Nick greenlights standup series

Preparing because of its NickMom comedy block that scheduled to produce this fall, Nickelodeon has given a 26-episode to a standup comedy series and moved several projects into development."NickMom Evening Out" will offer you parent-oriented laughs from such comics as Judy Gold and Corey Kahaney. Overall, a lot more than 50 projects in development have been in development for NickMom, that will air on Nick Junior. from 9-11 p.m. seven nights per week. Manley & Manley and Target have became a member of General Mills and Reckitt Benckiser (who signed on this year) as sponsors for that ad-supported block (as opposed to the ad-free content normally on Nick Junior.)NickMom's gestating projects include: a sketch/talk series with Caroline Rhea and Emily Cohen starring and professional creating. "It's Night time with Annabelle Gurwitch," a mother-oriented talkshow which Gurwitch is hosting and professional creating with Elyse Roth ("The Daily Show with Jon Stewart") "The fifth Hour," a scripted comedy that will feature comics as people of the morning news show, professional created by Madeleine Smithberg ("The Daily Show"), Sarah North and Jordan Tilzer. "The Judi & Kate Show," with real-existence mother video writers, professional created by Coolfire Prods. "Mother Double," a reveal that rewards moms with extra help throughout the house, professional created by Magda Liolis and Eileen Braun. "Oblivious," a trivia gameshow for naive participants, professional created by Scott Stone. "My 63 Moms." by which comic Andrea Rosen travels the nation to understand everything she will about being a parent, professional created by Rosen, Linda Schaeffer and Barbara Kanowitz Small. "Road Mamas," a real possibility series around three comedian moms and eight kids in a single RV, professional created by Chris Debeic and Triternal Galleries. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com

Bryan Cranston Heading to Modern Family

Bryan Cranston Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston will take a break from cooking up meth onscreen to visit a kinder, gentler life. Check out the rest of today's news The Emmy winner will visit Modern Family, but not as a friend of the Pritchetts or Dunphys - in fact, he won't even be a guest star, TV Line reports. Turns out Cranston will direct an episode of the ABC sitcom. Cranston has previous directing experience, both on the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, in which he played the series' patriarch, and on two episodes of AMC's Breaking Bad.

'Geronimo' adds thesp quartet

Anson Mount, Cam Gigandet, Freddy Rodriguez and Bill Fichtner round from the cast of "Code Title: Geronimo," John Stockwell's actioner about Osama bin Laden's killing. Tony Mark and Current Pictures ("The Hurt Locker") are creating. Script's compiled by Kendall Lampkin. Mount stars being an agile and assured person in SEAL Team Six. Kathleen Robertson is representing an eager CIA situation officer devoted to her job. Geronimo was the code reputation for the operation that sent two groups of Navy Closes into Pakistan to search and kill bin Laden. Shooting started now in Boise State Broncos. Mount's charge on AMC's "Hell on Wheels" and stars in Lionsgate's approaching "Safe" with Jason Statham. He's repped by Innovative Artists and manager Emily Gerson Saines at Brookside Artists Management. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Friday B.O. goes 'Grey'

'The Grey'Yesterday's bow for "The Grey" was anything but drab as the Open Road opener grossed $6.5 million from the domestic B.O.Pic is the second release from the fledgling distribbery after "Killer Elite," which cumed $25 million domestically last year. "Grey" will likely make between $16 million and $18 million through Sunday.Both of the frame's other two openers paired with online coupon merchants in hopes of a B.O. boost, and Lionsgate's "One for the Money" got just that. Despite modest midweek interest, sales boosted by Groupon participation bumped the Katherine Heigl-starrer to second place with $4.1 million Friday and full weekend estimates in the mid-teens.It is hard to say, however, how much of that coin Lionsgate will actually receive. One insider suggested "Money's" $6 coupon rate, which goes wholly to the exhibitor, is being added to weekend estimates at full-price ticket costs, artificially inflating the film's reported gross.Summit, conversely, sold tickets through Livingsocial and earned $2.5 million for fifth place yesterday. The mini-major, recently acquired by Lionsgate which is distributing a direct competitor this frame, is anticipating around $7.5 million for the weekend.Holdovers comprised the rest of the big players. Sony/Screen Gems' "Underworld Awakening" earned $3.4 million for third, followed by Fox's "Red Tails" with $2.8 million yesterday. Pics have cumed $36 million and $26 million Stateside, respectively. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter' Is 'Mind-Blowing,' Says Mary Elizabeth Winstead

In MTV News' recent visit to the set of "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," we learned that the movie will be anything but a traditional look back at the life of our 16th president. Most biopics about Lincoln don't involve Honest Abe utilizing his own custom form of axe-centered martial arts. "It's a very unique take," Mary Elizabeth Winstead told MTV News at the Sundance Film Festival, in what may be the biggest understatement in movies this year. We caught up with Winstead, who was in Park City for her new movie "Smashed," to talk about playing the woman behind the presidential undead killer, Mary Todd Lincoln. Unfortunately for the actress, her role as Mary Todd doesn't involve much axe-throwing. "I'm kind of on the sidelines, but I'm very suspicious of my husband's [actions] and what's going on in his life," she said. "I know that he's hiding something from me. You sort of see me piecing things together." "Vampire Hunter" comes out of the twisted minds of author Seth Grahame-Smith and the film's director Timur Bekmabetov. Having not seen the finished product yet, Winstead couldn't even begin to explain what we'll all see when the movie opens in June. "I honestly have no idea what to expect, even though I'm in the movie," she said. "It's really hard to promote in a way because I haven't seen it, but I know it's going to be just mind-blowing. It's not something I can really visualize myself, because it's so unique to him visually." Are you looking forward to seeing "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter"? Let us know in the comments below and on Twitter!

Era dates for 'Mirror,' 'Expecting'

Relativity Media and Lionsgate made slight date changes Thursday to particular female-specific game titles "Mirror Mirror" and "What to anticipate When You are Expecting.""Mirror Mirror," initially slotted for any March 16 release, moved back two days to March 30, while early summer time title "What to anticipateInch knocked back per week to May 18.In the new date, "Mirror Mirror," Relativity's undertake the Snow Whitened story, will bow alongside Warner Bros.' "Wrath from the Leaders." Meanwhile, "What to anticipate,Inch according to author Heidi Murkoff's pregnancy tome, now faces Universal's large-budget male-driven pic "Battleship."Date changes should position each pic as hopeful female counterprogramming. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com

ROLL CALL: Zac Efron & Taylor Swift Getting Flirty?

First Published: January 20, 2012 2:22 PM EST Credit: Getty Premium Caption Taylor Swift and Zac Efron attend the 2011 Peoples Choice Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles on January 5, 2011LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Your Daily Dispatch of Celebrity Shenanigans Flirty Or Just Friends?: Taylor Swift has been linked to Joe Jonas, Taylor Lautner and Jake Gyllenhaal but is Zac Efron next? Us Weekly reports that the pair had a flirty dinner earlier this month at Los Angeles Pace. They were reportedly deep in conversation and very giggly. But a source close to Swift says The Lorax co-stars are just friends. They were in L.A. doing press stuff together, and after they were done, they decided to grab dinner, the source told the mag. And a Zac source added, They have been friends a long time. If they ever do decided to date, were onboard! Katy Unfollows Russell: In what may be the ultimate online slam, Katy Perry has unfollowed estranged husband Russell Brand on Twitter. Russel however, is still following Katys Tweets. #divorcesucks Rihanna Continues To Show The Skin: Just a day after Rihanna showed off some skin while on an elliptical machine (which she Tweeted to Khloe Kardashian), the singer was spotted in just a bikini in Hawaii while enjoying some time on a paddle board. CLICK HERE to enjoy a whole lot of RiRi! In Case You Missed This Cuteness!: Well end the week with Roll Calls The Cuteness Thing Weve Seen All Week Award and it goes to Sandra Bullock and son Louis. Just try not to smile when you look at THIS! - By Jesse Spero Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.