Steve Jobs Bio Tops iTunes and Amazon Bestseller Lists for 2011

More than three years after the situation came to light, ESPN reporter Erin Andrews has filed a lawsuit against several parties involved in the 2008 incident in which she was videotaped nude through the peephole of a Nashville hotel room.our editor recommendsDid a Former ESPN Exec Make a Big Mistake Suing Over a Crude Erin Andrews Story? (Analysis)Man pleads not guilty in Erin Andrews case She's seeking $10 million for invasion of privacy, asking $6 million of the West End Marriott where the incident took place and another $4 million from the man who taped her. Michael Barrett, who was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison in 2010 after pleading guilty to stalking Andrews, followed the TV personality to at least three cities where he shot footage of her through hotel peephole doors. Reuters reports that Andrews filed the suit in 2010, but her attorney recently refiled so it would move forward before the statute of limitations runs out. The bulk of the damages sought come from the West End Marriott, where the leaked video was shot. Andrews reportedly claims the hotel is guilty of allowing Barrett to know that she was staying in the hotel and then allowing him to book a room next to her own. And though no parties are commenting on the suit, it reportedly claimed the stalking, videotaping and ensuing leak of the footage has caused the ESPN host "great emotional distress and embarrassment." In addition to hosting ESPN's College GameDay and appearing on season 10 of Dancing With the Stars, Andrews also works as a Good Morning America contributor. Related Topics Erin Andrews ESPN

Allison Janney on The Help, Her Mentor Paul Newman and Overindulging in Eggnog This Holiday Season

After approximately eighty roles in television and film, four Emmy awards, two Tony nominations and countless Kaiser Permanente ads, the inimitable Allison Janney has certainly earned her place among Hollywood’s best character actresses. In her most recent film, the Civil Rights-era comedy-drama The Help — Tate Taylor’s adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s novel — the Ohio-bred thesp channeled her own mother to play the worrisome mama bear to Emma Stone’s boundary-pushing protagonist. In lesser hands, Charlotte Phelan could have been a thin character — a Southern woman more concerned with her daughter’s marital prospects than her happiness — but Janney summoned fear, humor and subtlety for a fully-fleshed and fully-flawed character who earns her personal growth. In celebration of The Help’s home-video release this week, the quadruple Emmy winner phoned Movieline to reminisce on her character’s cure for lesbianism, her one television role that changed lives and the time Paul Newman cast her in college — all while suffering a bit of a holiday-season hangover. You’ve been in so many films and television shows; do you ever just turn on the television and flip through five consecutive channels that are airing Allison Janney projects? No! I’ve never had that happen. I have seen that American Beauty or one of my movies is on but I’ve never seen them coincidentally on at the same time. That would be amazing. Do you stop and watch? No, I usually don’t, I have to tell you. I’m one of those actors who doesn’t like looking at themselves. Years after I can. I can look at Drop Dead Gorgeous now and say, “Oh my God! I know I was playing trailer trash but I didn’t look so bad.” I can look at American Beauty. I just need some time to transpire. That being said, if I do watch, it won’t be to watch myself. It’ll be to have all of those memories come back and to remember what it was like filming. That’s what lingers. The Help was based on a book, but did you base your character on anyone you know in real life? I think most of my characters have my mother’s sensibility in there. She’s someone who always inspires me and informs my characters because I think she is heartbreakingly funny. She doesn’t try to be funny but her commitment to the things she thinks are important sometimes [are funny]. When Charlotte tells [Emma Stone’s character] Skeeter that there is a root tea that could cure her if she is a lesbian. Those moments are just very fun for me to play. I love playing the tragically uninformed and stuck-in-their-ways types. I also related to Charlotte in that I have too much fear in my life. I’m afraid of change. That’s how I really got into her character — because I knew what it’s like to not want anything to change. That’s all life is though is change. I just want to hold onto things too tightly and I think that Charlotte would too. I was so grateful to Tate for giving her some redemption at the end since that wasn’t in the book. It was wonderful to get two moments — the one when I dress down [Bryce Dallas Howard’s character] Hilly and throw her off of the porch and the moment where she finally sees her daughter for who she really is and not for who she wants her to be. That was a great moment to get to play. She was a really rewarding character to play because I got to do a 180 and completely change. She was an amazingly complicated character to get to play. What’s your history with Tate? This movie was kind of like a family business. Tate and I have known each other since 1988. Octavia [Spencer] as well, and of course [author] Kathryn [Stockett] and Tate grew up together in Jackson. We knew Kathryn through Tate. Brunson Green, who is one of the producers is a dear friend of ours too. We’re all really good friends. We made a lot of really low-budget movies on weekends or whenever we got together, so for this to happen is just an unlikely Hollywood story. It’s very satisfying — the loyalty and friendship, which were some themes in the movie too. I’m glad you were able to film in Mississippi and not Los Angeles as Mississippi. That was so important. That informed the acting and the characters. Being down there just felt more authentic in your role. To be in these houses and these great locations — people opened up their homes and we were filming in these big, old houses with beautiful wrap around porches. It really was 114 degrees and you’ve got corsets on. I feel like now, if I ever have to do a show on Broadway that is set in the South, I will know what that is. It just really gives you a good foundation. It feels like you’re in a different country down there, I swear. Knowing the history of what happened down there — it’s just a shameful part of our history. To be down there — I don’t know what I’m trying to say. I’m sorry, I’m so hungover. [Laughs] What did you do last night? I went to a tree-trimming party and I think I ended up trimming myself a little bit. Sorry! What were you asking? Let’s change direction: As an actor, are you able to use your acting abilities in real-life situations? Are you a convincing liar or able to dial in a dramatic performance with a customer service rep to get your way? You know what, I’m terrible without a script in front of me. I can’t. I wish! That’s why I’m an actor though because I love having everything written out for me and I can just say it. Even just talking to you now, it’s frustrating because I can’t ever finish a sentence or finish a thought. It’s very frustrating. I wish. My friends though — they would tell you that I can be overly dramatic, especially after a couple of egg nogs. [Laughs] You starred in the last Diabo Cody-Jason Reitman collaboration. Have you seen Young Adult yet? I have not, and I can’t wait to see it. I know it’s going to be amazing. I wish I could have been in it, but I can’t wait to see it. They were both so wonderful to work it. I can’t wait to see The Descendants too. There are a lot of good movies this year! The Artist, I want to see that. What else? I’m excited for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. That’s right! When does Mission Impossible come out? I think next Friday in IMAX. Oh, it’s going to be in IMAX? That’s going to be fantastic. I will wait in line to see that. It’s amazing that in spite of your lengthy filmography, you haven’t worked with Tom Cruise yet. You’re right. I’ve never worked with him, and I don’t think I’ve ever met him either. Nope, I never have. I used to work out with Katie [Holmes] at Barry’s Boot Camp, here in the Valley. She was in the same class as me. But that’s the closest I’ve been to Tom Cruise. It’s been five years since The West Wing ended, yet that series is still very dear to a lot of people. Do you carry any bits of C.J. Cregg with you? I love her. I wish that I carried more of her with me than I actually do. She is kind of my hero. What a great woman to get to play! I wish that she could have lived on and done other things. She’s just such a truly great role model for women and that’s one of my characters and one of those instances where you felt like you got to give back. I feel like I really got to inspire young girls. I get so many letters and see people on the street who come up to me and say, “Oh my God. You changed my life. I was majoring in this and I changed it to this and now I’m going to work in Washington.” Aaron Sorkin really inspired a lot of people with that show. Getting to play C.J., that was an important female role on television and I am still really, really proud of it in a different way than I am of my other characters. Like in Mr. Sunshine, I loved my character, but she was the exact opposite. C.J. will always be the role that I’m maybe most proud of in terms of what it said to the world. Are you looking to get back into television? I am. I’m looking at some other shows now figuring out what’s going to become a reality for me. I very much want to be back on television and I’m actively looking for the right script for me. I’m chomping at the bit. I’m a worker bee — I need to be working all of the time, so I’d love to find a home for awhile on a good television show. Are you thinking drama? Premium cable drama? Oh, I’ll go either way. I don’t care. I particularly like things that have a healthy dose of comedy and drama. I like things that are a little messy and complicated, not just punchline-punchline-punchline. I’m not a fan of [the sitcom format] as much. I don’t know if I’ve ever done that, other than, I suppose Mr. Sunshine. As long as the writing is great, I will go anywhere. Finally, is it true that Paul Newman cast you in one of your first plays while you were in college? Yes it is. He had gone to Kenyon College and he came back to christen the brand new theater there by directing the first play. I read for him, he cast me and he and Joanne Woodward kind of became my mentors as I started off in this world of acting. When I came to NY, Joanne got me into the Actor’s Studio. She directed a group of actors and formed a company and gave us the opportunity to act as a young actor. Usually, you have to find agents. Everything is such a catch-22 when you’re starting out with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s support — it’s a great leg up in this business. I know you have about four movies in post-production. Which one are you most excited for audiences to see? The Chris Colfer movie, Struck By Lightning is a beautiful, beautiful movie that I’m very proud to be a part of. Josh Radnor’s movie Liberal Arts is going to Sundance, and I’m excited about that. I’m anxiously awaiting both of those movies, and I think that they are going to do really well. [Top photo: Getty Images; Help photo: Dale Robinette/DreamWorks II] Follow Julie Miller on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.

Dujardin, Bejo tapped for Santa Barbara Fest honor

Jean Dujardin and Brnice Bejo, who currently star in "The Artist," will receive the Santa Barbara International Film Festival's Cinema Vanguard Award at a Feb. 4 tribute, festival executive director Roger Durling announced Wednesday. "In an age of sight-and-sound spectacle, there is great risk in a silent film," Durling said in a statement. "Jean and Brnice's acting is an amazing pas des deux both physically and emotionally -- recalling classic Hollywood pairings like Hepburn and Tracy, and of course Ginger and Fred." SBIFF, which runs Jan. 26 through Feb. 5, is a key stop on the campaign trail for Oscar hopefuls. The Cinema Vanguard Award is likely to keep Dujardin and Bejo top of mind for Academy voters and help "The Artist" maintain momentum during the balloting process. The award has previously been presented to Nicole Kidman, Christoph Waltz, Vera Farmiga, Stanley Tucci, Peter Sarsgaard, Kristin Scott Thomas and Ryan Gosling. Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com

'Transformers' And Much More: 2011's 5 Best Alien Invasion Movies

From battles in La and Chicago to children battling against otherworldly risks, 2011 was an memorable year for fighting opponents from past the stars. Keep reading through for the top 5 favorite alien invasion movies of the season! 5. "Fight LaInch Though not quite among my personal favorite movies of the season, even I can not deny the awesome imagery from the initial waves of invasion in "Fight La.Inch The floor-level action puts you within the grungy trenches of the alien assault on which would normally be considered a sunny day in California. If you're able to forgive a skinny plot, the visual assault you'll weather in "Fight LA" may be worth the rental fee. 4. "Paul" Most aliens arrive on the planet with dying-sun rays within their hands and universal domination within their hearts. Paul, however, goes about his business having a joint in the mouth and Doritos in the belly. Thinking about how these invasions normally go, "Paul" was refreshingly light on take-me-to-your-leader danger and high on toke-with-me-and-your-leader humor. 3. "Transformers: Dark from the Moon" Go forward towards the final hour of Michael Bay's latest "Transformers" movie, and you will end up knee-deep within the most balls-out crazy action flick of the season. When Shockwave and also the Decepticons descend upon downtown Chicago, absolute madness develops. Autobots are actually pulled out to the roads and performed. Optimus Prime shoots his opponents hard at pointblank range. He rips heads off. He rips heads off! Yeah, it's pretty awesome. 2. "Super 8" It's less the appearance of the mysterious extraterrestrial that puts "Super 8" about this list it is the kids hanging round the central mystery. Joel Courtney, Riley Griffiths and Ryan Lee are perfect within their large-screen breakout roles, and let us not disregard the moving performance shipped by future Oscar champion Elle Fanning. Coupled with a effective nostalgia kick of pure Spielbergia, J.J. Abrams' sci-fi throwback flick remains among 2011's best popular culture efforts. 1. "Attack the Block" From phenomenal creature design to some wonderfully unique setting for any sci-fi film, Joe Cornish's directorial debut has everything you may request for from the hard R-ranked action comedy. Sporting the "Goonies" elements "Super 8" takes up very well spread with "Alien"-inspired action and scares permanently measure, "Attack the Block" is not only the finest alien invasion movie of 2011 it's among the best movies of the season, period. Believe! Inform us which 2011 alien invasion movie was your preferred within the comments section as well as on Twitter!

Fox Agendas 'American Idol,' 'Alcatraz,' 'The Finder,' 'Touch,' More

FoxKiefer Sutherland in "Touch" Fox features its midseason selection, introduced with the eleventh season of yank Idol and newcomer series Alcatraz, The Finder, Touch additionally to returning series Breaking In and Kitchen Bad dreams or nightmares.our editor recommends'Touch': First Trailer for Kiefer Sutherland Drama Debuts (Video)'Alcatraz' Co-Creator Liz Sarnoff Steps Lower as Showrunner Idol will premiere its eleventh season getting a 2-evening event searching for Wednesday, Jan. 18 and Thursday, Jan. 19 getting a unique episode airing carrying out a NFC Championship game on Sunday, Jan. 22. 24 star Kiefer Sutherland will return to the network with newcomer drama Touch getting a unique preview on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 9 p.m., it's series premiere Monday, March 10 at 9 p.m. PHOTOS: Fall TV Dying Pool: Which New Show Will Probably Be Axed? J.J. Abrams' thriller Alcatraz will premiere Monday, Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. getting a 2-hour event, returning the following week within the regular time slot at 9 p.m. undertaking a brand new episode of House. Bones spinoff The Finder will bow Thursday, Jan. 12 at 9 p.m. following an encore in the David Boreanaz series from Hart Hanson. Animated comedy Napoleon Dynamite, getting a voice cast within the feature film of the title, will join the Sunday Animation Domination selection with some episodes beginning Sunday, Jan. 15 at 8:30 p.m. Second year animated series Bob's Burgers, meanwhile, will return Sunday, March 11 at 8:30 p.m. Elevated and retooled comedy Breaking In will return due to its second season on Tuesday, March 6 at 8:30 p.m. when the workplace comedy starring Christian Slater and Megan Mullally follows encores of latest Girl at 8 p.m. Glee will return Tuesday, Jan. 17, with Mobbed returning for completely new episodes on Wednesday, Jan. 4 through Feb. 8 at 9 p.m., while Kitchen Bad dreams or nightmares will return Friday, Jan. 13 then fresh cases of Fringe. STORY: NBC Sets Midseason Schedule, Moves 'Whitney,' 'Up With The Evening,' More Cops will return Saturday, Jan. 7 at 8 p.m., and air back-to-back episodes beginning Jan. 14 at 9 p.m., while a distinctive edition of America's Popular remains slotted for Saturday, Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. An entire schedule follows: MONDAY Monday, Jan. 16: 8-10 p.m. ALCATRAZ (Series Premiere) Mondays, beginning Jan. 23: 8-9 p.m. HOUSE (Time Period Premiere) 9-10 p.m. ALCATRAZ (Time Period Premiere) Monday, March 12: 8-10 p.m. ALCATRAZ (Two-Hour Episode) Mondays, beginning March 19: 8-9 p.m. HOUSE 9-10 p.m. TOUCH (Series Premiere) TUESDAY Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 17: 8-9 p.m. GLEE 9-9:30 p.m. NEW GIRL 9:30-10 p.m. RAISING HOPE Tuesdays, beginning March 6: 8-8:30 p.m. NEW GIRL (encore) 8:30-9 p.m. BREAKING IN (Season Premiere) 9-9:30 p.m. NEW GIRL 9:30-10 p.m. RAISING HOPE WEDNESDAY Wednesday, Jan. 4: 8-9 p.m. GLEE (encore) 9-10 p.m. MOBBED Wednesday, Jan. 11: 8-9 p.m. MOBBED (encore) 9-10 p.m. MOBBED Wednesday, Jan. 18: 8-10 p.m. The The American Idol Show Show (Season Premiere, The Start) Wednesday, Jan. 25: 8-9 p.m. The The American Idol Show Show 9-10 p.m. TOUCH (Special Preview) Wednesdays, beginning Feb. 1: 8-9 p.m. The The American Idol Show Show 9-10 p.m. MOBBED Wednesdays, beginning Feb. 15: 8-10 p.m. The The American Idol Show Show (Two-Hour Episodes) THURSDAY Thursday, Jan. 12: 8-9 p.m. BONES (encore) 9-10 p.m. THE FINDER (Series Premiere) Thursdays, beginning Jan. 19: 8-9 p.m. The The American Idol Show Show (Season Premiere, Part Two) 9-10 p.m. THE FINDER FRIDAY Friday, Jan. 6: 8 p.m. ETFOX SPORTS SPECIAL: 2012 AT&T COTTON BOWL CLASSIC (Live) Fridays, beginning Jan. 13: 8-9 p.m. KITCHEN Bad dreams or nightmares 9-10 p.m. FRINGE SATURDAY Saturdays, beginning Jan. 7: 8-8:30 p.m. COPS 8:30-9 p.m. COPS 9-10 p.m. DRAMA ENCORES 11 p.m.-Evening time ENCORES Evening time-12:30 a.m. ENCORES Saturday, Feb. 11: 8-10 p.m. AMERICA'S Popular Unique 11 p.m.-Evening time ENCORES Evening time-12:30 a.m. ENCORES SUNDAY Sunday, Jan. 8: 7-7:30 p.m. BOB'S Burgers (encore) 7:30-8 p.m. THE CLEVELAND SHOW (encore) 8-8:30 p.m. THE SIMPSONS 8:30-9 p.m. THE CLEVELAND SHOW 9-9:30 p.m. FAMILY GUY 9:30-10 p.m. AMERICAN Father Sunday, Jan. 15: 8-8:30 p.m. THE SIMPSONS 8:30-9 p.m. NAPOLEON DYNAMITE (Series Premiere) 9-9:30 p.m. FAMILY GUY 9:30-10 p.m. NAPOLEON DYNAMITE (Special Time) Sunday, Jan. 22: 6 p.m. ET FOX SPORTS SPECIAL: NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (Live) 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PTAMERICAN IDOL (Special Broadcast Approximate Start Time) Sundays, beginning Jan. 29: 7-7:30 p.m. BOB'S Burgers (encore) 7:30-8 p.m. THE CLEVELAND SHOW 8-8:30 p.m. THE SIMPSONS 8:30-9 p.m. NAPOLEON DYNAMITE 9-9:30 p.m. FAMILY GUY 9:30-10 p.m. AMERICAN Father Sundays, beginning March 11: 7-7:30 p.m. ANIMATION DOMINATION ENCORES 7:30-8 p.m. THE CLEVELAND SHOW 8-8:30 p.m. THE SIMPSONS 8:30-9 p.m. BOB'S Burgers (Season Premiere) 9-9:30 p.m. FAMILY GUY 9:30-10 p.m. AMERICAN Father The The American Idol Show Show Kitchen Bad dreams or nightmares Fox Broadcasting Corporation Touch Alcatraz The Finder

DDA Pr links with Blueprint

DDA Pr and Blueprint Pr are beginning a London-based partnership named DDA Blueprint. The standalone company will probably be headed up by Blueprint PR's co-company company directors Jesse Balmforth and Aimee Norman, with DDA's Boss Lawrence Atkinson and COO John Stannard as non-executive company company directors. The companies mentioned the organization of DDA Blueprint will mainly be worldwide TV trade and theater publicity with Blueprint PR theater mind Kate Morley leading the venture's legit activity. "Just like a specialist PR agency getting a worldwide and famous clientele, DDA Blueprint can make and offer proper and goal-driven, tailor-made campaigns within the worldwide and Uk television and theater industries," the announcement mentioned. The companies also mentioned the television arm of lately minted DDA Blueprint will support worldwide sales activity, while focusing on getting in co-production partners and potential traders, aiding in communications on mergers and purchases and co-ordinating global PR techniques. In theater, DDA Blueprint will plan and implement media campaigns for theater companies and individual plays and musicals. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Acad shortlists 10 animated shorts

Ten animated shorts have advanced within the Oscar voting process, including, not remarkably, Pixar's "La Luna," which most auds will not see until it plays before "Brave" next summer time. In the 10 runners up, Academy people in the short films and have animation branches will choose 3 to 5 nominees. The Ten films, in alphabetical order by title: -- "Dimanche/Sunday," Patrick Doyon, director (National Film Board of Canada) -- "The Great Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore," William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg, company directors (Moonbot Galleries LA, LLC) -- "I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat," Matthew O'Callaghan, director and Mike Register, executive producer (Warner Bros. Animation Corporation.) -- "La Luna," Enrico Casarosa, director (Pixar Animation Galleries) -- "Luminaris," Juan Pablo Zaramella, director (JPZtudio) -- "Miracle Piano," Martin Clapp, director and Hugh Welchman, producer (BreakThru Films) -- "A Morning Stroll," Grant Orchard, director and Sue Goffe, producer (Studio Also known as) -- "Pathways of Hate," Damian Nenow, director (Platige Image) -- "Specky Four-Eyes," Jean-Claude Rozec, director and Mathieu Courtois, producer (Vivement Lundi!) -- "Wild Existence," Amanda Forbis and Wendy Tilby, company directors (National Film Board of Canada) Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com