Will prison time deter pic pirates?

While Hollywood hopes the one-year prison sentence for the "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" pirate will scare off potential copycats, the precedent-setting punishment is unlikely to dramatically affect the battle against content theft, experts say. NYer Gilberto Sanchez was sentenced Monday to a year in federal prison for uploading the 20th Century Fox pic in March 2009 -- more than one month before its theatrical release. His sentence is the longest incarceration for online theft of a single film, according to the Justice Department. "I hope Internet pirates will think twice before they upload," assistant U.S. attorney Lisa E. Feldman, who worked on the "Wolverine" case, told Variety. "Like Sanchez, they may think it gives them prestige but it could get them prison instead." Sanchez claimed that he obtained the "workprint" copy of the film -- including several unfinished effects sequences -- for $5 from a street vendor. He then uploaded it to Megaupload.com for a day before Fox had it removed. The FBI was later able to trace Sanchez's IP address. Studio viewed the 2009 upload as the most damaging incident of piracy to date, according to legal documents from the case, largely because the film hit the Web before its theatrical release. That's almost unheard of, and it contributed to the severity of the punishment. In 2003, pirated copies of "The Hulk," "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" circulated in the U.K. before the films hit theaters, but none leaked as early as "Wolverine." Despite the severity of Monday's sentencing and its potential to encourage judges to get tough on IP theft, legal experts question just how much of a deterrent it will be. The sentence could discourage some casual users but may not dissuade others who are more opposed to restrictions on distribution of copyrighted material. And since pic pirates often act out of personal interest rather than for profit, many content thieves fit the latter description. "It should certainly act as a deterrent," said Stanford U. law professor Paul Goldstein, an expert on intellectual property law. "Whether it deters the right people is still a question." The effect of individual punishments in piracy cases can be difficult to gauge. In 1997, congress passed the No Electronic Theft Act, which allowed more criminal penalties in piracy cases and opened the door to more effective criminal prosecution. Since then, Hollywood has become more combative in its efforts to stop piracy. The MPAA is backing a controversial anti-piracy bill -- the Stop Online Piracy Act -- currently making its way through Congress. But opponents say the legislation could have unintended consequences, like censoring entire websites over small infractions. Not all of the industry's anti-piracy efforts are embraced by showbizzers. Award season screners, for example, are increasingly spurring complaints about complicated security coding that can make them hard to watch. Contact Rachel Abrams at Rachel.Abrams@variety.com

Not practical Jokers

'Impractical Jokers'Produced by NorthSouth Prods. Executive producers, Charlie DeBevoise, Mark Hickman, John Quinn, James Murray, Joe Gatto, Sal Vulcano, Dork Wechter co-executive producers, Michael Addis, M. Blaine Hopkins supervisory producer, Steve Melcher comedy producers, Lou Perez, Julia Youthful director, P.J. Morrison. 30 MIN.With: John "Q" Quinn, James "Murr" Murray, Joe Gatto, Sal Vulcano.Cheerful stupidity could be harder to understand of computer looks, that is about as strong an endorsement as there's for "Not practical Jokers," TruTV's latest stab at bringing in the mainly male "Jackass" crowd with absolutely juvenile comedy. Inside a twist on the hidden-camera show, four men attempt to top one another with absurd challenges, taking turns feeding among the suffering pals outlandish items to say and do, then watching the silliness that develops. When not exactly festive, it's fitfully merry. Each person in the quartet -- John "Q" Quinn, James "Murr" Murray, Joe Gatto and Sal Vulcano, a comedy troupe referred to as Tenderloins -- is alternately put into a mundane setting, and also the others, utilizing a hidden earpiece, see the things they can pressure him to complete as they interacts with naturally baffled other people and bystanders. In a single sequence, they struggle to obtain passers-by to sign bizarre applications, for example one "to permit whites within the military" or the "Public bathroom masturbation act." In other people, they alternate acting like idiots while manning the counter at Whitened Castle or perhaps a large-supply yard. It's, basically, "Candid Camera," if Allen Funt were changed by four immature frat boys. Fortunately, the majority of the gags -- the notable exception being the final one, that involves fresh dog poop -- are harmless enough, or at best the dudes are lucky to not encounter anybody who hauls off and slugs them. There's something infectious, too, in just how much the 4 gamers seem to be taking pleasure in themselves, howling like lunatics at their friends' discomfort. Nobody is ever going to confuse "Not practical Jokers" rich in art, certainly, but as low-brow, micro-cost comedy poor TruTV's programming assets, it's really quite practical -- and from time to time funny. The next time, though, please hold (in other words, don't hold) the poop. Contact John Lowry at john.lowry@variety.com

Up With The Evening Taps Alanis Morissette for Guest Place

Alanis Morisette Alanis Morissette will guest-star by having an approaching episode of Up With The Evening, TVGuide.com has confirmed. The "You Oughta Know" singer will portray Amanda, an over-the-top stylish-hop legend who was simply a part of Ava's 1990's band, Appear LLC. Personally, i had been rooting for Maya Rudolph's Bridesmaids co-star Kristen Wiig. She'd have rocked it. See the relaxation of current day news Morissette, whose television credits have Weeds, look inside an episode slated for early 2012, as first reported by TVLine.com.

Alec Baldwin Angers Greyhound in Backhanded American Air carriers Apology

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ImagesLionel Wigram and Guy Ritchie After losing one film team, Warner Bros.' Guy from U.N.C.L.E. might be attaining a replacement. Guy Ritchie and Lionel Wigram, the director along with a producer from the approaching A Virtual Detective follow up, have been in foretells come aboard the project. Ritchie would direct using the duo creating via their lately created, Warners-based shingle. Steven Soderbergh ended up being to direct the project but dropped in mid-November because of casting and financial issues. The project should not lose any steam though, because it was well-developed and was teed as much as go the coming year. Really the only question is if Ritchie and Wigram keep your previous project's sixties setting. Soderbergh, meanwhile, is establishing a pharma-mental thriller The Bitter Pill at Summit. A Virtual Detective: A Game Title of Shadows opens December 16. Ritchie directed the film with Wigram, who emerged with the idea of the current-style undertake the famous detective, creating with Joel Silver, Susan Downey and Serta Lin. Guy Ritchie Worldwide

Watercooler: Which Christmas Episodes Construct Your Season Vibrant?

Julie Bowen Between LA's crazy winds, the East Coast's flooding rains as well as the single-digit temps we're already seeing between, the sun and rain outdoors sure remains frightful. But TV is actually wonderful lately, with all the holiday-designed episodes crowding together together our on-screen guides and Digital video recorder agendas. Tuesday gave us Syfy's shiny new options, tonight provides extensive NBC shows praising in grand style, and last evening, ABC's comedies experienced the spirit.Despite the fact that all the alphabet net's shows were very different inside their approach to the summer season of giving (or almost getting arrested, in Happy Endings' situation), we could totally see ourselves experiencing them throughout Christmases future. Which got us thinking about the very best Christmas and Chanukah episodes available. Like Beverly Slopes, 90210's undertake "It's a Wonderful Existence" while using near-chartered bus crash. Or Friends' holiday armadillo. In addition to, Santa pray for people, South Park's Mr. Hankey.So let's open it up up around the whole class. Which shows would nominate for television's Holiday Episode Hall of Fame? And why?Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Muse Honours honors femmes

NY Women in Film and television does exactly what it does best on Wednesday, praising women on the market, by adoring Claire Danes, Christine Baranski and Martha Stewart within the 31st annual Muse Honours for Vision and Achievement. Danes was selected on her behalf body at work, particularly her recent be employed in the Showtime drama series "Homeland" and Cinemax telepic "Temple Grandin." Baranski can also be feted on her behalf career achievements, including "The Truly Amazing Wife," which gave her a homefield advantage since the CBS drama contacts in Gotham. Marcie Blossom, co-founder and co-prexy from the new the new sony Pictures Classics, and Nadine Schramm, prexy of Budd Companies, may also be honorees. NYWIFT, which has a handful of,000 people representing the various faces in the NY-based entertainment biz, is striving to achieve equality on the market. Although there is notable progress for femmes lately -- in disparate areas within the raunchy- comedy success of "Bridesmaids" to director Kathryn Bigelow's Oscar win for "The Hurt Locker" -- there's still much play the role of accomplished, states Terry Lawler, NYWIFT's executive director. "It seems like for any very long time every every occasionally some lady -- through gargantuan efforts -- remains able to make a film and doesn't seem to level the playing area," Lawler states. "We're not where you need to be yet." Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Nixing the hijinx jinx

Having a cast including Kristen Wiig and Rose Byrne, 'Bridesmaids' will compete for any Golden Globe nomination, however, many reason that Academy voters have to provide the comedy more severe consideration being an Oscar picture finalist. Comedies obtain a host to recognition in the Golden Globes the drama-happy Academy awards typically don't provide. That does not mean all is copacetic on the planet of guffawmeisters if this involves the Globes, however, many justice is preferable to none."Personally, I really like their comedy category," states "Bridesmaids" director Paul Feig, whose film is really a contender for any nom for the reason that group this season. "You consider the Academy awards and, even if they broadened the very best picture category, they simply did not have it. The truth that 'The Hangover' did not get nominated was absurd, because which was an incredible movie -- '(500) Times of Summer time,' too."Still, the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn.'s Golden Globe options within the comedy-musical category are frequently great for fun or two. This past year, show host Ough Gervais built a whole monologue around among the group's more oddball choices."It had been a large year for three dimensional movies -- 'Toy Story,' 'Despicable Me,' 'Tron,' " Gervais started. "It appeared like everything this season was three-dimensional. Except the figures in 'The Tourist.' " And, missing ahead towards the finish: "Let me crush this absurd rumor the only reason 'The Tourist' was nominated was to ensure that the foreign press could spend time with The Actor-brad Pitt and Julia Roberts. Which was only some of the reason -- additionally they recognized bribes."Nominating the horribly examined "The Tourist" for any musical or comedy film Globe may not have been the group's worst choice within the category this past year. (Have you see "Burlesque?") On the other hand, Hollywood did not exactly provide a bevy of great options, either, rich in-profile photos like James L. Brooks' "How Are You Aware" and Erectile dysfunction Zwick's "Love along with other Drugs" falling flat with experts and audiences.And, to the credit, the HFPA's eventual champion within the category, "The Children Are Right," continued to win an Oscar nomination.2 yrs ago, the HFPA nominated both "(500) Times of Summer time" and Todd Phllips' raunchy "Hangover," using the latter going onto win the award. That victory may have owed just as much towards the movie's commercial success and influence regarding its content, since HFPA people do not have a powerful history in rewarding R-ranked comedies.Yes, "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" won a jerk in 2006. But Judd Apatow ("Knocked Up") and Adam McKay ("Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy"), perhaps two of the most influential voices in film comedy in the last decade, haven't been nominated. Actually, McKay's buddy-cop comedy, "Another Men," was among the comedies overlooked in support of "The Tourist" and "Burlesque" this past year.However, the inclusion of "Burlesque" reaffirms the HFPA's seeming determination to make sure representation for that "musical" area of the category's title. Since 2004, voters have incorporated a minumum of one musical or musically designed movie within the category, including so-so efforts like "The Producers," "Mamma Mia!" and Take advantage of Marshall's "Nine" within the R-ranked likes of "Pineapple Express," "Zombieland" and "Wedding Crashers.""Everyone I have ever met would concede that comedy is harder than drama, but it does not appear to obtain taken too seriously, will it?Inch states "Crazy Stupid Love" co-director Glenn Ficarra. Co-helmer John Requa adds: "The dramatic aspects of our movie were much simpler to obtain right. Laughs are difficult. They are very temperamental."And, obviously, not everybody shares exactly the same taste. Film experts, for example, love the Coen siblings, and Academy people and BAFTA voters have displayed an affection for his or her vocally dense movies, too, providing them with, correspondingly, an overall total of 33 and 36 nominations through the years. HFPA voters happen to be more selective, handing the Coens' movies just 13 nods.That disparity was outlined this past year once the Coens' western "True Grit" received 10 Oscar nominations but no love whatsoever from HFPA voters. What's funny (well it is dependent in your spontaneity) is the fact that Vital posted "True Grit" towards the HFPA like a comedy. "The Tourist," meanwhile, was initially pitched towards the group like a drama. In the two cases, the HFPA transformed the groups."Hey, I believe 'The Fighter' was among the best comedies I have observed in years," Feig states from the boxing pic the HFPA nominated this past year in drama. "And That I don't imply that disparagingly. It had been so funny. So who knows."GOLDEN GLOBE UPDATE Nixing the hijinx jinx Contemporary company directors: Stylists or shape-shifters? Stateside sitcoms mixed overseas Honours aren't goal of HFPA giving TV biz buys into back burner Globes role Memorable moments in the Globes Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Emperor inks deal with Ge You

YANGON -- Emperor Motion Pictures has inked a five-year, three-pic deal with top mainland Chinese thesp Ge You, and the Hong Kong shingle is expected to invest no less than $78 million into the three projects. Ge is a major star in China -- his last three pics have grossed more than $200 million at the box office in mainland China alone. "We all love watching Ge You, who is a truly remarkable actor," said EMP topper Albert Lee. "Hopefully, we will be able to see other aspects of his talent through this new collaboration." Under the terms of the deal, Ge will develop and star in each of the three projects, and may also step behind the camera as producer and director if he chooses to do so. Ge collaborated with EMP on Jiang Wen's "Let the Bullets Fly," which is the highest grossing domestic movie in China of all time, in which Ge starred opposite Jiang and Chow Yun-fat. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com