'Descendants' scribes sell pitch to Paintbrush

'The Descendants' scribes Jim Rash & Nat Faxon won the Oscar for adapted screenplay on Sunday. WiigFresh off their Oscar win for "The Descendants," scribes Nat Faxon and Jim Rash have sold to Indian Paintbrush an original action-comedy pitch that has Kristen Wiig attached to star. Sale was a competitive situation that drew multiple offers from studios. Kevin Walsh will produce through his banner, the Walsh Co., along with Indian Paintbrush's Steven Rales and Mark Roybal. Faxon and Rash will also serve as executive producers. Wiig's deal is being negotiated. The writers have a long working relationship with Wiig from their days performing with Los Angeles improv troupe the Groundlings. Roybal and Walsh both started their film careers working for Scott Rudin. In addition to writing a second script for Fox Searchlight and Alexander Payne, Jim Burke and Jim Taylor's Ad Hominem Enterprises, Faxon and Rash will make their directorial debut this summer with their Black List script "The Way, Way Back," with Sam Rockwell and Allison Janney set to star. The pair also work in front of the camera. Rash is a series regular on NBC's "Community." Faxon on Tuesday was cast as the co-lead in the Fox comedy pilot "Ben Fox is My Manny." Walsh, who was one of Variety's 10 Producers to Watch last year, is producing that pic, as well as James McTeigue's revenge thriller "The Gringo." Walsh is also producing the political action-thriller "Patriot Down" and the comedy "King Dom," co-written by "The Break Up" scribe Jay Lavender. Wiig is coming off an Oscar nomination for co-writing "Bridesmaids." The laffer grossed more than $288 million worldwide. Indian Paintbrush is poised for a busy year, backing Paramount Vantage's "Jeff Who Lives at Home" and David Chase's "Not Fade Away," Focus' "Moonrise Kingdom" and "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" and Fox Searchlight's "Stoker." Company is gearing up to shoot Jason Reitman's "Labor Day" with Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin set to star. Faxon and Rash are repped by CAA and Principato-Young Entertainment, while Wiig is repped by UTA and manager Naomi Odenkirk. Walsh is also repped by CAA. Peter McPartlin of Indian Paintbrush negotiated the deals. Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com

Jon Hamm Asks Jennifer Aniston And Paul Rudd How They 'Do It'

"How will you take action? How will you take action?In . This is the primary one question Jon Hamm had for "Wanderlust" stars Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd throughout Wednesday's MTV First. Nevertheless the question for you personally is what did Hamm -- who had recorded the question in the video because they reaches London to supply an award within the BAFTAs -- really mean by "it"? Aniston certainly made an appearance puzzled due to it, but Rudd needed the whole element in stride and extremely gave a great (although bluffed) answer. "I've known Jon a lot more than I've known Jen, and Let me tell you it's not surprise he's that kind of time on his hands," Rudd responded. "Well, Jon, generate income do it is a heavy diet of laughter, single malt scotch, love, methamphetamines, an toolbox of weaponry together with huge, heavy dose of hate for individuals groups unique of myself." Aniston's response was a bit more collected -- "I have have a healthy TiVoed dose of 'Mad Males,' it'll get me using the week" -- nevertheless it still was apparent that neither actor had any idea what Hamm actually was asking with, "How will you take action?In . In truth, neither am i going to, but right here are a handful of strategies for what he may have meant. It may have been, "How will you do sexy constantly?Inch That certain might be known as to Rudd (clearly) as well as the correct answer might be, "When you're inspired by Don Draper every next day of i dress." Or could it happen to be stated to become, "How will you think that can be done sex moments in movies once i clearly needed that cake in 'Bridesmaids'?" Aniston would answer that certain by saying, "Because I buy naked in this particular film, clearly.Inch But in most probability, the question probably was, "How will you deal with since you aren't as awesome as me?" As well as the perfect solution for the might be, "No-it's possible to deal with that." Would you like Jon Hamm sent you cryptic video messages similar to this? We certainly! Reveal everything you considered these video inside the comments section below or on Twitter!

Lily Tomlin To Star In Reba McEntires ABC Comedy Pilot

EXCLUSIVE: In her first regular series gig since Murphy Brown, Lily Tomlin has been tapped for a lead role opposite Reba McEntire in ABC’s half-hour pilot Malibu Country. The project, from Reba showrunner Kevin Abbott, centers on Reba Gallagher (McEntire) who, after her good ol boy rock star husband cheats on her and burns through most of their money, divorces him and moves her family from Nashville to the only asset she has left a little house in Malibu. There shell try to reignite her own singing career and keep herself and her three kids from being corrupted by the materialistic and rarefied Malibu world she now calls home. Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated Tomlin will play Shirley, Reba’s classically Southern, warm and funny (not always intentionally) mother who joins the family in their move from Nashville to Malibu. Abbott and McEntire executive produce the pilot with Mindy Schultheis, Michael Hanel, Narvel Blackstock, Dave Stewart and Pam Williams. Tomlin has done two major broadcast series stints since Murphy Brown, recurring roles on ABC dramedy Desperate Housewives and NBC drama The West Wing. She most recently recurred on DirecTV’s Damages and Lisa Kudrow’s online/Showtime series Web Therapy.

The CW orders more 'Top Model'

The CW has purchased a 19th cycle of unscripted stalwart "America's Next Top Model," the network introduced late Tuesday. The Tyra Banks modeling showcase is going to be back for any college-edition version from the series looking for the autumn. The 18th cycle is placed to unspool in a few days. It's usual for CW to select a brand new season this time around of the year given its production schedule, with casting expected to do this week. Not one other series orders are required for that network only at that juncture. "Model" is created by 10 by 10 Entertainment in colaboration with Bankable Prods. The executive producers are Ken Mok ("Making This Guitar Rock BandInch) and Laura Fuest. The series was produced by Banks and produced by Mok and Kenya Barris. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

Ratings Pit Of Debt: Strong Friday Start For Boss, ABC Has First Nightly Conquer CBS

Last evening’s ratings provided more ammunition for your theory that scripted programming may be condemned on Friday. The Two finest-rated programs about the evening in grownups 18-49 having a mile were a possible series, CBS’ Undercover Boss (2.4/8), together with a newsmagazine, ABC’s 20/20 (2./6). The prior developed a very good entry on Friday, drawing not only the finest 18-49 rating in the evening however the greatest audience (10.7 million), edging the normal Friday champion in general audiences, CBS drama Blue Bloods (10.3 million, 1.6/5 in 18-49). Seeing an unscripted show almost double delivery from the high-finish drama (A Gifted Guy) inside the 8 PM hour needs to give CBS, the staunchest supporter of maintaining a thrilling-scripted Friday selection, a pause. Especially since Undercover Boss not only outperformed A Gifted Guy but released CBS’ greatest audience and 18-49 rating inside the hour in three years — since the March 6 and may 1 cases of Ghost Whisperer, the ultimate CBS scripted series to labored inside the Friday 8 PM slot. A Gifted Guy (9.5 million, 1.5/4) didn’t do much while using better 9 PM time period and enormous lead-in from Boss, only matching its best 18-49 delivery so far. No matter the strong amounts for Undercover Boss, CBS (1.8/6, 10.3 million) lost no. 1 place for your evening in 18-49 to ABC (1.9/6, 7.millions of) the first time this season following a systems finished tied two occasions before. ABC was paced having a large two-hour 20/20 (2./6, 7.millions of) devoted to Whitney Houston. ABC released its greatest audience in the evening by 50 percent many best 18-49 delivery in at least a year. That despite a depressed Shark Tank at 8 PM. The completely new reality entry inside the hour, Undercover Boss, pressed both Shark Tank (1.5/5, lower 17%) and Fox’s Kitchen Bad dreams or nightmares (1.3/4, lower 13%) lower. Fringe remains only consistent, remaining frozen inside a series-low 1.1/3. NBC’s broadcast in the NAACP Image Honours (.8/2) was up 33% from a year ago, possibly elevated having a Whitney Houston tribute. Dateline (1.1/3) was overpowered by 20/20, lower 27%. The CW’s Nikita (.6/2) was up a tenth, Supernatural (.7/2) was lower a tenth.

Grammy notes

Paul Epworth, with his trophy for producer of the year, said he owes a great deal to Adele, the night's big winner. Joy Williams and John Paul White of the duo Civil Wars won Grammys in both country and folk categories on Sunday. AdeleBon IverPaul Epworth, who won producer and song of the year honors, was effusive about his most high-profile recent project, Adele: "She's amazing, brave and funny, and she's got a total gift, which makes my job very easy. She could sing the phone book. When we met, we talked about Dr. John, Tom Waits, Etta James, and found a middle ground between us. She has a gift for bringing out things in producers."Justin Vernon, who took home best new artist honors for his band/alter-ego Bon Iver, was diplomatic about his win, having previously declined to perform at the kudocast: "At some point I got really nervous, maybe it was because I didn't think I deserved to be here," he said. "This is the biggest night in music, but it's a very small Staples Centerits hard to feel like it's containing the whole thing." Speaking of the night's reunion with his fellow Beach Boys bandmates, Brian Wilson observed: "It was kind of a different experience. Just being onstage together gives us a chance to express ourselves vocally and instrumentally." Bandmate Al Jardine then discussed the new album the group is in the process of recording, saying: "These recording sessions we're doing now are on par with 'Pet Sounds.' They have that same sort of alacrity and quality of songwriting." Bonnie Raitt spoke of her primary influence, Etta James, to whom she performed a tribute on the kudocast: "She was vital and raunchy and tender, and had a well of emotion that came across in her voice. She and Aretha had larger impacts on my career than any female singers, or any singers at all, really."Fledgling duo Civil Wars won for country duo/group performance and best folk album, pointing up a distinction that baffled them as well. "We hadn't necessarily (thought of ourselves as country) either," said the five-months pregnant Joy Williams, who described herself as a "human bakery." "We're not really sure who we are and where we fit, and I think that's a little flattering," continued bandmate John Paul White. "We just sort of made music and decided to roll the dice and see what happened."Derek Trucks, who won for blues album with his Tedeschi Trucks Band, also took part in an earlier tribute to the Allman Brothers Band, of which he is a part: "It's pretty strange being 32 years old and getting a part of a lifetime achievement award," he said. Jazz bass legend Stanley Clarke was asked of Grammy's recent category cuts, which sparked strong complaints on the part of Latin jazz musicians: "I think it's an oversight on the Academy's side. Latin music is one of the landmarks of this music, and they really should have their own category."Trey Parker, who won a statuette for musical theater album for "The Book of Mormon," noted: "There are a lot of Mormons for whom this is sort of their 'Fiddler on the Roof.' When asked to rate the comparative difficulty of writing comedy versus writing songs, he demurred, "Writing comedy songs is hard."Sam Okell, who won an historical album kudo for his remaster engineering work on Paul McCartney's "Band on the Run (Paul McCartney Archive Collection - Deluxe Edition)," shared: "I asked (McCartney), 'When was the last time you listened to the album?' and he said, 'I've never listened to the album.' "Ryan Tedder, OneRepublic frontman and Adele collaborator, recalled how he counterintuitively went for a less mainstream sound for the singer. "I'm more accustomed to doing stuff that's going to work on radio, that's what I'm known for," he said. "But with Adele I didn't give a damn. I was obsessed with the rawness of what she had. None of this stuff was supposed to be on the radio. Like Adele said, 'Rolling in the Deep' isn't a pop record."Related: Adele's '21' wins album of the year at Grammys Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Gerhard Zeiler exits RTL to run Turner Broadcasting Intl.

Euro TV titan Gerhard Zeiler has been tapped prexy of Turner Broadcasting Intl., seguing from his post as head of RTL Group after nearly nine years in the job. Zeiler, who joined Bertelsmann's RTL in 1998, will leave the pan-European media giant in April. At Turner, he'll be based in London and report to TBS chairman and CEO Phil Kent. "His programming success; entrepreneurial experience within a big company; ability to run multiple lines of business; deep understanding of the digital landscape and opportunity; relationships across the media landscape; and passion for the television business combine in a great international partner for me, an exciting leader for the division and a strong addition to our executive committee and the company overall," Kent said in announcing the hire. Zeiler will be tasked with developing new businesses for TBS and strengthening its established channel operations. At present, TBS operates more than 130 channels in more than 30 languages in 200 countries. Zeiler succeeds Louise Sams, who had been prexy of TBS Intl. as well as general counsel to all of TBS. Kent last fall decided to bring in a dedicated exec for TBS Intl., while Sams continues as general counsel. At RTL, Zeiler will be succeeded by Guillaume de Posch and Anke Schaferkordt who will become co-CEOs. RTL said Zeiler, a popular figure in the European TV community, was quitting at his own request and would exit following the company's annual general meeting April 18. In a statement Thomas Rabe, CEO of Bertelsmann, said: "I regret Gerhard's decision to leave the company, but would like to personally congratulate him on the impressive success story of the past decade. Under his leadership, the group's revenues, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) and return on sales showed an exemplary development, and the company is strategically and powerfully positioned for continued growth." Said Zeiler: "I'm deeply grateful for my wonderful years at RTL Group, with a great team of passionate managers and an ever-supportive board of directors and shareholders. The decision to leave was not an easy one, but on the other hand I look forward to a new, international task. I wish RTL Group a successful next step in its unbelievable development." RTL COO De Posch will take over responsibility for the firm's broadcasting operations outside Germany and the company's production business. Schaferkordt will continue to manage the German TV business in addition to her new role. RTL owns in the region of 45 television and 31 radio stations in 11 countries. It also produces approximately 9,500 hours of programming a year. Zeiler, an Austrian who has been RTL's chief executive since 2003, began his career as a journalist, becoming a spokesman for the Austrian government before switching to broadcasting. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com