Murdoch taps Ravitz mind of staff

News Corp. chairman-Boss Rupert Murdoch has hired a completely new mind of staff: Natalie Ravitz, formerly communications director for your NY City Dept. of the practice. "Like me regrettably goodbye, I am very excited to get this done new problem with most likely probably the most dynamic companies in the world,In . Ravitz mentioned. Her last visit to the Dept.t of the practice will probably be Feb. 10. NY City schools chancellor Dennis Walcott introduced the departure. Ravitz grew to become part of the department this season under then-chancellor Joel Klein, who now works well with Murdoch too. Murdoch hired Klein, former in the U.S. Justice Dept.'s antitrust unit under Bill Clinton, and hired him to News Corp.'s board of company company directors this season. He's leading an inside analysis in the phone-hacking scandal inside the conglom's U.K. newspaper biz. News Corp. introduced this year's week that chief press representative Teri Everett will probably be departing Feb. 10. Julie Henderson in La remains promoted towards the peak job. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Spartacus: What to Expect in Season 2 (Beyond the Blood and Bodies)

Liam McIntyre, Lucy Lawless "I am Spartacus." Newcomer Liam McIntyre pronounces these iconic words in Spartacus: Vengeance, which returns to Starz for its second season on Friday at 10/9c. In a way, the Aussie is proclaiming the new regime, both as the slave who won his freedom and as the actor who stepped into Spartacus' shoes after Andy Whitfield had to exit because of lymphoma. (Whitfield died in September.) McIntyre: Andy Whitfield's death was the "saddest day" on the Spartacus set As the new guy, McIntyre enters into a fantastically overwrought world of gore, copulation and pseudo-period dialogue with which fans are already familiar. Despite the convoluted language and intense fight sequences requiring months of training, it was the revealing sex scenes that he found the most challenging. "The language I liked because I had a Shakespeare background, so it was really fun to play," McIntyre tells TVGuide.com "It's like revisionist Shakespeare or something. The fighting is like being a 10-year-old; it's so much fun. So I guess the most challenging thing is the nudity. It's just such a weird thing. It always works in the story, it's always a combination of an important moment... but as an actor, it's just an odd experience. People just don't go around with their clothes off." Nevertheless, McIntyre stripped down and stepped up, bringing Spartacus to life once again in all his naked glory. Season 2 picks up with Spartacus leading the rebels who have won their freedom by overthrowing the House of Batiatus in a bloody battle. Check out what else McIntyre, executive producer Steven DeKnight and co-star Lucy Lawless have to say about what's coming up this season: A Brothel Massacre. Crixus (Manu Bennett) is intent on obtaining critical information, and he's not about to let a house of ill repute get in his way. Naturally, his fellow rebels are more than eager to participate. "In Episode 1, one of the early things we put up on the board in the writers' room, was 'Brothel Attack," and you just can't go wrong with a title like that. There's a very emotional story that goes with that, but we wanted to have it, 'Well, you don't want to just go in and attack a bunch of guys and get some information. They should attack a brothel.'" VIDEO: Spartacus promises to "repay with blood" in Season 2 The Roman Upstart. Gaius Claudius Glaber (Craig Parker) was only seen briefly in the first season, but is back with more screen time as he sets out to oppose Spartacus and the rebels. Too bad the younger generation of Romans aren't always on the same page. "We definitely wanted to throw some roadblocks in his way and that's where we came in with Seppius [Tom Hobbs] and his sister Seppia. [Hanna Mangan Lawrence]," DeKnight explains, adding that they "wanted to have this young guy" cause Glaber some trouble. "Early on in the season, there's a scene between the two. They're just sitting and talking, but it's one of my favorites of the season, the scene in which Seppius eats the fig. It's a power battle." The Unexpected Slave. As Spartacus and his men travel the countryside, freeing slaves as they go, they encounter Tiberius (Pana Hema-Taylor) a young man who isn't thrilled to have his master killed. "People like Tiberius challenge the idea that Spartacus has that everybody should be free," says McIntyre. "Rome is such an oppressive regime that sometimes it's better the devil you know than something else. And even if he was lashed and all those things, at least he knows where it's coming from. Whereas the problem the rebels have from the get-go is that we're on the lam. We're on the run from the law, and the law wants to kill you. Is that really a better thing than being fed and fighting in the arena for money? Is that a better situation to be in? In principle, yeah. In reality maybe not." More Than Just Figs. "I'm big in the scripts about writing in certain times when people are eating. It carries so much more weight," says DeKnight. "It's one of the things we started doing with Nick Tarabay, who plays Ashur. There was a scene in Season 1 where we saw the dailies, and something terrible was happening to somebody, and we cut to Ashur, and he's having a little snack. So we started writing that in. That really just spoke tons about his character." The Return of the Retiarus. Gnaeus (Raicho Vasilev), who wielded the trident and net in the arena, may be dead this season, but another gladiator will take up the "fisherman's gear." "The retiarus, the trident and net gladiator, in all the versions of movies and stuff, he tends to look ridiculous," DeKnight says. "But on our show - and that's the genius of [stunt supervisor] Allan Poppleton - he made it absolutely badass. You will see more of tridents and nets." A Love for Lucretia. The domina survived the House of Batiatus slaughter, but is not the Lucretia we once knew. Nevertheless, she still holds appeal for at least one person. "Lucretia's lost everything," Lawless says. "She's lost her beloved husband, the child she was going to give him, the lover who enabled the child, the home, status and therefore it's quite understandable that she's lost her marbles in the meantime... but she does have two love interests. Somebody falls in love with her." Check out what else is in store for Lucretia in our interview with Lawless: Will you tune in for the new Spartacus? Which character are you excited to see back?

New posters for What To Anticipate When You are Expecting

Lionsgate have launched a quintet of recent posters for being a parent comedy What To Anticipate When You are Expecting, showing its five leading ladies because they seems when they were pregnant.Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick and Brooklyn Decker would be the ladies under consideration, all searching radiant because they clutch their inflamed stomachs.And although getting pregnant comedy might attract female audiences first of all, Lionsgate make sure they struggle and snag a couple of male audiences on the way, by placing Brooklyn Decker near the tag-line: "I've all of this extra energy, plus I am constantly horny."The film relies upon the best-selling guide of the identical title, and can follow five different couples with the good and the bad of impending being a parent. The women is going to be became a member of with a male cast including Chace Crawford, Dennis Quaid, Rodrigo Santoro, Joe Magniello and Chris Rock.What To Anticipate When You are Expecting is going to be launched in United kingdom movie theaters on 18 May 2012. Meanwhile, you should check out 5 new posters below...

Larry Hagman: Cancer Wont Keep Me From Dallas Reboot

First Published: January 14, 2012 6:05 PM EST Credit: Access Hollywood Caption Access Hollywood Live: Larry Hagman Auctions Off I Dream Of Jeannie & Dallas Memorabilia LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Larry Hagman said his recent cancer diagnosis hasnt kept him from being a full part of the Dallas reboot coming to TNT this summer. They gave me a little time off, but in this business, you can shoot three or four shows at the same time, Hagman told reporters on Saturday at the Television Critics Association Winter Session in Pasadena, Calif. The actor, who revealed he was battling a treatable form of cancer in October of 2011, also gave an update on his progress. My treatments are going along very well, he said. The actor is fully engaged in the Dallas project, alongside fellow Dallas vets Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray, and Hagman said filming is heating up. I worked yesterday, Hagman continued. I did three major scenes yesterday and very well too, I must say. And I had a lot of fun. Theyre not writing me out, he continued. But I have some time to make up in the next couple of weeks, so Ill be working every day, I think. In fact, Hagman revealed things have heated up with his on again/off again on-screen love interest Sue Ellen, played once again by Gray. Yesterday we did a scene and she gave me my first slap, he said. Youre not supposed to say that! Gray chimed in. But it was great, she added with a smile. Dallas, also starring Jordana Brewster, Jesse Metcalfe, Josh Henderson, Brenda Strong and Julia Gonzalo, airs this coming summer on TNT. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Chronicle clip online

We're ridiculously excited about Chronicle at Total Film Towers. We think it's got cult sleeper-hit written all over it.The real-kids-get-super-powers high-concept might not be particularly original (Misfits, anyone?) but we're not sure we care when it's delivered this well.We were just starting to get a bit sick of portentous super-hero flicks filled with sombre teens struggling with the responsibilities of super-powers.So it's refreshing to see a gang of kids doing what we'd do if we ever gained the ability to fly or control stuff with our minds - pricking about and having fun.This new clip is the latest evidence that's exactly what the main thread of Chronicle will involve - a bunch of mates messing about with their powers, before things take a turn for the disturbing.Check it out below:[brightcove]1382512757001[/brightcove]

ROLL CALL: Rachelle Lefervre Debuts Buzz Cut

First Launched: The month of the month of january 12, 2012 2:14 PM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption Rachelle Lefervre accepts Favorite Drama Movie Award for Water for Tigers onstage within the 2012 Peoples Choice Honours at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in La around the month of the month of january 11, 2012 -- RPatz Messes Along With His Trademark Locks Once Again: Twilight fans might be inside a condition of mourning today carrying out a debut of Robert Pattinsons (almost) shaved mind. The actor switched up last evening within the Peoples Choice Award to just accept the award for Favorite Drama Movie for Water for Tigers, having a completely new close cut. So, which Robert do you want best - shaved and smooth or grown out and untidy? Election HERE! Kylie Plays Nice: There doesn't appear to become any bad blood stream between pop star Kylie Minogue and ex-boyfriend Olivier Martinez. The Aussie singer needed to Twitter on Wednesday to congratulate Olivier on his reported engagement to Halle Berry, writing, Champion to Olivier Martinez and Halle Berry!! #wedding Isn't it nice to find out former star couples acting like grownups? But can it be even an engagement? According to TMZ, the rock Halle remains sporting is not an gem. Have a look at much more about the ongoing is it or arent they getting betrothed saga, HERE! Rehabbed Real Housewife Spotted: The Particular Regular folks of Beverly Slopes star Kim Richards was spotted on Wednesday evening in, where else, but Beverly Slopes. The reality star, who's fresh from rehab, looked great after you have dinner with sister Kathy Hilton at Mr. Chow. Were glad to find out Kim within the 90210 and looking out fantastic. Peoples Choice Honours Style Hits & Misses!: The celebs presented plenty of interesting style options at Wednesdays Peoples Choice Honours. We loved Julianne Houghs sexy backless gown (notice HERE!), but did not understand what Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence was thinking was she watching The Little Mermaid when she selected out THIS GOWN? Have a look at her brave marine dress choice, HERE and election Great OR FLUB! -By Jesse Spero Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Sundance taps 22 for jury duty

PoseySundance Institute has tapped the 22 members of the six juries awarding prizes at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival.The U.S. dramatic jury includes Justin Lin, Anthony Mackie, Cliff Martinez, Lynn Shelton and Amy Vincent while the world dramatic jury includes Julia Ormond, Richard Pena and Alexei Popogrebsky.Parker Posey was announced Tuesday as host of the Jan. 28 awards ceremony. Posey's appeared in more than a dozen films at Sundance Film Festival, including "Party Girl," "House of Yes," "Broken English" and the upcoming "Price Check" in the out-of-competition premieres section at this year's festival.The U.S. documentary jury includes Fenton Bailey, Shari Springer Berman, Heather Croall, Charles Ferguson and Kim Roberts while the world documentary jury consists of Nick Fraser, Clara Kim and Jean-Marie Teno.The Alfred P. Sloan jury includes Scott Burns, Tracy Day and Helen Fisher. Mike Judge, Dee Rees and Shane Smith were selected for the short film jury.Sundance runs from Jan. 19 to 29. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Chuck Exclusive Start Looking: Who's Losing Their Clothes? Hint: It Isn't Sarah

Alec Baldwin When someone must strip lower to some revealing outfit throughout a mission on Chuck, it always falls on Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski). Not this time around. This time around, it's Casey (Adam Baldwin)! Browse the relaxation of present day news When Gertrude Verbanski (Barbara-Anne Moss) returns in Friday's episode, she'll enlist Carmichael Industries for any questionable mission that sees Casey forced into his skivvies. Take a look at a unique first consider the episode: Chuck airs Fridays at 8/7c on NBC.