Kung Fu Panda Franchise Lands Rare Online Distribution Deal In China

DreamWorks Animation has agreed to a deal with leading Chinese Web TV company Youku.com that will see the studio’s Kung Fu Panda films debut on the site’s premium on-demand platform and then become available on its Hollywood Movie Channel after the pay window closes. The companies, who made the announcement today, said it is the first online distribution agreement for DWA films in China, where the first movie in the franchise was the No. 1 animated film in the market in 2008 and the second film last year became the fastest in history to pass 100 million yuan. The films, which were distributed by Paramount, are set in China, and DWA animators visited there to get inspiration for the movies’ environments, which take off on the nation’s traditional art and architecture. DWA becomes the latest U.S. studio to take a crack at the enticing Chinese market. Earlier this month, Thomas Tull’s Legendary Entertainment launched Hong Kong-based Legendary East, which will build a studio there and make movies with an eye on the China market; it’s first project is Ed Zwick’s The Great Wall. In addition, Relativity Media unveiled a strategic partnership with China’s Huaxia Film Distribution and SkyLand Film-Television Culture Development that includes forming the first U.S.-China distribution company.

Lady Gaga, Katy Perry Songs Blacklisted From Chinese Websites

Songs by Lady Gaga and Katy Perry are among the 100 tunes that China's ministry of culture banned from websites due to "poor taste" and "vulgar content." The government body has given music websites until Sept. 15 to remove the songs from their playlists or face prosecution, notes The Guardian. The decree also targets unregistered sites and illegally downloaded tunes. Six Lady Gaga songs were included in China's third annual list, which was released last week: "The Edge of Glory," "Hair," "Marry the Night," "Americano," "Judas" and "Bloody Mary." PHOTOS: Lady Gaga's Fashion Forward Style Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)" was nixed, presumably because of its theme of a night of druken partying that includes streaking, tossing back shots, and a menage a trois. The list is heavily comprised of pop songs from Taiwan and Hong Kong but Beyonce's "Run the World (Girls)," the Backstreet Boys' late '90s hit "I Want It That Way," Owl City's "Honey and the Bee," and Britney Spears' "Burning Up" did not make it past censors either. PHOTOS: VMAs Most Outrageous Red Carpet Fashion Chinese officials do not release criteria for songs included in its ban. The country did say when issuing its first list in 2009 that it was intended to ward off negative influences on young people, according to the Global Times. Tracks by Eminem, Christina Aguilera and Kylie Minogue were singled out by China's government in a sweep of illegal music downloads in April. Related Topics Beyonce Katy Perry Lady Gaga International Asia

Keck's Exclusives: Seinfeld Vet Heads to Harry's Law

Jason Alexander They don't often guest on other star's series (let's face it; they hardly need the cash!), but one of the Seinfeld quartet is doing just that this fall. Emmy winner Jason Alexander, eternally beloved as George Costanza, will appear on the fifth episode of Harry's Law's new season. Jason will play a public school teacher named Richard whohas been suspended from teaching after failing a student. Here's the peculiarity expected of a David E. Kelley case: The reason Richard gave his student, Zack, a big fat F is because the kid dared call Darwinism "a crock." Survival of the fittest? We'll see when Kathy Bates' formidable Harriet Korn takes the case to court. Season 2 of Harry's Law premieres Sept. 21 at 9 pm ET/PT on NBC. Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

MTV VMAs: Beyonce to Perform

Beyonce will perform live at Sunday's MTV Video Music Awards, the network announced Wednesday.our editor recommends'Hunger Games'' First Preview to Debut on MTV VMAsLil Wayne to Release Digital Album After MTV VMAs She's nominated for three Moonmen this year: Best Female Video, Best Choreography and Best Cinematography. VIDEOS: MTV VMAs: Video of the Year Nominees "Beyoncé has delivered some of the most legendary and memorable performances in VMA history, we are so excited she'll be returning to the VMA stage this year." says Amy Doyle, executive producer and EVP, music and talent at MTV. "Everyone will be talking about how she set the VMA stage on fire-yet again!" Will Ferrell, Jack Black, Zoe Saldana, Kevin Hart and Victoria Justice have also been added as presenters. Lady Gaga, Adele, Bruno Mars, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Pitbull, Ne-Yo and Young The Giant are among the previously announced performers. The 28th annual show airs live from L.A.'s Nokia Theater at 9 p.m. (tape delayed PT). Related Topics Beyonce Video Music Awards

Ryan Gosling Breaks Up a NYC Street Fight, Publicly Confirms His Awesomeness (VIDEO)

Heartthrob. Mouseketeer. Oscar nominee. Canadian sensation. Such are the many faces of Ryan Gosling, and now that we can add "role model" to the many things we love about him, our man-crush on the guy has grown to extraordinary new heights. As captured by a nearby New Yorker, two unidentified men were fighting over a painting in the middle of St. Mark's Place in Manhattan yesterday as spectators stood by and watched. Then, out of nowhere, Ryan Gosling walks by, drops his bags, and breaks up the fight by grabbing the two men by their collars. After chewing them out, he escorts them to the sidewalk while those on the street watched in awe as "That guy from 'The Notebook'" saved the day without thinking twice. It's one thing to read about it, so click through to see the footage of Gosling in action. Anyone can throw a punch, but it takes a real man to break up a fight. Ryan Gosling, our hero. So how would you react if Ryan Gosling broke up your fight? Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Former CBS News VP Lane Venardos Dies at 67

Award-winning producer Lane Venardos, who worked at CBS News for more than 30 years, has died at 67 after suffering a heart attack at his home in Maui, where he retired several years ago, on Friday night. Venardos played a key role in CBS News coverage of major events and breaking news starting in 1986, when he was named as executive producer of special events before beng promoted to deputy director, director and vice president of hard news and special events. "Lane was a wonderful and talented man who had a great gift: he had the ability to make everyone around him smile and laugh no matter what the circumstances," said Jeff Fager, CBS News chairman and executive producer of 60 Minutes."So many of us at CBS News loved him and we will miss him very much." He covered the events at China's Tiananmen Square in May 1989, telecast during CBS' Dallas, in which Chinese officials tried to shut down Venardos' satellite news operation. Venardos has also produced CBS News' coverage of the Persian Gulf War and has supervised coverage of world summits, Hirohito's funeral in 1989 and the meeting between the leaders of China and the Soviet Union in Beijing. Venardos was also the EP of CBS News' coverage of the political campaigns in 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1998. He produced the CBS News special about Lucille Ball's life, Lucy, which was broadcast on the day of her death, April 26, 1989. Venardos won an Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University award for 48 Hours on Crack Street, which served as a precursor for 48 Hours Mystery. Venardos has won 13 Emmy Awards for his work. Venardos was born June 20, 1944 in Alton, Ill., and was graduated from Southern Illinois State University in 1966 with a B.A. degree in business administration.He is survived by his wife, Karen, a brother, John, and four children: Kevin, Kimberly, Kelly Venardos-Ward and Kasey Venardos-Gilhuly. Related Topics Obituaries

Desperate Housewives De-Friends Jessica Hecht, Adds Andrea Parker

Andrea Parker, Jessica Hecht Less Than Perfect star Andrea Parker has been tapped to replace Friends alum Jessica Hecht in the final season of Desperate Housewives, TVLine.com reports. Hecht was originally cast to play the new girlfriend of Tom Scavo (Doug Savant), whose marriage with Lynette (Felicity Huffman) fell apart in Season 7. Talks between Hecht and the ABC series reportedly fell apart, so Parker will step in. Is Desperate Housewives on your Watchlist? Add it and your other favorites now and never miss an episode Parker, who will next appear in USA's Common Law, is one of many additions to the final season, including and V's Charles Mesure and Protector star Miguel Ferrer. Desperate Housewives returns Sunday, Sept. 25 at 9/8c on ABC.

New Footloose Trailer Boogies In

Cut loose. Etc.... We've had one teaser already, but with the release date now just a couple of months away, the new trailer for Craig Brewer's remake of Footloose has hit the web and can be watched below. Chances are by now that you know the plot, but just in case... Big city boy Ren MacCormack (Kenny Wormald) arrives from Boston to stay with family in the sleepy Southern small town of Bomont. There, he discovers that the residents have plastered over the open wound of kids dying in a tragic accident with a series of laws that ban public parties, drinking and, in particular dancing. Because we all know how dangerous the hot shoe shuffle can be. But Ren is not a lad to take no for an answer, and soon he's rousing the town's teens up to make the case for freedom, enjoyment and a little bit of the ol' bump 'n' grind. Well, line dancing, but you know it's basically the same thing. He also catches the eye of sexy reverend's daughter Ariel (Julianne Hough), which causes problems for the man of God (Dennis Quaid), who views Ren as a dangerous influence on his town and his family. What will happen? Whatever does happen involves crashing buses, angry dancing and town meetings. Footloose will kick off its Sunday shoes on October 14.