Benedict Freedman dies at 92

Benedict Freedman, a mathematics professor at L.A.'s Occidental College who also penned movie and TV scripts, as well as novels, died Feb. 24 in Corte Madera, Calif. He was 92.Freedman wrote 10 books with his wife, Nancy, one of which, the bestseller "Mrs. Mike," was adapted into a 1949 feature film starring Dick Powell and Evelyn Keyes. The book and film were based on the true story of a Mountie and his wife in Canada's remote far north. "Mrs. Mike" is still in print.By the time he was married in 1941, Freedman was already a showbiz veteran. He dropped out of Columbia U. at the age of 16 to help support his family, going to work as a comedy writer for radio. The couple met at MGM, where Freedman was a writer and Nancy a young actress.His bigscreen efforts included the 1954 sci-fi comedy "The Atomic Kid," scripted by Freedman and John Fenton Murray from a story by Blake Edwards. It saw Mickey Rooney's character remade by the force of a nuclear blast. Freedman paired again with Murray on the original script for 1956 B-movie adventure "Jaguar" and again on 1961 comedy "Everything's Ducky," starring Rooney and Buddy Hackett as sailors who sneak a talking duck onto their ship.Freedman wrote scripts for television shows including "The Mickey Rooney Show," "The Red Skelton Hour," "The Andy Griffith Show" and "My Favorite Martian."He was born in NY City, to David Freedman, a writer for radio and Broadway, and his wife, Beatrice, a violinist.He became a mathematician only after returning to college, this time UCLA, in his late 40s.Nancy died in 2010. Freedman is survived by three children; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

Oscars 2012: Since It Happened

At a negative balance-colored carpet for the last award..Thank you for going to Empire's live coverage in the Oscar red-colored-colored carpet as well as the ceremony. We'll be departing comments round the Academy Awards' best (and worst) fitted simply because they arrive round the red-colored-colored carpet - then departing comments on all the individuals who win and nonwinners because they are introduced. Relax, grab a brew from the favourite beverage and like the evening around....

Smash's Katharine the truly amazing

Plus they thought Hathaway As Catwoman and James Franco will bring in additional audiences.Sunday's 84th Oscars, located by Oscar stalwart Billy Very for that ninth time, loved a little bump over last ... Find Out More > Other Links From TVGuide.com CSI: MiamiFamily GuyThe ApprenticeThe SimpsonsAnne HathawayBilly CrystalJames FrancoAmerican Father!The Mentalist84th Academy AwardsNapoleon DynamiteAmazing Race 20Oscars Red-colored Carpet Live

Chris Rock to Present at Oscars

Chris Rock Chris Rock is coming back to the Oscars.The Grammy winning comedian, who hosted Hollywood's biggest night in 2005, will be a presenter at the 84th annual Academy Awards, the academy announced Wednesday. Rock joins previously announced Oscar presenters Halle Berry, Bradley Cooper, Tom Cruise, and Cameron Diaz.Hugo, The Artist lead Oscar nominationsThe 47-year-old actor is starring in the upcoming films What to Expect When You're Expecting and 2 Days in NY. Rock has also appeared in Death At A Funeral, Grown Ups and Bee Movie.The 84th Academy Awards, hosted by Billy Crystal, airs Sunday, Feb. 26 at 8:30 p.m. ET/ 5:30 p.m. PT on ABC.

Wood, Mikkelsen chipper for 'Charlie'

Evan Rachel Wood and Danish thesp Mads Mikkelsen have joined the cast of "The Necessary Death of Charlie Countryman," which will see them co-star alongside Shia LaBeouf. The gritty pulp romancer, which is produced by Voltage Prods. and Bona Fide Prods. and is being shopped in Berlin, will see Wood play Gabi Banyai, a Hungarian girl who Charlie (LaBeouf) falls in love with after her father dies on a plane next to him. Mikkelsen will play Nigel, Gabi's violent estranged husband, who will stop at nothing to make sure the two don't end up together. The two shingles are currently in pre-production on the pic, which is helmed by commercials director Fredrik Bond. Matt Drake ("Project X") penned the script, which was on the Hollywood Black List of the best unproduced screenplays. "Little Miss Sunshine" producers Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa produce with Bill Horberg ("Don't Be Afraid of the Dark") through their Bona Fide Prods. banner while Craig J. Flores ("300") will produce for Voltage. Nicolas Chartier, whose sales outfit Voltage Pictures is selling the pic, will exec produce. Bona Fide developed the script with Drake and attached Bond. Pic is skedded to lense in Eastern Europe in May. CAA reps Wood, LaBeouf, Bond, Berger and Yerxa. UTA reps Mikkelsen. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com

Vital Comedy to bow in Russia

LONDON -- A close version in the Vital Comedy web is always to bow in Russia this spring. Viacom, which has the organization, mentioned the funnel is a "100% Russian language, non-stop place to choose credible humor, personalized particularly for Russian audiences." Web, which will launch in April, showcases worldwide and native laffers implementing stand-up, sketch, satire, off-beat shows and sitcoms. Specific at 18-34 year olds, launch sked includes "Charlie Sheen's Roast," "Raising Hope," "Last Guy Standing," "Workaholics" and "South Park." In your town produced commissions will be in the pipeline. Among the Russian comics arranged are Dmitry Romanov. Nick Walters, gm, Viacom Worldwide Media Systems Russia, mentioned: "Getting spent lots of time researching and studying Russian audience tastes, we're sure there's an enormous chance to find the best comedy funnel to pay attention to.In . VIMN recently hired former Disney professional Mikhail Nepomnyaschy as commercial director, verifying to Walters, Also aboard is Andre Gromkovski, mind of funnel, Vital Comedy Russia. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

CBS Revives Person to person to appear Inside Houses of George Clooney, Jon Bon Jovi

Person to person The revival of CBS' legendary program Person to person special will feature George Clooney, Jon Bon Jovi and Warren Buffett. Longtime newsman Edward R. Murrow launched Person to person in 1953 in order to let audiences to the houses of stars like John and Jackie Kennedy, Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis. In December, the network introduced their intends to regenerate a modern day version in the program. Have a look at photos of George Clooney The completely new special, airing Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 8/7c, will explore the La home of recent Oscar nominee Clooney, the riverfront Nj estate of Jovi as well as the Omaha office of economic leader Buffett. CBS' Charlie Rose and Lara Logan will host the program. "When someone opens their property, they're talking about a part of themselves that traditional interview programs can't achieve," co-executive producer Judy Tygard mentioned in the statement. Are you currently presently excited to acquire a take a look at Clooney's crib?