CBS Buys Sony TV Drama Projects From Amazing Spider-Man Producer Matt Tolmach & Spider-Man Director Sam Raimi

EXCLUSIVE: In his first foray into TV, former Columbia Pictures chief-turned-producer Matt Tolmach, who produces the upcoming Spider-Man reboot with Avi Arad, has sold a female-driven drama project to CBS with writer Jessica Goldberg (Refuge). Additionally, CBS has bought a drama project with a female lead from the director of the previous 3 Spider-Man movies, Sam Raimi, which is being written by Sarah Thorp (Hawthorne, The Bounty Hunter). Both projects hail from Sony Pictures TV where both Tolmach and Raimi are based through extensions to their Sony pacts on the feature side. The Matt Tolmach/Jessica Goldberg project is titled Sleepers and centers on a woman who has the gift to save “sleepers,” people who are caught somewhere between life and death. Tolmach, who is executive producing with Goldberg, exited his post as co-president of Columbia Pictures in October 2010 to launch a film production company and take on producing duties for the upcoming Amazing Spider-Man movie. As an executive, he shepherded the first 3 films in the franchise. Goldberg, who penned the 2008 ABC pilot The Prince of Motor City, is repped by UTA, which also reps Tolmach in television, and manager Dallas Sonnier. Shepherding Sleepers with Tolmach is his development executive Robert Kessel. The Sam Raimi/Sarah Thorp project is about a female FBI agent who is placed undercover in a St. Louis homicide unit to solve murders while investigating her own precinct for corruption. Thorp, repped by CAA and Madhouse, is executive producing with CAA-repped Raimi, his producing partner Josh Donen and Eric Roth. Raimi’s TV projects are being overseen by former CBS co-head of drama Robert Zotnowski. With the 2 CBS projects, Sony TV has sold 22 drama projects so far this season.

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Modern Family Dominates Emmys, Friday Night Lights Surprises

Modern Family Modern Family dominated the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, while Mad Men four-peated and Friday Night Lights got some long-awaited love for its farewell season.Check out all the fashion hits and misses from the Emmys red carpetThe ABC sitcom snagged five statuettes, including a second straight win for comedy series. It is the second ABC show after Taxi to win the category more than once. Modern Family was perfect in the first four races of the night, taking home supporting actor and actress trophies for on-screen husband and wife Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen, along with comedy directing and comedy writing. They are the first Emmy wins for Burrell and Bowen and bring the acting total to three for the ABC sitcom, following Eric Stonestreet's win last year. Bowen defeated host and reigning champ Jane Lynch, who opened the show with a musical number about TV.Mad Men became the first show to four-peat in drama series since The West Wing claimed four from 2000-03. It joins that, L.A. Law and Hill Street Blues as the only shows to win four Emmys for drama series. However, it has still yet to win an acting award.Long overlooked by the TV academy, Friday Night Lights pulled off two big upsets: drama writing (Jason Katims for the finale) and Kyle Chandler for lead drama actor. Connie Britton lost lead actress to Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife), who won her second Emmy 16 years after her first win for ER.Check out all the fashions from the Emmys red carpetJim Parsons(The Big Bang Theory) repeated as lead comedy actor and Melissa McCarthy(Mike & Molly)won leadcomedy actress.Parsons' win denied Steve Carell his last chance at an Emmy for The Office. Carell ties Paul Reiser as a six-time loser in the category.The Amazing Race reclaimed the reality-competition program trophy after Top Chef ended its seven-year win streak last year.The Daily Show with Jon Stewart continued its streak, earning its ninth straight trophy for variety series. It also took home its seventh award for writing for a variety series.Kate Winslet is a Tony award away from an EGOT, winning actress in a TV movie/miniseries for Mildred Pierce. The HBO movie lost the TV movie/miniseries trophy to Downton Abbey, which won four awards.Check out the full list of winners below.Tune in Monday at 8/7c for Kathy Griffin's Emmys Aftermath on TV Guide Network.Drama Series: Mad MenComedy Series: Modern FamilyLead Actor in a Drama Series: Kyle Chandler, Friday Night LightsLead Actress in a Drama Series: Julianna Margulies, The Good WifeSupporting Actor in a Drama Series: Peter Dinklage, Game of ThronesSupporting Actress in a Drama Series: Margo Martindale, JustifiedWritingfor a Drama Series: Jason Katims, Friday Night Lights, "Always" Directingfor aDrama Series: Martin Scorsese, Boardwalk Empire, "Boardwalk Empire"Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Jim Parsons, The Big Bang TheoryLead Actress in a Comedy Series: Melissa McCarthy, Mike & MollySupporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Ty Burrell, Modern FamilySupporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Julie Bowen, Modern FamilyWriting for a Comedy Series: Steve Levitan and Jeffrey Richman, Modern Family, "Caught in the Act"Directing for a Comedy Series: Michael Spiller, Modern Family, "Halloween"TV Movie/Miniseries: Downton Abbey Lead Actor in a TV Movie/Miniseries: Barry Pepper, The Kennedys Lead Actress in a TV Movie/Miniseries: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce Supporting Actor in a TV Movie/Miniseries: Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce Supporting Actress in a TV Movie/Miniseries: Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey Writing for a TV Movie/Miniseries: Julian Fellowes, Downton Abbey Directing for a TV Movie/Miniseries: Brian Percival, Downton Abbey, "Part 1"Reality-Competition Program: The Amazing RaceVariety, Music or Comedy Series: The Daily Show with Jon StewartWriting for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series: The Daily Show with Jon StewartDirecting for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series: Don Roy King, Saturday Night Live, "Justin Timberlake/Lady Gaga"

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Brothers and sisters & Brothers and sisters

A Combination Country Delivering (in Canada) relieve a Raven West Films/United States Pictures presentation. (Worldwide sales: Myriad Pictures, La.) Produced by Emily Alden, Carl Bessai, James Brown. Executive producers, Laura Lightbown, Zanna Devine, Kirk D'Amico. Directed, put together by Carl Bessai.With: Cory Monteith, Dustin Milligan, Amanda Crew, Gabrielle Burns, Kacey Rohl, Benjamin Ratner, Camille Sullivan, Gabrielle Rose, Leena Manro, Tom Scholte.Finishing the circle after previous ensemblers "Moms & Kids" and "Fathers & Sons," cinematographer-author-director Carl Bessai's "Brothers and sisters & Brothers and sisters" programmatically cuts across four groups of siblings and siblings, all in crisis, undertake and don't particularly interesting, dramatic or amusing. A comicbook visual motif hooking up story lines doesn't match a bad tone in the writing and acting, that's definitely not comicbook in attitude. Failure to quite click any level will certainly hobble the pic's commercial prospects, despite headlining "Glee" heartthrob Cory Monteith. Hollywood star Justin (Monteith) welcomes do-gooder bro Rory (Dustin Milligan) to his beach pad schizophrenic Jerry's (Benjamin Ratner) constantly changing feelings stress sis Louise (Gabrielle Burns) ambitious actor Nikki (Amanda Crew) swallows large phony Henry's (Tom Scholte) pitch for just about any new female action role, and drives to La with Henry and her colossally sour sis Maggie (Camille Sullivan) bratty teen Sarah (Kacey Rohl) discovers that her space-cadet mother (Bessai regular Gabrielle Rose) features a daughter (Leena Manro) from an ashram fling in India. The writing, together with the pic's inclination to wrap some misunderstanding in the neat package, plays like formulaic TV.Camera (color, HD), Bessai editor, Sabrina Pitre music, Serta Moxon music supervisor, Andrea von Foerster. Examined at Toronto Film Festival (Contemporary World Cinema), Sept. 11, 2011. Running time: 86 MIN. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

'Fright Evening:' Colin Farrell on Playing 'Sensual, Erotic' Vampire

Colin Farrell appreciated playing a vampire in Fright Evening.our editor recommendsDreamWorks bites on new 'Fright Night''Fright Night' Trailer Has Bite "People will always be attempting to bend and manipulate time to stay in their favor and seeking to defeat the ravages old," he informs Reuters of his new movie, in theaters Friday. "And vampires of the underworld are forever youthful, even though it'd most likely be very annoying to become converted into one at 97, or 6. After which the way they attack and feed off their prey appears very sensual and erotic -- biting the neck. You don't need to be a vampire to take part in such activity, however it takes it for an extreme. Bloodstream may be the liquid of existence." PHOTOS: Summer time Movie Guide Putting on the fangs was "easy!" Farrell adds. "They are doing the mold, then file them lower, and also you don't even see them putting on them. Also it's very exciting. You insert them in, and instantly, due to all of the films you saw like a kid, you begin acting a particular way." Farrell states he would be a "huge" horror fan like a kid. "Becoming an adult I loved Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween and Friday the thirteenth, and there is nothing beats being scared. But still even today, just relaxing in the cinema and being frightened and discussing laughter -- there's nothing beats it," he states. He was eager to defend myself against lighter roles this season. "I felt like I'd had 4 or 5 years where I'd done more dramatic pieces and performed figures that weren't really getting a great time within their lives for a number of reasons, and that i'd wanted to behave lighter. Then both of these films [Horrible Bosses and Fright Evening] arrived also it was happy days -Time to visit and play," he states. To do a horror remake, "I had been dubious in the beginning," Farrell confesses. "I loved the initial and you love to think about yourself as mixing things a bit and being a little original -- and this can be a remake of the vampire film in three dimensional. That's type of three for 3 in unoriginality." "However I felt I had been in good hands with [director] Craig Gillespie who did Lars and also the Real Girl. I had been a large fan of this, and that i just loved the script. I didn't wish to enjoy it, however it would be a blast of the read," states Farrell. "And playing the villain was great, although I believe my character's more about the periphery than he is at the initial.Inch Related Subjects Colin Farrell Fright Evening

VIDEO: Aria Is "Officially Terrified" of Jason

Drew Van Acker, Lucy Hale Pretty Little Liars' Aria thought she had enough problems after being kissed by Jason. Turns out he's gone from admirer to stalker as Emily tells Aria about her and Spencer's recent discovery. "Jason had pictures of you, creepy pictures of you," Emily explains in the clip below. "Spencer and I found a darkroom in his woodshed. He developed photographs of you sleeping - sleeping or drugged." Pretty Little Liars' Ashley Benson says a disappointing change is ahead for Hanna and Caleb In last week's episode, Aria (Lucy Hale) had some, ahem, enlightening dreams about her hot yet shady neighbor Jason (Drew van Acker). But after he made a move, Aria shut down his advances, explaining she's already involved with someone. "I'm officially terrified," Aria tells Emily after realizing the full extent of Jason's crush. Do you think Jason was involved in his sister Alison's murder? Pretty Little Liars airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on ABC Family.

USA Network Gives 'Suits' another Season

Frank Ockenfels/USA Network Your decision is within and USA Network is giving its legal drama, Suits, another year.The network purchased 16 episodes for that show's sophomore season. Since its debut on June 23, the series has carried out well for that network in the Thursday at 10 p.m. slot within the 18-49, 25-54, and 18-34 demos. It is also USA Network's third best newcomer series in individuals demos as well as in total audiences (6.34 million). "Suits exceeded our anticipation on every level using its sharp writing, engaging ensemble cast and incredible production values," states USA co-presidents Chris McCumber and Shaun Wachtel. "Rapidly accepted by our audiences, experts and also the industry like a series that pushes the envelope from the USA brand, we needed no further evidence to greenlight another season." Suits happens within the competitive realm of Manhattan corporate law. Gabriel Macht(Love along with other Drugs) stars because the hotshot connect Harvey Specter and and Patrick J. Adams (Lost)plays his new hire, Mike Ross, an excellent but unmotivated college dropout. The seriesco-starsRick Hoffman (Samantha Who), Gina Torres (Firefly), Sarah Rafferty (Siblings & Siblings) and Meghan Markle (CSI Miami). From Universal Cable Productions, the series was produced by co-professional producer Aaron Korsh and executive created by Doug Liman and David Bartis. Suits will summary its 12-episode first season using its finale on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 10 p.m. Email: Jethro.Nededog@thr.com Twitter: @TheRealJethro RELATED: 'Suits' Stars Gabriel Macht and Patrick Adams on Season 2, Birthday Suits and Harvey's Breakdown (Q&A) USA Network Snags Universal Slate, Including 'Bridesmaids,' 'Fast Five' More USA Network Coverage on THR USA Network

Lack of depth taxes TV news

Given the U.S. government's near-default as Democrats and Republicans bickered over the debt ceiling, much has been made of the country's political dysfunction. Yet the roles of two key elements in that sorry equation -- a lazy media and ill-informed electorate -- remain unexplored.Underlying the economic debate are two key convictions: the need for government services, and near-religious resistance to paying taxes. Seldom, however, does broadcast media bother connecting the two -- or the inherent contradiction of asking government to function properly without adequately funding its operation.Politicians on both sides have every reason to pander and parse words. The broadcast media's unenlightening role, however, can be traced to various factors that include: a desire to be liked, which prevents them from addressing the public's lack of sophistication; a predilection toward verbal jousting, placing combat above the drudgery of fact-finding; and a beaten-dog mentality against unleashing fresh accusations of media bias.A CNN/Opinion Research survey neatly captured the public's two-faced approach to politics, concluding, "Americans have a split personality when it comes to cutting the nation's budget deficit." Simply put, respondents favored reducing the size of government but also widely rejected slashing major programs.In other words, "Fill that pothole and don't touch Medicare, but for God's sake, don't raise my taxes."While politicians invariably present only the argument that benefits them, the media ought to lead their audience to contemplate tradeoffs and sacrifices -- the intrusiveness of airline security, say, vs. fear of terrorism. Where does the public place its thumb in balancing the two?Alas, most of the time, we get half the story. And one can posit that the derided naivete of the Tea Party -- political novices whose intransigence weighs heavily on the current process -- stemsin part from this long-standing failure to frame complex issues in more than bumper-sticker platitudes.Admittedly, hardened ideologues will tune out information that doesn't reinforce their views. The question is what's on the menu for those in the middle who are presumably open to sobriety and sanity, but at risk of starving in the midst of a digital media buffet.For its part, CBS News is pushing the idea that there's an underserved appetite for hard news -- hoping to expand the journalistic heft of "60 Minutes" to "The CBS Evening News" with "world-class original reporting every weeknight," as the promos state."There's a hunger in America for really good broadcast journalism" by genuinely fair brokers, CBS News chairman Jeff Fager told reporters at the TV Critics Assn. tour.Clearly, the role Walter Cronkite occupied in the CBS anchor chair has been diluted by ceaseless waves of information and a cable space that magnifies braying from the shrillest of voices. Interviewers like Ted Koppel -- who could punch holes in hollow arguments and still remain respectful -- have given way to either intemperate partisans or neutered vessels like CNN's Wolf Blitzer, who blandly serves up dueling talking heads who essentially describe the same object as a bicycle and fire truck.Who's right? Hey, who can say, but we're out of time, thanks for your insights.Perhaps that's why the most lacerating honesty frequently falls to comedians and nontraditional observers such as "The Daily Show's" Jon Stewart or HBO's more pugnacious Bill Maher. Although Stewart has made an art of skewering the media, Maher House Speak chides the public for its ignorance, recently challenging Americans to "come out of the closet" and admit their unspoken love for socialism by embracing programs like Medicare and Social Security.Information-age technology, meanwhile, has become less a hoped-for panacea than merely another toy -- often used in ways that obscure more than illuminate. Is it really a breakthrough, for example, to substitute Twitter comments for man-on-the-street interviews? Interviewed on his network Current TV, former Vice President Al Gore joined in lamenting the debased nature of public discourse. "There was a massive change in the way political conversation in our democracy takes place," he said. "What we have now is a lot of bad decisions that are based on flawed premises and illusions."If only there was some way to distinguish "flawed premises and illusions" from reality -- starting with the fact there's no such thing as a consequence-free tax cut.Accomplishing that would begin with the kind of big-picture analysis that yields not just more ambitious news, but a better-informed public. Contact Brian Lowry at brian.lowry@variety.com