John Goodman gets near deal for Roseanne Barr pilot

GoodmanBarrJohn Goodman is poised to reunite with Roseanne Barr within the NBC comedy pilot "Downwardly Mobile." Goodman is near to finalizing an offer to costar within the pilot from twentieth century Fox TV and scribe Eric Gilliland and Barr. Barr stars as who owns a rv park who turns into a surrogate mother to a lot of of their citizens. Goodman will have certainly one of individuals citizens, an ex-Marine who's friendly with Barr's character. Barr and Goodman had sitcom chemistry as partners Roseanne and Serta Conner within the ABC laffer "Roseanne," which went from 1988-1997. Goodman's been prominent in a variety of supporting roles recently, particularly on HBO's "Treme" and also the Oscar-nommed "The Artist." Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

Ty Burrell joins 'Jackie Brown' prequel

Burrell"Modern Family" star Ty Burrell will pay out his first publish-Emmy hiatus co-starring in author-director Serta Schechter's Elmore Leonard adaptation "Switch."Crime drama, which will be the prequel to Quentin Tarantino's "Jackie Brown," stars John Hawkes and Yasiin Bey ("Dexter") weight loss youthful versions of Robert P Niro and Samuel L. Jackson's particular figures Louis Gara and Ordell Robbie, who are also made of Leonard's novel "Rum Punch."Set 15 years just before the occasions in "Jackie Brown," story follows career crooks Ordell and Louis simply because they synergy to kidnap Mickey Dawson, the wife from the corrupt Detroit property developer. When the husband won't give the ransom for his wife's return, the ex-cons need to reconceive their plan, as well as the angry housewife uses the duo to acquire her revenge.Burrell may have Marshall Taylor, a married country club member who provides hiding for any crush on Mickey and stays a lot of the film in the moral dilemma having seen her kidnapping.The Gotham Group's Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Lee Stollman will produce "Switch" with Michael Siegel and Leonard, while Jim Garavente will professional produce. Production is skedded to start in May.While Burrell might well be most broadly noted for his comedy concentrate on ABC's "Modern Family," which recently acquired the star his first Emmy, his feature career includes a diverse choice of roles. Furthermore to blockbusters for instance "The Incredible Hulk" and "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," Burrell has came out in challenging dramatic fare for instance Steven Shainberg's Diane Arbus pic "Fur" and Doug Liman's "Fair Game." Thesp will next be viewed within the comedies "Goat's" and "Butter."Burrell is repped by ICM and attorney Frank Stewart. Contact Rob Sneider at rob.sneider@variety.com

First trailer for Seeking A Buddy For That Finish Around The Globe

Just yesterday, i was given phone first poster for Steve Carell finish-of-worlder Seeking A Buddy For That Finish Around The Globe, and today the film's first trailer continues to be launched online.Seeking A Buddy stars Carell like a guy whose wife leaves him just like the apocalypse rears its ugly mind.Desperate to create a significant connection before everyone dies, he enlists his neighbour (Keira Knightley) to assist him find his childhood sweetheart. With asteroid Matilda set to eliminate Earth in only three days, it will likely be a little of the breakneck mission.Browse the trailer below...Firmly ensconced within the 'indie drama' genre, Seeking A Buddy appears like a cosy little character-based chuckler set against a legendary backdrop.Carell's no stranger to playing males held by middle age crises. He excelled in internet marketing within the 40-Year-Old Virgin, Little Miss Sunshine and Crazy Stupid Love, and appears to become every bit as good here.Not really a stretch at all, but moments such as the place-on piss-take of corporate restaurants (Friendies!) promises some acerbic laughs on the way.You will find several great cameos from Patton Oswalt (Youthful Adult) and Melanie Lynskey, the second sporting a really terrifying hairpiece and dress combo.Seeking A Buddy For That Finish Around The Globe hits US screens on 22 June 2012, having a United kingdom release date not yet been confirmed.

Supporting actress analysis

BERENICE BEJO "The Artist" Why she'll win: Bejo's expressively gamine-eyed performance as rising star Peppy Burns evoked the very best of both early Hollywood melodrama and broad comedy. Additionally, it added a subtle soulfulness that Hollywood's quiet pictures had yet to master, all covered with a sincere tribute to some subject dear towards the Academy's heart.Not: The film hasn't end up being the box office smash many prognosticators expected, with a few auds rejecting the quiet-movie motif. And without uttering a thing, some may take into account that Bejo gave a lesser performance than her rivals within the category.Critic's quote: "Bejo includes a wonderfully significant face and her nimble mastery of physical comedy and wordless emotion is really a pleasure to behold. She captures the appearance, actions and may-do spirit of most of the performances at the begining of Hollywood movies. Her irrepressible portrayal from the ingenue-switched-star Peppy is pitch-perfect and appropriately named," states Claudia Puig, USA Today.JESSICA CHASTAIN "The AssistanceInch Why she'll win: Chastain's loved work year, with performances stretching well beyond her winning turn like a youthful lady in sixties Mississippi. She also resonated in Terrence Malick's near-profound "The Tree of Existence," the acclaimed apocalyptic tale "Take Shelter" and also the modern-day Shakespeare adaptation, "Coriolanus." That's a remarkable cumulative body of labor.Perhaps not: Her "Help" co-star Octavia Spencer boasts all of the honours warmth around the supporting front. With Viola Davis also within the kudos running on her lead turn, Chastain may be the odd actress out of the film.Critic's quote: "There is a reason a lot of regional critics' honours have reported this amazing chameleon in excess of one performance this year. Chastain's exceptional. She taps both craft and intuition in equal measure," states Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune.MELISSA MCCARTHY "Bridesmaids" Why she'll win: McCarthy, playing an extensive, coarse character although not broadly or coarsely, gave probably the most purely enjoyable performance within this category. It is a safe wager that her recent Emmy win was something of reply to how funny she is at this movie, too.Perhaps not: Academy voters are notoriously much less interested in praising ingeniously comedy performances, though supporting roles can occasionally break that inclination.Critic's quote: "I would like to check this out happen. She just absolutely steals this movie from the cast filled with greatly gifted comic stars. There is something so courageous or even a little harmful relating to this performance. You won't ever understood where she was choosing it, however, you were always pleased to make it happen,Inch states Christy Lemire, Connected Press.Jesse MCTEER "Albert Nobbs" Why she'll win: Playing Hubert, a lady who dresses like a guy who falls deeply in love with another lady disguised like a guy, McTeer provides a performance of subtlety along with a high amount of difficulty. She practically steals the film from Glenn Close, who developed, co-authored and starred within the film.Not: The pic is not exactly on many individuals radar. Outdoors of acknowledging the acclaimed performances, experts weren't particularly kind into it, either.Critic's quote: "Ms. McTeer's sly, exuberant performance is really a pure delight, and also the counterpoint between her physical expressiveness and Ms. Close's tightly coiled reserve is really a marvel to behold," states A.O. Scott, NY Occasions.OCTAVIA SPENCER "The AssistanceInch Why she'll win: Spencer, while visiting public prominence now, continues to be only at that game for some time and it has compensated her dues with a large number of guest-starring roles. Although this year continues to be an incredible ride, Oscar voters may stick to the lead of others (Golden Globes, Broadcast Film Experts) making "The Help" journey truly memorable.Not: Spencer assisted inspire "The AssistanceInch novelist Kathryn Stockett to produce the smoothness she plays. Will some voters pause before voting for somebody playing an alternative of herself?Critic's quote: "The greatest surprise is Spencer, a savory little bit of truth-telling sass as Minny. She's greater than a match on her enemy, Hilly (Bryce Dallas Howard), another-but-equal harpy. Both of these take presctiption an accident course that Spencer keeps comically churned up almost from beginning to end,Inch states Betsy Sharkey, La Occasions.Eye around the Academy awards: The Actor & The ActressNewbies shock 'n' roll And also the nominees are:Best Actor Best Actress Best Supporting Actor Best Supporting Actress Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Weinstein Co. refines its digital gameplan

Weinstein Company COO David Glasser is closely involved in the companys digital strategy. Whether they're interested or not, Hollywood's executives need to understand all of the different platforms their content can play on.For many like David Glasser, chief operating officer of the Weinstein Co., CES provides the opportunity to learn."We know the product we make goes somewhere," Glasser told Variety. "To know ancillary revenues and how it gets out there is very important to running a studio, especially if you're a company like us who's making those deals directly."Those deals have included partnering with Google to rent movies directly through YouTube, and others with Netflix, Hulu and Apple's iTunes, among others.More deals are expected after TWC launched a new label in September to deliver films through digital distribution channels including video-on-demand as they're playing in theaters, tapping ex-Magnolia execs Tom Quinn and Jason Janego to serve as co-presidents of the NY-based venture.Making those deals is easier when you know the players. Glasser said that by gathering together so many people from different parts of the industry CES provides a great opportunity for film execs to meet those involved in all areas of distribution once pics leave theaters."We'll want to know who the players are and who the new guys on the block are, and that's what CES will allow us to see," Glasser said.That allows Glasser and others to gauge a rapidly evolving marketplace, one that may prove instrumental as Hollywood continues to experiment with alternative release strategies and windowing.Glasser is a major part of TWC's activity in the digital space, having spearheaded the launch of the company's VOD division.With VOD still its nascent stages, the potential for technology to shape its future remains unknown and experimental.Glasser, who started at TWC in 2008 as president of international distribution, now has his sights set on mobile options for cars.For automakers and content owners, the road ahead could include VOD in the backseat. This year's CES includes a seminar on new ways that movies and TV shows could wind up playing in cars."There is no question there could be a potential VOD app down the road," Glasser said. "I probably scratched my head and said, 'Really?' But I guess if kids could get VOD in the back of the car rather than me carrying the DVD that gets caught on the floor and stepped on, (I think that's) coming." Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

TNT, The very best spinner's order series

Turner Broadcasting acquired possible skein for TNT together with a pal comedy for top spinner's. TNT gave a ten-episode greenlight to have an unscripted series named "The Fantastic Escape," from "Amazing Race" professional producers Elise Doganieri and Bertram van Munster. Series, situated by Wealthy Eisen, is known to as losing participants to the middle "that goes for them epic action/adventure movie" and challenging those to avoid amazing situations. "Great Escape" arises from Fox Television Art galleries, Imagine Entertainment, The Hochberg Ebersol Co. and Profiles Television Prods. The very best spinner's bought 10 segs of "Males in the office,In . in the new the new sony Pictures TV and Jamie Tarses' Fanfare banner. Multiam laffer four males who use a novel was created by Breckin Meyer, who professional produces with Tarses and Fanfare's Julia Franz. Series stars Danny Masterson, James Lesure, Michael Cassidy and Adam Busch. Contact Cynthia Littleton at cynthia.littleton@variety.com

Keck's Exclusives: Springfield Plays Cleveland

Rick Springfield Rick Springfield is coming to Cleveland, but concert tickets are not available. The '80s Jesse's Girl icon, who appeared as Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital, will pop up this summer on an episode of TV Land's Hot in Cleveland. Rather than going after Jesse's girl, Rick will have his eye on Joy (Jane Leeves). In the storyline, Rick has relocated to Cleveland to live a quieter life (where he, too, is considered hotter!) and tells people his name is Tom. But while on a date with Joy he reveals his true identity, which makes her the most joyful girl in the world. That is until she discovers he has some very unsettling habits. Nail biting? Nose picking? Singing? We'll have to wait and see. It was also revealed that Liza Minnelli will appear on an upcoming episode as a talent agent to Wendie Malick's Victoria Chase. Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!