from Deadline Hollywood Daily, deadline.com

Deep cleansing breath,” CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler said at CBS’ presentation after a very carefully edited clip from Two and a Half Men that featured no trace of former star Charlie Sheen. “It has been a hectic few months for us,” she said. “Just last week, thanks to our new cast member’s tweet, we found out what the square root of 6.25 is,” she said, referring to Ashton Kutcher’s tweet shortly after news of his deal for Menleaked. “We could not be happier to have actor, producer and social-media mogul Ashton Kutcher joining TV’s No. 1 comedy for the past five years. Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time together, the new cast of Two and a Half Men.” Kutcher, joined by co-stars Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones, walked onstage, grooving to the theme song of the show. Kutcher looked genuinely happy and came across as likable as he gave unscripted remarks. “It’s awesome, it’s unbelievable to be here,” he said, adding that never in his 13-year career had he received so many congratulatory calls and emails. “You’d almost think I won the lotto … which I kinda did,” he said to laughs. “I got the best job in show business and I’m ecstatic.” He cited a piece of advice he was given when he was starting off. “If you want to be successful in life, surround yourself with the best and work your ass off.” “I’m surrounded by the best, and I will work my ass off.”

Cryer addressed the height discrepancy in the new cast, with Kutcher towering over him and Jones. “I asked (CBS’ bosses) Leslie Moonves and Tassler, Did you have to get a tall guy?” and went on to suggest a new title for the show, One and 2 Half-Men.

Olivia Munn and Alison Pill have now completed their negotiations for supporting roles in Aaron Sorkin’s drama pilot for HBO tentatively titled More As This Story Develops.

The project centers on cable news anchor Will McCallister (Jeff Daniels), who has his own show, as well as the show’s female executive producer and staff. Pill will play Maggie, an associate producer on the assignment desk. Munn, repped by CAA and Mosaic, will play a sexy financial analyst on the same cable network as McCallister.

Emily Mortimer is still in negotiations for the female lead of the executive producer, MacKenzie. Munn, who recently starred on NBC’s midseason comedy Perfect Couples, was courted for several broadcast pilots this pilot season but opted not do any. She continues to be a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. Tony nominee Pill, repped by WME and Joannie Burstein, co-starred on the second season of HBO’s In Treatment.

From Deadline Hollywood Daily.

The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office is continuing its crackdown on Hollywood agencies it believes are running afoul of the state’s labor laws. Today the city attorney and the State Labor Commissioner sent a letter to Burbank-based Central Casting, the industry’s largest extras-casting business, ordering the company to cease and desist from charging or collecting fees from its background actors. An investigation found that Central Casting “charges applicants a cash-only $25 ’photographic/electronic image’ fee, regardless of whether the applicant actually receives work, and that other casting companies collect fees ranging from $15 to $80.” Letter also were sent to 13 other casting companies, the city attorney said. “The Labor Commissioner’s office is committed to enforcing all of California’s labor laws. This includes ensuring actors are not required to pay a fee which the law prohibits,” Labor Commissioner Julie Su said. “An employer that requires a mandatory fee from actors applying for work as background performers in the entertainment industry violates this important rule.”

The letter marks the latest in a string of moves by city and state officials to ensure compliance with the state’s Krekorian Talent Scam Prevention Act of 2009, which prohibits charging advance fees. Four talent managers have been charged with charging improper fees, the highest-profile one being Nick Roses, a youth talent manager who worked for established management company Luber Roklin Entertainment.

You know the type. The A-C-T-O-R reeks with an aura of desperation wherever he goes. Constantly has his headshot IN HAND when frequenting Coffee Bean, Urth Cafe, or various LA drive-thrus (just in case Scorcese has a hankering for a super-sized #5). The A-C-T-O-R has six thousand different “mastered skills”, can play any ethnicity (or gender), and is an undiscovered Cyrus-esque triple threat.

A-C-T-O-R’s Hotmail signature proudly totes links to Explore Talent, Talent Six, and CastMe! profiles.

To preface this collection — we love actors. We respect actors. We enjoy seeing trained actors who don’t think getting naked in the alternative Method classroom equates to being good. However, there are some actors out there that are absolutely OUT OF THEIR MINDS — and we have collected a series of emails submitted to us by casting directors, agents, managers, PR firms, and anyone else who’s had an A-C-T-O-R experience. Enjoy.

CUPID THE LOVER contacts major film casting office.  Casting Director Doesn’t Take Sh*T.