Crime spinoffs aren't paying

The crime drama, especially as done by CBS, was primetime television's most bankable drama format for about a decade -- but that seems to be changing. Sure, skeins like "NCIS" and "Criminal Minds" continue to perform well for the Eye, but the net hasn't seen quite the same success the past two years with "Blue Bloods" or "Person of Interest," crime shows that took the genre in slightly different directions. Elsewhere, NBC's copshow "Prime Suspect" was rejected from the start in the fall, and ABC's "Body of Proof" remains a modest performer in its second season. But perhaps the best indicator of this trend is that over the last 12 months, spinoffs of three venerable crime shows -- "Law and Order," "Bones" and "Criminal Minds" -- have failed to click with auds. Sure, "Bones" offshoot "The Finder" just bowed last month, but the early returns haven't been encouraging. Fox used "Bones" to funnel viewers into "The Finder" when it premiered on Jan. 12, but the newbie settled for a 1.7 rating (compared with a 2.4 for its lead-in). And in its second week, even with a big lead-in from "American Idol" (5.7 rating), "Finder" grew to only a 2.2 -- still fourth in its Thursday timeslot. NBC tried to breathe life into the fading "Law and Order" franchise with "Law and Order: L.A.," but the show's reboot last April opened with a thud (1.5) and its run ingloriously ended with burnoff episodes in July. It was the third "L&O" spinoff in the U.S., but only "SVU" remains on the air ("U.K." continues in Blighty). And at CBS, "Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior," fronted by Forest Whitaker, dropped off sharply from its ancestor, which preceded it on Wednesdays. Auds tuned in for the premiere (3.3 rating), but the show dropped to a 2.4 the following week and was hovering around a 2 when it wrapped its 13-episode run. It wasn't surprising to see the nets order more spinoffs in the wake of CBS' success with "NCIS" and "NCIS: Los Angeles," with the latter going strong in its third year. But that one may just be the last we'll see work for a while. Contact Rick Kissell at rick.kissell@variety.com

VIDEO: The Actual Average women of Beverly Hills' Lisa States She'd a difficult Begin With Taylor

Taylor Remedy and Lisa Vanderpump The Actual Average women of Beverly Hills' Lisa Vanderpump states she and Taylor Remedy have switched their friendship around. "I'd a difficult begin with Taylor," she informs TVGuide.com. "We switched it around midway with the series when ... I figured this lady has enough battles to battle. She does not need another [one] beside me.Inch Bravo to air Kim Richards' first publish-rehab interview included in Average women reunion Within the interview below, Lisa and Brandi Glanville discuss this series harder moments, such as the suicide of Taylor's husband and also the intense fights between siblings Kim and Kyle Richards. Plus: Exactly what does Brandi really consider castmate Dana Wilkey? The Actual Average women of Beverly Hillsides reunion airs Monday at 9/8c on Bravo.

Bethenny Frankel Can get Talk Show Trial Run

Bethenny Frankel Reality star and entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel will get a talk show - just for any six-week free trial offer, in line with the NY Occasions.Warner Bros. and Fox couldn't get enough stations to carry the show next fall, so rather, Bethenny will probably be proven for six days inside the summer season on some Fox stations, the Occasions reviews. If effective, Frankel's self-titled program could easily get an ordinary schedule by fall 2013.Bethenny Frankel tape talk show pilot"She's most likely probably the most discussed personas available," mentioned Hilary Estey McLoughlin, the best choice of Telepictures, which produces syndicated shows for Warner Brothers and sisters to distribute. "She's had late-in-existence success, that people think makes her an authentic role model for girls.InchVideo clip: Bethenny Frankel shares advice in the Host to YesFrankel, 41, acquired prestige just like a cast member on Bravo's The Particular Regular folks of NY City, where she ongoing to become for 3 seasons. Season 3 of her spin-off, Bethenny Ever After (titled Bethenny Marriage? within the first season), premieres Monday, Feb. 20.

Steven Tyler: Fiancee Erin Brady Wooed Me With Seductive Headband

First Published: January 23, 2012 2:24 PM EST Credit: Access Hollywood Caption Steven Tyler stops by Access Hollywood Live on January 23, 2012LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Aerosmith frontman and American Idol judge Steven Tyler is known for his love of scarves and headbands and it appears his fiancee is also fond of the accessory. In an appearance on Mondays Access Hollywood Live, the rocker dished on how their mutual love of head wraps helped to wrap up his heart for fiancee Erin Brady, 38. I saw her one night, she had this band around her head. I said, Wow, this is a girl thats not afraid to wear a headband in a very old-fashioned, old-timey sort of way, and I loved it, the 63-year-old rocker told Billy Bush and Kit Hoover. [She] took be back to her hotel room, tied me up with it and I said, This is the girl that I want to marry. Done! Hello! Despite two previous marriages and two divorces, Steve is ready to take the plunge again. Theres something about a commitment. Theres some kind of magic that lives inside a commitment, he explained. Every time Ive ever made a commitment, Ive made it successful. And even a few botched marriages, they were still successful. The rock legend, who was previously married to Cyrinda Fox and Teresa Barrick, said he maintains good relations with all the women from his past. Ive got four beautiful kids. I still love their moms. I just screwed up, he continued. And will Steven become a dad for a fifth time? I dont know, well wait and see, he told Billy and Kit when asked about the possibility of more children. Im taking it slow. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Ex-Penn St. Football Coach Joe Paterno Dead At 85

First Launched: The month of the month of january 22, 2012 1:43 PM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Joe Paterno on October 29, 2011 in Condition College, PennsylvaniaSTATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Joe Paterno, the longtime Penn Condition coach who won more American football games than anybody in primary college history but was fired among a youthful child sex abuse scandal that broken his status for winning with integrity, died Sunday. He was 85. His family released a disagreement Sunday morning to announce his dying: His loss leaves a void inside our lives that will not be filled. He died while he were living, the statement mentioned. He fought against against hard prior to the finish, continued to be positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of techniques fortunate his existence happen to be. His ambitions were significant, but he i never thought he required to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He will be a guy devoted to his family, his college, his players and also the community. Two cops were situated to close traffic all the time where Paternos modest ranch home stands alongside a close park. The authorities mentioned your family had asked for there be no public gathering outdoors the house, still decorated getting a Christmas wreath, so Paternos relatives could grieve individually. And, indeed, the street was quiet around the cold winter day. Paternos sons, Scott and Jay, turned up individually in the home late Sunday morning. Jay Paterno, who offered as his fathers quarterbacks coach, was crying. Paterno built his program round the credo Success with Recognition, which he found both. The man known to as JoePa won 409 games and needed the Nittany Lions to 37 bowl games and a pair of national game titles. Greater than 250 in the players he trained ongoing for the Nfl. He'll come down since the finest football coach inside the good status for the sport, Ohio Condition coach Urban Meyer mentioned after his former team, the Florida Gators, beat Penn Condition 37-24 inside the 2011 Outback Bowl. Paternos boy Scott mentioned on November. 18 that his father have been treated for carcinoma of the lung. Cancer was recognized within a follow-up visit for just about any bronchial illness. A few days next thought, Paterno also broke his pelvis carrying out a fall but did not need surgery. Paterno happen to be inside the hospital since Jan. 13 for observation that his family had referred to as minor complications from his cancer remedies. Not extended before that, he completed his only interview since losing his job, while using Washington Publish. Paterno was known to as frail then, speaking mostly in the whisper and wearing a hairpiece. Another 1 / 2 of both of these-day interview was completed at his bed room. Since the last 61 years have shown, Joe made an incredible impact, mentioned the statement in the household. That impact remains felt and appreciated by us as thousands of letters and well wishes along with numerous functions of kindness from people whose lives he touched. It's apparent also inside the thousands of effective student sports sports athletes who've gone onto multiply that impact simply because they disseminate nationwide. The best occasions of Paternos Penn Condition career were easily probably the most difficult within the 61 years while using college and 46 seasons as mind football coach. It absolutely was because Paterno will be a this kind of sainted figure more memorable than any kind of his players and one of the better-known coaches in many of sports that his downfall am startling. Throughout one breathtaking week noisy . November, Paterno was engulfed having a scandal and forced from his job, as they not successful to go to police force in 2002 when told a young boy was molested inside the football complex. I didn't know which strategy to use and rather than enter there creating a mistake, he mentioned inside the Publish interview. Jerry Sandusky, the prior defensive coordinator prone to succeed Paterno before retiring in 1999, was charged with sexually attacking 10 boys over 15 years. Two college government bodies walked lower after they were charged with perjury undertaking a great jury analysis of Sandusky. But attention quickly dedicated to an alleged rape that happened in the shower inside the football building, observed by Mike McQueary, a graduate assistant in those days. McQueary stated he saw Sandusky attacking the little one which he'd told Paterno, who anxiously anxiously waited every day before notifying school government physiques. Police were never referred to as as well as the states top cop later mentioned Paterno not successful to accomplish his moral responsibility by not getting in contact with police. You understand, (McQueary) didnt need to get specific, Paterno mentioned inside the Publish interview. Also to be frank together with you I've no clue it could did useful, because I never learned about, of, rape together with a man. Therefore I just did a few things i thought was best. I spoken to people that we thought might be, if there's an problem, that could be following onto it. Round the morning of November. 9, Paterno mentioned he'd retire carrying out a 2011 season. More youthful crowd mentioned he was absolutely devastated with the abuse situation. This is often a tragedy, the coach mentioned. It is probably the great sorrows of my existence. With the benefit of hindsight, If perhaps I'd done more. Nevertheless the college trustees faced an urgent situation, and to pull up quickly meeting your evening, they fired Paterno, effective immediately. Graham Spanier, one of the longest-serving college presidents inside the nation, also was overlooked. According to Lanny Davis, an attorney maintained with the trustees becoming an agent, board vice chairman John Surma regretted requiring to inform Paterno your choice on the phone. The school handed the football team to at least one of Paternos assistants, Tom Bradley, who mentioned Paterno goes lower ever the most effective males, who maybe creating called being an excellent football coach. Thick, smoky-lens glasses, folded away khakis, jet-black sports footwear, blue windbreaker Paterno was easy to perfect the sidelines. His teams were much like easy to perfect the region their white-colored headgear and classic blue and white-colored uniforms had exactly the same type of-school look since the coach. Paterno thought success wasn't measured situated around the area. From his idealistic beginning, he'd implemented what he referred to as a great experiment to graduate more players and keep success round the area. He will be a frequent speaker on ethics in sports, a conscience for just about any world frequently treated by scandal and shady figures. His teams consistently ranked among the finest inside the Large Ten for graduation players. By 2011, it had 49 academic All-Us citizens, the next-finest among schools inside the Football Bowl Subdivision. Essentially two carried out under Paterno. He shows us about really just maturing and like a guy, former linebacker Paul Posluszny, using the NFLs The town of the city of jacksonville Jaguars, once mentioned. Besides the football, hes planning us being good males around. Paterno certainly had detractors, too. One former Penn Condition professor referred to as his high-minded words on academics a farce. He was belittled to create broad critiques in regards to the wrongs attending school football without delivering specifics. A classic administrator mentioned his players frequently got special therapy compared to non-sports sports athletes. His training style frequently was considered too conservative. Some thought he held onto his job too extended. There's a push to move him in 2004 nevertheless it not successful. Nevertheless the experts were inside the minority, and also the program was not ever reported for major NCAA violations. However, the little one sexual abuse scandal motivated separate research with the U.S. Department of the practice as well as the NCAA to the schools handling. Paterno carried out quarterback and cornerback for Brown College and hang up a defensive record with 14 career interceptions, a distinction he boasted likely to his teams completely into his 80s. He graduated in 1950 with intends to visit law school. He mentioned his father wanted he'd sooner or later be leader. Because he was 23, a classic coach at Brown was moving to Penn Condition being your brain coach and convinced Paterno to incorporate him becoming an assistant. I'd no intention to train once i got from Brown, Paterno mentioned in 2007 at Beaver Stadium inside an interview just before being granted having a Hall of Fame. Showed up only at that hick town? From Brooklyn? In 1963, he was offered employment with the late Al Davis $18,000, triple his salary at Penn Condition, together with an automobile being gm and coach in the AFLs Concord Raiders. He mentioned no. Rip Engle outdated as Penn Condition mind coach three years later, and Paterno needed over. In those days, the Lions were considered Eastern football inferior and Paterno courted newspaper coverage to enhance the teams profile. In 1967, PSU began a 30--1 streak. But Penn Condition couldnt achieve the very best polls. The Lions finished second in 1968 and 1969 despite perfect records. They went 12- in 1973 and take care of fifth. Texas edged them in 1969 after Leader Richard Nixon, impressed while using Longhorns bowl performance, declared them No. 1. Id would rather know, Paterno mentioned later, how's the best choice know so little about Watergate in 1973, and therefore much about national football league and nfl and college football in 1969? A national title finally showed up 1982, in the 27-23 conquer Georgia within the Sugar Bowl. Penn Condition won another in 1986 following a Lions selected off Vinny Testaverde five occasions and beat Miami 14-10 inside the Fiesta Bowl. They have made several title runs ever since then, plus a 2005 visit the Orange Bowl plus an 11-1 campaign in 2008 that acquired them a berth inside the Rose Bowl, where they lost 37-23 to La. Within the senior years, physical conditions used the old coach lower. Paterno was exceed round the sideline throughout a game title title at Wisconsin in November 2006 and experienced knee surgery. He hurt his stylish in 2008 showing an onside kick. An intestinal illness together with a poor reaction to anti-biotics suggested for dental work slowed down lower him for almost all this years season. Paterno began scaling back his speaking engagements that year, ending his summer season caravan of speeches to alumni within the condition. A receiver bowled over Paterno at practice in August, delivering him for the hospital with shoulder and pelvis injuries and consigning him to train a lot of year within the press box. The fact weve won plenty of games is the good Master saved me healthy, not because Im a lot better than anybody else, Paterno mentioned a couple of days before he won his 409th game and passed Eddie Robinson of Grambling Condition for in Division I. Its because Ive been around substantially more than anybody else. Paterno may be conservative round the area, specifically in large games, depending round the attempted-and-true formula of defense, the running game and area position. Theyve been playing great defense for 45 years, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz mentioned in November. Paterno and also the wife, Sue, elevated five children in Condition College. Anybody could telephone him at his modest ranch home the identical one he came out before round the evening he was fired by trying to find Paterno, Ernest V. inside the phonebook. He strolled past games and was welcomed and wanted all the best by fans all the time. Former players paraded through his living room for that chance to express hello. But typically, he continued to be in the spotlight. Paterno did have a very knack for joke. He recognized to Twitter, the social media, as Twittle-do, Twittle-dee. More youthful crowd may be abrasive and persistent, combined together with his share of run-inches along with his bosses or managers. To ensure that as his legend elevated, so did the eye to his on-area options, as well as the queries about because he would retire. Requires his retirement showed up in a crescendo in 2004. The year after, Penn Condition went 11-1 and won the big Ten. Inside the Orange Bowl, PSU beat Florida Condition, whose coach, Bobby Bowden, left the Seminoles following a 2009 season after 34 many 389 wins. Like a lot more, he was outlasted by JoePa. Copyright 2012 with the Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements may not be launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Rhianna Launches Born Using This Method Foundation

First Launched: The month of the month of january 19, 2012 5:05 PM EST Credit: Getty Images La, Calif. -- Caption Rhianna attends the 39th Worldwide Emmy Honours within the Mercury Ballroom within the NY Hilton on November 21, 2011Lady Gaga and her mother are becoming their message of tolerance and bravery to individuals! The singer and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, introduced on Wednesday that they may formally launch the Born Using This Method Foundation (BTWF) on February 29, 2012, at Harvard Universitys Sanders Theatre. The Grammy-champion will probably be grew to become part of by policy makers, non-profit organizations, foundation leaders and youth themselves that are working to make a kinder and braver world. My children foundation was produced from her passion to make a better world where people are kinder and to one another and so are famous for who they may be, regardless of how different they could be, Cynthia Germanotta mentioned in the statement. She's experienced the majority of the struggles our youth encounter today, and identifies while using lasting effects they could have without right support. Together, we anticipate creating a new movement that will engage and empower youth and accept them as valuable people in today's world. The inspiration works to research the how you can achieve youth and make a new culture of kindness, bravery, acceptance and empowerment focusing on issues like self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, training and career development and advocacy. To learn more about the Born Using This Method Foundation and also to accept pledge and finish up area of the movement, Follow The Link! Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Canadian producer has laugh-line to U.S.

Thunderbird Films 'Mr. Young' might be the very first American-style sitcom to shoot in Vancouver. Vancouver-based entertainment production and distribution company Thunderbird Films is changing the means by which Canada can get its laffs.Already experiencing some success with dramas "Endgame" and "Intelligence," Thunderbird grew to become part of forces with Serta Signer ("The Suite Information on Zack and Cody") to create "Mr. Youthful," a show of a 14-year-old child prodigy who, after finishing college, goes back to secondary school just like a science teacher.The show was quickly provided to YTV, a Canadian youth-specific funnel, and, immediately after, to Disney XD, which airs Signer's "Ant Farm.""Mr. Youthful" has since been put in primetime, although keeping its original timeslot. "So that it airs a good deal,In . states Thunderbird's leader, Michael Shepard.Nonetheless its recognition notifies only part of the show's story. "Mr. Youthful" might be the very first multicamera comedy to shoot in B.C. before an energetic audience. Since there's no soundstage in Vancouver that could accommodate the expansion, Thunderbird built its by changing a 70,000-sq.-feet. warehouse in Burnaby, B.C.According to Shepard, Thunderbird preferred to emulate the American sitcom model, and allotted the show similarly. "Our plan was always to promote (the show) for the U.S.," according to him.Shepard qualities "Mr. Young's" success largely for the immediate response in the live audience in case your joke isn't working, it might be re-written round the place."We're by mentioning jokes," according to him. "Plenty of kids' shows may also be about getting an arc, and several relationship or moral -- we have none of the. We're just trying to become funny."A tape in the show, that's particularly well-loved by teenage women, can be a four-to-five-hour experience, and contains become much like a show in the show. The expansion serves audiences pizza, features a stand-up comedian perform between takes, in addition to hosts talent competitions. People can be found in costumes. Entertainers perform throughout."We're wanting that people have created a completely new industry here," states Thunderbird Boss Tim Gamble, "Sitcom can be a proven commodity (in Canada)."Thunderbird loves the format a great deal it's set on developing more laffers. Incorporated in this is actually a primetime multicamera show, "Bundle," a grown-up comedy of a effective youthful brother who lives with and seems around his two controlling older brothers and sisters. Thunderbird is joining track of author-producer Andrew Orenstein ("3rd Rock Under the sun,Inch "Everybody Hates Chris," "Malcolm within the centreInch) around the program, which will shoot in Vancouver, and aims being similar in tone to "two and a half Males" and "The Big Bang Theory." "Packed Deal," too, is specific for the U.S. additionally to Canada.The persistence for the sitcom format hasn't saved Thunderbird from throwing its hat to the feature film ring. It recently devoted to the particular rights to "Edge Runner," which Ridley Scott is positioned to direct either just like a prequel or follow-up for Alcon Entertainment. "For people it absolutely was an chance to take part in holding a little of this franchise," Gamble states.Shepard adds, "It's a sci-fi brand meaning a great deal to numerous people. In the long-term perspective it's value that's really attractive."However, Gamble keeps, "Our focus, really, is television. We've found an exceptional chance using this sitcom model. It utilizes lots of people, it's good work, it's good business which we obtain individuals to laugh." Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Ludlum's Sigma Protocol Back On Track

Ben Hartman is the new Jason Bourne (?)Last we heard, Robert Ludlum's typically doorstop-y thriller The Sigma Protocol was on the fast track for movie development at Universal. The thing is, that was back in the summer of 2008; maybe there were leaves on the line. This morning though, comes the news that, as the Bourne franchise prepares to return with The Bourne Legacy,The Sigma Protocol has also resurfaced, with veteran Irwin Winkler writing and producing.Published in 2001, The Sigma Protocol was Ludlum's final novel, and is about Ben Hartman, a young investment banker on holiday in Switzerland,who discovers that a secret organization (comprised of top corporate CEOs and nazi war criminals) has long been controlling the global economy. Witnessing a killing gets him embroiled in the conspiracy, which in turn sees him marked for death and on the run with a female FBI agent."It's an ordinary guy who gets caught up in international intrigue, and who teams with this operative who is declared a rogue by the CIA," says Winkler. "Unlike Bourne, who is a trained assassin, this is an innocent guy traveling in Europe who gets in way over his head. And it has all the great Ludlum intrigue."The last version of the screenplay was by Iron Man writers Art Marcum and Matt Holloway, but it sounds as if Winkler will be starting from scratch for this version. He's co-writing with Jose Ruisanchez, who started out in visual effects but seems to have moved into producing through some time as Winkler's assistant. He doesn't seem to have any other writing credits.Plot-wise, this looks to have some of the hallmarks of those travelogue 60s caper movies like Charade and To Catch A Thief (which is up for a remake). Recent attempts to revive that genre, however (Knight And Day, The Tourist), fared badly, so we're interested to see where Sigma Protocol might be heading.As a producer, Winkler was behind successes like Rocky, The Gambler and Goodfellas, all of which have recently resurfaced in some form (Rocky as a musical, Gambler as a remake and Goodfellas as a TV series). "It's nice to see this activity on past films, and it's also nice to have some fresh action," he says.

Banking on innovation

CEAs Gary Shapiro states many tech improvements bowed at CES.To know the significance of the customer Electronics Show, think about this: the mobile products everybody carries and the majority of the entertainment hardware in living spaces worldwide were released here first.Every The month of january, the main electronics producers trek to Vegas to unveil their latest consumer devices, as well as for Hollywood that's meant new platforms which to distribute its films, Television shows, music and games, together with other content.The main entertainment gamers have caught onto that, using the latter years visiting a surge in registered participants in the biz (9,000 took part in last year's Entertainment Matters program, co-created by U . s . Talent Agency using the Electronic Devices Assn., which number is anticipated be bigger this season, the orgs say).The 2010 show, which went Jan. 10-13, attracted around 150,000 participants who visited CES' 2,700 participants.Hollywood executives found seal handles hardware makers, but they are also searching to determine what's going to unveil to merchants.Previously, individuals new products have incorporated the VCR, Laserdisc, Compact disc, DVD and Blu-ray gamers, High definition tv, Brought and three dimensional Televisions, Audio players, mobile phones, UltraViolet and tablet computer systems, to title only a couple of."Virtually every electronic devices innovation within the good reputation for our industry was revealed at CES," states Gary Shapiro, leader and Boss from the CEA.Worldwide electronic devices investing is anticipated to pass through $1 trillion this season, based on GfK Boutique Research and also the CEA, up 5%. Sales are anticipated to top $200 billion within the U.S., where customers spent $190 billion on electronics this past year, up 5.6% from 2010. In a nutshell, Hollywood can not afford to not give consideration and become present at CES."We have been saying this within the last fifteen years,Inch Shapiro states. "We are not only a hardware show. We've people here from every factor of the.InchAnd some tips about what everybody continues to be searching at because the top trends being released from the show this season: Ultrabooks: Apple created the word to explain thin, fast laptops that imitate Apple's Mac laptop Air. These products save data on chips, rather than traditional hard disk drives, and access the cloud for content. Experts expect the products to represent 10% of laptop sales in 2012. A lot more than 60 producers are earning Ultrabooks to produce this season. Wise Televisions: When they have been introduced at CES in the past years, the brand new batch that Samsung, The new sony, LG and Panasonic revealed this time around around continue to be centered on filling the screens with applications, but additionally sport features familiar to proprietors of Nintendo's Wii and Microsoft's Xbox 360 360, in addition to customers of Siri on Apple's apple iphone 4s: gesture and voice controls.Why is this so? It's believed that Apple offered a lot more than $ 30 million of their latest phone within the 4th quarter, and Microsoft has offered 18 million Kinects.Samsung has added facial recognition to cameras included in its sets to identify who's having its new type of Televisions and enable them to access their applications. TV-makers hope the characteristics can help them boost sagging set sales, that the CEA projects will decline 6.5% this season. OLED and 4K Televisions: The following high-def Televisions available on the market will feature super-thin screens (LG's 55-inch set is 4mm thick) and boast better, crisper and much more colorful images. Cheaper pills: Most tablet-makers are presenting more compact, cheaper pills to compete avoid Apple's iPad however with Amazon's Amazon Kindle Fire and Barnes & Noble's Nook. Tablet sales are anticipated to triple to 55.two million this season, based on Juniper Research.Not every new items happen to be instant hits.three dimensional TV got a large push this year, even though the sets can sell overseas, they are still battling to trap on within the U.S.Roughly 30% of customers still say they've no immediate intends to buy a three dimensional TV over the following six several weeks, stating cost and also the needed glasses as reasons, based on NPD Group. (Glasses-free three dimensional sets aren't likely to be developed over the following year.) The study firm also states three dimensional Televisions composed 9% of U.S. lcd TV sales through November, up 2% within the same period this year.Even though, sales of three dimensional Televisions are soft within the U.S., 23 million three dimensional Televisions are anticipated to ship worldwide this season, using more than 100 million models to ship by 2015.While 17 million wise Televisions have previously made their distance to houses, only 10% were attached to the Internet this past year, up from 8% this year, research group Parks Affiliates states, because many think about the Televisions confusing to make use of.At the same time, netbook computers, introduced last year, specified for for everyone as affordable laptops that connect to the net. Apple's iPad virtually did away with this category.This past year, a lot more than 100 producers introduced their very own pills to contend with Apple. Most, like BlackBerry's PlayBook, have battled or unsuccessful, with Hewlett packard tugging the plug on its Touch pad after dismal sales. Samsung's Universe Tab still remains a worthy rival.Apple does not attend CES to showcase new items. It eschews industry events to host its very own occasions throughout every season, even though it did send nearly 300 staffers this season, sources confirmed. Microsoft would be the alongside leave CES following this year's confab, ending a 15-year appearance.Items thatdebuted at CESVideocassette recorder (VCR), 1970 Laserdisc player, 1974 Video camera, 1981 Compact disk player, 1981 Digital audio technology, 1990 Compact disk -- interactive, 1991 Small disc, 1993 Radio data system, 1993 Digital satellite system, 1994 Digital versatile disk (DVD), 1996 Hd television (High definition tv), 1998 Personal video recorder (PVR), 1999Digital audio radio (DAR), 2000Microsoft Xbox 360, 2001Plasma TV, 2001 Home media server, 2002HD radio, 2003Blu-Ray DVD, 2003HDTV PVR, 2003HD radio, 2004IP TV, 2005OLED TV, 20083D High definition tv, 2009Tablets, netbook computers andandroid Products, 2010Connected TV, wise home appliances,Microsoft Kinect, 2011 Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com

J.J. Abrams Didn't Want to Do 'Star Trek 2' in 3D

J.J. Abrams' cinematic hero Steven Spielberg might be all about 3D these days, but that doesn't mean Abrams is thrilled about the gimmick. While speaking to reporters about his new Fox series "Alcatraz," at the Television Critics Association, Abrams admitted that having his upcoming "Star Trek" sequel converted to 3D wasn't his idea. "I did not fight for the 3D. It was something the studio wanted to do. I didn't want to do it." At Comic-Con in 2010, Abrams expressed his reservations about the format, "The thing that drives me crazy about 3D is that when you put on the glasses, everything seems dim. I'm not totally on board yet." Still, Abrams did give his blessing after seeing some tests of the first "Star Trek" in 3D. "[It] looked really good," Abrams admitted to the crowd at TCA. "That was the thing which made me think it would be okay." The director wanted to hold out for shooting the sequel on good old-fashioned celluloid film, instead of digitally, but turns out "you can't shoot 3-D in anamorphic," I didn't want to shoot it digitally....I wanted it to match the look of the first and shoot it anamorphically. Then I saw the first movie converted; it was actually really cool. So I was okay with [converting the film to 3D], as long as I could shoot it the way I wanted to." [via EW] [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Ask Matt: Dance, Downton Abbey, CSI, Guilty Pleasures and More!

So You Think You Can Dance Send questions to askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com and follow me on Twitter!Question: I heard somewhere that Fox will be canceling So You Think You Can Dance after this season and that this season will be shaved down a bit. How can this be true? This is one of the very best "reality" shows on TV. It's classy, inspiring, emotional, and I keep being amazed by the amount of brilliant talent there is out there and each season the talent gets better, if that's possible. These are truly extreme athletes. Can anything be done to keep this gem on? - CorinneMatt Roush: It never hurts to turn more people on to your favorite endangered show, but I'm not sure So You Think You Can Dance is quite ready for its last dance yet (inadvertent Donna Summer reference). It's true that Fox plans to tweak the format significantly this summer, including eliminating the weekly "results" episode. I'm not sure yet how that's going to work, and I'm not sure they know yet. (Couldn't they just make it a more manageable half-hour results show? Couldn't everybody?) So while this sort of chipping away is certainly worrisome, I'll hold Fox's entertainment chief Kevin Reilly to his statement over the weekend that none of the network's reality franchises - this being my favorite, including (most weeks) the results show - are going away.Question: After reading your many postings regarding American Horror Story, it is evident that you dislike this show. I felt similarly in the early episodes, but then as it started to tie up storylines, it became a guilty pleasure for me. It got me wondering whether you have any shows that you love that are just plain bad where you disregard the professional critical side of you and just enjoy it. What are some of your favorites? - RobMatt Roush: There's bad, and then there's reprehensible, and I honestly still have trouble imagining a single pleasurable aspect to American Horror Story (save Jessica Lange), which disgusted me without ever actually scaring me. But that's old news. Of course I have "guilty pleasures" - who doesn't? - although for the most part, I refuse to feel guilty about anything that brings me actual pleasure. The most obvious current candidate for guilty-pleasure status at the moment is ABC's Revenge, which I find preposterous and often comically badly acted, but it has no pretensions about being anything but a juicy, go-for-broke soap, and as it found its voice, the formula of Emily-takes-down-an-enemy has thankfully expanded to give her some truly memorable antagonists in the psycho Tyler (whose farewell, for now, was a series high point last week) and the "real" Emily-now-Amanda, a vixen of the highest low order. It reminds me of the heyday of the prime-time soap, which really were guilty pleasures of mine, most memorably Knots Landing, which I loved and during the most primitive VCR era was able to keep up with, even while doing my critical duty regarding the more culturally important NBC dramas that aired in that same Thursday time period, including Hill Street Blues and L.A. Law. I guess I'd also classify my few reality addictions, almost all from the competition genre (Top Chef, the upcoming Face Off on Syfy, etc.) as guilty pleasures, because I can't really justify the time I spend with them as anything but relaxing and enjoyable. No shame in that. And as previously discussed, a show like So You Think You Can Dance is not a guilty pleasure. It's one of the best shows on TV. I sure hope Fox doesn't screw it up.Want more Matt Roush? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!Question: I was wondering if you know anything about the second season of BBC's updated Sherlock. I know it aired on BBC One in Britain last week. Will we have to wait six months to see it in America on PBS? - JeffreyMatt Roush: Would you settle for four? Sherlock will return to the Masterpiece lineup in May, and I've heard nothing but good things so far. I know the wait is aggravating, but Masterpiece tends to save its key mystery franchises for spring and/or summer. And really, who can complain, as long as Downton Abbey is on? Speaking of which:Question: Loving Downton Abbey and I heard somewhere that this is a limited series. I wish there were more episodes in a season. I enjoy all the cast and the storylines. Do you know if there is an end in sight or if they plan on more episodes next season? All of the critics seem to like it as well as the public. The ratings have been very good in the UK, but I am not sure how ratings are in the U.S. and how that works. I would love to see a dozen or more episodes next season, like our cable series. Are you a fan? - ElMatt Roush: Downton Abbey is a hit on both sides of the pond, and there will be a third season, which is cause to celebrate - in case you missed my review of the second series, I'm a huge fan, and the first season ranked second on my Top 10 list for 2011. The popularity of the show has nothing to do with how many episodes air; it's a function of the model of British TV, which (usually to its benefit) tends to produce fewer episodes a season than the more-is-more American way. I'm OK with a series like this leaving us wanting more, because what there is of it is so very satisfying.Question: I've seen reported that the second season of Downton Abbey will air in seven episodes on PBS, but in the UK, it was eight episodes plus a two-hour Christmas special. Will PBS be showing all of it, including the special? They edited season 1 together oddly, so it's certainly possible they're going that route again, but they've been pretty uncommunicative on the subject. - JessicaMatt Roush: The first and last nights of the PBS run combine two episodes - with the final night on Feb. 19 being the two-hour Christmas "special" - so nothing is being lost in the translation here. (There may be some minor edits, but not to the extent of last season, which was blown way out of proportion.)Question: Is George Eads leaving CSI? He's hardly been on this season and he wasn't on the last episode before the break. - ConnieMatt Roush: Not that I'm aware, and while I tend not to keep up on contract negotiations, I'd be surprised if he's contemplating an exit at this point. I get that you're a fan, but a reality check is in order. This has been a very busy transitional season for CSI, introducing a key new cast member (Ted Danson) very successfully, while laying the groundwork for one of the originals (Marg Helgenberger) to depart later this month. With all of that going on, it's only natural for the rest of the ensemble to recede a bit into the background. I'm sure Nick's time will come again.Question: It seems like every time I write, it is to complain about NBC, and the new year is not changing that. I was talking with my wife and I think it's entirely possible that the Peacock hasn't aired and developed a quality show (non-reality/news) since 1999 when SVU and The West Wing debuted. How is this possible? Over the course of 12 years you would think that by accident they would be able to develop some quality programming. It seems like whomever runs NBC is so afraid of sticking with a bad show too long that they pull the plug on shows the instant they falter, or in the case of Law & Order vs. Law & Order: Los Angeles just have a case of terrible decision-making. I just don't understand how a company that is so great at developing shows for their cable network (USA) can't figure it out for their flagship. Do you think that due to their lack of creative programming, NBC would be wise to abandon creative programming altogether and become strictly reality and news-based programming? - ChipMatt Roush: Heaven forbid. Just look at NBC's current Monday lineup, and tell me anyone deserves a week full of that. However ... While NBC's woes are well documented and in most cases self-inflicted - especially during the Zucker era, and the network may never live down that Jay Leno prime-time debacle - this overgeneralization that NBC has nothing of merit is unfair. Several of NBC's Thursday comedies are justifiably acclaimed, though not mass appeal like in the glory days of Friends, Seinfeld and Will & Grace, and until Modern Family came along, 30 Rock (finally returning this week) was the awards-show darling. There have been a number of noble failures in the last decade, the wonderful Boomtown for instance, scattered among the onerous duds, and currently I'd put Parenthood in that classification as one of the few solid network attempts at the family drama in recent years. Plus, NBC has two of the more interesting midseason experiments this year - Smash, which is getting a huge promotional launch, and Awake (if they don't end up being too scared of it) - so instead of condemning the network to the scrap heap, let's project some cautious optimism that with the new entertainment boss and the new corporate owners, things may slowly begin to turn around. But it's not likely to be easy or pretty.Question: I was watching an episode of How I Met Your Mother from last season the other day which involved Robin's "big crush." At the end of the episode, Narrator Ted said that her crush would come back into play and that there was "more on that later." We're about halfway into the new season and it doesn't appear that Robin's crush is coming back anytime soon. Did the writers forget about this story line, or did they simply decide to go in a different direction with the show? - LaurenMatt Roush: Oh, who knows? I'm so fed up with the teases on this show. The best I can tell, from an interview last summer, is that Michael Trucco (who played the crush) wasn't as available as the producers had hoped, because of his role on USA Network's Fairly Legal, which may explain how Robin got saddled with the miserably unfunny love interest of Kal Penn this season. Which isn't to say the crush won't return at some point for another payoff or punchline, since they did set it up. But for now, with Robin's career apparently about to take off again and her infertility subplot having been revealed, she has plenty to keep her busy.Question: Pretty Little Liars and The Lying Game returned last week from hiatus. Is it just me, or are they suddenly soapier, as indicated by such characters as Hanna's dad (and his new bride) in PLL, and Annie "Rebecca" Sewell in TLG "returning to town" to disrupt the lives of those with whom we've become familiar so far. Did these shows get new runners, or are ABC Family's "teen mysteries" turning into "teen soaps?" - HalMatt Roush: When were these shows not soaps? Their premises may be built about central mysteries or quests, but being in no rush to wrap up those central stories - otherwise the show's over - new characters and new complications are always being introduced. Just like in a soap opera.Question: On Once Upon a Time, what has Snow White done to the Evil Queen for her to go to such lengths to punish her? - KMatt Roush: The key word here is "evil." No matter who's telling the story, the queen's murderous ire toward Snow White is all about envy, jealousy and irrational spite. In this version, the curse is the queen's way of denying her nemesis a happy ending. For now. Besides, what fun would it be if they actually got along?Question: Okay, I accept that the cancellation of Prime Suspect is final and there is no saving this show. But for those of us who actually became interested in these people, is there any chance we are going to see the final few episodes? - KathyMatt Roush: Mark your calendar for Sunday, Jan. 22. NBC will burn off the final two episodes of Prime Suspect against Fox's broadcast of the NFC Championship game (leading into a special American Idol). Not ideal, but better than not showing them at all, which is what tends to happen to shows with this kind of ratings.That's all for now. Keep sending your comments and questions to askmatt@tvguidemagazine.com, and in the meantime, follow me on Twitter!Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!