Syndicated sitcoms heat up in winter

'Two and a Half Men' remains the top syndie comedy. 'The Big Bang Theory' has seen ratings growth thanks to a slot on TBS. Dark days and cold nights bring Christmas ratings gifts to syndication, particularly in the access hour, with offnet sitcoms and evening gameshows benefiting from bigger TV audiences in the evening.Sitcoms, in particular, tend to grow in the winter, while most daytime shows remain stable. Warner Bros.' offnet rookie "The Big Bang Theory" premiered in September at an already healthy 4.5 live-plus-same-day national household rating, according to Nielsen. By the week ending Dec. 4, "Big Bang" already had added 37% more households to reach a 6.2, including its robust primetime run on TBS.That growth is expected to continue into February sweeps, when sitcoms tend to hit their stride. Warner Bros.' "Two and a Half Men" premiered in 2007 at a 3.3. By February 2008, it had grown 66% to a 5.5. Today, "Two and a Half Men" remains syndication's leading offnet sitcom at a 6.5, on par with its fifth-season syndication premiere in September. In second and third place, Twentieth's two strong contenders, "Family Guy" and "How I Met Your Mother," also have gained since September, with "Family Guy" adding 5% for a 4.2 and "Mother" improving 11% (3.6). "Mother" also has added a run on FX, which is boosting its numbers.The rest of the genre also is up or flat, with only two veteran shows -- Twentieth's "King of the Hill" and Carsey Werner's "That '70s Show" -- declining, off 5% and 15%, respectively. Sitcoms aren't the only shows that benefit from darker days. All of the gameshows are up, with CBS Television Distribution's "Wheel of Fortune" leading all of syndication at a 7.6, up 16% and a full ratings point from its September premiere of 6.6. CTD's "Jeopardy!" also has added viewers since September, growing 14% to a 6.2. Debmar-Mercury's "Family Feud," which airs predominantly in daytime and early fringe, is continuing its ratings rise, adding 11% for a 3.1. Disney-ABC's long-running daytime quizshow "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" is flat from its season start at a 2.5. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Eliza Dushku Talks The League, a Whitened Collar Return and What Really Matters to Her

Eliza Dushku She's fought Buffy, introduced it on making us wish to participate in the strangest doll house ever, therefore it is no surprise we can not get an adequate amount of Eliza Dushku. However for individuals individuals still not stylish towards the hotness that's Dushku, we are pleased to state that she's not only quite a face who are able to kick ass. She's additionally a funny lady - as proven by tonight's bawdy guest just right The League (10:30/9:30c, Forex) - a budding filmmaker, along with a philanthropist. Here, the multi-hyphenate fan fave talks about her latest foray in to the funny business of TV and what don't be surprised from her in next season.Television Guide Magazine: Just how did a pleasant girl as if you fall along with The League?Eliza Dushku: They known as, and Ron [Fox, her love] and that i had literally just viewed a lot of episodes we'd downloaded. It certainly is strange how that occurs. Something occurs your radar and so the phone rings. We are huge Curb fans, therefore we were acquainted with [executive producers] Shaun and Jackie Schaffer, plus I believe everyone knows I am a huge fan of sports. [Laughs]TV Guide Magazine: What have you think about the episodes you viewed?Dushku: I believe the show is really funny. I love the part-improv, part-scripted style, which isn't something I have ever really done.TV Guide Magazine: That needed to be considered a little intimidating.Dushku: It's! But, when you are doing the work with those who are so great in internet marketing...they reveal up, possess the outline from the scene ready and extremely deliver. The designers Shaun and Jackie take presctiption set every second assisting you with [all of this]. And So I think I had been more intimidated before I acquired there and recognized just how much they participate. Then you're able to just shoot a lot of things and also have the confidence that they may pick your very best stuff.TV Guide Magazine: What have they got you doing about this episode?Dushku: Kevin, who's performed by Stephen Rannazzisi, gets pressure from his wife, Jenny, to become more active and a lesser body fat ass, as she states. So she transmits him to some Krav Maga class, and that i take part in the instructor. He suspects that there's something not only teaching happening between themself and my character, but he can't tell in the beginning. Could it be Krav Maga or perhaps is she striking on him? It kind of gets worse when he takes this to his buddies to determine the things they think, only then do we discover what's really happening in the finish.TV Guide Magazine: Are you currently been trained in Krav Maga?Dushku: I'm not. However I am been trained in being physical. I'm able to have a guy lower. [Laughs]TV Guide Magazine: How can you look foward to comedy?Dushku: I really like it! Obviously, many people are more acquainted with me from Buffy and Doll house, and much more dramatic work. But Take It On is at there, and that i did Jay and Quiet Bob with Kevin Cruz. And it is always "the grass is eco-friendly." When you are carrying out a drama, you believe, "God, I wish to perform a comedy," and you do one and wish to make a move more dramatic. To change things up and make a move such as the League may be the ultimate.TV Guide Magazine: Can you consider doing another series?Dushku: After Doll house, I really shot a comedy pilot within the summer time which was in the producers of 2 . 5 Males. Which was if this was questionable whether that demonstrate would return, also it was this really, really fun pilot. Then 2 days prior to the upfronts, the photos of Chuck Lorre and Ashton Kutcher getting lunch together arrived on the scene also it was like 'ohhhh guy!' We thought maybe we'd get acquired, but CBS clearly filled that slot.TV Guide Magazine: I believe your Whitened Collar role the 2009 season because the Egyptologist was the very first time we had you like a outfitted-up developed.Dushku: Yeah, I had been a really outfitted up for the reason that, wasn't I? Individuals were my very own footwear, I must admit. I needed to bring my very own six-inch Prada pumps in to the mix. [Laughs]TV Guide Magazine: Any chance we may help you back on the program?Dushku: They've spoken in my experience about possibly returning. Which was a lot fun...and also the show is really great since it has that mixture of the dramatic and also the comedy into it. And That I love Matt Bomer. He is a friend because the Tru Calling days. Actually, I simply found an image of Matt and Zach Galifianakis from in older days plus they both seem like babies!TV Guide Magazine: What's next for you personally?Dushku: My buddy Nate and I've got a production company, and we've been employed by eight years on our Robert Mapplethorpe project. And also over individuals eight years, after i was consistently working, it had been really challenging it finished. So we are concentrating on might developing another feature which i will most likely act in, that is really exciting in my experience. It is a dramedy. And we are focusing on a documentary on Albania - I received my Albanian citizenship this summer time - we shot a unique that could are a series. It's kind of my love letter to Albania. I am attempting to broaden my portfolio, I suppose! [Laughs]TV Guide Magazine: And individuals are actually diverse.Dushku: Yeah, I understand! I am also dealing with my mother's NGO [non-governmental organization] too. She began an organization in Northern Uganda...she's 70-years-old and it has been teaching African politics for a lot of years, but it was really her first project and I am around the board. We are attempting to develop a center there for trauma, healing, reflection and also the rehab of former child soldiers and sufferers from the war in Uganda. This is a completely different world for me personally, but it is so awesome. I had been requested to talk at Harvard a couple of several weeks ago concerning the work we are doing there. I am certainly my mother's daughter, and that is part of my existence I never reached tap directly into a lot within the two decades I had been riding the acting factor. There's a great deal I wish to do and that i seem like I've an chance to get it done now but still remain in the acting world.TV Guide Magazine: It's nice to become in a stage inside your career where one can select the jobs for you to do, huh?Dushku: I am so grateful that I've been capable of getting offers and say "This can be a awesome piece, but it is not quite things i am searching to complete.Inch It's not easy, because areas of me go "Oh, I actually want to work." However, I'm focusing on like 15 various things that are members of the entire picture.TV Guide Magazine: Has Sarah Michelle Gellar hit you up for any guest just right Ringer?Dushku: She's this type of sweetie! You realize, the existence of focusing on a show, you are kind of in lockdown, and i believe she's succeeding using the show...but no, I've heard anything in regards to a place yet. [Laughs]TV Guide Magazine: Well you've been busy.Dushku: True. [Laughs] Oh, and that i began an offer on Crowdrise.com as a birthday gift this season, where we are attempting to raise money for Uganda. We simply added a YouTube video, too, because whenever we were in Uganda, we shot footage - a part of our program is applying film therapy where we provide the people there cameras. Rather than just taking videos, we now have them shoot their very own footage and tell their very own tales. We published a relevant video of a few of the trip around the Crowdrise page.TV Guide Magazine: Just when was your birthday?Dushku: December 30!TV Guide Magazine: Well this is a pretty awesome method to celebrate.Dushku: Many thanks!To lead to Eliza's campaign and assist the former child soldiers of Uganda, visit crowdrise.com.Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!

'The Five-Year Engagement' Trailer: Jason Segel and Emily Blunt Take a Long, Slow Walk Down the Aisle

Remember that first 'Muppets' teaser that looked like a generic studio rom-com, but made everyone laugh when they realized it was actually a spot for 'The Muppets'? It appears that movie has possibly been made with 'Muppets' star Jason Segel. In 'The Five-Year Engagement,' Tom (Segel) proposes to his British girlfriend Victoria (Emily Blunt). The good news? She says yes. The bad news? Hijinks ensue -- over and over again -- delaying the wedding for the titular five years. Yep, that's set-up for this one -- which Segel co-wrote with his 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' cohort Nicholas Stoller; as with that film, Stoller directs. Unfortunately, this trailer also follows the recent tradition of a trailer spoiling a movie before it's even out. Starring Segel, Blunt, Chris Pratt, Jacki Weaver and Alison Brie (with a British accent!), 'The Five-Year Engagement' hits theaters April 27, 2012. [via Yahoo!] [Photo: Universal] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

Zynga IPO Aims to Value Company at Lower-Than-Expected $10 Billion (Report)

NY - Zynga, the company behind such Facebook games as FarmVille, CityVille and Mafia Wars, is targeting a lower market valuation in its upcoming IPO than originally expected, Reuters reported.our editor recommendsZynga Executives to Start Pitching Investors on IPO Next Week (Report)Zynga Eyes November IPO (Report)Zynga to Trade on Nasdaq Given a still-rocky stock market, it said the social gaming firm is looking for a valuation of up to $10 billion, Reuters said. Other reports said it could be as low as $7 billion. When it originally filed for an IPO this summer, some predicted a $15 billion-$20 billion valuation. The company later mentioned a third-party estimate that put its value at $14.05 billion. Based on Wednesday closing prices, video game giant Activision Blizzard had a market capitalization of $14.2 billion. Electronic Arts was worth $7.7 billion. Zynga's IPO is expected to price its shares in mid-December at $8-$10 each, which would raise $900 million, Reuters reported. The company is set to launch a so-called road show to market its IPO on Monday. Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com Twitter: @georgszalai Related Topics Zynga

Seth MacFarlane Receives Two Grammy Nominations (Video)

Seth MacFarlanecan add another talent (musician) to his list.our editor recommends'Simpsons' and 'Beavis and Butthead' Creators Join Seth MacFarlane at His THR Cover Shoot (Video)VIDEO: Behind the Scenes of THR's 'Seth MacFarlane' Cover Shoot Seth MacFarlane: The Restless Mind of a Complicated CartoonistGrammy Nominations: Kanye West Tops With 7 Nods; Adele, Rihanna Among Album of Year Contenders The showrunner, who is behind Fox's multi-billion dollar animated empire, is now a two-time Grammy nominee. PHOTOS: 54th Annual Grammy Nominees MacFarlane, who only recently began trying his hand at writing music, was nominated in the Best Song Written For Visual Media category, with "Christmastime is Killing Us," which he co-wrote withRon JonesandDanny Smith. In an even bigger coup, the producer, who is currently overseeingAmerican Dad!,The Cleveland Show, an update of the classic animated seriesThe Flintstones, a revamp of the 1980s PBS seriesCosmos: A Space-Time Odyssey, an untitled animated series he's preparing to pitch, a feature film due out next summer calledTed, a recurring gig as Comedy Central's celebrity roast master (most recent victim: Charlie Sheen) and the series that made them all possible,Family Guy, was also nominated for his big band album Music Is Better Than Words. PHOTOS: From the Mind of Seth MacFarlane The debut album is nominated alongside musical heavyweightsTony Bennett,Barbra Streisand,Harry Connick Jr.andSusan Boylein the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album category. STORY: Seth MacFarlane Secretly Wants 'Family Guy' to End; Relaunch 'Star Trek' for TV The Hollywood Reporter's Oct. 21 cover story reported that when he set out to make the record withAmerican Dad!composerJoel McNeely, he had one goal in mind: to introduce others to the kind of music -- including many obscure songs from the 1940s, '50s and '60s -- he has been listening to and loving since he was a boy. In a nod to his idol, he recorded the vocals with the actual microphoneFrank Sinatraused on many of his classic albums. (According to McNeely, there's already talk of a brief East Coast tour this year and a desire to make a follow-up album.) "Seth is probably more knowledgeable about this music than anybody I've ever known," says McNeely, who has spent his career ensconced in that world. "If you name a song off of a particular album from that era, he'll be able to tell you not just who arranged it, but what studio it was recorded at, probably the year that it was recorded and who some of the players were. It's a little freaky." To read THR's MacFrarlane cover story in full, click here. Watch "Christmastime is Killing Us" below. PHOTO GALLERY: View Gallery Behind the Scenes With the Showrunners Grammy Awards Barbra Streisand Harry Connick Jr. Seth MacFarlane Tony Bennett The Cleveland Show American Dad Family Guy Susan Boyle Grammys 2012