'Extra' host launches social TV venture

Menounos She may be best known as host of syndie newsmag "Extra," but Maria Menounos has been quietly building a different kind of brand covering the entertainment world.Menounos is the sole backer of AfterBuzz TV, an online network officially launching Monday. The website has grown enough in beta mode over its first 10 months to attract new partnerships with Microsoft search engine Bing and streaming media specialist Akamai.Afterbuzz rides the coattails of around 40 of TV's most popular primetime series by going online as quickly as 10-15 minutes after each episode's original airdate with a live webcast transmitting from its Los Angeles HQ for fans to dissect what they just watched. The venture employs a roster of hosts who moderate discussions that include fans who can call in or weigh in from chatrooms as well as guests from both sides of the camera on the shows being discussed.Last year, Afterbuzz held a live screening of the "Breaking Bad" season finale with stars from the series in tow including Aaron Paul, who joined Menounos for a post-episode conversation. But it's audio podcasts of Afterbuzz shows that have proved even more popular than the live webcasts, which may be expected given the significant portion of viewers who may be watching their favorite shows days later via VOD or DVR.The series that are the most popular draws on Afterbuzz -- USA's "WWE Raw," MTV's "Jersey Shore" and FX's "American Horror Story" rank as top attractions -- can yield anywhere from 250,000-500,000 downloads on iTunes."I really believe strongly in digital media being the future," said Menounos who runs AfterBuzz with Keven Undergaro, a partner in her production company. "As a passionate TV fan, this was something I just had to do."Menounos also hopes to give Afterbuzz a boost as a cast member on the upcoming season of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars." It will be the first series her company will have a correspondent based inside the production and she plans to do Afterbuzz sessions after each "Dancing" episode with the occasional contribution of fellow castmates (should she stay on the series long enough).While she contributes to the occasional program, most AfterBuzz programming is hosted by hundreds of different TV fans drawn from the legions of actors, comedians and other industry types living in Los Angeles.Bing will come on as a sponsor in advance of additional integrations between the two properties. The other is with streaming media specialist Akamai is taking over hosting duties for video and audio versions of AfterBuzz programming.Whether streaming live or downloading later, all Afterbuzz programs are free to consume. And the consumption is coming from all over the world given the popularity of U.S. TV series in overseas markets. Next on Afterbuzz agenda is the launch of an app to capitalize on the growing percentage of its audience watching and listening from wireless devices. The venture has already broadened out to covering movies soon after their release.Afterbuzz is staking out territory that a growing number of TV channels are starting to carve out themselves. MTV, Bravo, AMC and Lifetime are among the nets in recent years who have given existing hits their own companion shows that air immediately afterward. The venture also finds itself on the rise as a cottage industry of social-TV startups try to grab market share of the conversation surrounding hit TV programming. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

The Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco Calls Off Engagement

John Austin Eco-friendly John Austin Eco-friendly will get Happy Being. The Beverly Slopes, 90210 alum look inside the season finale just like a guest within the wedding of Penny's gay nearest friend Derrick (Stephen Guarino), TVGuide.com has confirmed. Entertainment Weekly first reported what is the news. Uncover why Happy Being showed up inside our Top Moments every week There's a small twist how his character will attend, though. Cent could possibly get saddled within the "Skype" table, a.k.a. the table for people experiencing the wedding within the ease of their properties via video chat. Still, that won't stop Cent from tease with him. Eco-friendly joins a extended report on guest stars within the second season of Happy Being, including Colin Hanks, Megan Mullally, James Wolk, Fred Savage plus much more.

Alcon teams with Creative Coalition

Alcon Entertainment has produced an effective partnership while using Creative Coalition beneath the latter's Spotlight Initiative banner. The alliance necessitates the Creative Coalition to coordinate cause-related marketing components into marketing campaigns for Alcon's film slate like the approaching "Speedboys" project. "Today, our citizenry demands socially conscious activism within the products and corporations it supports, and entertainment is not any exception," mentioned Creative Coalition Boss Robin Bronk. "Alcon Entertainment knows the power, inspiration and influence of film on issues that serve typically the most popular good." Alcon setup "Speedboys" last fall. It comes down lower to math teacher Simon Hauger, who brought troubled Philadelphia high schoolers to win a tournament to create another-fuel vehicle. Alcon's slate features projects specific in the household demo for instance "The Blind Side," "Dolphin Tale" and "Pleased Noise." Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

West Finish slate develops

Free Airline End's dance card for later this season is filling using the announcement of three incoming productions, together with a change in a Shakespeare double bill toplined by Mark Rylance. Also on tap is really a London move for that Royal Shakespeare Company staging of the new abide by David Edgar ("Nicholas Nickleby"), in addition to a revival of Joe Orton's 1967 farce "Exactly what the Butler Saw." As formerly expected in Variety, frequent trans-Atlantic producer Sonia Friedman will move twinned Shakespeare's Globe stagings of "Richard III" and "Twelfth Evening," both starring Rylance, towards the West Finish within the fall. Initially opening at Shakespeare's Globe (This summer 14-March. 14), the time-style productions featuring all-male casts will have a 13-week season in the West End's Apollo Theater beginning November. 2. Stephen Fry continues to be put into the cast, playing Malvolio in "Twelfth Evening" opposite Rylance as Olivia. The productions, helmed by Tim Carroll, continue the significant relationship between Friedman and Rylance which has includes "Boeing-Boeing," "La Bete" and "Jerusalem." The 3 were London hits that continued to Gotham stints, with Rylance obtaining a Tony each for his perfs in "Boeing-Boeing" and "Jerusalem." Also joining free airline End's approaching slate may be the RSC manufacture of Edgar's "Written around the Heart," moving in the RSC's Stratford-upon-Avon the place to find free airline End's Duchess Theater for any limited run beginning April 19. Producers Bill Kenwright ("Bloodstream Siblings") and Thelma Holt will slowly move the show, which performed the RSC within the fall. Set 400 years back, Edgar's play examines the religious and political divisions that came about within the questionable first British translation from the King James Bible. Helmed by Gregory Doran, the play would be the second RSC show around the boards in the western world Finish, joining the hit change in tuner "Matilda," presently thinking of getting a Broadway berth. Also looking for this season is really a new manufacture of "Exactly what the Butler Saw" in the West End's Vaudeville Theater, beginning a restricted run May 16. Created by MJE Prods., co-producers from the West Finish and Gotham-bound tuner "Ghost," the show is headlined by British-Iranian thesp-standup Omid Djalili ("Pirates from the Caribbean: At World's Finish," "The Romance Guru"). The development is helmed by Sean Foley, who also directed the hit legit version of "The Ladykillers" presently running in the West End's Gielgud Theater. Further casting for "Butler," running May 4-August. 25, has not yet been introduced. Contact David Benedict at benedictdavid@mac.com

Anti-Merger Protesters Target SAG, AFTRA Headquarters

Multiple people towards the planned merger of SAG and AFTRA protested Feb. 10 outdoors the La building that houses the headquarters for actor guilds.The crowd, which was comprised of about 25 SAG and AFTRA people towards the merger, moved signs, blew whistles, and intensely submit objections for the merger, that's been approved through the boards of both guilds but should be eco-friendly-lighted by people. Though support for your merger is typical, some believe the mix would damage SAG and AFTRA health plans and weaken SAG by mixing it getting a weakened union."I would not buy a house or automobile lacking the knowledge of just what the terms are," mentioned Hector Herrera, a SAG and AFTRA member who's taking part in several guild committees, mentioning the form in the new pension and health plans will not be noted for some time. People health plans are outdoors from the guilds and you'll be labored with following a combination.SAG Hollywood individuals have selected for professional-merger candidates formerly four election cycles, as has AFTRA. Both SAG Leader Ken Howard and AFTRA leader Roberta Reardon recognized the recommended merger within the SAG Honours within the month of the month of january. The Hollywood Reporter

Transfers take along casts

The Broadway change in play "Peter and also the Starcatcher" has confirmed a cast which includes original stars Adam Chanler-Berat and Celia Keenan-Bolger, joining another vet from the show, "Smash" star Christian Borle, within the approaching staging. Also kept in for any Rialto stint are a lot of the original stars based in london hit "One Guy, Two Guvnors," with thesps including Oliver Chris and Jemima Rooper joining topliner James Corden within the farce. Chanler-Berat reprises his role because the boy who never was raised within the "Peter Pan" prequel, while Keenan-Bolger has returned as Peter's love interest, the titular Starcatcher. Also onboard for that Broadway version are coming back thesps Carson Elrod, Greg Hildreth and Arnie Burton, amongst others. Cast came from their roles inside a well-received run at NY Theater Workshop this past year. For "One Guy," a lot of the original London cast will mind to Gotham, including Tom Edden, Martyn Ellis, Trevor Laird, Claire Lams, Fred Ridgeway, Daniel Rigby and Suzie Toase. That production started existence at London's National Theater just before a proceed to free airline Finish. "Peter" begins previews March 28 in front of an April 15 opening, while "One Guy" starts previews April 6 just before an April 18 opening in the Music Box. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com

Exclusive: See Who's Nominated for Favorite Show at Kids' Choice Awards

No Grissom and no Willows? No problem for CSI. The veteran drama was one of two shows Wednesday to see a ratings bump, when it introduced Elisabeth Shue's Julie "Finn" Finlay, pulling in 11.1 million viewers and a 2.7 rating in the adults 18-to-49 demo (up 2 and 8 percent, respectively).The other show to enjoy a gain? ... Read More > Other Links From TVGuide.com American IdolCSI: Crime Scene InvestigationLaw & Order: Special Victims UnitOne Tree HillElisabeth ShueCriminal MindsThe MiddleModern FamilyHappy EndingsAre You There, Chelsea?RevengeSuburgatoryWhitneyRock Center With Brian WilliamsRemodeledSurvivor: One World