Rare Tuesday triumph for NBC

Though CBS won within the target demo with repeats of the regular selection, it absolutely was NBC that edged ahead among teens Tuesday with enhanced amounts for ''Who's Still Standing'' together with a great repeat showing for ''A Very Gilly Christmas.''According to preliminary national estimations, gameshow ''Who's Still Standing'' elevated 20% in the modest premiere of Monday to average another-place 1.8/5 in 18-49 and 5.8 million audiences overall inside the 8 o'clock hour the show is airing just like a four-evening event now before shifting towards the regular Monday 8 p.m. timeslot inside a couple of days. From 9 to 11, the Peacock rebroadcast the special ''Saturday Evening Live: A Very Gilly Christmas'' (2.1/6 in 18-49, 5.8 million audiences overall), which was lower just a little from last year's airing but nevertheless did many and won the time is right period in 18-49.CBS, which introduced the evening in grownups 25-54 and total audiences with repeats of the dramas, won overall at 8 p.m. with ''NCIS'' (2./6 in 18-49, 12.3 million audiences overall) after which it continued to be on top in a few groups at 9 p.m. with ''NCIS: Los Angeles'' (2.1/6 in 18-49, 11.4 million audiences overall), which tied with ''Gilly Christmas'' as Tuesday's No. 1 show in 18-49. At 10, ''Unforgettable'' averaged single.7/5 in 18-49 and 8. million audiences overall.ABC didn't do much Tuesday, seeing its best amounts with repeats of ''Last Guy Standing'' at 8 (1.4/4 in 18-49, 5.7 million audiences overall) and 8:30 (1.6/5 in 18-49, 5.5 million audiences overall). It absolutely was then encores of ''The Middle'' (1.3/3 in 18-49, 4.3 million audiences overall), ''Suburgatory'' (1./3 in 18-49, 3.4 million audiences overall) and drama ''Body of Proof'' (.8/2 in 18-49, 4.5 million audiences overall).Fox too stood a quiet evening with encores of ''Glee'' (1.1/3 in 18-49, 3.3 million audiences overall), ''New Girl'' (1.1/3 in 18-49, 2.8 million audiences overall) and ''Raising Hope'' (1./3 in 18-49, 2.7 million audiences overall), and CW barely registered with repeats of ''90210'' (.3/one out of 18-49, .8 million audiences overall) and ''Ringer'' (.3/one out of 18-49, .6 000 0000 audiences overall).Univision, introduced by 9 p.m. drama ''Fuerza del Destino'' (1.8/5 in 18-49, 4.4 million audiences overall), elevated to 3rd round the evening in 18-49 , behind only NBC and CBS.Preliminary 18-49 earnings for your evening: NBC, 2./6 CBS, 1.9/5 Univision, 1.4/4 ABC, 1.1/3 Fox, 1./3 CW, .3/1.In general audiences: CBS, 10.6 000 0000 NBC, 5.8 million ABC, 4.7 million Univision, 3.4 million Fox, 3. million CW, .7 million. Contact Ron Kissell at ron.kissell@variety.com

9 Suggested New Titles for Will Ferrell's Dubious New Comedy Casa de mi Padre

Maybe I’m still annoyed nearly ten years after I saw Anchorman in theaters and was so angry with its juvenile, unfunny, dude-baiting humor that I’m sour to any movie whose theme is “Will Ferrell is a hilariously alpha dimwit!” — but I’m pretty sure Ferrell’s new jam Casa de mi Padre with Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna is downright moronic for real. In fact, the sophisticated-sounding title isn’t a good fit for the film (though it is written entirely in Spanish) and ought to be replaced. Here are nine titles we’d consider, along with the movie’s new teaser trailer. 1. Y Su Pap Estpido Tambin 2. Telemundo Nights: The Ballad of Armando Alvarez 3. Armando Hug ‘N Kiss 4. Wedding Rancheros 5. The Adventures of Zorro’s Dumber Brother 6. We Bought a Zorro 7. A Mildly Amusing Rum Commercial Stretched to 104 Minutes 8. Bewitched 2 9. Macho Libre I think #9 is the best fit. Any to add? ‘Casa de mi Padre’ Teaser Trailer: A Brief New Look at Will Ferrell’s Spanish-Language Comedy [/Film]

First Prometheus Poster Arrives

Beware the Big Giant HeadWhile we're still waiting for an official release of the teaser trailer for Prometheus (no, all those dodgy, blurry bootlegs don't count), 20th Century Fox has decided to release the first teaser poster for Ridley Scott's enigmatic new piece of sci-fi.It's certainly in keeping with the shadowy tone of the pictures that arrived last month: the huge head that dominates one of the chambers seen in those pictures is the star, and we assume that's Noomi Rapace shining some light on it.Prometheus, in case you weren't aware, sees a team of scientists and other future types on a journey to a distant world in a quest to discover mankind's possible origins. Naturally, what they find isn't completely pleasant. Or, as the tagline puts it, "The search for our beginning could lead to our end." Dun, and in a very real sense, dun duuuur!{First Prometheus Poster Arrives}Rapace is joined in the cast by Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, Sean Harris, Kate Dickie, Logan Marshall-Green and Patrick Wilson.Working from a script by Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof, Scott will shove Prometheus into our cinemas on June 1, 2012.

How Golden Globe, SAG Film Noms Will Impact the Oscar Race (Analysis)

NY - Howard Stern has signed a deal to join NBC talent show America's Got Talent as a judge, the shock jock announced on his Sirius XM Radio show on Thursday.our editor recommendsSimon Cowell Confirms Talks With Howard Stern for 'America's Got Talent' (Video)Howard Stern Talks 'America's Got Talent': 'I'd Be Better Than the Hoff' As expected, he will replace CNN host Piers Morgan. PHOTOS: Howard Stern Through the Years "It's offical - Howard just signed on the dotted line - he is now the newest judge on America's Got Talent!" said a tweet from the show's Twitter handle @sternshow. Stern said he will start shooting in February and travel the country for the audition rounds, according to people who buzzed about the news online. The show's live airings will move to NY where Stern is based. "Howard Stern's larger-than-life personality will bring a thrilling new dynamic to America's Got Talent starting this summer," said Paul Telegdy, president of alternative and late night at NBC, in a release that confirmed the news. An earlier tweet from Stern's show had said: "Yesterday, Howard met America's Got Talent winner @landaueugenejr . Howard says he's a really nice guy but he still shouldn't have won." Stern recently said he would be better on the talent show than David Hasselhoff. The addition of Stern caps off a big week for NBC's reality division, which has delivered much-needed good news for the network. Monday's return of Fear Factor, after its six year hiatus, brought the beleaguered network its best non-sports ratings for the 8pm hour since 2008. America's Got Talent is produced by FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell's SYCO Television. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics Howard Stern America's Got Talent

'Ellen' Producer Sues Claiming Rabid Fans Were Targeted In Facebook Scam (Exclusive)

Getty Images Last month,Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino from Jersey Shore sued Abercrombie & Fitch over what he saw was a less-than-amusing publicity stunt. The retailer had offered him a "substantial payment" to stop wearing its clothes, and introduced a line of clothing that seemingly aped Sorrentino's famous catch phrases. In response, MPS Entertainment, the company owned by Sorrentino and his brother, filed a $4 million lawsuit alleging trademark violations, deceptive advertising and misappropriation of his publicity rights.our editor recommendsTHR's 5 Worst Celebrity Books of 2011: Jersey Shore, More Jersey Shore and the Levi Johnston-Bristol Palin Feud'Jersey Shore' Season 5 Trailer: Keeping Security Guards Employed Since 2009 (Video)'Jersey Shore's' The Situation Sues Abercrombie & Fitch for $4 MillionAbercrombie & Fitch Offers 'The Situation' Compensation to Not Wear Its Clothes PHOTOS: 'Jersey Shore's' Quotable Situation On Monday, Abercrombie & Fitch responded in court with a very detailed motion to dismiss. The clothing company tells a slightly different story of what happened. Additionally, the defendant attacks Sorrentino for weak trademark claims and says the Jersey Shorecastmember is interfering with its First Amendment right to make light of a troubling situation. Here's A&F's side of the story, which begins on an episode of Jersey Shorethat aired on August 11. Throughout the episode, A&F says that Sorrentino wore green Abercrombie sweat pants bearing its logo. PHOTOS: The Best and Worst Moments of 'Jersey Shore' The retailer says it was concerned that "the prominent display of its A&F logo would be viewed as an endorsement by A&F of the raucous behavior on the show." Reality TV shows often blur out brand names. Not this time, allegedly. So A&F sent a letter to MTV with a request that its marks be pixilated out of future episodes.Along with the demand allegedly came an offer that MTV, Sorrentino and other castmembers would be paid money for not wearing its products. Sorrentino's camp says it never got such an offer, but here's a look at the letter to MTVco-general counselGeorge Cheeks, revealing that the "substantial" offer to stop wearing A&F clothing was for $10,000: In his lawsuit, Sorrentino says that A&F's efforts to contact MTV were all part of a "marketing ploy." Even if MTV was contacted, the star says that such an offer was never conveyed to him. A&F responds that it doesn't matter. "Whether the offer letter went directly to Sorrentino is immaterial, and does not establish the falsity of the offer that Plaintiffs allege was made," the company writes in its motion to dismiss. Sounds good. Here's the problem: Was this a sincere and timely offer? The letter above is dated August 15, yet A&F had already had put out a press release three days earlier noting that it had offered compensation to Sorrentino to cease wearing A&F products. Additionally, although one presidential candidateis getting slammed as being out-of-touch for casually offering up a $10,000 bet in a recent debate, we'll wager that "up to $10,000" wouldn't impress many Hollywood dealmakers as being very "substantial." PHOTOS: Crazy Cases! 18 of Hollywood's Outrageous Entertainment Lawsuits A&F does somewhat better in attacking Sorrentino's claims that certain A&F clothing infringed his trademarks. A&F says it had placed an order in January 2010 for two t-shirts featuring phrases that parodied Jersey Shore. The company says that Sorrentino was aware of the parody t-shirts for almost a year and never objected. The retailer goes on to dispute Sorrentino's trademark dominion over "The Situation" and "GTL," saying the evidence shows merely that the reality star has applied to register those marks. The applications have not yet been granted by the U.S. Trademark Office. Additionally, the use and "good will" of the mark is questioned. It's noted that MPS supposedly acquired rights to a stylized upside-down "Situation" mark and design from a retailer named Yak Shoes, but A&F questions the validity of this assignment since there has been no transfer of business nor evidence that the mark and design has been used. Besides, A&F points out that the asserted trademark registration and A&F's clothing aren't very similar and its products are unlikely to confuse consumers. The clothing retailer provides some good reasoning to doubt whether Sorrentino will eventually succeed in registering GTL. It's pointed out that Viacom (parent company of MTV) actually holds a trademark registration for "GYM TANNING LAUNDRY" and has been offering on its website t-shirts for sale bearing "GTL." "Based on both MTV's and other Jersey Shore castmates' use of 'GTL', Plaintiffs cannot establish that they are the single source of goods being offered under the alleged mark 'GTL', and their unfair uncompetition and false designation of origin claim under 1125(a) must fail," says the brief. Perhaps most important is the question whether A&F's use of Sorrentino and his catch-phrases is constitutionally-protected free speech. A&F says that its shirts and use of the star's likeness was parody -- clearly a joke, not intended to convey sponsorship: "A&F's t-shirt bearing the phrase 'The Fitchuation' was a pun or turn of phrase, parodying Sorrentino's nickname for himself as 'The Situation'. As Plaintiffs plead, Sorrentino has appeared on several nationally televised programs and as such is a public figure, subject to being parodied by virtue of his presence in the public eye. Additionally, the t-shirt bearing the phrase 'G.T.L. (You Know The Deal) Fitch', was poking fun at the Jersey Shore castmates self proclaimed habit of doing the 'GTL', i.e. 'gym, tanning laundry.' We have no idea what makes the average guido in Jersey laugh, and we know the old saying that the best way to kill a joke is to explain it, but was this actually humorous? Whether the judge chuckles and chucks....stay tuned. E-mail: eriqgardner@yahoo.com Twitter: @eriqgardner PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 'Jersey Shore': The Quotable Situation

'Dictator' Trailer: Sacha Baron Cohen Assumes Obama, Kardashians And Much More

It has been a while since we have been told by Sacha Baron Cohen around the solo comedy front. In 2006, every annoying person you realize outfitted as Borat for Halloween, but growing knowledge of his mockumentary tactics managed to get increasingly more hard for Cohen to film without having to be observed. Signal "The Dictator," a typically Cohen character who is not making his debut mockumentary style. A clip for that film, which just showed up via Moviefone, discloses a really traditionally shot undertake a really wacky character -- half the normal formula, up-to-date for modern occasions. It opens with newsreel footage of Leader Obama and Secretary of Condition Hillary Clinton talking about a dreadful tyrant who's controlled his country for more than 40 years. That may be a significant documentary about Gaddafi or Saddam or another person, right? After that it cuts to Cohen because the eponymous dictator for any montage of ostentatious goofiness, using the bearded leader crowing upon reaching New york city, "Ah, America, the birthplace of Helps!" So yes, not so serious! Without anyone's knowledge, you will find stars like John C. Reilly and Ben Kingsley (that guy will act in anything). Gleam cameo by Megan Fox, apparently playing herself, whom the dictator pays lots of money to rest with, along with a cheap, pointed search in the Kardashians. That'll use it componen using the other low brow Cohen classics, though we are unsure anything could eclipse the abundance of genitalia that blared on the watch's screen in "Bruno." We are still washing our eyes from that certain. "The Dictator" will drop in May 2012, and we'll surely see much more over-the-top clips until then. Inform us that which you think about the "Dictator" trailer within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

Silent Witness

Dermot Mulroney and Michael Cudlitz in "Silent Witness" Filmed in Toronto by Sandbar Pictures and Howard Braunstein Films. Executive producers, Lizzie Friedman, Greg Little, Howard Braunstein; supervising producer, Steve Solomos; producer, Deborah Marks; director, Peter Markle; writer, Thomas Michael Donnelly; based on the book by Richard North Patterson.Tony Lord - Dermot Mulroney Sam Robb - Michael Cudlitz Kate Robb - Anne Heche Ramos - Anthony Ruivivar Stella Marz - Lisa Berry Saul Rubin - Judd HirschA tawdry tale of small-town sex and violence with just enough twists to keep the predictable action compelling, "Silent Witness" presents an adequate defense for TNT's "Mystery Movie Night" experiment. Based on the 1997 bestseller by Richard North Patterson, the largely courtroom-set thriller dips into themes of friendship, middle-aged anxiety, defense attorney ethics and the past's inexorable grip on the present. The shallow but competent outcome should have ratings prospects in line with other movies in the four-week wheel. Hotshot defense attorney Tony Lord (Dermot Mulroney) reluctantly returns to his hometown of Lake City, Ohio, when his childhood best friend Sam Robb (Michael Cudlitz) is accused of murdering a high school track star. Buddies and former all-star athletes, the bond between Tony and Sam has already survived one high-profile murder case: Back when they were teens, Tony was accused but acquitted of killing his girlfriend, and Sam never doubted his friend's innocence. When the tables are turned, Tony isn't sure he can say the same about Sam. Not helping matters: Tony discovers 46-year-old assistant principal Sam wasn't just coaching the 16-year-old victim to track-meet victories, he was sleeping with her, too. But Sam insists he isn't a killer and Tony takes the case, disregarding the advice of his mentor (Judd Hirsch) that, "In criminal defense, old friends are not the best clients." After all, Sam's wife Kate (Anne Heche) -- who also went to high school with the guys -- had just as much motive to off her husband's young lover, and the victim had a questionable bond with another older man (Anthony Ruivivar). The title provides perhaps too big a clue to the mystery's resolution, but director Peter Markle ("Flight 93") oversees the courtroom action and Tony and Sam's fractured friendship with smooth efficiency, placing equal emphasis on plot twists and emotional beats. His straightforward visual style keeps the story moving along without distraction, even in brief flashbacks to the characters' '80s glory days. The capable cast dutifully goes through the motions. If this is an audition for Mulroney to headline his own TNT series, he'd do just fine. It's more disappointing to see the kooky energy Heche brings to a ho-hum role get sidelined by the extensive legal battles. "Silent Witness" won't be a resume highlight for anyone involved, but a few overwrought scenes aside, it's not an embarrassment either.Camera, Mark Irwin; production designer, Franco de Cotiis; editor, Scott Boyd; music, Velton Ray Bunch; casting, Cathy Sandrich-Gelfond, Tina Gerussi, Amanda Mackey. 120 MIN. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com