Friday, May 23, 2008

107


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OVERSEEN & OVERHEARD

BEST IN SHOW...Looks like Logo, the digital network from MTV Networks and Viacom for the LGBT community, is on the come-up in terms of additional programming. Grand "dame" of the drag world, RuPaul has just been tapped to host a brand new reality show wonderfully titled "RuPaul's Drag Race." The series, executive produced by Randy Barbato ("What Perez Sez"), Fenton Bailey ("What Perez Sez") and Tom Campbell will consist of six, one-hour episodes in which contestants will compete for the crown of best Queen. One lucky contestant will actually be selected for a spot on the series via entry on the show's site, RuPaulsDragRace.com where on-line votes will determine the winning contestant. Teases RuPaul, "We're planning lots of surprises, plus stars who fit very easily into the dragosphere-biologically male and female." Hold onto your hats, Folks. This should be a good one, but you'll have to wait until early '09 for episodes to begin airing.

WEB WAR...Google and Yahoo! have a group of activists on the war path. A coalition of 16 civil rights and rural advocacy groups is speaking out against a penitential online advertising partnership between the two Internet giants and is urging federal regulators to investigate the potential combination. The coalition includes the Black Leadership Forum (an umbrella group of 36 civil rights organizations, including the NAACP and the National Urban League) and the League of Rural Voters. The problem: The deal would is predicted to give the Google-Yahoo union almost 90 percent of the search advertising market and strengthen its influence over Internet users' access to information thereby potentially limiting new business opportunities on the Internet for African Americans. (Click here: Web War).

MISSING SUPER HERO?...We should have known something was up when the intrusive Hancock ads around construction on Hollywood near Vine disappeared. Obviously, there may be trouble in future paradise for what had promised to be an action box office hit. Our connects at cineblend.com report that the next special-effects/action add-water-and-stir recipe upon which Will Smith seems to heavily rely for a sure-fire formula, may be missing an ingredient or two. Reportedly, the movie's world premiere that had been scheduled to take place next month in Australia has now been unceremoniously canceled. Cineblend.com says that due to reshoots the flick just won't be ready in time. But what really has us curious is the reason behind all this. Insiders say that the cause is "do-overs," which usually spells trouble. Whatever the case may be, we'll keep ya posted.


HIP HOP HOLLYWOOD
HYPE GETS NERDY...We've been waiting and wondering if famed video director Hype Williams might ever re-enter the cinema scene after the "Belly" scenario. Well, wonder no more. He's ba-a-a-a-ck. for the next Hype Williams (pictured) flick. The Belly revered, in-demand music video director has made a film about the hip hop super trio collection N.E.R.D.--you know, the group recording artist and multi-platinum producer Pharrell Williams fronts along with producing partner Chad Hugo of super production duo the Neptunes, and their partner Shay Haley. The untitled movie will hit theaters this December and is said to be a musical documentary of sorts. No word yet on the studio. Pharrell has been telling media folk it's like The Beatles' Hard Day's Night." So this we gotta see. Apparently the bad taste Hollywood supposedly left in Hype's mouth washed out after Belly's poor reception has wash out.



EXECUTIVE MOVES

TV One Names Michelle Rice Executive VP, Affiliate Sales & Marketing
Michelle Rice has been named executive vice president of affiliate sales and marketing of TV One. Rice joined TV One in January 2004 as vice president of distribution strategy and operations and in April 2005 was named senior vice president. Before joining TV One, she was Northeast regional vice president for affiliate relations and national accounts for iNDemand in New York. At iNDemand, she was responsible for affiliate sales and local marketing efforts in the Northeastern United States, including negotiating and implementing the company's affiliation agreements for carriage of pay-per-view, video-on-demand, event, and HD channels.


NEWS

TIME WARNER & TIME WARNER CABLE SPILT
Time Warner Inc. and cable television arm Time Warner Cable Inc. have announced their boards recently approved the companies' legal separation, with Time Warner Cable expected to pay a $10.9 billion one-time dividend to shareholders. As parent of the nation's second-largest cable operator, Time Warner will receive $9.25 billion of the payout, or $10.27 per share of Time Warner Cable common stock. The dividend will be distributed just before the deal is completed. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter, subject to a favorable Internal Revenue Service ruling on its tax treatment as well as regulatory reviews and local franchise approvals.



The A-List is: Lauren Coleman, founder/co-publisher...Ann Brown, co-publisher...Melissa Ross, European correspondent...LeAnne Lindsay, contributor...Anthony Davis, contributor...Gil Robertson, contributor...Dan Williams, contributor...Jaleesa Brown, contributor...Clemetine Clarke, columnist