5 thesps start 'Sleeping Around'

Thinkfactory Films has completed the cast of ensemble comedy "Sleeping Around" with Michael McKean, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Bill Bellamy, Chris Marquette and Bryan Callen. Principal photography is under means by Charlotte now, N.C. "Sleeping" is written and directed by Thinkfactory Media Founder and Boss Leslie Greif ("Funny Money"). Occur the social realm of New York's Hamptons wealthy and playful, two couples test the ten rules of the happy and healthy open relationship. Greif also can serve as producer, together with Plant Nanas, Harry Tulsi and Vince Maggio. Professional producers include Mohammed Gohar, Shaun Sine, Doc McGhee, Bart Blatstein, Ray Cooney and Giancarlo Arduini. Formerly introduced cast include Tammin Sursok, Virginia Williams and Jesse Bradford. "Sleeping" also stars Reid Ewing, Lucila Sola, Molly McCook and Jamie Renee Cruz. McLendon-Covey is symbolized by John Carrabino Management. Bellamy is symbolized by New Wave Entertainment and APA. McKean is symbolized by Harriet Sternberg Management and APA. Callen is symbolized by Levity Entertainment Group and Innovative Artists. Marquette is symbolized through the Collective and UTA. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Start Looking: Carol Burnett Returns to any or all The Kids

Carol Burnett Here comes trouble! Full of comedy Carol Burnett has returned on her behalf fave cleaning soap, ABC's My Children, on her fifth stint (airing September 6 and 7) - and she's before the Pine Valley Senior High School reunion! Burnett's much-loved character, conniver Verla Grubbs (last observed in 2005), is set on getting her hooks into old flame Mike Brady (Jason Kincaid) and wishes to make certain her rival Opal (Jill Larson) does not land him first. Not really the mighty Erica Kane (Susan Lucci) can stop her!Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!

Enjoy Shaun Bridges's 7 Finest Guitar Faces

Shaun Bridges is really a busy dude. (Groan!) Additionally to his planned appearance in the cast reunion from the Large Lebowski in New You are able to on Tuesday evening included in Lebowski Fest (return to Movieline for coverage from the event), the Oscar-champion launched his self-entitled country album on Tuesday. Bridges celebrated that event by carrying out choices in the record on SiriusXM’s ‘Outlaw Country’ funnel on Monday mid-day, which meant just one factor: awesome Shaun Bridges guitar faces! Click through for any look. Launch the felt-melting gallery here. [Photos: Getty Images]

More 'Warehouse 13' for Syfy

Syfy has given a fourth season renewal to scripted drama "Warehouse 13." Series about government agents who work for a top secret org in South Dakota investigating paranormal activity ranks as the cabler's most-watched skein. Through the first five episodes of its third season, "Warehouse" is averaging about 3.1 million viewers. Syfy original content chief Mark Stern praised "Warehouse" exec producer Jack Kenny's leadership and the show's "superlative team of writers, cast and crew" for the success of the series. After wrapping its current season in the fall, the Universal Cable Prods. drama will return in 2012. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

Two vets make first series bids

The Emmy comedy race offers support for the argument that good things come to those who wait. Fourth-year laffer "The Big Bang Theory" and third-year "Parks and Recreation" each received their first Emmy nominations in 2011, long after critics had gotten on board with the shows. That could mean hope over the long haul for such shows as FX's acclaimed, edgy freshman "Louie" and NBC's "Community," which developed a cult following in its lauded, meta-imaginative second season. In the meantime, "Big Bang" and "Parks" will try to top each other as well as four Emmy vets. NBC has annual entries "30 Rock" and "The Office," while Fox hit "Glee" seeks its first win after getting a look last year. Also coming back is "Modern Family," an Emmy winner in its first season, offering support for the argument that, um, good things come right away. "30 Rock"NBC Emmy pedigree: Nommed in 2007 (win), 2008 (win), 2009 (win) and 2010.Highlight: Cheerful Kenneth becomes Liz's therapist in an episode that also saw Jenna's relationship with cross-dressing Paul (Will Forte) take an unexpected turn -- having to meet his parents. Why it may win: Has that Emmy pedigree and a just-completed season full of choice moments and sparkling cameos. Maybe not: Won three times already and, as with last year, some critics felt season five uneven. Both those things could be, as Liz Lemon would say, "a dealbreaker!""The Big Bang Theory"CBS Emmy pedigree: First nomHighlight: "The Justice League Recombination" was one of show's funniest episodes, in which the guys torment Penny's not especially smart boyfriend in a comicbook store and a costume contest: nerd heaven. And the season finale ended with a bang of a cliffhanger -- a love (or sex) triangle between Penny, Raj and Leonard -- that was a bit shameless, but certainly had fans talking.Why it may win: It's a show that mixes in sharp satire with big laughs while drawing excellent ratings.Maybe not: Show took a long time to reach Emmy status, so perhaps there isn't as much love from the kudo community as there is from critics."Glee"Fox Emmy pedigree: Nommed in 2010.Highlight: "Silly Love Songs" saw the blooming courtship between the svelte Puck and the zaftig Lauren (Mark Salling and Ashley Fink displaying good chemistry), including his rendition of Queen's "Fat Bottomed Girls." And "Duets" (directed by Eric Stoltz), which proved how "Glee" hits fewer false notes when working smaller, had Mercedes and Santana (Amber Riley and Naya Rivera) climbing the scales for "River Deep, Mountain High."Why it may win: The songful show gave its loyal fanbase many stellar moments and numbers and remains popular despite slight ratings dip.Maybe not: An undeniably erratic sophomore season hit many false notes as well (the strained "Rocky Horror" homage ep was one nadir), as character development was sometimes lost in a sea of gimmicks. Emmy voters may want to see more consistency before officially joining the "Glee" club."Modern Family"ABC Emmy pedigree: Nommed in 2010 (win).Highlight: The penultimate episode "See You Next Fall" felt more like the perfect wrap than the official finale, dealing with issues of aging, moving on and letting go but also heavy on the ace physical comedy the show does so well.Why it may win: This defending champion is too young to be over the hill. The six nominations for thesp awards reflect the breadth of support for the show.Maybe not: After a rookie win, expectations might have been higher for a second season some considered not quite on the same level -- still strong but without taking any great leaps forward. Voters may not want to reward two years in a row."The Office"NBC Emmy pedigree: Nommed in 2006 (won), 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.Highlight: An episode penned by Jon Vitti and directed by star Steve Carell saw Michael proposing to Amy Ryan's Holly in suitably goofy fashion. Also memorable: Carell's teary and funny farewell, followed by James Spader's intriguing intro into the Dunder-Mifflin/Sabre world.Why it may win: Could nab tribute votes for Michael's final season, buoyed by quite a few meaningful moments. It's been on a long losing streak after winning in its first season.Maybe not: The perception is that the show has slipped a bit; last year had its share of letdowns, including not really knowing what to do with the temporary boss character played by the usually hilarious Will Ferrell."Parks and Recreation"NBC Emmy pedigree: First nomHighlight: The "Harvest Festival," which finally goes off without a hitch -- except for a Native American curse and missing miniature horse; after many fits and starts, Leslie (Emmy-nommed Amy Poehler) and Ben (Adam Scott) finally get romantic after Leslie first neurotically tries online dating; deadpan Ron Swanson has another madness bender with his ex, which somehow managed to outdo the previous madness bender. ("It rubbed off from friction.")Why it may win: A real up-and-comer this season, generating a mix of good reviews and publicity.Maybe not: While ratings were better (especially in 18-49 bracket), the show is still not considered a hit; if that sways voters, a first Emmy here is no walk in the park.ROAD TO THE EMMYS: COMEDYSingle-cam's ascendancy continues | Old toon comedies remain Emmy-freshThe nominees Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Large week for cable in primetime

"Phineas and Ferb"Season finale of "Falling Skies," above, along with a "Phineas and Ferb" telepic saw impressive rankings on fundamental cable. The very first week of August would be a noisy one for cable, including a powerful return for MTV's "Jersey Shoreline," a large tune-set for a "Phineas and Ferb" movie on Disney Funnel as well as an impressive first-season finale for TNT's "Falling Skies."The TNT drama starring Noah Wyle has emerged because the summer's top-ranked scripted enter in both grown ups 18-49 and 25-54, based on Nielsen, and it has seen its amounts jump by a lot more than 50% when all same-week Digital recording device playback is incorporated. Its finale Sunday, the 2nd of back-to-back episodes, averaged single.9 rating/6 be part of grown ups 18-49 and 5.54 million audiences overall.At MTV, "Jersey Shoreline" demonstrated no signs and symptoms of slowing down lower because it began its 4th season in Italia and tallied up the week's No. 1 score in 18-49 (4.3/13) while drawing an archive overall audience of 8.79 million. In the core demo of femmes 12-34, the truth show came an enormous 8.9/25.Disney Channel's "Phineas and Ferb: Over the second Dimension" averaged 7.64 million audiences Friday, rating as TV's No. 1 program for that week in kids 6-11 and tweens 9-14 and cable's most-viewed scripted telecast.Overall for that week of August. 1-7, unscripted fare paid for for that week's top 16 ad-supported primetime programs in grown ups 18-49. NBC's two-hour Tuesday seg of "America's Got Talent" rated second in 18-49 (3.1/9) and first as a whole audiences (11.92 million).Within the fight for network supremacy, Fox brought in grown ups 18-49 having a 1.5 rating/5 share, then ABC (1.4/5) and Univision (1.4/4), CBS (1.3/4) and top cabler USA (1./3).ABC and CBS tied in grown ups 25-54 (1.8/5), while Univision published an uncommon triumph in grown ups 18-34 (1.4/5 to at least one.3/5 for Fox) and also the Eye been with them as a whole audiences for any fifth straight week (5.9 million). Fox's victory was paced by culinary contests "Hell's Kitchen" and "MasterChef," with two models of every ranking one of the week's top 15 in 18-49.Net's Sunday's telecast of "The Teenager Choice Honours" (1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.22m) hit a minimal in 18-49 but had its best score in 3 years among teens 12-17 (2.9/11).ABC, which in fact had its top-ranked summer time week because the finish from the National basketball association Finals in mid-June, was brought through the finale of "The Bachelorette" (2.8/8, 9.75m) and postgame "Following the Final Rose" spec (2.8/8, 9.31m). Though lower substantially from last year's especially strong showing, this year was the 2nd greatest-ranked "Bachelorette" summer time edition up to now. Also, the net's new "Go ahead and take Money and Run" had an excellent bow on Tuesday (1.9/5, 5.28m).It had been a lot of same at CBS, where "Your Government" placed the 3 of their hrs within the top ten, including Sunday's edition (2.9/9. 7.84m), that was tied for third. Internet also saw gains for that new reveal that follows "Brother" on Sunday, "Same Title" (1.6/4, 5.00m), which brought among tv stations in the timeslot.NBC's weekly average was pulled lower by low-ranked originals like "It's Worth What" (1.2/4, 4.87m) and "Marriage Ref" (1./3, 2.72m). And burnoff Friday comedy "Buddies With Benefits" opened up to predictably weak results (.7/3, 2.34m).Other cable highlights incorporated ESPN's "Sunday Evening Baseball" drawing the net's biggest audience for any baseball game (4.72 million) in 4 years using its Red-colored Sox-Yankees game Sunday also saw E!'s "Ice Loves Coco" hit a set high using its second-season finale (2.05 million) while Oxygen's "The Glee Project" hit a higher too (912,000 audiences). Contact Ron Kissell at ron.kissell@variety.com

The Hunger Games Follow up Catching Fire hitting Theaters Thanksgiving 2013

The Hunger Games Prior To The Hunger Games have even begun, the follow up has already been coming. Catching Fire, the 2nd film within the trilogy depending on Suzanne Collins' books, will hit theaters November 22, 2013. Probably the most buzzed-about film series since Harry Potter bid its farewell, The Hunger Games is occur a dystopian future in which a cruel government holds an annual public fight towards the dying. The film's heroine, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) takes her sister's devote your competition against 23 other children, including fellow District 12 resident, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). The film, also starring Liam Hemsworth, is presently in production and will also be releasedon March 23, 2012. Start looking: Satisfy the males from the Hunger Games Catching Fire continues the storyline, following what transpires within the dramatic finish from the 74th Hunger Games that could have sparked a rebellion among the districts. "The magical factor concerning the Hunger Games trilogy would be that the books have this type of greatly broad appeal," stated Joe Drake, co-COO of Lionsgate, inside a statement."The tales truly offer something for everybody, and also the period round the Thanksgiving weekend is really an chance for families and buddies to create a celebration of visiting the movies."

BASE merges with Tinopolis

Stern, left, with BrenkusBASE Prods. is merging with Tinopolis Group, the U.K.'s biggest independent media producer and distributor. Reality shingle BASE -- joined by John Brenkus and Mickey Stern -- may be the the place to find a number of skeins, including "Sport Science," "Fight Science," "Fact or Photoshopped: Paranormal Files" and "Police POV." With offices both in Washington, D.C., and La, BASE becomes the 2nd major United States independent to become listed on the Tinopolis Group, which lately merged with "Hell's Kitchen" producer A. Cruz and Co. Associates the BASE deal was worth roughly $75 million. "We have been contacted by numerous companies through the years, and no offers made sense so far,Inch Brenkus stated. "We're thrilled to become joining an organization that's as dynamic as Tinopolis, and become playing a vital role in assisting to shape its future." Besides A. Cruz and Co., others underneath the Tinopolis umbrella include reality producer Mentorn Media, sports shingle Sunset + Vine and Daybreak Pictures. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

TCA: 'Man Up!' Just Wants To Be One Of The Guys

Diane Haithman is contributing to Deadline's coverage of TCA. Because they are introducing a show about men into the traditionally female-skewing ABC primetime lineup, the producers and performers of Man Up! were called upon to spend much of their time addressing reporters at TCA today about what it means -- or doesnt mean -- to be a man in America in 2011.The show stars Christopher Moynihan (also the creator and one of the executive producers), Mather Zickel and Dan Fogler (Tony winner for his role in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) as three confused guys in their late 30s who would love to grow up if they could only figure out how. One reporter went so far as to ask that, in a new season that includes many of what the network has been calling female empowerment shows, if Man Up! might actually be a show about male emasculation.Fogler thinks not. [It] reflects whats going on with people right now in society, he said. I feel very close to my character, Kenny -- I have a lot of friends out there who will watch thats me up there, man I think theyll dig it. I dont think the show is about men being emasculated; [its about men] finding themselves.Moynihan joked that the three, being actors, are soft guys already face it, I have a lot of product in my hair. On a more serious note, he called current thirtysomethings the generation that has not been made to do anything and has had the luxury of a volunteer army rather than having to man up and face the draft. Cast member Teri Polo cited Susan Faludis book Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women as having a lot to say about todays confusion of gender roles. Our generation of men arent quite sure. Should I mow the lawn, honey? Should I not mow the lawn? What do you want me to do? she said.Producer Victor Fresco, at age 53 somewhat older than the characters in the show, pointed out that TV men have been searching for what it means to be a man since The Honeymooners. Still, he acknowledged that todays technological society has changed the concept of work for both men and women. Life hasnt gotten easier, its just gotten different ... somethings gone wrong," he said. After the session, Moynihan and Fresco were asked whether the recent cancellation of AMCs critically acclaimed but low-rated Men of a Certain Age might represent a bad omen for man shows. Although he acknowledged that there might be something in the ether about examining mens issues right now, Moynihan thinks his new show stands on different turf. Those characters are 10 years older -- they have more serious problems, he said. Fresco pointed out that CBS has had a big success with male-skewing shows, proving that the male audience is in fact out there. I dont think theres any trend, he said. [Men of a Certain Age] was a great show; the cancellation was probably a matter of economics.

Bryan Cranston in Foretells Join 'World War Z' (Exclusive)

Bryan Cranston is within discussions to become listed on Vital's World War Z, a publish-apocalyptic thriller starring Kaira Pitt. The role for that star of AMC'sBreaking Badis stated to become small but fancy little is famous concerning the part. The film is definitely an adaptation of the Max Brooks novel of the identical title that represents a worldwide zombie takeover ten years afterwards. Marc Forster is pointing. The film, from Skydance Productions, includes a cast which includes a currentAMC cohort of Cranston's in Mireille Enos, star from the Killing andJames Badge Dale, who made an appearance on AMC's now defunct Rubicon. Z, compiled by Matthew Michael Carnahan and J. Michael Straczynski, is presently in production and will also be launched in 2012. Cranston, a 3-time Emmy champion for Bad, can also be slated to look in forthcoming rock musical Rock of Age range, that also features Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin and Catherine Zeta-Johnson. The Brand New Line project is within production and slated for release June 2012. He's also in foretells join Film Clip's Argo, a political thriller dedicated to the 1979 Tehran hostage crisis. Cranston is symbolized by UTA. Email: Daniel. Burns@THR.com Twitter: @DanielNMiller Related Subjects Bryan Cranston

Cycle Kick

A male recollects the story of two impoverished brothers, Ramu and Deva. While Ramu studies in the Government College, he glues Bollywood movie posters as well as trims the grass with a manual lawnmower at the prestigious St. Joseph's College, where Football Coach, Thomson, quits due to differences with the Principal. Ramu longs to play football, but must work to make at least Rs.100 daily to ensure their survival, while Deva attends a local school. Deva's wish that they own a bicycle is fulfilled after Ramu finds an abandoned bike, and with the help of his garage-owner friend, Yadav, makes it roadworthy. While working in the garden of a wealthy family, he falls in love with the daughter, Shrishti, and on being discovered, gets fired, and the bike gets stolen. The brothers dramatically locate the bike with Ali Mirza, complain to his father, and take possession of the bike. A vengeful Ali gets his friends together and attempts to take the bike back but Thomson intervenes and sets a condition that compel the duo to share the bike. Ali then attempts to woo Suman, who prefers the company of Vijay, and this leads to a physical confrontation - that may well end up changing everyone's lives forever.

'Red State' debuts on VOD before theatrical run

Lionsgate will release Kevin Smith's "Red State" on VOD on Sept. 1, three weeks before his Smodcast Pictures banner releases the pic theatrically on Sept. 23. "Red State" will be released on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download on Oct. 18. Horror/thriller "Red State," starring Melissa Leo and John Goodman in the story of a group of teens in middle America who receive an online invitation for sex, debuted in January at Sundance with a publicity stunt where Smith bought his own film for $20 and declared he would self-distribute. When Lionsgate acquired homevid in June, it said "Red State" has grossed close to $1 million from 15 single show engagements with ticket prices in the $65 range, including $162,000 at Radio City Music Hall at the March 5 kickoff show. Smith announced last week that he would mount a one week qualifying Oscar run starting Aug. 19 at Quentin Tarantino's New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles, with a entry price of $20 including a live Q&A. Lionsgate said Monday that the Blu-ray and DVD release will contain a documentary, audio commentary with Smith, deleted scenes and an extended ending sequence. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com