Cast note: This season's cast includes a pair of Olympic snowboarders, twin sisters, an ex-NFL tight end, flight attendants, the youngest person to ever sail around the world alone, two winners of SURVIVOR, Ethan Zohn and Jenna Morasca, and many more.

The complete official word: Eleven teams will embark on the adventure of a lifetime on the new season of THE AMAZING RACE, premiering Sunday, Sept. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Emmy Award nominee Phil Keoghan is the host.

Several new professionals in the cast, and assigned to Ron Artest, Elisabetta Canalis and Nancy Grace.

The word as provided by ABC News:

Wow, all that talk about the show going for more A-listers and this is what we get:
Ricki Lake, Ron Artest, Kristin Cavallari, Chynna Phillips, David Arquette, Carson Kressley, Nancy Grace, J.R. Martinez, Hope Solo, Rob Kardashian, Elisabetta Canalis and Chaz Bono.

So depressing.

The official word: The 2011 Akron Film+Pixel Festival (formerly the Akron Film Festival) is back at the
Akron Art Museum (1 South High St., Akron, OH) October 6-9, 2011 and with numerous special guests who
will all be available for Q&As.

Film Guests
For the first time, Akron Film is bringing filmmakers, writers and actors to the festival to present their movies, meet attendees and answer questions following the films. For full film descriptions please see the full festival schedule.
• Guests can meet Patty Schemel, former drummer for the rock band Hole and subject of the documentary Hit So Hard, along with director P. David Ebersole and producer Todd Hughes, for the Ohio premiere (October 7 at 7:15 p.m.). The event is supported by a grant from the Gay Community Endowment Fund of Akron Community Foundation.
• David Meiklejohn will be on hand to discuss his documentary, My Heart is an Idiot, about his travels
with filmmaker, NPR contributor and Found Magazine creator Davy Rothbart (October 8 at 7:40 p.m.).
• Oscar nominee Marc Smolowitz, along with co-producer and Akron native Dan Roth will be presenting their enlightening documentary The Power of Two (October 9 at 5:30 p.m.). This showing is
sponsored by the Cleveland Clinic Transplant Center.
• Director, co-writer and co-star Alex Ross Perry and co-writer/co-star Carlen Altman (dubbed one of
Filmmaker Magazine’s 2011 New Faces of Independent Film) will present their hilariously droll adult
comedy, The Color Wheel (October 9 at 1 p.m.). Altman will be on hand for the entire festival.
• Producer John Baker spent several years at HBO Documentary Programming working on the Emmywinning
series The Addiction Project and Spike Lee’s When The Levees Broke, among other titles. Baker will be present for the showing of Dragonslayer (October 6 at 7 p.m.), which he produced.
Continues after the jump with the answer to the question "Pixel?"

The official word: Charlie Sheen may be driving this train, but COMEDY CENTRAL is pulling out all the stops! The network unveiled today the first wave of Roasters, who will be joining Roast Master Seth MacFarlane for an epic evening…let the games begin! Additional Roasters and talent to be in attendance will be announced shortly. The “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast Of Charlie Sheen” (#SheenRoast) will tape at Sony Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 10 and will premiere on Monday, September 19 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on COMEDY CENTRAL.

Roasters brave enough to take on the warlock will include TMZ’s master of celebrity gossip Harvey Levin, “Jackass” star Steve-O and legendary heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson. This year’s Roasters will also include comedians Anthony Jeselnik and Jeffrey Ross.

The official word: Filmmaker and director Megumi Sasaki will give a free lecture at the museum on Thursday, September 8 at 6:30 pm about her film "Herb & Dorothy: You don’t have to be a Rockefeller to Collect Art." Sasaki will be speaking about the Vogels, making the film and the sequel.

Sasaki didn’t set out to be a documentary filmmaker. While working for Japanese public television as a field producer for an educational program about a Christo and Jeanne-Claude National Gallery exhibition she came upon the unique story of art collectors Herb and Dorothy Vogel. “Doing some research, I was so struck and moved by their story. A postal clerk and librarian built a world class collection that was crammed into their one-bedroom apartment in NYC, never sold a piece, and let go all the works to the museum? I couldn’t believe it was true,” remarks Sasaki, who was instantly inspired to put the Vogel’s story on the big screen.

The official word: Chad Michael Murray (@ChadMMurray) will make a guest appearance in his original
role as Lucas Scott during the final season of ONE TREE  HILL, which will return mid-season on The CW.

Murray’s character was last seen driving off into the sunset with his wife Peyton (Hilarie Burton)
and their new baby Sawyer.  Lucas returns to Tree Hill after Haley (Bethany Joy
Galeotti) reaches out to him for help.

Here's a rundown of what I had in the Beacon Journal over the weekend:

-- A story drawing on part of my chat with George Hamilton. See http://www.ohio.com/news/top-stories/george-hamilton-reminisces-about-movies-and-life-1.232086.

Took them long enough.
The official word: FOX has renewed the comedy series BREAKING IN for a 13-episode second season to return to the network’s schedule in 2012, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, President of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.

“BREAKING IN is a creatively vibrant and wildly adventurous comedy,” said Reilly. “We are looking forward to bringing it back for a second season and continuing our relationship with this incredibly talented cast and these fantastic creators – Adam Goldberg and Seth Gordon. We can’t wait to see where they take these characters next year.”

The official word: SOAPnet will celebrate “All My Children” with a two-day marathon featuring classic episodes from the show’s 41-year history. “I Love Lucci,” highlighting some of Erica Kane’s memorable moments, airs Saturday, September 17 from 7pm to 12am ET/PT. “All My Children: Last Chance for Romance” showcases seven of Pine Valley’s most beloved couples: Cliff & Nina, Jenny & Greg, Tad & Dixie, Ryan & Gillian, Leo & Greenlee, Zach & Kendall and Angie & Jesse. Relive their romances on Sunday, September 18 from 5pm to 12am ET/PT.

“All My Children” wraps up its broadcast run on ABC on Friday, September 23rd. Hallmarked for its iconic brand of humor and satire, the show has been prized with more than 30 Daytime Emmy Awards over the past four decades including the three-time top honor of Outstanding Drama Series. Praised for its socially conscious foundation, it has been at the forefront of such issues as AIDS, rape, abortion, alcoholism, spousal abuse and racial bias, among others.

The official word: Veteran actor Tom Selleck leads a stellar ensemble cast in the critically-acclaimed police drama “Blue Bloods” The First Season, debuting on DVD September 13, 2011 from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment, just in time for the on-air premiere of the show’s second season on September 23.

The engrossing story of a multi-generational family dedicated to New York City law enforcement was embraced by audiences and critics alike, ranking as the #2 new drama of the season and being named one of the five best new shows of the year by Entertainment Weekly. The six-disc DVD set includes all 22 dramatic and action-filled episodes, plus over an hour of arresting bonus features including in-depth featurettes on the creation of the characters, the filmmakers’ dedication to realism, the critical family dynamics, shooting on location in New York City and more, plus 26 deleted scenes and a gag reel. ...

The official word: Television’s most popular housemates will take their trademark family dysfunction and humor from “Jerzdays” to Sunday, as MTV today announced that its hit series “Jersey Shore” will air on a special night and time, Sunday, August 28 at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT, leading into the “2011 Video Music Awards” LIVE pre-show at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, and followed by the 28th Annual telecast at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. The night will be capped off by a special sneak peek of the new scripted comedy “I Just Want My Pants Back” pilot episode, airing immediately following the “VMAs” at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Sunday night’s “Jersey Shore” episode will mark a pivotal moment for Italy’s most notorious American imports, as tensions between Mike and Ronnie come to a shocking head and threaten to disrupt the balance of the house. Viewers will finally gain clarity on what led up to Mike’s highly speculated about hospitalization during season four filming – and fans will be shocked by the truth. Not content to make “Jersey Shore” die-hards wait until Sunday, MTV is providing an early, exclusive scene from that night’s episode on MTV.com today.

The official word: Bravo continues to heat up its summer lineup as Monday’s episode of “The Millionaire Matchmaker” earned a 36 percent increase among adults 18-49 and 19 percent increase among total viewers compared to the previous week’s season five premiere. The hit series will move to Thursday nights starting on September 8 at 9p.m. ET/PT, but not before Patti makes the perfect royal match in next week’s episode on Monday, August 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. For more information, visit www.BravoTV.com and follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BravoPR.

TV HIGHLIGHTS FOR WEEK OF AUGUST 29TH:

The official word: TeenNick stokes fan demand for more ‘90s shows with the addition of two new series to the network’s buzzworthy “The ‘90s Are All That” two-hour programming block. The new lineup of iconic Nickelodeon ‘90s shows kicks off Monday, Sept. 5, with back-to back episodes of the popular animated series Rocko’s Modern Life and Hey Arnold! at 12 a.m. and 1 a.m., respectively (all times ET). Added by viewers' request, Rocko and Hey Arnold! will regularly join All That and Kenan & Kel starting Tuesday, Sept. 6, in the block's 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. timeslots. The block also features deeply integrated, fan-driven social media components on Facebook (www.facebook.com/90sAreAllThat) and at www.90sAreAllThat.com. “The ‘90s Are All That” airs Monday-Friday 12-2 a.m. with replays 2-4 a.m. on TeenNick.

Rocko’s Modern Life, an animated series that offers a satirical view on everyday living for an Australian-born wallaby named Rocko, originally ran for 11 years on Nickelodeon. It is further distinguished as the show where future SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg first met voice actor Tom Kenny (voice of Heffer), who would later become the inspiration for SpongeBob and create the character’s inimitable voice. With its off-kilter humor and a theme song performed by the B52’s, the series follows Rocko who explores his new life in the city of O-Town and his friendships with a gluttonous steer Heffer (Kenny); a neurotic turtle Filburt (Mr. Lawrence, voice of Plankton on SpongeBob SquarePants); and Rocko’s faithful dog, Spunky.

One of the cornerstone animated series in Nickelodeon’s successful launch into prime-time in 1996, Hey Arnold! focuses on the daily life of Arnold--a fourth-grader with a wild imagination, street smarts and a head shaped like a football. Created by Craig Bartlett, who came to Nickelodeon as a story editor for the network's hit animated series Rugrats, and later as a director for The Ren & Stimpy Show, Hey Arnold! is set in a world of subways and sandlot baseball, of bus stops and rooftops and presents a fresh look at life in the big city as seen from a kids’ point of view. Arnold has been an important character in the Nickelodeon family and is part of the Nickelodeon legacy of popular, original animation.

Jerry Leiber, who with Mike Stoller formed one of the great songwriting teams, has died. (One obit is here: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/source-songwriter-jerry-leiber-dies-at-78-20110822.)

I talked to Leiber and Stoller back in 1995 as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum was about to open. Below is part of the story I wrote at the time.

The official word: In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight… take the oath to serve and protect when “Green Lantern” flies onto Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital Download on October 14th from Warner Home Entertainment Group. Starring Ryan Reynolds (“The Proposal”) in the title role, DC Comics’ legendary super hero soars to the edges of space, where a war has been raging between those who rule with fear, and those who protect life: the Green Lantern Corps.

Warner Bros. is proud to be the first studio to announce titles available with UltraViolet Digital Copy. Ultraviolet Digital Copy allows consumers to instantly stream their movies from a digital cloud to computers, tablets and smartphones. All DVD and Blu-ray discs of “Green Lantern” will include a bonus Ultraviolet Digital Copy, which will give consumers easy access to the movie anytime, anywhere.

The official word: Due to inclement weather*, platinum-selling artist Selena Gomez &
The Scene had to postpone their sold out concert at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica. Not one to disappoint her fans, Selena will return to Cleveland on Sunday, October 23rd at Wolstein Center at CSU.
All tickets purchased for the Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica show through Ticketmaster.com, Livenation.com and the charge by phone number are currently being exchanged for comparable seats at the new venue.
Fans will receive an email communication from Ticketmaster by Tuesday, August 30, containing new seating locations for the Wolstein Center performance. If a fan cannot attend the new date, simply reply to the Ticketmaster email and a refund will be processed immediately.

Fans who purchased from a Ticketmaster retail outlet must mail their tickets to the address below to complete their exchange:
Ticketmaster
Attn: Selena Gomez Exchange
1000 Corporate Landing
Charleston, WV 25311

The official word:

PARANORMAL WITNESS (NEW ORIGINAL SERIES)
Wednesday, September 7 at 10PM – Paranormal Witness teams with 9PM lead-in Ghost Hunters to anchor the fall’s Wednesday prime paranormal programming block. This tense, filmic and high-octane drama-documentary series brings to life the real stories of people who have lived through paranormal experiences that defy explanation. Using a mixture of intimate first-hand testimony, actual home video and gritty realistic drama, Paranormal Witness transports viewers into a world turned upside-down by extraordinary, terrifying and sometimes life-threatening paranormal events. ...

The network has announced some of its fall/winter plans, including return dates for shows nearing the end of their summer runs.

From the official word:

Lady Gaga again demonstrates her ubiquity. I expect to open the door to my house one day and see her on the porch.

The official word: August 25, 2011 marks the 10-year anniversary of Aaliyah's passing; an R&B singer/actress with a golden voice, memorable dance moves and a style all her own. BET Networks has produced a brand new hour-long special dedicated to the memory of Aaliyah, premiering Thursday, August 25 at 8PM*. “AALIYAH: ONE IN A MILLION” will take a look at the life, and notable moments of Aaliyah’s short-lived career with never before seen behind-the-scenes footage, her most popular videos, vintage interviews from BET’s earlier years and intimate conversations with the family and friends that knew her best.

“With Aaliyah: One In A Million, we celebrate her life, her music and what she meant to so many,” said Stephen Hill, BET’s President of Music Programming and Specials. “Aaliyah was a beautiful angel and we’re so glad that we were able to assemble her friends and loved ones for this unique special.”

Including a goofy prize opportunity ...

This came down the pike today and updates a previous release about the network's fall lineup. I am hoping sometime in the next week or so to post a mega-list of fall premiere dates as well. But here's at least one to tide you over.

The official word: CBS, America's most watched network, will officially open the 2011-2012 season on Monday, Sept. 19, highlighted by the special series debut of its new comedy, 2 BROKE GIRLS, which premieres at a special time behind the season premiere of TWO AND A HALF MEN.

In my weekly video, which I expect to post later (UPDATE: posted above), I ask for your thoughts about separating the artist from the art -- Mel Gibson, Roman Polanski, Woody Allen, Lindsay Lohan, et al. Can you look at the person's work and not think about what they've done in their offscreen lives? Post your thoughts in the comment section here. Thanks!

The film had an 86 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The official word: Summit Entertainment is pleased to announce the Blu-ray™ and DVD release of director Chris Weitz’s (About A Boy, The Twilight Saga: New Moon) critically acclaimed drama, A BETTER LIFE, on October 18, 2011. The film stars Demian Bichir (Oliver Stone’s upcoming Savages and Showtime’s “Weeds”) in a breakthrough performance, heralded by critics. Summit Entertainment released A BETTER LIFE theatrically in the U.S. on June 24, 2011.

Undocumented immigrant and hardworking single dad Carlos Galindo (Demian Bichir) embarks on a physical and spiritual journey in order to reconnect with his teenage son and keep him from getting pulled into the local gang life. From director Chris Weitz, A BETTER LIFE is a touching, poignant and multi-generational story that critics call “compelling,” “intelligent” and “heartfelt.”

The official word: Golden Globe winner Julianna Margulies returns in “one of network TV’s strongest dramas” (Time) when “The Good Wife” The Second Season arrives on DVD September 6 from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment. Including exclusive bonus materials . . .

Including all 23 absorbing episodes in a six-disc set, “The Good Wife” The Second Season also stars Christine Baranski, Josh Charles, Emmy winner Archie Panjabi, Matt Czuchry, Alan Cumming, and Chris Noth. Special guest stars including Michael J. Fox, America Ferrera, Lili Tayor, and Anika Noni Rose also make appearances during the dramatic second season.

An enterprising publicist sent along this shoppers' selection of "the top 10 items you might have missed (or the stuff you purposely avoided) when shopping with mom." Lots of brand-name dropping but still a bit amusing.

Multivitamins – You will wish someone had told you early on that popping two multis after a night of drinking will be your saving grace the next day.

Stuff from the mail and other sources:

Much in the news about "Jersey Shore" of late. Abercrombie & Fitch has asked The Situation in particular and the cast as a whole not to wear its brand. And Vinny was interviewed for Parade.com and here are some highlights provided by the site:

The official word: TNT has renewed its fast-paced, light-hearted caper drama Leverage for a fifth season, just as the fourth season is shaping up to score the show’s biggest ratings yet. TNT has ordered 15 episodes of Leverage, with the fifth season slated to launch in summer 2012. The series – which centers on a gang of grifters, hackers and thieves out to settle scores against the rich and powerful – currently airs Sunday nights at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). After the show’s Aug. 28 summer finale, Leverage will return to wrap up its fourth season with new episodes in November and December.

Leverage is the latest high-profile series renewal from TNT following new season orders for Rizzoli & Isles, which is running neck-and-neck with TNT’s The Closer as basic cable’s #1 series; Falling Skies, which ranks as basic cable’s #1 new series for the year-to-date; and Franklin & Bash, which ranks among basic cable’s Top 10 new series this summer. TNT’s top-ranked drama The Closer is in the midst of its extended final season, which will continue in the winter and wrap in summer 2012.

The official word: The Warehouse will be open for business again next year! Warehouse 13, Syfy’s most watched series ever, has been renewed for a fourth season and will return in 2012, it was announced today by Mark Stern, President, Original Content, Syfy, and Co-Head, Original Content, Universal Cable Productions.

Said Stern: “Under Executive Producer Jack Kenny’s leadership, this superlative team of writers, cast, and crew continue to turn out a series that only gets better and better with every episode. Warehouse 13 is deservedly the most popular series in our history and we’re delighted to renew it for a fourth season.”

The official word: After concluding its fourth season with season high ratings, IN PLAIN SIGHT, USA Network’s hit original scripted series starring Mary McCormack (“The West Wing”), will return for its fifth and final season in Spring 2012. The announcement was made today by USA Co-Presidents Jeff Wachtel and Chris McCumber.

“IN PLAIN SIGHT is an integral part of our original programming slate and we are proud of its critical and commercial success,” said McCumber and Wachtel. “With a talented cast led by the incredible Mary McCormack, the fifth and most explosive season is sure to bring in new audiences with its provocative themes and unexpected story arcs.”

The official word: COMEDY CENTRAL announced today that Emmy Award®-winning “Family Guy” creator, writer, director and voice-over actor Seth MacFarlane will once again emcee the network’s Emmy-nominated Roast franchise. MacFarlane has been tapped as Roast Master for the upcoming “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast of Charlie Sheen” – bestowing him with the honor of being the only three-time returning Roast Master. The “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast of Charlie Sheen” (#SheenRoast) will tape in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 10. The Roast will premiere on COMEDY CENTRAL on Monday, September 19 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

“I’m very excited to work with COMEDY CENTRAL again on the roast,” said MacFarlane. “Charlie is a true icon with a talent that is strong and pure and concentrated into small crystals which can be smoked or eaten.”

The official word: Coming off its biggest summer ever dominating the television landscape with a record number of scripted originals and a firm hold on the #1 position in cable, USA Network today announced the season two pick up of the new hit original series SUITS with an order of 16 one-hour episodes. The series, which shoots in Toronto, stars Gabriel Macht ("Love and Other Drugs”), Patrick J. Adams ("Lost"), Rick Hoffman ("Samantha Who”), Gina Torres ("Firefly”), Sarah Rafferty (“Brothers & Sisters”) and Meghan Markle ("CSI Miami"). The announcement was made today by Chris McCumber and Jeff Wachtel, co-presidents, USA Network.

SUITS launched on Thursday, June 23 at 10/9c and will conclude its 12 episode freshman run with the season finale on Thursday, September 8 at 10/9c. The series has made USA the most watched network Thursdays in the 10pm hour in all of television – broadcast or cable – in delivering P18-49, P25-54, and P18-34, beating every cable competitor in total viewers and households, as well. SUITS is the network’s third best freshman season of an original series in P25-54 (2.93 million), P18-49 (2.80 million), P18-34 (1.24 million) and total viewers (6.34 million).

The offical word: Syfy's popular series "Haven" will become the first
television series to create a storyline that flows between the show itself and
the micro-blogging service Twitter when it launches a special seven-episode arc
beginning Friday, August 12, at 10PM (ET/PT).

“The Haven writers and producers have done an amazing job of crafting a story
line that seamlessly moves between the TV show and Twitter,” said Craig Engler,
General Manager and Senior Vice President, Syfy Digital.  “Although there have been simple integrations before, no one has fully and organically integrated Twitter into the fabric of the show in the way Haven is doing. If you watch
Haven and use Twitter, you’re in
for a real treat.”

In the story, Vince (Richard
Donat) and Dave (John Dunsworth), who run the newspaper in Haven, join Twitter
as newcomers to the medium. Viewers who follow their characters (@VinceHaven,
@DaveHaven) will see them interact with a mysterious Twitter user (@ColdInHaven)
who knows more about Haven – and Vince and Dave – than anyone should.

I've been trying to juggle a bunch of things and as a result have gotten way behind on posting here. Nor does tonight look to be much better, since I will be at a screening of "Glee 3D." But here in brief are some of the things I've wanted to talk about:

"The Help." Saw it with the bride Monday night, liked it very much -- with a few reservations, including about the casting of Emma Stone. I have written a review for the Beacon Journal and will post a link here when it is available.  3 1/2 stars. UPDATE: Our link system has changed some and I cannot figure it out. But you can find the review at Ohio.com. I have also posted the link on Twitter and FB.  .

The official word: Agnes Nixon, creator of ABC’s daytime drama “All My Children,” returns to the show as Agnes Eckhart, a long standing board member of Pine Valley Hospital.

Nixon, often called the “queen of the modern soap opera,” created “All My Children” in 1970. She was a pioneer in daytime, writing for such shows as “Another World,” “Guiding Light,” “As the World Turns” and “Search for Tomorrow” before going on to create “One Life to Live,” “All My Children,” “The City” and “Loving.” It was on these shows where Nixon brought many current and important social issues to the small screen. She was honored in 2010 with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 37th Annual Daytime Emmys.

Please post the names of your summer songs and why you like them in the comments section. If you are taking part in the trivia quiz, please email your answers to rheldenfels@thebeaconjournal.com. I hope all this is giving you a

The official word: Due to the extreme heat wave and drought in Central Texas, A&E
is moving the premiere date of “American Hoggers,” a
new original real-life series that follows the Campbell family and their
struggle to rescue Texas residents and ranches from the devastating chaos caused
by millions of invasive wild boars.  The 8-episode half-hour series originally
was slated to premiere August 16 but now will air this fall (date TBD).

“Due to the recent extreme weather in Texas, we think it’s best to move ‘American
Hoggers’ to the fall out of consideration to the
Campbell family, the crew, and the horses and dogs the family use to hunt,” said
David McKillop, Executive Vice President, A&E
Programming. “In this record-breaking heat, even the hogs can use a
break.”

The winner of NBC's "The Voice" will be in E.J. Thomas Hall at 8 that night. Tickets will be $20, and $10 for UA students, and will go on sale around Aug. 19. He has played at UA before, to increasing acclaim, but not at E.J.'s main theater. Said one UA rep of his February visit: "As Javier and I looked out at the main theater last February,  he said that one day in the near future he would play the main stage.  Well, shortly after,  The Voice signed him...and well, the rest is history!  He won!"

A great, great movie.

The official word: Francis Ford Coppola's celebrated thriller The Conversation makes its first appearance on Blu-ray Disc and Digital Download from Lionsgate. The three-time Academy Award® nominated film, (Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Sound, 1974) features an outstanding all-star cast including Academy Award® winners Gene Hackman (Best Actor in a Leading Role, The French Connection, 1971) and Robert Duvall (Best Actor in a Leading Role, Tender Mercies, 1983); alongside Oscar® nominees Harrison Ford*, Frederic Forrest**; and Golden Globe® nominees Cindy Williams*** and John Cazale****. Written and directed by Coppola, this "haunting" (The New York Times) tale about eavesdropping, unrequited love and murder set in San Francisco comes to Blu-ray Disc for the first time on October 25th.

The official word: July 22nd 2011, a day now indelibly ingrained in Norway’s history, is the date Anders Behring Breivik killed eight people by setting off a bomb outside government headquarters in Oslo. He also embarked on a 90-minute shooting spree, resulting in the death of 69 teenagers on Utoya Island.

In a program commissioned by Discovery Networks International and set to air this month across the United States, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific, Discovery Channel chronicles the events of that horrid day – and the impact it has on a nation – in NORWAY MASSACRE: THE KILLER’S MIND. The hour-long special will premiere on Discovery Channel in the United States on Monday, August 8 from 9-10PM ET/PT.

The official word: The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organization, today released its fifth annual Network Responsibility Index (NRI), a report that maps the quantity, quality and diversity of images of LGBT people on television. Primetime programming on the five broadcast networks was evaluated as well as original primetime programming on 10 major cable networks.

The full report can be downloaded at www.glaad.org/nri