New York, NY – March 26, 2010 – What do you get when you mix celebrity, China, an award winning host who is a former Disney executive and a mega television media power?

“Asia Uncut” – the hippest late-night talk show in Asia. The twist? It’s the first-ever to offer not only A-List Asian talent but also A-List Western talent as a regional night-time talk show in English. But for the first time ever, U.S. viewers can now watch the show on-line! Season 2 kicks off now reaching over 30 countries across Asia and the Middle East. www.flyfilms.com.cn/au_public/season02_sizzle.mov “Asia Uncut” has already had such top international guests as Edward Norton, Jackie Chan, Anoushka Shankar and Jamie-Lynn Sigler as well as top Asian celebrities including Lee Wonghorm and Donnie Yen. For its second season, “Asia Uncut” has talent booked through Central Talent Booking, which also covers Jimmy Kimmel and The Bonnie Hunt Show. In addition, the show has just partnered with Robert Morton, former Executive Producer of The David Letterman Show, who serves as a consultant this season.

Each week “Asia Uncut” offers a unique format consisting of a global star, regional celebrity, young comedian and a hot musical performance.

“I’ve been in Asia 12 years, and I’ve always felt there was a need for a regional night time talk show,” explains show creator, host and former Disney US executive Jon Niermann. “We finally just decided to shoot a pilot, and it got picked up right away. We made it through the first season flying by the seat of our pants and learned a lot, and now we’re into the second with much more structure but still loose and fun. We’re all about what’s happening in Asia from a global perspective. Asia is incredibly relevant now and ‘Asia Uncut’ gives international artists a unique platform in a familiar format to reach a broad, affluent audience while at the same time the show gives Asian artists a chance to broaden their fan base to the English-speaking market. American and Western guests get great exposure to the world’s most dynamic, fast-growing and populous market now which is becoming more and more open to English-speaking and Western entertainment. So, it’s a one-of-a-kind platform to reach those people now.”

In his first season, the newbie talk show host Niermann was awarded a top Asian Television award in December 2009 for “Best Entertainment Presenter” and “Asia Uncut” was also nominated for Best Talk Show. The show is produced by Niermann’s company West Meets East Productions, which specializes in creating Asian-inspired content in English for the West, and is shot in studio in Shanghai as well as on location around the region.

The unique opportunity for the many celebrity watchers in the U.S. is that “Asia Uncut” provides a rare glimpse at celebrities in a more relaxed setting halfway around the world

Offering insight into what it’s like making movies, television, music or just having fun around the world’s most populous region. The show is broadcast weekly via syndication and reaches 100 million households. The latest “Asia Uncut” can be viewed on line in the U.S. at http://www.asiauncut.com beginning each Sunday night’s at 10pm Eastern Time, U.S.

Welcome to the next level of celebrity global influence “Asia Uncut” style.

The ‘High School Musical’ star – who became a teenage heartthrob after appearing in the Disney movie franchise – would love to try his hand at as a screen hero but fears his career could be over if the role wasn’t perfect.

He said: “I would love to try an action film at some point, but not too soon. I think that can be a kiss of death. There’s got to be a real role that I can bring something unique and specific to, a way for me to do it believably. Until then, I think it would just come across as weird.”

The 22-year-old star also revealed he is in awe of actor Leonardo DiCaprio – despite disliking him when he was growing up.

He admitted: “I think Leonardo DiCaprio’s done a great job. I was dead set against the guy when I was growing up, kind of force-fed his image from ‘Titanic’. Since then, through very hard work and incredible performances, he’s done a complete 180. Now he’s one of my favorite actors. He’s at the top of his game.”

Meanwhile, Zac has revealed he plans to return to college to continue his studies.

He said: “I know at some point I will go back and study, but at this point I’m definitely focusing on working as hard as I can on film.

“I’ve always wanted to do Broadway. Finding that right role is a challenge. I wouldn’t want to just do it to do it. I would want to make sure it’s something special.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

The 46-year-old star – who plays the eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow in the movie franchise – is returning for the fourth installment and is set to become Hollywood’s highest-paid actor, topping the likes of Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson and Tom Hanks, with the huge pay day.

The ‘Sleepy Hollow’ actor is guaranteed the £21 million as a minimum for ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’, due for release in the 2011, and could receive even more should it be a huge box-office hit.

Disney bosses are paying Depp such a high fee because his co-stars from the previous three movies, Keira Knightley, 24, and 32-year-old Orlando Bloom, have dropped out.

Geoffrey Rush will once again play Captain Barbossa, while Penelope Cruz is rumoured to be in line to take the female lead.

Depp recently vowed to save Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage from financial ruin after because of a massive unpaid tax bill.

The star pledged to support the ‘Con Air’ actor through his plight because of the assistance he gave him when he was first trying to make it in Hollywood.

A source said: “Johnny feels he owes his career to Nicolas and now wants to repay him – if Nicolas agrees.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

The ‘Love Story’ singer hosted US TV show ‘Saturday Night Live’ where she performed a quirky song about getting revenge on her former beaus and her love for her current boyfriend, actor Taylor Lautner.

She sang: “I like writing songs about douche-bags who cheat on me / But I’m not going to say that in my monologue / I like writing their names into songs so they’re ashamed to go out in public / But I’m not going to say that in my monologue.”

The blonde beauty – who split from Disney singer-and-actor Joe Jonas, 20, last November – used her appearance on the popular weekend show to brag to her ex-boyfriend about her growing success.

She sang: “You might think I’d bring up Joe Jonas, that guy who broke up with me on the phone / But I’m not gonna mention him in my monologue.

“Hey Joe, I’m doing real well. Tonight, I’m hosting SNL. / But I’m not gonna brag about that in my monologue. La la la. Ha ha ha.”

The 19-year-old songstress has been dating ‘Twilight’ actor Taylor Lautner over the past few months.

Although they have not been together long, Taylor used the opportunity to declare her love for the 17-year-old hunk.

She mouthed, ‘Hi Taylor’, before blowing a kiss and winking at the camera and singing: “And if you’re wondering if I might be dating the werewolf from ‘Twilight’ / I’m not gonna comment on that in my monologue.”

The teenage singing sensation also used the evening to speak about Kanye West’s behaviour at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) in August.

Singer Kanye stormed the stage, interrupted her acceptance speech for Best Female Video and told the audience he thought Beyonce Knowles should have been given the honour instead.

Taylor quipped: “You might be expecting me to say something bad about Kanye and how he ran up on the stage and ruined my VMA monologue / But there’s nothing more to say / ’cause everything’s okay / I’ve got security lining the stage.”

Source: BANG Showbiz