BBC World News to produce Through Comcast's Xfinity TV

California Senator Barbara Boxer is just about the latest person in Congress to be released for the Senate's anti-piracy bill, Safeguard IP Act.our editor recommendsPiracy Showdown: Hollywood Pushes for Reform, Plastic Valley States It's The Perfect Time for Hollywood to AdaptHollywoods Top Brass Lobby For Anti-Piracy Laws and regulations In Washington, D.C. The Marin County-based Boxer in recent days added her title to a listing of 39 senators, including Sen. Diane Feinstein, who're co-supporting the questionable bill suggested by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT). Boxer's spokesperson Zachary Coile stated Monday evening: "Senator Boxer props up Safeguard IP Act. She's a lengthy record of trying to safeguard intellectual property and fight piracy." STORY: 10 Most Unlicensed Movies An identical is through making its way through home of Reps and it is prior to the Judiciary Committee. The anti-piracy measures are strongly opposed by Internet-connected companies, quarrelling the rules add up to censorship. People from the entertainment industry, however, say online piracy is slowly destroying Hollywood of their creative property, leading to job deficits. One supporter lately gave this situation: The film J. Edgar was launched in theaters on the Friday evening. By Saturday, there have been already full unlicensed versions on pay-per-take on Websites located in China. STORY:U.S. Copyright Office Views New Rules Affecting iPads, Game Titles, Blu-Sun rays Other co-sponsors from the Safeguard IP Act include numerous regulars around the Hollywood fundraiser circuit, included in this Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Sen. Robert Casey (D-PA), Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). Begin to see the full list here. Related Subjects Politics

'Planet of the Apes,' 'Harry Potter' and 'Transformers' Shortlisted for Visual Effects Oscar Category

Dear IMDb: Actors have a tendency toward narcissism, so I try not to Google myself too often. Of course, occasionally I need reassurance that there is, in fact, a body of work attached to my name.our editor recommendsIMDb Explains Why 40-Year-Old Actress Shouldn't Fear BlacklistingSAG Says Woman Who Sued IMDb for Revealing Age Has 'Legitimate' Fear of Being BlacklistedIMDb Strikes Back at 'Selfish' Actress Suing Over Age Disclosure (Exclusive)IMDb Gets Into the Game Business With Free Mobile App But reassurance is not what I get when I click on my name at IMDb, the industry's bible for factual information about movies, television shows and the people who make them. Yes, my credits are listed (more or less correctly) on the site. But IMDb informs me that Robert Lesser is a 73-year-old gentleman who was born in Los Angeles on May 28, 1938. PHOTOS: Crazy Cases! 18 Outrageous Entertainment Lawsuits Time marches on, but not that fast. The real Robert Lesser - me - was born in NY almost five years later than IMDb says I arrived on planet Earth. In spite of the salt-and-pepper hair, I still look and feel like a young Turk (though I'm not actually Turkish - but I can play one, not to mention other ethnicities from Swedish to Tahitian or whatever your movie needs!). However, all my efforts to persuade you to restore me to my actual age have come to naught. I have offered to send copies of my passport, birth certificate and driver's license - only to be informed that those documents would need to be provided by the issuing authorities. Do not try to call us for help, I have been sternly admonished; you do not have a phone. And e-mails requesting corrections are answered curtly from the address do-not-reply-here@imdb.com. I even thought of submitting the yearbook from NY's High School of Music & Art that can attest to my status as a member of the Class of 1960. That's the same school as TV producer Steven Bochco, filmmaker Peter Hyams and director James Burrows (of course, he's older than me). Perhaps you were misled by my role in 1975's Hester Street, where I played a lawyer who was bested by Carol Kane. True, he was an older man - but hey, I was acting. STORY: IMDB Explains Why 40-Year-Old Actress Shouldn't Fear Blacklisting I give up. Lord knows the legions of actors who have fruitlessly attempted to right misinformation on your site, only to be rebuffed or ignored. I understand your policy is an attempt to stymie impostors who might seek to prolong their time as "leading men." I admit I would like to linger in that category for as long as possible. I've even been putting money aside for a little nip and tuck down the road. But I don't want to be rushed. So what will it take for you to make this right? I hear that an actress named Jane Doe (curious stage name) is suing IMDb for $1 million for publishing that she actually is 40 years old. In Hollywood, "youth is king," explains her lawyer. If that's true, you can imagine my potential damages! The truth is, I would rather not disclose my age at all. Actors should only have to discuss their age in terms of range; in my case, I would say my range is between 45 and 70. Perhaps when I actually turn 73, I'll change it to between 48 and 70. But until then, with daily workouts, dietary supplements, Chinese herbs and hair-follicle stimulation, I intend to hold my place in the middle of middle age. STORY: SAG Says Woman Who Sued IMDB for Revealing Age Has 'Legitimate' Fear of Being Blacklisted It is difficult for me - as it would be for a court of law - to calculate the impact that your "willful disregard" for my correct age has had on my career. However, if you would consider changing my profile to lop just 10 years off my actual age, I could be persuaded not to sue to recover damages for all those leading-man parts lost and the mountain of earnings and royalties I would have made. It's only fair. Perhaps then I can rid myself of the old man who bears my name. Unless, of course, some A-list director happens to be looking to cast an elderly guy who doesn't look his age. Robert Lesser, 69, is an actor whose IMDb page is correct when it says he has appeared in 53 films and television series including Die Hard, The Big Easy, 2010 and Quantum Leap. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery THR's Awards Season Roundtable Series 2011: The Actors Related Topics IMDB Die Hard

Former Gossip Girl Stylist Lauren Scruggs Takes Steps After Existence-Threatening Propeller Accident

First Launched: December 8, 2011 5:20 PM EST Credit: The CW La, Calif. -- Caption The cast of Gossip GirlLauren Scruggs, a means blogger, ambitious model and former Gossip Girl wardrobe stylist, has already established her steps undertaking a near-fatal accident on Saturday. The good thing was revealed in the blog released with the 23-year-olds family on Wednesday. Today, Lauren experienced a victory! the publish read. Earlier, the physical counselor assisted Lauren in walking the first time. Once she got half way there, she mentioned, 30. Unsure what she meant [her family] asked for her what meaning, she responded, Steps! Just what a praise, she was counting exactly what they needed! the publish ongoing. Scruggs, a Texas native, experienced severe injuries on Saturday after accidentally walking to the moving propeller from the small plane. Her left hands was severed inside the accident and he or she sustained critical wounds to her skull, left eye and left shoulder. Peter Wasserman and Luke Dixon, the initial two paramedics to achieve the scene, told ABC News that whilst veteran emergency responders, Scruggs injuries were most likely probably the most shocking theyd experienced. It absolutely was among people items that kind of just takes your breath away, Wasserman mentioned inside an interview with Fundamental steps Hello America on Thursday, adding he began to require on her behalf as soon as he saw the extent in the injury to her body. We honestly didnt expect her to live, he mentioned. The extent of her injuries, the lacerations she required to her mind, the skull fracture. We thought certainly there'd be significant brain damage. I used to be praying as soon as I obtained there. Scruggs is presently undergoing treatment at Dallas Parkland Hospital, where doctors works to be able to save her left eye. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

New 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close' Trailer: Get Out the Tissues

The Stephen Daldry-directed 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close' is tailor-made for Award season glory (and, really, anyone who owns stock in Kleenex). The emotional story is narrated by nine-year-old Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn), who loses his father in the terrorist attacks on 9/11. While the first clip gave you a brief look at the film, it's the second trailer that really gets into the thick of things, as we follow both the events on that harrowing day, and Oskar on his journey through NY City to find a lockbox his father (Tom Hanks) left him. Sandra Bullock stars as Oskar's mother, trying to come to grips with the death of her husband. The movie, based on the 2005 novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, features an all-star cast, including Hanks, Bullock, Jeffrey Wright, Max Von Sydow, Viola Davis, John Goodman and James Gandolfini. Can you say Oscar bait? Directed by Stephen Daldry (three-for-three in Best Director nominations), you can check out the new trailer below or head to Apple for the HD version. 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close' opens in limited release on Christmas Day. [via Movieline] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Sirius XM CFO Discusses Effects of Price Hike in 2012

NY - Ahead of a price increase next year, the first in the company's 10-year history, Sirius XM Radio CFO David Frear on Monday was asked about the subscriber impact he expects from the price hike.our editor recommendsJohn Malone's Liberty Media Mulls Increasing Its Stake in Sirius XM (Report)Liberty Media Execs Keep Options for Starz, Sirius XM Open "When you raise prices, you're going to suppress demand," he told the annual UBS Global Media and Communications Conference. "I would expect that..we would have lower conversion of new car sales to subs" and higher churn of self-paid users. But Sirius, which previously said that it would increase the price of its most popular service package by $1.50 per month, expects to "end up with more subscribers, revenue and free cash flow," he added. "It's a good thing for the business." Given that it is "much easier" to keep a subscriber than to convert a new one, "we'll work hard to retain every sub we have today," Frear vowed. He also told investors that Sirius has begun notifying customers about the price increases, highlighting that "we haven't so far [had[ much response" or complaint calls. But since the hikes kick in at different times for different users, taking about 18 months to work their way through the user base, and since many customers pay by credit cards, much of any potential price shock may still come. Asked about his company's longer-term pricing strategy, the Sirius CFO said that because most users pay in advance, it takes about 18 months for price hikes to fully work themselves through the user base. As a result, "annual price increases are hard," Frear said. But since Sirius hasn't raised prices in a decade, "this will go through, do well with our subs, and then we'll consider future price increases." Frear was also asked if John Malone's Liberty Media could increase its stake in Sirius to more than 50 percent after it gets a chance to do so in March. "I really don't know," Frear replied. "You'd have to ask [Liberty CEO] Greg [Maffei]" who will also appear at the conference. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics Sirius XM Radio

Bob Marley's Family Sues to Stop Half-Brother From Using Singer's Name and Likeness

NEW DELHI - Hollywood star Tom Cruise says his visit to India this week follows a lifelong desire to see the country.our editor recommendsTom Cruise Lining Up 'We Mortals Are' for Warner Bros.Tom Cruise's 'Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol' Set for Early Imax Release in U.K. He said while touring the iconic, white-marble Taj Mahal mausoleum in Agra that he is "very excited" about being in the country for a fan screening of his latest action-thriller, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, days ahead of its world premiere on Wednesday. Cruise joins Bollywood star Anil Kapoor for the red-carpet screening Sunday in Mumbai. The film sees Cruise reprise his role as secret agent Ethan Hunt, while Kapoor plays an Indian business tycoon. Cruise told Press Trust of India on Saturday, "I wanted to come to India my whole life, so I am very excited." PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Hollywood's Highest-Earning Actors Related Topics Tom Cruise International Asia Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

VH1 Launches Biopic Franchise With Film About TLC

VH1 is the latest basic cable network to get into the TV movie business this year, following similar forays by TNT, CMT, BET and, to some extent, USA Network. VH1 is planning a series of biopics about musicians and pop culture icons. First off is a movie about the 1990s R&B/hip-hop/pop trio TLC. The two surviving members of the group, Chilli and Tionne T-Boz Watkins, will serve as consultants and executive produce with Bill Diggins and Maggie Malina. Kate Lanier (Whats Love Got To Do With It) has signed on to write the movie. VH1 ventured into scripted programming earlier this year with the series Single Ladies, which was kicked off by a two-hour movie.