Universal Studios News

Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming, Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel announced today that the network's first-ever primetime series, 'Cedar Cove' has received a greenlight and is heading into production in Vancouver with veteran show runner Carl Binder at the helm. Binder is best known for many successful seasons of 'SGU Stargate Universe,' 'Stargate Atlantis,' 'Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,' as well as, being one of the writers of the Disney animated classic, 'Pocahontas.' 'Cedar Cove' is based on a series of beloved novels from New York Times #1 bestselling author Debbie Macomber. The series stars internationally acclaimed movie star and Golden Globe nominee, Andie MacDowell ('Four Weddings & A Funeral,' 'Green Card,' 'sex, lies, and videotape') and veteran actor Dylan Neal ('Blood Ties,' 'Dawson's Creek'). The pedigree of the series is further enhanced by Executive Producers Dan Wigutow, Caroline Moore and Michael Scott, the team responsible for Hallmark Channel's top-rated Original Movies, 'Debbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle,' 'Debbie Macomber's Call Me Mrs. Miracle,' and 'Debbie Macomber's Trading Christmas' in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. 'Cedar Cove' will feature a two-hour sneak peek for devoted fans exclusively on Hallmark Channel, Saturday, January 19 (9 p.m. ET/PT, 8c) before the series joins the weekly schedule in early Spring.

Steps off Broadway Productions, Inc., will be performing the stage production of ONCE UPON A CRYSTAL BALL on October 20th, 26th, & 27th at 7:30 pm. and October 21st and 28th at 2:00 pm.

WIR Productions presents the world premiere musical, THE HOUSE OF FINNEGAN, by Bill Rich and Steve Kopandy, directed by Alissa-Nicole Koblentz with Musical Direction, Arrangements and Orchestrations by Bonnie Janofsky tonight, October 18-28, 2012, at the Monroe Forum in the historic El Portal Theatre, NOHO Arts District, North Hollywood, Calif.

Ted Sod, Education Dramaturg, interviewed Stephanie J Block tabout her work on The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

The official synopsis for KICK-ASS 2 from Universal Studios has been released. Check it out below

E!'s Chelsea Lately welcomes Fergie airing TONIGHT at 11:00pm ET/PT when the superstar talks family, her boobs, and vodka.

The 2012 American Film Market (AFM®), set for October 31-November 7 in Santa Monica, is experiencing a surge in Buying companies that will be attending the AFM for the first time with more than 120 companies from 23 countries making their Market debut - a record high. More than 750 companies from 70 countries will send over 1,500 representatives to the upcoming Market. Jonathan Wolf , AFM Managing Director and Executive Vice President of the Independent Film & Television Alliance, made the announcement today.

Jennifer Aniston is so happy about her engagement to Justin Theroux, she could cry-literally! That's what she did just a moment ago when her BFF Chelsea Handler asked her about the engagement during an interview that aired on CHELSEA LATELY on E! last night at 11 p.m. Click here to view the interview!

NETworks Presentations, LLC, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures and Unique Features have announced casting for the upcoming national tour of ELF THE MUSICAL. The tour kicks off at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Rhode Island November 4-10.

Focus Features' MOONRISE KINGDOM will be available on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack with UltraViolet™, on DVD, On Demand and on Digital Download today, October 16, 2012

E!'s late night destination for everything pop culture, CHELSEA LATELY has a brand-new home starting tonight, October 15.

To celebrate the Blu-ray release and the 30th anniversary of Steven Spielberg's beloved family film E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL, six Madame Tussauds locations including Hollywood, London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Sydney, and Tokyo are set to bring to life one of films' most iconic characters. The Extra-Terrestrial star will be immortalized in Madame Tussauds' signature wax form and unveiled on October 22nd, 2012.

As Halloween nears, NBC turns Friday, October 26 into Fright Night when it premieres the pilot of the much-anticipated MOCKINGBIRD LANE (8-9 p.m. ET) - based on executive producer Bryan Fuller's ("Pushing Daisies," "Heroes") script and directed by executive producer Bryan Singer ("X-Men" film series, "House").

A star-studded and visually stunning box office hit, and a tale of first love directed by two-time Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Rushmore), Focus Features' Moonrise Kingdom will be available on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack with UltraViolet™, on DVD, On Demand and on Digital Download on October 16, 2012, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, Moonrise Kingdom follows two 12-year-olds who fall in love, make a secret pact and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing off-shore - and the peaceful island community is turned upside down in every which way.

NBC's acclaimed drama series GRIMM will join with Telemundo, mun2 and Universal Studios Hollywood's 'Halloween Horror Nights' in an unprecedented NBCUniversal cross-divisional event when its Halloween episode 'La Llorona' is broadcast on October 26/27.

A foul-mouthed, hard-partying teddy bear and his 35-year-old best friend come together in the #1 comedy of the year, TED, available on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand on December 11, 2012, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

Heather Ehlers, long-time stage actress, will return to New York City with her solo work, SPIN, for two Encore performances at the 2012 United Solo Theatre Festival. SPIN played to sold out houses last year in Los Angeles and New York City. Performances are November 9 & 12 at 9:00pm.

Focus Features' frightfully funny and magically emotional PARANORMAN will be available on 3D Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand and Digital Download on November 27, 2012 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment, just in time for the holidays!

The West End production of LES MISERABLES welcomed some new cast members last month, including Broadway veteran Sierra Boggess as 'Fantine', as well as 'Over the Rainbow' winner Danielle Hope as 'Eponine.' Additional current cast members include: Geronimo Rauch, Tam Mutu, Cameron Blakely, Linzi Hateley, Samantha Dorsey, Liam Tamne, and Craig Mather. Watch a video interview with Boggess, Hope, Mutu and Rauch below!

Toby Jones and Sienna Miller Star in THE GIRL, an HBO Films Presentation in Association with BBC, Debuting Oct. 20 The film tells the story of Alfred Hitchcock's obsessive relationship with his leading lady Tippi Hedren during the making of 'The Birds' and 'Marnie.'