Bernie Madoff's Son, Wife Open Up to '60 Minutes' (Video)

The estranged wife and son of convicted ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff made their much-anticipated appearance on CBS' 60 Minutes Sunday night. ahead of the release of the book Truth and Consequences. Watch the video, below.our editor recommends'60 Minutes': Ponzi Scheme Perpetrator Bernie Madoff and Wife Attempted SuicideBernie Madoff Defends $60 Billion Ponzi Scheme to ABC News' Barbara Walters (Video) Ruth and Andrew Madoff spoke of their feelings about Bernie's 150-year prison sentence for creating the $60 million scheme, the suicide of Bernie's son Mark, Bernie and Ruth's hasty suicide attempt, and more. PHOTOS: The Most Talked-About TV News Faces Admitted Ruth, who was married to Madoff for decades, "Of course I feel the shame. I can barely walk down the street without worrying about people recognizing me." Andrew says, "From the very beginning of this whole episode-- I've had absolutely nothing to hide. And I've been eager, I would say almost desperate to speak out publicly and tell people that I'm absolutely not involved. Ruth continues to claim she had no idea Bernie's financial services were all a scam. "I can't explain it. I mean I trusted him. Why would it ever occur to me that it wasn't legal? The business was--his reputation was almost legendary. Why would I ever think that there was something sinister going on?" she says. VIDEO: Bernie Madoff's Daughter-in-Law Speaks Out "I never did. I never did. It didn't seem that way. There was nothing that would make me suspect anything. Sometimes I look back and I think as the years went on, he started to get more and more short tempered and maybe he just was having trouble, obviously, he had to have been," she adds. Andrew was put off by the lack of a succession plan, but had no idea what his father was up to. "His plan was that he had no plan. And he would say that when he dies, his end of the business dies. And again, it was always the-- the same response, 'That's the way it is and it's not gonna change,'" recalls Andrew. When asked if Andrew thought he was being used by his father, he said "absolutely," and added that his father would walk potential clients through the division that Andrew ran, which was legit. "It was one of the hardest things to come to grips with, in trying to get my head around this, was that feeling that I had been used-- almost as-- as a human shield by him. He-- it's-- it's unforgivable. No-- no father should do that to their sons," he says. VIDEO: Bernie Madoff's Daughter-in-law Reveals She'd 'Spit in His Face' During '20/20' Interview After Bernie revealed to his family that he was running an giant ponzi sceme, "she looked shocked," Andrew says of his mother. "She asked 'What's a Ponzi scheme?' was her first question. She didn't even understand that. I think it was me who answered and said that, "It means that it's all fake. That Dad's-- you know, his-- he's not been doing what he says he's been doing." And he followed that up and said, "Yes. I've been lying to all of you-- all of these years. I've been lying to everybody. I've been lying to myself.'" Ruth admits that even if she had known of Bernie's scheme, she's not sure if she would have turned him in. "I'm glad I didn't [know]," she says. "That woulda been tough, but I-- I would have left. Whether I'd turn him in or not, I don't know. I like to think I would have, but I-- I-- I couldn't say. I'm being completely honest with you, I have to say." She also discusses their hasty decision to commit suicide by taking Ambien. " I don't know who-- whose idea it was. But we decided to kill ourselves because it was-- it was so horrendous what was happening. We had terrible phone calls, hate mail. Just beyond anything. And I said, "I can't-- I just can't go on anymore." That's when I packed up some things to send to my sons and my grandchildren. I had some lovely antique things and things that I thought they might want. I mailed them, it was Christmas Eve, that added to the whole depression. We took pills and woke up the next day," she says. 60 Minutes' interview comes the same week as ABC News' Barbara Walters' interview with Bernie from prison, and Stephanie Madoff Mack's (the widow of Bernie's son, Mark) memoir The End of Normal. Related Topics 60 Minutes

Media moguls's great vanishing act

News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch has reportedly become more grumpy. At a time when Rupert Murdoch continues to squirm in the spotlight, is it a mere coincidence that his fellow media moguls have become semi-invisible to the press?The entertainment industry was founded and fostered by icons like Jack Warner and Walt Disney who relished center stage, but they were producers, not Harvard MBAs. Later generations of leaders like Michael Eisner coveted their role as public figures. Yet how often these days do we hear a valuable insight from Philippe Dauman of Viacom, Sir Howard Stringer of Sony, Steve Burke of Comcast NBC Universal or even Bob Iger at Disney? They wield giant influence over the global entertainment industry but remain sealed in their corporate cocoons.Within the last two weeks Iger has lost his biggest shareholder and most important director in Steve Jobs and has also signed a new five-year contract taking over as chairman and president. Yet the only public pronouncement emerging from Disney was from its retiring chairman, John E. Pepper (whom no one has ever heard of) reassuring stockholders that Iger "is as fresh as a daisy -- people can get tired when you're as busy as he is."Referring to "Cars 2," James B. Stewart wrote a column in the NY Times asking, "Is Disney stepping on Pixar in a quest for franchise sales?" Disney's recent pronouncements, however, have focused on its improved profits from ESPN and its theme parks, overlooking the bumpy results of its totally restructured film division. Burke, too, seems to be flummoxed on how to respond to NBC's ever-steeper slide. "No network has ever been as far behind financially as NBC," he told an analyst conference recently, to which his network chief, Bob Greenblatt, added, "we should expect it's going to be difficult because it's going to be difficult." OK. Jeffrey Bewkes of Time Warner is as cautious in his statements as in his deal-making, but nonetheless has been relatively outspoken on Netflix and the TV Everywhere initiative. Still he, too, has been wary about commenting on his TW corporate structure, where "teams" rather than single division chiefs still rule key sectors.Given the unending explosions in Rupert Murdoch's world, a case could be made that media moguls are wise to be prudent about public exposure. Murdoch, however, by choice moved from the role of corporate patriarch to that of political kingmaker. According to those close to him, he also has become increasingly grumpy and isolated.Anti-Murdoch sentiment stems from two distinct sources: The hacking scandals focused attention on Murdoch's business philosophy -- win-at-any-cost, whether in breaking news or in breaking media competitors. Second, the success of Fox News under Roger Ailes has effectively positioned the Republican Party as another Murdoch subsidiary. With the approach of an emotional presidential election, Murdoch's role in polarizing the political process elicits shrill attention in the media.Tallying up shareholder votes last week, more than one-third of the voters opposed returning Murdoch's two sons, James and Lachlan, to the board of directors -- a result that surprised even insiders. The upshot is that more and more members of the creative community regard Rupert Murdoch as toxic. If given the choice, they would prefer to work for a rival company. Fox executives recognize this but insist that, till now, this is rhetoric, not reality. Yet Murdoch's company itself is staffed by people who find their boss's politics to be abhorrent.The operating chief of Fox, Chase Carey, a Harvard MBA, displays little interest in content and zero interest in politics. His predecessor, Peter Chernin, was widely regarded as an effective "lid" on his boss, both in terms of deals and ideology. Peter Rice, who has had a successful run both on the film side and as chairman of Fox Broadcasting (who didn't go to Harvard), is widely rumored as a possible successor to Chernin's role but publicly follows the rules of media invisibility that are now the model for every executive in the corporate culture.It's safe to be secretive. The question is whether invisibility is an acceptable role for those who wield vast influence over our worldwide popular culture. Is there someone with a "vision" out there somewhere hiding behind a Harvard diploma? Column Calendar: Monday: Peter Bart Tuesday: Peter Caranicas/Cynthia Littleton wednesday: Brian Lowry Thursday: Andrew Barker/David S. Cohen Friday: Tim Gray/Ted Johnson Contact Peter Bart at peter.bart@variety.com

David Boxerbaum hopping agencies

One of APA's top literary agents, David Boxerbaum, is leaving the agency and heading to Paradigm. Boxerbaum, who is under contract at APA until the end of the year, is expected to officially join Paradigm on Jan. 1. He's currently working from an office outside of APA. "David Boxerbaum was barred from the APA offices in early summer and asked to work from home," says Jim Gosnell, prexy and CEO of APA. "He is under contract until the end of the year, after which time we wish him all the best. Despite his departure, APA continues to represent some of the top writers, showrunners and directors in the business today." Boxerbaum's client list at APA includes up-and-coming scribe David Guggenheim, whose pricey spec sales include Universal's Denzel Washington-Ryan Reynolds thriller "Safe House" and Summit's thriller "Puzzle Palace," which McG is in talks to direct. Boxerbaum also reps Ransom Riggs, author of "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children," the feature rights to which 20th Century Fox won in a bidding war back in May. Other notable clients include genre directors Adam Green ("Hatchet") and Paul Solet ("Grace"), as well as scribes Maria Maggenti ("Dirty Dancing") and Ken Marino, who co-wrote Universal's "Role Models" and the studio's upcoming Jennifer Aniston-Paul Rudd comedy "Wanderlust," both for director David Wain. Boxerbaum said he expects all of his clients to join him at Paradigm. Boxerbaum joined APA in January, 2006 from Metropolitan Talent Agency, where he ran the lit department for four years. He started his career working for producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Rob Fried before moving to the William Morris Agency, Endeavor and, later, RKO Pictures, where he set up the 2003 Sylvester Stallone poker pic "Shade" as a creative exec. Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com

SAG, AFTRA Back Anti-Piracy Bill

SAG, AFTRA Back Anti-Piracy Bill By Daniel Holloway October 27, 2011 Several entertainment industry unionsincluding the Screen Stars Guild as well as the American Federation of Television and Radio Artistshave grew to become an associate of together to share support for just about any new anti-piracy bill introduced inside the U.S. House of Reps yesterday. The legislation would broaden the Justice Department's energy to close utilization of so-referred to as "rogue" websites that distribute copyright-breaking material. It absolutely was produced by Reps. Lamar Cruz, R-Texas John Conyers, D-Mich. Bob Goodlatte, R-Virtual assistant. and Howard Berman, D-Calif."Without positive measures like the Stop Online Piracy Act, rogues sites is constantly on the siphon away wages and benefits of people in the creative community, greatly compromising our industry's capacity to advertise creativity, provide options, and make certain good jobs," the unions mentioned in the written statement. The Stop Online Piracy Act is known as a companion bill for the Safeguard IP Act, which passed the Senate Judiciary Committee the 2009 season with bipartisan support but immediately stood a legislative hold situated onto it by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. Safeguard IP has loved the backing in the entertainment industry, nevertheless it has furthermore been belittled by organizations for instance Google, the American Library Association, and Human Rights Watch. Public advocacy groups spoke out yesterday to share their displeasure while using similar Stop Online Piracy Act."It becomes an omnibus grab bag of corporate goodies that will hurt clients, stifle innovation, foment censorship, and affect the Internet to be sure it for your worse," David Segal, executive director in the progressive activist organization Demand Progress, mentioned in the written statement. "It's so over-the-top that we're not confident that you ought to be laughing or crying." SAG, AFTRA Back Anti-Piracy Bill By Daniel Holloway October 27, 2011 Several entertainment industry unionsincluding the Screen Stars Guild as well as the American Federation of Television and Radio Artistshave grew to become an associate of together to share support for just about any new anti-piracy bill introduced inside the U.S. House of Reps yesterday. The legislation would broaden the Justice Department's energy to close utilization of so-referred to as "rogue" websites that distribute copyright-breaking material. It absolutely was produced by Reps. Lamar Cruz, R-Texas John Conyers, D-Mich. Bob Goodlatte, R-Virtual assistant. and Howard Berman, D-Calif."Without positive measures like the Stop Online Piracy Act, rogues sites is constantly on the siphon away wages and benefits of people in the creative community, greatly compromising our industry's capacity to advertise creativity, provide options, and make certain good jobs," the unions mentioned in the written statement. The Stop Online Piracy Act is known as a companion bill for the Safeguard IP Act, which passed the Senate Judiciary Committee taken with bipartisan support but immediately stood a legislative hold situated onto it by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. Safeguard IP has loved the backing in the entertainment industry, nevertheless it has furthermore been belittled by organizations for instance Google, the American Library Association, and Human Rights Watch. Public advocacy groups spoke out yesterday to share their displeasure while using similar Stop Online Piracy Act."It becomes an omnibus grab bag of corporate goodies that will hurt clients, stifle innovation, foment censorship, and affect the web to be sure it for your worse," David Segal, executive director in the progressive activist organization Demand Progress, mentioned in the written statement. "It's so over-the-top that people are unsure should you be laughing or crying."

'Shame' Officially Rated NC-17

Shame, British director Steve McQueen's portrait of a sex addict, starringMichael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan, has officially received an NC-17 rating from the MPAA's Classification and Rating Administration.our editor recommendsThe Dirty Dozen: Films that Narrowly Avoided an NC-17Nudity, Three-Ways, Hints of Incest: A Studio's Plan to Sell 'Shame' to Oscar PHOTOS: The Dirty Dozen: Films That Narrowly Avoided an NC-17 In its latest batch of ratings notices, released Tuesday, the MPAA said that the drama, which Fox Searchlight will release Dec. 2, earned the rating because of "some explicit sexual content." While that makes the movie off-limits to anyone under the age of 18, Searchlight is not planning to appeal the rating or make any cuts to secure a less restrictive R-rating. Instead, it's readying a major awards push for the film. STORY: Nudity, Three-Ways, Hints of Incest: A Studio's Plan to Sell 'Shame' to Oscar "I think NC-17 is a badge of honor, not a scarlet letter. We believe it is time for the rating to become usable in a serious manner," Searchlight president Steve Gilula has told The Hollywood Reporter. "The sheer talent of the actors and the vision of the filmmaker are extraordinary. It's not a film that everyone will take easily, but it certainly breaks through the clutter and is distinctive and original. It's a game changer." Related Topics Carey Mulligan Michael Fassbender Fox Searchlight Pictures

Bette Davis Joins Michael Jackson and Elvis on Greatest-Generating Dead Celebs List

Approximately 2 yrs after his dying, Michael Jackson continues to be best entertainment property from beyond. Forbes launched its 2011 roster from the top-generating dead celebs, and Jackson tops all of them with $170 million in revenue. Besides he best anybody dead, he tops most living pop functions too. Only U2 made more since October 2010. PHOTOS: Hollywood's Notable Deaths Also retaining his place in the previous list is Elvis. His amounts are dwarfed by Jackson's, but 34 years after his dying, he introduced in $55 million within the this past year. The current Cirque Du Soleil show highlighting his music, Viva Elvis, assisted him retain his place. New inclusions in their email list range from the late Bette Davis. Dying at 79 in March of the year, Taylor ties John Lennon for that number 5 place. Both of them gained $12 million. Taylor's perennially effective scent, Whitened Diamonds, counts for the majority of her profits. Another notable addition towards the list is Marilyn Monroe. Gone for 51 years, Monroe has formerly been a "near miss" for that Forbes list. This season she is available in third, generating $27 million. PHOTOS: Bette Davis's Existence in Pictures Monroe's renaissance in popular culture, thanks in no small part towards the Weinstein Company's approaching biopic My Week With Marilyn, continues to be credited to her jumping in the chart. Peanuts creator Charles Schultz, Albert Einstein and Dr. Seuss will also be incorporated within the top 8. Related Subjects Michael Jackson Bette Davis Marilyn Monroe Elvis

TV Rankings: Basic steps 'Modern Family,' 'Happy Endings' Dip Slightly With World Series

Peter Hopper Stone/ABC Based on preliminary amounts, ABC's Modern Family outperform game among the Major league baseball World Series game between your Texas Rangers and also the St. Louis Cardinals within the marketer-coveted 18-49 demo. It's the 2nd year consecutively the ABC comedy capped the planet Series within the demo.our editor recommends'Glee,' 'Modern Family' win Peabodys'Happy Endings' scores rankings high, maintains more 'Modern Family' lead-in Still, Fox, which broadcast the overall game live throughout primetime, won the evening overall -- and could have triggered Modern Family to dip slightly. ABC and CBS tied in second having a 3.3 rating. PHOTOS: Around the Group of 'Modern Family' On ABC, The Center (2.9, 9 million) and Suburgatory (3.1, 8.8 million) were flat. Modern Family (5.6, 12.8 million) was lower 5 %, Happy Being lower 6 % (3., 6.9 million) and Revenge lower 7 percent (2.5, 7.9 million). CBS' Survivor: South Off-shore was up 3 % (3.3, 11.a million), as was Criminal Minds (3.9, 13.a million). CSI was flat having a 2.6 (10.six million). PHOTOS: Fall TV Preview 2011: The Coming back Shows NBC arrived third place having a 1.7 rating. Up Through The Night (2.1, 5.six million), Harry's Law (1.2, 8.a million) and Law & Order (2.1, 7.5 million) counseled me flat. Univision ranked single.5 The CW is at fifth having a .6 A repeat of Sarah Michelle Gellar's Ringer was up 13 percent as a whole audiences from a week ago with 1.two million (along with a .4 rating). America's Next Top Model (.8, 1.9 million) out-ranked NBC within the 18 to 34 demo within the 9 to 10 p.m. hour. VIDEO: Emmy Roundtable: Comedy Stars Telemundo arrived last having a .5. TV Rankings Modern Family

The Artist & Hard Times: Lost On Long Island Take Top Prizes At Hamptons Film Fest

The Artist from director Michel Hazanavicius earned the Audience Award (Narrative) while Marc Levin’s Hard Times: Lost on Long Island was honored with the Audience Award (Documentary) to pace winners at the 19th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival announced tonight. Also taking home an Audience Award was Two’s a Crowd from directors Jim Isler and Tom Isler (for Best Short), while The Fairy – directed by Dominique Abel and Fiona Gordon — was selected as winner of the Golden Starfish Narrative Feature Award. The Golden Starfish for Best Documentary went to Fellipe Barbosa’s Laura. Other winners included: The Strange Ones, from directors Christopher Radcliff and Lauren Wolkstein (Short Documentary Jury Winner); Without, from director Mark Jackson (Kodak Award for Best Cinematography and the Wouter Barendrecht Pioneering Vision Award); andYou’ve Been Trumped, from director Anthony Baxter (Victor Rabinowitz and Joanne Grant Award forSocial Justice). The Narrative Jury also awarded a special jury mention to Joshua Marton’s The Forgiveness of Blood. Previously announced winners included Small, Beautifully Moving Parts from directorsAnnie Howell and Lisa Robinson (Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Feature Film Prize), and The Bully Project from director Lee Hirsch (Brizzolara Family Foundation Award for a Film of Conflict and Resolution). 2011 Breakthrough Performer recipients included Sleeping Beauty starring Emily Browning; Melancholia featuring Alexander Skarsgard; Cracks in the Shell, with Stine Fischer Christensen; Another Happy Day starring Ezra Miller; The Descendants with Shailene Woodley; and Like Crazy starring Anton Yelchin.

Ashley Tisdale to Star in Semi-Autobiographical Comedy Project for ABC

Ashley Tisdale Ashley Tisdale has sold a semi-autobiographical comedy project to ABC that she would star in and co-executive-produce, Deadline reports. Under Construction follows a young woman who must sacrifice her independence and move back in with her family while her father helps to renovate her "money pit" home, among other things in her life. Check out all the familiar faces returning to TV this year David Holden (Accidentally on Purpose) will write the script and co-executive-produce. My Generation's Warren Littlefield will executive produce. The 26-year-old actress started out on the Disney Channel sitcom The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, before rising to fame in the High School Musical franchise. She recently executive-produced and starred in the High School Musical spin-off TV movie, Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure and starred on The CW's short-lived cheerleading series Hellcats. Do you want to see Ashley Tisdale return to the small screen?

Bardem In Talks For Wretched Me 2

He'll be considered a villain...Javier Bardem cannot stop being bad. Fortunately, he keeps everything on the watch's screen and it is now in discussions to fireplace up another evil role, this time around in cartoon form for Wretched Me 2.The very first film, which starred Steve Carell as talking villain Gru, the mastermind whose cold heart is melted by three adorable orphan moppets, demonstrated to become a huge success. So naturally, the follow up was rapidly greenlit and it is now in production at CG company Illumination Entertainment.There's little word around the plot at this time, though we all do realize that Gru will this time around face a completely new villain known as El Macho (Bardem), who brings with him their own child, Machito. The Warmth Vision blog reviews that most of the original movie's cast is returning, so expect voice turns in the likes if Russell Brand, Will Arnett, Julie Andrews, Miranda Cosgrove, Kristen Wiig and much more.Whilst stars frequently nabs roles in movies such as this gain points using their children, Bardem welcomed his first, a boy born to Penelope Cruz earlier this This summer. So his sprog will need to wait a few years to determine father for action. But that is okay, because Wretched Me 2 is not because of hit screens until October 2013...

Sean Penn Visits Publish-Gadhafi Libya

First Launched: October 5, 2011 9:38 AM EDT Credit: Getty Images TRIPOLI, Libya -- Caption Sean Penn attends the Tribeca Film Festival after-party for Love-hate Love in NY City, on April 26, 2011 Actor-activist Sean Penn states he admires Libyans for courage in overthrowing Moammar Gadhafi. Penn spoke throughout vacation to Tripoli on Wednesday. He declined to go over particulars in what he expects to complete inside the Libyan capital. But he told Connected Press Television News he admires the courage to convey we wish freedom. Its an amazing factor. Standing outdoors costly hotels, Penn also expressed confidence in Libyas efforts to produce a transition to democracy. According to him the enormous cost remains paid out however think that there is no doubt that they may stick to it through. The 51-year-old actor offers visited Egypt. He along with Cairos Tahrir Square on Friday. (Copyright 2011 by Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Moviefone Exclusive: Martin Sheen Won't Take No for an Answer in First Clip From 'The Way'

For Martin Sheen, his latest role was a family affair in more ways than one. The Hollywood icon stars in 'The Way' (out Oct. 7), a drama about a father (Sheen) who travels overseas to recover the body of his estranged son, a trekker who died while walking the El Camino de Santiago between Spain and France. What makes 'The Way' special is that Sheen's onscreen son is played by his real-life offspring Emilio Estevez, who also wrote and directed the new film. Ahead, watch the first clip from 'The Way,' which focuses on Sheen's grieving father, and the lengths he goes to understand his dearly departed son. Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook

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