VIDEOAGE "PAPER CLIPS": A WEEKLY PRESS REVIEW

PROGRAMMING
The U.K. version of this year's run of reality series I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! will feature singer Jason Donovan and estranged Liza Minelli hubby David Gest, among others. Bookmakers Ladbrokes and William Hill are favoring Donovan to be the winner, but he'll face some tough competition from DJ Toby Anstis, fashion designer Scott Henshall and former boy-bander Matt Willis.
BBC News

After weeks of speculation, NBC has decided to mercifully give ratings-challenged series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip a back-nine order, guaranteeing it a full 22-episode season. The fate of the sketch comedy drama has been up in the air for weeks. Critics loved it, but it seemed to be hemorrhaging viewers. Since debuting in September to incredible buzz, the series has averaged just 9.8 million viewers. Last week's episode was watched by just 7.7 million.
E! Online

TECHNOLOGY
Digital convergence and the erosion of traditional distinctions among many media formats is vexing some European policy-makers, who are wrestling with how best to regulate the new technologies, if at all. And new U.K.-based Internet TV channels YourKindaTV and 18 Doughty Street Talk TV are included in the debate. The latter channel is a new entity all its own, grafting some conventions of the old media onto the technology of the new. Meanwhile, YourKindaTV is a wholly different sort of hybrid. These new channels are leaving lawmakers baffled.
International Herald Tribune

With a 75 percent share of the U.S. market for portable digital music players and an 85 percent share of paid-for music downloads, Apple's iPod and iTunes seems to have a lock on the business. But a new poll, conducted by ABI Research found some surprising results when owners of digital media players were randomly surveyed. According to the results, 58 percent of iPod owners said they were likely to buy a Zune, the new player Microsoft plans to start selling in the U.S. market soon, and in 2007 in Europe.
International Herald Tribune

VIDEO GAMES
Telefilm Canada launched an innovative competition to create the next great Canadian video game. Dubbed Telefilm's Great Canadian Video Game Competition, the contest will feature the top emerging video game developers in the nation. They will vie for up to $2 million in financing and industry mentorship. Eligible game development companies should register at www.telefilm.gc.ca/game by December 15, 2006 in order to participate.
Northern Stars

In an effort to break through a wall and gain access to the two-thirds of households in both the U.S. and Canada that don't have a video game console, Nintendo is busting out with a new paradigm -- and a new way to play. The result is the Wii, an innovative wireless controller that does away with the confusing buttons and joysticks on conventional units, and instead uses motion-sensor technology. Shaped like a TV remote, the Wii can be swung through the air to hit a virtual tennis or golf ball or cast a fishing line, or can be pointed at the screen to activate any number of commands.
The Globe & Mail

OBITUARY
City Slickers star Jack Palance, who is perhaps best remembered for his impromptu one-armed push-ups during the 1992 Academy Awards ceremony, died on Friday, November 10, of natural causes at his home in Montecito, CA. He was 87. Palance appeared in more than 100 movies and TV series in a film career that spanned the 1950s to the 2000s. He won an Oscar for his turn as an old cowboy named Curly in 1991's City Slickers.
E! Online

FILM
Dubai Studio City took part in the American Film Market (AFM), held last week in Santa Monica, CA, to promote Dubai as an ideal production base to Hollywood filmmakers. The company showcased Dubai's incentives and cutting-edge industry-specific infrastructure as being perfect for the movie biz. Construction on Phase 1 of Dubai Studio City will be complete by early 2007. It will include 18 boutique studios designed to suit the requirements of broadcasters and production companies.
AME Info

Sacha Baron Cohen continues his reign as America's favorite fake antisemite this week. His Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan may be taboo and disturbing at times, but it continues to rule the U.S. box office. The R-rated film took in $29 million over the weekend, bringing its two-week gross to $67.8 million. Meanwhile, Fox's A Good Year had a bad weekend. The critically drubbed romantic comedy took in just $3.7 million.
E! Online

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