them into bad guys this time around. It would be a fun way to introduce them as a race, and also a good way to cross-pollinate the many "Star Trek" TV series' with this movie franchise. Besides, BDT in full Klingon makeup would be totally awesome. Someone New Abrams created a different universe in his "Trek" movies for a reason. Why not bring in a new villain unique to his films, veering away from the original continuity even further? It would be nice to see him separate from the source material and continue steering his franchise in its own wholly original direction. Who do you think Del Toro should play in "Star Trek 2"? Tell us in the comments section below or on Twitter!

Nathan Lane, Cheyenne Jackson to Star in New USA Comedy

Nathan Lane, Cheyenne Jackson Nathan Lane will star in and executive-produce a new comedy on USA, the network introduced Friday. The untitled Douglas McGrath Project stars the Tony champion becoming an unlucky actor whose Broadway aspirations have to be positioned on hold and return to his Texas hometown when his father's health takes a turn for your worse. Cheyenne Jackson (30 Rock, Glee) and Ken Jenkins (Scrubs) may even star. See the relaxation of current day news "Nathan Lane is amongst the versatile comedy forces inside the entertainment industry.We're thrilled by having an actor his stature and Doug McGrath's masterful script aligned while using launch within our comedy brand," mentioned Bill McGoldrick, Senior V . P . of Original Scripted Programming at USA Network. "We're not surprised the mix of Nathan and Doug quickly attracted such high-quality and notable stars as Cheyenne and Ken." Oscar nominee McGrath will write and direct the pilot, additionally to executive-produce alongside Lane.

Scarlett Johansson Breaks Silence On Leaked Nude Photos

First Released: November 1, 2011 11:20 AM EDT Credit: Vanity Fair La, Calif. -- Caption Scarlett Johansson around the December 2011 cover of Vanity FairScarlett Johansson is speaking out concerning the recent nude photos of herself that leaked online saying these were intended for then-husband Ryan Reynolds. I understand my best angles, she told Vanity Festivals December 2011 problem when requested concerning the photos that appeared recently. These were delivered to my hubby, she stated, mentioning to Ryan, who she split within December 2010. So far as the 26-year-old actress can be involved, she does not use whatever problems delivering nude photos to her husband at that time. Theres nothing wrong with this. It is not like I had been shooting a porno, she told the mag. Adding, Although theres nothing wrong with this either. In September, the actress spoke out about privacy following the photos first appeared, telling CNN, Simply because youre an actress or make films or whatever does not mean you aren't titled to your very own privacy. If that's sieged in some manner, it feels illegal. It feels wrong. For her split, Scarlett described that dealing with it within the press required its toll on her behalf. I did not fully realize what related to myself. It had been this type of strange time, she told the mag. I'd a really public separation. It had been difficult. I felt really miserable. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.