Will.i.am to Headline Beijing Education Concert

Black Eyed Peas' singer will.i.am and bandmate apl.de.ap, John Legend and the Bucky Johnson band at a Beijing concert Dec. 17 designed to encourage study abroad programs in China, the musicians announced Monday in Los Angeles.our editor recommendsWill.i.am, U.S. State Dept. to Back Beijing ConcertWill.i.am debuts Obama song The concert, which supports the U.S. State Department's 100,000 Strong Initiative to send that many American students to study in China, may see an appearance by martial arts actor and sometime-singer Jackie Chan, whose Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation Beijing is co-organizing the show. Monday's announcement mentioned the participation of "other prominent Chinese and U.S. artists," but only named the Peas' members, Legend and Bucky Johnson. No venue was specified, although one of Beijing's former Olympic venues could play host. Tickets were not on sale in Beijing as of Tuesday afternoon local time. The Black Eyed Peas have performed as a unit twice previously in the Chinese capital city. Charity concerts have a rocky history in Beijing when not organized directly by the Chinese government. The Show of Peace concert, which was to feature Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and Aerosmith's Joe Perry, was first postponed from April 2010 and then canceled. Other recent canceled Beijing concerts by major artists include a March 2009 show by Oasis, due to a prior Noel Gallagher appearance at a pro-Tibetan independence gig, and an Oct. 2008 performance by Linkin Park, due to injury to singer Chester Bennington. In Beijing, the concert is being co-organized by Americans Promoting Study Abroad, which provides scholarships to inner city students. It is supported by both the U.S. State Department and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Related Topics Black Eyed Peas John Legend Will.i.am International Asia

Pols, biz jockey on anti-piracy bill

Supporters and opponents of a major piece of anti-piracy legislation jockeyed to bolster their positions on Monday, with a key critic in the Senate vowing to filibuster and the music industry releasing an analysis showing that the bill enjoys bipartisan support in a year of gridlock. The legislation in the House and the Senate is aimed at curbing so-called "rogue" websites overseas that traffic in pirated goods, including movies, TV shows and music. But critics say that the bill is written too broadly, and warn of unintended consequences if the government seeks court orders forcing Internet providers to block domain names and search engines to disable links. Chief among the opponents in the Senate is Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), who put a hold on the bill shortly after it passed the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously in May. On Monday, Wyden appeared in a video for the progressive org DemandProgress in which he said he said that he planned a filibuster and, as part of such an action, would read from the floor of the Senate the names of those who signed a petition opposing the legislation. "Congress needs to hear from more than the lobbyists who wrote this bill, Congress needs to hear from people like you who understand the value of a free and fair Internet," Wyden said. On the other side of the debate, the Recording Industry Assn. of America released an analysis they said "underscores the unique nature of the broad, bipartisan support" for the legislation in the Senate. Of the 1,882 bills that have been introduced in the Senate so far this session, only 31 other bills enjoy the support of 35 or more cosponsors. Of those 31, only 18 enjoy "substantial bipartisan support." The Senate bill, called the Protect IP Act, has 39 co-sponsors from both parties. Contact Ted Johnson at ted.johnson@variety.com

Jennifer Aniston Playing Gertrude Bell?

Attached to the Ridley Scott projectIt's still in the beginning of development, but Jennifer Aniston just become attached to the biopic of Getrude Bell, presently being created by Ridley Scott.First introduced taken, the film, clearly, handles the incredible information on Bell, a traveller, author and archaeologist who labored for British Inteliigence throughout the initial World War, carried out a substantial role in mapping the middle East, and was pivotal at the begining of creation and administration in the modern condition of Iraq. In later existence she founded the Baghdad Historic Museum to preserve and promote Iraq's Mesopotamian history (sadly, the majority of the artefacts were lost inside the looting of 2003), and died a considerably-debated dying - it could are actually suicide - in 1926.Her story is probably the 100s of this Scott thinks about the problem about publish-Prometheus, which he might face competition in the mooted rival Werner Herzog film, mentioned to remain in development with Naomi W inside the lead. But Jeffery Caine (The Ceaseless Gardner) is becoming formally in the office round the script for Scott Free Productions, which is pedaling the script particularly for Jolie.Elsewhere on Mister Ridders' current wishlist (because it is being reported today), we're presently searching at fashion drama Gucci, which Natalie Portman just grew to become an associate of the adaptation of Tom Robb Smith's Russian-set thriller Child 44 together with a movie about Simon Mann, the British military officer switched mercenary, jailed for your attempted 2004 coup in Equatorial Guinea through which Mark Thatcher appeared to become recommended like a factor. After which it, clearly, there's that new Edge Runner...Which of people we'll see first is anyone's guess, but we'll make you stay released. Prometheus is going in June 2012, and Jolie's directorial debut Inside The Land Of Blood stream And Honey is released in the usa on December 23.

Revamped CBS Morning Show With Charlie Rose & Gayle King To Premiere January 9

Report: CBS Early Show Revamp Plan With Charlie Rose And Gayle King Makes Competitors Smile CBS made it official today that it will launch a new morning program hosted by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and current Early Show co-host Erica Hill. It will debut January 9, 2012 and run weekdays from 7-9 AM. CBS News’ VP Programming Chris Licht will executive produce. There’s still no word on whether it is keeping its The Early Show name, but the new incarnation is departing its current digs at the General Motors Building for a new studio on the ground floor of the CBS Broadcast Center in Manhattan. CBS News will redefine the morning landscape with the debut of a new morning program, announced CBS News Chairman and 60 MINUTES Executive Producer Jeff Fager and David Rhodes, President, CBS News. The broadcast, which will launch on Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, will air from 7:00-9:00 AM and will be hosted by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill. Chris Licht has been named Executive Producer of the new broadcast. He will continue as Vice President, Programming, overseeing CBS News broadcasts and the development of new opportunities across all platforms. John Miller will join the broadcast as Senior Correspondent, Rebecca Jarvis will serve as Business and Economics Correspondent and Jeff Glor will serve as Special Correspondent. This program represents a new direction for morning television at CBS, said Fager. We will produce a broadcast that is interesting and compelling and on top of the big stories of the day. It will be lively and engaging and worth your while. Charlie, Gayle, and Erica will co-host a bold new broadcast that will bring our original reporting to mornings on CBS, said Rhodes. Were assembling a tremendous staff off-camera that will make this the best-produced broadcast in television news. I am both exhilarated and humbled to take on this challenge, said Licht. We have a first-rate team in front of and behind the camera. Our goal is simple: build a broadcast with its own identity that gives viewers something truly different in the morning. The style, tone, and content of the new morning program will extend CBS News commitment to original reporting and journalistic integrity. The broadcast will present a mix of daily news, coverage of developing stories of national and global significance, and interviews with leading figures in politics, business and entertainment. It will offer morning viewers a more thoughtful, substantive and insightful source of news and information, delivered by a team of experienced journalists. Charlie Rose has hosted his nightly interview program, Charlie Rose, on PBS since 1991. His guests have included an exceptionally wide range of renowned figures, including politicians, business leaders, scientists, artists and performers. He has drawn attention to areas rarely covered in national television, including the unique influences of classical music, painting, photography and architecture. He has also served as a correspondent for 60 Minutes II (1999-2005) and as an occasional correspondent for 60 MINUTES. Gayle King has hosted The Gayle King Show, a live, weekday television interview program on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network since Jan. 10, 2011, promoting discussion of a broad variety of topics that include politics, cultural developments and news events. She has hosted The Gayle King Show on XM Satellite Radio since its premiere in 2006. In addition, she has served as Editor-At-Large of the award-winning O, The Oprah Magazine since 1999, shaping the magazines content and message and coordinating the efforts of staff and contributors with the vision of the magazines Founder and Editorial Director, Oprah Winfrey. Erica Hill has served as co-anchor of CBS News The Early Show since January 2011, prior to which she was News Anchor of the broadcast (2010), and co-anchor of The Early Show on Saturday (2008-2010). While at CBS News, she also served as news anchor and correspondent for CNNs Anderson Cooper 360 (2005-2010), substitute anchor for Cooper and Campbell Brown (2008-2010) and anchor of CNN Tonight (2009). The new morning program will broadcast live from the legendary CBS Broadcast Center in NY City, which has served as the headquarters of CBS News broadcasts for nearly half a century. The CBS Broadcast Center is where television icons including Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite first created original reporting, broadcasting it live to the nation and the world. The new programs state-of-the-art, high-definition studio will feature cutting-edge digital technologies, and will be located on the ground floor of the CBS Broadcast Center. In addition, for the first time in its stoic history, the CBS Broadcast Center will receive a facelift with the installation of new floor-to-ceiling windows on 57th Street, one of Manhattans busiest and most prominent thoroughfares. The windows, a distinctive feature of the newsroom designed for the morning broadcast, will offer the public a first-of-its-kind, behind-the-scenes view of the teamwork and technology involved in broadcasting the news as it unfolds.

Taryn Manning Set To Star In A White Trash Christmas

EXCLUSIVE: Taryn Manning has been tapped for the lead role in the indie A White Trash Christmas, a take on the Christmas Carol story that centers on the tribulations of of a trashy, whiskey-soaked, unemployed hairdresser and mother (Manning) who is visited by three ghosts who try to show her a path to a brighter future. Ron Carlson is directing from a script he co-wrote with Terri Kauffman. Carlson and Rachel North are producing. Manning, known for such films as Hustle & Flow and 8 Mile, is repped by APA and MPE.

Supreme Court Deals Setback to Hollywood, Won't Hear Key 'Ghost Hunters' Case

Alik Keplicz/Syfy The U.S. Supreme Court won't allow NBC Universal to appeal a decision that revived allegations by two plaintiffs that the idea behind thehitSyfyreality showGhost Hunters was stolen. In rejecting the studio's petition for a writ of certiorari, Hollywood won't get a chance to address an issue that has left studios open to more lawsuits for stealing scripts.our editor recommendsWhy NBCU Appealed a 'Ghost Hunters' Lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court (Analysis) The case isMontz v. Pilgrim Films & Television, originally filed in 2006byLarry Montz, a parapsychologist, andDaena Smoller, a publicist, who said they conceived the idea of a show about a team of paranormal investigators who go into haunted locations. The two individuals presented screenplays and videos to NBCU execs between 1996 and 2003, and had their ideas rejected, which prompted a lawsuit claiming that the studio had breached an implied agreement to pay them if their material was later used. Originally, the lawsuit was thrown out, but then the allegations were revived in 2010 when the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals found that an implied promise of partnership met the "extra element" needed to transform a copyright claim into a bona fide contract breach claim. NBCU appealed the decision with the full support of the MPAA and other studios, who argued that federal copyright law usurped state contract law. Hollywood hoped that the high court would address this issue because studios are under frequent attack for ripping off ideas, and copyright claims are much less successful in court than contract claims. The Supreme Court has decided against giving Hollywood that opportunity. Some attorneys already are predicting that the development will cause great uncertainty in the entertainment industry. Other circuits, such as the 2nd and 4th, have denied plaintiffs the opportunity of dressing up idea theft claims as implied breaches of contract, but now, studios must figure the worst case scenario -- that the 9th Circuit's allowances will be controlling. Dominique R.Shelton, an IP litigator at Edwards Wildman Palmer, believes the Supreme Court's decision will open up the door to more idea theft lawsuits and may even change practices in how studios take pitches from established veterans. "Even though most companies do not take unsolicited pitches for fear of litigation, companies may become even more reserved about the solicited pitches that are entertained," Shelton says."From the plaintiffs' perspective, willCaliforniaand other 9th Circuit venues become the jurisdictions of choice for filing idea theft cases based upon state law?" E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner

Fox Admits to Lip-Synching on X Factor

LeRoy Bell Fox revealed that the vocals on X Factor's group performances are pre-recorded, according to The Wrap. "For the group ensemble performance, the vocals are pre-recorded to allow acts to concentrate on preparing for their own live competitive performances on Wednesdays -- this is also no different to what other competition shows do for ensemble performances," a show rep said. "All survival songs are performed live, with just a backing track." Catch up on X Factor news During Thursday's night's broadcast, singer Leroy Bell was heard singing before he held his microphone to his face, leading to the controversy. Regardless, he made it through to the next round. Watch the clip of him "singing" below: