Melissa Benoist Soars From 'Glee' To 'Supergirl' As CBS Superheroine Kara Zor ...

Melissa Benoist may not be mistaken for a bird or a plane, but shes about to join the ranks of superheroes in flying from the cast of Glee to a CBS pilot, Supergirl. And her new role could turn Benoist into a runaway superstar, reported Deadline.

From her late arrival at Glees William McKinley High School at a time when the original stars such as Lea Michele were shown fleeing the school and town for the Big Apple to this new role, Melissa has become known as a Hollywood casting call survivor.

To earn her new role as Supergirl, Benoist competed with a casting agency filled with potential super-heroines, including Claire Holt and Elizabeth Lail. But she made it through the competitive selection process to emerge as the newest TV hero.

Melissas role is based on the characters from DC Comics. The project itself combines the talents of Warner Bros. TV and Berlanti Prods., with the entire show built around Benoists character of Kara Zor-El.

The plot reveals how Kara Zor-El was born on the planet Krypton. After escaping despite Kryptons destruction, Supergirl escapes to planet Earth. Although her powers resemble those of a famous cousin you might have heard of (Superman), Kara Zor-El hides her skills until she achieves her current age of 24.

Part of the Earthly lessons come from Karas foster family the Danvers, who warn Melissas character to be cautious with her super powers, according to the Hollywood Reporter. But with unattractive eyeglasses and pulled-back hair, even Karas prettiness is hidden until she finds herself in a position to perform a heroic act.

After that, Kara takes on the role of helping people in public, and behold, Supergirl is born!

But its not the first time that Melissa has been tasked with the challenge of portraying a superhero. During the Dynamic Duets episode on Glee, Benoist showed off her powers, as shown below.

With Melissa known as the new Rachel at McKinley High, what happens to Lea Michele? Fans can continue to view her on TV as one of the characters in Glee creator Ryan Murphys new Scream Queens, as the Inquisitr reported.

Also joining Lea on the Fox show will be Jamie Lee Curtis, Abigail Breslin, Emma Roberts, Joe Manganiello, and Keke Palmer. In addition, Ariana Grande will guest star in a recurring role.

Fox Television Groups CEOs Dana Walden and Gary Newman revealed that Fox pleaded with Ryan Murphy to continue creating shows for the network. Scream Queens is the result of their begging, and it will be an anthology mixing humor and (scream) horror.

[Images Via Deadline.com and hollywoodreporter.com]

Source: http://www.inquisitr.com/1781074/melissa-benoist-soars-from-glee-to-supergirl-as-cbs-superheroine-kara-zor-el-video/

Continue Reading ..

SkyMall might be going to the big mall in the sky

The company behind SkyMall is declaring bankruptcy and seeking to sell the iconic in-flight catalogue.

Xhibit Corp., which owned SkyMall as well as a series of other subsidiaries, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to documents released on Friday.

The company suspended its retail catalogue operations on Jan. 16 and laid off 47 employees, according to the filing. The company owes creditors about $12 million.

The Phoenix-based company had sold an assortment of wares through the its magazine-style catalogue that could be found in the seatback of almost every airline flight in the U.S. SkyMall was founded in 1989, and its magazine is available to about 650 million air travelers per year.

SkyMall will go up for sale, as long as a bankruptcy court approves the company's request.

We are extremely disappointed in this result and are hopeful that SkyMall and the iconic SkyMall brand find a home to continue to operate as SkyMall has for the last 25 years, said Scott Wiley, CFO and acting CEO of Xhibit, in a press release.

If another company buys SkyMall, it could continue the existing business. However, Xhibit noted in its filing that there is a chance that the catalogue will cease to exist.

"If it appears at any point during the marketing and sale process that continued operation of the scaled-down SkyMall business operations is no longer feasible, the Debtors will take the steps necessary to terminate remaining operations," the company wrote.

SkyMall had revenue of about $33.7 million in 2013 and $15.8 million in the first nine months of 2014, according to the filing.

The company listed a variety of factors that have begun to hurt its business including e-commerce companies Amazon and eBay. SkyMall also pointed to people using smartphones and tablets on flights, in-flight Internet access, and price competition.

"With the increased use of electronic devices on planes, fewer people browsed the SkyMall inflight catalog. The substantial increase in the number of air carriers which provide internet access, and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administrations recent decision to allow the use of electronic devices during take-off and landing, resulted in additional competition from e-commerce retailers and additional competition for the attention of passengers, all of which further negatively impacted SkyMalls catalog sales," the company wrote in the filing.

The filing also notes that SkyMall had attempted to lessen its reliance on in-flight sales and looked to attract customers online. This effort, which began in early 2014, was not fully executed due to a lack of money for investment in the shift, according to the filing.

SkyMall unsuccessfully sought to raise money in late 2014 in an attempt to keep the business solvent.

"SkyMall was unable to attract the necessary working capital on terms or in amounts sufficient to meaningfully address its liquidity needs," the company wrote in the filing.

This story is developing.

Source: http://mashable.com/2015/01/23/skymall-declare-bankruptcy/

Continue Reading ..

Kobe Bryant to see another specialist as Lakers prepare for worst

The Lakers are preparing for the worst-case scenario of Kobe Bryant missing the rest of this season because of a torn rotator cuff, according to person familiar with the situation.

It doesn't look good, the person said in a brief interview Friday morning. An official decision, however, will wait until at least Monday.

On Friday, Bryant saw team doctor Steve Lombardo in Los Angeles and the physician reiterated that the Lakers star had a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, the Lakers said. It was decided that Bryant should get another opinion on Monday from celebrated sports-medicine specialist Neal ElAttrache of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, the team said.

Yeah, I'm worried, acknowledged Lakers Coach Byron Scott at the team's shootaround Friday. I think we all are in the organization.

If Bryant is sidelined, it would mark the third consecutive time he couldnt finish a season. He was felled by a torn Achilles tendon in April 2013 and a broken bone in his knee last season.

This time, the book would close on him after he played only 35 games with averages of 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists, as well as unsightly 37.2% shooting accuracy.

Bryant played 37.1 minutes a game in November before becoming a part-time player last month, sitting out eight of the last 16 games so he could rest. He was also limited to 32 minutes a game.

I dont know if the wear and tear of playing so many minutes early is a result of whats happened to him right now, Scott said. I thought about that. It made me almost sick. I even apologized to him in a text yesterday. His response was, No, that wasnt it.

He, I guess, tried to make me feel better. You cant help from a coaching perspective to feel that way a little bit. Youve got to think about, man, if I wouldnt have used him so much earlier in the season, maybe this doesnt happen. But then again, maybe it happens later. I dont know.

Bryant complained about a sore shoulder about a month and a half ago, Scott said. He aggravated it on a third-quarter dunk Wednesday against New Orleans, though he seemed to blame passing the ball for his predicament. He had a career-high 17 assists last week against Cleveland.

This is what happens when I pass too much! #ShoulderShock, Bryant wrote on Twitter, adding thanks for the thoughts and prayers of well-wishers.

Scott predicted a successful return for Bryant if he has surgery and rehabilitation. Bryant, 36, makes $23.5 million this season and is under contract for $25 million next season.

I know he doesnt want to go out this way, Scott said. I think h**l rehab it, if thats the case. Then well have to wait and see.

The Lakers are 2-6 without Bryant, a lowly .250 winning percentage, and an almost equal 28.6% success rate with him (10-25).

With the loss of Bryant, Nick Young would presumably become the Lakers most capable scorer, though he is shooting only 31.5% this month.

Follow Mike Bresnahan on Twitter @Mike_Bresnahan

Copyright 2015, Los Angeles Times

12:50 p.m.: This article has been updated to add information that Bryant plans to will see another specialist.

This story was originally published at 12:22 p.m.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-kobe-bryant-injury-out-for-season-20150123-story.html

Continue Reading ..

Vince Camuto Dies: Fashion Community Reacts

Designers, retailers and fans have taken to social media to mourn the death of legendary shoe designer Vince Camuto. The fashion icon, 78, died this week. Hewas remembered by close friends and contemporaries, who praised his contributions tothe footwear industry.

Camuto, who cofounded Nine West, receivedmoving tributes from Jessica Simpson, who called him my mentor, my family, Ivy Kirzhner, Kenneth Coleand Joyce Azria. FN talked to those close to the designer as well:

Blake Nordstrom, president of Nordstrom Inc., said: We have lost a special person within the footwear industry. He was as talented a person Ive had the good fortune of getting to know. Interestingly, as each year passed he literally got more enthusiastic about the customer and the business. He loved being on the floor, talking to the customer, and because of his rich background and innate skills, he instinctively season after season came up with great product. We would talk every couple of months and I always got a huge lift from being on the receiving end of his infectious spirit for the business. Our family and team extend our thoughts and prayers to Vinces family and co-workers.

Liz Rodbell said Camuto was an example of true determination and realizing the American dream. His story of success is rooted in an eye for fashion, true leadership and great style. Vince was someone who really cared and treated people like they were a part of his extended family. I was honored to call Vince a friend, said the president of Lord & Taylor and Hudsons Bay.

I met him when I was 23 years old and an assistant buyer at Kinney Shoe, said Bob Campbell,chairman and CEO, BBC International. I admired Vince from day one. I knew him as a salesman when he and Jack Fisher sold domestic shoes way before Nine West. He was a great, great shoe guy and probably one of the best design people.

Steve Madden said: Vince always had his eye out for young talent, he was an early supporter and believer in what I was doing and it really meant a lot. He was the giant of the shoe industry, along with Jack Fisher. Those two guys were like the [John] Lennon and [Paul] McCartney of the shoe business. Weve had a very friendly rivalry; he was just amazing. The way his career had such longevity, maybe hes the greatest shoe man that ever lived. Youre never going to see his type again.

Footwear veteran Sam Edelman shared similar sentiments: Vince Camuto was a visionary and some might say the greatest shoe man of all time. Libby, our son Jesse and I have the utmost respect and admiration for all he accomplished throughout his career. Our thoughts are with Louise and the entire Camuto family.

CEO of Kurt Geiger Neil Clifford spoke similarly of the designer, saying:I am totally broken about the news. To me, Vince Camuto was the American Dream and a personal motivator for me so driven, passionate and knowledgeable. He had inexhaustible energy for his business and his people, and no matter what he achieved tomorrow, he would do it better tomorrow. Hes an irreplaceable legend.

I was in a meeting with him when I was at May Co. We were reviewing the Nine West line and there was a room full of shoes, rememberedKen Hicks, executive chairman of Foot Locker. I asked him what his 10 best shoes were. He got up and left the room. Five minutes later he came back with a handful of shoes. I said, Vince, these arent in your line. He said, no, but you asked me what I thought the best shoes were. He knew his company and he knew what would sell. He had a view of the business and a way of developing lines. He didnt just develop shoes, he developed brands and lines with staying power.

On Instagram, friends shared:

@andrew_marc On behalf of the Andrew Marc and the GIII family, we take a moment to reflect and celebrate the life of Vince Camuto, and the everlasting impact he has made on the fashion community. May he rest in peace. #VinceCamuto #ripvince #icon #legend #fashionicon #fashion

@ivykirzhner Thank you, Vince. Thank you for believing. Thank you for all the encouragement and for blessing us with your wisdom and passion. Thank you for inspiring us to become the best we could be and for making us realize that there are no limits in what a person can achieve. I feel so honored and so blessed to have learned directly from you. High five, Jedi master. May you rest in power #VinceCamuto.

@oliviaandjoy Very sad day in the world of fashion. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the @vincecamuto family and team #rip #legend #classic #vincecamuto #icon #fashion

@aimeekestenberg A kind and inspirational man who I feel lucky to have had the chance to know and work with. The world misses you already and sending my blessings to the @vincecamuto team and family. #vincecamuto #legend #youwillbemissed

@joyceazria To a friend, a mentor, a true gentleman I will miss you and never forget you @vincecamuto

@lordandtaylor To our friend, an inspiration and a legend. A true Life of Style. @VinceCamuto, 1936-2015

@kennethcole Hearts out to a true pioneer, a #shoe industry icon & legend a man who consistently defied all industry odds and a role model for so many. #RIPVinceCamuto he will be missed. @VinceCamuto #vincecamuto

On Twitter, everyone from Gilt founder Alexis Maybank to shoe designer Donald J. Pliner shared their thoughts on Camuto:

Sad to learn of the passing of @VinceCamuto an early entrepreneur and longstanding fixture in the fashion and accessories world

Alexis Maybank (@giltfounder) January 22, 2015

Saddened to learn that legendary footwear designer Vince Camuto passed away. Our thoughts are w his family & friends. http://t.co/X45AngWo3v Accessories Council (@AccessoryNews) January 22, 2015

Source: http://footwearnews.com/2015/influencers/power-players/vince-camutos-dies-fashion-community-reacts-8934/

Continue Reading ..

Box Opens At $20.20, A 44% Pop

BoxBox CEO Aaron LevieCloud-based enterprise storage company Box opened at $20.2o, up 44%.

Its IPO was priced at $14.

It's now up 52%, to $21.44.

It's a nice pop for a company that had a lot of negativity surrounding its IPO.

Box's revenue growth has been slowing down. In the third quarter of 2014, revenue was up 70%. But that's down from 81% in the prior quarter. And that's down from 94% in the quarter prior to that.

On the plus side, Box has gotten its sales and marketing expenses under control. Thoseexpenses were only $55 million during the quarter, less than the $57 million in revenue. Overall net loss was $45 million for the third quarter last year.

On the day before the IPO, Box got a big endorsement from Jim Cramer who argued the stock was worth buying at $18 or less.

We'll be keeping an eye on the stock all day, and will update this post.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/box-pricing-2015-1

Continue Reading ..

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Dead

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has died, Saudi state television announced early on Friday local time.

Abdullah's designated successor is Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz, his 79-year-old half-brother.

Abdullah had been in poor health in recent months. Reuters reports that the king had been admitted to a Riyadh hospital in December for medical tests. The royal court announced in January that Abdullah was suffering from pneumonia.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry listens as King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud speaks before meeting at the king's private residence June 27, 2014, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Abdullah bin Abdulaziz is believed to have been born in 1923 or 1924 as one of 37 sons of Saudi Arabia's founder, King Abdulaziz Al Saud. Abdullahs mother was the eighth of the founders 16 wives and young Abdullah was brought up in a traditional setting, living long periods of time in the desert.

Abdullah officially came into power in 2005, after the death of his half-brother, King Fahd. However, he had been the de-facto ruler since 1995, when Fahd was incapacitated by a stroke.

The new king, Salman, is a former defense minister and governor of Riyadh. He is widely reported to be in poor health and is rumored to suffer from dementia. Last year, King Abdullah appointed his youngest surviving brother, 69-year-old Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, as second-in-line to the throne. Salman is considered moderate and is experienced in balancing the kingdom's rapid modernization with the country's conservative power base.

In this image released by the Saudi Press Agency, Crown Prince Salman gestures during a session at the Shura Council, where he delivered an annual televised speech on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/ Saudi Press Agency)

Saudi Arabia's absolute monarchy rules over a country of vast wealth and influence. Saudi Arabia is the world's top oil exporter and has guardianship of Islams two holiest sites.

The kingdom is a key ally of the United States and has contributed to the military campaign against the Islamic State militant group.

King Abdullah's funeral will take place Friday afternoon in Riyadh, the Saudi Royal Court said. Egyptian President Abdul Fatah Khalil Al-Sisi and Jordan's King Abdullah would cut short trips to attend the funeral. President Obama expressed his condolences for the late king, saying, "I always valued King Abdullahs perspective and appreciated our genuine and warm friendship." Joe Biden was to lead a presidential delegation to Saudi Arabia in the coming days.

Oil prices surged on news of King Abdullah's death.

King Abdullah's death comes at a time of extraordinary challenges for Saudi Arabia.

Plummeting oil prices have strained the nation's domestic spending and support to foreign allies. The kingdom's regional dominance is increasingly threatened by Iran, Saudi Arabia's bitter rival. Extremist groups like al Qaeda and the Islamic State have vowed to target the kingdom.

The new king's age and reported illness raise the prospect of protracted instability. Saudi tradition passes the crown down the line of the sons of the kingdom's founder, Ibn Saud. But with the youngest son nearing 70, scores of grandchildren are now eyeing power. Meanwhile, Saudi activists fear that political uncertainty in the kingdom could further undermine the country's dismal human rights record.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/22/saudi-arabia-king-dead-dies_n_6527616.html

Continue Reading ..

Hollywood's Streaming Nemesis Popcorn Time Gets A VPN, But You'll Have To ...

Christmas is a time for family, which by extension makes it a period for sitting back and watching a lot of movies and TV. Maybe thats why Sony released The Interview on Christmas Day. That controversial flick will set you back $6 to rent or $12 to buy (unless you join the legions torrenting it), but the folks at Popcorn Time believe you should be able to watch what you like for free and now theyve added a VPN to the streaming service which isHollywoods worstnightmare.

Popcorn Time, for those whoarent aware, is a servicethat lets you streama tonne of top films and TV shows to your computer for free. It uses unlicensed torrents on the internet forcontent, which naturallyraises a gamut of legal issues. The original service closed down earlier this year in response to those questions, but a number of anonymous groups resurrected theproject, the most notable of which is probablyPopcorntime.io, whichadded an optional VPN to itsdesktop service today.

VPNs, which essentially route a devices internet through a different country, are seen as an important addition to Popcorn Time. Some usersin Germany were fined for using Popcorn Time earlier this year, so a VPN could help movie fans avoid repercussions for their borderline-legal viewing activity which we at TechCrunch do not condone, by the way.

Weve seen VPNs in Popcorn Time before another groupadded a free one to its service in Junebut Popcorntime.ios promises to be more robustsinceit isrun by VPN.ht.

Mega caveat though, users will have to pay for it.

VPN.ht is priced at $4.99 per month, butPopcorntime.io users can get it for $1 for the first month after which they can cancel. Alternatively they can pay $3.99 per month on a yearly deal.

Currently in Alpha, the addition is all well and good, but we cant help thinking that there are some issues. The cost of free is a primary appeal ofPopcorn Time, thus it is unclearwhethermany users willpony up $30-plus for a VPN service, even though itmay be beneficial to them.

Thoselikely to use VPNs have probably already bought them.Anecdotally, folks shopping for a VPN tend to take their time and weigh up their options from the crowded field. Integrating with Popcorn Time may well giveVPN.ht an initial sales boost, but Im not sure it will make a sizable difference to the service or Popcorn Times userbase in the long-term.

A freemium option offeringa free first month of use or a limited monthly servicelike Tunnelbear would have been amore impactingaddition for both sides.

VPN.ht does support Bitcoin and a range of payment options, but the fact remains that asking peopleto get their credit cards out even just for a few dollars is enough of barrier to deter many.

Beyond the VPN, Popcorntime.io is also promising to revamp its existing Android app withall kinds of amazing features soon. Youll wantto keep an eye on the project if that sets your Christmas bells aringing.

Featured Image: Mikael Damkier/Shutterstock (IMAGE HAS BEEN MODIFIED)

Source: http://techcrunch.com/2014/12/25/popcorn-time-vpn/

Continue Reading ..