First trailer for Jack Black's Bernie

Bernie, Richard Linklater's latest collaboration with Jack Black, has released a first trailer for the documentary-style film, in which Black's eponymous hero is pushed to breaking point by mean old Shirley MacLaine.Black plays Bernie, a funeral director who just happens to be one of the most popular residents of a small, rural town. When he becomes companion to a sour old widow (MacLaine), the townsfolk are stunned as to how he can put up with her... until she turns up dead.Was nice, unassuming Bernie pushed too far by the old buzzard? Or is there some other explanation for her mysterious passing? Check out the new trailer below, and make your own mind up...Happily, this looks like something of a return to form for Black, after a series of blockbuster flops have seen his star on the wane in recent years. Could this be the truly black comedy Jack's been waiting for?We also like Matthew McConaughey's input as the town's one dissenting voice, while MacLaine looks suitably shrewish as the deceased. Bernie opens in the US on 27 April 2012, with a UK release date yet to be confirmed.

Frances Fisher Joins The Host

Modified from Stephenie Meyer's novelFrances Fisher has a tendency to specialize in tough, no-nonsense matriarchs, and that is just what the Host's director Andrew Niccol is searching for using the Stephenie Meyer adaptation. Therefore it is not really a shock to understand that Fisher has became a member of the cast. The Host finds the Twilight author in alien mode, chronicling the aftermath of the invasion by parasitic extra-terrestrial intruders referred to as Souls. These sneaky types merge with human minds and drive them over, departing a rag tag number of non-converted Earthlings to mount a resistance.Saoirse Ronan is starring as Melanie, a youthful lady taken and lived on by a skilled Soul named Stryder, but who proves more powerful than the creature's previous hosts. She eventually ends up mixing her very own ideas with this from the enemy, and heads to reside having a human resistance cell where Melanie's real love still lives.One of the children are the kind of Uncle Jeb (William Hurt), and the sister, the stern Maggie (Fisher). The actress is joining a cast which includes Diane Kruger and Mike Abel. Niccol just began filming in Louisiana and also the movie is scheduled for release on March 29 the coming year.Fisher, meanwhile, was last observed in The Lincoln subsequently Lawyer, and can next display in the Quiet Crook and Retribution.

The Dictator's Oscar Victory: Sacha Baron Cohen Invited to Attend in Costume

Paula Deen, the butter queen, will continue to spread her Southern style on television... but perhaps not as thick. After revealing that she has Type 2 diabetes in January, Deen is ready to move on and promote her slightly less fatty cuisine. Just don't expect her to throw out that tub of butter completely. "I am who I am. But what I will be doing is offering up lighter versions of my recipes," the Food Network star told The Associated Press at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival on Friday. "I will have a broader platform now, trying to do something for everybody. But you know, I'm Southern by roots. I was taught [to cook] by my grandmother and nothing I can do would change that." Read More > Other Links From TVGuide.com Paula DeenAnthony Bourdain

Keck's Exclusive: Sarah Michelle Gellar Strips on Ringer

Sarah Michelle Gellar "Stripper Bridget is coming back!" Ringer's Sarah Michelle Gellar told me at the Golden Globes. And now this exclusive First Look photo proves it. TheMarch 6 episode of the CW thriller flashes back to Bridget's Wyoming strip club years, as she soliciting a customer for a lap dance. Executive producer Pam Veasey says Sarah loves getting to show off this seductive side of her character. And in case any obsessive SMG fans are wondering, yes, Pam says the writers are indeed planning to eventually show Bridget on stage working her pole. Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

SAG, AFTRA post merger docs

Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have posted their proposed merger documents online on their respective web sites. SAG's board approved the proposal Friday and AFTRA followed on Saturday. The documents went live Tuesday night. The proposal will be sent on Feb. 27 to 120,000 SAG members and 70,000 AFTRA members, who include actors, broadcasters, DJs, singers and dancers. To pass, the referendum would need a 60% approval margin from both orgs among votes cast. The new union will be called SAG-AFTRA, should members approve the merger vote. SAG members defeated merger proposals in 1999 and 2003 while AFTRA members supported both. In 2003, the merged union would have been called the Alliance of Intl. Media Artists, which may have been a factor in the defeat. Each site -- www.sag.org and www.aftra.com -- also contained the following message: "As you know, merger referendum ballots are scheduled to be mailed on or about February 27 - but members of both unions now have access to the complete merger documents online. Full printed merger documents will also be mailed to each voter with the referendum ballot, which will be due for return on March 30. This will give each member ample time to make a thoughtful and well-informed decision." The sites also contain links to view the SAG-AFTRA Merger Agreement, SAG-AFTRA Constitution and the Pension & Health / Health & Retirement Feasibility Review. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

Slater, Portofino seem like a 'Million'

Marshall Slater Bros. Entertainment and Portofino Pictures are joining to invest in and convey sports comedy "The Billion Dollar Guy," with Scott Marshall aboard to direct.Companies introduced the project Tuesday at Sundance. Producers are Todd Slater of Slater Bros. Entertainment, who lately guaranteed funding for any slate of films resides in Connecticut, and Portofino Pictures principals John J. Gatpandan, Anderson M. Hinsch and Alexander Schrader. Script, composed by Schrader, may be the underdog story of the guy who finds an enchanting chance to show his existence around as he is selected to do in the Super Bowl. Marshall lately labored together with his father, Garry Marshall, on New Line-Warner Bros.' "New Year's Eve." His credits include "All's Faire for each other,Inch "Blonde Ambition" and "Maintaining Using the Steins." "I was raised around the group of Television shows and films watching my father work, but all I truly thought about being would be a football star," Marshall stated. "The primary problem was I had been really small. Obviously I went into show business and after pointing several films, I am very excited to finally be engaged having a football project." Slater lately wrapped production on horror film "House of Dust" and "The OverallInch and it is mounted on produce Elvis biopic "Fame & Fortune." Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

iCarlys Miranda Cosgrove: Michelle Obama Has Good Comic Timing

First Released: The month of january 18, 2012 4:03 PM EST Credit: Access Hollywood Caption Access Hollywood Live: Miranda Cosgrove Talks Dancing With First Lady Michelle Obama On iCarly & College Plans La, Calif. -- First Lady Michelle Obama just made an appearance on Nickelodeons iCarly and series star Miranda Cosgrove had great praise on her once co-star. Shes really funny in tangible existence, so she's good comic timing, Miranda told Billy Rose bush and Package Hoover on Wednesdays Access Hollywood Live. Miranda stated regardless of the First Ladys moment limited, they bumped out the episode effortlessly. She was most likely there for 2 hrs and that we had a lot of things to film therefore we needed to go type of fast, however it only agreed to be fun dealing with see her dance and stuff. She stated that part was her favorite, Miranda stated. Getting the Presidents wife on set did include added security concerns. There have been a lot of Secret Service people plus they come a few days before just to look into the area plus they meet everyone and you've got to provide them your data and stuff, Miranda described. After which when she found the set, shes so relaxed and nice she loved dancing and merely speaking about fashion. She really was awesome. It had been her very first time acting too. Miranda is presently focusing on her very own new adventure college existence. I acquired into NYU and USC and Ive been trying to puzzle out which to visit because I deferred for any year since Im doing my show, now its really reducing to the stage where I've to make a decision, she stated. And theres been just a little pressure for that actress to remain local from her family My father loves USC while he visited and my parents dont want me to visit NY, however i love NY, she stated. iCarly airs Saturday nights at 8/7c on Nickelodeon. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All privileges reserved. These components might not be released, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.