MUSIC/ AZERBAIJAN WINS EUROVISION 2011: Azerbaijan has been crowned the winner of this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Germany, while the UK came 11th. Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal of Ell/Nikki were voted Europe's favorites last night, after scoring 221 points with their love song, "Running Scared". Italy's Raphael Gualazzi took 2nd place, followed by Eric Saade from Sweden. Newly reformed UK band Blue notched up 100 points for 10th place, while Ireland's entry, "X Factor" twins Jedward, finished 8th. It is the 1st time that Azerbaijan has won the contest in its 56 year history, having only joined Eurovision in 2008. Although Jamal was born in Azerbaijan, she currently lives in north London with her husband and two daughters. On receiving the trophy, Gasimov said he was the "the happiest man in the world". It was another disappointing year for the UK, which has not won the competition since 1997, when Katrina and the Waves triumphed with "Love Shine a Light". However, Blue managed to notch up a respectable score compared with last year's entry, which came in last with only 10 points. Full details can be found on the Eurovision website.
Bruno Mars’ "The Lazy Song" makes the final move into the penthouse of the UK singles chart this week, climbing from last week’s #2 to this week’s #1. "The Lazy Song" is the 3rd UK #1 single to come from Mars’ debut album "Doo-Wops & Hooligans," following "Just The Way You Are" (September 2010) and "Grenade" (January 2011). Lady Gaga is straight in at #6 with "The Edge Of Glory" at #6. Lady Gaga also has singles "Judas" at #11, up from #20, while "Born This Way" is at #24. Adele shows no signs of relinquishing her hold on the #1 album spot, as "21" claims its 15th week at the top of the chart and "19" stays at #3. TV star Hugh Laurie takes the accolade of highest new entry as his debut album, the blues influenced, "Let Them Talk" soars straight in #2. With Laurie on vocals and piano, the album also features contributions from such luminaries as Dr John, Irma Thomas and Sir Tom Jones. There are another 2 new entries in this week’s album top 10: "Glee The Music Presents The Warblers" debuts at #7 while Sade’s "The Ultimate Collection", which includes tracks from their near 30 year career, is straight in at #8.
Fox Searchlight’s "Black Swan" recorded boffo box office in its Japanese debut, opening to $6.1 million and pushing the film’s worldwide cumulative total over the $300 million mark. Japan, where the box office has bounced back in earnest since March's earthquake and tsunami, was the last major territory where "Black Swan" had not opened. The $6.1 million launch included $2.8 million in previews. Through today, "Black Swan’s" international box office was $198 million. Domestically, it has earned $107 million for a global total of $305 million. From director Darren Aronofsky, "Black Swan" is one of the few independent films to ever cross the $300 million mark. Others include "Slumdog Millionaire" ($377.9 million) and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" ($368.7 million). Mel Gibson’s "The Passion of the Christ" earned $611.9 million worldwide.
FILM/ "AMITYVILLE" SEQUEL IN THE WORKS: Dimension Films and Miramax are joining together to produce the sequel "The Amityville Horror: The Lost Tapes". Dimension has acquired a new screenplay by Casey La Scala and Daniel Farrands, who are both set to direct the movie, which will begin filming this summer for a projected January 27, 2012 release. The original "Amityville", which hit theaters in 1979 and was based on supposedly true events, has spun off a series of sequels and DVD titles. Dimension rebooted the title in 2005 with a remake called "The Amityville Horror". The premise this time will be built around “found footage” discovered through an investigation into the haunted house. Jason Blum, who has had success in the found footage genre with the 2 "Paramormal Activity" movies, will produce.
TV/ NBC ANNOUNCES FALL SCHEDULE: NBC has announced its new fall schedule and will bow 6 of its 12 new series this autumn in attempts to rebuild the ratings-challenged network. Among the changes, NBC will establish a new night of comedy on Wednesdays with the
Christina Applegate comedy "Up All Night" in the lead-off slot followed by the Hank Azaria comedy "Free Agents". David E. Kelley’s "Harry’s Law" will move to Wednesdays and will be followed by veteran crime procedural "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit". Series stars Mariska Hargitay and Chris Meloni will both be back next season. The show is reportedly looking to add a strong female character next season, with Jennifer Love Hewitt in contention. New comedy "Whitney," will get the post-"Office" slot on Thursdays. "30 Rock" will be held for midseason due to star Tina Fey's pregnancy, while "Parks and Recreation" will shift back into its slot before "Community". "Prime Suspect", with Maria Bello in the role originated by Oscar winner Helen Mirren in the original British drama, will get the competitive 10:00pm slot on Thursday. NBC will also save musical drama "Smash," starring Debra Messing and Katharine McPhee, for midseason where it will be paired with the 2nd season of "The Voice," pictured, on Mondays. "Chuck" will move to Fridays for its final season and Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice" will be back, without or without Trump, should he make a run for President. Full schedule details will be released during its upfront presentation tomorrow in New York.
CBS is making room on its 2011-12 schedule by canceling 3 freshman series. The net has canceled "S#*! My Dad Says," which stars William Shatner, pictured left. The multicamera comedy aired 18 episodes in its Thursday at slot following hit "The Big Bang Theory" before it was replaced earlier this year. It averaged 10.7 million viewers, according to Nielsen. "The Defenders," the drama starring Jim Belushi and Jerry O'Connell, has also been axed. The Friday drama averaged 10.5 million viewers for its 19 episode run. Finally, "Made Love," the Jason Biggs and Judy Greer comedy averaged 7 million viewers in its midseason Monday time slot. Its finale airs May 16. CBS unveils its full fall scheduled on Wednesday in New York.
THEATRE/ "WONDERLAND" SHUTTERS TODAY: "Wonderland," the new musical that reinvents Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" for the 21st century, closes today at Broadway's Marquis Theatre. A national tour of the pop-friendly show is in the works. At close, the tale of a modern-day New York City mom who konks her head and is transported to a subterranean fantasyland will have played 31 previews and 33 performances. Previews for "Wonderland "began March 21 toward an opening of April 17. A cast album was released May 3. The show was panned by critics and received no Tony nominations.
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