LOS ANGELES, April 30 (UPI) -- U.S. comedian Conan O'Brien says he is "doing great" after being ousted as host of "The Tonight Show" in January.
NBC booted Jay Leno as host of "Tonight" at the end of last season and gave the position to O'Brien -- then the host of "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" -- to keep O'Brien from moving to another network. NBC then offered Leno a nightly, hourlong 10 p.m. series.
But when the prime time "Jay Leno Show" failed to be a strong lead-in for local news broadcasts, NBC announced it would push Leno's show back to 11:35 p.m., shorten it to 30 minutes and air "Tonight" at 12:05 a.m. However, O'Brien said he would not remain on "Tonight" if it was bumped to 12:05 a.m. and left the network, paving the way for Leno's return as "Tonight" host.
O'Brien recently announced plans to star in a new late-night chat show on TBS next fall.
"I'm fine; I'm doing great," The New York Times quoted O'Brien as telling CBS's "60 Minutes" in an interview to air Sunday.
The interview is O'Brien's first since leaving "Tonight" and the air date is in keeping with the comedian's exit deal with NBC, which forbade him to appear on TV in any form until after May 1.
The Times said O'Brien suggested in the interview that he wouldn't have done what Leno did if he was in Leno's position.
"If I had surrendered 'The Tonight Show' and handed it over to somebody publicly and wished them well and then ... six months later ...," O'Brien said.
"But that's me, you know... Everyone's got their own, you know, way of doing things," O'Brien said. "He went and took that show back and I think in a similar situation, if roles had been reversed, I know -- I know me, I wouldn't have done that."
O'Brien also acknowledged to "60 Minutes" that he had signed an agreement preventing him from making disparaging remarks about NBC or Leno to the media, The Times said.
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Thursday, May 6, 2010
A Squared (A(2)) Entertainment and AOL to Debut New Animated Series and Web Site for Kids Featuring Financial Legend Warren Buffett
LOS ANGELES, Apr 30, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Kicking off this year's annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting on May 1, A(2) Entertainment will premiere "Secret Millionaire's Club," a new animated series inspired by the teachings of Warren Buffett. Created in partnership by A(2) and AOL, the series teaches kids financial literacy through a series of webisodes, online games and other activities. A television series is also in development.
Buffett, who lends his voice to his character, plays the mentor to a group of kids who learn about business and how the world around them works through Buffett's teachings. Together, they explore concepts such as supply and demand, the importance of location, pursuing your dreams, learning to question and listen, the difference between looking versus seeing, understanding the best investment you can make is in yourself, and more.
"Secret Millionaire's Club" was created by A(2) and co-produced with Xing Xing, a digital animation studio in Beijing, China. AOL created and developed SMCKids.com, in partnership with Area 17 and MGX, where the 26 weekly webisodes series produced by A(2) Entertainment will live. Along with the webisodes, SMCKids.com will offer a dynamic online experience with games, a Buffett Bucks rewards program, and other activities. Kids will also have the opportunity to interact directly with Buffett via the "Ask Warren" feature. In addition, GetFugu, a mobile development company, has created a complementary App providing a seamless connection between the "Secret Millionaire's Club's" online and mobile experience.
"I'm pleased to have the opportunity to share what financial knowledge I have with young people, and particularly pleased to premiere this new program at the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting," said Buffett. "It's important that children become knowledgeable about finances and understand the value of basic business skills. 'Secret Millionaire's Club' is an entertaining way to reach out to young people with these important life lessons."
"Secret Millionaire's Club" tells the story of four kids who save their community center by selling old baseball memorabilia that, unbeknownst to them, was worth millions. After paying off their creditors, the kids turn to Buffett to help them manage their newfound wealth. Acting as their mentor, an animated Buffett teaches the group about business and how the world around them works.
"It's an honor to premiere 'Secret Millionaire's Club' at Mr. Buffett's shareholder meeting in Omaha, Neb.," says Andy Heyward, CEO and co-founder of A(2) Entertainment. "Connecting with kids online and via their mobile phones is the perfect way to bring the 'Secret Millionaire's Club' to life, making it fun for kids to learn about business from one of the most successful thinkers of our time."
About A Squared (A(2)) Entertainment LLC
A Squared Entertainment (A(2)) is a full-service brand entertainment company that creates, produces, merchandises and distributes content across all channels: online, offline, on-air and at retail. The company's mission is to create meaningful entertainment for kids in various multi-media formats. Other series in development include "Gisele & the Green Team" with supermodel Gisele Bundchen, "Martha & Friends" with media mogul and business magnate Martha Stewart, and "Stan Lee & the Super Seven" with comic book legend Stan Lee.
About AOL
AOL Inc. /quotes/comstock/13*!aol/quotes/nls/aol (AOL 21.50, +0.37, +1.75%) is a leading global Web services company with an extensive suite of brands and offerings and a substantial worldwide audience. AOL's business spans online content, products and services that the company offers to consumers, publishers and advertisers. AOL is focused on attracting and engaging consumers and providing valuable online advertising services on both AOL's owned and operated properties and third-party websites. In addition, AOL operates one of the largest Internet subscription access services in the United States, which serves as a valuable distribution channel for AOL's consumer offerings.
SOURCE: A Squared (A2) Entertainment LLC
Buffett, who lends his voice to his character, plays the mentor to a group of kids who learn about business and how the world around them works through Buffett's teachings. Together, they explore concepts such as supply and demand, the importance of location, pursuing your dreams, learning to question and listen, the difference between looking versus seeing, understanding the best investment you can make is in yourself, and more.
"Secret Millionaire's Club" was created by A(2) and co-produced with Xing Xing, a digital animation studio in Beijing, China. AOL created and developed SMCKids.com, in partnership with Area 17 and MGX, where the 26 weekly webisodes series produced by A(2) Entertainment will live. Along with the webisodes, SMCKids.com will offer a dynamic online experience with games, a Buffett Bucks rewards program, and other activities. Kids will also have the opportunity to interact directly with Buffett via the "Ask Warren" feature. In addition, GetFugu, a mobile development company, has created a complementary App providing a seamless connection between the "Secret Millionaire's Club's" online and mobile experience.
"I'm pleased to have the opportunity to share what financial knowledge I have with young people, and particularly pleased to premiere this new program at the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting," said Buffett. "It's important that children become knowledgeable about finances and understand the value of basic business skills. 'Secret Millionaire's Club' is an entertaining way to reach out to young people with these important life lessons."
"Secret Millionaire's Club" tells the story of four kids who save their community center by selling old baseball memorabilia that, unbeknownst to them, was worth millions. After paying off their creditors, the kids turn to Buffett to help them manage their newfound wealth. Acting as their mentor, an animated Buffett teaches the group about business and how the world around them works.
"It's an honor to premiere 'Secret Millionaire's Club' at Mr. Buffett's shareholder meeting in Omaha, Neb.," says Andy Heyward, CEO and co-founder of A(2) Entertainment. "Connecting with kids online and via their mobile phones is the perfect way to bring the 'Secret Millionaire's Club' to life, making it fun for kids to learn about business from one of the most successful thinkers of our time."
About A Squared (A(2)) Entertainment LLC
A Squared Entertainment (A(2)) is a full-service brand entertainment company that creates, produces, merchandises and distributes content across all channels: online, offline, on-air and at retail. The company's mission is to create meaningful entertainment for kids in various multi-media formats. Other series in development include "Gisele & the Green Team" with supermodel Gisele Bundchen, "Martha & Friends" with media mogul and business magnate Martha Stewart, and "Stan Lee & the Super Seven" with comic book legend Stan Lee.
About AOL
AOL Inc. /quotes/comstock/13*!aol/quotes/nls/aol (AOL 21.50, +0.37, +1.75%) is a leading global Web services company with an extensive suite of brands and offerings and a substantial worldwide audience. AOL's business spans online content, products and services that the company offers to consumers, publishers and advertisers. AOL is focused on attracting and engaging consumers and providing valuable online advertising services on both AOL's owned and operated properties and third-party websites. In addition, AOL operates one of the largest Internet subscription access services in the United States, which serves as a valuable distribution channel for AOL's consumer offerings.
SOURCE: A Squared (A2) Entertainment LLC
Hollywood Casino(R) at Kansas Speedway(R) Gets a Green Flag as Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks Start of Construction
KANSAS CITY, Kan., Apr 30, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Kansas Entertainment, LLC, ("Kansas Entertainment") today commenced construction of Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway as Company representatives and local officials conducted a groundbreaking ceremony at Turn 2, the track-side site of the new facility.
Kansas Entertainment is a 50/50 joint venture of Penn Hollywood Kansas, Inc, a subsidiary of Penn National Gaming, Inc. /quotes/comstock/15*!penn/quotes/nls/penn (PENN 29.80, -0.62, -2.04%) and Kansas Speedway Development Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of International Speedway Corporation (ISCA: NASDAQ Global Select Market; ISCB: OTC Bulletin Board) ("ISC").
The following company representatives and local officials participated in today's groundbreaking ceremony:
-- Lesa France Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer of International Speedway Corporation;
-- Tim Wilmott, President and Chief Operating Officer of Penn National Gaming;
-- Troy Findley, Lieutenant Governor of Kansas;
-- William Falstad, Commissioner of the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission;
-- Ed Van Petten, Kansas Lottery Executive Director;
-- Jeff Boerger, President of Kansas Speedway Development Corporation; and,
-- Joe Reardon, Mayor of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County.
"We are fortunate to have built such strong relationships with our partners, Penn National Gaming, the State of Kansas, and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County. We share in their mutual vision to create a world-class destination for visitors and the community, anchored by a premier motorsports and entertainment facility," stated Ms. France Kennedy. "Through ongoing collaboration, we will continue to help generate sustainable economic growth for the region."
Mr. Wilmott added, "With the excellent cooperation of our partners and local officials and businesses, Kansas Entertainment is excited to conduct its groundbreaking today, just two and a half months after receiving final approvals for the project. Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway will be a premiere gaming and entertainment facility that contributes to and complements the local hotels, retail, dining and entertainment establishments in the Village West region. Both Penn National Gaming and ISC are committed to the long-term success of this destination resort, maximizing tourism, driving new tax revenue and attracting national media attention for the state of Kansas and our host community, Wyandotte County."
The first phase of Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway includes a state-of-the-art casino and is expected to open the first half of 2012 with capacity for 2,300 slot machines, 61 table games and 25 poker tables on a 100,000 square-foot gaming floor. Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway will also feature 28,000 square-feet of other amenities including restaurants, clubs and nightlife attractions. The addition of the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway is estimated to bring nearly 440,000 tourists per year and create over 1,000 full time positions; elevating the state to a first-class, year-round tourist destination.
About Penn National Gaming:
Penn National Gaming owns and operates gaming and racing facilities with a focus on slot machine entertainment. The Company presently operates nineteen facilities in fifteen jurisdictions, including Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ontario. In aggregate, Penn National's operated facilities feature over 26,300 gaming machines, approximately 400 table games, over 2,000 hotel rooms and over 959,000 square feet of gaming floor space.
In the second half of 2010, the Company plans to add table games to its facilities in West Virginia and Pennsylvania and expects to open the first video lottery terminal facility in the state of Maryland in Cecil County. Through a joint venture, Penn National is developing a full casino at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, which is anticipated to open in early 2012, and is also developing casinos in Toledo and Columbus, Ohio, with openings targeted for the second half of 2012. The Company recently announced its planned acquisition of Beulah Park in Ohio in a transaction expected to close in the second quarter of 2010.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may vary materially from expectations. Although Penn National Gaming, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively "Penn National") believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge of our business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from our expectations. Meaningful factors that could cause Penn National's actual results to differ from expectations include, but are not limited to, risks related to the following: our ability to maintain regulatory approvals for our existing businesses and to receive regulatory approvals for our new businesses; the passage of state, federal or local legislation that would expand, restrict, further tax, prevent or negatively impact operations (such as a smoking ban at any of our facilities) in the jurisdictions in which we do business or seek to do business; the activities of our competitors and the emergence of new competitors; construction factors, including delays, unexpected remediation costs, local opposition and increased cost of labor and materials; the costs and risks involved in the pursuit of those development opportunities; the availability and cost of financing; the effects of local and national economic, credit, capital market, housing, energy conditions on the economy in general and on the gaming and lodging industries in particular; and other factors as discussed in Penn National's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC. Penn National does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law.
About ISC:
International Speedway Corporation is a leading promoter of motorsports activities, currently promoting more than 100 racing events annually as well as numerous other motorsports-related activities. The Company owns and/or operates 13 of the nation's major motorsports entertainment facilities, including Daytona International Speedway in Florida (home of the DAYTONA 500(R)); Talladega Superspeedway(R) in Alabama; Michigan International Speedway(R) located outside Detroit; Richmond International Raceway(R) in Virginia; Auto Club Speedway of Southern California(SM) near Los Angeles; Kansas Speedway(R) in Kansas City, Kansas; Phoenix International Raceway(R) in Arizona; Chicagoland Speedway(R) and Route 66 Raceway(SM)near Chicago, Illinois; Homestead-Miami Speedway(SM) in Florida; Martinsville Speedway(R) in Virginia; Darlington Raceway(R) in South Carolina; and Watkins Glen International(R) in New York. In addition, ISC promotes major motorsports activities in Montreal, Quebec, through its subsidiary, Stock-Car Montreal, Inc.
The Company also owns and operates MRN(R) Radio, the nation's largest independent sports radio network; the Daytona 500 Experience(R), the "Ultimate Motorsports Attraction" in Daytona Beach, Florida, and official attraction of NASCAR(R); and Americrown Service Corporation(SM), a subsidiary that provides catering services, food and beverage concessions, and produces and markets motorsports-related merchandise. In addition, ISC has an indirect 50 percent interest in Motorsports Authentics(R), which markets and distributes motorsports-related merchandise licensed by certain competitors in NASCAR racing. For more information, visit the Company's Web site at www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com.
Statements made in this release that express International Speedway Corporation's or management's beliefs or expectations and which are not historical facts or which are applied prospectively are forward-looking statements. It is important to note that International Speedway's actual results could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such forward-looking statements. International Speedway's results could be impacted by risk factors, including, but not limited to, weather surrounding racing events, government regulations, economic conditions, consumer and corporate spending, military actions, air travel and national or local catastrophic events. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in International Speedway's SEC filings including, but not limited to, the 10-K and subsequent 10-Qs. Copies of those filings are available from International Speedway Corporation and the SEC. International Speedway Corporation undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be needed to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The inclusion of any statement in this release does not constitute an admission by International Speedway or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material
Kansas Entertainment is a 50/50 joint venture of Penn Hollywood Kansas, Inc, a subsidiary of Penn National Gaming, Inc. /quotes/comstock/15*!penn/quotes/nls/penn (PENN 29.80, -0.62, -2.04%) and Kansas Speedway Development Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of International Speedway Corporation (ISCA: NASDAQ Global Select Market; ISCB: OTC Bulletin Board) ("ISC").
The following company representatives and local officials participated in today's groundbreaking ceremony:
-- Lesa France Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer of International Speedway Corporation;
-- Tim Wilmott, President and Chief Operating Officer of Penn National Gaming;
-- Troy Findley, Lieutenant Governor of Kansas;
-- William Falstad, Commissioner of the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission;
-- Ed Van Petten, Kansas Lottery Executive Director;
-- Jeff Boerger, President of Kansas Speedway Development Corporation; and,
-- Joe Reardon, Mayor of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County.
"We are fortunate to have built such strong relationships with our partners, Penn National Gaming, the State of Kansas, and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County. We share in their mutual vision to create a world-class destination for visitors and the community, anchored by a premier motorsports and entertainment facility," stated Ms. France Kennedy. "Through ongoing collaboration, we will continue to help generate sustainable economic growth for the region."
Mr. Wilmott added, "With the excellent cooperation of our partners and local officials and businesses, Kansas Entertainment is excited to conduct its groundbreaking today, just two and a half months after receiving final approvals for the project. Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway will be a premiere gaming and entertainment facility that contributes to and complements the local hotels, retail, dining and entertainment establishments in the Village West region. Both Penn National Gaming and ISC are committed to the long-term success of this destination resort, maximizing tourism, driving new tax revenue and attracting national media attention for the state of Kansas and our host community, Wyandotte County."
The first phase of Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway includes a state-of-the-art casino and is expected to open the first half of 2012 with capacity for 2,300 slot machines, 61 table games and 25 poker tables on a 100,000 square-foot gaming floor. Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway will also feature 28,000 square-feet of other amenities including restaurants, clubs and nightlife attractions. The addition of the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway is estimated to bring nearly 440,000 tourists per year and create over 1,000 full time positions; elevating the state to a first-class, year-round tourist destination.
About Penn National Gaming:
Penn National Gaming owns and operates gaming and racing facilities with a focus on slot machine entertainment. The Company presently operates nineteen facilities in fifteen jurisdictions, including Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ontario. In aggregate, Penn National's operated facilities feature over 26,300 gaming machines, approximately 400 table games, over 2,000 hotel rooms and over 959,000 square feet of gaming floor space.
In the second half of 2010, the Company plans to add table games to its facilities in West Virginia and Pennsylvania and expects to open the first video lottery terminal facility in the state of Maryland in Cecil County. Through a joint venture, Penn National is developing a full casino at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, which is anticipated to open in early 2012, and is also developing casinos in Toledo and Columbus, Ohio, with openings targeted for the second half of 2012. The Company recently announced its planned acquisition of Beulah Park in Ohio in a transaction expected to close in the second quarter of 2010.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may vary materially from expectations. Although Penn National Gaming, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively "Penn National") believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge of our business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from our expectations. Meaningful factors that could cause Penn National's actual results to differ from expectations include, but are not limited to, risks related to the following: our ability to maintain regulatory approvals for our existing businesses and to receive regulatory approvals for our new businesses; the passage of state, federal or local legislation that would expand, restrict, further tax, prevent or negatively impact operations (such as a smoking ban at any of our facilities) in the jurisdictions in which we do business or seek to do business; the activities of our competitors and the emergence of new competitors; construction factors, including delays, unexpected remediation costs, local opposition and increased cost of labor and materials; the costs and risks involved in the pursuit of those development opportunities; the availability and cost of financing; the effects of local and national economic, credit, capital market, housing, energy conditions on the economy in general and on the gaming and lodging industries in particular; and other factors as discussed in Penn National's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC. Penn National does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law.
About ISC:
International Speedway Corporation is a leading promoter of motorsports activities, currently promoting more than 100 racing events annually as well as numerous other motorsports-related activities. The Company owns and/or operates 13 of the nation's major motorsports entertainment facilities, including Daytona International Speedway in Florida (home of the DAYTONA 500(R)); Talladega Superspeedway(R) in Alabama; Michigan International Speedway(R) located outside Detroit; Richmond International Raceway(R) in Virginia; Auto Club Speedway of Southern California(SM) near Los Angeles; Kansas Speedway(R) in Kansas City, Kansas; Phoenix International Raceway(R) in Arizona; Chicagoland Speedway(R) and Route 66 Raceway(SM)near Chicago, Illinois; Homestead-Miami Speedway(SM) in Florida; Martinsville Speedway(R) in Virginia; Darlington Raceway(R) in South Carolina; and Watkins Glen International(R) in New York. In addition, ISC promotes major motorsports activities in Montreal, Quebec, through its subsidiary, Stock-Car Montreal, Inc.
The Company also owns and operates MRN(R) Radio, the nation's largest independent sports radio network; the Daytona 500 Experience(R), the "Ultimate Motorsports Attraction" in Daytona Beach, Florida, and official attraction of NASCAR(R); and Americrown Service Corporation(SM), a subsidiary that provides catering services, food and beverage concessions, and produces and markets motorsports-related merchandise. In addition, ISC has an indirect 50 percent interest in Motorsports Authentics(R), which markets and distributes motorsports-related merchandise licensed by certain competitors in NASCAR racing. For more information, visit the Company's Web site at www.internationalspeedwaycorporation.com.
Statements made in this release that express International Speedway Corporation's or management's beliefs or expectations and which are not historical facts or which are applied prospectively are forward-looking statements. It is important to note that International Speedway's actual results could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such forward-looking statements. International Speedway's results could be impacted by risk factors, including, but not limited to, weather surrounding racing events, government regulations, economic conditions, consumer and corporate spending, military actions, air travel and national or local catastrophic events. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in International Speedway's SEC filings including, but not limited to, the 10-K and subsequent 10-Qs. Copies of those filings are available from International Speedway Corporation and the SEC. International Speedway Corporation undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be needed to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The inclusion of any statement in this release does not constitute an admission by International Speedway or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material
Entertainment Properties Trust Tops $45.79: Enters New Trading Range (EPR)
Entertainment Properties Trust traded in a range yesterday that spanned from a low of $44.33 to a high of $46.50. Yesterday's high of the day pierced the 3-day high of $45.79 on volume of 363,000 shares.
Shares of Entertainment Properties Trust have been range bound for the past 3-days between a high of $45.79 and a low of $43.84 and have traded with a 30-day average daily volume of 384,000 shares.
Look for shares of EPR to trade within a new higher trading range with support at $45.79 and move along with its piers in the REIT- Diversified SmarTrend industry.
SmarTrend is bullish on shares of Entertainment Properties Trust and our subscribers were alerted to Buy on December 14, 2009 at $34.44. The stock has risen 34.8% since the alert was issued.
Shares of Entertainment Properties Trust have been range bound for the past 3-days between a high of $45.79 and a low of $43.84 and have traded with a 30-day average daily volume of 384,000 shares.
Look for shares of EPR to trade within a new higher trading range with support at $45.79 and move along with its piers in the REIT- Diversified SmarTrend industry.
SmarTrend is bullish on shares of Entertainment Properties Trust and our subscribers were alerted to Buy on December 14, 2009 at $34.44. The stock has risen 34.8% since the alert was issued.
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