Ridley Scott Subscribes for Japan daily Doc, To Learn Tsunami Children

This can be lovely: Ridley Scott is executive allowing the "self-portrait" doc Japan daily, inside the crowd-acquired collected footage vein of Kevin MacDonald's Existence daily, to focus on and assist the kids of Japan's devastating 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster. Fuji will donate 200 cameras for the project, which will cull from distribution posted to Youtube on March 11 wonderful profits apparently coming back for the sufferers. Now that's how you show support, Hollywood. [Deadline]

5 Favorite Billy Crystal Performances

5 Favorite Billy Crystal Performances By Christy Lemire February 24, 2012 Photo by AP Photo/Matt Sayles LOS ANGELES (AP) Billy Crystal is back Sunday as host of the Academy Awards, a responsibility he's held eight times before. By now, the 63-year-old comedian is a pro at this a reliable, familiar choice who's beloved and admired by his peers.And he's achieved that status in this business through his many indelible comic roles. Here are five of his best. "When Harry Met Sally ..." (1989): Easily THE performance of Crystal's career. Everyone involved here is at the height of his or her powers: Meg Ryan, director Rob Reiner, writer Nora Ephron (who earned an Oscar nomination for her screenplay). It's got a retro romantic comedy vibe with a directness that makes it a modern classic; a Woody Allen rip-off, yes, but with a charm all its own. Crystal is at his snappy, sarcastic best but he has a sweetness, too, as the neurotic Harry, who keeps running into Ryan's high-strung Sally as they struggle to navigate the complex dating scene of Manhattan. They are, of course, meant for each other, and Crystal was a surprisingly convincing romantic lead. This movie would be cast totally differently today. It would star Channing Tatum or Ryan Reynolds, someone great-looking. Maybe Seth Rogen. Maybe. "Monsters Inc." (2001): Man, this movie made me cry. I mean, it's one of the greatest Pixar films, and Crystal has a delightful interplay with John Goodman as a couple of monsters who inadvertently befriend a little girl they're supposed to frighten. But it takes a heart-wrenching turn, and that emotional impact comes from both the writing and the performances. Crystal lends his voice to Mike Wazowski, a green, one-eyed ball who looks like a hyperactive lime with spindly arms and legs. His high-pitched, whiny shtick provides the perfect contrast for Goodman's rich, gravelly vocal tones, and he brings great energy to this fast-talking, lovable little dude. "The Princess Bride" (1987): One of the greatest comedies of all time, of course, and a sentimental favorite of mine growing up. Reiner's fairy tale has a strong ensemble cast full of great, memorable performances. That includes Crystal's as Miracle Max, the disgruntled former employee of the evil Prince Humperdinck who creates a magical pill that brings the swashbuckling hero Westley back to life. Because he's only mostly dead, you see. Crystal described the character, with his exaggerated nose and ears and wild, gray hair, as looking like a combination of former NY Yankees manager Casey Stengel and his grandmother. He and Carol Kane have a lively, old-school banter as a bickering but loving husband and wife, like something out of a Borscht Belt comedy routine, and while he's only in one scene, it's a standout. "Throw Momma From the Train" (1987): I always admired the fact that everyone involved here has the decency to acknowledge that they're stealing from "Strangers on a Train," which happens to be my favorite Hitchcock film. This is not an homage, this is outright theft, but it's respectful, and with a comic twist. In Danny DeVito's directing debut, he and Crystal co-star as two guys with nothing in common but the desire to have someone killed, so they agree to swap murders to avoid suspicion. Crystal, who plays an author, serves as the frustrated straight man among larger-than-life figures an abusive ogre of a mother, a skittish momma's boy. And every writer can relate to the anxiety of looking at a blank page (or screen) and not being able to get past the words "The night was ...." "Soap" (1977-81): OK. So this is a bit of a cheat because it's a television performance. But the role was so groundbreaking, Crystal was so good in it and the show was so culturally significant, I had to include it. In this nighttime parody of daytime soap operas, Crystal played Jodie Dallas, an openly gay character functioning as a major figure on network television, a rarity at the time. His inclusion drew criticism both from religious conservatives as well as gays, who believed the character perpetuated some negative stereotypes. Actually, he was one of the more grounded and low-key characters in a show full of eccentrics and melodramatic weirdoes. It was an early indicator of great things to come.Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 5 Favorite Billy Crystal Performances By Christy Lemire February 24, 2012 PHOTO CREDIT AP Photo/Matt Sayles LOS ANGELES (AP) Billy Crystal is back Sunday as host of the Academy Awards, a responsibility he's held eight times before. By now, the 63-year-old comedian is a pro at this a reliable, familiar choice who's beloved and admired by his peers.And he's achieved that status in this business through his many indelible comic roles. Here are five of his best. "When Harry Met Sally ..." (1989): Easily THE performance of Crystal's career. Everyone involved here is at the height of his or her powers: Meg Ryan, director Rob Reiner, writer Nora Ephron (who earned an Oscar nomination for her screenplay). It's got a retro romantic comedy vibe with a directness that makes it a modern classic; a Woody Allen rip-off, yes, but with a charm all its own. Crystal is at his snappy, sarcastic best but he has a sweetness, too, as the neurotic Harry, who keeps running into Ryan's high-strung Sally as they struggle to navigate the complex dating scene of Manhattan. They are, of course, meant for each other, and Crystal was a surprisingly convincing romantic lead. This movie would be cast totally differently today. It would star Channing Tatum or Ryan Reynolds, someone great-looking. Maybe Seth Rogen. Maybe. "Monsters Inc." (2001): Man, this movie made me cry. I mean, it's one of the greatest Pixar films, and Crystal has a delightful interplay with John Goodman as a couple of monsters who inadvertently befriend a little girl they're supposed to frighten. But it takes a heart-wrenching turn, and that emotional impact comes from both the writing and the performances. Crystal lends his voice to Mike Wazowski, a green, one-eyed ball who looks like a hyperactive lime with spindly arms and legs. His high-pitched, whiny shtick provides the perfect contrast for Goodman's rich, gravelly vocal tones, and he brings great energy to this fast-talking, lovable little dude. "The Princess Bride" (1987): One of the greatest comedies of all time, of course, and a sentimental favorite of mine growing up. Reiner's fairy tale has a strong ensemble cast full of great, memorable performances. That includes Crystal's as Miracle Max, the disgruntled former employee of the evil Prince Humperdinck who creates a magical pill that brings the swashbuckling hero Westley back to life. Because he's only mostly dead, you see. Crystal described the character, with his exaggerated nose and ears and wild, gray hair, as looking like a combination of former NY Yankees manager Casey Stengel and his grandmother. He and Carol Kane have a lively, old-school banter as a bickering but loving husband and wife, like something out of a Borscht Belt comedy routine, and while he's only in one scene, it's a standout. "Throw Momma From the Train" (1987): I always admired the fact that everyone involved here has the decency to acknowledge that they're stealing from "Strangers on a Train," which happens to be my favorite Hitchcock film. This is not an homage, this is outright theft, but it's respectful, and with a comic twist. In Danny DeVito's directing debut, he and Crystal co-star as two guys with nothing in common but the desire to have someone killed, so they agree to swap murders to avoid suspicion. Crystal, who plays an author, serves as the frustrated straight man among larger-than-life figures an abusive ogre of a mother, a skittish momma's boy. And every writer can relate to the anxiety of looking at a blank page (or screen) and not being able to get past the words "The night was ...." "Soap" (1977-81): OK. So this is a bit of a cheat because it's a television performance. But the role was so groundbreaking, Crystal was so good in it and the show was so culturally significant, I had to include it. In this nighttime parody of daytime soap operas, Crystal played Jodie Dallas, an openly gay character functioning as a major figure on network television, a rarity at the time. His inclusion drew criticism both from religious conservatives as well as gays, who believed the character perpetuated some negative stereotypes. Actually, he was one of the more grounded and low-key characters in a show full of eccentrics and melodramatic weirdoes. It was an early indicator of great things to come.Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Mary McCormack Set Because The Lead In Kari Lizers ABC Comedy Pilot

In Plain Sight star Mary McCormack, has arranged her next series gig, playing charge in Kari Lizer’s untitled ABC comedy pilot (also known as The Less than professional). The multi-camera comedy, from Warner Bros. TV, focuses on Hilary Pfeiffer-Dunne (McCormack), a higher-powered executive who, getting centered the organization America for a long time, now faces the greatest challenge of her existence when she finds herself unemployed and serving as a complete-time mother to her two teens. McCormack segues towards the ABC pilot from the five-year stint because the star of USA’s U.S. Marshal drama In Plain Sight, whose fifth and final season premieres on March 16. McCormack’s other series credits range from the West Wing, Murder One and also the Cinemax semi-scripted Electricity comedy K Street.

Lawrence Peryer named Boss of Artist Arena

Lawrence Peryer continues to be named Boss of Warner Music Group's artist-to-fan division Artist Arena, the organization introduced internally on Tuesday. Simultaneously, Artist Arena founder Mark Weiss will move to a different role as senior vice president of worldwide branding for WMG. Artist Arena is definitely an umbrella for fan Internet sites, while offering pre-purchase ticket deals along with other perks to club people. Peryer most lately headed their own company, the background music and corporate branding firm 23 Omnimedia. He was formerly leader of UltraStar Entertainment, now a division of Live Nation Entertainment. He's labored with your functions because the Moving Gemstones, AC/Electricity, David Bowie, Destiny's Child and also the In Demand Chili All kinds of peppers. Announcing Peryer's appointment to staff, WMG senior vice president of worldwide artist services David Marcus stated, "Lawrence is really a first-class entrepreneur, having a passionate artist-centric philosophy along with a deep knowledge of how you can bring technology and entertainment along with spectacular results." Weiss had brought Artist Arena since its founding in 2004. He will work using the division within an advisory capacity. Marcus stated Weiss "will engage in a distinctive initiative to revitalize and expand the Warner Music brand itself." Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Bravo Orders 10th Season of Top Chef

Top Chef: Texas Top Chefwill return for a 10th season, Bravo announced Thursday.In addition, they will begin open calls for chefs interested in auditioning for a spot on Feb. 21. Casting calls will take place in NY, Denver, Atlanta, San Francisco, Washington and Los Angeles.Top Chef's Chris Jones: I had a bad feeling about everythingThe culinary-competition show has won two Emmys (Outstanding Editing in a Reality Series and Outstanding Reality-Competition Program) since its inception in 2006Top Chef airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Bravo.