Sybil Jason dies at 83

Sybil Jason, a child actress during the 1930s who was meant to be Warner Bros.' answer to Shirley Temple, died Aug. 23 of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Northridge, Calif. She was 83. During the Depression, 20th Century Fox earned huge sums from Temple's pictures and from the sale of merchandise with her image, and an eager Jack Warner signed Jason after seeing her in 1935's "Barnacle Bill," the brunette moppet's first bigscreen effort. The South African-born Jason starred in a series of Warner films -- including "Little Big Shot," "The Singing Kid" and, with Pat O'Brien and Humphrey Bogart, "The Great O'Malley" (1937) -- that were much like Temple's pics at Fox without ever equaling their success. Warner Bros. did not renew her contract, but Fox signed her and cast her alongside Temple in "The Little Princess" and "The Blue Bird." The latter pic ended her career as a child actress in 1940 (a fan club devoted to her continued into the 21st century). Though there was a certain amount of tension, Jason and Temple became friends, which they remained until Jason's death, Jason's daughter, Toni Drake-Rossi, told the New York Times. Born Sybil Jacobson in Cape Town, the tyke started out dancing and doing impressions in performances with her uncle's orchestra in London. She weathered WWII back in South Africa; after the war she taught acting and acted on the stage in California. Her husband Anthony Drake, who wrote for radio, died in 2005. In addition to her daughter, Jason is survived by a grandson. Contact Variety Staff at news@variety.com

MTV Video Music Awards Winner Katy Perry: Firework Is a Movement (Video)

Katy Perry walked away from Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards a big winner with two trophies. In addition to the triumph of winning Video Of The Year for "Firework," she also won for Best Collaboration with Kanye West for "E.T."our editor recommendsMTV Video Music Awards: Tyler the Creator Still Hates Bruno Mars' Music (Video)MTV Video Music Awards: Lady Gaga Doesn't Break From Foul-Mouthed Drag King Act (Video)MTV Video Music Awards: Nicki Minaj Talks Her Upcoming Album (Video) PHOTOS: MTV VMAs: Best and Worst Moments "I was just shocked," Perry says backstage in the pressroom about her Video Of The Year Award. "Because there's a lot of great people in that category, especially Adele, who I love and is most deserving of anything, any nomination." "I felt like I was in the right place tonight, especially with that award," she continues. "We all know 'California Girls' is a great song, but it's not going to change the world or anything like that. But, 'Firework' to me, it feels like it's a movement. I feel like you can always sing songs about clubs and bub and b---hes and hos, but it takes a little bit more to sing songs like 'Firework.'" PHOTOS: MTV VMAs Red Carpet Perry's husband, actor and comedian Russell Brand, took the lead on the event's tribute to the late Amy Winehouse and Perry says, "I'm proud of him, whatever comes out of him." "I think he was right on," she then adds. "I think not only was he providing the beautiful color palette that Amy was, but he was also providing a realistic point of view, as well, and giving hope to anyone out there that felt like they needed hope. So, I felt like it was really well rounded and smart and that's why I married him, because he's smart. I learn a lot." She also spoke about the grueling tour she's on and her reasoning for the night's unique outfit choices. Watch the full interview below. Email: Jethro.Nededog@thr.com; Twitter:@TheRealJethro Related Topics Katy Perry Russell Brand Video Music Awards VMAs 2011

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'Don't Be Afraid of the Dark's' Katie Holmes Reveals What Scares Her

Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise were so afraid after screening her new film Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, they had to watch another movie before going to bed.our editor recommendsDon't Be Afraid of the Dark -- Film Review'Don't Be Afraid of the Dark' Trailer Scares! "I'm not sure what he watched. Maybe The Sound of Music?" jokes Holmes in an interview with Reuters to promote the movie, which hits theaters on Friday. PHOTOS: 'The Kennedys' Premiere Writer/director Guillermo del Toro interjects: "I think it was that Adam Sandler comedy, [You] Don't Mess With The Zohan.' Holmes says she likes "classic horror films. But I'm not a big slasher, gory type of horror film fan." Del Toro says he's proud that "the movies I've tried to produce, write and direct, I'm very proud to say as far as I can remember I've never written a female victim, a scream queen or a part like that. I always try to create very strong female characters, in many cases stronger than the guys. Certainly in Don't Be Afraid." PHOTOS: Emmy Nominations 2011: Snubs and Shockers Holmes also found a personal connection in the horror flick, in which she protects her daughter. She is mother to Suri, 5. "I think being a mom myself, when I read my character and I saw the journey she takes and how we see her make sacrifices for her child -- I think I didn't understand that until I became a mom," she says. "Just how much you love this person. You will do anything for that person, and you have strength you didn't know that you had, which is what I like about my character. So I think that being a mom definitely gave me much more insight to this character." PHOTOS: Summer Movie Guide So what scares Holmes and Del Toro? "People who like to take the wind out of your sail because there's a lot more they're doing. If they're doing that to your face then they're doing more. So that scares me more than, like, a monster," says Holmes. Jokes Del Toro, "Politicians -- a lot. They are so deranged, especially these days. And human pettiness. Oh my God that's scary. It's so horrifying. I've seen a UFO, and I've heard ghosts twice -- once in New Zealand and once in Mexico, but those are not the scariest things. The scary things are real things like every day." Related Topics Guillermo del Toro Katie Holmes Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

NCIS Exclusive First Look: Can Gibbs & Co. Trust Scott Wolf's FBI Agent?

NCIS NCIS' Season 9 premiere will focus on Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and his hunt for the person who's leaking NCIS intel. But it will also introduce a potentially recurring new character in Scott Wolf's FBI Agent Stratton.Fall Preview: Get scoop on all your favorite returning showsStratton is described as an agent who isn't quite what he appears to be. Namely, his nice-guy looks hide a man who can be powerful, cunning and dangerous when the need arises.So can he be trusted? Based on the exclusive first image from Season 9 below, it seems Gibbs (Mark Harmon) may be asking himself that very question."There are a lot of layers to the character of FBI Agent Stratton and I think we're all looking forward to seeing how things evolve," executive producer Gary Glasberg tells TVGuide.com.How (or if) Wolf's character may be connected to DiNozzo's mole hunt remains a mystery, but Glasberg promises answers - and, of course, more questions. "You're going to get the answer to who was in that photograph - and somebody's going to die," Glasberg teases. "[Tony's] mission sort of wraps itself up, but what happens at the end sort of opens up a whole other aspect to it that will carry us through the season."Is NCIS on your Watchlist? Add it and your other favorites now and never miss an episodeBut all the fireworks aren't just at the end of the episode. "I highly, highly recommend that [viewers] make sure to not miss the first five minutes of the episode, because it's going to start with a big bang," Glasberg says.NCIS returns Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 8/7c on CBS. Check out the exclusive image:

It's Official: Rev. Al Sharpton to Host 'PoliticsNation' at MSNBC

Mere days after MSNBC leader Phil Griffin told reporters that Rev.Al Sharpton "suits the MSNBC sensibility," the civil privileges activist has formally became a member of the cable network's roster of hosts.our editor recommendsAl Sharpton to produce Sunday-morning show'The Daily Show' Jams MSNBC for Misrepresenting Ron Perry, Maligning Leader Obama'Golden-Voiced Destitute Man' Lands MSNBC Gig The frequent cable news guest will host PoliticsNation, a nightly program which will air weeknights live at 6 pm eastern. This program, that will feature discussion at the time's head lines, will debut August. 29. STORY: MSNBC Professional States the Network Is Starting to 'Chip Away' at Fox "I have known Rev. Sharpton for more than ten years and also have tremendous respect for him. He happens to be our most thoughtful and entertaining visitors," stated Griffin inside a statement. "I am thrilled that he's now arrived at a place in the career where he's in a position to devote themself to hosting a nightly show." Adds Sharpton, that has subbed set for past MSNBC hosts and it has completed throughout the 6 pm time slot since June, "It's a natural extension of my existence work and growth. All of us study from our discomfort and operate from your tripping and something must either learn how to lean forward or fall backwards. I'm glad they've given me the chance to carry on my forward lean." STORY: Rachel Maddow Stretches MSNBC Contract (Exclusive) Earlier this year, Sharpton got a election of confidence from fellow MSNBC host Chris Matthews, who told the tv Experts Association he's done particularly well. "It matters in my experience who's on at 6 p.m., clearly, and that he has been doing very well to keep our audience and helping construct it towards 7 p.m. I am talking about, he isn't completely there yet, but when he will get the task, I believe he'd prosper.Inch Sharpton will keep his gig as host of the across the country syndicated radio reveal that broadcasts 5 days per week. Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com Twitter: @LaceyVRose Related Subjects Al Sharpton MSNBC

Google's TV redux?

Motorola XPRT Googles deal to get Motorola Mobility boosts questions regarding its ambitions to develop the set-top box business.Attaining a more powerful grasp from the wireless market might be the main motive behind Google's $12.5 billion purchase of Motorola Mobility Holdings, however the buyout's effect on the cable market is to not be undervalued. If Google does not finish up spinning off Motorola's settop-box business, the Mountain View, Calif., juggernaut come in prime position to tackle the television sector in ways that wasn't accomplished using its battling Google TV product. That might not have been immediately apparent Monday as Google place the focus squarely on the significance of acquiring patents and integrating its Android operating-system with Motorola's hardware holdings. All Boss Ray Page allows about set-tops arrived a vague mention of the what Motorola describes since it's "home" unit. Stated Page, "I believe there's an chance to accelerate innovation in your home business by working with the cable and telco industry once we undergo a transition to Ip address.Inch But exactly how just that "innovation" will get implemented might be greatly consequential, based on Serta Olds, an analyst with Gabriel Talking to Group. "This may be the tail that's wagging your dog,Inch Olds stated. "The set-top box is of greater importance to Google than anybody could anticipate." Motorola is among the greatest providers of set-top boxes worldwide, but that has not came to a distinction because of the cable industry has lengthy been belittled for saddling its customers having a low quality consumer experience. Google can enjoy a vital role in speeding up the industry's evolution to IP-connected boxes that may open a variety of options, including seamless internet access. This is an evolution that's already happening with MSOs like Comcast, which went public in the Cable Show in June with hybrid and IP-connected methods that it's presently experimentation. Nevertheless, cable operators might not be so excited through the prospect of Google getting its on the job the cable biz's infrastructure, especially because Google TV wasn't exactly a champion. No part of the product steered clear of critique, from the interface to its cost, that has been considerably reduced. Sales were so slow that recently among Google's partners, Logitech, says more and more people within the second quarter were coming back the merchandise than purchasing it. But Motorola could give Google full control to complete its vision for getting married to TV and also the Internet as opposed to the limited achieve that came through close ties. Google TV could become what Tivo grew to become with a operators, who started providing the service like a value-add option built-into existing boxes as opposed to a stand alone device battling to locate a place in living spaces already overloaded with a lot of products. But Motorola could finish up getting increasingly than simply a Trojan viruses equine for relaunching Google TV. A foothold within the family room could give Google the pipeline to push YouTube alongside existing multichannel packages when the right deals can be achieved with cable operators. Whether piping in YouTube as well as other video platforms like Hulu -- particularly if Google eventually ends up obtaining it -- the organization could empower MSOs to counter the benefit of cord-cutting by looking into making online-shipped content a part of monthly subscriptions. Google can also be situated to market specific advertising and measure viewership in ways more granular than Nielsen, that has been belittled because of its less-than-exact rankings system. "This is often a play a lot larger than just Google TV," stated Olds. "Bing is prepared to pursue the television market in additional ways than a single.Inch Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

'Real Housewives' Hits Road For Tour

Bravo today announced The Real Housewives Live Tour, which will feature a panel discussion and audience Q&As with different stars of the network's franchise as they dish about their shows and cast secrets in matinee and evening shows. Three cities are on the list: Atlantic City, Oct. 1; Chicago, Oct. 8; and Atlanta, Oct. 15. "Bravo viewers like to truly engage in the shows they are passionate about," said Ellen Stone, SVP Marketing at the network. We'll see pretty fast if she's right -- a live show is a big leap for a series that doesn't feature actual performances, a la Glee, American Idol or The Voice. Another leap: Tickets start at $49.50 and go up to $170 -- that price gets you the Red Carpet package, which includes an exclusive cocktail reception, a separate entrance and a red carpet walk, premier seating, and limited-edition tour laminate and matching lanyard.