The $11 Question: How The Worst Movie EVER! Scored the Worst Opening Ever

The little movie that couldn’t has become the little movie that still probably won’t but will have fun trying: Since Tuesday, when we brought you the story of The Worst Movie EVER! and its unprecedented $11 opening weekend, a groundswell of lookie-loos from around the world have made the trailer a mini-hit on YouTube and initiated something of a cult following on Facebook. It still has a ways to go before reaching The Room levels of notoriety, but for now, anyway, it can still claim one critical distinction: Nobody has any idea who its one ticket-buying viewer is. Movieline finally heard from filmmaker-actor Glenn Berggoetz a few days ago as WME! and its box-office futility began stirring interest around the Web. In a nutshell, he insisted not only that the $11 midnight gross from last Saturday (and the $0 gross from Friday) was not a publicity stunt, but also that his efforts to turn up the identity of his lone theatrical patron has yielded no success to date. The Denver-based schlock impresario added that the last 48 hours have turned up a few Facebook sources claiming to have attended the screening at the Laemmle Sunset 5 in Los Angeles, but he hasn’t been able to confirm any of them as Viewer Zero. Nor has Greg Laemmle’s team at the Sunset 5. “We’re anxious to find out as well,” Laemmle told me today. “We need proof. Glenn said he’s already had a few people claim that they were the ones. I think we need a ticket stub here. We’re going to poll the staff to see if it’s maybe someone they recognize, someone who comes to see everything we play. Who knows?” Even more baffling perhaps: How did this even happen? “There were a number of factors — and I’m not going to comment on the aesthetic qualities of the film,” Laemmle said, laughing. “There was some miscommunication, there were some delays in confirming stuff. I was rushing off to a vacation and sort of said, ‘Oh, by the way, we can go ahead if you want to.’ Glenn, I guess, was anxious to do it and said yes. But clearly, because we hadn’t necessarily confirmed the date in an appropriate fashion, he hadn’t done the work promoting the screening that he thought he could have should have done. These things happen. “Is it one of the worst showings we’ve ever had? Yeah, probably.” According to both Berggoetz and Laemmle, they had begun speaking as early as this past May about programming WME! this summer. The idea was to prime its debut by screening the now infamous trailer in front of the Sunset 5’s monthly midnight screenings of The Room. But Berggeotz said that on Aug. 14, he got word that Laemmle was ready to go ahead with an Aug. 19-20 engagement. The theater’s idea, he explained, was to test WME!’s potential as another midnight institution, with an eye on giving the last two weekends of each month to Berggoetz’s film and The Room, respectively. “I had few apprehensions,” Laemmle said, “if only because we were screening a few other midnight screenings that weekend, and I figured, ‘What’s really the loss to Laemmle in putting one more film into the theater that weekend?’ That’s why we targeted that date from the very beginning. We knew that we would be open for midnights anyway, so let’s give it a shot.” Laemmle consulted with Berggoetz, who approved and commenced a hasty marketing effort for the coming weekend screenings. “I figured I would promote the film as I had done with my previous film that received a theatrical release, To Die is Hard,” Berggoetz told me in an e-mail. “Do a bunch of social networking through e-mail and Facebook, and contact local media people and schedule interviews and reviews. I was busy all day last Monday the 15th traveling, so on Tuesday the 16th I began contacting media outlets in the L.A. area and sending out e-mails and postings.” That’s when things started to look bad. Like, very bad.

Bounce TV To Launch With The Wiz

Bounce TV said today that the first show to air on the network will be the Diana Ross-Michael Jackson musical The Wiz when the over-the-air African American-targeted channel launches at noon ET on Monday, Sept. 26. That will be followed by the Sidney Poitier starrer A Raisin in the Sun at 3 PM and Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing at 8. Other highlights during Bounce’s first week include Lee’s School Daze (Sept. 27), a CIAA conference college football game pitting Bowie St. and Virginia Union (Sept. 28), and films The Siege (Sept. 29) and The Rundown (Sept. 30). The full schedule will be released Sept. 1.

Kate Winslet Assisted Save Bransons Mother From Fire

LONDON, U.K. -- Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet assisted save Richard Bransons seniors mother from the fire that destroyed his Caribbean home. The Virgin Group boss stated in the blog he desired to offer thank you to Kate Winslet for assisting to carry my 90 year (old) mother from the primary house to safety. He joked that Winslet wondered whenever a director would shout CUT! Inside a separate statement Tuesday, Branson recognized Winslets two children, 10-year-old Mia and 7-year-old Joe, who have been also remaining in the home if this ignited. He known as them a couple of the bravest kids Ive ever run into. Branson stated he was remaining in another property around 100 yards (meters) away together with his wife, Joan and boy Mike, 25. He stated Mike observed the primary house in flames and went to make certain all of the visitors had got out. Branson stated he also leaped from mattress and went to help. I attempted to obtain some sympathy for the truth that Id leaped from mattress naked and rushed towards the Great House in pitch darkness and hurricane pressure winds and went straight in a cactus rose bush, Branson stated. The sympathy wasn't forthcoming for my injuries. Branson stated the fireplace started around 4 a.m. Monday throughout an exotic storm with lightning and high winds. He stated Tuesday that there's still smoke rising in the house. Branson, 60, bought the area in early eighties and started building the truly amazing House in 1982. He also offers developed a unique eco-resort about the island featuring alternative energy technology. His daughter Carol, who had been remaining in the house together with Winslet, was because of got married there in December. Branson stated the marriage would still occur on Necker Island, and stated visitors may camping on thebeach if a home is not reconstructed over time. Winslet, 35, shot to worldwide fame together with her appearance opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in James Camerons Titanic, and sealed her status having a best actress Academy Award last year for that Readers. Winslets speaker, Sara Keene, confirmed the actress was about the island and was unscathed. She stated Winslet had no comment. Her two youngsters are from partnerships to company directors Jim Threapleton and Mike Mendes. Copyright 2011 by Connected Press. All privileges reserved.These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Eric Stonestreet to Play Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle in New HBO Movie

Pioneering silent film comedian Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle — whose career was ruined following charges that he raped and murdered actress Virginia Rappe in 1921 (he was acquitted) — is getting a proper biopic treatment in the HBO movie The Day the Laughter Stopped, with Modern Family star Eric Stonestreet set to star. The tragic story will be spun by John Adams scribe Kirk Ellis, with Barry Levinson attached as director. Seems like a perfect storm of talents; I just wish HBO titled it something a little more Arbucklian, like Fatty’s Big Murder or Mabel’s Confounding Demise. [Vulture]

Report: Overseas Audiences Powered three dimensional Ticket Sales This Year

Although U.S. audiences have cooled to three dimensional movies, overseas ticket purchasers still loved the technologyin 2010, a study today from IHS Screen Digest Cinema Intelligence shows.Scientists state that ticket purchasers worldwide spent $6.1B on three dimensional movies this past year, that was 19.3% of total box office. Which was up from $2.5B last year, comprising 8.6% of ticket sales. However the large growth came outdoors the U.S.: Overseas audiencesaccounted for 63.9% of last year's three dimensional sales, up from 53.8%. Hollywood may take credit: "The worldwide market is still centered by U.S. releases, which paid for in excess of 90% of revenue from worldwide three dimensional screens, states Charlotte now Johnson, senior analyst for cinema at IHS. Japan was the greatest market following the U.S. producing gross three dimensional receipts of $471M from films including Fox's Avatar, Disney's Alice's adventures in wonderland and Toy Story 3, along with a local release Umizaru 3: The Final Message. Trailing Japan were the United kingdom ($427.6M), France ($364.7M), and Russia ($336.5M). But on the per-capita basis, movie-goers in Colombia demonstrated probably the most curiosity about three dimensional. The technology paid for for 35.6% from the country's total box office sales. One of the least interested: Norwegian, where just 15.8% of ticket sales were for three dimensional. IHS states that moviegoers in China and Mexico saw the greatest markups for three dimensional tickets. Still, Mexico had the cheapest average ticket cost for three dimensional.

Disney, Ben Stiller's Red Hour Turn 'Quantum Hoops' Doc Into Comedy About Caltech Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight

EXCLUSIVE: Disney has acquired remake rights to Quantum Hoops, the 2007 documentary that followed the 2006 Caltech basketball team that had 21 seasons and 245 conference games without a single win, routinely getting walloped by 60 points or more. Ben Stiller and Stuart Cornfeld's Red Hour will produce a comedy based on the story of a group of brainiacs -- future political and industrial titans -- who tried to overcome a lack of athletic skills by getting an exiled NCAA coach to lead their team to what seemed for two decades an impossible dream: one in the W column. The script will be written by Stan Chervin, who was the first writer to adapt Michael Lewis' Moneyball (Chervin emerged from an arbitration with story credit, while screen credit on the upcoming Brad Pitt film went to Steve Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin.) Red Hour's Erica Steinberg brought in the project and will be executive producer along with Brian Truman, Jeremy Platt and the doc's director, Rick Greenwald. ICM brokered the rights deal to the documentary and repped Chervin.

Lady Gaga Debuts 'You and I' Single Art

Beware the invasion of the alter egos.our editor recommendsLady Gaga Confirms Next Single on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'Justin Bieber Shows Off Rap Skills on Chris Browns Mixtape (Audio) A few days ago, Justin Bieber brought back his rapping alter ego, Shawty Mane, for a track on Chris Brown's mixtape. Now, Lady Gaga, a master of fashion and costuming, has brought back her male alter ego, Joe Calderone, for the cover of her next single, "You and I." AUDIO: Justin Bieber Shows Off Rap Skills on Chris Brown's Mixtape Gaga tweeted the images on Friday, Aug. 5. "You will never find what you are looking for in love, if you don't love yourself," she wrote. The black and white images show Gaga dressed as a man in a jacket and t-shirt with short black hair, smoking in a cigarette. Joe Calderone, supposedly a mechanic from Sicily, first appeared on the September 2010 cover of Japanese Men's Vogue. Rumors flew that the male model was actually Lady Gaga, especially when Calderone mentions Gaga in the interview. PHOTOS: Lady Gaga's Fashion Forward Style "I met [Gaga] at a shoot [photographer] Nick Knight was doing. I was a little nervous for Nick to start shooting. She said, 'Don't be baby, you were 'born this way.' I took her out after. The rest is private," Calderone told the magazine. Nick Knight is one of Gaga's favorite photographers, and Gaga's stylist, Nicola Formichetti, posted the magazine's photos on his website. Fans are eagerly awaiting Lady Gaga's 1,000th tweet, which she has promised will be the premiere of the single off of her latest album, Born This Way. She is now at 992 tweets. Gaga announced her next single on Jimmy Kimmel Live! where she also performed the song on a stage in Hollywood on July 28. She spoke on a radio show about filming the video in Nebraska. "I've got to tell you, I don't think there's anything hotter than being in a cornfield in Nebraska," said Gaga. Related Topics Lady Gaga

Lewis relieved of telethon responsibilities

LewisThe Muscular Dystrophy Assn. has stop its connection to Jerry Lewis.The 85-year-old comedian and actor, that has lengthy been the symbol from the MDA, continues to be relieved of his responsibilities as host from the Labor Day Telethon he has located since 1966.MDA chairman R. Rodney Howell stated inside a pr release: "Jerry Lewis is really a world-class humanitarian and we are forever grateful to him for his over fifty percent century of generous plan to MDA. We won't be changing him as MDA national chairman, and that he won't be showing up about the telethon."That could be news to Lewis, who indicated a week ago in the Television Experts Assn. tour he'd be be showing up about the telethon in certain capacity.Lewis, who had been at TCA Friday to advertise an approaching Encore docu on his existence, clicked in a reporter when requested when the approaching telethon could be his final one?"So how exactly does it feels since this is the final one?" requested a scribe attending.InchWho said that?" Lewis responded."I'm not sure. I just read it somewhere," stated the reporter."I never see clearly,Inch Lewis clarified back. "Whatever you read, see clearly two times."Lewis also stated he would hold an international press conference following the telethon to announce his plans with MDA.Whenever a spokesperson for MDA was requested to elaborate on why Lewis would think he was returning, he stated, "The pr release has all the details we want to talk about at this time around." Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Alec Baldwin, Melissa McCarthy Set as 'Saturday Night Live' Hosts

Getty ImagesAlec Baldwin and Melissa McCarthy Alec Baldwin is returning to host Saturday Night Live for a record 16th time. The 30 Rock star will host the 37th season premiere of NBC's late-night comedy sketch show, The Hollywood Reporter confirms. The last time Baldwin hosted was the 35th season finale with musical guest Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, which aired May 15, 2010. When he takes the helm this fall, Baldwin will surpass Steve Martin, who has hosted SNL 15 times. Bridesmaids star Melissa McCarthy, who nabbed her first Emmy nomination for her role in CBS' Mike & Molly, has also been confirmed to host the second episode this season. The New York Times first reported the news. Email: philiana.ng@thr.com Alec Baldwin Melissa McCarthy 30 Rock Saturday Night Live

Trailer Park Tuesdays: Dogfights and Civil Rights in the First Trailer for 'Red Tails' (VIDEO)

It's been a long time coming since George Lucas first started developing 'Red Tails' back in 1988, and now that we've finally gotten a hold of the first trailer, we can hardly believe it's finally happening. But regardless of how the final product comes out on January 20, 2012, we're just happy to see Cuba Gooding Jr. get himself a role that isn't going straight to DVD, So go right ahead and check out the first look at 'Red Tails' for yourselves along with the rest of the big trailers that came out this past week. 'Red Tails' What's it about?: The long-awaited, George Lucas-produced story of the Tuskegee Airmen during WWII. Who's in it?: Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, and Bryan Cranston, among others. Directed by Anthony Hemingway, written by John Ridley. When does it come out?: January 20, 2012. What do we think of the trailer?: Awfully inspirational, definitely has potential, and Cuba Gooding Jr. could definitely use a comeback. What do you think of the 'Red Tails' trailer?Looking good.Looking lame.Vote 'Margin Call' What's it about?: A dramatic thriller about some of the key players behind the US financial crisis of 2008. Who's in it?: Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Zachary Quinto, Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore, and Stanley Tucci, among others. Written and directed by J.C. Chandor. When does it come out?: October 21, 2011. What do we think of the trailer?: We loved 2010's 'Inside Job,' so this looks like it's right up our alley. What do you think of the 'Margin Call' trailer?Looking good.Looking lame.Vote 'New Year's Eve' What's it about?: Lots of different people falling in love on December 31st. It's like 'Valentine's Day,' but on New Year's. Who's in it?: Ashton Kutcher, Robert De Niro, Katherine Heigl, Josh Duhamel, Carla Gugino, Zac Efron, Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vergara, Jessica Biel, Alyssa Milano, Lea Michele, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hilary Swank, Sarah Jessica Parker, Halle Berry, Jon Bon Jovi, Sienna Miller, John Lithgow, Frankie Muniz, Ice Cube, John Stamos, Til Schweiger, Ludacris, Ryan Seacrest, and Seth Meyers, among others. Directed by Garry Marshall, written by Katherine Fugate When does it come out?: December 9, 2011. What do we think of the trailer?: Cute, even though it's already been done. What do you think of the 'New Year's Eve' trailer?Looking good.Looking lame.Vote 'Battleship' What's it about?: A hotshot Naval Captain has to grow up fast and put his skills to the test when his fleet encounters an alien ship during routine drill. Based on the board game of the same name. Who's in it?: Taylor Kitsch, Liam Neeson, Brooklyn Decker, Alexander Skarsgard, Josh Pence, and Rihanna, among others. Directed by Peter Berg, written by Erich Hoeber and Jon Hoeber. When does it come out?: May 18, 2012. What do we think of the trailer?: Stupid as they come. What do you think of the 'Battleship' trailer?Looking good.Looking lame.Vote 'The Ides of March' What's it about?: A promising staff member for an up-and-coming presidential candidate begins questioning his loyalty and values when given the chance to headline his own candidacy. Who's in it?: George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, among others. Directed by George Clooney, written by George Clooney and Grant Heslov. When does it come out?: October 14, 2011. What do we think of the trailer?: Oscar-worthy. What do you think of 'The Ides of March' trailer?Looking good.Looking lame.Vote 'Tower Heist' What's it about?: The staff who work for a billionaire's tower in New York find themselves a whole lot poorer when they fall victim to their employer's ponzi scheme. Pissed off and out of work, they decide to hire the services of an ex-con and break into the billionaire's safe as payback. Who's in it?: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick, Tea Leoni, Michael Pena, Gabourey Sidibe, and Judd Hirsch, among others. Directed by Brett Ratner, written by Ted Griffin and Jeff Nathanson. When does it come out?: November 4, 2011. What do we think of the trailer?: Didn't laugh once, would be shocked if this ends up being the movie that revives Murphy's career. What do you think of the 'Tower Heist' trailer?Looking good.Looking lame.Vote 'Pearl Jam Twenty' What's it about?: A behind-the-scenes documentary chronicling Pearl Jam's 20-year anniversary as a band. Who's in it?: Eddie Vedder, Chris Cornell, Layne Staley, and the various members of Pearl Jam, among others. Written and directed by Cameron Crowe. When does it come out?: It's hitting theaters for a one-night-only event on September 20, then playing a week-long run on September 23. What do we think of the trailer?: Totally awesome and insanely comprehensive. What's not to love about Pearl Jam? What do you think of the 'Pearl Jam Twenty' trailer?Looking good.Looking lame.Vote So which movie are you most excited for? Photos courtesy of Universal Pictures and Warner Bros.