Reginald Collin dies at 84

Reginald Collin, a producer and director for British television, died of heart and chest problems in Shaftesbury, Dorset, England, on Friday, 12 ,. 16. He was 84. Collin created the esteemed, dark espionage drama "Callan," which went from 1967-72 and starred Edward Woodward. Younger crowd authored and directed some episodes, and that he was nominated for 2 BAFTA Honours for his focus on the series Woodward won a BAFTA for his performance. Collin became a member of ABC Television (later Thames TV) in 1959. Like a director within the features department, he produced the 1963-65 arts series "Tempo" and helmed a set of episodes. Later he created the series "Sat'day While Sunday," "Special Branch," "Six Times of Justice," "Napoleon and Love" and "Armchair Cinema." Collin was created working in london and left school at 14. His first job was like a lab boy in a London hospital in the height from the blitz. Throughout service following the war within the RAF, he would be a shorthand typist at Headquarters Bomber Command but spent a lot of his time running the amateur drama group. After departing the military he won a scholarship towards the Old Vic Theater School and spent some carrying out in repertory, then many years by which he directed pantomime and summer time shows. Additionally to his BAFTA noms, Collin received a Royal Television Society fellowship (the RTS' greatest award) in "recognition of the outstanding contribution towards the furtherance of television" in addition to nods for plan to the from BAFTA and Kodak. Collin also composed it "BAFTA Behind the Mask: Personal Memories." Children include Collin's wife, Pamela Lonsdale, a BAFTA Award champion for that preschool program "Rainbow," which she produced. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Brad Pitt Birthday: Actor Turns 48; What's His Best Onscreen Moment?

On Dec. 18, 1963 in Shawnee, Okla., William Bradley Pitt was born to Jane Etta and William Alvin Pitt. 48 years later, William -- better known to you as Brad -- has become one of the biggest movie stars in the world thanks to his performances ('Se7en,' 'Fight Club,' 'Ocean's 11,' 'Moneyball') and relationships. (Did you know Pitt once dated Gwyneth Paltrow and was married to Jennifer Aniston before his current long-term pact with Angelina Jolie? Me neither!) 2011 might have been Pitt's best year yet: in addition to continuing his successful coupling with Jolie, the actor starred in two likely Best Picture contenders, 'The Tree of Life' and 'Moneyball,' the latter of which has him in the thick of the Best Actor race. In honor of Pitt's happy day, let's remember his finest onscreen moment. Pitt is unbelievable in 'Moneyball' and probably deserves and Oscar for his work in that film (he also probably won't get it); you also can't go wrong with anything he did in 'Fight Club,' 'Se7en,' 'Inglourious Basterds' or 'The Assassination of Jesse James.' But, for his birthday, let's remember Pitt as burnt-out stoner Floyd in 'True Romance,' the guy who smokes pot out of a honey bear and doesn't like to get con-des-cended to by mobsters (in this case, a very, very young James Gandolfini). Cheers, Floyd! Cheers, Brad! Have a great birthday! [Photo: AP] Best Performances of 2011 11. Uggie, 'The Artist'10. Corey Stoll, 'Midnight in Paris'9. Ryan Gosling, 'Drive'8. Kristen Wiig, 'Bridesmaids'7. Michelle Williams, 'My Week With Marilyn'6. Meryl Streep, 'The Iron Lady'5. Michael Fassbender, 'Shame'4. Albert Brooks, 'Drive'3. Charlize Theron, 'Young Adult'2. Brad Pitt, 'Moneyball'1. Rooney Mara, 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' See All Moviefone Galleries » Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Forex Orders KGB Spy Drama from Justified Showrunner

Graham Yost Forex has purchased The People in america, a drama about two KGB spies appearing as People in america in early eighties, the network introduced Friday. The series, executive created by Justified's Graham Yost and produced by Falling Skies' Joe Weisberg, focuses on the 2 spies, whose arranged marriage evolves into some thing real, compromising their mission throughout the Cold War. Browse the relaxation of present day news "Joe Weisberg has written among the best pilot scripts we have ever read with two highly attracted and indelible figures starting with an epically exciting, emotional, and morally complex journey," stated Nick Grad, executive v . p . of original programming at Forex. Who do you consider should take part in the married spies? Could it be an excessive amount of for you to for Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton? Friday Evening Lights reunion! Hit your comments ought to together with your ideas.

LA Filmmaker Charged With Movie Tax Credit Fraud In Massachusetts

News reports saywriter-director Daniel Adams was arraignedtoday with defrauding Massachusetts of about $5 million in inflated tax credits he obtained for The Golden Boys and The Lightkeepers.Adams appeared this morning in Boston Municipal Court and ordered held on $100,000 bail. He was arrested Thursday andcharged quickly because authorities want to keep him from flying back to Los Angeles. His attorney said officials had rushed to judgement. Production companies are eligible for a 25% tax credit for payroll and filmmaking expenses incurred in Massachusetts. Prosecutors allege Los Angeles-based Adams intentionally inflated expenses when completing forms for the tax credit andthe state overpaaid some $4.7 million to his production companies. One of Adams’ alleged false claims waspaying Richard Dreyfuss $2.5 million for The Lightkeepers when the actor’s actual fee was $400,000. Maximum penalty if convicted is five years in prison. Both movies were written and directed by Adams andset in the early 20th centuryalong the Cape Cod coast.The Golden Boys (2008) starred David Carradine, Rip Torn and Bruce Dern. The Lightkeepers (2009) starred Dreyfuss, Julie Harris, and Blythe Danner.Adams most recently directed The Big Valley, starring Jessica Lange as the matriarch of a California family based on the TV series that starred Barbara Stanwyck.

The State of the Screenplay Races

CBS has nabbed a police procedural from the Queen. The network has made a script deal for an untitled cop show from Queen Latifah. The project, about a street savvy Philadelphia woman who realizes her calling as a homicide detective after a defining moment, hails from Flavor Unit Entertainment and CBS Studios. Charles Murray (V, Castle, Criminal Minds) will pen and executive produce the drama, withLatifah (Single Ladies, Let's Stay Together) set to executive produce through her production banner Flavor Unit Entertainment.Flavor Unit's Shakim Compere and Shelby Stone along with production company Rocklin/Faust's Nicole Rocklin, Blye Faust and Renata Adamidov are attached as executive producers. If it ultimately makes it to air, the project will join other Latifah-produced entries, including VH1's Single Ladies and BET's Let's Stay Together. Latifah is also prepping a daytime talk show with Sony Pictures Television. Murray, who is writing and directing indie drama Things Never Said, is repped by UTA, Industry Entertainment and Morris-Yorn; Latifah is repped by WME and Eisenberg, Tanchum & Levy. Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com; Twitter: @LaceyVRose PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery 20 Best and Worst Music to Movie Crossovers Related Topics Queen Latifah CBS TV Development

Top Chef's Whitney: My Way Of Thinking Was Off

Whitney Otawka Steak-gate hit Top Chef when Lindsay fired Ty-Lor's meats too soon, however it was Whitney Otawka's undercooked potato gratin that sent her packing and bought Ty-Lor a later date. Not she's any difficulty with this. "Ty shouldn't go home for that meats," Whitney informs TVGuide.com. "A lot of people were focusing on them and there is bad communication, also it wasn't his fault that they are fired early. I deserved to visit.Inch The Georgia-based chef understood the writing was around the wall the moment Tom Colicchio stated his taters were raw. What exactly went wrong? And just how was she unaware these were undercooked? Continue reading.Best Chef's Chuy: I understood I had been screwedTom stated it was among the simplest eliminations they have done. Was very difficult to listen to?Whitney: No, I had been fine with this. It had been among individuals things where the moment he explained exactly what the problem was, I understood I would go back home. I undercooked the potato. This is a pretty fundamental component that people all use each day. And So I was like, "Oh, garbage! I am departing." He's a chef, I am a chef, and so i have it. It's disappointing, obviously, because I wish to be there before the finish. However I comprehend the show. I have seen it over nine seasons. I understood what would occur to me also it happened! You did not think they may pursue Ty for that meats?Whitney: I did not think so because I understood that that required an organization effort. It had not been just him. Individuals were, like, 300 meats. He grilled them, however they went into a lot of hands, whereas with my dish, it had been my dish. Which was among the problems too. I required possession from the dish because I understood that maybe it's a positive thing ultimately or perhaps a really bad factor. It had been exclusively my responsibility, therefore it ought to be me to visit home. Many people were suggesting to prepare the gratin yesterday. Why did not you?Whitney: It had been a period constraint. We'd three hrs in advance so when you are preparing it for your lots of people - just setting it up sliced and eager - there is not a way to prepare it in advance. After which I place it all-in-one convection microwave. You realize when you are in individuals situations under a lot pressure that the brain does not think linearly? [Laughs] My way of thinking was off. I put everything within the convection microwave and whenever you accomplish that, it will not prepare exactly the same it is going to prepare longer. There's a lot in [the dish], therefore it is working harder. So that all those within the center, I am presuming, just were not too done because the ones at the base or even the top. All kitchen devices are various and all ovens work in a different way. It was completely new equipment and that i just shoved everything inside! After I first got it out, I believed which i needed to awesome them because cutting a hot gratin is completely impossible. I understood right from the start like, "What have I completed to myself?"Top Chef's Richie: I wasn't thinking clearlyHow have you not tell that a lot of it was undercooked? Whitney: It's funny because we cooled it so quick because you don't work when it is hot, which means you wouldn't have the ability to differentiate. These were quizzing me in the Judges' Table, like, "Could not you know together with your knife?" It's like, "No, because whenever a potato is cooled off, it's essentially cream and cheese with this dish and hen cream and cheese are cold, it's harder to chop, therefore it seems hot." Those that Used to do try, I figured were overcooked, therefore it just proves that the oven does not always prepare everything evenly. This is exactly why I had been like, "What?! It's undercooked?!" You are saying you had been tight on some time and the idol judges stated six hrs was a lot of time. Whitney: It isn't enough! [Laughs] Consider planning for a social gathering for, like, 40 people. Consider time it might take that you should plan it, prepare it after which prepare it. But you're able to be in your space. You need to suppose you are not in your kitchen, so you are totally not acclimated to everything who are around you. After which you will find 13 people having one another. There's a lot stress it carries over into how you are cooking and that i return to that non-linear way of thinking. Your mind is simply bouncing around inside a million directions. You appear back and you are like, "My dear gosh! That which was I doing?"The entire steak problem was strange. Why did Lindsay fire them so early? Just how much did affecting your dish?Whitney: The entire factor was this type of strange mess. I am not really sure the way it all went lower. It affected many of us because we are all attempting to make the meals hot, therefore it could've cooled off more. Which was among the hard things, too, because we made the only real hot plate. I was effortlessly the prospective. Performing 300 hot plates isn't the simplest factor on the planet.Best Chef's Keith: I understood Sarah and Lindsay would throw me underneath the busHugh is the mentor. Did he say almost anything to you once you were removed?Whitney: He did not say almost anything to me directly. They know me like a chef and that i know him. I have labored for him for such a long time. He's trained me all I understand, therefore it is type of good he wasn't like, "You suck! Whoever else done?" I believe they know me much better than that. I believe also because he's been on the top Chef Masters, he realizes the strain level we are under, so perhaps he did not wish to put on. Maybe there is a soft place in Hugh Acheson's heart we haven’t heard of! [Laughs]What exactly are you so far?Whitney: I am in Athens, Ga. I am back where Hugh's original restaurant is and I am in a restaurant known as Farm 255. I required over this kitchen around three days ago, therefore it is been crazy busy. It is amazing. We now have our very own farm and process our very own meat. It is simply a very great space. I am off [Cumberland Island, where she accustomed to work], that is sad, however i thought I ought to become more accessible because individuals help you on television plus they should have the ability to a minimum of come and eat my food!

Ka-Chung! How All Christmas Music Doubles Radio's Ratings

Jason Aldean was the big winner at Monday night's American Country Awards in Las Vegas, taking home six awards, including artist of the year.our editor recommendsAMAs 2011: Taylor Swift Wins Entertainer of the Year; Adele Scores Favorite Album; Bruno Mars Upsets Justin BieberCMA Awards: Taylor Swift Wins Second Entertainer of the Year TrophyKristin Chenoweth Covers Carrie Underwoods 'Lessons Learned' (Video)Taylor Swift Wins Entertainer of the Year at ACM Awards The singer, the night's top nominee with Zac Brown Band at eight, also nabbed album of the year for My Kinda Party, touring artist of the year and single of the year by a male artist for "My Kinda Party" at the fan-voted awards. PHOTOS: Country Crossovers Meanwhile, Carrie Underwood, who was last year's top winner with six of the Fender Telecaster trophies, won female artist of the year honors as well as music video and single of the year by a female artist for "Mama's Song." Brad Paisley, who was not present at the ceremony, was named male artist of the year. Blake Shelton won video of the year by a male artist for "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking." He dedicated the win to his father, who has "been having a pretty rough couple of weeks." Dick Shelton is the hospital with pneumonia. American Idol winner Scotty McCreery was named new artist of the year. PHOTOS: 54th annual Grammy Award Nominees As expected, the show's focus was squarely on country music's youth movement, with twentysomethings taking in the early haul of Fender Telecaster trophies and performances slots. Chris Young was the show's early leader, earning breakthrough artist and single of the year for "Voices." Co-host Kristin Chenoweth, brought in to keep returning host Trace Adkins in line, added zing to the show. The diminutive Broadway star entered the MGM Grand Garden Arena in boxing gloves, a fighter's robe and impossibly tall high heels, tossing jabs at her 6-foot-6 counterpart while running circles around him. She then challenged him to a singing contest. After she required him to sing "Oklahoma," she dropped the robe to reveal an artificially enhanced posterior and launched into Adkins' hit "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk." Later, Adkins carried her on stage strapped to his chest in a baby carrier. The Associated Press contributed to this report. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Country Crossovers Related Topics Carrie Underwood Kristin Chenoweth Blake Shelton Brad Paisley