Saul Zaentz Company Orders Extra Douche on Their Hobbit Deal

One of the production companies that bought the rights to Tolkien's franchise Saul Zaentz Company (SZC) have declared war on Earth.  As part of their contractual agreements, they own all property for goods and merchandise relating to The Hobbit.  Granted, New Line got anal about it with artists who weren't on commission by them when the first movie came out.  Dozens of artists, like Cincinnati-based Mike Makras (now retired), were sued or sent legal notices to cease and desist production art relating to Tolkien's world middle-earth.  Now, upon production of The Hobbit, the concern is again raised when SZC struck an all-time high of strict policies concerning their rights to The Hobbit materials.  Read on after the jump for more details and how small businesses are in danger from them.

Site of the Week 3/11/12-3/17/12: Bear McCreary's Blog

If you're the BEST kind of nerd, you LOVE Battlestar Galactica (BSG).  That's right, I'm going to say it.  And if you're the best kind of nerd, you LOVE the score to BSG from the genius mind of Bear McCreary.

Katrina Law on Spartacus' Mira

TV Guide recently interviewed Katrina Law on her role as Mira in Starz' Spartacus.  I get if you're not a fan, but the show is grounded in the historical realities of sensual fulfillment and brutal backstabbing (Get it?  Brutus?  Literally and figuratively backstabbing Caesar?) with rich characters, characters who also happen to be strong females.  I love the warrior women vibe the slave women always gave off, but it could never really come to fruition until now (though Ilythia always is ruthless in a different fashion).

Themed Music: Most Powerful Female Voices

Whitney Houston had an amazing voice, powerful and piercing.  She could rock out or sing the most emotional ballad.  She demonstrated her true artistic talent through her range, her inflection, and her personality.  Houston brought a whole new meaning and a whole new audience to Dolly's "I Will Always Love You" and, through that, she came to be known as one of the best vocalists in the industry worldwide.  Though I may not have been a fan of her music, I respected her voice.  As Maura O'Connell notes, the voice is an instrument with the ability to be used in many ways, something many don't think.  Oddly, men lack the powerful vocals in pop music that women own, many using their instruments to new and limitless levels.  Call me a sucker for women with powerhouse vocals, but I thought it fitting to highlight some of the most talented powerhouse vocals in the industry today, those that artfully master the craft.

Is this what Writers' Rooms look like?

Prentice Penny just tweeted a photo of the wonderful swag sent by Vienna Beef after the holla in a recent episode of Happy Endings.  Behind the interesting subject of the photo is what I noticed first...the drafting boards!!!  I wonder if this is how all writing boards look now.  I've seen some where they use notecards for plots, some where they have tables, but this one is one I've never seen.  Granted, I don't see a whole lot of writers' rooms, unfortunately.  I'd love to someday, but until then, I'm studying this (and trying to make sense of it for some damn spoilers)!

Review: Roses by The Cranberries

Roses marks the return of one of best bands to grace the rock scene, The Cranberries.  Their poignant sound, haunting and realistically harsh lyrics, and ethereal, provocative, unique vocals again see light in Roses.

Pilot Season: Bridget Regan and Ethan Embry

Regan in TNT's Hide

Bridget Regan may grace us with her wondrous acting, beauty, and overwhelming presence this fall on NBC.  Deadline reports that Regan has been cast on a pilot called The Frontier about a group of pioneers traveling out West from Missouri in 1840.  If picked up, the season will take us on their journey with ongoing drama and new obstacles.  (If anyone dies of dysentery I might laugh.)  Regan tweets, "I've just gotta say: such an exciting, adventurous script, such a beautiful role and will be riding horses (!!!!) Excited to say the least."