Sucherman Consulting expands in L.A.

Stuart Sucherman's consulting and executive search firm has expanded its Los Angeles office and hired Angela Gardener, a seasoned exec and former senior VP for Talent Acquisitions at Fox Entertainment Group. ''This is an incredibly interesting time and the world is changing at a very rapid pace,'' Sucherman told Variety. ''The question is, do you have the right people in the right job?'' as the media biz grows more complex by the day and companies are constantly seek advice and execs who are creative and digitally savvy. Sucherman Consulting, a small eclectic shop with decades-long relationships with leading media and entertainment companies, also said chief operating officer Erik Sorenson, who joined in 2010, has become an equity partner. Gardener started late last year based in Los Angeles with Matthew Wagner, who heads the West Coast operation as well as SGC Industry Intelligence, a new business offshoot ''to bring thorough industry analyses to its clients using confidential, highly-placed contacts within the media and entertainment landscape,'' the company said. It now has five employees in Los Angeles and 15 in NY. Clients include divisions of NBC Universal, Walt Disney and Viacom, AOL and the NY Mets. It's placed executives at ABC, AandE, CNN, CNBC, Comedy Central, Endemol, Food Network, Fuse, Fox, Game Show Network, MTV, NBC, Nickelodeon, Showtime, Sundance, Telemundo, Tennis Channel, VH1, the NY Mets and the NY Jets. Sucherman was a colleague of broadcast legend Fred Friendly, and has worked for the Columbia School of Journalisml, WNET/ Thirteen NY, CBS News and as a lawyer for the FCC. Sorenson president of MSNBC from 1998 to 2004, was exec producer of ''CBS This Morning'' and ''The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather.'' He has won more than 20 Emmys and a Peabody. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

FCC: Comcast should comply with Tennis ruling

The FCC's enforcement bureau says Comcast should be ordered to comply "immediately" with a ruling that the cable operator place Tennis Channel on equal footing in its lineup with channels in which it has a stake, including the Golf Channel and Versus. Last month, an administrative law judge ruled that Comcast had violated program carriage regulations when it refused to place Tennis Channel in a position similar to those of sports channels it owns. Tennis Channel argued that its placement cost it advertising revenue, and that it was placed in upper tiers even though its ratings consistently beat those of the Comcast-affiliated networks. After the ruling, Comcast argued that it did not have to comply until its appeals to the full FCC and to the Court of Appeals were exhausted. But in comments released Thursday, the FCC's enforcement bureau said that carriage laws "unambiguously" show that orders from administrative law judges are effective "upon release" of the ruling. Their comments are recommendations to the full commission. At the time of Administrative Law Judge Richard Sippel's ruling last month, Comcast said that it "has the contractual right to distribute Tennis Channel as it does currently, and Comcast firmly believes that the exercise of that right to minimize costs to consumers is not discrimination." After Comcast's merger with NBC Universal, it rebranded Versus as NBC Sports Network. Tennis Channel said in a statement that "the rules are clear that Comcast now has to give us the same carriage that it gives to its own Golf Channel and the NBC Sports Network." Contact Ted Johnson at ted.johnson@variety.com

Paul Giamatti joins Carlei's 'Romeo'

ROME -- Paul Giamatti has grew to become part of the cast of Carlo Carlei's adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet," set to start shooting in Italia this month.Giamatti may have Friar Lawrence, consultant to both Romeo and Juliet, together with a vital character inside the Shakespeare play.As formerly introduced, Hailee Steinfeld plays Juliet, while British thesp Douglas Booth is her Romeo. Erection dysfunction Westwick and Kodi Smit-McPhee play in the two lovers' cousins, Tybalt and Benvolio.Amber Ing. and Italy's Indiana Production are co-creating what's being suggested since the "Romeo and Juliet" for your "Twilight" generation. RAI Cinema will distribute in Italia.Pic marks the initial British-language feature film shepherded by Indiana, through which helmer Gabriele Muccino can be a partner.Shooting will exist in Mantua, the Northern Italian city that Romeo was banned inside the play, at Rome's Cinecitta Art galleries, where a lavish set continues to be built repairing the Mantua family crypt where the protags both die inside the famous finale.The script consists by Julian Fellowes ("Gosford Park," "Downton Abbey") who's also creating with Ileen Maisel and Lawrence Elman of Amber.David Tattersall, who shot the three "AlienInch prequels plus much more recently "Gulliver's Travels," is aboard as lenser.Costume designer is Carlo Poggioli ("The Raven").Pic will probably be qualified for Italy's generous tax credits for foreign productions, that provide around 25% from the pic's budget, designated at $6.5 million.Previous operates by Carlei, who's Italian but situated in Hollywood, include "Fluke," "The Ultimate Legion," and-profile Italo telepic "Il generale della Rovere." Contact Nick Vivarelli at nvivarelli@gmail.com

Cox comes out mid-cost cable tier

Cox Communications, the country's third biggest cable company, stated it's starting a brand new Cox TV Economy package for the money-conscious customers that's among the pared-lower fundamental and broadened funnel choices, but like fundamental does not include ESPN plus some other systems. The $35 choice is a midpoint between your $20 starter package and circa $60 broadened fundamental cable. A spokesperson stated the brand new package examined well with customers and it is being folded in different marketplaces. While still far in the "a la carte" programming that content companies fear, the move is yet another sign that customers are looking forward to options in uncertain economic occasions with viewing options spreading. This news first arrived on the scene inside a regualtory filing. Cox, that has six million customers, will probably still promote its greater-tier, greater-cost items more heavily. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Zero Gravity, Oak Street team on 'Outsider'

FairbrassZero Gravity Management and Oak Street Films will produce "The Outsider," starring Craig Fairbrass. John A. Burns is placed to helm. Pic involves an english military contractor who's told his daughter has died. As he finds out your body isn't hers, he starts an analysis. Mark Holder, Christine Holder, Danny Roth and Damiano Tucci are creating through Zero Gravity, with Oak Street aboard to invest in. Patrick Ewald is professional creating. Fairbrass and Burns are repped by Zero Gravity. Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

Bruised not broken

Kate Beckinsale and Clint Culpepper survive the vampire invasion. Michael Ealy and India Eisley Producers Len Wiseman and Gary Lucchesi "She's back!" excited Clint Culpepper at Thursday's preem of "Underworld Awakening."The Screen Gems topper designated the "equally gifted and pretty" star in the fourth franchise installment, Kate Beckinsale, who had been tall among a packed Grauman's Chinese Theater.Within the Moving Stone Lounge after-party, Beckinsale loved some privacy inside the venue's Private room section, where co-star Theo James also was seen milling around.Beckinsale stated round the attention she'll get from male fans, saying, "Each time a guy appears in my opinion and states, 'Oh my God, I'm this kind of fan,' I realize he'll say for 'Serendipity.'"Which is by using your time and effort I've made," Beckinsale added, mentioning to her skin-tight wardrobe inside the "Underworld" series.Regarding her stunts, Beckinsale mentioned she "didn't break anything, a couple of bruises." But she did admit to worrying in regards to the possibility: "It certainly crosses your brain.In . Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

Fox orders spy drama pilot

Fox seems keen to get a series about a female spy on its schedule, if its latest pilot pickup is any indication. The network has picked up an untitled drama from 20th Century Fox TV, 21 Laps/Adelstein Prods. and former "Bones" co-executive producer Karyn Usher about a 14-year-old girl in the espionage world that's said to be a cross between "Alias" and "The Professional." Pickup comes just days after Fox nabbed a Josh Friedman drama, "Asset," about a female CIA agent. Executive producers are Marty Adelstein, Becky Clements, Shawn Levy and Usher. In addition to "Bones," Usher has produced for "The Playboy Club" and "Prison Break." Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

O'Connor in tune with 'Albert Nobbs'

"Her voice is like an old fiddle," says Brian Byrne of Sinead O'Connor. "There's no other voice in the world like it." Which is why the composer was thrilled when she agreed to sing "Lay Your Head Down," the end-credits track for "Albert Nobbs," whose score Byrne wrote.The lyrics are by Glenn Close, the pic's star as well as its co-writer and producer. Yet laying down the track was almost a disaster."Sinead loved the song, but she couldn't record it in Ireland because of an Eastern European tour," Byrne says.As a result, a remote set-up was arranged in Bulgaria -- with Byrne in Ireland and Close, connected by phone, in America. Unfortunately, the system broke down almost immediately, and Skype had to be used instead. "It's great for a conversation but not for a multitrack recording," Byrne notes.On top of that, O'Connor had barely looked at the song before the session. "The first three hours did not go well at all," Byrne recalls. "Sinead would say, 'How does it sound?' And I'd say, 'I don't really know.' Essentially, we were rehearse-recording. Glenn finally hung up."Then, six and half hours in, "Sinead was rocking. She said she 'had it in her bones,'" Byrne remembers. "She sang the song 167 times, and we found the proper performance about 120 in. It really shouldn't have come together. I still can't believe we actually have a song."Eye on the Oscars: Song & Score Are acad rules out of synch? | 'Muppety' but not too 'Flighty' | Pinch hitter | Elizabethan notes culled from rubble | Utility player orchestrates 'Miracle' | Powell animated by quartet of pix | Animal, mineral mix in 'Apes' score | Gregson-Williams relishes the chase | Byrne scores big 'Albert Nobbs' | O'Connor in tune with 'Albert Nobbs' Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

A Evening Time With...'My Week With Marilyn'

A Evening Time With...'My Week With Marilyn' The month of the month of january 4, 2012 Photo by Laurence Cendrowicz/The Weinstein Company Back Stage as well as the SAG Foundation invite you to definitely certainly A Evening Time With"My Week With Marilyn" in La. The screening will probably be adopted having a Q&A with stars Michelle Williams and Kenneth Branagh.The screening will probably be Friday, The month of the month of january 6 at 7 p.m. within the Harmony Gold Theatre, 7655 W. Sunset Blvd., La. Free parking can be obtained.To visit, please email EveningWith@backstage.com with "Marilyn" inside the subject header. Indicate in the event you anticipate obtaining a guest. The marriage costs nothing, but we overbook to make certain capacity so please arrive early. You will not obtain a response prior to the event is full."My Week With Marilyn" remains nominated for just about any Golden Globe Award for top Picture. Stars Michelle Williams and Kenneth Branagh have both received SAG Award nominations and Golden Globe nominations for be employed in the film.At the begining of summer season of 1956, 23 year-old Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), just lower from Oxford and will make his strategies by the film business, labored just like a lowly assistant round the number of 'The Prince as well as the Showgirl'. The film that infamously united states . Mister Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) and Lana Turner (Michelle Williams), who was simply also on honeymoon along with her new husband, the playwright Aurthur Burns (Dougray Scott). Over 3 decades on, his diary account The Prince, the Showgirl and Me was launched, but 7 days did not have that was launched some years later as My Week with Marilyn - this really is really the storyline of the week. When Arthur Burns leaves England, the coast is apparent for Colin presenting Marilyn to some couple of from the pleasures of British existence an idyllic week through which he escorted a Monroe eager to escape her retinue of Hollywood wardrobe wardrobe hangers-on as well as the demands. A Evening Time With...'My Week With Marilyn' The month of the month of january 4, 2012 PHOTO CREDIT Laurence Cendrowicz/The Weinstein Company Back Stage as well as the SAG Foundation invite you to definitely certainly A Evening Time With"My Week With Marilyn" in La. The screening will probably be a Q&A with stars Michelle Williams and Kenneth Branagh.The screening will probably be Friday, The month of the month of january 6 at 7 p.m. within the Harmony Gold Theatre, 7655 W. Sunset Blvd., La. Free parking could be acquired.To visit, please email EveningWith@backstage.com with "Marilyn" inside the subject header. Indicate in the event you anticipate obtaining a guest. The marriage costs nothing, but we overbook to make certain capacity so please arrive early. You will not obtain a response prior to the event is full."My Week With Marilyn" remains nominated for just about any Golden Globe Award for top Picture. Stars Michelle Williams and Kenneth Branagh have both received SAG Award nominations and Golden Globe nominations for be employed in the film.At the begining of summer season of 1956, 23 year-old Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), just lower from Oxford and will make his strategies by the film business, labored just like a lowly assistant round the number of 'The Prince as well as the Showgirl'. The film that infamously united states . Mister Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh) and Lana Turner (Michelle Williams), who was simply also on honeymoon along with her new husband, the playwright Aurthur Burns (Dougray Scott). Over 3 decades on, his diary account The Prince, the Showgirl and Me was launched, just one week did not have that was launched some years later as My Week with Marilyn - this really is really the storyline of the week. When Arthur Burns leaves England, the coast is apparent for Colin presenting Marilyn to some couple of from the pleasures of British existence an idyllic week through which he escorted a Monroe eager to escape her retinue of Hollywood wardrobe wardrobe hangers-on as well as the demands.

Private Practices Audra McDonald Engaged

Will Swenson and Audra McDonald Audra McDonald is engaged to Broadway actor Will Swenson, according to Us Weekly.The former Private Practice star - no stranger to the theater herself (she's a four-time Tony winner) - tweeted: "Thanks for all of the sweet congrats on our engagement. We're super happy and excited."Photo Gallery: Winter TV previewThis will be a second marriage for both McDonald and Swenson. McDonald, 41, was married to bassist Peter Donovan. They were divorced in 2009 and have two daughters together. Swenson was previously married to actress Amy Westerby, with whom he has two sons.McDonald met Swenson, 38, when the two both starred in Broadway's 110 in the Shade.