How USA Co-Presidents Will Move Beyond the 'Blue Skies' Programming (Q&A)

Spotify on Wednesday announced that it is launching Facebook-style apps that add certain features and functionality to its online music service.our editor recommendsSpotify to Launch Facebook-Style AppsGoogle Music Launch Unveils a Solid Competitor to Apple, Amazon, SpotifySpotify Boasts 458% Year-on-Year Revenue BoostSpotify: As Media Goes Gaga Over Launch, Pandora Stock FallsSpotify Usage Explodes After F8, Facebook Integration According to the company, developers can now create HTML 5 apps for Spotify. The apps announced included ones for THR's sister publication Billboard, Rolling Stone and Pitchfork as well as Songkick, a concert listings site, and TuneWiki, which that displays lyrics to a song as it's playing. PHOTOS: Apple Products in TV and Movies One app will display lyrics while a song plays, while another will generate a list of upcoming concerts by artists in a user's playlist and provide links that allow users to buy tickets. Stockholm-based Spotify's "app finder" is will include reviews from magazines and blogs that let users listen to albums as they read reviews. The apps will be free for paying and non-paying users. During the announcement in NY, CEO Daniel Ek touted the move as "bringing music to where it should have been." Meanwhile, the apps also could help differentiate Spotify amid growing competition from the likes of Google, Apple and Amazon.com. So what do the tech experts have to say about the announcement? CNET's Greg Sandoval was less than impressed. "Maybe because we're so used to the app platforms from iTunes, Android, and Facebook that Spotify's announcement today that it too is building such a platform doesn't inspire much awe," he wrote. "Or maybe it's because the new apps that the company demonstrated today at a press event here don't do much that's new." He also questioned" how much music fans care about new ways to interact with their music users will even be interested in the apps" as well as what motivation developers have "to build for the service when they won't be allowed to generate revenue from their wares like they can with iPhone or Android apps." STORY: Spotify to Launch Facebook-Style Apps Likewise, Gizmodo's Adrian Covert expected more from the announcement. "Many of these apps, only being developed in the past couple of weeks were minimal, and reps for each company promised more features in the near future," Covert wrote. "I'd definitely like to see more dynamic generation of lists and recommendations-- or even filters for general Spotify navigation -- based on a certain criteria unique to each sites content." On the other hand, Wired's Eliot Van Buskirk was more optimistic. "Ever since Spotify launched users have requested new features -- everything from 'DJ mode' to the ability to buy tickets," he wrote. "This strategy of outsourcing those new features to outside app developers makes a lot of sense from that point of view, because it allows Spotify to add a massive number of optional features that will be invisible to users who just want the vanilla version." He added: "Talk of [application programming interfaces mayseem like the stuff of technology wonkery, geekery or nerddom, but think about it: A kid coding away in a basement all night, anywhere in the world, can build apps within the most popular music subscription service in the world. Want to play your friends' Facebook preferences? Create a party playlist automatically based on the people attending? Tag songs to locations so that others can stumble across them? ... With Spotify's revamped API, and the ability to include the apps within Spotify itself, the sky is the limit." STORY: Spotify Boasts 458% Year-on-Year Revenue Boost TechCrunch's Josh Constine was similarly hopeful, writing that Spotify's "new integrations ... unlock the potential of its massive music catalogue." "The apps could inspire longer listening sessions that expose users to more ads, get them more attached to their paid accounts, and share more links that drive referral traffic from Facebook," he added. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Apple Products in TV and Movies Related Topics Facebook Spotify

Kate Gosselin Talks Facelift Rumors & If Shed Ever Do More TV With Jon Again

First Published: November 29, 2011 12:55 PM EST Credit: Access Hollywood Caption Kate Gosselin on Access Hollywood Live on November 29, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Kate Gosselin continues to brush off rumors of going under the knife recently and the former reality TV mom said she cant understand the public fascination with her appearance. I have no idea. Slow news day? she laughed, when asked by Billy Bush and Kit Hoover why she remains tabloid fodder on Tuesdays Access Hollywood Live. Honestly, I feel like it should go away and the rumors just keep getting more and more ridiculous. Im busy raising my kids and working and I honestly laughed at the facelift thing because I dont know any 36 year olds who have had a facelifts or need one. As for why some are suggesting her appearance has changed, Kate said it could be due to her new fitness regimen. Im running a marathon on Sunday Im running a lot of miles. Obviously your body is going to change and you lose a lot of weight. Im guessing thats what people are noticing, Kate said. My hair was parted differently? Different makeup artist that day? I mean, honestly Im 36! No, I have not had a facelift, she continued. People have too much time on their hands. POLL: Do You Think Kate Had More Work Done? Click here to vote! When it comes to her time in front of the cameras with her family, Kate whose new gig is as a blogger for CouponCabin.com said she does miss certain aspects (and perks) from her reality TV tenure. We all miss the adventures and the trips and the benefits. Theres definitely something missing in our lives and we miss the people that were behind the cameras, she said of herself and her kids. From a mom aspect, I miss being able to show my kids the world and do all of those adventures and I think that I miss the most convenient job in the whole wide world to get paid when someones coming in recording your home videos is still a dream come true and it worked that way. But would Kate who admitted she wants to further my career in TV ever step back in front of the cameras for a large payday if it meant her ex-husband, Jon, would be a part of the deal as well? You could offer me every last dollar on the planet. I dont work for money. Jon lives his own life now and I have a lot of peace in my life for me and the kids so Id have to say no, I cannot compromise my morals and standards to get paid a ridiculous amount of money, Kate explained. I dont feel like its healthy or beneficial for my kids to watch so theres no point. Ill never film another frame of TV with Jon again, she concluded. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Keck's Exclusives: NBC to Fete Betty White's 90th Birthday

Betty Whitened Invites are heading out for NBC's 90th special birthday for beloved TV icon Betty Whitened. The dinner-style event is anticipated to become shot in La before year's finish and can air like a special sometime near to Betty's milestone on The month of january 17, 2012. One of the famous faces prone to offer on-camera tributes: stars from Betty's series, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Hot in Cleveland, in addition to funny ladies in the NBC comedy selection. Furthermore, TV Land's Cleveland is planning a chapter focused on the birthday of Betty's character, Elka Ostrovsky. The special has been executive created by Kaira Lachman,Steve Ridgeway and Jon Macks, whose credits range from the Tonight Show, the Emmys and also the Oscars. NBC also offers a real possibility series located by Betty, entitled Off Their Rockers, that is waiting for an airdate. The series features seniors playing pranks on naive youngsters. Retirement clearly isn't a word within this active lady's vocabulary. Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!

OWN Extends Seasons for 'Our America With Lisa Ling,' 'Welcome to Sweetie Pie's'

Oprah Winfrey's OWN Network is extending the orders for two series: Our America With Lisa Ling and Welcome to Sweetie Pie's.our editor recommendsOprah Winfrey's OWN Network Orders Supermodel Docu-SeriesOWN Renews 'Our America With Lisa Ling' The network has picked up eight more episodes of Our America for a total of 16 episodes for the second season. Ten additional episodes have been ordered for the family docu-series Welcome to Sweetie Pie's for a total of 18 episodes for its rookie year. The announcement comes as the two series posted double-digit growth for a fifth straight week and a day after OWN picked up a Beverly Johnson docu-series. "The audience is finding and responding to these programs, and the ratings continue to build, which is a great testament to both shows," said Eric Logan, co-president of OWN. "Lisa fully immerses herself in every topic she covers and challenges us to think differently. Along with her team, she's created story-telling perfection," said Sheri Salata, co-president of OWN. "We've all fallen in love with the Montgomery family. You never know what they'll do or say next. We couldn't be more pleased viewers are tuning in to enjoy all the fun." Season to date, Our America, which covers challenging topics, has averaged 405,000 viewers on Sunday nights at 10 p.m. Welcome to Sweetie Pie's, airing Saturdays at 9 p.m., averages 388,000 viewers and hit a series high on Nov. 12 among women 25-54 with a 0.46 rating. It also is No. 2 among African American women in the 25-54 demo. The new episodes of Our America are currently in production and will air next spring. Production on Welcome to Sweetie Pie's additional episodes will begin in December to air in spring. Related Topics Oprah Winfrey

Occupy Wall Street Protesters Cautioned of Police Descent By Unlikely Celebrity

Questlove Questlove, drummer of the home band on Late Evening with Jimmy Fallon, cautioned Occupy Wall Street protesters from the impending police eviction via Twitter."Omg, drivin lower south st near #ows. Somethin bout to visit lower years old, swear I counted 1000 riot gear cops bout to drag sneak attack #carefulyall," he tweeted at 11:30 Monday evening.Browse the relaxation of present day newsThe drummer - also from the Grammy-winning band, The Roots - is really a Twitter celebrity in the own right, with 1.76 million fans. His ominous tweet was retweeted a lot more than 100 occasions, drawing the interest of protestors, a lot of whom doubted his message.Jimmy Fallon spoofs Bieber paternity suit with '(It Isn't My) Baby'At 12:39 a.m. he reiterated, "ok once more. South St in New york city. blocks from #OWS. saw a GANG (like a minimum of 500+ targeted up) waiting in line gettin ready for somethin."Because it switched out, police moved in on Zuccotti Park around an hour and twenty minutes after his initial tweet was sent.

NBCU wing taps marketing topper

NBCUniversal has drawn on John Shea to guide marketing initiatives at its Entertainment & Digital Systems and Integrated Media. Shea, that has just finished one fourth in the division since it's "CMO in residence," will require around the chief marketing officer title permanently and add professional v . p .. He reviews to division topper Lauren Zalaznick. It is the Integrated Media a part of that lengthy title which will keep Shea busy -- mix-brand initiatives Women at NBCU, Hispanics at NBCU, Healthy at NBCU and Eco-friendly is Universal will come under his oversight. An unconventional part of the hire is really a first-look deal for just about any content the professional produces. Shea's background includes creating top quality shorts series for MTV with Unilever and Verizon. The media initiatives, that NBCU produces bespoke ad campaigns across its television and digital qualities, happen to be most from the company's advertising strategy because it seeks to figure out ways to include its ad partners right into a media landscape which includes less and less traditional spots. Contact Mike Thielman at mike.thielman@variety.com

The Zone: Film Review

Capping off his "Full Moon" trilogy of recent releases, micro-budget filmmaker Joe Swanberg's The Zone world premiered at AFI Fest with little attendant fanfare, concluding a cinematic dialogue with his actors and audience that began with Silver Bullets and Art History, which debuted at Berlin earlier this year. Given Swanberg's well-established popularity with indie-leaning festivals, The Zone and its Full Moon counterparts will continue to appear on the circuit for as long as he decides it's advantageous to keep them in circulation. Plans to self-distribute on DVD through Factory 25 starting with fourth quarter 2011 as part of a limited edition subscription service rather than relying on usual partner IFC Films will avoid the risk of a disappointing theatrical release. Settling again into familiar, tiresome introspective mode, Swanberg plays himself as a filmmaker directing a trio of actors in a fraught relationship drama. Also depicting themselves are coupled twenty-somethings Larry (Lawrence Michael Levine) and Sophia (Sophia Takal), who share a tatty Brooklyn apartment with Kate (Kate Lyn Sheil) that they refer to as "The Zone." Joe's no-budget film (a nod to Pasolini's Teorema) about a visitor (filmmaker Kentucker Audley) who seduces each of the three residents in quick and unconvincing succession is unraveling, rent by jealousies among the intimate castmembers and his own self-doubts about his role as a filmmaker. The by now formulaic nested narrative structure yields little stylistic flair -- unless shooting a few scenes on a mobile phone can be considered imaginative -- with Swanberg relying on rudimentary lighting, uninspired camerawork and rote editing, pointlessly undercutting the otherwise serviceable hi-def format. All around, the acting is naturalistic and unremarkable to the point of almost contradicting the concept of performance. Despite his own frequent self-absorption and offhand creative process, Swanberg has forged a unique connection with his young, Caucasian, college-educated peers, many of whom face lives of increasingly diminished expectations both in his films as well as in real life, confronting a teetering economy and cratering job market. His direct depictions of youthful emotional turmoil, casual nudity and wary, semi-committed sexual activity are able to access a compelling authenticity few other contemporary filmmakers have been able to convincingly explore or replicate. Although collaborators may sometimes feel emotionally mistreated by is invasively inquisitive filmmaking style, Swanberg's willingness to publicly critique his own creative process on camera is an uncommon approach that most filmmakers don't have the nerve to attempt. The laid-back, low-fi productions comprising the Full Moon trilogy may seem almost deliberately provocative, but actually represent the unwinding of a conversation that Swanberg has been having with himself and his audience throughout the series and indeed during much of his career. Whether anyone other than a small circle of friends, fans and followers is still participating in his self-reflexive dialogue is questionable however. As a self-described "art film" director, Swanberg has set the bar remarkably high compared to the resources and creative vision he's been prepared to deploy in his films thus far. In examining issues of art, intimacy and desire, The Zone reveals that Swanberg appears less convinced than ever of his own effectiveness as a filmmaker within the limitations of the mumblecore format. Venue: AFI Fest Production company: Swanberry Productions Cast: Sophia Takal, Lawrence Michael Levine, Kate Lyn Sheil, Kentucker Audley, Joe Swanberg, Adam Wingard, Dustin Guy Defa Director/screenwriter/producer/editor: Joe Swanberg Directors of photography: Adam Wingard, Joe Swanberg, No Rating, 70 minutes AFI Fest

Andy Serkis Signs for 'Rise from the Planet from the Apes' Follow up

Nobody thought there will be a 'Rise from the Planet from the Apes' follow up. Hell, nobody wanted a 'Rise from the Planet from the Apes' follow up -- a minimum of, not to start with. Back on August. 4, each day prior to the movie was launched, the anticipation were not high then, apparently from nowhere, the film converted into a vital darling and made nearly half a billion dollars worldwide. Fast-toward three several weeks later and there is some not-so-surprising 'Apes' follow up updates. Deadline reviews that Andy Serkis is near to signing an offer to reprise his role as Caesar the ape. Serkis's participation is sensible there is even brief Oscar talk surrounding his portrayal from the primary character, that could continue. Deadline also reviews that Fox intentions of campaigning for which will be a breakthrough nomination. There's still no official word on which the follow up could be about, though director Rupert Wyatt has considered the thought of a 'Full Metal Jacket'-esque story. "Generation x of apes, individuals which have originate from our protagonists, possibly going in a conflict with humans and showing real fear, in the same manner as starting war for youthful soldiers within this era, telling their story," Wyatt told Bleeding Awesome. Serkis is visible next as Captain Haddock in 'The Adventures of Tintin' on 12 ,. 21. [via Deadline] [Photo: twentieth century Fox] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Oren Peli's Ghost Town Film Underway

But still no Area 51There's still no sign of the long-gestating Area 51, but Oren Peli's next film, an untitled nature-run-amok project, has just started shooting in Eastern Europe.Peli was behind the original no-budget Paranormal Activity, which emerged, blinking in the light of box office glory, in 2009, and spawned a succesful franchise that's still ongoing. Area 51 followed, but since then Peli has preferred to act as producer (James Wan's Insidious; Rob Zombie's Lords Of Salem; Barry Levinson's The Bay) and leave the megaphone in someone else's hands.That remains the case with this new film: reports back in May suggested Untitled would be Peli's third as director, but it now emerges that Bradley Parker, an FX man with credits on Let Me In and Fight Club, is behind the cameras.The film, which for reasons unknown has lost its original moniker of The Diary Of Lawson Oxford, involves a group of friends who get stranded in a town that's been abandoned for years following a nuclear disaster. Nature (and, by the sound of it, something un-natural) has taken hold in the meantime. Peli says it's "the kind of scary movie I know I'd happily stand in line to see."The cast so-far announced includesJonathan Sadowski (the 2009 Friday 13th), Devin Kelley (TV's The Chicago Code), Nathan Phillips (Wolf Creek), and singer Jesse McCartney.Last we heard, from Peli cohort Jason Blum, Area 51 is still an ongoing concern. "LikeParanormal Activity, we went back like fifty times for additional photography," Blum explained in June. "The great thing about doing extra shooting for inexpensive movies is that the cost is low, so we screen and shoot and screen and shoot..." There's still no release date.

Watercooler: The Good, the Bad and the Glee

Matthew Morrison Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's great, and sometimes it's infuriating. Whatever it is from week to week, Glee is always fun to watch...with others. Like drinking games, flash mobs and stonings, the musical is best enjoyed in groups, whether they're on your couch, phone or Twitter feed. When it soars - as it did with the episode before its baseball hiatus - we gather 'round to sing its praises, marvel at the "return to form" and express how much we all love the idea of Santana and Mercedes joining Shelby's group. When it's less than awesome, as it was last night, with those blah numbers and that gruelingly overplayed gag about Brittany's obsession with Irish exchange student Rory being a leprechaun, we run ourselves ragged clowning on the show, bouncing bashes off one another like a Sue-Burt showdown. But here's the thing: Good or bad, we'restill watching, tweeting, commenting and generally having a blast with the communal camaraderie. It's a rare series that can keep us entertained despite its flaws. Are there huge holes in the logic sometimes? Sure. Do we kind of hate Rachel, but love her voice? Sure, times a bazillion. And do we buy the idea of Quinn being able to get her baby back with a simple call to Child Services? Not for a second. Still, there remains an allure to Glee that is inescapable. It's the TV equivalent of a grab bag. You never know if you're gonna get the emotional thrill of the Artie-centric "Wheels," the dazzling stunt-theming of "The Power of Madonna" or the annoying Kurt-as-martyr spectacle of "Never Been Kissed." All we can really count on is that we're all gonna be talking about it. And really, isn't that half the fun of watching TV anyway? So talk to us in the comments below. What did you think of last night's Glee, and who do gab with when you're watching? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!