'Up' opens No. 1 in U.S. theaters
LOS ANGELES, May 31 (UPI) -- "Up" was an opening weekend smash in U.S. theaters, Box Office Mojo said Sunday.
The animated movie about an elderly man who embarks on global exploration in his balloon-lifted house -- with Ed Asner providing the voice for 78-year-old Carl Fredrickson -- raked in at estimated $68.2 million in gate receipts. It knocked last weekend's top film, "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian," to No. 2 with $25.5 million in ticket sales.
Another new movie," Drag Me to Hell," directed by Sam Raimi, who also co-write the horror script with his brother, Ivan, pulled in an estimated $16.63 million in estimated sales, followed by "Terminator Salvation," which dropped two spots with $16.14 million.
"Star Trek" was No. 5 at $12.8 million.
Rounding out the top 10 were "Angels & Demons," $11.2 million; "Dance Flick," $4.9 million; "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," $3.9 million; "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past," $1.91 million; and "Obsessed," $665,000.
Gone from the top tier this weekend were "17 Again" and "Monsters Vs. Aliens," which has piled up $194.42 million in revenue since opening 10 weeks ago.
Judge says parents fed 'eco-fascination'
LOS ANGELES, May 31 (UPI) -- U.S. TV animator-writer Mike Judge says his fascination with using his TV creations to make fun of militant eco-friendly people stems from his upbringing.
The "Beavis and Butt-head" creator admits his parents played an integral role in the development of his "eco-fascination" that is apparent in jokes such as "Beavis" and his newest creation, ABC's "The Goode Family," The Boston Globe reported Sunday.
"I had very liberal parents," said Judge, 46. "Mostly my mom. When I was growing up in Albuquerque, (N.M.) she was into things like organic gardening."
Judge's sense of humor is readily apparent in "Goode" as characters routinely make environmental references such as "WWAGD … What Would Al Gore Do?"
While Judge is enjoying the premiere of his newest TV creation on ABC, he is also saying goodbye to one of his oldest works: "King of the Hill."
Judge told the Globe he feels it is an appropriate time for Fox to cancel "Hill," which premiered on the U.S. TV network in 1997.
"I think it's probably a good time to stop," Judge said. "It's been such a great run, and I'm pretty proud of it."
O'Brien cautious assuming 'Tonight' reins
BOSTON, May 31 (UPI) -- Comedian Conan O'Brien says he is attempting not to "over think" his new role as host of the hit U.S. TV talk show "The Tonight Show."
The Massachusetts-born comedian officially takes over for Jay Leno starting Monday.
"I think the biggest danger to me taking over 'The Tonight Show' -- and I've thought this since the beginning -- is over think," O'Brien told The Boston Globe.
The comedian, who is no stranger to late-night television thanks to NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," also recognizes how important it is for him to follow the TV legacy set by Leno and previous "Tonight Show" hosts Johnny Carson, Steve Allen and Jack Paar.
But O'Brien added the TV show's pedigree will not stop him from embracing the sillier portion of his trademark humor, the Globe reported Sunday.
"It's a venerated, beloved NBC franchise," O'Brien said of the show, which averages nearly 5 million viewers a night. "That doesn't mean I can't do silly things in that space, but the space itself should be beautiful."
'Guys Choice' honors Rourke as Guy of Year
LOS ANGELES, May 31 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Mickey Rourke, star of the 2008 movie "The Wrestler," was named Guy of the Year at the "Guys Choice" Awards, Spike TV said.
Rourke, 56, earned top guy honors, while fellow actor Clint Eastwood was given a Brass Balls Award Saturday night at the Sony Studios in Los Angeles, the U.S. cable network said in a news release.
The third annual Spike TV awards show also found Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James winning the event's Most Unstoppable award and actress Angelina Jolie recognized with a best Femme Fatale award.
Meanwhile, film producer Judd Apatow, known for such movies as "Superbad" and "Pineapple Express," received a Man Kind Award.
Other top winners included actress Halle Berry, who was given a Decade of Hotness award; "Borat" comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, presented the Funniest M.F. award; and singer Katy Perry, named Sexiest Siren.
Spike TV said the show also paid tribute to "Fight Club." The film's stars, Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, along with director David Fincher, helped induct the violent movie into the Guy Movie Hall of Fame.
