Basketball Wives LA: TV Review

A ready-made reality show, the Lost Angeles Lakers have, over the years, consistently delivered their share of off-the-court, sensational headlines. From Wilt Chamberlain's purported 20,000 sexual conquests, to Magic Johnson's marital infidelity and HIV infection, to Kobe Bryant's Colorado rape trial and public squabbles with Shaquille O'Neal, the team has often proven a wellspring for tabloids, cranking out the kind of acrimony and unseemly material that today's television producers kill for.our editor recommends'Basketball Wives' Scores Slam Dunk in Social Media StudyNBA Star Chris Bosh Sued Over VH1's 'Basketball Wives' Shaunie O'Neal-Shaq's outspoken ex-tapped into much of that sexual drama on VH1's Basketball Wives, the show she produced that promised to give a female perspective on the pressures faced by those married to the NBA's notoriously philandering superstars. Alas, what might have been a sobering examination of gender disparity, class ascension and fame quickly devolved into a Jerry Springer-esque affair in which hostilities between cast members trumped all else. Because America seems to have an endless appetite for a good catfight (see also: Mob Wives, Russian Dolls, and Jersey Shore), Wives became an instant hit. "I never imagined it would be a group of ladies fighting and arguing that way that they do. That was never part of the plan," O'Neal told Fox News recently. But there's no arguing with blockbuster ratings, or with reality TV's penchant for self-replication. So, it's no surprise that a new real housewives of the NBA franchise has been prepped for launch. What is surprising is that it took producers Nick Emmerson (Football Wives), Alex Demaynenko (Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew), Jennifer O'Connell (Real Housewives of New York City) Sean Rankine (I Want to Work for Diddy) this long to set a spin-off in Los Angeles, the epicenter of basketball-related drama. Though Ms. O'Neal receives a production credit for the new show, her misgivings have been utterly ignored. Basketball Wives LA is, first and foremost, a show about fighting and arguing, and its short-tempered, backstabbing cast has been assembled for just that purpose. As with its forerunner, the NBA stars receive scant screen time in this drama, the bulk of the action takes place far away from the Staples Center. Instead, we follow their significant others as they drift around town-from shoe shopping on Rodeo Drive, to afternoon drinks at Venice Beach's Hotel Erwin, to, yes, the inevitable acting class. "I just know how women can be," Imani Showalter, the former fiancé to Milwaukee Bucks forward Stephen Jackson, tells the camera during the premiere episode. "You have women from all walks of life with the common bond of these guys. That doesn't mean we're all the same and we're all going to get along." No it does not. In fact, the biggest questions of the premiere episode are: when will the first fight break out and who will be involved? Will the fur fly between Kimsha Artest (wife of Lakers forward Ron Artest) and Malaysia Pargo, (wife of Chicago Bulls guard Janeero Pargo)? Kimsha is from Queens and has no patience with what she calls the "bourg-ee," botoxed women of LA. Malaysia is straight outta Compton, but now pushes a line of designer jewelry for kids. Within seconds of their introduction on the neon-light drenched roof deck of Pink Taco, it's clear that these two have the makings for a classic east coast/west coast rivalry. Other contenders include Tanya Williams (estranged wife of former Nets superstar Jayson Williams), and Jackie Christie (wife of journeyman forward Doug Christie). A self-described motivational speaker, Tanya's pretentious rambling gets under Jackie's not so thick skin from the get-go. "I wanted to take my left hand and slam it down her throat," Jackie says after listening to Tanya's unsolicited advice on coping with her mother's cancer. Malaysia concurs with a ladylike flourish. "Tanya was just talking and talking. Like, I wanted to push her out of her seat and put some tape over her mouth and hogtie her to the chair... OK, that's too far." Then there's Draya Michele, a comely model and aspiring actress who may well have done the dirty with at least one of the basketball husbands dealt with here. Just to make sure, Gloria Govan, (veteran of the Miami cast and fiancé to Lakers forward Matt Barnes), does some due diligence. "Before you start befriending people, is there anybody that you know you're like, 'P.S. by the way, I might have been with your dude in the past?'" Gloria asks. "I mean, no, not really, I kind of got a list of all the names, and I mean my list of my people is not that gigantic," Draya responds unconvincingly. That assurance is, we are supposed to believe, good enough for Gloria, who promptly extends an invitation that only a reality TV producer could concoct. "All the girls are going paintballing," Gloria says in a matter of fact tone, "so you should come." Without revealing the identity of those involved in the requisite fisticuffs, suffice it to say that the preposterous premiere of Basketball Wives LA inexorably leads to just such a climax. In the real world, of course, no sane person would choose to remain a member of such a nasty, violent social circle, but whoever said that reality TV had anything to do with reality? The bigger problem for this version of Basketball Wives is that you have the inescapable feeling that, whatever may transpire among this new cast, you've seen this movie before. Basketball Wives LA airs Monday, Aug. 29, on VH1 at 8 p.m. EST. TV Reviews

Warner Bros. sets "Lucky One" for Aug. 24

Warner Bros. has dated romance-drama "The Lucky One" for Aug. 24, 2012 -- the first title to land on the date. Taylor Schilling stars opposite Zac Efron in "Lucky," based on the Nicholas Sparks novel about a military man searching for a mysterious woman. Producers are Denise Di Novi and Kevin McCormick with Scott Hicks directing. Di Novi's produced three other Sparks adaptations for the studio -- "Nights in Rodanthe," "A Walk to Remember" and "Message in a Bottle." Di Novi Pictures prexy Alison Greenspan is exec producing. Will Fetters adapted "Lucky One," which revolves around a Marine who survives three tours in Iraq and attributes his good fortune to a photograph he carried of a woman he has never met. He sets out to meet her when he returns to North Carolina. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Theatrical Index founder dies

Price Berkley, founder of Theatrical Index, died of natural causes on Sunday, Aug. 21, in Manhattan. He was in his early 90s. Theatrical Index provides listings for current and future Broadway shows, current and future Off Broadway shows, road tours, regional productions and special attractions, with contact informations for producers, general managers, agents and others involved in productions. It was a particularly important resource for those in the business before the Internet but remains a staple for theater professionals. Berkley was working in publicity and as a personal manager when he saw a need for such a resource. He published the first issue of the Theatrical Index in 1964, typing the first issues in his apartment. Growing up in Philadelphia, Berkley fell in love with theater after seeing his first show, "Flying Colors," and sought to see every show he could, including the many out-of-town tryouts that played Philadelphia before a Broadway run. During WWII he served as a cryptographer in the Air Force stationed in Luxor and Rome. After the war, Berkley moved to New York and studied acting at the Dramatic Workshop. He worked as a hotel clerk and in advertising before taking a job with Earl Blackwell at Celebrity Service. Berkley retired from the Index in 2007 (Steve Bebout became the publication's editor-in-chief) but remained as a consultant until 2010. Over his years in the theater community, Price assisted many charities and served on many committees. He was a longtime member of the Tony Awards nominating committee and was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame in 2003. Donations may be made to the Actors Fund of America. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

A Sneak Look in the Erased Moments Hopefully Take presctiption the The Exorcist Blu-sun rays

On September 16, finally, 'Star Wars,' 'The Empire Strikes Back' and 'Return from the Jedi' will ultimately be launched on Blu-ray. (Oh, also, 'The Phantom Menace,' 'Attack from the Clones' and 'Revenge from the Sith' is going to be available, too, we suppose.) The flicks will be provided inside a high-definition transfer using ... Guess what happens? All of us type of worry about the technical aspects, but let us be truthful here: We, as long term The Exorcist fans, need to see the erased moments in the Original Trilogy. And, trust us, Lucasfilm knows it too -- delivering a trailer which includes sneak peeks from individuals very preferred erased moments. It isn't 100 % known what moments is going to be incorporated yet (and me pleading a Lucasfilm repetition to determine them in a Blu-ray release party a couple of several weeks ago, even from the record, didn't get me very far). But gossips which have been going swimming for a long time, combined using the official Blu-ray trailer, have provided us with a reasonably wise decision of what's available. So, here's our wish list -- including some incomplete and grainy footage we available on YouTube -- for that erased moments hopefully to determine (and type of be prepared to) come September 16. The Exorcist Luke Were built with a Existence on Tatooine Before C-3P0 and R2-D2 Turned Up This footage was already around, really. In 1998, Lucasfilm launched a Compact disc-ROM that required a glance back in the Special Models from the Original Trilogy and previewed the approaching prequels. One of the nuggets were screen-tests and, yes, many moments of Luke just type of as being a moisture player -- who then transpires with notice just a little kerfuffle happening above him. Later, we become familiar with Luke's friend, Biggs. It seems sensible the moments were cut -- Lucas wanted the experience to follow along with C-3P0 and R2-D2 and never cut between two story lines before finally intersecting. But, it might provide some necessary logic behind why Luke is really sad once the nice guy using the moustache is shot lower throughout the assault about the Dying Star. The quest for Artoo This appears like absolute hell, so, fortunately, it had been cut in the final film. However it would be nice to determine the entire, unedited version. Han Solo Makes By Helping Cover Their a Lady in the Cantina How can you think Han Solo responds to Obi-Wan Kenobi slicing the arm from a cantina patron? By looking into making by helping cover their a lady that I am sure he just met (in the 2:30 mark). Why it was ever cut, I'll don't know. Han Solo and Jabba the Hutt Yes, this scene was placed into the Exclusive Edition of 'Star Wars' having a CGI Jabba. There is however something interesting about Han attempting to smooth over relations by having an extra from 'Braveheart' rather than the fearsome Jabba everyone knows and love today. The Wild Bunch Wampa Attack A whole subplot about wampas attacking the digital rebel base was completely withdrawn from 'The Empire Strikes Back,' mostly because any close-from the wampa only agreed to be a man inside a suit -- and looked greatly just like a guy inside a suit. Within the original trailer for 'Empire,' we have seen Threepio tear off an alert sign (which you'll see below) outdoors of the room where taken wampas happen to be jailed, wishing the Imperial forces will incorrectly enter -- plus they do. Han Solo Constitutes a Move ahead Leia in Cloud City Whether it were not for C-3P0, this could have been a done deal back about the Falcon. Within this scene, Han constitutes a legitimate make an effort to seduce Leia -- going as far to flirt together with her about putting on "women clothes" -- and all sorts of she would like to complete is discuss Luke. But Han Solo is really a charming fellow, so, eventually, they are doing hug -- which, yes, might have taken a great deal from the carbon freeze, "I really like you," "I understand,Inch dialogue. Return from the Jedi Luke's New Lightsaber Once the Blu-sun rays were introduced this past year, Lucasfilm launched that one being an early treat for fans. In 'The Empire Strikes Back,' Luke manages to lose his lightsaber (and hands) throughout his duel with Darth Vader. In 'Jedi," Luke includes a new eco-friendly lightsaber, but exactly how did he have it? Well, within this scene which was to become among the first moments of 'Jedi,' we have seen Luke finishing the entire process of creating his new lightsaber. The Sandstorm In the Blu-ray trailer, we all know that one is originating, too. As well as for 'Star Wars' brainiacs, this really is most enjoyable. Within the lore of 'Star Wars' erased moments, The Sandstorm holds our attention because the most mysterious. Happening soon after Han Solo is recued from Jabba's structure, this could have been the only real utilisation of the full-size Millennium Falcon model within the entire film (a complete-size Falcon backdrop can be used later throughout a conversation between Han and Lando). Apparently, the footage am grainy in the coming sand, this scene of Han saying thanks to Luke for that save attempt needed to be scrapped along with a voice-over -- because the Falcon and Luke's X-Wing depart Tatooine -- was adopted rather. Bunker Raid Honestly, little is famous relating to this scene also it came like a surprise once the Blu-ray trailer was launched. All that's really known is it involves Han Solo shooting stormtroopers throughout the bunker raid on Endor so... yeah, we are offered. (At :36 below.) And merely just in case you have not seen a clip for that Blu-ray box set, here you go. You are able to contact Mike Ryan on Twitter. Follow Moviefone on Twitter.

Take A Look At Change at Jude Law's Shot Glass Helmet in Latest Contagion Still

· Because of its terrifying trailer and timely plot of human extinction, Contagion looks poised to become one of the most serious records in the multiplex this September — and that's why it feels safe to laugh at Jude Law’s bubble boy safety helmet. You realize the main one it's like a piece of ice or shot glass, based on your mood. Click through for any look, then hang in there for additional Buzz Break. [through the Contagion website, where one can also pay attention to High cliff Martinez’s moody score.] · SplitSider states it best: the Russian poster for any Traditional Fashioned Orgy “should function as the new American flag.” [SplitSider] · Speaking fun images: Ancestry.com has discovered a lot of senior high school yearbook photos from Celebrities. Sean Penn, always surly! [Ancestry.com] · The significant title for your untitled Pixar movie about dinosaurs may be the Untitled Pixar Movie About Dinosaurs. Adorbs. [Slashfilm] · Jesse Bradford, Bill Bellamy, Michael McKean and Bridesmaids scene stealer Wendi McLendon-Covey have became a member of the cast of Sleeping Around, “a film where two couples test the ten rules of the happy and healthy open relationship.” Whatta cast! [Pr Release]

Darren Criss Officially Not Signed on to Bret Easton Ellis's Downers Grove

So much for that bit of dubious casting! A rep tells Movieline that Darren Criss is not signed on to the next Bret Easton Ellis film Downers Grove (an adaptation of Michael Hornberg’s thriller), even though Ellis took back the “tasteless” HIV-related joke he made about Glee. Downers Grove concerns “a cursed high school in the Chicago suburb of Downers Grove.” Once upon a time I worked at a Barnes & Noble in Downers Grove, IL. The “Christian Inspiration” section was indeed haunting!

Alexander Skarsgard Headed Towards The East

He's in talks for that eco-thrillerTrue Blood's Eric Northman - Also known as actor Alexander Skarsgard - certainly is not harming for job offers right now. He's already mounted on play a Viking in Warner Bros' The Vanguard and today he's in talks for that latest effort from Another Earth's author/star Brit Marling, known as The East. As she did with Earth, Marling has co-written the script and can move forward role of the female agent who infiltrates the titular eco-terrorist group. Presuming he locks inside a deal, Skarsgard's onto take part in the leader from the terrorists, who target dishonest companies. East also sees Marling joining support with Zat Batmanglij, who co-authored cult leader drama Seem of My Voice together with her and directed that film. He'll step behind your camera once again for that new movie. The program would be to start shooting in Nashville across October and November. Skarsgard will next be observed in Lars von Trier's Melancholia after which Fishing rod Lurie's Hay Dogs remake, before appearing among the naval officials in Battleship the coming year. Marling also knows a bit about being sought after. Since striking large at Sundance with both Another Earth and Seem of My Voice, she's considered offers from Tom Cruise and Steven Soderbergh, but ultimately obtained a gig on Robert Redford's new film, The Organization You Retain...

Match During The Day

Gary Lineker introduces highlights of Saturday's six Barclays Premier League fittings. Arsenal's first home game of year was against old adversaries Liverpool. Contests between your two sides happen to be near the coast recent seasons with five from the last eight matches ending 1-1, including both games last term. Could either team look for a champion this time around around?

'Hop' Director Tim Hill in Talks to Direct 'Walter the Farting Dog' (Exclusive)

Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesTim Hill Hop director Tim Hill is in talks to direct Walter the Farting Dog for Paramount Pictures. Mary Parent has come aboard to produce with the Farrelly brothers, who had been attached to direct and produce when the project was at Fox. Walter is based on a series of children's books written by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray, and illustrated by Audrey Colman, about a family living with an exceedingly flatulent dog. Toy Story co-writers Joel Cohen and Alec Sokolow have written the screenplay adaptation. Conundrum's Bradley Thomas is also producing the feature, which Fox recently allowed the company to take to Paramount. The four Jonas brothers had once been attached to star, but they are no longer involved with the project. Parent was a champion of the Farrellys' Three Stooges project when she was worldwide motion picture group chairman at MGM. Peter and Bobby Farrelly are in post-production on that film now for Fox, which picked up rights after MGM became ensnared in a major financial restructuring. Repped by Gersh and Principato-Young, Hill is also developing a remake of Short Circuit for Dimension. He has directed Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties, Alvin and the Chipmunks and Hop, which grossed $183 million worldwide earlier this year. Parent also has New Kid and The Mighty on her slate at Paramount through her Disruption Entertainment. Conundrum recently produced Hall Pass for New Line and The Heartbreak Kid for Paramount. Paramount Pictures Mary Parent Hop