Oxygen inhales in Savitt

Joel K. Savitt continues to be hired as Vice president of production and procedures at NBCUniversal lifestyle cabler Oxygen. Savitt wil are accountable to senior Vice president of development Cori Abraham in Oxygen's West Coast office. Savitt labored as Vice president of production at Katalyst Films as the shingle was making "Spread" and "Murders" and handled manufacture of aircraft pilots for ABC and many cablers. Just before Katalyst, Savitt labored at GoGo Lucky Entertainment and it has labored as matching producer on CBS's "Amazing Race" for 2 seasons. Contact Mike Thielman at mike.thielman@variety.com

Daniel Burke, Former CEO of ABC, Dead at 82

Daniel B. Burke Daniel Burke, who helped engineer a stunning acquisition of ABC in the 1980s and eventually became the president and CEO of Capital Cities/ABC Inc., died Wednesday at his home in Rye, N.Y. He was 82.Burke became executive vice president the media company Capital Cities in 1967, and rose through the ranks until 1986, when it acquired ABC. He served as president and CEO of Capital Cities/ABC from 1990 to 1994. In 1996, Capital Cities/ABC was sold to the Walt Disney Co.Check out the rest of the day's news"A gifted executive and natural teacher, and a man with a strong sense of right and wrong, Dan Burke led by example," said Disney President and CEO Robert A. Iger. "He stood for integrity and directness in business, and encouraged a balance in work and family life and involvement in one's community. Dan had a significant impact on me and all those he touched, and for that I will always be grateful."Burke is survived by his wife of 54 years and four children, including NBC Universal CEO Steve Burke. Another son, Bill, was president of TBS and the Weather Channel.

Chaz Bono Talks DWTS Elimination; Does He Feel Unfairly Judged?

First Published: October 26, 2011 10:03 AM EDT Credit: Access Hollywood Caption Chaz Bono and Lacey Schwimmer chat with Access Hollywood after Dancing with the Stars on October 25, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Chaz Bono and partner Lacey Schwimmer were eliminated on Tuesdays Dancing with the Stars, an experience he calls amazing, but Chaz told Access Hollywood he felt unfairly judged at times. I wasnt ready to go at all, Chaz told Access Shaun Robinson following his elimination. We had a blast together. I made amazing friends it was up and down and amazing and challenging. I loved it. What do you say to people who say Chaz was treated unfairly? Do you take any of that with you? Do you think you were treated unfairly? Shaun asked. I felt throughout that there was some bias against me, but it doesnt, in any way, tarnish the experience of being part of this show, he explained. During the competition, judge Bruno Tonioli compared him to both a penguin and an Ewok from Star Wars during various critiques. I felt like I didnt fit a physical ideal, and that I got judged on more than my dancing sometimes, he continued. AH Nation Poll: Did the right person get sent home on Tuesdays DWTS? VOTE HERE! He did what he needed to do, we had a good time doing it, Lacey said about her partner. Theres always one person they have something against, and feel it necessary to pick apart, and that was Chaz this season. For a complete rundown of all the action from Tuesdays elimination, CLICK HERE! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

German Power begins with 'Almanya'

L.A.'s Goethe Institut is starting off its fifth annual German Power film series, which runs Wednesday through Sunday, having a screening of German-Turkish comedy "Almanya: Thanks for visiting Germany" as well as an opening party in the Egyptian Theater.On Saturday, a panel discussion at 12:30 in the Goethe-Institut on Wilshire Blvd. covers "How Do You Get My Film Funded?" with participation from filmmakers and German funders.Also screening are recent German game titles including "The Poll Journals," Cannes Not Certain Regard champion "Stopped on the right track,Inch "Jasmin," "Your Day I Wasn't Born," "Westwind," "Otherwise Us, Who?," "Sleeping Sickness" and docu "Charlotte now Rampling: The Appearance.Inch Tests is going to be held in the Egyptian, the Goethe Institut and also the Aero Theater in Santa Monica. Get more information at more details. Contact Pat Saperstein at pat.saperstein@variety.com

Cloris Leachman Rules

Today’s October 17, the birthday of rapper/sometime actor Eminem! And do you know who else knows it’s Eminem’s birthday? Cloris Leachman. Who is on Twitter. Tweeting to Eminem. (We heart you, Cloris.) #embedly_twitter_46616618{background:url(http://a2.twimg.com/profile_background_images/170875738/x6e348f4741ea0f4ff0508ae2f96f591.png) #d3d9db;padding:20px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 p{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 0px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .embedly_tweet_content{background:#fff;padding:10px 12px 10px 12px;margin:0;min-height:48px;color:#000;font-size:18px !important;line-height:22px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 p span.metadata{display:block;width:100%;clear:both;margin-top:0px;height:40px;padding-bottom:12px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 p span.metadata span.author{line-height:15px;color:#999;font-size:14px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 p span.metadata span.author a{line-height:15px;font-size:20px;vertical-align:middle;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 p span.metadata span.author img{float:left;margin:0 10px 0 0px;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 p a {color:#db6995;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 p a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .embedly_timestamp{font-size:13px;display:inline-block;margin-top:5px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .components-above span.embedly_timestamp{font-size:10px;margin-top:1px;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 a {color:#db6995;text-decoration:none;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .tweet-screen-name {font-size:14px;font-weight:bold;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .tweet-full-name {padding-left:4px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .tweet-actions{margin-left:10px;font-size:13px;display:inline-block;width:250px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .components-above span.tweet-actions{font-size:10px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .controls{line-height:12px!important;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .tweet-actions a {margin-left:5px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .tweet-actions a b{font-weight:normal;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .components-above span.tweet-actions a b{vertical-align:baseline;line-height:12px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .components-above .tweet-text{font-size:13px;vertical-align:baseline;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .tweet-image {float:left;width:40px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .tweet-user-block-image {float:left;width:48px;height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .tweet-row {margin-left:40px;margin-top:3px;line-height:17px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .tweet-user-block {}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .stream-item {padding-bottom:0px;margin-left:12px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .simple-tweet-image img {margin-top:4px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .simple-tweet-content {margin:0 0 13px 0px;font-size:14px;min-height:48px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .in-reply-to-border {border-color:#EBEBEB;border-style:solid;border-width:1px 0 0;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .in-reply-to-text {margin-left:4px;padding-left:8px;padding-right:10px;color:#999;font-size:12px;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .tweet-actions i {background:transparent url(http://a2.twimg.com/a/1306889658/phoenix/img/sprite-icons.png) no-repeat;width:15px;height:15px;margin:0 4px 3px;outline:none;vertical-align:baseline;display:inline-block;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .tweet-actions a.retweet-action i {background-position:-192px 0;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .tweet-actions a.reply-action i {background-position:0 0;}#embedly_twitter_46616618 .tweet-actions a.favorite-action i {background-position:-32px 0;}@Cloris_LeachmanCloris Leachman Happy B-day @Eminem. You’re the only person I know that’s more gangster than me….Oct 17 via CoTweetFavoriteRetweetReply Arguable if you ask me! [@Cloris_Leachman]

De Passe Jones Signs Three-Year First Look Deal With Universal

Universal Pictures has inked a three-year first look deal with de Passe Jones, the shingle run by Suzanne de Passe and Phillip Madison Jones. De Passe is best known for exec producing 1989's acclaimed mini-series Lonesome Dove, but has more recently been working in the awards show field. Jones founded IPM, an entertainment, media and IP licensing firm that is best known for concluding a global licensing program for the estate of Martin Luther King, Jr. "Suzanne and Madison are trailblazing producers who have great respect in multiple divisions of the entertainment industry," said the studio in a statement. "We are fortunate to work with such respected partners and look forward to their upcoming projects with the studio." The deal marks the fourth first-look signed by Universal in recent months, with the others involving Justin Lin, Chris Morgan and Vin Diesel. Related Topics Universal Pictures

Panahi jail sentence upheld

ROME -- A Tehran appeals court has upheld a six-year jail sentence against Jafar Panahi in addition to a 20-year filmmaking and travel prohibit rigid the worldwide acclaimed Iranian helmer, local condition media reported.Panahi, is presently living in your own home in Tehran, pending the execution from the jail sentence.Panahi's lawyer, Farideh Ghairat, was cited Monday through the Tehran Occasions as stating that she'll appeal this ruling to Iran's Top Court.Panahi hasn't received official notification from the sentence, that they and the lawyer discovered through local media, she stated.The filmmaker was arrested in March 2010 and imprisoned for 2 several weeks because of a documentary he was making concerning the disputed 2009 re-election of Leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.After a weight hunger strike and having to pay the same as $200,000 in bail, Panahi was granted a reprieve through the court in May 2010, pending appeal.Government-run newspaper "Iran" on Saturday stated that: "The costs he was sentenced for are acting against national security and propaganda from the regime."Within the same appeal a six-year jail sentence against another Iranian helmer, Mohammad Rasoulof, who co-directed the disputed docu with Panahi, was reduced to 1 year.The reason for Panahi, who's known worldwide for prizewinning films critical of Iran's government for example "The Circle" and "Offside," has lengthy been adopted through the worldwide filmmaking community with lots of applications and appeals, though this latest sentence has yet to spark a brand new outcry.Panahi's newest title is docu "This isn't a movie,Inch showing each day in the existence because he anxiously waited to listen to the verdict in the appeal. Daring pic was tested at Cannes in May and, more lately, in the Toronto and NY fests.Iranian government bodies in September blocked helmer Mojtaba Mirtahmasb -- who co-helmed "This Isn't a movieInch with Panahi -- at Tehran Airport terminal, en-path to Toronto via Paris, and drawn his passport.Since June in regards to a dozen Iranian company directors and stars happen to be arrested, some seriously sentenced, and avoided from departing the nation, charged with "propaganda" from the regime.Earlier this year, Iranian actress Marzieh Vafamehr was sentenced to some year in jail and 90 lashes on her role in Australian-Iranian helmer Granaz Moussavi's "My Tehran available," by which she plays a youthful lady seeking artistic and sexual freedom. Contact Nick Vivarelli at nvivarelli@gmail.com

'Star Wars: The Clone Wars' Revives Darth Maul

Darth Maul is dead. I saw that man die. "The Phantom Menace" has played no fewer than 10 times in my life, and countless more times in the lives of your other friendly neighborhood Movies Blog writers as well. The tattooed, spike-studded, dual-lightsaber-wielding Sith apprentice was cleaved in half by Obi-Wan Kenobi by movie's end, and our hopes for continued Maul awesomeness died with him. Or so we thought. George Lucas has once again defied expectations by breathing life back into Darth Maul's lungs. Entertainment Weekly reports that the Sith menace is being resurrected in the new season of "Clone Wars," though the exact how's and why's remain murky. Luckily, that's what you have us for. After the jump, check out the Movies team's best guesses as to how Darth Maul could possibly still be alive. Stitch The Sith We're talking about a George Lucas creation here. It's not surprising that Darth Maul is coming back, it's surprising that it took him so long to do so. What's a teeny thing like being cut in half by a lightsaber and falling into a bottomless pit when you have the Emperor on your side? I'm sure all it took was a few Force lightning stitches to get the Zabrak Sith Lord as good as new. -Terri Schwartz, MTV Movies contributing writer Blood Magic With Maul's body ruined beyond repair, the dark lords of the Sith are forced to turn to ancient and evil magics, far more sinister than the Force. A sacrifice of 100 slaves is made, and their blood runs into a massive pool. From the corpses of 100 doomed souls rises a new and more menacing Maul than ever before. Guys, let's face it: blood magic is awesome. -Brian Phares, MTV Movies contributing writer Obey Your Thirst It's obvious, isn't it? When Obi-Wan cut Darth Maul in half with Qui-Gon's lightsaber, the blade immediately cauterized the wound, keeping all of his vital organs intact and held inside. Granted, the tumble into the bottomless pit couldn't have been a pleasant experience, but George Lucas, Maul's true master, was waiting at the bottom with a can of Sprite and a hot bowl of soup to nurse him back to health and sustain him for later economic exploitation. This is literally the only explanation I'll believe. -Kevin Sullivan, MTV Movies editorial assistant The Real Answer To riff on an old friend's famous line no! It's not true! It's impossible! -Josh Wigler, MTV Movies Blog editor Tell us what you think of Darth Maul's resurrection in the comments and on Twitter!

L.A. County AFL-CIO Encourages 'Occupy' Protests

Inside a strongly phrased declaration, the L.A. county AFL-CIO has endorsed the "Occupy" protests that started in NY and also have spread to La along with other metropolitan areas.Within an exclusive statement to "The Hollywood Reporter," the audience blasted "an unfair economy that actually works for 1% of People in america as the huge most of people find it difficult to settle the debts, have an education and lift their own families.InchThe statement also asserted that "the La labor movement stands using its siblings and siblings taking up Wall Street, downtown La and metropolitan areas and cities across the nation.InchThe audience -- the L.A. County Federation at work -- is definitely an umbrella number of AFL-CIO local people along with other unions. Among its affiliate marketers are AFTRA, SAG, Teamsters and La based IATSE local people, whereas the DGA and WGA West aren't people.The group's endorsement isn't binding on its affiliate marketers. The only real entertainment union to endorse the Occupy protests up to now may be the WGA East, as "THR" solely reported Sunday.The group's leader, executive secretary treasurer Maria Elena Durazo, added "We should still speak out, organize and interact to be able to rebuild the center class."The statement referred to the Occupy Wall Street movement as "going for a stand from the corporate bullies, banks and investment businesses that not just produced our economic collapse in 2008, but still make the most of it today, making billions in profits while demanding further wage and benefit cuts from American employees." The Hollywood Reporter

Creating duo are 'Numba One'

Production duo David Brookwell and Sean McNamara have signed onto co-produce "Numba One," Michael Attardi's approaching romantic comedy set among contempo Mafia types in Gotham and Miami. Brookwell/McNamara Entertainment, which created the 2010 indie success "Soul Surfer" (helmed by McNamara), also offers signed onto co-produce another Attardi project, the musical "Hawaiian Love," with different script Attardi co-authored with Andy Van Roon. Paul Sorvino and Federico Castelluccio ("The Sopranos") star in "Numba One," a good insurance salesperson who suddenly finds themself entangled in mob matters. Peter Greene and Wayne Newton also are probably the cast. Attardi, under his banner Italian Guilt Outings, also co-produces, along with Castelluccio. Feature is placed to start filming in Miami in The month of january. Contact Gordon Cox at gordon.cox@variety.com