Steven Seagal Sworn in to Texas Border Patrol, For Real

Actor-musician-martial arts expert-reality TV lawman Steven Seagal is adding a new credit to his offscreen resume: Sheriff’s deputy. Yes, this is real, even if it seems like a page taken right out of, say, Machete. The 59-year-old Seagal reportedly rang the West Texas’ Hudspeth County Sheriff’s Office months ago for the position and “will be working full time to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border.” This is the world we live in. Details after the jump. Deputy Seagal reports for duty in the new year, according to the San Antonio Express (via EW), and his new bosses are taking him very seriously: “It became very clear to me that Mr. Seagal is not in this for the celebrity or the publicity,” Sheriff Arvin West said. “He’s like the rest of us that live down here; he has a sincere passion for his country and he wants to do more to help.”“He got really a taste of what we go through down here,” department spokesman Gary Fleming said. “We ran about 50 miles of the border and Deputy Seagal got a chance to meet the community and where he’s going to be working.”An advance team went out first, of course, Fleming said, to make sure things weren’t too hot for the new deputy’s inaugural day. Above, Seagal poses with what I assume to be his sheriff’s office-issued weaponry, with Sheriff Arvin West. Go ahead and caption it in the comments below, since my mind is still reeling from the insanity. [San Antonio Express, EW] [Photo credit: Hudspeth County Sheriff’s Department]

Rade Sherbedgia Cast as Villain in Liam Neeson's 'Taken 2' (Exclusive)

Getty ImagesRade Sherbedgia Serbian actorRade Sherbedgia remains cast since the villain in last century Fox and EuropaCorp'sTaken 2, which stars Liam Neeson which is set to begin filming in Chicken and France later this month. Sherbedgia may have Murad, the dad from the kidnapper slain by Bryan Mills (Neeson) inside the first film. Murad is known to love a vengeful guy who gives orders and doesn't bring them. When Murad takes Mills and also the wife hostage, their daughter is enlisted towards saving them. Taken 2, which willbe released March. 5, 2012, also starsFamke Janssen and Maggie Sophistication. Colombiana helmerOlivier Megatonis pointing the pic. Luc Besson, who co-written the script withRobert Mark Kamen, isproducing through his EuropaCorp banner. Besson and Kamen also co-written the initial Taken film, which wasreleased in 2008 and will be a surprise hit, grossing $224 million worldwide. Sherbedgia will next star inAngelina Jolie's directorial debut, Inside the Land of Blood stream and Honey, that is released in December.Sherbedgia's credits include Batman Begins,Mission: Impossible IIanda memorable turn as Boris "The AdvantageInch Yurinov in Snatch. Sherbedgia is represented by Innovative Artists as well as the U.K.'s United states . Artists. Email: Daniel.Burns@THR.com Twitter: @DanielNMiller Liam Neeson Maggie Sophistication Worldwide Famke Janssen Luc Besson

Looser than ever

Julianne Hough and Ryan SeacrestDirector Craig Brewer (L) and actor Kenny Wormald arrive at the premiere of "Footloose."Rob Moore and Gary Barber Brad Grey with Sumner RedstoneWhile there was no Kevin Bacon sighting at Monday night's premiere of Paramount's "Footloose," the event turned into one of Westwood's livelier unspoolings. From the start of pic, where the audience could be heard singing along to the classic theme by Kenny Loggins to the finale when the theater was covered in confetti, the New Regency was as rockin' as any L.A. nightclub. That spirit carried over to the after-party at the Westwood W. Hotel, where the pic's Kenny Wormald was seen showing off his dance moves while Julianne Hough and Ryan Seacrest mingled with guests. Helmer Craig Brewer said he was very happy with the final product and added that when it came to the music, even with the southern setting, he wasn't afraid to mix up the soundtrack. "With the original, Paramount was a little worried about mixing so many genres, but that turned out great so I didn't see a reason to change it up for this version," Brewer explained. "You look at most kids today and they have 3,000 songs on their iPod and you go to any club and it usually can go from a rap song at one moment to a country song in the next. I really wanted that feeling to stay in the movie." Contact Justin Kroll at justin.kroll@variety.com

CSI Cheers Track Of Ted Danson

Ted Danson, Marg Helgenberger It's difficult to assume Mike Malone from Cheers requiring a maggot wrangler. "I have never witnessed anything enjoy it,Inch Ted Danson states. Despite silver hair, the Emmy-winning actor appears like a youngster who just drawn apart his first earthworm. "You are able to tell how lengthy an individual body continues to be rotting by how big the bugs moving inside!" And also the wrangler's got every variety. "It's incredible, before you think, 'Oh, God. We are speaking about dead people.'" Everybody's favorite TV barkeep is once more serving cold ones - but now he's zipping them inside body bags. The surprising new option to mind the Vegas crime lab on CSI brings an legendary face towards the world's most venerable procedural. Danson, sometimes known for Damages and Bored to Dying, gets control for Laurence Fishburne as CSI's leading guy in Season 12, and hopes to breathe some existence into the formerly top-ranked series. Relaxing in a celebration room dotted with grisly crime photos around the L.A. set, Danson states his greatest challenge is, "Just how can a man much like me, who searches for the pleasure in each and every situation, result in the transition towards the land of triple homicides?" He shrugs. "And, hey, I am additionally a hypochondriac and run from violence - we are speaking major stretch." A minimum of everyone knows his title. As new CSI supervisor D.B. Russell, Danson, 63, seems to possess moved forward nicely right into a cast as tightly knit every on television. Three of his new work pals - Marg Helgenberger (Catherine Willows), George Eads (Nick Stokes) and Paul Guilfoyle (Vegas police captain Jim Brass) - happen to be a part of CSI's cast for those 250-plus episodes. That meant Danson needed to work his charm before he showed up on set. "He known as me 2 or 3 occasions simply to say, 'Hey, what's going on?AInch Eads states. "I had been like, 'Not much. Um, who's this?' He's, like, 'It's Ted.' Time passes, 'Ted? Oh, Ted Danson! Sorry, guy. The way the heck are ya?'" (To help ingratiate themself, Danson has sprung for on-set massages along with a shaved-ice truck for that crew.) Helgenberger confesses she elevated an eyebrow when she heard he was visiting CSI. "You believe Ted Danson and also you mainly think comedy," she states. "But pretty rapidly, I stated, 'OK, yeah, which makes sense.'" Word around Hollywood after Fishburne's departure last summer time was that CBS would cast another intense actor. However with rankings flagging - the show finished at No. 30 last season among audiences age range 18 to 49 - the time had come for any reboot. "We wanted to return to the thrill from the first couple of seasons and Ted fits our needs exactly," states executive producer Carol Mendelsohn. "Getting Ted around cheers every scene and adds a much deeper emotional layer than we have observed in a long time.Inch Still, even Danson was surprised. He received the sale last summer time because he was waiting to determine a film in Martha's Winery, where he and the wife, actress Mary Steenburgen, possess a vacation house. Danson have been searching for methods to avoid traveling for work since he's grandchildren in L.A. A weekly gig with an established show would be a no-brainer. "The lights within the theater were heading down and so i did not have lengthy to react," he states. "My first thought was 'Wow.' My second thought was 'Yes!'" D.B. Russell is not like other CSIs. After blustery boss Gil Grissom (William Petersen) and divisive newbie Ray Langston (Fishburne), Russell appears like Mr. Happy. His gradually unfolding backstory is the fact that he's an old lit major and child of beatnik folk performers who involves Las vegas from Dallas together with his still unseen wife and four kids. "What we should love is the fact that Russell is unconventional and also at odds with authority, getting developed likely to peace rallies and sit-inches," Mendelsohn states. "But he's additionally a devoted family guy who grows fastest around the chaos from the lab because he's raising a lot of teens." To organize for that role, Danson travelled to Las vegas to witness a genuine autopsy, a minute he calls a spiritual experience. "I held a man's skull during my hands as the second guy scooped his brain out," he states. "It had been an amazing indication of methods valuable and fragile existence is. This kind of work can make you think about every moment you are alive." Afterwards the set, Danson and Helgenberger, in requisite rubber mitts, are dealing with a box of evidence within the CSI lab. The scene is perfect for an approaching episode known as "CSI Lower," and they are searching for clues to trace a murder suspect who just hi-jacked a medevac helicopter. Helgenberger appears as awesome because the steel table below her, but Danson is keyed up. He's flubbed a couple of takes and today really wants to open the scene mid-sentence to really make it feel more conversational. His agitation is helpful since Russell is eager to save CSI Morgan Brody (Elisabeth Harnois), who's aboard the helicopter. Two more takes and Danson nails it. "In comedy, you never need to say, 'OK, making this what we are likely to do,'" he states after. "Here, the dialogue is about lounging pipe for the following scene. It requires getting accustomed to.Inch Helgenberger is quick to protect him: "Ted's a professional. He already feels as though area of the fabric from the show." For additional on CSI, get this week's problem of TV Guide Magazine, on newsstands Thursday, October 6! Have to catch on the experience? CSI: Crime Scene Analysis: The Eleventh Months are available these days on DVD (Parmount Home Theatre). Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now! Tags: TV Guide Magazine, Breaking News

Lakers' Kobe Bryant to experience in Italia Throughout National basketball association Lockout

ROME (AP)-Italian club Virtus Bologna stated it's arrived at a verbal agreement with Kobe Bryant(notes) for that La Opposing team star to experience in Italia throughout the National basketball association lockout.our editor recommendsEndemol USA plans Kobe Bryant Web seriesKobe Bryant To Create His Movie Acting Debut in 'The Black Mamba' "We now have arrived at a fiscal deal," Virtus leader Claudio Sabatini told a nearby radio station. "There's still several things to set up but at this time I am very positive. I'd say it's 95 % done." You aren't understanding from the discussions told The Connected Press on Friday the sides have chosen a $3 million agreement for the outlet 40 times of an italian man , league season. The individual spoke on condition of anonymity since the deal has still not been signed. Bryant, who spent a lot of his childhood in Italia, was in the united states for sponsor looks in the last 2 days but was flying to the U.S. for labor talks using the National basketball association on Friday. Bryant is anticipated to obtain a work visa and go back to Italia in a few days. "Kobe ought to be in Bologna by Wednesday or Thursday together with his visa in hands for medical visits therefore we can deposit anything using the league," Sabatini stated. "I wish to make obvious that at this time you will find still no signatures. We have reached write anything, that will then be read again and again again." Virtus have been because of open the growing season March. 9 against Roma, but agendas now have to be reworked after Venezia was put into the league like a 17th team. The offer, which may allow Bryant revisit the Opposing team immediately when the lockout finishes, should last about 10 games. Sabatini wants to produce a special schedule that assigns Bryant's games to Italy's greatest arenas. "It is really an important investment along with a unique opportunity for the town of Bologna and every one of Italian basketball," Sabatini stated. "I am wishing everybody really wants to collaborate." The 33-year-old Bryant has 3 years and $83.5 million left on his contract using the Opposing team. Between your age range of six and 13, Bryant resided in Italia when his father Joe Bryant performed with Rieti, Reggio Calabria, Pistoia and Reggiana from 1984-91. The elder Bryant also once possessed a small sector of Olimpia Milano. Lucrative coaches the La Sparks within the WNBA. The more youthful Bryant still talks Italian fairly well, and talked about his reminiscences of his time in the united states throughout a job interview using the Gazzetta dello Sport on friday. "Italia is home. It's where my imagine playing within the National basketball association began. This is when I learned the basic principles, learned to shoot, to pass through and also to (move) with no ball," Bryant told an italian man , newspaper. "Everything that after I returned to America the gamers my maturity did not understand how to do simply because they were only considering jumping and dunking." Bryant added that playing in Italia "will be a dream for me personally.Inch Bryant continues to be bothered in recent seasons by an arthritic joint in the right knee, that has needed several minor procedures. He sitting out most the Lakers' practices last season and saw his scoring, shooting percentage and minutes reduction in his 15th National basketball association season. Former USC guard Daniel Hackett, a dual citizen who plays for Pesaro in Italia, stated he'd give Bryant a hostile reception if he faced the first kind National basketball association MVP. "The only method to stop a person so good is by using a tough foul and that he recognizes that,Inch Hackett stated. "I have got five fouls to commit and they are the toughest five fouls I have ever committed." Hackett also belittled speculation that Bologna will request opposing clubs hosting Bryant's away games to nick inside a part of ticket sales to assist pay Bryant's salary. "I am hoping Kobe does not lower themself for this level for economic and commercial motives," Hackett stated, based on the Gazzetta. "In my experience, it might be a large disappointment to determine him here under these conditions, along with a lack of respect for any player who's too large to dirty his hands within this league." Bologna leader Sabatini responded, "Fortunately not every Italian gamers think like Hackett." Turkish club Besiktas and a minimum of one team in China had also expressed curiosity about Bryant, that has won five National basketball association titles and been an exciting-Star 13 occasions. Bologna also lately contacted Spurs swingman Manu Ginobili(notes), who performed using the club before joining San Antonio in 2002. Colorado Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari(notes) rejoined his former Italian club Olimpia Milano a week ago. The National basketball association months are scheduled to spread out November. 1 but proprietors and gamers have unsuccessful to agree with a brand new labor deal. The 2 sides are in odds over how you can divide the league's revenue, an income cap structure and the size of guaranteed contracts. A week ago, National basketball association authorities introduced the postponement of coaching camping and also the cancellation of 43 preseason games. Virtus has won 15 Italian league game titles but none of them since 2001, if this also won the Euroleague for that second time. Bologna didn't be eligible for a this season's Euroleague, even though team has large ambitions after signing former Clemson point guard Terrell McIntyre, who brought Siena to four consecutive Italian game titles before moving to Malaga in The country before last season. Getting mingled with fans in Milan on Wednesday, Bryant also received a warm welcome in Rome on Thursday, where he was introduced towards the Campidoglio museum obtain a commemorative medal in the 1960 Rome Olympic games. Related Subjects Worldwide Kobe Bryant

CBS Films Chief Amy Baer Exits Publish

Kevin Winter/Getty Images CBS Films leader-CEOAmy Baerwill leave her publish within the finish of October and transition in to a creating role. Her new deal remains hammered out. We are not set to switch Baer inside the top slot an insider in the organization signifies the comfort in the current executive crew -- COOWolfgang Hammer, purchases chiefScott Shoomanand distribution headSteven Friedlander--will remain in position and run the show for your expected future. Baer prepares to exit her leadership role carrying out a string of productions that met only middling success, includingExtraordinary Measures,The Trunk-Up Plan,Faster,The Car specialist andBeastly. PHOTOS: Next Gen 2010: Hollywood's Youthful Guns Forthcoming releases are the acquisitionsThe Lady in BlackandSalmon Fishing inside the Yemen, that the organization acquired within the Toronto film festival.TheCoen Bros.-pennedGambit, starringColin Firth, andAmerican Assassin, whichEd Zwickis co-writing and pointing, may also be round the future slate. The insider states the organization still expects release a 4 to 5 films every year, split evenly between homegrown productions and purchases. "We thank Amy on her behalf normal part in building CBS Films," mentioned CBS Corporation leader and CEOLeslie Moonves, who launched the division with Baer in 2007."Continue, we remain fully dedicated to the division's focus on a particular slate of smart purchases and quality homegrown productions in many genres. CBS Films is small inside the overall size and scope within our company, but is constantly fit nicely while using Corporation's premium content strategy." Amy Baer CBS Films

Netflix nabs DreamWorks, Amazon . com . com signs Fox

After taking numerous body blows following its decision to hike costs and split its streaming and DVD methods, Netflix is rallying back, announcing a groundbreaking agreement creating exclusive first-run rights for with DreamWorks Animations' movies and tv special deals. Amazon . com . com, meanwhile, responded having a completely new partnership due to its very own streaming service, getting 2,000 Fox films and tv episodes to its Amazon . com . com Prime Instant Video program. The moves both signal the growing importance (and competitive character) in the streaming market. Netflix has extended thought streaming may be the way ahead for home video delivery and developed the cafeteria-style delivery method. Amazon . com . com will be a latecomer for the market, but by pairing free streaming having its premium membership program (which includes free two-day shipping), the business has began to produce an impact.The Netflix/DreamWorks partnership will begin in 2013. (Current partner Cinemax made the decision release a DreamWorks in the current contract couple of years early.) The move will place the organization directly rivaling pay cable channels and signifies the first time a studio has chosen for Web streaming pay an excessive amount of television. ''This arrangement allows us to obtain additional value for that content while giving us a much better flexibility in the manner we distribute it across multiple platforms in current day altering digital world,'' mentioned Jeffrey Katzenberg, Boss of DreamWorks Animation.DreamWorks Animation has three releases slated for 2013: ''The Croods,'' ''Turbo'' and ''Peabody and Sherman''. Catalog game game titles, for instance ''Kung Fu Panda'' and ''MegaMind,'' will finish up provided with time, the companies mentioned.The worth and entire partnership were not introduced. Amazon's deal with Fox might help fill some noticeable gaps, adding fare for instance ''The X-Files,'' ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer,'' ''24'' and ''Arrested Development'' for the Amazon . com . com Prime selection. Netflix is constantly on the stream people shows, but Amazon . com . com will convince add a few exclusives, for instance ''The Question Years''. ''Since beginning taken, we've bending the quantity of game game titles accessible in Prime instant videos, and there's still more later on,'' mentioned Amazon . com . com Boss Rob Bezos. Amazon . com . com remains striking handles several new companies in recent several days, most recently adding NBCUniversal Domestic TV Distribution (and game game titles for instance ''Eternal Sunshine in the Spotless Mind,'' ''Elizabeth,'' and ''Gosford Park'') in the finish of the summer time.Prime Instant Video can be a streaming service the business proposes to people of the Amazon . com . com Prime service. People pay $79 every year totally free two-day shipping together with the free video. Even if they never take full advantage of that after, the monthly cost with this particular streaming service computes to $6.50 monthly, $1.50 under Netflix's least pricey service.Netflix and Amazon . com . com will be the leading companies inside the streaming space at this time around, but plenty of rivals are directly in it. Apple, Walmart-possessed Vudu and Dish Network (which the other day introduced a Blockbuster-high quality streaming service for clients to its satellite options) are directly in it. Content companies are reaping helpful benefits out of this competition and settling reasonably limited cost for partners. Netflix partner Starz, providing you with streaming rights for Disney and also the new the new sony films, walked in the table with Netflix captured when the two companies were not able to to barter their deal. The partnership is predicted to dissolve next February. Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com