"PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN"

The story so far: Back in 2003, in the months before the release of the first "Pirates of the Caribbean" film, very few observers thought the venture was sea-worthy. It was a $135 million movie based on a Disneyland ride -- a crass approach to filmmaking that had given the world the furry failure of "The Country Bears" just a year earlier. The movie was also a pirate film -- a genre that went out of style in Errol Flynn's lifetime and had produced the cringe-worthy flop "Cuthroat Island" less than a decade earlier. The star, meanwhile, was Johnny Depp, an actor who had proven himself to be too quirky for the American movie going public (he had starred in only one film, "Sleepy Hollow," that topped a $100 million in U.S. box office). On paper, it looked like madness, but, of course, it turned out to be a treasure map. Depp's bleary rogue Jack Sparrow would be become a signature characters in modern popcorn-film history (and earn Depp an Academy Award nomination) while director Gore Verbinksi tapped into a rollicking mix of adventure, supernatural thrills and comedy. The first film pulled in $654 million worldwide. The sequel did even better -- it's $1.06 billion worldwide made it the highest-grossing film of 2006. A third film in 2007 brought in $961 million. A fourth installment, "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," is due in 2011.

The challenge: There are plenty. The first film was fresh, fun and unexpected, but the franchise started to get creaky as soon as it came back for a second voyage. The third film was oddly long and labored -- didn't this franchise start as swashbuckling lark? -- and left critics sounding as if they had found a drowning victim in the theater aisle. Claudia Puig of USA Today called it a "bloated, overwrought and convoluted three-hour misfire." Still, money was made, and Disney wants to keep this ship afloat, so a new approach was taken with this fourth film: The studio secured the rights to "On Stranger Tides," a 1987 novel by fantasy author Tim Powers that weaves a tale of pirates, voodoo and the Fountain of Youth, making this the first adapted work in the series. That move was made (presumably) to save the next film from the loopy and confusing plot threads of the last installment. That's all to the good, but there's also the question of who will replace Verbinski, who decided that after three films it was time to go ashore. Rob Marshall ("Chicago") is the name that is everywhere but his hiring has not been publicly confirmed by the studio as I type this. Really, though, the more pressing worry: What would "Pirates" do if its jolly anti-hero Jack Sparrow decided at this late-date to abandon ship?

The status: The plan is start filming in the spring (that according to an MTV interview with co-star Geoffrey Rush) and the venture got off to a sunny start when Depp, proving himself a real trouper, showed up at a Disney convention in Anaheim in his full Sparrow costume and make-up to promote the film. Depp and Dick Cook, the longtime Disney studio executive who was a key player in the "Pirates" franchise, smiled, hugged and mugged for the cameras and fans. Then, just days later, Cook was kicked to the curb by his corporate bosses. Depp, in an interview with Claudia Eller of the Los Angeles Times, said he was "shocked and very sad" and admitted that there was "a crack in my enthusiasm" for the planned "Pirates" sequel.

Disney ahoy!

Express Hospitality - Disney's California Adventure has anchored a major expansion of Disneyland Resort. The expansion includes Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Downtown Disney, a 3,00,000 square foot shopping, dining and entertainment district.

Expanding horizons

In 2007, a significant multi year expansion of Disney's California Adventure was announced including new family-oriented attractions and shows that feature more stories and characters from Disney Pixar, including recently opened Toy Story Mania! This interactive 4-D ride-through attraction transports guests into a carnival midway hosted by ‘Toy Story’ characters.

The park's expansion began in early 2009 with Mickey's Fun Wheel, a 150-foot-diameter attraction that features a new Mickey Mouse marquee, reopened along with the Games of the Boardwalk, carnival-style games. Opening in spring 2010, 'World of Color' will bring night time excitement to Paradise Pier with a panorama of spectacular water effects, dancing fountains and music that will bring Disney animation to life with a new creative and technical approach. It boasts a 9,000 guest viewing area.

Magical mermaids

The first major attraction based on Disney's classic 'The Little Mermaid' is coming to the park's Paradise Pier area. Guests will be able to dive into the scenes and songs from the movie when The Little Mermaid - Ariel's Undersea Adventure debuts in 2011.

In 2012, a brand new gateway to Disney's California Adventure will welcome guests into the Los Angeles that Walt Disney experienced as a young artist arriving with big dreams in the 1920s. Red Car Trolleys reminiscent of the old Pacific Electric Red Car Line will travel up and down Buena Vista Street alongside new dining, shopping and entertainment experiences. A new visual icon inspired by Los Angeles' historic Carthay Circle Theatre, which premiered 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' in 1937, will draw guests into the heart of the park.

Culminating the major expansion is the entirely new, 12-acre addition: Cars Land, which recreates the town of Radiator Springs as inspired by the film 'Cars.' Cars Land will feature three immersive family attractions, Radiator Springs Racers, Luigi's Flying Tires and Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. Radiator Springs Racers will be one of the largest and most elaborate attractions ever created for a Disney park.

Disney World: Pluto author hangs with Pluto character

Theme Park Rangers - Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, an expert on the (former) planet Pluto, looks to the skies with Disney character Pluto this week at Magic Kingdom. Tyson, host of PBS' NOVA scienceNOW taped a segment of the series this week. He (Tyson, not Pluto) wrote a book titled The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet.

One of Blackstone's buyout funds will pay $2.3 billion for the parks as well as $400 million in capped future park earnings.

Blackstone is getting plenty of popular attractions in the deal, anchored by the Sea World and Busch Gardens theme-park chains. It will go well with other Blackstone fund stakes that include Legoland, Madame Tussauds, and half of the Universal Orlando resort.

Unlike regional operators Cedar Fair (NYSE: FUN) and Six Flags, most of Blackstone's properties are year-round getaways. It's picking up an enviable collection of tourist magnets, but are they enough to take Disney (NYSE: DIS) head-on in Florida and California?

The possibilities are endless now that Blackstone owns all of the major Central Florida theme parks outside Disney's massive resort. It probably won't be long before annual passes are offered that cover all of the gated attractions. It's also now just a matter of time before Legoland Florida becomes a reality. At the very least, a scaled-back Legoland will probably open within many Busch parks.

So will Blackstone be the next Disney? No. It can't. All it owns are the parks. Disney's empire includes cable channels, cruise ships, and movie studios, too. Disney's parks provide a profitable way for the family-entertainment giant to market and expand their character properties. This summer's $4 billion deal to acquire Marvel Entertainment (NYSE: MVL) will only help in that regard.

Blackstone isn't as fortunate. It will have to run its theme parks as standalone businesses. Instead of building on proprietary characters outside Sea World's Shamu, it will have to fork over licensing fees to content creators. This is the same reason it didn't make a lot of sense for the character-rich CBS (NYSE: CBS) to sell its Paramount Parks chain to Cedar Fair three years ago. Universal Orlando is going to have a banner year when its Harry Potter attraction opens in 2010, but the real beneficiaries are likely to be movie maker Time Warner (NYSE: TWX) and New York publisher Scholastic (Nasdaq: SCHL).

Connecting by video, fans are making  the trailer for Alice in Wonderland very popular. It is gaining ground on the video viral lists as being in the top five for the week. This is for all the different lists available which is great news for Disney! 

Why? Fans have been analyzing the trailer and looking over what to be expected with this movie. Excited and impatient (just like a kid on Christmas evening) fans really want to see the movie, yet have to wait.

Plus, there are mega rumors surfacing that someone has copied the entire movie and has placed it online for all to see prior to the release date. After searching diligently the online community, nothing could be found to substantiate this rumor, but then again there are plenty of places to hide the perfect download file and it isn't like a press release will be sent out that someone is beating out the Disney Corporation.

The exhibit features artwork pulled from the Disney vaults. And events scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday include several elements geared to children: an appearance by Mickey Mouse, train-themed play stations, dancing and an opportunity to learn to draw Disney characters from veteran Disney artist John Quinn.

Guests with Disney Rewards Visa cards can get 10 percent off a merchandise purchase of $50 or more made with the card through Sept. 30, 2010. But you must ask for the discount; the cast member will not offer it. This deal has been in place at Downtown Disney's World of Disney for some time, but it recently has been made available throughout the resort.

There are many, many exclusions to the discount, so it's probably best just to ask wherever you are making a purchase. If you want to see the fine print, though, click through to the jump.

It's not too early to start holiday shopping, is it?

In the months ahead, Wilson will record two new solo albums for the label's Disney Pearl imprint, including one featuring covers of classic songs by great American songwriters, George and Ira Gershwin. For that recording, the Gershwin estate has given Wilson access to rare, unfinished pieces of music by George Gershwin, with which he will craft collaborative compositions unlike anything the world has seen.

He will follow that with an album of classic Disney songs, which the artist promises to "Brian-ize" with his trademark vocal stacks and unique arrangements. Release dates for each album have yet to be determined.

Said David Agnew, Walt Disney Records president and general manager of the Disney Music Group, "We are honored to be in business with one of the greatest musical artists of all time. It is impossible to overstate the impact Brian has had on contemporary music and culture -- it has been nothing less than profound. We look forward to partnering with Brian on this exciting new voyage in his musical journey."

"I've always tried to make music that entertained people," Wilson said. "I also wanted my music to last, to be able to speak to any generation. Thankfully, nearly 50 years since the Beach Boys were born, that seems to have come true. Now, a new musical chapter begins for me, and teaming up with Disney means it's going to be a chapter to remember. I promise."

Wilson chose to record George and Ira Gershwin songs because he considers the late composers of classics like "Someone to Watch Over Me " "Rhapsody in Blue" and "Summertime" as a critical influence on him. "I've always loved George Gershwin. The earliest music I remember hearing is 'Rhapsody in Blue,'" says Wilson, referring to Gershwin's groundbreaking 1924 orchestral piece. "Along with Irving Berlin, Gershwin basically invented the popular song, but he did something more. He had a gift for melody that nobody has ever equaled yet his music is timeless and always accessible. This is the most spiritual project I've ever worked on."

Said Todd Gershwin (George Gershwin estate) and Michael Owen (Ira Gershwin estate): "The Gershwin families are delighted that the legendary musician Brian Wilson has chosen to record a collection of George and Ira Gershwin songs for his next project. In every generation, American music has been pushed forward by visionaries, from the Gershwin brothers to Brian Wilson. This latest interpretation will be a new opportunity to discover the magic of Gershwin music."

Like Gershwin, Brian Wilson is one of the great composers of the last 100 years. The Southern California native, along with his brothers, a cousin and a friend, formed the Beach Boys while still in his teens. With Wilson as chief songwriter and arranger, the band not only enjoyed dozens of hits, but changed music forever thanks to Brian's innovative melodies and harmonies. Songs like "I Get Around," "Help Me, Rhonda," "California Girls," "Wouldn't It Be Nice," and the #1 smash "Good Vibrations" remain indispensable staples in the rock 'n' roll canon. The band's "Pet Sounds" (1966) is regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time.

A six member delegation informed the travel trade about the various offers which include: 50 per cent off on bookings made on hotel rooms and the theme park. If bookings are done for two to three tickets, the travel trade will get one free ticket. The company also announced discounted ticket rates, USD 350 for an adult (per day) and USD 250 for a child (per day).

In addition to Disney staples like Tinker Bell, Alice in Wonderland, and characters from 'Toy Story,' this year kids can dress up like Disney's first African-American princess, Princess Tiana from Disney's upcoming 'The Princess and the Frog.'

Two Illinois residents and one from Iowa sued Disney in November 2007 after the company barred them from using the Segway Personal Transporter on family vacations at four theme parks in Florida. As an alternative to Segways, Disney agreed in December to acquire at least 15 newly designed electric stand-up vehicles to settle the case.

U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell in Orlando yesterday voided an earlier decision granting preliminary approval to the settlement and threw out the case. The plaintiffs, who are all able to use wheelchairs or scooters, failed to show that Segways were “necessary” to access the park, Presnell said in the decision.

“Although some individuals may, with good reason, not want to use those devices and instead prefer to use a Segway, that preference -- standing alone -- is not essential to accessing Disney’s Parks,” Presnell wrote in the opinion.

Bernard Dempsey, an attorney for plaintiff Mahala Ault, and Jason Medley, representing plaintiff Stacie Rhea, didn’t immediately return phone and e-mail messages seeking comment yesterday. John Baker and J. Phillip Krajewski, attorneys for plaintiff Dan Wallace, also didn’t return phone messages.

“This ruling is consistent with what we’ve advocated all along in this case that we have appropriately balanced the need to maintain a safe environment for everyone while at the same time meeting our legal requirements to provide access to those with mobility impairments,” Andrea Finger, a spokeswoman for Disney, said in a phone interview.

7,000 Riders

The Segway, a two-wheeled, self-balancing transportation device, allows riders to remain upright and steer with body movements. The device, first sold in 2002, is used by as many as 7,000 people in the U.S. with mobility-related disabilities, according to court documents.

Disabled people who objected to the settlement argued at a court hearing this year that the Segway was their preferred choice of transportation. The Justice Department argued that the settlement agreement would compromise its ability to regulate the theme park industry.

Aaron Bates, an attorney for many of the objectors, said yesterday’s decision was a “win” for people with disabilities.

“This leaves the door open for others to file suit, and the government may soon recognize Segways in the same way they do wheelchairs and other mobility devices,” Bates said in a phone interview.

Disney’s new vehicles, called ESVs, would replicate in dimension and operation a wheelchair while allowing users to stand upright, the company said in court papers. Under the terms of the settlement, the vehicles would have been rented on the same terms as sit-down electric vehicles.

The reason for the e-mail barrage: Depp's theatrical appearance at Disney's D23 Expo included the announcement that the fourth Sparrow film will be entitled "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," which echoes the name of a 1987 fantasy novel by Powers about pirates and the Fountain of Youth. Everyone wanted to know if Powers had hit the Hollywood jackpot -- or if he needed to be in touch with his attorney.

Powers was in a tricky spot -- he wanted to publicly celebrate a career windfall but the folks at Disney had made it clear that he
was supposed to keep everything under wraps. He was more surprised than anyone that the title had been trumpeted at Disney's
new promotional convention.

"I was still -- as far as I understood -- not free to talk about it," the  author told me Monday. "Then about a week ago my agent wrote and said, 'You're now able to say that in fact Disney did option the book.' That happened a while ago, it'll be three years in April."

The novelist, with a dozen books to his credit, is still a bit dazed by the fact that a book he published during the Reagan
administration will setting sail in May 2011 as new edition of a Disney franchise that has racked up $1.78 billion in worldwide
box office since hoisting its flag in 2003. "Yes, I'm thrilled," Power said, "I think it's great."

The 57-year-old is a two-time winner of the World Fantasy Award, taking the prize home for "Last Call" (the 1992 tale based in 
the gritty underbelly of Las Vegas that weaves in tales on ancient magic and wagers for the soul) and "Declare" (a 2001 novel that presents the secret supernatural history of Cold War spies and conspiracies). All of his books, he says, have "some kind of supernatural stuff going on, it's the only sort of stories I can think of."

Powers is intrigued to see how Hollywood will bend his historical fantasy to its needs. In the original form, "On Stranger Tides" was the tale of "Jack Shandy" Chandagnac, who is the son of a British puppeteer who gave up the family marionette tradition after his father died destitute. He sets sail for Jamaica to find the nefarious uncle who stole his father's rightful inheritance but en route he is captured by pirates who practice sorcery -- they give him the choice of joining their ranks or execution. Soon he reluctantly falls into service to Blackbeard, who is on a quest to locate the Fountain of Youth.

"I've watched all the movies several times, of course, and I think the clear thing they would use is the trip to the Fountain of Youth," Powers said. "My main character doesn't overlap with Jack Sparrow at all [in personality or circumstance]; they're totally different characters. I suppose they might overlap the Geoffrey Rush character Barbossa and Blackbeard. The only thing I feel certain they will hold on to is the Fountain of Youth since they telegraphed that at the end of the last movie." Either way, Powers said he is not going to walk into the theater with too many expectations other than hoping to have a good time as a moviegoer.

"Some people said, 'Powers are you worried that they're going to mess up your book?' and I always think of something James Cain, the author of 'The Postman Always Rings Twice,' said when people asked what he thought of the things Hollywood had done to his books; he pointed to the bookshelf and said, 'They haven't done anything to them, look.' That's my attitude. Just take all the fun stuff and, of course, any checks.... It strikes me as unrealistic to look at it in any other way."

Still, Powers has a bit of concern about the project as it moves forward, considering some recent reports. On Sept. 18, after the
D23 Expo, Depp spoke to Claudia Eller of the Los Angeles Times and said that the abrupt ouster of longtime Disney studio chief Dick Cook had dampened his interest in a fourth "Pirates" film.

"Disneyland Kart Racer" puts Verizon Wireless subscribers in the driver's seat as they race through some of the most popular Disneyland Park attractions. Disney fans will recognize popular race environments inspired by Disney attractions such as the water boats of Pirates of the Caribbean, the rocket ships of Space Mountain, the crazy cars of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and the mining carts of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. "Disneyland Kart Racer" features eight different tracks modeled in dazzling 3D and wacky power-ups and weapons along the way.

"'Disneyland Kart Racer' is a fast-paced thrill ride that is sure to appeal to Disney fans and gamers alike," said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. "We captured the essence of some of the park's most famous rides to create fun-filled race environments that will challenge the entire family."

Verizon Wireless customers can purchase and download "Disneyland Kart Racer" from the Verizon Exclusives folder on their Verizon Wireless feature phones. "Disneyland Kart Racer" is available for a $7.99 one-time fee for unlimited access or for a $3.49 monthly subscription on a number of popular phones from Verizon Wireless. Download charges vary and airtime or data charges may apply when browsing, downloading and using certain applications.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving 87.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 87,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Disney Interactive Studios

In the past, Ecorazzi reported that Gomez has spoken out about environmental initiatives, got hooked on books for charity, and even lent her fame to help dogs and cats in Puerto Rico. Now, as the youngest UNICEF Ambassador in history, Selena is getting serious about raising some major dough.

In early September, the Disney star spent time in Ghana, West Africa where she witnessed poverty on a whole new level. Gomez hopes to raise $1 million for the foundation by the end of this year – a $400,000 increase from last year.

Recession-wracked parents will have to come up with as much as 50 bucks a pop for their kids to see the exclusive engagement of the new Disney cartoon movie, "The Princess and Frog," at the Ziegfeld Theatre Nov. 25.

The price includes what the House of Mouse is calling an "Ultimate Disney Experience."

According to the animated flick's Web site, kids will "meet all our princesses . . . learn to draw from a Disney animator . . . see original props and costumes from the Disney archives . . . swing on ropes, climb trees" and "put yourself in the movie."

The network says the 28-year-old singer-actress will share childhood memories of the music, people and places that set the stage for her career. Musical performances will be filmed on location throughout the city.

Hudson, who gained fame first as a top contender on "American Idol," won an Oscar for her role in "Dreamgirls" and a Grammy for best R&B album for her self-titled debut CD.

The network says a date and time for the hour-long music special hasn't yet been scheduled.

"Tween girls are drawn to talented performers who emanate the joy of life, and we are so happy to have teen favorite Debby Ryan as the first host of The Tween Summit Music Festival," states Denise Restauri, founder of The Tween Summit, AllyKatzz.com, and AK Tweens. "The Tween Summit is a day of celebrating the excitement of youth and hope for the future. As my tween friends say, 'This concert is going to Rock!'"

But Disney now has a really big first -- Rich Ross, Hollywood's first openly gay studio chief. Ross, who had been head of the Disney Channel, hasn't been giving interviews since he was named studio chief Monday. So I started reading old Ross interviews, eager to discover what his creative tastes were like, figuring it might give me insight into the kind of movies he'd want to make. That led me to a story from this year by one of my colleagues, Dawn Chmielewski, who did an in-depth profile of Ross and his tenure at Disney TV.

I found this: "The 47-year-old Ross and his partner of more than 20 years, Adam Sanderson, live in the Hollywood Hills and have no children of their own. However, he maintains a close relationship with the 14- and 10-year-old daughters of his former roommate and best friend from Fordham Law, who serve as an informal focus group." After a little more hunting, I found that the Advocate has just posted a small story, titled: "Disney Goes Gay with New Top Exec."

Still, judging from a quick canvas I made of gay filmmakers and executives, the news about Ross was something of a revelation, even in the gay community. That may be because people in the film world don't always keep track of TV executives, especially ones making children's programming. One filmmaker was aware that Ross was gay, but others I spoke to knew little about his professional life, much less his private life. As one executive put it: "Every day showbiz offers a new surprise."

But is it a good surprise? "Absolutely," says producer Howard Rosenman, who's not only openly gay but played the role of David Goodstein, an early owner of the Advocate, in last year's Oscar-nominated film "Milk."

"It's not just the first time ever, but it's the greatest thing ever," he told me jubilantly. "After all these years, what finally matters is -- show me the money! It doesn't matter what you do with your [penis], just what you do with your job. It's a new era in Hollywood. Rich Ross will only be judged by how well he makes the product and and how commercial it is, not who he is in his private life. He's obviously already been a big success at the Disney Channel, so he clearly knows what he's doing." 

 Disney hasn't exactly been playing up that Ross is gay. But there are two ways of interpreting that. It's possible that Disney is hoping no one makes a fuss or that none of the business reporters who will eventually interview Ross will make his personal life an issue. But it's also possible that after all these years, the sexual orientation of a major entertainment executive isn't big news anymore. That alone would be a huge step forward, especially since previous generations of studio executives have been forced to remain in the closet, or at least believed it prudent, fearing a public outcry.

No word from Disney yet on whom that will be, but in e-mail to staff, Anne Sweeney, co-chairman of Disney's Media Networks unit, said a replacement for Ross would be named in the next few weeks.

There is, of course, a list of usual suspects within Disney for Ross' job. One name that naturally leaps to mind is Gary Marsh, who is president of entertainment for Disney Channel and the top creative executive beneath Ross. Under his watch, Disney Channel launched "Hannah Montana," "Wizards of Waverly Place" and "That's So Raven." Marsh has been at Disney Channel for 21 years, so he certainly knows all the turf there. However, it remains to be seen if Marsh is interested in giving up his passion for programming to assume all the other, less fun parts that go with the top job, including the politics and number-crunching.

Speaking of number-crunching, there is Jewell Engstrom, chief financial officer and executive vice president of the Disney-ABC Cable Networks Group. Engstrom, who reports to Sweeney, oversees all the financial operations for Disney's cable networks (with the exception of the ESPN unit) domestically and abroad, which include 23 Disney Channels and eight Toon Disney channels. 

Another candidate could be Giorgio Stock, executive vice president and managing director of Disney Channels, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Stock, who just took that post in March, has been with Disney since 1997 and prior to his current job was head of Disney Channels, Italy.

Disney Chief Executive Robert A. Iger hopes that because Rich is from the television side of things he will be able to turn the movie side of Disney around by offering an outside perspective.

Rich has proved himself through his work turning the entertainment of the Disney Channel into a brand strategy – from “Hannah Montana,” to “High School Musical.”

There are restrictions, of course. Kids must be 17 or younger and stay in the same stateroom as two full-fare guests. The offer is
valid for Category 4 through Category 12 staterooms only and applies to new reservations only.

Variety - Confirming its status as one of the hottest fall TV rookies in and outside the U.S., Disney's sci-fi mystery drama "FlashForward" has sold in more than 100 territories worldwide.

The deals come as Disney-ABC Intl. TV Asia Pacific has pacted with Australian paybox Foxtel's channel group for feevees Fox 8 and W to preem a clutch of live-action series.

In the latest "FlashForward" deals, with a further nine broadcasters, the live-action drama has been picked up by ProSieben for Germany, TF1 for France, AXN for Japan, Central and Eastern Europe, and Fox Intl. Channels and Channel 1 for Russia.

M-Net has taken Africa, Orbit Showtime Middle East and TV4 Sweden.

The deals also show Disney-ABC-ESPN working ever more with broadcast partners to push overseas broadcast dates nearer to
the U.S. bow.

TF1 will offer "FlashForward" on both its Hot from the U.S. VOD service and a dubbed catch-up VOD option on TF1 Vision. In Norway, and Bahain via SVOD, TV 2 Sumo made "FlashForward" available within a week of its U.S. airing. Russia's Channel One preemed the character-driven drama Oct. 2, eight days after the Sept. 24 U.S. bow.

Piracy is just one of the reasons for these near day-and-date releases around the world, argued Ben Pyne, president, global distribution, Disney-ABC Worldwide Television. "We believe this type of release helps to spread the buzz around the world. Also, VOD brings revenues even if it's not going to replace broadcasts," Pyne said at the Mipcom TV trade fair in Cannes Monday.

"We see that more and more audiences watch their favorite shows on the best available screens. So we want to make sure our content is available on any platforms," Pyne added.

DAIT's Foxtel deal takes in key skeins. These include two teen-targeted ABC Family original shows, drama "Make It or Break It," which posted ABC Family's second-best series ratings ever, and "10 Things I Hate About You," its best performing new comedy across key demos.

Michael David Barrett, a 47-year-old insurance company employee, has been held in jail since his arrest Friday at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. A federal magistrate judge must decide whether to return him to California as a prisoner or free him on bail.

Barrett is accused of trying to sell videos of Andrews to celebrity Web site TMZ.com and posting them online. He faces interstate stalking charges in Los Angeles, where TMZ is based. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

His neighbors in a Chicago suburb said Sunday they were surprised by his arrest. Barrett kept his yard manicured, played golf and enjoyed cooking on a gas grill on a patio behind his $300,000 suburban Chicago town house. The normalcy of his life was what made the accusations so upsetting to neighbors and acquaintances.

"I'm totally shocked," said David Wayne, 72, a retired corporate executive who lives several doors down from Barrett. "He looked absolutely normal -- nothing distinguishing."

Investigators believe Barrett recorded Andrews by aiming a cell phone camera through an altered peephole in the door of her hotel room.

Andrews, 31, worked the Auburn-Tennessee game for ESPN on Saturday night in Knoxville, Tenn. She issued a statement after the arrest thanking FBI agents and federal prosecutors for their work and said she hoped the case will eventually help others.

There didn't appear to be anyone home Sunday at Barrett's two-story, two-garage house in Westmont, a leafy, middle-class suburb about 20 miles west of Chicago lined with quaint, gas-lamp replica street lights.

The housing development is favored by doctors, executives and retirees, many of whom don't have children, so people don't tend to get to know each other well as in other communities, said Dolores Shea, 79, head of the neighborhood association.

Barrett kept to himself, too, Shea said, and no one interviewed on his street Sunday could provide details about his character or personal life. Shea said Barrett drove an expensive car, and she would often see him throwing golf clubs in his trunk.

Barrett appeared to live with a woman, said Shea, but she didn't know the woman's relationship to Barrett.

Shea said a "For Sale" sign was put up in Barrett's front lawn about two weeks ago. A real estate Web site set the price for the
house at $299,000, and described the home as having three bedrooms, two baths and two fireplaces.

An FBI affidavit said Barrett specifically asked for a room next to Andrews at a Tennessee hotel where seven videos were likely taken, apparently through an altered peephole. An eighth video may have been shot at a Milwaukee hotel.

Marriott International Inc. and Ramada Worldwide, which operate the hotels where the videos may have been shot, have issued statements saying they are concerned about their guests privacy and safety, are looking into the matter and are cooperating with authorities.

Barrett's lawyer, Rick Beuke, said he did not believe Barrett had so much as a traffic ticket on his record.

"He's as regular a guy as you'll ever meet -- a great friend," said Beuke, who has known him for a decade. "I must have calls from 30 people wanting to know what they could do to help."

Beuke said Barrett has been divorced for some time and has children. The Combined Insurance Company of America confirmed
that he was an employee who worked in sales management.

Examiner - Among Demi Lovato's latest projects is the Disney Sing It: Pop Hits game which will be released on PS2, PS3, and Wii on October 6.

Featured artists will include Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, songs from HSM3, Hannah Montana, Colbie Caillat,
Taylor Swift, Duffy, Vanessa Hudgens, Jesse McCartney, Steve Rushton, Ismael, Jacopo de Sarno, Coldplay, Jem, and One Republic.

According to the description, as posted by Video Game Central, "Disney Sing It: Pop Hits includes single and multi player game modes such as singing solo, duet and head-to-head.  Players will learn how to sing from a professional in the newly expanded “Sing
It Pro” mode"

While Disney Sing It: Pop Hits would be a fun way to pass time and to learn karaoke, I'd be a little skeptical about whether or not this game could actually teach you how to sing. Of course, if people enjoy Guitar Hero, then they would probably love Disney Sing
It: Pop Hits too.