Actress Martha Stewart dies at 89

Actress Martha Stewart, who appeared in film, television and musical theater, died of natural causes in Northeast Harbor, Maine, on Feb. 25. She was 89. Stewart played Joan Crawford's best friend in Otto Preminger's 1947 romantic drama "Daisy Kenyon," also starring Dana Andrews and Henry Fonda. The actress also had a significant supporting role in Nicholas Ray's "In a Lonely Place" (1950), starring Humphrey Bogart. Stewart made her feature debut in Fox's 1945 musical comedy "Doll Face," an adaptation of a play of Gypsy Rose Lee in which she performed with Perry Como, followed by roles in WWII aftermath drama "Johnny Comes Flying Home" and musical "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now." In addition to a "Lonely Place," she appeared in the Broderick Crawford-Glenn Ford film noir "Convicted" in 1950. Stewart appeared on Broadway in the musical comedy "Park Avenue" in 1946-47. In the 1950s the actress transitioned to television, making appearances on "The Jackie Gleason Show" and "The Red Skelton Hour" and later on "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" before making her final screen appearance in the 1964 film "Surf Party." Stewart's first husband was the famed comedian Joe E. Lewis, and in 1957 Lewis biopic "The Joker Is Wild," starring Frank Sinatra, Mitzy Gaynor portrayed Stewart. Stewart was born in Bardwell, Ky., but spent her childhood in Brooklyn. She started singing in nightclubs after a favorable reception when she participated in a radio singing contest. A Hollywood talent scout spotted Stewart during her appearance at the Stork Club in 1944. After ending her showbiz career, Stewart spent decades as a school librarian, retiring from that profession in 2002. In addition to Lewis, Stewart was married to actor-writer George O'Hanlon and to Jonathan Crowne, who died in 2004 after 53 years of marriage. Stewart is survived by two sons. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Hawaii Five- Star Alex OLoughlin To Consider Break In The Series For Treatment

Hawaii’s Five- task pressure is going to be without its leader for a while. Hawaii Five- star Alex O’Loughlin will miss a minumum of one episode from the CBS crime drama for any stint in rehab. “Alex takes a brief break fromHawaii Five- to get supervised strategy to prescription discomfort medication because of a current shoulder injuries,” a repetition for that actor stated inside a statement. The series, that is in front of schedule, has become shooting episode 20, which coincidentally focuses heavily on Masi Oka’s character, and O’Loughlin didn’t have numerous moments. Following the episode systems, the show will require a brief break, then production will proceed as planned, with Hawaii finishing its 23-episode Season 2 order. “We respect and support Alexs decision,”CBS Galleries, which produces the series, stated. “Everyone at CBS Television Galleries and Hawaii Five- wishes him well and that we anticipate his return.”

James Spader Not Remaining At Work

Work executive producer/showrunner mentioned today that James Spader will not return to the NBC comedy next season. The actor, who parlayed a couple-scene appearance within the finish of last season as Robert California in to a full-season gig, had only signed single-year deal. “James always wanted this to become twelve several weeks arc, which lucrative leaves us getting created most likely probably the most enigmatic and dynamic figures in television,” Lieberstein mentioned. “Hes been a great friend in my opinion as well as the show, helping us effectively transition to the publish-Michael Scott years, and Im grateful for the.”

Academy awards on ABC draw 39.3 million

ABC came 39.3 million audiences viewed 'The Artist' win top honors at Sunday's 84th Oscars.Despite the possible lack of a blockbuster film to usher in the public, ABC's telecast from the Oscars on Sunday came a remarkable audience of 39.3 million Up from last year's 37.9 million in addition to a bigger crowd compared to 2009 and 2008 shows.Also, based on Nielsen, the show came an 11.7 rating among grown ups 18-49, on componen with last year's 11.8 but much better than just the 2008 kudocast (10.7 rating). Little-viewed films like "The Artist" and "Hugo" were one of the large those who win Sunday, however the Academy awards most likely achieved positive results from the concerted effort through the Academy and ABC to create the honours show more highly relevant to more youthful audiences via social networking. Also, the return of popular host Billy Very likely introduced many audiences to the show.Though an enormous audience, both demo score and total viewer count lag this month's Grammy Honours telecast on CBS (14.1 rating in 18-49, 39.9 million audiences overall). The final time the Grammy Honours outdrew the Oscars is at 1984 when Michael Jackson moonwalked his method to a sweep from the top groups before an audience of 43.8 million audiences, adopted per month later through the Academy awards, which came 42.a million for any telecast assigned by "Relation to Endearment" winning named best picture. The greatest-ranked local marketplaces for that Oscars were NY (36.9 rating), Chicago (33.8 rating), Palm Beach Gardens (32.5 rating), and La and Boston (both having a 31.9 rating). In the other finish from the spectrum, the cheapest scores among Nielsen's 56 metered marketplaces were Greensboro (14.3), Memphis (15.), The city of jacksonville (15.6), Dayton (16.4) and Greenville (17.2).The 2010 Academy awards did face more direct competition from high-profile original programming, however the greatest of these - the National basketball association All-Star Game on TNT and hot zombie drama "The Walking Dead" on AMC - figured to skew more youthful plus much more male compared to honours show. The the game of basketball, airing later in Feb than normal and opposite the Academy awards the very first time, averaged a great 5.4 household rating in Nielsen's metered marketplaces, the 2nd best because the 2005 exhibition did a 5.9. Around the broadcast side, CBS plastic box the night's top youthful-adult series score with "The Astonishing Race" (2.1 rating/5 be part of grown ups 18-49, 7.six million audiences overall) from 8 to 9. And also over the ultimate two hrs of primetime, NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" was top dog having a 1.8/4 in 18-49 and 5. million audiences overall. These two serialized reality show contests were below their shipping of last week's premieres, however their particular nets saw them as decent counter-programming and did not wish to preempt them only one week once they bowed.Fox did Comfortable with encores of their male-skewing animated comedies "The Simpsons" (1.6/4 in 18-49, 3.9 million audiences overall), "Napoleon Dynamite" (1.6/4 in 18-49, 3.six million audiences overall), "Family Guy" (1.6/3 in 18-49, 3.5 million audiences overall) and "American Father" (1.5/3 in 18-49, 3.3 million audiences overall).Preliminary 18-49 earnings for that evening: ABC, 8.8/21 CBS, 1.4/3 Fox and NBC, 1.3/3 Univision, .9/2.As a whole audiences: ABC, 30.5 million CBS, 6.two million NBC, 4.4 million Fox, 3.a million Univision, 2.4 million. Contact Ron Kissell at ron.kissell@variety.com

Trophy town

Trina Schulman and Gwyneth Paltrow at WIF party Michael Angarano and Juno Temple at Weinstein partyMatthew Lillard and Shailene Woodley at Spirit AwardsLucy Liu and Anne HecheSeth Rogen and Jonah Hill hit the beach for your Spirit Honours. Fiona Shaw, Jeremy Search, Kenneth Branagh, Victoria Beckham, Gary Oldman and Consul-General Barbara Hay meet in Hancock Park to toast a great year for British people within the movies. Honorees John Logan and Michelle Williams celebrate the Irish in film with host J.J. Abrams within the Oscar Wilde Honours. The trophy-giving in the last weekend started early, on Thursday evening at Bad Robot in Santa Monica, where the Oscar Wilde Honours honored John Logan, Melissa McCarthy and Michelle Williams.J.J. Abrams situated the large event devoted for the Irish in film, which introduced him to exclaim, " 'The Artist' will get nothing tonight."Logan introduced Williams, although he initially hesitated because of her Scandinavian roots. "Her everybody was really the Viking hordes that found Belfast and pillaged," he joked.On Friday, Trina Schulman and Gwyneth Paltrow situated the women in Film cocktail soiree at Ceconni's, where Oscar-nommed stars Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer received jeweled broaches together with other goodies."It's a great recognition to co-host the marriage,In . mentioned Paltrow. "We must try everything we could to enhance the amount of women in film...because we are smarter than males and than males."Anywhere, the British people put a cocktail pour within the consul general's residence in Hancock Park. Culture and Media Secretary Jeremy Search told Oscar nominees Jesse McTeer, Gary Oldman, Kenneth Branagh while others, "We're incredibly proud that the U.S. art galleries spent $1.5 billion making films inside the U.K. a year ago. We're incredibly proud that the three finest U.S. superheroes -- Superman, Batman and Spider-Guy -- are British people. Which is minimal that can be done as we have allowed a u . s . states to see Margaret Thatcher."Later your evening, the interest on Black Salute around the block Plaza Hotel honored Martin Lawrence and Darlene Allen, among others.The comedian recognized his prize from Luke Wilson and Tim Allen, who joked, "It's like in Cirque du Soleil if you are using Martin."Plus it made an appearance like the circus reaches town as Darlene Allen attempted to just accept her award from Nia Extended and Kimberly Elise because the video screen saved bleeping inside and out, stifling her. "C'mon now, just retain the video," Allen screamed. "It doesn't work!"The finest pre-Oscars honours confab, clearly, came Saturday mid-day. Seth Rogen started the Independent Spirit Honours round the Santa Monica beach by having an irreverent note, telling everybody else that you will find absolutely nothing to become created by winning one of these brilliant trophies."It won't even raise the cost, because it proves that you'll use nothing," mentioned Rogen, who later informed, "Please, keep your acceptance speeches short because the tent has attend a bar mitzvah at 5."Saturday evening, the Weinstein Co. put a pre-Oscar party at Soho House in WeHo. If Harvey and Bob Weinstein were nervous about Sunday night's outcome, they really didn't show it.Tony Bennett briefly tickled the ivories when the brothers and sisters presented their mother, Miriam, who recently celebrated mothers day.Later on on during the night, Harvey huddled tabs on Leonardo DiCaprio, who puffed by having an ecigarette.(Shalini Dore, Erin Maxwell, Dork McNary and Rob Sneider brought with this report.) Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Next time, not

Adele puts her finger round the problem at BRIT Honours. The 32nd BRIT Honours began immediately, literally, on Tuesday evening as London's O2 Arena rained fireworks throughout Coldplay's opening-act number. Later within the U.K. record companies kudos, Beyonce splattered it's with fresh fresh paint, Florence as well as the Machine transformed happens into an ethereal kingdom, George Michael made his first appearance within the honours in 17 many video tributes to Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse unspooled.Adele added two more British people to her substantial gong collection. After being stop mid-speech on her behalf album of year recognition, she gave single-fingered salute in annoyance. "I'll assist you to next time around, yeah?" she guaranteed.Bruno Mars jazzed up "Precisely how you'reInch after accepting the award for worldwide male solo artist. "This can be almost taller than me," he quipped, sizing up his Brit Award.Publish kudos, Universal Music's site visitors were treated for the DJ spins of will.i.am and Florence Welch within the Tate Modern. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

The Good Wifes Monica Raymund To Co-Star On NBC Drama Pilot Chicago Fire

EXCLUSIVE: That was quick. Monica Raymund, whose recurring character on CBS’ The Good Wife just quit over a demotion at the DA office on Sunday, has been cast as one of the leads in a new drama series project set in Chicago, the NBC pilot Chicago Fire. On Wolf Films and Universal TV’s action-driven drama about the complex and heroic men and women of the Chicago Fire Department, Raymund will play Gabriella, a fast-thinking and fearless paramedic committed to her job. Michael Brandt and Derek Haas wrote the pilot, which is being directed by Jeffrey Nachmanoff. Dick Wolf, Brandt, Haas, Peter Jankowski and Danielle Gelber executive produce. Before her major arc on The Good Wife, Raymund, repped by Gersh and the Group Entertainment, was a regular on the Fox drama Lie To Me. On Chicago Fire, she joins recently cast Taylor Kinney.