Hollywood star Bradley Cooper is bringing the incredible world of Dan Simmons' classic "Hyperion" book series to television.
	The 40-year-old actor is partnering with "The Hangover director" Todd Phillips and "The Departed" producer Graham King to turn the 1989 Hugo Award-winning novel into a series for Syfy, reported Los Angeles Times.
	"Hyperion" follows seven travellers seeking to answer some of the universe's greatest questions while a warring galaxy teeters on Armageddon.
	Cooper announced the Syfy partnership, saying: "It is an absolute honour to enter into the world created by Dan Simmons that is arguably one of the greatest works of science fiction, and help realise it for television audiences."
	Network boss Dave Howe added: "As Syfy continues to forge important partnerships with award-winning talent on and off screen, this powerhouse team led by Bradley Cooper, Graham King and Todd Phillips brings an extraordinary track record in producing entertainment of the highest ...

Bradley Cooper to produce TV series

PTI Automatic

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) will present British actor Julian Fellowes and the cast of British TV series "Downton Abbey" with a special Award on August 11.
	Before Downton Abbey's curtain call later this year, the series will be celebrated at a BAFTA gala, reported Digital Spy.
	BAFTA chief Amanda Berry credits "Downton Abbey" with having "flown the flag for British drama" over the last five years.
	"Our tribute will take us backstage with the cast and crew to reveal what's made it both a national treasure and a global phenomenon," she said.
	"Downton Abbey" producer Gareth Neame reacted to the Special Award by saying, "As Downton Abbey moves towards its conclusion with the final season this autumn, I speak for the entire cast and crew when I say how honoured we are that the Academy will recognise the show with this Special Award.
	"Not only is Downton a much-loved show in Britain, it has had huge success in both the US and right around the world, waving ...

BAFTA announces special award to 'Downton Abbey'

"The Simpsons" character Bart has slammed reports that his parents Homer and Marge are breaking up in the show's upcoming season.
	The fictional character found himself at the blackboard writing lines once again, and took the opportunity to set the record straight about his parents separating, reported The Wrap.
	The picture of Bart was tweeted from the official Simpsons account with the caption: "RT and stop the rumours!"
	News of The Simpsons' golden couple's split came via executive producer Al Jean, who recently said: "In the premiere, it's discovered after all the years Homer has narcolepsy and it's an incredible strain on the marriage.
	"Homer and Marge legally separate, and Homer falls in love with his pharmacist, who's voiced by Lena Dunham."
	However, later Jean clarified his words, saying: "I didn't say Homer and Marge are breaking up. I said they are bigger than Jesus.

Bart Simpson not happy about Homer and Marge split reports

Actress Jennifer Aniston has revealed that watching reality TV show "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" is her guilty pleasure.
	The 46-year-old former "Friends" star said she was very interested in the reality series documenting the lives of Kris, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, as well as Kim Kardashian West and her sisters Kourtney and Khloe, reported Contactmusic.
	"I sadly am very much interested in the Kardashian-Jenner thing. That's a guilty pleasure for sure," Aniston said.
	The "Cake" star also offered her thoughts on Caitlyn Jenner's Vanity Fair cover.
	"I thought it was beautiful," she said.

The Kardashians are my guilty pleasure: Jennifer Aniston

Singer Taylor Swift, who recently did a sold-out 1989 World Tour show, donated USD 15,000 to a firefighter who saved his own family.
	The 25-year-old singer donated money to firefighter Aaron Van Riper's family who were hospitalised after a car crash, reported Billboard.
	A friend of Riper set up a 'Go Fund Me' account for the family's mounting medical bills. A donation of USD 15,000 was left for the family, which was signed "Taylor Swift".
	It was later confirmed that it was indeed by the "Love Story" singer.

Taylor Swift donates USD 15,000 to fire fighter's family

Rapper Snoop Dogg says he is "ready to lead" Twitter after the company announced that its current chief Dick Costolo will step down next month.
	The 43-year-old singer took to Twitter, just a few hours after Costolo's announcement, and said he was ready for the post, reported Huffington Post.
	"I am ready to lead @twitter! #SnoopforCEO," Snoop Dogg tweeted.
	The rapper started his own #SnoopforCEO campaign and said, "First order of Business! Get that Moolah!"
	The tweet garnered interesting responses, with people offering up support and plenty of jokes.
	"Please increase the character limit from 140 to 420, @SnoopDogg. #snoopforCEO," Eric Scott Johnson tweeted.

Snoop Dogg wants to be the next Twitter CEO

"Game of Thrones" author George RR Martin is busy working on three new television shows.
	Martin has penned a lengthy blog asking fans to no longer email him with criticism of his work. Buried within that post is the revelation that he's working on three shows for HBO and Cinemax, reported Digital Spy.
	It was already known that the author was working on a sci-fi pilot called "Captain Cosmos" for HBO, but the other projects were unknown to the public.
	The news of these projects comes as Martin attempts to finish the next "Song of Ice and Fire" book "The Winds of Winter" before "Game of Thrones' returns to HBO next spring.
	Martin wrote in his latest blog: "Life is impossibly busy right now.
	"I am wrestling with the Son of Kong (that is, working on The Winds of Winter), trying to wrap up a final round of edits and revisions on the 23rd Wild Cards book (High Stakes), developing three new series concepts for HBO and Cinemax, hiring writers and directors for three short low-budget films 

George RR working on three new TV shows

Pop star Selena Gomez will be releasing an adult-sounding album this time.
	No release date has been revealed, but over the last few days, Gomez, 22, has been teasing about new music on Instagram.
	Gomez's new sound will be "authentic and honest," and a mix between Lady Gaga and Kelly Clarkson. She said she wanted to sing songs that reflect where she is in her life, her inner strength, her struggles and challenges, her ups and downs and most importantly, coming out on top, reported Hollywoodlife.
	"Of course, some of the songs were inspired by her relationship with Justin Bieber, but they are not whiney, victim songs. Again, it's music about facing adversity, being empowered and being true to oneself," a source said.

Selena Gomez will bare her soul in new album

Ryan Murphy's OJ Simpson trial series "American Crime Story" has added "Heroes" star Leonard Roberts.
	Roberts will play the role of journalist Dennis Schatzman, who famously criticised police in the wake of Simpson's arrest for murder. The role was originally going to be played by "The Wire" star Gbenga Akinnagbe.
	Scheduling conflicts due to Akinnagbe's commitment to "Independence Day 2" have now led the FX drama to recast the role with Roberts stepping in, according to Deadline.
	Roberts, who had a role in Marvel's Agent Carter, is also well-known for playing commando Forrest Gates in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".
	"American Crime Story" will dramatise the media circus surrounding the double murder trial of NFL great OJ Simpson in the 1990s.
	It will feature John Travolta, Cuba Gooding Jr, Sarah Paulson, Jordana Brewster, Connie Britton and David Schwimmer as major players in the trial.
	FX is slated to premiere American Crime Story next year.

Leonard Roberts joins Ryan Murphy's OJ Simpson trial series

American series "The Flash" will be joined by a new hero in season 2.
	The show is currently looking for an actor to portray a classically handsome, square-jawed hero in his 30s to early 40s, a slightly cynical man "with an edge," who is expected to stick around throughout the second season, reported Aceshowbiz.
	The casting call lists the character as John Clark. While there's no character named John Clark in the DC Comics universe.
	"The Flash" will additionally give Barry Allen portrayed by Grant Gustin, the titular hero a new love interest in season 2.

'The Flash' to introduce new hero in season 2

Showtime has given a nine-episode fifth season to "Episodes", the inside-Hollywood comedy that stars Matt LeBlanc as an exaggerated version of himself.
	The series, created by David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, will begin filming season five in 2016 in London.
	It also stars Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig as writers who cannot seem to save themselves from LeBlanc-related disasters. Mircea Monroe, Kathleen Rose Perkins and John Pankow also appear, reported Variety.
	"We are so pleased to continue working with David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, two of the sharpest creative minds in comedy, along with the incredibly talented cast, led by Matt LeBlanc," said Showtime Networks president David Nevins.
	"And now that viewers have even more ways to access Showtime programming, I am excited for a whole new audience to watch this smart, funny comedy gem."
	Crane and Klarik have received three Emmy nominations and two Writers Guild of America nominations for writing "Episodes." They executive produce 

Matt LeBlanc's 'Episodes' renewed for fifth series

Students of the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) here today boycotted their classes in protest against the appointment of actor Gajendra Chouhan as the new chairman of its governing council.
	A students' representative, when contacted by PTI, alleged that Chouhan did not match the vision and stature of past chairmen of the FTII governing council, and the appointment appeared "politically coloured" in view of his "affiliation" with ruling BJP.
	Chouhan is known for his role of Yudhisthira in the popular TV series 'Mahabharat'.
	The representative, who did not want to be named, said the past chairmen like Girish Karnad, Adoor Gopalkrishnan, Mahesh Bhatt, et al had rich experience in film making, which Chouhan lacked.
	Future course of protest will be decided in due course, she added.

FTII students up in arms over Chouhan's appointment

With government appointing actor Gajendra Chauhan as chief of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) council, one of its members Jahnu Barua today expressed reservations saying the prestigious institute should be headed by a stalwart.
	"People feel that generally things are not going right. Obviously my reservation is that I want that the government should look seriously into it," the National Award-winning filmmaker from Assam told PTI.
	Asked if his reservations were related to the appointment of Chauhan as the chairman of FTII governing council, Barua said, "One of the factors is that... Obviously that is what the protest has been going on."
	Students of FTII today boycotted classes in protest against the appointment of Chauhan.
	"Our point is that we want obviously the institute to be headed by a stalwart from this field. Somewhere we feel in a way that something is going wrong in that kind of a decision," he added.
	Asked if he thought that Chauhan was not that kind of 

A stalwart should head FTII: Jahnu Barua

Musicologist S R Janakiraman, filmmaker M S Sathyu, Indian classical singer Vijay Kichlu and musician Tulsidas Borkar have been chosen for the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowships for the year 2014.
	Akademi ratnas, or fellowships, and awards for 2014 were decided by the General Council of 'Sangeet Natak Akademi', also known as the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, at its meeting here on June 10.
	The fellowship of the Akademi is considered a rare honour and restricted to a very limited number at a given time. At present, there are 40 fellows of the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
	The General Council also selected 36 artistes from the fields of music, dance, theatre and puppetry for the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for the year 2014.
	In the field of music, nine eminent artists -- Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan and Nath Narelkar for Hindustani vocal; Pandit Nayan Ghosh (tabla) and Ronu Majumdar (flute) for Hindustani instrumental music; ..

Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowships, awards for 2014 announced

First look of critically acclaimed filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar's upcoming directorial venture "Calendar Girls" has been unveiled today.
	The National Award-winning director took to Twitter to share the first teaser poster of the movie.
	"Five new faces. Five new journeys. 'Calendar Girls' and their date with destiny: this August," the "Fashion" director tweeted.
	Bhandarkar, known for his female oriented films, has always worked with established actors, but this time the director will be launching five new faces in the movie.
	The 46-year-old director's last outing was "Heroine", starring Kareena Kapoor.

Madhur Bhandarkar uncovers his 'Calendar Girls'

Bollywood is all praise for the trailer of Riteish Deshmukh starer comedy-satire film "Bangistan".
	The movie, directed by former critic Karan Anshuman, also stars Pulkit Samrat, Chandan Roy Sanyal and will feature Jacqueline Fernandez in a cameo.
	Praising the trailer, superstar Shah Rukh Khan said, "Best of luck to the Bangers of Bangistan... No shanti only kranti (nor peace only rebellion)."
	"Seems like one helluva ride! All the best EXCEL and @krnx, @Riteishd your comic timing is impeccable!" filmmaker Karan Johar tweeted.
	Actor Sidharth Malhotra also took to Twitter and said, "@Riteishd bang on funny trailer looks awesome, eager to watch can't wait @FarOutAkhtar @ritesh_sid #BangistanTrailer"
	"By the looks of it, it sure is going to be epic! All the best @Riteishd @FarOutAkhtar and @ritesh_sid #BangistanTrailer" actor Jackky Bhagnani tweeted.
	"Bangistan" chronicles the lives of two blundering terrorists who are on a mission to change the world.
	Produced by Farhan Akhtar and .

Trailer of 'Bangistan' gets thumbs-up from B-town

Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor says he felt a sense of deja vu while working with Abhishek Bachchan and Sonakshi Sinha, who are both kids of his "Naseeb" co-stars.
	The 62-year-old actor, who worked with Amitabh Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha in the 1981 film, took to Twitter to express his feelings.
	"OK. Just shot with ABjr and Sonakshi Sinha. Both kids of my "Naseeb" film actors. Sense of deja vu. On my way back to #kapoorandsons Coonoor. YO," the actor tweeted.
	Kapoor is currently shooting for Shakun Batra's "Kapoor and Sons" which stars Sidharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt and Fawad Khan.

Rishi Kapoor shoots with Sonakshi, Abhishek

Actress Emma Watson will once again share the screen space with former "Harry Potter" co-star David Thewlis.
	The actress, who played Hermione Granger for years, is appearing in the upcoming thriller "Regression" opposite David Thewlis, who played Remus Lupin in five "Harry Potter" movies, reported Us Magazine.
	Watson, 25, stars in the Alejandro Amenabar-helmed movie as a young woman named Angela Gray. Angela goes to the local Minnesota police to accuse her father, John Gray (David Dencik), of sexual abuse.
	Thewlis, 52, makes his entrance as a psychologist named Dr Kenneth Raines, who treats John. Ethan Hawke is also featured in "Regression" as a detective named Bruce Kenner, who is working on the case.

Emma Watson reunites with David Thewlis in 'Regression'

A country music singer was killed in a shootout with a bounty hunter trying to detain him for skipping a court appearance, authorities said.
	Randy Howard was inside his Lynchburg, Tenn. Home on June 9 night when an attempt to take him into custody led to gunfire, a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesman said, reported the New York Daily News.
	The 65-year-old "All-American Redneck" singer, who had reportedly performed with country stars Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, opened fire at bounty hunter Jackie Shell.
	Shell, a former sheriff's investigator who was working for A Plus Bail Bonding in Dunlap, fired back, fatally striking Howard.
	Shell was also injured in the gunfight, TBI spokesman Josh DeVine said.
	Howard's arrest warrant was for fourth-offense DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm while intoxicated and driving on a revoked license, DeVine said.

Singer Randy Howard killed in gunfight with bounty hunter

For Oscar-winning Hollywood producer Brian Grazer, curiosity is not just a quality of his personality but a secret weapon as well.
	For decades, Grazer has scheduled a weekly "curiosity conversation" with an accomplished stranger. From scientists to spies, and adventurers to business leaders, he has met with anyone willing to answer his questions for a few hours.
	These informal discussions sparked the creative inspiration behind many of his movies and TV shows, including "Splash", "24", "A Beautiful Mind", "Apollo 13", "Arrested Development", "8 Mile", "J. Edgar" and "Empire".
	The conversations include those Grazer had with Isaac Asimov, Barack Obama, Princess Diana, Andy Warhol and Michael Jackson among several others.
	What is it that connects a kid exuberantly going through kitchen cabinets, a person typing a query into Google's search engine and pressing 'enter' and questions that have an impatient compulsion right up till the moment we get the answer?
	It's curiosity and that's 

Curiosity a secret weapon for Hollywood producer Grazer!

Singer Iggy Azalea has made a comeback on Twitter almost four months after she decided to take a break from the micro-blogging site.
	Azalea, 25, shared all random facts about her "real life" including getting a pet fish, skin peel and releasing a new coffee table book.
	"The internet and Real life are like parallel universes for me. I got a fish a few weeks ago and I think I have become a little crazed when it comes to upgrading his tank. Aquariums are very addictive. My fish is named timothy," she tweeted.
	The "Fancy" hitmaker then thanked her fans for sticking by her side during recent controversies.
	Earlier this week, she announced the cancellation of her appearance at Pittsburgh Gay Pride Show.
	"Its really tough to stick by someone when the 'cool' thing is to hate on them. Thanks to everyone who made the choice to stand by me. One thing iam thankful for is how strong its made my relationship with the amazing man iam going to marry."
	"It may seem at times like theres little ...

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