PTC to NBC: Don't Hire Howard Stern for 'America's Got Talent'

The Oldsters Television Council (PTC) is promoting NBC not to "abandon and offend its family audience" by using Howard Stern becoming an America's Got Talent judge.our editor recommendsHoward Stern in Predicts Join NBC's 'America's Got Talent'Piers Morgan Set to go away NBC's 'America's Got Talent'Howard Stern Defends Brett Ratner, Jams Hollywood As 'Loony' (Video) Piers Morgan, 'America's Got Talent' Co-Stars Tweet Farewell Wishes Mutual AdmirationRelated Subjects•Howard Stern Stern is at talks while using network to switch Piers Morgan, who introduced his departure the other day. PTC leader Tim Winter mentioned in the statement Monday, "Once the gossips are factual that NBC thinks about the problem about adding radio shock-jock Howard Stern for the America's Got Talent idol idol judges table, the finish result will be the alienation of numerous families, by using it the alienation of 100s of numerous advertising dollars." PHOTOS: Howard Stern With time Saying the move "smacks of desperation with the once-proud peacock network," Winter ongoing, "Any short-term buzz from Stern's shock value can result in a long-term decline as families abandon the show for further appropriate programming." Taken, the tv watchdog group lobbied against NBC's Playboy Club, getting in touch with its people while others to get hold of local NBC affiliate entrepreneurs, and asking entrepreneurs when the Playboy brand lines up utilizing their corporate image. When the show was canceled in March., the PTC mentioned, "We're pleased that NBC won' more be airing a training course so naturally connected having a pornographic brand that denigrates and sexualizes women." PHOTOS: PTC versus. TV: 10 Tv Series Controversies According to sources, Stern can be a large fan in the talent competition which is wanting to take part in the show. He'd share knowing duties with Sharon Osbourne and relative newcomer Howie Mandel,who replacedDavid Hasselhoffin 2010. Related Subjects Howard Stern NBC PTC America's Got Talent

BSkyB exec backs James Murdoch

LONDON -- The deputy chairman of U.K. paybox BSkyB, Nick Ferguson, threw his weight behind the satcaster's beleaguered chairman, James Murdoch, on Friday.Ferguson said that Murdoch had done a "first class job" at the feevee, adding that BSkyB's independent directors have given Murdoch their unanimous backing ahead of an expected vote on his future at BSkyB at the annual meeting on Nov. 29.His public letter was published the day after Murdoch was questioned by a British committee of pols for the second time in four months in connection with the phone-hacking scandal at a News Intl. paper during his tenure as topper of News Corp.'s British publishing arm. Ferguson said the phone-hacking scandal at the now defunct Sunday tabloid, the News of the World, had not had a negative impact on BSkyB -- even though it scuppered New Corp.'s $14 billion bid to buy the 61% of BSkyB it did not already own."We have seen no effect on sales, customers or suppliers over the last five months," Ferguson wrote. "We have seen no effect on the share price. Finally, we have seen no negative effect internally."Ferguson said that he and his fellow independent directors had always been impressed by Murdoch's work at BSkyB, which he ran before father Rupert promoted him to a bigger role that included responsibility for News Intl."We have known James for some eight years, and during that time he has always acted with integrity in the eyes of both the board and the senior management. If this was to change, clearly the independent directors would re-evaluate the position," Ferguson said.At his second appearance before pols on Thursday, Murdoch again insisted he was not told that phone hacking was widespread when he approved a payment of 725,000 ($1.1 billion) in 2008 to U.K. soccer official Gordon Taylor, whose phone was hacked.As recently as late 2010, News Intl. blamed the practice on a single rogue reporter.But former News Intl. lawyer Tom Crone said that Murdoch's latest evidence was "disingenuous"; he claimed he had told Murdoch of the extent of the practice three years ago.Meanwhile U.K. media commentator Roy Greenslade, writing in the Guardian, the British paper that broke the phone-hacking story, said: "What kind of company boss is it that fails to show any curiosity about a massive payment in controversial circumstances? A deceitful one or an incompetent one?" Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

The Eat Sheet: Wolfgang Puck Dishes on His New Restaurant at the Hotel Bel-Air (Q&A)

Hollywood's favorite chef, Wolfgang Puck, has been handed the food-and-beverage keys to one of its most storied luxury lodgings: The grand Hotel Bel-Air, which just reopened following an extensive two-year renovation and facelift by the Dorchester Collection, the same company that runs The Beverly Hills Hotel.our editor recommendsThe Eat Sheet: Where La La Anthony Hangs With Kim Kardashian and P. Diddy in ManhattanTHE EAT SHEET: Randy Jackson to Appear at Inaugural Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival The top toque's signature restaurant,Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air, is an indoor-outdoor redoubt off the lobby doling out entrees like braised Wagyu cheeks with smoked onion marmalade and apple horseradish. The space bears rotating artwork from blue-chip L.A. gallery Ace (acrylic pieces by Gary Lang are currently on view) and a clean-lined but not stark modernized decor by A-list NY designer David Rockwell. The Hollywood Reportertalks to Puck about the Hotel Bel-Air's new menu, fresh look-and why, even with 20 fine-dining restaurants currently in his business basket, he's still not yet sated. The Hollywood Reporter: You've already got Cut at the Beverly Wilshire and WP24 at the Ritz-Carlton downtown. What's your plan for the Hotel Bel-Air? Wolfgang Puck: Well, it's an iconic property -- not only in Southern California but in the world; everybody knows about it -- so the food is going to really have to fit into the location: Spanish and Italian influences, typical California fresh-from-the-farm and from the market to the table. THR: Peter Guber famously ordered room service at his adjacent home for decades. Will you continue the tradition? Puck: Yeah, for sure! I will run up myself so I can get some exercise. THR: Some longtime Hotel Bel-Air regulars have voiced concern that the redo may have gone a bit too modern. Puck: You know, people come in -- from Larry King to some other neighbors -- and they love the bar and think the outside [foliage] just has to grow in a little bit more. It really feels comfortable. People always resists change; I love change. I think it was time to modernize it. A club can get too old, from the Friars Club to Chasen's -- you know, they had clubbiness but no customers [toward the end]. THR: What's your next big focus? Puck: We are going to redo Spago. The sixteenth of January we are going to be 30 years old. Can you believe that? We've survived longer than a lot of restaurants. THR: Waldo Fernandez, who designed Soho House's West Hollywood outpost, is said to have gotten the gig. Puck: He did a great job with Trumps [in 1980 on Melrose]. It was the first really chic restaurant, all very modern-looking. I fell in love with it. I'm happy to be working with him. THR: You seem to constantly be in forward motion, expanding your empire. Why not just take it easy after all of these years? Puck: I just talked to my sister and she said, "Why don't you retire already?" So I told her, "For me, the biggest excitement -- next to sex -- is probably opening restaurants." Related Topics Wolfgang Puck Peter Guber Dining David Rockwell Waldo Fernandez

'Wheels' reels 'em in

Philip Burke practices his aim. Anson Mount, right, cleans up for AMC's Charlie Collier. Common performs at the "Hell on Wheels" after-party. The cast and creators of AMC's upcoming Western series "Hell on Wheels" looked dapper at Thursday's Regal L.A. Live preem, a far cry from their muddy filming experience in Calgary, Alberta. "Nobody ever said filming a Western is a clean business," said Anson Mount, who plays the lead. "I can show you the rings in my bathtub to prove it." But the production had its pluses. "It provided us a great time when we were off work," Common said. "To be together, have cool places to go to, it felt like college." At the Union Station Harvey House after-party, exec producer Jeremy Gold said he's crossing his fingers that the creation of brothers Joe and Tony Gayton will have a second season. And so was Phil Burke, whose character has yet to wield firearms. "I need to talk to people about that," Burke said. "If the showbiz gods are willing, season two, I'll get some guns and perhaps a horse, maybe two horses. In fact, I think I can ride in tandem on two horses." - Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Raising Hope Exclusive : Go Behind the curtain in the Chance Family's Outdoors Adventure

Raising Hope The Chance household has returned - but they have a sizable bug problem. On Tuesday's new episode of Raising Hope, airing at 9:30/8:30c on Fox, the possibilities expected to brave the wild outdoors (read: camping around the leading lawn) due to a termite unwanted pests. Despite the fact that it seems like there might be a "Kumbaya" moment or two around the fire - because of Burt and also the guitar - these exclusive behind-the-moments photos from Tuesday's episode seem to point not everything goes according to plan (Virginia, pull your pants up!). Raising Hope gallery: The Chance family braves the outdoors Have a look at these exclusive behind-the-moments photo from Tuesday's episode, "Killer Hope," here.

Boss Executive Producers Exiting Series

Kelsey Grammer The bosses of Starz' Boss are departing the drama. News surfaces a next day of the show's series premiere, Deadline reviews. Executive producers and co-showrunners Richard Levine and Lyn Greene (Puppy nip/Tuck) oversaw the eight-episode first-season, that has already wrapped production, alongside Boss creator and executive producer Farhad Safinia. Fall TV Recognition Contest: Are you going to re-elect Boss? Safinia, the co-author on Apocalypto, was combined with the veteran producers due to his insufficient TV experience. Using the show generating an earlier greenlight for Season 2, they're presently searching for a brand new writing executive producer to become listed on Safinia next season. Boss' other executive producers include star Kelsey Grammer, director Gus Van Sant, John Sher and Stella Bulochnikov. Boss airs Fridays at 10/9c on Starz.

Demi Lovato To Sing National Anthem At World Series

First Released: October 21, 2011 12:53 PM EDT Credit: Getty Images NY, N.Y. -- Caption Demi Lovato is smiles onstage throughout this year's VH1 Make A Move Honours in the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, Calif. on August 14, 2011 Demi Lovato will work the nation's anthem at Game 5 around the globe Series. Lovato will belt the anthem on Monday. The Texas Rangers and also the St. Louis Cardinals are tied 1-one in the seven-game series. Lovato got a lift from her large sister Dallas, who tweeted throughout Game 1 that her more youthful sister should sing the nation's anthem throughout the Mlb championship series. Game 3 airs Saturday and all sorts of games are now being broadcast on Fox. Lovato, the first kind star from the Disney Channels Sonny Having a Chance, launched her third album Unbroken recently. Copyright 2011 through the Connected Press. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.