September 30, 2011
Brazil govt agency criticizes Bundchen lingerie ad
SAO PAULO (AP) – A Brazilian government agency says it wants a TV ad starring a lingerie-clad Gisele Bundchen (jih-ZEHL’ BUN’-chen) to be taken off the air because it is sexist.
The Women’s Rights Secretariat says in a Thursday statement that it has asked the National Advertising Council to suspend the ad. It says the ad reinforces stereotypes of women as sex objects.
The ad shows Bundchen clad in underwear telling an unseen husband that she crashed the car and exceeded her credit card limit.
The Brazilian lingerie maker Hope says it wanted to show that a “Brazilian woman’s sensuality is her best protection when delivering bad news.”
Sylvia Robinson, early hip-hop promoter, dies
By Nekesa Mumbi Moody, Music Writer
NEW YORK (AP) – The woman some call the mother of hip-hop has died.
Sylvia Robinson, the record label owner that put out “Rapper’s Delight,” rap’s first mainstream success, died Thursday. She was 76. Publicist Greg Walker says she had congestive heart failure.
Along with her late husband Joe, Robinson was the owner of Sugar Hill Records. In 1979, it released the song that would become widely known as rap’s first hit, “Rapper’s Delight,” by the Sugar Hill Gang.
Robinson started off as a blues singer in the 1950s, recording for Columbia and Savoy Records on songs like “Chocolate Candy Blues.” Later, she was part of the duo Mickey & Sylvia.
She had her biggest hit as a solo artist with “Pillow Talk,” a seductive song released in 1973. Robinson also was a producer and songwriter for others.
Internet Ad Revenues At Nearly $15 Billion In First-Half 2011, Up 23%, Second Quarter 2011 Breaks Record Again; Digital Video & Sponsorships the Fastest-Growing Formats
NEW YORK — Internet ad revenues rose 23.2 percent — to a record $14.9 billion — in the first half of 2011, according to figures released today by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC US). The rate of growth more than doubled year-over-year, as last year’s first-half ad revenues of $12.1 billion had represented an 11.3 percent increase over 2009.
Internet ad revenues for the second quarter alone also reached new heights, increasing 24.1 percent to $7.7 billion. That performance compares to last year’s same-period revenues of $6.2 billion, up 13.9 percent from 2009.
Display-related advertising — which includes banner ads, rich media, digital video and sponsorships — totaled more than $5.5 billion in the first six months of 2011. Display increased 27.1 percent over the same period in 2010, substantially exceeding the previous year’s growth rate of 16 percent. Digital video once again commanded double-digit growth — up 42.1 percent over a year ago, and moved close to the $1 billion mark with $891 million in half year 2011 revenue.
Display accounted for 37 percent of all interactive spend in the first half of 2011, with search remaining the leading online category at 49 percent of the total — nearly $7.3 billion. Search and Display each grew about 27 percent year-over-year, with Search more than doubling its previous year’s growth rate of 11.6 percent.
In other online ad formats, dollars spent on lead generation increased 25.4 percent over the same period in 2010, but classified ad dollars were down 2 percent and email spend decreased 34.2 percent.
IAB and PwC US looked at revenue models supporting online ads. Ads using performance-based models increased faster than ads using impression-based models, rising to $9.6 billion. Impression-based ad spend did grow by 10.8 percent, though that pricing model accounted for only 31 percent of total ads, down from 35 percent year-over-year.
Study finds fewer gay characters on network TV
By Frazier Moore, Television Writer
NEW YORK (AP) – The number of gay and bisexual characters on scripted broadcast network TV has dipped slightly this season to 19 out of nearly 650 roles, according to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
The 16th annual “Where We Are on TV” report released Wednesday by GLAAD found that 2.9 percent of actors appearing regularly on prime-time network drama and comedy series in the 2011-12 season will portray gay, lesbian or bisexual characters.
That’s down from 3 percent in the 2009-10 season and 3.9 percent last season, when there were 23 out of a total of nearly 600 roles.
The 2008-09 season saw an increased representation of 2.6 percent.
Only five of the 19 gay and lesbian characters this season are nonwhite, GLAAD found.
Using information provided by ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and CW, the group reviewed 91 scripted series announced to air this season.
Among broadcast series with gay and bisexual characters, GLAAD cited CBS’ “The Good Wife,” the CW’s “Ringer” and NBC’s “The Playboy Club.” Comedies include ABC’s “Modern Family” and Fox’s “Glee.”
Fox leads the networks in gay representation, with eight regular characters out of a total of 117.
The number of gay and bisexual characters on cable networks has also fallen slightly, from 35 last season to 29 in the upcoming season.
As it did last year, HBO has the greatest number of gay and bisexual characters, with 11 regular and recurring characters. Showtime is close behind with 10.
The HBO drama “True Blood” remains among the most inclusive series on television, featuring six characters, tied with the Showtime series “Shameless,” the group found.
Some of TV’s most popular shows “weave story lines about gay and lesbian characters into the fabric of the show,” said GLAAD acting President Mike Thompson. “Americans expect to see the diversity of our country represented in their favorite programs, and that includes gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.”
Sony to stop paying theaters for 3-D glasses
Ryan Nakashima, Technology Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Sony Corp.’s movie studio has put theater owners on notice that it will stop paying millions of dollars per film for disposable 3-D glasses starting next May, just before it is to release a couple of summer blockbusters – “The Amazing Spider-Man” and “Men in Black III” – in 3-D.
The move was announced in a letter sent to theater owners, according to a person with the studio. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.
The abrupt policy change comes as studios are struggling to adapt their business to falling DVD sales, while digital sales have not made up the difference.
Moviegoers, who already pay an additional couple dollars or more for 3-D movie tickets, could be annoyed if they are burdened with a new expense amid high unemployment and a weak economy.
Sony’s move was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter earlier Tuesday.
Sony’s worldwide president of distribution, Rory Bruer, told the magazine that the studio was trying to give theater owners a long lead time before the move goes into effect.
It is unclear who will pay for the glasses: theater owners, who are financing the billions of dollars necessary to equip theaters with 3-D and digital equipment; advertisers; or even by consumers who might have to buy 3-D glasses and keep them for their next visit.
Spokespeople for major theater chains Regal Entertainment Group and AMC Entertainment Inc. did not immediately respond for a request for comment. John Fithian, president of the National Association of Theatre Owners, also did not respond to a message seeking comment.
At least one rival studio said it is not jumping on the bandwagon.
Warner Bros., a unit of Time Warner Inc., said it was keeping its current system in place for now, although it wouldn’t specify what its deals were with theater companies.
“The glasses issues are complicated and they vary from studio to studio,” said Warner Bros.’ head of domestic distribution, Dan Fellman. “We certainly will do what’s right for us. Right now, we really don’t have any plans to change the way we do business.”
Average ticket prices in the U.S. and Canada rose 6 percent to $7.89 in 2010, according to Hollywood.com, but the price in major cities like New York and Los Angeles can easily double that. Last year, some New York theatergoers saw red when it appeared that several theaters flirted with a $20 ticket price for “Shrek Forever After” in 3-D, before dropping prices.
Overall U.S. box office revenue in 2010 was only kept from falling due to higher prices helped by 3-D upcharges as attendance fell. So far this year, attendance is down nearly 6 percent and revenue is down nearly 4 percent at $7.8 billion.
NJ gov shoots down ‘Jersey Shore’ tax creditBy Geoff Mulvihill
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) – MTV’s “Jersey Shore” won’t get a New Jersey tax break because Gov. Chris Christie says the show hurts the state’s image.
Christie on Monday blocked a $420,000 film credit that was approved for the show last week by the state Economic Development Authority.
The money was supposed to cover production costs for the hit reality series’ inaugural 2009 season.
Christie suspended the film tax credit program in 2010 to close a budget deficit, but the 2009 season still qualified for the credit.
“I have no interest in policing the content of such projects,” he said in a statement. “However, as chief executive I am duty-bound to ensure that taxpayers are not footing a $420,000 bill for a project which does nothing more than perpetuate misconceptions about the State and its citizens.”
The show’s production company, 495 Productions, based in Burbank, Calif., declined to comment. MTV spokeswoman Noelle Llewellyn said she wouldn’t comment on the tax issue but wanted to reassure the show’s fans. “‘Jersey Shore’ itself will not be affected,” she said.
The show centers on the cast living and partying along the beach and boardwalk in Seaside Heights. “Jersey Shore” has made stars of its cast – 20-somethings with nicknames like Snooki and The Situation – and tourist destinations of their haunts. But it’s been bashed by officials who are sensitive about New Jersey’s image since it debuted nearly two years ago.
Lawmakers have expressed outrage about the credit since the Statehouse Bureau of The Star-Ledger of Newark and The Record first reported on it earlier this month.
But New Jersey Policy Perspective, a liberal think-tank, says some of the anger may be misplaced: The group says other businesses are getting millions in tax credits through the Economic Development Authority and aren’t necessarily bringing jobs to the state in return.
Sheen, studio settle lawsuit over ‘Men’ firingBy Anthony McCartney, Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) – The studio that fired former “Two and a Half Men” star Charlie Sheen said Monday it has struck a deal with the actor to end their legal dispute.
Warner Bros. Television released a statement saying that Sheen’s lawsuit against the studio and series executive producer Chuck Lorre has been settled “to the parties’ satisfaction.” The statement said terms of the settlement are confidential.
Sheen had filed a $100 million lawsuit for wrongful termination against Warner after his firing last March. His attorney, Marty Singer, had said much of that amount was the actor’s share of DVD, syndication and other profits that the studio was withholding.
Singer said he could not discuss specifics of the settlement, but he said all parties were satisfied with the resolution.
The Los Angeles Times reported Sheen’s settlement would be $25 million, although celebrity website TMZ reported the deal would be worth roughly $100 million over the next several years. Both outlets cited unnamed sources in reports about the settlement amounts.
Sheen was fired at a time when he was the highest-paid actor in television, with a per-episode salary reported to be between $1.2 million and $2 million. His exit cut short the CBS comedy’s season.
By then, Sheen had been on a media blitz for weeks, using catchphrases such as “Tiger Blood” and “winning” and describing himself as a warlock.
The case never became the forum for Sheen’s grievances that the actor said he was seeking – most of the court proceedings centered on whether the dispute should be heard through private arbitration, as called for in the actor’s contract. A judge determined that the case should be moved to arbitration in June and attorneys had been working through that process.
Sheen has distanced himself from his previous outlandish behavior in recent weeks and has acknowledged he was at least partly responsible for his ouster from television’s top-rated comedy.
“It was bad,” Sheen told Jay Leno, “and I own my part in that, and I just want to make everything right.”
A phone message for Lorre’s attorney Howard Weitzman was not immediately returned.
British sitcom writer David Croft dies at 89
By Jill Lawless
LONDON (AP) – Television writer David Croft, who helped create much-loved British sitcoms such as “Dad’s Army” and “Are You Being Served?,” died Tuesday. He was 89.
Croft’s agent Tim Hancock, said the writer died at his holiday home in Portugal. Croft’s family said in a statement that he “died peacefully in his sleep,” but did not give a cause.
The son of actors, Croft served with the Royal Artillery during World War II before starting a showbiz career, eventually moving into TV as a producer, director and writer.
Several of his comedies had military settings, including “It Ain’t Half Hot Mum” – set in wartime India and Burma – and “Dad’s Army,” about a hapless World War II Home Guard unit.
Co-created with Jimmy Perry, “Dad’s Army” is considered a comedy classic, and is still frequently rerun more than 40 years after its debut.
Croft and Perry had another long-running hit with “Hi-de-Hi!” set in a 1950s holiday camp.
With Jeremy Lloyd, Croft wrote several series in the 1970s and 80s, including “‘Allo ‘Allo!” – set in the unlikely comic environment of Nazi-occupied France – and the perennially popular department-store sitcom “Are You Being Served?”
The shows drew viewers in the millions with their mix of memorable characters, nostalgic settings, catch phrases and double entendres.
In a statement, Croft’s family said he would have “been proud that you had all been watching.”
Former BBC head of comedy Jon Plowman said Croft was “quite simply a genius who invented a whole genre of comedy that was all his own – mostly from his own experience.”
In 1978, Croft was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II, for services to television.
He is survived by his wife and children. Funeral details were not immediately available.
