CD Marc Hirschfeld Takes on Supervisory Role at Gaumont Intl. TV

CD Marc Hirschfeld Takes on Supervisory Role at Gaumont Intl. TV By Pete Keeley March 5, 2012 Marc Hirschfeld Casting director Marc Hirschfeld will take on an advisory role at production company Gaumont International Television, overseeing series casting. The new company established in September as an American subsidiary of French production powerhouse Gaumont received two series orders this spring.The first, "Hannibal," was picked up by NBC for 13 episodes. The series will bring erudite serial killer Hannibal Lecter and his nemesis/mentee, FBI profiler Will Graham, to the small screen. Each episode will find Graham seeking Lecter's advice and guidance in tracking down a new unsavory character. Shooting is scheduled to start in July, but no casting director is attached. The other series, "Hemlock Grove," received an order from Netflix, adding to their growing roster of original programming. Based on the novel by Brian McGreevy, which will be released on March 27, the series is set in a small town in Pennsylvania where a young girl is found brutally murdered, leaving no shortage of suspects. Shooting will get under way in Pittsburgh in June. Denise Chamian will handle casting.Hirschfeld, who also has a consultant gig with Starz, will continue to cast projects independently with co-casting director Blyth Nailling. Their office handles casting for the following four currently airing shows: ABC comedy "Last Man Standing," NBC's "Are You There, Chelsea?," TV Land's "Happily Divorced," and MTV's "I Just Want My Pants Back." They are also casting CBS comedy pilot "Friend Me," which is scheduled to shoot next month. CD Marc Hirschfeld Takes on Supervisory Role at Gaumont Intl. TV By Pete Keeley March 5, 2012 Marc Hirschfeld Casting director Marc Hirschfeld will take on an advisory role at production company Gaumont International Television, overseeing series casting. The new company established in September as an American subsidiary of French production powerhouse Gaumont received two series orders this spring.The first, "Hannibal," was picked up by NBC for 13 episodes. The series will bring erudite serial killer Hannibal Lecter and his nemesis/mentee, FBI profiler Will Graham, to the small screen. Each episode will find Graham seeking Lecter's advice and guidance in tracking down a new unsavory character. Shooting is scheduled to start in July, but no casting director is attached. The other series, "Hemlock Grove," received an order from Netflix, adding to their growing roster of original programming. Based on the novel by Brian McGreevy, which will be released on March 27, the series is set in a small town in Pennsylvania where a young girl is found brutally murdered, leaving no shortage of suspects. Shooting will get under way in Pittsburgh in June. Denise Chamian will handle casting.Hirschfeld, who also has a consultant gig with Starz, will continue to cast projects independently with co-casting director Blyth Nailling. Their office handles casting for the following four currently airing shows: ABC comedy "Last Man Standing," NBC's "Are You There, Chelsea?," TV Land's "Happily Divorced," and MTV's "I Just Want My Pants Back." They are also casting CBS comedy pilot "Friend Me," which is scheduled to shoot next month.

Ronnie Montrose dies at 64

Rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose died Saturday, March 3, of cancer of the prostate. He was 64. A posting on Montrose's official website Saturday noted: "He passed today. He'd fought cancer, and staved off senior years for lengthy enough. And in keeping with form, he chose their own exit the way in which he chose their own existence." During the period of his career, Montrose performed with well-known artists for example Van Morrison, Herbie Hancock, Boz Scaggs and also the Edgar Winter Group, using that band's hits "Frankenstein" and "Free Ride." He created their own band, Montrose, in 1973 together with singer Sammy Hagar, bassist Bill Chapel and drummer Denny Carmassi. This guitar rock band obtained using its self-entitled debut album that incorporated such tunes as "Rock the country,Inch "Bad Motor Scooter" and "Rock Chocolate." Montrose went solo within the all-instrumental album "Open Fire" in 1978, then continued to create another band, Gamma, which launched three albums between 1980 and 1983. Ronnie Montrose was created in Bay Area and gone to live in Colorado together with his family as he was 2. After going for a two-year hiatus from carrying out as he was initially identified with cancer of the prostate, he came back to carrying out coupled with a complete calendar of tour dates planned throughout this season, based on his website. Montrose seemed to be finishing production on the live DVD, looking for release later this season. "He was very excited and incredibly enthusiastic about being available playing," his wife Leighsa told the Bay Area Chronicle. Additionally to his wife, Monstrose is made it with a boy, a daughter, two siblings and five grandchildren. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

'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.